Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

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.

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.

Looking for a natural way to enrich your soil and keep your beds moist during dry spells? We have access to free guinea pig manure for allotment plot holders.

Often called “black gold” by vegetable growers, guinea pig droppings are a fantastic, organic soil conditioner:

Superior Moisture Retention: Packed with fibrous plant material, it acts like a sponge in your soil helping hold moisture where your crops need it most.

Nutrient Rich: Gentle, slow-release source of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

Safe for Beds: Unlike raw horse or poultry manure, it is a “cold” manure, meaning it won’t burn plant roots when applied or turned into your topsoil.

Want to Try It or See How It Works?
Fellow plot holder Steve York has been using it on his plot with great results and is happy to share his experience, show you how he applies it, and help you get started.

How to Get in Touch
You are welcome to help yourself to the Guinea pig manure from the bay at the bottom of the car park near Steve Yorke Plot, 67, or arrange a quick chat/demo on site, contact Steve directly:

Phone: 0115 8491526
Mobile: 07907817421

Hi Old Park Farm Allotment Holders.

It was great to see so many involved in the voting of our new committee on Saturday, and I wanted to say thank you on behalf of our new committee.

Secretary: Karol Brier
Treasurer: Anne-Marie Newton
Chairman: Dave Murfet (Plot 56)

Committee Members: Michael Graham, Tom Jeavons, Marcia Nichols, Shaun Taylor, Paul Gibbs, Lorenzo Hines

We’ll keep you updated as we settle into our roles.

Many Thanks
Your New Committee

Hi everyone.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who came down to help at the work party on Sunday 19th: Anne-Marie N, Winifred, Jane, Marcia, Scott, Tom H, Ray and Lisa.

The effort we all put in makes such a huge difference to our site, and it is greatly appreciated.

Additionally, before-and-after pictures will be posted on the Facebook page and hopefully here too.

Kind Regards,
Carol Brier
Secretary
Old Park GHA: Members Co-operative

Good morning, everyone

I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. I am really honored to be your new Secretary for Old Park Farm GHA and I’m really looking forward to getting to work for the benefit of all our plot holders and new committee members.

Furthermore, I would like to thank the federation for coming in to count the votes. A special thanks must go to Steve York—we asked for his help, and he did a brilliant job making sure everything was run properly this time around. I’m very grateful for his help getting us back on track. I would also like to thank Jane for taking the minutes.

However, my main goal is to make sure we all move into this next chapter with a sense of stability and cooperation. I am keen and the new committee to get things running smoothly for everyone, so please do reach out if you have any questions or ideas, you can also keep an eye on our website for the latest updates and information.

Additionally, we have a Facebook page where we can all give friendly tips and advice click on the link  Old Park Farm GHA | Facebook   

For now, while we get a dedicated secretary email and phone number set up, you can reach me directly at karolbrier9@gmail.com or contact me by calling or texting 07903602622. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Kind Regards 

Carol Brier

Secretary 

Old Park Farm GHA: Members’ Co-operative