Strong competition at Howick's show

Flower show season is here again. An event that offers the opportunity to catch up with gardening acquaintances in a social setting, discuss the vagaries of the weather and hopefully view top quality plants.

- BY TOM PATTINSON

For this fellow, there's an element of nostalgia at each venue, mingled with the satisfaction that a top social occasion of the 19th century survives in an environment of 21st century technology.

On July 27, Judy and I were judging at Howick Show which is staged in the village hall.

It's small by Warkworth and Glendale standards, both of which are held this month, but big in atmosphere.

The heady combination of fruit, vegetables, cookery, jams, knitting, photographs and children's section, were all there as you'd expect, so too was the all-important competitive element.