HOW TO BE A
NATURAL BEAUTY..
Our few simple tips and tricks will help
you to embrace your natural features,
and make you feel beautiful...
MARCH 2021
ENJOY THE GARDEN
Spring is one of the first opportunities of the year that
we can enjoy our garden. Check out our March garden
maintainence, as well as our guide to tree felling.
MOTHER’S DAY
HOMEMADE GIFTS
Mother’s day is just around the corner, and
we’ve got a great shortbread recipe that
will be an excellent gift this year.
SHOP YOUR OWN
WARDROBE FIRST!
With the prospect of a possible release from our
year long house arrest on the horizon. I’m sure a lot of us
have taken to the online retailors to begin shopping for a whole
new wardrobe,but we are here to suggest a
more sustainable option...
TIME TO GET OUTSIDE!
welcome to
S
pring!
powered by
WEDDINGS | BIRTHDAYS | CELEBRATIONS | PARTIES
AWARD WINNING
CAKES IN THE
COTSWOLDS
Creating beautiful bespoke cakes which taste
divine and are every bit as memorable as the
celebration itself.
If you have an up coming celebration, get in touch with
Anna and watch your ideas come to life!
sugarbowlbakes@hotmail.com | 07769948487
See more creations at
SUGARBOWLBAKES.CO.UK
Call us on 01242 245 071
Call us on 01394 385 678
Call us on 01394 411 288
Your memories can start now...
Weddings:
Whether you are planning a
small and intimate wedding or a
grand and luxurious marquee
celebration, we have 3 perfect
venues to choose from.
Business:
Each of our venues can be the
perfect retreat to celebrate,
connect and collaborate with
business meetings, social events
and team building retreats.
Occasions:
Is there a looming special
birthday that you’re eager to
host? Each of our venues can
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Great Bealings, Woodbridge, Suffolk
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IN THIS
issue
4
5
7
10
12
MADE WITH
LOVE...
We’ve got a sweet treats section
for you this month so it is
not to be missed.
BE YOUR NATURAL
BEAUTY
Try out some of our natural
beauty tips for yourself.
SPRING CLEANING
CHECKLIST
It is that time again, and our list
can help you organise your time
and make the most of your
spring clean this year.
KNOW YOUR
WOOD
What is the best type of wood
for your burner? You can find the
answer on page 10!
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE
TO DECOUPAGE
Decoupage is a very easy way to
upgrade any piece of furniture. We
have got a great guide to get you
started.
13
14
17
19
23
GARDEN JOBS
As the sun starts to appear it is the perfect
oppoutunity to get out in your garden and
get ready for the summer.
TREAT YOUR MOTHER’S
LIKE QUEENS
It’s nearly Mother’s Day, so it is time to start thinking
about your gift this year and we’ve got the answer.
Head to page 14 to discover our secret.
SHOP YOUR OWN
WARDROBE
It is nearly time for us to get up and out again,
so the dreaded outfit choices are already starting!
We suggest you shop your own wardrobe first - head
to page 17 to see what we mean.
AM I ALLOWED TO
CUT DOWN TREES..
With Summer on the horizon you may be wishing to
create more open space in your garden by cutting
down a few trees, but beware - you may be
breaking the law.
SPRING NATURE
EVENTS
There are so many things to look forward to during
spring and we outline a few of these on page 23.
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by the contents of the publication.
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.
COPYRIGHT © 2020 IPLUS MEDIA
Home and Garden is published by iPlus Media.
Editorial: hello@iplusgroup.co.uk
Telephone: 01242 312121 | Website: iplusmedia.co.uk
Head office: Suite 2, 14 Union Street, Stroud, Glos, GL5 2HE
THIS MONTH ON
MADE
WITH
LOVE
Treats
BANANA BREAD
SERVES 8 (1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES)
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 cups plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-6 very ripe bananas
METHOD
Add the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl
and set aside.
BLUEBERRY MUFFINS:
MAKES 14 (40 MINUTES)
INGREDIENTS
- 220g all-purpose flour
- 115g unsalted butter
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 100g granulated sugar
- 50g brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 120g yogurt (plain/vanilla)
- 60ml milk
- 250g blueberries (fresh/frozen)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
In a separate bowl add the butter and sugar and
whisk until fluffy and combined. Add in the eggs
slowly and whisk.
Combine the dry ingredients into the mixture
here. Stir in the vanilla and bananas until fully
mixed.
Pour into your baking tin and bake for 45 minutes
to an hour at 175 degrees C.
RED VELVET COOKIES:
MAKES 15 (2 HOURS CHILL TIME, 15 MINUTE COOKING TIME)
METHOD
Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.
INGREDIENTS
- 200g plain flour
- 20g cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch salt
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Red food colouring
- 180g chocolate chips
- 115g unsalted butter
- 150g brown sugar
- 50g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Fill a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a large
bowl and set aside.
In another bowl, whisk the butter and sugars
again until light and creamy before adding in the
eggs one at a time. Add in the yoghurt and vanilla
extract before combining all of this to the bowl of
dry ingredients.
Spoon this batter into the cupcake/muffin liners
and bake for 20-25 minutes before removing and
leaving to cool.
METHOD
Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in
a large bowl and set aside.
Whisk the butter and sugar together in a separate
bowl until light and fluffy. Then beat in the egg, milk,
vanilla and food colouring.
Combine the dry and wet ingredients to form a soft
dough and add the chocolate chips.
Chill dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours then
remove and leave at room temperature for 15 before
rolling and baking.
Bake at 175 degrees C for around 13-15 minutes.
BE YOUR
Natural
BEAUTY
Natural beauty can be such an
achievable and rewarding goal for
both your health and self-esteem.
The techniques we’ve listed in this
article are affordable, easy and
life-changing!
Looking after your skin and body is
essential in preventing and reversing
signs of aging as well as keeping from
sun damage, facial asymmetry and
skin dehydration. March means
longer and brighter days; and with
that comes higher risk of premature
skin aging via sun damage. This is
where UVA and UVB rays penetrate
and damage skin cells and can have
both short and long-term
consequences.
The short term consequences of sun
damage are often associated with
sun-burn in the more intense hot
weather (caused by UVB rays)
resulting in red, burnt skin and even
blistering in some cases. Now, the
UK’s weather in March does not often
result in sun burn, therefore, it is
much more important to understand
and protect your skin from UVA. UVA
rays are longwave light rays from the
sun that can penetrate the skin much
deeper and can result in DNA
damage of your skin cells. This will
result in the skin becoming dull, dry
and uneven, as well as showing
premature fine lines and wrinkles.
Prevention is obviously preferable to
reversal but it’s never too late to start.
So, wearing a good quality SPF every
day will protect your skin and keep a
youthful glow year-round!
Hydration is another key natural
eauty tip that is essential as the
weather gets warmer. Keeping
yourself well hydrated has many more
benefits than just healthy, glowing
skin. However, combining hydration
by drinking enough water with
hydrating skin care methods will
ensure your skin is at its peak
softness, health and resilience.
Consider developing a skin care
routine specific to your skin type and
try including products such as
Hyaluronic Acid to lock moisture in
and protect your skin’s barrier.
If you are someone who sees
asymmetries, puffiness or tension in
your face, consider incorporating a
facial massage routine to see vast
improvements to the overall structure
and health of your face. These
developments occur from the
removal of toxins by stimulating the
lymphatic drainage system to remove
stagnant puffiness and swelling
across the facial muscles.
While many spa and facial
environments are still unavailable to
us, there are many videos online
dedicated on how to perform facial
massages correctly and targeted to
specific areas and issues. They are
great for increasing oxygen flow to
the skin cells, awakening the skin and
speeding up the circulation in your
face. Facial massage can allow the
blood to bring more nutrients to the
cells as well as help any facial serums
to sink in quicker and be more
effective. They are great for
preventing and reducing fine lines
and wrinkles and, with dedication and
experience, can even begin to fix
asymmetries and remove tensions to
change and help the facial structures.
CHECK OUT OUR
Spring
Cleaning
CHECKLIST
It’s that time of year
again! With the lighter
and longer days well on
their way, many of us
will begin our
preparations for the
big spring clean!
So, to make this year’s
spring clean the best and
most effective one yet,
we’ve put together a
comprehensive list of
our favourite cleaning
tips…
MOTIVATION:
Before beginning the big
tidy, its important to get
motivated. Crack out the
speakers and put on a
playlist full of songs that
make you want to move!
Going in with the
intention of making it a
fun experience will keep
up moral and encourage
a better job.
If you live in a house
with other people,
try and get them
involved too – after
all, a problem
shared is a problem
halved...
Try writing a
list of the most
important tasks
to be done and
share them equally
between yourself and
your housemates/family;
this will ensure that you
make the most out of
your time.
REDECORATING:
Having a plan to
rearrange or redecorate
rooms in your home is a
great motivator and will
really help to build the
bond you have with your
home. You don’t have to
make huge changes to
see a huge improvement
in your space!
Just moving things
around every now and
then is great to make you
feel like you’ve got a new
mindset – not to mention
making space to clean
things you typically can’t
reach.
TACKLE ONE ROOM
AT A TIME:
Working room to room is
great for renewing
motivation every time
you
finish a section of
your house. It also means
you can keep all of your
supplies together whilst
cleaning for less fuss
trying to move
everything around!
WORK TOP TO
BOTTOM:
Cleaning the highest
points in your home
before chores such as
vacuuming will allow you
to manage your time
effectively. Clearing out
junk and dusting should
come before making the
bed and lighting candles.
This may seem like an
obvious point but its
going to help maximise
the results of your efforts
not having to do the
same task twice.
MAKE THE MOST OF
THE SUN:
The spring sunlight is a
great excuse to get
dusting, and window
cleaning effectively.
Spring cleaning is so
effective mostly due to
the low but bright
sunlight beaming in
through your windows
illuminating dust, marks
and smudges that we
may have missed
through the winter.
Adding this extra effort
will make your home look
and feel much cleaner
and put together. After
all, mirrors and windows
are probably parts of
your home that people
spend a lot of time
looking at!
WE OFFER
CHIMNEY SWEEPING
It is important that you get your chimney swept on a
regular basis. It ensures that your chimney flues
remain clear and are safe to use, helping to guard
against chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
NEST AND BLOCKAGE REMOVAL
Have you noticed twigs in your fireplace? That is one of
the first signs that something is making a home in your
chimney. Be sure to get in touch to talk about a safe
removal.
CAGES, CAPS AND COWLS
These are items placed on chimneys to protect
against rain, down draughts, blockages which can
cause carbon monoxide problems. If you require this
service, please get in touch.
FOR OUR FULL LIST OF SERVICES, HEAD TO
WWW.WILKINSCHIMNEYSWEEP.CO.UK
GULL CAGES
We make bespoke gull protection to prevent gulls
nesting between pots. Give us a call to discuss
the requirements and we can give an indication
of the costs subject to size and access.
Do you need
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- have provided care services for more
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know your
A CHIMNEY SWEEP’S GUIDE TO
THE DO'S AND
DON’TS OF
BURNING WOOD
wd
Did you know that some wood burns
quicker than others? Or that your
logs should have a moisture level of
less than 20%?
Here experienced sweep, Richard
Bryan at Wilkins Chimney Sweep
gives us his sweep’s guide to best
burning practices.
So, let’s start with the ‘baddies’, what
you absolutely shouldn’t burn on your
open fire or in your wood-burning
stove.
Firstly, avoid any kind of fir tree e.g.
pine or leylandii. Secondly, don’t be
tempted to burn scrap wood i.e. old
fence panels, pallets, etc.; these are
likely to have been treated with wood
preserver when they were made,
which can give off harmful fumes
when burnt in any kind of volume.
Firewood, even when dry, retains
large amounts of sap and it’s this sap
that can then turns into creosote (tar)
when burnt, which builds up on the
inside of your chimney and can easily
ignite causing the dreaded chimney
fire. Also beware of burning,
chipboard or MDF. These have been
made using resin which produces
toxic gasses when burnt, which are
harmful to the environment.
BAD WOOD:
Pine. Leylandii. Scrap wood. Pallets.
Fir. Fence panels. Chipboard. MDF.
hand, has a much ‘tighter’ grain and
will burn slower, saving trips to the log
pile and pounds in your purse. Oak,
however, should be seasoned for 12 to
24 months before burning.
So that’s the ‘no’s’ taken care of, now to
find out what you should be burning
and why.
The very best wood to burn is a
well-seasoned hardwood log.
Seasoned logs have been stored in a
reasonably dry environment for 6-12
months before burning. Types of
hardwood include ash, beech, oak, and
birch; most fruit tree wood burns well
too
But which wood burns best?
For a regular roaring fire, you should
look for ash or beech logs. These two
species have a more ‘open’ grain
meaning they will burn well. Ash is the
best ‘all-rounder’, burning well with
little smoke. Birch has an ‘open’ grain
so will burn very quickly meaning your
log pile will diminish fast as you feed
your hungry fire. Oak, on the other
GOOD WOOD:
Hard woods such as ash, beech, oak,
birch.
I’ve heard my logs have to be ‘dry’
before I burn them, is this true?
Absolutely; burning wet logs is one of
the major factors contributing to
chimney fires, so it’s vital your wood is
properly dried out. If you burn wet
logs, they cause a build-up of
flammable creosote/tar on the inside
of your chimney which could ignite at
any time. Serious stuff.
So, how do I store my logs?
Firstly, we recommend that hardwood
trees should have been cut down and
logged (cut into logs) and then kept in
dry conditions to the season for a
minimum of six months, longer if felled
in Autumn or Winter. Check with your
log supplier and make sure you only
buy well dried (seasoned) logs.
Once you’ve got them to your house if
you’re keeping them in the garden they
should be covered with a waterproof
covering (tarpaulin etc) and stacked so
that air can circulate around them.
Storing them off the ground, on old
pallets or similar, will enable the ones
at the bottom of the pile to remain dry.
I’m worried my logs aren’t properly
‘dry’. How do I find out if they are and
how do I resolve it if they’re ‘wet’?
For safe burning, logs should have a
moisture level of less than 20%; if you
have one, a moisture meter is an
accurate way to measure this.
If you don’t have a moisture meter, and
let’s be honest most of us don’t, simply
bring the logs inside and dry them out
in a warm room, or around the fire for a
few days before use. This will ensure
they are as dry as possible. BUT – don’t
store them too close to an open fire or
wood burner – they are flammable!
So, if I’m making sure my logs are nice
and dry presumably, I don’t need to
have my chimney swept so often?
No! We generally recommend that you
have your chimney swept mid-season
and at the end of the burning season if
your fire or wood burner is used
regularly throughout the winter (i.e. 4
or more times per week) but this really
depends on what is being burnt.
This also applies if coal is being burnt
on open fires or multi-fuel stoves.
However, as a minimum, you should
have your chimney swept annually as a
precaution.
If you would like more information to
help you get the most from your fire
and fuel, you can visit the Burnright
campaign site: www.burnright.co.uk.
Getting it right will save you money,
make you safer and significantly reduce
unnecessary air pollution.
Garden
JOBS
As spring fast approaches, it becomes important to start preparing our outdoor
spaces for summer! A change in weather means that our gardens require
different things from us. That’s why we have decided to list our top gardening
tips for the month of March to help get our spaces in ship shape for what seems
to be a promising summer ahead…
FLOWERS: Its important not to neglect our flowers as this is a very important
time of year for many of them. Start by tidying up borders by removing any
weeds and trying to minimise any frost damage that may have occurred over
winter. Repot any pot-bound plants with fresh compost and prune
repeat-flowering roses. Now will also be a good time to feed your trees, shrubs
and hedges with a slow-release fertiliser by forking into the soil.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLES: Avoid carrot root fly by sowing carrot seeds early
this month under cloches or fleece. This is also a good time to sow tomatoes,
chillies, sweet peppers and aubergines for indoor pots. Sets of onions and
shallots are great to plant this month – remember to keep them 10-15cm apart
from one another. A lot of hardy vegetables can be sown this month too, try
planting spinach for another great crop.
MARCH MAINTAINENCE
- The lawn - make sure to mow and cut
edges. This will help you keep on top of it
as we roll into the warmer months.
- Make sure your compost bin is in god
shape for a year of great waste recycling!
- Protect from slugs. Try sprinkling sharp
grit or coffee grounds around the area
as a deterrent.
- Begin weeding. Its easier to control
weeds while they are still young.
- Check tree ties to ensure they are not
too tight. If they are, loosen them.
- Plant native hedges to increase your
garden wildlife.
TREAT YOUR
Mother’s
LIKE QUEEN’S
MOTHER’S DAY SHORTBREAD COOKIES
In case you have forgotten, we
are here to remind you that
Mother’s Day is just around the
corner, and if there was ever a
year that your Mum needed
some TLC it is this one!
We know some of you may be
unable to visit parents right now,
but a surprise homemade sweet
treat in the post might be just
the ticket this year. We have
another great recipe from expert
baker, Anna Newman, from
Sugar Bowl Bakes.
Follow this simple recipe and
create some handmade love as a
gift this year.
THE INGREDIENTS:
For the biscuit mix:
- 250g baking butter block for
pastry (at room temp)
70g Icing sugar
300g Plain flour
1tsp vanilla extract
For the icing:
- Fondant icing
If the thought of baking fills you with dread, get in touch
with Anna at Sugar Bowl Bakes, and take the drama off your hands!
sugarbowlbakes@hotmail.com | 07769948487
THE METHOD:
For the shortbread mix:
Beat the butter until soft and slowly add in the icing sugar mixing at a
slow speed to avoid the sugar flying out of the bowl! Add your vanilla
extract and sieve the flour into the mixture and mix again on a slow speed.
Once mixed together as much as you can with the beaters, you will need to get your hand
mucky and dive in! Tip the dough out onto a sheet of baking paper and knead the mixture
bringing it all together. Wrap the baking paper around the dough and place in the fridge
for at least 2 hours.
Pre heat your oven at 160 degrees and take the dough out of the fridge and start kneading
until it appears smooth. Using plain flour, dust your work surface and the top of your dough
and start to gently roll out your shortbread mix. Roll to the thickness of a £1 coin or slightly
thicker, but keep in mind the thicker the cookie the longer it will take to bake.
Now it’s time to use your cookie cutters. Top tip: cut as close to the edge of your dough as
possible, this will help you get as many out as possible before having to knead back
together and re-roll.
Place each cookie on a baking tray lined with
baking paper. Bake for 12-15 minutes or
until golden brown. Leave the shortbread
cookies on the baking tray to cool. If you try
to move them to a cooling rack while hot
they will break.
For the decorations:
To decorate you can use royal icing or rolled
out fondant as I have here. If using fondant,
the best way to make it stick to the cookies is
to add on top while they are still hot out the
oven. Alternatively spread a thin later of jam
for added flavour.
You can either top with fresh fruit, chocolate
pieces or other bits and bobs! If you feeling
really fancy you may want to purchase some
baking stamps like I have here.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO
OWN A RACEHORSE?
The team at Fergal O’Brien Racing are
pleased to offer a wide range of ownership
options which could see you enjoying race days
all across the country.
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Shop YOUR OWN
A
sustainable
approach to our
fashion choices is a
forward. As the
wonderful Lara Lauder
explained, start in your
own wardrobe first.
There are lots of options.
Take time and pick
colours that
really
suit
you.
When we stick with
set hues that
complement our
complexion, all the outfits
we select are
interchangeable. A hat in
your cupboard may be
just the right colour or
need a ‘face lift’ with a
new hat band, a beautiful
ribbon or a fancy trim.
Integrate and weave in
texture, laying and a pop
of colour. Explore the
possibilities.
Integrate and weave in
texture, laying and a pop
of colour.
The ‘go too accessory’ is
most unexpected. A
mask
can be both
protection and add to a
look. Using colour and
style in equal measure, a
face covering is a unique
look. Using the required
three layers of closely
woven fabric and a
shielding layer
suggested by WHO as
polypropylene to be a
new image is in the
making. I add this as a
manual layer so I can
remove it and Lauder my
masks. Cleanliness of
these items is also a huge
factor as we all know.
‘Additionally, the WHO
has released new
guidance on cloth masks,
recommending that they
consist of at least three
layers of different
materials: an inner layer
being an absorbent
material like cotton, a
middle layer of
non-woven materials
such as polypropylene
(for the filter) and an
outer layer, which is a
non absorbent material
such as a polyester or a
polyester blend.’
From PPE speciation to
face visors the shapes are
endless.
All accessories have a
place in your personal
style for both men and
women.
Your character and image
need to match and
harmonise with your true
self. If the clothing or
accessory do not sit well
with you, they will most
certainly look awkward!
Choosing a hat comes
with the same
philosophy. You cannot
pull off a hat without
inner belief that it works.
Of course, there are
different reasons to wear
hats. Protection from the
weather goes back in
time to survival in harsh
conditions and work
based scenarios. Identity
is key in the work force.
But sports fans like to
support their teams
too. The last and most
popular group are
hat lovers
themselves.
‘Which hat will suit me?’
is a very common
question. Now for an
incite that you may find
useful. It is not the shape
of the hat but how you
wear it.
Every hat has to be
‘worked’! Move it from
side to side, find the best
position. Look at the hat
straight on your head,
does this look good?
Only one in five people
can wear their hat like
this. These are the
people that we say, all
hats just seem to look
good on you.
The shape will determine
how sleek a form you
present in your hat. Does
the crown raise you up to
look taller? Is there a
balance between the
crown and the brim?
If you have a stronger
physic a wider brim
could add drama to your
appearance.
There
is a fine line to
getting this right. It is
back to how you feel.
Anyone can carry off a
hat if they want to. But
their inner personality
must be part of the
process. When there is a
balance and joy in the
wearer, a hat can rock.
What is stopping you?
Take a leap into the
unknown and try on that
hat in the back of you
cupboard that has not
seen ‘the light of day’ for
sometime...
Stay safe and look cool.
Discover more great hat tips at www.thehatchannel.com
AM I ALLOWED TO
cut down trees
IN MY OWN GARDEN?
From the majestic oak to the weeping willow, trees are a vital part of life on
earth and their presence should be respected however, there are times when a
tree needs removing from a garden and it is important that homeowners
understand what is and what is not permissible.
AM I ALLOWED TO CUT DOWN A
TREE IN MY GARDEN?
Yes and no. If your tree has a TPO, (Tree
Preservation Order) on it then no (or at
least not without applying for a special
license.)
As an article on the Woodland Trust
blog explains,
‘A TPO is a written order created by a local
planning authority such as a borough, district
or unitary council or national park. The aim of a
TPO is to give protection to trees that provide
amenity value to the public. It is a criminal
offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully
damage or wilfully destroy a tree protected by
a TPO, or to cause or permit such actions,
without the authority’s permission. If the tree in
your garden can be seen and therefore
enjoyed by the public, it could potentially have
a TPO placed upon it. You can find out if the
tree has a TPO by contacting the tree officer at
your local council.’
Similarly, if your property is in a
conservation area then the tree is
protected and you may not cut it down
or do work to it.
The Woodland Trust explains,
‘To request permission to perform tree works
you will need to fill in an application form and
submit it to the local authority. If you live in a
Conservation Area, trees in your garden are still
subject to the same rules as trees with TPOs,
despite not necessarily having TPOs placed
specifically on them. Planning permission will
override TPOs if it is necessary for a tree with a
TPO to be removed for the development to go
ahead. It's also important to bear in mind that it
is illegal to fell trees during breeding season as
it could result in the destruction of nests.
‘If the tree does not have a TPO and is not in a
Conservation Area then you do not require
permission to fell a tree if it is in your garden.
Outside of gardens, you might require a felling
licence from the Forestry Commission.
‘If you are in any doubt about the legalities of
undertaking any works to a tree then look at
getting in contact with your local council’s tree
officer. Failing that, regional officers for the
Forestry Commission may also be able to help
advise you on the best way forward.’
REASONS TO REMOVE A TREE
There are many reasons you may need
to remove a tree, it may be growing too
close to your house allowing the roots
to interfere with the building causing
subsidence, it may be diseased or
damaged which could lead to it
collapsing and doing damage the
house or injuring a person, or simply
because it is blocking out light.
If the tree is too close to the house,
make sure you check your home
insurance policy – sometimes removing
a tree can cause heave – when the
moisture previously sucked up by the
tree is now left to pool and it is safer to
leave it. Ash, willow, elm, poplar and
oak trees all suck up a great deal of
water.
WHO CAN REMOVE THE TREE?
A qualified tree surgeon should always
be used to remove a tree. You can find
a list of Arboricultural Approved Tree
Surgeons here:
www.trees.org.uk/ARB-Approved-Contractor-Directory
CAN WE CUT TREES ALL YEAR?
As trees are home to nesting birds, it is
recommended that you do not cut
down trees between March and
August, which is defined by the RSPCA
as prime breeding season, in case
there is a nest in the tree. The Wildlife
and Countryside Act of 1981 states that
it is an offence to ‘Intentionally kill,
injure or take any wild bird’ or
‘Intentionally take, damage or destroy
the nest of any wild bird while it is in
use or being built.’ (There are
exceptions to this law.)
It is worth noting that penalties that can
be imposed for criminal offences in
respect of a single bird, nest or egg
contrary to the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 is an unlimited
fine, up to six months imprisonment or
both.
HOW TO REMOVE THE TREE
STUMP?
It may be tempting to try to remove the
tree stump yourself, however people
need to be aware that this isn’t always
the easiest, or the cheapest option.
If a large digger is used to pull out the
stump, this could well bring the roots
with it, which may end up disturbing
the structure of nearby buildings. The
homeowner also has the issue of
disposing of the unwieldy and heavy
tree stump – not all will fit in the back of
the car to be dropped at the local tip.
Many is the time a stump grinder has
been called in to grind down a stump
because the homeowner found
themselves unable to dispose it.
When a tree stump is ground out, the
roots of the tree are left intact, meaning
less risk of damage to the surrounding
area. The stump grinder grinds the
stump down into fine wood chips, that
are left behind to partially refill the hole
and provide an organic mulch. This can
also be spread around other plants in
the area to provide a natural mulch and
weed protector.
Ideally a specialist tree-stump removal
company such as Stumpbusters should
be used to grind down any tree
stumps. Operatives work on projects
of all sizes, from clearing sites to build
new housing estates, to removing
individual stumps from the gardens of
residential properties. New models of
stump grinders can now be carried
through a home, meaning rear access
to the garden is not always required.
Stumpbusters operatives are fully
qualified, trained and insured
professionals who hold City & Guilds
and CSCS accreditation.
To find your nearest Stumpbusters visit
www.stumpbusters.co.uk
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2021
Spring
NATURE EVENTS
Spring is known for
being the ultimate lift in
spirits – and nothing has
changed for this year!
Noticing the little signs
of spring is such an
amazing, natural mood
booster.
After a challenging
winter spent indoors; the
longer,
brighter days are
welcomed eagerly by
many of us. That’s why
we’ve compiled a list of
our favourite signs of
spring…
The spring equinox is on
the 20th of March this
year. The equinox counts
as the official start of
spring and is where the
day and night are almost
exactly the same length.
However, many of us see
signs of spring before
this date and look out for
snowdrops, daffodils and
other springy wildlife.
SNOWDROPS:
The flowers often
grow in the UK
between January
and March and are
associated strongly
with
the end
of
winter. So, if you have
been seeing these
recently, know that
warmer days are coming!
DAFFODILS:
These beautiful yellow
flowers are the most
famous natural sign that
spring is well and truly
under way. Daffodils
blossom between
February and late April –
a staple of spring.
BUMBLEBEES:
The warmer weather will
soon wake up the
bumblebees! Bees need
lots of nectar around this
time of year in order to
form new colonies,
meaning that they should
be found in nature-dense
areas.
CHERRY BLOSSOMS:
Branches of wild cherry
and hawthorn trees
begin to blossom the
most breath-taking baby
pink flowers in spring.
Although the blossom is
often brief, their beauty
has become famous
worldwide – especially in
Japan.
WILD GARLIC:
These are more
commonly found in
woodland areas.
However, wild garlic can
be identified by it’s
strong aroma and
star-shaped flowers. Be
careful not to mistake for
look-a-like Lily f the Valley
as
these are
poisonous
to eat but
look very similar.
BADGER CUBS:
Female badgers (sows)
usually give birth around
February, meaning the
babies tend to emerge
around April time.
BLUEBELLS:
These flowers in April
and May. With two main
types growing across
Britain. They are
generally found in dense
woodland areas and
often span large sections
of the woodland floor.
LADYBIRDS:
The ladybird’s bright
colours are used to deter
predators so that they
can prey on aphids as
they come out of their
dormant, winter state.
There are 26 different
species of ladybird in the
UK, 14 of which are
often easy
to find
in
common
woodland areas.
NEST BUILDING:
It is common for us to
notice more birdsong as
the weather gets warmer
through spring.
By April, blackbirds will
have completed their
nests by collecting
grasses and twigs and
lining them with moss
and mud!
FROGSPAWN:
Around March, frogs
return to the water to
mate and lay eggs. They
can be seen at the
water’s edge in the form
of jelly-like blobs filled
with embryonic black
dots. Forever popular
with children!
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Spring:
A LOVELY
REMINDER OF
HOW BEAUTIFUL
CHANGE CAN
TRULY BE.
Lifestyle
MARCH 2021
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