Page 49 - ALG Issue 4 2017

East Midlands
Leicester Allotment
Gardener Council –
Best Kept Plot
Competition 2017
Leicester held its annual competition for the best kept City allotment on July 18th and 19th. It is open to all of the 23 societies who manage 33 sites in the city as well as the 10 direct let sites managed by Leicester City Council. Leicestershire Judges’ Guild provided
the judge, Barry Tuck,
who with LAGC Secretary, Jenny Miller and Chair, Paul Howgill’s assistance, took two days to judge the 26 plots entered.
The Albert Thornhill
Memorial Trophy for the
winning plot was won by
Peter Beck of Aylestone
Allotment and Leisure
Gardeners site on Whittier
Road. It was quite appropriate
as past judge Albert Thornhill
was Chair of the Aylestone
site and for many years
chairman of LAGC. Four
times past winner Steve Callis
of Belgrave Allotment Society’s Uxbridge Road was second, with Leicester City Permanent Allotment Society’s Chris Nickleson third.
For the rst time, an open day event was organised by the Society where the winning plot was situated. A steady stream of visitors viewed Peter’s impressive plot, and witnessed the presentation of trophies. Scoring of points was very close with Peter winning by just one point. A spread of fteen points covered the top ve places.
It was very pleasing to see all the entries and we were most impressed with the pride and care that plotholders and committee
Welcome to our new members...
Billingborough Allotments & Gardens
Brigden Avenue Allotment Association Buxworth Allotment Association
Clarborough & Welham Allotment Association Foxbyhill Allotment Society
Mawsley Allot Association
Royal Oak Court Allotment Association Shackerstone Parish Council Wirksworth Town Council
8 individual members
members took in looking after both their sites and plots. And thank you for the cups of tea and cold drinks provided during a dry warm day.
Dave Andrews, who hosts Radio Leicester’s gardening programme, visited the site to interview Peter and Steve. A half hour radio programme was produced from the visit to the Whittier Road site with additional contributions from Leicester City Council’s head gardener, Mick Eaton and Malcolm Roberts, Aylestone’ s secretary.
The criteria for judging the best kept plot has evolved over the years. Originally the RHS judging guidance was used but in consultation with Leicester Allotment Gardens Council representatives, additional marks were awarded for water recycling, wildlife conservation, quality of paths, sheds, greenhouses
and cold frames. Any society in the city who wishes to enter should contact LAGC secretary Jenny Miller or myself and we will send you this year’s criteria and you could be entering the winning plot next year.
It has taken two days to judge the plots and a further day for the presentation and PR connected. But from a personal point of view I nd it the most enjoyable of the allotment year.
Paul Howgill, East Midlands Regional Representative.
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