ANNUAL ALLOTMENT COMPETITION

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0119/ir/m                                                                                          
30th June 2008

The resurgence in demand for allotment plots in the Borough continues to grow apace and the keen interest from plot holders was certainly reflected in the number and quality of entries in this year’s Annual Allotment Competition, which took place on Tuesday 24^th and Wednesday 25^th June.  Allotments Officer and Assistant Parks Manager Glyn Ollier said:  “Allotment gardening has never been so popular and consequently there has been a significant and steady demand for allotment plots in the last twelve months with many sites now having extensive waiting lists.”

Judge David Hampsey from Heaton Moor, Stockport commented on the Borough’s allotment sites.  He said:  “It is three years since I last judged at Crewe and Nantwich and it is clear that this Authority is forward thinking in its approach to allotment provision”.  Mr Hampsey went on to say:  “It was particularly pleasing to note that this year alone a new perimeter fence has been erected at the Henry Street site in Crewe and a completely new site has been created at Brookfield Park in Nantwich.”

On Wednesday the Mayor and Mayoress toured the Brookhouse Allotment site in Crewe while the Competition was underway and were introduced to the Judges, several Allotment Site Representatives, Community Group Leaders and a number of Plot Holders.

The Willaston Parish Council site took the prestigious award of being named as the Best Allotment Site in the Borough.  The award for the Most Improved Site in the Borough went to the Wistaston Green site in Crewe.  Judge John Carver from Middlewich said:  “This site has clearly maintained and built on the improvements that I noted last year and fully deserves recognition.”

Two individual plots from the Welshman’s Lane site in Nantwich picked up major awards in the Competition.   Mrs Cynthia Croxson taking the top award for the Best Individual Plot in the Borough with Anthony Platt taking second place. Third place went to Mr R.K. Charlesworth who tends his plot on the Shavington Parish Council site and fourth place in the class went to Neil Tunnicliffe from the Claughton Avenue site in Crewe.

The Nantwich Town Council Trophy for the best plot on the Welshman’s Lane site went to Mrs Cynthia Croxson.

In the Best Newcomer category, Paul Mellor from the Hungerford Road site took the honours and David Lockett who tends his plot on the Brookfield Park site in Nantwich won the Margaret Oldman Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the tenant who in the opinion of the judge’s best demonstrates recycling and conservation measures on their plot.

Schools were also well represented in the Competition and special prizes were awarded by the judges to Ruskin Sports College, Pebble Brook County Primary School and King’s Grove School.

In the Community Group category Cheshire County Council’s ‘Grass Roots’ Project and Pathways Community Interest Company’s Brookhouse Urban Gardens Scheme (BUGS) also picked up special awards for their plots on the Brookhouse and Claughton Avenue sites.

The judges awarded the Junior Prize to Annabel and Finlay East who garden on the Willaston Parish Council site.

Portfolio Holder for the Local Environment, Councillor Jacquie Weatherill said:   “This important event in the gardening calendar continues to flourish and this year has seen a record 130 entries in the Competition.”  Councillor Weatherill went on to say: “Allotment gardening in today’s modern society appeals to such a diverse section of the community.  Gone are the days when allotments were perhaps the preserve of the retired gentleman and consequently we have noticed that more and more ladies are actively taking up allotment gardening.  Schools and community groups are also widely evident throughout the Authorities sites further establishing the importance allotments play in everyday life.” 

                                                                                  PHOTOGRAPHS

(1)    The Mayor Councillor Brian Silvester chatting with one of the Community Group Leaders at the Brookhouse Allotments site

(2)    The judges David Hampsey and John Carver with Welshman’s Lane Site Representative Allan Garnett, Councillor Stan Davies and Councillor Mick Roberts

(3)    Judge, David Hampsey totting up the points

COUNCIL CONTACT:              Glyn Ollier – Assistant Parks Manager

TELEPHONE:                          01270 537882                                             

EMAIL:                                   glyn.ollier@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk 


For Media enquiries contact:     Ian Richardson

Tel                                         01270 537018

Email ian.richardson@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk  or http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/