Fire at large Finchingfield farm buildings tackled by six crews
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BBC News
14 minutes ago
- BBC News
Hiccups helps save 20 people from Rhossili Worm's Head Hotel fire
A man woken by hiccups in the night described it as a "surreal" experience to help save 20 guests from a major fire at a landmark hotel. Chef Morgan Matthews spotted the flames, woke his colleague Joe Clayfield, and the pair ran through the car park in their underwear, desperately searching for phone signal to call the fire Worm's Head Hotel, overlooking the Gower Peninsula in Rhossili, was badly damaged in the early hours on Monday. Both men said they were "just so happy" that everyone escaped safely and proud of the community's support. Mr Matthews said he had been plagued by hiccups for three days and was "being driven mad", which kept him awake and scrolling on his phone. Although he did not see any smoke or hear any noise, he spotted the fire. After waking a "frightened" Mr Clayfield, Mr Matthews said they ran out immediately to try and call the fire pair were "running around the carpark trying to find service" - they eventually got hold of them after three attempts. "Buildings can be rebuilt, you know, but human life is worth so much, so much more," Mr Matthews said."I'm sure the gravity will sink in soon enough. "I think we're staying pretty humble with it for now." Mr Clayfield, who works alongside Mr Matthews at The View Cafe in Rhossili, said he doesn't see himself as a "hero" but rather someone who was "in the right place at the right time". He called Mr Matthews "the real hero" and added: "If he hadn't been awake, I don't want to know what could have happened."When they learned everyone had escaped without injury, the pair shared a moment they'll "remember forever". Mr Clayfield said: "I was so happy. "It was just pure relief. "We just hugged each other standing there."Although grateful there were no casualties, Mr Clayfield said he "can't imagine what the family of the Wormshead are going through at the minute" and wished them the "best of luck" as they work to rebuild.
BBC News
16 minutes ago
- BBC News
Elusive tortoise in Devon still on the run after eight days
The owners of an elusive tortoise that escaped from its enclosure eight days ago have offered a £200 reward for her the 20-year-old Leopard Tortoise managed to scratch her way to freedom from the garden of the Phillips family in Shillingford Abbot in has since been spotted on several occasions by members of the public but is still on the loose, despite extensive searches including the use of thermal owner Nick Phillips said the 18kg (40lbs) tortoise could have travelled about 1km (0.62 miles) a day and the £200 reward was "slight encouragement" for public help. Mr Phillips said: "She was spotted walking flat out, almost running up Weybrook Lane. A lady took a picture from her car and put it on Facebook and my daughter spotted it. We were there within half an hour looking and couldn't see any sign of her."Subsequent to that, a friend, an acquaintance of ours, old chap, said, 'oh, your tortoise, I was driving down Weybrook Lane, there was a tortoise in the road, so I stopped and I put it on the verge'."Mr Phillips added: "Where she's gone now we are not sure."The family has had nine people looking for the tortoise in verges, undergrowth and local woods, and using thermal imaging to try and spot her. The family is becoming increasingly concerned about their beloved pet. "The obvious worst scenario is that somebody has stopped picked her up and driven off but you just don't know," Mr Phillips said. He said Shelly is about the size of a "small car wheel" and is not likely to be getting enough to eat."This time of year when they're active she'll have like a whole lettuce, couple of tomatoes, half a cucumber, watermelon and then they get a special tortoise mix as well," he said. "They would be eating pretty much whatever you put in front of them so I don't know quite how they get on out in the wild." Anyone who spots Shelly is asked to pick her up and put her in the boot of their car or stay with her and contact the family through their social media posts, or by contacting the local police. Mr Phillips said the family would be "very happy" to pay the £200 reward to anyone who manages to return Shelly.
Telegraph
16 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The best garden shredders for making mulch and compost
The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We will earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. If you have a large or overgrown garden, it's worth making space for a garden shredder. Transforming clippings into chippings speeds up composting, as the smaller matter breaks down more easily. Shredded waste also makes excellent mulch, which keeps beds tidy and reduces the load on your green-waste bin, potentially saving you a few trips to the tip. Shredders range from £90 to £340, but using one for compost or mulch can save money in the long run. We tested leading models – including Stihl, Draper and Bosch – on a working flower farm. As a florist, I have a constant supply of branches and stems, making it easy to test these machines thoroughly and look for any useful design features. All testing took place in June 2025 and we update this guide regularly. Here are the best in a quick list. The best garden shredders: At a glance How to choose the best garden shredder From their specifications alone, it can be hard to judge one garden waste shredder from another. So, we tested nine from market-leading brands to help guide your choice. All are electric impact shredders, operating either through mains power or a battery. Revolving blades chop as the cuttings pass through. We have avoided heavy-duty garden or roller shredders designed for branches and timber. These models pull in branches and crush them against a blade. They tend to be larger and more expensive. Taking that into account, these are the other factors to consider: Power supply: Your garden size matters but more critical is access to an outdoor power outlet or an extension lead. No power nearby? Battery power is probably more practical. Ease of assembly and use: Simple instructions and clear parts make a big difference. Materials: Consider what you'll be shredding. Some models suit dry steams, other hands fibrous waste better. Noise levels: Weigh up whether you want a quieter, more neighbour-friendly shredder, or one that prioritises power. Similar in volume to a lawn mower, the shredders below ranged from 60 to 90 dB, meaning they can all be considered 'quiet garden shredders'. Dimensions: Double-check the dimensions. If shed or garage space is limited, compact models are worth prioritising. How we test garden shredders As a flower-grower and a florist, I regularly deal with garden waste, from cut stems to woody branches, making it easy to test garden shredders in real-world conditions. I gathered a typical mix of foliage and stems from my flower plot and workshop, avoiding large timber or very leafy, wet material. I tested each shredder using safety goggles, gloves and secateurs (useful for trimming thicker stems before shredding). I then scored each one using a consistent set of criteria. Here is what I considered: Set up: Was it complex, did it take long and were all instructions clear? Ease of use and safety: Could I load it easily, start and stop it quickly and clear blockages without fuss? I noted safety locks and stability issues. Design: I looked at shredder type, noise level (in decibels), overall portability and special features. Shredding performance: I judged how effectively and quickly the shredder worked on a variety of materials, looking for any blocking or jamming and evenly shredded plant material at the end. Maintenance and quality: I assessed whether the shredder was easy to clean and if it felt like it would last well if maintained. I also looked at how easy blades were to change, and factored in any warranties. Note, in the key specifications, the height measurements include when the paddle is inserted into the upper hopper. 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 garden shredders of 2025 1. Best Buy Garden Shredder: Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder As its name suggests, Hyundai's garden shredder has 3000W of power, making it a bit of a beast – and it sounds like it, too. Luckily, although it's loud when running, the 95dB volume barely increases once you start shredding, so it's not overly anti-social when in use. It was easy to put together and has minimal knobs and buttons. There's a single red power button and a simple, clearly marked locking dial for accessing the blades. While there is no visible overheat fuse, the Hyundai has overload protection which means it will automatically cut out should the motor get too hot. The motor's size means this should be unlikely though, it can handle some grunt work. The heavy duty collection box is capacious at 50 litres, saving you on trips to the compost heap. Other great features include a 10-metre power lead, which is longer than all of the other models on test aside from the Stihl, and brackets on either side of the hopper to hold the paddle when it's not in use. There are few downsides to the Hyundai, and when you factor in its affordable price, it's even more impressive. There's a three-year guarantee, too. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding fibrous or woody garden waste (with stems up to 45mm diameter) Type: Electric garden shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 50l Volume: 95dB Weight: 12.98kg Dimensions: H 105cm, D 56cm, W 44.5cm 2. Best Value Garden Shredder: LawnMaster Garden Shredder FD2402 2400W The LawnMaster garden shredder has several design features that make it stand out from the rest, despite being a low-cost, bagged shredder. You need your own Phillips screwdriver for assembly (there is not one included) but it comes with a pair of safety goggles and a neatly stowed hex key for changing the double-sided carbon steel blade. You get a spare blade and each one is reversible. So, in some ways, you get four blades for the price of one. It also has a sturdy on-off dial, rather than a button with protective cover, and a top casing that comes off completely, rather than hinging, giving unhindered access when you want to brush the blades clean. Large wheels stabilise the LawnMaster garden shredder, when both moving and using it, and its three-metre lead is adequate. The main handle is rugged, with distinct plastic ridges, so it's easy to grip when relocating is required. It seems unfair to mark it down on its flimsy collection bag, which holds 50 litres, but it's one of the few down-sides. Consider LawnMaster's Quiet Garden Shredder if you'd like a slightly more heavy-duty shredder with a sturdy plastic collection chamber. Our lightweight test model thoroughly chopped the materials we shredded though and was relatively quiet – at 80 decibels when running but not in use. Noise levels did not increase dramatically when cutting. Key specifications 3. Best Garden Shredder for Composting: Bosch AXT Rapid 2200W Despite being the only garden shredder that required a hammer to put it together (to knock the caps onto either end of the axel) overall it was a simple process. While I wouldn't expect a hammer to be supplied, I would have liked a collection bag to be included. Instead, you have to buy one of the 60-litre bags separately (£22) . The AXT Rapid 2200W has a single, chunky red dial to turn it on and off and, initially, it seemed reluctant to start. However, this was simply user error; as an added safety feature, the dial needs to be clicked 'on' twice to work. Once running, it is easy to introduce stems, with a wide feed chute and soft, rubbery teeth that feed them through and let nothing nasty (like splinters) back out. It cuts up to a diameter of 40mm and didn't labour when I tested it on a variety of stems, including sticks approaching the maximum diameter. When running I recorded a volume of just over 81dB, which did not increase significantly when cutting. Its four-metre, red power lead was skinnier than some of the other shredders on test and came with an old-fashioned removable plug rather than a moulded one. But these are small gripes. A replacement, branded, blade is costlier than many competitors' (RRP £47), but given Bosch's reputation for durability, I'd hope it wouldn't need replacing too often. Only a longer test will tell. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding leafy green garden waste (such as hedge cuttings and woody stems up to 40mm) Type: Blade shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 60l Volume: 81dB Weight: 12.1kg Dimensions: H 103cm, D 45.1cm, W 49.3cm 4. Best Garden Shredder for Stability and Easy Storage: Draper 230V Rapid Garden Shredder This is a well-designed and well-made workhorse that's functional, too. It comes with a dual-purpose hex key rather than spanner as stated in the manual – but that's all that's required to put the impact shredder together. A heavy-duty collection box, rather than a bag, is an instant plus-point. As are its supporting legs, which swivel round 180 degrees for easy storage have splayed plastic feet for added stability in use. At 14kg, it's a touch heavier than some of the other models on test but not unduly so and it's a reasonable pay-off given its sturdiness. It's also noisier than some other models, at 93dB when running. Technically, the feed chute has a hopper, but I'd barely call it one because of its small size. However, it is easy to push stems and woody materials through the generous slot and pliable rubber teeth using the plunger. Its 2500W motor and twin blades were also more than adequate for cutting dried and fresh flower stems and woodier materials, creating a fine mulch. You don't get a spare blade, but it's easily removable and reversible, using the aforementioned hex key. Draper also offers a one-year warranty for labour and two-year warranty for parts, making it a good value buy. Key specifications 5. Best Garden Shredder for Portability: Einhell Redaxxo Expert 36/25 While this shredder isn't suitable for woody stems over 25mm in diameter, this is a neat, stable and highly portable bit of kit that did a nice job on all other materials. It stood out for its fine mulch and fuss-free performance that was quiet even when processing. Unlike most other models on test, it has three reversible blades, which worked a treat, cutting stems without wrist-jarring vibrations, just an efficient buzz. Its Power X-Change battery system is compatible with Einhell's other garden tools, whether you're looking for a cordless electric lawn mower, pressure washer, leaf blower or hedge trimmer. This takes some of the sting out of the fact that the batteries and charger will cost you about £80. Handy features include a convenient holder for the 'tamper' or paddle as well as wide brackets to hold the 55-litre collection bag. I wouldn't describe the hopper opening as 'large' as per Einhell's website – but it is adequate and prevents the introduction of oversized material. It comes with a two-year guarantee. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding hedge clippings, shrub residues, leaves or branches up to 25mm Type: Cordless knife shredder Power source: Battery (2 x 18V batteries) Collection capacity: 55l Volume: 76dB Weight: 10.7kg Dimensions: H 98.5cm, D 55.8cm, W 44cm 6. Best Garden Shredder for Large, Detachable Hopper: Webb Electric 2500W Impact Shredder The Webb impact shredder bodes well from its unboxing, coming with quality tools and a sturdy metal chassis. Construction takes a touch longer than with some of the other shredders, and fitting the rim on the hopper was fiddly. The latter is removable though, which is a useful feature for storage and allows for more flexible use, depending on what you are shredding. I liked the colour-coded red and green 'on' and 'off' buttons which are a handy visual prompt in an emergency. It runs at around 90 decibels and the 2500W motor and twin blades produce a fine mulch. It didn't struggle with larger woody stems either; according to the manufacturer, it can handle up to 45mm branches and my tests were close to this limit. The shredder has a fairly standard three-meter power lead. Overall, it's a well-made machine with an impressive three-year warranty. But there's one issue that really lets it down; the compatibility of the input chute and the plunger. The plunger is poker-shaped while the input slot consists of two round holes with a narrow section in-between. Material gets stuck between the two holes and there is no way to push it through. Most of the other shredders have paddle-shaped plungers, and this would solve the problem. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding general garden waste and woody stems (up to 45mm diameter) Type: Electric impact shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 40l Volume on test: 90dB Weight: 16.8kg Dimensions: H 108cm, D 49.5cm, W 36cm 7. Best Budget Garden Shredder: MacAllister MIS2400 Corded Impact Shredder Considering its low cost, the MacAllister MIS2400 Corded Impact Shredder does a thorough job processing general, mixed garden waste though woodier stems made the whole machine wobble. Despite sounding like an over-sized hairdryer, it managed to chip branches of around 25mm and is said to be capable of chipping stems up to 40mm – though I didn't feel comfortable pushing it to the max. The power switch is a single ergonomic dial and the neighbouring dial, for opening and closing the upper casing, is equally robust. As per all shredders on test, a safety key ensures that the motor will not run if the shredder's outer casing is not closed securely. Its single, reversible blade is also simple to remove with a hex key, which comes stowed inside the machine. The MacAllister's design is not radical; a larger upper hopper to hold leaves and lightweight trimmings would have been helpful, for example. Especially as the latter is what this machine is most suited to. Other gripes include the short, black power lead which is harder to see than many. Most other machines I tried have either an orange or red one. These are relatively minor though, so the lack of serious gripes make this a decent budget shredder. Key specifications 8. Best Garden Shredder for Chipping: Stihl GHE 105 Electric Chipper Shredder The Stihl arrived ready assembled but, judging by the manual and by taking it apart again, note any reassembly is a touch more time-consuming than other models. You have to attach the discharge flap, for example. For the price, I'd expect a collection box or bag to be included too, but instead it is an optional extra. The shredder is designed for approximately 90 per cent woody material of up to 35mm and 10 per cent green waste and cuts woody stems of up to 35mm. Given that chipping is its forte, it's perhaps surprising that this is the second lowest maximum diameter of the shredders on test. There's a cloverleaf opening for small branches and twigs, alongside a rectangular chute for leafy matter, while the opening of the feed chute is shielded by a single rubbery flap. When this flap is pushed aside, by a woody stem for example, chips and shredded materials fly back out of the feed chute. It is also necessary to push branches onto the blade (with some force) rather than simply letting them be pulled in. There's a reversible chipping blade that can be turned over when blunt using a large, flat-headed screwdriver, and another blade dedicated to shredding leafy material. Stihl has an extensive network of approved dealers, so assistance is generally close at hand if you need to take advantage of the two-year warranty. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding branches (up to 35mm in diameter), hedge and flower clippings Type: Electric garden shredder / chipper Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 50l (collection box is optional extra) Volume: 71dB Weight: 20kg (without cable) Dimensions: H 97cm, D 77cm, W 48cm 9. Best Lightweight Garden Shredder: Hawksmoor Electric Cutting Shredder 2500W This lightweight garden shredder, available from Toolstation, was surprisingly capable despite its diminutive stature and budget price tag. It was simple to put together with just the provided hex key. The shredder was a little unstable and top-heavy when being moved around the garden; its narrow base and relatively small wheels mean it's important to find a flat surface on which to work. Make sure that the collection bag doesn't obstruct the motor vent, too. In our volume test, we recorded 102dB when the shredder was running but not processing, making it one of the noisiest models tried. It coped well with waste, however, shredding a mix of materials into a fine mulch. The relatively tight feeding funnel – containing rigid rubber 'teeth' – made pushing it through harder than it needed to be. But once the stems reached the cutting blades, they were effective. Getting inside the shredder to change or clear the blades is easy and just requires the turn of an orange dial to open the upper casing. There are two blades, each of which require a hex key for unscrewing, and a smooth chamber which is easily brushed clean. The garden shredder comes with a two-year guarantee. Currently, it is out of stock online, but it is worth checking with your local Toolstation, and we will keep this review updated. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding hedge trimmings, twigs, leaves and small branches (up to 45mm diameter) Type: Electric cutting shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 60l Volume on test: 102dB Weight: 8.9kg Dimensions: H 105cm, D 47cm, W 37cm Garden shredder FAQs
