Tomorrow’s ploughing match in Hillsborough has been cancelled as a mark of respect towards Northern Ireland Ploughing Association chairman Wilson Holden.
Holden passed away on Thursday after suffering a stroke.
The association’s long-standing chairman was widely regarded as a cornerstone of the region’s ploughing fraternity.
The Larne man had held the role for seven years and had recently been elected to continue the role for a further year.
This year also marked the 74th year of the Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championships.
The competition took place on Friday September 29 and Saturday September 30, 2017 in Donaghcloney, Co. Down.
He was also the chairman of Kilmood Ploughing Society.
The news comes as a shock to his family and those who knew him. Holden was an active farmer working right up until his sudden death aged 60.
Hillsborough Ploughing Society’s match scheduled for this Saturday, November 18, will be cancelled as a mark of respect.
Writing online, a spokeswoman for Northern Ireland Ploughing Association said: “It is with deepest sadness that we learn of the passing of our esteemed chairman and friend, Wilson Holden.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Ali, children, grandchild and family members.”
The Northern Ireland Ploughing Association is the governing body for ploughing in Northern Ireland. There are 21 affiliated ploughing societies across NI with around 500 members.
