FOOD AND DRINK

HOW TO SAVE THE BEES

Brits have been advised on how to protect buzzing bees in order to avoid having to splash out billions to fill the gap in our fragile ecosystem in years to come. Horticulture specialists at LazyFlora.com have compiled a bee-saving guide which encourages green-fingered homeowners to do their part in protecting these important flying insects.

The world has seen a slow but steady decline in the number of bees since the 1990s due to the widespread use of toxic pesticides, which can’t differentiate between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ insects.

Climate change has also dealt a devastating blow to the global bee population, as some species don’t cope well with very hot temperatures – they literally overheat. But as a third of all consumed food is dependent on bees and other pollinating bugs, they play a vital role in our ecosystem. The alternative is pollinating by hand, which is an arduous and expensive task. This would also inevitably lead to a surge in food costs. Fortunately, we can all be doing our part to help cultivate the population of bees. We’ve listed some of our favourite tips below. Avoid pesticides: The majority of insects are not harmful and there is no place for industrial chemicals in the garden, as some pesticides will remain embedded into the soil affecting other wildlife in the long term. Green fingered Brits should always be wary of using the toxins even for casual use, unless absolutely necessary. Prioritise plants for pollinators: Certain plants are much more likely to attract bees to the garden, so do some research before you plant to find the perfect match. Lavender, oregano and basil all produce lots of nectar and will be covered in happy, hungry bees. Alternatively, reserve a portion of your garden for a wildflower ‘meadow’ or dedicate an area of lawn to native wildflowers only, as this is ideal habitat for pollinators.

Plant fruit trees: Fruit trees are often the first source of pollen that appears each year, providing a rich source of high-quality pollen for bees.

Do not weed: Weeds can be a nuisance however they do have their purpose. Plants such as dandelions are a brilliant source of food for bees when other food is scarce, especially in early spring as there is only a limited range of sources available. Quench thirst: Even those with limited space can do their part by installing a small water basin for bees to satisfy thirst during the heights of summer. Just remember to add a couple of stones and floating objects such as a cork so the bees don’t drown.

Keep the bees: For Brits who really want to invest in saving bees, they could look at picking up a new hobby – beekeeping. Do plenty of research and ensure preparation is done beforehand. Give bees a home and produce organic and locally made honey for all to enjoy.

Our pets are much loved companions, best friends and family members but sadly, not all animals are treated with the love and care they deserve

The RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch receives no government funding and we are entirely reliant upon the generosity of our kind supporters. Over a third of our income is in the form of gifts included in people's Wills. This generosity helps us to give food, bedding, veterinary care and TLC to the animals in our Animal Centre and contributes greatly to their rehabilitation. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of people leaving us a gift in their Will. Your act of kindness is literally a gift of life to hundreds of animals that have been cruelly treated. It will cost you nothing in your lifetime but from £100 to £100,000, every donation to the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch is greatly appreciated and can help save an animal’s life. Making a Will, or adding a codicil to your existing Will is the only way to ensure that those you love will be taken care of, including your pets. If your pet has brought huge joy into your life, remembering the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch in your Will is a wonderful way to celebrate your love of your animals and help animals less fortunate than your own for many years to come. As a self funded RSPCA Branch, we're totally reliant upon the kindness of animal-lovers in order to continue our work. Your lasting legacy will ensure that we can continue our work to help the thousands of animals that we care for every year and also plan for the future.

If you would like to talk to someone about leaving a Gift in your Will, please call us on 01422 341160, e-mail us at: Branchoffice@rspcahalifaxhuddersfieldbradford.org.uk or if you prefer you can write to us at RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District, Wade Street, Halifax, HX1 1SN

HOW TO BUILD A BUDGET BBQ

Brits are being shown how to make DIY budget BBQs, to entertain and make up for lost time with guests this summer.

The penny-pinching pros over at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have collated expert advice on how to keep the cost of summer fun down, by building or making a structure to cook on with low-cost materials that can be found around the home.

Nothing screams British summertime more than having friends and family over for a BBQ.

Whether it’s a temporary, portable or permanent structure that will suit the BBQ needs of your guests best, there are plenty of cost-effective tips to get grilling.

Cheap DIY methods of cooking dinner al fresco include using roasting trays, terra cotta plant pots and an old toolbox!

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes. co.uk said: “It doesn’t matter how small your BBQ budget is this year, as we have collated some ways to save money, by making a new outdoor grill to cook for guests on.

“As people start fully emerging from lockdown for social occasions, outdoor events are likely to carry on being the preferred and safest option.

“The best part of making tailoring your own grill station is that you can keep the cost down whilst still customising everything you want, from the size of the cooking area, down to the materials you use to design them.”

Little charcoal grill

Cheap and easy disposable grills can be made using a thick foil baking tray, saving you a fortune on buying them from the shop each time you want a tasty meal outdoors. Pick the type of large tray used to cook a turkey, an inexpensive cooling rack to place food on and some charcoal to get the fire going. To fireproof the floor from flames and heat, stand the tray on some old cinderblocks or bricks. This little charcoal grill is easy to pack and portable enough for a camping trip

Brick BBQ base

Those with excess bricks or cement left over from another job are best placed to build a solid based BBQ. This one will require a fair amount of DIY, but it is easy enough. Create a square or squared semi-circle out the materials available and cement together to make it a sturdy structure that is a comfortable height to cook at. Once built, lay a grill over the top. This idea also works on a smaller scale. Instead of making the structure waist height, lay a small base of 12 to 15 bricks and build it up a brick or two high around the edges of the small structure.

Terra cotta pot grill

This tiny grill might not be able to feed the most, but it is an affordable and environmentally friendly way to enjoy smaller scale BBQs. Terra cotta pots can be found for a few pounds in most hardware stores, or there might be one left unloved in the garden. They are the perfect size to sit on a heat-resistant table and aside from the pot, all you need is a rack to cook food on. The larger the terra cotta pot, the harder it will be to heat up. Place bricks at the bottom to fill the base and retain heat.

Toolbox

Old metal toolboxes are the ultimate stylish upcycled garden accessory and grill. If you don’t have an old one knocking about, they often make an appearance on online auction sites. The larger the toolbox, the more food will be able to cook at one time. Coat the toolbox with a heat resist pain for extra safety and to add a splash of colour. Once the toolbox has been prepped, pop charcoal in the bottom and a grill or cooling rack over the opening.

BBQ barrel

Metal barrel BBQs can be made with clean bins, casks and kegs. The metal cylinder will need to be cut in half and hinged and painted with a heat protected coat. One of the trickier DIY tasks will be making a stand to keep the barrel on. The stand can be made out of things like scaffolding and fence posts. Once finished, the BBQ barrel will look highly professional and you will barely be able to recognise it as a DIY job.

Built-in pit

This ambitious project is the timeliest and trickiest BBQ to attempt to make on the list, but any bog-standard DIY-er will be able to create this easy breezy built-in pit. The process is similar for both in-ground and overground pits, but parents with young children should seriously consider opting for a raised feature. Use a shovel to dig out the pit, as it will need to be around 50cm deep to sit over the ground. Sunken pits will need at least a metre of space below ground. Use a metal firepit ring or non-combustible materials such as concrete, fire bricks, or landscaping stones to build up and decorate the sides of the BBQ. Once safe and sturdy, add charcoal and a large grill to entertain and cook for guests.

FOOLPROOF BBQ SIMPLE RECIPES TO CREATE A SIZZLE

Everyone loves to fire up the barbecue on a sunny day - but how often do you end up with blackened steak, raw chicken or collapsing veggie kebabs? Never fear Genevieve Taylor, BBQ and live-fire expert and cook, is here to solve your barbecue problems with foolproof recipes to make your summer party a sizzling success.

AUBERGINE WITH FETA, CURRANTS & PINE NUTS

SERVES 4–6 3 medium aubergines (eggplants) 2 tbsp olive oil 75g (21/2oz) pine nuts, toasted 75g (21/2oz) currants a handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped 200g (7oz) feta, crumbled extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling 1 lemon, halved sea salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve seeds from 1 pomegranate 1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes (optional), to garnish

Aleppo pepper (also known as pul biber) is a type of chilli flake with a lovely lemony flavour. Find it online or in Turkish or Middle Eastern food shops.

METHOD

Fire up the barbecue ready for indirect cooking so you can cook the aubergines (eggplants) away from the high heat of the fire.

Slice the aubergines in half lengthways, then score a diamond pattern deeply into the cut surface of each half using a small sharp knife, taking care not to pierce the skin. Drizzle over the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. indirectly for 15 minutes, rotating once or twice so they cook evenly. You want them to soften all the way through, so keep them away from the direct fire. Turn and cook cut-side down for another 10 minutes with the lid down, until they are soft and tender. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the aubergines.

Meanwhile, mix the pine nuts, currants and parsley in a bowl. Once the aubergines are tender, slide them, cut-side up, onto a fireproof baking sheet then scatter over the nut and herb mixture. Sprinkle over the feta and grind over some black pepper. Slide the tray back onto the barbecue, this time over the direct heat, and leave to cook for a further 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is softened.

Use a metal spatula to transfer the aubergines to a serving plate then drizzle with plenty of extra virgin olive oil and squeeze over the lemon juice. Scatter over the pomegranate seeds and a good sprinkle of Aleppo pepper, if you have some. Serve warm.