NVS Northern Branch Championships

National Vegetable Society Northern Branch Championships

Harrogate Autumn Flower Show 18th to 20th September 2009.

Report of entries, prize winners, varieties etc.

Class 1 Northern Shield. Collection of six vegetables, one of each kind. Staged flat

13 entries received, 9 staged

First Peter Clark of Hutton Rudby, Yarm Cleveland .

• LEEK Pendle Improved
• POTATO Kestrel
• CAULIFLOWER Raleigh
• STUMP CARROT Chantenay
• PARSNIP Pinnacle
• ONION David Metcalfe Strain

Second Trevor Last of Drayton Norwich

• LEEK Welsh Seedling
• CELERY Red Star
• POTATO Bonnie
• LONG CARROT New Red Intermediate
• ONION Kelsae
• PARSNIP Countess

Third Keith Abel of Leaconfield, East Yorkshire

• LEEK Pendle Improved
• POTATO Kestrel
• ONION Kelsae
• PARSNIP Gladiator
• LONG CARROT New Red Intermediate
• CELERY Turners White

Fourth Bill Croft of with points

• TOMATO Cedrico
• POTATO Harmony
• LONG CARROT Graeme Watson Sel. New Red Intermediate
• CELERY Ideal
• ONION Gerald Treweek Sel.
• PARSNIP Albion

Fifth Andrew Carver of Middlewich, Cheshire, with points

• LEEK Welsh Seedling
• CAULIFLOWER Memphis
• POTATO Kestrel
• ONION Own Strain
• CELERY Morning Star
• LONG CARROT New Red Intermediate.

Class 2 Hart Shield. Celery, dish of 2 heads

12 entries received, 6 staged

1. Trevor Last – Red Star
2. Richard Bull – Evening Star
3. John Goodall – Evening Star
4. Keith Abel – Evening Star

Class 3 Northern Committee Trophy, Cauliflowers, one dish of 2.

23 entries received, 12 staged

1. Peter Clark – Raleigh
2. Ken Galbraith – Memphis
3. John Smiles – Aviso
4. James Pearson – Boris

Class 4 Manchester & Dist D.A Perpetual Trophy, Onions, one dish of 5 min 1kg , max 1.5kg

11 entries received, 5 staged.

• David Metcalfe – Own Strain
• Mark Hewertson – Derek Raw Strain.
• Vin Throup – Own Strain
• Brian Potter – Kelsae

Class 5 The Barry Hall Memorial Trophy, Tomatoes, one dish of 9

19 entries received 10 staged

1. Don Owens – Cedrico
2. Trevor Last – Cedrico
3. Bill Croft – Cedrico
4. Ron Hall – Shirley

Class 6 The Chris Robinson Trophy, Mini Collection, 3 veg, two of each kind.

17 entries received, 11 staged

First Andrew Carver

• CELERY Morning Star
• LEEK Welsh Seedling
• CAULIFLOWER Memphis

Second Peter L Clark

• STUMP CARROT Chantenay
• LEEK Pendle Improved
• CAULIFLOWER Cornell

Third R Jackson

• POTATO Kestrel
• ONION A Jones Sel.
• LONG CARROT New Red Intermediate

Fourth Jim Thompson

• PARSNIP Princess
• ONION Sel. Kelsae
• LONG CARROT New Red Intermediate

Class 7 The East Yorkshire DA Perpetual Trophy. Carrots one dish of 3 , stump rooted

32 entries received, 21 staged

1. Brian Searston – Sweet Candle
2. Ian Simpson – Sweet Candle
3. James Pearson – Sweet Candle
4. Andrew Carver – Sweet Candle

Class 8 Potatoes white, one dish of 5.

18 entries received, 10 staged

1. Sherie Plumb – Winston
2. Peter Ridsdale – Winston
3. Mark Winder – Winston
4. Charles Summerskill – Harmony

Class 9 Beetroot, one dish of 5 globe.

17 entries received, 10 staged

• Don Owens – Not Stated
• John Croot – Pablo
• Mark Hewertson – Pablo
• Ken Galbraith – Bikores

Class 10 Onions, one dish of 5 , each onion not more than 250 gms.

18 entries received, 12 staged.

1. R Jackson – Tasco
2. Derek Raw – Own Strain
3. Mark Winder – Marco
4. Mr R.B. Potter – Hysam

Class 11 Potatoes, coloured, one dish of 5

17 entries received, 9 staged

1. Sherie Plumb – Kestrel
2. Peter Clark – Amour
3. Ian Hairsine – Kestrel
4. Peter Ridsdale – Amour

Class 12 Shallots, large Exhibition, one dish of 12.

13 entries received, 10 staged

1. Brian Potter – Aristocrat
2. Richard Curtis – Hative-de-niort
3. Jim Robinson – Hative-de-niort
4. David Thornton – Hative-de-niort

Class 13 Parsnips, one dish of 3.

20 entries received 7 staged

1. Graeme Watson – Princess
2. Duncan Bullt – Countess
3. Alan Pease – Not Stated
4. Trevor Last – Countess

Class 14 Carrots, one dish of 3, long pointed.

21 entries received, 11 staged.

1. Graeme Watson – Own sel. new red int.
2. Ian Simpson – New Red Int.
3. David Thornton – New Red Int.
4. A Taylor – New Red Int.

Class 15 Leeks, blanch, one dish of 3.

15 entries received 5 staged.

1. Graeme Watson – Pendle Improved
2. Peter Clark – Pendle Improved
3. David Metcalfe – Pendle Improved
4. John Carver – Welsh Seedling

Class 16 Tap Root Collection. 3 Separate tap roots.

23 entries received 11 staged.

First Graeme Watson

• PARSNIP Princess
• STUMP CARROT Favourite
• LONG CARROT Own Sel.New red Int.

Second Don Owens

• PARSNIP Albion
• LONG CARROT New Red Int.
• LONG BEET Medwyn William’s Long Black

Third Ian Simpson

• LONG CARROT New Red Int.
• PARSNIP Javelin
• STUMP CARROT Sweet Candle

Fourth John Smiles

• PARSNIP Duchess.
• STUMP CARROT Sweet Candle
• LONG CARROT New red Int.

Class 17 The Tom Henshaw Shield, Onions, Large exhibition, one dish of 3.

14 entries received, 6 staged.

1. Paul Henshaw – Tom Henshaw Strain
2. J McKenzie – Not Stated
3. Bill Croft – Gerald Treweek Selection
4. Brian Shearston – Gerald Treweek Selecton

NVS Silver medal, best exhibit, awarded to Graeme Watson for class 13, a superb dish of 3 Parsnips.

The Cockney Bowl for most points, awarded to Peter Clark, with an impressive 34 points, followed close on his heels by Graeme Watson with 32 points, significantly ahead all other exhibitors. Don Owens and Trevor Last both came in with 22 points each.

A few stats; a total of 65 exhibitors entered, ( 2008, 31 ) 61 staged ( 2008, 30 staged ).

Total of 304 entries received ( 2008, 210 ) and 165 staged. ( 2008, 148) i.e. 54% ( 2008, 70%) The last 2 years have revealed a much higher “no show” than normal, usually about 30%. This is most disappointing, with only a little over half of all entries received actually staged. As all entries received have to be recorded, with an exhibitors number, class cards and variety cards made out, and letters sent to all exhibitors acknowledging their entry, this creates a lot of wasted stationery, and a lot of wasted time by yours truly.

More importantly, it causes a nightmare for the Show Manager Derek Neumann, as he has to provide staging space for all entries received, assuming that all exhibitors will actually stage their exhibits. He spent all night juggling the exhibits about, so that we did not end up with a lot of empty space, which would have spoiled the impact of the show. I am not sure how we get over this one, any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks to Derek and his good lady Brenda, for their commitment and enthusiasm, and keeping us fed and watered throughout the show, and for ensuring that the exhibits were displayed to the best effect, and could be seen and admired by all.

Best supported class7, stump carrots with 21 entries staged, ( 2008, potatoes, white, 13, coloured 14 ) poorest, class 15 , 3 blanch leeks, only 5 staged, ( 2008, same, blanch leeks 2 and peas 2. ) albeit the quality was superb.

In terms of %’s, best class was12, shallots, large exhibition, 13 entered 10 staged 77%, poorest class 15 blanch leeks, 15 entered only 5 staged, 33%. The standard of exhibits throughout the Championships was exceptionally high, according to the 4 judges, Mr F H Ashton, Mr A Booth, Mr P Bradshaw, and Mr G Cameron, who carried out their duties in a professional and timely manner, we had all classes judged and prize cards completed and put on the exhibits, before the opening time of 9. a.m.

Despite my moaning above, the quality of the exhibits was exceptional, and provided much to talk about and admire by the visiting public and exhibitors alike, and the hall was heaving, all three days of the show. I was also relieved that we had no NAS’s ( disqualifications ) which at this level we would expect, as most exhibitors are seasoned showmen ( and women).

I am personally very grateful for the help and support given to me by the team at the North of England Horticultural Society at Harrogate, our hosts for the Championships, particularly Roger Brownbridge and Jane Kitchen, who could not have been more helpful.

We were pleased that Roger was able to present the Trophies on Sunday, particularly as this was his last Harrogate Great Autumn Show, as he retires again at the end of this month, and that most exhibitors took the trouble to be there to receive them. Thanks to Tom Lewins, our Trophy Manager for his work in ensuring a smooth presentation.

There were two other highlights for me, firstly our National Chairman, Medwyn Williams, won the trophy for the best trade exhibit in the show for the second time running, a remarkable achievement, and a superb display, taking 3 days to build. Secondly my own DA the West Yorkshire DA, won a Premier Award for their display in the exhibition hall, and I was told by one of the judges, that we were pushing Medwyn for the best overall exhibit. This is made even more remarkable, in that we took 4 hours to build the display, and until mid morning, had no idea what members would be bringing to the show. Teamwork or what??

I think the show ran fairly smoothly, the admin team were brilliant, no fuss, no panic, all working as a team, all pulling in the same direction.

Thank you to everyone for their support, exhibitors included, as without you there would be no show. I felt privileged to be part of a successful Championships, and wish John Croot my successor every success at next years event.

David Allison ,

Former Secretary

NVS Northern Branch.