Pumpkin carving contest and quiz night - 31 October 2014

This year's pumpkin carving contest and quiz night was the most successful incarnation yet of this ever popular annual event.

It was well attended by around 80 people who formed into a little over a dozen teams for the quiz. A record total of 19 truly impressive carved pumpkins were submitted to our judges, David Lee and Caroline Nash, who deliberated long and hard over their decisions. 

The 9 in the photo below were submitted by children 10 years old or younger.  Note the large one by Darcy Williamson, 7, with a witch flying on her broom.  It also contains the carved words "The Witches of Rous Lench", and won the prize for largest overall although it was certainly a contender in other categories.

The general winner of the 10 or under category was designed and completed by 3 year old Heidi Gibson, who only had a little help with the scalpel from her auntie.

The overall winner out of all pumpkins submitted was also from this category, and was designed and carved by Emilie Linfoot, 10. 

There were 10 submissions in the 11 years old and over category.

From this group we had the winners in the funniest (by Tom Genders), scariest (by Josie Walliman) and most creative (by Kirsty Gibson) categories, respectively, below.

The quiz was another masterpiece by Liz Knight and her faithful assistant, and husband, Dave. Liz had only returned earlier in the day from an eventful trip to Paris, but as always she rose to the occasion, guiding participants through one of her toughest and most entertaining quizes yet! 

A big thank you to all who helped make this event happen, including Fran and Brian Herdman, Corrine White, David Browne, Anita and Richard Perry, Liz and Dave Knight, David Lee, Caroline Nash, Darin McLean and all the fabulous people who carved such incredible pumpkins.