Ashdown Forest Living

March 2012

Growing Carrots Elsie Wagg Gardening Tips Business Directory & Community Magazine serving the Residents of Ashdown Forest & nearby

Interior & Exterior PAINTING & DECORATING Professional, Cost-effective service 01342 315250 or 07851421104 Š James Barrett, see page 28 for details of his exhibition

PRICE BUSTERS Mid-Sussex Timber Co. Ltd

SPECIAL OFFER: WHITE GRANULAR SALT 25KG BAGS £4.99 1. T&G Loft Board P4 Chipboard Flooring 1220x320x18mm £2.75 ea 2. Makita SDS+ 710w Rotary Hammer 240v

£99.99 ea

3. Makita Palm Sander 240v

£45.99 ea

4. Makita 9554NB 115mm 710w Angle Grinder

£41.66 ea

5. Spear and Jackson Predator Hand Saws

£6.99 ea

6. Green contractors Wheelbarrow 85 Litres

£28.75 ea

7. Power De Icer 500ml Spray

£2.13 ea

8. New Design Ronseal Power Sprayer

£28.03 ea

9. Liberon Aqua Stop Tough Deck Finish 2.5 Litre

£24.99 ea

10. Triple Action Wood Treatment 5 Litre

£16.95 ea

11. BR42B Gutter 4m Roundstyle 112mm

£8.60 ea

12. Green Mineral Shed Felt 20kg (1x10m)

£16.90 ea

13. Green Mineral Top Felt 36-38kg (1x10m)

£29.90 ea

14. Underslaters Felt Type 1F (1x15m)

£16.90 ea

15. Grange 1.83x1.8m Professional Lap Panel

£19.80 ea

Mid-Sussex Timber supplying an excellent service and great products at a competitive price.

Forest Row:

East Grinstead:

Haywards Heath:

T: 01342 822191

T: 01342 317470

T: 01444 413413

Station Road, RH18 5EL

Railway Approach, RH19 1BY

College Road, RH16 1QW

Crowborough:

Ballards Yard, Park Road, TN6 2QS

T: 01892 652725

www.mstc.co.uk

All Prices Exclude VAT. Free Delivery for orders over £150 + VAT • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living Mstc-A5-PriceBuster-march12.indd1 1

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

14/02/2012 08:46:44

Chimneys

Roofing repairs

Guttering Building Refurbishment Testimonial: “It is with pleasure that I recommend Paul and Allzones Roofing Services. We encountered a problem at our residence over the last winter during the large snowfall with an ingress of water in two dormer window areas. We requested quotes from two well known roofing companies and were told we require a completely new roof at an exorbitant sum of money. Thank goodness we had someone refer us to Paul. He identified the problem as being poorly fitted felt and loose tiles which were pushed up by the snowfall & freezing weather. He and his men attended immediately and corrected the situation at a fraction of the cost quoted by the previous two companies It is truly wonderful to meet a tradesman who is not only extremely honest but very proud of the work he performs. I am quite confident that any who employs this company will be very pleased with the final result.”

Yours truly, Richard Reuss Independent Business Consultant Forest Row

Tiled Roofing & Repairs Flat Roofing & Repairs

Dear Sir/Madam, We are a professional family business with 40 years experience. Our services are cost-effective with references.

• Tiled & Flat Roofing, renew/repair • Chimney repair/remove/rebuild • Sheet roofing, renew/repair • Plastic guttering & weatherboards 01342 315250 07851 421104 www.allzonesroofing.com

Flat roofing

Flat roof repairs

Flat roof boarding Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 •

Index: Support Local Business

Dear Residents, Welcome to the March Edition of the Ashdown Forest Living.

With Springtime nearly upon us it’s the best time of year to start sprucing up the house and get the garden into shape once again.

On the subject, this month’s issue has an unmistakable garden theme running through it. Elsie Wagg, a famous resident of nearby East Grinstead , had the novel idea of raising funds for charity through garden viewings. This developed into the now omnipresent national garden scheme.

Simon Kerr gives us a greater insight into this special lady.

We have gardening tips for March and an easy-to-follow ‘Growing Carrots’ article to get anyone started on the road to growing their own vegetables. Plus ‘19 Years of Gardening for Charity’ about the gardens of Warren House, Crowborough, that open each year as part of the Ngs. Thank you for using any of our local advertisers.

Please continue to support local business.

All the best for a great start to Spring.

Accountant/ Book-Keeping TNMC Business Services Cats Protection

Wiltshire Farm Food

Architects David Fry

Art Juliet Murray, Cogcrafts Concepts

7

Beauty Pretty Permanent Make-Up 7

Blinds Penumbra Blinds Blinds & Curtains Chez Soi Interiors

16 19 19

Bowls Isle of Thorns Bowls Club 18,19

Café/Function Venue/ Restaurant/Bar Brambletye Hotel

11

Car Scuffs Sussex 21 Nutley Motor Services Ltd. 23 TLC Nurses

27

Children

Ashdown Forest Living Contact us on 01342 300152 info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk

Nanny Angels Blackland Farm

6 29

Cleaning

Contents 6 8 10 12 14 18 20 22,24 26 26 26 28 30

This publication uses vegetable based inks on chlorine free paper Ashdown Forest Living Notice: Ashdown Forest Living prints various articles, features, and advertisements. Although these appear in Ashdown Forest Living, any opinions expressed are the opinion of the author, these are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. © Copyright Ashdown Forest Living 2011. The contents of this publication are written specifically for our readers, no part may be reproduced elsewhere without express and prior permission.

• March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

17

23

Animals

Care

Tally & Chris

March Recipe Growing Carrots Quick Quiz & Sudoku Ideas for Easter Whisky Speech Isle of Thorns Bowling Club In Honour of Mothers Elsie Wagg Ashdown Rangers Report Alfie 19 Years of Gardening for Charity What’s On Gardening Tips

9

Family Chiropractic Clinic 15 Mel Clarkson, Counsellor 23 Kate Humphries, Counsellor 6 Reconnective Healing 7 Hire Fitness 21

Cleaning Black Maids Ovenaid Dirty Ovens

17 17 25 23

Dental

Food/Drink LG Burberry Landscape Contractors/Tree Surgeons Richards Fencing LM Garden Machinery Sargents Tree Services JH Vartan Mini-digger/Trencher

Allzones Roofing 3 Allzones Painting & Decorating 1 Co Prob Windows/ Refurbishment 16 CEC Electrical Services 5 EPH Plumbing & Heating 16 Baileybridge Construction 17 Mid Sussex Timber 2 Fernwood Polishing/Wood Refurb 5 MRJ Electrical Services 23 MRM Plastering 27 MM Roofing 29 AI Plumbing 17 Kitchens Bespoke 25 Ashdown Decorating & Property Maintenance 23

Offices for Rent

Computer

Pippingford Manor 29

Tuition

9

French Tuition German Tuition

27

Rachel Ricketts

Doors Sussex Doors

Heating Oil Geoff Boorman Fuels

14 30 9 31 23 11

Home Maintenance Services/Products

Riverview Dental Centre 13 The Computer Studio

11

Garden/Landscape

9 15 15

Weightloss 32

Health/Wellbeing/Fitness

Windows

Lotte Berk Fitness Studio 21 Atlas Profilax 15

Sussex Windows & Doors 9 Co Prop Window Installers 16

Crowborough Arts supports and promotes all artistic activities in Crowborough & the surrounding areas.

We present a wide range of the arts from musical performances, literary events, visual arts exhibitions, to workshops and skill-sharing, and we encourage & develop new ideas to add to our programme as well as supporting community events put on by other organizations.

Do join us for the 2012 – 13 year when we hope to take on even more challenges – we would very much value your ongoing support! www.crowborough-arts.org.uk

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

The Ashdown Forest Living has grown from strength to strength with the majority of our customers continually renewing because our advertising has proven results. at now th t you k g, our le o t d in te rest Liv st wan We “We ju t Asdown Fo y different. r u e o v h k graphic o o wit lo m e ld d ss wou g the rural esents busine u repr accessin end with yo he business n o ly re et, t ur sp hole. hilst o r budg and w e 30% of ou 75% of the w e m k o ore li only s ed is m rk! “ acquir od wo the go p u p Kee & Mel Helena rses u N C TL

“I jumped at the chance to have an ad in the ‘Ashdown living’ wh en I heard about it. The fact that it is del ivered by the Royal Mail means it gets to all those properties in and around the Ash down Forest area that are hard to reach.

This was proved to me when I won a job in Crowborough, at a house with 1km drivew ay! I’ve had great results advertising in this publication and will continue to do so for as long as it is around.”

Matt Merrell, MRM Plastering and Bui lding

ASHURST

HARTFIELD

GROOMBRIDGE BELLS YEW GREEN

FRANT

FOREST ROW

ERIDGE GREEN COLEMAN’S HATCH

CHELWOOD GATE HORSTED KEYNES NUTLEY DANEHILL LINDFIELD

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Reach over 17,000 households door-to-door

CROWBOROUGH

Over 5 years experience with local advertising & marketing

HADLOW DOWN BUXTED

SCAYNES HILL

We work with you to get actual results

FLETCHING

Supporting the Ashdown Forest Area & supporting local charities & communities

WIVELSFIELD

01342 300152 or 07930 251799

www.ashdownforestliving.co.uk info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk SAINT HILL

CEC Electrical Specialists Ltd All Electrical Works

Lighting • SocketS • FuSeboardS • rewireS audio-ViSuaL • SoLar • Lighting controL Fire aLarmS • network inStaLLationS

Local, References Available, Fully Qualified A Friendly, Professional Service For a Free Quote Call: 07970 898540 info@cecelectricalspecialists.co.uk Residential & Commercial

Wood Finishing & Restoration

All aspects of interior wood finishing undertaken:

French Polishing, Stair rails, Wood floor sanding, Panels, Kitchen wood surfaces restored as new.

20 Years Experience

Fernwood Polishing: 07944 029151

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 •

Rose buttermilk pudding with raspberries Serves 8

A fresh, light recipe to welcome in Springtime.

Method When roses are at their headiest and their scent is strong you can use fresh petals instead of rosewater, just leave the petals to infuse in the cream. Likewise, you could place a few petals in the bottom of each mould for decoration when turned out.

If you are are not confident about unmoulding then set the pudding in pretty glasses.

Recipe by Chef

Dean Samsudin

at the Brambletye Hotel

Ingredients 3 leaves of gelatine 400ml (4floz) double cream 250gm (9oz) caster sugar 4 thinly pared strips lemon rind 600ml (1pt) buttermilk 2 tsp rosewater raspberries & rose petals(optional) to serve

1. Place gelatine in shallow bowl and cover in cold water 2. Gently heat half the double cream along with the sugar and lemon rind in a saucepan over a ‘low heat’. When it’s just about to boil, remove, cover pan with the lid and leave to infuse for 15 minutes.

3. Whisk the gelatine into the infused cream and strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl. Add the buttermilk and rosewater.

4. Gently whip the remaining double cream and fold this through the buttermilk mixture. Pour into 8 dariole moulds or nice glasses and leave to set.

5. Garnish with raspberries and, if available, rose petals, with shortbread biscuits on the side.

Katie Humphries MBACP Private Counselling in Hartfield, East Sussex Individual counselling including: Bereavement and Loss, Family/Relationship Matters, Anger, Stress and Depression

To arrange your FREE and confidential initial consultation or for further details, please contact Katie on:

Telephone: 07841 404471 e-mail: k8ehumphries@gmail.com MBACP Registered www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/katie-humphries

• March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

Nanny Angels UK Ltd.

Nannies for All Occasions

03330 446 107

local rate call & mobile friendly

• • • • •

Wedding Nannies Hotel Nannies Corporate Functions Live-In/Out nannies Baby Sitting

Contact us for a Free no obligation quotation Website: www.nannyangelsuk.com Email: info@nannyangels.com

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Stunning Local Art by Juliet Murray

Feeling out of balance, stuck or adrift on your life path?

Struggling to progress?

Original pastel paintings/prints/cards Antique & decorative prints

If you’re looking for: • more energy/balance • more confidence/self-worth • more clarity/focus/creativity • a greater sense of well-being • and an entry point to your true purpose

Need something framing? Family treasures/ artwork/needlework/photos etc – phone for a quote

Then come and experience a Reconnective Healing™ session for yourself

Come & browse: 01825 712565

To make an enquiry or an appointment please contact me on: E: thesevencolours@aol.com T: 07778 388 230 Sessions are available in Uckfield, East Sussex.

Sheila Smith, Member of the British Holistic Medical Association The UK Group of Reconnective Healing™ and The Reconnection Practitioners™

www.reconnectionpractitioners.co.uk

Cogcraft Concepts, Forest Bank Farm, Clockhouse Lane, Nutley TN22 3NZ 10% off limited edition prints with this advert

Details/On-line Gallery:www.cogcraft.co.uk

Face the world with conFidence Overplucked eyebrows or lips lost definition?

Do you feel self conscious without make up?

Can’t apply great make up?

Here is a recent customer testimonial: “Mary-Anne thank you so much for my new look. The difference to how I look now, compared to before is incredible. I was never very good at eyeliner and would always remove it disheartened. Having my eyes, eyebrows and lips done has given me so much more confidence in how I look, I should have had it done years ago.”

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After

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www.prettypermanentmakeup.co.uk info@prettypermanentmakeup.co.uk Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 •

Growing Carrots If, like me, you regrettably paid scant attention to grandparents/ parents who tried to teach you gardening then you’ll welcome this springtime feature. Growing your own has many benefits: brings down supermarket bills, is a trusted food source, gets you & the family reconnected with nature - away from the screens...

We took vegetable favourite, carrots, and asked Micheal Dongray of Imberhorne Lane Nursery to give us a step-by-step helpful guide:

Carrots prefer a light soil grown in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Growing carrots in a heavy soil or one that is stony will cause the roots to become deformed. A soil PH of 6 to 6.8 is desirable for best results A deeply dug, light sandy soil is best for growing the longer varieties. If your soil is heavy or stony simply grow the more stumpy varieties of carrot.

1. Start preparing the bed two weeks before sowing the carrot seed. Break down the surface to a fine soil by using a garden fork to turn & then breaking clods using a rake and work in a general fertiliser.

Note: do not plant carrots into soil that has had compost recently dug into it as this can damage roots; wait at least 2 weeks.

2. Carrots can be sown from mid February to July so harvesting can begin in early June right through until October. Below is a list of the average sowing and harvesting dates that will act as a rough guide on how to grow carrots at the correct times.

3. Sow carrot seed thinly into prepared beds, in rows 15cm (6”) apart. Thin out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle, about 7-10cm (3-4”) apart.

4. Hoe as necessary to keep down weeds. Water on a regular basis, enough to keep the ground damp.

Water with a liquid feed every two weeks.

5. Start pulling your carrots from June onwards. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around them.

Sowing Times Mid February: cover with a cloche (small translucent cover for protecting outdoor plants) Grow an early variety which you can harvest in early June.

March: cover with a cloche. Grow an early variety which you can harvest in June/July.

April: No cloche required. If you grow an early variety harvest July/August. A maincrop variety will be ready in August.

May: Grow a maincrop variety and harvest in August.

June: Grow a maincrop variety and harvest in September.

July: Grow a maincrop variety and harvest in October.

Varieties Early Varieties

Maincrop varieties Stumpy Varieties

Bambino Mokum F1 Jeanette Amsterdam

Eskimo Ulyses Flyaway Chantenay Royal

Early Scarlet Horn Sweetheart Red Cored Supreme

Handy Tips 1. To increase soil ph (make more alkaline) garden lime needs to be added to the soil. To decrease ph (to make more acidic) add sulpher powder and/or dig in organic matter in the form of compost or manure. PH tester, suphur & lime available at your local garden centres.

2. Carrot fly is this vegetables worst enemy. It is a small black 6. If you intend to store some of your crop of carrots then October is the month for this. Lift the maincrop varieties, clean off any soil - use only undamaged carrot roots - cut the foliage back to about 12mm (1/2”) above the roots crown.

Using a strong box place the roots on layers of sand - making sure the carrots do not touch each other.

Store in a dry place and inspect regularly to remove any that may have started to rot. They should keep until March.

• March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

fly which lays its eggs in the soil at the base of the plant.

The tell-tale signs are reddish leaves which droop in sunny weather. As the maggot eats out the carrot root the foliage turns yellow and the root is liable to rot. The fly tends to be most common in May. There is no treatment so preventive measures are the only options: Cover seedlings with a plant fleece in spring and destroy thinnings. If carrot fly infestation is bad in your area then harvest early varieties no later than August and do not sow maincrop varieties until June. Infestation seems worst on dry soils so keep the ground damp.

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

L M GARDEN MACHINERY Specialist with over 50 years collective experience in servicing all garden and estate machinery VERY COMPETITIVE RATES FREE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY NEW MACHINES SUPPLIED ON REQUEST Workshop Number: 01825 713277 Lee Williams: 07709 593427 Mark Brown: 07768 049721

Pets in crisis – can you help?

We have teamed up with Dogs Trust to help give families the chance to escape from domestic abuse by providing safe refuge for their pets giving peace of mind that their cat is well, healthy and safe.

If you care about cats and people, get involved with the Freedom Project today.

We are looking for volunteer cat fosterers, drivers, home visitors and fundraisers.

For more details, please contact: T: 01825 741 973 E: freedom.project@cats.org.uk W: www.cats.org.uk/freedom-project Reg Charity 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

Email: lmgardenmachinery@btconnect.com Unit 3 Down Business Park, Nutley, E. Sussex, TN22 3LG

OFFICES TO RENT

PIPPINGFORD MANOR ALL INCLUSIVE PRICES START FROM £250 PER MONTH PLUS VAT Base your business in a friendly business community at the centre of Ashdown Forest in a beautiful setting From 100 sqft, 1 person rooms upwards Call: 01825 712966 • info@pippingford.co.uk

SussexSurrey Doors and Windows

Come and see our fantastic new products including our new alternative to wooden window range.

Vast range of colours available.

PVCu, Aluminium, Steel, Timber & Composite Doors 0808 1081666 • 01403 259054 • www.SussexSurrey.com Showroom: 35 Queen Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5AA Company Registered as Sussex Doors Ltd

Plastic Windows Federation

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 •

“I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.”

Thomas Jefferson

Quick Quiz

1: Which King Louis was executed, effectively ending the French monarchy?

2: The famous Sherlock Holmes tale, The Hounds of Baskerville, was set in which English county?

“The English know how to make the best of things. Their so-called muddling through is simply skill at dealing with the inevitable.”

Winston Churchill

3: Who authored the book War Horse on which the play & film of the same name are based?

4: The world famous artist, Andy Warhol, was a leading figure in which visual arts movement?

5: Which short-lived reality TV show first aired on British TV in 2001 and was the fore-runner to Pop Idol and X factor?

6: Which Oscar Wilde character keeps his portrait locked in a secret room in his house?

7: The historical territory, Asia Minor, corresponds to which country in modern times?

8: Elvis Presley was born in which American State?

9: When was the Sovereignty of Hong Kong transferred to the People’s Republic of China?

10:What was the name of pop musician Madonna’s first album?

Answers Louis XVI Devon Michael Morpurgo

4 5 6

Pop Art Popstars/Popstars:the Rivals Dorian Gray

7 8 9 10

Turkey Mississippi 1997 Madonna

10 • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

These sudukos have been verified

1 2 3

Sudoku LOVERS

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And which is more - you’ll be a man, my son!”

Rudyard Kipling “To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”

George Orwell

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

Around 250 tasty meals delivered to your door.

(Not all at once, that would be greedy!)

We offer a great choice of delicious, nutritious meals. All are delivered frozen by your friendly, local driver, ready to store in your freezer and cook in minutes. To get started, simply order as much or as little as you like from our FREE brochure. Mealtimes taken care of - what could be easier?

Desserts: Lemon Sponge, Lemon Sauce & Custard

NATIONWIDE DELIVERY

£2.95

TRY OUR TASTER PACK for only £19.95 Main Courses: Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding Lamb & Vegetable Casserole Chicken & Vegetable Pie Pork & Leek Sausages with Somerset Cider Gravy Roast Chicken Breast with Stuffing.

FREE

TASTY MEALS FROM ONLY

Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding £3.95

For your FREE brochure or to order a Taster Pack call us on

01732 860018 or shop online at

Strawberry Sundae Luxury Bramley Apple Pie. Brambletye_AFL_95x132_MARCH2012_voucher 15/2/12 11:31 Page 1 www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com LDY11 WFF_No Coupon Master_A5Landscape.indd 1

Brambletye Hotel

05/10/2011 14:01

Black Peters Bar & Restaurant

2for1 Special February & March Meal Offer

*

Pre-book & bring this voucher with you

* Terms & Conditions: • Lowest price meal free • Offer subject to availability • No cash alternatives • 1 voucher per 2 diners • Drinks not included • Excludes Sundays and Mothering Sunday

Visit our website www.brambletyehotel.co.uk BRAMBLETYE HOTEL, THE SQUARE, LEWES ROAD, FOREST ROW, EAST SUSSEX RH18 5EZ

Tel: 01342 824144 Email: hotel@brambletyehotel.co.uk AFL

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 • 11

Ideas for the Easter Holidays In & nearby the Ashdown Forest Area

Monday 19th March – Monday 9th April

Monday 2nd April

Borde Hill Gardens Easter sporting bunny trail for all 3-11 year-olds. This year the trail has an Olympic theme and each bunny is associated with a sporting activity. Every child who discovers all of the colourful bunnies hidden around the historic Garden, then solves the word or picture puzzle will be rewarded with a delicious chocolate egg.

Call 01444 450326

Wilderness Wood - Castaway Woodkids: Join an expedition deep into the woods. Build shelters from woodland materials and cook sausages over your campfire. Plus Bake a Bunny Biscuit: Roll out and cut some delicious bunny biscuits and leave them to bake while you track real bunnies in the wood. For more information: 01825 830509

Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th March

Wilderness Wood - Woodland Monsters Woodkids: Go into the deep dark woods in search of a monster! Listen to his story get camouflaged, and find him! For more information call: 01825 830509

Penshurst Place: Armada! 12noon - 4pm Experience life at Penshurst Place as the militia prepare to ward off the invasion of the Spanish Armada. Costumed characters invite visitors to join them as they prepare the Penshurst Place household for the invasion. For more information: Call 01892 870307

Saturday 31st March & Sunday 1st April

Tuesday 3rd April

Thursday 5th April Wilderness Wood - Egg Decorating Eggstravaganza. While you decorate your blown or hard boiled egg, we’ll tell a story, then hunt in the forest for the missing egg. For more information call: 01825 830509

Nymans Gardens: Family ARTventures. Drop-in workshops with plenty of materials and ideas for fun things for families to make and do. For more information call: 01444 405250

Sunday 8th - Monday 9th April

Monday 2nd April & Tuesday 10th April

Penshurst Place: Easter Bank Holiday Tales. Join the old man of the woods and his companion as they regale you with tales of Easter. Try your hand at egg rolling and traditional egg and spoon race. Eggtremely good fun for everyone!

3 showings at 2pm, 2:45pm and 3:30pm. For more information call: 01892 870307

Ashdown Forest Nature Trail Art Workshops from 11am – 2pm. A fun nature based art day of observation, finding and creating for children aged 5 to 8 years old and their parent(s) with artist Pamela Hurwitz. Cost is £10 per parent and child. Each extra child £5.00. Places are limited so please book! Please bring a packed lunch as there will be a half hour break, a large jar such as one used for mayo or mustard in which you can create your artwork and wellies / suitable outdoor clothes. To book a place call 01342 823583 or email conservators@ashdownforest.org

12 • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

Groombridge Place and Gardens Easter Fun. 01892 861444

Sunday 8th & Monday 9th April

Sunday 15th April Bus Running Day in East Grinstead: The South East’s premier vintage bus event. Dozens of restored buses come to East Grinstead to re-create bus routes of the past in and around East Grinstead and the surrounding area.

Ride all day for free. A brilliant day out for young and old alike. 10am – 4pm

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

SPECIAL OFFER

For a Limited period only: Introductory 25% off all Cosmetic Treatments Cosmetic Treatments including in Surgery Tooth Whitening and Filler Therapies

Simply quote this advert at the reception in one of our branches

Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 • 13

Landscape Contractors Business Profile: Tree Surgeons

L.G. Burberry L.G. BurBerry

New to the area, established for over 30 years.

L.G. Burberry’s proprietor, Lloyd, is a garden All types of tree work, hard landscaper and tree surgeon. His father before landscaping, cutting, & him worked as a hedge part time generalfencing landscaper maintenance undertaken. with garden an airport job; then when his business took off, he went full time As a Free into estimates, Fullylandscaping.

Insured. teenager Lloyd helped his father whilst he was Tel: 01825 712717 Mob: 07754 585518 still at school and when he left worked with him for a few years until going it alone! He has over 30 years experience of tree surgery and landscaping.

Lloyd takes pride in his work and although he is not always the cheapest many customers like to use him because of the quality of his work. He does not skimp on materials and always maintains with landscaping that you have to lay a decent base to start with. With an infectious laugh and a sense of humour he maintains a good rapport with customers.

L.G. Burberry has become a family business now with Lloyd’s son Scott working with him for the last couple of years. Scott has shown a

talent for hedge cutting in particular. Younger son Grant also helps out in his breaks from college and may, one day, decide to join the business...

Lloyd offers free quotations and all his work is fully insured. See his ad for more details.

Call: 01825 712717 Mob: 07754 585518

Landscape Contractors Tree Surgeons

L.G. BurBerry New to the area, established for over 30 years.

All types of tree work, hard landscaping, hedge cutting, fencing & garden maintenance undertaken.

Free estimates, Fully Insured.

Tel: 01825 712717 Mob: 07754 585518

Judge Noah S. “Soggy” Sweat Jr, Mississippi State Representative, gave this Whisky Speech in 1952 in classic political ‘double-speak’ (will hopefully bring a smile to your face): “My friends,

“But;

“I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time.

However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey.

“If when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the skip in the old gentleman’s step on a frosty, Christmas morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life’s great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it.

“If when you say whiskey you mean the devil’s brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.

14 • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

“This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.”

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

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The Enigma of the

Isle of Thorns in as many different activities as possible.

The club was founded in 1909 by a group of old Etonians: Gerald Wellesley, Arthur Villiers, Sir Edward Cadogan, and Alfred Wagg, and grew out of a mission church supported by Eton College, which had been operating in the area since 1880.

On the Ashdown Forest at Chelwood Gate the Isle of Thorns is an enigma. This name goes back to at least the 16th century and although no one can be certain, it’s probable origin was an enclosure made of thorns; ideal for keeping sheep safe from foxes and other wild animals.

Some suggest it is linked to the Red-Backed Shrike bird that impales food items on thorns.

Racing ahead to more recent times we have the development of the boys camp in the early 1920’s where boys from Hackney came down to enjoy healthy outdoor activities.

This was started by the Eton Manor Boys’ Clubs (EMBC) with the ethos of adopting an adventurous ‘can do’ attitude.

They were expected to take part 18 • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

It was they who were responsible for building the swimming pool, gymnasium and accommodation blocks. Yet we cannot find any reference to the construction of the bowling green. We know it was there in 1934 to a very high standard and that it drains superbly. Did local bowlers persuade Alfred Wagg to build it? or did he do it for the boys? A most unlikely recreation for inner city boys at that period.

all requirements, with regular casual bowling on Monday afternoons: then mildly competitive games against other local clubs. Plus several of the Ladies and Gentlemen play in highly competitive matches at County level.

An area of great natural beauty, the tranquil setting of the whole of the Isle of Thorns does make for ideal playing.

This is of course also enjoyed by the bowlers. Here they can park their car in the large (free) car park and stroll to the green which, being set within Ashdown Forest, is delightfully quiet and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Most recently the sale of the whole estate to Cats Protection was completed in 2002.

Bowling is almost unique in that you can still play it well beyond the time that sportsmen (and women) have had to give up the sport of their youth. We have many members who in their earlier days were keen badminton, football, cricket etc. players. They can still exercise and be competitive to a ripe old age and can even beat those 30 year old whipper snappers that have recently joined us.

Through all these activities and ever since 1934 the bowling green has been sitting there and gently maturing into one of the finest outdoor bowling greens in the South East of England.

So the thorns have long since been replaced by an even, flat and certainly ‘de-thorned’ bowling green but the spirit from those early days is the message that still remains.

Bowling is a sport for all ages, it can be casual and sociable or highly competitive.

John Harriyott, Hon Sec IOT Bowls

Any light the readers can put on this will be appreciated.

Then in 1964 Sussex University had the use of the area and to this day their observatory is still in working order.

At the Isle of Thorns Bowls club we manage to combine

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In honour of our Mothers Mothers Day 2012, March 18th “A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”

Tenneva Jordan “Thou art thy mother’s glass, and she in thee Calls back the lovely April of her prime: So thou through windows of thine age shall see Despite of wrinkles this thy golden time” William Shakespeare “My mother had a slender, small body, but a large heart - a heart so large that everybody’s joys found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation.“ Mark Twain “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”

Sophia Loren,

“The mother of boys work son-up to son-down.”

Author Unknown “Women know The way to rear up children (to be just) They know a simple, merry, tender knack Of tying sashes, fitting baby shoes, And stringing pretty words that make no sense, And kissing full sense into empty words.”

Elizabeth Barrett Browning “A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a mother’s work is never done.

Author Unknown “God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.”

Jewish Proverb “A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.”

Irish Proverb

Update Ashdown Forest Tourism Association After another good turnout for the AGM last month, this dynamic, local association is strengthening its tourism associated business network across the Forest: AFTA is now attracting increasing interest, both from the UK and from overseas. The new 2012 AFTA map has just been published and is available (free) from any one of its 100+ members or via the website, www.ashdownforest.com. This is not just for the tourists - the directory of events, places to stay, eat, shop and visit, is for the local residents too. The new film on the website may test your knowledge of who’s who in the area and exactly what is on offer on your doorstep. Check out facebook events and the twitter feed for the latest news. You will be amazed.

“Ashdown Forest…. so much more than a walk in the country!”

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Elsie Wagg

By Simon Kerr

I’m sure there can’t be too many residents of East Grinstead, past or present, whose portraits are valued between $1.5 and $2.5 million, but the smooth porcelain skin and rich tactile fabrics depicted here belong to one Elsie Wagg, spinster of East Grinstead. Painted in around 1893 by the renowned American portraitist John Singer Sargent, it was last seen in 2008 being one of the auction lots at Christie’s of New York. Previous owners showed it at the Royal Academy in 1926, and more recently in Tokyo at the Sargent Exhibition in 1989. Now its location is unknown, and sadly it would seem unlikely that Elsie’s portrait will return to East Grinstead anytime soon.

That’s a shame, because besides being a fine example of Sargent’s work, the picture itself is rich in anecdotes. When the painter met Elsie and her family some years after the portrait was commissioned, her brother Alfred recalled that when Sargent saw the portrait again. “He didn’t like the frame or the background and with great kindness, therefore, he presented us with a new frame and also painted in a new background.”

So who was this Elsie Wagg whose portrait was painted by the same artist who also depicted the rich and famous of his day, such as Actress Ellen Terry and billionaire John Rockefeller?

Together with her brother Alfred, Elsie lived at a house known as the Hermitage in East Grinstead, today sadly the house no longer exists, but local residents can guess its location if they know Hermitage Lane. Elsie was part of London society mixing with the famous of the day such as Sir Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert & Sullivan fame) who wrote to her in 1899. ‘Dear Elsie, Yes I am coming on

Sunday, and this is an official confirmation of the fact given under my hand andseal. Yours affectionately, Arthur Sullivan’.

The Waggs were a wealthy family and Alfred was an important figure in the international banking world, with the family company being based in London. He played a major part in averting some of the worst excesses resulting from the great stock market crash of 1929, being honoured by the Icelandic government with the award of the Knight of the Falcon.

Elsie was obviously not content merely to be part of the leisured classes, frittering her time away arranging dinner parties. She became deeply involved in fund raising for various good causes, one such being the Queen’s Nursing Institute. In 1926 at a meeting of

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the Institute, Elsie Wagg came up with the novel concept of opening private gardens and charging admission. So began the National Garden Scheme in June the very next year with several hundred gardens opening, among those were the royal estate of Sandringham and William Robinson’s gardens at Gravetye, as well as the Wagg’s family home, the Hermitage. The result was ‘a splendid sum of £8,191 raised’ and an enthusiastic King George V suggesting that this should become an annual event.

Country Life, that magazine beloved by the hunting and shooting fraternity, joined in.

‘Considering the enormous pleasure that the visits will give to thousands of persons and the very inconsiderable nuisance that is involved for the owners, it is to be hoped that many will continue the opportunities’.

Many of Elsie’s contemporaries were delighted by the public’s reaction to their private gardens being opened, with novelist and passionate gardener Vita Sackville West writing in the New Statesman. “These mild gentlemen and women who invade one’s garden after putting their silver token into the bowl ... are some of the people I most gladly welcome and salute. Between them and myself a particular form of courtesy survives, a gardener’s courtesy, in a world where courtesy is giving place to rougher things”. From the original entry fee of a shilling (5p today) the prices may have risen to between £2.50 to £5 a head, but are still remarkable value.

In the following years leading up to the outbreak of World War Two a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of the nation’s landed gentry joined the scheme led by names such as Princess Mary and her husband the Earl of Harwood

24 • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

and the Duke and Duchess of Kent. As the storm clouds of war gathered in August of 1939 Winston Churchill opened his home at Chartwell raising the sum of £56.

The outbreak of hostilities in 1939 saw the suspension of the scheme, as many gardens’ flowerbeds and lawns were dug up and turned over to the production of valuable foodstuffs. Post-war the gardens were re-opened to the public, and since the introduction of the National Health Service meant that the Queens Nursing Institute was now state funded, the National Garden Scheme pledged their funds for retired nurses and other worthy medical causes, a tradition that continues to this day. Today the scheme includes gardens great and small, and from a modest start in its first year, the charity has now raised nearly £42million, £25 million alone in the last 10 years..

Elsie continued her close involvement with the organisation until her death in 1949. Her brother Alfred lived on into the late 1960’s and was a great benefactor to East Grinstead, giving part of the land on which the Queen Victoria Hospital now stands, and at the end of the war also setting up a charitable trust to purchase the East Court Estate (East Grinstead Town Council’s base) and establishing it as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the conflict.

Elsie’s memorial must surely be the bright yellow posters that each year announces the opening of the properties taking part in the National Garden Scheme. A fitting tribute indeed, but how appropriate it might be to see her portrait on the wall of the mansion at East Court, so that people were reminded of both her grace and achievements.

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

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FM<EJ :FFB<IJ 8>8J I8E><J ?F9J D@:IFN8M<J =I@;><J =I<<Q<IJ ;@J?N8J?<IJ Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 • 25

Ranger’s

Ashdown Forest

Report

Written in Mid-Feb: There is a 100% probability 1.75 miles/3km of severe cold weather, this is the Met office current alert level on Sunday 12th Feb and normal activity

19 Years of Gardening for Charity

for many people the cross forest the is suspended. carinto Ridge From Linton’s caronpark road (withThe care) parks are(summer like ice rinks andWalk the forest colder car park only). out ofisthe rearthan past a seat onto think, about the windchill factor - andRemain on ayou grass path and -3 in without about 50m turn left onto a ride. that’sgently just in descending the Rangers’ride, office!

- Although yesterday’s this ignoring another that bears off The wonderful gardens at Warren House, are the walk tofor Old Lodge Bottom was rewarding, the snow right, about 400m. result of one man’s dedication and commitment and brilliant sunshine brought many people out with to recreate a place of calmness and beauty their dogs and sledges. The Royal Ashdown Golf Club On both left and right are linear quarries, which it had previously enjoyed in years gone by. are very tolerant as the golfers cannot play and snow

now filled with scrub and trees. Such boarding and sledging take over. Patrolling the golf quarries dot the Forest landscape and Situated on the edge of Ashdown Forest, Course in a ranger’s truck inevitably means that you the garden enjoys breathtaking views as a provided stone for roads. Typical heathland become a magnet for snowballs! When I went to work backdrop to it’s splendour. Numerous azaleas, birds such as nightjar, stonechat, tree pipit last Sunday the forest was full of abandoned cars rhododendrons, magnolias, clematis, etc. of and woodlark usually breed in this area and and reports that the A22 was blocked by a jackknifed every shape and colour, highlight the many the ride edges in particular are one of the lorry sent unwary motorists with their sat-navs up vistas of the garden. best places on the Forest (indeed in Sussex) Kidds Hill only to be rescued by Bob Kennedy the to see, in May, the yellow flowers of the A wisteria arbour and laburnum walkway Range Warden from Pippingford Park who had a busy small spiny shrub, petty whin. draw the visitors towards a delightfully planted morning towing cars up the hill. By 4 pm the gritters woodland area, where carefully planted trees, had been out twice and that kept the roads open.

The ride bears then right breakfun in the and well established ones of immense interest, Venturing onto left, the forest in thethrough snow isagood butquarries are to be found in abundance. and continues descending 400m to a metalled drive (Sandy I should mention the roadsfor may be clear but the car

Lane) . On theare leftonly is aopen bowling green with and 4WD ahead areAthe parks aren’t.

They to people hundred year old Wellingtonia, Metasequoia, vehiclespitch or winter If you have either cricket and tyres. pavilion ofdon’t Coleman’s HatchofCricket Club.

Taxodium, Ginkgo, Dicksonia, to name just a few. these items a shovel, tow rope and friendly smile will get you back on the road. Meanwhile Caroline our Grazing Officer (shepherd) is busy interviewing for an apprentice shepherd and heathland work has been suspended for the time being. Ed our estate worker has been kept busy by the office staff putting up shelves and refurbishing the Information Barn.

Hopefully the next Ranger’s Report will be written in shirtleeves basking in the spring sunshine! Take care.

Mike Yates - Ashdown Forest Ranger

Alfie the Ashdown Forest Ardvark The name of the game is to locate the 4 Alfie’s hidden on 4 pages in the magazine.

26 • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

No garden is complete without water, and in this case there are two ponds and a bog area housing many fish, providing homes for the ducks who want to enjoy popping in to produce their young.

The beds and boarders are always an artist’s delight with their many colours, textures and flowering habits. The sweeping lawns are well furnished with benches, at strategic positions, where one can rest and enjoy the many stimulating views and reflect on the beauty of the garden.

Over the nineteen years of sharing his garden, Michael Hands, the owner has annually raised approximately £4000 per annum for the national garden scheme’s charities, and many visitors have enjoyed the luxury of a beautiful garden.

Dates for your diary: Open Sunday 22nd April, then Bank Holiday Monday 7th May, Sunday 20th May and Bank Holiday Monday 4th June. Also open for charities such as Hospice in the Weald etc. who have their own days.

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Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 • 27

What’s On: March 2012 Saturday 3rd March & 7th April Monthly Saturday Market (the first Saturday of every month except January) with an authentic village life atmosphere and local produce for sale,10am – 12:30pm. Blackham Village Hall. Meet other villagers ~ enjoy refreshments of Filter Fresh Coffee, Tea and Homemade Cakes at “The Stage” café!

Local Produce for sale will include: Bread, Free range eggs, Home Bakery, Preserves, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Ice Cream, Jewellery, Phoenix Cards, hand painted cards, and Aloe Vera Health products.

For non-profit community, charity groups this page is free of charge to use, email: info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk.

Crowborough Choral Society and The Fletching Singers present “Stabat Mater” by Dvořák on at 7.30pm at All Saints’ Church Centre, Crowborough TN6 1ED. The music is a beautiful oratorio to celebrate the devotion of the Virgin Mary to the dead Christ, which will be accompanied by Elizabeth Brice, Charlotte Shorthouse, Neil Jenkins and Ian Caddy with the Fayrfax Orchestra, leader Penelope Howard, conducted by Nick Milner-Gulland. Tickets are £12 and are available from Cro’s the Jewellers, Crowborough High Street, at the door or bookings may be made from 01892 527002, 01825 712462 or online from www.localboxoffice.com.

Saturday 10th March

Sunday 25th March

Mansion Market. Kidbrooke Park, Priory Road, Forest Row.11.00am - 4.00pm. Free admission and parking. This friendly and atmospheric market is becoming increasingly popular as it approaches it’s 21st anniversary. With many stalls in and around the beautiful 18th century mansion which houses Michael Hall School, puppet shows and craft activities for children and an all-day café provide a fun day out for all the family.

Crowborough Sport Relief Mile. The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile is coming to Crowborough. The town is set to host its first Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 25 March and needs local people to come together and show their support by entering now at www.sportrelief.com. The Sport Relief Mile begins and finishes at Freedom Leisure Crowborough.

Goldsmiths Leisure centre, Eridge Road, Crowborough. Call: 01892 665488.

Email: crowboroughenquiries@freedom-leisure.co.uk

13th March, 27th March, 10th April, 24th April Come and try a sport designed for all, any ability, any age.

New Age Kurling. Fortnightly, 2pm to 4pm, Ashurstwood Village Centre, Maypole Road.

Saturday 31st March 2012

for more info phone Jo on 07759948788. Run by Disabled Adults Wealden North Social for Disabled and able bodied players alike.

Forest Row Choral Society is to perform Mendelssohn’s great oratorio ELIJAH conducted by Tom Scratchley. St. Mary the Virgin Church, Hartfield at 7.30 pm. Tickets: £12.00 - can be obtained from: Bullfrog, East Grinstead; Seasons, Forest Row; Hartfield Village Stores or at the door. Children under 16 free.

Saturday 14th March

Monday 9th April

Chalkfoot theatre arts are performing “Running for Glory”: The Paris Olympics, 1924. An historic contest between 2 British athletes at their peak. One driven by ambition, the other inspired by faith. Suitable for adults and children aged 12 or over. Blackham Village hall at 8pm. For Tickets call: 01892 740574. Price £9, £8 (Cons) or £1 off if paid 1 week in advance.

Ashurst and Blackham Sports Association Easter Fair: Easter Egg Raffle, Chocolate fountains with Strawberry’s, marshmallows etc., Face painting, Tea & Hot Cross Buns, Mask Making from 3pm at the sports ground

Saturday 17th March 10am-2pm Chelwood Gate & Danehill Village Market at Village Hall, Beaconsfield Road. Great selection of local produce including fresh meat, savoury goodies, cheese, chutney etc. plus craft items, baby wear, historical photographs, cards, jewellery etc., café, tombola. Free admission to this friendly local market. Tel: 01825 740004 Friday 23rd March Ashdown Rambling Club’s annual Sybil Martin Memorial Lecture welcomes the return of writer, lecturer and wild country enthusiast Kev Reynolds who will be giving an illustrated talk on “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WALK IN THE WORLD”. This is about his experiences in trekking to Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. It all promises to be a fascinating and inspirational evening! Kev’s talk starts at 8.00pm (doors open at 7.30pm). Admission free to members, £2 for non-members. Refreshments are included. Meridian Hall, East Court, East Grinstead. For further information call Tim on 01342 321842 or email him at barrtim_lesley@hotmail.com Saturday 24th March 28 • March 2012 • Ashdown Forest Living

Saturday & Sunday 21st & 22nd April Crowborough Art Group is having it’s Spring Exhibition at St Mary’s RC School, Chapel Green, Crowborough from 10am to 4 pm. Refreshments will be available, and free parking is nearby. Entry is free. Enquiries to 01892 653556 Until 28th March Ashdown Forest: A Landscape Photography Exhibition by James Barrett What James says about himself.....

‘I am a freelance photographer based in Mid Sussex within easy reach of Ashdown Forest, the South Downs National Park and the Sussex coast. I specialise in landscape and nature photography and have a particular interest in this beautiful region of the UK. I became a fulltime freelance photographer in late 2009, which was a dream for me.

The images in this exhibition were taken over an 18 month period. I’ve tried to capture the essence of the forest in varied and interesting conditions.’

Ashdown Forest Centre, Wych Cross, RH18 5JP Opening times: Week-ends only,11.00-14.00 and 14.00dusk, Meet the artist: 24th March

info@ashdownforestliving.co.uk • tel: 01342 300152

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Please mention the Ashdown Forest Living when responding to adverts • March 2012 • 29

Gardening Tips for March

Article by Michael Dongray,

Imberhorne Lane Nursery Proprietor

Bulbs Plant summer flowering bulbs. The soil should be well prepared. If you have wet soil place a layer of grit in the bottom of the planting hole.

Fruit If your rhubarb is pushing through, cover it with an upturned bucket to exclude light. This will encourage the plant to produce tender pink shoots.

For an early crop of strawberries bring potted plants into the greenhouse. Water well and feed.

Mulch fruit with your own compost or well rotted farm manure but ensure it does not touch the stems of each plant as this can cause them to rot.

Greenhouse Sow seeds for summer bedding in your greenhouse or on a warm, bright windowsill in the house or conservatory.

You can start begonia tubers and canna roots.

Begonia is best started by laying the tubers in a tray of moist compost. Once the shoots show, pot them individually.

Shrubs Prune summer flowering shrubs such as Buddleja, Lavatera, Hardy Fuchsia and Perovskia.

Remove plain green stems from variegated shrubs otherwise they will eventually revert to all green.

Lawns Check your mower is in good working order.

Raise the mowing height for the first cut of the season.

New lawns can be made using turf but it is best to wait until late in the month or even into April before sowing grass seed.

Towards the end of the month feed the lawn with high nitrogen fertilizer.

Continue aerating your lawn and rake to get out debris, dead grass and moss. If moss is a problem use Sulphate of Iron.

Vegetables If the weather is suitable sow beetroot, broad beans, carrots, leeks, lettuce and other salad leaves.

Also onions, parsnips, peas, radish, spinach, summer cabbage and cauliflowers. Ensure the ground is friable. Follow instructions on the packet for sowing depths.

Plant onion sets, shallots and garlic.

At the end of the month plant early chitted potatoes and put maincrop potatoes in trays or boxes to chit.

Regularly hoe vegetable beds so weeds are not taking available moisture or nutrients.

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