Many ‘weeds’ are edible and important sources of food for insects & caterpillars. Wild meadow flowers can colonise the garden as a ‘weed’ as gardening expert Cathie Welch explains
My garden is full of ‘weeds’ as I teach the subject to my students, that’s my excuse anyway! The most important thing is to identify the ‘weed’ you are dealing with and make the decision if it is allowed to stay.
Ephemeral weeds such as Cardamine hirsuta (hairy bitter cress) have many lifecycles in a season and is delicious in salads!
Annual weeds complete their life cycle in one growing season and seed prolifically such as Geranium robertianum with it’s delicate pink flowers and feathery leaves..
Biennials complete their life cycle in two years with a period of winter chilling in between (vernalisation). These include Dipsacus fullonum (teasel) which has beautiful lilac flowers loved by bees and prolific seeds loved by finches!
Perennial weeds can cause real problems like bindweed, ground elder, Pentaglottis, brambles and creeping cinquefoil but they have beautiful flowers loved by many insects. Nettles are the food source of some of our loveliest butterflies!
Wild Flower Meadows: There has been a huge decline in wild flower meadows over the years and we all need to try and have an area in our garden where we let the grass grow long and allow the wild flowers (weeds?) to thrive. They are not easy to establish and you will need to manage it. Often one plant such as oxe-eye daisy or wild carrot can take over at the detriment to others. I add to my meadow areas every year but only the plants that want to grow will flourish as so much depends on the soil type and weather.
A Note from Cathie… I teach courses to cover most subjects and weeds form an important part of our lives as gardeners. I will be talking at Greenhills Estate, pictured, for a fundraising event by Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in June. Please ask if you would like to know more.
Take your garden from zero to hero this spring & then sit back and enjoy when the summer rolls in
How does your garden grow? I doubt there are many cockle shells or pretty bells but you can add all the bells and whistles and turn it into a showpiece worthy of being on display.
In need of ideas? Fortunately there are several garden shows on the horizon which will help plant lots of seeds of inspiration.
Head to BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair at Beaulieu in Hampshire, May 2nd-4th, for everything from stocking up on gardening kit and plants to exploring the beautiful gardens. A must see is the exciting collection of Showcase Gardens celebrating how imagination and creativity can transform your outdoor space – you’re sure to pick up ideas galore here. The Beautiful Borders are always awash with take-home ideas to help you squeeze the most into your garden.
There are more amazing garden designs to explore, drool over and copy at Chelsea Flower Show, May 20th-24th. The show gardens here are some of the finest examples of garden design you’ll see with inspired plant combinations and cutting-edge landscaping. And if you only have a small space to work with discover what’s possible for balcony and container gardens. Top designers have conjured up clever ways to make the most of a small space, making them practical as well as inspirational.
Discover your favourite plants, flowers and an array of gardening goodies from unique garden gazebos, greenhouses and arbours to beautiful flowers, gardening sundries and hundreds of other products at Blenheim Palace Flower Show, June 27th-29th. Tour the Grand Floral Pavilion and pick up expert tips and take a walk down Floral Street for creative decoration inspiration. Create your perfect garden sanctuary with outdoor buildings, top quality garden furniture and BBQs or perhaps treat yourself to a little outdoor luxury with garden huts and buildings on show.
There’s more garden design inspiration than you could shake a spade at at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, July 1st-6th. This year’s festival theme is Wonder so expect to be greeted by gardens full of whimsy and delight. Show Gardens represent the best in horticultural excellence and Gardens of Curiosity put the spotlight on designers’ creativity with plenty of take-home ideas for you to recreate in your green space.
Many of the gardens on show will encompass the idea of gardens for health and wellbeing. The National Garden Scheme champions this with its Gardens & Health Week, May 3rd-11th, the centrepiece of its programme which raises awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of gardening for everyone. Find out more about the impact on our health and wellbeing of gardening and pick up tips at https://ngs.org.uk/gardens-and-health-week/
With a shed load of ideas at your disposal it’s time to get to work and ‘pimp up’ your garden for the summer whether you decide to go full-on makeover or just make a few superficial changes.
To enjoy a long, stretched-out summer this year, contact Ambassador Projects for details of their high-quality outdoor garden buildings. They’re a helpful, progressive company, with great ideas for 2025, whose ranges including outdoor gyms, games, leisure, and music rooms, as well as custom-made leisure rooms for entertaining – or for just chilling out. So, for something distinctive with panache, flair and individuality, give them a call on 0333 344 9577 and at ambassador-projects.com
Do you need more space, are you thinking of a garden room for office, gym or leisure use? Modern garden rooms are super-well-insulated and are a great investment for all-year use. A quick build timescale, no planning permission and great functional design means you could be enjoying a comfortable new room in weeks. Contact Garden Rooms by Drumbeat now for a free survey and quote. Visit gardenroomsbydrumbeat.co.uk or call 01483 768273.
Bourne Buildings is the UK’s largest garden building showsite with more than 200 buildings on display. With standard and bespoke designs of varying qualities and styles, fit for all budgets, there truly is something for everyone. Bourne Buildings also has more than 100 furniture sets and 5,000 stone ornaments on display to really enhance your garden. Find out more at bournebuildings.co.uk
Well established, family run SBI Ltd have friendly and professional teams ready to supply & install made-to-measure awnings, Victorian & contemporary verandas, glass verandas, glass rooms & canopies, carports, vertical screens, manual, electric or solar-powered security shutters & roller garage doors, conservatory sail blinds, louvred roof pergolas, aluminium fencing and more. Their professional advisors and installers will be more than happy to help you create the perfect solution for your shade and shelter requirements. More at sbiproducts.co.uk
Add the final touches to your interior look with good quality made to measure blinds from Blindscape. They specialise in designing and installing bespoke and made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters and awnings in homes of all styles and periods. From sleek modern vertical blinds to solid or plantation shutters, they’ll have a solution for you. Whether it’s for aesthetics or shading, enjoy the best of both worlds with attractive and functional home blinds and window coverings. Find out more at blindscape.co.uk
Passionate about outdoor cooking? Visit the Black Box BBQ Shop near Liss, for top-quality Charcoal, Gas and Pellet grills, all the accessories, fuel and expert advice. Exciting news – The Artisans Kitchen & Cookery School is launching soon, offering hands-on classes to master fire cooking and more! Whether you’re a BBQ pro or a beginner, there’s something for you. Visit them in-store or online at blackboxbbq.co.uk Black Box BBQ – The Flavour Makers. Let’s fire things up!
New Dawn Design, landscape and maintain gardens with every effort to understand the garden their customers are looking for and come up with ideas to achieve this. They can provide a rough sketch or a full colour scaled drawing to help you visualise the end result.Whatever sort of garden you want – low maintenance, child safe, bright summer colour, bee friendly – they can help. Get in touch via bark.com/en/gb/b/new-dawn-garden-life-ltd/dRJgK/
Laurel Hill Gardens is an award-winning garden design studio based in the Surrey Hills. They offer consultation, design services, and advice on all styles of gardens. The gardens they create range from smaller family gardens to larger traditional and contemporary spaces. Find out what they can do for you at laurelhillgardens.co.uk
Everyone deserves an outdoor space they love. Whatever your budget or vision, Kebur Garden Materials will help transform your garden with quality landscaping supplies. The one-stop shop stocks over 2,500 products, from paving and decking to fencing and aggregates, all with free local delivery. No matter the size of your project, the friendly team will guide you from product selection to delivery and aftercare. They also offer an award-winning installation service. Visit the displays or call six days a week – they’re there to help! More at kebur.co.uk
When your patio, pathway, drive or terrace was first laid, the stone would have looked beautiful. Overtime microscopic lichen spores carried by the wind and the rain from surrounding trees, land on the stone. If left untreated the entire surface gets covered in what is known as ‘black spots’ which no amount of pressure washing will fully remove. Patio Black Spot Remover removes lichen, algae and instantly restores the natural colour to patios, paths and garden stonework just as they were when new at a fraction of the original cost to lay. Find out more at patioblackspotremoval.com
Ramster Garden in Chiddingfold will be home to an outstanding collection of sculptures from the Surrey Sculpture Society from 2nd May to 1st June
At every twist and turn at Ramster Garden, there are hidden surprises as the winding paths lead you to modern and classical sculptures integrated with the landscape.
The sculptures, created from a mix of materials, offer richness in texture, colour and whimsical humour. With such a variety, there is something to appeal to everyone on the sculpture trail.
The trail, curated by the Surrey Sculpture Society, takes you through the woodland garden and its breathtaking collection of rhododendrons and azaleas to see an array of sculptures. This captivating event offers visitors a visual feast of artistry, flowers, plants and stunning scenery.
The event offers a unique chance to see unusual and enchanting pieces of sculpture created by professional and emerging sculptors while enjoying Ramster Garden in its seasonal glory. Visitors can also purchase their favourite sculptures from the Surrey Sculpture Society, a renowned organisation that has been promoting and exhibiting sculpture in the region for over 30 years.
Surrey Sculpture Society Exhibition Manager, Gill Lawson said: “Ramster Garden is the perfect setting to display sculpture because of its beautiful scenery and accessible woodland paths. The flowering of the azaleas and rhododendrons and the array of rare trees and shrubs add to the romance and drama of each piece. Every year, the collection seamlessly fits with its surroundings.”
“This much-anticipated event has become a highlight of our events calendar with our regular visitors and also attracts new audiences to the garden,” said Ramster’s Rosie Glaister. “The sculptures are incredibly imaginative and bring a smile to many faces; they add to the overall charm of the garden and visitor experience.”
To learn more about the Surrey Sculpture Society or purchase a sculpture, please visit surreysculpture.org.uk
Ramster Garden is open daily from 10am to 5pm throughout the exhibition. Garden entry tickets include the sculpture trail which has an accessible route. Ramster Tea House serves a delicious menu including a range of fresh sandwiches, soups and quiches as well as cakes. Seasonal garden membership is available for those who wish to visit regularly. Free parking.
For more information about Ramster Garden, Petworth Road, Chiddingfold GU8 4SN, please visit ramsterevents.com
Ramster Garden entry prices 2025 – Adults: £10, children 5-16 years: £3, under 5 years: free (an adult must accompany children). Group rate 15+ people: £9.50 (pre-booking required for group visits). Registered disabled: £5.
Support MyVision Oxfordshire help blind and partially sighted adults and children throughout the county
Are you brave enough to walk on hot coals? If you think it sounds foolhardy imagine doing it if you’re partially sighted.
That’s exactly what Martin Crouch and other intrepid fundraisers from Oxfordshire charity MyVision will be doing in Chipping Norton on March 28th.
The walkers will be braving the flames to help raise valuable funds to support blind and partially sighted adults and children across Oxfordshire to cope with sight loss. They are committed to promoting independence and opportunity and offer information, advice and support to those affected, their families and carers.
Martin says: “After suffering sudden vision loss myself, I am doing the firewalk to raise funds for MyVision Oxfordshire. It’s looming and I’m starting to get itchy feet about it – prior to burnt feet! If you can, please donate to my Firewalk.”
The firewalk organised by the Rotary Club of Witney takes place at Glyme Hall OX7 5DZ.
Firewalking, stepping over a bed of hot embers, is practised by many cultures around the world as a rite of passage, test of courage or faith and that’s certainly what MyVision fundraisers will be putting to test as they walk along the six metre fire lane, after full training.
Go along and watch the walkers, get involved yourself or support them with a donation to MyVision.
Reading homeless charity is selling its iconic colourful stable doors
Launchpad, Reading’s leading homelessness charity, has announced the sale of its six colourful and iconic stable doors, which have been a local landmark for years.
As the charity’s building undergoes renovations to improve its visitor facilities, the much-loved doors are available to a new home for a donation, offering supporters a large and unique opportunity to own a piece of our community’s history.
The vibrant stable doors, which feature in the Launchpad logo, have served as a symbol of Launchpad’s long-standing commitment to be here for anyone in the community who needs support. Reflecting the charity’s open-door policy and dedication to helping those facing homelessness, the doors have welcomed countless individuals and families seeking guidance, shelter, and hope.
“These stable doors have welcomed thousands of people over the years and hold a special place in our hearts, said Su Hamblyn, CEO at Launchpad. “While it’s sad to say goodbye, we’re excited to give our supporters a chance to own a piece of our charity’s history while helping us fund our future. These doors are more than just wood and paint – they represent our commitment to being here for anyone in need.”
The proceeds from donations to own the doors will go directly towards Launchpad’s ongoing mission to prevent homelessness and support vulnerable individuals and families in the community. As part of its commitment to offering essential services, including housing and assistance programs, the funds will help ensure the charity can continue to provide life-changing support to those who need it most.
Anyone interested in purchasing one of the iconic doors needs to act quickly and be able to collect. Please call Kirsti Wilson on 07593 437 309 if you are interested and she can then organise your donation and advise on when the doors can be collected.
Please note: The doors are very big and very heavy – you’ll need a large van!
Guildford Shakespeare Company to make US debut in New York
The award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) are set to make their United States debut with a 5-week run in New York this Summer.
Playing at 59E59 Theaters in their prestigious annual Brits Off Broadway programme, the Guildford-based theatre company will be presenting their acclaimed adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, currently running in Guildford.
Founded by Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches in 2006, who still lead the company, GSC began with a simple mission to create exceptional theatre in extraordinary places.
Hailed as “uproariously funny” (The Stage), “feel-good theatre” (Londontheatre1), the production premiered in Guildford in Feb 2024 and subsequently enjoyed a 5-star run at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre in August. It is currently running again in Guildford (ends 1st March) before visiting Wilton’s Music Hall and the Caribbean aboard Cunard’s Queen Victoria, before transferring to New York.
This adaptation sees three actors conjure 18 unforgettable characters to life in a breathless 120 minutes. The original “brilliant cast” (Daily Mail) of April Hughes (“delightful” Muddy Stilettos), Sarah Gobran (“masterful” British Theatre Guide) and Luke Barton (“an especially nuanced performance” The Stage), will take it 59E59 Theaters. The production is adapted and directed by Abigail Pickard Price. Replete with Regency dances, dresses and desires, it is intricately choreographed by Amy Lawrence and elegantly designed by Neil Irish.
Matt Pinches (GSC Co-Founder & Producer): “We are incredibly honoured to have been selected to be part of 59E59 Theaters’ acclaimed Brits Off Broadway season. It’s a testament to the brilliance and talent of the artistic team and cast of this special show. We’re equally proud to be taking the name of Guildford to the United States and to see the company name outside the theatre between Madison and Park Avenues, a few steps from Central Park, will be a very special moment.”
Launched in 2004, the BRITS OFFBROADWAY programme reflects the diversity and innovation within the UK’s vibrant theatre community and demonstrates 59E59’s role as a hub for new, independent work. Past seasons of the festival have seen unforgettable productions, such as Richard Bean’s Toast, Mike Bartlett’s Bull, and multiple premieres of works by Alan Ayckbourn.
Brian Beirne (Managing Director of 59E59 Theaters): “Since 2004, 59E59 Theaters has annually hosted nine top notch British shows that audiences would not otherwise experience in NYC. Our generous presenting model sets visiting producers up for success by giving them the luxury to fully focus on bringing their stories to life.”
Easter holiday fun with The Wizard of Oz at Dorking Halls
Start the Easter school holidays with a dose of fun-filled panto magic this year, as The Wizard of Oz comes to Dorking Halls on Saturday 5th April.
The glittering production will feature a star-studded cast, including comedy legend and former Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Steve Royle, as Scarecrow, The X-Factor and Celebrity Big Brother favourite, Stevi Ritchie, as Tin Man, and social media sensation Karen The Mam’s Lewis Denny as Lion.
Presented by Enchanted Entertainment, the same company behind other popular Dorking pantomimes such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty & The Beast and last Christmas’ Sleeping Beauty, this spectacular Easter pantomime promises brilliant dance routines, well-known pop songs, plenty of audience participation and lots of laughter for all ages.
Colourful and hilarious, the show will also feature local children playing the loveable ‘Munchkins’, alongside a popular returning cast of Ellena Bacon as Dorothy, Hollie Swain as Glinda the Good and Chris Casserly as The Wizard.
Director of The Wizard of Oz, Guy Pascall of Enchanted Entertainment, said: “It’s going to be great fun for all the family, everyone remembers such characters as ‘The Cowardly Lion’ and ‘The Tin Man’ who needs a heart. This show will take the original story written by L. Frank Baum and give it a hilarious panto twist. The Wizard of Oz will be a wonderful family production, bringing together a top cast, amazing costumes, high-octane dance routines and plenty of popular songs to please all ages!”
The Wizard of Oz is on at Dorking Halls on Saturday 5 April at 2pm and 6pm.
Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via the Dorking Halls Box Office. Call 01306 881717 or visit www.dorkinghalls.co.uk
Fawlty Towers dining experience to take over Hawkwell House for a night of comedy mayhem on March 29th
Fans of the legendary BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers are in for a treat this spring as Basil, Sybil and Manuel descend on Mercure Hawkwell House Hotel for a night of culinary mayhem and laughs galore.
The Faulty Towers’ immersive fine dining experience is a loving tribute to the much-loved Seventies’ series, which sees dinner and theatre collide to bring the comedy hit to life. And in an added twist the event includes a post-dinner DJ set to keep the party going into the night.
Take your seats in the pop-up Fawlty Towers restaurant and brace yourself for a mad-cap service delivered by Basil, Sybil and Manuel that will evoke all your favourite moments from the classic sitcom.
Based in Iffley, Oxford Hawkwell House, first ran the dining experience last year and had such success with it that it is returning by popular demand. The immersive evening includes a three-course dinner, drinks and unrivalled entertainment, including a live DJ for the first time.
The TV programme ran throughout the latter half of the 1970s and followed the adventures of Basil Fawlty, memorably portrayed by John Cleese. The sitcom followed a cast of unforgettable characters as they navigated life at a highly chaotic and dysfunctional hotel.
The dining experience will be hosted by Hawkwell House on Saturday 29th March, and guests will be able to live out the Faulty Towers experience.
Isabela Dumbrava, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hawkwell House Hotel, said: “Fawlty Towers the Dining Experience and Disco Extravaganza will be a brilliant evening of fine dining, laughs and dancing.
“Everyone who has experienced our sell-out Fawlty Towers events to date has absolutely loved it and we can’t wait to welcome our guests for this one.
“This event will run for one night only and tickets are selling fast, so we recommend booking now to avoid disappointment.”
As well as having travelled the length and breadth of the UK, over the past 28 years the immersive experience has circumnavigated the globe, with residents in over 40 countries having had the opportunity to spend an evening with Basil and the gang. Each show is largely improvised, making every evening a unique experience for Fawlty Towers fans.
Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel is a four-star 77-bed boutique hotel in Iffley Village. It welcomes visitors to the city and locals for all-day dining, drinks and afternoon tea every day of the week. It features three versatile event spaces that are ideal for meetings, conferences, weddings and parties.
Support BBOWT’s Hedgehog Walk and get out walking for wildlife with Timmy and Apricot from Timmy Time
Families, schools and clubs across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are encouraged to take on a 3km walking challenge to fundraise for wildlife.
The challenge, in partnership with Timmy Time of the multi-award-winning studio Aardman, will see families walking, wheeling or rolling the same distance a hedgehog wanders in a single night.
The challenge from March 31st to April 13th is the same time hedgehogs start to come out of hibernation and can be done in any way you and your hoglets want! After signing up online you’ll receive lots of downloadable activities, including spotter sheets, a Hedgehog Walk poster and litter picking guides. Top fundraisers who raise over £30 for wildlife will also receive a special prize, such as an exclusive sew-on patch!
With 1 in 6 species threatened with extinction, it has never been more important to help wildlife, so get out exploring with Apricot, and walking with Timmy, to make a difference! The little legs walking 3km this spring will grow up to be the next generation of eco leaders, wildlife champions, and environmental changemakers, and this challenge could help them take those first steps.
BBOWT’s Community Engagement Director, Liz Shearer, says: “Walking for wildlife is a fantastic way for families to connect with nature while helping protect it. The Hedgehog Walk is not just about raising funds -it’s about sparking a love for the environment and empowering the next generation to take action for nature. With hedgehogs and so many other species facing challenges, collective movements like these really count. We hope this fun, interactive challenge will give children the confidence to advocate for nature, and the knowledge that even small acts can make a big difference for wildlife and their habitats.”
Rachael Peacock, Senior Brand Manager at Aardman, the creators of Timmy Time, adds: “Timmy and Apricot are the perfect companions to explore the great outdoors with, and we really believe that this partnership will encourage families to get their welly boots on and raise money for a great cause!”
Maddie Moate, children’s TV presenter and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, says: “When I was little, I remember watching my mum nurse hedgehogs back to health after finding them poorly, so this challenge feels particularly close to home. All of nature is so important, and getting everyone involved, no matter how young, is completely necessary – little feet can make a big change so let’s make every step count!”
With clocks going forward and evenings getting lighter it’s a great time for all ages to enjoy the great outdoors. Sign-up at www.wildlifetrusts.org/hedgehog-walk
Artist Becky Borthwick presents her latest exhibition: Alchemy of Layers at MADE in the Pewsey Vale
Becky Borthwick, a well-known local artist, with an international client base including collectors and private commissions, is due to have her latest exhibition, Alchemy of Layers at MADE in the Pewsey Vale.
The exhibition will take place from Friday 21st – Saturday 29th March, with a Private Viewing, taking place on Thursday 20th, the eve of her exhibition. The Private View will include a guest appearance from local songwriter Andrew Rumsey, who has recently released his new album Collodion.
The exhibition is a combination of over 50 pieces, which include textile stitched collaged artwork and sculptures that are inspired by Borthwick’s love and affinity with the outdoors, nature, animals and the change in seasons throughout the year. All the original artwork on show is for sale.
Becky said: “I am thrilled to exhibit Alchemy, the collection is a celebration of our wonderful countryside. During the summer I prepare linen and muslin with pigments bound by soya milk, a wonderful technique that has to then cure for four weeks which then allows me to focus on which direction I take each piece forward. Working as an equine therapist traveling around the countryside, I am experiencing the different seasons in the land and the horses’ shapes and movement which I then translate into creating layers using fabrics and paper. I am delighted to be exhibiting in MADE in the Pewsey Vale, it is a wonderful gallery, and I love how they champion the amazing creatives in our area.”
The exhibition is open every day from Friday 21st March – Sunday 29th March 10am-4pm.
