Competition | Win £200 to spend at Gudrun Sjödén

Celebrate Gudrun Sjödén’s latest offerings and be in with a chance of winning a spending spree to add some colourful classics to your wardrobe

Summer has arrived and with it, a vibrant medley of hues. Inspired by the rich palettes of Morocco and Gotland, an island off the Swedish coast, Gudrun Sjödén has released its latest collection, which it describes as a love letter to colour.

Key to the summer collection are shimmering jewel-like blues and greens, complemented by spicy reds and yellows, all with a smattering of Gudrun Sjödén’s iconic embroidered details that stem from traditional folk art and handicrafts. If this fills you with joy, then we have two £200 vouchers up for grabs to spend in store or online at Gudrun Sjödén.

Designed to become lifelong wardrobe staples, Gudrun Sjödén’s classic items transcend all ages and can be lovingly cherished and passed from generation to generation, making them sustainable heirloom pieces of the future.

Kind to people and the planet, the company continuously works to minimise its carbon footprint in all areas, from design to production and freight. It has also supported its manufacturers to achieve organic status and to create water recycling systems on their production lines as part of its ongoing commitment to environmentally friendly fashion.

With a loyal following of women of all ages, shapes and sizes, it’s easy to see why Gudrun Sjödén’s designs are so beloved by so many. So enter our competition for your chance to win and join the ever-growing community of colour lovers.

For more info, visit gudrunsjoden.com or follow on Instagram: @gudrunsjoden.ldn and Facebook: @Gudrun Sjödén English.

How to enter

For your chance to win one of two £200 Gudrun Sjödén vouchers*, click on the button below and answer the folloring question by the closing date of 12 July 2023. 

Q: How does Gudrun Sjödén describe its latest collection?

Terms and conditions:

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 July 2023. Two winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winners cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. *Vouchers are not valid for carpets and rugs. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Competition | Win a Weleda Face Care Bundle worth £58.50

Beloved for almost a century, green beauty brand Weleda has recently added the Skin Food Face Care collection to its line-up – and The Simple Things has five Skin Food Face Care bundles up for grabs, worth £58.80 each.

Weleda has extended its iconic range with some ultra nourishing additions

Nourishing and vegan-friendly, the Skin Food Face Care range combines Weleda’s signature botanicals – rosemary, calendula, viola tricolor, chamomile and sunflower – together with antioxidant-rich plant actives.

Included in the prize is the Nourishing Cleansing Balm, which easily removes dirt and impurities for clean, soft, glowing skin. The Nourishing Day Cream protects and moisturises, while the Nourishing Night Cream will see you wake to a nourished, silky-soft complexion. The Skin Food Ultra-Light Dry Oil completes the bundle and works to boost hydration and skin radiance, all in a simple spritz.

All Weleda products are NATRUE-certified natural and made without synthetic ingredients or additives. Weleda’s supply chains are UEBT-certified sustainable to verify that biodiversity is conserved, ingredients are sourced ethically, and that all partners along the chain are treated equitably and paid fairly.

So linger a while as you apply and enjoy the glow that Skin Food gives… to both your skin and the world around you.

For more information, visit weleda.co.uk or follow on Instagram: @weledauk.

How to enter

For your chance to win one of five Weleda Skin Food Face Care bundles, click the button below and answer the following question by the closing date of 12 July 2023.
Q What are Weleda’s signature botanicals?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 July 2023. Five winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winners cannot transfer their prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Outing | Railway Rambles

Old railway lines are accessible, easy to follow and a pleasure to roam

The UK has more than 4,000 miles of ex railway lines, criss-crossing the country, that are there to be used by walkers. Most came about as a result of the Beeching Report in 1963, which closed down swathes of the rail network. Many of the routes eventually were reclaimed for public use by walkers and cyclists and remain so to this day. 

Railway routes are wonderful for walking on. They’re largely straight, often smooth and raised up a little, so they drain well, meaning no muddy boots. Because they’re such easy terrain, they’re accessible to all, regardless of age or ability. They’re also easy to navigate and hard to get lost on so you don’t even need to take a map. Next time you’re thinking of a good walk, maybe consider a railway ramble instead. Here are a few spots around the country where you can do just that. 

The Camel Trail, Cornwall

This railway once ran between Padstow and Wendfordbridge along the Camel Estuary and was used to transport sand from the estuary to inland farms. It’s great for bird watchers and passes through beautiful countryside. Poet John Betjeman called it “the most beautiful railway journey I know” and it’s still pretty lovely today. 

Parkland Walk, London

This path was once the Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace rail route and passes through the former Crouch End station (pictured above). It has wonderful views over London from the top of the hill at Ally Pally. 

The Mawddach Trail, Wales

Following the southern edge of the Mawddach estuary, this route runs from Barmouth to Dolgellau through Snowdonia National Park. One of the most accessible railway rambles, it’s largely wheelchair friendly - you can also hire a ‘tramper’ - and the North Wales Society for the Blind has produced a free audio guide to download that accompanies the trail. 

Innocent Railway Path, Scotland

Running from Newington, under Holyrood Park out to Brunstane. A highlight of the path is the 517 metre Innocent Tunnel, one of the UK’s oldest railway tunnels and pleasingly eerie!

Monsal Trail, The Peak District

One of the newer railway walks, this stretch from Buxton to Bakewell was only rescued in 1981 and some of the amazing 400-metre tunnels have only been reopened in the last decades, so there’s novelty factor to this stretch of railway. It also has some amazing views to enjoy. Don’t miss the cafe in the old station ticket office at Millers Dale.

Find more railway routes to walk on the OS website.

The picture above is of the abandoned platform along Parkland Walk in London. It’s part of our feature all about nature reserves in the May issue of The Simple Things, which is on sale now. 
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Learn | Leaf identifier

Our May back cover seemed so fitting for our ‘Leaf’ theme this month, we put it on the front cover, too. Here are a few more things to learn about leaves this month

Now the trees are in leaf, wouldn’t it be lovely to actually know what you’re looking at on a woodland wander? The Woodland Trust has some good advice on learning to identify trees by their leaves. It suggests first looking at whether the leaves are broadleaf (simple leaves in one part like oak leaves) or compound (made up of several different leaflets such as rowan or horse chestnut). Other things to look at are the shape and size of leaves as well as the colour. Check to see if the edges are toothed or smooth, too. Count the veins on the bottom of the leaf and note whether they are straight or curved. The Trust has a free Tree ID app to download on their website (woodlandtrust.org.uk) which is very useful for when you’re out and about, and you can buy a leaf swatch book from their shop, too. If you want more detailed information, Collins’ Complete Guide to British Trees means you will never again bark up the wrong tree.

The leaf identifier is taken from our Almanac pages, which provide inspiration each month on things to note and notice, plan and do. The nature table image above was taken by Alice Tatham of The Wildwood Moth. She also runs workshops on seasonal photography and publishes seasonal journal stories from her home in Dorset.

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More from our May issue…

Recipe | Spring Slaw

This Spring Slaw of mange tout, fennel, radishes, seeds and apple is delicious with dark rye toast and also goes well with something fatty like duck legs for a crisp, tart contrast. Take your time cutting matchstick-thin batons while you listen to the radio.

Serves 4 as a starter or side

Ingredients

2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 tbsp hemp seeds
150g mange tout or sugar snaps
2 small green kohl rabi
1 small fennel bulb
1 apple
3 spring onions
¼ spring cabbage
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
1 tsp honey
Handful pea shoots, to serve

How to make

1 Put the seeds in a dry frying pan set over a medium heat and toast them for 3-4 mins, or until just golden. Set aside to cool.

2 Finely shred or mandoline all the fruit and veg and toss in a large bowl.

3 Whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and honey with a pinch of salt and pour over the raw veg, add the cooled seeds and mix thoroughly, but gently.

4 Pile onto plates and finish with a few fronds of pea shoots.

This slaw is just one of the recipes from our monthly feature ‘Veg Patch Pantry’, in which Kathy Slack show us how to enjoy the fruits (and veg) of your May garden plot, allotment or veg box.

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More from our May issue…

More ways with veg…

Playlist | Eurovision

It’s Eurovision week! Time for camp costumes and ridiculous sets, at-home score cards and barefaced political voting.To get you in the spirit, our resident Eurovision enthusiast Fiona has put together a playlist of some favourites from over the years. You can have a listen on Spotify here, or see the full track listing below. Have we included your favourites?

Remember, some Eurovision songs should only be experienced in all their bizarre staged glory: see Finland’s monstrous 2006 hit, Hard Rock Hallelujah, Ukraine’s fabulous 2007 drag act Verka Serduchka and Moldova’s ‘epic sax guy’ from 2010.

Download at-home score cards here, or just make your own by scoring Song, Performance, Staging and Surprise factor out of 10.

The Eurovision playlist track listing
DJ: Fiona Hamilton

Nel Blu Dipinto Del Blu by Domenico Modugno
Italy, 1958

Boom Bang A Bang by Lulu
UK, 1969: WINNER!

Puppet On A String by Sandie Shaw
UK, 1967: WINNER!

Waterloo by ABBA
Sweden, 1974: WINNER!

Save Your Kisses For Me by Brotherhood of Man
UK, 1976: WINNER!

Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz
UK, 1981: WINNER!

Love Shine A Light by Katrina & The Waves
UK, 1997: WINNER!

Fly on the Wings of Love by The Olsen Brothers
Denmark, 2000: WINNER!

Divine by Sébastian Tellier
France, 2008

Fairytale by Alexander Rybak
Norway, 2009: WINNER!

Amar Pelos Dois by Salvador Sobrai
Portugal, 2017

Sebi by Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl
Slovenia, 2019

Think About Things by Daði Freyr
Iceland, 2020: Eurovision cancelled due to Covid

Voilá by Barbara Pravi
France, 2021

Set Me Free by Eden Alene
Israel, 2021

Love Is On My Side by The Black Mamba
Portugal, 2021

Stefania by Kalush Orchestra
Ukraine, 2022: WINNER!

I Wrote A Song by Mae Muller
UK, 2023: WINNER?

Royal Recipes | Battenberg Cake

A right royal retro treat for street parties and home scoffing alike.

Battenberg cake was first baked in 1884 to celebrate Princess Victoria’s (Queen Victoria’s granddaughter and Prince Philip’s grandmother – making her King Charles’ great-grandmother) marriage to Prince Louis of Battenberg. Early cakes could have as many as 25 squares!

Serves 6

You will need

125g butter, softened
125g caster sugar
2 eggs
½ tsp almond extract
100g self-raising flour
50g ground almonds
2 tbsp milk
Red food colouring (this uses Dr Oetker’s gel food colouring, nearly the whole tube)
Pinch of salt
100g apricot jam
350g marzipan
Icing sugar, for dusting

To make

1 Heat oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas 4. Using a triple layer of foil, make a barrier down the centre of a 20cm square tin, then line each compartment with two pieces of baking paper.

2 To make the sponge, cream the butter then whisk in the sugar a couple of tablespoons at a time.

3 Whisk the eggs and add the almond extract. Gradually beat this into the butter mixture.

4 Sift the flour, salt and ground almonds into the bowl. Finally, add the milk and carefully fold everything together with a metal spoon. Measure half the mixture and place that into another bowl. Add the food colouring a drop at a time into one of the bowls until you get a really vibrant pink batter. Carefully spoon the uncoloured mixture into one half of the tin and level the top, then spoon the pink portion into the other half and do the same. Bake for 20 to 25 mins, or until a skewer comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool for a couple of minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

5 Cut each sponge in half lengthways, so that you end up with two pink and two yellow strips.

6 Warm the apricot jam in a saucepan with a tablespoon of water, then press it through a sieve. Take a pink cake strip and brush one side with the jam. Place a yellow piece next to it, jam sides facing, and push the two gently together. Brush the top surface with jam and place a piece of yellow cake atop the pink piece and vice versa with the yellow. Brush all the outside edges with yet more jam glaze.

7 On a surface dusted with icing sugar, knead, then roll out your marzipan into a 30cm x 20cm rectangle, large enough to wrap the cake.

8 Roll the cakes tightly in the marzipan, gently smoothing the marzipan with your hands to neaten it. Turn the cake back over with the seam underneath, trim a slice off each end and serve.

Taken from The Hebridean Baker: My Scottish Island Kitchen by Coinneach Macleod (Black and White Publishing). Photography: Susie Lowe

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Having a Coronation gathering yourself? As well as serving up this Battenberg Cake, you could take inspiration from Royal Knees Ups of years gone by…

A Tarragon, Spinach and Broad Bean Quiche has been chosen as the official dish to celebrate for King Charles III’s coronation, but that’s the ‘official dish’ for those of us celebrating at home. The coronation banquet on the day is likely to be much more fancy.

Should you choose to push the boat out for your own celebrations, you could do worse than recreate the meal served for Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation State Banquet on 3 June 1953. 

The feast began with Tortue Claire Sandringham (clear turtle soup). Turtle is most definitely off the menu these days, so you could make it a Mock Turtle Soup instead and use beef mince. The fish course was Delices des Soles Prince Charles - easy enough to recreate, as is the rack of lamb and vegetables that followed. After that was Asparagus with Sauce Mouselline (we’re not posh enough to know why a random vegetable course appears between the main and dessert, but we’re going to assume it is called ‘The Asparagus Course’ and try it at home. Why not?) The Coronation Banquet ended with Boites de Fraises Reine Elizabeth, which we’re hoping was fancier than a punnet of strawberries, alongside assorted ‘friandises’, which we have discovered to be ‘tiny little cakes and things’. 

If you wanted to go properly historical, how about a pheasant platter with pigeon and partridge, which was served at Richard III’s Coronation Banquet in 1483? He rounded it off with baked quinces and oranges for pud.

Feeling ambitious? Vegetarians should definitely look away now: Henry VIII’s coronation banquet of 1509 is said to have included swans and peacocks served with their feathers fanned decoratively, as if they were still alive. (Bet they tasted like chicken…)

Meanwhile, an entirely edible model temple made from sweet meats and marzipans as in George IV’s coronation meal, would definitely get you a Hollywood Handshake from your guests, too. 

Don’t forget the entertainment. Tradition dictates that the King’s champion rides into the banqueting hall on horseback, battle ready and challenge any guests who may want to deny the King his throne to a duel. We’re not saying you need to hire an actual knight for your coronation gathering, but it would be more fun than a round of Monopoly after dinner, wouldn’t it?

You’ll find the Battenberg Cake and more ideas for a royally good gathering in our May issue.
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Folklore | Jack in the Green

This May Day, meet a famous folklore face… Jack in the Green…

Compton Verney in Warwickshire, famed for its folk-art collection, is hosting an exhibition called Making Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain, curated by Simon Costin and Mellany Robinson of the Museum of British Folklore, and Professor Amy de la Haye from the London College of Fashion. It features more than 40 costumes on display, including this ‘Jack in the Green’ get up, the walking embodiment of the Green Man, that emblem of rebirth commonly carved in churches and painted on pub signs.

A Mayday custom first recorded in the 18th century, Jack and his attendant Green Bogies lead merrymakers until, at day’s end, he is stripped of his leaves to unleash the spirit of summer. One of the most notable annual events is the one revived in Hastings in 1983.

Exhibition curator Simon Costin was so enchanted by the spectacle that he co-founded Gay Bogies on Acid (fellow member, Spencer Horne, is pictured above), whose subsequent – and spectacular – impact on proceedings is widely seen as a touchstone for advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in folk customs.

Making Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain is at Compton Verney until 11 June 2023. comptonverney.org.uk. See more of the costumes in the May issue of The Simple Things, which is on sale now.

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More folklore tales…

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Make | Homemade Yogurt

Rachel de Thample shares a simple and slow recipe for homemade yogurt that is part breakfast prep, part mindful activity. Sprinkle seeds on top, enjoy with fresh fruit or compote or drizzle over spicy main courses for dinner.

Making your own yogurt is incredibly easy, wildly satisfying and completely undeserving of its worthy tag. There are also no by-products. While there are bulky yogurt-making contraptions, you can get the same result by simply using a heavy pot or a Thermos. My favourite vessel is a lidded cast iron pot which you can get surprisingly cheap second-hand if you look online, or if you keep your eyes peeled in local vintage markets.

Makes 1 litre

You will need:

1 ltr whole milk
3 tbsp full-fat natural yogurt with live cultures

You will also need:

A thermometer
A Thermos or a heavy pot with a lid

How to make

1 Gently warm the milk until it reaches 45°C. Whisk in the yogurt and stir well to mix evenly. Incubate by placing the warmed, cultured milk into a cast iron pot with lid and placing it in an oven on its lowest setting (no higher than 45°C). Alternatively, pour into a Thermos and seal. Let it incubate for 10-12 hrs at which stage the yogurt should be set. The key during this period is to keep the temperature between 35°C to 45°C. Do not let the temperature go above 47°C or it could kill the live bacteria.

2 Once the yogurt is set, spoon into jars and transfer to the fridge. It’ll store nicely for a week and if you save a few spoons back, you can use it to make your next batch. You can also use this homemade yogurt to make labneh.

Things to stir into your yogurt

You can use your homemade yogurt any way you like but it’s excellent as breakfast, or a snack with tasty things stirred into it. Here are a few ideas…

1. Chopped dried apricots and almonds.

2. Honey and dried lavender.

3. Granola and syrup.

4. Mixed seeds and fresh raspberries.

5. Stewed rhubarb and pistachios.

6. Peanut butter and strawberries

7. Chia seeds and coconut flakes.

8. Spiced cooked pears.

9. Chopped apple, cinnamon and sugar.

10. Grated beetroot and toasted walnuts.

This is just one of the recipes from our ‘Home Economics’ feature, ‘Do-it-Yourself Dairy’ by Rachel de Thample, from our May issue. It also includes instructions for making Kefir Labneh, Ricotta, Paneer and Cultured Butter.

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Learn | Hedge Witchery

In our May issue we met modern hedge witch, Willow, in our ‘Know A Thing or Two’ feature about hedgerows. Here, she tells us a bit more about her craft.

How would you define hedge witchery or hedgecraft?

Hedge witchery or hedgecraft is generally a solitary, shamanistic practice in which the witch engages in spirit work and hedge riding, usually with some herbalism thrown in. Hedge riding is the act of using an altered state of consciousness to cross from our realm into the Otherworld to seek guidance from spirit guides, receive messages, and even practise magic.

How do you use hedgerows in your practice?

In hedgecraft, hedgerows act as a barrier between our world and the Otherworld, just as the hedge acts as the dividing line between civilization and the wild. It isn’t so much that the hedge is necessarily used literally in hedgecraft, but more metaphorically to explain the process of crossing between realms. However, there’s many a hedge witch that use hedgerows literally. Like all in-between places, hedgerows are liminal spaces, offering a thin place to easily travel to the Otherworld. Crossing under a bramble arch or other gap in the hedge, if done at the right location, can result in the witch being transported to the Otherworld where they can engage with the beings found there, including the Fae, ancestors, and other spirits.

Tell us about your craft and how these rituals relate to the Wheel of the Year? (What do you do to mark the year's chief solar events)?

A lot of my practice follows the Wheel of the Year, working with the ebb and flow of the Earth’s natural cycles instead of against it. At Imbolc or the Winter Thermstice I perform rituals to call back the light, while at the Summer Solstice I celebrate the Sun’s full return and the blessings the Earth provides us with. I also like to hedge ride during these solar events, especially during Beltane and Samhain when the veil is thinnest between our worlds, and to honour local spirits and give thanks. A lot of what I do centres on being present, thankful, and mindful, allowing the hussle and bustle of everyday life and worries to go. Witchcraft doesn’t have to be constant spells and rituals and shouldn’t. Practising mindfulness and building relationships with the spirits around you is key to being successful, happy and fulfilled. 

What connects your practice with the hedge witches of the past?

There is absolutely no way to fully revive the practices of the past. There is just too much we don’t know, too much that is speculation, and too little well documented from reliable sources, ie people not being tortured for a confession. However, what we do have gives us some ideas of what the cunning folk of the past did, especially things like herbalism and medicine, charm bags, and even cursing. Much of this is found in folklore, which I rely upon heavily and incorporate into my practice through correspondences, spells and simple rituals. I also use flying ointments, some of which are based on historical recipes, have joined the Witch’s Sabbath while hedge riding, and even cast spells documented in the old Grimoires. However, what really connects me with the hedge witches of the past are my ancestors. We all have magic in our family line, and even if they didn’t practise “witchcraft” in the traditional sense, they have knowledge and connection that cannot be found in books.

How can we bring hedgecraft into our everyday lives?

The easiest way to incorporate hedgecraft into your daily life is being aware of the world and spirits around you and the impact you have upon them. Live sustainably, see the magic in all that you do and be mindful and present in the moment.

 Find out more at flyingthehedge.com and read more about hedgerows from page 77 of the May issue.

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April | Nature Table

Here’s our April nature table from our back cover. If you’re foraging for wild garlic or picking a small posy from your garden, do take a picture of the spoils of your own nature table and share it with us. The nature table photograph above is by Alice Tatham, of The Wildwood Moth, who runs workshops on seasonal photography and publishes seasonal journal stories from Dorset.

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More from our April issue…

More nature to appreciate…

Playlist | Kings & Queens

Take a listen to our really royal playlist on Spotify here.
Or browse all our playlists.

Competition | Win a Morsø Forno Gas Medio, worth £669

Spring is in full flow and summer is on its way. Warm, sunny days now start to stretch longer into the evenings, bringing that irresistible golden hour when all chores seem irrelevant and the only priority is sitting back and soaking it all in, ideally with a glass of something chilled. These are the days to invite friends over, prepare food together and to plan adventures for the months ahead to really make the most of what the season has to offer.

If this sparks happiness, then our competition may be right up your street. The Simple Things has teamed up with our friends at Morsø to offer one lucky reader the chance to win its beautiful Morsø Forno Gas Medio, worth £669.

With 170 years of pioneering design behind them, Danish brand Morsø prides itself on its range of sleek, cast iron grills, burners and kitchen accessories – and the Forno Gas Medio is no exception. Ideal for barbecues, this handy grill will take warm weather gatherings to the next level with its moulded aluminium and solid cast iron design, which is sure to complement any outdoor space, large or small.

So if this has fired up your imagination, enter our competition and start planning a summer of memorable meet-ups with friends and family.

For more information and inspiration, visit morsoe.com or follow on Instagram: @morsomoments.

How to enter

For your chance to win a Morsø Forno Gas Medio, worth £669, enter our competitionby clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 14 June 2023.

Q. Morsø is a brand from which country?

Terms & Conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 14 June 2023. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The trolley shown does not form part of the prize package. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Listen | ENO Breathe calming playlist

Image: Adobe Stock

Just certain tracks can motivate you to run faster or exercise longer, in the same way, listening to calming music has been proven to decrease our levels of stress hormones. The ENO have a playlist precisely for this. Take a listen on Spotify here.

“These songs are a salve of song,” says Suzi Zumpe, “moments from operas chosen for their soothing, calming atmosphere.” Zumpe is the Creative Director of ENO Breathe, an online programme designed by the English National Opera in partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to tackle post-Covid breathlessness and associated anxiety. 

To find out more about how breathing in the right way can help you feel better, inside and out, see our feature ‘Let it go’ by Johanna Derry-Hall in the May issue of The Simple Things.

ENO Breathe – A calming playlist

Competition | Win a £500 voucher to spend at Crocus and plant some joy

Take a leaf out of Crocus’ book and get planting, ready for the summer, with £500 and
reader discounts up for grabs

Summer’s on its way and if you’re itching to get your garden blooming lovely in time for those long, warm, sunny days, then this might just be the competition for you. The Simple Things has teamed up with Crocus to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £500 voucher to spend on plants and flowers.

Now’s the time to plan and plant your own little sanctuary that will undoubtedly bring you joy over the coming year. Crocus has over 7,000 plants to choose from that will add a much needed burst of life to your space after the quiet wintering months.

And if you’re in need of advice, the clever team at Crocus know a thing or two about growing, with over 20 years’ of top-level garden design under their belts and more than1 million plants nurtured every year at their nursery. Their experts care for every plant, keeping them in tip-top condition before being sent to their new homes, and a dedicated team of plant doctors are always on hand with advice and answers.

Reader discount

So if you’re brimming with ideas and chomping at the bit to get started on your little patch of summery loveliness, head over to the website as Crocus is offering all readers 10% off every full-priced plant. Simply enter code SIMPLETHINGS10 at checkout. Valid until 31 May 2023.

For T&Cs, see crocus.co.uk/terms.

Enter the competition

For your chance to win a voucher worth £500 to spend at Crocus, click the button below and answer the following question by the closing date of 14 June 2023.

Q. Crocus have how many plants for you to choose from?

Terms and conditions: The competition closes at 11.59pm on 14 June 2023. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Competition | Win a Craft Bundle of Paints and Brushes worth over £125

Paint specialist Guild Lane is offering three lucky winners the chance to get creative
with colour

Colour has the power to stir emotions, evoke memories, and create personal stories. So The Simple Things has teamed up with Guild Lane to offer three lucky readers the chance to win a hamper packed full of its most popular Jubilee and GILD paints, plus a selection of brushes, all worth over £125.

The Jubilee range of paints are a celebration of British history and culture, expressed in colour. A carefully curated palette of lively heritage hues, the line has its origins in the pioneering British Standard colours of the 1930s, and the water-based paint can be used on a multitude of surfaces without the need for priming or sealing. Suitable for indoor and outdoor projects, it provides excellent coverage and is certified safe for children’s furniture and toys.

Meanwhile, the GILD metallic range is an innovative enamel paint that’s a wonderful alternative to traditional gilding. With excellent coverage, it provides a rich lustrous finish, making it easy to add shine to any project. Available in a variety of acrylic colours, including gold, rose gold, silver, bronze, champagne, copper, and a stunning oil-based chrome.

Based in Kent, Guild Lane has been supplying the hobby, craft, and DIY markets for over 45 years, and continues to strive towards providing crafters, makers and artisans with the highest quality materials and tools. So, whether you’re upcycling a pre-loved item of furniture, tackling DIY projects, or you just want to add a splash of colour to your life, Guild Lane’s selection of paints have you covered.

For more information, visit guildlane.com or follow on Instagram: @guildlane.

How to enter

For your chance to win one of three Guild Lane bundles, worth over £125 each, enter our competition by clicking the link below and answering the following question by the closing date of 14 June 2023.

Q: The Jubilee paint line has its origins in which decade?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 14 June 2023. Three winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winners cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Weekend Project | Crocheted fruit placemats

Bring extra flavour to a table – whether inside or out – with these crocheted lemon and peach placemats.

You will need:

Rico Design Ricorumi DK yarn (25g 100% cotton):

x2 balls Yarn A Smokey Orange (024)

x2 balls Yarn B Yellow (006) - if making lemons as well as peaches

x1 ball Yarn C Fir Green (050)

1 x 23m roll of 10mm white chunky macramé cord (We got ours from woollymahoosive.com) 

4mm crochet hook

Stitch marker

Finished size 

Approx. 25cm x 25cm 

Techniques

Magic loop (ML) 

To start a magic loop, create a loop in the same way as you would when making a slip knot. Insert the hook into the loop, from front to back. Wrap the yarn around the hook anticlockwise and pull the yarn through the loop. Ch1 to secure the magic loop. Work the stitches as indicated into the centre of the magic loop, making sure all stitches are worked over the loop itself and the tail end. Once you have worked your first round, pull the tail of the yarn to the close the loop.  

Chain (ch)   

Hold the crochet hook in your hand and make a slip knot on the hook. Bring yarn over hook from back to front and pull the hook towards you to catch the loop. Pull the hooked yarn through the slip knot and onto the hook. One chain made. Repeat these steps, keeping your stitches even, until you have the desired number of stitches. One loop will always remain on the hook.   

Double crochet increase (dcinc)  
Make two double crochet stitches into one from the previous row/round. Insert hook into required stitch, yarn over hook (when you place your hook under the yarn and pull the yarn over the hook from back to front) and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over hook and then pull through both loops. Repeat once more in the base of the same stitch. 

Double crochet 2 stitches increase (dc3inc) 
Make three double crochet stitches into one from the previous row/round: Insert hook into required stitch, yarn over hook and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over hook and pull through both loops. Repeat twice more in the base of the same stitch.   

Working in the round: spiral method   

When working in the round, the pattern starts with a Magic Loop or a chained foundation ring. For the first round of the pattern, stitches will be made into the centre of the loop or ring. When working the spiral method, at the end of the round no join will be made to connect the last stitch of the round to the first stitch of the round, and the work is not turned.  

Pattern

For the peach placemat

Using Yarn A, carrying cord. Create a Magic Loop and ch1. See below.

Take the end of your cord and fold the end over by 2–3cm to form a loop, with the end of the cord sitting on top. Insert the cord loop into your ML and pull to close. See below.

Rnd 1 Working into the centre of the cord loop, 12dc evenly around the loop. (12sts). See below.

Rnd 2 working into the prev rnd, carrying the cord as you go, *inc; rep from * 11 more times. (24sts) 

Rnd 3 *1dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (36sts) 

Rnd 4 *2dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (48sts) 

Rnd 5 *3dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (60sts). See below.

Rnd 6 *4dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (72sts) 

Rnd 7 *5dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (84sts) 

Rnd 8 *6dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (96sts) 

Rnd 9 *7dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (108sts) 

Rnd 10 *8dc, dcinc; rep from * 11 more times. (120sts) 

On the last stitch of rnd 10, change colour to Yarn C. 

Cut and fasten off Yarn A by weaving in end. 

For the peach leaf 

Using Yarn C only. 

1 Moving the cord aside, ss into next dc from prev rnd, ch7. 

2 Starting in 2nd ch from hook, 6dc back down ch, 1ss into the base of the same stitch as ch7, using Yarn C, carrying cord. See below.

3 Make 5dc along the chain, dc3inc in top of chain, 5dc back down other side of ch. (13sts) 

4 2ss into next 2 unworked dc from prev Yarn A rnd. 

5 Crocheting over the top of the cord only, 16dc, ss into next unworked dc from prev Yarn A rnd. 

6 Cut and fasten off Yarn C using a ss, leave a 15cm tail. Cut the cord, leaving a 5cm tail. See below.

7 Turn the placemat over and use a yarn needle to sew over the top of the cord end 10-15 times, catching the stitches behind to anchor it down. Fasten off Yarn C and sew in all ends. See below.

For the lemon placemat 

Using Yarn B, carrying cord. Work as for Peach until end of Rnd 4. 

Rnd 5 dc3inc, 18dc, dc3inc, ch2, dc3inc, 18dc, dc3inc, ch2. (60sts) 

Rnd 6 dc3inc, 24dc, dc3inc, ch2 and sk ch2 from prev rnd, dc3inc, 24dc, dc3inc, ch2 and sk ch2 from prev rnd. (72sts) 

Rnd 7 dc3inc, 30dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd, dc3inc, 30dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd. (84sts) 

Rnd 8 dc3inc, 36dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd, dc3inc, 36dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd. (96sts) 

Rnd 9 dc3inc, 42dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd, dc3inc, 42dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd. (108sts) 

Rnd 10 dc3inc, 48dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd, dc3inc, 48dc, dc3inc, ch2 and skip ch2 from prev rnd. (120sts) 

For the lemon leaf 

Work as for Peach Leaf. 

Maker’s notes:

The macrame cord is never crocheted with but carried, tapestry crochet style, throughout. 

The placemats are worked in the round in a continuous spiral. Use a stitch marker to mark the last stitch of every round and move it each round to help you keep your place. 

If your placemats start to curl, you are working your stitches too tightly. When you pull up a loop, exaggerate this action to make the loop longer than normal. It should reach up and over the cord, to sit comfortably on top. 

Extracted from Modern Crochet Style by Lindsey Newns (Pen and Sword). Photography: Jesse Wild and Lindsey Newns. Find more patterns, crochet kits and books by Lindsey at lottieandalbert.com

Reader offer

For 20% off the RRP, please use the code CROCHET20 at the checkout on pen-and-sword.co.uk (paperback only, cannot be used in conjunction with other offers). 

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Sponsored post | Rhino Greenhouses Direct

“‘Our core values are still the same as they were on day one: strength, durability, style and community’”

— Andrew White, Rhino Greenhouse Direct

Andrew White, Head of Sales & Marketing at Rhino Greenhouses Direct, tells us why a greenhouse isn’t just for sowing season…

Tell us a bit about Rhino

Rhino was established back in 1999 after the founders grew frustrated at what the market had to offer. They knew that they could come up with a greenhouse made from the highest quality materials, that wouldn’t succumb to weather damage or wear and tear within the first few years.

I think we can see the inspiration behind the name

Yes, the founders take conservation seriously, and were inspired to name the brand after one of the strongest, most resilient creatures on the planet.

So, after almost a quarter of a century, how have things changed?

Well, we’re a little bigger now, with more staff, but our core values are still the same as they were on day one: strength, durability, style and community. We’re also proud to be British. Rather than moving production overseas, we invested in a brand-new, purpose-built building at our base in East Harling, Norfolk – just across the yard from where it all started.

Remaining part of the community is clearly important

It really is. Staying in the UK means we’re able to support other local businesses and also keep an eye on all the materials being used, ensuring the quality we’re so proud of. However, the Rhino community stretches far further than just our little corner of Norfolk.

Tell us more…

Everyone who buys a Rhino greenhouse becomes part of the family. Our customers take us with them on their greenhouse journey, sharing photos, tips and progress on social media and the Rhino forum – and we’re not just talking photos of successful tomato crops, either. In recent years, we’ve seen a move from greenhouses being purely functional to being part of an overall lifestyle. They can obviously provide a quiet space – somewhere to enjoy a peaceful cuppa and a moment of calm – but we’ve also seen them used as a venue for intimate dinner parties under the stars, home gyms, cosy living spaces, yoga studios and even as pop-up shops. Our loyal customers continue to inspire us, and we must inspire them too, as we’ve been voted Britain’s Best Loved Greenhouse for four consecutive years now.

Wow, what an accolade!

It’s a huge honour! It’s stuff like that and the fact that we’re still British made that keeps us motivated.

So, where can we see a Rhino greenhouse?

You might already have seen one as part of your Friday night viewing. Our beautiful Rhino Premium in Silver Sage often makes an appearance in Carol Klein’s segment on Gardener’s World, and on her own Channel 5 show, Gardening with Carol Klein. We’ll also be taking a selection of our greenhouses on tour during show season – we’d love people to pop over and say hello.

And what seeds are being sown for the coming year?

Working on winning that fifth Best Loved Greenhouse award, of course! There are some exciting new products and projects in the pipeline, too – including a very special appearance at a certain prestigious event… although our lips are sealed for the moment. We’ve never been one to rest on our laurels and we’ll continue to strive to be the very best that we can be, but 2023 is set to be the year of the Rhino.

For more information on Rhino, visit rhinogreenhouses.co.uk or follow on Instagram: @rhinogreenhouses.

Nature | Surprising Things About Hedgehogs

Think you know everything about hedgehogs? You might be surprised by how many hedgehog ‘facts’ are in fact fiction. To avoid the little fellers getting too prickly about things, we’ve unearthed the truth about some common hedgehog myths.

1. Hedgehogs use their spines to collect apples and fungi 

Afraid not. They may look very sweet, drawn with little pieces of fruit on their back, waddling off to store them safely in their cupboards (Brambly Hedge style) for winter, but they don’t really do this. Firstly, they don’t eat apples. Secondly, they don’t store food; they simply eat what they need when they need it. Thirdly, if they did do this, how on earth would they retrieve the apples from their spines anyway? 

You can be forgiven for being taken in though, as this myth dates back centuries. In mediaeval times, hedgehogs were frequently shown in illuminated manuscripts rolling on fruit and carrying it away. Even the Roman Pliny the Elder mentioned it in his Naturalis Historia. But both examples are more Miss Tiggy Winkle than David Attenborough. 

So, if you see a hedgehog with an apple stuck to its back, you can remove it and know you have done the hedgehog a favour. 

2. Hedgehogs love milk and will even steal it from cows.

No. Dairy farmers, relax. Firstly, they are lactose intolerant, but quite how anyone ever believed a hedgehog (even standing on tippy toes) could reach a cow’s udders or that a cow would put up with it for a moment, we are not sure. But it is an interesting myth that has persisted over the years. 

3. They are riddled with fleas.

Like all creatures, some hedgehogs will have fleas but they are not particularly known for it. Also, hedgehog fleas are specific to hedgehogs so they won’t give you or your pets fleas, even if they do have them. 

And here are a few hedgehog facts that might sound like nonsense but are in fact, true.

1. They weren’t originally called ‘hedgehogs’.

They were actually once known as ‘urchins’ and sea urchins are named after them as they also look kind of round and spiky. 

2. They shed their spines, even though you never see them.

We don’t know why you never see hedgehog spines just littering the pavement either, but the fact is that each spine on a hedgehog’s back only lasts about a year before it is shed and a new one grown in its place. 

3. Their collective noun is most confusing. 

Hedgehogs are very rarely seen in a group; they are solitary creatures. However, they do have a collective noun, just in case. A group is called an ‘array’ of hedgehogs, which is also confusing because there isn’t much of an array available. Although there are 15 species of hedgehog across the globe, there is only one species in the UK -  the European Hedgehog. So if you do see a gang of hedgehogs, it will likely be more of a uniform collection than an array. 

If you’d like to know more about hedgehogs, you might like to read our feature ‘Prickly Customers’ in our April issue, which is taken from Ghosts in the Hedgerow by Tom Moorhouse (Doubleday).

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Idea | Radish Slammers

Swoosh, salt and scoff – the most fun to have with a radish

Serves 4 as nibbles

1 bunch of radishes
100g salted butter, softened
3 tbsp flaky sea salt

1 Wash the radishes and pick off any soggy leaves. Pat dry – they need to be very dry otherwise the butter won’t stick to them.

2 Arrange the radishes on a board with a mound of salt next to them and a slab of softened butter. Encourage people to pick a radish, swoosh it through the butter then dunk it in the salt before tucking in.

The radish slammers are just one of the ideas from this month’s Veg Patch Pantry feature by Kathy Slack, which also includes recipes for Chard & Herb Frittata, Whole Poached Chicken with Kale & Mushroom Broth with Barley and Caramelised Radish and Feta Salad.

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