Sarah Henry writes: We had a fantastic day for the New Plotholders’ Awards (NPAs) on Saturday July 7th. Ten plotholders applied in total, over 7 different sites. We had a clear first prize at Merrylee Allotments for Sally Packer. She had an amazingly productive plot, with a fantastic focus on biodiversity, environment and encouraging insects and a creative use of recycled resources. We loved it and it scored an amazing 100 points.
Here are the results in full.
1st Prize – Sally Packer, Merrylee allotments
2nd Prize – Rudy Intraina, Oatlands Leisure Gardens
Highly commended prizes to:
Donnie Mackie – Mansewood Allotments
John and Ann-Marie Falconer – Mansewood Allotments
Floortje Goemans – Hamiltonhill Allotments
Commendation prizes to
Lucy and David Young – Hamiltonhill Allotments
Andrei and Ani Patrana – Mansewood Allotments
We have an extra special mention for you all, which we felt it was impossible to judge with the criteria provided for the NPA. Susan Wilson nominated the community garden she runs at Reidvale Allotments and we were so impressed with what she has done to transform this patch of land. Whilst we were there, residents from the flats opposite came by, there were volunteers from all ages and walks of life and the garden was absolutely beautiful and provided food for them all. This plot was a true community plot, for everyone, it was so impressive how much work had gone into transform the site and how much it was loved by all those who lived nearby. We felt that this deserved special mention. It provided so much more than could be judged for the NPA competition.
We strongly encouraged Susan to enter for the ADAs and will be sending her information about how to enter.
ADAs – If you haven’t put in an entry for the Allotment Development Awards it is not too late to apply – the closing date has been extended to July 31st. All you need to do to enter is to send the title of the project you want to undertake to us at GAFForum@gmail.com along with the name of your Allotment Site. You’ll find all the information about presenting your project for the voting session on August 16th in this document: THE ADAs Making a Proposal 2019
Two more allotment Open Days on the Events page at Sir John Stirling Maxwell Gardens and Victoria Park Allotments.