Top sprout pickers met at dawn to see who was best in their field

Sprout picking, on the other hand, must rank as the worst. So it is credit to the growers of the Vale that they turned this back-breaking, bone-chilling job into a sport.

The Journal of 1936 reported: “The champion sprout pickers of the district were looking forward to competing in a contest which – by virtue of the fact that it is the only event of its kind in the country – will carry with it the National Championship.

“The contest takes place at Kersoe, Elmley Castle, near Pershore, on land in the occupation of Mr F Humphries and on a crop owned by Mr J M Hodges.

“The judges will be W G Byrd (S Byrd & Sons, Evesham), Mr F George and Mr R G Stephens.

“There will be an array of stewards including the best-known figures in the market gardening industry and the time-keeper will be Mr John Brotherton. The chairman of the committee is Mr George Witts, the vice-chairman Mr J M Hodges and the organiser and secretary, Mr H Cartwright.

“The championship will carry with it a silver cup to be won outright and two guineas, the cup being the gift of J P Harvey & Co, of Kidderminster and Evesham, and the cash prize the gift of Sulfurophosphate Ltd, London. There are three other prizes, each of a guinea, given by Messrs H Burlingham & Co, Messrs W H Wallis & Co, and Messrs A H Wright & Son, while a special prize of a suit will be given by Mr L J Bettridge, of Bon Marche, Evesham, to the best quality picker not in the first four winners, quality not to be considered.

“Mr E W Beck, chairman of the Evesham Hospital, will sell by auction the whole of the crop picked at 12.30pm, and the championship pick will be sold for the sole benefit of Evesham Hospital.

“The prize distribution will take place at a dinner to be held at the King’s Head Hotel, Evesham, on Friday next to which pickers and officials taking part are invited (tickets 2/- each) and the Mayor of Evesham (Councillor A Johns) will distribute the prizes.”