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.

Town Council Presentation

The Society was invited to attend the annual Town Meeting at the Assembly Rooms, along with other organisations supported by Barton Town Council. The Council supported our Horticultural Show to the value of £200.00 last year, and we were asked to make a presentation showing how the sponsorship money was used.

In addition to photos taken by Jackie Lucas on Show day, the display addressed the Schools Potato Competition and the Children's Postcard Art Competition.

The banner, paid for by Barton Lions, was also included in the display.

Many thanks go to Mike and Jean Corlyon for creating the display.

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Following last year's success, Barton Horticultural Show 2025 are pleased to announce:

ART ON A POSTCARD

competition will run again!

If you are interested in entering, please contact your school ASAP for details. Keep an eye on our website for updates.

Here are a few pictures showing some of last year's entries:

2025 Potato Challenge

Cyril and Wendy are once again organising the Potato Challenge Competition for Allotment Plot Holders.

Prizes are awarded for the Heaviest Yield and the Heaviest Individual Potato. A seed potato and bag to grow it in can be collected from Plot 15 from this Sunday, 23rd March from 1.30 - 3.30pm. You can use your own choice of compost and feed.

Judging will take place on 21st June.

Good Luck!

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.