Codford’s second Pumpkin Weigh-In: A Gourd-geous Success! - Charlotte Mosley

On a crisp Sunday morning, 19th October, the village of Codford was buzzing with autumnal excitement as locals gathered outside the village hall for a rather unusual showdown — a pumpkin weigh-in! The mastermind behind this delightful event? None other than 12-year-old George Mayhew, whose green thumbs and community spirit brought neighbours together in a celebration of gardening, growth, and good old-fashioned fun.

Back in spring, George rallied aspiring growers from Codford and nearby parishes, handing out seedlings with a challenge: nurture your pumpkin and prepare for glory come autumn. Fast forward six months, and the fruits (or rather, vegetables) of their labour — around 15 plump pumpkins — were proudly displayed for all to admire.

The weighing ceremony, conducted with trusty bathroom scales, revealed a clear champion. Sitting regally on the far left of the lineup was George’s own pumpkin, tipping the scales at a whopping 20kg! With cheers and applause, George was awarded the silver cup for his prize-winning produce — a fitting reward for his initiative and horticultural prowess.

This marks the second annual pumpkin-growing competition in Codford, and judging by the smiles, laughter, and sense of community it inspired, it’s sure to become a cherished tradition. So, gardeners — start planning for next spring. Who knows? Next year’s champion might be growing in your garden right now!