The National Trust Opens Tom-Foolery at Wimpole This August

The National Trust Opens Wimpole Home Farm for its Tenth Tomato Festival

BURY ST EDMUNDS, England, August 17, 2010 - The National Trust is opening Wimpole Home Farm for its tenth Tomato
Festival on the 21st and 22nd August, allowing tomato enthusiasts to see,
smell and taste over 50 different varieties of one of Britain's best loved
fruits.

Varieties which are available for sampling will include 'orange
strawberry', a heart-shaped, deep orange tomato with a strong and sweet
taste, and 'black zebra', a deep burgundy tomato, with a sweet, juicy taste.

Tomato experts will also be on hand to offer advice and encouragement to
visitors interested in growing and enjoying home-grown tomatoes, and there
will be many stalls and games for visitors to enjoy.

Philip Whaites, head gardener at the National Trust's Wimpole Hall, said:
"The Tomato Festival has become really popular over the last ten years.

"Tomatoes are a wonderful, diverse fruit which can be easily grown in a
sunny spot in your garden.

"We'll have expert growers on hand to offer advice, and there will be new
recipes for visitors to take away to try."

One such recipe is a tasty Wimpole tomato and basil ice cream, created by
Paul Massingham, the National Trust's catering adviser for the region.

He said: "It sounds odd, but this concoction tastes delicious. There are
always more creative things you can do with tomatoes, they're so versatile."

The restaurant at Wimpole will also be selling an array of tomato
inspired recipes for visitors to enjoy through the weekend.

The tomato festival at Wimpole runs from 10.30am to 5.00pm on Saturday 21
and Sunday 22 August. Normal admission prices apply.

Editors notes:

About National Trust:

The National Trust is involved in the whole food chain, with 500,000
acres of food producing land, over 150 restaurants and tearooms, and historic
kitchen gardens, orchards and mills. The charity has community growing spaces
- from allotments to kitchen gardens - at over 50 locations around the
country and is increasing these annually. These spaces inspire the Trust's
3.8 million members, 60,000 volunteers and visitors to think and learn about
food glorious food
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-food_glorious_food.htm)
and encourages the idea of grow your own
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-food_farming/w-food_farming-growingyourown.htm)
produce. The National Trust is creating 1,000 new allotment plots on its land
in the next three years to give local communities the space to grow their own
fruit and vegetables.

More than 30 different outdoor days out
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits.htm) activities from
canoeing to surfing and rock climbing to walking take place on National Trust
land. With more than 250,000 hectares of countryside and 710 miles of
coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are plenty of
places to visit
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace.htm) and
opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with the National Trust.

    For further press information or images please contact:

    Claire Graves
    East of England press office
    Westley Bottom
    Bury St Edmunds
    Suffolk
    IP33 3WD
    +44(0)1284-747557

    www.nationaltrust.org.uk

For further press information or images please contact: Claire Graves, East of England press office, Westley Bottom, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3WD, +44(0)1284-747557