First, thank you to those who have already submitted an application for the New Plotholder Awards competition.
The deadline for the New Plotholders Award is being extended until Sunday, 3 September with judging to take place the following weekend on 9 September.
We hope this extension will encourage more new plotholders to participate.
Our judge has kindly offered a bundle of seed packets to each person submitting an application as an encouragement.
Attached are updated application form, and flyer with the new submission deadline which you can share at your site.
Original call for submissions
Dear GAF Members, Association Secretaries and Friends:
With the summer solstice now behind (by just one day), and the gardening season well underway, it’s time to talk about the Glasgow Allotments Forum (GAF) New Plotholder Awards!
The summer solstice is a good time to take stock—fruit and vegetables have been harvested or are close to harvesting while others will be planted out soon—while doing what we love best—growing and enjoying our plots! Celebrating our hard work and achievements encourages us all, especially our newest members and so GAF invites your site and plotholders to participate in the annual New Plotholder Awards.
The New Plotholder Awards aims to encourage, recognise and reward those individuals who rise tothe challenge of a new plot. New plotholders come to a plot which may or may not be in good condition, with a variety of previous gardening experiences, skills and backgrounds. Whatever the starting point, the enthusiasm, hard work and commitment demonstrated by a new plotholder is to be commended and encouraged.
Please encourage your new plotholders to enter this competition. New plotholders—please consider submitting an application. It is great fun reminiscing about your first day on your plot to where you are now with your growing and is an insightful process, as well. I know first hand as I entered the competition my first year and it really made me consider not only what to plant but how to garden on my plot.
To be eligible for this year you must have taken on your plot on or after 1 January 2022. The application pack is attached.
Please note the closing date for entries is Sunday, 13th August 2023. [now Sunday 3rd September 2023].
Judging will take place at the mid-/end of August; exact date will be confirmed later. [now Saturday 10th September 2023].
We hope you will post the attached flyer for The New Plotholder Award at your allotment site to help spread the word that the competition is now open to all new plotholders.
Best wishes and good luck to everyone,
Christine Kuhn
NPA Coordinator
Glasgow Allotments Forum