The Ogbourne Champion Ploughmen of Somerset

New! Paul Newman has recorded a version of "The Somerset Ploughman" by Di Franklin. Di's husband is related to the Ogbourne Ploughmen. Click here to hear "The Somerset Ploughman"

In the period between the two World Wars,  a family of master ploughmen of Ogbournes were wiping the board in Somerset and neighbouring areas in ploughing competitions. [October 2010 : new information has come to hand from the Bristol Mercury of Ogbournes winning in ploughing matches in the late 19th century, so the family prowess goes back even further than previously thought.]

We thank the Western Daily Press of Bristol for this account of this remarkable family of Somerset Ogbournes,  written in February 1923.  For a full account of the achievements of this family of ploughmen please see the attached copy of the newspaper article.  It seems that  Mr John & Mrs Susan Ogbourne of Winford, Somerset sired no less than six sons,  who became champion ploughmen, and their sons in turn sired sons who carried on the tradition.

In summary the ploughing champions were:

John Ogbourne,  the head of the family, 
John C Ogbourne,  the eldest son  won 32 first prizes for ploughing before he was 21 years of age and went on to become ploughing expert for Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies. One of Ransome's principal products was ploughshares.  His son Leonard also excelled at ploughing,  and chose his wife from the Matthews family of veteran ploughmen.
William Ogbourne,  winner of 106 first prizes in ploughing competitions and beat the best for miles around. Two sons, Arthur and Charles also excelled as ploughmen.
Herbert Ogbourne living then at Corner Pool was the third son, and at the time of the report had taken 11 first prizes in succession for his ploughing. He too had a son called Leonard who also excelled in ploughing matches.  Leonard’s younger brother Berty was also proficient in ploughing.
Alfred who also lived at Winford did well in the same pursuit,  but later felt he should leave ploughing to his brothers and follow other things.
The youngest son was Walter,  who also took many prizes in ploughing matches.

Many thanks to descendants of this family who have contacted us with additional information, including this from a descendant of Lionel George Ogbourne (see picture above):

"My mother was an Ogbourne, daughter of Lionel George from Chew Stoke, she (the youngest) and her six sisters and two brothers were brought up to help with the ploughing horses and I remember her complaining about cleaning horse brasses in preparation for ploughing matches! My grandfather (Lionel George)died as a result of an accident with a horse and hay cart in 1945 when my mother was 16."

We are in contact with a member of the family (Roger) who is in touch with other family members, and we understand that work is being done on a family history. If you wish to contact Roger, please use this contact form.