WHILE hail and sleet came down outside for a while, inside Hittisleigh Village Hall it was full of chatter and warmth on Saturday afternoon (October 27) as people enjoyed a traditional tea before the results of the pumpkin growing competition were announced.

Categories were for the largest pumpkin grown from seed provided in February, the largest "rogue" pumpkin, the best carved and the most interesting.

Entries were high. Judge Cleave Collins from Spreyton said he was impressed by the number of entries, the wonderful display of pumpkins, how difficult it had been to judge the best carved with each deserving a prize for effort.

There had been so many entries in this class that he decided to award three special prizes in addition to the first, second and third places.

Grower of the largest pumpkin was Terry Gostling, chairman of the Friends of St Andrew’s Church, Hittisleigh (FOSACH) with an 18lb 8oz beauty, second was David Pearson with 13lbs 6oz, third was Sarah Woodbine with 13lbs 4oz.

Persis Bower from Cheriton Bishop was the grower of the most interesting pumpkin with Geoff Seccombe in second place and Jud Lawson coming third.

The "rogue" pumpkin was grown by Helen Seaward.

The decorated pumpkin competition: 1- Judy Lawson of Jacobstowe, 2 Will Fisher, Hittisleigh, 3 Connor Edwards, special prizes Hannah aged nine, Carol Binyon and Gaynor.

Members of FOSACH provided all the cakes, mostly home-made, and sandwiches that included egg and cress, cheese and pickle and ham and coleslaw as well as the cream teas.

Some of the pretty china, proper cups and saucers included, had been lent by the parish church and individuals.

An Auction of Experiences was held at the end of the tea. These included a hand-knitted Arran jumper, tickets for the Devon Escape Room, a massage, a training session about beekeeping, and a chauffeur driven ride in a Bentley car with cream tea.

The Christmas Fair is to be held at the Village Hall from 2.30pm on Saturday, November 24.