THERE were tears in the eyes of the onion growers at a record-breaking village show.

However they were tears of joy as those entering the community event certainly proved they know their onions.

Until this year only one onion had been grown above the magic weight of five pounds in the 30-year history of the Holmes Chapel Onion Show.

Three entries exceeded the weight at the 2014 show, with an onion which was grown by John Goulding beating off the challenge of the other entries, weighing in at an impressive five pounds 10 ounces.

John, from Holmes Chapel, received the Roy Bonnet Trophy to mark his achievement, and was closely followed in second place by Mary Taylor from Siddington, with an entry weighing five pounds nine ounces.

The third-placed onion weighed five pounds one ounce, and was entered by Mary’s husband Jed.

Twelve onion growers entered the competition, which was held in the garden of the home of David and Dorothy Monks in Middlewich Road, Holmes Chapel.

David organises the show with his wife’s help, and praised the efforts of novice grower Sean Bowden, aged 11.

“A special mention should be made about Sean, whose onion weighed two pounds four ounces, which is a great weight for a first attempt,” said David.

John received a trophy and a certificate, and Mary and Jed Taylor also received certificates.

This is the third time John has won the trophy for the heaviest onion after successes in 2012 and 2010.

“It has been a good year for growing onions, with rain at the right time in June and July, followed by sunshine to ripen them up,” said John.

The growers who entered the show were Sean Bowdon, Duncan Henderson, Greg Freer, Jed Taylor, John Goulding, David Monks, Mary Taylor, Pauline Horne, Don Burgess, Joe Burt, David Williams and James Hamilton.

The show was originally known as the Victoria Club Onion Show, and David and Dorothy are keen to see it continue and to attract more people to take part.

If anyone is interested in entering the show please ring David on 01477 532935.