World Ploughing Championship

Details

Location

Antrim, Armoy

Year

1959

Date

c. 11/10/59

Length

06min 56sec

Audio

silent

Format

16mm

colour

Source

National Museums Northern Ireland

Courtesy

National Museums NI, Tourism NI

Rights Holder

Rights are managed by National Museums Northern Ireland on behalf of Tourism NI

It is illegal to download, copy, print or otherwise utilise in any other form this material, without written consent from the copyright holder.

Description

A local field in Armoy becomes an international stage where the precise art of ploughing unfolds under the watchful eyes of judges in white coats on patrol. NI’s Lawrence Mc Millan wins the illustrious Golden Plough on home soil astride his Ransomes trail plough. The farmer’s son from Dundonald believes the secret to becoming world champion is that he constantly strives to improve. This film immortalises an early triumph in a career spanning more than seventy years.

This film was digitised as part of the BFI's Unlocking Film Heritage project. 

Notes

These rushes show the first time that Northern Ireland were hosts, they would go on to produce seven world champions. Competing along with Northern Ireland for the 1959 Championship were teams from Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, USA, New Zealand, Austria, and Australia. The runner up was Charles Bonney from Canada. The trophy immortalises the humble 18th Century Norfolk plough. If you visit Armoy you can see a replica of the Golden Plough, with inscribed stones from each of the participating countries, commemorating the 1959 Championship.

Links

×

Please scroll to review and accept our terms and conditions (last updated on ) before viewing the moving images content.

To remember your terms and conditions acceptance, you can register as a site member or allow cookies on your browser.