The cup is awarded annually by the committee to the plot holder who is deemed to have the best plot from all of the Society's sites. The committee appoints a sub-committee (known as the cup judging panel). These judges inspect plots and decide on a winner using the criteria listed below. There may also be other prizes, for example:  best newcomer etc.

The criteria the judges look for are:

1.  a neat and tidy plot (no rubbish)

2. weed-free

3. a variety of crops (vegetables, flowers, fruit)

4. evidence of composting

5. collection of rain water

6. other good gardening practices

History of the Tom Bridgstock Cup

This cup was won by Tom Wallis Bridgstock known to his family as 'Pop' in 1913, 1914 and finally in 1921 when he kept it permanently as a three-times winner.

After winning the cup twice, he became a soldier in the First World War and whilst he was away fighting, his mother refused to hand back the cup until, in her words, "the boys come back".

Tom was a shoe worker all his working life and obviously he was a keen gardener in his leisure time. During his retirement he was a cobbler working from his garden shed mending shoes for his family and neighbours. 

He passed away in 1967 at the age of 87.

The cup was donated to our association in 2006 by his grandchildren - Mrs Jan Crick, Mr Bud Bridgstock, Mr Neil Bridgstock and Mrs Karen Parisi. Photo of Tom Bridgstock below.