Produce winner Jim’s advice to 2026 Village Show entrants as heatwave takes its toll

PRIZE GUY: Jim Turnbull at home with his Best In Show trophy.

Jim Turnbull beat off all competition to be Best in Show winner at last year”s annual Village Show. 

Father and grandfather Jim, 89, is something of a local celebrity, well known to shows and other competitors for the quality of the produce he can grow and display. He rarely comes away without a first prize for his onions, runner beans, dahlias or chrysanthemums.

Entries are now open for this year’s Village Show, on Saturday, September 5 at the Baptist Church on Polestub Lane. But with the heatwave to cope with, Jim, like most local gardeners, is struggling. He says he’ll “hopefully” defend his title this year, depending on his own health and how his vegetables and flowers survive the hot weather over the next few weeks.

Jim, married to Betty for 64 years, has always worked outdoors. Before he retired, and for 11 years, he was caretaker, gardener and driver for the former Mill House School for Deaf Children at Whitemans Green. He created a garden at the school where he says his interest in growing to show really took off.

He explained: “In the past I planted up my back garden with food for the table and kept my allotment for the vegetables and flowers I plan to exhibit. Sadly, however, I had to give up my allotment this year as it was getting too much for me.

“Over the years, my interest has led me to show at both national and local level and I’ve had my share of successes. There isn’t a secret to it. It’s all down to lots of hard work, preparation and timing. Presentation matters. I’ve been asked many times how I get my runner beans so straight. It starts when the plant is just a seedling and feed is very important. My advice is don’t give up if you enter the Village Show this year and aren’t successful. We all had to start somewhere and there is always next year.”

Susan Osborne, of the Show’s organising team, says she hopes the ongoing hot weather won’t deter villagers from entering their vegetables, fruit and flowers. “The heatwave continues to challenge our growers and gardeners, but as Jim explained, everyone is in the same boat, and our judges will take into account the extreme conditions.

“Meanwhile, we must acknowledge that the cost of living is affecting local businesses and sadly some are unable to support us year on year. We are so grateful ,particularly to Lemonade Print Group, for agreeing to print the show guide free of charge. Also to estate agent Marcus Grimes who once again will advertise Show details on billboards around the village.

“Around the country we are hearing of the demise of village shows, but we are determined that ours will continue to thrive and be an important date in the village calendar for years to come.”