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As with many of my stockists I just wish they were a bit closer so that I could go and have a good look round!  The Down Arts Centre is no exception. By Ardfern (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons The fabulous red brick building in the middle of Downpatrick hosts a range of different community projects and exhibitions as well as musical performances and art classes. The shop, though small, stocks a range of good quality items that are perfect for gifts including a lovely selection of cards including work from Babs Pease...

If you haven't discovered Just Makers at Harlow Carr RHS gardens you have missed a gem!  I'll start from the beginning. Harlow Carr is the RHS garden situated in Harrogate and is a fabulous place to visit particularly with families.   There are wide open spaces and magnificent flower beds and a terrific adventure playground tucked away between the trees at the far side. As you wind your way between the architectural allium.... ....and glorious sea holly you arrive at the bottom of the valley and there you will find Just Makers. Housed in the beautiful Old Bath House building Just...

Out there, in our back gardens is an amazing hidden world under our noses.  Few people realise what details pass by us everyday because of the tiny scale in which it exists.   Large Yellow Underwing - what the moth should have looked like! By Jerzy Strzelecki (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons   A perfect example of this occurred one day after school when my daughter was playing in the garden and she called for me to come and see a moth she had found.  It was a Large Yellow Underwing, we get a lot in...

After a day at Tatton Park RHS Show last week here's what we saw in photos.

All around the country the same question is being asked "What shall we do with the children in the summer holidays?"  Especially if you are in one of the authorities that have seven weeks of summer holiday this year!  I am in this group and my dilema is how to fill the time but not spend a massive amount of money so here is my top 10 things to do with your children over Summer. 1.  Visit a museum Throughout the country there are a wealth of free museums covering science, industry and local history.  Many have activities for children and often...