THE judging of the Crediton allotment sites for the first time since before the pandemic was able to take place recently.

Penni Tearle, Chairperson of the Boniface Allotment Association, explained that the allotment competition used to be an annual activity but sadly until now it hasn’t been possible to re-instate it.

She said: “What a glorious summer day it was for the event!

“More importantly we were lucky to have as our judge, Peter Adams, who is the ‘Edibles Team Leader’ at RHS Rossmoor.

“He was joined by Lawrence Weston and Rob Coate, who are ‘Edible Trainees’.

“They formed a great team and worked through the considerable heat for several hours, looking at all 144 allotment plots.

“After shortlisting a number of plots on each site, each of them was scored, based on criteria such as crop quality, layout, pests and diseases, sustainability and biodiversity and general tidiness and presentation.

“This process enabled the judges to identify the best plots on each site as well as an overall winner.”

Penni added: “All three of the judges commented very positively on the standard of many plots, but they were particularly impressed with the exceptionally high level of cultivation and plot maintenance across the Exhibition Road site; describing that site as one of the best they had visited. 

“The overall winner across all three sites, scoring 24/25, was Andrejus Mikuskinas for his plot on the Barnfield site. “The judges noted the innovative approach, excellent crop quality and efficient and tidy presentation.

“There were two winning plots on Exhibition Road site. One was that of Richard Knowles, praised for good use of space, unique design, quality of crops and good range of planting. The other was that of Kayleigh and George Hubber, who are in their first year as allotment plot holders and had made a magnificent start with excellent control of pests and diseases, attention to detail and some very innovative features. 

“On the small Moffat’s site behind the park, Peter and Kay Burks and Jane Staniford who all share a plot, were awarded top prize for their excellent plot; currently full of a wide variety of healthy crops with everything very well planned and maintained.”

She concluded: “These winners as well as others who scored highly will be presented with certificates from the Town Council in recognition of their achievements.”