Latest news with #RoyalParks
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Britain's most dangerous parks revealed: The no-go green spaces blighted by stabbings, stranger rapes, violent muggings and even murder
It was in Victorian times that the public were first given the right to enter and enjoy large green spaces for free as urban areas quickly grew in size. But while they have always been intended as pleasant spaces for the benefit of all, some parks are becoming hotspots for crimes from rape to murder and robbery. Knife attacks, thefts and sexual assaults have also been reported alongside a trend of anti-social behaviour that police and councils are trying to fight back against. In London, crimes recorded by the Royal Parks have nearly doubled in two years - while serious assaults have taken place in other green spaces around the UK. MailOnline has looked at some of the worst crimes committed in parks within some of the country's most dangerous cities to identify some of the most notorious. BRADFORD Crime rankings - UK: 1st / Europe: 1st / World: 36th Bradford is Europe's most dangerous city, according to the Numbeo Crime Index – and one of its parks has seen a number of violent incidents in recent years. At Grosvenor Park in March 2023, a 15-year-old boy was almost killed in a shocking stabbing during a pre-arranged fight that left him with life-threatening injuries. Faaris Khalid, 17, was later sentenced to five years and four months in detention for the attack which saw the victim suffer a collapsed lung and brain damage. The Numbeo Crime Index ranks 388 global cities by crime. A red circle means it is dangerous A group of youths had gathered to watch a fight organised between two other schoolboys – one of whom was a friend of Khalid, then 15. Khalid was at the park to back his friend while the victim went with a friend to watch the fight – but the victim was then attacked by youths before Khalid stabbed him. The Numbeo index also ranks Bradford as the world's 36th most dangerous city out of 388 on the list – above the likes of Bogota, Chicago and Marseille. COVENTRY Crime rankings - UK: 2nd / Europe: 3rd / World: 44th Coventry is the second most dangerous city in the UK according to the Numbeo index, and the 44th in the world – ahead of Manila, Atlanta and Santiago. The city's Gosford Green Park was the scene of a murder in August 2023 over the theft of a bicycle which saw three men jailed – two of them for life. Momoh Sesay and Arhin Tutu were convicted of murdering Marvin Warmington, while a third man, Daniel Israel, was found guilty of manslaughter. Mr Warmington, described as 'extremely kind and empathetic', was stabbed in the heart following an argument about the theft of a bicycle, according to police. Elsewhere in Coventry, a gunman shot a man in the face at Caludon Castle Park in October 2024, in what police believe could have been mistaken identity. Raydell Lennox, 19, fired a weapon which left his 24-year-old victim with serious and life-changing facial injuries. He was later jailed for 32 years in May this year. BIRMINGHAM Crime rankings - UK: 3rd / Europe: 4th / World: 47th Britain's second city comes third in the rankings for the most dangerous and is 47th in the world – ahead of Houston, Buenos Aires and Naples. It is also fourth in Europe. One of the most shocking incidents in recent years saw a gang of six caught on CCTV laughing and re-enacting a murder after killing a man at Perry Hall Park. The three men and three teenage boys attacked Michael Obasi, 38, as he enjoyed his usual evening walk at the park in the Perry Barr area of the city in March 2024. They robbed the father of his torch and a gold chain before leaving him for dead with around 100 external injuries – and his body was later found by a dog walker. Manuel Filipache, Ion Morar, and Ion Calin, along with the three teens who cannot be named due to their age, were later given sentences of between nine and 29 years. Police later said Perry Hall Park was 'once a place where Michael and his family made happy memories together and that has now been taken away from them'. MANCHESTER Crime rankings - UK: 4th / Europe: 12th / World: 89th Manchester comes fourth in the list of most dangerous UK cities, but is 12th on the list for Europe – below the likes of Montpellier, Liege and Paris. Globally, it is 89th. One of its most dangerous parks is Penn Park off Maher Gardens in the Old Trafford area, where a killer chased and 'ferociously' attacked a homeless man. Joshua Carroll, 30, was later convicted of murdering 51-year-old Headley 'Barry' Thomas after stamping on his head at the park in September 2022. Carroll was caught on CCTV walking through a puddle to clean his bloodstained shoes following the attack on Mr Thomas, who had been living in a tent in the park. He was jailed for life for the attack on the homeless man, who had been riding a bike through the street and was described as 'funny, brave and talented' by his sister. LONDON Crime rankings - UK: 5th / Europe: 15th / World: 100th Despite being the capital, London is only the 15th most dangerous city for crime in Europe and the fifth worst in the UK. It comes 100th out of all 385 global locations. But crimes recorded by the Royal Parks, which manages 5,000 acres of green space including Hyde Park and Regent's Park, have nearly doubled in two years. The charity recorded 101 incidents of 'crime or criminal damage' in its latest 2023/24 year, up from 76 in 2022/23; 55 in 2021/22; and 44 in 2020/21. Sexual offences, phone thefts and drug dealing are among the crimes most often reported, while cyclists have been threatened and had expensive bikes stolen. Hyde Park has seen some terrifying crimes – including a man being chased through it in June 2021 by a gang wielding machetes before being hacked to the ground. Back in April 2019, videos emerged of a gangland-style standoff as thugs smashed bottles and chased each other with huge knives across the park. Regent's Park in North West London has also witnessed knife attacks and violent thefts in recent years – with cyclists particularly fearful of being targeted. In February this year, cyclist Patrick Conneely had his £4,200 road bike robbed by hammer-wielding thugs during his morning ride through the park. NOTTINGHAM Crime rankings - UK: 6th / Europe: 26th / World: 132nd The sixth worst city for crime in the UK is Nottingham, which is 132nd on the global list – below Barcelona, Turin and Miami; but ahead of Dallas, New York and Cairo. One park that has seen a number of criminal incidents in recent years is the Forest Recreation Ground, which is an open space that features a children's play area. On July 9, extra police patrols were brought in after a woman in her 20s was grabbed by the arm by a man following her. She managed to break free and run. Police linked the suspect to another incident at a nearby school, where a teacher reported a man matching the same description acting suspiciously outside on July 3. Back in July 2024, drunk sex offender Mohammed Darweesh, 24, raped a 17-year-old stranger in the same park – and was given a jail sentence of more than seven years. More recently the park's community garden was also targeted in a case of plant crime in April – when roses and crops grown by volunteers were mysteriously stolen. LIVERPOOL Crime rankings - UK: 7th / Europe: 33rd / World: 155th Seventh on the list is Liverpool, which is 155th most dangerous city in the world – ahead of Bremen, Tunis and Rome but below Orlando, Toulouse and Bali. A key area for trouble is Chavasse Park in the city centre, where police have brought in extra patrols in an attempt to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Residents say huge groups of gangs have been gathering in the area and intimidating passers-by in Liverpool city centre amid claims drug dealing is taking place. Other people have reported being spat at, kicked and verbally abused – with large numbers of young people congregating near the Liverpool One retail area. Merseyside Police has issued crime prevention orders to try to reduce criminal behaviour and urged parents to ensure they know what their children are doing. BELFAST Crime rankings - UK: 8th / Europe: 40th / World: 171st While Belfast might traditionally be perceived as being dangerous, it is only the eighth worse in Britain and the 171st in the world – behind Denver and Istanbul. One park that has suffered significant anti-social behaviour, particularly from children, is Falls Park – a popular space with families in the west of the city. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said an incident that saw a 15-year-old boy seriously assaulted in the park in May 2024 had led to 'nervousness' locally. Belfast City Council said at the time that it was 'working closely with the PSNI and youth workers, intervening in several altercations and dispersing those involved'. The incident came under a year after youths were filmed attacking a boy in the same park in June 2023 and began beating him up following a demand for money. GLASGOW Crime rankings - UK: 9th / Europe: 37th / World: 188th The most populated city in Scotland comes in ninth place in the UK rankings for crime – and 188th in the world – ahead of Frankfurt and Palermo but behind Stockholm. One of the most well-publicised crimes in a park in Glasgow in recent years saw a schoolboy kill a fellow teenager in a row over £50 in May last year. The 14-year-old stabbed Kory McCrimmon, 16, in the heart at Greenfield Park in the city's east end. The attacker, who was not named, was later locked up for five years. Kory - who played for Easterhouse Football Academy - had no previous convictions, but he and his killer were known as 'rivals' from different parts of the city. They had been regularly in touch on Instagram and were initially on 'good terms' before a 'falling out' over £50 – when the killer refused to pay the older boy back. The two sides eventually arranged to meet in Greenfield Park for a confrontation - the killer part of a gang who stormed in wielding batons, bats and bladed weapons. They challenged Kory and his friends to a fight but the teenager fled when he spotted his attacker had a knife. However, during the confrontation Kory was stabbed. LEEDS Crime rankings - UK: 10th / Europe: 51st / World: 193rd Completing the top ten for the UK's most dangerous locations is Leeds, with the West Yorkshire city in 193rd place globally – above Tampa, Genoa and Berlin. The Woodhouse Moor park in the Hyde Park area of Leeds is particularly notorious for crime – with students in the city actively discouraged from using it at night. University of Leeds graduate student Harry Kitcher told The Tab in January that he was held at knifepoint by a group of young men in the park while on his way to work. The group stole the graphic designer's phone and threw his work into the muddy surroundings, as well as throwing his house keys into the distance of the park. Mr Kitcher said he went directly to the police station after the attack, only to be told by detectives that he was the third victim of attacks in the area that evening. In December 2023, a five-month-old girl was found with serious injuries in the park and later died after her mother Hayley Macfarlane smothered her while on a walk. Macfarlane, 39, later admitted infanticide. She had been suffering from postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis and was given an indefinite hospital order. The Numbeo Crime Index, which MailOnline used for comparitive crime levels, is compiled from global survey responses and has been updated regularly since 2012. It covers general perception of crime levels; perceived safety during day and night; concerns about specific crimes; property crime severity; and violent crime severity. It is seen as a respected comparative tool globally because government crime data in different countries can often be patchy or withheld for political or social reasons.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Hot weather mistakes that could land you with a £5,000 fine – including BBQ rule and outdoor drinking
BRITS are flocking to the top summer spots as temperatures reach a whopping 34C, but there are some hot weather mistakes that could land you a £5,000 fine. Before setting up your BBQ or cracking open some cans, make sure you're aware of the rules before spending your summer budget on park penalties. 3 3 3 Katy Phillips, money-saving expert at Idealo, said: "Before you pack your basket and head out, make sure you're familiar with the rules of the park you're visiting. "Many public parks have their own restrictions, especially when it comes to music, barbecues, and alcohol. "Checking ahead of time can save you the hassle and money." Idealo has revealed six simple slip-ups that could leave you out of pocket by thousands this July. Blasting your speaker - £5,000 Despite wanting to show your pals the songs of the summer, it might be best to leave until you get home. Some parks implement an eye-watering fine of £5,000 for park users playing loud music. London's Royal Parks, for example, have a strict ban on amplified music, even at low volumes, deeming it a public nuisance. To check the rules for your local park, visit Littering - £400 No one likes a litterbug - and neither does their wallet, as leaving rubbish in parks can land them a hefty fine. It's important to always take home your empty food packets, BBQ equipment and empty bottles from the park. Six items every UK driver should remove from cars this weekend Leaving it behind not only harms wildlife but it could cost you up to £400. Feeding the wildlife - £150 Feeding ducks and squirrels seems like a wholesome activity but unfortunately it can be harmful. In many parks it can count as littering and one unlucky Londoner got fined £150 for tossing food to squirrels. Using disposable barbecues - £100 Nothing says summer like sausages sizzling on a barbecue unless you're in the wrong spot. How to stay safe in hot weather THE UK Health Security Agency advises you follow these tips to reduce your risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke: Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity like exercising or walking the dog, plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you go outside, cover up with light clothing, a hat and sunglasses and slather on sun cream Drink plenty of fluids but limit booze Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you Many councils, including Brighton & Hove, have banned disposable BBQs entirely in parks and on beaches due to fire risks and damage to the grass. Make sure to check the regulations of the park before lighting up your disposable dinner as using them in prohibited areas can lead to a £100 fixed penalty. Drinking alcohol in restricted areas - £100 A cold cider in the sun might sound harmless, but in areas with a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), you can't legally drink in public spaces. Places like Hammersmith & Fulham have borough-wide PSPOs, which means cracking open a tinny on the grass could lead to a £100 fine. Officers have the power to confiscate your booze on the spot so make sure to check if the park or beach you're at is a no-drinking zone. Dog fines - £80 Your dog might love to run free, but some places, like children's playgrounds, nature reserves, or certain beaches, have strict rules about keeping pets on a lead. If you ignore them, you could be slapped with an £80 fine. Even friendly pooches can scare wildlife or small children, so councils take these rules seriously. Five day weather forecast Today A warm, bright start but turning cloudier from the south through the morning. Scattered, showers spread across the southwest, moving northeastwards by the afternoon bringing a risk of heavy showers, thunderstorms, and hail to northern England and Wales later. Tonight Heavy showers and thunderstorms in the north gradually clear overnight. Mostly dry with clear spells elsewhere, although further heavy showers in the northwest by dawn. Feeling fresher in the west. Sunday Fresher for most with breezy westerly winds bringing sunshine and scattered showers, a few thunderstorms in the northwest. Drier and brighter in the southeast but staying warm and humid here. Outlook for Monday to Wednesday Breezy westerly winds continue to bring a mixture of sunshine and showers, these heaviest in the north and west. Near average temperatures, though feeling warm in the sunshine. Fresher nights.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wildfire drills held by London Fire Brigade at Richmond Park
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is preparing for the growing number of wildfires with regular drills in London's experiencing its busiest day since World War Two in 2022, LFB has dedicated more resources to tackling wildfires in the capital, nearly half of which is made up of green Thursday, Richmond Park in south-west London saw more than 50 people from LFB, the Met Police and the Royal Parks - the charity responsible for running eight London parks - take part in an Davies from the LFB said it was a "good opportunity for staff to see how the equipment works and how arduous it is". Last Thursday's drill focused on protecting an area of special scientific interest hosting skylarks on one side, and the Royal Ballet School on Fire and Rescue's Unimog machine, which holds up to 4,500 litres and is used to spray a curtain of water, was deployed to create a fire break. Mr Davies said there had already been more than a dozen wildfires so far this year following one of the driest UK springs on said resourcing something like this is "quite difficult" because of the hot weather, but is was essential to arrange as "it's a big part of our firefighters' day-to-day job". He added: "We've invested substantially in wildfire technology, training and extra equipment."It's a risk that's not going to go away and scenarios like this are ideal." Peter Lawrence, assistant manager at Richmond Park, said the drill was "excellent... because with extremes of weather, wildfire risk is increasing".He said: "We are regularly seeing wildfires, whether that's in trees or grasslands and it does cause harm to wildlife."It was great to see the response, to get support from across the police and the London Fire Brigade and for our teams to be able to join in and really test what we can offer."The advice remains to avoid any open fires.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE London's most dangerous parks revealed: How the capital's beauty spots have been blighted by knife crime and violence
They were once tranquil retreats where families would gather to happily play, couples would go on a romantic walk or workers would enjoy a lunchbreak. But London 's parks are being gripped by a mounting crimewave that is turning the green spaces into danger zones amid fears over knife crime, theft and assaults. Crimes recorded by the Royal Parks, which manages 5,000 acres of green space including Hyde Park and Regent's Park, have nearly doubled in two years. The charity recorded 101 incidents of 'crime or criminal damage' in its latest 2023/24 year, up from 76 in 2022/23; 55 in 2021/22; and 44 in 2020/21. Sexual offences, phone thefts and drug dealing are among the crimes most often reported, while cyclists have been threatened and had expensive bikes stolen. Now there are fears the situation could worsen after the dedicated Royal Parks Police team was scrapped as part of Metropolitan Police budget cuts announced in April – which will see the officers absorbed into local neighbourhood teams. The Met recorded an astonishing 16,789 offences involving a bladed weapon in 2024 – about one every half an hour, according to the Office for National Statistics. As recently as Monday, a shocking video showed a knife-wielding attacker pulling out a huge blade and threatening a young girl at Gladstone Park in Dollis Hill. But this is just one example of the dangers now faced by those in London's parks. Hyde Park Hyde Park is the most visited of London's royal parks and hosts events such as Winter Wonderland and the British Summer Time concert series. But some of the 13million annual visitors to the park, which opened to the public in 1637, have also endured witnessing terrifying crimes in recent years. Just this week, a defiant woman fought off a man riding an e-bike as he tried to grab her handbag in the park near Hyde Park Corner Underground station. The hoodie-wearing man was seen in a video on a path as he approached two women from behind, and tried to grab one of the pair's handbags. But the woman appeared to have heard him coming towards her. As he tried to snatch the bag, she managed to cling on to her possessions and he sped off. In another horrifying incident in June 2021, onlookers watched as a man was chased through Hyde Park by a gang wielding machetes before being hacked to the ground. Shocking footage showed a sprawling confrontation between a large group of youths and what appeared to be a single victim in a black tracksuit. As members of the public fled, the gang pursued the victim through the park before he slipped and fell to the ground enabling them to punch and kick him in the head. On one video that was widely shared, a hysterical woman watching on screams: 'He got stabbed! There's a knife, there's a knife! Oh my God, oh s***, oh God oh God!' Another clip, when the man is already lying prone, shows a man standing over him deliver a blow to his midriff and a shout of: 'He bored him! Oh s*** he bored him!' A 17-year-old boy was taken to hospital with stab wounds following the incident. Back in April 2019, videos emerged of a gangland-style standoff as thugs smashed bottles and chased each other with huge knives across the park. It came after thousands had descended on the park for '420' - where people smoke cannabis to try to get the drug legalised - in a day that ended in bloodshed. Police were called to the western side of the park at around 4.40pm after a man in his 20s was stabbed. He was taken to hospital in a non-life threatening condition. Regent's Park The Regent's Park, which opened in 1835, has also witnessed knife attacks and violent thefts – with cyclists particularly fearful of being targeted. In February this year, cyclist Patrick Conneely had his £4,200 road bike robbed by hammer-wielding thugs during his morning ride through the park. Cycle club members who gather in the North West London park each day before it opens to cars have suffered a series of violent robberies by armed 'bike-jackers'. Mr Conneely was doing a lap around the Outer Circle road when was passed by two men riding a moped, who inspected his bike before turning around and pursuing him. Video showed the encounter that followed, with one of the men leaping off the moped and shouting at Mr Conneely to, as he recalled, 'Give me the f***ing bike'. After the 33-year-old data analyst bravely refused, the thug took a hammer from the top box and waved it at him while continuing to shout violent threats. He then grabbed the bike and jumped on the moped carrying it above his head. Mr Conneely tried to push the moped over but the men rode off at speed. Fearful cyclists called on the Met to increase pre-dawn patrols of the park to deter the robbers, and the force said in response that it had introduced 'additional plain clothes and uniform patrols' before the park officially opens. Gladstone Park A knife-wielding attacker threatened a young girl at Gladstone Park in Dollis Hill, North West London, on Monday evening in shocking scenes caught on camera. The hooded perpetrator ran up to the girl and brazenly lunged the huge kitchen knife just inches away from her face – as she put her hands up and tried to back away. She managed to flee the attacker who came lunging at her with the weapon, but they continued to square up to other people before settling with the knife by their side. The incident took place on Monday evening at what appears to be a party – with dozens screaming in fear as a man said: 'She backed out a shank, are you mad?' The Met said: 'On Monday, 30 June at 10.03pm police attended Gladstone Park, Brent having been made aware of a video on social media of a woman with a knife. 'Officers saw no one who matched the description of the woman in the video. No one was injured, no weapons were found and no arrests were made. Enquiries continue.' Gladstone Park became a public park in 1901 and was named after former prime minister Sir William Gladstone who used Dollis Hill House as a weekend retreat. Pennyfields Park Pennyfields Park in Tower Hamlets was the location of a man being subjected to a terrifying attack by a hooded gang of axe and machete thugs in March. Footage showed the trio dressed in tracksuits and balaclavas as they surrounded their victim in broad daylight – with the male forced to the floor and attacked. The victim pulls out his phone following the stabbing as others run towards him, with one of the men can be seen walking away carrying an axe in his right hand. A Met statement said at the time: 'Police attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated a boy for stab wounds.' The boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where his injuries were later confirmed to be non-life changing or threatening. Fryent Country Park Fryent Country Park in Wembley was where two sisters were murdered four years ago in a tragic case. Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were stabbed while celebrating the latter's birthday in June 2020 as lockdown rules began to ease. Their killer Danyal Hussein was jailed at the Old Bailey in October 2021 aged 19 for a minimum of 35 years for savagely murdering them as part of a Satanic blood pact. They were discovered murdered by Ms Smallman's boyfriend – but, in a sickening twist, the grieving family faced a double blow when it emerged two police officers had taken selfies with their dead bodies and shared them in two WhatsApp groups. Metropolitan Police constables Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis were then jailed for two years and nine months in December 2021 after admitting misconduct in public office.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
From coastal roots in East Yorkshire to living a Royal Park life
His passion started with a cacti collection in an East Yorkshire seaside town but it has led Matthew Pottage to the grandeur of London's historic Royal Parks and a new garden dedicated to Elizabeth II, as Jo Makel reports. They are among the most famous green spaces in the world – Hyde Park, St James's, Richmond and Regent's - names we know, even if we've never has eight Royal Parks and, as head of horticulture and landscape strategy, Matthew Pottage is the man who oversees what grows in them."The bones of the landscapes are amazing," he says. "The scale, the age and the history is so exciting."The 5,000 acres are varied. Some are sites of special scientific interest while others are immersive green spaces in the most central of city settings. With the BT Tower visible through the trees, we are breathing in the rain-enriched scent of the traditional Queen Mary rose garden in The Regent's Park, with its panoramic views of the London skyline, has oak trees which are almost 800 years old. Matthew's own history is partly why I have travelled down from East Yorkshire. His interest in gardening was inspired by his grandmother, growing houseplants and cacti in the coastal town of still pays regular visits to his home town. His parents live there and he enjoys introducing them to unusual plants, able to withstand the salt-laden winds and increasing winter he was a gardening star from an early trained at Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, where aged 17, he had his first experience of media attention as the youngest-ever finalist in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year his career soon flourished by becoming the Royal Horticultural Society's youngest curator at its flagship garden, Wisley and a regular expert on Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time. Still in his 30s, Matthew moved to the Royal Parks and a newly created role. Despite the name and history, they are charity funded – costing around £65m a year to manage with only 15% coming from Government."The charity saw an opportunity to improve the horticulture right across the parks so there is quite a pressure," says Matthew."And where you're not following someone who has already done it, you are forging your own way, building new relationships. It's a big challenge."But it is one he relishes, not least because he believes in the vital importance of green spaces in cities."Not everyone can afford their own garden or even balcony. And we knew through the Covid pandemic, people's need to be in nature and surrounded by plants is so important."We're understanding more the connection between nature and our mental health."Keen to make his own mark, Matthew has ambitions to introduce a wider range of plants as well as improve sustainability and resilience."The climate's changed a lot and that gives challenges and opportunities. We can surprise people and do things on a scale," he saysAnd it seems to be working with a Mediterranean garden, featuring huge succulents and giant-headed alliums, thriving in the capital's warm micro-climate. Arriving at the tennis courts we pause at a row of unassuming trial beds which line one side of the fence. But it's a new way of gardening for a special and other buildings have been demolished and a brownfield site in Regent's Park is being transformed into two acres of new garden dedicated to Elizabeth explains: "Rather than ship off all the concrete and all the hardcore that's on that site, we've crushed it, returned it into the soil and we're going to have quite a resilient garden embracing these materials.."Growing in crushed concrete means a really high pH, fierce drainage and there are some plants that are capable of growing successfully in it. But for peace of mind we wanted to do some tests ourselves."Resilient planting is one he feels reflects the late queen's character and other aspects of her life are planned too."She loved lily of the valley, it was in her wedding bouquet. She was a big fan of magnolia trees. And there will be exotic non-native plants to represent the Commonwealth." The project, announced in 2023, had already been designed and started before Matthew arrived but he's contributed to some of the Charles III has seen the plans and there's been input from the head gardeners at Buckingham Palace and Windsor is excited to see it come together in time for what would have been the late queen's 100th birthday next year."It's being part of a new legacy. The late queen was so significant and this is in central London. So for all of us, it's really quite a buzz." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
