2013 Garden Competition
2013 GARDEN & ALLOTMENT COMPETITION
If the longer days and brighter weather (when not raining!) is inspiring you to get out into the garden, why not get your hard work rewarded and enter the 2013 Melplash Agricultural Society Garden Competition. There is a category to suit everyone including, after a successful pilot last year, an allotment competition.
There are three garden categories and this year we are adding a new category just for allotments. Judging for the competition will be Tuesday 18th & Wednesday 19th June 2013. The competition is free to enter and open to everyone who lives within 12 miles radius of Melplash Village Church. There are prizes for best small, medium and large gardens and best allotment.Entries are limited to the first 20 received. An entry form and a copy of the rules can be downloaded by clicking here.
This is the 20th year of the annual competition which, coincidently, was the initiative of the current President Mr Cleeves Palmer, and is in place to recognise the time and effort that goes into making a beautiful and productive garden.
“As a family we have always loved horticulture” said Cleeves Palmer, “When I was younger I had huge admiration for my Grandfather’s gardener, Alfie Parker, and for my Father’s gardener, Jimmy Watts.. who over time worked for the family for over 80 years! They were such masters of their craft.. I was thrilled to be given the chance to launch the garden competition and my brother John and I were very proud to present a cup in their memory. .. we wanted their names to go forward in perpetuity . The Garden Competition, I am very pleased to say has gone from strength to strength and is attracting more entries each year due to some very determined organisers.”
The Alfie Parker & Jimmy Watts Memorial Cup is now awarded to the best overall garden. There are classes for best small, medium and large gardens as well as the new category for the best allotment. Green fingered residents within 12 miles radius of Melplash Church, and not employing a gardener for more than 8 hours per week, are encouraged to enter their garden or allotment. Entries close on Wednesday 12th June 2013
Cleeves Palmer with the team of judges - Mrs E Hampson, Beaminster and Mrs E Smith, Ryall, selected from last year’s winners - will visit all the gardens entered on either Tuesday 18th or Wednesday 19th June . The prizes will be awarded at the Melplash Show on Thursday 22nd August 2013.
2012 Results
Judges: Mrs Jane Allen & Mr John Harvey
Large Garden – The Winner of this Class is awarded with The Fowler Rose Bowl, presented by Mr & Mrs David Fowler
1st - Doris Whichelo, Askerswell
Judges’ comments: “A very “green” garden, even making own compost. An excellent variety of colour, and even wild orchids. Delightful”
2nd - David and Margret Ackerman, Bridport
3rd - Sarah Wilberforce,, Puncknowle
Medium Garden – The Winner of the Class is awarded the Pitcher Trophy, presented by Mr & Mrs C Pitcher
1st - Mrs Elizabeth Smith, Ryall
Judges comments: “Top rate garden. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic - a worthy first.”
2nd - Nigel and Catherine Lee, Salway Ash
3rd - Joyce Newton, Bothenhampton
Small Garden – The Winner of this Class is awarded with The Melplash Agricultural Society Shield
1st - Peter and Liz Hampson, Beaminster
Judges’ comments: “They have produced a wonderful intricate garden in such a small area. A worthy winner”
2nd - Sarah Porter, Netherbury
3rd - Linda and Tony Hatch, Bridport
The Judges felt they could not judge the one allotment entry in any of the above categories but awarded Daniel Broom a voucher for his allotment and said it was “Excellent!”
Best Overall Garden The Winner of this Class is awarded the Alfie Parker & Jimmy Watts Memorial Cup presented by AJC Palmer, Esq & CWR Palmer, Esq.
Peter and Liz Hampson, Beaminster
