Gardeners’ World star inspires a potato party

8:00am Saturday 23rd August 2008

A POTATO patch in Enfield is rapidly gaining national fame after it was taken over by a TV gardener.

Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift took on an allotment at a site off Southbury Road in January and now presents the a segment of show there for a few minutes every week to show how to steer an allotment through the different growing seasons.

Since Mr Swift got involved the programme has featured many things including a potato party, organised in honour of the UN declaring 2008 the International Year of the Potato.

About 80 allotment holders joined together for a mass baking, steaming and frying, and even a potato ice cream making session in the open air.

A father and son potato juggling team entertained gardeners, who also enjoyed a potato and spoon race, a potato treasure hunt and gourmet potato dishes.

Apple juice and a selection of other, non-potato foods were contributed by Waitrose, who also judged Mr Swift’s fennel to be the best in show in a close run-off with some artichokes in the fruit and vegetable competition, which attracted 28 entries.

Allotment holder Sabina Haulkhory, who organised the event, said: “The idea started because I wanted to invite my friends to the allotment.

“The day was fantastic – probably one of the hottest days of the year, at about 28 deg C.

“There were loads of activities and people were able to look around the plots as well.”

Graham Deal, Enfield Council’s allotment review officer, said: “Those of us who keep allotments know that they are the very hub of the local community in these days of grow your own.

“The day was an exceptional example of how local people business and the council to work together to build a healthy community. Long live the spud!”