Rochester Pier: Medway Council 'looking into' pier damage survey
The local authority said it was "looking into funding options" for a survey of the structure to assess "if any repairs need to be undertaken".The cost of repairs and a potential reopening date would depend on the inspection's findings, according to the council.
A Force spokesperson said work on the structure would "help towards our goal of preserving the pier in the long term", and the group agreed that "public safety is the first priority".The group added it would "continue to work closely with the council to stay informed and to advocate for a safe reopening of the pier as soon as possible".
Force had been helping refurbish the pier from its 2024 reopening and said it planned to expand use of the pier in future to generate funds for its maintenance.
Rochester Pier was originally built in the 1880s and was used as a river access point for small boats and passenger tours.
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Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The best patio heaters to warm up chillier summer nights, chosen and tested by experts
The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We will earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. Even the best British summer days can turn chilly. A good patio heater helps you stay outside for longer as the temperatures drop. High street and online homeware retailers like Robert Dyas, Dunelm and Wayfair all sell a wide range of patio heaters, from electric to wall-mounted and freestanding models. Choosing the right one can be tricky. Some heaters are heavy and hard to move around, while others may not match your garden furniture. There are functional questions too: how quickly does it heat up? Does the casing get dangerously hot? Can it be stored easily? And how much warmth does it emit? To clear things up for you, we've tested a selection of models from leading garden brands. We also answer some frequently asked questions at the end of the page, with the help of Heat Outdoors expert, Stephen Levy. But if you're short on time, here are our top five: The best patio heaters: At a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS How to choose the best patio heater Outdoor heating specialist Levy says: 'Prioritise the quality of build, the level of waterproofing and the wattage.' Safety switches and remote controls are also useful. But: 'While weight is usually a sign of quality, you still want a heater that won't be too heavy to lug around yourself.' Consider where you want to place your heater; do you want one for the table, or one to warm your legs and feet from the ground. Aesthetics play a role too, but don't sacrifice functionality in the name of style. How we test patio heaters With Stephen's advice in mind, I tested every patio heater on this list at home in different weather conditions. I rated how easy each one was to set up, how sturdy it felt once assembled and how convenient it was to move around the patio. During testing, I used a thermometer to record the temperature at the base of the heater. For tabletop models, I added a second thermometer at windowsill height, 60cm above. I recorded readings at five, ten and thirty minute intervals, and I considered how wide the heater's radius was while sitting and standing at various distances. Safety was a significant factor, too. I assessed how easy it was to use the controls and adjust temperatures, and checked whether any parts became hot to touch. Once switched off, I noted how long the heating element took to cool down. If you're keen to add more decor to your patio, we also have guides to the best fire pits, the best charcoal BBQs, the best hanging egg chairs and the best garden parasols. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best patio heaters for 2025 1. Best Buy Patio Heater: Swan Portable Patio Heater The Swan heater packs a punch for its diminutive 60cm height. I felt the heat kick in immediately upon turning on its single switch. The temperature rose by an impressive fourteen degrees in just 30 minutes, the largest heat output of all the models featured. The carbon fibre heating element is housed in an attractive column, creating a 360-degree radius of warmth. A wide and weighty base plate in stainless steel allays any fears about this heater tipping over – it doesn't rock at all, even when pushed. Should you need to move the heater around, the chunky built-in handle is easy to grip and feels sturdy in hand. While the central column cools down immediately after use, the aluminium alloy struts on either side remained hot to touch for up to 10 minutes afterwards, so some care is needed. With a singular heat setting and no noise to speak of, this is a great option for a steady output of heat on colder evenings: I found it particularly useful as a floor-level heater for keeping people's feet warm. Key specifications: 2. Best Value Patio Heater: Gtech HeatWave Electric Patio Heater This Gtech mountable patio heater, from the increasingly popular British appliance brand, only has one 2,000W setting. It would have been nice to have a lower, less energy-hungry option as it costs approximately 50p per hour at a typical electricity tariff of 26p/kWh. However, the Gtech Heatwave heats up in one second, claiming to warm up to six metres of space with its infrared technology. On test, I found this accurate, heating my entire patio impressively quickly. It's also pretty easy to install if you're willing and able to drill into outer brickwork. (You might find our guide to the best cordless drills useful here.) However, the cable length is just shy of two metres – about six feet – making proximity to a plug socket a necessary consideration. Once installed, it emits a gentle orange glow with little glare, reminiscent of a pub garden – with none of the rowdiness. The heater's compact size also makes it easy to store during the winter, although its IP65 rating means it's both dust proof and resistant to rainfall. With the lowest RRP on our list, it's a good value heater with only minor drawbacks. Key specifications: 3. Best Electric Patio Heater: Kettler Kalos Universal Electric Lantern Patio Heater This square-shaped Kettler patio heater is a reliable option that will pair well with your elegant rattan garden furniture thanks to its outer lattice pattern. This casts a lovely golden shadow on the patio. Plus, it can be left outside all year round thanks to the IP55 rating, meaning it's resistant to dust, rain and moisture – although you wouldn't want to aim a high-pressure hose at it. The slim halogen heating element doesn't skimp on heat, jumping five degrees in as many minutes during testing. After half an hour, I felt satisfyingly warm and appreciated the unobtrusive light emanating from the heater. A simple on and off switch at the base makes operating the heater easy, and the medium and large models also feature a discreet touchscreen switch beside the top handle for additional control that beeps when pressed. Said handle is also sturdy enough to easily manoeuvre the heater's 4.3kg weight around your patio – at least, as far as the 1.8 metre cable allows. Be aware that all the heaters on our list adhere to this cable length because it's the legal maximum. As manufacturers don't recommend using an extension, make sure you have a nearby outdoor power source. Key specifications 4. Best Column Patio Heater: La Hacienda Electric Standing Patio Heater Just a few screws attach this cylindrical La Hacienda electric heater to its circular base plate, then it's ready to use. With a heat range of approximately 1.5 inches and a maximum of 1,200 Watts, it's not the hottest of the heaters. But the infrared technology provides a good level of uniform heat in all directions, along with a gentle orange glow. Operation is completely silent and, despite my initial caution, neither the brushed black metal nor plastic elements retain any heat whatsoever. I particularly appreciated the red LED that shines behind the single control switch at the base of the unit: it's easy to see with a quick glance whether or not the heater is on or off. With an IP rating of 55, it's able to withstand any temperate weather, though I found the compact shape and 3.4kg weight made it easy to store when not in use. That said, I wasn't overly confident in the plastic handle, which feels quite flimsy and doesn't leave much room for grip. The heater's lifespan of approximately 5,000 hours is less than we'd like ideally, but the low price makes it a good value option nonetheless. Key specifications 5. Best Table Top Patio Heater: Kettler Terrace Table Top Heater A lamp-style tabletop heater is a subtle way to provide warmth to your garden and this Kettler electric heater is no different. It has a double frost halogen heating element hidden by a matte gunmetal grey lampshade. Moreover, it doesn't make a sound while emitting a decent whack of heat in a downward trajectory: I recorded a nine degree increase in 30 minutes. It's controlled by two switches just below the lampshade – one is an on and off switch, and the second is for standby, beeping loudly when touched. Unfortunately, the lack of any indicator makes the three provided heat levels a little tricky to discern. Though, the remote control is a handy touch when you're too comfortable to move. Some assembly is required here: affixing the shade, threading the power cable and securing it beneath the base. The latter seemed a little light for adequately supporting the heater's 10kg weight, and the large size – 94cm high with a 50cm diameter shade – may be difficult to store. Luckily, the IP45 rating protects against jets of water. Bringing it inside during heavy rain would be a good idea. While designed to sit on your table, this heater could just as easily operate as a floor-level lamp to warm chilly feet. It also fits in beautifully with the rest of Kettler's outdoor range, which is known for its durability. Key specifications 6. Best Standing Patio Heater: Marl Floor Standing Outdoor Heater This slim standing heater from Dunelm is probably the most inconspicuous of all the heaters on our list, especially when you consider its 200cm height. It's surprisingly lightweight at 8.4kg too, though the wide base is sufficiently solid to stop the heater from swaying. The central pole is divided into four sections that join together easily enough with a series of screws. But this requires a screwdriver, which the instruction manual fails to mention. The heater is operated by the pull of a drawstring switch. I'm not its biggest fan; made of thin cord it makes a somewhat irritating 'ding' noise when it knocks against the metal column in a breeze. But, it elicits a satisfying click as either one or both of the circular halogen heating elements radiates heat downwards and outward. Radius wise, you'll feel a nice temperature increase up to an area of 20 sq metres. The only indication of the two heat settings is found by looking up at the element itself (one glowing ring is the lower setting, two glowing rings is the higher), which can cause some trial and error upon first use. I particularly appreciated the pair of brackets that clip around the central pole. While intended to hold the 1.6m power cable in place, this also allows use of its full length while accessing a plug socket. Key specifications Patio heater FAQs How many square feet does a patio heater cover? 'About eight square metres, assuming a high quality two kilowatt shortwave heater,' Levy says. 'That's roughly equivalent to a garden table and the garden chairs around it.' The kilowatts refer to the electricity a heater uses, rather than the heat it emits: more kilowatts do not necessarily mean more warmth, especially if the heater has a poorly-made reflector or cheap bulbs. To heat a bigger space, it's usually better to get more than one heater. What is the difference between infrared and halogen heaters? Halogen is used in the most intense bulbs, emitting shortwave infrared. Shortwave will warm you even in a breeze, whereas mediumwave and longwave infrared bulbs are only effective in sheltered spaces as they can be blown away in a draught. The ceramic elements used in indoor portable electric heaters emit longwave infrared, which heats the air in a rising column. Carbon fibre filaments used in low-glow patio heaters (such as table-top heaters) emit mediumwave infrared. Finally, Tungsten filaments, housed in quartz bulbs containing halogen gas, glow brightly and emit shortwave infrared which doesn't actually heat the air. It heats you. 'Shortwave is the type emitted by the sun,' Levy says. 'It travels through the vacuum of space and heats the earth when it hits it. That's why shortwave infrared from a halogen patio heater (or tungsten and quartz heaters – they're all names for the same thing) heats your skin when it hits it, whether it's windy or not. You'll notice that if someone stands in front of you, casting a shadow, the warmth instantly disappears.' In a nutshell, the intense bulbs (sometimes called halogen, but not always) emit shortwave radiation and will work in a breeze. Other types of heater feel cosier and less intense but don't work in windy or open areas. Are all patio heaters waterproof? Not necessarily. Look at the IP rating – which stands for Ingress Protection – to find out. It is an international standard of measurement of an item's resistance and comes as two digits, for example IP34 or IP65. The first digit refers to dust proofing, the second relates to waterproofing. If the second digit is three or below, it's not suitable for use outside. If the last digit is four, it's shower-proof. If it's five, it's rain-proof. If it's six, it can resist a blast from a hose and if it's seven it can be briefly submerged, although we don't recommend doing this with your patio heater. What is the highest BTU for a patio heater? This is a misguided question. British thermal units are a standard measurement of heat energy and outdoor heaters can produce anything from 10,000 to a scorching 80,000 BTUs. Most are somewhere around 40,000. But, according to Levy, all that is completely irrelevant if the heat is blown away by the wind. How effective are gas patio heaters? Fine in an enclosed space, but otherwise most heat is wasted and gas is an expensive option.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Osprey chick found dead at Rutland Water with wound on its side
An osprey project at Rutland Water has confirmed the death of one of its Osprey Project said in a social media post on Monday the bird was found dead on the shoreline with a wound on its left side, below the conservationist group said it was trying to organise a post-mortem for the chick, known as 3R6, to establish exactly what Maya, 3R6's mother, has nested at Manton Bay since 2015 with a male osprey and the pair have raised 20 chicks in that time, according to Rutland Osprey Project. A social media post from the group shared a timeline of stated 3R6 took off from the nest at about 21:31 BST on Sunday and there was a splash "shortly afterwards"."At 21:41, with both 3R5 and 3R8 on the nest, we then see Maya take off from the perch and do a fly around the nest," the post added."At this point we see 3R6 in the water, making his way towards the shore."The decision was made to not intervene last night due to the challenging conditions and not wanting to disturb the other Osprey, particularly 3R8 who has yet to fledge."The post added evidence will be reviewed to "see if any light can be shed on this sad situation".
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Ulverston tortoise lost for seven years recognised from burn mark
A tortoise with a distinctive burned shell has been reunited with her owner after being missing for seven Christopher, 38, who owns Little Beasties pet shop in Ulverston, Cumbria, traced the owner thanks to a social media female tortoise, affectionally named "lucky tortoise" by Ms Christopher, was handed back to her owners after they recognised her shell which was injured by a wood-burning owner, a woman in her 80s, said she was "thrilled" to have her pet back which was a Mother's Day present from her late son. Ms Christopher told BBC Radio Cumbria that the owner did not believe she would see the tortoise again. "She said it was the last thing she ever received from him [her son] so it is of huge sentimental value to her, as you can imagine, to have her tortoise back."The lady and her daughter are really pleased, just really thrilled to be reunited with their tortoise." The Hermann's tortoise went missing while her owner was visiting a friend."She had popped her in her friend's garden so they could have a catch-up but when she went to leave, the tortoise had vanished," Ms Christopher said. "She was absolutely heartbroken at the time and had no idea where she'd gone."Seven years on and the terrapin was found by 12-year-old Logan, nine miles away from where she vanished."He was over the moon to find it as he loves animals but he brought her in to me after a few days and was pleased when we found the owner," Ms Christopher said. After putting pictures on Facebook, Ms Christopher said the owner contacted the pet shop. "She really didn't think it was going to be hers because she lost it so long ago but because of the distinctive markings I said it had on its shell, she said it sounded like theirs. "Her tortoise had once got wedged under a wood-burning stove, and it had left a flat spot and a burn mark on the top of her shell. "That stopped me in my tracks, it matched exactly."Ms Christopher said she did not know where the tortoise had added: "What matters is that she's finally home." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
