You thought you knew what a "navvy" is...

...but if you were one of a large and enthusiastic audience last night in the Public Hall you would have learnt that it is actually a wedge shaped piece of pottery used to clean the mud off your spade.

This was one of the facts that emerged at a very interestng and entertaining Gardeners'Question Time laid on by the St Lukes Hospice support group.

The panel of three experts. Derek Jones, Ann Harrison and Keith Atkey was chaired by Peter Morgan.

The audience of gardeners of various levels of expertise learned, amongst other things, what to do with dead wood in an acer tree, how to look after a camellia and how many more years Ralph Warburton may need to wait before his prize tree flowers.

Other, more surprising facts that came out in answers included the fact that ants will not cross a white line, slugs don't like copper tape and a clove of garlic and/or a goldfish will keep a water butt clean.

All in all a most enjoyable evening which raised around £850 for St Lukes.

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