Country Boy

This splendid old red tractor and its owner are taking part in the Forest of Arden agricultural society's 66th Ploughing and Hedging match. This event takes place on different farms in our area every year. A couple of years ago it was cancelled because the ground was so saturated due to excessive rainfall. This year the farmers were saying how hard it was to plough as the ground is very dry and hard.

There are hedge laying competitions, ploughing with horses, and with tractors vintage and modern. There are cereal and fodder contests and a flowers and produce marquee. Oh and you can buy the most fantastic and filling ploughman's lunch, and local beer and cider.

At three o'clock Princess Anne helicoptered in to inspect the exhibits and present the prizes. I suspect she would probably rather have been driving a tractor.