Latest news with #SallyPhillips
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Strawberries will be slug free if one surprising natural item is placed around plant
Strawberry plants are most at risk of being attacked by slugs in June when they are at their peak so it is important that gardeners know how to safely protect their harvest from pests. Strawberries are close to being fully ripe and ready to harvest in June but gardeners have been issued a warning that their whole crop will spoil if they do not watch out for slugs. The month of June is when strawberry plants are at their most vulnerable as hungry slugs go crazy for the natural sugars in ripening berries and can chomp through an entire patch overnight. This is the last thing any keen gardener wants to see after all their hard work but it is highly recommended not to spray harsh chemical repellents to eliminate the pests near any crops you want to eat. Instead, Sally Phillips, the creator of Chimney Sheep, has revealed a natural yet very powerful way to keep slugs away - using sheep wool. Sally said: 'Wool is also a fantastic natural deterrent if slugs and snails are munching on your strawberry plant. Our felt shillies are perfect to deter the cheeky molluscs as they hate the feeling of the scratchy wool felt on their bodies." It may sound strange but sheep wool contains lanolin, which is a waxy substance that quickly dries out slugs and damages them, making these critters wary of crawling over it, the Express reports. Sheep wool also contains natural oils and salt that are built from sheep sweat, which also harms slugs. In addition to this, the wool has a roughly prickly texture that slugs find extremely annoying to touch. This is a simple and eco-friendly way to create a barrier between the strawberrys and the slugs but also helps plants to stay healthy in the summer heat. Sheep wool is very absorbent and will allow water to slowly seep into the soil which will keep the strawberries hydrated for much longer. This material also helps the soil keep a cooler temperatures so the strawberry plants are sheltered from stress in the hot climate, which can lead to a higher fruit harvest. How to use sheep wool to keep slugs away from strawberries To start, shred the wool into much smaller pieces and scatter it around the base of the strawberry plant. Sheep wool can block water from getting to the roots due to its thick texture which can easily mat and clump together. Therefore, it's important to ensure it is spread in a thin layer to stop it from smothering the soil. Do not let sheep wool touch the stems or leaves. Sheep wool can retain a lot of moisture, which can be a great benefit for plants out in summer. However, too much water can cause any touching foliage to rot. Once you have added the sheep wool, give it a deep watering to help it mix into the soil and begin to break down. The wool naturally forms a barrier to protect the strawberries from any slugs foraging in your garden. You can also combine sheep wool with other natural deterrents such as crushed eggshells and coffee grounds to keep these slimy critters away from your fruit.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Have you seen her? Boston Police seeking public's help in locating missing teenager
Boston police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing teen out of Mattapan. Sally Phillips, 16, of Mattapan, was last seen on Thursday, May 15, in the area of Astoria Street. She is described as a Black female of thin build, and standing about 5′5″. Police say that Phillips may be with Ashton Willis-Leblanc and Nasario McLean. Anyone who has seen Phillips or knows of her whereabouts is urged to call 911 or District B-3 Detectives at 617-343-4712. Those who wish to provide information anonymously may do so through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or texting 'TIP' to CRIME (27463) This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stratford festival to mark Jane Austen's 250th birthday
A literary festival is holding a special event to mark 250 years since the birth of Jane Stratford Literary Festival will host the "By a Lady: A Celebration of the Wit of Jane Austen" at the town's Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday at 19:00 Phillips and Juliet Stevenson, two actors with links to the novelist's work, will lead a performance of readings from the novels as well as musical festival, which is in its 18th year, started on Thursday and ends on Sunday evening with the Austen event. Born in 1775 in Hampshire, Austen was a 19th-century novelist who continues to have huge appeal today. Her six novels have sold millions of copies and have been turned into TV shows, films and even portrait was chosen to appear on the £10 note in a design launched in 2017, in a nod to her literary legacy. Stevenson played Augusta Elton in a 1996 film adaptation of Austen's Emma, which starred Gwyneth Paltrow in the title role, and she has also recorded unabridged audiobooks of all of Austen's has played Shazza in the Bridget Jones films. The first Bridget Jones novel, by Helen Fielding, is loosely based on the plot of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. "Jane Austen [was] intensely interested in people - what makes them tick, what causes them to do what they do, how they interact with each other," Maggie O'Farrell, the patron of the Stratford Literary Festival, said in a added that Austen's work was "subtle and complex", which meant it was "constantly open to new interpretations" that could interest new generations of readers. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Iconic Channel 4 comedy to return after 24 years - but with big twist
Channel 4 sketch series Smack the Pony is reuniting stars Fiona Allen, Sally Phillips and Doon Mackichan after 24 years - although fans can expect a twist. While the hit series won't be back on our screens, the trio are heading to the Edinburgh Fringe festival for a reunion show at the Gilded Balloon in August. They said in a statement: "This is slightly surreal because it's 24 years since we finished. We're not old comedy, we now qualify as vintage, which is cool. Is it? Because we always talk sketch ideas when we get together, on some level it's almost as if Smack the Pony never really stopped - that it just kept going in some parallel universe. "So it feels like Gilded Balloon is some kind of portal and we'll be popping into catch up with Series 26. We're very grateful to have this chance to hang out and take the p*** out of ourselves again - we've missed it!"
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Cast of legendary 90s sketch series reveal they're reuniting 24 years after quitting show
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE stars of cult 90s comedy Smack The Pony are reuniting for a new series 24 years after quitting the hit show. Fiona Allen hit the big time in 1999 with Smack The Pony alongside co-writers and stars Sally Phillips and Doon Mackichan. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Smack the Pony is making a comeback, two decades since its last series 5 Fiona Allen, Sally Phillips and Smack The Pony producer Victoria Pile in 1999 Credit: AP:Associated Press 5 The show ran for three series and had specials over the years Credit: Channel 4 It followed the three female comics as they dealt with a wide variety of topics, from irritating flatmates to workplace issues. It proved to be a huge hit, with a regular audience of around 2.5million viewers. Fiona, Doon and Sally have now revealed they will perform new sketches for the Edinburgh Fringe festival at the Gilded Balloon in August. In a statement, the trio said: "This is slightly surreal because it's 24 years since we finished. "We're not old comedy, we now qualify as vintage, which is cool. Is it?' "Because we always talk sketch ideas when we get together, on some level it's almost as if Smack the Pony never really stopped - that it just kept going in some parallel universe. "So it feels like Gilded Balloon is some kind of portal and we'll be popping into catch up with Series 26. "We're very grateful to have this chance to hang out and take the p*** out of ourselves again - we've missed it!" The series ran on Channel 4 until 2002, concluding with a special in January 2003. In both 1999 and 2000, Smack The Pony won Best Popular Arts Show at the Emmy Awards. 'A League of Their Own' Axed After 15 Years: Farewell to TV's Iconic Sports Comedy Show Co-star and Bridget Jones actress Sally Phillips previously admitted a new series of the sketch show has been pitched to various networks over the last few years. She said: 'We go through phases of pitching it to people. 'Fiona Allen really is the engine behind that so she's always seeing if anyone wants it and we have gone through periods of pitching it to the channels and being very optimistic.' And Doon Mackichan has said: 'So much has happened to us all, as mothers and women, there's a lot that is funny about where we are now. 'There are years of pain to draw on.' 'We will have to wait and see what happens and whether they will want to bring it out of the stable. But we would love to get the old nag out again." 5 Actress Sally Phillips pictured in 2023 Credit: Rex
