Page 56 • The HERALD • 24th April 2025 v GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE HERALD v DOWN THE GARDEN PATH SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u Free Estimates u Fully Insured All aspects of garden landscaping including • Patios • Garden Walls • Decking and Fencing • Raised Beds • Garden Features • French Drains Free Quotations Call Steve on 07724 738018 Lazy Days Landscaping Over 30 years’ experience BEAULIEU AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB On Saturday 29th March, Beaulieu and District Gardening Club, previously known as Beaulieu Horticultural Society, held an enjoyable and successful Spring Show in East Boldre Village Hall. e show is judged under the Royal Horticultural Society’s rules and exhibits are open to club members only. As the spring weather has generally been benign this year, the hall was lled with a profusion of colours and scents. ere was a particularly good display of da odils, with the exhibits showcasing the variation in colour, structure and perfume that can occur within the classi cation of Da odils. e excellent display of Camellias was a good indication of how suitable the soil and climate of the local area is for the successful cultivation of these colourful plants. ankfully, we have also been spared damaging hard frosts in recent weeks. e Club’s President Lady Montagu kindly presented the Cups. On Thursday 24th April at 7.30pm in Beaulieu Village Hall the club is very much looking forward to welcoming Andy McIndoe to give a talk entitled “Designing and Planting a Small Garden”. Andy McIndoe is a garden consultant and designer, garden writer and lecturer. During his long career with Hillier Nurseries he was responsible for 25 consecutive Gold Medal winning exhibits at Chelsea Flower Show. Even if your garden doesn’t need a “make- over”, there are bound to be plants and ideas that anyone could incorporate into an existing garden, a er listening to Andy’s talk. In May, there are two garden visits organised for members only and a further visit in June. On Saturday 24th May, 2pm–4pm, a Plant Sale will be held in the School Fields Hall, in East Boldre. Club membership is £10 per year. Visitors are welcome to talks £4. Details from Lynne Hubbard: 01590 612408 Get Out For The Count! Leading wildlife charity, Butter y Conservation, has revealed the dates of this year’s highly anticipated Big Butter y Count, which will take place from 18th July– 10th August. A er declining numbers of butter ies resulted in the charity declaring a nationwide Butter y Emergency last year, it’s more important than ever that people take part in 2025. Overall, participants spotted just seven butter ies on average per 15-minute Count in 2024, a reduction of almost 50% on 2023’s average of 12, and the lowest in the history of the Big Butter y Count. It was also the worst summer in the Count’s history for a number of popular species including Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue. Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butter y Conservation said: “We need everyone, everywhere to get out for the Count this year and help us find out if last year’s shocking results were a blip, or if they indicate a much greater issue.” Butter ies are indicators of a healthy natural environment, and with half of Britain’s butter y species already threatened or near threatened with extinction, it’s never outdoors, connect with nature and have fun. Whether done with friends and family, or in a moment of quiet calm and solitude, the Big Butter y Count is free, fun and takes just 15 minutes. It is open to anyone, of any age, in any part of the UK - towns, cities or the countryside. No green space is too small - a back garden, a small terrace or balcony with some pot plants, a public park, allotment or country lane are all important spaces to explore, track and report. Last year, more than 85,000 citizen scientists took part in Butter y Conservation’s Big Butter y Count, submitting 143,241 Counts. is is equivalent to 35,810 hours, or four years’ worth of time spent counting butter ies, in gardens, parks, school grounds and the countryside - areas the charity is not easily able to get vital data from otherwise. e information gathered helps scientists to understand how butterflies and moths are faring, informs conservation projects and government policies and supports other experts with their research and vital work to protect our planet. For more information and to take part visit www. bigbutter ycount.org or download the free Big Butter y Count app. been more important to understand how our insects are responding to the changing landscape, climate and pollution, and to take action to protect them. Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butter y Count is the largest citizen science project of its kind and is a positive way that everyone can help. As well as contributing to important scienti c data collection, taking part in the Count is a great way to enjoy time Join in the Butterfly Count
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