Page 60 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2024/25

Welsh Branch
MEMBERS 40000 TO 49999
I get a great deal of pleasure at looking back at our 2024 branch championships.
Considering early on we had a worrying time trying to book a venue. In the end
we went for Oswestry showground. It
was just perfect; the hall was full without being overcrowded. I’d like to thank Sue McCall and Andrew Jones for all their work securing this venue for us, they also provided the refreshments and judged at the show.
Our show secretary Arwyn Edwards did a sterling job arranging the entries and judging schedules, ably supported by his wife Gill. I’d also like to thank Craig Blunsdon for all his hard work including night steward duties.
The judges were from our branch except for John Bebbington, we always have
one judge from across the border. Jim Thompson won the premier class for a collection of 5 kinds with top quality entry. The British potato championship was once gain won by Sherrie Plumb, Sherrie also took the best exhibit with the collection
of 18 pointed vegetables. It was great to see Michael Bradley win the Welsh onion championship, while the leeks went to Owain Roberts.
I have got to say, what a great team Sherrie and Fred Plumb are, to win 8 classes at our championships is pretty good, in fact remarkable. They certainly are two very dedicated vegetable growers.
We were also delighted to have entries from Ireland, we are so lucky to have them in our branch, especially to have the junior entries. We had a good social evening
at the Weston Pools Village. It was great to see old friends from very many years, very, very, many years, but also good to look around that room and see very many younger people, the NVS must be doing
something right, because we don’t get so much of this in other horticultural specialist societies that I belong to.
After the dust had settled from our show, we turned our attention to the judging examination we were holding in early October. This examination is very important to us. We have lost quite a few of our best judges over the last decade and for the future of our shows we need new judges. And I’m pleased to report we have six new judges. Two women and four men. One from West Wales which is badly needed. So, congratulations to Jack Jones, Gareth Morris, Richard Williams, Marie Cluett, Michele Thomas and Edwin
held their practical examination straight after Tullamore show when they had plenty of vegetables. So, if for instance the Southern branch wanted to hold their practical examination a day after their championships in July, then they can. Likewise, a country the size of Scotland might want to hold a written paper in the north and one in the south on a different day, well they could, we’d just issue two different papers. Our society is reflecting the modern world, we don’t want to
put obstacles in people’s way. Likewise, someone with a dyslexia problem can have a reader and writer to help them.
Regarding our examination in Wales.
I must thank everyone who brought vegetables and came to help set
up the examination. Gareth for providing refreshments, Andrew and Sue for making
the hall arrangements and providing so many vegetables. Owain and
David for pre-judging the show. John who travelled up with me and Rob who brought exhibits. Also, my chauffeur Margaret,
and Arwyn who stayed with me all day. Congratulations to our eleven new judges once again.
Our branch is considering holding
a seminar in late autumn/early winter. Many of you will have enjoyed Medwyn’s seminars, and if they come to an end, then maybe these could be helpful to growers who can learn from good established growers. Do let us know if you think this might be a good idea.
Congratulations to our members who competed at the National Championships held in Sussex. Our Secretary David Thornton won the Millennium Class and also staged our trug which came second. Owain Roberts, I know won the Amour potato class, well done to you both, and indeed to anyone who represented us at various events.
Ivor Mace
Hughes. The examination
was held in Llanymynach
to reflect the fact that all
but one candidate lives in
north Wales. We need more
judges in South Wales,
that’s for sure, and there
are a few good younger
experienced exhibitors in
the south that could be
sitting the examination. You
know who you are. I feel like Lord Kitchener “Your country needs you” so come on, try
it next time. I’d also like to congratulate
the six Irish members who passed the examination, Patrick Thornton, Michael Connolly. Zara Evans, George McCulloch, Michael Burke and Trevor Stevenson. First of all, I wrote congratulations to the six who passed, then I thought, I can’t say it like that, people might think they’ve passed away, and what use is a dead judge.
Many of you will know that I am part of the examination committee, I’d like to say that with the recent changes we’ve made to the running of the examination, that it
is now possible to take the written paper
at any time, providing there is someone
to invigilate for them. In theory someone could pass the practical part, fail the written paper by a few marks, but re-try it over the winter and be judging next year. Also, the practical paper can be taken when your branch has an abundance of vegetables
to be able to set up an examination. An example our Celtic cousins in Ireland
Our society is
reflecting the modern world, we don’t want to put obstacles in people’s way
Judges Exam
Judges Exam
60 Simply Vegetables