CHERITON Fitzpaine Garden Club's last meeting took the form of a guided tour around the village allotments, after a short talk by Ann Nixon.

Allotments have been around for many years, but especially after the First World War, when returning soldiers, sometimes unemployed, and often shell-shocked, were given a small patch of land to grow vegetables for their families.

Cheriton's allotments are privately owned but rented out by the Parish Council.

All 30 of the allotments are currently being worked, and are carefully tended.

After our tour we withdrew to the Half Moon, where a sandwich and chips supper was served.

Chairman, Andrew Dean talked us through the requirements for entry to the Summer Show, and answered numerous questions from newer members.

Our Show is on Saturday, August 5, from 2.30pm in the Parish Hall. Entry is free, and there will be a plant stall, raffle, teas and scrumptious cakes for sale.

Mary Nunn