A pumpkin weighing more than 27 stone proved to be a crowd favourite at the 2018 Andreas Root Show.

The giant vegetable, grown by John Crebbin from Greeba, claimed the Wood Pumpkin Shield for the heaviest pumpkin at about 174kg (about 383 pounds).

’It took four men to bring it in,’ said chairman David Brew.

’It was quite an achievement to grow something that big and I’m certain it was the biggest pumpkin we’ve ever seen.

’The record for the heaviest pumpkin was broken last year and was broken once again this year.’

Members of the show board were not only impressed with the size of the pumpkin, which had been delivered in the back of a van, but also the quality shown in other categories.

Secretary Pam Kinrade called it a ’very good show with great exhibits’.

’It was also very nice to have the children from Andreas primary school there who sang a couple of songs,’ she said.

The event was formally opened by Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

Mr Brew added: ’Certainly in the time that I have been involved, I was the vice chairman for 20 years beforehand, I cannot remember a Lieutenant Governor opening the show.

’It may have happened at one point since it first began in 1895.’

Results:

J.C.C Sayle Cup: Clyde Quide, Castletown Brewery Cup best fruit exhibit: Michael Taggart, Wood Pumpkin shield for heaviest pumpkin: John Crebbin, Cain Cup best grain exhibit: Hollie Faragher, R.E.S Kerruish cup for best potato exhibit: Alice Teare, Kerroie cup for most points classes 1-17: Charlie Radcliffe, K.A. Commissioners’ Cup for best shallots: T. Shammon, Chrystal Cup for heaviest turnip: Rebecca Radcliffe, Ballaradcliffe Cup for most points classes 18-49: Ellie and Joney Radcliffe, Ian Kermode Cup for best entry class 34: Brunswick Nurseries, Castletown Brewery Cup for best fruit entry: Michael Taggart, John Clucas best pot plant and best cactus: F.A Watterson, J.P. Watson best entry class 85: Sylvia Banyon, P.S. Matthews Cup for class 88: Carol Tuson, E.J. Brew Cup for best blackberry jelly: Belinda Leach, Miss I.K Kelly cup for best entry class 104: Hannah Arnold, Joe Quine Cup for best honey: Ean Martin, Percy Radcliffe Cup for best confectionery and E.J. Gelling Cup: Mrs Liz Jones, Margaret Christian Cup for best entry class 139: Anne Duggan, H Crellin Tankard cup for best bonnag: Debbie Smethurst, David Hewitt shield for best entry class 140: Matthew Jauncey, L Kneen Cup best W.W entry: Marie Livesey, J.E. Clegg Cup for best butter: Lorna Martin,

Bob Corrin Cup for best in children’s classes and Centenary Cup best hand writing 7-11 years: Rosy Lema Mulunda,

Margaret Craggs shield for best handicraft: Katherine Revitt, EW Christian cup for best art: Bryan Callow, J.P. Watson Cup for best exhibit chrysanthemums: Mike Skelly.