All the fun of the country fair

It is the time of year when gardening folk start fervently harvesting their produce, with some heading to country fairs and shows to put their veg into competitions. My allotment is in Stroud, Gloucestershire, and I live near to where Britain's only pub-run Country Fair is held at the Crown and Sceptre , an old-style free house community pub. The allotments are a stone's throw from the pub and are busy the night before with keen growers getting produce ready for the event. There are categories such as "flower arrangements in an unusual container" and a "knitted veg" section for the Tuesday night's "knit and natter" group. As well as the more usual vegetable displays, there is cake-making, homemade alcoholic beverages, flowers, and childrens' decorations. There is a also a Five Valleys Allotment Trophy where local allotments compete against each other. And the winners from Spider Lane allotments have their produce turned into dishes by chef Mark Payne from Mark@Street restaurant, Nailsworth . When not on location, photographer Stephen Studd can usually be found on his organic allotment or pottering in the garden. www.stephenstuddphotography.com