Flowers and veg on show at Bank Holiday bonanza in Blackhall

Blackhall Commmunity Centre, in Hesleden Road, Blackhall, is hosting a Flower and Vegetable Show on Monday, August 25, from noon-8pm. Growers are expected from all over the north, entering 38 categories including long leeks, heaviest onion, parsnips, dahlias, gladioli and chrysanthemums.

There are also children’s and baking sections, including best animal made from fruit and scones and home-made preserve.

There is big prize money up for grabs, with £200 first prize money in the leek section alone.

Organiser John Peace, who himself is a star grower, with his prize chrysanthemums winning two golds and two silver gilts at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show over the past four years, said: “It’s a big show, there’s national growers from all over the North of England, it’s probably one of the top shows in the country.

“I wouldn’t be suprised if we had a world-record holder with the pot leeks.”

John, who is the parks and facilities manager at Blackhall-based Monk Hesleden Parish Council, said the prize money is very good, “attracting the top people from all over”.

He added: “It’s our heritage – miners showed pot leeks and flowers.
“Exhibiting and all these shows are going by the wayside now.
“We’ve got to try and keep it going.”

For more information on how to enter, contact John on 07932 046082.