The shows are, of course, a regular feature of life in this area, and local people have held the world record on a number of occasions. There's no good answer to the first question except that it's a good excuse to get together and have a few drinks, and relish in the knowledge of having outweighed fellow competitors and perhaps won a few side-bets. Gooseberry shows have been held in England since 1809 and registers of results are available from 1812 to the present day, many of which can be found at the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 1815 there were 126 shows on the go, mainly in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire suggesting perhaps that berries grow best in the north or perhaps that northerners are better at growing things. The Park Gate Show has been in existence since the early years and is one of the longest running shows.
Members bring their berries to the show in sealed boxes.
As long as they are properly sealed and witnessed, any box will do. The major honour and prize of the show is to win the Premier. To do this one has simply to grow the heaviest berry. This is the first weigh-off that happens at the beginning of the Park Gate show starting at 1.30 p.m. Members present their best berries to be balanced against the best on the scales so far, starting with a berry put up by last year's winner. Once the heaviest is established, it is accurately weighed and its weight recorded and so on until every member's best berry has been ranked and recorded.