Every year, as the runner beans start to lean under their own weight and the first tomatoes blush on the vine, I know it's time to start thinking about the Burley Model Allotments Annual Show. It's the one date every plot holder on our Lumley Place site circles in red pen — part harvest festival, part friendly rivalry, and always the best afternoon of the allotment calendar.
This year's show takes place on Sunday 6 September 2026, with doors open from 2pm, right here at Burley Model Allotments, Lumley Place, Burley, Leeds LS4 2NL. Entry is free, and — as our schedule always says — the more entries the better, so please do enter if you can, whether you've been growing on this site since the 1892 origins of the association or you're tending your very first plot.
What's in the 2026 Schedule of Classes
Below is the full schedule, just as our committee has drawn it up for 2026. If you've never entered before, don't be put off by the formal-sounding class names — half the fun is seeing what your neighbours have grown, and there's a class here for almost anyone with something to show, whether it came off a plot or out of a kitchen.
BMAA Awards
- BMAA Top Tray — the winner is awarded the new Mindy Cup. Two each of any four vegetables, displayed in an 18" x 24" tray. Supports and garnishes allowed.
- Harvest Basket — a bountiful display of 6 or more types of vegetables and fruits, presented in a box (approximately 18x12x10", provided or your own). Flowers and herbs may be used for garnishing.
- Best Budding Grower Challenge (for children 11 and under) — grow and decorate a Snake Gourd.
Vegetables & Fruit
- Six pods of runner beans
- Six pods of French beans
- One white cabbage – over 1½ lb, cut
- One white cauliflower
- Two leeks – blanched
- Four white potatoes
- Four coloured potatoes
- Three carrots – tops trimmed to 3 inches
- Three beetroot (any type) – tops trimmed to 3 inches
- Three onions, from sets – dressed
- Three onions from seed – dressed
- Six shallots
- One cucumber
- Two courgettes
- Two cobs of sweetcorn
- Two chilli peppers
- Two sweet peppers
- Two squashes
- Marrow – by weight
- Pumpkin – by weight
- Any other vegetable
- Plate of three dessert apples
- Any other fruit not in schedule
Tomatoes
- Four standard – red
- Four standard – not red
- Four standard – plum shape
- Eight cherry
- Two beefsteak type and two standard on one plate
- Three standard & three cherry type displayed on one plate
Note: plates will be provided, where required, in fruit and vegetable classes.
Flowers
- One vase of mixed flowers
- One vase of flowers – not mixed – minimum 3 stems
- One vase of flowers – insect friendly
- One vegetable and one flower
Jams, Pickles and Preserves
- One bottle of pickles
- One bottle of chutney
- One jar of jam
- One jar of jelly
- One bottle of cordial or alcohol
- One container any other preserve
Baking
Entries will be judged on presentation and taste. Please label entries so we know what they are.
- Six cupcakes, buns or slices from a sweet traybake
- One larger cake or roll
- A cold, vegetarian savoury dish — this should contain at least one ingredient grown on the allotment
Fun Section
This section is open to growers of all ages, 1 to 101. If you're under 16, please let us know your age when registering your entry.
- Flower in a wine glass (glass provided)
- Photograph taken on the Allotments, max size 10" x 5" (maximum of 3 entries per person)
- Animal made from fruit or vegetables (or both)
- Miniature garden in a seed tray
- Strangest shaped vegetable or fruit
- Tallest sunflower (judged on plots)
Children's Section (11 and under)
- Nature or garden picture, painting or photo
- Face on a plate — created using flowers, vegetables or plant material, ideally grown on the allotment (paper plates provided)
New for 2026: The Mindy Cup
One nice addition to this year's schedule is the new Mindy Cup, awarded to the winner of the BMAA Top Tray class. It's a lovely reason to put together your best four vegetables and give the top tray class a go, even if you've not entered it before.
Why I'd Encourage You to Enter
I say this every year, and I'll say it again: the Annual Show isn't really about winning. It's about the slightly ridiculous pleasure of weighing your own marrow against your neighbour's, the quiet pride of a well-dressed onion, and the genuine surprise of what turns up in the "strangest shaped vegetable" class. Whether you've got a full plot bursting with produce or a single pot of chillies on a balcony, there's very likely a class here for you.
If you're not yet a plot holder and fancy seeing what allotment life in Burley is really like, the Annual Show is a wonderful, low-pressure way to visit. You can find out more about getting a plot of your own on our waiting list page.
Q&A: Your Annual Show Questions Answered
When and where is the Burley Model Allotments Annual Show 2026?
The show takes place on Sunday 6 September 2026, with doors opening at 2pm, at Burley Model Allotments, Lumley Place, Burley, Leeds LS4 2NL.
Do I need to be a plot holder to enter?
The schedule is open to all — you don't need to hold a plot at Burley Model Allotments to enter most classes, though a few, such as "tallest sunflower," are judged on plots and so apply to current plot holders.
Is entry free?
Yes. Entry to the show and to the schedule of classes is completely free, and as our schedule says, the more entries the better.
Can children take part?
Yes — there's a dedicated Children's Section for ages 11 and under, plus the Best Budding Grower Challenge and several classes in the Fun Section that are open to all ages, including children.
How many photographs can I enter?
Up to three photographs taken on the Allotments, each a maximum size of 10" x 5", in the Fun Section.
What if I'm not sure how to enter or what a class means?
Just ask. Advice on entering is genuinely welcomed — contact
How is the baking section judged?
Baking entries are judged on both presentation and taste, so do label your entries clearly so the judges know what they're tasting.
Can I get involved with helping run the show?
Absolutely — the committee is always glad of an extra pair of hands before, during or after the show. Get in touch via