The weather over the past two weeks has been rather turbulent. As a result of the large amount of rain falling over a few days , some of Kevin's sheep found themselves marooned by flood water, which overflowed in the field they were grazing, effectively splitting them into two groups.

Kevin, Francis and Ian took the collies to gather them up and move them to a drier and safer location.

On October 30 Chippenham Young Farmers Club held their annual ploughing match here on Manor Farm. It was a very wet day but despite the weather, the event was well attended. Kevin had decided that maybe a field shelter was needed where the judges and officials could eat their lunch and where the raffle and prize giving could be held. So enlisting the help of Ian and Marcus they erected the first of the pop up tunnels. This it was thought, was going to be an easy job, but it soon became obvious that a short distance below the surface of the chosen site, there was a rather impenetrable layer. After much huffing and puffing Kevin decided that in order to be able to get the cork-screw stakes a meter into the ground he would have to purchase a bigger drill , which fortunately was not too expensive. Later the following day the tunnel was ready for use.

There was lots of preparation in the four fields to be used, which entailed marking out an area for each of the competitors, after selecting the best field for the different classes of ploughs. Other preparations included where to park different vehicles and sorting out food, which took the form of bacon rolls and burgers, provided by Allington Farm Shop. I was tasked with providing lunches for the 16 judges and officials. The entries for the competition were capped at 56, as the selected ploughing sites were all taken .

When the day arrived tractors and ploughs arrived on lorries and others were driven to Manor Farm, but despite the rain most competitors turned up . There were five classes - one for reversible ploughs and four for ploughs through the ages,with one class for ploughs pre 1959 (up to three furrows).

One of the five classes was for trailed ploughs with a maximum of three furrows, pre 1975, whilst the remaining classes were for hydraulically attached ploughs. Each of the five classes had tfirst, second and third prizes. There were other prizes , one being for the best YFC member in any of the classes (with a lower legal age limit of 14).

Then there were trophies for the overall best ploughman of the day, Stephen Blackwell; the best Lackham student, Charlie Cooper and the best YFC member, John Read. At one point it was thought we may have to cancel the match, but after everyone had left we decided that not doing so was the right decision. Despite the weather everyone present enjoyed the day and it was great to be able to meet and chat with farming friends .

Another happy event was the Bonfire Night put on by Allington Farm Shop for all their staff, family and friends, to which I was invited.

It was a traditional fireworks evening , with a bonfire and an array of individual fireworks, in a short display, so unlike the huge events I have attended in the past.

We all tucked into deliciously cooked pork, wrapped in a bap with apple sauce and stuffing balls to go with it . There was also a rather large bowl of tasty chocolates on offer, which I have to admit to tucking into!

The evening was much enjoyed by everyone.