Show Report
Show Report
Birmingham and District Allotment’s Flower & vegetable Competition Back on track In 2020 covid 19 shut down virtually all horticultural shows and disrupted supply chains but in all that chaos at the end of 2020 there was a surprise, for allotment gardeners in general had such a good growing season and exhibitors especially produced some excellent show material, but there was a depressing sting in the tale for exhibitors not having anywhere to show them. The Birmingham & District Allotment Confederation Show Committee made the decision at that point we would hold a competition for the exhibitors who supported us over the years. What form the competition would take and how it would work under the prevailing covid restrictions was unknown at the time, so we had to plan for multiple options with our severely restricted funds, but the overall feeling of the committee was if we fail to have a competition in 2021 it would be another event lost forever.
In what has turned out to be an exceedingly difficult 2021, eventually the decision was this year’s event would be closed to the public with no presentation or trophies awarded, the event would be smaller and socially distanced for the health and safety of exhibitors and organisers alike.
The setup took longer than normal spread over three days to reduce the time the team were working together. All the heavy lifting was done on Wednesday, final prep & show bench marking out was done on Thursday. The staging we extended to eight hours on Friday to reduce any congestion and with the cooperation and patience of the exhibitors worked perfectly, this was followed by the judging Friday 4.00 until 7.30pm carried out by NVS judge Bob Carr.
Saturday was open to exhibitors and interested parties 9.00am until 5.00pm
2021 climate has made for challenging growing this year, some veg have grown prolifically and other veg and flowers seem to be weeks behind even with these challenges our regular exhibitors supported us again with a excellent display of exhibits, However in every show there is always one exception, an exhibitor who happens to be a life vice president of NSALG, who thought it was a good idea to exhibit leeks that looked more like large spring onions, it must be an age thing. Some of the old hands at exhibiting were given a prod with a very sharp stick by a young lady Nicole Macfarlane who has only held an allotment for eighteen months, but she has shown the potential to be a very good competitor in the future. The standard of flowers was also excellent, the arrangements were amazing especially the display by Yolanda Davis who although reluctant was persuaded to enter and got a first for her efforts. Most points in show went to Terry Pullen and congratulations to all who made it to the show bench and well done to all the winners.
Anyone who has an interest in growing and would like to enter next year’s show needs no experience as help is always on hand and you will enjoy the experience. 2022 Show schedules will be published on the website around March/April www.bdacallotments .co.uk and can be down loaded. Any 2021 exhibitor will be sent a copy by post as soon as the are available.
(You can follow us on facebook @ bdac_birminghamallotments)*
Those without internet access contact show secretary and a copy will be posted.
As Show Secretary I would like to thank the team who put this show together Dave, Barbara, Peter, Anne, Chris & Mick the show committee, Dave Rawlings from Aldridge Road allotments, Stewart and John from Thornbridge Av allotments and Dave Holt and team at Bordesley Green Allotments, as without all their hard work this show would not have taken place.
Derek Cullen
B.D.A.C. Show Secretary