2026 Show

It’s time for the 2026 beauty pageant to begin. The contestants have taken up their positions on the display tables

The 10th Annual Produce Show and Open Day took place on Sunday 6 September 2026, 1pm to 4pm. The weather was sunny and warm with a mild breeze and a few stronger gusts of wind. The effects of the drought could be seen. The number of entries to the show were down. Some produce had ripened too early to be included in the show and some vegetables had not survived the extreme heat and had shrivelled up before reaching maturity.

Judge Rachel at work scrutinising the poise and grace of the cut flowers.

This year Rachel was back as the main judge and she brought Hugo along to act as her assistant. The Plot Holder of The Year judge was once again Peter, who cultivates his garden in the New Town area of Luton. Entertainment was provided by Roger who sang and played guitar.

Assistant Judge Hugo helping Elisabeth with the weighing of the pumpkins. Four entries this year which is a show record. First place was shared by two 7 kilo beauties.
You can see the four pumpkins on the left. In foreground is Sadiq photo bombing with one of his gourds. He never misses an opportunity to show off his gourds.
Roger playing and singing. Beautiful day for outdoor performing. Gave show a festival feel.
Plot Holder Of The Year Judge Peter jotting down his findings with assistance from Mittens (aka Sissy). Mittens often behaves as a pitiful poor abandoned starving orphan. PLEASE NOTE: This is an act to get attention and treats (Dreamies). Mittens has a good home with a loving family in a house backing on to the allotment site.

Activities on the day included:

  • produce show and plot holder of the year award
  • children’s activities – apple pressing and a craft activity
  • refreshments and cakes
  • charity sale of home-made jams, preserves and produce
  • outdoor games
  • Tombola and compost bin lottery
  • Corn Hole tournament

Photos from the day

Apple pressing was as usual a very popular activity for both adults and children. This year is special because a new variety has been discovered in Luton, in Clarendon Road. See BBC: Experts identify new apple from decades-old tree
The catering team was very well prepared. A big choice on display with the legendary lemon drizzle cake given a prime position as befits its status.
A quiet moment at the memorial plaque “Geoff’s Place” to commemorate .Site Manager, Geoff, who passed away on 15 May 2026.
Inscription: Geoff’s Place, Site Manager 2016 – 2026

“Geoff’s Place” is a communal section of the site with seating and tables and space for games and social activities.

Tombola was very popular with every ticket a winner.
Chairman Chris doing the honours at the prize giving ceremony.
A symphony in pink and red. Two heavily decorated winners.
Winner of the Cornhole Tournament was Peter. He is holding up the winning set of bags which are of the size and weight approved by the American Cornhole Association (ACA) but not of ACA PRO standard for professional competition. Classed as ‘recreational’. Peter’s prize was a bag of Straw Mulch.
Compost Bin Lottery was doing a brisk trade.
Three bins of a very classy continental design by “Sartori Ambiente” donated via Luton Council by Peter Ridley Waste Systems.

Two cheerful show visitors resting on a bench in’Geoff’s Place’ with Roger serenading them on guitar from top of bank.
This little pitiful potato took first price in the ‘Ugliest Vegetable’ category. It awakened caring, protective,parental feelings in many viewers.
This magnificent cake was a winner in its category. There was suddenly an influx of people volunteering to help with the judging by giving a second opinion on the taste and texture.
Cornhole Tournament in progress. Equipment not quite up to American Cornhole Association olympic standard yet. Next year it will be perfect.
Happy show winners applauding and cheering other happy show winners.
An interesting entry in the Display Section. May be a giant courgette. About a meter long. Should we add a giant vegetable category for 2027?
Cucumbers grew well this year. The drought and heat did not seem to affect them badly.
Assistant Judge Hugo examining the homemade compost class. All entries of a very good standard.

View the winner of the Plot Holder of the Year award

List of the winners and runners-up in the show

Previous shows 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019 – 2018 –  2017 – 2016