Latest news with #TheSecretGarden
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV fans accuse Alan Titchmarsh of 'ruining' garden as foster parents left sobbing
Alan Titchmarsh and his team of gardeners left Love Your Garden viewers in tears as they helped out couple Rob and Margaret Isdale, who have fostered more than 150 children ITV viewers slammed Alan Titchmarsh and his team for "wrecking" one couple's garden, with the pair breaking down in tears during the emotional reveal. Alan and the Love Your Garden crew helped pensioners Rob and Margaret Isdale, who had fostered over 150 children during the past 45 years. Alan Titchmarsh, along with his colleagues Katie Rushworth, David Domoney, and Frances Tophill, began work on the makeover. Alan told viewers he aimed to craft an enchanting area for the pair, drawing inspiration from The Secret Garden. He said, "I want this new garden to make them feel as cared for as the children who come to their home." Yet when the grand unveiling moment arrived, programme fans weren't quite as stunned as Rob and Margaret, reports the Express. The pair wept as Alan presented them with their transformed garden. "Oh, I can't believe it," Margaret wept whilst Rob exclaimed: "Good grief. "Do you remember a special book, a special film that Fiona talked about?" Alan asked. "The Secret Garden," Margaret replied as the TV presenter showed them a special feature in the garden. Rob added, "I knew it would be special, but this is extra special." Alan explained: "You did so much for so many other people, so we thought it was about time we gave you something." Yet some viewers weren't quite as thrilled with the final outcome, with one even alleging Alan had "wrecked" Rob and Margaret's garden. @besidetheriver exclaimed: "Omg! The 'Love your garden' team ruining that lovely garden ... with bricks and concrete! #loveyourgarden No thank you!" (sic). @lally55p posted: "It's too crowded and busy for me, but as long as they like it... #LoveYourGarden." @W1966Caroline revealed: "I wasn't sure about the secret garden" before confessing they "loved it". Meanwhile, @Berniedoll echoed: "The folly was way too much for a garden that size on a modern estate, but what an amazing couple, I hope they really liked it." Jedimynds remarked: "Omg how precious are Rob and Margaret #LoveYourGarden." Alan Titchmarsh Love Your Garden is available to watch on the ITV Hub.
Style Blueprint
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
Take a Culinary Tour Through These Asheville Restaurants
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit If you think 48 hours isn't enough time to eat your way through Asheville, NC, think again. At the very least, it's enough time to hit some highlights. From cozy coffee shops and street food to elegant Appalachian-meets-Italian fare and even a brunch shared with actual alpacas (yes, alpacas!), Asheville restaurants serve a rich blend of flavors and experiences. Here's how I made the most of two delicious days in one of North Carolina's most vibrant culinary scenes. Pin In the wake of Hurricane Helene, some still assume the city is shut down, its vibrant streets dampened by storm damage. While it's true that recovery takes time, Asheville's spirit is resilient. The community has rallied, cleaned up, and reopened its doors with characteristic warmth and creativity. In other words, Asheville is waiting for you with open arms. THURSDAY Lunch: Bubbles, Brunch, and Browsing Books I arrived in Asheville just in time for lunch — famished, curious, and not quite prepared for how quickly this mountain town would charm me. Getting into town around lunchtime on a weekday means some spots may still be closed, so a little planning goes a long way. My advice? Don't waste time wandering (until after you've eaten!). Go straight to the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar at The Grove Arcade. It's a literary lover's dream — part bookstore, part champagne bar, part cozy French café all in one, and you may never want to leave. I certainly didn't. Pin I lingered over a literary-themed cocktail (they have creations inspired by The Great Gatsby, The Secret Garden, and beyond) while enjoying a charcuterie board almost too beautiful to disturb. Think rosemary-dusted Marcona almonds, homemade pickles, local blackberry preserves, aged gouda, manchego, marinated olives, and more. Add in cozy couches surrounded by shelf after shelf of well-loved books and vibey music, and you've found the afternoon reset you need to start exploring all the town has to offer. Pin Dinner: Wildwood Still Wows with Its Views That evening, dinner was at the brand-new Wildwood Still, perched atop the Moxy Hotel. We sat near open glass doors and enjoyed the breezy evening as we sipped cocktails. The meal — modern Southern with an Asian twist — was beautifully balanced. Rooftop dining in Asheville feels more like a cinematic moment than a meal, and this one played out perfectly as we dined on five-spice glazed duck bao buns, chargrilled oysters, char siu pork ribs, and a fabulous Chilean sea bass I'll be thinking about for a good long while. When you're done, I highly recommend a post-dinner stroll. We thoroughly enjoyed ours, and even stumbled onto a wonderful summer community concert in the park. Live bluegrass music made for the perfect soundtrack for our walk back. Pin Pin FRIDAY A Morning with Alpacas: Durrant Farms The next morning kicked off our trip highlight: breakfast with alpacas at Durrant Farms. And it's even better than it sounds. ButterPunk, a recently opened local bakery in the River Arts District, provided flaky homemade biscuits and strawberry scones that were so good they nearly stole the show. But I think it's safe to say the real stars were 'the boys,' a crew of sweet, silly, sassy alpacas and llamas who welcomed us into their pack. Laughing at their antics as we sipped coffee and watched the Blue Ridge Mountains turn moody with drifting clouds was exactly what my soul needed. There was something grounding and magical about it all. By the time we left, my belly was full and my phone was overflowing with photos of fluffy faces and crooked alpaca grins. If you're planning a trip to Asheville, this is not to be missed. Get ready to fall in love. Pin Pin Lunch at Botiwalla: Indian Street Food Done Right For lunch, we headed to Botiwalla, a new restaurant from the Chai Pani team. The menu celebrates Indian street food, bold and bright in every sense. We flipped out over the okra fries dusted with chaat masala — crispy, salty, tangy perfection — and the rest of the meal followed suit. I enjoyed the chicken tikka roll, but I have my eye on the maharaja lamb burger for next time. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu as well. Pin Pin A Night at The Flat Iron: Luminosa and The Red Ribbon Society If Asheville has a love language, it's hospitality and thoughtful detail. Nowhere is that more apparent than The Flat Iron Hotel, a stylish, historic property that whispers rather than shouts its luxury. Think champagne upon arrival, locally made Timothy Maguire artisanal chocolates waiting in your room, and an upscale yet unpretentious design. We spent our second evening simply enjoying the hotel itself, and it turns out that's a culinary adventure of its own. We began with a sunset cocktail and charcuterie board at The Flat Iron's rooftop bar, The Rooftop Caffé, then descended to Luminosa, the hotel's chic, Appalachian-Italian restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients shine on every plate. Pin Pin Luminosa was a revelation — a dinner that danced between refinement and whimsy, with every course more enchanting than the last. The evening began with a zero-proof sparkler called 'Blossom & Bloom,' a floral, zippy palate cleanser that set the tone. From there, the antipasti wowed with playful decadence. Bone marrow tater tots dipped in horseradish aioli were somehow both nostalgic and luxurious, while the apple-brandy beef carpaccio (topped with dollops of smoky trout tonnato) offered a clever, tasty twist. Not to be forgotten, the steak with salsa verde and even the vegetable sides were unquestionably delicious. But it was the pasta that stole my heart. The gnocchi came bathed in gorgonzola fonduta and brightened by sugar snap peas. And the raviolo doppio? A split personality in the best way: earthy lamb on one side, creamy ricotta with mint, peas, and pecorino on the other. After dinner, we slipped into the Red Ribbon Society, the speakeasy-style lounge beneath the hotel. Candlelight, craft cocktails, and velvet-backed booths made it the perfect spot for a slow, satisfying end to the evening. Pin Pin SATURDAY Caffeine Fixes, Market Finds, and Local Treasures Before heading out of town, it's worth a little procrastination to hit up the local farmers' market. Of course, walking anywhere without a coffee in hand would have been a missed opportunity, so we grabbed a caffeine boost from Summit Coffee, a warm, welcoming spot perfect for both locals and travelers on the go. From there, we made our way to Asheville City Market, a Saturday morning farmers' market that might just be the purest expression of the town's spirit you'll find. Pin Our haul? Fresh pasta, sourwood honey, black garlic chili crisp, artisan bitters (sweet birch and toasted hickory), cheeses from Blue Mountain Mountain Creamery, olive and rosemary focaccia, ramp and morel butter, and a bouquet of peonies that made the whole car smell like spring on the drive home. Pin On our way back into town, we made a quick stop at The Times Bar for one more pre-road trip coffee. I sipped an iced lemon almond latte and settled into a patio seat to people-watch, which didn't disappoint. Asheville doesn't rush you; it invites you to linger. The dog-watching is top-notch, too, and water bowls outside restaurants and shops are a common sight. Between the caffeine, the canines, and the characters passing by, it was the perfect Asheville interlude. Asheville is many things — a haven for creatives, a sanctuary for nature lovers, a magnet for craft beer enthusiasts — but it's also a culinary destination that surprises and delights at every turn. In just 48 hours, I tasted the town's spirit: bold, generous, and a little bit unexpected. A Few More Recommendations We didn't make it to every spot on our list (there's only so much one stomach can hold), but local food lovers were quick to offer up favorites for next time: The Admiral: An Asheville institution, where fine dining meets neighborhood charm. An Asheville institution, where fine dining meets neighborhood charm. Chestnut: A local spot known for seasonal, upscale comfort food (though a local told me to skip the brunch and stop in for dinner instead). A local spot known for seasonal, upscale comfort food (though a local told me to skip the brunch and stop in for dinner instead). Cúrate: A longtime favorite, this restaurant is beloved for its Spanish tapas and warm atmosphere … and sometimes tough to get into. We recommend making a reservation! A longtime favorite, this restaurant is beloved for its Spanish tapas and warm atmosphere … and sometimes tough to get into. We recommend making a reservation! DayTrip: A newly reopened LGBTQ-owned bar and lounge with a charming, granny-core vibe and great cocktails. A newly reopened LGBTQ-owned bar and lounge with a charming, granny-core vibe and great cocktails. Double D's Coffee Bus: Who wouldn't want to stop by a double-decker bus for a caffeine boost, cocktail, or dessert? The picture below says it all, and there's cute patio seating, too. Pin Fitz & the Wolfe: A new, three-story cocktail bar and music venue downtown, each floor offering a unique vibe — perfect for night owls and live music lovers. A new, three-story cocktail bar and music venue downtown, each floor offering a unique vibe — perfect for night owls and live music lovers. French Broad Chocolate Lounge: This renowned chocolate lounge has fantastic truffles and treats. Helene took its toll, but the shop is back open for everything from hot chocolate to bonbons. This renowned chocolate lounge has fantastic truffles and treats. Helene took its toll, but the shop is back open for everything from hot chocolate to bonbons. Limones: An inventive blend of Mexican and Californian cuisine, featuring dishes like ceviche, heirloom masa quesadilla with mushrooms duxelle, and negra modelo braised short ribs. An inventive blend of Mexican and Californian cuisine, featuring dishes like ceviche, heirloom masa quesadilla with mushrooms duxelle, and negra modelo braised short ribs. Neng Jr.'s: Filipino-rooted cuisine in an 18-seat arcade room-turned-dining room. The menu is inventive and changes frequently, and it's worth trusting the chefs — this place was a 2025 James Beard finalist. Filipino-rooted cuisine in an 18-seat arcade room-turned-dining room. The menu is inventive and changes frequently, and it's worth trusting the chefs — this place was a 2025 James Beard finalist. Old Europe: A European pastry shop owned by a Hungarian baker whose croissants and cakes have earned cult status. Locals Alice and Rick told me this place has the best pastries around. A European pastry shop owned by a Hungarian baker whose croissants and cakes have earned cult status. Locals Alice and Rick told me this place has the best pastries around. Pho Real: North of downtown, this casual gem serves authentic Vietnamese staples like pho, banh mi, and noodle bowls. North of downtown, this casual gem serves authentic Vietnamese staples like pho, banh mi, and noodle bowls. Spicewalla (Grove Arcade): You can't dine here, but stop by to explore their Made With Love in Asheville spice collection, co-created with local chefs to support storm recovery. You can also pick up plenty of other spices, from chili oils to steak rubs. Pin Soprana Rooftop Cocina: With 200-degree views on the edge of the city, it's a romantic pick for a sunset meal. With 200-degree views on the edge of the city, it's a romantic pick for a sunset meal. Zambra Tapas: Intimate, moody, and boasting a wine list that reads like a novel, this spot has gorgeous small plates such as harissa-roasted baby carrots, pomegranate-braised pork spring rolls, steamed mussels, and seared yellowfin tuna. Come for the food, stay for the views. And if you're lucky, have brunch with an alpaca named Ralph. ********** To stay in the know on the best ways to drink and dine your way through the South, subscribe to StyleBlueprint. About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Quincy Jones Remembered by Lucky Daye, Luke James & Miles Caton With Smooth 2025 BET Awards Tribute
Lucky Daye, Luke James and Miles Caton joined forces to pay homage to one of music's late icons and sonic architects in Quincy Jones, who died at age 91 in November. Daye, James and Caton's performance was short yet sweet, as they delivered a soothing rendition of the sultry 'The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)' as part of the in memoriam segment at the 2025 BET Awards. More from Billboard Here Are the 2025 BET Awards Winners (Updating Live) Jamie Foxx Honored by Stevie Wonder & Reflects on Health Scare at BET Awards: 'You Can't Go Through Something Like That & Not Testify' Lil Wayne Brings 'Tha Carter' Album Series Full-Circle With 'A Milli' Performance at 2025 BET Awards Daye showcased his vocal range and did his best Al B. Sure impersonation while covering the 1989 classic, which landed on Q's Back on the Block album, before passing the baton to James and the Sinners actor. The in memoriam tribute also featured James Earl Jones, Nikki Giovanni, Wanda Smith, Tito Jackson, DJ Clark Kent, Roy Ayers and Lou Donaldson. Fans on social media seemed to want more from the tribute to the legendary producer. 'Now they know that Quincy tribute was not nearly enough,' one person wrote to X. Another added: 'Wait… that was it for the Quincy Jones tribute???' Lucky Daye, who has long been a fan of Jones', recalled a conversation he had with the late music dignitary while paying his condolences to Q following his death. 'I told Quincy that idgi be I move, sing n create w love but I'm homeless w nothin,' Daye wrote to his IG Story in November. 'He said f— love, yk theory? I said yea, then my no guidance having empathetic a— needed to hear that. Forever in my heart.' Prior to the 2025 BET Awards, the Grammy Awards and Oscars earlier this year each delivered star-studded tribute performances to Quincy Jones. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Michael MacLennan's Finales Celebrates the Art of the Last Number at Burlington's Drury Lane Theatre
Actor and director Michael MacLennan's working relationship with the Drury Lane Theatre has been long and productive. MacLennan, a versatile visionary and devotee of Canadian community theatre, has been involved in thirteen successful musicals at the Drury Lane theatre over the course of ten to twelve years. His first-ever collaboration with Drury Lane was The Secret Garden, based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, in 2008. In 2025, he was the director and choreographer of the wildly entertaining musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, which premiered at the local theatre on May 9, 2025. MacLennan is eager to share his aspirations for his upcoming show, for which he is the director and choreographer yet again, as well as the mastermind. This is the aptly-named and anticipated Finales, set to be performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in the month of June. MacLennan's longtime love for Broadway theatre has inspired him to assemble a variety pack of what he considers to be the best final numbers in the musical show business. Theatregoers can look forward to favourite tunes such as 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' from Gypsy, 'I've Never Been in Love Before' from Guys and Dolls, and 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from Funny Girl. Do you also like Chicago, Waitress, La Cage Aux Folles, and The Witches of Eastwick? They'll be included too. The show will pay ample tribute to twenty-six different Broadway hit classics. MacLennan has agreed to speak out on what he thinks is necessary for a musical show to end well, and why he is ending Drury Lane Theatre's 2025 summer season in this way. Answers have been lightly edited for flow. In your opinion, what makes a solid musical finale? It's something that will entice the audience to come back after intermission at the end of Act One. At the end of Act Two, it's the way of wrapping up the entire story. I've always found finales intriguing because sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, depending on the show. So I've always been sort of fascinated by them. That's what gave me the idea of putting a show together that was strictly the finales of shows. Generally speaking, the finale is one of the more memorable numbers in the show. We have a lot of solos in our own shows. I think a lot of people don't realize that many of the finales in a lot of shows are solos. I think everyone thinks they're flashy, splashy dance numbers, but they're not always so. It was a lot of fun putting this production together and doing the research. I think I listened to about two hundred different finales in order to put this show together. You have to sort of mix it up between ballads, up-tempo, and solos. Duets and trios, too, things like that, to make it interesting. If it were all just one big splashy dance number after another, I think it would get a little bit boring for an audience. So I'm going for a more cohesive, complete evening. What is your overall vision for your finale show? To get it produced! That's always a difficult thing when you're putting together a show, you don't know whether or not there's going to be interest. I've been very lucky that two companies have been interested, so we're going to two different theatres. The first is Drury Lane here in Burlington, and the second is the Maja Prentice Theatre in Mississauga. It was originally going to be only three performances in Mississauga, but then Rick Mackenzie from Drury Lane approached me. That was when a door opened up to go to another location. Now people will see it, and some other theatre company might say, 'Hey, I think that would work in our space, I would be more than happy to bring it here as well!' You just never know. You never know if it is going to have legs and continue on. It was the initial impetus for me to do a few shows, but if it goes to more than two locations, I would be very open to going to other theatres. It's a perfect-sized show. It's ten people and it can fit onto a lot of different stages. Do you prefer a traditional theatre or a cabaret for staging a show? I don't have a preference. But one thing I like about Drury Lane is that it is a smaller space, and it forces you to be creative with your choreography. You also have to be creative with your sets. There is also the people. The people at Drury Lane are really kind,are and the volunteers are so dedicated to that company. The people there really make it a home. It's also a little easier to do because it is a smaller, more quaint space. But the people are dedicated to that. It's been around for at least forty-five years. It's a well-loved theatre in the Burlington area. What future projects do you have in mind after Finales closes at Drury Lane Theatre? I'm actually not returning to Drury Lane for their 2025/2026 season. I'm going to be doing the musical The Prom at two locations. I'm going to be in Georgetown with Georgetown Globe Productions this fall. I'm also going to be doing City Centre Musical Productions' production of The Prom. It's going to be a full year of The Prom. ——————————————————————————————— But, for now, it's time to end with a bang. Finales is set to premiere at Drury Lane Theatre on June 13, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. On June 14, 2025, there will be a matinee show at 2:00 p.m. and an evening show at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here. If you are based closer to Mississauga, you can buy tickets for the Maja Prentice Theatre's production here. The show will play at Maja on June 20 and 21, 2025.
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Ryan Daniels: I hope this isn't the end for Jeremy McGovern but he has nothing left to prove
Jeremy McGovern, if you're reading this, you don't owe us anything. For the past 12 seasons, you've redefined the centre-half-back position – reading the play like you're Matilda Wormwood burning through The Secret Garden for the hundredth time. In the process you collected five All-Australian jackets, a John Worsfold Medal, a Premiership. The kind of player adored by his own supporters, respected by opposition ones. Like Dusty's 'don't argue', Buddy's 'natural arc' or Stevie J's 'curve', the McGovern intercept mark is one of those defining signature moves. You've clunked 383 contested marks – and nearly 1000 uncontested ones where you just know the opposition coach was in the box yelling 'we're kicking it right to him!' knowing deep inside it didn't matter where they kicked it - Gov was going to get there. Now, unfortunately, there's a chance you've interrupted your last opposition attack. This is serious stuff. McGovern will front an independent panel of concussion experts; their job is to determine whether or not it's safe for him to play football again. It's more unlikely than likely he'll return to the field. He's up against it. It comes as a result of a head knock suffered in round eight against Melbourne. Gov was pushed into a marking contest, hit in the head, and has been experiencing concerning symptoms since. Angus Brayshaw, Daniel Venables, Nathan Murphy, Josh Carmichael, Paddy McCartin, Paul Seedsman. All these players and more have fronted the panel and were told they could no longer pursue the game they love. Perth product Aiden O'Driscoll never got a chance to even start his career. O'Driscoll was collected with a bump during his first AFL pre-season, forced to retire before he'd played a single game for the Western Bulldogs. It's heartbreaking – we want players going out on their own terms, particularly our greats – but it doesn't always happen that way. For every Shane Crawford 'that's what I'm talking about' moment, there are 200 careers that end with injury, form slumps, or a cold, hard delisting. But while this wouldn't be the ideal way for McGovern to leave this game it's a decision that could eventually save his life, or at least improve the quality of his long-term health. We still don't fully understand the impact of head knocks and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) but as we gather more information, the alarm bells ring louder. We know it causes significant damage to nerve cells in the brain, triggering memory loss, severe mood swings, eventually leading to dementia. McGovern has been a soldier. One of the game's toughest players. He famously played through significant injury in the 2018 Grand Final. I was at that Grand Final parade, rushing around the cars to interview players. There was one empty seat – McGovern's. Speculation ran wild, McGovern's influence on the game enough to potentially swing the result. If he didn't play, the Pies would be doing backflips. Word from the club was Gov had 'slept-in'. He arrived eventually, just as the parade started. Little did we know he'd been going through a fitness test that morning, then receiving treatment for fractured ribs. I don't think I could sing the alphabet with broken ribs, let alone play in an AFL Grand Final. He's been a winner – but this team hasn't of late. In his first 141 games, Gov and the Eagles won 66% of the time. Two out of every three weeks. In his last 44 games Gov's sung the song just eight times. An 18% win-rate. The leader of a backline in a constant state of ambush. Injuries piling up. Still, we know if it were up to Gov he'd be playing on. That's why there's a panel. To stop these gladiators from their own bravery. At 33, with multiple concussions, I'm ignoring the selfish part of my brain that wants to see Gov playing football again. The practical part says this should be the end, for his health. For his young family. And what a ride it has been. This is a kid who was plucked with pick 44 in the rookie draft of 2011. One hundred and fifty players were taken before McGovern in drafts that year. He surpassed every one of them. He started shaky. When Adam Simpson turned up, Gov was still an unmolded piece of clay. Sent away for a six-week fitness program, it proved a turning point. If this is the end, it's been a remarkable career – one of the more unlikely we've seen. In my opinion, the greatest players in West Coast Eagles history are Peter Matera, Chris Judd, Dean Cox and Ben Cousins in some order. Then it's Glen Jakovich, Josh Kennedy, and McGovern. An out-of-shape kid off the rookie list turning into the seventh-greatest player in club history is quite the story. There's nothing left to achieve. Gov, we all hope this isn't the end. But if it is, the imprint left on the game will last long after you've gone.
