[jaydig]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good dessert gooseberry. I've got loads of Invicta, and an unknown red one, which were on the plot when I took it on. The red ones look delicious, but they're really sharp. They're probably ok once they're fully ripe, but the birds always beat me to them.

[Auntiemogs]

I have Xenia, and they are beautifully sweet when fully ripe. 

[rosiecider]

I heard London bush which is an old variety was a good dessert but having difficulty tracking down Mumofstig gave me a link www.weasdale.com bush was only £12ish but delivery was £32 will keep looking

[rosiecider]

http://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/ more reasonable prices reading some descriptions my mouth was watering

[Nobbie]

I found Leveller to be very good. Big juicy sweet fruits, but a bit suceptible to American Mildew, so I switched to invictor which is also nice when fully ripe. I think you need to net gooseberries if you want to leave them to ripen fully. I think Whinham's Industry was a very nice red, but definitely need netting.

[Aunt Sally]

... the birds always beat me to them.

I net mine 

[jaydig]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I don't net mine at the moment because they are along the boundary line of my plot, and difficult to net.
I also told my neighbours to help themselves to the fruit on their side (if there is any left by the birds).  I want to have a space on the plot itself for a redcurrant, blackcurrant and a dessert gooseberry, which I'll then be able to net over.
I'll spend some time following up your suggestions, and see what I can find - although I certainly don't fancy paying £32 for delivery!!!
Thanks again.

[Goosegirl]

I found Leveller to be very good. Big juicy sweet fruits, but a bit suceptible to American Mildew, so I switched to invictor which is also nice when fully ripe. I think you need to net gooseberries if you want to leave them to ripen fully. I think Whinham's Industry was a very nice red, but definitely need netting.

We had Leveller and I echo what Nobbie says.

[8doubles]

Just pictured miles of sand and a goosegog bush being raided by vultures !