Ploughmen prove they are top of the crop

Forty vintage and classic tractors battled it out in a plouging match in West Suffolk.

The 14th annual event run by the East Anglian branch of the Ferguson Club attracted participants from across East Anglia and the South East.

Each tractor driver received a plaque sponsored by Silver Fox Tractor Spares and the winners of various classes scooped a cup or plaque from the Ferguson Club.

It was held by kind permission of the Turner family, of Ampton Hall, and Mr A Long, of Hall Farm, Fornham St Martin.

Gemma Arbon was named lady champion with Sara Tween in second place and Richard Welham won the Ferguson champion title with Steve Arbon as runner-up.

Joe Payne was novice Ferguson driver; Don Sapsford triumphed in the classic mounted Ferguson category with Dick Birch in second place and Frank Pettitt won the best restored Ferguson tractor title. Brian Upchurch was top in vintage mounted and prizes were also awarded to the ‘open classes’ winners plus the Ford Association.

A donation was sent to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Henry Castle, event organiser with Don Sapsford, said: “Ploughing conditions were perfect and the Society of Ploughmen judges said that some of the plots were of a very high standard.”