125 years of ploughing at Listooder

125 years of ploughing at Listooder

29 October 2014

LISTOODER and District Ploughing Society, the oldest ploughing society in Ireland, is preparing to celebrate 125 years of ploughing.

The annual ploughing match, this year supported by Down Council, will take place at Rademon Estate, on the outskirts of Crossgar, on Saturday, November. 29.

Listooder has a proud history in competition ploughing. It is famed throughout the world with its members having won many national titles and competed at several international contests, the most famous of these when Samuel Gill won the Golden Plough after being crowned World Ploughing Champion in Austria in 2008.

Competitors, men and women alike and of all ages, will travel from all over Northern Ireland and beyond to compete in the contest next month.

Up to 50 competitors will compete in six classes including world style conventional, vintage senior, intermediate and novice as well as a horse class and style and appearance. To celebrate its 125th match, special prizes will be offered for championship wins.

Listooder chairman, Martin Gill, is looking forward to this year’s match.

“We are extremely proud that this year we are returning to the location where our Society was formed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of our Society.

“We are indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Boyd for giving us such a wonderful site at Rademon Estate and our committee has been working hard to ensure the local community can enjoy a great day out.

“We have a strong entry in all classes and to celebrate this special anniversary, we will have an exhibition of photos and memorabilia from our matches throughout the years as well as other activities for visitors to enjoy.”

The ploughing match will take place on the Ballynahinch Road just a mile from Crossgar. Entry for spectators is free with competition commencing at 10:30am. For entries and enquiries contact the secretary, Wilfie Gill, by phoning 07899 020877.