Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

I can't remember it's name but I know our son can and I will ask him this weekend. What I do know about it is that when you have it it's extremely difficult to get rid of! We have it, as do all the neighbours ! The roots are like small white carrots and they get a very good hold in the ground. Plant a couple - allow the flower heads to seed and like dandelion seeds they will spread and grow everywhere and anywhere.

Unfortunately like many questions on plants there are probably 4 main answers : a) Too much water b) too little/infrequent watering c ) too hot an d) pests. I have only grown tomatoes in a greenhouse and the first year they had all sorts of symptoms: - leaves die back - leaves twist and curl = 'leaf roll' and the dreaded black spot. I assumed my weird shaped tomatoes were a result of all 4, it was difficult when I worked day shift. When I asked a life long tomato growers the reply was always keep the compost/soil damp; spray the leaves every day and nip out the side shoots unless you live in the greenhouse and tend to them every hour! Subsequent years my plants were healthier but it was down to understanding all the conditions - there was no simple answer. I stopped using growbags and each plant had it's own pot and the pots would be lifted out of the greenhouse during the day. My final year brought the decision never again. Too much hard work to look after 3 to 6 plants in an 8' x 6' green house for a small return. If you got a good crop where the majority ripened at the same time you had too many and had to give most away. Add to that I have never liked tomatoes, I only grew them for the wife. When I first experience 'black-spot' I was told - could be too much water and there again it could be too little! So the real answer is experience tells you how to keep the balance of water & heat just right. I had similar problems with peppers and cucumbers so I switched to plants as they recovered from neglect or over enthusiastic tendering.

Champion - Dotted Loosestrife; Hostas & Hebes I used to have but my passion was fuchsias ,1 cactus and trying to grow rounded tomatoes :-

England has a 'Natioanl Collection' and the Chelsea Fower show has loads. Check out Candles of Colour - magazine on lupins - photographer

And with some names :-

@Bandsman1966 :- a photo of an unknown brass band posted on the Bedlington remembered Facebook group by Allan Smith. A member, Joan Morland, has identified Arthur Brodie in the front row and I see that name appears in the Netherton Colliey brass band photos you have in your Netherton Colliey Band album . Can you confirm this photo is the Netherton Colliery band and you can add it to your album. Do you recognise any of these @Canny lass?

@Dale Foster - I see you have been here longer then me = Admin Facebook Bedlington remembered group where we just commented to each other - have a word with the Admin Dale - you might find other ways to advertise on this site.

Champion - I will post the timetable of events + parking and transport arrangements that is due to be published in the next couple of days via Vic Thompson.

@Danielwilkinson :- will you be working on this years event?