For only the third time in the 73-year history of the British National Ploughing Championships, the event is coming to Nottinghamshire.

Thoresby Farming will host the championships on the Thoresby Estate, on 12^th and 13^th October.

The championships are a highlight of the farming year and will feature up to 250 top ploughmen and women from all parts of Great Britain.  With 15 different ploughing classes over the two days, visitors will be able to see their skills with tractors and modern reversible and conventional ploughing, compared to various vintage classes with trailed, mounted and classic ploughs; club classes for Ferguson, David Brown and Ford & Fordson; horticultural, crawler and the traditional, stylish high-cut ploughing.

All the competitors will be striving to win the championship in their section along with the title of supreme champion and some will get the chance to to represent their country at next year’s World Ploughing Contest or European Ploughing Championships.

One of the most compelling sights of the weekend will be  heavy horses – this year, there will be 16  pairs of horses ploughing side-by-side on each day.  The expectation is that they are all Shires, but Percherons, Clydesdales and Comtois will also be working hard to win the British title.

The central grassland area of the site will be taken by a trade stand area with agricultural companies selling everything you could need on the farm, from a tractor to a pair of boots.  There will also be a wide variety of shopping stalls with all sorts from country wear to giftware and a craft marquee with an extensive range of items.

Also look out for steam ploughing engines at work, demonstrations of new farm machinery, and displays of vintage tractors and equipment.

Sue Frith, chief executive of the organisers, the Society of Ploughmen, said: “There is terrific interest and enthusiasm in the area and we are delighted that Thoresby Farming have provided a most picturesque site this year, surrounded by trees with free roaming deer.  We are a registered charity and our volunteers can’t wait to enjoy the estate and show off the event in Nottinghamshire.”

Trade stands, demonstrations, shopping and crafts can be booked until August and there are also sponsorship opportunities available for both small companies or market leaders.  Main sponsors this year are Bridgestone/Firestone.

Advanced tickets will be online soon with early bird discounts available.

Further information can be found on www.ploughmen.co.uk or from the Society of Ploughmen on  01302 852469, and you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.