New Forest Tractor & Engine Club ploughing match supported by Meriyck Estates and Drop the Anchor Brewery

A ‘FIELD to pint pot’ ploughing competition hosted by the New Forest Tractor & Engine Club filled the void left by the cancellation of a major match.

The annual Joint Ploughing Match did not go ahead because organisers could not find a suitable site.

So the NFTEC decided to hold their own in conjunction with Hinton Admiral Estate and Drop the Anchor Brewery on Hinton Estate.

Competitors had to plough a field which will eventually be planted with a crop of malted barley, to be used by the adjacent brewery.

Five classes of ploughing were judged by Peter Bailey and Adrian Pickford, with competitors developing and continuing the skills and knowledge of vintage and classic ploughing techniques.

Classes were designed to offer a variety of opportunities to members, with all sorts of plough types. Categories were horticultural; trailed two furrow; mounted two furrow, mounted three furrow, and mounted two furrow reversible ploughs.

All manner of classic tractors were on display during the event, which raised £250 for Waterside Gateway Club.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Well done to all competitors who were all winners continuing the legacy of skills and knowledge for the benefit of future generations.”

Attendees also enjoyed open pit fire cooked refreshments courtesy of Big Nose BBQ.

Winners were:

 Class 1 Horticultural – James Jackson

 Class 2 Trailed two furrow – Graham Spark

 Class 3 Mounted two furrow – Keith Stone

 Class 4 Mounted three furrow – Dave Middle

 Class 5 Mounted two furrow reversible – Luke Phillips

The overall highest scoring and champion competitor was Keith Stone.