Sun shines for annual Southwell Ploughing Match and Show at Oxton

Whether attendees were feasting at the farmers’ market or watching dancing diggers, a fun-filled show entertained thousands over the weekend.

Southwell Ploughing Match and Show, a highlight of Nottinghamshire’s countryside calendar, returned this weekend with a jam-packed schedule of rural entertainment.

Run by the Southwell and District Agricultural Society, the show was this year held in Oxton, by kind permission of Oxton Estate.

Show secretary Sam Tooley said: “The weather was perfect, and the sun was shining, we were so lucky.”

Exhibits and competitions included ploughing — both horse power, and vintage and modern tractors — which attracted 117 entries from ploughmen from all over the country, hedging, equestrian classes with 490 entries, and a dog show which attracted 250 entries on the day.

Free tractor and trailer rides around the ploughing competition fields allowed visitors to get up close to all the action.

The horticultural, home produce and home crafts competition tent showcased everything from giant vegetables to edible jewellery, and flower arranging to marmalades, while the scarecrow competition displayed a range of novelty characters — including a hurdling farmer in the ‘farmlympics’, and Humpty Dumpty.

The produce competitions saw 1,100 entries from over 400 competitors

Highlights of the main ring entertainment included performances by J C Balls Dancing Diggers, a mounted fancy dress parade, a parade of hounds, and the grand finale parade of vintage tractors.

To sate peckish patrons there was delectable dishes served up from a variety of traders in the farmers’ market area, while the 160 trade stands dealt in everything from country clothing, to farm equipment and home and garden wares.

There were also 50 stalls in the craft tent selling wares from a variety of crafters.

Southwell Ploughing Match and Show has been run by farmers, rural businesses and countryside enthusiasts since 1855, and is now hosted by Southwell-area farmers at at different venues each year.

The show will return on September 27, 2025 in Farnsfield.