What's the really hot news in our part of the world right now? What's new in Cheshire? Is it that Crewe Alexander have been promoted to League Division One? Or it that Macclesfield town hall has been re-opened after a huge programme of refurbishment? Is it that top grocer Fortum & Mason's are to have a presence at the RHS show at Tatton Park? Or that the Chancellor of the Exchequer says that Cheshire is one of the best places in Britain for new businesses (he would, he's a Cheshire MP)? Is it even that a load of peat fell off a lorry in the High Street in Frodsham and caused traffic chaos for hours?

No, none of these things even register. If this was the Nine O'Clock News, the lead story would be that Combermere Abbey has one of the best teams of gardeners in the county, and they are now offering plants for sale to visitors to the Abbey's luxurious, self-catering cottages.

When you stay in the glorious surroundings of Combermere you can take home more than just very happy memories. A selection of estate-grown plants will be on offer - and payment is via an honesty box (and we can only hope that birds aren't nesting in it, which would really complicate things). The estate's home-made fruit juices are also available to visitors; you can admire the fruit trees and then enjoy the pressed juices from the very same trees. Just the thing for a long hot summer. So there you have yet more reasons to book a break in the glorious surroundings of Combermere Abbey.

Click here for lots more details, prices and availability.  Red hot horticultural and fruit product-related news? I should say so. You'd think this blog was written by Huw Edwards, wouldn't you?

The Combermere Abbey juices are also available from Hungersheath Farm Shop (at Ashley Heath near Market Drayton), Maynards Farm Shop in Whitchurch, Whitchurch Market Café (run by Tom at Berryfresh Bakery), and Cheerbrooks Farm Shop in Nantwich