Dig for victory!

Ian Kershaw wins the Andrew Bullough Trophy for the second year running

CHAMPION gardener Ian Kershaw has won a prestigious honour for the second time.

Independent judges declared he has the best plot at Werneth Allotment Society and handed him the Andrew Bullough Trophy.

The father-of-two, of Merton Avenue, Coppice, was the first-ever winner of the rosebowl last year.

The 62-year-old, who is married to Christine, has tended his 60ft by 30ft plot in Werneth for more than 25 years.

He was inspired by Mr Bullough, a legend in his own lifetime who worked his allotment for 60 years until his death last year at the age of 97. Mr Kershaw said: “I’m thrilled with the award. Andrew used to help me quite a lot when he was in his prime. The techniques he was using I’m still using today.”

Modest Mr Kershaw says he tends to his allotment for the fun of it, not competition, and has no ambitions to make it a hat-trick of wins. He said: “I’ve no illusions of grandeur. The plot is quite old so has been fertile for many years. It’s just the time and effort you can put into it.

Mr Bullough was recognised as one of the foremost allotmenteers in the country and won the Chronicle Horticultural Cup 19 times. His son John donated the trophy in memory of his father to be awarded to the best Werneth allotment.