Allotments flourish during lockdown

Kingsfield allotments in Basford have been awarded the top accolade once again in a 2020 allotment competition. 

The allotment site was judged to be the best small allotment site this year, following judging that took place virtually early this month. The site also won the same award in 2019 in the Stoke-on-Trent City Council run competition.

Due to covid19 restrictions, the city wide allotment competition which has run for over seventy years had to this year be held virtually. As judges were not able to safely visit each site, allotment plot holders were invited to send in pictures of their masterpieces instead and show off all the hard work their green fingers have put in during the lockdown period.

Impartial judge Councillor Lee Wanger who has no allotment sites in his ward judged over 50 entries from across the city. He judged the sites and plots on their creativity, cleanliness and their general upkeep.

Individual winner Carol Plant, who keeps an allotment at Dolly’s Lane allotments in Burslem and won the gold award for the ‘Best Wildlife’ category and the silver award for ‘the ‘Most Colourful’ category, said: “I am delighted to have won gold for the third year running, I always enter the competition and take pride in my allotment. During the recent lockdown I visited my allotment every day, which really helped with not feeling isolated. This year my family and I have eaten something grown from my allotment every day, my motto is grow it, harvest it, and eat it”

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for the environment said: “I am thrilled that Kingsfield allotments have won the ‘Best Small Allotment Site’ this year and well done to all the winners. Allotments across the city are highly sort after and it is great to see them being maintained to such a high standard and our residents enjoying preserving them. This year despite the judging being done virtually, we have over 50 entries, something which I hope will only inspire more people to enter next year’s competition.”

Council allotment champion, Councillor Lesley Adams said: “I am so pleased that the competition was able to go ahead this year – despite the pandemic we did not break tradition. Congratulations to all the winners.”

Residents can apply for an allotment by visiting www.stoke.gov.uk/allotments.