Pumpkins and Prejudice

Everyone's full of excitement as the Great Pumpkin Competition reaches its climax.

The main problem with pumpkin-growing is keeping the slugs down. Since the Beaker Folk are an organic community, we have employed a variety of methods. Some used organic (i.e. useless) slug pellets. Some have electrified their plant pots. And Marston has sat up all night, every night, since April armed with a razor blade and a thermos of coffee. He's not looking well, is Marston.

Still, the fruits of their labours are now being seen. Young Keith has a 75lb pumpkin, Marston has been rewarded for all his efforts with a 94lb monster. Burton Dassett has a small butternut squash. Or, at least, that is what the rumour is.

On Thursday, the pumpkins will be converted into the traditional Punkies. Candles will be lit within them to scare off evil spirits, and we will then get to eat soup for the following six weeks. Truly, Halloween is a ghastly time of year.