#  Burley Model Allotments Show 2026 

 

      Written by: Kirsti Smith  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

1. **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.
2. **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.
3. **Best Budding Grower Challenge** (for children 11 and under) — grow and decorate a Snake Gourd.
 
### Vegetables & Fruit

4. Six pods of runner beans
5. Six pods of French beans
6. One white cabbage – over 1½ lb, cut
7. One white cauliflower
8. Two leeks – blanched
9. Four white potatoes
10. Four coloured potatoes
11. Three carrots – tops trimmed to 3 inches
12. Three beetroot (any type) – tops trimmed to 3 inches
13. Three onions, from sets – dressed
14. Three onions from seed – dressed
15. Six shallots
16. One cucumber
17. Two courgettes
18. Two cobs of sweetcorn
19. Two chilli peppers
20. Two sweet peppers
21. Two squashes
22. Marrow – by weight
23. Pumpkin – by weight
24. Any other vegetable
25. Plate of three dessert apples
26. Any other fruit not in schedule
 
### Tomatoes

27. Four standard – red
28. Four standard – not red
29. Four standard – plum shape
30. Eight cherry
31. Two beefsteak type and two standard on one plate
32. Three standard & three cherry type displayed on one plate
 
*Note: plates will be provided, where required, in fruit and vegetable classes.*

### Flowers

33. One vase of mixed flowers
34. One vase of flowers – not mixed – minimum 3 stems
35. One vase of flowers – insect friendly
36. One vegetable and one flower
 
### Jams, Pickles and Preserves

37. One bottle of pickles
38. One bottle of chutney
39. One jar of jam
40. One jar of jelly
41. One bottle of cordial or alcohol
42. One container any other preserve
 
### Baking

Entries will be judged on presentation and taste. Please label entries so we know what they are.

43. Six cupcakes, buns or slices from a sweet traybake
44. One larger cake or roll
45. 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.

46. Flower in a wine glass (glass provided)
47. Photograph taken on the Allotments, max size 10" x 5" (maximum of 3 entries per person)
48. Animal made from fruit or vegetables (or both)
49. Miniature garden in a seed tray
50. Strangest shaped vegetable or fruit
51. Tallest sunflower (judged on plots)
 
### Children's Section (11 and under)

52. Nature or garden picture, painting or photo
53. 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](/community/waiting-list/current-waiting-list).

## 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and a member of the committee will be glad to help.

### 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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