EVER wondered how judges decide who has the best set of onions at your local horticulture and produce show?
  Well now is the time to find out, as people from in and around Kilmington are being given a unique opportunity to sit an examination and get a taste of what it’s like to be a National Vegetable Society judge.
  The southern branch of the National Vegetable Society (NVS) will be holding their nationwide judges’ exam in Kilmington later next month to award a new batch of vegetable experts to judge entries in village produce and horticultural shows across the country.
  But, as well as finding new national judges, local growers are being given the opportunity to find out how the mind of a vegetable judge works.
  Southern branch member of the NVS and local vegetable judge, Peter Lockwood explained: “This is the time of year when gardeners are thinking about entering their prize fruit and vegetables in their local horticultural and produce shows.
  “As with all shows the• bone of contention is, why did the judge give the first prize to them and not me? What we are doing is giving the grower the chance to find out why.”
  Mr Lockwood has arranged for the NVS southern branch’s annual seminar and exam to take place in Kilmington.
  He said: “Normally the national judges’ exam takes place in and. around the Home Counties and the nearest place down here where it has previously taken place is Kingston Maurward.”
  NVS have strict rules on who can be a judge. These state that candidates must have been a member of the NVS for at least 12 months and have spent time shadowing a qualified judge.
  After NVS members have sat their exam, the afternoon will be dedicated to local growers, giving them an insight in to world of judging.
  “Judges in this area are very thin on the ground,” said Mr Lockwood. “Most come from Plymouth or Exeter and I am one of a few in East Devon and West Dorset. The purpose of this event is to promote the NVS as well as help frustrated showers."
  Mr Lockwood is treasurer of the Dorset district and is a committee member of the Southern Area National Committee. He is often found at local shows judging the quality of the vegetables.
  It was at a recent southern area committee meeting that he suggested that the national exam be held in Kilmington.
  He said: “I asked them why the exam is always held in the Home Counties and not down here. It is roughly 150 miles from Penzance to Axminster and 150 miles from London to Axminster. We are an ideal location.
  “We have a marvellous village hall, plenty of parking and Kilmington would be perfect.”
 The judges’ seminar will take place on Saturday September 22nd at Kilmington Village Hall commencing at 2pm. The aim of the seminar is to advise potential judges what to look for when judging local horticultural and produce shows.
 The national judges’ exam will also take place at Kilmington the following Saturday, October 6th between 10am and 4pm.
  After the exam is over the hall will be open to anyone who fancies themselves as a budding vegetable judge.
  The entrance fee to take part in both events will be £2 each day.
  The exam will be in the form of a practical, which should take approximately an hour to complete followed by a written paper.
  Papers will be marked before candidates leave which will give them an idea about their capabilities as vegetable judges.
  For more information contact Peter Lockwood on (01297) 34100.