HOPPING aboard a steam train was the best way to appreciate the Hoppers' weekend organised by John Brice of the Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway. There were a few mementoes of the days of hop picking at Tenterden station on Saturday and Sunday but the main event was at the other end of line at the fairytale Bodiam Castle in East Sussex.

Mr Brice was pleased with the attendances at Tenterden, Northiam and Bodiam. He said: "The event was bigger than last year and next year's will be better still."

The halycon days of hop picking by hand were over by the 1950s thanks to mechanisation but there still plenty of former pickers around.

"This event is a chance for them to meet again and chat about old times," said Mr Brice.