Last updated 13:10, Saturday, 04 October 2008

A CHARITY ploughing match set against the stunning backdrop of the Solway Firth has raised £1,500 for charity Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

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ORGANISER: Ian Torgiff with plough horse Lewis, a Percheron

The event, held on Sunday at Mealo House farm, Allonby, was organised by Ian Tordiff, 65, of Buchanan Road, Carlisle, Gordon Wilson, 60, of Aldoth, near Silloth, and William Pollack, 60, of Pategill, Penrith.

The three friends started raising money for charity last year after two of their friends Peter Yates and William Williamson from Allonby were lost at sea in a boating accident and drowned.

Last year the trio raised £3,500 which was split between Maryport and Silloth lifeboat teams who were called out to try to rescue their friends.

This year’s ploughing event attracted more than 200 spectators to the site.

Mr Torgiff said: “I was really pleased with the turnout and the high standard of competitors.

“We brought the event to Allonby this year as a mark of respect for our friends who were lost.

“I am over the moon that we’ve been given permission from Mrs Slack, who owns the farm, to use the site again next year.”

There were 54 competitors spread over the four ploughing events, which included novice, trail, classic and vintage plough section.

The overall winner for outstanding performance overall the categories was Trevor Johnston, of Bothel, near Aspatria.

Mr Torgiff said: “We’ve had fantastic support from the people of Allonby and the agriculture community.

“Events like this help to bring the community together and lift people’s spirits.

“We will definitely be back next year to raise money for a different charity.”

Results:

Novice plough: 1 N Eggleston of Appleby; 2 W Mckaski of Dumfries; 3 R Mandle of Greystoke, Penrith.

Trail plough: 1 Trevor Johnston of Bothel; 2 J Saunders of Carlisle; 3 T Robinson of Penrith

Classic section: 1 Hugh Sutton of Preston; 2 Paul Higginson of Preston; 3 Graham Hunt of Calthwaite, Penrith.

Vintage section: 1 Colin Hewitson of Allonby; 2 John Johnston of Dumfries, Scotland; 3 Richard Birkbeck of Appleby.

Overall winner for outstanding performance: Trevor Johnston of Bothel.