Page 54 - ALG Issue 3 2020

Southern
Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Hampshire
Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society
FJ Ahier Country Gardens – Jersey
The first Sunday in September is the anniversary of the establishment and opening of the F J Ahier Country Gardens. 2019 was a special year, as we celebrated our 10th anniversary.
The day was packed with events and we were blessed with clear blue skies and wonderful Jersey sunshine. The Lieutenant-Governor Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen & Lady Dalton attended and were given a guided tour of the allotments by the Society President, the Horticultural Vice President and Chairman, Secretary and Committee members. They spoke with plotholders and took a great interest in what
was being grown on each of their allotments. They were also shown the wildlife areas and the granddaughter of one of the plotholders gave a very in-depth account of how the bug hotel was built. The day is designed to bring together all the plotholders and encourage them to show what they have grown on their plots. Graham Le Marquand, from the Jersey branch of the NVS, judged the produce show, the tallest and widest sunflower competition and the scarecrow competition.
The fun produce show attracted 66 entries; there are no classes and no entry forms. Plotholders are invited to turn up on the day and display what they have grown on a table. Unlike other shows staged by the Society, (Spring, Early Summer, Summer and Autumn) each entry is judged on its own merits rather than against other exhibits. This is to encourage a community spirit
with plotholders showing what they have grown, also to bring them together to make new friends
and exchange growing tips. Committee members and
other plotholders, who are serious about showing, were on hand to
advise and help
exhibitors display
their produce.
The annual sunflower competition, for the tallest and widest flower head,
saw some strong competition with the tallest measuring 270cm (106 inches) and the widest head measuring 40cm (16 inches).
Graham Le Marquand said he was very impressed with the quality of produce and thought some would have done very well at a national show and a credit to the plotholders, especially as some have never shown before and others were new to gardening and allotment growing. Graham also spoke of his experiences of growing and showing vegetables. Gold, silver and bronze certificates were awarded. This year
a trophy was presented for the best
overall exhibit donated by the family of
a former plotholder, one of the original
plotholders since the establishment
of the Country Gardens, who sadly
passed away at the beginning of 2019.
The overall winner was a basket of
vegetables. They
Afternoon tea was served with sandwiches and homemade cakes, followed by the presentation of prizes by the Lieutenant-Governor and Lady
were also shown the wildlife areas and the grand-
Dalton. daughter
To find out more about the RJA&HS go to www.royaljersey.co.uk or follow us on Facebook and the Cultivate Garden Club.
A warm welcome awaits any NAS members who are ever on holiday
in Jersey. Please contact the Society secretary (details on our website) and we would be happy to arrange a visit to the site.
of one
of the plotholders gave
a very in-depth account of how the bug hotel was built
54 Allotment and Leisure Gardener