Volunteer’s a-maize-ing corn gets Keighley Show recognition

A volunteer who has transformed a Salvation Army yard into a thriving garden is celebrating after securing a win for his a-maize-ing veggies at Keighley Show. 

Having only recently taken up gardening, Matthew has turned what was a derelict yard at Keighley Salvation Army into a green outdoor space growing an abundance of vegetables including a rare ‘cucamelon’. 

The veggies he grows are used to support the café and food bank at the church and charity in High Street with customers now getting prizewinning produce after he was placed second for his chillis and third for his sweetcorn at the Keighley and District Agricultural show last weekend. 

Matthew, who came into contact with Keighley Salvation Army through their cooking on a budget Victory Programme, has spoken of how gardening helps him in his recovery from an alcohol addiction. 

Matthew said: “I was nervous about Keighley Show – the weather was really bad on the Friday when I was supposed to take the vegetables down there, so I fretted all night that something was going to go wrong, but in the end I got second for my chillis and third for my sweetcorn. 

“I was made up with it all, I can’t believe that I got second and third. For my first year entering, I don’t think I’ve done too bad!”

Matthew, 39, taught himself how to grow using youtube videos. His garden has carrots, peas, strawberry plants, herbs, lettuces, wild garlic, different varieties of chillies, a hybrid gooseberry plant, a pumpkin tree, potatoes, mushrooms and the famous cucamelon - a cucumber combined with a melon. He also makes jams, chutneys and sweet chilli sauce. 

Matthew, who was also recently recognised at Keighley in Bloom coming second in the ‘Best Yard’ category, is now focused on a new allotment space that Keighley Salvation Army has acquired, which is the size of two tennis courts. 

Matthew added: “It’s a huge space with a big polytunnel, greenhouse and container where we’ll be able to sit and have a cuppa. I’ve been working hard to get it cleared out and ready for planting, and it’s not been easy having to face down the wind and an unexpected wasp’s nest, but it’s really starting to come together now. I’ve already got two lots of potatoes planted, some Japanese onions and a herb garden.” 

Major Imogen Stewart, who leads Keighley Salvation Army, was at Keighley and District Agricultural Show with The Salvation Army’s mascot Shieldy, and Salvation Army bands from Keighley and Shipley, who played to the crowds. 

Major Imogen said: “It was a fantastic day. Our Big Red Shield was giving out high fives, and we had some amazing activities for children which went down extremely well. We also had opportunities to pray with people. 

“To top it off our wonderful volunteer Matthew coming second and third in horticultural events. He’s been on such a journey of transformation and is doing wonders with our yard and now the allotment. To witness his achievement at the show - we couldn’t be more proud of him.” 

Keighley Salvation Army runs a number of activities during the week including worship on a Sunday. For more information visit their Facebook page or website.