Despite the previous bad weather and thinking that there wouldn't be much on the show bench, I and many others were very much mistaken. With the exception of only a few, the classes were very well supported.
I was very nervous before the show and would have been happy if I managed to achieve a couple of 3rd's, as I didn't believe I had much. When I went to stage my long carrots the night before, my heart sank when I saw a very nice gentleman called Paul Yeoman, staging his colossal set. True enough, come the day he took first prize but what a cracking set he had with a lot of weight. He proved himself to be a top root grower as he also took first with his colossal parsnips. Both sets left the rest wanting this year.
However, apart from that I still had a much better season that I could have imagined. I was entering a couple of things for the first time which were, Stump Carrots, Celery, Potatoes and Peas. The peas and celery unfortunately gave no return but there were some good lessons learned. My success were as follows:
NVS Southern Championships
1st - Potatoes White
3rd - Long Carrots
3rd - Stump Carrots
3rd Cabbages
New Forest Open Show
1st Stump Carrots
1st Potatoes
One of what I consider my biggest by far achievement, was to get a first in the White Potato Class, where I was fortunate enough on this occasion to beat who is considered the Countries best potato grower, Sheri Plumb, with a nice set of Winston. John Branham took 2nd place also with another nice set of Winston.
NVS Southern National Championships
White Potatoes in first
Winston
This class was very well supported with 10 entries
My Long Carrots in third
New Red Intermediate
Long Carrot Class
My Stump Carrots in 3rd
Sweet Candle
Stump Carrot Class
My Cabbage in 3rd
Ramco
Cabbage Class
My Celery unplaced
Morning Star
Peas
Show Perfection
New Forest Open Show
My potatoes in first
Kestrel
Potato Class
My Stumps in first
Sweet Candle
Stump Class
Another great event was a visit from Sir Alan Titchmarsh
Well done Darren. A very nice set of white potatoes. You will be very pleased with that result. Like your coloured ones in the New Forest show as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hoss
ReplyDeleteThe coloureds were meant to go in the NVS side but I broke a skin so I changed the 5 to 4 and put them in the open side in stead of the lesser set I had originally planned to use
That's brilliant. Well done!
ReplyDeleteVery well done Blicky. As a football fan, it takes a bit of a mental shift to think of red cards as good(!).
ReplyDeleteJust a question as well - how do you keep the veg in good nick transporting it to shows? bet that's a mission in of itself...
Very well done Darren, unfortunately my 2 entries were unplaced, but hopefully not disgraced. See you tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteMatt, transporting is an art in itself, especially when 2 giant Ramco take up most of the space in the car. To keep it in good nick, you pull and prepare as late as possible
ReplyDeleteMarcus, I look forward to meeting you tomorrow, come and see me. Your cabbages were very good and must have just missed out on third to myself. Keep trying, John Branham spoke very highly of you as a good grower, so I'm sure you will soon have your day I'm very sure.
Well done Darren, you must be well pleased with your results. There are some top names in the showing scene here.
ReplyDeleteThanks mate, yes I am over the moon with the win
ReplyDeleteI was unsure if they were good enough to be honest but I have been told the condition was exceptional
I well known top international shower also told me I was unlucky not to have got better with both other sets of carrots but you have to respect the judges decisions and at least I know it was still close. I am so happy with my results and can't complain. I had a great day.
Great result mate, you did very well. There were more entries than I expected given the poor weather we've had this year but it was a well contested show.
ReplyDelete