LAST year's Llangattock Ploughing Match was cancelled owing to days of constant rain. Ironically, one of the horse-teams present this year could not finish because the ground and too dry!

On the whole, however, it was a very successful event with spectators enjoying the hot, Indian summer sunshine as they watched traditional country skills in action alongside modern farming technology at Parc Grace Dieu Farm, Hendre.

In addition to the 13 ploughing categories, there were prizes for static tractors, hedging and sheep classes. Entries were up both in the static tractor (as some had stayed overnight from the previous day's 2 Cylinder Rally) and in the sheep classes.

Competition in the horticulture, domestic and children's sections was, as always, keen and judges and public alike commented that the standard in many cases was higher than at the Monmouth Show.

The tractor-pull and parade of vintage tractors but proved to be of great interest and the ever-popular free, trailer-rides around the site were continuously in demand.

Younger visitors also enjoyed activities provided by the Countryside and Leisure group and children's entertainer Moon Carrot.

The day's success was particularly rewarding to Mr Bruce Davies as he is reaching the end of his two years in office. He thanked Mr and Mrs Frank Sutton for providing such an ideal venue and for presenting the prizes.

He also paid tribute to his small but extremely hard-working band of committee members and other helpers who had provided so much enjoyment for so many people.

Overall Champion Ploughman was Alwyn Davies from Ledbury.

Individual results and other trophy winners were:

Ploughing - open world style: 1, Alwyn Davies; 2, Martin Blake; 3, Ingram Barrell. Open reversible (26 and under, in Gwent): 1, P Ruck; 2, D Williams. Open reversible: 1, Keith Payne; 2, Nigel Edwards; 3, John Jenkins. Open demonstrators: 1, Phil Watkins; 2, John Payne; 3, Fred Sutton. Open vintage: 1, Vernon Davies; 2, Noel Price; 3, David Brokenshire; 3, L Peer. Novice vintage: 1, G Deacon; 2, C Humphries; 3, J Bishop. High cut: 1, Derek Needham; 2, Robert Jeffreys; 3, Brian Webb; 4, Robert Hill. Hydraulic vintage: 1, Alan Lucas; 2, Ralph Horner. Novice hydraulic vintage: 1, Andy Jones; 2, Bryan Bayliss; 3, Alan Davies; 4, Simon Badham. Horse ploughing (high cut): 1, Jim Reynolds. Horse ploughing (general purpose): 1, Richard Cook; 2, Roger Smith; 3, Charlie Coffin. Open conventional: 1, David Jones; 2, Mike Badham; 3, Keith Williams; 4, Hayden Bowen.

Special awards - the Basil Williams Trophy for best working team of horses: Jim Reynolds. Best turned-out horse team: Charlie Coffin. Champion Ploughman: Alwyn Davies. Youngest competitor in match: John Payne. Best turned-out vintage tractor and trailer plough in competition: L Peer. Best static tractor restored to its original condition: Alan Howells.

Hedging - any style open: 1, Graham Smith. Any style novice: 1, David Probert; 2, John Hassall.

Sheep - pair of dark-faced breeding ewes: 1, David Probert; 2, John Biggs; 3, Christopher Martin. Pair of light-faced breeding ewes: 1, John Biggs; 2, Jamie Knight; 3, PSJenkins. Pair of dark-faced yearling ewes: 1, David Davies; 2, Jamie Knight. Pair of light-faced yearling ewes: 1, P PHillips; 2, PSJenkins; 3, Jamie Knight. Ram, any breed: 1, David Probert; 2, Viv Collins; 3, Christopher Martin. Dark-faced butcher's lambs: 1, George Jones. Light-faced butcher's lambs: 1, David Jones; 2, George Jones; 3, P PHillips. Dark-faced lambs for breeding: 1, Jamie Knight; 2, Steve Jones; 3, Jamie Knight. Light-faced lambs for breeding: 1, Viv Collins; 2, David Jones; 3, PSJenkins.

Champion sheep: David Probert. Reserve: David Jones. Best pen of ewe lambs: Viv Collins.

Roots - barley: 1, Dave Jones; 2, B Carter; 3, Philip Jenkins. Oats: 1, GEPHillips; 2, Ashley Martin; 3, B Carter. Wheat: 1, GEPHillips; 2, D Smith; 3, Dave Jones. Meadow hay: 1, Ashley Martin; 2, Mr Gwillim; 3, D Smith. Seed hay: 1, D Smith; 2, D Edwards. Clamp silage: 1, Dave Jones; 2, B Carter; 3, Ashley Martin. Round bale: 1, Dave Jones; 2, Ashley Martin. Tallest maize plant: 1, Dave Jones; 2, Dave Edwards; 3, GEPHillips.

Farmers' trophy: Dave Jones.

Grass ley - standing maize; 1, J Hoggins; 2, M Badham. Grass ley: 1, N Turner; 2, B Edwards.

Grass ley trophy: Nigel Turner.

Produce - cooking apples: 1, D Benjamin; 2, S Scriven. Dessert apples: 1, D Benjamin; 2, S Scriven. Coloured potatoes: 1, Mr W Mayo; 2, Mike Gray; 3, Elwyn Williams. White potatoes: 1, Mr W Mayo; 2, Mr Lindsey; 3, Elwyn Williams. Cabbages; 1, Mr EWilliams; 2, David Lewis; 3, Mr W Mayo. Beetroot: 1, Mr E Williams; 2, D Lewis; 3, D Benjamin. Onions, sets: 1, David Lewis; 2, GAMatthews; 3, Mr Mayo. Onions, seeds: 1, W Mayo; 2, E Williams; 3, GAMatthews. Pickling shallots: 1, Elwyn Williams; 2, GAMatthews; 3, D Benjamin. Culinary shallots: 1, Elwyn Williams; 2, D Benjamin; 3, W Mayo. Marrows: 1, David Lewis; 2, D Benjamin; 3, Elwyn Williams. Long carrots: 1, GAMatthews; 2, Elwyn Williams; 3, D Benjamin. Short carrots: 1, GAMatthews; 2, Elwyn Williams; 3, D Lewis. Runner beans: 1, Elwyn Williams; 2, D Benjamin; 3, GAMatthews. Longest runner bean: Elwyn Williams. Tomatoes: 1, E Williams; 2, D Lewis; 3, John Molyneux. Spray of tomatoes: 1, J Molyneux; 2, D Benjamin; 3, S Scriven. Collection of veg: 1, E Williams; 2, D Lewis; 3, Mr and Mrs Tyler-Batt. Sweetcorn: 1, D Lewis; 2, Elwyn Williams; 3, Mr Lindsey. Parsnips: 1, GAMatthews; 2, Elwyn Williams; 3, M Gray. Heaviest pumpkin: D Benjamin. Heaviest cabbage: D Lewis.

Produce trophy: Elwyn Williams.

Flowers - mixed flowers: 1, D Lewis; 2, S Carter; 3, B Jones. Different flowers; 1, Mr H Gwillim; 2, W Mayo; 3, S Carter. Specimen rose: 1, H Gwillim; 2, E Williams; 3, D Benjamin. Cacti dahlias: 1, W Mayo; 2, S Carter; 3, D Benjamin. Pom-pom dahlias: 1, H Gwillim; 2, D Benjamin. Ball dahlias: 1, H Gwillim; 2, S Carter. Spray chrysanths; 1, H Gwillim; 2, E Williams; 3, D Benjamin. Dec dahlias: 1, H Gwillim; 2, B Jones; 3, W Mayo.

Pot plants - flower: 1, D Lewis; 2, B Jones; 3, D Lewis. Foliage: 1, J Jenkins; 2, D Lewis; 3, B Jones.

Flower trophy: Mr H Gwillim.

Flower arranging - basket (novice): 1, Mrs Probert; 2, C Whitehouse. Arrangement in unusual container; 1, Bev Hill; 2, M Hammond; 3, K Watkins. Miniature arrangement: 1, J Russell; 2, B Hill; 3, K Watkins. Exhibit using five blooms: 1, R Nugent; 2, B Hill; 3, K Watkins.

Floral art trophy: Bev Hill.

Cookery - Dundee cake: 1, B Jones; 2, J Knight; 3, O Parry. Victoria sandwich: 1, J Bowen; 2, BKDavies; 3, S Anstey. Welsh cakes: 1, E Williams; 2, S Anstey; 3, J Parry. Apple tart: 1, J Williams; 2, O Parry; 3, Sue Long. Savoury flan: 1, O Parry; 2, J Gregory; 3, J Gregory. Bread rolls: 1, J Knight; 2, B Hill. Shortbread: 1, O Parry; 2, J Knight; 3, J Parry. Apple and cinnamon scones: 1, S Long; 2, O Parry; 3, J Knight. Decorated cake: 1, O Parry; 2, S Long.

Preserves - soft fruit jams: 1, O Parry; 2, B Hill; 3, K Lindsey. Marmalade: 1, O Parry; 2, S Anstey; 3, B Hill. Lemon curd: 1, O Parry; 2, Sue Long; 3, K Lindsey. Chutney: 1, J Russell; 2, S Long; 3, B Hill. Pickled onions: 1, Caroline Davies.

Handicrafts - photograph, local building: 1, J Jenkins; 2, J Jenkins; 3, C Davies. Photograph, pet: 1, K Lindsey; 2, J Payne; 3, Julie Jenkins. Cross stitch picture: 1, N Horsman; 2, N Horsman; 3, J Bowen. Rug from recycled material: 1, N Horsman; 2, N Horsman. Painted picture: 1, A Downham; 2, A Downham; 3, R Ruck. Decorated shopping bag: 1, Sue Long; 2, N Horsman. Mask from recycled material: 1, R Ruck; 2, N Horsman; 3, D Gray. Knitted hat: 1, N Horsman; 2, M Hammond; 3, R Nugent. Hand painted plate: 1, R Ruck; 2, R Ruck; 3, N Horsman.

Domestic trophy: Olwyn Parry.

Wines - white wine, sweet: 1, Mr Probert; 2, Eileen Williams. White wine, dry: 1, Mr Probert; 2, I Kennett; 3, Eileen Williams. Red wine, sweet: 1, Eileen Williams; 2, Mr Probert; 3, J Molyneux. Red wine, dry: 1, Mr Probert; 2, Mr Probert; 3, Eileen Williams.

Wine trophy: Mr Probert.

Children's classes - under five, picture of butterfly: 1, Abi Bayliss; 2, Tommy Tyler-Batt; 3, Stephanie Farr.

Under eight - tallest sunflower: 1, Tommy Tyler-Batt; 2, Lauren Parry. Tin lid garden: 1, Becky Gwilliam; 2, Jessica Long; 3, Grace Roffe. Flapjacks: 1, Lily Tyler-Batt; 2, Becky Gwilliam; 3, Jessica Long. Picture of your school: 1, Charlotte; 2, Georgina Davies; 3, Lily Tyler-Batt. Handwriting: 1, Lucy Morgan; 2, Emma Davies; 3, Osian Nixon.

Under 11 - model tractor: 1, Samantha Parry; 2, William Probert. Space station: 1, Sian Evans; 2, William Probert. Song words: 1, Christopher Meek; 2, Daniel Lane; 3, Deri McDonagh. Biscuits: 1, Samantha Parry; 2, Lily Tyler-Batt; 3, Abigail Gwilliam. Picture of favourite meal: 1, Sian Evans; 2, Samantha Parry; 3, Amy Winder. Decorated stone: 1, Samantha Parry; 2, Abigail Gwilliam; 3, Lauren Cook.

Under 14 - millennium poster: 1, Alana Feakins.

Trophies - under five: Abi Bayliss. Under eight: Becky Gwilliam. Under 11: Samantha Parry. Under 14: Alana Feakins

BECKY Gwilliam from Dingestow who won the under eight trophy.

BEV Hill, the winner of the floral art trophy.