THE Over Allotments Association held its 10th annual open day last Saturday, July 16, at Moss Bank, welcoming several hundred visitors and handing out prizes.

Cllr Steve Smith, Mayor of Winsford, was in attendance and presented awards for best small, medium and large plots.

John Young scooped best small plot, with Viv and Dave Kettle winning best medium plot and Rachel Manning best large plot.

Rachel was also awarded the Dempster Challenge Cup for overall winner – the second time she has won the prestigious award.

Over Hall Primary School received the Mayor’s Shield for Best Scarecrow, while the first batch of honey from Over Allotments bees also went on sale on the day, quickly selling out.

The association’s charity partners, St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support, also received donations from the event.

Guests of honour on the day were former town clerk Alan Warburton and his wife Angela. Alan was born in a Moss Bank house overlooking the plots.

Alan held the role as clerk from 2007 until his retirement in May, and was invited to officially open the site’s new community function room, the Plotters’ Rest.

John Malam, Over Allotments chairman, said: “Our new building was put to good use straightaway for serving teas and coffees to our visitors.

"It’s going to be the social centre of Over Allotments, not just for present-day plot-holders but for all those who will come after us long into the future.”