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My family and I went to the Luton Hoo estate this afternoon (next to, but not part of the hotel) to attend the fantastic Pumpkin and Apple Gala.

The Estate is in the process or restoring the huge, 5 acre, walled garden.  And when it is restored to its former glory it will be magnificent.  Even today, it was an impressive site filled with pumpkins, flowers, vegetables, greenhouses, a variety of historical displays, and Morris dancers (but I don't think they are on permanent display!).

I hope that the Phillips family are able to fulfill their ambitions for the restoration as it has both historical importance, and - as the thousands of us who attended today can bear witness - can provide a fantastic role in local community life, and in brining history to life. 

I hope that the family will be willing and able to open up their grounds to the public even more in the future.

I was also delighted to see members of the Royal Anglian regiment at the gala and spent a few minutes  talking to several young members of the regiment, whom readers may remember were subjected to some completely inappropriate heckling and verbal attacks when they held a parade in Luton town centre last year.  I told them that we appreciated all that they were doing; and that a few unrepresentive extremists do not speak for all Lutonians - and I look forward to welcoming them when they next come to town.

And after the gala... well, with just a few months to go till the election I was delivering leaflets and canvassing, of course, along with Ali Ismail, John Young and Cllr Adam Fahn.