The Melplash Hedgelaying and Ploughing Match will go ahead this autumn after it was cancelled last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It will take place on Sunday, September 19 from 9amon land at Hingsdon, near Netherbury, by kind permission of Mr James Bowditch, Mrs Elizabeth Findlay and Messrs Symes.

Alongside will run the the Farm Produce Show which would normally be held at the annual Melplash Agricultural Show which was again cancelled this year.

Society chairman, James Vickery, said: “The Hedgelaying and Ploughing Match along with the Farm Produce Show provides a shop window for people to engage with what farming and the countryside is all about."

Farmers are invited to enter their best hay, silage, straw, maize, grain and eggs for judging on the day.

The ploughing match has been a significant event in the calendar since the Melplash Agricultural Society and Melplash Show was established in 1847.

On that day, a ploughing match took place in the parish of Melplash with horse drawn ploughs.

It was a great occasion as it celebrated the successful gathering in of the harvest and was the time when local farmers and their workers could show off their skills, impress their neighbours and have some fun.

The only time it ap[pears not to have taken place was at times during the First and Second World Wars and then last year due to the pandemic.

The full schedules and details of how to enter are available on melplashshow.co.uk or from the show office on 01308 423337 or office@melplashshow.co.uk.

For all of those over 13 years who would like to learn the craft of hedgelaying a free hedgelaying taster day is being held on Sunday, September 5 from 10am – 3 pm.

For more information on the show and the taster day, visit melplashshow.co.uk or contact the show office on 01308 423337 or via office@melplashshow.co.uk.