He started to potter around in his small garden and now 45 years later he admits he is hooked on growing plants and vegetables.

Ray's passion for green-fingered pursuits led him to become one of the leading lights in the Uppingham Flower and Produce Show, which takes place on Sunday.

He will doubtless take home some silverware yet again this year from the event, which was first held the year the Second World War ended in 1945.

Ray is hoping he has cultivated prize-winning flowers, onions, shallots, carrots and beans this year with skills which are entirely self-taught. It would be a lovely birthday present as he turns 71 on the day of the show.

"You start to garden when you first buy a house and I was no different," said Ray, who lives in Newtown Road in Uppingham.

"It gets interrupted when children come along and the garden becomes a bit of a playground. You learn about gardening as you go along which is the best way. After all if you ask five gardeners a question about the same subject you will get five different answers."

For the last six years Ray has been secretary for the flower and produce show, which is part of the town's fete and dog show. He is also vice-chairman of the British National Carnation Society, which gives us a clue about Ray's favourite plant.

"I really love growing carnations," he enthused, as he showed off his latest efforts lighting up his back garden.

"It's quite a striking flower because it has a lot of colour and it is easy to transport if you are going up and down the country to shows."

Organising the annual flower and produce show, which is on Leicester Field on Leicester Road from noon, can be both a pain and a pleasure for Ray. Preparations for the next event begin more than 12 months beforehand when marquees have to be booked and judges secured for the day.

This year it is anticipated that more than 300 items will be exhibited in a variety of different categories, ranging from flowers, vegetables and pot plants to photographs, handicrafts and children's exhibits.

Showing was initially limited to Uppingham residents but it has since been opened up to the surrounding area so villagers from all around also take part.

The normally meticulous organisation almost unravelled last year when poles holding up the marquee broke and the structure had to be put up just hours before the show started.

It was a good competition for Ray, though, as he picked up five trophies, including the coveted inaugural Stainsby Cup, awarded for overall champion in memory of former show stalwart Ernest Stainsby.
Ray said: "The weather hasn't been good this year but it is amazing what people come up with for the show.

"Rain is always good for something – my onions are doing well for example."

Ray, who was a design engineer for Rolls Royce aero engines, has been married 46 years and has three children and eight grandchildren.
He enjoys spending time in the garden in his retirement years and promoting the flower and produce show, which was re-launched in 1996 after a break of 30 years.

There is evidence to suggest a similar event was held long before the last war, when exhibits were put on display at various venues including Tod's Piece and the town hall by the allotments society.

Ray would encourage anyone to enter one of the classes no matter how good they think their plant, flower or vegetable looks to them.
"People should come and give it a go," he added. "Even if you don't win you learn something. The next year you come back with a better entry and you just get hooked."