Many of us enjoy life in Oxfordshire towns, but the county remains largely rural, with many farms scattered around the countryside.

For many years, our sister paper, The Oxford Times, reflected the fact that agriculture played an important part in the county’s economy.

It employed a farming correspondent who contributed a weekly page keeping farmers up to date with the latest news.

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We were reminded of the part the farming community played, and still plays, when a reader found the picture above during a house move.

It was taken at the Oxfordshire ploughing championships in 1953 at Bayswater Farm at Headington, Oxford.

It shows one of the competitors, Peter Harrison, displaying his skill on a tractor at the ninth annual rally, fete and gymkhana organised by the Oxfordshire Federation of Young Farmers.

It was one of the most important events in the local agricultural calendar, one that The Oxford Times’ farming correspondent was determined not to miss.

He wrote: “Every aspect of farming was included in the programme. Young farmers from the nine clubs in the county and some from neighbouring counties took part in various tests, which together provided eight hours’ entertainment.”

Young farmers had a chance to show their skills at tractor handling and fault finding and operating milking machines.

(Image: Oxford Mail) There were also tests in horse handling, poultry culling and identifying agricultural equipment as well as art, handicraft and cookery competitions.

The gymkhana attracted a large number of entries and was watched by a large, enthusiastic crowd.

Other events during the day included a fire-fighting drill, a rounders match between teams from Oxford and Witney, a clay pigeon shoot, bowling with a pig as the prize and a competition to judge the weight of a heifer.

If that wasn’t enough, the day ended with an auction of farm and garden produce.

Events organised by the Oxfordshire Federation of Young Farmers weren’t all about working on the land.

As you will see from the lower picture, there were indoor activities too, including annual public speaking competitions.

Contestants are seen at the 1952 event at County Hall in New Road, Oxford, with two of the judges, Miss V Sprules and Major S Carter.

Enstone Young Farmers won both the senior and intermediate sections and Bloxham School won the junior prize that year.

Oxfordshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (OFYFC) is Oxfordshire’s largest rural youth organisation, where young people aged 10-28 have a wealth of new experiences and opportunities.

For more information visit the website ofyfc.org.uk

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.