Wonky carrots, Victoria sponges and rambling runner beans at Walkley Horticultural and Produce Show

Rambling runner beans, virtuous Victoria sponges, curly courgettes and nearly every variety and colour imaginable of tomato vied to be supreme champion at the Walkley Horticultural and Produce Show.
Amelie Grisdale, aged four, with lord mayor of Sheffield, councillor Denise Fox.Amelie Grisdale, aged four, with lord mayor of Sheffield, councillor Denise Fox.
Amelie Grisdale, aged four, with lord mayor of Sheffield, councillor Denise Fox.

But it was four-year-old Amelie Grisdale who was one of the most popular entries - as her carrot won the ‘wonkiest carrot’ award.

The event, held at St Mary’s Community Hall on Saturday, attracted nearly 200 visitors as hardened horticulturists showed off the produce they had been nurturing at their allotments and garden patches.

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The event was first launched in 1881 and was re-instated in 2016 after a 20-year gap.

The show was officially opened by councillor Denise Fox, the lord mayor of Sheffield.

Event organisers ensured that nothing went to waste either as produce on show was donated to the charity Foodcycle Sheffield, who left the event laden with boxes of vegetables, cakes and jams.

Walkley community leader Chris Reece said mayor Fox was “impressed by the range and standard of produce on display whilst she mingled and chatted with the exhibitors.

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“The standard of entry in all classes was also appreciated by the three judges.

“Despite 2016 not being a great year for gardeners there were a large number of entries in the bean, courgette and tomato sections, bright displays of flowers and several tables laden with cakes, scones, bread, jams and chutneys.

“The children’s section included miniature gardens as well as biscuits and vegetables, whilst other young people competed in the ‘design a scarecrow’s face’ competition to win a giant gingerbread scarecrow.”

The Richardson Cup for ‘Best in Show’ - in memory of keen gardener Ian Richardson - was awarded for six outstanding banana shallots.

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Chris added: “This was a real achievement considering the strange weather this year resulting in poor onion and shallot crops.

“Comments were taken from members of the public to enable the organisers create an even more exciting event for 2017.”