Turton Kitchen Gardens is a place shaped by time, teamwork and quiet determination. What now feels calm and carefully planned was once something very different.

The garden had been left for years, slowly disappearing under weeds and neglected trees around the historic building, Turton Tower.

Volunteers hard at work. (Image: NQ)

Judith Rowell, part of the fruit growing team, said: “The kitchen garden was totally overgrown, it was a mess.

“It had been left for decades, with trees growing in it and everything just abandoned.”

The transformation began when volunteers stepped in and took responsibility for turning neglect into possibility.

Crates house vegetables and fruits. (Image: NQ)

Clearing, planting and redesigning happened gradually, with each year adding something new.

Judith added: “Lots of volunteers cleared it and set it up. Gradually, over the years, it’s kept transforming itself.”

One of the most exciting developments has been the fruit area, which continues to evolve.

Plants for sale. (Image: NQ)

It has opened the space, inviting people in rather than keeping it hidden away.

She said: “This is our biggest transformation this year, the fruit cage.

“It’s still a work in progress, but it’s opened it up so everybody can come in and enjoy it.”

A view of the large and well-designed garden. (Image: NQ)

Everything at the gardens is powered by voluntary effort and community fundraising.

No one is paid, and every improvement relies on creativity and commitment.

Hazel Markland, also from the team, said: “People are starting to come in more.

“Everybody’s a volunteer. Nobody’s paid. The money we make is all fundraised, and we do ask for donations as well as selling plants.

Chamomile is among the many flowers. (Image: NQ)

“The idea is for the public to come in and enjoy it. Normally the garden is totally open and free for people to enjoy.”

Since the pandemic, more people have discovered the space and made it part of their routine.

Open days now attract visitors from far beyond the local area.

Judith said: “People come from Liverpool and the Lake District on open days.

Judith planting strawberries. (Image: NQ)

“Locals come any time, but open days are usually visitors.”

Behind the scenes, the garden runs through teamwork and structure.

Different volunteer groups focus on fruit, vegetables, borders and construction. These teams ensure someone is caring for the garden almost every weekday.

The variety within the space continues to grow year by year.

Spring flowers. (Image: NQ)

Hazel said: “There are hundreds of plants. We’re always looking for unusual ones.”

Benches, themed gardens and quiet corners invite visitors to slow down, and for many volunteers, the garden offers something deeper than physical work.

 Judith said: “It’s lovely to come up here. You forget everything else and just enjoy being here.”

Visitors can explore different sections of the garden – The Tudor Garden, The Victorian beds, Japanese Garden, rocky beds and more.

Turton Kitchen Gardens is not just a place to visit, but a shared achievement still unfolding.

Dozens of homeowners are suing Elon Musk’s SpaceX, alleging that sonic booms from rocket testing damaged their Texas homes.

The lawsuit was filed last week in federal court by 80 South Texas residents. They accused SpaceX of gross negligence and trespassing from sonic booms that happened during 11 rocket tests between April 2023 and October 2025, according to the Texas Tribune.

Because SpaceX tests involved rockets that launched and returned, sometimes the homes faced prolonged periods of damaging noise, according to the suit.

A sonic boom is a wave created by an object moving faster than the speed of sound. According to the U.S. Air Force, some strong sonic booms can cause damage such as shattered glass.

SpaceX did not respond to the Tribune about the lawsuit. The Independent has also reached out to SpaceX.

The residents say that during a Starship rocket launch in 2023, the force from the 33-engine booster destroyed the launch pad and sent debris as far as three-quarters of a mile away.

Specific damage to the homes was not included in the lawsuit, according to the Tribune. However, the filing stated that booms can cause damage to walls, windows and roofs.

The filing asks for an unspecified amount of money.

The Federal Aviation Administration in 2025 authorized SpaceX to launch up to 25 rockets per year from South Texas, according to the Tribune. That is five times more than the year before.

SpaceX has also seen massive growth in the South Texas region in recent years. Company employees founded the city Starbase, Texas, in May 2025.

Rocket launches have closed an eight-mile stretch of beach near the South Texas launch pad, the Tribune noted. That issue has led to a separate lawsuit about how often the company can close the area.

SpaceX was founded in 2002 and Musk currently serves as the company’s CEO. A recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that only Musk has the power to remove himself from the company.

The SEC filing comes as SpaceX prepares to offer stocks in the company, which could happen as early as this summer, according to the Wall Street Journal.

As in all things in life, there are good programmes of renovation work and not-so-good ones, where style wins out over substance.

Thankfully, that’s not the case with this splendid period stone farmhouse and its more than 3,800 sq. ft of beautifully modernised accommodation which combines period character with contemporary luxury.

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

The incarnation of Rokeby Close Farm that exists today oozes elegance from every pore, with bespoke fittings adding to the feeling of quality and style throughout.

The reception hall featuring conservatory-style panoramic glazing, parquet flooring and a galleried first-floor landing provides an impressive first glimpse of what lies within.

From here a squared arched opening leads into the dining room which features painted timber ceiling beams and a fireplace with a wood-burning stove.

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Double doors open from the dining room into a stunning south-facing sunroom at the rear – a large additional reception room which is flooded with natural light and enjoys views over and access to the gardens.

Doors from both the dining room and entrance hall open into the elegant drawing room, with a log-burning stove set into a feature fireplace and triple aspect windows framing views across the countryside beyond the gardens.

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Also on the ground floor is a home gym with a sauna and shower room creating a luxurious private wellness space, and the heart of family life – the living kitchen.

An open-plan space with exposed wood beams and parquet flooring, this is divided into two separate areas – the kitchen which includes bespoke cabinetry, a central island, a split butler’s sink and a Falcon range cooker and gas hob, plus a living area with a grand fireplace housing a log-burning stove.

Off the kitchen is a utility room.

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Upstairs, the galleried landing leads to four spacious double bedrooms, all with en suite facilities.

These include the principal suite which includes a stylish en-suite bathroom with freestanding tub and walk-in shower, while one further bedroom features an en-suite bathroom, and two others benefit from en-suite shower rooms.

Rokeby Close Farm is accessed via a gravel driveway with ample parking that leads to an integrated double garage.

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Its landscaped gardens are laid mainly to lawn, dotted with mature trees.

To the rear, the land gently slopes down to a beautiful spring-fed lake of approximately three acres which has recently been enhanced for fishing and wildlife conservation.

It is stocked with a range of coarse fish including large common and mirror carp, tench, rudd and roach.

The lake – a haven for wildlife that regularly attracts oyster catchers, ducks, moorhens, geese and other native species – also features widened paths and seating areas.

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

A summer house and hot tub area provide a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

In addition, a stone-built barn with an adjacent quarter-acre paddock makes Rokeby an ideal equestrian facility, or provides scope for development, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.

There is also a secure 30ft x 60ft fully fenced chicken coop that has a number of potential uses.

Rokeby Close Farm sits in a rural setting close to the small village of Hutton Magna, within easy reach of Barnard Castle and the stunning countryside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and is just 13 miles from Darlington.

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Property facts:

Rokeby Close Farm, Hutton Magna

Guide price: £1.295m

Knight Frank 01423 222076

www.knightfrank.co.uk

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

Cap: Rokeby Close Farm combines period character with contemporary luxury and tops it off with added extras that range from a sauna to an orangery and a private lake (Image: Knight Frank)

His next of kin have been made aware.

A young man has been found dead at a Scots farm.

Emergency services were called to the area of Blackcleugh in Eaglesfield, Dumfriesshire, after receiving a report of concern for a man at 7.55am on Friday, May 1.

Crews attended and a 24-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin are aware.

Police say his death is currently being treated as unexplained, although there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.55am on Friday, 1 May, 2026, we received a report of concern for a man in the area of Blackcleugh, Eaglesfield.

“Emergency services attended, and the man, aged 24, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin are aware.

“The death is being treated as unexplained but is not believed to be suspicious. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

The Bolton-born comic was ushered off stage

A 19-year-old man has been charged with ‘false communications relating to a bomb hoax’ at a Peter Kay show in Birmingham.

The Bolton-born comic was ushered off stage mid-performance and the audience at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham was evacuated on Friday night.

Police later said the show – part of Kay’s tour – was halted after a ‘potential suspicious bag’ was found. In a later update, the force said ‘no items of a suspicious nature were found’.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Now, in an update on Saturday night, police in Birmingham have revealed a teenager is facing a criminal charge of ‘false communications relating to a bomb hoax’.

Omar Majed, from Birmingham, is due to appear in court on Monday. He’s been remanded in custody until then.

In a social media post, Birmingham Police said on Saturday night: “A man has been charged in connection with the events which led to the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham last night.

“Omar Majed, 19 has been charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax. Majed, of Washwood Heath, Birmingham, has been remanded to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on 4 May.

“An evacuation of the arena was ordered yesterday evening after a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area. This was following a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area.

“Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always our priority is the safety of the public.”

In a statement, the arena confirmed Saturday night’s Peter Kay was going ahead and said West Midlands Police were ‘satisfied with the security measures in place’.

A gardening expert has told all households to be careful not to make one mistake with seedlings this May, as it could result in them not growing into full plants

A single soil error could be holding your seedlings back from reaching their full potential. If you’re a gardener who prefers to grow plants from scratch rather than purchasing established ones from garden centres, chances are you’ll already have tiny seedlings sprouting away in seed trays on your windowsill or inside your greenhouse at this time of year.

However, according to one gardening specialist on social media, there’s a particular mistake that some gardeners make when it comes to planting their seeds in trays. It’s such a damaging blunder that it could actually prevent your plant from growing altogether, meaning you’ll never get to enjoy the fully flourishing result.

Toby Buckland posted a video on TikTok in which he emphasised the importance of getting your soil levels right when filling up your pots. He warned that while you might think you’re cutting costs by being sparing with soil, failing to fill pots right to the top could have serious consequences for your seedlings.

He said: “When sowing seeds, always fill your pots right up to the brim. I know loads of gardeners who save a few pennies by leaving the compost halfway up the sides of the pot. But you see, the rim of the pot shades the seedlings, and that means they stretch towards the light and they grow a bit like cress.

“They’ll never recover from that. So, top them right the way up so it’s level.”

Toby also advised giving the pot “a good flood” with a watering can until the compost is thoroughly saturated. He suggested you’ll know it’s sufficiently watered when it feels “really heavy”.

He continued: “If you make sure it’s completely saturated all the way through, you won’t need to water that again until your seedlings are up.”

Once your pot is fully watered, it’s time to sow your seeds. Toby explained they should be sown “thinly” across the surface of your soil, before lightly scattering a modest layer of soil on top to cover them.

The gardening expert also shared a handy trick for distributing that final layer of soil evenly. He suggested taking a separate pot and using the drainage holes in its base as a makeshift “sieve” to gently shake soil over the pot you’re working with.

Followers who commented on the post expressed their gratitude for Toby’s guidance, though some lamented the advice had arrived too late, as their seedlings had already emerged and were displaying signs of stunted growth.

One viewer remarked: “Oh no! Great tip, but my seeds already sprouted, and are leggy.”

Choose 10 packs of bulbs in £25 pick and mix deal

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£25

Gardening Express

Advertisement

See the deal

With many of us looking to begin sprucing up our outdoor space for spring, now is a good time to look at planting bulbs to lay the groundwork for a splash of colour early in the year. Thompson and Morgan has plenty of options live already while Gardening Express has unveiled their pick and mix flower bulb offer, with 10 packs of bulbs for £25

Another responded: “Game changer! I’ve been gardening for nearly 50 years; every day’s a school day.”

While a third enthused: “Fountain of knowledge!”

More tips for growing seedlings

• Use a lightweight, well-draining seed-starting mix rather than garden soil, which can be compact and may harbour pests or diseases.
• Use seed trays, biodegradable pots, recycled containers (like yoghurt cartons), or any shallow container with drainage holes.
• For healthy, strong seedlings, give them 12-16 hours of light per day. Use grow lights or fluorescent lights if natural daylight isn’t sufficient.
• Most seeds germinate best at temperatures between 18-24°C. Check seed packets for specific requirements and make sure you have good airflow, too.
• Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Overwatering can lead to damping-off disease (a fungal issue that kills seedlings).
• Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, use a diluted liquid fertiliser (half-strength) every 1-2 weeks.
• Avoid overcrowding by thinning seedlings once they sprout their first set of leaves. Snip weaker seedlings at the soil line rather than pulling to avoid disturbing neighbouring roots.
• A week or two before moving your seedlings outdoors, gradually expose them to outdoor conditions. Start by placing them outside for a few hours a day in a sheltered spot, gradually increasing exposure to sunlight, wind, and cooler temperatures.

A fire broke out Saturday evening at a lab building on the University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg, prompting an evacuation, authorities said.

The fire sent plumes of billowing gray smoke from the marine science laboratory building. No injuries had been reported, university police and the local fire department said. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

University police said more information would be released as it became available.

It is understood one passenger was assaulted on-board.

An easyJet flight to Scotland was diverted after a passenger was “attacked” on-board.

The aircraft from Tenerife was due to arrive in Glasgow on Wednesday, April 29 but was diverted to Porto in Portugal, where it was met by police on the runway.

The EZY3114 flight was forced to take an alternative route due to passengers behaving in a disruptive manner.

It is understood one passenger was assaulted.

The aircraft then continued its journey to Glasgow.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: “Flight EZY3114 from Tenerife South to Glasgow on 29 April diverted to Porto, where police met the aircraft due to passengers behaving in a disruptive manner. The flight then continued to Glasgow.

“easyJet’s crew are trained to assess all situations and acted quickly and appropriately to ensure the safety of the flight and all onboard was not compromised at any time.

“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority. We take any incidents of abusive or threatening behaviour very seriously and do not tolerate such conduct onboard.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

Annalise Candles & Gifts will close on 21 May as co‑owners Anne Scott and Lisa Fernley leave the business, and the candle‑making side will become fully online.

The pair, based at the Cowshed complex, said the decision comes as their lives have changed, with Anne pursuing a new path in holistic therapies.

The well-lit and clean shop. (Image: NQ)

Anne said: “We’ve had 11 amazing years making candles and running the gift shop.

“We’ve built a lovely little community here. The girls next door, the Cowshed community, we’re all friends. It’s just a really nice place to be.”

The shop has already begun winding down, with stock selling quickly.

Anne Scott. (Image: NQ)

Customers have been emotional about the closure, with many regulars stopping by to share memories.

She added: “I only put up the sale on Monday, and it’s all disappearing quite fast.

“People come in, they tell us their life stories, and they become friends.

“We’ve got an amazing following, and we’ve worked really hard for 11 years to create what we’ve created.”

Candles have been at the forefront of the shop’s identity. (Image: NQ)

Despite the physical shop closing, the pair are confident the candle business will continue to thrive online.

Anne said: “We’ve got a good reputation. People order from all over the country – Scotland, Ireland, everywhere. So yes, it will still go on.”

Mugs and gifts are for sale. (Image: NQ)

Reflecting on the end of an era, she added: “We’re sad, but we’re excited for the future as well. We’re very grateful to everyone for supporting us over the years.”

The unit is now being viewed by potential new tenants, marking the start of a new chapter for the well‑known spot in Horwich.

Anne said the support they’ve received “shows just how special the shop has become”.