AS winter starts to lessen its grip, keen gardeners may well be itching to start work on planting for the coming year, and Fairfield Village Hall is playing host to just the right people to get the year off to a good start.

The West Midlands District Association of the National Vegetable Society (NVS) will be holding a meeting at the hall on Thursday, February 27 from 7pm, where expert Mick Poultney, a qualified show judge, will be giving tips out on ‘growing and preparing vegetables for the show bench’.

The meeting will incorporate the society’s AGM from 8pm with a further discussion about a mini-show which is set to be held in late summer.

The society is proposing to organise special classes for complete beginners at exhibiting vegetables, and will also be providing seeds and plants along with growing advice.

New members are welcome to attend the meeting, and there will be a chance to find out about other events and activities being offered by the NVS across the midland region and the country.

Non-members are also welcome although there is an admission fee of £3, which includes tea, coffee and biscuits.

For more information contact Roy James on 01527 831508 or write to roy_james2@sky.com.