All posts tagged: Gardens

Major Kensington Gardens update after park closed for investigation near Israeli Embassy | UK | News

Major Kensington Gardens update after park closed for investigation near Israeli Embassy | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

Kensington Gardens has reopened after the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into several suspicious items in the London beauty spot. Among the items were two jars containing a powdered substance, which the force confirmed were not harmful or hazardous. Officers were also made aware of a video circulating online featuring a group that claimed to have targeted the nearby Israeli Embassy with drones carrying dangerous substances. The Met confirmed that the embassy was not attacked after specialist officers were sent to the scene to assess the items and identify any risk to the public. Some officers were deployed wearing protective clothing as a precaution. They have since determined that there is no risk to the wider public and the search has concluded. The force’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) team and underwater and confined space search team were also sent to the park. Commander Helen Flanagan, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “We recognise this incident and consequent police activity may have caused concern among local residents and the wider public. “We are grateful …

Kensington Gardens cordoned off: everything we know so far

Kensington Gardens cordoned off: everything we know so far

Published by Sam Flores

Objects found near the Israeli embassy in London were being examined on Friday after claims that a group linked to Iran used drones to drop radioactive material. Kensington Gardens was closed until at least the end of the day due to a police investigation into a possible attack on the Israeli embassy. People were evacuated from the park on Friday morning after police were made aware of a “number of discarded items”, as police look into potential links to a video saying an attack on the embassy was planned. The whole of Kensington Gardens park was cordoned off while the items and authenticity of the footage are investigated. Here is everything else we know about the investigation so far. A police officer patrols London’s Kensington Gardens Getty Images Where is the incident, and who is on the scene? Kensington Palace, where the Prince and Princess of Wales used to have their main home, is located on the western edge of the gardens, and staff from the royal couple’s household are still at work there. Several …

The Shocking Secrets of Madison Square Garden’s Surveillance Machine

The Shocking Secrets of Madison Square Garden’s Surveillance Machine

Published by skeptic

If those posts could be interpreted in any way as threats, Eversole would contact their hometown police, multiple security team sources say. “He would take it upon himself to reach out to someone somewhere and introduce himself as the CSO of Madison Square Garden and demand that the local PD take action,” the security veteran adds. One teenager posted a tweet, and MSG security asked local law enforcement to visit him. “They scared the crap [poop emoji] out of some 14 year old kid in Colorado,” one MSG security staffer texted in a message we reviewed. Cops would at times ignore Eversole’s demands. He and his deputies would then “freak the fuck out when a PD somewhere would not play ball,” the second veteran continues. Eversole would also allegedly push his subordinates to act more like municipal cops. He’d urge them to patrol the streets surrounding MSG, which is located in one of Manhattan’s more derelict neighborhoods, functionally acting as a second, ersatz police force—without formal permission of New York’s real one. “On many occasions, …

The best garden hoses, tried and tested

The best garden hoses, tried and tested

Published by Sam Flores

There are two types of people in this world: those who complain about rain and those who rejoice because it’s good for their garden. If keeping your lawn lush is your top priority, one of the best garden hoses will see you in good stead. Hosepipe bans allowing, of course (we’ve covered how to keep your garden hydrated if there is below). Our tested edit includes expandable anti-kink hoses, retractable hoses and heavy-duty designs, ranging in price from under £20 to over £200. I’ve chosen long hoses to suit large gardens, as well as short ones for balconies and patios. There’s even a former nominee for the RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year made from 65 per cent recycled materials. You can find my full reviews below, followed by an FAQ section with advice from expert gardeners. But first, here’s a quick look at my top five: The best garden hoses: At a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS How to choose the best garden hose Camilla Basset-Smith, television horticulturalist on ITV’s Love Your Garden …

The best beer gardens in London pubs

The best beer gardens in London pubs

Published by Sam Flores

This handsome, wisteria-covered pub is worth a visit whatever the weather, with a series of small, connected rooms inside, and a country-pub feel. The food is good, the beer’s well-kept and there’s a cocktail list that’s half-decent, too. Out the front is a small strip of outside seating, that often gets the waning evening sun and quickly fills up. At the back, the space is huge, with rows of park-style benches under parasols and, in some cases, vines and willows. Source link

Best garden furniture based on 2026’s biggest trends

Best garden furniture based on 2026’s biggest trends

Published by Sam Flores

I’ve been an interiors and lifestyle journalist for more than a decade and regularly write for The London Standard, Sunday Times Style, HTSI, and more, plus glossies like House Beautiful, Country Living, Livingetc, amongst others. I don’t just report on decor trends, but shape them with influential stories that inspire how people design their homes. Source link

Sow, grow, don’t mow: 15 ways to get your garden ready for spring and summer | Gardens

Sow, grow, don’t mow: 15 ways to get your garden ready for spring and summer | Gardens

Published by Sam Flores

The winter of soggy malaise is over. Daffs have popped up; the tulips are well on their way; the days are bright, clear and longer than the nights are short. With that comes a sense of the outdoors: the garden. Perhaps this fills you with delight, getting your fingers in the earth after work or dinner. Or perhaps it fills you with a sense of vague dread – you haven’t been out there all winter, and there’s just so much to do. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. But our gardens are places for us to enjoy and share with others in our ecosystem. So if you want to spend the summer luxuriating in yours, now is the time to get your sticks together: sow, grow and don’t mow. How to get your garden ready for spring and summer Extend pots with summer bulbs Photograph: skymoon13/Getty Images Abyssinian gladiolus From £3.99 at J Parker’s If your containers are now looking gorgeous, make …

The best cordless drills for DIY jobs

The best cordless drills for DIY jobs

Published by Sam Flores

All of the drills were tested at a workshop, where each one was handled and judged by a group of twelve construction students (both men and women, aged 20 to 60) to give a balanced assessment of their drilling and screwdriving performance. I also used the drills at home for tasks such as hanging wall shelves, uninstalling old screws and hanging cabinet doors.  I rated each drill on its ease of use, considering if it is easy to charge, how it feels in the hand, and if you can use it comfortably for extended periods. I also assessed the tools’ versatility across modes including drilling, screwdriving and hammer-drilling (as applicable). For battery runtime, I timed it by using the same drill bit and keeping each drill’s trigger pressed down with a cable tie, and I judged their speed and effectiveness when screwdriving or drilling through wood, metal and plastic. Finally, price, quality and any standout individual features were taken into consideration. The scores from each of the criteria were then averaged to give us an …

Bunny Guinness: My favourite gardening tools

Bunny Guinness: My favourite gardening tools

Published by Sam Flores

Having hit the big 70, I am determined to maintain my garden with two days of work a week. One from me and a second from Dave, who helps me keep things in shape. The huge advantage in my favour is the massive surge in great tools and techniques, which reduce the time required from me. Over the last 50 years of gardening, my favourite tools have changed dramatically. My biggest time saver is the robot lawn mower. I love almost all aspects of gardening, but starting mowers, cleaning spark plugs and emptying the box are all more of a chore than a joy. Their carbon footprint is also staggering. Here I share the ten essentials categories and items I consider worth investing in for every gardener. If you don’t like gardening in inclement weather, you are in the wrong clothes. The Genus Three-Season Gardening Trousers (£159) have built in kneepads, useful pockets and they are in a cut that allows for easy movement. They keep me snug but not sweaty and have transformed my …

Mark Lane answers Telegraph Recommended reader questions

Mark Lane answers Telegraph Recommended reader questions

Published by Sam Flores

What’s your favourite tool to use? Stephen, undisclosed I love multi-headed tools such as Wolf Garten, as they allow me to take several tools around the garden in my trolley without taking up too much space. A simple click method makes changing the head easy and quick, while the various handles of different sizes and shapes makes gardening effortless. How has climate change altered your gardening habits? David, West Midlands Plant choice is now very dictated by climate change. We’re getting hotter, drier summers and wetter, warmer winters that are not killing off pests and diseases. I’ve also moved away from labour-intensive container gardening, growing just specimens in them now, with an automatic watering system where needed. Collecting and storing water is also important. Saving this precious resource and using it throughout the year is better for your plants and your garden in general. And when it comes to growing your own produce, plant selection is key. Think about using the Three Sisters approach based on the traditional indigenous method of companion planting that originated …