Published on 2nd November 2016

Green wooden shed painted with an image of a cat and a milk bottle sitting in a window. The shed sits on an allotment with flowers and plants and a man walking in the background

A sparkling awards ceremony was recently held for the winners of Cheltenham Borough Council’s annual allotment competition.

A packed council chamber looked on as Mayor Chris Ryder, presented the 30 certificates and 12 trophies.

In the new tenant section, Wayne Wiggett triumphed, picking up the trophy for best plot in first year of cultivation. Ian Mason won the cup for best new plot at the Midwinter site.

A hotly contested General Section, for plot-holders under 60, saw only two points between the top three places. Adam Lees pipped the others with his delightful family plot, with recycled materials extensively used to great effect.

John Rendell, winner of the senior competition, took home an award for his very well organised plot at Midwinter site. He was rewarded for a great range of crops in very good condition. The judges also noted some very happy-looking chickens on his allotment.

Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment said: ‘’Allotment gardening in Cheltenham is thriving, with many people enjoying the produce, the sense of community and the outdoor life that having a plot can provide. The competition recognises high standards, which in turn helps to encourage all plot-holders to make the most of their patch of earth.’’

Fiona Warin, allotment officer added: ‘‘It is great to be able to reward all the hard work that people put into their plots. In particular, it is an opportunity to recognise and thank all our volunteers who help with the running of the allotment sites.’’

Volunteer of the Year was Rob MacPherson, volunteer site warden at the Hatherley Road site, for his many years of assistance with site maintenance and plot-letting. The Wardens Cup was presented to Brian Bailey of the Reddings Road site for the fine example he sets with his immaculately kept allotment.  The Best Kept Site award was presented to the allotment holders at Reddings Road, who hold regular tidy-up sessions, usually followed by a site barbeque or picnic.

Jill Purser won an award for her contribution to the Hayden Road allotment community and the community award went to a new group called Winkfield, who have set up an allotment at the Midwinter site. The trophy for best overall allotment went to Brian Bailey for his highly productive and immaculately kept allotment at the Reddings Road site.

 

For press enquiries contact: Katie Sandey, communications and web team leader, telephone 01242 775050, email [email protected]

Full list of winners available on request

Photo opportunity if requested: since plots have been put to bed for the winter, we usually try to arrange for some of the trophy winners to meet at one site for individual and / or group photo.