Plough Sunday facts for kids
Plough Sunday is a special English tradition that celebrates the start of the farming year. It has become popular again in recent times. During Plough Sunday celebrations, people often bring a plowshare (the blade of a plough) into a church. They offer prayers to bless the land and ask for a good harvest.
This day is usually held on the Sunday after Epiphany. This means it falls on a Sunday between January 7th and January 13th. In the past, farmers would not start working in their fields until the day after Plough Sunday, which was called Plough Monday. Even though farming has changed a lot, Plough Sunday is still a way to celebrate farming and thank farmers for their hard work. The Church of England even has special prayers for "Blessing of the Plough" and "Blessing of Seed" in its book, Common Worship: Times and Seasons.
What Happens on Plough Sunday?
During Plough Sunday services, especially in country areas, local farmers often bring their tractors. You might see both new and old tractors outside the church! Sometimes, these services also include other fun traditions. For example, you might see lively Morris dancing, which is a traditional English folk dance.
How People Celebrated in the Past
Historically, villagers would walk through their village on Plough Sunday. They would collect alms, which are donations of money or food. After collecting these gifts, everyone would gather at the church for the special "Blessing of the Plough" ceremony. This was an important community event.
Where to Find Plough Sunday Celebrations
Some places are especially known for their Plough Sunday services. You can find notable celebrations at Sherborne Abbey in Dorset. Hedenham Church in Norfolk also holds a well-known service. Cathedrals in Exeter and Chichester are also famous for their Plough Sunday events.
