Brackenhurst Further Education students compete at Flintham and Southwell ploughing matches
A triumphant result for our Further Education (FE) students who competed in the Flintham and Southwell ploughing matches which took place last week. Students from the agriculture and countryside courses had the chance to showcase their technical skills and bring home prizes.
By Hollie Edward | Published on 5 October 2023
Flintham ploughing match
Earlier in the week at the Flintham show, our students competed in the ploughing matches. With agriculture students, Eleanor Swain winning the Novice ploughing trophy and Angus Rawlinson coming second. Visitors at Flintham also received a royal visit from the Duchess of Edinburgh. The Duchess stopped by the stand to chat with staff and students about their work.
Ploughing matches are a traditional agricultural show for local farmers, rural businesses and countryside enthusiasts. With many stalls and activities for local families to join in with. Flintham and Southwell have been running matches for well over 100 years. It has become a yearly tradition for our FE students to compete, starting in 2016.
Southwell ploughing match
On Saturday, the Southwell ploughing match kicked off. Our agriculture students had another success. Students were faced with a difficult ploughing pitch which was heavy with clay and gravel but they persevered. With Jack Norsworthy winning the Commerical Reversible class, and Joe Harper coming in second.
Our countryside students took on the challenge at Southwell of competing in the hedge laying. Unlike in previous years where students could work in pairs, each student was given their individual section. Students stuck to a traditional approach using hand-held Billhooks in the Midlands style. Our students managed to seize a number of prizes. Rhiannon Coe coming third, Gemma Chambers in forth, and Ed Lee coming in fifth. Their tutors Rebecca Dicks and Hannah Quinn commented on how proud they were of their students, especially competing so well after only four sessions of training and going up against professionals many of which were using chainsaws.
FE students also participated in the Scarecrow making contest, although they didn’t win top prize it was still a fantastic effort which was praised.
Overall, a successful week for students and staff from FE. With much to celebrate and looking forward to ploughing matches in the next year.