by Meyrick Brown

THE Llangolman Vintage Ploughing Society enjoyed an excellent annual match on Bank Holiday Saturday with 40 top class craftsmen from across Wales and some of the best English ploughmen also in competition.

Enjoying a very rewarding day with a good crowd of supporters in attendance, this year’s site was on a slightly uneven terrain in a wheat stubble at Wood Park Farm, Maenclochog by kind invitation of Richard and Jayne James.

Adjudged to have completed the best ridge was hi cut challenger Derek Needham from Norfolk with the best working outfit being that of Ernie Dutton from Cheshire.

Gordon Harries, St Florence completed the best work by a Pembrokeshire ploughman and the winning novice was Morgan Evans of Gower.

A new award this year was in the dedicated Ferguson division in which John Evans, Eglwyswrw was awarded a mounted silver plough, generously donated by Jane Kelsa, and presented to the winner on her behalf by her sister, Celia Sykes.

The officials were: President, Richard James, Secretary, Leighton Bryan, Judges: Ellis Davies, Philip Harries, Mervyn John, Lodwig Jones, Alan Lucas and Norman Prosser.

Results:

Horse ploughing – 1, John Fletcher, Cardigan.

Hi cut – 1, Derek Needham, Norfolk; 2, Vernon Davies, Brecon: 3, Raymond Roach, Haverfordwest 4, Don Williams, Surrey.

Open, trailed plough – 1, John Milnes, Sheffield; 2, Sam Jones, Caersws; 3, Gordon Harries, Tenby; 4, Michael Watkins, Rotherham., hydraulic plough – 1, Richard Ingram, Warwickshire; 2, Arthur Jennings, Flintshire, 3, Tony Bradley, Monmouth; 3, Philip Jones, Newtown.

Classic – 1, Gareth Bryan, Maenclochog; 2, Stuart Burden, Rotherham; 3, Ron Hughes, Tregaron; 4, Leighton Bryan, Clynderwen.

Novice – 1, Morgan Evans, Gower; 2, Haydn Hughes, Holywell.

Ferguson – 1, John Evans, Eglwyswrw; 2, Will John, Efailwen; 3, John Handscombe, Newcastle Emlyn; 4, Chris Gutteridiue, Ffostrasol.