Loughton Horticultural Show 2026 and Town Mayor’s Best Allotment Awards
Published: 15 September 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Loughton Horticultural Show 2026 and
Town Mayor’s Best Allotment Awards
The 7th Loughton Town Council Horticultural show was staged on Saturday 5 September and proved a great success.
Open to any Loughton resident with an interest in gardening, baking and flower arranging – the afternoon was a delightful and welcome community event. Exhibits included upcycled gnomes, beautiful blooms, an array of assorted flavoured chutneys and jams, home-baked lemon traybakes, and tables filled with prize-worthy fruit and vegetables!
The Best in Show award was presented to Teresa Witham for her entry in the collection of five different kinds of vegetables.
Loughton Town Council would like to extend its sincere thanks to all of the judges and volunteers who gave their time, knowledge and expertise to help make the show such a success.
Visitors were also able to enjoy a plant sale, with a wonderful selection of hardy perennials, and winter bedding kindly provided by Matthews Plants. Teas, coffees and delicious homemade cakes were available, alongside a selection of cakes kindly donated by Cook Loughton. All donations raised throughout the afternoon will go towards the Town Mayor’s chosen charity, Haven House Children’s Hospice.
Judging for the Town Mayor’s Best Allotment in Loughton, now in its 16th year, took place in July across the Loughton Potato Ground, Roding Road and Willingale Road allotment sites.
More than 200 allotments were inspected by volunteers as part of the initial shortlisting process. The shortlisted plots were then visited for the final judging on 22 July 2026 by Ray How and Robin Warner, representatives of the National Allotment Society.
Due to the challenging and extreme weather conditions experienced this year, the overall standard of plots was lower than in previous years. The judging threshold was therefore adjusted to ensure that more allotment holders could be recognised for their hard work and achievements despite the difficult growing conditions.
The prize presentation took place at the end of the Horticultural Show, with Town Mayor, Cllr Stephen Harriman, presenting the awards.
The overall winner of the Best Allotment Competition in Loughton was Stephanie Valente from Loughton Potato Ground. Stephanie received the Best Allotment Cup engraved with her name, along with a replica cup to keep, a certificate and a £25 gift voucher. The judges were particularly impressed by the excellent composting and water collection on the plot, as
well as the wide variety of crops and the overall tidy condition. They also loved the wildlife pond and the creative use of tennis balls to protect the tops of the canes.
The Town Mayor’s Overall Best Newcomer award was won by Megan Bushell from Willingale Road Allotments. Megan was awarded a large shield engraved with her name, along with a replica shield to keep and a certificate.
The two other site winners, Bill Meeson from Roding Road Allotments and Jim Smith from Willingale Road Allotments, were also awarded with small, engraved cups and certificates.
Loughton Town Council would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and everyone who took part in both the Horticultural Show and Best Allotment Competition.
Photos of Winners:
BEST IN SHOW - Selection of 5 Vegetables
Best in Show Winner, (L-R: Town Mayor, Cllr Stephen Harriman with Teresa Witham holding her trophy)
Children's Gnome Entries
Display of Horticultural Show 2026 entries
Best Allotment 2026 Overall Winner. (L) Town Mayor, Cllr Stephen Harriman with winner (R) Stephanie Valente holding her certificate and trophy (with her son centre holding the Best Allotment Cup).
Allotment 2026 Overall Best Newcomer Winner. Town Mayor, Cllr Stephen Harriman with winner Megan Bushell holding her certificate and Shield.