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Potato Events

Potato Days

17 or so years ago, as part of the HDRA's (now Garden Organic) commitment to biodiversity, the first Potato Day was held, the brainchild of Jackie Gear MBE. It has now grown to a major event attracting thousands of visitors to Ryton. As many varieties as possible (130 this year) are available by the tuber for those who want to try some of the older (or newer varieties). To make the event a "day" advice, talks on potato culture, cookery demonstrations and potato based food is also included. For HDRA members entry is free on the first day.

Several local organic groups (and latterly allotments, other gardening groups and garden centres) have picked up on the idea and in 2011 we know of those below.

Entries in black are the dates in 2011/12, those in green are the dates for 2013 , they will be updated as soon as the information becomes available
If you know of more please let know

Red* indicates that a Garden Organic (HDRA) Group is organising or supporting the event

2013 Potato Events

Sat 12 Jan 2013 Dorset 2nd Bridport Potato Day, St Mary's Church Hall, South Street, Bridport DT6 3NN, 10.30am - 2.30pm Bridport Community Orchard More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sun 13 Jan 2013 Berkshire 1st Bristol Potato Day and Seed Fair. Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4EA More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
16 Jan 2013(Start) Berkshire Charlton Park Garden Centre, Wantage. ~ 150 varieties by the individual tuber and 2.5kg bags. List of varieties Expert advice. More information on 01235 772700.
Sat 19 Jan 2013 Wiltshire 5th Annual Potato Day for Swindon Allotment Society. Gorse Hill Community Centre, Chapel Street, Swindon SN2 8DA 10am - 1pm. 100 plus varieties of potatoes for sale by the single tuber, onion sets, shallots, garlic, Heritage Seeds, fruit trees, rhubarb crowns and much more. More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sat/Sun
19/20 Jan 2013 		Gloucestershire Dundry Nurseries, Cheltenham. 9.30am - 4.30pm. ~ 100 varieties of seed tuber by the individual tuber and 3kg bags, admission free. Signed off Junction 11, M5. Information and talks in the afternoon. Details from Chris Evans, Dundry Nurseries 01452 713124 or website
Sun 20 Jan 2013 Wiltshire 2nd Ramsbury Potato Day - Ramsbury Memorial Hall - High Street - Ramsbury, Wiltshire SN8 2PB - 10.30am - 2pm Ramsbury Horticultural Society . More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sat/Sun
26/27 Jan 2013		 Hampshire* 14th Hampshire Potato Days, Testbourne Community Centre, Micheldever Road, Whitchurch. 10am -3pm. ~150 varieties of seed tuber, including Sarpo, (plus ~25 organically grown) by the individual tuber and 2.5kg bags Free coloured potato for each child. Tuber sales, expert advice and children's activities. Plus onion and shallots sets, beans and other seed sales, seed swap, green manure and organic fertilisers, talks and cookery demos. Signed from the A34. For full details press here or from or 07825 112677
See 2011 report on theWhitchurchWeb
Sat/Sun
26/27 Jan 2013		 Coventry* 16th National Potato Days, Ryton Organic Gardens, 10am - 4.30pm. ~ 130 varieties of seed tuber by the individual tuber, cookery demos, children activities and more. Garden Organic members only on Saturday. More information on 024 7630 8211 Full details here
Sat/Sun
26/27 Jan 2013		 Cheshire Gordale Nursery, Chester High Road (A540), Urton, Wirral over 75 varieties on sale, both packed and loose. Expert speaker. More information on 0151 336 2116.
Sat 26 Jan 2013 Lancaster The Friends Meeting House, Lancaster (next to Lancaster Railway Station) 12noon – 4pm. Seed potatoes to buy, Potato Café, Children’s Games, Lancashire Apple Trees. More details call 07538 858148
Sun 27 Jan 2013 London Sydenham School, Dartmouth Road, London SE26 4RD 11am - 3pm. ~100+ varieties available.
Sat 2 Feb 2013 Lancashire Skelmersdale Potato Day - Concourse Shopping Centre - Skemersdale Town Centre - 10.00am-3.00pm - West Lancashire Allotment Federation. More information www.wlaf.btck.co.uk/Gallery/2013PotatoDaySkelmersdale
  Middlesborough* No Potato Day in 2013 see the Durham entry
Sat 2 Feb 2013 Durham* Bowburn Community Centre, County Durham. 10am - 1pm. ~25 varieties, many organic. Bowburn is at Junction 61 of the A1(M). Advice on all aspects of organic growing. Refreshments available. More details on Durham Organic Gardeners' Association website or 0191 3863616
Sat 2 Feb 2013 Wiltshire Urchfont Potato Day Urchfont Village Hall, Urchfont nr. Devizes SN10 4QU 10.30am - 2.30pm. 100 plus varieties of potatoes for sale by the single tuber, onion sets, shallots, garlic, Heritage Seeds, fruit trees, rhubarb crowns and much more. More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sat 2 Feb 2013 Devon Eggesford Garden and Country Centre, Eggesford, Nr Chulmleigh, Devon EX18 7QU 9am - 5pm. 70 varieties on sale plus tips and tricks from the experts. Special offers on the day and fun for the kids too. Details from 01769 580250 or see www.eggesfordgardens.com
Sat 2 Feb 2013 Gloucestershire Date to be confirmed Stroud Potato Day Merrywalks Shopping Centre, Stroud GL5 1RR Details on website
Sun 3 Feb 2013 Brighton Seedy Sunday (the UK's first Seed Swap!) The Corn Exchange - Church Street - Brighton, BN1 1UG Community seed swap all day - heritage and outlawed seeds as well as locally grown organic flower and herb seeds, plus films, talks, exhibitions and potatoes. 10.30am - 3.30pm Adults £1.50 (tickets on the door) Children free. Details www.seedysunday.org or Fran Saunders on 01273 381686
Sat 9 Feb 2013 Shropshire* Montford Parish Hall just off the A5, SY4 1AD. 9am - 3pm. Breakfasts, lunches, teas, cakes, advice, seeds, compost, sacks, free entry. Details from Shropshire Organic Gardeners 01939 260935
Sat 9 Feb 2013 East Anglia* Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal, Nr Stowmarket, IP14 6AT (Brown Tourist Signs) 9.30am-1.30pm. £1.50. Choose from approx 100 varieties of seed potato (approx 30 grown organically). Seed-swap table, chip and tasting table, books, tools, produce, home composting advice + lots more. Details on the website
Sat 9 Feb 2013 Dorset 6th Drimpton Potato Day Drimpton Village Hall, Drimpton nr Beaminster DT8 3RF 10.30am - 2.30pm. 100 plus varieties of potatoes for sale by the single tuber, onion sets, shallots, garlic, Heritage Seeds, fruit trees, rhubarb crowns and much more. More information call 01749 860039 or the www.potato-days.net
Sun 10 Feb 2013 Somerset
 8th Annual Somerset Potato Day The Constitutional Club - Station Road - Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7BY 11am - 3pm 100 plus varieties of potatoes for sale by the single tuber, onion sets, shallots, garlic, Heritage Seeds, fruit trees, rhubarb crowns and much more. Refreshments served by East Pennard Gardening Club. More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sun 10 Feb 2013 Cheshire

Marple and District Allotment Association Seed Potato Day Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park, Marple, SK6 6BA 10:00am - 3:00pm. 80 varieties of seed potato, Vegetable Seeds, Onion Sets and Garlic, Soft Fruit Bushes, Dahlias, Gladioli, Lilies and other summer flowering bulbs. MOre information www.marpleallotments.zoomshare.com
Sun 10 Feb 2013 Somerset 4th Potato Day and Seed Swap Market Yard, Justine Lane, Frome BA11 1BE 10am - 3pm. Organised by Sustainable Frome in partnership with Vallis Veg. Community Seed Swap, gardening equipment and food.
Sat 16 Feb 2013 Wiltshire 2nd Mere Potato Day and Seed Swap - The Grove Buildings - Church Street - Mere, BA12 6DS - Mere Gardening Club . More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sat 16 Feb 2013 Wiltshire 4th Annual Codford Potato Day Codford Village Hall (offA36), Codford, Warminster BA12 0LD 10.30am - 2.00pm. 100 plus varieties of potatoes for sale by the single tuber, onion sets, shallots, garlic, Heritage Seeds, fruit trees, rhubarb crowns and much more. More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sat 16 Feb 2013 West Yorkshire* West Yorkshire Organic Group Potato Day 2011 Shipley Colleges, Exhibition Road, Saltaire. 10am - 2pm. More than three dozen varieties on offer there is something for everyone. Most of the varieties are organic and there is a great selection of heritage and speciality varieties that you might not have seen before and may not see in the shops. There are lots of people to give advice about varieties while you are there. Entry free. More information www.wyog.org/potato-day
Sat/Sun
16/17 Feb 2013		 Buckinghamshire
 		 Buckingham Nurseries, Tingewick Road, Buckingham, MK18 4AE 10am - 4pm. 4th Potato Day. Expert advice on growing potatoes. www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk Tel: 01280 822133 e-mail: webenquiries@hedging.co.uk
Sun 17 Feb 2013 North Wales Church Hall, King Street, Mold 9am - 1pm. A large selection of seed potatoes and vegetable seeds will be available. Free admission. For further information please contact Judy Jesse on 01978 761083 or Sue Watson on 01745 710232. See NCCPG website.
Sun 17 Feb 2013 Manchester Hume Garden Centre, 28 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester M15 5RG. Information 0161 227 8198 or Hume Garden Centre
Sat 23 Feb 2013 Essex* 2nd SE Essex Potato Day 2011 Growing Together Gardens, 47 Fairfax Drive, Southend-on-Sea SSO 9AG. (Please park in Prittlewell Chase and use Fairfax Drive entrance). 10am - 2pm. Choose from a selection of over 40 varieties of potato - all available to buy by the tuber, perfect for allotment holders and gardeners, a third organic, refreshments available. Admission £1.00. More details from Carole Shorney 01702 201914 or see the website.
Sat 23 Feb 2013 Calder Valley * Calder Valley Organic Gardeners' Potato Day 2011 Church of the Good Shepherd, Royal Fold, New Road, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge HX7 5DZ. 10am-3pm. Admission £1 includes entry to Potato Raffle. 41 varieties (organic & non-organic) @ 14p per tuber with a pre-order service for most varieties. There will also be children’s activities, information displays, crafts, compost and plant stalls, sculptures plus food & drink at the Potato Cafe. The Catalogue, Order Form and Terms & Conditions can be dowloaded from the website
Sun 24 Feb 2013 Edinburgh
 Bridgend Allotments Community Health Project 5th Potato Day, Bridgend Allotments, 41 Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 4TE 11am - 2pm. A wide variety of seed potatoes for sale. Talks and tips on growing and cooking. Refreshments and entertainments. More details www.fedaga.org.uk/node/714
Sun 24 Feb 2013 Glasgow 2nd Glasgow Potato Day Pearce Institute, 840-860 Govan Road, Govan, Glasgow, G51 3UU 11am-3pm. Over 36 varieties, info & sundries. Also Glasgow Local Food Network Seedswap & workshops. more info on website.
Sun 24 Feb 2013 Wiltshire 2nd Pewsey Potato Day Bouverie Hall, North Street, Pewsey SN9 5QE 10am - 1pm organised by Pewsey Garden Club. 100 plus varieties of potatoes for sale by the single tuber, onion sets, shallots, garlic, Heritage Seeds, fruit trees, rhubarb crowns and much more. More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sun 24 Feb 2013 Cumbria

Caldbeck Gardening Club Potato Day The Parish Hall, Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria10am - 3pm A good day out for Cumbrian gardeners or those visiting the Lake District. Lots of varieties supplied by Rebekahs vegetables plus onion sets, seeds, etc. www.penrithact.org.uk/food/caldbeck-potato-day/375
  Tyne and Wear The Hop Garden, No Potato Day this year see website
Sat 2 Mar 2013 Perthshire 6th Dunblane Potato Day, organised by Dunblane Allotment Group, Cathedral Hall, The Cross, Dunblane FK15 0AQ 10am - 1pm. Refreshments available.

More information www.forthenvironmentlink.org/events/dunblane-potato-day-2013
Sun 3 Mar 2013 Shropshire Shropshire Potato Day, Harper Adams University, 10am - 3pm, £1 on the door. Over 100 varieties available. More information www.gerrol.wix.com/shropshirepotatoday
Sun 3 Mar 2013 Avon 1st Winsley Potato Day Winsley Village Hall, Winsley, BA5 2LU Winsley Gardening Club 10am - 2pm - More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sun 6 Mar 2011 Dumfries 3rd Potato Day, Gardenwise Garden Centre, Castle Douglas Road, Dumfries, DG2 8PP. Medwyn Williams will be there to offer all sorts of advice to any keen vegetable growers. More information at JBA's Growing Potatoes website
Sat 9 Mar 2013 Avon Farmborough Potato Day andSeed Swap - Farmborough Memorial Hall - Little Lane - Farmborough, Bath BA2 0AE - 10am - 2pm Get Seedy More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sun 10 Mar 2013 Borders* Border Union Showground Exhibition Hall, Kelso, Borders TD5 8LS 11am - 3pm. Adults £1, Children free. Potatoes, onions, seeds, other environmental stands and displays, potato themed refreshments, speakers. Contact 01750 76398 or Borders Organic Gardeners
Sun 10 Mar 2013 London London Potato & Seed FairGarden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EB 10.30am - 5pm. Normal museum charges apply.100 plus varieties of potatoes for sale by the single tuber, onion sets, shallots, garlic, Heritage Seeds, fruit trees, rhubarb crowns and much more. More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sat 10 Mar 2013 Hampshire 2nd Damerham Potato Day - Damerham Village Hall - Fordingbridge - Hampshire SP6 3HQ - Fordingbridge Gardening Club 10.30am-2.30pm More information call 01749 860039 or www.potato-days.net
Sun 10 Mar 2013 Surrey Guildford Potato Fair, Millmead Centre, Bury Fields, GUILDFORD Surrey GU2 4AZ 11am - 4pm. Up to 60 varieties of seed potato other garden related stalls, gardening advice, children's entertainment. More information from Colin Styles 01483 570658 or 07946 528891. Facebook entry

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 This page was last updated on 19th February 2013