Meet The Team

The Brailsford Ploughing & Hedgecutting Match has been a feature of the farming calendar for generations, and it wouldn’t be possible without the efforts and commitment of the society members.

From ploughmen/women and hedgecutters to bakers, caterers, and stewards, our committee is made up of volunteers who share a passion for farming, rural traditions, and keeping this much-loved event alive for future generations.

Here you can get to know the team who help organise the match each year.

Bill Slater

Chairman

The Son of a City Lad. My father was a precision engineer and toolmaker, and my mother was a state-registered nurse. After the war, and with a young family, they made the decision to go into farming to give their children a better life. By the time I came along (a late arrival — and still the same), they had established a Guernsey herd. However, with changes in agricultural policy, they were unable to keep going. Too late for me though — farming was already in my blood. Throughout my working career, I’ve had a wide range of occupations, some of which might well stop a conversation in its tracks. But farming has always kept pulling me back, to the point that my wife Sally and I now have our own holding — “where we do farming.” Having visited the Brailsford Ploughing Match on a number of occasions with my late father-in-law, Norman Clarke, I felt that the society was something I could get involved with, just doing my bit to help. I certainly never expected to be put forward for the role of chairman — and yet here I am. What an incredible time it has been.

Mark Adams

Vice Chairman

I have been a keen supporter of the Brailsford & District Ploughing & Hedgecutting Society from an early age. My parents, grandparents, and wider family have been enthusiastic competitors over the years, and I have also competed in more recent times — firstly in hedgelaying, and then in the ploughing classes, with good success. My partner, Kathryn, has also taken part, competing in the baking and handicraft classes with great success. I was invited to join the committee 10 years ago, and it will be a privilege to serve as Chairman in 2026 and 2027.

Lynne Parnell

Secretary

I suppose you could say that the Brailsford Ploughing and Hedgecutting Society runs through my veins. My family has been involved since the very beginning — from my Grandad, C.T. Goodall, competing with growing crops and cereals, to my dad, Robin, ploughing, and my uncle, Brian, hedgecutting. I was very honoured to be asked to take on the role of Secretary after enjoying my time with the Derby YFC ploughing committee. I have match-ploughed (and done rather well, even if I do say so myself!) and I truly appreciate the technical side of the competition. Of course, my background is in farming, and now I help my husband, Michael, run his family farm. Both my boys, Jack and Charlie, are farming mad. My main job is as a caterer, and I love being able to use our own beef and lamb while promoting British farming.