The championships are a highlight of the ploughing calendar and are held in a different part of the country each year. The last time the competition was held in Hampshire was back in 1983 when it went to the Broadlands Estate, near Romsey. It is coming back to the county courtesy of three farmers: G B Foot Ltd, E C Drummond & Son and Manydown Co, and the site will be easy to find as it’s only about three miles north of Basingstoke, off the A339.

Two busy days will be packed with competitions for many types of ploughs and styles of ploughing, including vintage trailing and hydraulic ploughs, classic ploughing, stylish high cut ploughing, reversible and conventional ploughs and garden tractors. The national titles will be hotly contested by Britain’s most experienced and skilled ploughmen and women who will travel from all parts of the country.

Complementing the competitions, giant steam engines will be on site and there will be plenty of vintage equipment displays on show over the two days organised by local vintage club, the NVTEC Thames Valley Group. Crafts will interest families who attend and a variety of trade exhibits and demonstrations will appeal to farmers.

Chairman of the Society of Ploughmen, Alan Jones, said: “We have 200 acres at Wootton St Lawrence, it is an excellent site and there is tremendous interest and support both in the immediate area and surrounding counties.”

Further information can be found at www.ploughmen.co.uk or from the Society of Ploughmen on 01302 852469.