Plough horses return to the fields in Deeping Fen

In a scene from yesteryear, the original powerhouse of the farming world once again took to the fields.

Teams of horses took part in the Deepings Agricultural Association Ploughing Match on Saturday, alongside a number of classic tractors.

A total of 97 entries took part in the first match for two years in Deeping Fen.

The 10-strong judging panel, headed by Willie Chatterton, had the difficult task of looking over the entrants efforts’ in nine classes.

Ploughmen were given plots of around14m x 75m and judged on the uniformity of the ploughing, trash burial and a good finish.

Mr S Garrod, of Attleborough, driving a Fordson N 1943, was named champion ploughman.

The ploughing match also included four horse teams.

Agricultural association chairman Edward Whitfield was delighted with the turn out.

He said: “The general feeling is that people were pleased to be able to get out.

“We had to cancel the match in 2019 because of the weather and 2020 for Covid-19. Previously we hadn’t missed one since 1946.

“The children liked to see the horse teams in action too.”