Sarah Sturt's Blog

Just call me Ma'am

Contrary to all expectations, the sun shone on the opening day of the Kent County Show and the 250-acre site at Detling was bustling even at 8.30am, when Monkey and I rocked up. Economic downturn? Not a great deal of sign of that at arguably the most upbeat Show I've attended in my Kent Life editorship to date. Our first stop was, naturally, the press office where rumours of hot bacon butties for the early birds proved accurate and the colour started to return to a famished Monkey's cheeks - he was soon looking and sounding surprisingly lively after about four minutes sleep the night before, thanks to a Crowded House gig he'd gone to. In Norfolk. As you do. Oh, to be 24 again!

We had a pretty manic morning, trying to take in as many of the stands and sights as we could before the launch at 10.30am of the new joint venture Produced in Kent has entered into with Hadlow College and Kent County Council. It's been an open secret for some time now, but it was great to have final confirmation and to meet the new manager at P in K, Julie Monkman, a refreshingly down-to-earth Yorkshire lass who I suspect is going to be a great asset to the team.

Highlight of our day had to be the President's Luncheon, to which Monkey and I had both been invited. To my utter amazement, I was not only on top table, but placed at the right hand side of the President himself, Lord Astor of Hever, who'd - apparently - expressedly asked to meet me. His lovely wife, Liz, who was my 'Kent Character' back in February, may have had something to do with it, but it was nevertheless a huge, and unexpected honour, as was the Lord Lieutenant introducing me as the editor who had 'metamorphosised' Kent Life. Feeling terribly 'umble, I asked Allan Willett if I could possibly have an honorary title for the day, as I was the only one at table without one, and we decided Viscountess would do nicely. Not sure how long it lasts, but feel free to curtsey.

Well, this Viscountess has come right back down tio earth with a day of washing, ironing, gardening and housework. Where are one's servants when one needs them?

Sarah