DODDINGTON: Village gardeners and growers get ready for the biggest day of the year

IT'S a busy time for gardeners and growers in Doddington as they prepare for the big day in the village's horticultural calendar.

Hundreds of entries are expected for the Doddington Horticultural Society's 62nd annual summer show being held tomorrow (Saturday).

The village hall will be filled with wonderful locally grown fruit and vegetables, flowers, cakes and pastries, preserves and handicrafts. Adults and youngsters have been busy for months preparing their entries and the standard is expected to be very high.

Society president Albert Short is hoping for victory with his onions which have impressed the judges on many occasions.

Eighty-five-year-old Albert of Peyton Close, Doddington, says there is no great secret to growing prize winning onions but he can obviously spot a potential winner.

Green-fingered Albert first started cultivating his allotment when he moved to his bungalow in 1983. He said: "The weather has been a bit funny this year so I shall just have to see how I get on but I think these might be the best I have ever grown."

He has already lifted the onions he thinks could be winners. They have been trimmed and the tops sealed. He will also be entering shallots, broad beans, runner beans, red beet and carrots.

Albert says the show is great for bringing all age groups together and attracts a great many entries from youngsters. It is also open to people from outside the village.

He said: "They do all kinds of things from miniature gardens to jam tarts and it is lovely to see them all."

Doors open at 2pm and admission is by donation. Refreshments are available throughout the afternoon.

Presentations will be made by the Rev Val Fernandez of St Mary's Church, Doddington, at 4pm. The presentations will be followed by an auction of the produce.