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