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Leigh’s allotment king, Ian Lythgoe, has
repeated his 2005 and 2006 success by becoming the third-time winner of
the prestigious James Prescott Trophy for the best kept allotment in
Wigan borough.
Lilford digger Ian edged out other green-fingered experts, including
runner-up Alan Cowan of Fir Tree and Ms Owen and Ms McGrath of Tyldesley
allotments who finished in third place.
The prestigious 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.
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.
Winner Ian, who spent years in the shadows of ten-time winner Derrick
Cocker, is more than pleased to pick up the prestigious prize again.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Dave Owen who helped to judge the
competition said: “All of this year’s entrants were particularly
pleasing, but Ian’s was outstanding. He has shown an amazing amount of
commitment to maintaining his allotment.”
Councillor Brian Baldwin, Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and
Culture, was on hand to present the winners with their prizes.
He said: “I am very impressed to see Ian winning the prize again, he
must be very proud. Special mentions must also go to the 2nd and 3rd
place winners whose sites were also beautifully kept. Having a green and
pleasant borough to live in has such a positive impact on people’s
lives, so I would urge the borough’s keen gardeners and allotment
keepers to keep digging in for our health.”
For further information about the borough’s allotments please contact
01942 488550.
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NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Wigan Council’s press office on 01942 827164
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 over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the
opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active.
It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good
citizenship.
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Ground force: Best kept allotment
winner Ian Lythgoe (left) shows off his winning veg to Cllr Brian
Baldwin
Ian receives his trophy from Cllr
Baldwin |