FARMERS from all over Britain braved the elements to take part in one of the country's biggest agricultural shows, staged in Middlewich last week.

Torrential rain failed to deter the thousands of spectators and participants who turned out at the Cheshire Ploughing and Hedging Championships at Kinderton Hall last Wednesday.

The Duke of Westminster, the Ploughing and Hedging Society president, was guest of honour at the day-long event, making a speech to welcome competitors and spectators and watching some of the competitions.

There were machinery demonstrations and trade stands as well as ploughing and hedging contests for modern machinery, vintage machinery and a class for traditional farm horses.

The victors in each of the competition classes went home with a share of the £2,000 prize money which was on offer, and around 4,000 people attended the event.

Society secretary Ted Bowen said: "In 35 years it is the first time we have had such a drenching, so obviously we were happy that supporters of the championships turned up in such great numbers.

"This event just gets bigger and bigger every year. The rain didn't affect the ploughing and hedging competitions at all, although it made a little more mess than usual."

The championship, which is one of the biggest working demonstrations of farm equipment in the country, was last held at Kinderton Hall Farm in 1976.

It is the fourth time in 75 years that the farm has been used as a venue for the event, which is a championship record.

Mr Bowen said: "It was chosen again this year because it has quality hedges which are becoming more difficult to find as fields are being made larger.

"The championship is actually very important for conservation, because the hedgelaying ensures that the few traditional hedges we have left are protected and continue to thrive."

He added that the society was already looking for a suitable venue in Cheshire to stage next year's ploughing and hedging championships.

"We are hoping that any farmers with good hedges and suitable land will contact us and offer its use for next year," he said.

Any interested parties can contact the society by writing to Ted Bowen at Holme Leigh, Whitchurch Road, near Tarporley, or calling 01829 260 493.

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