UK Grandmother ordered to remove garden

Although this isnt a gardening tip as such, it is interesting to read that we are now told to disregard our gardens in such a hopeless manner by those we trust the most. Our council leaders and those who we pay our taxes to dont seem to quite grasp the importance of gardens or gardening in general.

In one of the most bizarre policies in modern history a UK grandmother has been ordered to clear some of her shrubbery in order to make way for three council waste bins.

The article from the Mail Online reports that Mrs St John was given the waste bins as part of a council edict enforcing all residents to now house them. While many of us already possess one or two of these wheelie bins most of us also have space to hide them. Not so for Mrs St John who has a frontage of only a few metres.

When Mrs St John complained to Harlow Council's recycling officer he suggested that she make way for the bins by removing some of her shrubs and installing paving to house them on!

Now, I don't mean to be alarmist but if every household in the UK were forced to do this wouldn't it mean that they could lose nearly 5% of their gardens overnight? I'm not sure where Harlow Council think they are going with this preposterous policy but it can't be good.

Interestingly, the Mail Online received more than 260 comments on this article and have since closed their comments. While some respondents were as bemused as I am, the odd detractor fielded comments such as;

There is plenty of space for bins in that messy, overgrown plot. They could be stored safely for her and easily hidden by some shrubs. Isn't that what normal people do? Why is she making such a fuss?
and;

Hmmm, not quite the shocker as it would seem when you read on. She doesn't have to pave her garden, and she has alternatives to the 'eyesore' of the wheelie bins in her front garden- she can wheel them through her house for a start. Reading what the council said they actually seem pretty reasonable.
Hmmm....wheeling rubbish bins through the house??? I can see why this guy thought the council was being quite reasonable!

This appears to be one of those issues where the "forest" gets missed for the "trees". On one hand, the Harlow council should be applauded for their efforts in assisting a recycling program but when the only way to achieve that is to remove gardens, one has to ask where the logic is in this?

Continue to support your local garden centres and get out there and prove the importance of gardening to the UK economy and UK culture.

Should all Uk Gardens have a water feature or a fountain?

If you are planning on adding a Garden fountain or water feature to your garden, no matter if it is big or small, you are enhancing the outdoor area by making it a tranquil retreat and an elegant focal point. Certainly, if you don’t have one already, you are probably looking on the web at the wide selection of garden fountains or water features that you could choose. Garden fountains have a long reputation as an Artistic accent as well as a enjoyable experience.

Garden fountains and water features have been used in human habitations for thousands of years. In the architecture of ancient Rome it wasn’t unusual to find garden fountains at the heart of home courtyards. Looking at the hieroglyphs found on Egyptian tombs, garden fountains and water features were also present in the ancient peoples of the Nile. Fountains were located in public squares where people washed themselves, but they also became decorative elements in private gardens. Many countries in the Orient, especially Japan, still honor the traditional formal garden with their ornate garden fountains.

The 21st Century Garden, especially in the UK, generally contains some sort of fountain or running water. That may be in the shape of a pond with a water feature or a grand fountain lit up at night. The ideas all stem back to the previous paragraph. The Romans quickly found that running water was not only a feature of stature and grandure but also a wonderful architectural eye pleaser.

Understandably, the type of UK garden fountains you choose may depend on size or shape of the space . For large gardens, you will probably want large and intricate garden fountains to suite. Smaller gardens usually implies smaller, but no less distinctive fountains. You can choose wall-mounted fountains or those sitting on freestanding bases. It is also important to note that you can purchase garden fountains in various different materials in the UK such as wood, copper, ceramic, stone, fiberglass, resins, and cast iron.
The UK climate can be harsh and that is why 99% of fountain and water feature retailers sell protected materials. The ice and snow of winter can be harsh but should not deter you from your dream as such. Just be aware that once your water feature or fountain is in place in your garden, it is important to protect it from the elements wherever possible. A good water feature or fountain should last 15 to 20 years and withstand everything the winter can throw at it. You tend to get what you pay for from a reputable garden centre in the uk

It may be an option to store a small fountain inside, but with larger or freestanding garden fountains, this option is not possible, nor should you have to. You could go out and purchase a protective cover for your water feature that would slide over your fountain. Remember that if you remove the water pump that you should make sure it is free of water.

Research into fountains has shown a relationship between the running waters of garden fountains or waterfalls and a beneficial impact on your health and well-being. Others would consider the spiritual advantages of fountains to be of importance based on the sense of peace they can induce. It is a scientific fact that running water releases negative ions that purify the air by removing dust particles and other pollutants so breathing is made easier.

If you are serious about getting garden fountains or water features, then you need to ask yourself what your likes and preferences are. Many people who buy garden fountains enjoy the do-it-yourself experience so it makes sense to find fountains that come with detailed installation guides so you’re connecting hoses and pumps correctly and, most importantly, safely. Most garden fountains and water features in the UK are easy to install and most of the modern models require just one person to put them together. Garden fountains can be a peaceful backyard accent or the centerpiece for your elegant garden design.

For more information on choosing the right garden fountain or water feature for you in the UK visit http://www.waterfeatureuk.co.uk/ or purchase from a fantastic range of both indoor and outdoor fountains visit http://www.poplartreegardencentre.co.uk/

Grow your own

Its been a bumper Autumn harvest for apples and blackberries in the garden. All over the country there have been reports of huge crops of lovely ripe fruit . This is the result of lots of lovely sunshine and rain at the right times over the summer. The cold winter also had its part to play as many fruits need low temperatures for maximum yields.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/fruitandvegetables/3349566/Gardening-Growing-fruit-in-Britain.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6788636.ece

As the climate gets hotter how will these fruits survive as we adapt to planting more exotic crops such as olives, kiwi fruit, almonds etc.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/oct/11/climate-change-britain-crops

England 2018 world cup bid

The promise of a fantastic football celebration-published on the fa website

England is already home to many top players from all over the world. The chance to see the world’s best international sides compete on English soil would create a wonderful celebration of football in a country which cares passionately about the game.


Great stadiums

Wembley Stadium is a legendary football arena – and the arch of the rebuilt venue is a famous landmark on the capital’s skyline. It is the home of football in England.

WHAT ENGLAND OFFERS



The promise of a fantastic football celebration

England is already home to many top players from all over the world. The chance to see the world’s best international sides compete on English soil would create a wonderful celebration of football in a country which cares passionately about the game.


Great stadiums

Wembley Stadium is a legendary football arena – and the arch of the rebuilt venue is a famous landmark on the capital’s skyline. It is the home of football in England.







Alongside Wembley stand other famous stadiums like The Stadium of Light, Old Trafford, St James’s Park, the Emirates and the City of Manchester Stadium, all with their own unique atmosphere. Each provides top-quality facilities and the experience of hosting big matches every week. You can help pick which cities host matches by choosing here .


Excellent national infrastructure

The nation’s infrastructure of road, rail and air travel complements a unique blend of accommodation, from boutique hotels to country pubs.

Air services directly connect England to 185 airports in World Cup qualifying countries.


A warm welcome – for everyone

The warmth of the welcome is guaranteed, as is the chance to explore England, with historical and cultural attractions throughout the land.

The diversity of England’s communities means that overseas visitors will have a home-from-home, with the tournament providing the chance for extended families to re-unite.

Each of the 31 visiting teams is assured of noisy support from fellow countrymen who have settled in England, backed by a football-hungry public drawn to the greatest tournament on earth.


A spectacular experience for FIFA, broadcasters and sponsors

Based on the worldwide appetite for English football, whether at domestic or international levels, we already understand the needs of commercial partners.

It means FIFA would be plugging into football infrastructure which is among the best in the world. Grounds and training facilities such as the Sunderland stadium of light – meaning England can confidently focus on taking the World Cup experience to a new level.

The FA Cup and Premier League testify to English football’s worldwide scope. The FA Cup Final is currently shown in 287 territories and the Premier League in 211.


A boost for global football development

Football in England already has an established reputation for assisting the development of football around the world. Both The FA and the Premier League have extensive international relations programmes, offering training in all aspects of football to nations in every continent.

A World Cup held in England will boost this work and widen its scope says the fa website.we just hope for the sake of the entire country that the fa look outside of London for host stadia.places like the stadium of light in Sunderland must be at the forefront of their plans. A world cup bid must share the wealth,prosperity and job opportunities to all four corners of the uk in 2018 and not follow in the footsteps of englands doomed 2012 Olympic budget nightmare and stripping of lottery funding in northern cities and towns.




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