Lynne Ede visits the Gloucestershire town of Newent ahead of its annual extravaganza
‘Peeling The Onion’ is one of many methods actors employ to study a character as you may know. The analogy describes how to explore the layers within. At Newent, the ancient town nestled in the north of the Forest of Dean, many people have trodden the boards on stage in front of crowds. But this is not simply for acting purposes – it is for the layers of competition one special day provides, and humble onions are involved in a very big way.
The annual Onion Eating Competition (yep, the prize vegetables are eye-wateringly raw and the size of tennis balls) occurs this year on 10th September so mark it into your diary.
It’s a world-famous contest, this year’s Newent Fayre will be opened by Mark Harper MP, with lots going on to whet your appetite and it is free to enter.
A hugely popular event locally, dating from 13th century along with its town and revived in 1996, it also attracts thousands thronging to the town from not only other counties but countries too. People actually fly in, I’m told, to try to come away with the title of Onion Eating Champion.
“It’s the single, largest one-day event in Gloucestershire we believe,” enthuses Keith Urch, one of the 90s founder members, “it’s phenomenal and the stalls raise so much money for charities.” Keith, on the day, will be overseeing his angling project at the lake. For more information on his very worthy cause, see younganglersproject.org.uk. “Come along and do some fishing!” is his invitation to us all.
The medieval town with its black and white timber dwellings of old just fills up to attend the Newent Onion Fayre. Parking is just £4 which includes a programme and buses run to and from Gloucester. You will see coachloads of visitors flocking eagerly to stalls (arts, crafts, plants), street entertainment in form of live music (two stages), apple bobbing, animal displays, dog show entries, rides and lakeside events. Local produce is on sale; in addition to the onions, there is fruit, veg, beers and wines. Sponsorship for the day is eager and amongst those contributing this year are Shires Garden Centre, GSM Ltd., Co-Op., GDR Solutions, Living Landscapes, Crystal Flame Photography, Trioscape Garden Centre, A Plush Flush. New for this year’s festival will be medieval dancers, and more stalls than ever.
“Also for the first time, we have the Army turning up,” says Andy Offard, Vice-Chairman of the Newent Fayre Committee, “they’ll be offering paintballing and a climbing wall close to the lake. I entered the onion eating competition once; the taste doesn’t leave you for three days and toothpaste doesn’t work!”
Are you up to the challenge? To be in the running, you will need to present yourself promptly – chop, chop - by the event’s stage on the morning to get your name accepted, then pop back at 1 pm for the competition.
For the males amongst you, you could be chomping your way through a massive 7oz onion, but bear in mind there are only 20 places available for two heats. The rule is first come, first serve and survival of the onion eater!
Ladies you too, in entering the onion fest, will attempt to crunch into a 5 oz raw and peeled example. There are 10 places and a single heat. Same procedure to register so be there in time.
The winners are those who, firstly can stay the course amongst the spluttering and gasps and who also can devour the thing in the fastest time. Brand new wooden, carved trophies are on offer. The reigning champions are serial winners Sarah Davies and Sean Wozencraft.
“I’ve won it six times,” Sean tells me, “That’s it for me now, give someone else a chance! My top tip is just to eat it like an apple. Get it down as quick as poss., there’s no other secret, just beat the others and good luck.”
Sean is the record holder at an unbelievable 59 seconds. He has taken the onion eating to fame and back, appearing on shows such as Let’s Do Lunch, meeting Chris Evans and making it to Britain’s Got Talent, where he missed the world record by an agonising one second. He says he used to practise before the Newent show but now just gets straight up on stage and eats the onion. Just like that.
“The onion repeats on you quite badly, the breath isn’t too good after, either. I’ve said I’m not going in for it again, but I live only 100 yards from the stage, I’ll probably hear all the commotion. Trouble is, if I go to watch, I’ll be up on that stage, I know it; I won’t be able to help myself.”
They clearly take some beating, these Champs, but you have plenty of time to get in some practise at home beforehand. I’ll cheer you on. I’ll even cry with you. When chopping the vegetables, I personally maintain that merely standing well back from the board and not over it, means the essence doesn’t reach your eyes, avoiding the tears. It really works, try it, but it won’t help you in the comp.
On the day, as you fight for space in the streets, don’t forget the lake. In a beautiful setting amongst this prized conservation area, there will be numerous activities to be enjoyed and a place in which to relax with your picnic. Wandering around the centre is the life-size mascot ‘Onion Ed’ to keep an eye on things and shed a tear with the winners. No-one seems to know who he is, he’s just ‘Onion Ed’ and is quite a character and very popular, Andy Offard insists. Has anyone ever seen Andy & the mascot in the same room? You will no doubt bump into the colourful local and you will want to take advantage of the independent shops, pubs and restaurants whilst you are there and indeed the stunning, surrounding countryside for an evening walk.
Onions, part of the Allium family, are grown to be shown at the Onion Show at the Memorial Hall. Not to be taken lightly, this additional race for a prize, the rules are many and respected. This is a serious business and gardeners from all over sweat over the criteria upon which they are judged. These consist of selection, harvest methods, storage, presentation and staging. Oh yes, Newent people certainly know their onions. Little ones get involved too in modelling animals from onions and there are cash and trophy prizes all round. Top tips apparently are to dampen the necks before you tie the necks to prevent splitting. I assume you are keeping up. The ties on the necks must be long! You have been afforded a snippet, a mere slice of inside info and there is more to be had, including a chutney recipe, at newentonionfayre.org
I wish you much luck in achieving Best Onion, perhaps even Onion Eating Champion. Do let me know. I shall be there as I’m secretly unconvinced that Sean won’t be entering again. Will he win again though? Watch that stage!
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