The British National Ploughing Championships and Country Festival will celebrate its 75th anniversary at Austrey, near Atherstone, Warwickshire, on 10th and 11th October – bringing together some of the finest ploughmen and women from all across Great Britain.

With competitors travelling from the north of Scotland to the south of Cornwall, the Championships will once again demonstrate the depth of ploughing talent across the country, while celebrating the people, machinery, horses and traditions that make this event unique.

 Among the competitors are six ladies, including three young farmers, demonstrating that ploughing continues to attract a new generation of competitors alongside those who have been involved for many years.   Nicola Rawnsley from the Isle of Man and Ethel Worthington from South Yorkshire will be ploughing with horses; and Janet Vickers will be in the classic class.  The young farmers are Ellie Bullard from Hertfordshire, who will be ploughing in the conventional tractor class; her younger sister Chloe will be in the classic class; and Lauren Cope from Derby who will be in the hydraulic class

 There will also be a strong family flavour to the competition, with brothers, fathers and sons, uncles and nephews, brother and sisters, and husbands and wives taking to the field.   Janet’s husband, Nigel, will be ploughing as will their son, Nigel; and Ellie and Chloe’s brother, Josh will also be competing (in the same class as Chloe).  

 For many competitors, ploughing is more than simply a competition – it is a skill and tradition passed down through generations.  The competition will be particularly intense for those aiming to secure a place in one of the Plough-Off Finals on the second day. The successful finalists will battle it out for the coveted British title, with the very best potentially earning the opportunity to represent their country at the World and European Ploughing Championships in 2027.

 Away from the competition, visitors can expect an impressive display of agricultural heritage and horsepower.   At least three pairs of steam ploughing engines will be demonstrating their remarkable power and engineering, while Joe Hewes will return with his Chieftain tank for a spectacular demonstration of tracked vehicle ploughing, featuring some amendments to last year's demonstration.

 There will also be plenty for machinery enthusiasts to enjoy, with large numbers of vintage tractors on display alongside agricultural machinery demonstrations.

 The heavy horse section promises to be another major attraction, with 16 pairs entered and a fascinating range of breeds represented.  Visitors will see Clydesdales, Shires, Comtois, Percherons and Ardennes demonstrating the strength, skill and partnership required to plough with horses.

Alongside the ploughing and machinery, the Country Festival will feature trade stands, stalls and shopping, together with a vibrant country craft marquee.

 The 75th Championships will therefore be much more than a competition.  It will be a celebration of British agriculture and rural life, bringing together competitors, families, machinery enthusiasts and visitors for a weekend where farming skills, heritage and modern competition meet.

 Organised by the Society of Ploughmen, the British National Ploughing Championships move to a different part of Great Britain each year.   Chief Executive, Sue Frith said, “We are delighted to be bringing the Championships back to Warwickshire this year.  The event promises to be a fitting celebration of 75 years of competition and the generations of ploughmen and women who have helped make the event such an important part of Britain's agricultural calendar”.

 The site is easy to find – just off the M42/A42, junction 11, next to Twycross Zoo.  There will be plenty of food and drink stalls, car parking is free and there is a 20% discount for admission tickets bought online in advance.  Go to www.ploughmen.co.uk/tickets for more details.