With grow shows and events being canceled across the world due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the CANNA UK team together with Chelsea Gold winner Medwyn Williams put together a plan to give the growers of the UK the chance to showcase their hard work and compete at a national level.
The Grow Show: On Tour was a traveling event stopping off at three locations around the UK, first at Mansfield in the Midlands, Oxford in the South and finishing up at Anglesey in Wales.
To ensure the safety of event staff and entrants, the three events met a number of COVID secure measures. From social distancing to the wearing of masks, use of hand sanitiser and temperature testing with waivers upon entrance, the competition area was split into smaller zones and strict entrant appointment times were given to keep the number of people to a minimum. All entrants adhered to these regulations which further made the event successful.
Entries spanned categories in giant vegetables, long vegetables and exhibition vegetables, all of which were judged to National Vegetable Society standards by Medwyn Williams and co-judge John Bebbington.
The Grow Show: On Tour saw growers from across the UK weigh in and exhibit their hard work at Mansfield, Oxfordshire and Anglesey tour stops. With heaviest, longest and show vegetables impressing both the CANNA team and Chelsea Gold winner Medwyn Williams, the event even saw a potential of 4 new World Records yet to be officially confirmed by Guinness World Records.
The winners from all categories are listed below, along with the top 3 at each stop to show just how close the competition really was. All entries were judged to National Vegetable Society standards by Medwyn and co-judge John Bebbington.
The Grow Show: On Tour World Records awaiting confirmation:
- Joe Atherton - Longest Beetroot: 8.56m
- Joe Atherton - Longest Salsify: 5.57m
- Neil Hands - Heaviest Red Cabbage: 31.6kg
- Peter Glazebrook - Longest Leek: (tbc)
CANNA & Medwyn would like to thank all growers who attended the event and helped put on a Grow Show like no other, especially with such great results and in helping us keep this the safest environment we possibly could. We wish everyone a successful 2021 growing season and we hope to see many of you next year as competitions may return to the usual schedule.
Show Veg
Giant Veg (Heavies)
Long Veg
Junior Family Fun
NATIONAL
Show veg: |
Winner |
Runner Up |
3rd Place |
3 Onions |
Peter Holden |
Owain Roberts |
Andrew Grimmet |
3 Blanch Leeks |
Peter Holden |
Andrew Grimmet |
Jeffrey Parsons |
2 Pot Leeks |
Peter Holden |
Andrew Grimmet |
Walter Stringfellow |
3 Long Carrots |
Peter Holden |
Ian Simpson |
Andrew Grimmet |
3 Parsnips |
Andrew Grimmet |
Ian Simpson |
Mark Roberts |
3 Carrots |
Ian Simpson |
Jeffrey Parsons |
Andrew Grimmet |
MANSFIELD
Show veg: |
Top 1 |
Top 2 |
Top 3 |
3 Onions |
Peter Holden |
Peter Glazebrook |
n/a |
3 Blanch Leeks |
Peter Holden |
Jeffrey Parsons |
n/a |
2 Pot Leeks |
Peter Holden |
Walter Stringfellow |
n/a |
3 Long Carrots |
Peter Holden |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Parsnips |
Mark Roberts |
Peter Holden |
Jeffrey Parsons |
3 Carrots |
Jeffrey Parsons |
Peter Holden |
Roy James |
OXFORD
Show veg: |
Top 1 |
Top 2 |
Top 3 |
3 Onions |
Andrew Grimmet |
Chris Spree |
n/a |
3 Blanch Leeks |
Andrew Grimmet |
Chris Spree |
Ray Scriven |
2 Pot Leeks |
Andrew Grimmet |
Ray Scriven |
n/a |
3 Long Carrots |
Andrew Grimmet |
Ray Scriven |
Chris Spree |
3 Parsnips |
Andrew Grimmet |
Donald Chester |
n/a |
3 Carrots |
Donald Chester |
Gerald Stratford |
Ray Scriven |
ANGLESEY
Show veg: |
Top 1 |
Top 2 |
Top 3 |
3 Onions |
Owain Roberts |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Blanch Leeks |
Lyndon Fletcher |
n/a |
n/a |
2 Pot Leeks |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Long Carrots |
Ian Simpson |
Lyndon Fletcher |
n/a |
3 Parsnips |
Ian Simpson |
Brian Brookes |
Lyndon Fletcher |
3 Carrots |
Ian Simpson |
Owain Roberts |
Lyndon Fletcher |
New World Record Marked in Yellow
NATIONAL
Giant Veg (Heavies): |
Winner |
Weight |
Runner Up |
Weight |
Pumpkin |
Trevor Oakley |
181.4 Kg |
Simon Croson |
137.6 Kg |
Squash |
Trevor Oakley |
167.2 Kg |
Craig Pearson |
89.4 Kg |
Marrow |
Brian Marsh |
57.8 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
52.4 Kg |
Cabbage |
John Marriot |
28.0 Kg |
Martin Enstone |
27.8 Kg |
Leek |
Walter Stringfellow |
6.4 Kg |
Chris Evans |
6.2 Kg |
Carrot |
Peter Glazebrook |
4.86 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
3.18 Kg |
Swede |
Peter Glazebrook |
25.0 Kg |
Brian Brookes |
9.4 Kg |
Celery |
John Handrahan |
16.2 Kg |
Dean Finley |
14.2 Kg |
Beetroot |
Joe Atherton |
19.28 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
15.2 Kg |
Radish |
Joe Atherton |
6.82 Kg |
John Handrahan |
5.72 Kg |
Cantaloupe Melon |
Peter Glazebrook |
1.04 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Parsnip |
Peter Glazebrook |
6.2 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
5.66 Kg |
Onion |
Brian Marsh |
7.74 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
7.54 Kg |
Tomato |
Peter Glazebrook |
2.54 Kg |
Joe Atherton |
2.10 Kg |
3 Onions |
Peter Glazebrook |
21.44 Kg |
Brian Marsh |
21.2 Kg |
Potato |
Joe Atherton |
2.06 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
1.68 Kg |
Cucumber |
Peter Glazebrook |
9.80 Kg |
John Handrahan |
7.94 Kg |
Bell Pepper |
Martin Enstone |
0.36 Kg |
Clive Bevan |
0.32 Kg |
Red Cabbage |
Neil Hands |
31.6 Kg |
John Handrahan |
16.2 Kg |
Chili |
Clive Bevan |
0.22 Kg |
Brian Brookes |
0.12 Kg |
3 Tomato |
Peter Glazebrook |
6.28 Kg |
Martin Enstone |
4.78 Kg |
Aubergine |
Fredd Hogg |
2.06 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
1.44 Kg |
Kohl Rabi |
Joe Atherton |
24.6 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
24.4 Kg |
3 Rhubarb |
Neil Pattison |
2.28 Kg |
Clive Bevan |
1.82 Kg |
MANSFIELD
Giant Veg (Heavies): |
Top 1 |
Weight |
Top 2 |
Weight |
Top 3 |
Weight |
Pumpkin |
Simon Croson |
137.6 Kg |
Craig Pearson |
69.8 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
61.6 Kg |
Squash |
Craig Pearson |
89.4 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Marrow |
Brian Marsh |
57.8 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
52.4 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Cabbage |
John Marriot |
28.0 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
23.6 Kg |
Neil Hands |
22.6 Kg |
Leek |
Walter Stringfellow |
6.4 Kg |
Chris Evans |
6.2 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
6.0 Kg |
Carrot |
Peter Glazebrook |
4.86 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
3.18 Kg |
Joe Atherton |
2.88 Kg |
Swede |
Peter Glazebrook |
25.0 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Celery |
John Handrahan |
16.2 Kg |
Simon Croson |
10.4 Kg |
Neil Pattison |
9.4 Kg |
Beetroot |
Joe Atherton |
19.28 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
15.2 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
13.22 Kg |
Radish |
Joe Atherton |
6.82 Kg |
John Handrahan |
5.72 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
5.02 Kg |
Cantaloupe Melon |
Peter Glazebrook |
1.04 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Parsnip |
Peter Glazebrook |
6.2 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
5.66 Kg |
Joe Atherton |
4.72 Kg |
Onion |
Brian Marsh |
7.74 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
7.54 Kg |
Joe Atherton |
6.04 Kg |
Tomato |
Peter Glazebrook |
2.54 Kg |
Joe Atherton |
2.10 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
1.70 Kg |
3 Onions |
Peter Glazebrook |
21.44 Kg |
Brian Marsh |
21.2 Kg |
John Handrahan |
16.8 Kg |
Potato |
Joe Atherton |
2.06 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
1.68 Kg |
John Handrahan |
1.12 Kg |
Cucumber |
Peter Glazebrook |
9.80 kg |
John Handrahan |
7.94 kg |
Joe Atherton |
5.44 kg |
Bell Pepper |
Peter Glazebrook |
0.24Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Red Cabbage |
Neil Hands |
31.6 Kg |
John Handrahan |
16.2 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
14.4 Kg |
Chili |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Tomato |
Peter Glazebrook |
6.28 Kg |
John Handrahan |
4.56 Kg |
Joe Atherton |
4.36 Kg |
Aubergine |
Peter Glazebrook |
1.44 Kg |
John Handrahan |
1.22 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Kohl Rabi |
Joe Atherton |
24.6 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
24.4 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
23.0 Kg |
3 Rhubarb |
Neil Pattison |
2.28 Kg |
Peter Glazebrook |
1.76 Kg |
Chris Marriot |
1.06 Kg |
OXFORD
Giant Veg (Heavies): |
Top 1 |
Weight |
Top 2 |
Weight |
Top 3 |
Weight |
Pumpkin |
Trevor Oakley |
181.4 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Squash |
Trevor Oakley |
167.2 Kg |
Gerald Stratford |
6.0 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Marrow |
Trevor Oakley |
30.1 Kg |
Clive Bevan |
26.6 Kg |
Ian Griffiths |
21.2 Kg |
Cabbage |
Martin Enstone |
27.8 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Leek |
Ray Scriven |
2.48 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Carrot |
Martin Enstone |
1.6 Kg |
Chris Spree |
1.42 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Swede |
Clive Bevan |
4.52 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Celery |
Dean Finley |
14.2 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Beetroot |
Martin Enstone |
6.80 Kg |
Terry King |
5.88 Kg |
Clive Bevan |
3.36 Kg |
Radish |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Cantaloupe Melon |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Parsnip |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Onion |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Tomato |
Clive Bevan |
1.06 Kg |
Ray Scriven |
0.64 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Onions |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Potato |
Clive Bevan |
0.94 Kg |
Chris Spree |
0.94 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Cucumber |
Dean Finley |
7.76 kg |
Martin Enstone |
7.52 Kg |
Gerald Stratford |
2.9 kg |
Bell Pepper |
Martin Enstone |
0.36 Kg |
Clive Bevan |
0.32 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Red Cabbage |
Martin Enstone |
14.0 Kg |
Terry King |
8.20 Kg |
Clive Bevan |
8.20 Kg |
Chili |
Clive Bevan |
0.22 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Tomato |
Martin Enstone |
4.78 Kg |
Clive Bevan |
2.06 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Aubergine |
Fredd Hogg |
2.06 Kg |
Martin Enstone |
0.9 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
Kohl Rabi |
Clive Bevan |
11.46 Kg |
Martin Enstone |
10.8 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Rhubarb |
Clive Bevan |
1.92 Kg |
Terry King |
1.70 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
ANGLESEY
Giant Veg (Heavies): |
Top 1 |
Weight |
Top 2 |
Weight |
Top 3 |
Weight |
Pumpkin |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Squash |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Marrow |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Cabbage |
Brian Brookes |
13.2 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Leek |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Carrot |
Brian Brookes |
1.1 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Swede |
Brian Brookes |
9.4 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Celery |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Beetroot |
Brian Brookes |
2.12 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Radish |
Brian Brookes |
2.00 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Cantaloupe Melon |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Parsnip |
Brian Brookes |
1.26 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Onion |
William Jones |
4.32 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Tomato |
Brian Brookes |
0.64 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Onions |
William Jones |
7.36 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Potato |
Brian Brookes |
0.86 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Cucumber |
Brian Brookes |
5.04 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Bell Pepper |
Brian Brookes |
0.2 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Red Cabbage |
Brian Brookes |
6.80 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Chili |
Brian Brookes |
0.12 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Tomato |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Aubergine |
Brian Brookes |
0.74 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Kohl Rabi |
Brian Brookes |
10.6 Kg |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3 Rhubarb |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
New World Record Marked in Yellow
NATIONAL
Long Veg: |
Winner |
Length |
Runner Up |
Length |
Beetroot |
Joe Atherton |
8.56 m |
Terry King |
4.81 m |
Carrot |
Joe Atherton |
5.74 m |
John Handrahan |
4.28 m |
Parsnip |
Joe Atherton |
4.21 m |
John Handrahan |
2.72 cm |
Cucumber |
John Handrahan |
79.6cm |
Dean Finley |
77.9cm |
Runner bean |
Joe Atherton |
84 cm |
Peter Glazebrook |
78.5 cm |
Chili |
Brian Brookes |
38.3 cm |
Martin Enstone |
35 cm |
Radish |
Joe Atherton |
6.24 m |
John Handrahan |
4.82 m |
MANSFIELD
Long Veg: |
Top 1 |
Length |
Top 2 |
Length |
Top 3 |
Length |
Beetroot |
Joe Atherton |
8.56 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Carrot |
Joe Atherton |
5.74 m |
John Handrahan |
4.28 m |
Craig Pearson |
1.56 m |
Parsnip |
Joe Atherton |
4.21 m |
John Handrahan |
2.72 m |
Craig Pearson |
2.26 m |
Cucumber |
John Handrahan |
79.6 cm |
Peter Glazebrook |
74.3 cm |
Joe Atherton |
74.1 cm |
Runner bean |
Joe Atherton |
84 cm |
Peter Glazebrook |
78.5 cm |
Ian Brown |
74.1 cm |
Chili |
Roy James |
22.4 cm |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Radish |
Joe Atherton |
6.24 m |
John Handrahan |
4.82 m |
n/a |
n/a |
OXFORD
Long Veg: |
Top 1 |
Length |
Top 2 |
Length |
Top 3 |
Length |
Beetroot |
Terry King |
4.81 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Carrot |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Parsnip |
Terry King |
2.69 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Cucumber |
Dean Finley |
77.9 cm |
Martin Enstone |
76.0 cm |
Gerald Stratford |
62.8 cm |
Runner bean |
Martin Enstone |
75.8 cm |
Clive Bevan |
61.0 cm |
Ray Scriven |
52.3 cm |
Chili |
Martin Enstone |
35 cm |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Radish |
Terry King |
2.73 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
ANGLESEY
Long Veg: |
Top 1 |
Length |
Top 2 |
Length |
Top 3 |
Length |
Beetroot |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Carrot |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Parsnip |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Cucumber |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Runner bean |
Brian Brookes |
70 cm |
William Jones |
69.5 cm |
n/a |
n/a |
Chili |
Brian Brookes |
38 cm |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Radish |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
New World Record Marked in Yellow
NATIONAL
Junior family fun: |
Winner |
Runner Up |
Sunflower Class |
Joe Atherton |
Bethany Hands |
MANSFIELD
Junior family fun: |
Top 1 |
Top 2 |
Top 3 |
Sunflower Class |
Joe Atherton |
Bethany Hands |
Jayden Hands |
OXFORD
Junior family fun: |
Top 1 |
Top 2 |
Top 3 |
Sunflower Class |
Clive Bevan |
n/a |
n/a |
ANGLESEY
Junior family fun: |
Top 1 |
Top 2 |
Top 3 |
Sunflower Class |
Lilly Gilbert |
n/a |
n/a |
New World Record Marked in Yellow