Gooseberry contest decided by goldsmith’s scales after dead heat

‘It’s the closest it’s ever been. The judges couldn’t see a difference – it was only those scales that could judge it’

A GOOSEBERRY growing contest had to be settled using goldsmith’s scales after the finalists were just 0.02g apart in weight.

The Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show saw its closest ever finish in its 221-year history as judges were unable to call a winner between rivals Bryan Nellist and Paul Bennison.

One of the only shows of its kind remaining in Britain, the contest is run in North Yorkshire to find the heaviest example of the sour fruit.

With tensions among the audience said to be “palpable”, it was expected the two men would share the spoils via a draw after a “dead heat” was declared with both gooseberries identical in weight.

However, victory was secured for Mr Nellist after tiny goldsmith’s scales established that his gooseberry weighed fractionally more. The modern scales were used instead of the traditional balance ones to measure entries.

Mr Nellist, 85, a former champion of the show, produced a winning berry of 26 drams and 18 grains, eqivalent to 47.2 grams, which was enough to clinch him the coveted prize.

Having bought his first gooseberry bushes in 1956, Mr Nellist has been growing the fruit for 65 years.

“It’s unbelievable, really. I thought my winning days were over – I was hoping to get a prize, but certainly not the top one. It was a delight,” he said.

Graeme Watson, chairman of the Egton Bridge Old Gooseberry Society, said: “We had a great show, everyone was delighted and the weather was fantastic.

“There were two berries of the same weight, and the only way to split them was to use a pair of gold scales. They weigh to the hundredth of a gram, and the difference was two one-hundredths of a gram.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a dead heat. To my knowledge, it’s the closest it’s ever been. The judges couldn’t see a difference – it was only those scales that could judge it.”

Photographer Richard Ponter, who has covered the event on and off for many years, said it was the most memorable one he had been to. He said: “They were weighing the gooseberries and the winner won by a hair’s breadth. The tension on the day was palpable, it was one of the closest calls ever in the history of the competition. It was just brilliant, it added to the tension, and I’ve never seen it that close. After a break due to Covid, it was such a joy for everybody. It was a massive spark.”