Wot's Wellie Done Now...?

[Hazel at the Hill]

I know that there are quite a few of us grapes who have entered produce and crafts into local shows (with varying degrees of success!) this year - a lot of us for the first time - and pretty much last minute, Wellie has decided to give hers a go too and entered the 'Hamper' section.

The show was yesterday, and I'm certainly not going to ruin her big moment by revealing how she got on, but I've opened this thread so she can post some piccies of the show when she's on later and tell us All About It........!

[wellie]

My Big Day Arrives....

And I'm entering my very first Vegetable Show!

Unfortunately, I'm in a panic, because I have overslept, it's 9.34am, I have a teeny-weeny overhang, on account of Trousers and I went to the pub with The Happy Couple last night (someone must have spiked my drinks with alcohol?) and I'm in a panic because I have 'under an hour' to put my entry together for the 'Display Hamper of Vegetables' category, and I'm nervous as hell!

All week I'd been keeping an eye on 'this or that' to guage if it was going to be good enough for my Pamper Hamper, so I told myself to 'calm down dear' and got on with the harvesting.

I selected a bunch of garlics, a mini Savoy Cabbage, mini Cauliflower, some Red Kale, a handful each of Borlotti, Runner and Purple French Beans, a large yellow Pattypan Squash, a handful of Purple-Podded Mangetout, 5 Chilli Willies, a Celeriac, a mini Crown Prince Pumpkin, a Ichikuri Onion Squash, a small head of lime-green Romanesco Cauli. 3 Tigarella Tomatoes, a fat bulb of Florence Fennel, a small Red Cabbage, Bulls Blood Purple-leaved Beetroot, a Golden Beetroot, a fist-sized Swede, 3 Yellow Courgettes (still wearing their hats), a lime-green banana Sweet Pepper, and a red one, a head of Calabrese, 4 sticks of Bright Lights Swiss Chard, some set-grown Shallots, some seed-grown Banana Shallots, a Musselburg Leek, and last but not least, a huge fat cucumber.

It wasn't till I positioned my Hamper on the Show Table, that I realised I hadn't put any of my red spuds, finger carrots, or Kohl Rabi in. Bugger....!
Still, there were 26 different varieties in my Hamper already, so I didn't think the Judges would miss them? and I was WAY too nervous to care now, so, having 'clocked in' and got my little entry ticket to place upside down under my display, I set off to admire all the other lovely people's entries.

When I got back home, I told Trousers, that the standard was indeed very high in my category, but that I felt 'quietly confident' of winning at least something today, other than an argument....

The judging would take place between 11am and 1pm.
The hall would be open to the public from 1pm till 5pm, and Trophies would be presented to the Winners at 7.30pm in the pub across the road, where the auction of produce would take place after.

Nervously at 4.30pm, Trousers and I slipped in through the side door of the hall. See Wellie jump up an down screaming like Catherine Tate does, when the Toast 'pops up' - I'VE ONLY GONE AND WON THE FIRST PRIZE ROSETTE ! Ooh, I came over all unnecessary I did !

I was even more excited when I found out that I could keep the rosette....
and NOT ONLY THAT, wait for it! I was to be presented with a silver rose bowl Trophy inscribed with 'Aylburton Flower & Vegetable Show. Best Hamper of Vegetables, Lydney Park Estate, in the pub later. Well, knock me over with a feather why don't you?

So, later, we went to the pub for the presentation. The people there were SO friendly, and I got talking to a wonderful frenchman, called Con Dubois, who proudly showed me his Hamper, which he was disappointed to report that he had only won a 3rd prize for. I hadn't the heart to tell him that I'd won 1st, but Richard, the landlord, whipped the rug right from under my feet, and I had to admit to Con, that it was I with the red rosette. He was an absolute gentleman, shook my hand warmly, and poured me a glass of his Chateau neuf de Pape (at £22 a bottle....).

Richard, who didn't have to, (but I'm sincerely grateful that he did) told me that he had judged the Wine & Cider category in the hall, and he'd overheard the Judges talking about my Hamper. The conversation went something like this:
"It's unbelievable that this girl has never entered a show before. The quality of her produce is certainly up to the standards of The Bream Vegetable Show (which is one of the largest shows in England, and has been happening for the last 140 years evidentally).
Which was nice!

Anyway, I was indeed, presented with my Trophy.

Admiring it, and reading the inscription, I suddenly found everyone in the pub looking round at me on my barstool, and I wondered what was going on?
Trousers said "It's You. You've Won Again!"

The nice lady was standing there on stage with a shiny cup, and held out her hand to me. I had only WON THE BEST ENTRY IN THE VEGETABLE SECTION OF THE SHOW AS WELL! See Wellie wipe the tears from her eyes in total disbelief.
And I get to keep my Trophies for the next 12 months, so they're going on display back at Holly Cottage, and no mistake!
The End.

I'll give you a Nod and A Wink Wink clue where I'm going to post up photos later? and, here's a clue: it won't be here, or on the What I Did Today threads....!

And Thank You Hazel darling, for keeping this nice and 'low key' ?!
I must admit, I am rather proud of myself, so it IS rather lovely to be able to share my brief moment of fame. So Thank you all for listening.

Oh, and surprise surprise, Trousers bought a Sponge Cake....!

[shirlthegirl43]

Very hearty congratulations Wellie. Well done for having the nerve to enter and it sounds like a well-deserved win.

Now, please send me full instructions of how to get veggies which are good enough to eat, never mind show! The bugs got my brocolli again. Next year I am not bothering with organic - I want to taste something I grew!

[JennieAtkinson]

Well done Wellie!

What a great day you had, and how lovely to win so many trophies.

And thank you for the lovely way you told us about your day - I felt I was there with you!

[yoanbob]

wow well done!

[wellie]

Oh Thank You ShirltheGirl, and Thank You too Jenny.
Never before have I had SO MUCH FUN for 20p!

[Hazel at the Hill]

And Thank You Hazel darling, for keeping this nice and 'low key' ?!

Well if it was me I would have wanted the open top bus tour of the town with my trophies like they do with the FA Cup.....

And can I tell you that I am not in the least surprised that you won, clever girl - as you often remind me, you are Brilliant, after all? So Well Done, and I'm looking forward to the blog update later...

[wellie]

Yoanbob, your congratulations are warmly received, thank you.

[wellie]

Hazel, do you mean to say that you haven't actually GOT the open-top bus organised yet?! Shame on you! (and may I remind you, you're not allowed to use the 'B' word anymore?) Blog, I mean, not Bus? Oh, and I've gone and said it now as well!

[scarey55]

Hey Wellie,

Very well done, what a clever sausage you are. You must be so proud. I'm willing to bet that Trousers has a bit of a satisfied smug on too, living with such a clever gardener and all.
You have put me completely to shame with all those exotic vegies that you had in your hamper. I can see that I'm going to have to try much harder next year.
Very well done again.
With love
Scarey and Scared XX

[wellie]

Scarey and Scared, thank you SO much for your lovely message.

It took a while for it to 'sink in' with Trousers, but he's feeling mighty proud today!

And as for you 'trying much harder next year', Clare, we may well be 'trying much harder' TOGETHER?! I am SO looking forward to meeting you soon, and might I just add, you have two more Aubergines than I do?! Clever Girl!

[scarey55]

And as for you 'trying much harder next year', Clare, we may well be 'trying much harder' TOGETHER?! I am SO looking forward to meeting you soon, and might I just add, you have two more Aubergines than I do?! Clever Girl!

Can't wait sweetie
XXX

[Waffler]

Well done Wellie! What a fantastic story: I loved reading about your day!

[seasprout]

Congratulations and well done.

[heebiejeebie]

Well done Wellie!