Aberdeenshire Ploughing Match (Back in the day

supplied by Henry Pirie, a member of The Ferguson Club

On the 20th of October, 2012 a group of Ferguson Club members assembled at Dumpston Farm, Longside, near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, for the annual charity ploughing match organised jointly by the Peterhead Rotary Club and the Buchan Tractor Club.

The day dawned nice and clear, and turned out one of the best days we have had for quite a while. However, conditions underfoot were pretty horrendous, with some of the ploughmen having to change rigs or give up. The group consisted of two double furrow ploughs both on Ferguson TEF tractors and driven by Bill Beaton and Douglas Scott, and three single furrow ploughs attached to two TEF tractors and one TEA; these being driven by Bob Shepherd, Bob Mitchell and Henry Michie.

Mr Michie is one of our valued Club members from Australia where he emigrated nearly 40 years ago and has been a member for several years. When he got in touch with some of our local members to say he was coming over for a few weeks holiday during October, the wheels were set in motion to arrange a surprise for Henry. As several Club members were already involved in raising sponsorship money for this event. Unbeknown to Henry, we got in touch with the organisers and they were absolutely delighted to have a participant from “down under”.

The 1948 Ferguson TEA was fuelled up and fitted with a Sellar single furrow plough and transported the 20 miles to the venue ready for the match. When Henry got in touch with us the day before and learned what we had in store for him he was “fair chuffed” and could not wait to get a plough in to his native soil again, especially being pulled by a Ferguson.

On the stroke of ten all the tractors were at their rigs, marker poles lined up, and ready for the signal to go. Henry, his tractor already switched over to T.V.O. and running sweetly, set off on his opening. After a wee shaky start, he soon got his plough set up to his liking and although he hadn’t ploughed for many years, he made a very respectable job of his rig, considering the ground conditions.

On the next rig to Henry was another of our club members, Bob Shepherd, also with a single furrow plough, who produced some fine ploughing and got a third prize for his effort, and this, his first go at competition ploughing; well done Bob. At the prize-giving ceremony, Henry was the centre of attention because of the distance travelled, and was presented with a bottle of whisky by the Committee for his participation in the event; this left him slightly embarrassed, but highly honoured.

As part of their fundraising weekend, the Rotary Club also organised a Scottish Ceilidh evening in Peterhead on Sunday night. This was an event that Henry wanted to attend. Here he was singled out by the compere, Mr. Robert Lovie, a local entertainer and recording artiste. Henry was introduced to the entire audience as a visitor from Australia! We would like to thank Henry for his participation in all events which made it a memorable weekend for all of us. The gang of five!