Landmark for a leek ...

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 43

Landmark for a leek ...

NZPA London An English coalminer’s monster leeks have rocked the gardening world and earned him a place in the history books. Roly Dickinson’s giant leeks measured a huge 301.42 cu in — the first to break the 300 cm barrier — and brought him the accolade “the Roger Bannister of leek growing” from his mother. Others might follow in his footsteeps but he will always be the one who got there first,” Mrs Sheila Dickinson, of Linton, Northumberland, proudly declared. “It is just as important to leek-growing as the first four-minute mile. It was a landmark no-one had reached,” she said. Mr Dickie Atkinson, secretary of the Ashington, Northumberland show where Mr Dickinson revealed his monsters, said, "Growers have been trying for years to break the 300 cm barrier.” Mr Dickson said he owed his success to his devoted bull terrier, Jim, who guarded the leeks for a year to deter dirty tricks from jealous rivals.