Autumn Fun Day 2024

The recent Allotment Fun Day was an incredible success, drawing in members of the community for a day filled with laughter, games, and a wonderful display of gardening and culinary skills. Hosted on the Allotment Green, the event brought together people of all ages to celebrate not only the allotment community but also the spirit of togetherness that defines it.

The day kicked off at 10:00 AM with excitement in the air. Exhibitors began setting up early, ensuring their entries were on the table by the 9:45 AM deadline. The entries this year were spectacular, showcasing the hard work and creativity of our members. From perfectly grown vegetables to beautifully crafted baked goods, the competition was fierce, and it was clear that a lot of love and effort had gone into each exhibit.

A big highlight of the event was the judging, which we owe a huge thanks to our wonderful judges: Len Lacey, Caroline Kennedy, and David Shergold. Their keen eyes and thoughtful consideration helped ensure the competition ran smoothly, and their expertise was greatly appreciated. The feedback from entrants was overwhelmingly positive, and the judges' remarks were both encouraging and insightful.

Alongside the competition, a wide array of games entertained both children and adults. The kids especially enjoyed the games. The atmosphere was light-hearted and fun, with plenty of laughter echoing across the Green.

One of the main attractions of the day was the tombola, which turned out to be stupendous, as promised! Thanks to the generosity of members and local businesses who donated a fantastic selection of prizes, the tombola stand was constantly busy, adding a great element of excitement to the day.

Another crowd-pleaser was the BBQ, and we have Richard, Emily and Jakub to thank for that. Their grilling skills were top-notch, and the delicious aroma of BBQ filled the air, drawing people in for tasty treats throughout the day. The BBQ was not only a big hit with visitors, but it also added a wonderful community feel to the event, bringing everyone together over good food.

We can’t mention the day’s success without acknowledging the incredible effort that went into organising it. A massive thank you to Pauline, whose leadership and dedication to bringing everything together were invaluable. Her attention to detail ensured the day ran smoothly from start to finish. The support from Abbie and Luke behind the scenes was also crucial, and we are so grateful for their hard work.

The last thanks go to the committee, without their time, energy and positivity there would have not been a Fun Day

It was fantastic to see so many members not only attending but also actively participating in the event. The new format seemed to be a hit, and we encourage anyone with feedback to let us know how we can make future events even better. For those who didn’t enter the show this time, we encourage you to consider taking part next time – it’s a great way to get involved and have fun!

The success of this Fun Day has set a high bar for future events, and we’re excited to keep building on this momentum. We now look forward to our next big gathering – the AGM on November 2nd. We hope to see everyone there as we continue working together to strengthen our wonderful allotment community.