A little history of the club
On a July evening in 1945, with the war more or less over, three young farmers’ clubs — Tuxford, Retford and Walesby — met at Mrs Mellors’ guest house in Tuxford with the idea of a family day out. It was there the ploughing match was conceived. Mr Bowness of Gamston said yes to the use of his land, rules were formulated, and on 17 November 1945 the first match was held.
The first match: three ploughing classes and a root crop section, on Mr Bowness’s land at Gamston.
Reversible ploughing introduced, alongside shire horse and vintage classes added over the years. Sideshows ranged from tractor pulling and clay shooting to sheaf tossing and a dog show.
West Notts joined forces with North Notts for several years. Ploughing classes grew from 3 in 1945 to 8 by 1994; home produce grew to ten classes of handicrafts, garden produce and children’s competitions.
The 50th match, back on the original site by kind permission of the Bowness family. Commemorative brass plaques for every ploughman, and the 1945 photograph recreated with similar tractors and the same competitors.
Cancelled due to foot & mouth; the following three matches ran on a shoestring with no prize money.
A meeting at the King William Inn, Scaftworth considered winding the match up — instead, a new committee formed, soon joined by enthusiastic new members.
Solvent once again — with its own marquee, prize money reintroduced thanks to sponsors, and over £400 raised for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
With many thanks to our sponsors
Each class is supported by a sponsor whose backing puts the prize money back in the field and keeps the match going year after year. Please support them in return.
