WORCESTER Allotment Forum is encouraging local people to consider an alternative Christmas present for their loved ones:  renting an allotment.

“Having an allotment is a great way of getting some regular exercise, meeting people, and you’ll be enjoying all the physical and

mental health benefits of being outdoors too.

“And on top, you’ll have the pleasure of growing your own fresh produce which beats anything you would buy in the supermarket,” said

Peter Parry, chairman of the Worcester Allotment Forum.

There are over 25 allotment sites available across the city, with plots currently available at several including Bromwich Road, Green Lane, Old Northwick Lane and Hillborough.

Renting a plot is very affordable.  A full plot (one sixteenth of an acre) costs just £59 a year, and a half a plot, which is an ideal size for weekend gardeners, costs just £29.50 a year.

Existing plot holders were recently celebrated at the recent Worcester City Allotment Competition.  The event, which was held at the Guildhall on October 3 saw 240 tenants from 23 Worcester City Council allotment sites pit their gardening skills against one another in an attempt to gain the coveted trophies for Best Full Plot; Best Half Plot; Best Polytunnel or Greenhouse; Best New Tenant with a Full Plot; Best New Tenant with a Half Plot and the Overall Best Site.

The plots were initially assessed by the Forum’s own Mr Dan Robb against Royal Horticultural Society criteria, with eminent

RHS judge, Mr Bill Simpson MBE, ranking the 40 best finalists.  

The winners were:

Best Full Plot: Mr Alan Manton, The Grove

Best Half Plot: Mr Toby Pegg, Timberdine Avenue

Best Polytunnel / Greenhouse: Mrs Ethna Sampson, Droitwich Road

Best New Tenant with a full plot: Mr Paul Johnson, Droitwich Road

Best New Tenant with a half plot: Mr Roger Cale, Comer Road

Best overall site:  Timberdine Avenue 

For more information about allotments and to check availability in your area, go to