A FIRST attempt at growing a giant pumpkin helped swell two charities’ coffers in a guess-the-weight contest.

Newent resident Simon Large lived up to his surname by producing a whopping 21.2kg specimen when it was weighed at the town’s award-winning Andy Creese butchers.

Measuring 147cm around its circumference and 39cm high, the pumpkin was displayed in the Broad Street retailer for shoppers to try and size it up.

The winning guess came from Dave Carpenter, who lives in Sedbury and has family connections in Newent.

Grower Simon produced the pumpkin at Pound Farm, where Kitchen Garden owner Neil Jones helps teach gardening skills to people with disabilities.

Simon said: “It’s a big ‘un – I’m surprised it’s that size for a first attempt, it must be the good soil. I’m nearly six foot six and I struggled to lift it.”

Shoppers’ guesses helped raise more than £100 for Newent in Bloom and the Veg-Out Zone, Newent’s community garden opposite the butchers in Broad Street.

Business owner Andy said after his first visit to the The Veg-Out Zone: “It’s marvellous how all these voluntary groups get together to do such amazing stuff for Newent. We’re proud to support them.”

Staff member Billy Walden added: “It’s been a big talking point with people visiting us and it’s great to help the community.”

As well as hosting the weigh-in, the butchers provided part of the prize hamper, as did the George Hotel and Circle Club, whose customers also chipped in their guesses to help raise cash.

Both Newent in Bloom and the Veg-Out Zone are volunteer-run, and depend on donations and fundraising efforts to keep going.

“We’re very grateful for everyone’s support,” said a spokesman for the Veg-Out Zone.

And the pumpkin may be the gift that keeps on giving. Simon is hoping to re-home it at a local café where it can be made into soup or pies to raise even more money at Newent’s Onion Fayre this Saturday, September 9.