The Woodley Allotments Tenants Association has celebrated another successful year of gardening with its annual best plot competition, which saw entries double compared with last year.
The awards were presented at the association’s summer social, earlier this month.
The event welcomed the mayor of Woodley, Cllr Darren Smith, who presented awards to the competition winners and runners-up.
Originally planned as a barbecue, the summer social was changed to a cold buffet after the council introduced a temporary ban on barbecues at the allotment site due to the prolonged dry weather.
First place in this year’s competition went to Ruth Wilson of Plot B24, who successfully retained the title after also winning the competition last year.
Joanne Beresford, of Plot H15, took second place, while Catherine Hand, of Plot F22, was awarded third place.
The four runners-up were Becky May (Plot A20), Kay Macarthur (Plot H14), Shijo John (Plot J31a) and M Bacon (Plot A21).
Mike McNamara, chairman of the Woodley allotments tenants association, said: “We held our annual summer social, during which we were pleased to welcome the mayor of Woodley, councillor Darren Smith, who presented the awards for the 2026 Best Plot Competition to the winners and runners-up.
“The 2026 competition saw a doubling in the number of entries compared with the previous year, as well as a doubling in the number of people attending the event on the day.”
For first-place winner Ruth Wilson, the award was particularly special after another demanding growing season.
“I’m delighted to have been awarded first place again this year,” she said.
“I really enjoy working on my plot, spending time with supportive allotment neighbours, and seeing my plot develop throughout the growing seasons. It’s really uplifting to have that effort recognised.
“I hope it also encourages others to make the most of the wonderful opportunity we all have with our allotments, whether that’s growing food, flowers, or creating a space for nature, or simply just enjoying being outdoors.”
Ruth also highlighted the challenges faced by allotment holders during the summer, with numerous heatwaves making growing conditions particularly difficult.
“This year has been challenging with the numerous heatwaves we’ve had to endure,” she said, while congratulating the other award winners and thanking the
Mayor of Woodley, Cllr Darren Smith, said he was pleased to attend the event and meet the people involved in maintaining the allotments.
“It was my privilege to go along to the Tenants Association’s summer social to present the best plot holder awards and meet the people that keep this going,” he
said.
“They work incredibly hard amidst very challenging and dry weather, but I was very impressed by the variety of produce, the way the plots are managed and the residents and families that use it. I had a lovely time and would like to thank them all for a warm welcome.”
With participation in the Best Plot competition doubling and attendance at the Summer Social also increasing significantly, the Association says the 2026 event was a successful celebration of Woodley’s allotment community and the hard work of its tenants.
For more information or to join the waiting list for an allotment at the Reading Road site, email: allotments@woodley.gov.uk.
