Grow Your Own Magazine

One of our plotholders wins our 'Best Plot' competition every year because his plot really is excellent. He is not the competitive sort, his plot is so good because he is a good gardener. However, we (the committee) feel that because he wins every year, it puts others off trying too hard to win because they know they can't compete with him.
We have independent judges from another allotment district and after they chose him last year they mentioned that perhaps he shouldn't be entered again for this year.
Would it be wrong of us to 'eliminate' him - in the nicest, most tactful way - in order to encourage others? Has anyone else had this happen at their site? I would be interested to hear other people's opinions. Thanks.

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Betty (aka Squash63)
Walsall Road Allotments, Birmingham
www.growit.ik.com

At work all the schools enter a "Best kept School competition" .If a school wins three years in a row they are not allowed to enter the next year. Maybe something like this could work for you .Obviously you will have to let him enter this year but maybe put it into the AGM next year?

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Et tū, quis es?

Ooh! that's a difficult one! Dose he ask to enter or is it an all plot competition like our 'lotties? It might be worth chatting him up and asking him if he wants to be in the comp this year, if you're lucky he will recognise a hint and exclude himself! Although what you then do if he wants to be in the comp I don't know.

It seems unfair to exclude him without some chat - would it be worth raising at your next AGM to change the competition rules so that prior winners can't enter their plots for x years (two or three is good) you could explain that while you are impressed with his meticulous gardening that you feel it is only fair to the other, mere mortal, holders who can't compete on his level! (A bit back-handed but keep flanneling!)

That way there is a chance for other holders but you don't exclude him permenantly and every two/three years he will win and so a sop is provided.

You have a tiger by the tail - run fast!

Terry

You could ask him to judge or help judge the contest - that way he would be excluded from entering but would still feel he was a part of the process and his feelings wouldn't be hurt.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

Thanks both of you for these ideas.
I think it's a good idea to exclude winners for 2 or 3 years once they have won. We have just had our AGM so it will have to wait till next year now. Thanks for the suggestions.

Another very good idea, thanks! I wonder if it would work if the winner was always excluded from the following year's competition, but helped to judge instead.

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Betty (aka Squash63)
Walsall Road Allotments, Birmingham
www.growit.ik.com

I don't think anyone would be offended by that idea. Way to go girl!

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

I like this idea too- no-one likes to be excluded, and it would come across more as an extra reward.

I don't believe what I am hearing here!!

What you are saying is, unless I'm mistaken, you have a guy who is an excellent gardener, keeps a tidy allotment, doesn't do it for monetary gain or enter any competitions, keeps himself to himself, is not big headed, is very knowledeable and because he is streets ahead of the rest of you, you want him to be excluded from a best kept allotment competition because he always wins outright!!!!

You have got to be joking!!

What in cripes sakes is the world coming to???

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

I agree with you snadger

Dont believe in competitions myself, i don't care what my plot looks like as long as the crops are plentiful and tasty

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Kernow rag nevra http://www.cornishnotenglish.com/

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits
Albert Einstein

Just be ordinary and nothing special. Eat your food, move your bowels, pass water and when your'e tired go and lie down. The ignorant will laugh at me, but the wise will understand
Bruce Lee

Would tend to agree with you Snadger .If hes paying his dues etc why shouldn't he be allowed to enter.I just quoted what happens where I work as an example as we cant enter the Best Kept this year as we won it the last 3 years .Always next year and it gives me longer to get it into shape for the next time .I want to split a couple of privet hedges and the extra time will help the look when it comes to judging time.

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Et tū, quis es?

So he's the best. So why can't he enter ? If you really feel he's in a different class from everyone else and has won so many times it puts others off, you could speak to him and explain the situation. You could offer him a lifetime award in recognition of his achievement and a place on the judging panel. BUT, if he wants to enter - then why not. To win, you only have to do better.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Surely people should try to reach the benchmark that has been set rather than lowering the benchmark to suit. If somebody else won it would be meaningless as they wouldnt have won would they.

They would have been second but won by default.

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Kindest regards, David.

http://pigletsplots.blogspot.com/
updated - Thursday 8th January at 2130hrs

Absolutely Piglet.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Quite right Snadger, there are two old boys on our lottie who pass the first and second place back and forth between themselves, the skill is to be able to raise your game and get the better of these two, difficult but not impossible but a target to aim for.

Thanks for your replies, I asked for opinions and I certainly got them! I still don't know what we will do, it's up to the committee to decide but I will tell them what has been said here.

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Betty (aka Squash63)
Walsall Road Allotments, Birmingham
www.growit.ik.com

Snadger, while I see you point of view, try and look at it from the other side - from what has been said this gardener is *so* good and I would guess retired. He spends so much time working his plot, more that other people can. I would guess that everyone knows he is the best but the point here, if I have understood correctly is to find out who else has tried to make a good, tidy and productive plot.

Squash63 didn't say, but it may be that there is no second place, a winner and that is all.

If you had tried hard for years but this bloke was always there first wouldn't you just give up knowing you could never win while he was there?

The incentive of winning an accolade is only there if the fight is fair, agreed, but a 'fair fight' implies a level playing field. Just as no horse race is run without a handicapping system to 'even the field', so it has been suggested for this competition.

Also, bear in mind that squash63 only asked for thoughts and ideas. None of which may be workable in the long run. If you happen to be the type of gardener whos patch is always as perfect as you can manage then I congradulate you - you are better than me.

forget the politics, I want to see pictures of his plot!!!

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Blogging Again at..
http://www.wizer.co.uk

Another victory for PC, welcome to the world of mediocrity

I think he should be allowed in the competition. You have many other competitions for individual crops so everyone can pick and choose what to focus on given the time and effort they put into it. Those who have little time can concentrate on growing a huge pumpkin for instance whereas this chap has time to concentrate on his entire plot. I think its good that you recognise his efforts and the example he sets to everyone else.

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http://plot62.blogspot.com/

Why not try adding another category to competition? For 'Most Improved' plot, or something similar? The old boy prob won't win that, as his is already top notch, but gives everyone else something to aim for. Then if they win that, may give confidence to challenge for best plot the next time. Eventually 'old lad' will re-retire(?!), but in meantime everyone else can be in training by going for 'Most Improved'.

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Sarah

http://www.hypermobility.org


“Tell me one last thing,” said Harry. “Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

On our site we have "best plot" which is part of the best plot in Leicester competition. The winners of each site are also judged to get the best site in Leicester. As you can imagine, the best plot on one site probably wouldnt be even entered on another site for judging the standards vary so much.

We also have the "most improved plot" awarded every year to give additional interest.

The winners on our site last year would have to raise the bar somewhat if they wanted to keep hold of it as other plots are coming on very well indeed.

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Kindest regards, David.

http://pigletsplots.blogspot.com/
updated - Thursday 8th January at 2130hrs