Page 44 - Simply Veg 1 2024

Scottish Branch Championships 2023
The Scottish Branch Championships were held, this year in Haddington’s Aubigny sports Centre, alongside the East Lothian Horticultural Society (ELHS). Our team set up the show benches in record time after access
to the hall at 6.00am. Show Secretary, Neil Muirhead and Show Manager,
Ian McPhee thanked all who turned
up early to help, as it made such a difference, and they were also extremely complementary of the facility and support from the ELHS.
With exhibitors eager to start staging, the benches started to fill up and, of
course with the usual banter and fun whilst helping each other out wherever possible. It was great to see a few new faces at the Branch Championships again this year, including John Lowe and his wife Julie, who travelled up from the Midlands. During staging time, John Currie, so confident with his tomatoes, staged 8 to begin with, but soon whittled it down to his best six whilst receiving some stick
from his friends about his
counting abilities. (John
subsequently won this
class, mind you!, well
done John). Meanwhile,
“Team Gray” in the form
of Alistair, Mary and
Susan swung into action
like a well-oiled machine
as everyone’s exhibits filled the benches.
As soon as the staging was completed, the Judging started. Once again we utilised a mix of stand-alone judges combined with some who were also exhibiting at the show and this continues to work very well for the branch.
Despite this year’s crazy weather, there were some very high-quality exhibits staged. Photos of all the winning exhibits can be found in Flickr via the link on the
NVS website’s Library section, however we have included a few for those members not into technology (in addition to the annual Scottish Branch Seminar presentation, which you may have attended).
Alistair Gray staged a lovely six veg collection with exceptional long beetroot and was awarded first prize. Alistair won 9 red tickets in all and continues to be one of our top exhibitors. Jim Gradie came 2nd
Class 20, For any NVS member who has not won any red card at any NVS National or Branch Championship Show, has been gifted a trophy in memory of George Duncan. George always liked to encourage the newer growers and it is fitting that a trophy in his honour is for this class. Bill (Hoss) Martin was delighted to win this class and be first to get his name on the trophy, closely followed by 2nd place- Douglas Oliver, 3rd place-Junior member Thomas Steele and 4th place - Colin Stockman. Billy Reid, who travelled up from Sunderland with his wife Heather, was chuffed to have won the stump carrots for the second year running and won the long carrots too. No pressure for next year Billy!
All in all, another great show and extremely enjoyable day. Thanks again
to EVERYONE who entered the show, managed the show, judged, stewarded, exhibited, helped prepare for the show beforehand, set up on the day and break it all down at the end and thanks to all who also supported the local East Lothian Horticultural Society’s show too.
Here’s to 2024’s Scottish Branch Championships at Duthie Park, Aberdeen (31st Aug/1st Sept.), we look forward to seeing you there.
Alistair, Mary and Susan swung into action like a well- oiled machine
to Alistair in the peas, but first in the Shallots and the 250g onions whilst Jim Pearson was back on top with his Cauliflower – a sign of things to come for the National Championships for the two Jim’s. Niall Currie won the parsnip class
and the Large Exhibition onions class, and was presented with the special “Bill Rogers onion trophy” by Helen Rogers, who we were delighted to see. Niall’s Onions were also awarded best in show.
Our 15 points and under class continues to provide a colourful array of varied vegetables and is going from strength to strength. This year it was won by John Lowe with some high-quality Turnips, Courgettes, Onions, and French Beans.
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