'Silly season might be upon us so let’s take time to smile'

But as we all know, 2020 is a year like no other and there is no lack of worrying news to keep us concerned.

However, that shouldn’t deter us from having a laugh. In fact, quite the opposite.

We all need a bit of a joke to keep us smiling and Sheffielders have a great sense of humour, if we say so ourselves.

So, I thought you might appreciate this photo of Elaine Edwards and her potato-tomato, or should that be tomato-potato?

Like so many of us, Elaine and her family has had more time to look after her garden during lockdown.

Lots of Sheffielders have used this opportunity to prove that, while we might not ever get to the standard of Kew Gardens, we have enjoyed giving it our best shot and that is paying off.

Elaine wasn’t quite sure why the potato would have taken such a shine to the tomato that it attached itself to the plan – and neither have I. However, I know there are many keen gardeners among Star readers so I have no doubt that you will let us know.

We did put an appeal online to see if other Sheffielders have had similar bizarre vegetable or fruit experiences, but you can imgine the response. Yes most were photos of plants which looked far too rude to include in a family newspapers.

But don’t be put off. If you have a monster sunflower, a sunflower that looks like a celebrity or a tomato that is bigger than a baby, I would love to share them.

We all need a smile and a laugh, and even some compliments on all the hard work we put into our gardens during lockdown.

What else might tickle your fancy as we make our way through August?

Poems proved a big hit in the initial days of this pandemic but what about jokes? It is a long time since I have been sent a cracker from a reader so I would love to hear your worst, sorry I mean best.

Email me your silly photos, [email protected]; write to Nancy Fielder, Editor, The Balance, 2 Pinfold Street, Sheffield, S1 2GU; or give me a call on 0114 2521340.