13 Stinging Nettles

STINGING NETTLES

By Local Resident Howard Vaughan

Stinging nettles are a bit of a double edged sword in a garden. They can take over and once you have them then, well, you have them but in the right spot they are a great boon for wildlife of all sorts as well as having culinary, dye and even string making uses. When I dug up my little plot on Wednesday to plant my broad beans and beetroot in I had to remove a good tangle of tuberous Nettle roots most of which I put in my compost. However, I have also planted some in a big flower pot so that they can still grow and attract insects by the dozen. They tend to flop over if grown in isolation like this so make a stick and string frame in the pot to support them as they grow but you will need to keep them watered too!

In full flower! They can get to about 1.5m high. I also have a patch of Nettles that are just fine where they are and they are already coming along just nicely and I hope to have Peacock butterfly caterpillars on them at some stage this spring. Nettlebugs will mysteriously appear and the flowers will attract hoverflies and some of the smaller bees. My new patch

Peacock caterpillars and butterfly

Nettlebugs - Mark Hart Come the autumn do not cut the stems back but leave them so that Goldfinches can find the seed and small birds like Wrens and Tits will forage in the dried heads for hibernating insects. Wrens loving poking about for insects - David Dent Come the following spring you can cut them down and use the stems in you new bug and bee boxes so a versatile and wondrous plant to have in your garden at all times!

FRONT COVER IMAGE: DARTFORD WARBLER

BY STEVE YOUNG

The Dartford Warbler was first identified as a breeding bird in the UK in April 1773 when 2 specimens were shot in Bexleyheath by ornithologist, John Latham. From the 1830s sadly the bird ceased to be present in the area due to disturbance and loss of habitat as a result of urbanisation. The nearest locations where established populations can still be seen are on Sussex and Surrey heaths. Occasional winter birds turn up at Rainham marshes. 13

NORTH KENT COLLEGE AND RAF CHOIR HIT THE HEIGHTS ON BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT!

North Kent College student Jack Beaney, a 2nd year Miskin actor recently received four yeses from the Britain’s Got Talent judges when the Royal Air Force Choir took part in their audition.

The RAF Air Cadets National Choir formed of ages between thirteen and twenty started their journey in Series 14 of BGT. The choir has been running for five years and was formed to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Air Cadets. They have competed in various shows and their Musical Director believed it was their time to show the world what they are made of so he put them through in September 2019!

The approximately 30 strong choir from across the country, including Jack, attended their audition in January after having to quickly turnaround rehearsal times and logistics as they had been informed that auditions wouldn’t take place until February!

Whilst they took to the main stages at the London Palladium, they played the drums, guitar and sang icon songs which included ‘We Will Rock you’, ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ and ‘Radio Ga Ga’. After an amazing performance they received a standing ovation from the crowd. Simon Cowell said “It was good, really good and you had great energy”. David Walliams mentioned how “magic” it was. Alesha Dixon stated she had respected for them as her brother is also part of the RAF. Amanda Holden concluded how “relaxed and entertained” she was. Then the moment they had all been waiting for - four yeses’!

Jack Beaney said of his experience “You didn’t see in the footage but Simon and Aleshia wanted to press their gold buzzers but had already done so and were trying to egg the others on to do theirs!

The experience was extremely surreal and hard to describe because it was all back to normal so quickly – I was thinking to myself was it a dream or did it actually happen?”

He continued “I’m slightly disappointed we didn’t get to the second round however extremely grateful for the opportunity and experience!”

Well Done Jack and all of the RAF Choir - you can view their performance here https://youtu.be/ etHY8YndG-8 !