On Saturday 18th September Arundel & South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith, attended the West Grinstead & District Ploughing Match, a highlight of the West Sussex agricultural calendar.
During the event, Mr Griffith experienced first-hand the smell of steam engines and the sights of expert farming. The West Grinstead & District Ploughing Match, which was cancelled in 2020, welcomed back the crowds to Priors Byne Farm in Partridge Green which experienced a larger than anticipated turnout.
The event aims to promote best practice in the agricultural community, showcasing the work of novice cultivators to the most experienced ploughmen while celebrating the important contribution that agriculture makes to everyday life and the countryside that surrounds West Sussex.
The packed-out event schedule saw everything from conventional hydraulic tractor ploughing to open hedge laying and livestock exhibitions to brownie baking, and was well supported by local producers, students from Brinsbury College and representatives of the National Farming Union to name but a few.
Event host and farmer, John Ford, said:
“The West Grinstead & District Ploughing Match is an important part of our rural community.
The event is a local favourite but also attracts crowds from all around the South East I was glad to see so many people join together on Saturday to celebrate everything that is so fantastic about agriculture and the countryside – the event was a real success and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.
Andrew Griffith MP said:
“It was a pleasure to join our farming community at the West Grinstead & District Ploughing Match.
It is always fantastic to see relationship between our farmers and the wider community outside of agriculture being strengthened by a showcase of talent, skill and dedication to the land.”
