PLOUGHING MARATHON TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FUW CHARITY

[caption id="attachment_3601" align="aligncenter" width="400"]Brian Thomas on his B275 International tractor which he will use on his marathon charity ploughing feat. Brian Thomas on his B275 International tractor which he will use on his marathon charity ploughing feat.[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales finance and organisation committee member Brian Thomas will attempt to plough 19 acres on his farm in 12 hours using a classic 50-year-old B275 International tractor and three-furrow plough in a bid to help raise funds for charity.

Mr Thomas hopes to raise around £1,000 for the FUW president's chosen charity Cancer Research Wales at Llwyncelyn Lan Farm, Llanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday April 7 when he will tackle the marathon and simultaneously host a ploughing match on the farm.

"Ploughing is one of the oldest crafts of the countryside, going back many thousands of years," he said.

"A pair of Shire horses can plough approximately an acre a day but I am hoping to get through at least an acre an hour and raise as much money for the charity as possible.

"It is also great to host a vintage ploughing match for the Llangolman Ploughing Society on the farm again. The last ploughing match here on the farm took place in 1924.

"The match will be the 24th event to be held by the society in Pembrokeshire and will see farmers go head to head ploughing 40 plots which will have been measured prior to the day."

The Llangolman Ploughing Society was set up in the 1930s but, like many other societies, gave up due to the war.

In 1988 the society was resurrected and hasn't looked back since.

To register for the ploughing match contact Ethel Bryan, West End Farm, Llawhaden, Narberth, on 01437 541 301.

To sponsor Mr Thomas in his ploughing marathon contact the FUW Pembrokeshire county office on 01437 762 913.