A gloriously sunny Sunday morning brought out the crowds in Cawston to support the reinvented Plough Sunday procession.
Over the last four years, the tradition has been reborn in Cawston by the local church, and on Sunday 4th January 2025 a procession of ten tractors, old and new, followed by over 80 villagers, walked from Sygate to Cawston in the winter sun. There was a singing stop outside Broadland Winery for a spot of carol singing, and then on to Church Farm where the tractors and ploughs were blessed. The procession finished in the church where there was a short act of worship involving the horse-drawn plough that was once used in the fields around Cawston, and the Three Wise Men, who arrived at the church on the back of the Vicar’s vintage tractor.
Team Vicar, Rev Andrew Whitehead, said;
“Plough Sunday was the best yet this year, helped by the fantastic sunshine! Over 80 people came out to help us extend the season of Christmas celebrations just a little bit further. It was good to be part of the procession of tractors again on my grey fergie, and a privilege to deliver the wise men to the church’s nativity scene.”
As well as drawing vintage tractor enthusiasts, the event also involved members of the local farming community. Prayers were said for those who work in agriculture, and the tractors and implements were blessed for their ongoing work to provide our food.
Plough Sunday was, at one time, a major event in the towns and villages of East Anglia. On the first Sunday/Monday after Epiphany, a plough would be drawn through the streets accompanied by singing, dancing and drinking. The plough would be blessed as the agricultural community began a new season of ploughing and growing in the fields.
In medieval times, Cawston had a Plough Guild which met at the nearby Plough Inn in Sygate. On Plough Sunday or Monday, the guild would process the plough from Sygate into the village of Cawston with great ceremony and festivity, raising money for the guild and highlighting the importance of agriculture to the village community. They would also light candles and say prayers for a fruitful harvest in the year to come.
The church of St Agnes in Cawston is one of many in Norfolk to house a horse-drawn plough – a reminder of the way we used to work the land. The church also contains other artefacts which tell the story of the traditions involving the plough. When the Plough Inn closed in the sixties, the pub sign was given to the church and is still proudly displayed above the plough. The church also has a gallery dedicated to the Plough Guild, with an inscription carved on its edge…”God spede the plow and send us ale corn enow oor purpose for to make: At crow of cok of the plowlete of Sygate: Be mery and glade wat good ale yis work mad.”
This article was written by Revd Andrew Whitehead, Team Vicar for the Western Parishes of the Aylsham and District Team Ministry. Photo credit: Rebecca Whitehead.
Plough Sunday will also be celebrated at:
- St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Aylsham, Sunday 11 January, 11am
- St Margaret’s Church, Felthorpe, Sunday 11 January, 3pm with vintage tractors
- Norwich Cathedral, 3.30pm
Aylsham Parish Church: Sunday 11 January 11am service, arrive at Market Square at 10am to see Tractors and Ploughs
“Come and join us in the Market Square in Aylsham at 10am to see the tractors and ploughs and enjoy a hot chocolate and a cookie. This is followed by a service in church at 11am which starts with a blessing of the vintage plough at the back of the church. This year we have representatives from both YANA (You are Not Alone) and FCN (Farming Community Network) joining us and telling us about the work that they do. There will be a warm welcome to all ages. Activities for the children as well as the adults.”
Norwich Cathedral, 3.30pm service, arrive before to see the Tractors
“Join us as we celebrate our rich agricultural heritage and mark the beginning of the farming year at a special Evensong at 3.30pm on Plough Sunday, 11 January. After the service, locally made sausage rolls and beer will be served in the Nave.”
The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock at Plough Sunday 2025. Photo credit: Bill Smith.