Bexhill Horticultural Society

Linda Steward, a down-to-earth Yorkshire farmer's wife drove a tractor, milked cows, but really loved cooking, so 1992 found herself a finalist in the television Masterchef programme. She did not win but this appearance changed her life for ever; she was invited onto other television programmes, radio, public appearances and she even wrote a cookery book. Sadly her marriage did not survive and she needed to support herself so she enrolled on a Cordon Bleu course at the Institute of Home Economists in Woking. To cut a long story short, on her return to Yorkshire she was asked to stand in as holiday relief cook for the Duke of York - this was after his divorce from the Duchess - and in the fullness of time became his resident cook. She cooked for both the Duke and Duchess and their children as they still spent a lot of time together and every weekend was family time for them all.

Princess Diana and her boys were frequent visitors and Diana never failed to thank Linda for her efforts and remembered her at Christmas also. We heard all about the personal likes and dislikes of the family, the huge amounts of food needed to satisfy their hunger and the daily forays to the local branch of Waitrose from whom the normal staples were purchased. Apparently most of the staff who went into service there as slim young things came out as plump people who had dined exceptionally well on the left-overs from the Royal table!

Linda was a huge success with our members - we laughed hugely and were riveted by her amusing anecdotes, which even those members sitting at the back of the packed hall could hear easily. The committee received instant plaudits from those members present who all voted this afternoon one of the best we have ever had.

Our last coffee morning of 2007 in Parkhurst Hall is on Thursday, December 13 at 10.30am and we hope to see you there for Christmas cheer. The annual meeting is on Saturday, January 12, at 2.30pm in St. Martha's Hall, Little Common, not Victoria Hall as stated in your programme. Details of our programme of trips will also be available on that day.