Latest news with #Denyer
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
'Simple and cheap' food hack helps peace lilies live 'for decades'
David Denyer, who is based at Eflorist and has won Chelsea Gold Medals and Best in Show titles, explained that peace lilies require a certain nutrient to aid growth A flower expert has shared some insider knowledge on making peace lilies look their best. Horticultural expert David Denyer, who's graced television screens on Gardeners' World, divulged a handy tip about these popular houseplants. "Many people may be unaware, but peace lilies require potassium to aid with their growth," said David, who is a florist at Eflorist with an impressive track record of Gold Medals and Best in Show accolades at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. He added: "So using a banana peel is a unique way to help with this." However, he was quick to clarify that there's a "genuine method" to employing a banana peel for boosting peace lily growth, which doesn't involve simply burying it in the soil. David said: "To make some potassium-rich fertiliser, put some banana peel in a jar of water, and leave it to sit for at least a day or two - the longer the better! "Don't hold back on the amount of banana peel you use, as the more you add, the more potassium-rich the water will become." After the steeping period, Denyer advised to "drain the water into a fresh jug and dispose of the banana peel". He then instructed: "Then, dilute the banana peel water with some fresh water and use this liquid to water your peace lily." David assured garden lovers that utilising banana water biweekly "it will help to keep the nutrients in the soil rich and promote growth". He stressed the necessity of adhering to his specific instructions to avoid potential problems, reports the Express. "Just throwing some banana peel in the soil could attract pests and insects, who may end up eating the plant, and cause it to die faster," Denyer warned. He emphasised that when adopting this method, it's crucial to maintain regular care for the plant, including weekly watering. Further care involves positioning the houseplant where it receives indirect sunlight and removing any wilted leaves or spathes. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) explained: "Deadheading is the term used for the removal of fading or dead flowers from plants." Denyer recommended routine upkeep of the peace lily and suggested that incorporating the biweekly banana water trick will "keep it healthy". With a smile, David pointed out that bananas can be purchased for as little as 16p, branding the technique a "simple and cheap hack" to experiment with. He concluded: "Peace lilies typically live for three to five years, but with the right care, they can thrive for decades."
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Green deputy launches leadership bid with UK ‘eco-populism' vision
A leading Green has launched a surprise campaign to oust Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay as party leaders, saying the party needs to be less timid and transform itself into a radical, mass-membership 'eco-populism' movement. Zack Polanski, who has been deputy leader since 2022 and serves as a London assembly member, will challenge Denyer and Ramsay this summer despite them taking the party to its best-ever general election result last year, winning four seats. Polanski told the Guardian he believed the pair had done a good job, but that the Greens needed to meet the challenge of Reform UK, which has a membership about four times bigger than his party and surged to a mass of victories in Thursday's local elections. 'People are done with the two old parties and we're in this dangerous moment where Nigel Farage is absolutely ready to fill that vacuum,' Polanski said. 'We should never turn into Nigel Farage. But there are things we can learn in terms of being really clear in speaking to people. 'There's an empty space in politics, where we're not being as bold as we can be. Being sensible and professional are good qualities. But I don't think they should be the central qualities.' The Greens in England and Wales have about 60,000 members, while Reform have more than 220,000, a discrepancy Polanski said indicated the need for a change of direction. 'I don't believe there are more people in this country who align with the politics of Reform than they do with the Green party,' he said. 'In fact we know that, because when Green party policies are polled, they are frequently the most-liked policies, and we are the most-liked party. So why are people not joining? 'We're not visible enough. I don't want to see our membership grow incrementally. I want to see us be a mass movement. There's something here around eco-populism: still being absolutely based in evidence, science and data – and never losing that – but telling a really powerful story.' Polanksi, a former Liberal Democrat who only joined the Greens in 2017, is little-known outside the party, but is increasingly used for media duties. A former drama student with a background in community theatre, he often takes a more pugnacious approach than Denyer or Ramsay. It is nonetheless a risky move to challenge a leadership duo who defied electoral expectations in quadrupling the Greens' total of parliamentary seats last July, with Denyer and Ramsay winning seats along with Siân Berry, a former co-leader, and Ellie Chowns. Thursday's elections resulted in yet more local successes, with a net gain of 41 seats. But at the same time, a projection of how the vote would look if held nationally had the Greens in fifth place on 11%, a solid performance but without obvious signs of a mass breakthrough. Polanski argues the party needs to take advantage of 'massive' disillusionment with the Labour government, something he said was for now mainly helping fuel support for Reform. 'If you were trying to create the circumstances for the far right to rise, you would be doing exactly what Keir Starmer is doing now, which is protecting the wealth and power of the super rich,' he said. Under party rules, the Greens normally hold leadership elections every two years. Denyer and Ramsay were, however, last elected in 2021, a cycle extended by timetable changes and then a delay for last year's general election. Related: The BBC is utterly beholden to the right. Why else would it fear a podcast about heat pumps? | George Monbiot Nominations for this year's election open on 2 June, with voting by party members taking place during August. With his leadership bid under way, Polanski will face increased scrutiny – including of an early and slightly curious brush with infamy. In 2013, the Sun ran an article which recounted that Polanski, then a hypnotherapist, had promised to use the technique to try to enlarge a female client's breasts. Polanski said the idea came from the client – who turned out to be a Sun journalist – and that he did not charge them. He said that rather than literal enlargement, the process was meant to help with bodily self-image. He nonetheless says he takes full responsibility: 'I'm a grown adult, and I have choice about what I do and what I don't do. I've apologised for it and I stick by that apology.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Carla Denyer says she will not stand again as Greens co-leader
Carla Denyer has announced she will not stand again as the Greens' co-leader, breaking up the party's most electorally successful leadership duo, which delivered four MPs at last year's general election. Denyer, who won the Bristol Central seat from Labour, said in a statement to the Guardian that she wanted to put all her efforts into her parliamentary role. She has served since 2021 as co-leader alongside Adrian Ramsay, who was also elected as an MP last July, for Waveney Valley. He must now decide whether to stand as a solo candidate or with someone else at the next leadership election. The party's deputy leader, Zack Polanski, announced on Monday that he would stand. However, Ramsay would not be able to stand jointly with Polanski, as under party rules if there is a co-leadership, the duo cannot be the same gender. The Greens in England and Wales normally hold leadership elections every two years, but there has not been a vote since 2021. Denyer and Ramsay were initially elected for three years, as the election was out of sequence, and the next one was delayed for a year because of the general election. Related: 'Relentless, almost ruthless focus': Green party co-leaders grow into their double act Denyer said: 'It's been an enormous privilege to lead the Green party alongside my excellent co-leader Adrian, wonderfully supported by our deputy leaders – first Amelia [Womack] and then Zack. 'We've achieved so much, taking the party from one MP to four, from 450 councillors to over 850, and winning nearly 2m votes at the last general election. But this is just the start for me and the party. 'For me, my guiding light has always been: 'How can I make the biggest positive impact?' And I've decided that for the next few years, the best way I can serve the party and the country is to pour all of my skills, passion and energy into being the best MP I can be, in parliament and in Bristol Central. 'We're at a critical juncture in British politics. People are feeling deeply let-down and are looking for real alternatives. And with the hard right on the rise in the UK and across the world, it's never been more important for Greens to offer a genuinely hopeful vision for our future – and crucially to put forward real solutions to make people's lives better. 'In this new five-party political system it's all to play for. The future of the Green party is bright, and I'm so excited to play my part in this next chapter as a committed and passionate Green MP.' Announcing his decision to stand, Polanski said the party needed to be less timid and transform itself into a radical, mass-membership 'eco-populism' movement. In an implicit criticism of the more careful, election-based approach of Denyer and Ramsay, Polanski argued that the Greens needed to meet the challenge of Reform UK, which has a membership about four times bigger than his party and gained a mass of victories in Thursday's local elections. As well as Denyer and Ramsay, in the last election Sian Berry re-took the Brighton Pavilion seat held previously by Caroline Lucas, who had been the Greens' sole MP, and Ellie Chowns was elected in North Herefordshire. The Green have pioneered the use of co-leaders, with Lucas, Jonathan Bartley and Berry all sharing the role in various combinations. Under the leadership system, nominations open on 2 June, and members will vote throughout August.
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns to stand for election as Greens co-leaders
The Waveney Valley MP announced the re-election bid on X on Monday morning, days after current co-leader Carla Denyer announced she would not stand again in order to focus on her work as an MP. 'We're standing to lead @TheGreenParty into its most ambitious chapter yet,' he said. 'As co-leaders, @EllieChowns and I will grow Green power, hold government to account, and lead with ambition, unity and deep-rooted values,' he said. The duo were two of four Greens elected to Parliament in last year's general election, the best result the party has ever had at Westminster. The double ticket could not be filled by two man, as the Green Party's rules mean two co-candidates cannot be of the same gender. Zack Polanski, the party's deputy leader and a member of the London Assembly, has announced a leadership bid and told The Guardian his bid would be focused on transforming the Greens into an 'eco-populism' mass movement. He said the party needs to be more 'bold'. Announcing her decision not to seek re-election as co-leader, Ms Denyer said: 'For me, my guiding light has always been 'How can I make the biggest positive impact?'. 'And I've decided that for the next few years, the best way I can serve the party and the country is to pour all of my skills, passion and energy into being the best MP I can be, in Parliament and in Bristol Central. 'We're at a critical juncture in British politics. People are feeling deeply let down and are looking for real alternatives. 'And with the hard-right on the rise in the UK and across the world, it's never been more important for Greens to offer a genuinely hopeful vision for our future – and crucially to put forward real solutions to make people's lives better.' She said she would focus on issues like rent controls, moves to 'futureproof British industry to secure good green jobs for this generation and the next', and to 'replace the racism and xenophobia at the heart of our migration system with common sense and compassion'. The Greens usually hold leadership elections every two years, but an internal poll has not been held since 2021. That year, an out-of-sequence election was held, and Ms Denyer and Mr Ramsay were elected for a three-year term. The party did not go ahead with an election in 2024, as it would have coincided with the general election. Nominations for the election open at the start of June, and a ballot will be held throughout August.
Rhyl Journal
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns to stand for election as Greens co-leaders
The Waveney Valley MP announced the re-election bid on X on Monday morning, days after current co-leader Carla Denyer announced she would not stand again in order to focus on her work as an MP. 'We're standing to lead @TheGreenParty into its most ambitious chapter yet,' he said. 'As co-leaders, @EllieChowns and I will grow Green power, hold government to account, and lead with ambition, unity and deep-rooted values,' he said. The duo were two of four Greens elected to Parliament in last year's general election, the best result the party has ever had at Westminster. The double ticket could not be filled by two man, as the Green Party's rules mean two co-candidates cannot be of the same gender. Zack Polanski, the party's deputy leader and a member of the London Assembly, has announced a leadership bid and told The Guardian his bid would be focused on transforming the Greens into an 'eco-populism' mass movement. He said the party needs to be more 'bold'. Announcing her decision not to seek re-election as co-leader, Ms Denyer said: 'For me, my guiding light has always been 'How can I make the biggest positive impact?'. 'And I've decided that for the next few years, the best way I can serve the party and the country is to pour all of my skills, passion and energy into being the best MP I can be, in Parliament and in Bristol Central. 'We're at a critical juncture in British politics. People are feeling deeply let down and are looking for real alternatives. 'And with the hard-right on the rise in the UK and across the world, it's never been more important for Greens to offer a genuinely hopeful vision for our future – and crucially to put forward real solutions to make people's lives better.' She said she would focus on issues like rent controls, moves to 'futureproof British industry to secure good green jobs for this generation and the next', and to 'replace the racism and xenophobia at the heart of our migration system with common sense and compassion'. The Greens usually hold leadership elections every two years, but an internal poll has not been held since 2021. That year, an out-of-sequence election was held, and Ms Denyer and Mr Ramsay were elected for a three-year term. The party did not go ahead with an election in 2024, as it would have coincided with the general election. Nominations for the election open at the start of June, and a ballot will be held throughout August.
