Organisers of Calverley Show have put out an appeal for entries to Saturday’s show amid fears that the cold wet weather has hit the home-grown fruit, vegetables and flowers which make up the bulk of the entries.
With classes in everything from potatoes and onions to apples and pears to dahlia and gladioli, the tables at the Methodist Hall are usually full of produce. However allotment holders and local growers report failed or poor crops and fear they will have little to show.
On the Gatescroft site in the village, which has 55 allotments, many were reporting potato, onion, bean and brassica crops had failed or been eaten by slugs says Anne Akers, who writes the allotment column Anne’s Patch for the West Leeds Dispatch.
“I’ve had my allotment nine years and this is my worst harvest,” she said. “With such a cold, wet start to the year we all had to wait to plant our crops, many are now up to six weeks later than usual.
“All that means we’re worried we won’t have many entries in the show, our 104th, which would be a great shame – especially when they are so many prizes and trophies on offer. So we’re appealing for growers to bring their entries and help us to make it a success for the village.”
Show organisers are also encouraging people to submit a bumper number of entries in the arts, handicrafts, photography and baking classes.
Entries are open to all, 50p per class, children’s classes are free. Entries can be taken to the Methodist Hall on Friday evening and first thing Saturday morning. Full details are in the schedule.
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