NEWBURY’S ‘BEST KEPT ALLOTMENTS 2022’

Newbury’s ‘Best Kept Allotment’ awards were presented at the Town Hall Chamber on Thursday evening.  The Mayor of Newbury, Cllr Gary Norman, together with the Chair of the Town Council’s Community Services Committee, Cllr Sarah Slack, presented awards to tenants who were judged to have kept the best allotment plots on each site. This year 19 awards were given out, including ‘Best Newcomer’, ‘Best Plot’, ‘Best Schools Plot’ and ‘Best Site Overall’.

The plots were judged on a number of different criteria which included the overall visual impact, effective use of plot, produce variation, pathway condition and any special provisions for wildlife. The judges commended the efforts made by tenants, there were some ‘bug hotels’, ‘bee tubes’ and ponds so that amphibious creatures could thrive in the area which will increase biodiversity on the sites and, in turn, help the current climate emergency.  The judges were amazed at the ingenious ways that the allotment tenants utilised the space they have. 

A trophy was presented to Dave Cole, one of the joint allotment Stewards at the One Tree Park site, after they were judged to be the best site overall.  The competition was very close, but the One Tree Park site was judged to be marginally ahead of the other five sites, which were all highly rated.

An award was also given to Falkland Primary School who tend an allotment plot at Wash Common, presented to students Polly Nightingale and Lottie Lawton.

Cllr Sarah Slack, Chair of the Community Services Committee said, “Our allotment tenants do a wonderful job tending their plots which are a valuable form of exercise both physically and mentally.  There is so much variation, and all of our allotment tenants are to be commended on their efforts year-round.

There are around 550 plots in Newbury, ranging from large to small, with a variety of tenants, from people who have had a plot for years to newcomers and new families to the site who are so enthusiastic”.

She continued, “We do have waiting lists for all of our sites, but some are shorter than others, so you might not need to wait for as long as you might think. If you would like to put your name down and have a go at ‘growing your own’ please contact us or visit our website https://www.newbury.gov.uk/services/allotments/

For full list of winners see below.

Contact:

Cllr Sarah Slack, Chairperson Community Services Committee sarah.slack@newbury.gov.uk 07970 790808

Hugh Peacocke, CEO, Newbury Town Council (Hugh.Peacocke@newbury.gov.uk 01635 35486