Ploughing tradition and family pride at 75th British Championships
The British National Ploughing Championships and Country Festival will mark its 75th anniversary at Austrey, near Atherstone in Warwickshire, on 10 and 11 October, bringing together leading ploughmen and women from across Great Britain.
Competitors will travel from the north of Scotland to the south of Cornwall for the two-day event, which celebrates the skill, machinery, horses and traditions that continue to shape one of Britain’s best-known agricultural competitions.
Six female competitors are among this year’s entries, including three young farmers. Nicola Rawnsley, from the Isle of Man, and Ethel Worthington, from South Yorkshire, will plough with horses, while Janet Vickers will compete in the classic class.
Young farmers Ellie Bullard, from Hertfordshire, and her sister Chloe will compete in the conventional tractor and classic classes respectively, with Lauren Cope, from Derby, entered in the hydraulic class.
Family links will also run strongly through the field, with brothers, fathers and sons, uncles and nephews, siblings, and husbands and wives competing. Janet Vickers’ husband, Nigel, and their son, also Nigel, will take part, while Ellie and Chloe’s brother, Josh, will compete in the same class as Chloe.
For many entrants, ploughing is a skill passed down through generations. Competition will be especially fierce for those hoping to reach the Plough-Off Finals on the second day, where finalists will contest the British titles and the chance to earn selection for the World and European Ploughing Championships in 2027.
Away from the competition, visitors can expect a packed programme of agricultural heritage and horsepower. At least three pairs of steam ploughing engines will demonstrate their power and engineering, while Joe Hewes will return with his Chieftain tank for a tracked vehicle ploughing display.
Machinery enthusiasts will be able to see large numbers of vintage tractors and agricultural machinery demonstrations, while the heavy horse section will feature 16 pairs, including Clydesdales, Shires, Comtois, Percherons and Ardennes.
Alongside the ploughing and machinery, the Country Festival will include trade stands, stalls, shopping and a country craft marquee, making the anniversary event a wider celebration of British agriculture and rural life.
The Championships are organised by the Society of Ploughmen and move to a different part of Great Britain each year. Chief Executive Sue Frith said: “We are delighted to be bringing the Championships back to Warwickshire this year. The event promises to be a fitting celebration of 75 years of competition and the generations of ploughmen and women who have helped make it such an important part of Britain’s agricultural calendar.”
The site is just off the M42/A42 at junction 11, next to Twycross Zoo. Parking is free, food and drink will be available,and visitors can receive a 20% discount on admission tickets bought online in advance at www.ploughmen.co.uk/tickets.
Related news: