Readers’ letters

Sharing your news and views of country life

Softness of the season

I made this heart-shaped wreath from foraged Clematis vitalba, otherwise known as old man’s beard, to celebrate the changing of the seasons. It takes hundreds of individual stems to create this fluffy effect. Lesley Pearson, Hertfordshire

Mother hen is a model mum

Here is Beatrice, our bantam hen. Her first eggs hatched this year, and now she has six adorable little chicks to cluck over. She is such a good mother and makes sure that all her chicks are warm and comfortable, safely tucked up under her wings each night. Mrs Tina C Vowles, Gloucestershire

Land of plenty to enjoy

Reading the travel articles in LandScape each month inspires me to seek out new places to visit. Our ancient cities are rich in history and reveal many fascinating stories, and the beautiful countryside is full of contrasts waiting to be discovered. It is easy to forget just what is sitting on our doorstep. Jennifer Barker, by email

Beach walk memories

I was inspired by the craft section in LandScape magazine, so had an attempt at making a memento from my holiday in Northumberland, using objects I picked up on the beach. I am very pleased with the result. Pippa Mac, via Facebook

Drying freely in the breeze

I was delighted to see the picture of a washing line in a recent issue of LandScape. For many years, living in Scotland, we had a line across the garden. Even in tenement blocks there were communal lines, which were shared on a daily basis. Now, living in the warm south, more and more houses are being built without the provision of space to dry. Flats and houses alike are supplied with dryers as standard. Why is this, in the current climate, when we are supposed to be more energy conscious? Time for a change, I say. There is great joy in watching clean washing blowing in the wind; nothing to pay, no air freshener needed and possibly no ironing either. Christine Allan, Hampshire

Pretty and practical

I do not consider myself a ‘handy’ person, but in the July issue of LandScape, I found something that caught my eye which I fancied trying. I decided to have a go at making the fluttering doorway and was pleasantly surprised with the result. There have been no flying insects since I hung it up. Ellie Woolf, Hampshire

Native bluebells ring in colour

Our garden in spring is beautiful, including the masses of bluebells which we planted. These bloom year on year, but are Spanish varieties. On holiday, however, we came across some English varieties while walking among woodlands near Rollright Stones in Oxfordshire. Aren’t they lovely? Marian Bythell, Cheshire

A meeting of gardening minds

There was a celebration of gardening in the beautiful surroundings of Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire, and I spent the day talking to lots of visitors and gardening enthusiasts. It was a lovely day all round. Debbie Cooke, via Facebook