Ryton potato day

[Meg]

Well where was everyone. We should have planned a recognition thing. I went and spoke to one of the stall holders asking them if they went on this site. Big red face as they looked at me as though I was from Mars (what's new there then) And they gave me a big packet of crisps because they obviously thought I was deranged and I would go away peacfully!!!!
Got loads of seed tatties. No blue types at all this year!
But got:
Mimi, rooster, duke of york, international kidney (jersey), royal kidney, picasso, belle de fontaine, pink apple fur, merli, majestic.
Earlies are chitting in my bed room and lates in daughter's quite apropriate really.
Can't wait know.
So sorry I didn't recognise anyone but I did try any one want a crisp???

[Meg]

[Gardenantics]

Hi Maggie,

Sorry to have missed you, I was on the stand over the other side by the Pay Counters, with my exhibition stand full of labels. We had an Allotments 4 All signing in book, signed by LynneN.  Multiveg.  DJBenton and mm-b
Had a nice chat to Multiveg, and DJBenton, also attracted some interest from allotmenteers that didn't know about the site, so gave it a good plug and glowing reports. We may see some newbies as a result. Sorry I didn't manage to put some sort of sign up, maybe next time. I will be at the West Yorkshire Organic Groups Potato day at Shipley College near Bradford, and will try again.
There were various fears of the event being overcrowded, but I was there from 9am. to 4.30pm. both days, and thought it was fine. Very busy for the first hour on members day, then a steady flow, with no crowds all day. The public day was busy all morning, and was generally more well attended, with a really good feel. The big story was that Gardeners World turned up to film Carol Klien buying her seed potatos for the programme, and yes she did pay for them, and came back for more for her own garden. Had a brief word with her, and she was very nice abd down to earth. Sorry ladies no sign of gardener/sex god Monty! I did find out a useful bit of info about how the potatos are divided up. They will sell up to 75% of the stock of any one variety on the members day, so the public get a chance at the remaining 25% the next day. I heard a few types did sell out on both days, but they had plenty Sarpo Mira. and Axona, and I didn't hear many people complaining as I have in previous years.
Hope to see more members some day.

Brian

[djbrenton]

I only picked up some ratte and mimi for myself, but the Irish guy who's there every year let me have 25kg of Ballydoon for £15 for the shop and a bargain 50kg bag of Home Guard for a tenner! I hadn't realised before that GardenAntics was the one who sells the labelling kits. ;)

[Meg]

I saw you!! Missed the book and everything. While I was queing to pay another world as usual. Never mind always next year. What day did Carol turn up then. I am surprised the media didn't want to know who I was but that is there loss as usual. Enjoyed the day then went on Toll road up  to Lichfield for the rest of our day out. Nice lunch etc. We did go to the talks last year but had trouble staying awake!!! Mind you I wasn't the only one!!

[Gardenantics]

Gardeners World were there all day Sunday. I can't believe how much work they put into the filming. I bet the feature lasts about five minutes on the actual programme. The film crew had her doing tons of takes, but I guess it's hard to get it right first time in a live crowd. There was a bit where they wanted her to come out of the tent and do a piece to camera that took about 10 attempts, so when you see her come out of the tent and say "well thats all my spus then"(5seconds) t took about 40 mins. to get it right!
The problem was that I had to keep the Allotments4All clip board near the back of the stand, as condensation was dripping from the tent due the all the sweaty gardeners letting off steam.

Brian

[djbrenton]

I worked for Charlie's garden army once. You know the bit at the end of the programme where they all have a glass of champagne and a quick chat? That took 7 hours. They did 6 retakes of a gate opening and the crowd pouring through, but the best bit was where they wanted Charlie to talk and walk between two of us who were passing juggling clubs. 18 tries and she never once got the timing right to avoid being hit.

During the whole 7 hours I swear Charlie was only without a glass for the odd minutes they were filming. The particular project was a community garden in Peckham, I'm guessing it's now just a drug users hang-out. All day there was a ten year old or so being a right pain. At the end of the day he was seen being kicked down the street by his mum. She shouted 'next time someone calls yer mam a sl*g, tell 'em they're a f*****g c**t'.  'I did' he whined back at her. Unusual approach to parenting.

[Gardenantics]

That's Show Business!

Brian

[mm-b]

Hi Gardenantics

I said hello, but I'm shy so didn't stay to chat.

Its the first time I've been to a potato day and I brough some ratte, partly because they look like Anya and my son loves Anya ( he has requested some from our allotment but they weren't on the list so he may not get them)
The day was less busy than I expected and not that impressed with varieties really.
But got load of ideas for lottie, especially what to do with Blackberries.
Also got Carol Klein's autograph.

Melanie

[Gardenantics]

Sorry Melanie,

Rude of me not to mention our brief hello, I'm shy too as you could see. Actually I had that much to remember just to get set up, I'm surprised I remembered anything. Nice to meet you, and glad you picked up some tips from the gardens at Ryton. I would recommend anyone to visit. What did you think of that special heavy-duty bubble wrap greenhouse/polytunnel hybrid opposite the potato marquee, Did you look inside? I was really impressed by that structure.

Brian

[mm-b]

No, didn't see it i don't think, what was in it?
Liked the orchard, and the allotment garden, my son liked the kids garden and he wants to grow a willow tunnel now!!!
Melanie

[Gardenantics]

as I said it seems to be a cross between a poly-tunnel having a galvanised tubular steel frame, but it is covered in what looks like large bubblewrap, but is semi rigid and very tough looking. It did have a name on the side, something like Kinder House? Did anyone else notice it?

Brian