Category: Malvern Autumn Show

The Three Counties’ annual celebration of autumn is back for 2021 and for the first time, this jam-packed event is being held over three days! With so much seasonal fun on offer, show organisers have decided to pull out all the stops and extend the event over a full weekend, launching on Friday 24 September and running on Saturday 25, with the final day on Sunday 26 September. This popular 3-day outdoor event is all set to showcase a bumper crop!

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Malvern Autumn Show at Three Counties Showground, taking place on 24, 25 & 26 September 2021. Brought to you by the award-winning team behind a whole host of successful horticultural and lifestyle events, this ginormous Harvest Festival offers visitors a full day of gardening and grow your own delights, with celebrity speakers and gardening gurus, unique retail experiences and of course a wide selection of quality regional food and drink.

For the green fingered, there is the open-air RHS Flower Show, offering visitors the opportunity to wander through impressive displays and don’t miss out on all the gardening inspiration, hints, and tips and of course the chance to grab some seasonal bargains.

Families need to flock to our Family Green where we have heaps of harvest fun, activities aplenty, giant tortoises and fluffy four-legged friends on hand.

No visit to the Malvern Autumn Show would be complete without experiencing the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship! Expert growers battle it out for the title of biggest or heaviest vegetable and each year World Records are smashed under the watchful eye of the Guinness World Records.

For foodies, a brand-new outdoor Food & Drink Village awaits, filled with a delicious mix of artisan food and drink purveyors including the popular Malvern Gin Show, to tantalise the taste buds and when it comes to some much-needed retail therapy, visitors can enjoy the Countryside Shopping Pavilion for a unique selection of gifts and homeware.

At the heart of the show is the Autumn Potager Theatre which will feature an impressive line-up of guests and celebrities, sharing seasonal gardening tips and trends for 2022.

Commenting, Shows Manager, Jane Edwards said, “The Malvern Autumn Show is the jewel in our seasonal events crown. With over 25 years of history and heritage, it is back for 2021 with a brand-new three-day format and lots of exciting experiences, alongside all the much loved and popular elements, including the must-see CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship!

Tickets for the Malvern Autumn Show are available from https://www2.theticketfactory.com/three-counties/online/

Ticket prices:
General Admission (from 9am) £18.00 per adult, Under 16-year-olds: Free (but ticket required)
Parking: Standard Parking free, Gold Parking £15

After making one of the country’s biggest food bank donations of its kind, organisers at the Malvern Autumn Show have committed to running a traditional harvest festival collection again in 2020 and plan to make it an annual feature.

To celebrate the 25^th show in September, the Three Counties team decided to give back to the community by collecting for food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network which are local to the showground.

About 65,000 visitors donated tonnes of food and toiletries worth thousands of pounds which has now been distributed to help people using food banks in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire including Tewkesbury North, Malvern Hills, The Cotswolds, The Forest, Redditch, Droitwich, Worcester and Kidderminster.

Diana Walton, Head of Shows at Three Counties, said: “We were overwhelmed with the response we got from visitors to our call for donations.

“We received so many donations on the first day that we had to move the food packages collected by food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network to another building on site so there was room for more donations on the Sunday.

“Initially, the idea was that we wanted to celebrate our silver anniversary by giving something back to our community, but visitors really bought into the idea and it’s been so unexpectedly successful that we now we feel it’s something we want to do every year.

“Our visitors responded to the call with outstanding generosity, for which we thank them.  Whilst no-one likes that we need food banks in our society, there is a real need for them in the Three Counties, and if we can do our bit each year, then it is worth us making sure it goes ahead.”

Figures show that between 1 April, 2018 and 31 March, 2019 food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network handed out emergency food supplies to 45,824 children and adults in the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire areas alone, and 142,234 across the West Midlands.

Sarah Barcham, area manager at the Trussell Trust said: “When we were approached by the team at Three Counties to hold a harvest festival donation point at Malvern Autumn Show we were more than happy to help to make sure it was going to the people who need it most – and the response really was incredible.

“Our volunteers on site had to work tirelessly to keep receiving the donations across the weekend, and it’s great the show wants to continue this in the future.

“No one in the UK should need to turn to a food bank. But during the last year across our network we’ve seen a 19% increase in foodbank use – that’s 1.6 million emergency food supplies to people in crisis. More than a third of these went to children.

“We’re working towards a future where no one needs a food bank, but until we reach that point, donations from the public are vital. It’s not just food that people at food banks need – if you don’t have any money for the basics, you’re likely to also need toiletries, household items, period products or baby supplies, so food banks welcome donations of these too.”

A bumper crowd of 65,000 people descended on the Malvern Autumn Show to marvel at everything from world record breaking giant vegetables to stunning floral displays and the brilliant inaugural gin show.

From some of the best food and drink producers in the country to great family entertainment, weird and wonderful animals, including giant tortoises, and the biggest ever amount of poultry entries, crowds were not short on thrilling entertainment.

Throughout the weekend people were able to visit the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship and see the preposterous pumpkins and enormous onions on display, while also witness some of the biggest produce grown anywhere on the planet.

The Guinness World Record for the longest ever turnip was set by grower Joe Atherton from Mansfield and measured in at a whopping 4.064m. The UK record for the heaviest marrow was also broken by Mark Baggs and weighed in at a massive 90.4lbs.

Visitors to 25th Malvern Autumn Show also showed great generosity by contributing to one of the UK’s largest single food bank donations. Run in association with the Trussell Trust a staggering three tonnes of food was given to the harvest festival collection point which filled more than 100 crates and will be distributed to those in need across the local area.

Head of Shows Diana Walton said: “Whilst we were aware there is a real need for food banks, what we hadn’t realised when we made the call to our visitors to help with donations is just how overwhelming the response would be.

“We are delighted that the show has been able to channel the goodwill of our visitors to help with this cause.

“We hope that this is something we can build on in the future because the generosity that comes with celebrating the harvest is at the heart of Malvern Autumn Show.”

Special guests such as Gardeners’ World presenters Joe Swift and Carol Klein lit up the festival with their expertise during talks and Q&A sessions with visitors. Jean Christophe Novelli held a number of superb food demonstrations and BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood also entertained crowds with talks on her experiences with gardening over the years.

At the first ever Malvern Gin Show visitors were able to sample some of the best and most intriguing gin from around the Three Counties and surrounding areas and vote for their favourite in the  People’s Choice Award, which was won by Hintons Wyre Forest Gin.

“The 25th Malvern Autumn Show has been a great success in 2019 despite ever changing weather and some challenging conditions,” said Diana.

“Visitor figures were still incredible, and that is a testament to the work of all the staff here who make sure that the shows can go ahead.

“From giant vegetables to RHS displays, great food and of course the brand new Malvern Gin Show, there has been so much for visitors to see and do across the weekend.

“This year has been an amazing celebration of harvest and of autumn and a perfect way to sign off the show season at the Three Counties.

“Here’s to the next 25 years of the show!”

In a bid to help tackle poverty, one of the biggest ever food bank donations in the country will be made at the Malvern Autumn Show as it becomes the first of its kind to host a huge harvest festival.

Run together with charity the Trussell Trust, Three Counties will host this groundbreaking initiative on September 28 and 29, and help give back to its community.

With 65,000 people expected to attend the event, visitors are being asked to bring items to donate to the harvest which will be one of the biggest donations food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network have ever received.

Run in association with Westons Cider Mill, Malvern Autumn Show is a two-day celebration right in the heart of the beautiful British countryside and will be a fantastic harvest festival brimming with special guests, giant vegetables, stunning floral displays and family entertainment.

There will be a dedicated donation point on the Family Green area where people will be able to drop off their donations.

“The traditional harvest festival is something many people won’t have participated in since they were at school, but with real people from our community in real need, we thought we should look at giving something back,” said Diana Walton, Head of Shows at the Three Counties Showground.

“This idea is getting back to the real meaning of harvest, community and giving. Our exhibitors and staff are already donating, and we really would like everyone to bring something along and help make this a success.

“This is the 25th edition of the Malvern Autumn Show and what a way to mark the occasion than feeling at one with the communities that surround us.”

Between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019 food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network handed out emergency food supplies to 45,824 children and adults in the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire areas alone, and 142,234 across the West Midlands.

There has also been a rise in schools in England setting up food banks. The National Governance Association’s annual survey released earlier this month found 8% of governors were in schools which had food banks – up from 7% last year.

Sarah Barcham, area manager at the Trussell Trust said: “When we were approached by the team at Three Counties to hold a harvest festival donation point at Malvern Autumn Show we were more than happy to help to make sure it was going to the people who need it most.

“No one in the UK should need to turn to a food bank. But during the last year across our network we’ve seen a 19% increase in foodbank use – that’s 1.6 million emergency food supplies to people in crisis. More than a third of these went to children.

“We’re working towards a future where no one needs a food bank, but until we reach that point, donations from the public are vital. It’s not just food that people at food banks need – if you don’t have any money for the basics, you’re likely to also need toiletries, household items, period products or baby supplies, so food banks welcome donations of these too.”

The Trussell Trust has issued a list of items which food banks in its network are it is in need of:

Food – cereal, soup, pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes, pasta sauce, lentils and pulses, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tea and coffee, tinned fruit, biscuits, UHT milk and fruit juice.

Non-food – Deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand wipes, laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid, sanitary towels, tampons, nappies, baby wipes and baby food.

Please only bring non-perishable goods that can be made into food parcels in advance as the collection will be unable to take donations of fresh food.

It will be easier than ever to encourage kids to enjoy their five-a-day at this year’s Malvern Autumn Show, in association with Westons Cider Mill, with free entry for under 16s for the first time.

The show, which plays host to the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetable Championships,  takes place from 28-29th September at the foot of the stunning Malvern Hills. It features a whole range of family activities – with many of them free – making it the perfect autumn day out.

From fairground rides and circus skills to wildlife and animal displays, the show offers plenty to keep young visitors entertained.

Diana Walton, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground said: “Malvern Autumn Show is home to a huge range of family attractions and we’re delighted to offer free entry to under 16s for the first time.

“With excellent entertainment on the Family Green and our Top Dogs Arena, over 100 displays in our World of Animals and the chance to learn all about the country’s wildlife in our new feature Wildlife Way, there’s plenty for children to get stuck into. “We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our beautiful showground for a fantastic weekend of harvest celebrations.”

The Family Green is the hub for free activities where children can get active and creative. With circus skills, mini-golf, croquet, giant Jenga and pedal tractors, there’s fun for all ages.

At the heart of the Family Green is the Top Dogs Arena with commentating from broadcasting legend Peter Purves, and packed with displays from four-legged friends. Displays include duck herding demonstrations from the Quack Pack, Dog Agility competitions, which will test the dogs’ obedience, nimbleness and speed as they negotiate obstacle courses, and the fast-paced and exciting Fly Ball relay race.

For more four-legged fun, the World of Animals is home to over 100 displays and is one of the most popular areas for show-goers. Animals of all shapes and sizes will be waiting to greet visitors, including sheep, alpacas, dogs, horses and even some giant tortoises.

New for 2019, nature fans will love to wander through Wildlife Way, where they can meet some of the organisations that play a key part in protecting Britain’s natural surroundings and the animals that live in it. Youngsters will have the chance to learn how to make wildlife-friendly spaces in the garden with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, look after butterflies and moths with The West Midlands Butterfly Conservation and meet owls with the Worcester Barn Owl Conservation Group.

The Old Tyme Fairground is ideal for those who fancy a thrill, with traditional rides from the 1900s in the Vintage Village. Featuring a carousel, helter-skelter and ferris wheel, it’s perfect for fairgoers both young and old.

Competitive kids can take part in an array of classes in the Discover Harvest Village Show across the weekend, where it’s encouraged to play with food. Ages 3-17 can enter for free, with competitions including creating animals from fruit and veg, flower displays and plant pot decorating.

A hearty feast of the region’s top food and drinks will be served up at this year’s Malvern Autumn Show, in association with Westons Cider Mill.

Taking place from 28-29 September and set at the foot of the stunning Malvern Hills at Three Counties Showground in Malvern, the two-day event – which celebrates its 25th show this year – will be home to delectable delights, including a brand new Gin Show.

Diana Walton, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground said: “Malvern Autumn Show champions some of the best food and drink from in and around Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

“We have some fantastic food stands offering regional local produce, alongside some live cookery demonstrations and indulgent afternoon teas. We’re really looking forward to welcoming families to our beautiful showground for a hearty harvest celebration and with under 16s going free across the weekend this year for the first time, it truly is a family affair.”

In celebration of its 25th show, Malvern Autumn Show will be home to its very first Gin Show, which will showcase gin producers from across the Three Counties and beyond. Hosted in its very own marquee, the show will feature sampling of some of the region’s top gin producers, not forgetting tasting and presentation competitions. Confirmed gin producers at the show include Hussingtree Gin from Worcester, Brennan and Brown from Gloucestershire and Haven Distillery from Herefordshire, plus many more.

Visit the Gin Pod theatre for gintastic talks and recipe ideas. While you are there place your vote in the People’s Choice competition which will see BBC weather presenter, Carol Kirkwood, present the award for the winning gin on Sunday.

Live cookery demonstrations will be hosted in the new Cookery Theatre by Mark Diacono and this year will be headed up by celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. Author of ‘Citrus’, Catherine Phipps will also be in the Cookery Theatre signing copies of her new release ‘Leaf’.

For those with a penchant for top produce, Malvern Autumn Show will play host to over 80 food stands inside and out of the Food & Drink Hall offering mouth-watering treats from the region’s best producers. It’s all about the Best of British, where visitors will discover a fantastic variety of delicious goodies. From filo pastry quiches to damson and sloe gin ice-cream, there’s something to tempt all taste buds.

The Cider Garden of headline sponsors, Westons Cider Mill, will be the perfect place for visitors to treat themselves to a tasty tipple. Offering straw bales, scattered seating and apple barrels, Westons Cider Garden will serve up some of its favourite classics, lovingly crafted in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcle.

Rose Manns from Westons Cider Mill said the cider garden would be a haven for visitors who needed a quick break from the hustle and bustle.

“We’ve got some great offers available, plus somewhere to sit and relax and enjoy the show,” she said. “We’ve supported Malvern Autumn Show for over five years now and it’s always brilliant. I’ve watched it grow from a young age and it’s something I’ve always looked forward to.

“We’re delighted to be Malvern Autumn Show’s headline sponsors. The show always brings the ‘wow’ factor and we hope to bring some of that with our display at the Cider Garden.”

For a taste of some of the region’s best pears, cobnuts, apples, perry and beer, the Orchard and Hopyard Pavilion is an essential visit. Hosting over 150 varieties of heritage and modern apples, pears and unusual orchard fruit on display from R V Roger and 300 varieties of apples on display from Frank P Mathews Ltd., the Orchard and Hopyard Pavilion celebrates both traditional and modern orchards.

Visitors can vote in the People’s Choice perry, or for those who want something sweeter, the Apple and Pear auction takes place on Sunday 29th September at 3pm, where the highest bidders can take home a tray of prized fruit or a bottle of fruit juice.

Colossus cabbages the size of cars, massive marrows, long leeks and incredible carrots will be a feast for the eyes once again at the Malvern Autumn Show in 2019.

For one grower giant vegetables are helping him recover from a terrifying near-death experience.

In 2018 five Guinness World Records were smashed at the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship, including one by Gary Heeks who became known as the ‘Celery King’ after taking the record for the heaviest celery, with his weighing in at 42kg.

Breaking a world record is a heart-stopping moment for anyone – but for Gary growing giant veg is helping him get back to full health again after suffering five cardiac arrests on his 57th birthday this year.

“I actually died on my birthday,” said Gary, from Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. “I was just sat opening my cards and I said to my wife Valerie ‘I don’t feel right’.”

Gary collapsed and his daughter Rachael acted quickly, giving her dad CPR for 30 minutes until paramedics arrived and he was transported to the hospital.

“It must have been terrifying for them,” said Gary, who works as an estate manager.

Gary had another four cardiac arrests in hospital before he was able to be stabilised and given an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which acts as both a pacemaker and defibrillator.

Since then Gary has been using his two allotments and a two-acre patch of land where he grows his giant veg – or “big girls” as he calls them – to help him stay fit following his health scare.

This week is National Allotment Week, which runs from August 12-18 and celebrates the benefits of having an allotment, Gary believes that beyond growing they can play an important role in both mental and physical health.

“I really do think allotments and growing are good for your health,” says Gary.

“I feel so good after I have been tending to my vegetables. When you’re there you just have no worries, it’s my little escape.

“The doctors told me to do what I can, and if I get tired I just sit down.”

Gary has been growing vegetables in allotments for 17 years, but has only been taking on the challenge of giant vegetables for the last five. It’s not a simple task and he says it takes a full year to properly grow a world record worthy vegetable.

“After the Autumn Show in September, that’s when the work starts for the next year,” he said.

Gary prepares the ground by putting manure on it and covering the ground with black polythene sheets for the winter. This stops weeds growing and allows the worms to work which increases the amount of water and air the soil gets, making it a more suitable ground for growing giant veg.

Then in January Gary will begin sowing his seeds using simple multi-purpose compost while also making sure the land is irrigated before putting up polytunnels.

There is a science to growing giant veg, but one of the more important things Gary says he does is to give them daily words of encouragement.

“I talk to them every morning and say ‘come on my beauties, you look incredible’,” says Gary.

“I have been told I’m losing it,” he laughed.

Gary is currently growing a giant marrow and red cabbage, and the latter he thinks could well bag him another world record at the Malvern Autumn Show.

He will be amongst growers from all over the country hoping to break more world records on September 28-29 at the Three Counties Showground.

This includes Tim Saint, who actually introduced Gary to giant vegetable growing.

Tim is the current world record holder for the heaviest red cabbage which weighed in at a whopping 23.7kg.

Entering numerous categories this year, Tim says his growing is “going well” and that his is hopeful of another successful year.

“You never know how things are going to go, but the pumpkins I’m growing are looking pretty big right now, so I’d hope to do well again this year.”

The man who makes the decision on who takes home the trophies is competition judge, measurer and weigher, Martyn Davis.

Armed with a tape measure and specialist scales Martyn has been ruling over giant veg since the national championships started at Malvern.

He qualified as a judge in 2005 after taking the exam and practical test with the National Vegetable Society – and he is expecting this year to be another huge success.

“It’s always a surprise. The veg just gets bigger and bigger,” said Martyn.

“We never know what to expect when we come here. Last year we broke a few records and I’d be surprised if a world record is not broken again this year.”

For the first time ever the 2019 show will welcome officials from Guinness World Records and on the Sunday they will verify any records achieved at the show and award the coveted title to growers.

Diana Walton, Three Counties Showground Head of Shows, said: “The championships are a real jewel in the crown of the Malvern Autumn Show and a real favourite amongst visitors.

“There are always some amazing vegetables grown that travel in from all over the country. They really are unbelievable and we are all looking forward to seeing this year’s entries again and maybe even some more world record breakers.”

Entries for the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship are open until September 20 and those interested can download an entry form at www.malvernautumn.co.uk/compete

Malvern Autumn Show, in association with Westons Cider Mill, returns for a fantastic harvest festival brimming with special guests, giant vegetables, stunning floral displays and family entertainment.

Taking place from 28-29 September at Three Counties Showground, Malvern the show celebrates its 25th anniversary, with over 65,000 people expected to attend the two-day celebration autumn harvest in the British countryside

Diana Walton, Head of Shows at Three Counties Showground said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the 25th Malvern Autumn Show in 2019. It’s a glorious celebration of the harvest season and we’ve got plenty of delights on offer. I’m proud to have worked at the very first Malvern Autumn Show and to be heading the show team 25 years later is a privilege.

“We hope that there will be something for everyone to take away from the show, whether it be some top gardening advice from experts, amazement at some of the largest vegetables in the UK or some brilliant fun with our family entertainment.

“Malvern Autumn Show showcases the best of what our three counties have to offer, and from humble beginnings it’s become everyone’s favourite show. We’re excited to announce for the first time we’re offering free entry to under 16’s so it really is fun for the whole family.”

This year sees the return of the Autumn Potager Theatre, hosted by James Alexander-Sinclair welcoming an array of guests including the likes of Carol Klein, Joe Swift, Jonathan Moseley and Alys Fowler. The special guests will be hosting a variety of talks and demonstrations and sharing their gardening knowledge.

Ever popular with the crowds and a highlight of Malvern Autumn Show is the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship, with growers from across the UK competing to see who can beat the gong for the largest or heaviest legumes. With previous World Records broken at the show, the competition is a true sight to behold. Classes range from heaviest celery, last year’ winner weighed in at over 40kg, and the longest parsnip measured over 7m to the heaviest aubergine and longest chilli.

For those with an appetite for homegrown artisan food, the Food Hall will be home to an array of incredible treats and a host of experts giving demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre, including celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli.

New for 2019, Malvern Autumn Show will be hosting the Gin Show, showcasing producers from across the three counties and beyond. Celebrating everything from London Dry to quirky flavoured gins, there’ll be plenty of samples to wet the whistle, plus a People’s Choice award for the visitors’ favourite.

The RHS Flowers Show has a record number of 40 nurseries competing for the coveted RHS medals with their colourful floral displays. RHS Gardening Advisors will be on hand to help with any gardening queries, from wisteria pruning to planting solutions for a shady corner. The Potting Shed hosted by Three Counties favourite, Reg Moule, is the ideal place to develop horticultural skills and build up confidence in the garden.

It’s fun for all ages across the weekend, with the Family Green playing host to excellent entertainment, activities aplenty and even some giant tortoises. The Top Dogs Arena is a spectacle of displays, commentated by broadcasting legend Peter Purves. In the World of Animals, over 100 displays of animals of all shapes and sizes will be a firm favourite with the youngsters.

With hundreds of trade stands available, visitors can get their Christmas shopping in early, covering everything from regional food and drink to bespoke jewellery and flower and plant nurseries.

Malvern Autumn Show will take place on 28-29 September 2019. Tickets are now on sale, with prices starting at £18 in advance. Kids under 16 go free and group tickets are also available.

Malvern Autumn Show 2018, in association with Weston Cider Mill, welcomed more than 68,000 people through the gates of the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire for a record-breaking weekend.

With a staggering six new world records set in the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship, a record number of visitors to the show and a bumper crop of experts sharing their passion and knowhow, the event was nothing less than a showstopper.

With a fresh look and layout, regular visitors were delighted with the new sections that brought something for everyone to enjoy. From willow wand making and spoon carving in the rural crafts area, to mini golf and circus skills on the Family Green, giant tortoises and hairless dogs in the World of Animals there was something to keep all the family entertained. A particularly popular new addition was the Top Dogs Arena hosted by former BBC Blue Peter presenter and dog lover, Peter Purves. This lively area showcased the wonderful ability and agility of man’s best friend.

Valentine Warner and Mark Diacono headlined the Autumn Potager Kitchen whilst a bumper crop of horticultural experts including BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Joe Swift, Carol Klein and Alys Fowler shared their passion, top tips and gardening know how in the Autumn Potager Theatre. Broadcasting legend, Gyles Brandreth stole the show with his ‘Just a Minute – I’m in the Garden’ and Tales from the Wardrobe.

Head of Show, Diana Walton, said: “This is my second year of leading Malvern Autumn Show and I wanted to refresh things to make it feel like an exciting new show. We love this event as much as our visitors, so I’m thrilled that the reaction to the new additions and layout have been so well received.  The whole show has been supersized, from record breaking visitor numbers to world record breaking giant vegetables and we’re already excited about our plans for next year.”

The CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship saw a staggering six World Records across 33 categories, with almost 600 entries in total. The growers brought their supersized submissions from the length and breadth of the country to the largest giant vegetables competition in the UK.

The first record, the World’s Heaviest Celery, was broken at midday on Friday by Under Gardener, Sam Purvis from The Old Rectory in Henley. He proudly held the title for a full five minutes before it was snatched from his grasp by Estate Manager and boss, Gary Heeks with his sizeable celery weighing in at 42kg, the same as a Chimpanzee.

A giant vegetable world stalwart Ian Neale, from Newport added a further two world records to his haul: World’s Heaviest Aubergine (3.06kg) and World’s Heaviest Bell Pepper (0.72kg).

Tim Saint from Reading, finally saw the fruits of his labours with a world record for the World’s Heaviest Red Cabbage. Previous world record holder, Cornishman David Thomas gave Tim the seed for his colossal cabbage that tipped the scales at 23.7kg.

The record for the World’s Heaviest Leek was set at Malvern Autumn Show 2014 by Paul Rochester from County Durham. This year he smashed his previous record with a leek weighing in at 10.7kg.

Malvern Autumn Show hosted the last major RHS Flower Show of the season in a brand new Floral Marquee at the heart of the new Gardening Village. Fifty three award-winning nurseries showcased a dazzling array of plants, shrubs and produce with 25 receiving RHS gold medals.

For the first time a nursery from the Orchard Pavilion was awarded the coveted Best in Show title. R V Roger Ltd from Pickering, Yorkshire’s traditional display of orchard fruit showcased many heritage varieties and caught the judges eye to take home the top accolade.

In the Floral Fiesta, the growers were awarded five medals in total, one gold, two silver gilt, one silver medal and one bronze medal for their displays.  The area was mentored and supported by celebrity florist, Jonathan Moseley with the aim of supporting British flower growers. It provided a platform to demonstrate the wealth, beauty and diversity of flowers that can be grown in this country.  Show visitors watched inspiring seasonal demonstrations including a woodland wedding showcase by former Royal florist, Sarah Champier.

The Floral Art stars were Mrs Margaret Thomas who was awarded Best In Show.  Best Use of Colour went to first time exhibitor Mrs Alexandra Bolton and Best Use of Foliage went to Mrs Barbara Pullen.

Join us next year for Malvern Autumn Show 2019 which will take place on Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th September.

The Malvern Autumn Show 2018 has seen five world records set in the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship. The Championship consists of 33 categories, up nearly 10% on last year and has drawn a record number of entries, nearly 600 in total, from growers the length and breadth of the country.

The mountains of monster veg are weighed and measured by official adjudicator, Martyn Davis and any records are sent to the Guinness Book of World Records for inclusion.

The first record, the World’s Heaviest Celery, was broken at midday on Friday by Under Gardener, Sam Purvis from The Old Rectory in Henley. He proudly held the title for a full five minutes before it was snatched from his grasp by Estate Manager and boss, Gary Heeks with his super-sized celery weighing in at 42kg, the same as a Chimpanzee.

A titan of the giant vegetable world, Ian Neale from Newport has added a further two world records to his haul. World’s Heaviest Aubergine (3.06kg) and World’s Heaviest Bell Pepper (7.20kg) with a potential hattrick pending with World’s Heaviest Chilli.

Tim Saint from Reading finally saw the fruits of his labours with a world record for the World’s Heaviest Red Cabbage. Previously set at Malvern Autumn Show by Cornishman David Thomas at 23.3kg, Tim’s colossal cabbage tipped the scales at 23.7kg.

The record for the World’s Heaviest Leek was set at Malvern Autumn Show 2014 by Paul Rochester from County Durham. This year he smashed his previous record with a whopper leek weighing 10.7kg.

Dale Toten from Somerset achieved a new World Record for the Heaviest Chilli weighing in at an eye watering 0.42kg, plus a new British Record with his magnificent melon that tipped the scales at 97.3kg, which is approximately the same weight as a warthog.

During the weekend, the Three Counties Showground expects to welcome more than 65,000 people through the gates for the annual harvest celebration.

Diana Walton, Head of Shows at Three Counties, said: “We are thrilled that we have seen five new world records in the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship. The passion and perseverance of these growers is amazing and our visitors absolutely love it. We never fail to be astounded at the sheer size and scale, they literally are one of the biggest draws of the show.”

The Malvern Autumn Show is a celebration of the season championing gardening, growing and gathering, rural life and our country’s quirky character.

RESULTS ROUND UP – CANNA UK GIANT VEG CHAMPIONSHIPS

Malvern Autumn Show welcomes back the UK Championships in 2018 with 5 world records smashed and record entries – up nearly 10% on last year with almost 600 entries.

• World’s Heaviest Celery – 42kg, Grower Gary Heeks, Henley-in-Arden
• World’s Heaviest Red Cabbage – 23.7kg, Grower Tim Saint, Reading
• World’s Heaviest Bell Pepper – 0.72kg, Grower Ian Neale, Newport
• World’s Heaviest Aubergine – 3.06kg, Grower Ian Neale, Newport
• World’s Heaviest Leek – 10.7kg, Grower Paul Rochester, County Durham
• World’s Heaviest Chilli – 0.42kg, Grower Dale Toten, Somerset

Chatsworth House’s former head housekeeper shares some surprising eco-friendly cleaning tips.

CHRISTINE Robinson, the former head housekeeper at magnificent Chatsworth House, will share her insider’s secrets at this year’s Malvern Autumn Show at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on September 29-30.

Her 38 years of running one of Britain’s greatest stately homes means she knows exactly how to iron out those tricky little niggles to ensure everything around the house is sparklingly shipshape.

Ahead of her guest appearance at the show, she’s rounded up some of her top environmentally friendly tips to help create a heavenly household. From tennis ball tricks to ensure the plumpest feather pillows to surprising stale bread solutions for grubby wallpaper, there’s no end to her creative solutions.

Remove the sticky residue from labels on bottles and jars

Put a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda in a ramekin dish, together with a tablespoonful of cooking oil. Using a soft cloth, or a piece of kitchen paper, rub the label with the mixture and the stickiness will simply wipe away.

Burn residue on an iron

If you have used an iron that proved too hot and something nasty is burned onto the sole plate of the iron, switch the iron off and while it’s still warm, hold a paracetamol tablet in a pair of tweezers and rub it over the stain on the iron and the mess will then just wipe away with a soft cloth.

Clear a blocked sink

Instead of using astringent proprietary cleaners, try clearing a blocked sink by putting down two tablespoonsful of bicarbonate of soda, followed by a cup of vinegar. After two hours, pour a kettle of boiling water down and the sink should drain freely.

Flies

Flies don’t like the smell of strong aromatic herbs, so try growing basil on your windowsill to deter them from entering.

Copper pans

Copper pans that are to be used for cooking shouldn’t be cleaned using ordinary copper polish, which may taint the food. Instead, clean them with half a lemon dipped in salt, and then rinse thoroughly.

Bathroom buff-up

Dripping bath taps can leave a stain – rub with half a lemon. Clean a bath with a piece of old net curtain or tights – it’s mildly abrasive.

Windows

Instead of using a can of glass spray, squeeze lemon juice into the washing water, and the windows will gleam beautifully. To remove insect spots on windows, wipe them over with a cloth rinsed in cold tea.

Chewing gum

Instead of using a can of aerosol chemical chewing gum remover, place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and press on top of the chewing gum, which will then harden and can be removed carefully using a knife.

Glassware

Don’t throw away a scratched glass before polishing with a bit of toothpaste, which might remove the scratch.

Feather pillows

Plump up feather pillows by putting them in the tumble dryer for half an hour with two tennis balls.

Clothing moths

To deter moths, rather than using insecticides, try putting a few conkers in the drawer or wardrobe.

Wallpaper

To clean grubby wallpaper around light switches, use stale, but still slightly moist, white bread or bread dough and roll it over the dirty marks.

Christine will share her extensive housekeeping experiences in a Through the Keyhole talk at 12.30pm and an engaging Upstairs, Downstairs conversation with celebrity chef Valentine Warner at 3.15pm in the Autumn Potager Theatre on Saturday, September 30. She will also join celebrated florist Jonathan Moseley in the Floral Fiesta Theatre at 2pm.

FORMER personal florist to the Prince of Wales, Sarah Champier, will bring her expert eye to this year’s Malvern Autumn Show in association with Westons Cider Mill at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on September 29-30.

The founder of Cotswold Flower Company will bring her 11 years of artistic experience dressing Royal residences to audiences at the show’s Floral Fiesta Theatre.

And in celebration of the new season she has rounded up her favourite flowers and foliage to gather together to craft a beautiful Autumnal bouquet.

Sarah, who designed and constructed the Highgrove cutting garden in Tetbury, absolutely loves Autumn. She said: “Fallen fruits and seed heads abound and as a hunter/gatherer I am always collecting and recycling beautiful pods and faded foliage for my arrangements. My British flower and foliage choices for a seasonal autumnal bouquet bring a lovely eclectic mix of colour and texture. For me, similar gatherings of flowers and foliage combined evoke a rich and warm floral feast with a delightful faded informality.”

Here’s her pick of seasonal stunners.

Dahlias – Dark and daring such as “Tamburo” contrast so well with “Cafe au lait” – big blousy blooms that just can’t be ignored.

David Austin roses such as “Lichfield Angel”, fragrant with a subtle blush and “The Duchess of Cornwall” full of warmth and a delightful scent are still flowering well.  Entwine with any trailing autumnal stems.

I love jasmine oficinalis already turning honey and crimson and some wild hops, Humulus lupulus.

Daucus carota is still flowering strongly and works well soft threaded throughout along with a head or two of Hydrangea flowers that are fading into antiquity.

Add in a drying globe artichoke and some bracken leaves already on the turn, bronzing nicely and from the Dennstaedtiaceae family.

Grasses have to be included – I absolutely love them. “Purple fountain” is gorgeous and will create movement.

Forage some berries from the garden, Viburnum dentatum, “Blue Muffin” produces gorgeous blue black berries, and some rosehips too. The  “Kiftsgate” rose produces masses of bright orangey berries.

Finally, a sweep of Eucalyptus gunnii with its blue grey leaves will emphasise the rich colours in the mix.

Sarah will be presenting designs for a British floral couture wedding collection at 11am in the Floral Fiesta Theatre on Saturday, September 29 using British flowers and foliage.

Book your tickets now.