SOME of Wales's top ploughers will be making their way to Shirenewton for the All Wales Ploughing Association's 2011 Ploughing and Hedging Championships on September 17.

Ploughing is an art as old as time itself, but it is an art that has certainly developed. It has moved on from Biblical references of sticks being hand-pulled through the ground to full-throttle national competitions.

The Welsh Ploughing Association has been organising the Welsh Ploughing and Hedging Championships since 1958, and this year, it comes to Monmouthshire.

The County of Glamorgan hosted a fantastic competition last year, and the Monmouthshire Committee take on the challenge this year. With an estimated holding cost of £25,000, fundraising is well under way throughout Monmouthshire. Neither the committee, nor the WPA, are bankrolled by a rich benefactor, so all events rely solely on sponsorship and the goodwill of those who attend the fundraising events and the match.

This year, the Monmouthshire committee, comprising of local ploughing societies and vintage clubs, will be hosting the match at Red Barn Farm, Shirenewton, Chepstow.

The ground has been donated by Mr David Adams and family. Mr Adams has played a key role in fundraising for the match, hosting barn dances and other events as well as pursuing key sponsors for the event.

The match itself is an opportunity for both ploughmen and plough women to compete in different classes to attain the accolade of Wales' Champion Ploughman; a title that grants the winner the opportunity to represent their country at the World Ploughing Championships. There will also be a 'Bless the Plough' ceremony the night before the match held close to the match site.

•With less than three weeks to go before the main event, there is still time to sponsor. Please contact either the chairman Mr Ray Bowen ([email protected]">[email protected]) or the committee Secretary Miss Julie Jenkins (jj.lva @tiscali.co.uk) or visit http://www.welshploughing.com">www.welshploughing.com for further information.