He wins every year

[squash63]

One of our plotholders wins our 'Best Plot' competition every year because his plot really is excellent. He is not the competitive sort, his plot is so good because he is a good gardener. However, we (the committee) feel that because he wins every year, it puts others off trying too hard to win because they know they can't compete with him.
We have independent judges from another allotment district and after they chose him last year they mentioned that perhaps he shouldn't be entered again for this year.
Would it be wrong of us to 'eliminate' him - in the nicest, most tactful way - in order to encourage others? Has anyone else had this happen at their site? I would be interested to hear other people's opinions. Thanks.

[beefy]

At work all the schools enter a "Best kept School competition" .If a school wins three years in a row they are not allowed to enter the next year. Maybe something like this could work for you .Obviously you will have to let him enter this year but maybe put it into the AGM next year?

[TPeers]

Ooh! that's a difficult one! Dose he ask to enter or is it an all plot competition like our 'lotties? It might be worth chatting him up and asking him if he wants to be in the comp this year, if you're lucky he will recognise a hint and exclude himself! Although what you then do if he wants to be in the comp I don't know.

It seems unfair to exclude him without some chat - would it be worth raising at your next AGM to change the competition rules so that prior winners can't enter their plots for x years (two or three is good) you could explain that while you are impressed with his meticulous gardening that you feel it is only fair to the other, mere mortal, holders who can't compete on his level! (A bit back-handed but keep flanneling!)

That way there is a chance for other holders but you don't exclude him permenantly and every two/three years he will win and so a sop is provided.

You have a tiger by the tail - run fast!

Terry

[shirlthegirl43]

You could ask him to judge or help judge the contest - that way he would be excluded from entering but would still feel he was a part of the process and his feelings wouldn't be hurt.

[squash63]

At work all the schools enter a "Best kept School competition" .If a school wins three years in a row they are not allowed to enter the next year. Maybe something like this could work for you .Obviously you will have to let him enter this year but maybe put it into the AGM next year?

Ooh! that's a difficult one! Dose he ask to enter or is it an all plot competition like our 'lotties? It might be worth chatting him up and asking him if he wants to be in the comp this year, if you're lucky he will recognise a hint and exclude himself! Although what you then do if he wants to be in the comp I don't know.

It seems unfair to exclude him without some chat - would it be worth raising at your next AGM to change the competition rules so that prior winners can't enter their plots for x years (two or three is good) you could explain that while you are impressed with his meticulous gardening that you feel it is only fair to the other, mere mortal, holders who can't compete on his level! (A bit back-handed but keep flanneling!)

That way there is a chance for other holders but you don't exclude him permenantly and every two/three years he will win and so a sop is provided.

You have a tiger by the tail - run fast!



Terry

Thanks both of you for these ideas.
I think it's a good idea to exclude winners for 2 or 3 years once they have won. We have just had our AGM so it will have to wait till next year now. Thanks for the suggestions.

You could ask him to judge or help judge the contest - that way he would be excluded from entering but would still feel he was a part of the process and his feelings wouldn't be hurt.

Another very good idea, thanks! I wonder if it would work if the winner was always excluded from the following year's competition, but helped to judge instead.

[shirlthegirl43]

I wonder if it would work if the winner was always excluded from the following year's competition, but helped to judge instead.

I don't think anyone would be offended by that idea. Way to go girl!

[Nicos]

You could ask him to judge or help judge the contest - that way he would be excluded from entering but would still feel he was a part of the process and his feelings wouldn't be hurt.

I like this idea too- no-one likes to be excluded, and it would come across more as an extra reward.

[Snadger]

I don't believe what I am hearing here!!

What you are saying is, unless I'm mistaken, you have a guy who is an excellent gardener, keeps a tidy allotment, doesn't do it for monetary gain or enter any competitions, keeps himself to himself, is not big headed, is very knowledeable and because he is streets ahead of the rest of you, you want him to be excluded from a best kept allotment competition because he always wins outright!!!!

You have got to be joking!!

What in cripes sakes is the world coming to???

[kernowyon]

I agree with you snadger

Dont believe in competitions myself, i don't care what my plot looks like as long as the crops are plentiful and tasty

[beefy]

Would tend to agree with you Snadger .If hes paying his dues etc why shouldn't he be allowed to enter.I just quoted what happens where I work as an example as we cant enter the Best Kept this year as we won it the last 3 years .Always next year and it gives me longer to get it into shape for the next time .I want to split a couple of privet hedges and the extra time will help the look when it comes to judging time.

[Alice]

So he's the best. So why can't he enter ? If you really feel he's in a different class from everyone else and has won so many times it puts others off, you could speak to him and explain the situation. You could offer him a lifetime award in recognition of his achievement and a place on the judging panel. BUT, if he wants to enter - then why not. To win, you only have to do better.

[pigletwillie]

Surely people should try to reach the benchmark that has been set rather than lowering the benchmark to suit. If somebody else won it would be meaningless as they wouldnt have won would they.

They would have been second but won by default.

[Alice]

Surely people should try to reach the benchmark that has been set rather than lowering the benchmark to suit. If somebody else won it would be meaningless as they wouldnt have won would they.

They would have been second but won by default.

Absolutely Piglet.

[PAULW]

Quite right Snadger, there are two old boys on our lottie who pass the first and second place back and forth between themselves, the skill is to be able to raise your game and get the better of these two, difficult but not impossible but a target to aim for.

[squash63]

Thanks for your replies, I asked for opinions and I certainly got them! I still don't know what we will do, it's up to the committee to decide but I will tell them what has been said here.