Derek Garters reports on Soham Pumpkin Fair, which celebrated its 50th birthday at the weekend.

The morning of September 28 started quietly with booking in entries for various competitions, pumpkins, sunflowers and other produce outdoors as well as arts and crafts indoors.

But we were so relieved it wasn’t raining after the weather of the previous few days.

Entries were down in some groups but up in others, and the judges reported that the standard was high and found it difficult to choose a winner in some of the indoor competition categories.

As this was our 50th birthday, we had invited two previous chairpersons, Maudie Manning (a founder member) and Mark Williams (the original Mr Pumpkin) to open the fair this year.

This was followed by a fancy dress competition and then arena displays by local groups including: a school choirs’ collaboration, Slack Ma Girdle Border Morris, Boss Elite, and Sawston Youth Group Band.

Ferret racing returned this year too, which is always very popular with the crowds.

We were also delighted to have David Palmer back again this year, running our grand auction.

Lots included:

  • a personal tour of Peterborough Cathedral and tea with Rev Canon Tim Alban Jones
  • a Go Ape Junior Treetop Adventure Plus for Two
  • £100 worth of ‘Love to Shop’ vouchers
  • various activity hampers for families including one with a spooky pumpkin Halloween theme

We were delighted that the auction raised just over £400.

Other attractions included: Soham Heritage & Tourism’s 50-year timeline of pumpkin fairs, vintage vehicles, a funfair, Anita’s Scrapbooks, a pumpkin stall, and various refreshment stands.

Our local fire and rescue station also held their open day alongside our event.

Our prize-giving ceremony rounded off the afternoon - the winners are listed below:

  1. Heaviest pumpkin in show was grown by Andrew Fletcher weighing in at 153kg
  2. Heaviest pumpkin grown by Soham child was by Frederick Murfitt at 33.55kg
  3. Tallest sunflower was grown by Axel Willett at 3.50m

All other results can be found on our website: www.sohampumpkinfair.co.uk

This year’s beneficiaries are: St Andrew’s Church Restoration Appeal, Soham North Chapel Charitable Trust, Soham Youth Takeover and Elysian Riding for the Disabled.

We will hold our cheque presentation evening in the next few weeks.

Any organisation wishing to be considered as a beneficiary for the 2025 Fair should apply in writing, by January 31 next year, to the committee, stating the aims of their organisation and how they would use any funds awarded. Send your application to office@sohampumpkinfair.co.uk

Michelle Harrison, chair of the committee, said: "Firstly, I would like to thank the community of Soham for coming out and helping us celebrate our 50th birthday.

"I would also like to thank everyone that was involved in making the fair a success.

"All the stalls, pitches, performers, the fair, judges and volunteers and also Mark and Maudie for helping me open the fair. We couldn't run a fair without your involvement. 

"Lastly, I would like to thank my amazing committee who help me plan for 11 months of the year to bring the Soham Pumpkin Fair to the town of Soham and raise important funds for local groups and charities."

(Image: Roy Pallett) (Image: Derek Garters)