Scandal At Vegetable Competition As Supermarket Food Is Allowed To Enter

It’s all kicking off at the Quedgeley Show as organisers have allowed people to enter shop-bought vegetables in a 43-year-old contest.

Green-fingered residents in the area have been proudly showing off their homegrown marrows, carrots and cauliflowers at the village show since 1972 and winners in the 50+ categories can boast a rosette as a prize.

But all those gardeners who spend time and effort growing their veg are furious that entrants can now simply pop to Tesco and buy some veg to enter into the competition.

The flagrant rule-change has come about because of the low number of entrants in the contest - but members of the Parish Council in the Gloucester suburb are up in arms and say the situation was “pathetic” and “embarrassing”.

Councillors at a meeting of Quedgeley Parish Council were only told of the new rules last week and vice-chairman Graham Smith said it was a “sign of the times” as people grow less veg.

He said: “It was quite frankly embarrassing. People were told they could buy it, show it and eat it after but that still didn’t persuade people. It is pathetic.

"I suppose the times have changed. Many people don’t have their own garden, let alone an allotment, so they just buy their food from Tesco or Asda.”

Quedgeley Show sees people competing for awards in more than 50 different categories including best vegetables, photography and flowers.

Parish councillor Jean Hanks said admitted the turnout was “not very good”, adding: “I think the organisers are going to have to rethink the event.“

The show is organised by the Quedgeley Community Trust.

Andy Jarrett, from the Trust, said they were hoping for more entries.

He said: ”In the real world it is impossible to know if someone has actually grown their entry.

"Buying from the supermarket is not something we encourage but we do want more people to get involved.

"We were hoping for more entries and we will be doing all we can to get more people involved, including reviewing the classes to make sure the show is still relevant to the people of Quedgeley.”

Pics: SWNS