Epworth Festival of the Plough draws crowds and celebrates tradition

Blustery conditions failed to deter visitors to the 32nd Festival of the Plough.

Just a day before the event in Epworth, high winds were wreaking havoc over the freshly combined field – leading to doubts about whether the festival could go ahead.

But determined efforts from organisers helped the show take place – with visitors turning up in their droves.

The highlight of the show was the horse ploughing.

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President Howard Woolgar said: "It is always a fantastic day.

"I started farming in 1957 and this has been the most unusual season for farming.

"On Thursday, when the high winds blew the tents down, we nearly said that was it.

"But the team has worked tremendously hard to put the tents back up and deliver this show.

"We are indebted to the farmer and his wife, Simon and Lynn Clark, because without their help and support, we would not be on this fabulous site.

"The horse ploughing is always the main attraction and what people like to come to see."

The festival, held at Burnham Farm for the 20th year, began with a blessing of the plough at 10am.

From then on visitors could observe the skills of horse, tractor and steam engine ploughing as well as other activities such as archery, steam-powered gallopers, morris dancers, brass bands and ferret racing.

Mr Woolgar said preparations would get underway for next year's show straight after the climax of this year's.

"We meet every month to prepare and our next meeting will be a post-mortem to see how things have gone and how we can improve next year," he said.

Those taking part came from far and wide.

Among them was Caroline Stubbins, from Sturton by Stow, and her shire and Clydesdale horses Captain and Archie.

The horses are owned by Tom Cliffe, who is a veteran of the show, but missed his first one this year because of illness.

Caroline said: "I have been with the Cliffe family since I was 15 and we absolutely love it. There is no bigger supporter of this day than Tom and I am sure he would be very proud of the horse's efforts today."

Clive Thornton, 73, from Epworth, brought his grandchildren Evie and Cameron along to the event.

"It is great for them to come here and see a bit of history," he said.

"You don't get many chances to show them things like this, so it is great for them to get so close to it all."

Proceeds from the event are donated to a number of charities and a presentation of funds will take place on Friday, January 18 at Epworth's Thurlow War Memorial Pavilion from 8pm.

Main image provided by Harold Woolgar.