FROM this lofty eerie above our shop overlooking Castle Square in Ludlow, I watched with fizzing and unbridled exhilaration as the May Fair was set up.

Doubtless there were a few curmudgeons out there twitching their curtains and awaiting some sort of waltzergeddon, and death by candy floss.

Fie to the grousers I say.

It’s a funfair, in the middle of a medieval town. It’s downright magical. And heaven knows we all need a bit of jolliness in our lives at the moment.

If you don’t like it, get out of Dodge for three days. The May Fair was here a long time before you were.

And also I love funfair doughnuts (or possibly ‘donuts’). Definitely up there in my Top Ten Most Delicious Things of All Time Ever list. I can guarantee that by the time the fair was over the charming couple who have the donut van but ten paces from our front door, were run ragged by yours truly.

Speaking of locally sourced springtime delicacies, the asparagus season officially kicked off on St George’s Day.

Roger Farmer (who’s definitely up there in my Top Ten Most Awesome Greengrocers of All Time Ever list), is currently taking a couple of deliveries a week from a farm near Bridgnorth.

I’m a bit of a purist with asparagus. Roiling boiling water, lashings of melted butter (none of this olive oil nonsense here thanks) and the tiniest squirt of lemon juice.

It’s in season for a little longer than doughnuts, but not much, so enjoy it while you can.