Eighteen Gardens and allotments entered this year’s Melplash Agricultural Society’s Gardens & Allotment Competition. The competition was judged over two days by Julie Lamb and Ronald Gow (small garden and allotment winners 2024) and Rev Carole & Dr Barry Peters King (the overall and medium garden winners 2024), they were accompanied by the Society’s 2025 President John Bugler and his wife Jo, and Society Chair, Simon Wakely.
Stewards for the competition were Jackie Seogalutze and Jason Smith, from the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Horticulture committee.
Commenting on the two days, the Society President, John Bugler said: “Jo and I had a very enjoyable time accompanying the judges viewing beautiful and varied gardens. We were impressed by the gardening expertise, dedication and hard work shown by all entrants. The glorious June weather showcased the gardens; it was a privilege to experience the wealth of horticulture talent in our local area. Choosing the winners is certainly going to be a challenging task for the judges as they were all so magnificent… we do not envy them at all!”
The winners will receive their cups and prizes at the Melplash Show on Thursday 21 August.
The prizes are kindly donated by Bridport based William James & Co, the UK’s leading manufacturer of netting and fruit cages and Beaminster based Chedington Compost , suppliers of locally produced and high quality compost, manure, mulch and wood chippings.
Allotments: Winner awarded The Groves Nurseries Trophy
1st – Simon and Alison Ridd, East Street Allotments, Beaminster.
2nd – The Living Tree group, St Cecilias Gardens, Bridport
Small Gardens: Winner awarded the Valerie Bishop Trophy
1st – Jonathan and Dawn Rogers, Bradpole
2nd – Judith Peacock, Litton Cheney
3rd – Debbie Jones, Bridport
Medium Gardens: Winner awarded the Pitcher Trophy
1st – Marion Tocher, Bridport
2nd – Sarah West, West Bay
3rd – Christine Corson, Beaminster
Large Gardens: Winner awarded the Fowler Rose Bowl
1st – Felicity Perkin, Morcombelake
Joint 2nd – Stephen and Sara Griffith, Swyre
Joint 2nd – Julie Harvey, Corscombe
Winner of The George Payne Memorial Trophy – a special award for Best Environmental and Wildlife Practice: Helen Mandy, Beaminster
Winner of the Les Loveridge Trophy – a special award for the most unusual or themed garden: Les Loveridge, Lyme Regis
The overall winner of the garden and allotment competition receiving The Alfie Parker and Jimmy Watts Perpetual Memorial Cup presented by A J C Palmer & C W R Palmer: Marion Tocher, Bridport.
