Village show allowed contestants to enter shop-bought vegetables in bid to increase entries

Homegrown and homemade produce have always taken pride of place at Gloucestershire's many village shows. Green-fingered residents are able to show off their hard work and it all becomes worth it when a rosette is placed on their parsnips. But this year, entries at one event were so low that organizers allowed people to show products bought from the supermarket.

Quedgeley Show, which has run since 1972, saw people competing for awards in more than 50 different categories including best vegetables, photography and flowers. But Councillors heard the turnout was not good this year at a meeting of Quedgeley Parish Council. Graham Smith, vice-chairman of Quedgeley Parish Council, 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."
The show took place last Saturday at Severn Vale School and involved games, activities, performances and craft stalls. Mr Smith said: "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." Parish Councillor Jean Hanks said: "The turnout was not very good. I think the organizers are going to have to rethink the event."
The show is organized by the Quedgeley Community Trust. Andy Jarrett, from the Trust, said they were hoping for more entries. "In the real world it is impossible to know if someone has actually grown their entry," he said. "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."