AN ever-popular pub onion show has celebrated its 35th year with a strong turn-out and stiff competition.

The Ship Inn, Richmond, held the Onion Show on Saturday (September 6), with 21 entries and the hard task of judging went to growing enthusiast and Royal Horticultural Society judge Trevor Hill.

Show treasurer Carol Scott said the event was a popular fixture in the pub’s calendar, and had started as a small group of friends decided to challenge themselves to grow the best onions – but it was not expected to last more than a couple of years.

Rob Glover retained his title by coming first in the show with a set of 22 inch onions, followed in second place by Vic Wilson and third place was first-time grower Dave Horn.

The heaviest onion in the show was 6lb 9oz grown by Mr Wilson and the trophy for the best set of triplet onions was won by Andy Keen.

The most improved grower trophy this year was earned by Bobby Fotheringham, and the best onion in show was also won by Mr Glover.

Mr Hill said: “I was really pleased that all members seem to be taking the feedback from previous years on board as the standard of onions continues to improve year on year.

"This year was much harder to judge as apart from one or two, there is a very consistent standard."

Any local people interested in joining the club can submit a letter requesting to join to its annual general meeting on Sunday, September 28 at 7pm in the Ship Inn.