Grower News

CHAMPION grower Jim McCartney won seven cups at this year’s Caversham Allotment Holders and Gardens Association summer show. The 67-year-old, from Tilehurst, who is a show regular, took home half the trophies available as well as gold in the top tray and top vase. He won 20 classes for flowers, fruit and vegetables with entries including shallots, potatoes, onions and runner beans as well as dahlias and gladioli. Mr McCartney didn’t quite match his best performance of 2017 when he won eight trophies but did equal the seven he won in 2016 and beat the four he took home last year. Zinnia Hodge, 11, from Caversham, won the Children’s Cup for her decorated wooden spoon for the fourth year running. She also won the “vegetable monster” category, The show, now in its 118th year, took place at Caversham Hall in St John’s Road and attracted at least 100 more exhibits than last year while exhibitors were up by a third. Show secretary Hazel Addington said: “The show once again demonstrates there is no end to the range and diversity of our members’ exhibiting talent. “This summer has brought scorching heat, torrential downpours and damaging winds but it takes more than unpredictable weather to knock our exhibitors off their stride. “We had a full range of classes including vegetables, flowers, fruit, cookery, floral art, handicraft, novice vegetables/flowers and a range of categories for children. “Congratulations to Jim who won seven cups for his amazing range of vegetables and dahlias. “The best-dressed potato class took a well-earned rest this year and was substituted by a best-dressed onion and we had some very creative entries. “The tombola was also a success with nearly 100 prizes being won. The sale of wonderful garden produce is always a winner and the cake stall was busy all afternoon with the coffee and walnut sponge being a favourite for many. “I would like to thank everyone who supported the event and made it the success it was. This includes exhibitors, judges, helpers on the day, cake bakers and prize-givers, not to mention the helpers for getting […]

Source: www.henleystandard.co.uk