Hoggs Bridge Green, Headcorn

06/06/2026

SLUGS - THE VILLAINS OF THE VEGETABLE PATCH (www.thetimes.com/)
Last month’s dry spell sent slugs into their dank hiding places. These slimy creatures’ greatest enemy is the threat of dehydration from a lack of rain.

Now, the moistened earth produced by this week’s showers has encouraged these unloved garden inhabitants to run riot, if that is not too ­active a term. During their time underground, slugs develop a tremendous appetite, which they are satisfying at present by munching away at ­Britain’s blooming gardens. Though they prefer rotting vegetation, young shoots, softer leaves and flowers are also vulnerable. Gardeners must not be sluggish in planning their defences.

This is not the first slug glut. The “slugageddon” of 2024 resulted in the Royal Horticultural Society’s hotline being overwhelmed by a record-breaking number of desperate calls. Inquiries have picked up in recent days but the weather has probably been warm enough to keep numbers down. The RHS is pushing for kinder, non-lethal solutions to the slug menace, like protecting ­seedlings in greenhouses or placing plants in ­terracotta pots. Sneaking up on the creature in the dark when it is sleeping on a leaf and transferring it to the compost heap is another more humane method of control.

Ravenous slugs are crawling your way. How can you protect your blooms?
Of course, slugs warrant a certain sympathy. It is hard enough being preyed upon by birds and hedgehogs, never mind humans. Being repellent, slugs suffer from bad PR. Not for them the boost of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Unfortunately victims of incessant slug attacks are likely to have hardened their hearts. Old-school gardeners will be minded to employ lethal force when confronted with a ruined lettuce or crop of strawberries. Spreading slug pellets around target plants is their preferred method. Or laying beer traps that entice the creatures to a boozy death. There are worse ways to go.

Gardeners should not be afraid to take action in the face of this year’s ‘slugageddon’

31/05/2026

SAVE GHOST WOODS TO LET ANCIENT TREES BLOSSOM AGAIN (www.thetimes.com/)
‘Ghost woods’, the remnants of England’s ancient woodlands, are some of the country’s oldest living ecosystems. Just 1.6% of England is true ancient woodland and another 370,000 acres of former ancient woodland have been replaced by timber plantations.

There is a growing campaign to recognise these lost woods and restore them to their glory. The ancient forests are a hive for nature, attracting birds, fungi and wildflowers helping to boost the natural diversity of our countryside — a contrast to the uniform tree farms that have sprung up across the country.

Monoculture plantations may grow wood but they annihilate the rich biodiversity of ancient woodland, damage soil and suppress wildlife, campaigners say. The campaign group Wild Card, backed by celebrities such as Judi Dench, are calling on the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs to commit to fund the restoration of ghost woods. It is hoped the government’s new tree action plan, expected imminently, will include ancient woodland restoration.

Nearly half of English ancient woodlands were destroyed in the 20th century to make way for fast-growing timber plantations. What remains of our richest and most biodiverse habitat now covers only about 2.5% of England, making it precious beyond measure.

But all is not yet lost. The remnants remain, shrouded in darkness and smothered beneath the rows of monotonous non-native conifers. These ancient buried forests are known as “ghost woods”. Enough of their seeds, fungal networks and surviving species still exist that restoring dormant ancient forests is still possible, but only if the government acts fast.

It is wonderful to see enthusiasm for planting new trees. But we must not become so distracted by counting new saplings in plastic tree guards that we forget the immeasurable value of what is already here, and what nature can restore by itself if we allow it.

Ancient woods are not interchangeable with newly planted forests, even with the same species of native tree. You cannot recreate centuries of complex, interconnected relationships between soil, fungi, insects, birds and trees overnight. That’s why we need to focus on the ghost woods that can recover by themselves if we remove the conifers that will otherwise bury them.

Ancient forests are being washed over by new plantations, but some can be brought back to life. Get involved in my campaign to revive them

24/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AXxwTM1SB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

22/05/2026

With temperatures set to rise this Bank Holiday weekend, we're encouraging you to be ;

Heatwave thresholds - defined as 3 consecutive days at or above a set temperature - are likely to be reached in parts of the UK from Sunday, most likely in south eastern England.

Into next week, these conditions are expected to become more widespread, extending across central and western England and into parts of Wales, as temperatures remain well above average

Check our latest news release for more on staying safe and enjoying the beach, including RNLI tips 👇

The Met Office is encouraging people to be WeatherReady this Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures are set to rise with potential heatwave criteria being met for some.

21/05/2026

Short Podcast on the reintroduction of Bison in to the Romanian Mountains: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JjNPa2NAm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

16/05/2026

RARE KENT ORCHID MAKES COMEBACK (BBC)
A wildlife trust is celebrating the recovery of a near-extinct plant after recording a seven-fold population increase.

A total of 1,245 self-sown Kentish milkwort plants have been recorded at Queendown Warren, near Sittingbourne in Kent – the largest population of the species in the UK.
The growth is the result of a long-term conservation project led by Kent Wildlife Trust, in partnership with The Species Recovery Trust, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and local volunteers, it said.

Area warden Rob Pennington said: "We hope the population will continue to spread in the coming years and eventually become a donor site, allowing us to collect seed for future restoration work at other suitable locations."

On the verge of extinction, Kentish milkwort became the focus of urgent conservation action in 2013. The species had previously existed as two separated populations in northern England and Kent, before declining to a handful of plants across three sites in Kent.

To prevent total loss, seeds were collected from the strongest surviving population and cultivated at Kew, establishing a secure seed stock for future restoration without further pressure on wild plants.

Between 2018 and 2019, further seed collections enabled the production of plants for reintroduction, leading to the "incredible" seven-fold increase, Pennington said.
Next steps for the project will focus on maintaining the open conditions the species depends on, including the use of pigs at Queendown Warren to create and sustain areas of disturbed ground. It will also include further introductions to suitable chalk grassland sites to strengthen and expand the species' long-term future in Kent.

The Kentish milkwort has seen a seven-fold increase since conservation efforts in 2013.

05/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1LGQVwFpvq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/05/2026

21st Century Ecology, with Wolves:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17LsKjyvgA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

14/01/2026

A Flood alert has been issued at 6:33am on 14th January 2026 for the River Beult from Pluckley and Bethersden to Stile-bridge

Flooding is possible on Ulcombe Road today, 14th January 2026 .

Locations most affected will be low lying land and roads especially areas around Moat Road, Uptons Close, Oak Farm Gardens, Ulcombe Road and Brooklands, near the river.

The Environment Agency are closely monitoring the situation .

Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water .

The Environment Agrncy message will be updated by 6pm on 14th January 2026 or as the situation changes.