DEREK Yates has not worked on a farm since childhood, but at 67 is still a passionate amateur ploughman.

He was one of dozens of part-timers and professionals at the 66th annual Fairford, Faringdon, Filkins and Burford Ploughing championships on Saturday.

Mr Yates, a retired car repairman at Wallingford’s Haynes Car Care, now practises ploughing in his orchard.

On Saturday he passed on some of his top tips to his neighbour, seven-year-old Archie Reardon.

He competed with his 1959 Massey Ferguson 35 in the vintage hydraulic two-furrow class, and even let Archie have a ride.

Mr Yates, from Berinsfield, said: “Archie loved it, he didn’t stop talking about it, he thoroughly enjoyed himself.”

The contest at Shifford Manor Farm near Witney included hedge-laying and other rural skills during the day.

 

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