writes James Moules

Contestants travelled from all over Dorset to take part in the Dorchester Agricultural Society's third annual ploughing match.

The event saw more than 60 competitors come to Bere Down Farm in Bere Regis to take part in the ploughing match, which featured seven different classes. These included conventional and reversible ploughing.

In each category, a team of judges examined and assessed each of the contestant's furrows on their appearance, straightness and uniformity.

Paul Mancini was declared the overall winner, who ploughed with a Fordson tractor and a two furrow Ransomes vintage trailer plough.

In addition, there was a raffle held for the Dorchester Agricultural Society’s chosen charity of the year - Mosaic.

This is a charity that helps bereaved children and their families throughout Dorset. The charity describes its aim as being to construct a network across the county to offer specialist support for bereaved children and families. It offers counselling, support, training, social events and activity days for the bereaved.

Will Hyde, secretary of the Dorset County Show, praised both the event and the charity and thanked all who took part.

He said: "We are pleased to host our third annual ploughing match at Bere Down Farm. After Dorset County Show, it is a good opportunity to come together with our local farming community and take part in this historical agricultural event which dates back to the 1800s.

"Thank you to everyone that competed in the match and helped to raise extra funds for our chosen charity, Mosaic."

The Dorchester Agricultural Society was founded in 1840. It organises a number of agricultural events across the county, most notably the Dorset County Show.

The County Show, which this year took place on September 7 and September 8, regularly sees thousands of people flock to Dorset to enjoy the rural event.

The annual two day event is a celebration of agriculture and the rural way of life.

Next year, the show will take place on September 5 and September 6.

Originally published in the Dorset Echo.

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