The end of July and beginning of August see the gooseberry shows - the culmination of the year for the gooseberry societies of Cheshire and Yorkshire. Members carefully nurture their fruit bushes all year, with the last few weeks spent anxiously protecting the berries from damage by birds and wasps, which will exclude them from the show.

The exhibitors' sole aim is to produce the heaviest berry in its class. Every year, in clubs, pubs and marquees, the berries are weighed off against each other on beautiful brass balances. The heaviest in each class is then accurately weighed using Troy weights and given its pride of place on the winners' display shelves.