The annual Cumberland Basin Horticultural Society show, which took place last Saturday (6 August), had residents turning out in record crowds to take part in the highlight of their year!
The sun shone down on the allotments, there was a buzz in the atmosphere and the residents took every advantage to show off their wide range of produce, shrubs, herbs and flowers. Growers displayed carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, sweetcorn butternut squash, cucumber, lettuce, dwarf peas, cabbages, rosemary, lemongrass (sometimes), roses and dahlias. There were even fig, pear and apple trees.
Various categories in which residents could win awards included best allotment, best display, best balcony and best window box, with a judge from the Royal Horticultural Society selecting the winners. Presentations took place in the tenants’ hall and marquees were set up in the car park where the exhibits were displayed.
Liz Peace, Peabody’s board member, presented prizes to the deserving winners. After the show she said: "It was a real thrill to present Mr and Mrs O’Day with the first ever George Peabody Cup for winning the ‘best overall allotment’. They were deserving winners and their allotment was stunning."
David Hannah, chair of the Horticultural Society, commented that The Society welcomed its new partnership with Peabody and said: "We’re pleased Liz Peace could join us to present the first ever George Peabody Cup which we are sure will be the beginning of a long standing tradition."
Cumberland Market’s tenant Ralph Herson, who lives at Windsor House summed up the feelings of many: "I am pleased to see the Horticultural Society is thriving and I would like to thank all the past and present committee members for all the hard work that goes into the show and running the Society. This is the highlights of the year. I am really pleased the allotments are now included as part of the local conservation area."
On the estate there are 43 allotments in all, tended by residents who grow lots of different produce and flowers, which they share with other residents and friends.
On a summer evening, the allotments serve as a social centre where residents can gather and exchange pleasantries while eating the fruits of their labours. Now that's social networking.
Cumberland Market allotment
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