Page 49 - ALG Issue 4 2021

Kettering Secretary Russell Attwood wins Bridgstock Cup
Kettering Allotments Society secretary Russell Attwood is this year’s winner of the Bridgstock Cup. Recognition of Russell’s commitment to the Society is long overdue.
The number of voluntary hours that
he has given year after year are many, as he makes sure that Scott Road allotments are maintained in an environmentally friendly way. This cup was won by Tom Wallis Bridgstock (known to his family as ‘Pop’) in 1913, 1914, and finally in 1921 when he kept it permanently as a three-times winner. After winning the cup twice, he became a soldier in the First World War, and, whilst he was away fighting, his mother refused to hand back the cup until, in her words, “the boys come back”.
Tom was a shoe worker all his working life, and obviously he was a keen gardener in his leisure time. During his retirement he was a cobbler working from his garden shed mending shoes for his family and neighbours. He passed away in 1967 at the age of 87. The cup was donated to our association in 2006 by his grandchildren: Mrs Jan Crick, Mr Bud Bridgstock, Mr Neil Bridgstock and Mrs Karen Parisi.
Russell’s three plots are lush with an abundance and variety of healthy
produce, all the more special because he never waters and never digs! He works full time and spends weekends not only looking after his own plots but also keeping an eye out and helping others with their plots, as well as carrying out secretarial duties and supporting the three other sites around Kettering.
His enthusiasm is huge, and many have had the privilege of attending his lively sing song (self-written) entertaining pumpkin talks on his successful gardening methods which he gives around the county. Russell’s tip for a successful productive plot is: Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
He advises mulching with whatever you can get hold of, but the best mulch is cardboard and grass cuttings. Make mulch thick (preferably 6 inches or more) and keep on adding more as it rots down. Pull out weeds and add to the mulch. With this method (lasagna gardening), Russell never waters his plot and doesn’t dig the soil.
More information about his methods can be found at his blog: https:// russellattwood.wordpress.com
Monica Ozdemir, Kettering Allotment Society Committee member
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener 49