The Whippleswick Produce Show

Saturday's Summer Produce Show filled the schoolroom at Whippleswick with the scent of sweet peas, warm sponge and just a hint of friendly rivalry.

Entries were up in nearly every class this year, and the judges took their duties extremely seriously, particularly in the Victoria sponge section, which required second helpings before a winner could safely be declared. In the preserves class, the rosette went to an exceptionally well-behaved batch of raspberry jam from Hilda Prenderghast, who admits her secret ingredient is patience, and declines to say what the other one is.

The undoubted celebrity of the afternoon, though, was Cyril Bostock's marrow, which took first prize for the fourth year running and needed two strong helpers and a wheelbarrow to reach the judging table. At a full thirty one inches it drew admiring gasps, a round of applause and one or two remarks from the back row that have no place in a church newsletter.

Proceeds of 342 pounds will go to circuit funds. Grateful thanks to every grower, baker and bottler, to Rev'd Paul Thompson for opening proceedings, and to the washing-up team, who once again performed the loaves and fishes in reverse.