Potato Days - Any Comments

[philcooper]

Now that the Potato Day season is over, does anyone have any coments that may help make them better next year?

For those I don't know, I run the Hampshire one, but I am in contact with all the other organisers and will pass on relevant comments to them.

I know that I need to improve access for disabled visitors - parking near the hall, there were no catalogues due to my not having the time this year and some people couldn't find the direction signs - I'll improve those next year.

Phil

[philcooper]

[Multiveg]

Hi Phil. I thoroughly enjoyed Ryton this year. They did a Seed Swap on the same day - even HSL varieties were available. I didn't bring seeds so made financial contributions.
Weather was better than previous years. My son enjoyed his picnic is his (!) house in the children's garden. Bought things from GardenAntics (not seen him on the boards for a while, though I haven't been around much either).

Perhaps if you have room, make it a SeedSwapping day as well.

[Tin Shed]

Enjoyed the Suffolk  Potato Day at Stoneham Barns, but it was quite crowded at times, probably because it had been advertised so well. Other stalls were also good as was the potato tasting.

[markyb23]

Hi all,
         I went to my first poato day a couple of weeks ago, at Saltaire in Yorkshire. Thought it was great, loads to choose from and the volunteers on the stalls were really helpful.
Just like to say a big thankyou to all the people who organise and run it. I will certainly try to get all of my spuds from there next year. My main choices for this year are-Red Duke Of York, Kestrel, British Queen and Arran Victory.
  I'm just waiting for the rain to stop, and the ground to dry out a bit before I get cracking.
 Hope you all have a great season.
    All The Best-Marky. B. :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

We could do with one in Birmingham!

[SMP1704]

and more in London!

[hazelize_uk]

are there any near northampton? we tried to search the net this year, but kept ending up on the same site which was not only miles away but had already happened! now we will be keeping our eyes open next year but could do with a list of locations and dates that is easy to find!

[philcooper]

are there any near northampton? we tried to search the net this year, but kept ending up on the same site which was not only miles away but had already happened! now we will be keeping our eyes open next year but could do with a list of locations and dates that is easy to find!

Try UK Potato Days on any search engine. That will produce thewhitchurchweb.org/potatoday/potatodays.htm

Phil

[saddad]

Ryton Members day was far too busy early on... massive queues right round the marquee... settled down by about midday when I was leaving...
:-\

[Multiveg]

Its amazing - the rush for the potatoes - like demented shoppers on sale day at Harrods?

[zoro]

Why are there not more places doing potato days
...could not find one near us in Sheffield ...would have loved to experience one ...and the seed swap alongside sounds great ...just took part in the post seed swap on other link ...great way to try out new brands ...
zoro

[CityChick]

I went to the Hampshire one the last two years, and IME has always been much more laid back for choosing your spuds than the Ryton one... (BTW Phil, I found the signs excellent.  So much so I made a point of mentioning it to the person taking the entrance money.  I'd forgotten to bring my map this year but had no problem finding the venue.)

Maybe the more busy ones could do with expanding - eg Ryton have an extra day, or a bigger venue?

I do like the extra "things" too - the stalls selling unusual plants, the seeds swaps etc.

Some places also sell loose seed potatoes at other times.  AFAIK Charlton Park garden centre does after the Hampshire event - managed to pop in there one year mid week and I was the only person choosing seed potatoes at that time.  Oh bliss after Ryton the previous year! ;D

Buckingham garden centre also sell them loose, but they have a minimum weight and therefore a minimum price.  I find it difficult to guess if I'm anywhere near that, so usually end up buying more than I actually need to.

There must be more places that sell them loose - I'd love to know where they are...

[campanula]

fab choices, marky b

[kt.]

I went to the one at Acklam. Bought 2 varieties I couldn't get from my lottie shop. When at the venue they had charts showing all the different varieties, disease resistance, what they are best cooked for etc. We were allowed to look before purchasing but they had none to give away. I appreciate they don't want to give these away to anybody, but how about giving them to customers who purchase spuds. A5 sheet of paper wold suffice.

[philcooper]

Why are there not more places doing potato days
...could not find one near us in Sheffield ...would have loved to experience one ...and the seed swap alongside sounds great ...just took part in the post seed swap on other link ...great way to try out new brands ...
zoro

Zorro,

Apart from the one at Ryton, they are all organised by volunteers, so ....... . Your nearest is in Todmorden, 60 miles away (no distance at all if the visitors to the Hampshire Day are anything to go by).

If anyone wants any advice on how to organise a day then please shout.

I've just found (a little late) White Tower Nursery. Station Rd, Aldermaston, Reading, RG7 4LD , which had 55varieties available by individual tuber - you pay by the weight but there is no mimimum

Phil

Phil

[cambourne7]

I think it would be good to have all the names a little highter?

And a menu of some of the variatys that are less likly to sell out to help promote them and help fill the gaps when peoples 1st more popular choice is gone.

[cornykev]

As SMP said not many in London.   ;D ;D ;D

[Ceratonia]

If anyone wants any advice on how to organise a day then please shout.

Phil - tried to PM you, but your inbox is full.

I'm tempted to have a go at organising one in Cambridge. Or, as Garden Organic have Audley End Kitchen Gardens only a few miles away, maybe they could be persuaded to put something on....

[philcooper]

Many thanks for the feedback - I'll pass on (and act on) the comments

Phil

PS How many Potato Days do you want in London - you've got the 2012 Olympics and Congestion Charging !!!!  ;)

[cherry]

Went to the first (and my first) potato day in Edinburgh on 25th Feb.    The weather was miserable but in spite of that and considering the date had been given wrongly on one of the sites there was a good response   There were about 50 varieties mostly organic and a number of Heritage varieties as well.   I bought a few each of 16!! varieties so I'm looking forward to comparing taste and yields this year.  The speaker was excellent and the tea & biscuits much appreciated!!!