Period Features

RHS Show Tatton Park

Over the border from Period Features, in Cheshire, the RHS Show Tatton Park takes place from 23 - 26 July 2009 (public days) from 10am - 6.30pm (5pm on Sunday). Featuring the latest 'innovative creations from up-and-coming garden designers, vibrant floral displays and non-stop gardening inspiration there's plenty to see'. The show features acres of stylish gardening accessories, seasonal plants and a rich crop of ideas to make your garden grow. It's also a great day out for all the family as children go free (up to two children aged 16 and under go free with an accompanying adult). Tickets cost £24 on the day and £22 in advance. For more information and tickets see the RHS website www.rhs.org.uk

Staycation!

If you're planning a summer family holiday you might already be dreading the journey there. This year more people are planning a holiday in the UK owing to the recession and the exchange rates in Europe - what is increasingly being called a 'staycation'. If you are planning a long car journey with young children you might be interested in a list of in-car games that take I-Spy to a whole new level that can be found on the netmums website. The 'yeses and noes' game, the pub game and the sausages game... you'll never be stuck for ideas again! Find out more at www.netmums.com/holidays/Travelling_by_Car.1202/

Season's Tips

This season's tips come from The House Directory

To make ceiling look higher, stop fitted built-in cupboards and bookcases just short of the ceiling.

Floors are very important to any decorative scheme. Consider wool mixes that look like sisal and seagrass or a tight weave in neutral tones. If you lay a hardwood floor use wide planks rather than very narrow ones; in a modern house consider using a reclaimed wooden floor to add character.

The House Directory

The House Directory www.thehousedirectory.com is a great source of information on interior and garden design and decoration. It's fast, free and user-friendly without any need to register or log in. From the home page you can click on an image of the category of product or service that you are looking for or you can search by company names (if you know which company you are looking for) or by categories. As well as listing over 3,500 companies (including Period Features) you can also 'Ask the Experts' for advice on your decorating or sourcing questions as well as look up relevant events and courses. There's an option to set up a personal notebook containing your favourite suppliers and to receive a useful free monthly newsletter with the all the latest news in trends, events, sales, offers and books.

More Useful BBQ Tips!

The BBC's food pages the advice on choosing a barbecue is that it is pretty much down to personal taste - all a barbecue needs to work are "air-vents (preferably adjustable) in the lower part of the basin to ensure that the flames are drawn upwards and the charcoal burns well, and an adjustable rack so that the temperature food cooks at can be varied by height, as well as by the density of the coals". There is advice on eco-grilling because "97 per cent of wood charcoal bought in Britain is not from sustainable sources". BBC Food advises that "The most environmentally friendly option is to use sustainable British charcoal made from native managed coppiced woodland. This form of charcoal doesn't require or use fire-lighting chemicals. According to research undertaken by the BioRegional Development Group, which has developed this charcoal, it has a carbon-neutral footprint". The site goes on to advice on cooking techniques, marinades and food safety. Plan your perfect summer barbecue www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mostof_bbqbasics1.shtml.

Planet Barbecue

As a nation we seem to have been bitten by the barbecue bug in recent years with more and more of us rushing to cook and eat al fresco at the first sighting of a few rays of British sunshine. There is plenty of advice available on holding the perfect barbecue. Planet barbecue offers a step by step guide to preparing, lighting and cooking food on a barbecue www.planetbarbecue.co.uk/newtobbq.htm.

House to Home

If you've ever wanted a great garden without the effort then House to Home's guide to getting 'a Great Garden without the gardening' may be for you. House to Home is the website for a number of homes, interiors and gardening magazines and offers a whole range of tools to help you to plan the perfect home and garden. There are advice guides, buying guides, cleaning tips and even short videos on a range of topics. 'Get a great garden without the gardening' offers advice on having neatly edged lawns, pots and baskets without the watering, lawns that don't need to be cut so often and maintenance free garden furniture. Even if you love gardening there is probably an idea or two for you here. Find out more at www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/Choose_no-maintenance_furniture_126287.html

Cherry Aid - National Cherry Day 18th July

CherryAid campaigns to unite all Cherry Lovers – chefs, Cherry growers, producers of Cherry-based food and drink, you, me – to save the British Cherry.

In the last 50 years we’ve lost 90% of our Cherry orchards and now import around 95% of the Cherries we eat. FoodLoversBritain.com has come to the rescue with CherryAid to help them out of a jam!

Throughout the cherry season, there'll be celebrations around the country and on National Cherry Day, Saturday 18 July 2009 visit www.foodloversbritain.com/FoodMatters/FoodLovers-Britain-CherryAid/ for more details.