Sussex farmer bids to be world ploughing champion

Will Tupper will take part in the World Ploughing Championships in Estonia

A farmer from West Sussex is preparing for a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to compete at the World Ploughing Championships.

Will Tupper, from Bignor, says he is the first person from the south east to represent England in the event.

He has travelled to Tartu, in Estonia, for several days of practice and preparation ahead of the finals on 16-17 August.

Mr Tupper, who is the current British ploughing champion, told BBC Radio Sussex: "It’s going to be quite a different experience, quite a lot of pressure."

Nearly £10,000 has been raised by the community and ploughing associations for his travel and to deliver his plough and tractor.

Mr Tupper, who started taking part in ploughing matches when he was 13, said "you have to be quite particular" with the work and always "looking at ways to improve".

Mr Tupper won local, county and national events to qualify for the world championships

The world championships have come at a busy time for the farmer.

He said: "It has been a stressful lead up because we’re in the middle of harvest season.

"It’s a terrible time to go away, we’re absolutely flat out on the farm.

"We have been working really hard to get as much done as we can before I go.

"But you have to do it, don’t you? I might never qualify again and it’s a chance to represent your country."

'Financial support'

To qualify, Mr Tupper had to win his local ploughing match in Petworth, followed by the county ploughing match at Newick, near Lewes, before winning the national championship in Somerset.

He said: "Everybody has been fantastic.

"Ploughing is quite a solitary thing where you plod along on your own at ploughing matches, but everybody has been so pleased that someone from the South East has done well.

"Businesses, ploughing associations and individuals have all come together and made donations small and large.

"It’s been really helpful because we don’t get any financial support. It’s quite a cost that goes out of your pocket."

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