January for the most part here has been exceptionally wet and exceptionally warm.  Not winter at all.  The ground (heavy clay) has become waterlogged and those animals which remain out for the Winter or (like the horses and donkeys) are put out each day have cut it up badly. One wonders if the ground will ever recover. Think back 12 months and government was warning of drought to come last summer.  Some drought then and some now.

The BBC's Antiques Roadshow of the programme filmed at Kentwell in September was broadcast last week.  Judging from the comments we have received from many who watched it, Kentwell provided a very fitting background to the programme. It was certainly visible much of the time.

Many have also commented what an interesting programme it was.  We thought so too. What was curious was how we had missed all the items which were shown in the programme.  We saw many items being filmed and were generally reasonably au fait with all the filmed finds - or so we thought.  Yet, one way or another we missed each item eventually shown - so it was as much news to us as to all other viewers.  On the other hand all the extremely interesting items which we had seen being filmed some of which we were sure would make the programme were not to be seen during it.

We have just sent out our December Kentwell Newsletter (you may read it by clicking the link). If you would like to sign up to receive the email please go to Newsletter Signup and enter your email address, you can unsubscribe at any time.

We had perfect weather and huge crowds (somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 in all) and queues which stretched as far as the eye could see. Such a rich and interesting range of treasures were produced for identification and evaluation. 

The day could not have gone better and the BBC were kind enough to comment that Kentwell proved an excellent venue and awarded us 10 out of 10 for our organization. 

The programme will be broadcast in January or February, the BBC have many hours of filming (they filmed right up to their cut off point of 7.00pm). It is not possible to predic what tems will actually feature.

The BBC also said they had never  had such excellent Stewards as Kentwell's Tudors who added glamour and interest to their queue control duties.  It should all make for excellent viewing.

We hope that the BBC remove all their Antiques Roadshow detritus in good time to allow the NCCPG to come in over the weekend and set up their annual Autumn Plant sale.

With our Gardens we have a keen interest in Plants.  We fear that we may spend whatever we earn from the occasion on stocking up on plants.  Rather like one year we blew all the fees from an Antiques Fair on one piece of furniture in the Show.  Because there will be a lot of gardeners visiting we are making en effort to ensure that the Gardens are in reasonably good shape to receive them. 

The Plant sale should feature a whole range of good quality and really interesting plants.