Our Open Day, 50th anniversary celebration, and Association prize-giving social, held on 2 September 12-6 pm, was a great success, with food, fun, socialising, prizes, lovely plots to visit, and a fantastic 50 shaped pair of cakes, won by visitors in a guess the weight competition.

Over 200 people came along to celebrate 50 years of gardening on the site and to admire this year's prize-winning plots and vegetables. They enjoyed the food, and having a look around and chatting to other gardeners. They bought jam and allotment honey, looked at the allotment photo display, took part in quizzes and games to win prizes, picked up free gardening info, and their children enjoyed the treasure hunt, quizzes and facepainting.

Peter Moore, who won first prize in the Hoxton Manor branch competition, said: 

I was very pleased to have won. I have the lovely trophy from Walthamstow Stadium in pride of place, together with the trophy passed on to me by the winner for the last two years, Roger Drapper, and I was delighted that he was the first to congratulate me. As a flat dweller I treat my allotment like a garden rather than a traditional allotment, with flowers as well as vegetables. I like to encourage wildlife, and this year I had newts and frogs in my pond and blue tits in my nesting box.

The trophies were engraved by Walthamstow Stadium who also provided four beautiful glass plaques for winners to keep, and a brand-new third prize trophy, won by Peter Aiano. Dot Kirk won second prize, and Ali Turkak Best Newcomer.

Georgina Sultan, plot holder at Hoxton Manor allotments for several years, said:

When I realised it was the 50th anniversary of the allotment site, I decided to make a special cake, a rich fruit cake and I designed it in the shape of a five and a zero with marzipan vegetables and flowers. I really enjoyed the day, I thought it was a very good party. A lot of people came, some of my friends from Hackney and even from south London.

Zilah Thompson, who came along with Sidney Streete from Low Hall Farm allotment site, guessed correctly the weight of the '0', and said:

I was very happy to win the cake. I make cakes myself so I can see that this was a really good one. It was a lovely day, and I enjoyed looking round the gardens at the flowers and vegetables.