This year’s Andreas Produce Show is on Saturday, September 25 at Andreas Parish Hall from 1pm.

The show is the oldest running produce show on the island, having been founded in 1901.

Show secretary, Jo Brew, said: ’We have classes in all the usual categories: preserves, confectionery, home-brew, honey, butter and eggs, vegetables, roots, potatoes, grain, fruit, flowers and plants, floral art, crafts, photography and Women’s Institute, as well as a children’s section. All proceeds will be donated to local charities.

’Refreshments will be available on the day, together with suggane and lanket-making classes and a fantastic raffle.

And if you’re asking what is a ’suggane’, the answer is that it’s the rope made of twisted straw that was used to tie down the thatched roofs of cottages and farm buildings. Even when thatch was replaced by slates, suggane was still twisted on the majority of the farms for tying down the stacks of hay and corn in the yard.

A lanket was also a straw rope, but used to tie the back legs of sheep and cattle, to prevent them from jumping over hedges and walls.

Jo added: ’We would to make a special mention and grateful thanks to Pam Kinrade who has stood down from the role of secretary after an incredible 34 years.’