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!

Other News and Events

  • Gillingham, October 2009

    Gillingham, October 2009

    Spooky goings-on at Orchard Park! Celebrating “Punkie Night”, this year’s mangold-growing and hurling event was held on Halloween, reviving the Somerset tradition.

    Read more…

  • Somerset, April 2009

    Somerset, April 2009

    Sowing Time at the Association’s Mangold Patch. These pictures show Mangold Hurling Association committee members sowing this year’s mangold seeds.

    Read more…

  • Gillingham, October 2008

    Gillingham, October 2008

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

    Read more…

  • Hurling in Ohio

    Hurling in Ohio

    Transatlantic Mangold Hurling! News of a mangold hurling competition in Cleveland, Ohio. Mangold hurling has enjoyed an enormous resurgence of interest in recent years.

    Read more…

  • Somerset, October 2007

    Somerset, October 2007

    Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run.

    Read more…

  • Somerset, June 2007

    Somerset, June 2007

    Raised in captivity, these young mangold plants are now ready to leave their pots to join their counterparts in the mangold patch. Everything you need for transplanting, thinning and weeding your mangolds can be accommodated in the boot of a conventional motor car.

    Read more…