Crops of spuds are set to be dug up across the region this month – with all eyes on the Newport Show to find out who has won this year’s Potato Growing Competition.
The competition is a regular fixture at the show, which will be returning in just over a month on Saturday, July 8.
Each year, show organisers and members of the Newport and District Agricultural Society take potatoes and growbags out to local schools, and challenge their pupils to grow the heaviest crop.
The potatoes were distributed in early spring, and during June each crop will be weighed, totalled and tallied – with the ultimate winner announced on show day.
The top crop will help the pupils who tended it to secure £100, which can then be spent on gardening equipment to help keep developing the next generation of Shropshire gardeners.
Current Newport and District Agricultural Society President Caroline Belcher and other members of the Agricultural Society will also be taking part in the growing.
Newport Show Manager Sally Western said: “We’ve distributed our growing kits to schools across the region, and by now, each should be tending to their crops and preparing them for harvest.
“Our volunteers will be visiting each school and digging up their crops later in the month, before taking them for storage at a top-secret location.
“During their visit, our volunteers will also be reminding our young gardeners that they can find out the final results of the hotly-contested competition in our Education Marquee on Show Day. We’d like to thank Greenvale AP, one of the UK’s largest growers of fresh potatoes, for their support for this competition – which is a key part of our education work with local schools.”
Meanwhile, show organisers are reminding potential show entrants – and visitors – to make a note of some key dates in their diaries.
The last date to become a member of Newport and District Agricultural Society before the Show and secure the range of benefits membership provides on show day and beyond is Friday, June 9.
The last day for entries into canine competitive classes is June 12 for postal entries and June 19 online, while the last date for equine and livestock entries is June 16.
Sally added: “Show Day is very close now – we’re making the final preparations and looking forward to another stunning Show.
“We can’t wait to welcome our visitors, young and old, back to the Show on Saturday, July 8!”
To keep up to date with show news, visit www.newportshow.co.uk
