Ashford Allotments
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Giant Pot Leek Show at well-known seaside resort

15/9/2014

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That is a ten pence piece next to that leek, folks. So, as you can see, this wasn't a giant show, it was a show of giant leeks! The black mark is magic marker, denoting the height above the roots where the girth of this monster was to be measured.

Pot leeks are grown for girth, not length, and some exhibits were disqualified because the distance between roots and the 'button' - the point where the leaves divide - was too long.
Where was this stunning variation on the village flower show? At Seahouses on the Northumbrian coast, a lovely little fishing port amongst stunning beaches just a few miles from Bamburgh Castle. The show was in a marquee in the garden of the Old Ship Inn, overlooking the harbour, as you can see from the photos on the left. Too far to pop up for the day, sadly - though a lovely spot for a holiday.
Produce show at SeahousesPicture
Seahouses harbour from the Old Ship InnPicture
It was a real thrill to stumble upon this show - literally we just saw a blackboard with the worlds 'Leek Show Marquee' chalked on them and an arrow pointing past the pub. For two keen allotmenteers it was the icing on the cake. So read on to see more of the Giant Leeks, not to mention onions the size of cabbages and Chrysanthemums as big as your head.
show crysanths at seahousesPicture
Show chrysanths at seahousesure
Here we have the biggest Chrysanths you've ever seen. And, on the right, the same in pink, just in case you couldn't believe your eyes. Both by the same grower, who also won the prize for the leeks - and several of the other classes. We didn't ask the secret of his success as we thought it highly unlikely he'd tell us! But, believe me, we were awe-struck. But more about those leeks . . . here is a selection of photos to give you a faint idea of their stunning hugeness.
Picture A Warnaby's giant leeks
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The leek nearest the camera is the same one as in the first photo, with the 10p coin next to it. Scary!
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And if you want something other than leeks, here are a few other scary vegetables . . .
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I admit it, there are few leeks there too. But spot below the 'Disaster Class' Perhaps we should have this for our summer show next year? What do you think?
Picture R Nelson Jnr forked carrot
Mr R Nelson Jnr was very keen to claim proud ownership of this spectacularly unsuccessful carrot. One wonders if he inherited his specialist skills at carrot-nobbling from R Nelson Snr? An example to all of us and proof that there is hope of prize success for everyone. I should say thaT Mr Nelson's other entries were superb, by the way! We've got to run a 'Disaster Class' next year, surely!

For the show report in the Northumberland Gazette click here.
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Plots numbers appearing now

27/6/2014

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Well, here is a very imaginative plot number sent in by Debbie - the number 31 is on both the CD earrings and the clogs.

Send us a photo of your own plot number or of one you think is particularly good, to
ashfordallotments@yahoo.co.uk

Lots of allotmenteers have responded to the call to number their plots, with imaginations running riot and plots now much easier to locate. Below are just a few to amuse and inspire you. If you haven't already numbered your plot, don't be shy - sort a little something out, even if it's just a number scrawled on your shed!

Don't forget, there's a prize to be won
for the 'most creative'

to be awarded at the Summer Show
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The wacky . . .
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The just plain potty . . .
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The very polite . . .
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The cheeky . . .
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The no-nonsense . . .
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The artistic . . .
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The wilfully obscure . . .
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The utterly charming . . .
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. . and the 'Can't miss it'!
Send in a photo of your plot number, or one you've seen and particularly like, to ashfordallotments@yahoo.co.uk
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Bring and buy day a success

21/6/2014

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Today's 'Grand Allotment Bring and Buy' (that "Grand" was meant to be ironic, by the way) has been judged a success, with lots of tools and kit - both vintage and new - finding new homes where it was needed. Plants of tomatoes, kohl rabi, celeriac, cayenne pepper, kale, courgettes, summer and butternut squash and four huge, beautiful 'Marketmore' cucumbers were brought in and have now found good homes.

Donations of gardening books were outstanding, with some really super brand new books alongside more vintage titles. While a lot have sold, there is still a wide choice of titles which will be available the next time the Trading Store is open.

There will also be a book stall at the Summer Show, so please turn out all your surplus gardening books and bring them to the Trading Store so we can keep the ball rolling.


The money raised will go towards show expenses - it will be very good to start organising the Show with a petty cash kitty to call on, rather than asking individual helpers to lend the Society money!


A big thank you to all those who donated stuff, all those who turned up and bought, and the volunteers who helped keep everything running smoothly when we were so busy!


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Plot number competition

20/5/2014

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Every year the Ashford Allotment Society runs a competition for Best Plot. There are certificates for Best Plot on each site, Best Newcomer, and (a first this year) a vintage cup awarded each year from now on to the allotmenteer with the best plot in the Society.
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And each year, the judges struggle to work out which plot is which. Sometimes they get it wrong, which is embarassing!!! A few plots have numbers on them - either on a stake, or painted on a shed - but not nearly enough to make things clear.
THIS YEAR allotmenteers are being asked to put their number on their plot somewhere. And to encourage you, there will be a prize for the most imaginative and creative plot number! But if you're not feeling creative, number your plot anyway, it will make you immensely popular with everyone - from judges to newcomers trying to identify their new plot - and will take so little effort! A plot number will count towarsd your chances of winning Best Plot or Best Newcomer, too!
THAT'S TWO CHANCES OF WINNING A PRIZE
AT THE SUMMER SHOW (ALONG WITH THE PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION), THAT DON'T EVEN ASK YOU TO BE ABLE TO GROW A SINGLE THING!

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Allotment photograph competition

15/5/2014

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Summer is coming and the allotments are starting to look really good. Up till now, the photographs on this website have mostly been taken by the compiler. And I have no hesitation in saying that most of them are rubbish! Photography is certainly not one of my talents.
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Now, we're sure you can do better. On the left is the fabulous photo of Henwood taken by one of the plotholders last summer. Below is another stunner by the same photographer.
We want to see your very best photos. Send a mouthwatering pic of your site (it doesn't have to be your plot, mind!) to our email address, ashfordallotments@
yahoo.co.uk

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Christine's gorgeous shed photo
As many of the photos as possible will be used on the website. Photos will be used to head up the page on each site, and other photos will be used as illustrations. The best photo of each site will be displayed at the Summer Show, and the best of all will get a modest prize. So get snapping!
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    This website is happy to publicise all garden-related events.
    All the news, views and information posted on this website are produced and written by the website compiler, unless it says otherwise.

    Use the CONTACT box or click on the envelope at the top of the page to send us an item you'd like to see on our news page. Use "Add Comment" to comment on a news item.
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