Second report on the Ploughing match early April 2009
Puffs and plumes of blue smoke, as tired old tractors start,
Backings off the trailers steady, every one take part,
Going back to the clubs ploughing match in early April 2009 here is a second report on the match.
We had a nice sunny day and ideal ploughing conditions and a good turnout of over ninety tractors taking part.
After totalling up the income and expenditure it was found we had £530 to give to charity of which was split between "Headway", and the parish church. Two representatives from Headway came and we presented them with £380 at the monthly meeting, and Rev. Hetherington came to receive £150 for the parish church funds.
Click over to my picture gallery to se aerial pictures of the ploughing match, also that is the Fordson Major E27N that I did the 36 mile road run on last Sunday
We had a Vintage Ploughing Match
We had a vintage ploughing match, the weather it was fine,
The men had marked it out real well, the pegs all aligned,
Finger boards at every junction, bring the entrants in,
Parked on a patch of turf, a catering van within.
Puffs and plumes of blue smoke, as tired old tractors start,
Backings off the trailers steady, every one take part,
Call to see Jack and Margaret, see what plot you've got,
Then across for a cup of tea, ten o'clock ploughing on the dot.
Off to find your numbered peg, line up the markers straight,
Clear off any straw or rubbish, to make your first scrape,
Judges walk round opening splits, and with a pencil sharp,
Mark the points up on the pad, not for us to carp,
Fine and even rough and bent, some were all perfection,
Everyone did the best they could, up to their satisfaction,
Finish crooked finish straight; look round all the plots you creep,
Some they falter some they're fine, some they're bloody deep.
Oil the plough and load it up, then off for a cup of tea,
Gathered round the catering van, judges are still busy,
Adding up the points we've gained, sorting out the classes,
Seeing who will win the cup, and see who needs new glasses.
A raffle held and tickets sold, money for good cause,
Added to the gate takings, and sponsors here because,
Going to Headway House, Headway charity, brain injuries,
Open five days every week, support victims and their families,
A donation goes to the village church, to help the vicar out,
To help the funds for its upkeep, for this we sometimes shout,
So thank you all for your support, and made it, a great day,
Pleased to see you here again, tho it happens to be on SUNDAY.
(the vicars busy day)
Countryman
The living need charity more than the dead.
George Arnold.