National debut for Kent ploughman

Top local ploughman Chris Cullen made the trip to Mindrum Mill, Northumberland, for the 70th British National Ploughing Championships – and did his sponsors proud.

Chris’ employers at Bell Agricultural arranged the funding that helped him make the trip, with Skelton Plant Hire taking his tractor and plough up to the far-flung venue for the event and other support provided by the NFU, McHale, Acres Insurance, Kramp and the Romney Marsh Ploughing Match Society. He finished a creditable 19th out of 24 competitors in what was his first appearance at the national finals, and said he had thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “It was a different class of competition up there and I was happy with my performance,” he said. “Because I work full time, I have probably only ploughed competitively four times this season – a lot of the other competitors looked like they practised regularly!” His rivals also included a number of ex-British champions, making for a tough but enjoyable time. “We are very proud of him,” said boss Robin Back of Bell Agricultural. “He has worked with us as a technician for the past five years and is a great member of the team. We were pleased to be able to support him in his ambition to compete in Northumberland.” Chris, from Lyminge in Kent, qualified for the Nationals in 2019, but saw the 2020 event called off because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As well as seeing him compete in the Nationals for the first time, this season was one of his best on the domestic scene. He won the Romney Marsh match in the vintage mounted class, won the Weald of Kent match and was also crowned overall champion at that event, and won his class at the East Kent match as well as being named reserve champion. Chris, who is 58, competes using a 1960 Nuffield Universal 3 tractor with a two-furrow Ransome TS59 plough. He was keen to thank Robin Back and all his sponsors. “I simply wouldn’t have been able to take part without their support,” he said.