London Potato Fair - Jan 27

PICKING POTATOES

London Charity Potato Fair and Seed Exchange, East Dulwich, SE22 0NR , 27 January 2008

No longer the stodgy staple of hungry families, the potato is now the fashionable must-have for people who love good food.

But that’'s only part of the story. The best part of potatoes is growing – and eating – your own. “It’s easy,” says Lindsay Wright, who organises the annual London Charity Potato Fair and Seed Exchange. “There’s plenty of help and advice available and a huge number of delicious varieties to choose from.” He explains, “Everything you ever wanted to know about potatoes and over 100 varieties of tubers will be on offer at the Potato Fair, all grown in the potato’s spiritual homes of Scotland and Ireland and all certified disease free.”

Growing your own also makes sound environmental sense, even the fanciest potato has the shortest journey from garden or allotment to plate. “We growers reckon in food feet rather than food miles,” says Lindsay Wright.

Get back to basics at the Seed Exchange, swapping unwanted seeds with fellow gardeners, sharing ideas, planting plans and tips and inspiring first time growers to take the plunge.

There’s a touch of green glamour too — expect to encounter a Drunken Woman and Lazy Blonde, (both lettuce varieties, orginating in Victorian times) and snappy garden accessories. Heritage seeds, mushroom spawn and plants will be on sale from specialist suppliers including Thomas Etty, Pennard Plants, Alleyn Park Garden Centre, Rotherview Nursery and the Rustic Mushroom Company.

The sixth Charity Potato Fair and Seedy Sunday takes place on Sunday 27 January 2008 from 10.00am — 4.00pm at Harris Girls Academy, Homestall Road, London SE22 0NR.

All profits from the fair will go to the Hope and Homes for Children charity, which works in 13 countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. The work varies from country to country, from closing orphanages in Romania to supporting AIDS orphans in Africa. More details on www.hopeandhomes.org .

Entrance is £1.50; free for under 16s. Gardeners, with or without seeds to swap and non-gardeners all very welcome. For further information visit www.potatofair.org or call Lindsay Wright on 07762 323 812.

Further press information from Lindsay Swan on 020 8579 4660; 07961 181982, lindsay@lindsayswan.co.uk

Start Date	27/01/2008
End Date	27/01/2008
Time	from 10.00am
Price	Entrance is £1.50; free for under 16s
Venue	Harris Girls Academy, Homestall Road, London
Organisation
Contact Person	Lindsay
Contact Telephone	07762 323 812
Contact email	lindsay@fruitandveg9aday.fsnet.co.uk
Website address	www.potatofair.org/

Borough filters: Food Local Event
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