Alford's prizewinning ploughmen

A Ploughing Match took place at Bridge of Alford, on the 18th March curt. when the sum of Ten Guineas, given to the District of Alford, by the Aberdeenshire Agricultural Association, was divided into 8 Premiums, and adjudged as follows:-

1st,  To John Blackhall, servant to Mr William McCombie, Nethertown of Rough, 3l.
2d,  To David Henderson, farmer's son, at Newbigging of Clatt, 2l.
3d,  To Adam Booth, ditto, at Auchmenaies, Clatt,  1l 10s.
4th,  To Alex. Rannie, servant to Mr Raylor at Wellhouse, Alford, 1l. 2s. 6d.
5th,  To George Wilson, ditto to Mr William Ingram at Greystone, Tullynessle, 1l.
6th,  To William Clerihew, farmer's son at Salivathy, Tullynessle, 15s.
7th,  To John Mitchell, ditto at Anagathie, Keig, 12s.  And,
8th,  To David Lindsay, servant to Mr James Middleton at Kinstair, Alford, 10s 6d.

After the Judges had given in their report, containing the names of the successful candidates above mentioned, and expressed their entire approbation of the superior manner in which the work in general had been executed; they at the same time particularly recommended to the notice of the Stewards, the performances of William Weir, servant to Sir Harry Niven Lumsden, of Auchindoir, and David Stuart, servant to Mr Soutter, Mains of Whitehouse;  To each of these Ploughmen an additional Premium of Seven Shillings and Sixpence was allowed.

The Competitors amounted to thirty-two.  A great number of spectators attended - and after the business was concluded, a party of above 30 dined with the Stewards, at Mr Park's Inn.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 31st March 1819.

Clatt ploughing match

CLATT PLOUGHING MATCH. - The Clatt Plowman Society, desirous to promote improvement in Ploughing, so essential to the interests of Agriculture, held their first Annual Ploughing Match on Wednesday the 3d curt, upon a field belonging to Mr Mitchell in Auchindellan, when a number of Ploughs started, and every candidate exerted his talents before a numerous crowd of spectators.  The work gave general satisfaction, and after a minute investigation by the judges, they awarded the premiums to the following persons, viz. - the first to George Reid, son to Alexr. Reid, farmer in Drangowan; the second to Alexr. Barclay, son to Alexr. Barclay, farmer in Littlenewton; the third to John Wilson, servant to Alex. Barclay, Littlenewton; the fourth to David Henderson, son to David Henderson, farmer, Newbiggin.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 17th March, 1813.