Gardening


Golden Gardens

Forget crummy crocus, dazzling daffs and tarty tulips - try something new

NOW that September is here it’s the perfect time to go out and buy spring bulbs. The nurseries and garden centres are already bursting with daffodils, crocus and tulips, all of them are great in their own way but this year why not try something different.

Keeping your garden growing

Star gazer lilies - bursting with scent and colour

WELL, August already, where does the time go. Although a lot of our garden favourites have finished flowering there’s still plenty of life left in our borders and our gardens can still look spectacular for a few months yet.

Growing for gold - the joys of Chelsea

L’Occitane Garden

FOR five days in May, nestled in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, the world’s most prestigious gardening show opens its doors to the public.

Phew what a scorcher! – Coping with the dry spell

Water hanging baskets twice a day

THE weather in the past few weeks has been magnificent, especially for sun-worshippers like us. At long last we seem to be experiencing the rarest of things; a decent summer.

Marvellous, marvellous May

Ancient bluebell wood

MAY is our favourite month in the garden. Plants are growing so quickly that you can almost see them and hear them. The apple blossom is looking gracious and the tulips are looking majestic.



Recipes


Sweet scones

AS summer is well and truly upon us, and Wimbledon is here (along with a couple of other important sporting events!), I feel it’s time to make some wonderfully light scones, sit back and enjoy mother nature’s summer.

French chicken with vegetables

Annette Newman

THIS simple but effective dish is perfect if you haven't got time to slave away in the kitchen! It goes well with rice to soak up the sauce.

Stuffed chicken breast with a red wine sauce

THE latest delicious recipe from Hertfordshire cook Annette Newman.

Carrot cake

Carrot cake

THIS week I have included a very easy to make carrot cake! No creaming the butter and sugar, egg curdling or anything that can go wrong all too easily.





Leisure & Lifestyle

Heartfelt vocals and harmonies at Letchworth Arts Centre

Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters

A TOP US band brings its special blend of country and bluegrass to Letchworth Arts Centre on Sunday (September 12).

Cats And Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Cats And Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

AFTER years in hiding, Kitty Galore (voiced by Bette Midler) breaks cover to steal valuable technology which she needs to construct a device that will get rid of the pesky dogs once and for all.

All Star Karate

All Star Karate

If you’re looking for a hardcore fighting game, this isn’t it.

The blues band with a Sonny disposition

Nine Below Zero

One of Britain's foremost blues bands who played with Bruce Willis at a party to celebrate the release of one of his films will be bringing their music to Hertford.

Model Zowie covers up (partly) for film role

Zowie Vince

A Nazeing glamour model has taken a break from posing for lads' mags to star in her first film. Zowie Vince, 22, who has featured on the front of GQ, Maxim, Zoo and Nuts, will appear as the leading lady in the British romantic comedy Goodnight Until Tomorrow, for which filming starts in January.