As I wrote this, I was looking forward to going to “Marden”, or as it is more correctly known nowadays the National Fruit Show. The sobriquet still used by many who attend hails back to the time when the UK fruit-production showcase took place in the Kent village of the same name under canvas with duck boards provided in case it rained - which it often did!

While other very worthy horticultural sectors now have their own conferences, the NFS stands out, especially now it is held in warmer and drier surroundings at nearby Detling. It is still true to its faith providing the platform for fiercely competitive top-fruit judging and an exhibition of the very best growers have to offer, with the handsome silver cups donated by leading wholesale companies a reminder of a now distant time when there were no multiples on the scene.

When I was a cub reporter I had the temerity to ask the show’s organisers what commercial relevance these competitions actually held, and was almost asked to leave! I still pose the same question in the back of my mind, but being older and wiser I am more than prepared to agree that this event is very much part of the spirit of an industry proud to demonstrate its skills.

Subsequently, the past few years have seen the introduction of short seminars to bring growers up to date with the latest thinking in terms of production and marketing, and long may this continue.

This year however, the NFS is on the verge of creating a new tradition with the introduction of other autumn crops to the show including soft fruit, tomatoes and pumpkins. Purists might disagree with the change, but it is an interesting concept, which if it has the legs, should at least be allowed to run.

Other crops might only ever be a side-show, but they could help create extra welcome positive column inches or minutes of air time in the national media and give horticulture a boost - as well, one must assume, as benefiting the finances and the attendance.

In sharp contrast to the above rural event, the IGD conference held in London last week was all business suits and mobile phones, as more than 700 delegates listened to the top retail players give their views on what will constitute success on the high street in the future.

Multiple leaders on parade still play their cards pretty close to their chest. But the IGD report itself probably offered the greatest ray of hope by indicating that consumers influenced by the continuous messages of a healthy lifestyle will want to buy more fruit and veg.

This should therefore bring the industry more exposure. And, according to the report, a wider range rather than a simple rotation of the defined number of lines the multiples usually sell without creating extra shelf space, should be forthcoming. The enthusiasm which doubtless flows through the NFS this week - beyond the apple season getting off to a good start - will therefore be more than justified.

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