Lynton town hall celebrates 125 years with floral glow-up
They estimate that more than 7,000 individual elements make up the display which also includes hidden surprises for children to discover. The project, which will be on display throughout July and August, was made possible with the help of Lynton & Lynmouth Town Council, the Community Bookshop and countless volunteers who contributed ideas, materials and time.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Why I kick down Peak District stone stacks
BBC Stone stacks are a common sight along hiking trails up and down the UK. But one walker is on a mission to highlight the damage they can do to the environment - by kicking them over. Stuart Cox says some people have been building the stacks - some as tall as 6ft (1.8m) - using stones taken from an old wall near Mam Tor in the Peak District in Derbyshire. A recent video he filmed of himself kicking down the stacks has been watched more than a million times on social media. And the Peak District National Park Authority says the structures are "detrimental" to the area, and have become more prevalent in recent years. "Look at this," Stuart says, before swearing in frustration during his Facebook video on 20 May. "Destroy the lot of them." He then proceeds to kick down a stone stack. The 57-year-old, who works as a chartered engineer, lives in the Derbyshire village of Castleton, a short drive from Mam Tor. He's passionate about the area, and regularly documents his hikes on his Peak District Viking page. But his post about the dozens of stacks, built next to the busy Great Ridge footpath - about a 15-minute hike from the summit of Mam Tor - has received the most engagement. "The majority of people have been quite supportive saying: 'Yeah, I hate them. We reduce them back to their natural state if we see them. Totally agree with you'," he said. "Then I had the opposite reaction which was: 'Don't tell me what to do. I'll build them if I want and I'll carry on regardless'. "I even had a couple of threats by private message, but I don't worry about those." The Peak District is far from the only location where stone stacks have proven problematic. For example, campaigners said towers of stones on a Scottish beach were a worrying trend. Stuart says the stacks in his video have been built using stones taken from a former boundary wall, which ran alongside the popular Great Ridge walk. He is concerned this has damaged the habitats of the small creatures - such as frogs, toads and insects - that lived inside the wall. It is a view shared by the National Trust. "The majority of the stone stacks featured in this video are not on National Trust land," a spokesperson said. "However, there have been stacks created on parts of Mam Tor, and staff and volunteers will infrequently disassemble any found." The trust says stone stacks have also been an issue on land it is responsible for. It added rangers had carried out extensive work to protect and preserve the hillfort at Mam Tor, which is a "scheduled monument and is of great archaeological importance". "The Peak Forest Wall is also historically significant, itself dating back to 1579," a spokesperson added. "Sadly, the stone stacks are not only impacting the history of the site, but they are also affecting the natural habitats of wildlife that live and feed within these ancient walls. "In the longer-term, it will disrupt the delicate balance of the landscape." Stuart says there is evidence of stones being removed from paths, which he says could lead to further erosion at an already popular walking spot. According to The Countryside Code, visitors should "leave rocks, stone, plants and trees as you find them and take care not to disturb wildlife including birds that nest on the ground". Anna Badcock, cultural heritage manager at the national park authority, says the stacks damage the "special qualities" of the national park and that the problem has got worse in recent years. "[Stone stacks] are created by stone removed from historic features," she said. "They are very detrimental to the historic environment which we have a statutory duty to conserve. "Like walkers' cairns [a marker along a trail], once one is created, it encourages more." The authority says its rangers generally do not remove the stacks "unless they are dangerous or causing an obstruction on a right of way". "We're aware that the National Trust rangers have removed some at Mam Tor for this very reason," a spokesperson added. Stuart said he had tried to make contact with the owner of the land on which the stacks are located, and had offered to help rebuild the wall. And while his video has attracted some debate on social media, he hopes it might make a small difference to the place he loves. He added: "I'm very passionate about the area, it's an area people live and work in, and to see it being trashed, you know, it does rile you a bit. "The more important element [of reaction to his video] was: 'I thought you were a bit of a fool when I first watched the start of the video but by the time I got to the end of it I realised, actually I didn't know that and from now on I will not build the stacks'. "That's the important bit for me. Even if a handful of people have realised the error of their ways, then that made it all the more worthwhile." Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
How to keep squirrels at bay AND add a touch of colour to your garden this summer for less than £3
THEY may seem cute with their fluffy tails, but don't let squirrels charming appearance fool you. From digging up freshly planted bulbs to nibbling on fruit, chewing through plant stems, and raiding vegetable patches, playful squirrels can be a gardener's worst nightmare. 2 2 Luckily, protecting your garden from these cheeky pests doesn't have to involve pricey deterrents or harsh chemicals that can ruin your lawn. According to House Digest, planting one type of flower in your garden beds and borders can help keep pesky squirrels at bay. These vibrant, aromatic flowers will not only immediately brighten up your landscape but also emit a scent that this furry animal hates. What's more, there's also no need to fork out a fortune on this plant - as green-fingered Brits can snap up gorgeous marigolds for less than £3. Not only do marigolds boast vibrant golden blooms, but they also emit a potent aroma that squirrels find off-putting. According to experts, this scent interferes with their sense of smell, making it challenging for hungry squirrels to rummage through the garden for their next meal. If you're keen to test this natural method to ward off squirrels, it's best to choose a sunny spot in your garden as these flowers require at least six hours of sunlight daily. For best results - and an epic garden glow-up - sow your seeds approximately six to 12 inches apart and once they've taken root, ensure they're regularly watered. While they can withstand drought, they'll thrive with consistent watering. They also need occasional deadheading to maintain their health. 6 ways to get rid of slugs and snails This affordable flower - retailing for just £2.80 at B&Q - is excellent for strategic planting. If gardeners position them between rows of vegetables or next to fruit-bearing plants that squirrels target, it will keep them protected from the pesky pests. If you're short on space in your garden, marigolds also make fantastic companion plants in pots alongside tomatoes, peppers and herbs. Keep pests out all summer IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass. If you feel like you need additional squirrel deterrent planting, it's worth considering other strongly scented plants such as mint or nasturtium. The layering of smells forms a robust barrier against the noses of the furry animal. Another scent, we reported earlier, is using coffee grounds. Pest control expert Jordan Foster said: 'Spread coffee grounds in your borders as squirrels hate the smell of them and will run away and won't come back.' The expert also advised adding water to the grounds, to make sure they stick, and to enhance the odour. Before applying to the whole of your garden, you should test a small area to ensure it doesn't harm plants. Coffee grounds can also be effective at harming other pests, such as cats and rats. Alongside planting deterrents, households should also maintain their garden tidy and free from food leftovers - as these will attract squirrels, rats and mice to consume what they desire.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Battle of Britain's 85th anniversary commemorated in Kent
A service to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain has taken place at a cliff-top memorial in first decisive battle in history to be fought in the air began on 10 July 1940 and reached its climax on 15 September, which became known as Battle of Britain service in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, on Sunday was attended by relatives of people who fought in the Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said: "It's through this memorial that we can educate those who were not alive during the war about the sacrifices made, not only by those brave men in the air, but also the people on the ground who got them up there." The service of commemoration is held every year on the nearest Sunday to the start of the Stephen Dalton, president of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: "Its important that families have somewhere they can come to meet and remember and to lay flowers, but also for the next generation to experience a little of what it would have been like to fly in times of war."Alex Scott, from Cambridge, came to lay flowers for his father Jaromir Strihavka, who was a Czech pilot and flew in the Battle of Britain."I know the effort that goes into maintaining a place like this and it's great that the trustees invite us to take part in such a special event," he said.
