A vintage plough was led into Thaxted Church on Plough Sunday for blessing as a sign of support for the farming community.

Saffron Walden Reporter: A farmer recalls the year's eventsA farmer recalls the year's events (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Plough Sunday Church Services traditionally mark the start of the agricultural year.

The plough was blessed by Robin King, the Archdeacon of Stansted, and the service was attended by the Thaxted Morris Men and members of the local farming community. It was followed by a ploughman’s lunch.

One of the farmers recalled the events of the past year and children brought soil and produce to be blessed.

Agricultural Chaplain, Reverend Janet Nicholls said: “Farming practices have changed over the years but support for those who work on the land is as necessary now as in the past.”

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Morris Men enter the churchThe Morris Men enter the church (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Plough Sunday is traditionally held on the Sunday after Epiphany. Accordingly, work in the fields did not begin until the next day, which became Plough Monday.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Morris Men and the plough in Thaxted ChurchThe Morris Men and the plough in Thaxted Church (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Morris Men and the plough in Thaxted ChurchThe Morris Men and the plough in Thaxted Church (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Morris Men and the plough in Thaxted ChurchThe Morris Men and the plough in Thaxted Church (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Morris Men attended the Plough Sunday service in ThaxtedMorris Men attended the Plough Sunday service in Thaxted (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Blessing the tractorBlessing the tractor (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Blessing the tractorBlessing the tractor (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: The service was led by The Venerable Robin King, Archdeacon of StanstedThe service was led by The Venerable Robin King, Archdeacon of Stansted (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Revd Janet Nicolls, Agricultural ChaplainThe Revd Janet Nicolls, Agricultural Chaplain (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Saffron Walden Reporter: The congregation at Thaxted's Plough SundayThe congregation at Thaxted's Plough Sunday (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)