I’ve been watching a documentary on TV about Kensington Palace and was interested to note that the visiting public are not shown around by Tour Guides, but by Explainers. I know that job titles are forever being changed, but I never thought that Guides would be replaced by a more descriptive word. At STAA, we guide visitors around St Ann’s Allotments, but most of our…
It’s that time of year when we begin to harvest those prize fruits, vegetables and flowers that we’ve been nurturing all year. Back in August 1871, the “hard-handed mechanics” of St Ann’s Allotments “gently and lovingly” handled their roses: “They cut them affectionately, set them up tenderly, and the Roses respond by displaying their full beauty. It is impossible…
Have you seen those very posh summerhouses at some of the larger garden centres? They tempt you inside and then you catch sight of the price. £10k, £15K or £20K. No problem. I’ll have two. And what about buying one of those expensive super-duper barbeques that the British weather will only allow me (or rather my wife)…
As a lad from Carlton, I’m frequently reminded that I still have a leaning towards a Nottingham accent. I still say ‘tek’ and ‘mek’ instead of take and make and ‘Sent Anns’ instead of Saint Ann’s. I don’t have a problem with that, but I do find it interesting to listen to younger folk and the major…
The great thing about St Ann’s Allotments is the opportunity they provide for personal enjoyment and time with family and friends. Even a little quiet time, with just the song of the birds and the buzzing of the bees, can improve our mental state. One bird we don’t see or hear these days is the…
For the past few weeks, I’ve been woken early by a blackbird singing in a tree opposite my house. He’s staking out his territory and letting other blackbirds know that he is this year’s tenant. Equally, the robin sees the space as his patch and will fly up close to me in the garden to…