Pumpkin Day

Sunday 6th September, and the first WAGS13 AGM was opened with a welcome given by the current WAGS13 Chairman, Phil Nalton.

After a quick flurry of last minute betting on the winner, the proceedings were started with the ceremonial cutting of Mr Nalton's pumpkin. Mr Nalton had suffered with a severe case of blossom end wilt on his first pumpkin and was forced to field his reserve pumpkin, which was unfortunately the victim of high winds earlier in the week.

His pumpkin plant showed signs of stamina though by producing a late flurry of flowers and possible pumpkins. Mr Nalton decided to enter a couple of these efforts into the best matching pair category.

From the Nalton residence, WAGS13 members proceeded to the Mayo abode, where Alan Mayo proudly exposed his effort for the appreciation of the group.

Audrey the pumpkin, after an early bout of pumpkin flu, had rallied well and put all her efforts onto her one offspring. Mr Mayo entered category 1, the heaviest pumpkin, and category 2 the largest pumpkin

Onwards WAGS13 pressed to Ms Gray's where a surprise was in store. Ms Gray has been a dark horse all summer with very little information regarding pumpkin cultivation coming forth. On entering her pumpkin patch WAGS13 were surprised by a pumpkin tree ( patterns for these adorable pumpkin surprises will be posted in a later blog). Ms Gray admitted to neglect and was severely reprimanded, but the chocolates inside the pumpkin surprises acted as sufficient bribe for her to remain in the group. Although neglected, her pumpkin showed fortitude and produced some possibilities for the best matching pair.

Geraint Davies had another surprise for the group. Unveiling his pumpkin as an alternative entry because the rules did not state that the pumpkin had to be real. This threw the judging committee into a quick huddle and after a few minutes deliberation it was decided that the fake pumpkin could be an outside entry for category 1 - the heaviest pumkin.

Mr Davies then threw himself on the mercy of the group with the remains of his original pumpkin. A new entry for the most disgusting, sorry, disappointing vegetable category. Holiday neglect coupled with rodent attack had left his pumpkin in poor shape and industrial cleaners booked for the patio.

Mr Fox had grown his pumpkin on a palette, but that did not save it from becoming another entry for the most disappointing vegetable category.

Rancid putrefaction can only describe the sorry state of this poor pumpkin, which was in the last stage of blossom end wilt. However, the judges managed to find a matching pair (which showed more pumpkin-like tendencies) further down the plant stem.

Finally WAGS13 members arrived at Dr Colvin's (too late for some specimens) where Dr Robert Colvin showed us all how it should have been done.

Prodigious care had been ladled on his pumpkin. Grown on a palette and straw to prevent rot, pistachio nut shells to ward off slugs and snails, and each stem individually supported, it was a marvel to behold.

So those were the entries. Results will be posted soon

(remember this is just for fun)