Pumpkin hurling and relays at ‘quirky’ organic festival

A PUMPKIN “Olympics”, homemade vegan food and live music were served up at the Squash and Pumpkin Festival at the Hardwick Estate in Whitchurch.

About 1,000 visitors flocked to the Victorian walled garden on Sunday for the 11th annual festival hosted by Tolhurst Organic.

There was a pumpkin patch, children’s entertainment, market stalls, a giant pumpkin competition, a “pick your own” dahlia flowerbed and food made from vegetables grown on the farm.

The “Pumpkin Olympics” saw competitors face off in a pumpkin relay, pumpkin dash, pumping hurling and rotten pumpkin contests.

With an autumnal dress code, revellers could be spotted wearing pumpkin-patterned and orange clothing and even headdresses woven from ivy.

Tamara Schiopu, director for business development at Tolhurst Organic, said: “The weather has been great — that’s the first thing we need. We’ve had a lot of people and children, great music from local musicians —  we have an array of talent here.

“We have a lot for the children so it’s a very family-orientated day.

“It’s very important that all the crew that help are all local, this way we can consolidate the community.

“We’re in a transition process at the moment where Hardwick Estate is being donated to the community and this is our biggest event of the year.”

In 2023, the heirs to the estate announced their intention to put it into a community stewardship and it will become the first estate in England to be owned in this way.

Ms Schiopu also used the event to  celebrate the launch of her new book My Vegan Farm Food, co-written with former Tolhurst Organic employee Samantha Kroes.

Ms Kroes said: “I started here as an intern and lived above the kitchen. I worked here for half a year and the vegetables always inspired me.

“I was always cooking during breaks and Tamara asked me if I wanted to write a book together, fast-forward three years and we’re here with our book.

“The book is inspired by the veg boxes we delivered to customers every Thursday so it’s a journey throughout the year through the boxes.

“We did the launch last week and today I’ve had a few people come up who were here for the book launch giving me their feedback already and telling me about their routines and how they cook.

“It’s really interesting to hear about the recipes they like and want to try and about their family dynamics.”

Traders from the Whitchurch area sold goods at market stalls at the event.

Charlie Wortley, 16, from South Stoke, was selling crystals, jewellery and tumblestones that she had sourced herself.

She said: “It has been a lot better than I thought it would be. Last year there was a storm so there weren’t so many people. It’s a bit quirky and I’m a bit quirky, so it’s a nice mix and everyone’s really friendly here.”

Sarah Fasoli, the “Flower Artisan” from Whitchurch Hill, has a field on the estate where she grows a variety of flowers for her forestry business.

She said: “This year I’m doing a pick-your-own here. Everything’s looking lovely and it’s going really well.

“It’s coincided really well with the event, although I didn’t grow specifically for it. There have been lots of ladies and lots of families.”

Helen Whitfield, who lives near the venue, sold re-usable products for the home, including re-usable kitchen roll and sandwich wraps, to promote sustainability.

She said: “I’ve had a very busy day, it has been a nice, steady flow of customers and the weather has been very kind.

“I’ve been here for many years and know the family that works the lands. I just like coming here, it’s got a really magical vibe and good people.”