Allotment winners (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Allotment winners

12:00am Thursday 6th September 2012 in Andover

NEW allotment awards are encouraging Whitchurch’s green fingered residents to get gardening.

The commendations – which included recognition for the best newcomer as well as overall champion – were presented to the winners by MP Sir George Young, Whitchurch mayor Jackie Day and former racing driver Jody Scheckter.

Whitchurch Town councillor Mike Kean, who is responsible for the town’s allotments, came up with the idea. He wanted a way for allotment holders to meet each other.

And on Saturday, gardeners and councillors gathered for the awards.

Mr Kean said: “It’s not going to happen overnight but give it another year and everybody will get used to the idea and the quality of what people are growing there will improve.”