A GARDENER from Crundale has won top prize in a national vegetable growing competition.

Retired B.T. engineer Wynne Evans won a top prize against keen competition from other growers from England, Ireland and Scotland in the National Vegetable Society Show at Atcham near Shrewsbury recently.

Evans was complimented by 11 time Chelsea Flower Show winner Medwin Williams as he was handed the award. Beating ten other exhibitors in the class, Wynne was delighted when society president and TV personality Williams praised the perfection of his display as he handed over the trophy.

With 250 entries in various classes, he triumphed with a first prize for his 12 perfectly matched large exhibition shallots.

"I was really delighted," said a modest Wynne, who grows his vegetables in raised beds, advocating the 'no dig' method which entails planting in a specially prepared mulch.

He said his win was particularly pleasing as every year is challenging because of the unpredictable weather patterns throughout the growing period, Covid year having been no exception.

It was Wynne's first national award although he had exhibited in the Welsh Branch Show before and gained a second prize two years ago, the man who beat him having won the national last year.

He was up against seasoned growers from as far afield as the Isle of Bute in Scotland, Essex, Somerset and Yorkshire. He had also exhibited in the County and other smaller shows for many years.