Multi-million frauds, OAPs bus passes and pub's new look:Today's top stories

What you've been reading on Tuesday, January 31

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/multi-million-frauds-oaps-bus-12536492

Police hunt swan-killing thugs who shot birds on the River Thames

Police believe the birds were shot with a slingshot and an air pistol

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/police-hunt-swan-killing-thugs-12533968

Review: Newbury's Watermill Theatre kicks off 50th anniversary celebrations with Murder for Two

Murder for Two was a barrel of laughs, but who was behind the trigger?

from getreading - Theatre http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/review-newburys-watermill-theatre-kicks-12531722

Reading charity forced to turn away scores of domestic abuse victims seeking refuge

In 2016 Berkshire Women's Aid had to reject three victims for every person it took in

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-charity-forced-turn-away-12518871

Traffic and travel: Temporary traffic lights causing queues

Your traffic and travel on Monday, January 30

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/traffic-travel-temporary-traffic-lights-12529556

Smart motorway M3 and M4 work continues with overnight closures

The carriageway will be closed in both directions for the work.

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/smart-motorway-m3-work-continues-12520827

Where is gardening illegal?

Gardening illegal? Surely not!

But when I was recently ‘researching gardening’ (otherwise known as ‘wasting time’) online, I discovered that one of the common questions about gardening is ‘where is gardening illegal?’

I had to find out.

Fake news hits the world of gardening

We all know about fake news. Facebook and Twitter circulate reports of what Hillary, Trump, Corbyn and May have said or done in the past. It looks outrageous. People share the fake news without checking first.

You should check anything that looks particularly alarming with Snopes, a website set up to clarify online hoaxes and scams.

Is gardening illegal in New Zealand? Er…no!

The gardening world’s fake news item was that New Zealand had made gardening illegal. This started out as a joke thread on Reddit, not a deliberate attempt to mislead. It went viral.

So gardening is legal in New Zealand.

Local or area regulations

Many areas have local or area regulations, particularly if they’re new-build estates. These regulations are designed to make sure that people look after their properties. In Britain, you’re not allowed to have a garden shed in your front garden.

Technically, you also need planning permission to have a front garden fence higher than one metre, but I don’t think many councils bother with that.

There are also quite a few regulations around fences and hedges in the back garden.

Front gardens have more regulations than back gardens.

In the US, there are areas where you’re not allowed to grow vegetables in your front garden.

There’s a lot of online debate around this topic. Some gardeners sensibly point out that if you keep your front veggie patch well designed and tidy, then people are less likely to ask the authorities to stop you. If you share your fruit and veg with your neighbours, they may also support you. They may even start growing themselves.

You’ll find more rules around keeping animals. Once again, these seem more prevalent in the United States than elsewhere.

Are your hens legal?

But if you want to keep chickens, ducks, geese or goats, you might want to check your local regulations wherever you live.

In the US, some areas have tightened regulations in the past few years, making it illegal to keep chickens in a private garden.

The online opinion is that this is as a result of pressure from the big food companies who don’t want people to grow their own food.

Guerilla gardening

Tiptoeing out at night to plant your roundabouts and road verges with flowers and plants is illegal. Going onto and planting any land you do not own is illegal, in most countries in the world.

However, very few people have ever been prosecuted.

Councils are in a tricky situation because there are health and safety issues around people gardening on roundabouts at night. They can’t be seen to condone it.

It seems reasonably clear, however, that most authorities take a sensible and relaxed stance. If people enjoy the results and no damage is done, they turn a blind eye.

Street planting in France. Not by guerilla gardeners.

In Munich, Germany, guerilla gardening has now been legalised and you can apply for a permit. Does that spoil the fun?

Are you interested in becoming a guerilla gardener? Check out The Guerilla Gardener’s blog.

Or you could try something on a smaller scale. See The Pothole Gardener. He creates miniature gardens in potholes (on the pavement, not the road.)

Use of gardening equipment

There are loads of rules and regulations on when you can use noisy garden tools or have bonfires in many places all over the world. Ask your local council for yours.

Or wait till someone objects to what you’re doing.

Is it illegal to bury or burn a body in your garden?

Yes. We can be quite clear about this, wherever you live.

It’s odd that so many people ask the question online, though (according to search engines).

Is nude gardening illegal?

If your neighbours can see you pruning in the nude (in Britain), they can ask the police to arrest you for indecent exposure. Obviously, you’re more likely to be arrested for nude gardening in the front garden than the back garden.

In the back garden, your defence will rely (I think) on whether your neighbours had to climb into a very awkward position on the chimney and use a powerful zoom lens.

The World Naked Gardening Day is the first Saturday in May. It triggers off a lot of tabloid headlines and pictures of gardeners holding watering cans in strategic places.

Meanwhile, for the upmarket version, see the BBC’s coverage of World Naked Gardening Day at the Malvern Show here.

As I don’t personally celebrate WNGD, there are no photos for this bit. No pix for the ‘bury a body’ section, either.

Growing illegal substances

If it’s illegal to buy it, it’s illegal to grow it. In Britain, anyway. And most other places. You can grow cannabis in your garden in Uruguay, though.

The commercial growing of cannabis is about to be legalised in California. There are concerns that this is going to put old hippies out of business. Apparently, however, the old hippies merely remarked: ‘Oh, man, change happens.’

Oddly enough, however, you can buy books on Amazon about how to grow cannabis. I haven’t bought them, haven’t read them and haven’t tried growing illegal substances.

But I am an Amazon associate so if you click on this link and buy a book on cannabis growing, then I may get a small fee. Just to make all that clear.

Turmeric grown indoors under ‘marijuana lighting.’

Some friends of mine use cannabis-grower indoor lighting to get their seeds started early. It’s a great way to get your delphiniums going…

Are rhododendrons illegal?

There was a terrific hoo-ha in 2014 about a new EU directive about alien species. Reputable bodies, including the RHS and Horticulture Week, expressed concern that a blanket ban on invasive alien species could risk criminalising innocent gardeners.

Headlines in the press suggested you might be arrested for growing rhododendrons, even if they’d been in your garden since Victorian times.

This garden in Australia was planted in Victorian times. There are lots of rhododenrons – which are legal!

I asked the RHS what the position was now. They say that the EU has issued a list of alien species that are illegal to grow, buy or sell. But the EU has no plans for any retrospective action on gardeners. It’s not a blanket ban, but a specific list. Rhododendrons aren’t on it.

The EU have no plans to add rhododendrons. You can find the full detail here.

But you could be arrested for…

However, it is a criminal offence to ‘plant or cause to grow’ invasive plants on the list. It could attract a large fine or up to two years in prison. The list includes giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and water hyacinth, plus a dozen or so other plants. But you won’t be arrested for just having them in the garden, provided you take steps to prevent them from spreading.

That’s about it, I think.

Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer, and this post is not legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer if you need to know the law about a particular situation.

You may know other instances of gardening being illegal. Do let me know, if so!

And spread the word by sharing using the buttons below. Anything that gets people to check fake news before passing it on must be a good thing. Yes? Thank you!Save

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The post Where is gardening illegal? appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/where-is-gardening-illegal/

Speeding drivers to face tougher fines under new rules

The new guidelines come into force on April 24 - and the penalties are a lot tougher

from getreading - Motoring News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/motoring/motoring-news/how-penalties-speeding-offences-changing-12504675

Reading traffic: Burst water main and heavy congestion causing delays

Your traffic and travel round up for Wednesday, January 25

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-traffic-burst-water-main-12507434

Warning after cyber crime rises by more than 1,000 per cent

Experts say fraudsters will take a company down in 2017

from getreading - Business http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/warning-after-cyber-crime-rises-12500464

Reading council teams up with NHS to tackle A&E waiting times

Hospitals which are overseen by Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups, have not hit the their A&E waiting targets since the third quarter of 2015/16

from getreading - Business http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-council-teams-up-nhs-12500257

Train passenger satisfaction levels down but management of delays improving

The latest National Rail Passenger Survey shows passengers are unhappy at

from getreading - Business http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/business/great-western-railway-satisfaction-levels-12499214

Fog and ice warning in Reading as Met Office issues severe weather alert

A yellow warning for fog has been issued by the Met Office for Tuesday night and into Wednesday warning

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/fog-ice-warning-reading-met-12499153

Reading council to sell building to raise money after announcing budget hole of £7.6 million

Reading Borough Council will sell the building as part of its efforts to produce a balanced budget

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-council-sell-building-raise-12491829

Reading and Wokingham charities welcome £325,000 of NHS funding

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Berkshire provided 24 organisations with funding grants

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-wokingham-charities-welcome-325000-12459216

Espaliered fruit trees – the perfect solution for small spaces

Espaliered fruit trees are probably the smartest trees to look at in winter, with their tailored elegance.

As smart as anything from a Saville Row tailor – an espaliered pear at Great Dixter in February.

And in summer, they’re good space-savers for middle-sized gardens. Espaliered fruit trees offer lots of fruit while taking up relatively little garden ground.

They can cover walls and fences, using space that otherwise isn’t productive.

Or they can be free-standing, dividing up the garden or creating a screen.

The time to plant your espaliered fruit trees is technically between November and March, although these days, pot grown trees can probably be planted any time.

However, the window for pruning your espaliered apple or pear trees is definitely in January or February. That’s when you define and refine the shape.

So I went to Brogdale near Faversham, home of the National Fruit Collection and Grow, the nursery attached, to talk to head nurseryman, David Morrice, about espaliered trees.

Fruit trees getting more popular

At Grow, they’ve noticed a distinct increase in people buying fruit trees over the past few years. The main trend is towards having as many fruit trees in your garden as you can fit in – people are now buying them in 6s and 10s rather than ones and twos.

Some people are planting fruit trees, because they’re are good for wildlife. They offer blossom and fruit.

The best fruit trees to grow in your garden

Other people want to grow their own fruit for gourmet reasons. The ‘connoisseur’s apple’ is ‘Ashmead’s Kernel‘. It dates back to 1770 and has a ‘crisp, russety taste, says Donna from Grow. It’s very suitable for growing as an espalier.

Ashmead’s Kernel is also one of the best English apples for growing in North America.

When it comes to pears, it’s the chefs that dictate the choice of variety. The top ‘chef’s pear’ is Doyenne du Comice , which is particularly suitable for growing as an espalier up a south-facing wall. It’s considered to be the best pear for poaching, and also for flavour.

Pruning is the key

Espaliered fruit trees need pruning twice a year. In January and February (Northern hemisphere), you prune to create the shape.

In summer, you prune back some of the leafy growth in order to maximise the fruit harvest.

What equipment do you need for pruning espaliered fruit trees?

All you need is a pair of secateurs and a soft twine, such as a jute twine. Never use any hard plastic or wire ties, says David – they’ll cut into the tree as it grows.

I use Nutscene jute twine, which comes in lots of pretty colours.

I’ve also recently been impressed by The Soft Garden Tie Company‘s garden tie, which I was sent for review. It’s a soft stretchy fabric tie that won’t dig in as the tree grows.

Sent to me by The Soft Garden Tie Company for review.

David Morrice always uses Felco secateurs.  I was rather pleased – so do I. I bought a pair over twenty years ago, and they’re still the best secateurs in the garden.

(Note: there are some affiliate links in this post, which means you can click through to buy. If you do I may get a small fee.)

The main mistake in pruning fruit trees is…

The main error people make is not pruning them enough. David Morrice showed me a ‘chamber of horrors’ collection of photographs of unpruned fruit trees.

You get less fruit if you don’t prune. You get more diseases. Trees droop over, laden with heavy greenery, their branches sagging miserably.

‘It’s difficult to kill a tree with pruning,’ he says. ‘If you prune too hard, the tree will just react by growing more strongly as it perceives a threat.’

However, he says it’s sensible not to prune trees if a very hard frost is forecast, as that can cause a little dieback.

How to prune espaliered fruit trees

In Year One, your fruit tree may be a ‘maiden’ or one straight stick. ‘Get your training wires or support in place. Then cut the tree down to about an inch above the first support wire. That will be about 30″ off the ground,’ says David.

Over the following summer, the tree will sprout just beneath your cut. It’ll throw out several strands of whippy growth. Three of those shoots will form the framework for the first espalier layer – up, left and right.

Year 2 – pruning into the espalier shape

David’s top tip for year two (and all following years) is to select the shoots you’re going to keep and tie them into the framework before cutting all the other growth away. Then, if you break a shoot when you’re tying it in, you’ve got another shoot to tie in, rather than an espaliered fruit tree missing one side.

Once you’ve selected and tied in the three best shoots to create two branches going out to the side and one going up, repeat the first year cut on the one going up.

That is to say, cut it off just above the second set of training wires.

Or you could short-cut the first few years by buying the tree ready-espaliered. It does cost more – for example an Ashmead’s Kernel ‘bare root maiden’ would cost £18 from Grow. Already espaliered it will cost £45.

Pruning an established espalier fruit tree

Prune your established espaliered fruit trees in January or February every year. This is the time to take out the branches and stems you don’t want.

There’s a video here:

The main thing to realise about pruning an espaliered fruit tree in the winter, however, is that you can do what you like.

It’s your tree. If the branches are going in a direction you don’t like, cut them off. If they look awkward or ugly, cut them off. If they look right, tie them into place. You take the espaliered fruit as high as you like (or as high as you can climb!).

It’s important to cut cleanly (see the video.) And it’s also important to cut a stem or branch off close to where it joins the main branch. If you leave big stumps sticking out, lots of new growth will sprout out.

If you cut the stem off close to its main branch, so that there’s just a neat little mound where the stem used to be, then it will heal over.

I’m going to go outside now to see if I can fit an Ashmead’s Kernel or Doyenne du Comice somewhere in the garden….you can, after all, fit an espaliered fruit tree almost anywhere.

Do join us every Sunday morning on the Middlesized Garden blog by entering your email in the box on the top right. Thank you!

The post Espaliered fruit trees – the perfect solution for small spaces appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/why-espaliered-fruit-trees-are-the-perfect-solution/

Berkshire couple transform 1930s pumping station into modern four-bed home on The Restoration Man

The couple have transformed the 80-year-old building into a family home - and it looks amazing

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/berkshire-couple-transform-1930s-pumping-12478083

Incredible pictures of Los Angeles home on sale for 40 times the most expensive in Berkshire

The £200 million mega-house in Bel Air is thought to be the most expensive home in the world

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/incredible-pictures-los-angeles-home-12485929

Berkshire's best schools, pub fire and Royals make first January signing: Today's top stories

The top stories on Wednesday, January 18

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/berkshires-best-schools-pub-fire-12474586

Firefighters tackle chimney fire at The Greyhound in Tidmarsh

A fire started in the chimney of the 13th century pub on Wednesday, January 18

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/firefighters-tackle-chimney-fire-greyhound-12473292

Real Schools Guide 2017: St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School named best in Bracknell

The school in Hanworth has come top in the Trinity Mirror Data Unit Real Schools Guide

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/real-schools-guide-2017-st-12466350

Real Schools Guide 2017: St Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School named best in Wokingham Borough

The school in Woodley is the best in the borough

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/real-schools-guide-2017-st-12466612

Reading Hockey Club photographer Ravi Ghowry had lived with depression for years, inquest hears

A review into Ravi Ghowry's treatment leading up to his death found a number of improvements were needed

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/reading-hockey-club-photographer-ravi-12466935

Children injured in crash, 'universally unpopular' homes plan and a day with the paramedics: Today's top stories

The top headlines on Tuesday, January 17

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/children-injured-crash-universally-unpopular-12469554

Reading classical concert virgins get free tickets and more things do this weekend

Looking for something to do at the weekend? Take a look at our suggested events for Friday, January 20 to Sunday, January 22

from getreading - Music & Nightlife http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/reading-classical-concert-virgins-free-12457652

Blue Monday 2017: 10 ways to cheer yourself up in January

Take a look at some of our top tips for beating those blues on the most depressing day of the year

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/blue-monday-11-ways-cheer-10743822

What makes a good wildlife garden?

What do you consider to be a ‘wildlife garden’?

Do you think it means weeds and untidiness? Or a great deal of hard work?

In fact, a wildlife garden can be smart or scruffy. It can be easy to garden or high maintenance. It can be any kind of garden you like.

With a few small changes, your garden could make a big difference to wildlife. Without really looking any different.

The Abbey Physic community garden in Faversham (open most days) has everything for wildlife, including dead hedges, a hugelkultur bed and more…but you can help wildlife with just a few tweaks.

I went to a wildlife garden session with the Kent Wildlife Trust and Simon Pollard of Simple Life Ltd, a wildlife garden design and maintenance company.

‘Much of what we do to improve our own homes makes life more difficult for wildlife,’ says Simon.  ‘Insulating our houses means that bats can’t roost in the roof.’

‘New fences with concrete gravel board at the base means that small creatures, such as hedgehogs and toads, can’t roam across enough territory.’

If you prefer to watch a video rather than read a post, see this video here:

Four major issues: access, shelter, food and water.

Firstly, access. This isn’t a problem for birds and pollinating insects because they can fly. But hedgehogs, toads and other small animals are really suffering from  the way our gardens are becoming more closed off at ground level, due to modern fencing.

The base of this fence is called a concrete ‘gravel board’. It makes it impossible for hedgehogs and toads to roam their territories.

If you are putting in a new fence with a gravel board base, Simon suggests you cut a hole or holes for hedgehog/toad access – 13 x 13 cm or 5” squared will make all the difference.

Access is also an issue when thinking about water. We recently made a mini wildlife pond out of an oak barrel. We ensured that there are lots of ways for frogs, toads and even hedgehogs to get in, and more importantly, out of the pond. Small creatures can drown unless there is some kind of step or gradient – even in the tiniest pond.

Shelter

Insulated roofs mean fewer places for bats to nest, but you can put up bat boxes to compensate. If you’re building a new extension, you can even find bricks built for bats or swallows.

You can find out more about gardening for bats from the Bat Conservation Trust. Download their Bat Information Pack before buying or putting up a bat box.

Fern Alder’s bat boxes are placed facing in three slightly different directions so that bats can choose which one is right in the weather.

Amazon’s best-selling Wildlife World bat box also comes with full instructions on putting up bat boxes – for example, it’s a good idea to site three together with slightly different aspects.

Wildlife World also do a best-selling hedgehog home, too, with the most 5* star reviews of any of the hedgehog houses.

(note: The Middlesized Garden is an Amazon Affiliate, which means you can buy directly via some links. If you do, we may get a small fee.)

Bug hotels have become the new fashionable must-have for gardens, and they are very pretty. You can either get mixed bug hotels or specific ones for individual species, such as solitary bees or ladybirds.

Sarah Langton-Lockton’s bug hotel. She put it up in September and it is being used – just a few months later.

You can also just leave hollow stems, pine cones, leaves and twigs at the backs of borders, as a low-cost, low-effort ‘bug hotel’. I thought that if there were high winds then leaves stowed at the backs of borders might blow around the garden. However, Storm Angus didn’t dislodge any of the leaves at the backs of our borders, so don’t worry about that.

A bug and bird ‘palace’ at Sussex Prairie Gardens, a very wildlife-friendly garden to visit.

There are also good instructions here from the RSPB for building an insect hotel.

Or if you’d rather buy one, I’ve researched what’s available and the Natural Insect Hotel by Trixie is the bug hotel with the most 5* reviews on Amazon. £24.99 or Westwoods Insect/bee/bug shelter which is £16.99.

There are also lots of bird box options, including the RSPB sparrow terrace nestbox (£23.99) long nesting box for 3 sparrow families.

And Scott & Co Wooden Sparrow Nesting Box (sparrow terrace for 3 sparrow families) are the brand on Amazon with the most 5* reviews £18.99

For individual nest boxes, the most popular was the (Chapel Wood Wild Bird Classic Nestbox – for one bird family, many species). £9.99.

Simon says that Simple Life Ltd always site nest boxes around 8ft high and facing in a South East facing direction, because it won’t get too hot or too draughty. ‘All our nest boxes have been used.’

There’s more advice from the RSPB on choosing, siting or even making nestboxes here.

A manorial bird box and feeder, hand-made. Seen in Oare, Faversham. You don’t need anything this elaborate, but it is fun.

Food for a wildlife garden

Food in a wildlife garden starts with what you plant. In the excellent RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening by Chris Baines, he says that layers of trees, hedges and shrubs provide wildlife with both food and shelter.

Hedges are more wildlife-friendly than fences. Mixed hedges are more wildlife-friendly than single species hedges. Best4Hedging have an RSPB-approved hedging pack, for example, with 10 different species from hawthorn to guelder rose.

Flowers and their seeds provide food for birds and insects. Try to have something in flower for as much of the year as possible. Choose flowers that have easy access to nectar, such as single-flowered flowers rather than double-flowered.

Cleome, lavender and echinacea are all good wildlife-friendly flowers.

Pollinating insects often like to feed on blocks of the same kind of flower, too, so try to plant several flowers not just single specimens. This ties in with general garden design advice to plant in drifts, blocks or group.

And here is viburnum in winter – you can have something in flower all year round.

And then there’s your veg patch. I try to distract butterflies and caterpillars from the kale and chard by companion planting nasturtiums. It more or less works. And there’s netting, which is essential in high summer. But it’s nice to allow the birds and insects to share a bit of the bounty, and I don’t mind nibbled leaves.

Finally there is the food you buy, which helps wildlife especially in winter. Each species (bird, hedgehog, etc) has different requirements and these get updated with every scientific advance. So white bread is out (for both birds and hedgehogs) and whole grains (birds) or meaty food (hedgehogs) is in.

There are lots of options for bird food. We have discovered, through trial and error, that the better-quality bird foods are more popular with the birds and attract a wider range of species. We’ve particularly liked the Peckish range (and it’s got 382 mainly 5* reviews on Amazon).

Water in a wildlife garden

There are really two main things to know about water. One is that you must have water for wildlife.

The other is that small creatures, babies and toddlers can drown in even very shallow water. Ponds, however tiny, must have stepped access in and out. And they must be guarded or positioned so that a small child cannot fall in.

We made a mini wildlife pond out of an oak barrel and things that are easy to buy or adapt. Find out how here.

Our oak barrel mini pond. Easy to make and it’s stayed pretty clean with oxygenating plants so we haven’t needed a pump.

You can buy a bird bath made of resin or stone . Or you can do what we did, which was to use an upturned dustbin lid on top of an old chimney stack.

There are more easy tips on helping wildlife in your garden here.

And you can join your local wildlife trust if you live in Britain (there may be equivalents abroad). Some wildlife trusts, such as the Kent Wildlife Trust run an awards scheme so that gardeners with even the tiniest plot can achieve a ‘Gold’ wildlife gardening standard.

So if you’re doing any building renovations or changes to the garden this year, ‘think wildlife’. We love seeing the birds outside our window and the beds humming with happy pollinating insects.

Collectively, domestic gardens make up a huge amount of the green space in towns and cities. So what we do does make a difference.

Do join us on the Middlesized Garden blog every Sunday morning by subscribing in the box on the top right. Or discover more tips and inspirational gardens on the Middlesized Garden YouTube channel.

And please spread the wildlife-friendly word by sharing this post using the buttons below. Thank you!

The post What makes a good wildlife garden? appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/makes-good-wildlife-garden/

19 volunteering opportunities in Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham

Find out how you can help out charitable organisations in your community

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/19-volunteering-opportunities-reading-bracknell-12449233

Snowdrops in Berkshire: The best places to see the flowers

Heading out for a walk? There are some lovely places where snowdrops are beginning to bloom

from getreading - Find Things to Do http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/find-things-to-do/snowdrops-berkshire-best-places-see-10879368

The number of patients admitted after visiting A&E in Reading soars

The number of people who needed to be admitted rose by 10 per cent

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/number-patients-admitted-after-visiting-12449532

Baby and Toddler Events for 2017: Here's the top discounts from the biggest brands

A number of the big and budget supermarkets are holding baby and toddler events

from getreading - Shopping http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/baby-toddler-events-2017-heres-12448742

14 Berkshire wedding fairs every bride-to-be should know about

If you're planning a wedding these 14 fairs being held in Berkshire should be on your list of things to do

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/14-berkshire-wedding-fairs-every-12442939

Icy roads and strong wind in Reading, Met Office warns

A yellow warning of wind and snow has been issued by the Met Office for the Berkshire area

from getreading - Local News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/icy-roads-strong-wind-reading-12446487

Watch: Reading weather experts explain why snow is so unpredictable

Weather experts at the University of Reading were unsure whether snow would ever actually arrive

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/watch-reading-weather-experts-explain-12446217

11 things do in Reading if it snows

Here's what you can get up to if the snow arrives

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/11-things-reading-snows-12444054

Heathrow Airport flights cancelled as snow forecast for South East

Around 80 flights have been cancelled from Heathrow Airport

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/heathrow-airport-flights-cancelled-snow-12444189

Snow in Reading: Employees' rights if the weather means you can't get to work

What can you do if your office is closed or your child's school isn't open?

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/snow-reading-employees-rights-weather-12444089

Pick of the Past: Snow chaos hits Reading in 2010

The whole of the town was gridlocked as everyone decided to try to get home at the same time

from getreading - Berkshire History http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/berkshire-history/pick-past-snow-chaos-hits-12438197

Risk of snow increases for Reading as weather warning extended

It looks like either snow or heavy rain and high winds in Reading later this week

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/risk-snow-increases-reading-weather-12436167

Bird and butterfly species could disappear due to lack of habitat and climate change

Researchers from the University of Reading have studied four decades of bird and butterfly records

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/bird-butterfly-species-could-disappear-12404608

Man moves ambulance to park his car, thundersnow forecast and three more stories you may have missed

See all the stories you may have missed on getreading from Tuesday, January 10

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/man-moves-ambulance-park-car-12434580

Snow could be on the way for Reading after weather warning issued

The Met Office warns Berkshire could get some of the snow set to hit Britain this week

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/snow-could-way-reading-after-12431466

Free cookery classes in Berkshire to help families waste less food

Recycling centre re3 has teamed up with the Love Food Hate Waste campaign to offer free classes in Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/free-cookery-classes-berkshire-help-12426425

Mission Burrito in Reading among lowest rated for food hygiene

See which restaurants and takeaways in the area have ranked low in the latest inspections

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/reading-restaurant-food-hygiene-ratings-12408279

Three men arrested after assault on Manchester to Reading train after FA Cup clash

The trio, including two from Reading, were stopped by police just after 7pm on Saturday, January 7

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/three-men-arrested-after-assault-12425231

Road closed in Winnersh after transformer explodes

Two fire crews were called to the scene in Arbor Lane, Winnersh where a high voltage transformer was on fire

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/road-closed-winnersh-after-transformer-12423573

Reading is one of the most diverse places in the country according to birth data

More than half of the babies born in Reading in 2015 had parents who were not born in the UK

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-one-most-diverse-places-12422633

Dead dog found dumped in Aldermaston car park

The RSPCA said visitors to the park who saw the lurcher were "absolutely distraught"

from getreading - Local News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/dead-dog-found-dumped-car-12419507

Appeal to bird lovers after blackbird gets stuck in feeder

The bird had to be rescued by an RSPCA officer

from getreading - Local News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/appeal-bird-lovers-after-blackbird-12417247

Revealed: how much has owning a Reading home boosted your income?

A leading think-tank has warned Britain's wealth gap would be passed down generations

from getreading - Property http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/property/revealed-how-much-owning-reading-12415544

Is it time to change your mind about a chainsaw?

This weekend you may wish you had a chainsaw.

It’s time to take down the Christmas tree, which is why this Sunday’s post is coming out today.

A chopped-up Christmas tree makes fabulous firewood, provided you let it dry for a year. It won’t take up much space and you’ll be so grateful next winter.

But if you’re not a chainsaw person, you’ll have to saw away with a handsaw for hours or pay someone to chop it up.

So I was interested when Stihl offered me a battery-powered chainsaw for review.

‘Oh, no, not a chainsaw,’ said Mr Middlesize, when I mentioned it. ‘Far too dangerous.’

‘I think these new chainsaws are less um…er,’ I said, having seen a Stihl demonstration.

‘So what’s changed?’ he asked.

I tried to remember, but am not good at retaining mechanical information. ‘Well,’ I parried. ‘They are now…um…portable.’

‘All chainsaws are portable.’ He rolled his eyes and left the room. ‘You wouldn’t be able to get them up trees if they weren’t.’

He came back five minutes later. ‘If they really are easier and safer to use, I wouldn’t mind trying one.’

Could you use a chainsaw?

I then had exactly the same conversation with at least half a dozen friends. ‘Oh, no, not a chainsaw,’ followed by a tentative admission that they wouldn’t mind trying one if it was safe enough.

(Except for my friend, Rosie, whose contribution to the chainsaw debate was that she’d once been to a show where the actors ran among the audience with whirring chainsaws. Not my type of show at all.)

 Don’t skimp on safety equipment

So, after answering a few questions about his shoe size, Mr M and I set off to the Country Mower Centre in Canterbury to pick up our Stihl MSA 120C chainsaw. You need to have the safety side of chainsaws explained by a real live person.

You also need safety boots (hence the shoe size queries), chainsaw trousers, chainsaw gloves and a safety helmet. It’s fair to say that alot of people use small battery-powered chainsaws without bothering with safety equipment, but we are worriers here at Middlesize Towers.

The Stihl safety helmet, chainsaw boots, chainsaw trousers and chainsaw gloves.

You also need a saw horse. We got a lightweight metal one.

You need a saw horse in order to chop wood safely.

The new generation of battery-powered chainsaws are lighter and easier to use than the petrol-driven ones. It’s not completely mad to use the word ‘portable’ because, for example, the MSA120C weighed just under 4 kilos when we put it on the kitchen scales.

Light enough for me to pick up and use, quite easily.

You don’t have to pull a starter cord with a battery-powered chainsaw. You can just switch it on. Lighter and easier to use means safer. There’s less chance of the chainsaw kicking back or jumping out of your hand and slicing your leg open.

The basics of chainsaw safety

Even if a chainsaw is easy to operate, it can still be very dangerous if you use it carelessly. Jason from Country Mowers gave us our safety briefing:

Always stand in such a way that if the blade does jump up or down, it goes through the air rather than through you. That means standing slightly to one side of it. Above all, never saw up through a branch (ie towards your face). Always down.

And don’t put pressure on the chainsaw when you’re using it, just place it on top of the log and let it move steadily down.

Or see it in action in this video here:

The chainsaw in action

The following day, Mr M leaped out of bed when the alarm went off, delighted to try out his new kit. ‘Dad’s getting really excited about this chainsaw,’ our son remarked. Friends popped round for coffee and agreed. ‘He’s certainly enjoying himself.’

A review is supposed to map out the good and bad qualities of the item being reviewed. However, all I can say about the Stihl MSA120C is that you switch it on, and slice the end of a log with it. Then you switch it off again.

It really is as easy as that. No need for any long words or explanations. I really wish I could think of a good criticism to impress you with, but I can’t.

You need to check the chain tension regularly, but there’s an easy dial, so that doesn’t involve screw-drivers. And you should add chain oil every time you re-charge the battery.

What sort of garden suits this chainsaw?

Our garden is about a fifth of an acre, and we have about seven mature trees. We would probably still get an expert to prune them in order to shape them properly. Now that we have a chainsaw, we’ll chop the branches into firewood ourselves.

The battery life of the MSA120C is around 35-40 minutes of actual use, according to the experts. That’s around 100 slices through a 6″ diameter log, which is quite enough for us.

Most of our tree prunings are about 3-6″ in diameter, which is perfect for this size of chainsaw. We cut smaller twigs up with loppers and store them in old dustbins to use as kindling. The leaves go into the compost heap.

A battery-operated chainsaw like this is mainly used by amateur gardeners in middle-sized gardens. But I am beginning to hear about professionals using them for some jobs in larger gardens, too, because they’re lighter and easier to work with.

At one point, our neighbour started using his chainsaw. Ours was quieter.

Result!

There’s a great pile of logs for firewood outside our back door.

It all came from pruning just two trees, plus a few other bits and pieces. I reckon we would have had to pay around £50 to buy that many logs.

And, even more satisfyingly, we’ve chopped up these logs ourselves. In the past, we’ve had to pay people to chop our logs, which isn’t quite as expensive as buying logs but still adds up.

And Mr M revealed that he was delighted with the performance of the Stihl MSA 120C. He also said he felt he had conquered an inner demon. ‘I’ve always felt a bit inadequate about not being able to use a chainsaw,’ he said. ‘But now I wish I’d tried one years ago.’

I refrained from saying that ‘years ago’ chainsaws might not have been so…er…portable.

Do join us every Sunday morning for gardening tips, reviews and inspiration by entering your email in the box (top right).

Or get regular garden videos by subscribing to the Middlesized Garden YouTube channel here. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to cover. Thank you!

The post Is it time to change your mind about a chainsaw? appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/is-it-time-to-change-your-mind-about-a-chainsaw/

Meet Ruby Wax in Reading PLUS win a signed copy of her new book

Here's how you can meet the author and comedian and win a signed copy of her new book

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/meet-ruby-wax-reading-plus-12409082

Mission Burrito and Mo's Kebabs in Reading among lowest rated for food hygiene

See which restaurants and takeaways in the area have ranked low in the latest inspections

from getreading - Food & Drink http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/mission-burrito-mos-kebabs-reading-12408279

Homeless drug addict died at Earley hotel after row with dealers

Irishman Declan Walsh had an undiagnosed heart condition which was triggered after the row at the Elmhurst Hotel

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/homeless-drug-addict-died-earley-12409941

Here's how you can get 18 days off work in 2017 by using only nine days of holiday

See how you can make the most of your holiday entitlement - you'll be sunning yourself by the sea before you know it

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/heres-how-you-can-18-12408788

Berkshire Traffic: Bracknell roadworks causing problems and congestion building around Reading

Your traffic and travel for Thursday, January 5.

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/berkshire-traffic-bracknell-roadworks-causing-12412365

Man dies after early morning Winkfield crash

The man in his 50s died after a collision between a car and a cyclist

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/man-dies-after-early-morning-12411539

Reading FC Pick of the Past: Manchester United's superstars come to town in 1996

Royals fans spent most of the afternoon abusing Eric Cantona, who then shut them up by scoring

from getreading - Football News http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-pick-past-manchester-12407389

Reading FC opinion: Royals looking the real deal for the play-offs

Russell Kempson discusses the aftermath of the Fulham and Bristol City games

from getreading - Sport Opinion http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/reading-fc-opinion-royals-looking-12403101

Reading Farmer's Market, military boot camp and more things to do this weekend

Looking for something to do at the weekend? Take a look at our suggested events for Friday, January 6 to Sunday, January 8

from getreading - Arts & Culture http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/reading-farmers-market-family-cinema-12397062

When is Easter 2017? All you need to know

Here are the important dates you need to remember for Easter egg buying!

from getreading - What's On News http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/easter-2017-you-need-know-12387378

Generous Berkshire animal lovers could be putting birds at risk

University of Reading researchers have found that bird feeders attract more than just birds

from getreading - Reading & Berkshire News http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/generous-berkshire-animal-lovers-could-12379997