A Bunch of Sweet Peas

By: Henry Donald

Narrated by: Judi Dench

In 1911, in the Scottish Border village of Sprouston, the young parish minister wrote to the Daily Mail for entry forms for its sweet pea competition.

The top prize was a staggering £1000 and organisers predicted that as many as 15,000 would enter. He could not foretell that the paper's estimate of the number of competitors would be more than doubled, or that a fortnight before the deadline a nation-wide drought would threaten the very existence of the sweet peas he was so painstakingly cultivating. This touching - and beautifully illustrated - tale is based on a true story.

©2003 Henry Donald (P)2011 Canongate

This is what Tolkien was talking about.

Beautiful, beautiful, little book.
This is what it means to be human. This is the “good in this world, Mr. Frodo” which “is worth fighting for.”
More than charming - essential.

Love it!

I perfect little short story read by JUDI DENCH! Judi is the best narrator ever!

Charming summer tale with a lovely narrator.

This true story is simply and lovingly told, in some ways reminiscent of later short story authors like Paul Gallico. Judi Dench reads it beautifully, capturing the sweetness and old-fashioned innocence of the writing well. This story is heartwarming and is worth the listen.

Loved every word. Will listen again and again.

Loved every word. and to hear it told by Dame Judi Dench was so rich. I will listen again and again.

Difficult narration

I have always loved this series and the narrator. However the falsetto voice used for the female protagonist was distracting and extremely irritating.