Page 53 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2021

Northern Branch
MEMBERS 20000 to 29999
Secretary’s report
As I write this the North East is basking in lovely sunshine, although the weather reports are predicting heavy rain later, what else would you expect in England?
Preparation is well underway for the Northern Branch Championships (7th to 19th September) at the new venue for the Harrogate Autumn Show, being held now at Newby Hall, which is situated 4 miles from Ripon, 15 miles from Harrogate and 23 miles from York. It’s easy to get to just 4 miles from Junction 48 of the A1(M) and is well signposted. I think the new venue is a fantastic location although different to the Harrogate centre, but I’m sure the show will be a success.
Not a lot else to report really. There have been many shows cancelled this year, it may be something to
do with the traceability required by the Government if there was to be
an outbreak of COVID, and many organisations are not set up to be
able to manage that side of things.
I know from discussions I’ve had
with Harrogate show administration recently it’s been a headache for them, in knowing how to control numbers and being able to identify people entering the showground.
The Northern Branch enjoyed
a 4 day outside venue at the Great Yorkshire show in July, my thanks
to Keith and Janet Abel, James and Judith Park, David Metcalfe, Adrian Read for manning the stand, as well as Kevin Tritschler for supplying a majority of the vegetables on display. Keith and Janet, David Allison, David Metcalfe also supplied veg for display. The stand was awarded a Gold Medal (£300 for the coffers), and we also sold vegetables and flowers provided by Geoff Wilson and David Metcalfe
which raised another £200 for the Northern Branch. If we are to make a better success in future years we could do with more willing helpers to man the stand over the show and some other ideas of items to sell. My target is to make £1000 to contribute to the Northern Branch Championships.
North Yorkshire and South Durham
With my other hat on The North Yorkshire and South Durham DA is moving their meeting venue. After many years at the Cleveland Bay in Eaglescliffe, from the 27th October we will be meeting at The Constitutional Club, Wolviston Road in Billingham. Which offers much better facilities
in the rooms available and the car parking. Hopefully we will be there for many years.
Geoff Wilson
Honorary Secretary
North East Derbyshire DA report
Today (5th August) I’m doing my usual one finger man typing, but now with more hope and optimism owing to
the COVID-19 restrictions being eased enough to allow group activities and meetings to resume.
By the time you receive the October edition of the SV Magazine, we (NEDDA) will have hosted their 42nd Open Vegetable Show on Sunday 5th September. With the absence of any vegetable exhibiting last year, it goes without saying the DA exhibitors are eagerly and excitedly looking forward to the show. I suppose you could say, ‘like kids looking forward to Christmas’ or ‘like kids in a sweet shop’!
Thanks to Mary and Peter Glazebrook the DA had a fantastic kickstart to their activities and outings. They invited the DA to their garden on the 4th August. Once again members were overwhelmed with the dedication and ingenious ways Peter grows his world record breaking vegetables.
Whilst there we had the undoubted pleasure of witnessing Peter weigh a broadbean pod with a view to claiming the world record for the heaviest broadbean. Peter is pictured with
his potential 56.74g world record broadbean. Peter’s claim is now in the process of being ratified by the Guinness Book of Records.
As usual, on the night Mary and Peter were charming and welcoming hosts. Many thanks from NEDDA and friends for your invitation and hospitality.
We’re now in the planning phase
for activities, outings, speakers, show etc. for 2022. Once these have been finalized, they’ll be published in the SV magazine and on the NVS website. Mick Shipley
Pictured are three members having a good catch up for the first time in 18 months.
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