Great shows recently at the Hardy Plant Society Devon Group plant fair and the Axe Vale Show. Both very different but with good results for us.

Helen Brown works so hard for the HPS (and the NGS and Plant Heritage!) and organised another good fair. Despite two nurseries not being able to make it, she reorganised the layout to make it work for everyone and get the visitors round all the stalls. We were pleased not to be in a separate field, which tends to make people run away as though we might bite them if they venture further in!

Axe Vale was a joy to attend. Great weather, entertaining acts, good music and a lovely family show. We sold out of half hoops and had enquiries for three very different and interesting commissions: a well cover, a memorial plant stand for a church and a weathervane. Congratulations to Simon Hodges and his team for running a great show. Thanks to James Brown for a nice photo.