• Gillingham, October 2008

    Orchard Park 2008

    Despite adverse growing conditions this year, an encouraging number of entries were received for the mangold-growing contest.

    The weigh-in and prizegiving was followed by an open mangold hurling contest in which mangolds of all sizes were provided so everybody could have a go. Exciting action pictures below!

    Specially-commissioned plates were awarded to the winning Senior and Junior entries. These were made by Spotty Pots who were based at Orchard Park.

    The Weigh-in and Prizegiving…

    Senior Prize Winner Orchard Park 2008
    The winner of the senior prize for the heaviest mangold proudly displays his winning root. This gentleman, who is 89 years old, narrowly missed first prize last year – a consistent performer!
    Senior Winner displaying his plate
    The crowd goes wild as the Senior class winner displays his plate.
    Junior Winner, Orchard Park 2008
    The winner of the Junior class receiving her prize from Managing Director Richard Cumming. This was the heaviest Junior mangold despite having been attacked and partly eaten by something, probably a slug.
    Winner of the most interestingly shaped mangold
    Richard presents the prize for the most interestingly-shaped mangold. Unfortunately it is not actually in the picture, but you may rest assured that it was indeed interesting.
    Winner of the most aesthetically pleasing mangold
    This lady had the most aesthetically pleasing mangold. It has a nice shape, a long root and a lovely orange colour. She puts it down to the fine soil in her garden.

    … and the Mangold Hurling!

    The Mangold King, Gillingham 2008
    This year’s Mangold King poses with the ennell, a sort of ceremonial mangold- carrying device.
    A contestant getting ready to hurl
    A contestant in the pitching basket, about to hurl.
    Mangold hurling should be taken seriously
    Having second thoughts about mangold hurling?
    A youngster getting a first taste of mangold hurling
    A mangold hurler coming a cropper
    A mangold hurler about to pitch a mangold
    A young mangold hurling contestant
    Practising an elegant exit from the pitching basket

  • Hurling in Ohio

    Transatlantic Mangold Hurling!
    News of a mangold hurling competition in Cleveland, Ohio

    Mangold and US flag

    Mangold hurling has enjoyed an enormous resurgence of interest in recent years, and people from all over the world are taking up the challenge of growing and hurling their own mangolds.

    We were delighted to hear from Lois in Ohio, USA, about a hurling event that took place in October 2008 in Cleveland Heights. Lois has kindly forwarded these pictures to the Association, showing the crop and some of the contestants in action at Hampshire Road Community Gardens.

    Mangold Hurling in Ohio
    In some parts of the world, willow pitching baskets can be hard to come by. The Hampshire Road residents overcame this difficulty by using this splendid blue plastic bucket – a colourful and practical substitute!
    Mangold Hurling Ohio-style
    The person in the background is trying to ignore what’s going on, but you can’t ignore a global phenomenon forever. Mangold hurling is weaving its way inextricably into the fabric of modern life.
    Mangolds from the Community Gardens
    A selection of beets grown in the Community Gardens.

    The specimens at the top of this picture appear to be beetroot, while those at the bottom have the yellowy-orange hue normally associated with beta vulgaris vulgaris and other types of fodder beet. These beets look ideal for hurling in an urban or suburban environment, because larger ones could do a lot of damage if they hit somebody’s house or car.

    A mangold close-up
    Close-up showing the orange subterranean part of the root. Something’s been nibbling those leaves!