Cheshire Ploughing Match cancelled

Sep 26 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

ONE of the largest events in the North West’s agricultural calendar has been cancelled because of fears attendees could spread foot-and-mouth disease.

The Cheshire Ploughing Match, due to take place today, was called off yesterday by hosts Grosvenor Estates in Chester.

The event, which has been running for the last 100 years, attracts more than 5,000 visitors from all over the country.

Officials at Grosvenor Estates, which is owned by the Duke of Westminster, were concerned a recent outbreak of foot- and-mouth in Surrey could be passed on to prize-winning dairy cows at Park Farm in Pulford, Chester where the event was due to be held.

A seventh case of the disease was confirmed on Monday at a farm in Englefield Green, Surrey, and raised fears the disease has spread further since an outbreak in August.

The show was to host ploughing competitions featuring vintage tractors and horses, trade stands and hedge laying demonstrations.