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Digging for Victory!
Leigh man steps out of the shadows to
sweep away allotment prize.
Lilford gardener Ian Lythgoe has edged out other green-fingered
competitors to claim the prestigious James Prescott Trophy for having
the best kept allotment in the Wigan Borough. Having finished runner-up
to ten-time winner Derrick Cocker Ian’s consistency and hard-work have
been rewarded with a first place prize ahead of Susan Lancashire and
Donald Francis.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Dave Woolley who judged the
competition this year said, “I am delighted that Ian is having his
moment in the spotlight. For a long while this competition has been
dominated by Derrick but now Leigh has another winning gardener for
people to aspire to.”
Judges took into account the general condition of the plot, its layout
and tidiness, the variety of crops grown and their continuity. The
condition of any buildings or sheds associated with the allotment is
also taken into account.
Councillor Brian Baldwin Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and
Culture, who presented Ian with the trophy said, “Gardening and in
particular allotment keeping is really booming across the borough at the
moment. It is having a really positive impact in making the borough a
colourful place to live. I understand we actually have a healthy waiting
list for allotments which reflects just how many people are responding
to the ‘Good Life’ factor.”
The competition is named after James Prescott, a keen Leigh gardener who
gave the prize originally to Leigh Borough Council in 1956 to encourage
people to look after their allotments.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release
please contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
For further
information about Wigan Borough’s statutory allotments please call Dave
Woolley 01942 404863.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support Leisure and Cultural facilities, initiatives and events for
300,000 residents across the Wigan Borough.
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