251. Gardening: No clipped hedges

Hedges and edges have been preoccupying me this week, although I have no hedges of my own.

252. Tulips could replace those faded flowers

Saturday was a perfect day for gardening when it was possible to get the last of the important pre-winter jobs done.

253. Gardening - Berries for fine winter form

I planted a holly tree in my front garden about eight years ago and it is now barely knee-high.

254. Dylan Moran at the Hexagon

255. Potted hyacinths blooming brilliant

Whenever I buy bulbs for containers I always hope they will naturalise afterwards in the garden.

256. 12-point plan to combat crunch

Free council fun and a mortgage rescue scheme are just two proposals in an action plan to help people in Reading beat the credit crunch.

257. Tories backing small business relief bill

Two leading Reading Tories are backing a private member’s bill which could see small businesses automatically granted rate relief.

258. ‘Optimistic’ comedy for Heavenly Planet

The Jack Dees, Jimmy Carrs and Jo Brands of the comedy circuit can forget it, they are just too cynical for Reading’s newest festival.

259. School in shock after death of popular Stewart

Staff and pupils at an Earley  school were in shock this week after learning of the death of 13-year-old pupil Stewart McEwan on a school trip in Wales.

260. Post Office will keep its accounts