Harrogate Flower Show: Battle cry in hunt for onion record

More from the Harrogate Flower Show

It was the third year in a row that Mr Glazebrook, 66, from Halam, Newark, had won the 500 heaviest onion prize at the Great Yorkshire Showground but at 15lb 9oz it sadly did not challenge the current record of 16lb 8.37oz set in 2005.

"There is always next year," he said. "It is the heaviest I have managed in this competition so I am improving. It has taken me years and years to get the seed right, but it looks as though I have done it now."

It has been quite a few weeks for Mr Glazebrook, who currently holds the world record for growing the heaviest potato and parsnip and the longest beetroot.

Crowds flocking to the three day show will find he is not the only vegetable grower celebrating because for the first time the Best in Show award went to the West Yorkshire District Association of the National Vegetable Society with a spectacular display of produce.

Secretary David Allison said: "We are delighted as it is also the first time the top award has gone to an amateur society."

More than a dozen members contributed vegetables for the display. "I think we got it this time because the quality is so high," he said.

Winner of the National Leek Championship was David Metcalfe from Nelson, Lancashire, but there was a Yorkshire winner in the National Carrot Championship in Graham Watson, from Danby, near Whitby.

But the men did not have it all their own way, Sherie Plumb from Essex scooped the National Potato Championship.

There is something for every level of gardener at Harrogate with advice for beginners up to the most advanced tips for bonsai growers, from bulbs and seeds to fruit trees, greenhouses and dovecotes.

Autumn colours are everywhere with stunning displays of dahlias, chrysanthemums and perennials.

Tempting the taste buds are 20 Yorkshire food heroes supported by Deliciouslyyorkshire showcasing their wares from cheese to preserves, pies to cupcakes.

Show director Martin Fish said: "Over the years the Harrogate Flower Shows have developed a reputation for being two of the friendliest events on the show calendar and that is something we are very proud of and keen to continue."