Here's a shout-out for Heritage Open Days!

It's England's largest community-led festival of history and culture, and thousands of local volunteers and organisations are involved.  

The festival celebrates heritage, culture and history - so there are stories to hear, traditions to explore and histories brought to life!  And it's all FREE!

Amongst the events, there are walks and tours, exhibitions, workshops and talks.  They cover all sorts of categories:  local history, faith, outdoors and nature, living history and re-enactment, traditional skills, sport and leisure, eco/green living and geneaology, to name a few.  Many need you to pre-book.

Organisations taking part (not at every venue they look after, by the way), include the National Trust, the Churches Conservation Trust and English Heritage.

There's a search facility so that you can find out what's on in your area, which makes life easier - or perhaps next year, you could think of volunteering yourself!

Find an event near you here.

Volunteering is a great way to meet people and make new friends amongst people who also want to do things for their local community (or further afield!).

In 2025, the Heritage Open Days run from the 12th  to 21st September. 

Find out all about Heritage Open Days here.

RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show

The RHS Wisley Flower Show in Surrey takes place from 2nd to 7th September 2025 and what an opportunity to experience a great floral day out!

Enjoy expert advice, vibrant floral displays and lots of shopping opportunities!  And there's plenty of chances to sit and refresh yourself with refreshments! 

You can join in the National Dahlia Society Show's marquee - there are over 100 competition classes to see!  

And the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) Show is back, with the theme  ‘Wish you were here’.  The floral art display competition celebrates countries worldwide, with wonderful arrangements - don't miss it!  

Tradestands are aplenty at the show, selling garden and homeware.   The RHS asks that you please bring bags to take your goodies home with you!

There are fantastic displays, specialist nurseries, expert talks and of course the opportunity to do lots of shopping… and eating and drinking…

Browse a fantastic range of tradestands too, selling garden and homeware from pruning tools to garden art and outdoor ovens. Where possible please bring bags to take purchases home. 

Flowers, eating and drinking, and relaxing – what a perfect combination!   Enjoy!

Buy your tickets for the RHS Garden Wisley Show here.

The Royal Geographical Society has a Gift Membership that could be just the thing for keen geographers and travellers in your life!

They are a registered charity in the UK (no 208791) and the UK’s “learned society and professional body for geography”.   

Founded back in 1830 to advance geographical science, it welcomes everyone who loves geography, travel and exploration.  You can connect with like-minded people and there opportunities for lifelong learning.  It’s also a chance to discover more about the world and contribute to the work the Society does – you can help support the next generation of geographers!

Find out more about the Royal Geographical Society

You can go to Monday night lectures or watch them livestream or recordings of them online.  There’s Geographical magazine, and talks, exhibitions and events across the UK.   You can receive regular Society Updates and use the Members' Room and the Foyle Reading Room, as well as the RGS library of maps, books and guides, and have access to the historic Collections

Gift Membership is from £179.00 a year and there are different categories to choose from:  Membership and Student Membership.

Find out more here

If you're looking for something for people who love chocolate and who love to try something that's a bit different, you could take a look at the Chocolate Trading Company.

The Chocolate Trading Company specialises in chocolates from all over the world, so they offer chocolate lovers a great chance to try chocolates such as Zotter, Bonnat, Chocolat Madagascar, Valrhona, Pralus, Amedei, Booja Booja, Callebaut, Chocolarder, Charbonnel et Walker, and the Chocolate Tree.

They've got chocolate boxes, chocolate bars, chocolate gift hampers, novelty chocolates and even the chance to create your own gift hamper!   

The code covers gift hampers from the Chocolate Trading Company as well! 

Indulge in a special chocolatey offer!

And great news!  They've got a special offer for you - 10% off until the 30th June 2025!  The code is site wide, too (it does exclude Sale or Trade/Bulk items).   Just use the code 

CHOCO10Q225

This offer is site wide, so it includes chocolate gift hampers!  Chocolate and champagne (what a combination!), chocolate and prosecco (wonderful!), or you could choose chocolates and red wine, chocolates and white wine,  and some of the hampers have dark chocolate, or white chocolate or milk chocolate - there's plenty to choose from!

Visit the Chocolate Trading Co here.

Please note that you need to keep chocolate goodies away from dogs - please don't put chocolate decorations where they can reach them (or have a good go at reaching them).  If you want to get your dog chocolate goodies, get chocolate made for dogs, not people.  You could look at Lily's Kitchen or Viovet who have Forthglade Christmas Turkey & Cranberry Natural Soft Bites Dog Treats.