Two giant pumpkins were among the showstoppers at Cronk y Voddy Ploughing Society’s 25th annual show.

One was grown by the Sloane Family and the other by Harold Leece. Incredibly, each weighed exactly 77.5 kilograms (170.8lbs).

They shared first prize for the heaviest pumpkin, each receiving a £10 voucher.

Ian Watterson made it a hat trick by taking top honours for the third time in recent weeks.

The Southside grower was awarded the Blue Riband for best in show with his collection of vegetables, adding to successes at St John’s and Onchan.

The show, held at Ballakaighen by permission of the Cannan family, was opened by former Isle of Man Newspapers north reporter Sue Woolley, who spoke of her family’s connection to the district stretching back more than 150 years when a great-great uncle farmed Lambfell.

Entries were slightly up on recent years, despite the challenges posed by the weather this year.

Chairman Gordon Clague said: ’It was a difficult year for allotment holders. There was a lot of rain from September to April, then we had the dry spell all the way through to August.

’Considering everything, it was a very good show for flowers, fruit and veg, not to mention the cakes!’

The ’Spud in a Tub’ trophy was won by Margaret Halsall with a yield of 23.4lbs. The heaviest single spud, weighing 1.3lbs, belonged to Claire Ellerton.

Other trophy winners were:

Blue Riband (Ploughing Committee Cup) for best in show and Ploughing Committee Shield for best vegetable: Ian Watterson.

Shield for best flowers: Mike Garrett; Shield for best preserves - Audrey Corrin; Shield for best confectionery: Sandra Cowell; Shield for best photography - Suzanne McKnight.

Plaque for best in Children’s Section: - Lewis Quirk.

Cup for most points in flower section: Dorothy Faragher; Cup for most points in vegetable section: Leslie Halsall; Cup for most points in the confectionery section: Paul Kelly.

Kennaugh Memorial Trophy for best carrots: Jim Caine.

A good crowd turned out in the evening for the traditional farm craft competitions and sale of produce. Shaun Kerruish did a very good job as auctioneer, raising £1,500 for the charity Bridge the Gap, represented by Stuart Lambie.

Winners in the farm craft classes were:

Suggane: 1, Bob Kewley; 2, Tristan Sloane; 3, Percy Faragher. Thumb rope: 1, Kenneth Kewley; 2, Bob Kewley; 3, Ffinlo Sloane. Lanket-making: 1, Kenneth Kewley; 2, Bob Kewley; 3, Brian Kewley. Overall winner: Kenneth Kewley (lankets).