World Ploughing Championship (1959)

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.

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.