Cottonmill and Nunnery Allotment Association

Peter Sheppard became the second CNAA Summer show winner to receive the Silver Ryder Cup on Wednesday 21st January. The cup was presented by Roger Aylett at Ayletts Nurseries and the event was attended by his wife Hazel and many friends and members of the association. Roger Aylett was impressed by the enthusiasm of the association and by the number of members who had came to support.  He was also encouraged by the fact that so many of the allotments have been taken up and that there was now a waiting list for plots. He congratulated Peter on getting 11 firsts in particular.

He gave a brief history of the cup - that it was originally given by Leonard Ryder to St. Albans Horticultural Society of which Roger Aylett was a long standing member. When they went into liquidation they donated the cup to him for his committment to the society. It is inscribed as the “Amateur and Allotment holders Challenge Cup”. It will be displayed at Ayletts Nurseries along with a picture of Peter for the public to view.
 
Peter said that being an allotmenteer was not just about growing vegetables but also about community. Nevertheless, he was immensely proud to have won the cup and had every intention of holding on to it next year!

The gauntlet (or gardening glove) has been thrown down so why not try and wrest that cup off him next year? Now is the time to get your plot into shape and plan the year's crop. Have a look at the pictures of the show (members only) to get some ideas. The newcomers guide has also been updated and there will also be a talk for newcomers in the next few months. Keep your eye on the Events page.