Gainford’s growers feel the heat

GROWERS worked a minor miracle in the face of difficult conditions to put on a successful produce show.
Gainford Cross Keys Leek Club members staged their annual show in the village pub for the first time since pre-Covid days.
Secretary Brian Boucher conceded it was not the best display, but he paid tribute to those members for the quality of leeks, other produce and flowers grown through two heat waves.
“It has been a very very difficult year,” he said.
“I am surprised we got as many leeks as we did to put before the judge. The difficulty was the two heatwaves. They survived the first one but the growers struggled.
“I am very surprised at the standard we have got. Credit to them all for getting them on the bench.”
The best leek in show was benched by Alan Bond, while overall first place went to Brian Walton with a leek measuring 220.05 cubic inches.
Unfortunately, Mr Walton was unable to attend the show to collect his trophies.
George Lynch impressed with his entries – his carrots and parsnips were particularly impressive, with Mt Boucher describing them as “really high class” , while Phil Goldsborough showed some impressive blooms to achieve most points in flowers.
Mr Lynch explained how he grew his carrots and parsnips in sand-filled tubes.
“You feed them from the bottom so growing them was the same as normal, although they went in late.”
Among the 24 classes, there was also a fun children’s section, which was won by seven-year-old Rio Kirby.