MORE than 100 people - and several horses - took part in a countryside tradition.

Dozens turned out for the Crewkerne Young Farmers 54th annual ploughing match at Hinton Park.

A number of people from West Dorset entered the competition, with Barry Dennett, from Broadwindsor, receiving a memorial trophy for best work using a plough with three or more furrows. The trophy is presented in memory of Barry's brother, and was handed to the winner by Sam, his grandson.

Philip Hardwill, one of the organisers, said it was lovely to see so many people taking part.

He added: "This is our 54th annual event and we had 100 entries over 10 different classes, nine with tractors and one with horses, which makes such a lovely sight.

"All different ages enter. It used to be organised by the NFU but they gave up doing it around the early 1960s and the young farmers club, who were quite energetic, decided they would take on the organising of it. And it's still going strong today."

Local lad Jack Hawker won the reversible ploughing championship at the event, along with trophies for best ploughing by a young farmer member.

Jack, who lives in Middle Chinnock is the chairman of the YFC ploughing committee. Novice reversible champion was another YFC member Leo Bonning who was watched by both his grandfathers as he completed his plot. 

The huge field of competitors included Mike Yorke of Taunton with horses Isaac and Merlin and John Mattingley with horses Jadie and Marcel. 

The spectators enjoyed watching ploughman Ricky Atrill from the Isle of White win the overall ploughing championship. The eight ploughing judges, Jimmy Balsdon, Graham Beer, David Bowyer, Richard Curtis, Pat Froom, Nick Hill, Mike Hole and John Kerslake, had the difficult task of choosing the prize winners, whilst David Hinkins undertook the judging of the seven individual feed classes, with the overall fodder shield being awarded to Norman Habberfield, by the number of first places gained, runners up RC Chapman winning the trophy for the best individual forage sample. The clubs thanks go to Ed, Carole & Steve Ruell, for kindly providing such a wonderful site.

The club members wish to thank the ladies of the club's advisory committee who provided refreshments and lunches for the judges on the day, sponsored by Frogmary Green Farm & Wyke Farms. The club members are also grateful to the YFC advisory committee for stewarding on the day and marking out the plots, to Fred Broom for the Hot Refreshments, and to the local businesses who provided financial and product support.