Southwell Ploughing Match returned to Oxton with thanks to Oxton Estate for providing a beautiful, picturesque site for the 2024 show, which took place on Saturday 28th September.
The crisp autumn dew soon turned to glorious sunshine complemented by a mild breeze which attracted visitors in their thousands who ventured to the show in seek of a fun-for-all-the-family day out.
The one-day event showcases the best selection of rural crafts and traditional countryside exhibitions such as vintage tractors, horse ploughing, dog show, horticulture produce competitions, tractor and trailer rides, horse and pony classes, and so much more!
The show society were delighted to welcome 117 ploughing competitors to the stubble fields this year, with trophies awarded to those gaining the most points in their classes of conventional, reversible, horticultural, classic and horse ploughing.
Southwell Secure Dog Field joined the show for the first time sponsoring the dog show with 250 entries received over the 12 classes offered on the day! From best pedigree, prettiest lady, handsome fella, best rescue and best pet handled by a child, just to name a few, pets and owners of all ages thoroughly enjoyed talking part.
Horses and ponies are always a pleasant sight at the show with 490 entries this year across working hunters, in hand, turn out and show jumping classes. A crowd favourite in the Main Ring, is the novelty pony fancy dress class where riders and ponies create imaginative and inventive costumes; sometimes with whole families taking part! This year we welcomed a fire engine, a peacock and even the cast from The Wizard of Oz with a walking yellow brick road entering the ring!
The J C Balls Dancing Diggers returned to the Main Ring to entertain the crowds with their skilled and unique routine rarely seen performed by these bright yellow construction machines.
The Tough Farmer competition saw teams of local farmers come head-to-head to battle their strength in a sequence of carrying straw bales, flipping tractor tyres and assembling sheep hurdles in record time before the rewarding finale, downing a pint of British milk! Newly-wed husband and wife team Oliver and Chrissie Collingham were crowned the winners and are still relishing the glory!
Visitors made sure to leave time for shopping the best of 165 trade stands this year, made up of local commercial agricultural retailers, handmade crafts, home-baked cakes, treats for pets, local charities and organisations, popular country brands, and much more!
The Southwell and District Agricultural Society, a registered charity whose aim is to ‘promote agriculture in the community’ is run by a committee of 100 local volunteers who give their time and skills to organise and run the annual Southwell Ploughing Match and Show; and have done since the society was founded in 1855. The Society Chairman Pete White would like to thank all competitors, exhibitors, judges, stewards, traders, visitors, volunteers and committee members for all their hard work and support in making the show a continued success.
Preparations have already begun for the 2025 Southwell Ploughing Match and show set to take place in Farnsfield; we look forward to seeing what next year brings!
Save the date: Saturday 27th September 2025, Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire
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