As Gucci scoops a silver medal at Chelsea Flower Show, we dig into the fertile relationship between fashion and gardening

BY Lisa Armstrong | 21 May 2014

While Mary Berry, Monty Don, Benedict Cumberbatch and other cosy BBC treasures communed with delphiniums, peonies and swivelling TV cameras at the opening of the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday, the stylist Lady Mary Charteris - she of the sheer-fronted Pam Hogg wedding dress - picked her way daintily past the rustic trugs and rust-proof gazebos to the Gucci garden: a reminder that you don't have to look like Alan Titchmarsh to be seduced by a ravishing garden.

Gucci is not the first fashion house to dust off its trowel for Chelsea. Chanel and Dior have both ploughed allotments there. This is not mere marketing whimsy. Coco Chanel and Christian Dior genuinely adored, if not getting their hands dirty, then supervising their gardeners to do so on their behalf. Both created gardens of lasting loveliness - daisies, mimosa, iris and 350 olive trees for her; roses and lily of the valley for him, as attested by the book Dior Impressions . Roses remain a recurring theme in Dior's collections today under creative director Raf Simons, whose first collection for the house in 2012 took place in a classically Parisian enfilade of rooms in which each wall was smothered in either carnations, delphiniums, goldenrod or roses.

Gardening clearly computes with the fashion sensibility. The milliner Philip Treacy begins every weekend at his Cotswolds cottage with a trip to the local garden centre. "Nature is the only perfection in the world," he says. Dries Van Noten, the Belgian designer adored for his easy-to-wear, timeless, often embellished clothes, has created a garden 20 miles from Antwerp which, he says, "puts everything into perspective. You can't say to your garden, 'I'm sorry, I can't weed today because I have to launch a collection.' You have to make time for it."

Dior Couture autumn/winter 2010 PHOTO: JASON LLOYD-EVANS

Perhaps all designers should be issued with gardens as a refuge for wrung-out creative minds. Hardy Amies - who once, to my delight, escorted me around his own idyllic Cotswold gardens - observed that "if more people got to experience the profound pleasure of cultivating roses, there would be fewer wars".

Yves Saint Laurent also found much-needed solace tinkering in his garden in Marrakesh. Originally created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle from a palm grove, it was filled with yuccas, jasmine and bougainvillea, all offset by searing cobalt blue (or Majorelle-bleu, as it's officially known) walls and yellow railings. After Saint Laurent restored it, it unleashed a trend for snazzy backwashes and prickly cactii in suburban gardens from North Africa to Watford. As aesthetes, fashion designers can affect decorative trends in horticulture as well as haute couture.

Failing an actual garden, there are always pictures. Flowers are one of the most popular posts on Instagram. Sam McKnight, the master-cultivator of prize-worthy hair for everyone from the late Diana, Princess of Wales to Chanel is one of the social media site's most prolific contributors of woozily seductive blooms, many of the snaps taken in his north London garden. "My interest just crept up on me," he told Vogue in 2012. "I suppose it's called being middle-aged gardening has made me a calmer, more tolerant person. I'm learning that it takes control to achieve that chaotic look - just as with hair."

Besides being therapeutic, gardens fertilise the imagination. "The garden allows me to see blends of colours and materials," Christian Louboutin wrote in his eponymous book, of the grounds around his 13thcentury chteau in the Vende. "It's highly instructive."

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Hautie Culture: Flowers and fashion

Forecasters said the mercury is expected to rise as high as 24C, possibly even 25C, in much of England A Met Office spokesman said yesterday was already the warmest day of the year so far Next week will become more unsettled with thundery showers anticipated all over the UK

By Simon Murphy and Valerie Elliott

Published: 16:58 EST, 17 May 2014 | Updated: 16:59 EST, 17 May 2014

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Glorious Great Britain was hotter than Barcelona yesterday as swathes of the country basked in dazzling sunshine.

And the good news from the forecasters was that theres more to come today, which could be the hottest day of the year so far.

But while that was given a warm welcome by those preparing for a weekend at the beach, it left exhibitors at Chelsea Flower Show in a cold sweat as gardeners took desperate measures to prevent their prized plants from wilting.

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The sun HAS got his hat on! Baking Britain hotter than Barcelona and there's more today... but it's all too much for ...

John Pawlowski looking for donations to fund 2 small gazebos 4 city Riverwalk Project @wcdailylocal
John Pawlowski looking for donations to fund 2 small gazebos 4 city Riverwalk Project @wcdailylocal By: Kristina Scala - Reporter for the Daily Local News in...

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John Pawlowski looking for donations to fund 2 small gazebos 4 city Riverwalk Project @wcdailylocal - Video

Crowds pack The Square for North Devon's fourth Diversity Festival

THE sun was shining on North Devons fourth Diversity Festival at The Square in Barnstaple, today (Saturday, May 17).

The event had a wonderful carnival atmosphere with people of all ages gathering to meet groups from a number of different ethnic backgrounds, cultures and sexuality, as they celebrated their diverse roots.

The festival was run in conjunction with Devon and Cornwall Police, Petroc college, Hikmat Devon and Safer North Devon.

Rapping, dancing, a bhangra band, the chance to taste delicious cuisine was all on offer, as well as the chance to bring together the community.

One of the organisers, Sergeant Lucy Skinner, of Barnstaple police, said the event was a way of promoting and celebrating the diverse community of North Devon.

The festival not only celebrates the ethnic and culturally diverse community in Barnstaple and North Devon, but it is a chance for the older and younger generation of the area to come together too, she said.

There were gazebos dotted around the square, with people on hand to offer advice and support from Devon Carers, Devon and Cornwall Police, Petroc college, Hikmat Devon and the fire service.

Crowds also flocked around The Sahara Project tent, where cooks were on hand to create traditional authentic Asian food.

North Devon and Torridge Come out, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Support Group were at the festival for the first-time this year.

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People flock to Diversity Festival in Barnstaple

Polliwog Park is a stopover for migratory geese and other birds. Photo by Kevin Cody

The large pond that makes Polliwog park a wildlife refuge for ducks, geese and other migratory birds is reason enough to spend a summer day here. But the City of Manhattan Beach also organizes family friendly events most weekdays and every weekend.

The citys Parks and Recreations Department is organizing the 19th Annual Family Campout from May 17 to May 18 at the adjacent Begg Field, where families can play games and join in on arts and crafts activities.

Friday night, May 17 at 7:45 is 3rd Annual Movie in the Park takes place that evening at the Polliwog Park Amphitheater Walt Disneys lauded animation Frozen will be shown. Sunday, May 18 at 8:30 a.m. is the 31st Annual Fishing Derby, where kids can win prizes for catching the most fish, longest fish or most interesting fish.

Three gazebospopular spots for birthday parties, anniversaries and family reunionsare available for two-hour periods if reserved in advance. The picnic area has a number of tables and six barbecue grills; the play area for young children has slides, climbing and exploration equipment. Polliwog Park also boasts a 9-hole disc golf course and houses one of the citys oldest beach cottages, which is home to citys historical museum Admission is free Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

The citys popular Concerts in Park beginning Sunday, June 22, with the citys official band The Hyperion Outfall Serenaders Dixieland band.

The line-up this year also includes the Mira Costa Jazz Band, an Elvis tribute, Scot Bruce and Blue Breeze Band, and a Motown R&B-soul band. The concerts continue through Labor Day weekend. Umbrellas and pop-up tents are allowed before and after the concerts.

No dogs are allowed,, there is a dog park adjacent to the park, on the northwest side.

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15 May 2014| last updated at 09:56PM

ALTHOUGH the water crisis affecting Klang Valley and some parts of Selangor has just ended, there is no guarantee it wont happen again in the future.

If it does, I will be more than happy to drive to Hutan Lipur Sungai Tua for a frolicking good splash in the stream with my family.

Its less than an hours drive from Kuala Lumpur and the journey will definitely be smooth sailing if you hit the road early in the morning.

Besides taking a dip in the cool and crystal clear water, you can also take a stroll or jog along the tarmac tracks, traverse the unbeaten jungle trails or simply laze around in the gazebos.

For shutterbugs like myself, it is easy to get carried away trying to capture the images of frogs, dragonflies or fish.

It is also a way to introduce my toddler to nature.

FAST FACTS Sungai Tua Recreational Forest, Jalan Sungai Tua, Ulu Yam, Batu Caves, Selangor

GPS Coordinates 31842.9N 1014152.8E

Getting There From the city centre, head towards Batu Caves and take the route to Jalan Medan Batu at the small roundabout located right at the entrance of Batu Caves complex. Then take Jalan Sungai Tua and continue driving until it takes you to Batu Dam. Follow the signboards leading to Hutan Lipur Sungai Tua which is on the right after the Ulu Yam motocross track.

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Connecting with nature

First major exhibition of US troops stationed in Chipping Sodbury before the D-Day Landings to feature at The Big Lunch

12:10pm Wednesday 14th May 2014 in News By Alexandra Womack

The Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch this year takes on a 1940s theme

THE first major exhibition of an important part of Chipping Sodburys past will be held during a war-themed event next week.

A collection of rare photographs of the American signal company stationed in the town during World War Two will be on view to the public during this years 1940s-themed Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch on Sunday, June 1.

Put together by local historian Jim Elsworth in conjunction with Sodbury and District Historical Society, the exhibit will include 100 pictures taken during the seven months prior to the D-Day Landings of 1944 when 62 US Army soldiers from 165 Signal Photo Company made Chipping Sodbury their home.

The troops became familiar faces to many in the town and organised events including American film screenings and tea parties, the likes of which many residents had never seen before. They also brought Coca Cola, chewing gum and a smooth American drawl previously only heard on the wireless.

Jim, who has collated the exhibition with help from the 165 Signal Companys official archives, said: People who were children at the time will recall the soldiers being here, but did not realise the special role they played on D-Day and the liberation of Europe. All they knew was that got any gum, chum would result in a gift of chewing gum and of course the soldiers organised films, tea parties and other entertainments for children.

Around 100 photos and the associated stories will relate the events from their arrival in Chipping Sodbury, interaction with our town and friendships made, and their operations in Europe.

He added: A major part of the exhibition will tell the amazing story of those 62 men. It is a sobering thought that of the 62 men, seven were killed in action, 14 were wounded to the extent they had to be repatriated and three were taken as Prisoners of War.

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Discover Chipping Sodbury's American past at 1940s themed Big Lunch

April 10, 2014

By Jordan Wasilka

Whether youre looking to re-invigorate the family home, spruce up the garden, or just add something new to your recreational life, the annual Brandon Home and Leisure Show will almost certainly have something for everyone when it hits the Keystone Centre this weekend.

The event, now in its 48th year, will feature over 165 exhibitors showing off a wide variety of home, garden and recreational products and services including patios, decks, gazebos, hot tubs, barbecues, travel trailers, lawn and garden equipment, fishing and pleasure craft, personal watercraft and more.

General manager Dave Melcosky says that he can still remember when the shows original incarnation then called the Brandon Sportsmans Show was 10,000 square feet in the 1970s and featured mainly recreation equipment. Now the Brandon Home and Leisure Show spans nearly ten times that over 96,000 square feet and has a vast breadth of products on offer.

Its quite large, says Melcosky. Its really gone through a growth spurt in the last little while, particularly on the leisure side.

Attendance is up as well, according to the general manager, with last years event drawing over 10,000 for the first time since he became involved with the event five years ago.

In fact, the annual event is so large that its even spilling outdoors.

Theres lots of interest in modular homes now, so well actually have two modular homes in the entranceway coming into the Home Show, with one inside as well, says the general manager, adding that theyre residential/cottage homes that are built to all of the Canadian housing standards.

Melcosky says that, while some bemoan paying a fee to enter the show, the value proposition is extremely good. Its all under one roof The diversity of this if you were to put $6.50 worth of gas into your car, I doubt youd hit half of the businesses featured in the show. Its a total one-stop shop.

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Annual Home and Leisure Show hits Keystone this weekend

Outdoor Gazebos
Outdoor Gazebos - created at http://animoto.com.

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ELLICOTTVILLE Building on a centuries-old tradition of performing music after dusk in a serene, garden-like setting, Ellicottvilles first-ever Night Lights event will take place from May 15 to May 31 at the Nannen Arboretum.

The event will combine strategically placed lighting to literally shed a different light on some of the more than 200 species of trees in the park, along with different musical performers each evening to create an entirely new magical experience for visitors.

Bringing such a wonderful experience to Ellicottville, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Ellicottville and the Nannen Arboretum Society, is part of an ongoing commitment to share with locals and visitors alike what a great area this is to live work and play, said Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brian McFadden. Night Lights is also helping to make sure that Ellicottville has the most extensive lineup of festivals and events ever, commencing with this event in May and going all the way through to our Christmas Stroll in December.

For additional details about attractions and events in Ellicottville, visit http://www.ellicottvilleny.com and click on Events, or contact the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-349-9099.

The town of Ellicottvilles Nannen Arboretum is managed by the Nannen Arboretum Society, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to providing home garden and natural resource education and an opportunity for nature appreciation and leisure. The eight-acre park contains paved pathways, over 200 species of trees, a Japanese garden, pond, a chapel, gazebos and an entertainment stage.

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Night Lights event at Nannen Arboretum May 15-30