2. Gooseberry show judging
Gooseberry shows are all about tradition, and the ritual of weighing the berries against each other (weighing off) on a pair of scales, with the heaviest being balanced against weights, continues as ever.
It's a slow process with so many classes (colour, single, twin, triplet, multiple and plate), but as one competitor commented, 'Why rush? If it takes all year to grow them, you may as well spend a few hours weighing them.'
The night before the show, competitors pick their best berries with a witness on hand to ensure that none are weighed.
Fruit with dry cracks or splits are allowed, but those with wet damage are not. The berries are boxed, the string tied around, and the knot sealed with wax.
Once at the show, the seals are inspected before the string can be cut, and the judging begins, with waiters taking berries from competitors to the weigher. The heaviest berry in its class is then weighed, a record made, the berry snubbed and placed on the winners' stand, where it's left on display behind glass for the next week.
Exhibitors take their own scales so that they can compare weights of their own and neighbours' berries, to decide which to submit for each class.
Fancy trying your hand?
There are no residency rules for membership of gooseberry societies, so anyone can try their hand at growing and showing. Read up on growing tips for showing in the Plants section of this website.
News & views | Have your say | Our services & contact
Also authors of: photos4art.co.uk, gardenmakeover.eu, cheshirecycleway.co.uk, congletoncycling.co.uk and scaresbrooks.co.uk
Copyright © Alec & Val Scaresbrook. All rights reserved.
No part of this web site may be copied and reproduced in any electronic or printed medium for publication or distribution without prior written permission from the copyright holders.
For further information please contact us.
N.B. Products and services provided by any third party accessed from this web site are out of our control.
