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A celebration of the farming community in Berkshire is set to take place later this month as the historic ploughing match and show returns.
The Royal East Berks Agricultural Association (REBAA) is hosting its 170th show on land at Stubbings, near Pinkneys Green, on Sunday, September 24.
The event will give farmers the chance to showcase their tractors of all shapes and sizes.
Members of the public will also be able to see majestic heavy horses in ploughing action while a free to enter fun dog show is also planned.
The farming community in Berkshire has faced difficult weather conditions this summer due to unsettled weather across the UK.
Eunice Wilson, secretary for the REBAA, told the Advertiser: “The event is partly a celebration that harvest is over and it’s a chance to get together, socialise and give farmers a chance to meet.
“Its been what they call a snatch and grab harvest in between the rain. The crops were going over before the combine could reach them.
“It’s been a hard time so this is a good time to celebrate, particularly with the weather at the moment.”
A selection of lovingly restored vintage tractors will be on display at the ploughing match.
Guests will also be able to purchase homegrown produce from across the region including sunflowers, sweetcorn and strawberries at a charity auction.
Proceeds will go towards supporting Thames Hospice and the Thames Valley Adventure Playground.
The ploughing match and show will also see farmers presented with their prizes from the Royal East Berks Agricultural Association’s annual awards.
Judges have been busy handing out a number of awards in categories including best large farm, best small farm and the Duke of Edinburgh Award for nature conservation.
Eunice added: “We want to show people in the area it’s not just giant tractors and combines. We are appreciative of conservation.”
Nick Phelp, of Church Farm, Waltham St Lawrence, won the conservation prize in recognition of his ‘ambitious vision to reconnect wildlife habitats across farms he manages in the Thames Valley.
Runner-up Nick Manderfield was also recognised for his work managing hundreds of acres of wildflower conservation grazing, working with landowners including the Royal Borough and the Berkshire College of Agriculture.
