Cubley: Tractors go head-to-head at ploughing contest

Participants came from across the UK for the Brailsford Ploughing Match

More than 100 ploughmen, ploughwomen and hedge-layers have been battling it out at a long-running competition in Derbyshire.

Brailsford Ploughing Match was held in Cubley on Wednesday.

Participants came from across the UK to compete in various ploughing and hedge-cutting categories.

The competition dates back to 1895 and is believed to have been prompted by an argument between local farmers about their capabilities as ploughmen.

Ashley Boyles comes to the match every year

Ashley Boyles, a former UK champion, from Lincolnshire, was among those taking part.

He said: "I come every year if I can. It's a good match. One of the biggest local matches in the country."

Another competitor Robert Ball, who has won the ploughing competition a couple of times in the Classic Class for tractors built between 1959 and 1976, said judges were looking for high quality work.

He said: "It's all about basically uniform furrows, straightness, and when you get into the ploughing, it is about burying the trash - the last year's crop - preparing the soil for the next crop."

George Spencer, chief ploughing steward, said: "We are blessed around here with some tremendous ploughmen who plough at national events and world events."

Competitor Eric Derry said the event was muddy with "lots of smoke because of the old tractors"