Banbury & District Vintage Ploughing Society.

Prior to 1996 Ploughing matches in the Banbury area were organised by individuals. They were mostly small, low key events. Following a ploughing match held at Christmas time at Chipping Norton several of the people involved in these events, got together and decided to form a club. The meeting was held at the Elephant and Castle, Bloxham. The Banbury and District Vintage Ploughing Society was formed in spring 1997. The original objectives were to coordinate dates of local matches, to encourage good ploughing by holding instruction days, and to promote ploughing matches within a 15 mile radius of Banbury Cross. The possibility of arranging public liability insurance for matches was also agreed and set up. The first Chairman was Peter Jarvis, Secretary David Kerry and Treasurer Dick Cleaver.

The Society started by running two ploughing matches a year. A number of cups and trophies were donated by local businesses and individuals. These are presented at the main Spring and Autumn matches. In recent years the number of matches has increased to about eight a year.

The Society is now affiliated to the Society of Ploughmen and biannually hold a national qualifier for the local area to select ploughmen to attend the national championships.

Under the auspices of the SOP, judging seminars have been held in recent years to improve and standardise judging.

Throughout the winter months club evenings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at North Newington Social Club. Most months there is a guest speaker. The main social event of the year is the Annual Dinner to which partners are also invited.

A newsletter is published once a quarter to keep everyone up to date with events and results.

Since the beginning the B.&D.V.P.S. has raised much money for various charities. The annual Rousham Match, held in August each year, started when the village was raising money to rehang the church bells, this has now become our first match of the season each year. In most cases the landowner chooses the charity to be supported. Over the years we have donated approx £3500 to diverse charities.

The Society has supported many local events, e.g. the YFC Rally, The Banbury Steam Fair, The Warriner School Farm Open Day and Banbury Show.

Membership has grown to over 100 people. Few are employed currently in agriculture but all maintain an interest in the farming world and vintage machinery.