Late Great ploughmen

Howard150

Member
Location
Yorkshire
the latest Greatest of the Great ploughman Graeme Witty, was finally laid to rest today. The ceremony took place at Cotton Dale Shooting Ground, near Foxholes, North Yorkshire. Cremation later at Octon Crematorium just down the road. Probably in excess of 100 cars attended the socially distancing event, all the attendees remaining in their cars. The ceremony was relayed on FM87.9 and some images were displayed on a large screen.
Son James delivered a fitting eulogy from cradle to grave. Graeme has for years always been renowned as a great ploughman. Just how good became readily apparent today.

God rest him.
 

Howard150

Member
Location
Yorkshire
Not wishing to be the bearer of bad tidings but a friend has just informed me of the loss of another great ploughman. Geoff Fretwell passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday last after a long illness. Another Great ploughman gone.
One of life’s great characters who was not afraid to call a spade a spade. Straightforward, honest and sometimes straight laced, Geoff was a very capable and great ploughman.

God rest him
 

ploughman61

Member
Mixed Farmer
Not wishing to be the bearer of bad tidings but a friend has just informed me of the loss of another great ploughman. Geoff Fretwell passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday last after a long illness. Another Great ploughman gone.
One of life’s great characters who was not afraid to call a spade a spade. Straightforward, honest and sometimes straight laced, Geoff was a very capable and great ploughman.

God rest him
So sad to hear that news, what a character he was, herd so many tales about him especially the one when after a ploughing match he rang a judge and asked him if he'd got home ok, the judge replied yes fine thankyou, Geoff said glad to hear that cos you couldn't see very well today when you were judging me. He'll be sadly missed, rip Geoff.
 

OGB

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Leicestershire
Note the standard of the handwriting on them! Truly from a forgotten era.
Was there not a commemorative clock or similar given to all competitors at the national in times gone bye? Have vague memories of one on the wall in a late friends cottage.
Just the other day, hunting through boxes, and came across some of my old certificates the handwriting is very impressive. …conversely, my daughter has recently received a swimming certificate, scruffy handwriting, no care to presentation at all. We have even received certificates that have not even been filled in!
 
My father, Sandy Renton had this certificate presented to him at ploughing match either in Berwickshire or Northumberland I would imagine. It would certainly be in the Borders. He loved his coughing matches and I went to many with him as a boy. I am now 73 years old so not yesterday.
 
Unfortunately another great ploughman has recently passed
 

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Howard150

Member
Location
Yorkshire
Unfortunately another great ploughman has recently passed
Rest in peace Mick. Great and very successful ploughman who was a real ambassador for competitive ploughing. Always helpful, courteous and usually somewhere in the prizes, he seldom missed local matches and could usually be seen along with his two best buddies, John Milnes and Stuart Burden.
Condolences to Jenny and family and all his close friends.
 
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Wolds Beef

Member
Just made me think today. The world match at York, I was talking to a Kiwi who is/was the chair of the world plough organisation and he told me Norman Wymer had passed away 2 days before the match. I also no we lost Gordon Carter a year or 2 ago and Bruce Smith the goffer at Wispington in 84 for the NZ team passed away a few years ago. They had all sat around our dining room table a night or 2 before the Wispington world match and promised that the golden plough would be on our table if either of them won! It didn't happen!! Any body else remember them?
WB
 

Howard150

Member
Location
Yorkshire
Note the standard of the handwriting on them! Truly from a forgotten era.
Was there not a commemorative clock or similar given to all competitors at the national in times gone bye? Have vague memories of one on the wall in a late friends cottage.
In all fairness I believe that was done by Ransomes in house after they were notified of a win with a Ransomes plough. They definitely all look very similar if not the same
 

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