PUDSEY PIG

[shelagh]

Well a wonderful group of 30 took part in the Pudsey Pig today and recent messaging on Facebook and the Forum set us to thinking who HAD won the Pudsey Pig in the past, so here is a roll call.  Trouble is it is not complete so any info to fill the gaps is welcome.

This list is not in order:-
Jim Lever
Brian Smethurst won twice, one before it was established as an annual event.
John Bunn won twice
Bob Worsley won 2015
Alan Grainger won before decamping to Kentucky
Cliff and Sue Booker won twice
John Dower won in 1994
Carole Kellett won twice
Diane Clement
Fermi de Sousa won in the International Conference Year
Ron Price
Jime and Wilma Wright
Doreen Mears came across from New Zealand to win it
Martin Rogerson
Robin Metcalfe part of the Yorkshire Mafia
Tony Stanley
Colin Dolding
and today Lance Carless won it.

It has been going for over 20 years and East Lancs members are very pleased that AGS members are happily carrying it on.

[Maggi Young]

An improvement in numbers over last year, I think, Shelagh - when mention was made of 25 participants. 
Many reports of this happy competition have appeared in show reports etc in these pages over the years  - here's a reminder of last year's winner, Bob Worsley.... photo by Cliff Booker




Congratulations to Lance Carless- proof of how  hauling around show plants can build up an appetite!

[ranunculus]

The 2016 winner of the pres'pig'ious trophy is Lance Carless, seen here after consuming his own weight in savoury, ale and dessert.  Congratulations to Lance who can be seen holding the ceremonial piglet presented by last years worthy winner, Beefy Bob Worsley and on the table stands some yet to be consumed ale and the infamous Pudsey Pig Trophy.  Previous winner Martin Rogerson can be seen enjoying the festivities in the celebrity corner. 

[Maggi Young]

My goodness - Lance looks fitter than a flea, even after such a scoff-  a worthy winner indeed!

[ranunculus]

The adrenaline filled exhibitors gather to read the ceremonial menu, to drink the pre-competition appetiser and to weigh up the competition … tense times at the tables.  Thirty competitors this year … only Pauline Carless and your's truly were too shy to appear.  Please note the amount of cutlery that Shelagh intends to use in the first image.

[johnralphcarpenter]

So what, exactly, is this all about?

[ranunculus]

Thereby hangs a tale, John Ralph … back in the mists of time exhibitors at the Pudsey AGS Show always congregated for lunch at a certain pub in Rodley called the Owl - supposedly because it was close to the show venue, but mainly because the meals were gargantuan and incredibly reasonably priced.  Exhibitors always tried to eat as much of their meals as possible (as most of us were from Lancashire or Yorkshire - waste not, want not country) and it became a challenge to consume a meal, perhaps a starter and usually a dessert.  The first winner (unofficial as it was then) was Brian Smethurst, who consumed his own bodyweight and half of the landlord's at one sitting.  It was suggested (by person unknown) that we should congregate at this pub each year and celebrate the 'Pudsey Pig'.  It was agreed that there would only be one rule and that was "There shall be no rules" and the winner of the previous years challenge would henceforth judge the current years event. By necessity the location has unfortunately changed (on a number of occasions) and meal sizes have varied accordingly, but the spirit of the competition lives on.  There are many tales relating to the history of this event, both apocryphal and substantiated, but it has become legend here in the north of the country and within the hearts of exhibitors and gourmets ( ) alike.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Ah!

[fermi de Sousa]

Disturbingly when a friend "googled" my name, Cliff's entry about my winning it in 2011 was one of the links!
Thank goodness I'm not going for any job interviews!
 
cheers
fermi

[ranunculus]

You realise that EVERYONE is now Googling your name, Fermi … simply EVERYONE.   

[David Nicholson]

I see from the pictures that one or two members are showing distinct signs of consistent practice

[Maggi Young]

I see from the pictures that one or two members are showing distinct signs of consistent practice

Quite so, David - for some their dedication knows no bounds - they are ALWAYS in training 

[shelagh]

Too right.  I advised Johnnie D to start fasting last Monday so he'd be ready but he said constant practice was a better idea.