AYR 800 ploughs a historic furrow

A HORSE ploughing competition is to be held at Greenan Farm, Doonfoot, Ayrshire, as part of this year’s Ayr 800 celebrations.

It will be held this Sunday, 28 August, beginning at 10am and ending around 4.30pm.

Around 20 ploughmen from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales will compete for the cup – including at least two plough girls.

A Burns Bi-centenary Ploughing Match was held in March 1996 at Mossgiel Farm, Mauchline, and Ayr Guildry approached the organisers to stage this year’s event.

Over 10,000 people attended what turned out to be a most successful and memorable day in 1996, celebrating the bi-centenary of the death of Robert Burns.

It is hoped that this year’s event at Greenan Farm, Doonfoot, by kind permission of Mr J McIlwraith, Balig, will prove just as successful.

There will also be vintage tractors competing in their class in the same competition field, which lies between Greenan Road and the sea, just below Greenan Castle.

As well as the ploughing competitions, there will also be demonstrations of other farming activities such as threshing, harrowing and seed-sowing.

Other planned attractions for the family include a blacksmith, 30 craft stalls, a farmers’ market, pony rides, animals, and a bouncy castle.

Entertainment during the day will include a performance by the Ayrshire Youth Fiddle Orchestra.

The main organisers of the event are John Skilling of Doonbank and farmer Tom Currie from Tarbolton.

They were approached by the late Derek Roy of Ayr Guildry, which is organising the Ayr 800 celebratory events.

ABOUT AYR 800

In 2005 the historic town of Ayr in Scotland marks the 800th anniversary of King William the Lion of Scotland signing a Charter in 1205 proclaiming Ayr to be a Royal Burgh.

Ayr Guildry, an association of local business people which itself dates back to 1325, is currently organising Ayr 800, a 12 month long calendar of events to celebrate the anniversary throughout the year.

Brian Martin of Ayr Guildry said: "It seems fitting and appropriate to celebrate 800 years of Ayr’s history in as many different ways as possible.

"Since the inception of this project, I have been amazed to discover the number and diversity of clubs, associations and groups that flourish in our town. Ayr 800 provides them all with a magnificent opportunity to play a prominent part in our year of celebrations.


"For people and businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry, Ayr 800 offers the chance to attract visitors who might otherwise not have come to our town in 2005.

"And Ayr 800 provides an additional platform for local businesses to promote their products, skills and services to the world."

Brian Martin concluded: "Regular updates to the calendar of events will be posted on the Ayr 800 website at http://www.ayr800.co.uk

"All businesses, clubs, societies and individuals who would still like to take part in this great celebration of our town’s history will be most welcome, and should get in touch with us as soon as possible."

Enquiries:

Brian Martin, Ayr Guildry. Telephone: +44 (0)1292 442103.
John Hay, Clerk to Ayr Guildry. Telephone: +44 (0)1292 264091.

Website:
http://www.ayr800.co.uk

Issued on behalf of Ayr Guildry by Fame Publicity Services.

Media enquiries (including evenings and weekends):

Murdoch MacDonald
Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland KA7 2AY

Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498

Mobile: 07833 667322.

E-mail: famepublicity@aol.com

Website: http://www.famepublicity.co.uk