Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

Upcoming Allotment Events Calendar

• Woodthorpe Park Community Event
  • Date: Saturday, 12th September 2026
  • Location: Woodthorpe Park
  • Details: Come along, support our neighbouring community, and get inspiration for your own plots ahead of our big harvest weekend!

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Homemade cake and cupcakes baked by Marcia

A big thank you to everyone who joined us outside the polytunnel for our Coffee Morning. It was a great turnout, and wonderful to

see so many members enjoying the sunshine and catching up together.

Special thanks to Marcia for providing the delicious cake and cupcakes.

Next Coffee Morning: Only 50p!

Marcia has kindly offered to bake a chocolate cake for the next one!

Tea, coffee, and cake will be just 50p to cover supplies and raise funds for Old Park Farm GHA: Members Co-operative

Keep an eye on the noticeboard and website for the next date!

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Old Park Allotments: Members Co-operative The Open Day Harvest Show & Sizzling Barbecue

Event Schedule & Details

• Date: Saturday, 26th September 2026
• Location: The Polytunnel & Site Car Park
• Staging Opens: 11:00 AM
• Entries Close: 12:45 PM Sharp
• Judging Commences: 1:00 PM
• Admission: Free Entry — all members, family, and friends welcome!
• Rule: Any class with only 1 entry will be voided.

How to Enter in 3 Easy Steps

1. Choose what you want to enter: Pick anything you have grown on your plot that matches the categories below. You can enter as many classes as you like!
2. Bring your crops (11:00 AM – 12:45 PM): Bring them to the staging tables in the Polytunnel. Entry cards and paper plates will be provided for you.
3. Enjoy the Show & BBQ (From 1:00 PM): Judging starts at 1:00 PM. Once the winners are chosen, the barbecue opens, awards are presented, and the raffle is drawn.

Simple Rules to Remember

• All produce and flowers must be grown on your own plot at Old Park Farm.
• For sets (like 3 carrots or 5 potatoes), try to pick items that match in size and shape.
• If only 1 person enters a specific class, that class cannot be judged.
• Class 26 (The Biggest Disaster): Anyone can enter! Bring your wonkiest carrot, two-headed tomato, or funny crop failure for a laugh.

Section 1: Roots, Bulbs & Alliums

• Class 1: Beetroot (Round) – 3 specimens (60–75mm)
• Class 3: Carrots – 3 specimens (straight tapers)
• Class 5: Beetroot (Long) – 3 specimens (approx. 150mm)
• Class 7: Leeks – 3 specimens (solid, parallel blanch)
• Class 10: Onions – 3 specimens (red or white)
• Class 10A: Best Root Trio – 1 parsnip, 1 carrot, 1 potato/leek
• Class 11: Parsnips – 3 specimens (even taper)
• Class 14: Potatoes – 5 specimens (200–250g)
• Class 17: Shallots – 6 specimens (thin necks, tied)
• Class 22: Swede / Turnip – 1 single root
• Class 23: Garlic – 3 bulbs (tied over)

Section 2: Vines, Greens & Brassicas

• Class 2: Cabbage – 1 solid head (short stem)
• Class 4: Cauliflower – 1 close, solid white head
• Class 6: Cucumber – 1 fresh, straight specimen
• Class 8: Lettuce – 1 clean head (staged in water)
• Class 12: Chillies (Hot) – 3 specimens with stalks
• Class 13: Sweet Peppers – 3 firm specimens with stalks
• Class 16: Runner / French Beans – 6 matched, tender pods
• Class 18: Sweetcorn – 2 well-set cobs
• Class 19: Beef Tomatoes – 3 ripe specimens (75mm+ with stalks)
• Class 20: Medium Tomatoes – 6 ripe specimens (approx. 60mm with stalks)
• Class 21: Cherry Tomatoes – 9 ripe specimens (35mm or less with stalks)
• Class 24: Culinary Herbs – 1 fresh pot or staged bunch

Section 3: Giants, Fruits & Novelty Crops

• Class 9: Marrow (Table) – 1 specimen (under 350mm)
• Class 9A: Heaviest Marrow – Monster scale (heaviest wins)
• Class 15: Pumpkin (Table) – 1 specimen (even shape)
• Class 15A: Heaviest Pumpkin – Giant scale (heaviest wins)
• Class 16A: Longest Runner Bean – Tip-to-tip measurement
• Class 25: Winter / Summer Squash – 1 specimen
• Class 27: Other Large Veg – 1 specimen (e.g. aubergine, kale)
• Class 28: Other Medium Veg – 3 specimens (e.g. okra, fennel)
• Class 29: Other Small Veg – 6 specimens (e.g. radishes, peas in pod)
• Class 30: Other Large Fruit – 1 specimen (e.g. melon, peach, plum)
• Class 31: Other Small Fruit – 1 plate of soft berries
• Class 32: Apples / Pears – 3 specimens (single or mixed variety)

Section 4: Flowers & Novelty Awards

• Class 33: Specimen Single Bloom – 1 star stem (dahlia, gladioli, rose, chrysanthemum)
• Class 34: Vase of 3 Flowers – 3 blooms of one species
• Class 35: Vase of 6 Flowers – 6 blooms of one species
• Class 36: Best Mixed Bunch – Cottage garden bunch in a 5-inch vase
• Class 26: The Biggest Disaster! – Funniest wonky vegetable or crop failure

Community Barbecue, Tea Tent & Raffle

• Hot food straight off the barbecue after judging finishes.
• Tea, coffee, and homemade cakes available on-site.
• BYOB Welcome: Bring your own beer, wine, or cider.
• Harvest raffle draw with gardening hampers and prizes.

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NOTICE OF MEMBERS’ QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING

• Date: Saturday, 5th September 2026
• Time: 10:30 AM
• Location: Association Hut / Polytunnel

Plot holders invited to attend.

Meeting Agenda:

Welcome & Apologies

Minutes of Last General Meeting (19th July 2026)

Site & Committee Updates:

Plot Inspections & Lettings

Water Storage & Tanks

Borrowing Site Machinery & Safety

Site Maintenance

Member Items

Any Other Business (AOB)

Want to add a topic to the agenda?

Send your item (with your name & plot number) to opfgha.secretary@gmail.com or hand it to a committee member.

Deadline: 5:00 PM on Friday, 28th August 2026.

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