The Secret of St Barnabas and Cheshire's Champion Fruits to be revealed at RHS Tatton Flower Show

The Secret of St Barnabas and Cheshire's Champion Fruits to be revealed at RHS Tatton

St Patrick is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated patron saints, leaving England's brave St George in the dark, but in the most rural villages of Cheshire it is little known St Barnabas who becomes significant on 11 June, with very few people understanding why.

Horticulturalists Liz and Tony Gentil are set to reveal a fascinating tale of rural Cheshire life at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park after unearthing a tradition stretching back 200 years revolving around the quintessentially English gooseberry.

The reason gooseberries are so revered in Cheshire is that clustered around the villages of Goostrey, Holmes Chapel, Swettenham, Marton, Lower Withington and Lower Peover are the last eight remaining gooseberry societies in the UK. Traditionally, St Barnabas Day was the day hay making would commence but this is also the day gooseberry growers begin to 'thin' their crops with the aim of growing fewer but much larger and prize worthy gooseberries.

Kelvin Archer from Rode Hall Cheshire holds the world record for growing the largest gooseberry. Weighing 39 dwt 19gr (39 penny weights and 19 grains) or 61.88grams = 2.18 ounces – it's more than the weight of a medium sized hen's egg.

Visitors to the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park are promised a spectacular day that incorporates every element of gardening. There are the Show gardens to gather inspiration for your own garden, the creative and vibrant Flower Beds, and the Floral marquees bursting with scented and colourful blooms. Expert advice is available in abundance, whether from the growers themselves, at the RHS Gardening Advice Desk, or by visiting the RHS Talks Tent. Finally, the on site free parking and good public transport links make it easy to take home your plant purchases.

The Show runs from 18th to 22nd July with 18th July reserved for RHS Members. To book tickets call 0870 842 2229 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows.