Page 52 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2021/22

The Scots
abroad
As 2021 saw some covid restrictions lifted in time for several shows in England, some of our Scottish Branch growers ventured South once more.
Firstly, the National Championships at Atcham and the North-East Hort. Society Show at Stanley landed on
the same weekend with the Scottish Branch members heading off to both.
At the National Championships, following on from his winning streak at the Scottish Branch Champs, Niall Currie came first with his Large Exhibition Onions plus the 1Kg to 1.5Kg Onions, Blanch Leeks and the 20 point veg collection, 2nd in the Peas, 3rd in the Pickling Shallots and 4th
in the Onions 250g & under. What a fantastic achievement. Niall’s earlier stress from setting out to take the Ferry from Rothesay to travel down
to Atcham and finding it had been cancelled (adding hrs to his journey) disappeared when he first saw those red tickets with his name on them.
Jim Pearson was delighted to come 1st in the Long Beetroot, 3rd in the Peas and Millennium Class, 4th in the Large Exhibition Shallots and 5th in the Sherine Potatoes.
Cameron, Ronnie Gill, Ian Stocks, John Currie and Billy Reid also had a successful show.
Gareth Cameron came 1st with his peas, 3rd in the 250g onions, whilst Ronnie Gill came 1st in the Heavy Onion class weighing in at 101⁄2lbs (4.8kg) and 2nd with his Long Carrots. Ian Stocks came 2nd in the Peas, Blanch Leeks, Coloured Potatoes and the 5 Exhibition Onions plus 3rd in the Tomatoes. John Currie achieved 2nd
Ian Simpson achieved a 2nd for his Tomatoes and Cauliflower, 3rd in the 20 pt. veg collection, 4th in Peas and 5th in the Stump Carrots, Large Exhibition Shallots and French Beans.
Dave was delighted to have won the National...
in the Stump Carrots and Billy Reid coming 3rd in the Stump Carrots. Billy also achieved 3rd place in the Shallots class. Well done everyone.
Next was a trip to Ripon for the Northern branch championships and Harrogate Autumn
Ian Stocks was delighted to achieve 1st place with his Cucumbers (Kouper) which were grown in Autopots like his Tomatoes. Ian also came 1st with his Large Exhibition Onions, 2nd in the Pot leeks, 3rd Tomatoes (Maisey).
Further up the large marquee, in
the Harrogate Autumn Show, Ian Simpson was delighted to achieve 1st in the Tomato collection comprising of x3 beef steak (Super Mama), x 5 medium (Maisey) and x 6 small fruited tomatoes (Mimi), 1st in the sweet pepper class, 1st in the Sweetcorn Class and 1st in the tomatoes “other than red” class with Jim Pearson coming 2nd. Ian also achieved 2nd in the 16pt’s and under collection with Jim Pearson coming 3rd. Jim also achieved a 3rd place with his Rhubarb.
Ian Stocks achieved a well-
deserved 2nd in the National Onion Championships, 2nd in Class 3 (x6 Exhibition Onions) and 2nd in class
4 (x3 Exhibition Onions). Ian also achieved 3rd in the National Leek Championships. In the National Carrot Championships (x 3 long and x 3 stump carrots), Ian Simpson achieved 2nd place and Jim Pearson 5th.
You may have noticed
that I have not listed a Scottish Grower as having won the Peas this year (which had been the case since 2013). This year they were deservedly won by Dave Peel of the Northern Branch. Dave advised Ian Simpson that he had attended his talk at David’s local D.A. and with Ian’s pea seed in hand and following Ian’s instructions, hints and tips from his talk, Dave was delighted to have won the National... and to top it all, he had grown only seven canes of peas, yes seven! Congratulations Dave.
The National Champs evening do was also enjoyed by all with a lovely meal and entertainment. Our thanks go to Sandra Hall, the Trustees and their band of many volunteers for hosting and organising the weekend.
Meanwhile, across in Stanley, Gareth
show. This was a new venue at Newby Hall, which was a great weekend out. The Scottish Branch Members had another excellent competition in the Northern Branch Championships with Jim Pearson achieving 1st in the Large Exhibition Shallots, 2nd in the celery (Evening Star) and Stump Carrots
3rd with his Cauliflowers (Memphis), the collection of six single veg types and runner Beans (White Lady), 4th in the Globe Beet ( Bettolo), Cabbage and Tap Root Class, whilst Grace Pearson achieved 4th in the Pickling Shallots. Gareth Cameron achieved 1st in the 1Kg to 1.5Kg Onions and 1st in the Onions 250g and under (Tasco). Ian Simpson 1st 20pt veg collection, French Beans and Tap Root class,
2nd Large Exhibition Shallots, 2nd Parsnips, 3rd Cucumber (Carmen).
52 Simply Vegetables