Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois visited the Rayleigh Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show in early September, to present the Society’s awards and see for himself the impressive collections of local produce. The Autumn show, organised by RHS member Mr Peter Noble, is a chance for local gardeners to demonstrate their talents and compete for much coveted prizes.
Mark took time during the show at the Mill Hall to look at the local produce, including giant leeks, giant pumpkins, fruit and flowers. Mark then chatted to local growers and learned some of the tricks to growing prize winning vegetables, including discovering that one method used to grow giant leeks involves growing them up through drain pipes.
Speaking after the show, Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois MP said:
“I was very impressed by the Rayleigh Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show, the participants and above all the giant vegetables, including a prize winning pumpkin weighing an amazing 240 lbs. I learned that there is a real skill to growing such champion veg and we clearly have some very gifted gardeners in and around Rayleigh.”