Latest news with #AlanTitchmarsh
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Exodus of gardeners upset by King Charles' red letter feedback at beloved Highgrove garden
His passion for gardening and nature is well known, but today it emerged that King Charles ' exacting standards may have ruffled more than a few feathers among staff at his beloved Highgrove House. According to reports, low pay and staff shortages, coupled with the monarch's demanding attention to detail, has prompted an exodus of gardeners employed to keep his 15-acre pride and joy in Gloucestershire in good shape. Over the past three years, 11 of the 12-strong gardening team have quit, including the head gardener and his deputy. At one stage, in March 2022, half of the gardening team were earning minimum wage, an investigation by the Sunday Times found. The King, who is known to patrol the grounds with a pair of secateurs, regularly offers feedback on the garden, writing handwritten notes to staff in red ink, expressing delight or upset at the progress of individual plants or flowers. While some workers appreciate his interventions, others told the Sunday Times they found his feedback impolite and demoralising, it is claimed. In late 2023, one member of staff filed a grievance against management claiming the gardening team were under resourced and struggling to fulfil the King's demands. The employee's complaint said some staff had developed physical injuries because they were overwhelmed with work and that there was low morale among the team. King Charles told gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh that he had enjoyed creating the gardens at Highgrove from 'scratch' over the past four decades 'There is little management of HMTK (His Majesty the King's) expectations and I know I would not be allowed to say we are understaffed,' the claim said. The gardener also alleged he was shouted at and given a dressing down by Constantine Innemee, the executive director of Highgrove, who is one of the King's most trusted advisers, when he suggested to Charles that he would need a specialist member of staff if he wanted to cultivate his magnolias in a specific way. The grievance led to an external investigation by the King's Foundation, the charitable organisation that now runs the garden. Although that inquiry found evidence of 'staff shortages' and suggested pay be reviewed if it continued to be 'an issue for recruitment and retention' of staff, the complaint about Mr Innemee's management style was not upheld. The garden at Highgrove has been King Charles' pet project for the past 45 years. In an interview with his friend, gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh, Charles previously explained that he was attracted to buy the property, in 1980, because of its 'blank canvas' garden. 'I actually planned everything myself, I did the whole thing, I chose all the plants,' the King said. 'I love evening patrol at the weekend. As I potter about I notice things and weed or prune bits off. I'm sure most people come here and think I don't do anything. But I do.' Over the past four decades the gardens have flourished, from the early kitchen garden and arboretum to the Sundial Garden, which showcases the King's favourite delphiniums, the Thyme Walk and the Islamic-inspired Carpet Garden. In the early years, Charles was selective with who he invited to his private residence but, as the gardens thrived, that changed and in the 2010's and they were opened to the public. Now more than 40,000 people visit each year. In a statement, a spokesman for The King's Foundation denied Highgrove gardeners were paid below the going rate and insisted staff turnover and employment grievances were 'well below the national average.' 'We take staff welfare extremely seriously and strive to be an exemplary employer,' he said. 'We are proud to regularly report very high satisfaction rates in our annual staff survey. For the gardening team at Highgrove specifically, we regularly review guidance from the Professional Gardeners Guild for pay benchmarking.' The spokesman also said that, since 2022, the operating profit at Highgrove had more than doubled and a new specialist education facility established to teach traditional heritage skills to students. Sources familiar with the running of Highgrove and its estate expressed surprise at the extent of the newspaper's claims and the level of vitriol in them. Historically many of the King's staff have worked in the gardens for decades, inspired by Charles' passion for them, particularly as Prince of Wales. Others have also described the King as being 'hands-on' - retreating to the estate at weekends to weed, prune, plant or mend fences - but never with any indication of personal aggression.
The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
A 40p bathroom staple will get rid of ‘invasive' caterpillars destroying your garden this summer
A BATHROOM staple that sells for only 40p at stores will protect your garden from "invasive" caterpillars. The everyday item is a surprising repellent against the insects that destroy box hedging and topiary plants. 1 Caterpillars are particularly active in July and August Credit: Getty Gardeners have been warned to watch out for the box tree moth caterpillar. The caterpillars, which are the larvae of the box tree moth, eat the leaves and bark of box trees. In only a few days, they may turn once-beautiful bushes dark, barren, and beyond rescuing. Ecology specialists at Arbtech have alerted gardeners that the number of caterpillars peak in July and August. read more on fabulous 40p solution But a 40p hack can help keep the pests away from your garden. An unscented bar acts as a repellent as many insects dislike the scent and residue that soap leaves behind. Simply leave a bar of soap near your plants or rub residue on leaves to keep insects at bay. Most read in Fabulous Soapy water also works wonders as it dries out caterpillars' outer layer, leading them to die from dehydration. For households with children or pets, soap is a low-risk alternative to chemical pesticides, and when used properly, it is less likely to damage pollinators. Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that 'transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years Experts' warning Infestations can be disastrous if left untreated with severely affected plants having to be uprooted and replaced completely. An ecologist from told 'Box hedging is hugely popular in British gardens, so this species is having a serious impact not just aesthetically, but financially too. 'We're urging homeowners to check their plants regularly over the summer months. "Look for tell-tale signs like webbing, leaf loss, or green-and-black striped caterpillars.' 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.
Daily Record
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Alan Titchmarsh's expletive one-word response to 'terrifying' Royal experience
Alan Titchmarsh has shared his terrifying experience of training with the Royal military, saying it was the 'biggest rush' of his life - but left him unable to speak Veteran broadcaster and beloved gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared the pulse-racing moment he was invited to join a high-speed Royal military training exercise - an event that left him gasping for air, lost for words, and on the verge of swearing. In a frank discussion on the Talk Horse podcast, Alan reminisced about being asked to present two Royal-themed TV shows, All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men. During the filming, he had the opportunity to ride alongside the Household Cavalry and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery - experiences he found both thrilling and daunting. Alan first mounted a horse called Waterford, which the Queen's groom Terry Pendry warned was particularly challenging. "Waterford? He's got five legs," Pendry quipped, hinting at the horse's unpredictable nature. Adding to the challenge, Alan had to ride in boots sans spurs, unlike his soldier counterparts, which he admits felt somewhat embarrassing. However, it was his stint with the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery that really put his mettle to the test, reports Gloucestershire Live. During a practice session near Wormwood Scrubs, Alan was unexpectedly asked to join one of the gun carriage teams. Despite initial hesitation, he accepted the challenge. Perched atop a horse named Mango - which he humorously suggested might reduce him to "chutney" - he assumed his role in the central pair, tasked with guiding a hefty gun carriage through intricate manoeuvres known as "the scissors," involving high-speed crisscrossing of horses and wheels. "It started off all right," he reminisced. "We were trotting, then into a canter, and then a gallop. I'm thinking - and I'm sorry about this - but you know that word we use that begins with 'sh' and ends with 't'." In a particularly tense moment, Titchmarsh lost his stirrups but, against the odds, remained mounted, flawlessly completing the routine. "We did the whole kit and caboodle, and I didn't come off," he remarked. "My heart must have been coming out here somewhere." The military veterans present were taken aback by his performance. "The outriding sergeant turned to Bombardier Floyd - I'll never forget her name - and they looked at each other and said, 'We don't normally go that fast.'" Alan's memorable day continued as he rode from Wormwood Scrubs to St John's Wood at a rising trot, forming part of an impressive six-horse procession that brought traffic to a standstill with its clinking harnesses and rumbling wheels. "It was the biggest thrill... certainly the biggest rush of my life," he confessed. "I got to the end, and I couldn't speak. It was just the most wonderful experience." However, the experience wasn't without its physical repercussions. "Then I had three months at the osteopath," he quipped, chuckling at the memory. Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh is set to make a comeback on Sunday, July 20, featuring guests Selina Scott, Pixie Lott, and Tom Parker-Bowles.
Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
A 40p bathroom staple will get rid of ‘invasive' caterpillars destroying your garden this summer
The 40p hack is safe for families with pets and children BE GONE A 40p bathroom staple will get rid of 'invasive' caterpillars destroying your garden this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BATHROOM staple that sells for only 40p at stores will protect your garden from "invasive" caterpillars. The everyday item is a surprising repellent against the insects that destroy box hedging and topiary plants. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Caterpillars are particularly active in July and August Credit: Getty Gardeners have been warned to watch out for the box tree moth caterpillar. The caterpillars, which are the larvae of the box tree moth, eat the leaves and bark of box trees. In only a few days, they may turn once-beautiful bushes dark, barren, and beyond rescuing. Ecology specialists at Arbtech have alerted gardeners that the number of caterpillars peak in July and August. 40p solution But a 40p hack can help keep the pests away from your garden. A simple bar of soap from Sainsbury's can prevent caterpillars from ruining your plants. An unscented bar acts as a repellent as many insects dislike the scent and residue that soap leaves behind. Simply leave a bar of soap near your plants or rub residue on leaves to keep insects at bay. Soapy water also works wonders as it dries out caterpillars' outer layer, leading them to die from dehydration. For households with children or pets, soap is a low-risk alternative to chemical pesticides, and when used properly, it is less likely to damage pollinators. Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that 'transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years Experts' warning Infestations can be disastrous if left untreated with severely affected plants having to be uprooted and replaced completely. An ecologist from Arbtech told Tivy Side: 'Box tree moth caterpillars might look harmless, but they're an invasive species that can strip a healthy plant in no time - and because they often feed from the inside out, many people don't realise there's a problem until it's too late. 'Box hedging is hugely popular in British gardens, so this species is having a serious impact not just aesthetically, but financially too. 'We're urging homeowners to check their plants regularly over the summer months. "Look for tell-tale signs like webbing, leaf loss, or green-and-black striped caterpillars.'
The Sun
20-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
A 40p bathroom staple will get rid of ‘invasive' caterpillars destroying your garden this summer
A BATHROOM staple that sells for only 40p at stores will protect your garden from "invasive" caterpillars. The everyday item is a surprising repellent against the insects that destroy box hedging and topiary plants. 1 Gardeners have been warned to watch out for the box tree moth caterpillar. The caterpillars, which are the larvae of the box tree moth, eat the leaves and bark of box trees. In only a few days, they may turn once-beautiful bushes dark, barren, and beyond rescuing. Ecology specialists at Arbtech have alerted gardeners that the number of caterpillars peak in July and August. 40p solution But a 40p hack can help keep the pests away from your garden. A simple bar of soap from Sainsbury's can prevent caterpillars from ruining your plants. An unscented bar acts as a repellent as many insects dislike the scent and residue that soap leaves behind. Simply leave a bar of soap near your plants or rub residue on leaves to keep insects at bay. Soapy water also works wonders as it dries out caterpillars' outer layer, leading them to die from dehydration. For households with children or pets, soap is a low-risk alternative to chemical pesticides, and when used properly, it is less likely to damage pollinators. Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that 'transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years Experts' warning Infestations can be disastrous if left untreated with severely affected plants having to be uprooted and replaced completely. An ecologist from Arbtech told Tivy Side: 'Box tree moth caterpillars might look harmless, but they're an invasive species that can strip a healthy plant in no time - and because they often feed from the inside out, many people don't realise there's a problem until it's too late. 'Box hedging is hugely popular in British gardens, so this species is having a serious impact not just aesthetically, but financially too. 'We're urging homeowners to check their plants regularly over the summer months. "Look for tell-tale signs like webbing, leaf loss, or green-and-black striped caterpillars.'
