Planes, ploughs and plenty of fun

Fine weather helped to ensure a good turnout at Collingham ploughing match and show on Saturday.

More than 3,500 people attended the 158th annual show, organised by Collingham and District Agricultural Society, at Larksfield, Collingham.

Many took advantage of the free admission for children for the first time, with families out in force.

Activities for youngsters included a climbing wall, a stilt walker, a giant inflatable slide and donkey rides.

Pupils from John Blow Primary School made their own contribution with a display of hand puppets on the theme of weather.

Collingham firefighters demonstrated how they would deal with a road accident.

The station’s new Scania engine was on show, and featured alongside 1953 and 1967 engines brought by Mansfield Fire Museum, and a Green Goddess owned by Mr Tim Sheldon.

The show chairman, Mr Nigel Cook, of Swinderby Road, Collingham, hoped the decision not to charge for children had made the difference to the number of people who came.

“With the current financial climate we thought we would give it a go to try to entice families in,” he said.

“We like to think we are a more family-orientated show, with something for everybody.”

Mr Cook said the biggest turnout was in the vintage vehicle classes, which he said was growing year on year. More than 80 classic cars, bikes and tractors were on show.

He said the dog show was also very popular.

The show president, Mr Pat White, of Field House Farm, Balderton, said it was a fantastic day and very good for village life.

“The rural villages are alive and flourishing,” he said.

Mr White said the dedication that people showed to host the event was inspiring and thought the behind-the-scenes work by the committee was exemplary.

Among his show highlights were the steam threshing engine, similar to one used by his grandfather in the early 1900s, and the flypast by a Spitfire and a Hurricane.

Mr White, a past chairman of Collingham Young Farmers’ Club, said it was good to see a younger generation being introduced to country life.

Trophy winners: Ploughing, J.L. Maltby trophy: A. Boyles; Gothic house cup: A. Boyles; J.L. Maltby Ltd trophy for best work (CASE tractor): B. Callarby; Nesbitt Arnold trophy for winner of the vintage tractor ploughing: G. Broughton; Terry Clayton cup for the person 25 years or younger with most points in ploughing classes: A. Reeve; Laurence Boston perpetual memorial trophy for points in vintage tractor ploughing: B. Callarby; Ford New Holland award for best work with a Ford tractor: N. Davenport; Platts Harris Cup: G. Allwood; Fred Brumpton trophy for horse ploughing: C. Taylor; Pacey cup: B. Cartor; Ken Clayton trophy: A. Reeve; best work by a YFC member: A. Boyles.

Plashing, Barnard trophy: A. Pickup; Eric Weatherall trophy: H. Shufflebottom; John Shelton trophy: Paul Palmer.

Livestock, beef, Collingham cup for best beef-type animal: W. Hardy and Son; P.H. Waddington memorial cup for best beast (opposite sex to champion): Wilkinson Bros; Kenning Tyre cup for reserve champion: Wilkinson Bros.

Sheep, Grammer silver tray for pen of three sheep: A.R. Barker; James Crocker bowl for reserve pen of three sheep: R.J. and E.J. Smith; Fin Campbell trophy: R.J. and E.J. Smith; Brocklebank trophy: Ian Kirk.

Corn, Crocker corn cup: F.W. White; Harry Akrill cup: F.W. White; Crocker trophy: F.W. White.

Dog show, Benbow silver salver for best in show: Katelin Sherif; NFU cup for reserve best in show: Caitlin Colquhan-Scoffield; Joan Mitchell trophy for best puppy: Ann-Marie Morley; Daphne Rigall memorial trophy: Tracie Pearson.

Horticulture, Lingspot cup for points in vegetable section: John Lee; Perpetual Challenge Cup for points in all sections: John Lee; A.J. Cobb cup for best exhibit in vegetable class: John Lee; A.L. Grebby memorial cup 1989 for flower classes: Stuart Ogle; Joe Hallam cup for heaviest pumpkin: Denis Thomson.

Home produce, Haytree plate for points: Mrs McNicholas; Hill Shield for man in the kitchen: Brian Cross; Mrs B. Alvey memorial cup for best entry: Jill Cooledge; small silver cup for best child exhibit: Josie Troop.

Flower arranging, Holme cup for overall winner: Susan Bellamy.

Handicrafts, crafts tray for best exhibit: Mrs M. Rowland.

Horses and ponies, Toulson silver rose bowl for ridden horses championship: Sarah Lindsey; Baker trophy for novice working hunter championship: Shane Sutton; Spillers shield for best turned-out pony and rider: Henry Barton Smith; Hart cup for best local turned-out pony and rider: Hannah Sheldon; C.A. Holbrook Ltd cup for best family pony not exceeding 153cm: Oliver Towle; Dickenson cup for best local family pony not exceeding 153cm: Oliver Towle; Sally Ann cup for first ridden pony: Olivia Maltby; Holdingham trophy for best pony of show hunter type not exceeding 122cm: Ellie Flavell; Windsor and Stephenson trophy for champion: Rose Bailey.

Fossitt and Thorne cup for champion heavy horse: Sarah Ford; UAM cup: Rebecca Lund.