South Show entries way up on last year
SOUTH SHOW tables will be laden with fruit and veg today in a bumper year of entries.
The two-day show gets under way today at the Professor Shaw Community Centre in St Martin’s.
Show president Mike Weysom said there would be lots to see.
‘It’s looking good,’ he said.
‘We are way up on entries compared with last year and the previous year.’
He believed the cost-of-living crisis was a factor in the rise in interest.
‘We have had quite a few new members,’ he said.
‘More and more people are going back to growing their own vegetables, due to the price of food.
'I used to grow dahlias, but I now grow vegetables because I can’t eat dahlias.’
Mr Weysom is a long-term supporter of the show, but this year has been harder, as he awaits a hip replacement.
He has been using his walking frame to get around the garden and his neighbour has been helping him.
‘I’m putting in 42 entries this year,’ he said.
That will include carrots, onions, marrows, beans and beetroot.
Judges will start inspecting the produce at 10am this morning, with a variety of experts drafted in for the duty.
Residents of St Martin’s, St Andrew’s, Forest and St Peter Port can submit entries for the show.
Among the people entering will be Lt-Governor Richard Cripwell, whose official residence of Government House is in St Peter Port.
Mr Weysom said he did not know what Lt-General Cripwell would be entering, but was looking forward to finding out.
Class exhibits will be in the hall, while in the neighbouring field will host stalls and events. Mr Weysom said he was pleased to see that the weather forecast was looking good.
Lt General Cripwell will be officially opening the show at 1pm today, and it will run until about 8pm tonight.
The show will reopen at 10am tomorrow, with a big raffle at 4.30pm and the presentations at 6pm.
Admission to the hall is £3 for adults, £1 for 15 and 16-year-olds, and free for under-15s. Admission to the field is free.
