Page 42 - ALG Issue 4 2014 Digital Edition

Yorkshire
Howden Allotments Open Day 2014
The Howden Allotments Open Day was held on Saturday 26th July this year. A good range of attractions were on offer, a vegetable stall, tombola, tea and other refreshments and homemade wine tasting in Keith Lockwood’s shed. The scarecrow competition
was for traditional scarecrows this year and, as usual, was divided into two categories, under 12’s and over 12’s. There were many splendid entries and some are pictured below.
A vegetable and flower display competition also took place inviting entries from all plot holders. Judging this year was undertaken by Josie Tipping.
There were awards for the plots of the Best Newcomer and Best Mature Plot. Judging was undertaken on the Friday evening before the Open Day. The Best Newcomer award was judged by the Committee while the Best Mature Plot was judged by Tony Featherstone, an experienced judge from Swanland. The Best Newcomer award went to Andrew and Wendy Morrin and Best Mature Plot went to Andy Leighton.
We were also graced by the presence of five real-life lady scarecrows. The girls looked superb in their costumes and make-up but we did notice a little colour fading after sampling the homemade wine! Several gallons of Keith Lockwood’s much-feted homemade wine were there to sample, including a splendid black grape. This particular brew was made from fruit picked from one of our plots. Let’s hope the grapes are as successful this year and Keith can produce more of this classic vintage.
There were many visitors on the day, who enjoyed the good weather and a leisurely walk around the site to view all the plots and the attractions on offer. Many positive comments were received
about the good condition of the site and how much it had improved now that it is under self-management. There were also many positive comments about the quality of the vegetables that were available! We use no artificial additives, no GM, no pesticides or insecticides, everything is organically produced.
All in all it was a fantastic day and it only remains for us to thank all those who gave their support and donated gifts for the tombola stall. So many gave their help on the day and are too numerous to mention, but the support was gratefully received, from allotment holders, family and friends. After expenses, a profit of £613.98 was made on the day for the benefit of the Society. Keith Lockwood’s helpers raised around £190, half of which was donated to Howden Minster and the other half to the Candlelighters cancer charity.
Other prizewinners on the day were:
Pat Mullarkey Trophy for three globe beetroot – Des North. Bert Tipping Cup for most points gained in competition – Andy
Leighton.
Scarecrow Competition:
Under 12’s : 1st place Madeline and Lewis Thackeray, 2nd place
Sophie and Alex Blee and 3rd place Connor Silletoe.
Over 12’s : 1st place Julia Newsome, 2nd place Paul Thornhill and
3rd place Dave and Pat Blee (16).
Once again thanks to all helpers and supporters, thanks to all
visitors, thanks to ‘the Scarecrows’, thanks to the judges and competitors and to everyone else who made this such a successful day.
Des North
YORKSHIRE ALLOTMENTS & GARDENS FEDERATION.
Annual General Meeting.
This year we are holding our A G M on the East Coast, the venue is –
Scarborough Railwaymen’s Social Club, Station Buildings, Westborough, Scarborough, North Yorks.
The date is Saturday 15th November
The meeting will start at 10.30 a.m. with coffee and registration followed by an address by a representative of The National Vegetable Society. After lunch we will conduct the business of the day. Any member/Society is welcome to attend.
All member societies will receive full details nearer the event.
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