Syston Allotment Open Day
On Saturday 17th August, the annual Open Day for Syston Allotments took place during National Allotments Week. This year the national focus is on celebrating the way allotments contribute to biodiversity by providing a range of habitats for plants and animals, as well as promoting wellbeing. Allotments around the UK have been opening for people to come and have a look round and Syston has joined in with this for many years now.
Syston had several community events on the day including a yard sale, but despite the clash there was a steady stream of visitors to the plots, including some welcome ‘regulars’ who come every year. Thank you all for coming, and thank you to everyone who helped to organise and run the event. The plant and produce sale went very well: certain interestingly-formed carrots were particularly popular. After trying their luck on the Tombola, admiring the entries to the produce/items made from produce competitions, and walking round the plots, visitors could buy tea or coffee and cake, the latter generously baked by friends and plot holders.
Al Dayman from Derrys Nurseries Cossington kindly agreed to judge the best cultivated plot competition. He spent two hours walking the plots on 15th August and he was very impressed. He said his job of judging was hard last year, and it was even harder this year – he could have given eight or nine more prizes than he did. The brassicas were the best he had seen for a long time, and he liked the way plot holders were growing a huge range of veg, fruit, and flowers, including some less usual ones. He commended the fact that Syston plots include the wider community e.g. the plot working with children from the preschool and the one worked by ‘Grow Give Live’. He said he had a really enjoyable walk round and sent his congratulations to all whether or not they had an award.
Richard Thorpe kindly judged the produce competition; Jane Thorpe judged the best item made from produce and children’s art competitions. We thank all the judges for giving up their time to do what is not an easy job.
Produce Competition
Gold award – plot 60A
Silver award – plot 73B
Bronze award – plot 19A
Certificate of merit – plot 48A
Best Item Made from Produce
Gold award – plot 63B, mixed berries jelly was described as ‘absolutely delightful’
Silver award – plot 63B, sweetcorn and tomato sauce
Bronze award – plot 63B, pickled onion
Children’s Art on theme of allotment
Winner – Archie Lake, a beautiful drawing
Best Plot
Gold award – plot 54
Silver award – plot 35B
Bronze award – plot 44A
Certificates of merit to plots 3, 21, and 40A
Not all carrots grown turn out as expected, as you can see in the Stn photograph, but they will taste just as good!
Kate Windridge, Syston Allotments
