The results are in for the Melplash Agricultural Society's Gardens and Allotment competition 2023, regarded as the most prestigious garden competition in the area. 

The competition is open to all residents within a 12-mile radius of Melplash village church and celebrates the hard work, creativity and care that people put into their gardens. 

All types and sizes of gardens and allotments are encouraged to enter, with 17 entries received across four categories this year, including large, small, medium gardens and allotments.  

The competition was sponsored by William James & Co in Bridport, which offered gift vouchers as prizes, and Chedington Compost, which donated bags of their compost to the prize winners.

The judges were drawn from last year's winners: Kevin Trott (2022 Allotment winner) and Jason Smith and Nicola Darby (2022 Overall and Large Garden winners). 

They were accompanied by Melplash Agricultural Society president, Michael Fooks, and is wife Pam, and the society chairman, Philip Hardwill.  

The stewards for the two days were Peter Yeates and Cliff Pitcher. 

Mr Hardwill said: "Having the chance to accompany the judges to such an incredible variety of gardens was a huge privilege.  

"The approaches that had been taken to overcome the soil, the varying terrain and difficulties of the individual plots was astounding. 

"Every entrant is deserving of huge congratulations as they all produced lots which any professional would be proud to exhibit.

"My thanks go to all the entrants and to our judges and stewards."

Winners were announced as follows:

Allotments 

1st place and winner of The Groves Nurseries Trophy – Scott McGregor and Ruth Hennigan, West Allington 

Judges commented: "A fine allotment containing various fruit and vegetables aimed at the kitchen garden. This plot was a good compromise of garden space, chill-out space, and functional allotment. A lovely place to be"

2nd Ian and Anne Bark, Walditch 

3rd Ronald Gow and Julie Lambden, West Allington Allotments

Small Gardens

1st place and winner of The Valerie Bishop Memorial Trophy - Andrew and Tracey Violet, Bridport 

Judges commented: "Perfection! Attention to detail is extreme, every plant is perfect, and the lawn is amazing!"

2nd Lois Pearson, Beaminster 

Joint 3rd Val Bartlett, Bridport and Alexander Jones, Bridport 

Medium Gardens

1st place and winner of The Pitcher Trophy - Alison Waterman and Richard Middleton, Bridport

Judges commented: "Very good use of space, colour, and levels. Good planting and knowledge. To fit this in with a day job and three boys is an absolute credit to you both."

2nd Jon and Cathy Harvey, Bridport 

3rd Peter Lacey, Lyme Regis 

Large Gardens 

1st place and winner of The Fowler Rose Bowl - Guy and Gillian Livingston, Bridport

Heaven on the hill, with classic cottage planting on many levels. Knowledgeable gardeners and well-presented all round. Very difficult to criticise anything!!

2nd Shirley Samways, Beaminster

3rd Doug and Amanda Miners, Ryall 

Special Award

Special Award for Best Environmental and Wildlife Practice and winner of The George Payne Memorial Trophy - Shirley Samways, Beaminster

Overall Winner 

The garden that wowed the judges and was chosen as the overall winner of the competition was the winning medium garden created and cared for by Alison Waterman and Richard Middleton.  

Judges commented: "When Alison and Richard moved into the house some ten years ago the garden was a complete bare canvas. Alison, who has always had a love for gardening, set about creating something special for their family.  

"She decided on a colourful cottage-style garden, getting a huge amount of satisfaction from growing a vast variety of different flowers including her favourites geums and salvias.  

"The front of the house is devoted to fruit and vegetables and is known as 'the allotment'.  It was initially the project of her young sons who were keen to get involved with gardening.  

"Alison works in mental health and finds her garden the place where she can totally switch off and relax.  Every year she has introduced new elements and is already thinking ahead to next year when she wants to take over some of the lawn to wildflowers in order to attract more wildlife to the garden.  

Alison said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have won. We just love our garden and for it to be recognised by others is just unbelievable!"