Page 29 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2021

Jersey Update
GRAEME LE MARQUAND FNVS
Pint size peas
The most difficult task for any judge is judging children’s show entries, because in my book every child who takes the time and trouble to enter a competition is a winner. This was a task that Steve Vibert and I took on at the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society’s early summer flower show which was held on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June.
Thirty-five children up to the age of 16 had entered the pint- sized pea competition, but what was amazing was the interest and dedication
that those children had shown in growing the pint size peas since March. The peas were once known as Tom Thumb, for those who can remember. The competition entailed growing three peas in a 5 in [13
cm] pot of compost and managing
it through to fruition, with the emphasis on the freshness, shape and colour of the pods.
The competition was sponsored by Plants of Distinction who supplied the peas and Bonny’s Country garden, who supplied the compost. This was in conjunction with the Jersey Association of the National Vegetable Society and the RJA & HS.
The prize money was sponsored by
Graeme Le Marquand, chairman of the Jersey Association, judged the peas with Steve VIbert
the Jersey Association of the NVS . On behalf of the Jersey Association
of the NVS I would like to thank the RJA & HS for their continued support in making this competition happen, to plants of Distinction and Bonny’s country garden for sponsoring the peas and compost, and last but not least to Collette Bisson our feature writer and photographer who has taken the excellent photos of the winners receiving their prizes.
The pint size pea competition was won jointly by Albie Rice and Dylan Eder
Albie Rice (right) was a joint winner and George Goatcher(left) placed second.
There is no doubt that this type of competition has become enormously popular with the children and especially with the schools, and
I see no reason why we shouldn’t double up or even treble next year.
Fun carrot contest
On the 20th of May I Spent a hilarious lunch hour advising the team leaders from the Governments customer and local Services (previously the Social Security Department) on how to sow their carrots for their fun carrot competition, which was being held in September.
This was a project that I was asked to organise several years ago for them, which has steadily got out of hand because of the enthusiasm of the staff. The teams from various parts of the department all took part in looking after the carrots and nurtured them over the month in readiness for the big day. The fun part of this for me is that the workshop and competition is always held in their car park at La Motte street come rain or shine.
What makes this event more hilarious is that it is always carried out during the lunch breaks with a time limit of one hour; even the competition will be judged in the car park. Long may it continue. Teams from different Government departments take part in the carrot competition and is part of a team bonding course to help improve teamwork. Graeme Le Marquand
Both of Graeme’s activities shows how it is possible to get people involved in vegetable growing which is one of the purposes of the NVS - Ed
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