Hannah’s horticulture...

Home & Garden Show special!

I love going to local shows, and the New Forest Show is one of the oldest and biggest in the area.

It’s a traditional country show, with all the associated horse, livestock and country pursuits activities, but it also offers ample shopping opportunities. Stall holders are typically local craftspeople, whose wares aren’t available on the high street or in shops, which makes these shows a brilliant place to look for that unique outdoor item for your garden or for a present.

There’s also plenty of deals to be had from the bigger retailers of equipment.

Here are my top three from the New Forest Show this year (no commission taken!):

MacPenny’s Nursery

A very traditional plantsmans nursery, any visit here is a real treat, and each year their display at the Show excels and surpasses any previous efforts!

They were once again awarded large Gold and best horticultural exhibit, and to top it all off, were also awarded the rare RHS Banksian medal.

Shielding Your Home & Estate from Care Costs with a Living Trust

Nobody likes to think about getting old, but it is certainly worth thinking about if you value your home. That is because your house could very well have a charge placed upon it or sold by the local council to pay for your care fees. If a person’s capital and savings, including equity in their home, is worth more than £23,250, they will have to fund their own care.

A living trust can shield your home and estate from care costs in the following ways.

Placing your main home into a living trust ring fences the property from any potential future care costs. With a living trust, you can be both a trustee and beneficiary. You can maintain control over your assets even after you pass away. You can specify how and when your assets should be distributed to your beneficiaries.

Other benefits of the trust include the avoidance of probate upon the property and the protection from both divorce & creditors for your beneficiaries. The situation won’t get better over time. The UK’s fastest-growing age group comprises those aged over 85. Councils will face even more pressure on budgets, leaving them with little choice but to continue to sell people’s homes.

To protect your home, contact Oakwood Wills on 07832 331594. The main thing to remember with a trust is that because you do not own the assets held in the trust in your own name, a charge cannot be placed upon the home.

I was particularly taken with the use of foliage to create texture and drama, with repeat hydrangeas providing form and balance to the display.

Hannah Hobbs-Chell is a horticulturist and garden designer/consultant. If you have a question for her, email:hannah.hobbschell@ outlook.com including a picture

It was a real delight and inspiration for planting, and even better knowing that all the plants are grown on site, in the traditional manner.

MacPenny’s Nursery is in Bransgore, a pleasant drive to just outside the New Forest. On four acres, they also have a woodland garden and tea room to indulge in.

Longham Garden Machinery

A very local firm, long established and specialist dealers for Stihl machinery (along with Hayter, Mountfield, Honda and Ego). The team and I were really excited by Stihl’s cordless hand-held pruner (think mini chainsaw), which makes short and light work of bigger branches that loppers struggle to cope with.

It’s definitely on my wish list, especially now I’ve seen it in the flesh, and Longham Garden Machinery are currently offering the GTA 26 for £160 +VAT with a free extra battery, whilst stocks last.

Longham Garden Machinery are on the corner by Millhams Recycling Centre

GUTTERS CLEARED windows, fascias,

Telephone

EX-DISPLAY SHEDS, Stables/field shelters, summerhouses, offices, workshops, agricultural 01935 891195 alongside

The Dorset Tree Shepherd Newcomers to the show, The Dorset Tree Shepherd transforms oak from raw material to beautiful, unique, sustainable pieces. I have to confess, I have a slight interest, as this is my father, but I judge as objectively as possible. And clearly my objectivity was rightfully placed, since they were awarded first place in the show stand category, and with more than 600 trade stands that’s not bad going!

There are plenty of unique oak pieces on offer, including an equestrian range featuring traditional oak saddle, bridle, rug and hay racks; garden and estate products such as tree guards, obelisks, staddle block reflective verge markers, and beautiful solid oak framed gazebos, pergolas and buildings; and furniture.

All made to order, and in a traditional manner with no shortcuts taken, this isn’t the cheapest, but its true quality, built to last, and fairly priced to reflect this.

You can find The Dorset Tree Shepherd online at thedorsettreeshepherd.co.uk. Country shows really do offer lots, and are a wonderful reminder of our unique history and heritage, skills and specialities.