HOW many different things can you do with lavender? Yep, we're putting you on the spot, but what do you reckon: ten? A dozen maybe?

Not even close. Michael Omerson can demonstrate 101 things to do with lavender.

Consider minds boggled.

Michael is the gardener at Treasurer's House in York, the National Trust-run property in the shadow of the Minster. Today, he is giving a talk on 101 lavender-inspired ideas to the volunteers who keep the mansion open.

Property manager Jane Whitehead told the Diary this was part of a programme of events to thank the 280 unpaid helpers for their contribution.

The lavender theme was inspired by the recent opening of the house's herb garden to the public. At present people can only visit it once a month, but Jane would love to make it available every week and at weekends.

To that end she would like to appeal for more people to join the Treasurer's House voluntary force. Anyone with a few hours to spare can join, and the current volunteers range in age from 18 up.

Interested? Call Treasurer's House on York 624247.

LAST week, we recounted Philip Roe's accident which saw his gin accidentally infused with curry (if you didn't read it, don't ask).

Sadly, no one has yet come forward with a method of separating a keema matar from Greenalls' finest.

But in the meantime Phil has kindly submitted his recipe for Goan Vindaloo for readers to enjoy.

Ingredients: 2 tbsp oil; 1 onion, chopped; 1 tbsp Sharwoods Garlic Puree; 1lb pork, cubed; half a jar of Sharwoods Vindaloo Curry paste; 2 tbsp vinegar; 2 medium tomatoes, chopped; 2 large potatoes, cubed.

Method: Fry onions. When soft add garlic and pork, fry for further 5-10 minutes until brown. Add paste, vinegar, chopped tomatoes and potato. Simmer for about 30 minutes until the potato is cooked. Add water if necessary to prevent sticking to the pan. Serve with rice.

Advises Phil: "It is quite a warm curry so be prepared for the usual nose runnings etc!

"However I don't think it can be quite likened to the level of heat so beloved by the 'full-as-a-boot-I-can-eat-anything-having-just-supped-20-pints-of-lager' brigade!"

CONGRATULATIONS to the Yorkshire Wooden Spoon team who won the veterans trophy in the Vauxhall Four Peaks Challenge earlier this month.

This gruelling event demands that participants climb Ben Nevis (Scotland), Helvellyn (England), Snowdon (Wales) and Carantouhill (Ireland) over a maximum 48 hour period.

Richard Smith and his two fellow climbers in the Yorkshire Wooden Spooners had a combined age of, ahem, 140 years. They survived 65 mph winds on Carantouhill, to complete the climb of all four peaks in 12 hours.

Their sponsors were Black Sheep Brewery and Leeds-based barristers KBW. Simon Mallett, of KBW, tells the Diary: "I stayed in York and drank Black Sheep beer to demonstrate my personal support for the team."

Somebody had to, Simon.

A PRESS release arrives from the bods at Netto revealing how they're "bringing a taste of Denmark to its York store". Then another explains that they're "bringing a taste of Denmark to its Keighley store". And a third announces how they're "bringing a taste of Denmark to its Dewsbury store".

Go easy on the send button, guys.

Updated: 09:08 Tuesday, July 12, 2005