Gooseberry show’s ‘Steve Redgrave’ takes top prize (From Knutsford Guardian)

Gooseberry show’s ‘Steve Redgrave’ takes top prize

3:00pm Friday 10th August 2012 in News By James Wilson

AN Olympic-style performance from a Chelford butcher saw him clinch top prize at a gooseberry show for the fifth successive year.

Rick Okill sealed victory on Sunday at the Over Peover Gooseberry show held at the Dog Inn.

Rick, who works at Chelford-based butcher’s Boon’s, won the heaviest berry award for his Newton Wonder, which weighed in at 21 grains and seven pennyweights.

He also came first in the twins category, won the championship plate and claimed the most overall points in the competition.

Keith Knowles, secretary of the Over Peover show, said: “This was the fifth year in succession where Rick has taken the top prize to become the ‘Steve Redgrave’ of the Over Peover show.

“Dave Lowe was a competitive second place and a resurgent Gary Stanier came third and claimed the ‘most improved grower’ prize.

“Noel Street, who was showing in his 60th competition, had a good all-round day, coming third in the overall points competition.

“The show was not as well-attended this year but, apparently, the Olympic sprint events were being shown on the television at the same time.”

The evening presentation of prizes was preceeded by a presentation of £400 to the Macmillan Nurses charity by the show chairman, Les Stanier.

Peter Riley picked up the top awards at the Allostock show on Saturday at the Crown in Over Peover following his success at the Crown of Peover show last week.

He won the heaviest berry competition with his 24 grains and 18 pennyweight Edith Cavell variety as well as walking away with the champion show plate.

He shared the trophy for the most points gained with show secretary Jim Hart.

Jim told the Guardian the last time the weights were this low was in 1977.

“This year’s event went very well, but the weights were down because of the weather we’ve had,” he said.

“There were the same amount of people, but the weights were down 25 per cent.”

The weekend was rounded off with another success for the Goostrey Gooseberry Show champion Tom McCartney, 88, who picked up the overall Mid Cheshire Gooseberry Shows Association prize.