This poem came from our friends in Southend. They used to come all the way to our Potato Day, but now run one at home. This year their potato day is the same as ours. …

EAST ANGLIA POTATO DAY

It’s held at Stonham Barns, which is off the A1120,
HOPING TO SEE YOU, 8TH FEB, TWENTY-TWENTY,
Buying your seed potatoes here today is a great way to mingle,
Whether it’s a bag of each, or simply just a single,
It’s an event that brings us all together,
Battling through whatever the weather,
They’re often sold by the kilo and no longer by the pound,
Some people grow them just for show and like to be a winner,
But most of us, it’s just for food to make a healthy dinner.
Now growing potatoes, Earlies or Lates,
They mostly end up on our plates,
Some are Salads and lots are Jackets,
Some are for mash, which could come out of packets.
They can end up as crisps, chips or roast,
Or even Hash Browns with egg on toast.
Some potatoes are pink, white, black or blue,
Something to try and said you grew.
There are plenty of stalls around to see,
Including one, with cakes and tea,
Keeping fingers crossed that we’ve got plenty,
And hope to see you on 8 Feb, Twenty-Twenty.

_______________________________________

Potato Day Poem

By Buddy Lawrence, Harwich

“It only happens once a year.
It’s called Potato Day.
You go into a big marquee,
and out there on display,
there’s boxes placed on tables,
and inside them they hold,
A myriad of seed potatoes
there’s one called Yukon Gold.

The whole thing is well-organised
you have to queue in line,
and wait until they open up.
It starts at half-past nine.

Then in like ants, swarm connoisseurs,
and amateurs as well,
each looking for their favourites,
and maybe – who can tell ?
They’ll find something that’s different,
they didn’t know about.
Varieties they thought long gone;
they’re still there, have no doubt.

The volunteers who run the day,
some regular, some new,
will still be there at next year’s day,
and hope to see you, too.”

Mr Lawrence was a first-time visitor to Potato Day last year (2015) who subsequently sent us this poem which we think sums up potato day brilliantly.  He has kindly given us permission to print it here for fellow potato day enthusiasts.