Welcome to the August/September issue of your AGA Living.

We’ve been enjoying some wonderful weather this summer which has made a pleasant change from the two previous wet summers, although the garden has been crying out for some rain.  Living in the countryside, surrounded by farmland, and indeed growing our own veg, really makes me feel connected to the seasons and I’m sure this is something lots of our readers experience too.

Another person who’s passionate about this very topic is Lady Sara Apsley who has been given the auspicious role of spokesperson for the recently formed London branch of the Women’s Food and Farming Union. She’s picked up the baton immediately with a campaign effectively asking shoppers to forgo their weekly supermarket shop in favour of shopping more locally, at least for all of their fresh produce – meat, fruit, veg and even bread if you’re lucky enough to still have a local baker.

Speaking to her about this campaign, I felt she was a bit of a kindred spirit as I too am a regular farm shop and farmers’ market shopper and love to go along to see what’s on offer each week rather than visiting the nearest town and overstocking my cupboards with mass produced items from the supermarket. Cynics might feel her campaign is a little unrealistic but give it a whirl and support your local farmers – I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

As well as the lovely weather, another reason I love this time of year is for the glut of shows taking place right now. Whether it’s the larger county shows or the smaller village fetes, I love them all. After a two-year gap our village show was back with a vengeance this year and I made sure we were engaged in it in as many ways as possible.

Although my welly wanging leaves a little bit to be desired, I was thrilled to win a farm shop voucher for my skittling prowess and although poor old Wurzell Piggott didn’t scoop any prizes, I was rather proud of my first-ever scarecrow. Check out his head made from cabbage with olives, radish and a chilli for his eyes, nose and mouth.

Enjoy all the summer has to offer,