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Sainsbury's 50p buy will get rid of stubborn scuffs on your grubby patio – and you can find it in your child's schoolbag

Sainsbury's 50p buy will get rid of stubborn scuffs on your grubby patio – and you can find it in your child's schoolbag

The Sun6 hours ago

YOUR patio will look sparkling and brand new with the help of a 50p Sainsbury's buy.
With temperatures set to soar again this week, many Brits are likely making plans to have friends over for cocktails in the sun.
But before you invite anyone over, you may want to give your patio a bit of a scrub, to make sure it's looking shiny and brand new.
Your first thought might be to use a pressure washer, but these can be incredibly pricey, and can even end up damaging your slabs.
However, Sam Stevens, a garden expert from Pergolux UK revealed a budget-friendly method, which you may be able to find in your kids' pencil case.
"Cleaning the garden doesn't have to be an expensive job. We all love a cheap and cheerful hack and the good news is that there are plenty of items you'll already have in your home that can be used in the garden," he said.
How To Use An Eraser To Clean Your Patio
Although traditionally used by schoolkids to rub out spelling mistakes and maths errors, Sam revealed that you can use an eraser to help clean your patio.
The expert explained that if plant pots have left any marks on the patio, you can simply buff the scuffs using a rubber.
If the marks aren't too stubborn, they should come away, leaving your patio sparkling.
Rubbers are super cheap, and if there isn't one in your kids' schoolbag, you can pick one up from Sainsbury's for just 50p.
More Patio Cleaning Hacks
Council house mum Evie, recently revealed her struggle with her patio slabs, admitting that despite her best efforts with a jet washer, it 'hardly did anything.'
Frustrated but determined, Evie stumbled upon a life-changing tip during a casual scroll through the comments section on cleaning TikToks.
I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out
A recommendation buried within the comments caught her attention - someone suggested using a 69p bottle of Aldi bleach as a simple yet effective solution for sparkling patios.
She poured the bleach over the slabs, letting it soak in for around five minutes without scrubbing or extra effort.
Then, she fired up her jet washer again - and the results were nothing short of incredible.
Christie, who is known as @ christiestimson11 on TikTok also recently revealed her budget friendly hack for scrubbing her slabs.
How to repair broken patio slabs
THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff.
The experts advised: 'If you have a loose paving slab, then it's unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio.
'To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose.
'Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio.
"As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath.
'When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.'
She explained that she simply uses a mop and bucket, which she fills with Flash floor cleaner, along with bicarbonate of soda and boiling water.
Sharing a video of her demonstrating how it's done to her 3,501 TikTok followers, she showed how she used a mop and the mixture to clean the patio slabs.
Christie explained that the process is "satisfying" and that it is 'easy' to 'get all of the mud and dirt off of it.'
Plus, Molly Woodward-Moor, Creative Director at Stone Superstore, revealed that washing Up Liquid can be used to care for stone tiles as well as lift dirt or stains that may build up on them.
To use the product on the patio, the liquid can be diluted in warm tap water.
Then using a soft-bristled brush or non-abrasive sponge, the solution can be scrubbed into areas that need cleaning.
This is a gentle method for stones, that avoids scratching their surface or causing damage to tiles.

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Léon Krier obituary
Léon Krier obituary

The Guardian

time17 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

Léon Krier obituary

A colonnade of doric columns flanks the entrance to the neoclassical Waitrose building in Poundbury, Dorchester, in Dorset, facing on to the congested car park of Queen Mother Square. Across the plaza stands a creamy yellow palazzo, crowned with a royal crested-pediment, and a Palladian hotel named the Duchess of Cornwall. A gigantic brick campanile rises above the Royal Pavilion from a triumphal stone arch, looming over the square. 'It was supposed to be the magistrates court,' the town's master-planner, Léon Krier, told me in 2016, on a tour of the then Prince Charles's model village. 'But it ended up as luxury flats. I suppose that's the spirit of our time. After all, the master-planner is not the master of the game.' Krier, who has died aged 79, was one of the most influential town planners of his generation, but not always in the way he intended. He was a leading figure of the New Urbanism movement, advocating a return to traditional, walkable neighbourhoods and compact, human-scale development, railing against modernism as the 'perpetrator of sprawl'. And yet his work often led to car-reliant dormitory towns, exclusive gated communities, and the very suburban sprawl he despised. Poundbury is Krier's most substantial built legacy, a project that was widely ridiculed when it began in the 1980s, but which time has vindicated in many ways. Set in 200 hectares of the Duchy of Cornwall in Dorset, the plan was modelled on an 18th-century English village, with narrow, winding streets, lined with traditional terraced homes, leading to public squares, where grander classical buildings would indicate their civic function. Critics compared it to Marie Antoinette's 'hameau' in Versailles, a pretend rustic hamlet where the haughty queen played at being a peasant. The Observer slammed it as 'fake, heartless, authoritarian and grimly cute,' decrying its 'counterfeit design and cack-handed pastiche.' Yet unlike so many lifeless developer-built estates, it combined industrial space, stores and small workshops among the housing, now employing 2,600 people in 250 businesses. It has worked: house prices are up to a quarter higher than the surrounding area, while 35% of the homes are affordable, scattered throughout the development, rather than corralled into separate blocks. Far from being an anachronism, Poundbury's principles of mixed-use, low-rise high-density have been widely taken up, forming the basis of the present government's new towns plan – if, perhaps, without the classical fancy dress. Krier was born in Luxembourg to Jean, a tailor who specialised in bishops' robes, and his wife, Emma (nee Lanser). As a child he had dreams of becoming a professional pianist, but eventually followed his elder brother, Robert, by studying architecture at the University of Stuttgart, where he developed an enthusiastic interest in the work of Albert Speer, architect of the Nazi regime. He dropped out in 1968, after only a year. Many years later, in 1985, Krier wrote a book on Speer that brought him notoriety and condemnation, but he always insisted that architecture could be separated from the ideology of the regime it serves. 'You can accuse almost every decent building in the past of being built by a regime which you don't agree with,' he said. 'If your clients are evil people, but they let you build what you think is right, you should do it. These evil people will leave something behind which is going to better serve mankind.' Having dropped out from his studies, Krier sent his portfolio of drawings to the architect James Stirling in London, who spotted the talent in this confident young draughtsman and hired him. Together they worked on a project for Olivetti headquarters in Milton Keynes, and a competition for the Siemens headquarters in Munich. Both were unrealised, but Krier's neoclassical proclivities had a great influence on Stirling as he shifted towards postmodernism, incorporating historical motifs and playful touches in his work. However, after three years with Stirling, Krier decided to move into teaching architecture and urbanism at the Architectural Association from 1974 to 1976, where Zaha Hadid was one of his students, and then at the Royal College of Art in 1977. Something of a lone voice in the 70s, he saw modernism as an aberration, a 'totalitarian ideology' responsible for the 'garbage culture' of the North American city, which he saw as 'a place of damnation'. He published his fiery proclamations in pithy texts, illustrated by witty cartoons, but his work mostly remained on paper, in the world of hypothetical plans – in part thanks to his stubborn refusal to compromise. 'I can only make architecture,' he said, 'because I do not build.' He thought that 'accepting compromises means losing. I have seen it in all my friends who build.' That changed when Krier met the then Prince of Wales. Their first encounter, at an exhibition of Krier's unrealised vision for Spitalfields market in 1986, led to several invitations to Highgrove. At one such meeting, two years into sharing their passions for traditional architecture, Charles had a brainwave. 'We were sitting in the garden at the palace,' Krier told me. 'Then HRH banged the table, pointed at me, and said: 'How can I build Krier Town?''. Though Krier generally approved of the results, he thought some of the first Poundbury buildings were 'ghastly', criticising the architects for getting their columns upside down and chastising the builders for making most of the homes with concrete blocks, not load-bearing stone, as he had wished. As the master-planner he had little control over such things. Begun in 1993, the project is due to be completed by late 2028, when it will be home to around 6,000 people. Krier might have longed to revive the golden age of European city building, but his most receptive audience was found in Florida. There he master-planned Seaside, a resort community of white picket fences where The Truman Show was filmed, and where he built a house for himself, styled like a Greek temple perched atop a clapboard villa. His other completed buildings in Florida included a town hall for Windsor, a luxury golf-themed gated community in North Beach, styled like a huge dovecot, and an architecture centre for the University of Miami, crowned with art deco-ish turrets. He also realised an archaeology museum in Portugal, a plan for the city centre of Alessandria in Italy, and an exclusive extension to Guatemala City, called Cayalá, advertised as a place 'where the rich can escape crime'. Many more elaborate visions came to nought. In 1987 Krier concocted a utopian 'academic village' in Tenerife, called Atlantis, commissioned by a pair of German art gallerists. Inspired by Persian, Greek and Roman architecture, dotted with pyramids, obelisks and conical spires, it was to be a place, said Krier, where 'meritorious individuals who excel in their fields of science, humanities, arts, ecology, crafts, philosophy, farming' would be invited to live. It never left the realm of the evocative renderings painted by his first wife, Rita Wolff. More recently Britain narrowly missed out on a final Krier confection when his £2.3bn scheme for the site of Fawley power station on the Solent, near Southampton, was abandoned last year, on grounds of viability. He had once hoped to top the power station's defunct 200-metre high chimney with a classical capital, to make it the largest Tuscan column in the world. Sometimes such flights of fancy prove impossible without the patronage of a prince. Krier is survived by his second wife, Irene Stillman (nee Pérez-Porro), whom he married in 2021. His brother Robert died in 2023. Léon Ernest Krier, town planner, born 7 April 1946; died 17 June 2025

Somerset woman lives in same home for 100 years
Somerset woman lives in same home for 100 years

BBC News

time35 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Somerset woman lives in same home for 100 years

The phrase "putting down roots" is very apt when it comes to one Somerset woman who has lived in the same house since she was born there 100 years Marshall was born at the property in Bucklands in Bridgwater back in 1925 and it has remained her home despite the multiple different stages of her life. She has just turned 100 and her family have held a birthday party to celebrate involving not just relatives but also a few of her son Philip Marshall told BBC Radio Somerset: "She's already had the card from the King and Queen, which she is absolutely delighted about!" Phyliss is one of five siblings, two which have since died - one of her brothers killed in the Second World War. Her son Philip Marshall told BBC Radio Somerset that although she has been in the same place for so long, there was a time when she nearly had to move."Back in the day when couples got married it was quite common for them to live with their parents, and they lived with her parents who were offered the chance to buy the house - which they declined."But my father then decided he would buy the house." Talking about her life 100 years on, he said "she's still going strong" but admitted her health is deteriorating and she "can't hear much".But he added: "Her mind is still so active. She loves watching snooker, and she will be tuning into Glastonbury this week too."Her two sons, her grandchildren along with neighbours and carers celebrated her 100th birthday, appropriately in the same house where she was born in 1925.

The best hanging egg chairs, tried and tested for your garden
The best hanging egg chairs, tried and tested for your garden

Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Telegraph

The best hanging egg chairs, tried and tested for your garden

Hanging egg chairs are a fantastic addition to any garden furniture setup. Their curved cocoon effect brings comfort and a relaxing gentle sway, without compromising on sturdiness. While an egg chair's design is important, as it will become a focal point in your garden, it also needs to withstand inclement weather and the outdoors over time. 'Typically, the best material for the woven structure of an egg chair is polyethylene (PE) resin rattan,' says Ethan Fox, furniture expert at Furniture World. 'It's a durable and weather-resistant material that closely mimics the appearance of natural rattan. Choosing powder-coated steel or aluminium for the frame of the egg chair prevents rusting and ensures that the structure doesn't weaken over time.' Egg chairs are expensive investments, costing anywhere from £160 at B&Q to nearly £500 from Cox and Cox. With this in mind, I tested and reviewed this year's best hanging egg chairs, along with answering some frequently asked questions. The best hanging egg chairs: At a glance How to choose the best hanging egg chairs When choosing a hanging egg chair, remember that they're bigger and heavier than you might think. Made primarily from iron or steel, the typical circular base has a wide diameter of around 100cm, the vertical supporting pole is at least 180cm, and the seat's ergonomic shape means it usually arrives as a single item. Measuring your home's doorways before delivery is a sensible idea as the UK's standard internal door width is 76.2 cm. Also check whether the chair arrives in separate parts or packed into one giant cardboard box. Some brands have measuring guidelines to help with this. Similarly, the chair's intended outdoor position needs sufficient floor space and enough of a circumference for the swinging motion. Barker and Stonehouse, for example, suggests at least 60 cm of clearance around the chair to avoid collisions. Keep in mind that grass is ill-advised due to ground damage and possible deterioration of the frame. Stone or concrete surfaces, like a patio, are your best bet. If you're looking for more outdoor inspiration, take a look at our guides to the best garden chairs, parasols, fire pits and gas BBQs here. How we test hanging egg chairs Most egg chairs follow a similar assembly process: a circular metal base, a curved vertical rod, and a high strength metal spring from which the chair hangs. They can also be rather heavy and cumbersome. I noted the delivery method for each egg chair, the heaviness of the various parts, how long it took to unpack and assemble the chair as a single person, and if the instructions were clear and easy to follow. Once assembled, I did some serious sitting. I judged the cushion padding and support, whether the seat rim dug into my thighs, and if the chair's angle strained my neck or shoulders. I checked if it felt sturdy enough to hold my weight, and whether the frame stayed stable as I rocked. I spent a significant amount of time in each chair to ensure the shape and support offered was comfortable enough for a long afternoon. Handily, the typical British summer also kindly gifted me a few rainstorms to assess the durability and water resistance of each chair's frame, seat and cushions. Taking all that into account, these are the ones worth a spot on your patio. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best hanging egg chairs of 2025 1. Best Buy Hanging Egg Chair: Cox & Cox Teardrop Hanging Chair Cox & Cox is a firm favourite among Telegraph garden writers for its thoughtfully designed garden furniture. This elegant teardrop-shaped chair draws its inspiration from Rohe Noordwolde, a Dutch company known for its iconic mid-century rattan pieces. It has a star-like faux rattan weave and a braided border edge. The brand's logo also appears on the curved pole and cushion, an attentive detail that elevates the overall aesthetic. Minimal individually wrapped components and a pre-constructed base make assembly nice and simple, though I needed to tighten the pole bolts more than expected to avoid any rocking. It took about one and a half hours to complete. It has the densest cushion I tried, sitting in this chair feels like sinking into a cloud. The frame is sufficiently deep to properly pull you in, and I had no aches or discomfort after hours sitting inside. Though the rattan weave holds up well in the summer rain, I recommend using a breathable cover during prolonged wet weather to ensure longevity. Store the water repellent cushioning inside over winter, too. Key specifications Dimensions: H 186cm, W 105cm, D 105cm Number of people it seats: One Accompanying accessories: Seat cushion, headrest cushion Chair weight: Unspecified Max capacity: 150kg Materials: Anthracite powder-coated iron frame, polyethylene (PE) wicker chair, polyester cushions 2. Best Value Hanging Egg Chair: George Rattan Hanging Egg Chair This egg chair from George at Asda has a bright faux rattan in a simple grid-style pattern. It's really easy to assemble too, with clear instructions and big diagrams. Rather than a circular base, the chair has four legs splaying out from a central pole, somewhat similar to a desk chair. I particularly like the pop-out button mechanism on each leg, it's a welcome change from screws and bolts, and an easier method of construction. It's not the most attractive base, however, requiring a fair amount of floor space to accommodate its 95cm diameter. That said, the chair appears relatively compact from a distance, so it shouldn't dominate smaller gardens. Some screws were still required for the hand-woven poly rattan seat construction and it took some effort to correctly align and bolt together its three sections. At one hour, this was one of the quicker build times. Once assembled, the chair hangs at a comfortable height from the ground. The central pole's curvature was a little too shallow meaning the back of the chair tended to bump against it. But simply turning enough so the pole is at your side fixes this issue. This egg chair doesn't come with a cover either, so would benefit from indoor storage during the winter. Key specifications 3. Best Weatherproof Hanging Egg Chair: Barker and Stonehouse Castello Hanging Chair With a 105cm diameter, this circular egg chair from British furniture retailer, Barker and Stonehouse, has one of the widest seats I tested. Its three main parts – a circular base, support rod and woven basket seat – arrived individually wrapped in clingfilm and protective paper rather than inside a box. They were surprisingly heavy too, particularly the curved rod that needed to be slightly raised while screwing it into place. This made construction more of a challenge than expected, with the provided small diagrams also proving a little tricky to decipher. To avoid spending one and a quarter hours decoding and manhandling like me, note Barker and Stonehouse offers different tiers of delivery, including assembly on arrival for £49. Once built, this is a wonderfully stable egg chair, and I had no qualms about swinging back and forth amidst the plush UV-proof cushioning. I particularly appreciated the open spaces on either side of the chair's outer frame, too – perfect for reaching outward to grab a drink or a book. Key specifications Dimensions: H 186cm, W 105cm, D 129cm Number of people it seats: One Accompanying accessories: Seat cushion, headrest cushion Weight: 12.9kg Max capacity: 120kg Materials: Polyethylene wicker seat, anti-rust iron frame, UV-proof cushions 4. Best Rattan Hanging Egg Chair: Atkin and Thyme Karla Rattan Egg Chair Atkin and Thyme has an array of egg chairs to choose from, and this Karla Rattan design forms part of a wider collection (think matching side table, sun lounger and eight seat dining set). It's perhaps my favourite design, too; a delicate teardrop shape with a wicker weave pattern that gradually shifts in size. Construction was straightforward, though after initially bolting the two halves of the circular base together, I found the chair rocked too much for comfort. I quickly learnt not to underestimate the importance of tightening – and re-tightening – bolts before sitting down. Its generous and densely padded cushions are water-repellant (and dried off quickly after rain) and UV resistant. The chair itself is also designed to withstand outdoor conditions all year round due to the polymer frame and aluminium base. A note on delivery considerations: the extremely large box (H101cm x W116cm x D71cm) barely fit into my hallway, nor would it squeeze through an internal doorway, so having direct garden access would be beneficial here. At time of writing, this design is sadly sold out. The good news? You can sign up for notifications and be the first to know when it's back in stock. Key specifications Dimensions: H 210cm, W 105cm, D 105cm Number of people it seats: One Accompanying accessories: Seat cushion, headrest cushion Weight: Unspecified Max capacity: Unspecified Materials: Aluminium frame, polymer EverWeave, polyester EcoCore water repellent cushions 5. Best Foldable Hanging Egg Chair: The Range Single Hanging Chair This foldable egg chair from The Range was delivered in the narrowest box by far. This made sense when I discovered that the synthetic rattan seat's seven segments cleverly expand out in concertina fashion. It's comfortable if somewhat shallow, while its attractive dark grey cushioning is made from a type of fabric that's resistant to both water and fading, making it a solid option British summers. A double chain connects it to the solid support pole, meaning you can spin about 360 degrees, should you wish. The frame is just as large as other egg chairs too, with four legs branching out from the pedestal base at a diameter of 103cm. I was a little perturbed when a few parts didn't properly fit together during the assembly process, but receiving a replacement was quick and easy. Best of all, the chair's foldable nature makes it a fantastic option for anyone needing to store it in smaller spaces during the winter. Key specifications Dimensions: H195 x W103 x D100cm Number of people it seats: One Any accompanying accessories: Seat cushion, headrest cushion Weight: 23kg Materials: Synthetic rattan chair; powder-coated steel frame; olefin cushions 6. Best Outdoor Hanging Egg Chair: Wayfair Yaheetech Garden Swing Chair with Stand The teardrop shape of Wayfair's Yaheetech chair is eye-catching, with the web-like weave casting a rather delicate shadow pattern when the sun falls on it. Choose between two colourways: a white frame with grey cushions (although this may be too bright for some gardens) and a black frame with white cushions. The chair arrived securely packaged inside a cardboard box, with all metal frame parts wrapped in both thick foam and cling film. Clear instructions made assembly speedy and issue-free, taking about 45 minutes from start to finish. Unlike some egg chairs, there are no clippable feet provided for the base, meaning it's more likely to scratch. After a few weeks outside, I also noticed some tidemarks on the white mesh, no doubt from rainfall and general garden dirt. Luckily, it's easily wiped down with a damp cloth, and it's also the only chair on our list that comes with a waterproof and dustproof outer cover included. Key specifications 7. Best Budget Hanging Egg Chair: B&Q Maeria Dark Grey Metal Hanging Egg Chair £160 Buy Now Price at B&Q This B&Q egg chair is a great budget option, once it's built. Following the tiny instructional diagrams alongside an array of tightly packaged bolts and screws gave me trouble and a few broken fingernails. It took two hours, the longest of all tested. The frame's U-shaped base is also too wide to easily fit through a doorway, so don't make my mistake and construct it in the kitchen before attempting to carry it outside. However, the chair is solid and stable, with a useful strap that clips onto the stand making it easier to sit in and preventing unwanted movement. The large gaps on either side of the seat take some getting used to, but actually contribute to the slimline aesthetics of the hanging pod-style chair. While taller than others, the seat cushion isn't as densely padded as many. But for the price, it's an excellent egg chair that should last the distance in your garden. Key specifications Hanging egg chair FAQs Are hanging egg chairs comfortable? Absolutely. As furniture expert Ethan Fox explains: 'Hanging egg chairs are specifically designed for comfort due to their unique ergonomic design, which supports the alignment of the spine and neck to reduce injuries.' The T-shaped cushioning provided with most egg chairs (a seat, two armrests and a headrest) means you're able to sit comfortably for long periods of time, while the gentle swinging motion and general sense of weightlessness should induce calm and relaxation. How much weight can a hanging egg chair hold? While each chair's exact weight capacity differs, the majority of single seated egg chairs can safely hold up to 350 pounds (158kg) of weight if they are designed correctly and made using high-quality materials. Can hanging egg chairs be left outside? In theory, yes – but it's not recommended to leave egg chairs outside or uncovered long term, as this can limit the lifespan. If using a waterproof cover, it needs to be breathable so that moisture doesn't get trapped and cause the metal frame to rust or mould to develop on the synthetic materials. Ideally, bring any cushioned seating attachments indoors when not in use, to protect from rain, sunlight and dust. How best to incorporate a hanging egg chair into a pre-existing garden design? 'With more people treating their gardens as a 'fifth room', there's now a real shift toward designing outdoor spaces with distinct zones, whether it's for dining, lounging, or even working from home,' John Foster, exterior installation expert at Hillarys, explains. 'A hanging chair can become a key feature within one of these zones, especially when placed under a pergola or awning, where it feels naturally integrated into the overall layout. ' Foster also suggests considering the size, layout, and orientation of your garden. 'In a smaller space, positioning the chair in a corner or against a wall helps avoid overwhelming the space. You can use surrounding plants or existing structures, like trellises or fences, to naturally frame the chair and create a cosy, secluded spot.' 'In a larger garden, you have more flexibility: the chair can then become a focal point, either near social areas or tucked away for a private retreat.'

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