Power of the pins

While a few of his flowers might be a flop, Toby has found the perfect support act. Just bring on the fencing pins…

- Toby Buckland

MY birthday’s coming up soon, but before you splash out on another Toby jug or pair of corduroy house slippers, I’ve made a wish-list.

At the very top is an orangery – a gift idea that’s occupied the No1 spot for longer than an Ed Sheeran cover of ‘(Everything I do) I do it for you’. But if you can’t stretch to that, what about turrets for Buckland Castle’s roof garden? No? In that case, would Sir/Madam consider fencing pins?

Fencing pins, since you ask, are hook-topped metal rods that police forensic teams knock into the ground and fix with fluorescent tape to protect their excavations. They’re not expensive (and no, I’m not setting up a CSI unit for plants).