At the moment Brian is reading "The Tulip" "The Story of a Flower That Has Made Men Mad" by Anna Pavord and this short passage that he read out to me made me laugh.
"In Lincolnshire, the Spalding Gentleman's Society was founded in 1710. It was not specifically a florists' society, but tulips, anemones, ranunculus and carnations were among the curiosities exhibited at their gatherings. The meetings began soberly enough with tea or coffee, but later a quart tankard of ale was provided, along with clean pipes, a chamber pot and a Latin dictionary."
I mean what else could you ask for
