Challenging conditions test show competitors

Amid challenging growing conditions, gardeners have entered their produce in the South Show.

Islanders have put forward their best fruit and vegetables, baking and floral arrangements for the annual event at the St Martin's Community Centre.

Judges said they had strict criteria for ranking the entries which included checking there was the right number, the size, consistency across the batch and how they had been prepared for the show.

Vegetable judge Geoff Gallienne said: "It is extremely difficult this year to keep the plants going, whether it's flowers, pot plants or vegetables as they need water which is difficult to provide."

South Show president John Ogier said: "It's just tremendous to see the produce which has been grown in this very challenging year."

Ogier said he had been entering produce in the show since he was a young boy and this year had grown giant onions for the vegetable category.

The Lieutenant-General of Guernsey entered the men's baking category and although he was not placed, he said it was important to take part in the show "even if it's not my skillset".

Lt Gen Richard Cripwell said: "It's a real privilege to get a view into how the judges actually mark such an extraordinary variety of exhibits in the show."

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