Considered as the most prestigious garden competition in the West Dorset area, the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Annual Gardens and Allotments Competition is open to all residents within a 12-mile radius of Melplash Village Church.  Each year the competition celebrates the hard work and pride that people put into their gardens.  All types and sizes of gardens and allotments are encouraged to enter, this year there were 15 in all.  They were judged over 2 days by Mr & Mrs Tim and Sibyl Gale,  the 2021 Large Garden winners, and Melplash Show Horticulture committee member, Mrs Jackie Seogalutze, and were accompanied by the Society President, Mr Nigel Jones, Society Chairman, Mr James Vickery and Vice Chairman, Philip Hardwill.   Mr Peter Yeates and Mr Cliff Pitcher were stewards.

Judges’ overall comments:  “We were very impressed by the wide variety of gardens, full of wonderful plants, perfumes and delightful spaces.  All were different but linked by the enthusiasm of their owners and the pleasure that gardening brings.  Nearly all the gardeners recognise the critical part that wildlife, particularly pollinators, bring to their gardens and the health of our environment- gardens are not only a source of joy and pleasure but significant contributors to a sustainable future”.

Commenting, Society Chairman Mr James Vickery said:  “It was  a privilege to visit so many fantastic gardens and allotments.  It was very obvious that everyone had spent many hours working in their gardens and did so throughout the year.  The results were magnificent.  Thank you everyone for taking part, we hope you will again next year!”

The results are as follow:

Allotments

1^st                                           Mr Kevin and Mrs Deanna Trott, West Allington Allotments

2^nd                                         Mr Scott McGregor and Miss Ruth Hennigan, West Allington Allotments

3^rd                                          Mr Alec and Mrs Ann Crawford, Beaminster

Small Gardens

1^st                                           Mr Nick and Mrs Jen Tett, Bridport

2^nd                                         Mrs Val Bartlett, Bridport

3^rd                                          Mr Les Loveridge, Lyme Regis

Medium Gardens

1^st                                           Mrs Jane Pinkster, Beaminster

2^nd                                         Mrs Sue Warren, Morcombelake

3^rd                                          Mr Peter Lacey, Lyme Regis

Large Gardens

1^st                                           Mr Jason Smith and Ms Nicola Darby, Mangerton

2^nd                                         Rev. Carole Peters-King and Dr Barry Peters-King, Fishpond Bottom

3^rd                                          Mr Guy and Mrs Gillian Livingston, Bridport

Special Environmental Award – The George Payne Memorial Trophy – Mr Roy Tarsnane, Bridport.  The judges were impressed by his vision to create a wildlife garden that has been carried through with hard work and enthusiasm for over 20 years.

Overall Winner of the Garden & Allotment Competition:  Mr Jason Smith and Ms Nicola Darby, Mangerton

“We are absolutely blown-away at not only winning the large garden category but also being the overall winners.  Our garden is our biggest pleasure, the place where we can both relax and enjoy being outside together.  Through the pandemic we have had time to make a number of gradual improvements.  We have brought the wild back into the garden, and we think successfully merged our classic cottage garden into the surrounding countryside!” said Jason Smith.

Thank you to our competition sponsors for providing prizes – WM James & Co and Chedington Compost.  The trophies were awarded at the annual Melplash Agricultural Show at West Bay Bridport on Thursday 25^th  August.

Our 2023 Garden & Allotment competition will be judged on 20th and 21st June 2023, entries will open soon.