Gardens 52

Our Garden

5. HANG UP ITEmS THAT NEED HANGING

This practice especially applies to garden hoses. If you have one, roll it up and hang it instead of leaving it on the floor after use. This can cause trip hazards and general wear and tear.

6. INSTALL mAGNETIC STRIPS

Looking for a unique way to store your small metal tools? A magnetic strip organiser will do the trick! Add magnetic strips on the walls or above a workbench. Just make sure the strips are strong enough for the weight of your tools.

7. GET A PoTTING SHED Too

Storage sheds make a great alternative to potting sheds. But adding even a potting bench or a separate potting shed altogether can give you a dedicated place to do garden work. This way you can separate the mess of DIY and gardening.

8. mAKE USE oF CoNTAINERS 11. REUSE BooKSHELvES

When it comes to cost-effective storage solutions, you can't go wrong with a bit of upcycling. If you’re getting rid of an old bookshelf, break it down into parts and use the shelves in your shed.

Containers are ideal if you're storing chemicals in your shed. So if you have pesticides, weed killer, paint, and oil, keep them safely stored where they won’t leak. Placing them in a storage container will also keep them safe from outside exposure. Opt for heavy-duty plastic bins for storing them.

9. USE FREESTANDING SHELvING UNITS 12. PUT THINGS AWAy ImmEDIATELy

The best way to stay organised is to get into good habits. Have a clean out and make sure to toss away stuff you no longer need or use if it takes up space. Then, once your shed is newly fitted practise putting everything back in its allotted space. Label draws, shelves et cetera to help get into the habit!

As for your tubs and bins - where do you keep those? Use freestanding metal shelves to keep them organised. These are easily put together and moved around if you want to reorganise.

10. UTILITy HooKS

If you don’t want to set up a whole rack on your wall or ceiling, use utility hooks instead. These are great for storing bikes too! RoUND-UP

If your shed has been used as a dumping ground, if can be hard to get back to square one. But with these 12 tips, you can tidy up any shed - old or new, and get organised again.

It's time to put an end to clutter headaches and stop tripping over garden tools!

'lockdown style' takeaway service launched at Worcestershire boutique hotel's new rural bolthole

A ‘Lockdown-style’ takeaway food delivery service has been launched for guests staying at a newly opened self-catered lodge at a boutique victorian country manor hotel in Worcestershire.

Historic Brockencote Hall Hotel in near Kidderminster, part of the Eden Hotel Collection, invested £350,000 in refurbishing and redesigning its original 19th century Gate House.

Families, bridal parties or friends who stay at Brockencote Lodge – a luxury three-bedroom split-level property for six - can now order from a range of ‘Lockdown-style takeaway’ menus prepared by chefs in the four-star hotel’s award-winning 3AA Rosette restaurant.

Chefs have created two breakfast hampers, foodie tray bakes, sharing boards and sweet treats which will be awaiting them in the kitchen fridge on arrival or delivered to their door in a classic Jaguar.

General Manager Craig Routledge said: “As our new guest lodge offers a ‘home from home’ experience we felt people on holiday don’t always want to be cooking, peeling vegetables and washing up - so guests can pre-order the kind of Lockdown-style takeaway options we experienced during the pandemic. These can be waiting for them in the fridge and just need to be put in the oven or delivered to their door.

“For breakfast there’s a continental-style breakfast hamper filled with locally baked breads and bagels, cereals, freshly squeezed orange juice and natural yogurt topped with fruit compotes homemade at Brockencote Hall.

“Alternatively, guests can request all the ingredients for a traditional cooked breakfast with local Worcestershire produce for a relaxed, at-your-own-pace breakfast.

“For dinner we also have two choices. Guests can pre-order a range of indulgent ‘Foodie Tray Bakes’ prepared by our chefs which will be waiting in the fridge on arrival and just need heating up. They include family favourites such as poached salmon, roasted cod loin, chicken chasseur, a vegetarian Penne Alla Nerano and Beef Wellington.

“The second choice is a selection of sharing platters for people to graze on. Whether it’s a bridal party the night before a wedding or a family relaxing on the terrace looking for something to nibble on there’s something for everyone – from a Cobble Lane Charcuterie Board, Worcestershire Cheese Board, Macneil’s Smokehouse Fish salad, roasted seasonal vegetables, olives and flatbreads or freshly baked artisan breads to share including Focaccia and sourdough.

“A selection of hot and cold desserts will be available to choose from on the same premise from a full afternoon tea to a summer berry cheesecake with lemon shortbread and chocolate cherry brownie with clotted cream.”

The stylish self-contained rural “hideaway destination” which has been completed revamped by the hotel’s interior design team has already been attracting bridal wedding parties and families since it opened in April.

It boasts a feature King-size master suite with double shower and dressing room, two en-suite bedrooms, open plan style living space including a fully fitted out kitchen with double-doors opening out onto a secluded outdoor terrace with a log burning hot tub. The fully-enclosed garden looks onto the hotel’s 72-acre countryside estate with tennis courts and a croquet lawn.

Our Leisure

Major attractions for families, foodies and heritage lovers within a 30-minute drive include Severn valley Railway, West Midlands Safari Park and the National Trust’s Hanbury Hall.

Craig said: “The lodge is immersed in nature with stunning sunsets and surrounded by fields we loan to local farmers. We currently have three horses, sheep and Canadian Geese, which are amazing for families with young children to see.

“It is a fantastic base for people who are keen to get out-and-about and explore the area.

“We have a huge amount of family attractions and activities on our doorstep. Cadbury’s World, Rush Trampoline Park, the Sealife Centre and Legoland Discovery Centres are straight up the M42 in Birmingham. The NEC and the Bear Grylls Adventure activity centre are an easy drive as is Go Ape in Kidderminster and another trampoline park, Boing Zone, in Stourbridge.

“The Cotswolds are also just half an hour away, including the picture-perfect Worcestershire village of Broadway, and award-winning organic Daylesford Farm. Other foodie destinations include the five-generation Churchfields Farm in Droitwich home to award-winning Churchfields Farmhouse Icecream and dairy, fresh milk vending machine, farm tours and Droitwich Salt.

“Other artisan producers close by include Piston Distillery and Gin School in nearby Worcester, the Stourport-on-Severn family run organic Astley vineyard, which runs award-winning tours, Halfpenny Green Wine and Chase Distillery. “

For further information on Brockencote Lodge visit https://www.brockencotehall.com/thelodge/

sTourbridGe shines in CounTy Golf evenTs

Stourbridge Golf Club and its members had a few weeks to remember! Its involvement within the county golf scene has been more prominent than ever.

In the world of golf, county-level events are very prestigious. The standard of performance required at these competitions is of a different caliber. So to have been working alongside the county so frequently in all aspects is a fantastic achievement for Stourbridge.

The events kicked off with Stourbridge playing host to multiple Worcestershire and Herefordshire Ladies County Championships. The vets Championship, County Championship qualifiers and the championship knockouts. All three events were well supported and were enjoyed by all involved. This was followed by a Worcestershire County mens Midlands League match versus Nottinghamshire.

Throughout the competitions, multiple members represented Stourbridge Golf Club. In the vets Championship, Stourbridge came home with the top prizes! Sue Edmunds won overall with Jill Yates and Kim Pickering providing an excellent showing. In the Midlands League match, previous Stourbridge captain Lee Evans produced an outstanding display to win both of his matches.

In the Boulton Salver, which was played outside Stourbridge Golf Club, two members and brothers won convincingly. Alfie & George Cook, making their first play at Moseley Golf Club, dominated the competition over 36 holes and took home the elite trophy.

Combining the level of golf played by its members and standard of course hospitality provided; Stourbridge Golf Club will be one to consider visiting over the summer. We have several open competitions available to participate in and for all golfers! These include our Mixed Am/Am, the men’s & ladies opens and our biggest event of the year: The Pro/ Am! There is also availability for membership in all categories and a fantastic community atmosphere waiting for you. There will never be a better time to join!

For more information or enquiries, please contact 01384395566 or office@sgcmail. co.uk for assistance. We look forward to seeing you soon!