Allotment Show 2023

While visitors may have come primarily to inspect the prize legumes and lettuces, over fifty of them also stopped by to inspect the Harrogate Civic Society’s own displays, and to learn about its activities. This was a late August Sunday at Valley Gardens, sunny but blustery, where the society is a regular attendee at the annual show of the Harrogate and District Allotment Federation. Several committee and other members were on hand to greet passers-by and to promote the Society’s activities. Judging of the floral offerings seemed to take longer than expected, but while this progressed the locked doors of the Sun Pavilion meant that waiting horticulture enthusiasts had extra time in the colonnades to pick up the Society's heritage plaques guide, a membership leaflet, or the latest newsletter. They could even have gently dangled in front of them one of the new keyrings and-cards which advertise the Society, the plaques, and Heritage Open Days. Of particular interest to many was the programme for the town's extensive commemorations of the War Memorial Centenary. It was fascinating, and sometimes quite amusing, to discover what people wished to talk about. Many were keen to know the Society’s position on the Station Gateway proposals, and some were not shy in articulating their own views on this interesting topic. I fear our friends from Ripon Civic Society, on the adjacent table, must have wondered what all the noise was about! ‘What did we think of the Otley Road cycle path initiative?’ more than a few locals asked. It was pleasing to note that many Harrogate folk knew that the Society’s focus extends well into the present and future, as well as taking a deep interest in the town’s heritage and past. It was a busy and lively stand. Visitors we spoke with had come from as far away as Nottingham, and even New Zealand, though perhaps not solely to receive a keyring! Perhaps a dozen left names or emails, in order to receive more information. We didn’t win any prizes for our onions or dahlias, but I hope we did score top marks in engaging with potential new members and showing off what the Society is all about. Report by Kevin Hales.