Green fingered villagers rise to the challenge for Gainford show

IT was a family affair at the 60th Gainford Horticultural Show on Saturday when three generations of the Heslop family all picked up trophies.

Hilary Heslop won prizes in the bakery and produce sections, while her daughter Sarah was also a winner in the bakery category. Little Amy was rewarded with a trophy for her efforts in an event which saw a “brilliant” number of entries in the children’s classes.

They, like other villagers, were celebrating their successes, but it was keen horticulturalist Dave Greenland who won most overall points in the competition.

Asked what his secret was, Mr Greenland, who has a plot at the village allotments, laughed: “It’s having a lot of entries. I’ve entered 44 this year. We’re trying to boost the veg and horticultural side of the show to get it back to what it was years ago.”

Mr Greenland said this year’s warm start to the summer and cool August had affected people’s produce. But it didn’t stop him growing a runner bean measuring 21 inches – even though he admitted to not liking them.

“Actually I don’t eat much of what I grow – I grow it for the shows or give it away,” he said.

There was a more than healthy entry in other categories which included photography, art, flowers and baking. Maire Kennan, show manager, said: “We’ve had so many entries – it’s been very good. There’s been lots of interest this year with some wonderful entries in the children’s and photography classes. The baking has been great – everything has.”

Such was the enthusiasm to see the show, which was held in the village school and Scout hut, that there was a lengthy queue outside before opening.

The show recently lost one of its key organisers, Margaret Foster. Villagers have agreed to have a cup in her memory in 2018 for the best exhibit in the fruit classes.