Published: Tuesday, 6th September 2022
During National Allotment Week last month, St Barbara’s House, sheltered housing scheme, announced the winners of their annual potato growing competition.
Each tenants had their own pot to grow their potatos, they paid a pound each week and the person with the heaviest crop of potatos was the winner.
To help with the competition Wolseley Garden Centre donated the compost for them to grow the potatos in and Jack Paterson their Plant Manager and Team Member, Clare Wood, came along to judge the competition and weigh the potatos.
The winner of the competition was 81 year old Charlie Keay, who has lived at St Barbara’s House for the last three years. He is going to put the money he has won into their social funds, which has recently paid for a new gazebo for their garden and will pay towards some entertainment this Christmas.
Councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald, Portfolio Leader for Housing, Heritage and Leisure said “The tenants are very proud of their garden, one of them looks after the fish pond, feeds the fish and keeps the water filter clean, and each have their own section of garden to look after. They buy plants for the hanging baskets and tubs at the entrance and in the garden. They also grow runner beans, garden peas, marrows, carrots and beetroots, all of which will be shared out with the tenants when they are ready.
“They have a beautiful outdoor area, it lovely to see them getting some fresh air, which is not only good for our health, but also our mental wellbeing.”
Photo Caption: Pam Corbett - Scheme Manager, Jack Paterson - Wolseley Garden Centre, Charlie Keay-Tenants and Clare Wood- Wolseley Garden Centre