In spite of the current media interest, 'growing your own' is nothing new. So it is timely to look back and see how this activity fits into our social history. I found this exhibition thought provoking and a trip down memory lane (well back to the 1970s anyway).

 

Over 150 historical and horticultural items have been bought together and set in context. Many are personal diaries and photographs but there are also bright illustrated posters and seed catalogues too. I learned that during the 1st world war, that trench warfare was so prolonged that the British forces found time to grow veg behind the lines of the Western Front - in the exhibition there is a medal for a Le Harve Veg show 1918.

 

The exhibition opened on 6th October 2009 and lasts until 7th March 2010. Find out more at www.gardenmuseum.org.uk