Spuds in Buckets - The Results
THERE WERE 106 ENTRIES in the first Swaffham Prior Spuds in Buckets competition, where the aim was to grow the heaviest yield of potatoes from one seed potato in the regulation bucket between 10 March and 13 September.
Excitement had been building throughout the summer with many personal contests developing, and when the day of the weigh-in arrived there was a real air of tension as each bucket was emptied, the soil sifted and those precious potatoes lifted, cleaned and weighed. Thank you to Linda and Colin Evans, Kate Child, John Norris and Phil Kingsmill who organised and adjudicated this process, and Janet Willmott who was on stand-by to help with transport.
The suspense mounted throughout the morning as each new bucket offered up its contents. Some were delighted at the quantity and divulged their green-fingered secrets; some were disappointed and wondered if the dismal summer had blighted their chances. But all kept smiling, said they had enjoyed the challenge and would love to try again next year!
The winner of the adult competition was Andy Pumfrey with a yield of 2.782kg, and Rhiannon Jordan took the children's prize with 0.368kg of potatoes. Andy received a box of organic vegetables - kindly donated by Waterland Organics - and chicken, wine, and pudding to go with his home-grown potatoes for Sunday lunch. Rhiannon walked off with sausages, beans, popcorn, icecreams and sweeties to make a Saturday evening supper. But nothing could beat the glory of winning the 2008 contest!
Once again, many thanks to all who participated. By popular demand, we will be running the competition next year, starting on Saturday 14 March, when buckets and spuds may be collected from the Jumble Sale in the Village Hall. More information in due course.
And just in case, like me, you assumed that, as your potato plant had completely died off you would have no potatoes, it is worth checking. I found nearly 1kg of potatoes lurking in my neglected bucket! Isn't nature wonderful?!
Roll of Honour - Top Ten Positions
- Andy Pumfrey 2.782kg
- Andrew Camps 2.198kg
- Andrew Camps 2.182kg
- Kate Child 1.678kg
- Laura Davey 1.324kg
- Marcia Miller 1.296k
- Laura Davey 1.224k
- Sarah Whiteside 1.190kg
- John Norris 1.066kg
- Tricia Harrison 0.924k