Easter at Hollycombe sees return of world’s earliest mechanical Fairground ride

Expectation is rising amongst the volunteers at Hollycombe, Liphook, who are looking forward to the attraction re-opening at Easter. And this year there is much to look forward to, not least with the return to full working order of Mr Field’s Steam Circus, the world’s oldest surviving mechanically operated fairground ride. The ride is believed […]



Growing for Chelsea 2015

Michael Buck and Pedro Mayor are the show plant managers for Hortus Loci, growing plants for the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show. “We grow roughly 10,000 plants per designer to get the best quality we can for the 3,500 plants per garden,” says Michael, showing the sheer scale of the operation of their Hampshire nursery. The […]



Africa comes to Andover with amazing new live display at Hawk Conservancy Trust

The much-anticipated ‘Wings of Africa’ display at Hampshire’s Hawk Conservancy Trust will be launched this Easter, starring new birds and, for the first time, meerkats. ‘Wings of Africa’ will be performed every morning at 11.30am, throughout the main season, and will feature birds new to the Trust, including Sacred Ibis, as well as old friends […]



Sparsholt College launches garden for Chelsea Flower Show 2015

Some would say that Sparsholt College’s 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show sponsor is every beer lovers’ dream. The College has partnered up with Wadworth brewery to tell the historic story of the hop, which for centuries has been enjoyed in many a refreshing pint of beer. So if you didn’t know your Fuggle from your […]



‘Bushveld on the South Coast’ as Exbury re-opens for 2015 season

The UK’s pre-eminent collection of Lachenalias (the ‘leopard lily’) will be on show when Exbury Gardens re-opens for the 2015 season on Saturday 14 March. Interest in the South African plant, which is considered ideal for a kitchen pot, windowsill or conservatory, continues to rise, and this year’s exhibition will run through until Easter Monday, […]



In hot and cold water: The private lives of ‘Hoff’ crabs revealed

Researchers at the University of Southampton have shed light on the private life of a new species of deep-sea crab, previously nicknamed the “Hoff” crab because of its hairy chest. Male and female Hoff crabs lead largely separate lives at volcanic vents 1.5 miles (2.4 km) deep on the ocean floor near Antarctica, because of […]



Autism Hampshire Go-Karting Challenge

Have you got what it takes to win the Autism Hampshire Go-Karting Challenge? Autism Hampshire has exclusive use of Thruxton Go-Karting track for their charity go-karting challenge where teams of up to six drivers will compete in a Le Mans style race to gain first place on the podium. Date: Friday 3rd July 2015 Time: […]



Apprenticeships to be showcased at Sparsholt College Open Day

Time is ticking on, spring officially starts next week and before any Year 11’s know it, they’ll be sitting the last of their exams. For those still undecided on which college to go to and which course to study, Sparsholt College is holding an Open Day on Saturday 7th March, 10.00am to 3.00pm. There has […]



Hortus Loci Growing for Four Major Show Gardens at Chelsea Flower Show 2015

Spring will soon be here and the Chelsea Flower Show team at Hortus Loci are flat out again tending to more than 30,000 plants which are being grown for four of the major show gardens at the 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Hortus Loci expertise was sought by none other than the Matthew Keightley, designer of […]



Gaze Burvill to Launch ‘Splash Lounge’ at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015

Gaze Burvill will launch their new ‘Splash Lounge’ range at the 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Simon Burvill said: “This new Splash Lounge Collection by co-founder of Gaze Burvill, designer Christian Gaze, has a luxurious, indulgent and contemporary feel, perfect for urban and country terraces and those outdoor-indoor spaces which have become so much a […]