GROW-YOUR-OWN enthusiasts in Winsford are getting ready for a full year of celebrations as their beloved allotments turn 100 years old.

Over Allotment Site's 60 veg plots are a thriving oasis for green fingered Winsfordians, and have been giving the towns growers joy since they were first established by Winsford Urban District Council in 1924.

This year will see member of Over Allotment and Lesiure Gardeners Association, who run the site, pulling out all the stops to make sure their centenary year is one to remember. 

Over Allotments Site came into being when the council bought a field on Moss Bank from local squire, William Stubbs, for £400, to give townspeople a means of growing their own food.  

Northwich Guardian: The original tenants of Over Allotments Site when it was first established in 1924 The original tenants of Over Allotments Site when it was first established in 1924 (Image: Becky Edwards)The current tenants have big plans to their 100th birthday, including a grand public open day in July, a special centenary veg growing contest and barbeque in August, and they’ve even entered a design for their own bed at this year's RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. 

Committee member and official Over Allotments beekeeper, Becky Edwards, said: “It’s our big year this year, and we’ve got tonnes of great things happening.

“It’s 100 years since the allotments were handed over to the people of Winsford, and as far as we're concerned, that's a huge cause for celebration. 

Northwich Guardian: Members of Over Allotment and Leisure Gardeners AssociationMembers of Over Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Association (Image: Becky Edwards)

“We’ve started off the year really positively. We’ve just launched our brand new website, and we’ve replaced the floor in the Potter’s Rest, which is our communal indoor area.

“It’s a really important place for members as its where you get to meet the other growers, which means you can share tips, seedlings, and generally find out everything that’s been going on.  

“We’d love as many people as possible to come along to the open day on Saturday, July 27.

“I remember when I was on the waiting list and I was so keen to get a plot. When I went to the open day, it gave me such a buzz.

Northwich Guardian: The site's open days include all kinds of stalls, games, and comptitions, and are a great day out for all the family The site's open days include all kinds of stalls, games, and comptitions, and are a great day out for all the family (Image: Becky Edwards)

“It’s a perfect opportunity for people to come and look around the allotments and see what it’s all about.

“We’re trying to create a really nice day out for the people of Winsford and the surrounding areas. We're always conscious of keeping the cost down and making it all about the community.”

Perhaps the highlight of the year for the allotmenteers – if their design is successful – will be their proposed bed at the RHS Flower Show in Tatton Park.

Called ‘A Gourd Time’, it was designed by one of the Association's youngest members, 19-year-old Harry Dean. 

Northwich Guardian: Over growers can take their annual veg competition quite seriouslyOver growers can take their annual veg competition quite seriously (Image: Becky Edwards)

Becky added: “We’re so proud of young Harry. It was his idea to submit a design to Tatton, which he’s done.

“He has a team of people all waiting in the wings to help him if his design is accepted, but everyone on site will be able to help with growing the plants he’s planning to use.

“There’s going to be a bit of everything in it, but there’ll have to be some squashes and pumpkins in there with a name like that.”

“If his design is accepted, that’ll be the icing on the cake and really make our centenary year extra special.”