Hi °C | Lo °C The brother of a farmer who died when his tractor crossed a railway line in Co Londonderry has decided to go ahead with hosting a major ploughing championship, because the victim of the tragedy would not have wanted to see it cancelled.
Dr Tom Craig, whose brother Jim was killed when his tractor was hit by a train near Limavady in July, is hosting the Northern Ireland Ploughing Championships in October on his land in Eglinton.
The family of Jim Craig has previously spoken of his love for farming.
This will be the fourth time the event has been held on the site - the first time was in 1983.
The championships will be held on October 19 and 20 on land that was last used seven years ago.
Dr Craig said: "Jim was the instigator in getting it here and he did a lot of work on the other three occasions that it was held here. The championship wouldn't have been here without him and he wouldn't have wanted it cancelled. He did a lot for the Ploughing Association and at the moment they are finding it hard enough.
"If you look at photos from '83 it is all the same people - just with less hair. Where are all the 40-year-olds? What happens in five years? There are a lot of young fellows who are turning up to plough but not getting into the administration side of it.
"William King is 65-plus and is still carrying the can."
Nearly 100 competitors will compete in the Northern Ireland championships in a bid to represent the association in the 2008 World Contest in Austria. Other competitors will also qualify for the European reversible, Five Nations, National Ploughing Association and European Vintage Championships 2008.
Ploughers have qualified for the October event through heats held over the past 12 months and entries are now closed for ploughing competitions.
A NIPA spokeswoman said: "The land is of excellent quality, free draining stubble ground, which could prove to be a real plus factor in this very wet season. It is fabulous land for ploughing. You couldn't ask for better."
