A selection of Oldham’s best gardeners have been celebrated for their efforts towards their allotments in the borough.
On Tuesday (November 14), the results of this year’s annual allotment presentation were announced in an event hosted by the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Zahid Chauhan.
The competition, which has been running in the borough since before the Second World War back in 1938, is dedicated to highlighting the work of local residents with the best plots.
The winner of this year’s event was taken by Ian Pratt as he picked up the cup for first prize.
Ian, who holds an allotment in Heyside, has been working on his plot for more than 48 years and regularly grows the likes of cabbages, turnips and tomatoes as a hobby along with his wife, Hilary.
Mike and Jan Aston of Fernhurst Allotments in Chadderton took second place, while Michael Jeffery came third on behalf of Oakbank Allotments.
The Oldham Corporation Cup, an award given to the borough’s best allotment site, was presented to Chadderton’s Fernhurst Allotment, with gardening duo Jenny Widdall and Mike Aston collecting the spoils on behalf of their wider group.
The awards were presented in the Mayor’s Parlour and, speaking after the event, Cllr Chauhan said: “Our borough has some of the best green spaces around and our local allotments, and the hard work carried out by those who care for these plots, is what helps to make Oldham such a clean and pleasant environment.
“I want to once again congratulate this year’s winners for the amazing work they have done over the last 12 months and more widely to all of our allotment owners across Oldham for the wonderful work they do.”
Reflecting on his first prize win, Ian added: “I'm very pleased, I've worked hard but everybody who has come here tonight has worked very hard too.
"It's been a very good year for growing stuff. People say the weather has been terrible but it hasn't, it's been spot on and when you're out in the fresh air, you can't beat that."
Ian, who has been into gardening since the age of eight when he took an interest in his school allotment, revealed he walks six miles a day on average to attend to his plot.
He said: "It's a mile from home, so I usually go up in the morning and do a few bits, then I come home for lunch, go back up in the afternoon then head home for dinner and I'm back again after that to close down.
"Our allotment site is only small but everybody gets on so well with each other and it's a real community, it's a good life."
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