After a 3-year absence, Gurnard’s Pickled Onion War returned to The Woodvale Hotel on Sunday.
14 competitors battled it out with their best home-prepared pickled onions in a bid to be crowned local champion.
After some judicious tasting, it was decided on a vote that Ginny Orrey, of Cowes, really did know her onions and was duly crowned the Pickle Queen.
Thanks to the selling of raffle tickets and donations made, a total of £1,075 was raised for the life-saving charity, the RNLI.
Nathan McGinty, The Woodvale’s general manager, said the competition was revived after a 3-year absence because of COVID. The competition first began in January 2001.
Nathan said:
“It was a very enjoyable event, for a very good cause.”
Mark Southwell, Operations Manager of Cowes lifeboat station, said it was especially appropriate that The Woodvale looked over the Solent where lifeboats play a significant life-saving role. He also praised members of the RNLI’s guild who staffed the raffle, which was packed with prizes provided by The Woodvale.
