Competitions
A number of competitions take place each year. Entry dates for the coming year are shown in the competitions calendar.
Points are awarded in these competitions and the gardener with the highest total points is awarded the Ken Bowskill Victor Ludorum Trophy. (This page also shows how the points are awarded).
External Competitions
We also enter the BDAC (Birmingham and District Allotment Confederation) competitions for Best Plot and compete for the Thorpe Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the Best Site in Birmingham. We won this competition in 1992,1998, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014 & 2015 and were runners-up in 2016
POTATO & SUNFLOWER COMPETITIONS
These are the first of our annual competitions to commence. A specific variety of potato for the competition is selected each year and along with other varieties for general cultivation are available from late February. To enter please pay a fee of 50p, collect 3 No seed potatoes and marker stick from the store shed, make sure you have entered your name on the entry schedule, plant them and await the results. Although most competitors will plant in the ground you can of course grow them in barrels or sacks.
Usually the entries are lifted and weighed by committee members on the 2nd weekend in September and approximately a week before you will receive an email asking you to confirm you haven’t lifted them by mistake , still wish to take part and that they are clearly marked. If you do not reply it is assumed you do not wish to continue.
Sunflower seeds are available from mid March. The variety selected each year is based on the suppliers promise of “ superb growth etc” , however you can use seed of your choice ( you still have to pay your entry fee). To enter please pay a fee of 50p per entry, collect 3 No seeds from the store shed, make sure you have entered your name on the entry schedule, plant them and ensure you have plenty of support materials available for when you need them.
This year following the withdrawal of the Pumpkin competition it was decided to include a “ biggest sunflower head” category. Entering the tallest sunflower competition doesn’t automatically include entry to this, so it’s another 50p and another entry on the schedule.
1st of July is the latest date that you can enter any sunflower competition. Heights will be measured during the 1st weekend of September and head diameters the following weekend. On this occasion entrants will be required to cut off and bring the head(s) to the store shed for measuring on Sunday between 11.00am & 12.00.
Winners trophies and certificates will be presented to those attending our Awards and Plot Luck Supper Night in late September.
Our website will confirm when seed potatoes, sunflower seeds are available. If you are unable to attend the store shed on these dates please contact any committee member who will be able to help. Look out for the red flag on their plot.
Occasionally potatoes fail to sprout and sunflower seeds don’t germinate, should this happen free replacements are available whilst stocks last. Please speak to a committee member.
How you cultivate your entry is a personal choice, rumours of night time ceremonies, chanting and the casting of weird spells ( usually on a competitor) cannot be commented on.
John Mills 16 Jan 2018