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A REDISCOVERED STAR OF BARTON’S ANNUAL HORTICULTURAL SHOW
During early 2020 the black and white photo above appeared on ‘Barton and Surrounding Village Memories’ Facebook Group. It showed a woman being presented with a cup at Barton’s Annual Horticultural Show about fifty three years ago. The photo was saved by Barton Allotment Society who organise the town’s Horticultural Show each year.
Two years later the Allotment Society launched its website at www.bartonallotments.org.uk
and a brief ‘History of the Allotments’ was included, along with several unidentified
photographs featuring the Horticultural Show. (You can find this photo still featured on the website in 2025).
It was to be another year before the Cup Winner was revealed.
ELSIE DENT was identified as the Overall Cookery Winner, with STANLEY CLARK
(Barton Urban District Councillor) presenting her award. Elsie and her sister Rosina were fierce rivals in the Horticultural Show Cookery section, entering side by side with their Victoria Sandwich cakes (“no cream allowed”), pastries, scones, occasionally different jams, and sometimes even venturing into the fruit and veg sections with their ripe tomatoes! Between them they won numerous prizes for their efforts.
Elsie recalls so many fond memories from the years entering the Horticultural Show but was once devastated to find a judge’s note on her jam tarts! It read “These look shop bought” and, as a result, were disqualified! Now Elsie was very particular. She knew a homemade tart from a shop bought one. She only ever chose her best because if she didn’t, her sister would win!!
Elsie also remembers Mr Newmarsh keeping the minutes, and Keith Hastings, a local
greengrocer, auctioning Show produce at the end of the day. For a long time Elsie worked at Dewey’s hardware shop in Barton, but currently lives in New Holland where she helped run the Tuesday and Thursday village ‘pop-in’ until the church was closed and sold.
Elsie, now aged 90, has been asked to present the 2025 Overall Cookery Prize at this year's 73rd Horticultural Show at the Methodist Church on August 9th. And - she said ‘Yes’!
We hope as many people as possible will come along, not only to enter something
themselves, but also to encourage their children to take part in one of Barton’s oldest running events. Fruit, vegetable and flower sections, cookery, together with the Schools Potato Growing Competition AND Painting on a Postcard challenge – all will be on display.
A full Show Schedule is now available on our website - CLICK HERE.
Printed copies are also available in shops around the town.
Come and say hello to the Star of this year’s Horticultural Show, ELSIE DENT.
Long Service Awards
At the AGM in January recognition was made of two of our plot holders who have this year retired from their plots, and both were thanked for their long service to the Society. Wes Reed held a plot from 2014 to 2024 and served for several years on the committee as Treasurer. Bob Papworth held a plot from 1982 to 2024, was appointed as the Society's first Site Manager, and held that position for over 10 years.
Both men have been intrepid volunteers on site, being part of a workforce that has been responsible for major changes. They will be missed but will not become strangers to the Society as they were also appointed Honorary Vice Presidents at the AGM.
Goxhill Beaver Scouts
visit our Plots
On June 11th 2024, the Goxhill Beaver Scouts visited the allotments with their leader, Becky Procter, and their other Scout leaders. In spite of a torrential downpour the Beavers eagerly learned all about plant biology from plot holder, Christine Andrew. There followed a demonstration by our Committee Chair, Ed Cunnah, of the many different gardening tools available and how they are best used, whilst Colin Andrew educated the boys on the importance of the many different fruit and vegetable varieties he grows from seeds and cuttings. They even compared the smell of lemon balm, thyme and sage with that of a dianthus flower on Penny Thornton's plot.
Well done to Becky and Christine for organising, Ed, Colin and Penny for sharing their knowledge, and about 20 young people for creating an unforgettable evening on the plots.
Barton's Annual Open Horticultural Show
BARTON-UPON-HUMBER ALLOTMENT SOCIETY's
72nd ANNUAL OPEN HORTICULTURAL SHOW
SATURDAY, 10th AUGUST 2024
Lecture Hall, Holydyke, Barton
Teas and Tombola from 2.00 pm
Show Hall opens at 2.30 pm
Join us at this year's Show - the 72nd! Still time to enter:
vegetables, fruit, flowers
cakes, bread, jams
Why not see if you can win a prize! Exhibiting is open to all amateur growers and cooks with a children's section too. Novice section for first timers and help available on the day to make the best of your exhibits.
Print your entry form and check out our schedule of classes together with helpful notes for exhibitors HERE.
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Exhibits welcome from 8.30 am.
Doors close for all entries at 11.00 am.
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Class entry fee: Adults 20p, children free
Barton Carnival
Some delightful artwork was produced by children visiting the Allotment Society stand at the Barton Carnival despite some inclement weather. Entries included flowers, vegetables, animals and nature scenes to name a few, which will be displayed at the Barton Horticultural Show on 10th August. The closing date for entries is 31st July - see below for more details.
Thanks go to our helpers who manned the stand.
BARTON UPON HUMBER’s ANNUAL HORTICULTURAL SHOW 2024
“PICTURE ON A POSTCARD”
Closing date is July 31st 2024
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Open competition for KS1 AND KS2 children sponsored by Barton Lions.
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Local KS1 (5-7 years) and KS2 (7-11 years) are encouraged to enter this free competition. All that is needed is a 6”x 4” (10 x 15cm) standard sized postcard – with your own artwork on one side. Name, age and parents agreed contact number on the reverse.
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​​The art work can be in pencil, crayons, watercolour painting or felt tip pens and must show either any
EDIBLE PLANT OR FLOWER, or WILDLIFE IN A GARDEN, PARK
or A VIEW OF AN ALLOTMENT PLOT.
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Entries can be posted to: “Picture on a Postcard” Organisers, c/o 62 Queens Avenue, Barton upon Humber, DN18 5QN.
Judging will take place at this year’s 72nd Annual Horticultural Show, on Saturday, August 10th, inside Trinity Methodist Church.
Further details will be available on www.bartonallotments.org.uk
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Both age groups will have prize money of 1st - £15, 2nd -£10 & 3rd - £5. One overall winner will receive a special award.
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All postcards will be displayed together at Trinity Methodist Church on August 10th, and later at other venues around town.
Next year’s Show Schedule will feature the winning art.
Ropewalk Garden Day
A very creditable effort once again at this year's Ropewalk Garden Day with a valuable contribution to funds of £438.40. Visitor numbers were high, no doubt helped by the excellent weather.
Thanks go to everyone for your kind donations and help on the day.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to our Secretary, Neil Jacques, who became Mayor of Barton on 1st May 2024.
Neil and Monica at their Ropewalk stall in aid of the Mayor's charities
And congratulations also go to Committee Member Colin Andrew who received the Barton upon Humber Town Award for his voluntary work with the Allotment Society as well as Water's Edge, Far Ings Nature Reserve, The Ropewalk and Friends of the Barton Line.
Open Gardens - 29th and 30th June
2pm to 5pm
As part of the Barton Open Gardens event the allotment plots will be open to visitors. Plot holders will be available to talk about their plots and varied methods of growing vegetables, fruit and flowers. Our new waterless toilet is also available for viewing and use!
Current plot holders are also encouraged to take advantage of this event and visit each others allotments to exchange ideas and pass on tips.
2024 Potato Challenge Judging - 22nd June
Hopefully everyone's potatoes are growing well! Don't forget there are prizes to be won for the the heaviest single potato and the heaviest total yield.
Judging will take place on 22nd June from 1.30 to 3.30 p.m. on Plot 15. Potatoes must be presented for weighing still in the bag with the tops removed. If you can't get there you can leave your bag with the tops cut off and clearly labelled at the top of Plot 15.
Charles Dowding Newsletter - new season
As the new gardening season starts, we are pleased once again to have Charles Dowding's weekly newsletter on our website. Lots of growing information and weekly job suggestions together with advice and information on No Dig gardening.
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You can find it on our website in the Plot Life section. Just click on "Past Issues."
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New growth on Hedge Boundary
The work to complete the refurbishment of the Allotment site boundaries has now been completed thanks to the hard work of both committee members, plot holders and volunteers.
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Much debris from both sides of the hedge has been cleared and many saplings planted to fill in the gaps. The saplings planted during the autumn work are already showing good signs of growth as can be seen in the photograph.
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During the autumn, after over 10 years as Site Manager, Bob Papworth decided that he needed to hang up his wellies! Although he intends to continue helping out, he wanted to relinquish the role of Site Manager as it was becoming too time consuming.
Over these past ten years Bob has worked tirelessly to maintain the upkeep of the entire site, undertaking a variety of tasks such as keeping the main shed and gates in good order and ensuring the drive was weed free and level. However, one of his most significant duties was monthly plot checks to assess whether plot holders were adhering to the society’s rules. This was no mean feat and often resulted in challenging circumstances to resolve.
Bob always undertook his role with constant hard work, good humour and fairness. His oversight will be sorely missed!!
I
During the autumn, after over 10 years as Site Manager, Bob Papworth decided that he needed to hang up his wellies! Although he intends to continue helping out, he wanted to relinquish the role of Site Manager as it was becoming too time consuming.
Over these past ten years Bob has worked tirelessly to maintain the upkeep of the entire site, undertaking a variety of tasks such as keeping the main shed and gates in good order and ensuring the drive was weed free and level. However, one of his most significant duties was monthly plot checks to assess whether plot holders were adhering to the society’s rules. This was no mean feat and often resulted in challenging circumstances to resolve.
Bob always undertook his role with constant hard work, good humour and fairness. His oversight will be sorely missed!!
I