Forthcoming events
Seedy Sunday
18 March, 11.00–1.00
Swap and buy seeds, and register for our pumpkin and sunflower competitions
Seedling Sale
20 May, 11.00–1.00
Buy all those seedlings you didn't manage to germinate! Including giant pumpkin seedlings for the pumpkin competition
Autumn Social and Produce Show
16 September, 12.00–2.00
The biggest and best of our veg, fruit, pumpkins and sunflowers. BBQ and drinks, grand raffle, children's activities, and scarecrows. Loads of home-made produce - get out your best jams and chutneys!
Past events
Annual General Meeting 2011
The RPA’s annual general meeting at Bullen Hall on Thursday 10th November was well attended and lively.
The item that provoked most discussion was the various options for the seed store building, which range from clearing the site and buying a log cabin to a rebuild of the remaining structure with a pitched roof. There was general agreement that a sturdy structure of some sort is needed for the café and other activities. All plotholders will be given fuller details and costs for the different options next year, and an extraordinary general meeting will be held to decide on our course of action.
Other topics included the re-opening of the waiting list in September, and the continuing success of the cafe and social events. The meeting was reminded of the need for volunteers for these functions, and for contributions to The Plotholder. Bob Trevillion described the changes to the inspection system, which are meant to deal with plotholders who habitually respond to warning letters by doing just enough to avoid termination of their tenancies. A large majority supported this approach.
Click here for a copy of the Treasurer’s report.
The following candidates were elected to the Plotholders’ Committee for the following year: Jenny Bourne (27f, 28b), Alan Buckingham (185), Ashley Catto (A, H), Carol Dukes (77), Kay Gillespie (86f), Gill Hiley (50), David Harnden (152), Barry Houlston (133b), Tricia McLellan (105), Chris Nix (12f, 146f), Martin Scotton (59) and Bob Trevillion (136b, 137).
Prizewinners 2011
Best full plot
- Cup winner Elizabeth and Grey Rigge (plot 83)
- 2nd Ashley Catto (plot H)
- 3rd Peter Caughey (plot 40)
Best half plot
- 1st Julie and David Lainchbury (131 front)
- 2nd Elaine Sturman and Vladimir Gorbatch (plot 187 back)
- 3rd Linda and Bruce McLaren (plot 128 back)
Autumn Social and Produce Show 2011
This year's big annual get-together took place on Sunday 11 September and was a resounding success. The pumpkins were bigger, the scarecrows scarier, the fruit and veg more impressive, and the food and drink more delicious than ever before. A couple of light showers made everyone appreciate the shelter provided by our brand new gazebos and drove so many people into the drinks tent that the beer ran out...
Andrew Hanson from the National Physical Laboratory made a grand job of weighing and measuring entries for the giant pumpkin contest and awarded well-deserved prizes for the largest and heaviest before they were wheelbarrowed away. Prizes for best scarecrows, tallest sunflowers, and best fruit, veg and flowers were awarded by Councillor Tania Mathias.
Take a look at some of the prizewinners in our selection of plotholders' photographs.
Thanks to Jenny Bourne, the Social Committee, the BBQ chefs and bartenders, the cafe volunteers, the judges, and to everyone else who helped make the event go so well.
Competition prizewinners
Giant pumpkins
Judge: Andrew Hanson, National Physical Laboratory
Largest pumpkin
Martin Scotton (plot 59)
Heaviest pumpkin
62.1kg Laura and Abigail Avery (plot 65)
57.3kg Martin Scotton (plot 59)
35.08kg Poppy and Lily Wood (plot 102)
26.87kg Steve Todd and Philip Smith (plot 80)
23.76kg Bethan and Robert Griffiths (plots 84 & 85)
Scarecrows
Judge: Marguerite Pocock
Age 6 or under
1st Patrick Neilan (plot 190) "Love the fingers!"
Age 7-10
1st equal Sophie Eddington (age 10) (plot 10f) "Determination and perseverance by Sophie"
1st equal Bethan Griffiths (age 10) (plots 84 & 85) "A lot of effort, nice ideas, lovely face"
2nd Robert Griffiths (age 10) (plots 84 & 85) "Very elegant, very special outfit"
Age 11-16
1st Alice Newbould (plot 88f) "Lots of effort in the face, very attractive. Love the ballet shoes"
2nd equal Ella Geraty "Good mask and wig"
2nd equal Emily Coates (age 13) (plot 142) "Clever outfit, very unusual"
Tallest sunflowers
Measurement officiators: Jenny Bourne, Alan Buckingham
284cm Thea, Tom and Sylvie Royce (ages 10, 8 and 14 months) (plot 4)
261cm Eva Wilcock (age 8) (plot 129)
245cm Orla Bell (age 8) (plot 42f)
228cm Max Buckingham (age 14) (plot 185)
200cm Jack and Tom Croft) (ages 7 and 10) (plot 73)
182cm Sylvia and Mema Nesbitt (ages 11 and 7) (plot 153f)
Veg crops
Judges: Marguerite Pocock, Martin Scotton
Three examples of the same veg - roots
1st Hilary, Bethan and Robert Griffiths (plots 84 & 85)
2nd Liz and Gray Rigge (plot 83)
3rd Laura and Rob Newbould (plot 88f)
Three examples of the same veg - alliums
1st Laura and Rob Newbould (plot 88f)
Three examples of the same veg - squash
1st Steve Todd and Philip Smith (plot 80)
2nd Boula Rice (plot G)
3rd Denise Warren (plot 142)
Three examples of the same veg - other
1st Denise Warren (plot 142)
2nd Gill Hiley (plot 50)
Five examples of different veg
1st David and Julia Lainchbury (plots 131f and 132b)
2nd Philip Smith (plot 80)
3rd Nick and Janet Baylis (plot 110f)
Fruit crops
Judges: Bob Trevillion, Alan Buckingham
Three examples of apples or pears
1st Nicholas Martland (plot 99)
2nd David and Julia Lainchbury (plots 131f and 132b)
3rd Eve Blackwood (plot 151f)
Five examples of stone fruit
1st Denise Warren (plot 142)
Small plate of soft fruit
1st Helen Turner and Caroline Pritchett (plot 63)
2nd Eve Blackwood (plot 151f)
3rd Hilary Griffiths (plots 84 & 85)
Flowers
Judges: David Harnden, Gill Hiley
Mixed floral arrangement
1st Julia Lainchbury (plots 131f and 132b)
2nd Liz Rigge (plot 83)
3rd Emily Coates (age 13) (plot 142)
Three stems from a single plant
1st Denise Warren (plot 142)
2nd Christine Knight (plot 82)
3rd Liz and Gray Rigge (plot 83)
Mixed herbs in a jam jar
1st Julia Lainchbury (plots 131f and 132b)
2nd Jenny Bourne (plot 27f)
3rd Hilary Griffiths (plots 84 & 85)
Young plotholders
Judges: David Harnden, Gill Hiley
Funny faces or ugly bugs
Age 6 or under
1st Freya Read (age 6) (plot 154)
Age 7-9
1st Robert Griffiths (age 8) (plots 84 & 85)
Age 10-11
1st Bethan Griffiths (age 10) (plots 84 & 85)
Plants in a recycled container
Age 7-9
1st Robert Griffiths (age 8) (plots 84 & 85)
Age 10-11
1st Jack Croft (age 10) (plot 73)
2nd Sophie Eddington (age 10) (plot 10f)
3rd Bethan Griffiths (age 10) (plots 84 & 85)
Annual General Meeting 2010
This year’s AGM took place on the evening of Thursday 11th November.
Bob Trevillion, Chairman of the Plotholders’ Committee, took everyone through the events of the last twelve months. He reported that good progress had been made on installing new water pumps and on negotiations for the repair and renovation of the Seed Store, which burned down in 2009. On the down side, however, there had been several incidences of theft and vandalism on the site during the year – and Bob urged plotholders to be vigilant over keeping the gates shut and not letting in strangers.
Click here to read Bob’s full report.
Our treasurer, Gavin Collins, reported that fundraising was well up on the previous year. This was primarily due to the Seedling Sale in May, the Autumn Social and Produce Show in September, and – best of all - the Seed Store Café, which raised an amazing £2,033.
Click here to read Gavin’s full report.
Jenny Bourne, our Social Secretary, ran through the year’s social calendar. Highlights were the Seedling Sale and the Autumn Social, both of which were well attended, good fun, and profitable. Many thanks to Jenny, her fellow members of the Social Committee (Sue Croft, Joan Fulton, Anne Wingrove, and Gaby Armstrong), and to all the café volunteers (Liz and Gray Rigge, Erica, Kristina, Janet, Helen, and Carol).
Click here to read Jenny’s full report.
Councillor Jonathan Cardy announced the winners of this year’s best plot competition. For the second year running, the cup winner was Peter Caughey (plot 40). See below for details of the other prizewinners.
Eleven members of the existing Plotholders’ Committee were re-elected for the coming year. Ashley Catto decided to stand down. A new member, Scott Hillman, was elected at the AGM.
Click here for a full list of committee members.
The meeting finished with a lively debate about the pros and cons of allowing plotholders’ cars on to the site on Sundays. The issue was not resolved at the meeting, and it was decided that – as the issue affects many more plotholders than were at the AGM – all plotholders should be polled. However, it was agreed that drivers who do bring their cars on to the site should exercise particular care: cars and excitable young children do not mix.
Prizewinners 2010
Best full plot
- Cup winner Peter Caughey (plot 40)
- 2nd Jon Tarlton (plot D)
- 3rd Jo and David Box (plot 160)
Best half plot
- 1st Len Cowking (plot 15 front)
- 2nd Patrick and Susy Kingsmill (plot 191 front)
- 3rd Michael and Caroline Derosa (plot 156 back)
View more pictures in our Photo gallery.
Autumn Social and Produce Show 2010
This year's annual celebration and best-produce competition took place on Sunday 19 September. There was a great turn-out, the rain held off, and there was masses to eat and drink. Proceeds from the Seed Store Cafe, the raffle, and the home-made produce stall will all be used for ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the Royal Paddocks site.
Take a look at our selection of plotholders' photographs.
Michael de Podesta from the National Physical Laboratory kindly agreed to judge the pumpkin competition. Although entries were fewer and smaller than in previous years (probably due to the drought in early summer), standards were still high. Ray Hulm took the prize for both biggest and heaviest. But by popular demand a special award was given to Toby and Lara (plot 79) for growing the "People's Pumpkin", the smallest and prettiest pumpkin of the show.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a success. In particular:
- the Social Committee: Jenny Bourne, Sue Croft, Joan Fulton, Anne Wingrove and Gaby Armstrong
- the BBQ chefs, for their culinary expertise - David, Jem and John.
- the cafe volunteers, who must have wondered what hit them - Liz and Gray, Helen, Sue, Pam, Janet and Anne
- David, Helga and Alan's judging skills
- Joan and Gavin for the raffle
- and all those who helped with the setting out and clearing up on the day
Best veg, fruit, flowers and herbs were judged by Bob Trevillion, Alan Buckingham, and Helga Foss. Prizes were awarded by Councillor Tania Mathias. A full list of award winners appears below, and our Photo gallery features pictures of the winning entries.
Competition prizewinners
Fruit and veg crops
Three examples of the same veg or fruit
1st Boula Rice (plot 47): yellow squashes
2nd Denise Warren (plot 142): black pearl chillies
3rd Hilary Griffiths (plots 84 & 85): swan gourds
Five examples of different veg or fruit
1st Liz Rigge (plot 83)
2nd Julie Lainchbury (plots 131F & 132B)
3rd Barbara Wood (plots 183 & 184)
Flowers
Floral arrangement – medley
1st Julie Lainchbury (plots 131F & 132B)
2nd Boula Rice (plot G)
3rd Hilary Griffiths (plots 84 & 85)
Floral arrangement - same plant
1st Denise Warren (plot 142)
2nd Juliet Levy (plot 23)
3rd Juliet Levy (plot 23)
Herbs
Mixed herbs in a jam jar
1st Hilary Griffiths (plots 84 & 85)
2nd Jenny Bourne (plot 27F)
3rd Liz Rigge (plot 83)
Men only
Display featuring a garden implement
No entries!
Children only
Veggie monster
1st Jack Croft (age 9) (plot 74)
2nd Toby (age 4) and Lara (plot 79)
3rd Robert (age 7) (plot 84)
Veggie bug
1st equal Emily Coates (age 12) (plot 142)
1st equal Poppy Wood (age 2½) (plot 202B)
2nd Bethan Griffiths (age 9) (plot 84)
Plants in a recycled pot
Age 6-10
1st Tom Croft (age 6) (plot 74)
Age 11+
1st Max Buckingham (age 13) (plot 185): sunflowers
Pumpkins
Biggest pumpkin
Ray Hulm (plot 93)
Heaviest pumpkin
Ray Hulm (plot 93)
Prettiest pumpkin/People’s Pumpkin
Toby and Lara (plot 79)
Best plot awards 2009
Each autumn, prizes are awarded to the tenants of the best full and half plots, and also to the best newcomers. In 1931, the then Management Committee presented a handsome silver cup, which has been awarded every year since, even during the years of the Second World War. The name of the outright winner each year has been engraved on it, or on one of the many plinths on which it now stands.
This year's prizewinners were announced and certificates presented at the AGM by Councilor Jonathan Cardy.
David and Julie Lainchbury
Chris Nix
Best full plot
- 1st prize and winner of cup - Peter Caughey, plot 40
- 2nd prize - Gray and Liz Rigge, plot 83
- 3rd prize - Ian Hopkins, plot 30
Best half plot
- 1st prize - David and Julie Lainchbury, plot 132b
- 2nd prize - Len Cowking, plot 15f
- 3rd prize - Caroline Dick, plot 194f
Best new tenant for a full plot
Carol Ager and Bill Royce, plot 4
Best new tenant for a half plot
Chris Nix, plot 12f