This rather fine farming award is 157 years old and is held by the family of Eric Flack. Eric is related to the Jacksons of Barnhill and it’s noted that in 1866, this ploughing award was won by Mr. Alex Jackson of Barnhill.
It was present to Alex by Mr. Dionysius Marianski, who lived at Greencroft at the time on Bardykes Road. I’ve almost completed a small book about Mr Marianski, a colourful character with enough interesting history to fill a book! He married that year and came to Blantyre in that same year and this award may have been his mark on the new community, by presenting an award to local competitors.
I’m able to add a little more to support this photo. This event took place at Craighead Farm. Newspaper reports that this was part of the Senior Ploughmen Competition: A handsome box containing a model plough and pair of horses, given D. O. Marianski. Esq Quarryhall. (He was John Jackson’s, son in law.) The winner Alex Jackson, son of John Jackson, Barnhill; 2, David Smith of Greenhall; 3, John Jackson of Blantyre Farm ; 4. James Wallace, Burnbrae ; John Thomson, Burnbrae.
Formed in 1821, the Blantyre Ploughing Society was part of a greater Ploughing Society group named, “The Hamilton, Blantyre & Cambuslang Ploughing Society.”A highlight of their year was the annual open ploughing match, where farmers from each district would compete in seniors, juniors, plain style and chilled ploughing