Growers smash three world records in Mansfield leg of UK show

Joe Atherton, already a decorated legend in the growing community, broke the record for the world’s longest beetroot, measuring an astonishing 8.56m. This was followed by a second success for Joe, breaking the record for longest salsify with a 5.57m specimen.

Neil Hands took away the world record for heaviest red cabbage, with his grow tipping the scales at 31.6kg.

Nico Hill from CANNA UK, which hosted The Grow Show: On Tour event, said: “We’re over the moon that three new world records were set by our entrants. Joe Atherton is a well-known name in the growing community, with lots of awards and records to his name already – including his first-prize giant onion from last year’s CANNA UK National Giant Vegetable competition.

“It was clearly a really successful season for Neil Hands as well, with his red cabbage smashing the previous world record by a huge 8.4kg. His 31.6kg entry was an incredibly impressive specimen.”

The Grow Show: On Tour offered UK growers the opportunity to weigh in or exhibit displays at Mansfield, Piddington in Oxfordshire and Anglesey, Wales.

Nico said: “Growers up and down the country had been working towards the usual weighing events throughout the harvest season, so it was important to us to give them the chance to showcase their hard work despite all the usual shows being cancelled by delivering a Covid-secure event.”