The National Fruit Show has had its ups and downs over the years. However, the 75th anniversary of an industry institution should be celebrated as proof, if it were needed, of the desire of the UK grower fraternity to retain a sense of tradition, as well as move their trade forwards.

The numbers entering the show this year may not match the halcyon days, but that is more a reflection on the industry the show represents than the show itself. For any industry event to stretch its popularity over such an extended period is exceptional, particularly if you take the time to recall how many others have been launched and subsequently fallen by the wayside in the same timeframe.

That numbers are up at all is testament to the sterling work of the show’s organisers, and it is poignant in the extreme to read the introductory message in the show handbook from the late Lord Bruce-Lockhart, who as a popular president of the Marden Fruit Show Society had worked alongside his team to make this year’s show one to remember.

The decision to extend the reach of the show beyond top fruit appears also to be paying off, and at a time when UK growers are more in demand - and as a result more pressurised - than for many years, the opportunity for cross-sector dialogue and information sharing must surely be welcomed.

It would certainly be missed if it was not there.