THERE was plenty of spadework for the judges in this year’s Oxford’s Allotment Competition, with more than 70 entrants showing off more juicy fruit and fantastic veg than you can shake a stick of celery at.

Seventy-six entrants, from 12 different allotment sites across the city, entered the competition. Now in its third year, it is organised jointly by the Oxford and District Federation of Allotment Associations andOxford City Council’s parks department.

Judges John Alcock and Mike Kent looked for plots which have a wide range of vegetables all year round, together with seasonal soft fruit.

And the emphasis was strongly on the quality of the crops and overall productivity, and not on having immaculate, manicured beds – although most of the winners had very few weeds!

BMW worker and dad-of-two, Terry Winterbourne, 30, from Rose Hill, won the under-35 age category and was presented with the Standingford Shield.

Mr Winterbourne, who has had an allotment in Lenthall Road for two years, said: “I started after my son Corey, 10, said he wanted to grow things, and it has just gone from there.

“I come up after work and have been really pleased by what I have been able to grow – potatoes to pumpkins, strawberries to sprouts. It all tastes great and certainly saves on the food bills.

“I was told about the competition and decided to enter, but I did not think I would win anything. I am really pleased.”

Winners of the 35–59 age category, David and Rebecca Mead, live in the city centre and have an allotment in Barracks Lane.

They have been thrilled with their new grape crop this year which they will be turning into wine.

Mrs Mead, 46, said: “Winning a prize in the competition was lovely. We love to garden and we enjoy meeting other allotment holders too.

“This year we are hoping to make our plot even ‘greener’ using green fertilizers and also making screens for our grapes out of old plastic drink bottles.”

In the seniors aged 60-69, Johann Guschtscha, 62, from Iffley, impressed the judges with his allotment at the Elder Stubbs site.

He said: “I have had a second place in the competition before, but this is my first ‘first’ and I’m very happy.

“Having an allotment is hard work and you have to put the time in, but the rewards are great; It keeps me fit and each day I get to pick a selection of lovely veg, fruit and herbs and take it home to my wife Barbara, who then creates some lovely meals.”

Judge Mike Kent, 64, said: “This year’s competition went extremely well, with more entrants than last year meaning the judges had to put in two good days of work.

“The fields are thriving and all is well on the allotment front. Now we look forward to welcoming even more entrants next year – and hopefully more, younger entrants too.”

The winner of the Challenge Trophy, the overall award, was Reg Curnock from Kestrel Crescent Allotment Association in Blackbird Leys, who was featured in yesterday’s Oxford Mail.