Tony Chalcroft gives us the lowdown on our gardens It’s been an unusually dry and warm early summer as I write, a few weeks ahead of these words appearing in print, so I thought it might be useful to say a little about watering. Of course, by the time you read this the weather may have flipped. Here in Acomb we’ve already had several cloudbursts. One in early June was so intense that young seedlings were flattened and crops mud splattered. It only needs these downpours to become more frequent

by Chris Brown, of Browns Nurseries Q. My wisteria growing on the wall hasn’t been pruned for a few years. Could you please explain how I might go about pruning it? Wisterias are deciduous, woody-stemmed, twining climbers, usually vigorous, with pinnate leaves, grown for their beautiful pea-flowers. Flowers may be white, blue, or deep purple, pink or violet, and are borne on lateral spurs on ripened wood. These very ornamental plants are ideal for high walls and fences, and also for pergolas. Most are fully hardy, but flower best in

Dan Tait knows sport. Pray silence for his monthly thoughts… Well, we never said when it’s coming home. There is nothing like football to disappoint you, as York City supporters have found out in recent years, but England certainly offered plenty of hope, especially after the fairly routine 2-0 victory in the Quarter-Finals over Sweden. I never realised how much hidden hatred people had for the lovely Swedes. From “Flat pack your bags, your going home”, “No Ikea what they were doing” to “that’s for all the times I bought

Resuming our treasure-hunting tour of York’s lovely satellite villages, this month we’re exploring dear old Dunnington. Slap on some sun cream and join us, won’t ya?   1, We start our hunt on York Road having joined it from the A1079 by Grimstone Court Retirement Home. Trudge on toward the village. Which part of a horse is remembered by the first house you pass on the left?   2, Head up and over the old railway bridge (the line was closed in 1981). What fruit will you pass on the

Join us as we journey back in time. No pushing. Ever turned off Micklegate onto Trinity Lane and wondered what the deal is with that curious timber frame building you pass on your right? Well… (tee hee), that would be Jacob’s Well, a medieval structure with a varied past. But who was Jacob, where’s this well, and why is it still here at all in a part of the city that has seen so much redevelopment lately? We found out. The building we today know as Jacob’s Well owes its

There may be plenty going on around you, but it’s all a bit parochial, and there are times this month when you’ll end up feeling rather bored. Exciting visions dance just beyond the horizon, but here you are, having to deal with the same old routines. May be this would be a good time to take up a hobby or find any kind of new interest. But here there is also a word of warning here, directed towards younger members of the sign. This is NOT a good time to

Howard Mosley-Chalk is a father and a husband. But more importantly he is a man. These are his (un)manly words. If you believe the earth is flat, you are a moron. Now, normally when I ‘take on’ a group in society, be it a religion or those of a certain political inclination, it is with a sense of good natured humour. I might joke about ‘your imaginary friend in the sky’ or laugh about Nigel ‘most punchable face 2016-18’ Farage, but I’ll never be mean. However, if you consider yourself

The gates to York Maze have once again burst open for another summer season of getting lost. However, as well as all the usual corn-based fun, and the massive maize maze, things have gotten a bit prehistoric at the family attraction just outside Elvington. Howard caught up with owner Tom Percy (AKA Farmer Tom) to see what was going on. Howard: Tom! Thanks for the chat. I have to ask… judging by the way you’re dressed, something odd is going on at York Maze. Tom: It is. You might be

Oh York. You’ve done it again. You’ve blown my mind with your incredible sights and culture, your one-of-a-kind unique opportunities, and your overwhelmingly lackadaisical response to it all. Last week, I got to check out Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, a “pop-up cultural event” that’s the first of its kind in Europe. It’s a recreation of the actual 16th century Rose Theatre in London – you know, the little ol’ place where some upstart no-name playwright got his start? The 21st century iteration is built in the shadow of York’s iconic Clifford’s

There’s a lot to be proud of in York. The city is not only a beautiful place, filled with friendly people, but it boasts a booming tourism economy, high levels of education, and the fastest internet speeds in the UK. However, as great as York is, we have a growing problem of food poverty. In the past year, 4262 people had to visit a food bank; 1647 of those people were children. Fortunately, the York Food Poverty Alliance and several organisations across the city are working to tackle the problem.