Neil Morey competes in the 113th Isle of Wight Ploughing match. Picture by Peter Boam.
SHANKLIN farmer John Stallard had to wait nine long years to win his landmark tenth top title at the 113th annual Isle of Wight Ploughing Match in Wellow on Saturday.
Mr Stallard, 54, of Upper Hyde Farm, Shanklin, thought he had won the reserve champion title at the awards ceremony at the end of the ploughing match — only to be told there had been a mix up and that he was actually the overall winner.
The 54-year-old, who first won the title of the Island’s top ploughman in 1980, said: "I’m over the moon with this win.
"Sometimes it is pure luck with the ground conditions. Wellow Manor Farm is a beautiful site and it was a good match.
"I honestly didn’t think I’d done enough to win on the day. I might retire from ploughing now that I’ve won my tenth title."
For more on this story, please see the Isle of Wight County Press on Friday, October 5.
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk