Latest news with #Tom
Telegraph
13 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
Ask the head gardener: How can I get my clematis under control?
Dear Tom, I planted a Clematis 'Mayleen' by my fence about three years ago. It has grown rapidly, and this year had an abundance of beautiful pink flowers. Now the plant is growing on and on and looks a mess – and my neighbour doesn't like it growing over the fence. Also I have rose bushes planted near the clematis and the new shoots stick to the roses. I would love to have some advice on how to prune it, or what to do with it. – Eva Dear Eva, It makes a pleasant change to receive a question about a plant that is growing too well, but on this occasion, that doesn't mean that there are not a number of issues. Clematis enjoy growing in a sunny position (such as next to the fence that you provided for your 'Mayleen'), and like their roots to be in more cool and moist soil conditions. The spot that you have provided in your garden is perfect, which is why this vigorous climber is looking quite at home. Clematis montana (of which 'Mayleen' is a cultivar) sits in a collection of clematis known as Group 1. This group is characterised by its early flowering and quite often has a number of very vigorous species within it. As these clematis grow rapidly year on year, they soon outgrow most domestic situations such as fence panels. They should be pruned immediately after flowering, enabling them to put on fresh growth that will then produce flowers the year after. The way that I see it, you have a couple of options. The first is to rejuvenate the plant by cutting it down close to the base. A healthy Clematis montana often responds well to this treatment. This will trigger lots of fresh growth from the base that can then be trained to cover the fence with more growth towards the bottom of the plant. Immediately after flowering next year, shear off the stems so that they are tight against the fence, which will encourage fresh growth and keep the plant more compact. In all honesty, this clematis might be too big for that spot, but this pruning style is a way in which you might be able to keep the plant growing in that part of your garden for a number of years to come. There is potential to shear off the growth that has flowered in a less severe manner, but that will not be as conclusive as the rejuvenation technique. Looking at the other end of the extreme, an acceptance that this Clematis montana is too big for your fence will result in the opportunity to plant a brand new clematis that perhaps is more compact and suitable for that spot. Group 3 clematis flower later in the year on growth that is produced that spring and summer. Clematis viticella types can be very decorative and I find the easiest to prune because they simply get taken down to the ground each spring. Clematis tangutica, with its yellow flowers and gorgeous seed heads that persist into the winter, is another option that you could look at, being better-behaved than your monstrous montana. If you're looking to replace your clematis, then incorporate a couple of wheelbarrows of well-rotted compost or manure to reinvigorate the soil and encourage lots of strong growth from your new plant, and make sure to water it well for the first summer.
Spectator
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The Good Life simply wasn't very good
A new documentary is to be screened later this year celebrating 50 years of everybody's favourite 1970s sitcom The Good Life. I will not be joining in with the festivities. During the two-hour show, 85-year-old Penelope Keith, who played the irascible Margo Leadbetter, will revisit some of the original locations, including Kewferry Road in Northwood, which stood in for fictional Acacia Avenue in Surbiton – I can feel your excitement growing. The producers have also promised to recreate some of the creaky old sets – OK, calm down at the back. While I'm all for a bit of nostalgia, do we really need to keep reminding ourselves how innocent TV sitcoms were before alternative comedy took a rubber sledgehammer to anything produced before 1979? 'I'm not watching the bloody Good Life,' screamed an incensed Vivian in an episode of The Young Ones. 'It's so bloody nice… confirming the myth that everyone in Britain is a loveable middle-class eccentric.' I'm afraid I'm with Viv on this one. For me, it wasn't just The Good Life's cardboard sets that wobbled but the entire flimsy concept. Margo and Jerry Leadbetter and their new age neighbours, Tom and Barbara Good (surely one of the weakest title puns ever), were certainly loveable, but they felt more like upper-middle-class Hampstead types than drab suburbanites stuck in dead-end jobs. Margo was supposed to be a middle-class snob with delusions of grandeur, but she looked and sounded like a proper aristocrat with her brusque demeanour and cut-glass accent. Unlike Alison Steadman's brilliant turn as Bev in Abigail's Party, Mike Leigh's tragic take on sweaty middle-class angst, Margo never had the contorted vowels and carefully concealed coarseness that made Bev so excruciatingly authentic. Margo just felt like a dotty dowager who'd accidentally wandered into a house full of naff Dralon furniture. No wonder she looked so fed up. And was anyone surprised when Ms Keith went on to play Lady Fforbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born, a part far more in keeping with her style? Felicity Kendal's Barbara also felt hopelessly out of place with her scrummy head-girl cutesiness and Sloaney-haired confidence – again, hardly your typical Surbiton type. We all fancied Babs, but did anyone believe she had sacrificed everything for the sake of the planet? As for the urbane Jerry, I didn't buy for one moment that he worked for a two-bit company designing plastic toys for cereal packets – it wasn't even an amusing conceit. The late Paul Eddington, a fine actor, imbued Jerry with the easy wit and debonair charm of a country squire or possibly a gentleman sleuth; he'd have made an interesting Bond for sure – but a humble draughtsman from the arse end of south-west London? Gimme a break. And if Felicity Kendal's treacly Barbara and Richard Briers's winsome Tom had been so keen on self-sufficiency, why didn't they just sell up and move to a smallholding in Suffolk? Neither couple appeared to have any children, so what were they even doing festering in the drab 'burbs? Looking back, nothing about the series rang true. The idea that installing a mangy goat and a couple of pigs in a suburban garden meant you never had to go shopping again was for the birds. Speaking of which, Margo would surely have had the Goods evicted on discovering they had named their recently acquired cockerel Lenin. The noise! The politics! No wonder Margo and Jerry became so concerned about their potty neighbours. Imprisoning farmyard animals in unsanitary conditions was surely a matter for the RSPCA. And if I'd been Barbara, I'd have told my penny-pinching hubby where to shove his second-hand loom. In 1975, you could pick up an old jumper from Oxfam for 20p, so why put your wife through the hell of having to weave a new one, which would have cost a lot more anyway? Unless, of course, they were virtue signalling their green credentials to those horribly rapacious neighbours: 'Jerry, I've scoured Bond Street,' as Margo famously lamented. A well-executed stereotype can distil the essence of a character, making them a perfect comedy foil 1970s sitcoms lived or died on the quality of their stereotypes. Warren Mitchell's Alf Garnett was completely believable as a cartoon bigot, as was Leonard Rossiter's absurdly over-the-top landlord Rigsby. John Cleese's portrayal of a middle-class hotelier on the verge of a nervous breakdown wasn't exactly subtle, but we instantly recognised the type. Back then, Brits tended to remain in their silos, only glimpsing how the other half lived via TV sitcoms. I doubt many BBC producers had ever met an actual Albert Steptoe, but Wilfrid Brambell's grotesque interpretation of a rag-and-bone man was real enough to carry a brilliant script. The reason The Good Life characters didn't work was because we couldn't place them properly. Nowadays, of course, we flinch at the idea of stereotypes, assuming they will always be crudely drawn depictions of reality. In fact, a well-executed stereotype can distil the essence of a character, making them a perfect comedy foil. With society becoming increasingly atomised, writers have lost the art of creating believable stereotypes; today, we demand complexity and back stories even from two-dimensional superheroes. The genius of 1970s sitcoms was their ability to hold up a madly distorted but instantly recognisable mirror to the tragicomedy we call life. Unfortunately, The Good Life's situational setting failed to match the comedic stereotypes and therefore failed to tell us much about the human condition. That said, I still giggle whenever I think of Margo going head to head with her nemesis Miss Mountshaft, dictatorial leading light of the local music society. With a name like Mountshaft, perhaps 1970s sitcoms weren't quite as innocent as we like to think.
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers issued 24 hour car insurance policy warning as Brits make costly mistake
An car insurance expert has revealed the biggest error British motorists make when purchasing protection cover for their vehicle — and it could be costing you an absolute fortune Brits have been warned over a little-known error people make when buying car insurance that could have a significant impact on the amount they pay. Much like in the early days of a relationship, coming across as needy won't do you any favours. Now is a great time to buy car insurance, as data from price comparison website and WTW revealed that the cost has tumbled to a two-year low. With this in mind, car finance specialist Tom Riley, owner of Simple PCP Claims, has provided some sage advice to ensure you get the best price possible. The expert explained that a great many motorists are falling into the trap of leaving their insurance renewal or new policy purchase until the very last minute, which can be a very costly mistake. "Most people leave buying their car insurance until the last minute," the ace said. "But if you're starting your policy tomorrow, you're essentially telling insurers you're desperate — and they'll charge accordingly. Insurance companies know that last-minute buyers haven't had time to shop around properly. They can afford to charge more because you need coverage immediately." So, by planning ahead and giving yourself plenty of time before your policy starts, you are far more likely to secure a better deal. Tom also provided another lesser-known tip — the day of the week you choose for your policy to begin can also influence the price. He recommends opting for a Sunday start date whenever possible. This small adjustment could make a noticeable difference to your annual premium. He advised: "Sunday policies are consistently cheaper than weekday starts. It is a quirk of the system that most drivers do not know about." Tom also recommends that adding an experienced named driver to the policy can lead to substantial savings — even if they are not a family member. This is a simple way to reduce costs without compromising on coverage. "A named driver with a clean record and years of experience can bring down your premium significantly," he added. "They don't need to live with you or be related." Another important factor is your job title. Tom pointed out that small changes in how you describe your occupation could affect your insurance costs: "A 'chef' might pay more than a 'kitchen staff member', even though they're essentially the same job. It's worth experimenting with different but accurate descriptions." With the cost of car insurance at a two-year low, these straightforward strategies could save drivers hundreds of pounds each year. But the biggest secret? According to Tom, you need to set your insurance start date at least 20 days in the future — 23 days being the sweet spot. He advised: "Start shopping around a month before your policy expires. Buy 23 days in advance, and don't be afraid to tweak your job description. These small changes add up to serious savings." Ultimately, a little forward planning and attention to detail could leave British drivers significantly better off. You never want to leave it until the last 24 hours, as then you're at the mercy of car insurance providers — who will see you coming a mile away when you are desperate.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Years of water woes: Tmn Desa Kemuyang residents urge swift action on supply issues
Tap is turned on, but not a single drop of water comes out. SIBU (June 20): Despite a prolonged wait, residents of Taman Desa Kemuyang continue to endure low water pressure, a long-standing issue that has brought significant hardship and inconvenience to the community. A resident, identified only as Tom, said the issue is not new and has persisted for years. He explained that residents frequently experience low water pressure, especially during peak hours from 6pm to 9pm – a crucial time when many return from work and carry out household chores. 'The population here is growing, and with more housing and development in the area, the system can no longer cope with the demand,' he said. Tom urged the Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Minister for Utility and Communication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, to prioritise resolving the issue once and for all. 'At times, not even a single drop of water comes out of the tap. We face difficulty in cooking, drinking, bathing, and other basic tasks,' he added. Tom claimed he had contacted the Sibu Water Board (SWB) hotline numerous times to raise his concerns but often received no response. On one occasion, he was told the contractor was investigating around the Rascom army camp for potential causes of leakage. 'Even when there's no leakage, the water pressure is already very low. Imagine how bad it gets if there is a leakage,' he remarked, voicing the community's growing frustration. According to Tom, the SWB had previously identified internal pipe leakage at the Rascom ZCamp at Mile 10, Jalan Ulu Oya, as the cause of the water disruption, which required an increased supply to the camp. As a temporary measure, the agency reportedly adjusted the valve to the camp to safeguard water flow to Jalan Kemuyang. To improve supply in the long term, SWB had proposed the installation of a 600mm-diameter pipeline along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman under the Kanowit Water Supply Phase 2 project, overseen by the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBLAB) – a project that was expected to be completed last year. However, as of today, the situation remains unresolved. 'The problem is still here. The residents' patience is wearing thin. We've been suffering for years, and we still don't have consistent access to tap water,' he lamented. lead Sibu Taman Desa Kemuyang water woes
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Moment woman breaks down after begging boyfriend for an open relationship backfires
A WOMAN bursts into tears at a sexy party as the reality of an open relationship leaves her overwhelmed - despite begging her partner to explore it. In tomorrow night's episode of Channel 4's Essex girl Sharmayne's fantasy doesn't go to plan. Advertisement 5 Sharmayne gets tearful during a sex party in the next episode of Open House Credit: Channel 4 5 She tells husband Jamie she's feeling overwhelmed Credit: Channel 4 Surrounded by glamorously dressed couples and singletons, Sharmayne, 26, admits to her husband Jamie, 29, that it's all a bit too much. She tells him: "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed." He responds: "Do you want to take a little break?" The pair head outside for some fresh air and Sharmayne immediately becomes tearful. Advertisement READ MORE ON OPEN HOUSE She says: "I just feel overwhelmed. It's just a bit much for me, the whole situation." Showing compassion, Jamie reassures her: "We're not obligated to do anything. This is our journey." Sharmayne continues: "I'm just uncomfortable." Their Open House future is left hanging in the balance with Jamie asking: "Where do we go from here?" Advertisement Most read in News TV Confused Sharmayne says: "I don't know if I'm going to be able to hold myself together now. "I really don't want to do it. I just want to go home." Overwhelmed husband wipes away tears after partner romps with another woman in Open House Her reaction to the unconventional world of swinging isn't unusual on the show. Often one or both parties in a relationship are left grappling with their emotions as their significant other hooks up with third parties. Last week, non-monogamy expert Effy Blue suggested couple Tom and Lauren get intimate with other people. Advertisement After returning to their room, Lauren told Tom: "Don't be nervous. "You absolutely got this." Lauren admitted it was her idea to take part on the show - saying she felt like they had been "thrown in at the deep end". She told the camera: "But to be able to have him to have the confidence that we can go off, have our fun, come back to each other at the end of the night and it's absolutely insane." Advertisement Things got too intense for Tom, who retreated to the bathroom to be sick. The narrator then said: "But the thought of flying solo entirely naked isn't sitting well with Tom." 5 The reaction causes a stir among the guests Credit: Channel 4 5 It had been Sharmayne's idea to take part in the show Credit: Channel 4 Advertisement 5 Lat week Tom vomited after being told partner Lauren must sleep with another man Credit: The Great Sex Experiment Tom could be heard vomiting in the toilet and looked distressed. He confessed: "This is going to be horrible,' to which Lauren replied: "I just want to cuddle you." Tom added: "I feel absolutely petrified and sick." Advertisement The week before, there were more tears when couple Alana and Alex had a threesome with another woman called Georgie. After the deed was done, Alex struggled with how intense Georgie and Alana's connection had been. He could be seen silently crying in bed as his girlfriend fell asleep. Open House continues tomorrow night on Channel 4 at 10pm Advertisement
