A FENLAND church enjoyed a near full attendance as it carried on the tradition of celebrating Plough Sunday. The special service, designed by the Church of England to celebrate Plough Sunday, was led by the Bishop of Ely, the Rt Rev Anthony Russell. The c

A FENLAND church enjoyed a near full attendance as it carried on the tradition of celebrating Plough Sunday.

The special service, designed by the Church of England to celebrate Plough Sunday, was led by the Bishop of Ely, the Rt Rev Anthony Russell.

The congregation at St Peter's Church, Wimblington, included members from the March and Chatteris branch of the National Farmers' Union. Branch chairman James Martin and treasurer Dan West read lessons at the service.

Churchwarden Philip Glover said: "Wimblington has kept the tradition of celebrating Plough Sunday for as long as I can remember."

Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Night, was once the day that spring ploughing started on farms after the Christmas break.

It is also the day that a decorated plough, called the Fool or the White Plough, was dragged through the streets by bands of young men who would knock on doors and ask for money, food and drink.

The Plough Sunday service, held the day before, sees the ploughs blessed by the church.