The results are in for the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Gardens and Allotment competition 2023, regarded as the most prestigious garden competition in the area!  The competition is open to all residents within a 12-mile radius of Melplash Village Church and celebrates the hard work, creativity and care that people put into their gardens.  All types and sizes of gardens and allotments are encouraged to enter, this year there were seventeen entries across the four categories:  Large, Small, Medium and Allotment.   The competition was sponsored by William James & Co, Bridport who are giving gift vouchers and Chedington Compost who are giving bags of their compost to the prize winners.

The judges were drawn from last year’s winners:  Kevin Trott (2022 Allotment winner) and Jason Smith and Nicola Darby (2022 Overall and Large Garden winners).  They were accompanied by the Society President, Michael Fooks and his wife Pam, and the Society Chairman, Philip Hardwill.   The Stewards for the two days were Peter Yeates and Cliff Pitcher.

“Having the chance to accompany the judges to such an incredible variety of gardens was a huge privilege.   The approaches that had been taken to overcome the soil, the varying terrain and difficulties of the individual plots was astounding.  Every entrant is deserving of huge congratulations as they all produced lots which any professional would be proud to exhibit. My thanks go to all the entrants and to our judges and stewards.” said Society Chairman, Philip Hardwill

The judges gave comments on all the gardens and allotments that they visited.  Their comments for the winners of each category are given below:

Allotments

1st place and winner of The Groves Nurseries Trophy – Scott McGregor and Ruth Hennigan, West Allington

‘A fine allotment containing various fruit and vegetables aimed at the kitchen garden.  This plot was a good compromise of garden space, chill-out space, and functional allotment.  A lovely place to be’.

2nd Ian and Anne Bark, Walditch

3rd Ronald Gow and Julie Lambden, West Allington Allotments

Small Gardens

1st place and winner of The Valerie Bishop Memorial Trophy – Andrew and Tracey Violet, Bridport

‘Perfection!  Attention to detail is extreme, every plant is perfect, and the lawn is amazing!’

2nd Lois Pearson, Beaminster

Joint 3rd Val Bartlett, Bridport and Alexander Jones, Bridport

Medium Gardens

1st place and winner of The Pitcher Trophy – Alison Waterman and Richard Middleton, Bridport

‘ Very good use of space, colour, and levels.  Good planting and knowledge.  To fit this in with a day job and three boys is an absolute credit to you both’.

2nd Jon and Cathy Harvey, Bridport

3rd Peter Lacey, Lyme Regis

Large Gardens

1st place and winner of The Fowler Rose Bowl – Guy and Gillian Livingston, Bridport

Heaven on the hill, with classic cottage planting on many levels.  Knowledgeable gardeners and well-presented all round.  Very difficult to criticise anything!!

2nd  Shirley Samways, Beaminster

3rd  Doug and Amanda Miners, Ryall

Special Award for Best Environmental and Wildlife Practice and winner of  The George Payne Memorial Trophy – Shirley Samways, Beaminster

The overall winner and winner of The Alfie Parker and Jimmy Watts Perpetual memorial cup presented by A J C Palmer, Esq and C W R Palmer, Esq.

The garden that wowed the judges and was chosen as the overall winner of the competition was the winning medium garden created and cared for by Alison Waterman and Richard Middleton.

When Alison and Richard moved into the house some ten years ago the garden was a complete bare canvas.  Alison, who has always had a love for gardening,  set about creating something special for their family.   She decided on a colourful cottage-style garden, getting a huge amount of satisfaction from growing a vast variety of different flowers including her favourites geums and salvias.   The front of the house is devoted to fruit and vegetables and is known as ‘the allotment’.   It was initially the project of her young sons who were keen to get involved with gardening.

Alison works in mental health and finds her garden the place where she can totally switch off and relax.   Every year she has introduced new elements and is already thinking ahead to next year when she wants to take over some of the lawn to wildflowers in order to attract more wildlife to the garden.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won’” said Alison Waterman ‘We just love our garden and for it to be recognised by others is just unbelievable!”