Archived
 Valentine's Day has become another of those days where marketing folks try to convince us our beloved will be thrilled with a bin or a hacksaw. Well, having quizzed a range of folks it seems the old favourites continue to reign supreme: flowers, champagne and a dinner that isn't pasta and pesto. Which isn't to say some new thinking couldn't come into play... |
 Head to the capital in early June for London Parks and Gardens' annual open gardens event. It's a chance to see more than 100 gardens across London that aren't usually open to the public - from the rose-filled secret gardens in posh central London, to the corporate roof gardens of the City of London, to the working gardens of local communities and charities. |
 The Mission Spiritus initiative will be gathering data on the global impact of micro and nano plastics - plastic particles have spread to quite literally all quarters of the earth. The expedition is part of its environmental research to impress on world political and business leaders the imperative to halt climate change |
 Putting up decorations is one of the joys of Christmas. But given that tinsel is made from PVC and so doesn't score highly on the eco points chart, how should we deck the halls? Kay Hill has some sustainable suggestions |
 With the cost of living crisis making life hard for so many of us, Christmas is a great opportunity to appreciate that less is more when it comes to gifts...is it not?! So get out the brown paper and the biodegradable glitter, don't buy more food than Bruce Bogtrotter could eat, and remember to compost ALL your peelings |
 Mosaic artist and upcycling fanatic Katy Galbraith urges us to look at our old crockery and glassware with a creative eye....and turn them into something useful and beautiful ...or purely decorative. She tells us about her work |
 Exposed wood beams don't need much in the way of day to day maintenance but periodically it makes sense to have them renovated to ensure they'll be doing a grand job in 200 years' time
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 Make a beeline this week for the Dundee Design Festival. Some 180 designers are taking part in the festival which offers you the chance to take part in workshops, hear talks and see exhibitions covering interiors, jewellery, ceramics and clothing |
 Is your garden or outside space in need of some colourful autumn blooms? The HTA suggests planting Asters, as they flower pretty much up to Christmas. |
