Young guns keep the art of ploughing alive in Teesdale

VINTAGE ploughing matches are an older man’s game – or so you’d think.

And while it’s true that a good deal of the competitors at Teesdale’s annual event were over a certain age, 14-year-old Angus Grey, of Darlington, proved that experience is no barrier by winning the novice section. He also came first at Hexham two weeks before that.

His dad, Douglas, who was keeping an eye on things at the event, in Rokeby, earlier this month, said: “Vintage tractors are just our love. We’ve got five of them and we take part in ploughing matches across the region during the season.”

The Grey father and son team were taking part in their 1960 Massey Ferguson, which has been lovingly restored after being bought as a “wreck”.

Mr Grey said: “I grew up with them and my son’s got an interest in them now.”

Judging by the number of people taking part he wasn’t the only one. The ploughing match was organised by Peter Moss on Ewebank Farm. It raised £600, of which £200 will go to Brignall Church and £400 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Mr Moss took part in his plough which dates from the 1960s.

“It was lying in nettles for years and would have ended up as scrap. I paid £900 for it but it’s worth more now – it was one of the last trail ploughs built before they became hydraulic,” he said

The competition is simple – those with the straightest and neatest furrow wins. Drivers use poles to guide them and no electronic devices are allowed. Competitors were hampered by “clarty” conditions which Mr Moss described as the worst possible.

“The mud sticks to everything,” he added.

Among those watching was William Salvin who said: “These events are a bug that grows on you. You can soon see the good, bad and ugly.”

And the secret to success?

“Lots of concentration,” said young Angus.

Ploughing match results: Trailed plough: 1, Trevor Robinson, Penrith; 2, John Saunders, Carlisle.

Modified hydraulic: 1, Donald Walker, Crook; 2, R Wilson, Billsdale.

Unmodified hydraulic: 1, R Wilkinson, Hexham; 2, Alan Brown, Thirsk; 3, Derek Tyson, Thirsk; 4, Brian Elliott, Barnard Castle; =5 A Richardson, Leeming Bar and William Pollock, Carlisle. Novice: 1, 14-year-old Angus Green, Darlington; 2, Adam Willis, Gayles; 3, Ted Clarkson, Bedale; 4, Nigel Carter, Barnard Castle.