UK's first outdoor citrus grove planted as climate change bears fruit
Around 30 new trees featuring four varieties of citrus – lemon, orange, grapefruit and Buddha's hand – are being grown at the Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight, which has a climate that can be up to 5C warmer than the rest of the UK.
Typically, citrus trees can only be grown indoors in Britain, with experts recommending home gardeners bring plants inside to avoid freezing temperatures over the winter.
The Eden Project in Cornwall introduced an indoor grove but this marks the first time a significant number of trees have been successfully planted together outside.
Guy Barter, the Royal Horticultural Society 's chief horticultural adviser, told The Telegraph that individual citrus trees had been reported in London 'from time to time', but nothing close to this scale.
Although climate change is expected to cause 'much damage and distress' with wetter, milder winters in the UK, there are 'likely to be benefits to some warm-climate crops in Britain such as apricots, grapes and figs'.
He said: 'Under climate change, cold winter episodes may still occur. This makes citrus, an evergreen, very challenging but it is likely that citrus will eventually prosper in mild frost-free regions such as the south coast and central London.'
The world's most northerly outdoor fruiting grapefruit tree is currently at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.
Wayne Williams, Ventnor Botanic Garden 's head gardener, said the island's southerly position and shelter provided by a 'big cliff' meant its climate was 'very mild'.
He said: 'It means that we can grow a much wider range of plants than other areas of the UK. We've had citrus fruits growing here for the last 15 years already.
'We wanted to extend it and make it much more, sort of, showy and really inspire people across the UK about climate change and show what's possible down here.'
Mr Williams added: 'Prior to that, it was near impossible to grow them outside here, it just shows that climate change is happening and it's happening here.
'We can not just talk about it, but show people.'
He also warned that fruits that previously relied on cooler temperatures, like apples, 'may become harder to grow in the future'.
'At the same time, warmer temperatures are opening the door for crops like citrus to thrive in the UK,' Mr Williams added.
Citrus varieties being grown at the site including Buddha's hand, a unique fruit which is characterised by its finger-like tendrils.
John Curtis, the director of the botanic garden, said fruiting olives and date palms were among other plants which thrived in its warmer environment – and said bananas could be next.
He added: ' Climate change has enabled us to grow fruiting olives out of doors for years and now has ensured that we have fruiting date palms in the garden.
'We're now investing in the future of the garden and exploring the possibilities of other edible plants growing outdoors here in Ventnor, such as edible bananas and avocados.'
The garden features more than 22 acres of rare and exotic plants, with the Isle of Wight's microclimate helping varieties native to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan to thrive outside.
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Telegraph
12-08-2025
- Telegraph
Genuine concern or virtue-signalling? The moral panic around dogs in hot weather
There are few dog trainers as straight-talking as Lee Jones, 45, from Chelmsford, Essex. His 830,000 social media followers seem to love his unfiltered, 'no bull----' approach to dealing with our four-legged friends. His posts regularly take a pop at owners who buy potentially dangerous breeds or treat their dogs like children. But lately, he's set his sights on a new target – one that has struck an emotive chord with the UK's 10-million-plus dog owners: people who walk their dogs in searing temperatures instead of, as vets and some vocal dog-owning advocates recommend, during the cooler parts of the day. 'I see dogs being walked even when it's 30C ', he tells The Telegraph. 'People are set in their ways and take them with them to the park or pub – anywhere they are going. But these people never walk their dogs when it's peeing it down with rain, so why in the heat? 'It's completely dangerous for the dog, as they could die of heatstroke – and it drives me mad. Sometimes I even see dog walkers load dogs into their van when it's like an oven. That's people just wanting to make money; it's disgusting. Then there's always some idiot saying dogs cope with heat in other countries so why not here? But those dogs have adapted to those temperatures, and that's not the case in the UK.' Jones says his videos are intended to educate owners, many of whom bought their first dog during the Covid lockdown. (Data from The Kennel Club shows there were 351,000 puppy registrations in 2021, a 40 per cent jump from the previous year.) @leejonesofficial If your dog walker or trainer is willing to take your dog out in this type of heat in the uk that is disgusting and all they care about is the money, please don't walk dogs in this heat. #dogsoftiktok #dog #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogs ♬ Inspirational - neozilla His tough-love approach to dealing with 'hot dogs' has gained huge support online, with people seemingly eager to showcase their dog-owning credentials. Occasionally, some brave individuals suggest there may be valid reasons for taking dogs out in the heat and argue it's unfair to judge without knowing the full circumstances. But for many keyboard warriors, it's simply wrong, and those who don't conform deserve to be called out. 'I just shouted at a woman walking her dog. I felt like a right Karen, but it triggered me,' writes one woman under one of Jones's videos. Another post reads: 'It's 10.50pm and I've just got back from a short walk with mine. I'll be up again at 4am to take her out again.' Such smug and judgmental messages are now commonplace among social media's morality police, where 'shaming' of those who don't follow 'heatwave dog etiquette' has reached fever pitch. While it is generally recognised that dogs shouldn't be left in a car on a hot day (it's against the law to fail to protect your pet from pain and suffering), the rise in extreme heat – with the UK experiencing three heatwaves already this year – has led, according to dog lovers on TikTok and Instagram, to many more unwritten rules to follow. First comes the pavement test: if it's too hot to hold your palm on the surface for five seconds, it's too hot for paws. Specialised boots can be purchased to help in this situation. Next are warnings about sunburn: short-haired dogs with pale fur, such as bull terriers, are especially vulnerable. Owners are urged to provide constant access to shade and a steady supply of cold (but not icy) water. Running or cycling with dogs in the heat is considered reckless, and dogs with heavy coats should be groomed regularly to reduce excess fur. All this, experts say, is designed to reduce heatstroke, which occurs when a dog's body temperature rises to dangerous levels, typically above 40C, and the dog can no longer cool itself. Without immediate veterinary treatment, heatstroke can lead to collapse and even organ failure. Figures from the Kennel Club show that one in seven dogs with heatstroke die. Of course, no decent dog owner would wish this on their mutt, and most take reasonable precautions, but equally, whether it's 90C or not, life has to go on and can't always revolve around the family pet. Yet for some dog lovers, seeing others disregard these guidelines to the letter is enough to push them over the edge. 'I have an 11-year-old husky called Poppy, and get up at 5am to walk her when it's hot,' says Lisa Ventura, a cyber specialist based in Worcester. 'I don't begrudge it, as she is my world, and keeping her safe and cool is my priority.' Ventura continues: 'I live close to the river Severn and see lots of people walking their dogs in the extreme heat. Some of the dogs are clearly struggling and panting like mad, so I shout out of the window, asking what the hell they are doing walking their dog in the middle of the day. 'They generally don't respond; they just pick up the pace and hurry away. I don't feel smug, like I'm better than them, but I have a strong sense of justice. This sort of thoughtless behaviour makes me so cross and I want to confront them.' Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by this unleashed fury, given the UK's obsession with ever-more cosseted pooches. The UK pet care market – covering food, accessories, walking, veterinary care and grooming – is projected to be worth £16.5bn by 2033, up from £9.5bn in 2024. One recent advertisement tapping into the nation's anxieties about being the best dog owner was for the fresh dog food subscription service Butternut Box. It showed a self-satisfied woman watching in wonder as her dog ate, with the caption: 'Who's a good human? You are.' Perhaps unsurprisingly, companies are keen to capitalise on owners' concerns about hotter weather. Pets at Home recently launched a 'cooling collection' for dogs, featuring sprinkle mats, chill-out beds and even UV-protective dog bandanas. Collette Walsh, 45, a PR consultant from Prestwich, Manchester, knows all about this indulgent behaviour. Nothing is too much for her two pomeranians, Anton and Archi, which she regularly posts on Instagram – sitting in buggies and wearing sunglasses. 'My dogs are lockdown dogs, and I don't have children, so I do spoil them rotten,' she says. 'I wash them with organic shampoo, and blowdry them on the cold setting of my £450 Dyson hairdryer. They also have a fan when it's hot, and a cooling air purifier at night. Plus I freeze slices of cucumber and apple for them to have as crunchy snacks. 'I wouldn't dream of walking them in the heat. I'm up at 6am, and take them for a short walk of just 10 minutes. I don't like to see any dog suffering.' On the other hand, a recent survey by online pet care marketplace revealed that 43 per cent of dog owners walk their dogs when it is 24C outside – a temperature considered dangerously high, where heat-related health risks can escalate. One in three admitted to noticing signs of heatstroke, such as heavy panting, but didn't end the walk. Many were unaware that flat-faced breeds such as pugs and bulldogs are at higher risk due to their limited breathing abilities. Some also believed dogs could self-cool and would instinctively seek out shade. Adem Fehmi, a dog behaviour expert based in Hertfordshire, warns: 'Dogs can't sweat like humans; they can only cool down through panting and their paw pads, which makes them incredibly vulnerable to overheating.' Fehmi continues: 'Many dogs won't stop when they're struggling. A dog's genetics, loyalty and eagerness to please mean they might keep going even as their body temperature rises to dangerous levels.' Still, whether a dog owner is malicious or simply ill-informed, they risk being publicly shamed when walking their pet in the heat. Marc Foley-Comer, 45, a PR consultant from Derbyshire who owns a Jack Russell and a chihuahua, feels people have become increasingly judgmental. 'Our whole routine changes during heatwaves – walks early in the morning and late at night,' he tells The Telegraph. 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Daily Mirror
12-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
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North Wales Live
07-08-2025
- North Wales Live
'North Wales homes worst seaside town in UK but I don't think it's all bad'
A Liverpudlian man ventured to what has been branded the "worst seaside town in the UK" and was surprised to find it nestled in Wales. After hearing about its unflattering reputation as one of the country's least appealing seaside destinations, Zac Jones decided to take a trip to see for himself. Zac documented his journey on TikTok, curious to determine whether the negative label was justified, and he soon uncovered some truths. The Telegraph had previously described the town as "one of the worst" for beachgoers, prompting Zac to investigate personally. Upon arrival, Zac's initial impressions were more positive than expected, as he surveyed the local amenities. His exploration of Rhyl 's offerings revealed a quiet atmosphere, but he didn't think it was all bad. Zac said: "I mean, there's not an awful lot of people here. Let's see some of the prices in The Piazza. The big brunch will be £6.95. Cod, chips, peas, bread and butter - £8.80, and we have a Wetherspoon. "Honestly, I think it's quite nice here to be honest, maybe it's just because the sun's out. I mean at least there's a nice building." Inquiring with a local about Rhyl's highlights, the response was simple, he thought the weather was the best part. It seems that, despite its reputation, Rhyl's climate is something to be appreciated. However, Zac's initial impressions were soon marred by an unpleasant incident, as he remarked: "I take it back - everything nice I said about this place." His stroll through the streets of Rhyl was spoiled when he stepped in dog muck, which understandably dampened his spirits. Zac went on to say: "Well I think Rhyl, for me, gets an 'it's ok'. The best thing about Rhyl, in my opinion, is the beach and the coast. It's beautiful." Since Zac shared his video, which has now been viewed over 1,000 times, locals and visitors alike have been quick to weigh in with their views on Rhyl. Opinions varied widely among commenters. One person jested: "Best thing about Rhyl is the way out." Echoing a sense of nostalgia, another person commented: "Such a shame. Used to be so good." Reflecting on childhood memories, a third individual responded: "Spent many holidays there as a child, as it was all we could afford. It's not always about the location - it's about making memories as best you can." Others offered a different perspective, with one saying: "That's harsh. Although the town centre isn't up to much, there is plenty going on further down the prom at Kite Surf Cafe and the other end - The Bike Hub and Harbour Hwb. "Marine Lake is brilliant for crabbing and walks, runs and sunsets. The people of Rhyl are some of the kindest most down to earth people."
