Grantham's Spud in a Pot Challenge reached a milestone on Sunday 26 July with its largest weigh-in to date. Sixty entries competed in the sixth year of the challenge, and the winning crop set a new record weight of 5.78kg.
The competition invites participants to buy one seed potato for £5, plant it in a pot of soil or compost, and grow the heaviest crop possible from that single seed. Winners are awarded a trophy, with prizes for runners-up.
Origins and history
District councillor Ian Selby established the challenge during lockdown, when he dug up his parents' garden and sowed more than 2,000 potato seeds to raise money for the Grantham Journal Children's Fund. Since then, seed potatoes for each year's competition have been saved from the previous year's winning crop.
2026 results
Andrew and Kath Buckberry took first place in the heaviest crop category with 5.78kg, beating their own previous best. Michael Atter came second with 1.88kg, and Gillian and Terry Carey finished third with 1.54kg.
In the first-timers category, Gillian and Terry Carey won first place with 1.54kg, followed by Daphne Carr in second with 1.38kg and Michele Donnison in third with 1.10kg. Michele Donnison also won first place in the funniest shaped potato category, with Amber Kitchen coming second.
A raffle held on the day was won by Della Wollaton, who received a Downtown hamper.
Funds raised
The event raised £650 for local causes. The money was split between Kesteven Rideability, Grantham Disabled Children's Society and Grantham Mencap.
Ian Selby thanked all participants, Downtown for sponsorship, Harrowby Utd Football Club for hosting, his parents Anita and John for helping, and judges Trevor Rickards and Nadine Woolley.