THESE days it seems there are national weeks for absolutely anything and everything. A doughnut week, a chip week, a tree week, a family week, a vegetarian week, a curry week, an adoption week, and so on, and so on. Starting tomorrow (Saturday) to May 3 i

THESE days it seems there are national weeks for absolutely anything and everything.

A doughnut week, a chip week, a tree week, a family week, a vegetarian week, a curry week, an adoption week, and so on, and so on.

Starting tomorrow (Saturday) to May 3 is no exception; but it may be a time to celebrate something you may not have even heard of before.

As it is National Beanpole Week.

The aim of the week is to encourage gardeners to use hazel beanpoles sourced from British woods, rather than using imported bamboo canes.

By doing this it helps to support local woodland craft workers, woodland management and wildlife.

And fully behind it this year is The Dutch Nursery, in Brookmans Park.

To celebrate the festivities, the Great North Road garden centre is to have demonstrations and skilled craftsmen this Saturday and Sunday.

Richard Henn, of the nursery, told the WHT among many of the activities there will be a demonstration about coppiced

ash and willow, tools for dad and toys for fun.

He said: "It should be a good week. You will learn about sharpening beanpoles."

Fellow worker Julia Guerra added: "We are supporting the current trend for 'grow your own food' as well as supporting local English coppice wood and traditional craft skills, to encourage people to use native hazel, ash and willow sticks in their garden instead of foreign bamboo."

For more information call 01707 653372.