Lots of things to sort out before kick-off at 1pm. The show marquee is filling up nicely with entries for the produce awards. Will my cucumber have a chance this year?
Cauliflower flanked by its life support team. Historic occasion. This was the first time a cauliflower was entered in the show.
The show marquee captured from a different angle. Abi, judge of the art works, is arranging the entries in the children’s drawing competition on the marquee wall.
A quartette of cheerful show visitors. The newly installed steps with bannister are visible on the left.They lead down to the social space where the refreshment gazebo and pic-nic tables and benches are located.
We welcomed Naomi back to be the show judge for a second time. Here she is (on right) presenting Konni (in day-glo vest) with a rosette for her French beans.
One of the top winners is displaying his rosettes. Not only did Nigel collect a chest full of ‘bling’ he also won 1st prize in the “Guess the Number of Biscuits in Jar” competition.
Abdul, winner of the Plot Holder Of The Year 2023 prize looks pleased. Peter, this year’s judge for the award is looking dapper in a Luton Town FC themed hat.
Geoff, site manager, is grappling with the puzzle pieces of tubes and pipes that make up the show marquee. For a self-professed ‘grumpy old man’ he is looking surprisingly cheerful.
Which bit goes where? Could do with a cup of tea and a slice of Janet’s legendary lemon drizzle cake.
New for this show ‘Ask an Expert’ service. “Why are my onions bolting?” “Do beer traps work on slugs?”, “My garlic bulbs are puny, what can I do?” Chris, a plot holder with encyclopeadic knowledge on all veg growing topics is welcoming his first clients of the day into the consulting gazebo.
Tombola staff ready for action. Some interesting items on offer. The potato chip cutter (grey box on right) is of particular interest to plot holders. Potatoes is of course one of the main crops grown.
The new gazebos are looking festive. The white refreshment gazebo and blue tombola gazebo are setting off the view of the town in the valley nicely.
The show crowd waiting for the prize giving to start. But first some uplifting speeches delivered by committee members have to be endured.
Nick, show photographer, took time out from his busy life in Fleet Street to roam around the show in search of new angles to capture brassicas and cakes looking their best. Largest pumpkin in the show is getting a look-in on right.Janet ready to welcome customers to the refreshment gazebo. Table is well stocked with Janet’s legendary creations. The lemon drizzle cakes on the right were snapped up quickly. Next year a double batch needed to satisfy demand.Business was brisk in the refreshment gazebo run by Janet and daughter. Sensible visitors got there early to make sure of a fair share of the lemon drizzle cake. The lemon drizzle cake is rapidly gaining legendary status in Round Green and High Town. It sells out very quickly.A big thank you to Gill’s sister who presented this bench in her memory. Gill put in a lot of work in getting the Stockingstone Road Allotment Association formed and up and running. She was the first secretary of the SRAA. Thank you and condolences to Gill’s family.Produce show judge, Naomi, looking a little pensive. Being the judge is a big responsibility. “Did I judge that jar of experimental plum & garlic chutney fairly?” “Was I too harsh about that kink in an otherwise perfect carrot?”
The Barbies stopped off to pick up some produce en route to the Cannes Film Festival.
What a bargain! A fully functioning two-cubicle toilet block available for a small donation.
Show table filling up nicely. All the produce looking sleek and perfect. It is a beauty competition. What’s on the outside matters on show day.To enter or not enter this butternut squash in show – that is the question.
Stockingstone Road Allotment Association 