Local resident Syd Melbourne was handed some bean seeds by a neighbouring allotment holder in the 1970’s and has been growing and saving them ever since. It is thought to be one of the varieties which was withdrawn from sale when The Seed (National List of Varieties) Act 1973 came in.

We may never know, but over the last 30 years Syd’s bean has thrived in and adapted to the conditions in his own vegetable patch. It has effectively become a new local variety. Syd’s ‘Melbourne Mini’ with its small tasty beans is now grown and saved by our members in and around Machynlleth.