Potato Day 2020

It all started with the humble potato in 1995 in Stowmarket, Suffolk and 25 years later, it still attracts hundreds of people. What was previously held under canvas tents has now been moved to a more permanent building. What is this that I talk of? But of course the East Anglian Potato Day event.

It all started with
the humble potato

Everyone loves this versatile little vegetable, but have you ever thought about growing your own? Well if so, then this is probably where you’d come. Housed in one of the buildings at Thornham Barns, Thornham Aspel, people gather in their troves to get their hands on these seedling potatoes. Filling up paper bags from a whole range of breeds, ready to take back and plant in gardens or allotments across East Anglia.

With only there being a short supply of each type, it was a first come first serve policy, with little to no room to manoeuvre around the cramp table, people scrambling about the get their handful of spuds. Volunteers stood in the middle continuously and frantically refilling the boxes.

Who’d have thought there’d be so many people passionate about this simple yet versatile vegetable.