Category: Columns

Our in-house gardening enthusiast returns with the answers to all your most burning questions. Q. Two friends asked me to identify this nice plant. They said it had big heart shaped leaves that changed colour in autumn.  Vitis Coignetiae is a deciduous climber that likes humus rich, neutral to alkaline soil. It will grow in […]

By Ed Gill, Director of Radfield Home Care Even though our older relatives may experience certain challenges that limit their access to the spring sunshine there are several ways we can support them so that they can still make the most of this vibrant time of year. I’ve put together a list of a few […]

Walk Information  Lying just to the north of Leeds, the parkland and woods of the Harewood House Estate offers a number of well-trekked paths. This walk follows the most popular route in the area, using public bridleways and a permissive path to circumnavigate the estate, avoiding the crowds drawn to the house and other attractions.  […]

In winter it can be so easy to sit under the covers on a day off and endlessly scroll Facebook and Instagram. Instead of doing that, here are some of my favourite thought provoking reads from the past year that will no doubt keep your mind active and engaged.  Billy No-Mates by Max Dickins This was […]

One of the benefits of growing your own fruit and veg is being able to give unusual crops a go. Salsify and scorzonera are two I’ve occasionally experimented with. I say ‘experimented’ because neither has managed to produce impressive enough results to earn a regular spot on the plot. I’ll explain the drawbacks of growing […]

By Staff Writer Sammi Minion Without doubt the biggest news to emerge from the LNER Community Stadium this month was the shocking revelation that club ownership have opted to part ways with first-team manager Neal Ardley. Mr Ardley was just five months into a three-year deal but leaves behind a York City  F.C. team that […]

I was lucky enough to find the time to visit the Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedroom show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham this month. Three of us headed over for the annual pilgrimage to find out what’s new in the industry and meet up with colleagues to “get the gossip” on what’s hot and […]

By Tim Saunders A seven-seater SUV that seems to travel at speeds of up to 50mph in EV mode. That’s what I experience while driving the Kia Sorento on the motorway. I’ve driven numerous hybrids and many will only travel at up to 30mph on EV mode. So, you can imagine my amazement when I’m […]

This March our gadget guide is all about getting organised; we’ve got ingenious cleaning tools, goodies for the garden, and more. Take your pick of the device that makes most sense to you. VonHaus Handheld UV Vacuum,£64.99 fromwww.vonhaus.com. Cleaning has never been this efficient and convenient. Equipped with a potent UV lamp, a 1.2L dust […]

Conversations about care are a sensitive topic that requires careful consideration. If you have ageing parents, grandparents, or other relatives, you may have broached it before and certainly won’t be alone if you were faced with reluctance. A common and understandable concern is a loss of independence. However, introducing occasional support early-on can help manage […]

Every so often a particular vegetable gets talked up in gardening and cooking magazines and websites. Black Tuscan kale, or Nero di Toscana in Italian, was all the rage recently. Such was the hype that it’s now found on supermarket shelves and veg plots where the gardener is a bit avant-garde. If you’re not a […]

Hello March… The start of 2024 has flown by, and the summer season is fast approaching. This year one of the questions we have frequently been asked is where to consider for a milder summer break— where the temperature is likely to be closer to the comfortable mid–late 20s and less scorching hot. This month […]

The cost-of-living crisis does not appear to be going away any time soon so what can Todd’s do to help if one of your appliances fails and leaves you in the lurch? New appliances are extremely good value these days but, depending on the age of your old washer, cooker, or fridge freezer, it’s always […]

Strong build quality has always been associated with Honda and the same is certainly true of the new Civic, which I do enjoy driving. Low to the ground, the two-litre injection eHev sports hatchback is nicely responsive. Although naught-to-sixty is achieved in a shade under eight seconds, it feels so much faster thanks to being […]

This semi-urban walk weaves its way from the city centre to Holgate before passing a preserved windmill to reach West Bank Park. It then heads over the lesser-known part of Micklegate Stray, Hob Moor, to reach the stray’s more frequented expanse, the Knavesmire. Skirting the racecourse complex, it reaches the river —which is crossed on […]