Plot competition results
Plots competition results July 2024
The plots were judged by Clive Bennett except for the "Organic gardeners" category which was judged by the organic gardeners collaboratively.
Supreme Champion
Brian Wilson, Plot 18, outstanding quality of produce'
Over10 Years
1st - Dave Boynton, Plot 23, outstanding plot, beetroot planted to close together!
2nd - Paul Harrison, Plot 29, outstanding, good selection of flowers
3rd - Malcolm Dobinson, Plot 69, good variety of produce and tidy
2 to 10 Years
1st - Vivienne Jackson, Plot 26, good variety of produce and weed free
2nd - Peter Woodward, Plot 56B, good utilisation of cover clops
3rd - Philip Brown, Plot 44, tidy plot, tidy and good use of cover crops
Probationary
Having less than two years’ experience on the allotments
1st - Jo Turver, Plot 16, fantastic variety of produce with humour
2nd - Claire Harrison, Plot 14, first class effort for a new starter
3rd - Diane Garthwaite, Plot 51A, a good all-round performance
Raised Bed/Frame Category
1st - James Stokoe, Plot 80, cropped well and tidy
Organic gardeners
1st - Alison Elwell, Plot 66
2nd - Geoff Hill, Plot 42
3rd - Gaynor Woodford, PIot 60C
All organic plots were demonstrating a great organic journey in their own individual way. Looking at the 5 organic criteria the members had implemented each one to benefit the soil, encouraging increases in trophic levels and good use of resources. This was a very difficult decision as the plots demonstrated the 5 criteria in very different ways. The winner was differentiated by being more diverse with their implementation of the organic framework. There is much to learn from all on how to evolve our organic gardening journeys. Iain Clyde
Overall the judge was very impressed with the standard of all the plots, which made his job more difficult. I would like to thank you all for your hard work to make our allotments the best in Darlington and you are all winners. Ron Lees
Plots competition results 14 July 2023
Plots judged by Mr John Monkhouse – comments below
Supreme Champion
Brian Wilson, Plot 18, a further solid year, very good selection of crops, every crop clean and plot used to full potential
Elite category
175 square metres or greater area, or in occupation of first, second or third prize winner in previous experienced gardener category
1st - Paul Harrison, Plot 29, tidy, good selection of crops and utilisation of ground, weed free
2nd -Mandy Wattam, Plot 43, good use of space and compost bins, full use of plot
3rd - Geoff Hill, Plot 42, Good selection of crops, tidy plot
Experienced Gardener Category
Plots of below 175 square metres in area
1st - Dave Boynton, Plot 4, good selection of crops, crop rotation and provisions, good storage of tools
2nd - Malcolm Dobinson, Plot 69, good selection of crops, weed free and well set out
3rd - Derek Lindsay, Plot 12, tidy plot, good use of crop rotation, crops in good condition, weed free
Organic gardeners
1st - Gaynor Woodford, Plot 60C, crop in good condition and good variety
Newcomer Category
Having less than two years’ experience on the allotments
1st - Jo Turver, Plot 16, well set out plot, good selection of crops
2nd - Jacquie Metcalfe, Plot 22A, good selection of crops and weed free
3rd - Richard Bolton, Plot 57A, good selection of crops and well set out
Raised Bed/Frame Category
1st - Cliff Dent, Plot 75, good selection of crops and use of space
Plots competition results 22 July 2022
Plots judged by Mr John Monkhouse – comments below
Supreme Champion
Brian Wilson, Plot 18, another solid year, with every crop clean, and plot used to full potential.
Elite category
175 square metres or greater area, or in occupation of first, second or third prize winner in previous experienced gardener category
1st - Paul Harrison, Plot 27A, maximum use of plot potential.
2nd -Mandy Wattam, Plot 43, good selection of produce
3rd - Ron Lees, Plot 37, plot well utilised with variety of produce
Experienced Gardener Category
Plots of below 175 square metres in area
1st - Dave Boynton, Plot 4, crops in very good condition, plot kept well stocked
2nd - Nigel Boyes, Plot 6, good selection of crops - plot and wall well utilised
3rd - Alison Cocking, Plot 2, good range of crops and supplementary planting
Organic gardeners
1st - Gaynor Woodford-Phillips, Plot 60C, good selection of produce
Newcomer Category
Having less than two years’ experience on the allotments
1st - Lee & John Craggs, Plot 14A, good selection of crops/produce. Full use of plot
2nd - Joanne Cass, Plot 14, good selection of produce. Quality crop
3rd - Allison & John Weatherburn, Plot 12A, good range of crops with healthy plants
Raised Bed/Frame Category
1st - Ron Dodds, Plot 76, all crops good quality
Plots competition results 24 July 2021
Plots judged by Mr John Monkhouse – comments below
Elite category
175 square metres or greater area, or in occupation of first, second or third prize winner in previous experienced gardener category
1st - Brian Wilson, Plot 18, produce out of this world, plot used to full potential
2nd -Dave Boynton, Plot 4, weed free, good continuation of produce
3rd - Derek & Jean Lindsay, Plot 12, quite productive, weed free
Experienced Gardener Category
Plots of below 175 square metres in area
1st - Geoff Richmond, Plot 27A, maximum use of allotment
2nd - Alison Elwell, Plot 66, good selection of crops
3rd - Peter & Karen Woodward, Plot 56B, produce in good condition, maximum utilisation of plot
Newcomer Category
Having less than two years’ experience on the allotments
1st - Lee & John Craggs, Plot 14A, weed free, good quality produce
2nd - Allison & John Weatherburn, Plot 12A, maximum plot use, weed free, good selection of produce
3rd - Sharon & Paul Carbert, Plot 65A, good selection of crops
Raised Bed/Frame Category
1st - Ron Dodds, Plot 76, all crops in good condition
2nd -James Stokoe, Plot 80, fully utilised
Many thanks to Trevor McAllister for tending raised beds 64A & B which vied for third place – tenants incapacitated during year.
Plots competition results 25 July 2020
Supersize Plots Category
1st - Brian Wilson, Plot 18, quality of produce excellent, space used to maximum effect
2nd - Paul Harrison, Plot 29, well laid out, very neat, good quality and variety of veg, fruit and flowers
3rd - Mandy Wattam, Plot 43, great variety of produce – fruit, veg, flowers, really good use of space
Experienced Gardener Category
1st - David Boynton, Plot 23, quality of produce, full use of plot
2nd - Derek Lindsay, Plot 12, great variety of veg and, from an old colleague and friend
3rd - Stuart Jackson, Plot 39, good variety of good quality produce
Newcomer Category (less than two years on site)
1st - Lucina Stuart, Plot 41A, very neat plot, well laid out, good quality fruit and veg
2nd - Patrick McMorris, Plot 48C, very tidy, well-kept plot
3rd - Val Clark, Plot 54, very tidy for very large plot, good variety
Raised Bed/Frame Category
Colin Best, Raised Bed 72, good selection of flowers and veg
Plots competition results 20 July 2019
Supersize Plots Category
1st - Brian Wilson, Plot 18, maintaining high standard with excellent produce
2nd - Paul Harrison, Plot 29, good quality produce, neat and tidy plot, effective planting
3rd - Laura Atkins and Ellie, Plot 65, good variety of good produce, meticulous planting
Experienced Gardener Category
1st - David Boynton, Plot 4, excellent quality, good variety fruit and veg
2nd - Gary Scott, Plot 9, good quality produce
3rd - Sue Weston, Plot 23A, well laid out, good variety and good quality of produce
Newcomer Category (less than two years on site)
1st - Brian Wood, Plot 35A, good quality produce
2nd - Alison Cocking, Plot 69A, well laid out, neat and tidy, good selection of good quality produce
3rd - Lucina Stuart, Plot 41A, good variety of flowers and veg, good use planting to fill plot
Raised Bed/Frame Category
Cliff Dent, Raised Bed 75, surprising what you can grow in these
Plots competition results 21 July 2018
Experienced Gardeners
1st - Brian Wilson, plot 18
2nd - Laura Atkins and Ellie, plot 65
3rd - Paul Harrison, plot 29
Highly commended
Mandy Wattam, plot 43
Dave Boynton, plot 23
Stuart Jackson, plot 39
Newcomers
1st - Angie Ramsay, plot 56A
2nd - Peter Woodward, plot 56B
3rd - Jenny Jackson plot 14
Highly commended
Kate Millar Plot 38A
Sue Parker Plot 48A
Margaret Rolland Plot 41A
Sara Wray Plot 34A
Judge's overall comment "There is a continued raising of standards and it is pleasure at seeing that happen over the years I have being doing the judging."
Plots competition results 22 July 2017
Experienced Gardeners
1st - Brian Wilson , plot 18 - Outstanding quality of produce, good variety of veg and fruit
2nd - Paul Harrison, plot 29 - Well laid out and impeccably neat and tidy, good quality veg, fruit and flowers
3rd - Mandy Wattam, plot 43 - Excellent variety of veg, fruit and flowers, maximum use of space provided
Newcomers
1st - Laura Atkins (and Ellie), plot 12 - Very neat plot, good quality produce, good use of limited space
2nd - Annette McGaughey, plot 26 - Tidy plot, good use of space with quality produce
3rd - Kate Millar, plot 38A - Good variety of veg, fruit and flowers, a well laid out plot
Judge's overall comment "Difficult judging as quality of plots is improving each year."
Plots competition results 23 July 2016
Experienced Gardeners
1st - Brian Wilson, plot 18 - Outstanding both in quality and variety, also use of space and tidiness of plot
2nd - Paul Harrison, plot 29 - Extremely tidy and well laid out plot. Good quality and variety of produce - veg, fruit and flowers
3rd - Mandy Wattam, plot 43 - Well laid out and good use of space to grow variety of fruit, veg and flowers
Newcomers
1st - Daniel Noble, plot 58 - Impressed by variety and quality of produce; well laid out, maximising plot space
2nd - Annette McGaughey, plot 26 - Good quality and extremely tidy
3rd - Steve Lewis, plot 49 -Good quality and variety of produce - neatly laid out