Secret site will protect at-risk plant species from disease

The annual celebration of sheds is nearing its conclusion as the winners of each category are revealed

It seems to be open season on the baby-boomer generation in the English theatre at the moment.  First we had Love, Love, Love from Mike Bartlett at the Royal Court.  Now, in his debut play in the Lyttelton, Stephen Beresford takes a similar, comically sceptical look at the dubious legacy that these folk have bequeathed to their children.

Many of Britain's best-loved wild flower species are disappearing because of nitrogen pollution from car exhausts and farm fertilisers, experts are warning.

Pollution blamed as nettles and grasses flourish – and force out much-loved species

The chirruping of the cockney sparra was once commonplace, but now, ten years since a study found that the bird was on the verge of extinction in the capital, charities are calling on Londoners to help save it.

What to do

What to do

It takes Derek St Romaine and his wife Dawn at least two hours to set out the 500 candles that light their garden for a special evening opening each year. What dedication! They hang tealights in lanterns through the rose arbour. Their mophead hollies are lit from below by candles set in bags of sand. They float tealights in clear plastic cups on their pond, highlighting the gleaming scales of the koi carp nosing around underneath. "You've got to put a bit of sand in the cups as ballast. Otherwise they capsize," says Dawn.

Nicolas Almagro came out smelling of flowers from his fourth-round match today after he landed in a heap on one of the courtside geranium displays - and emerged unscathed thanks to his "big bottom".

"No prizes, no medals, no judging," says Chelsea Fringe director Tim Richardson with a grin on his face; and it's clear that this long-time enthusiast and critic of flower shows has something different in mind. Two weeks ago The Independent on Sunday gave away a guide to highlights of the Chelsea Fringe, but now things are in full swing there have been pleasures both planned and surprising.

Barrier, border, habitat, evergreen history – a rich past dwells inside your humble hedge.

My heart goes out to republican-minded malcontents at this time. It must be dismal seeing the bunting go up in your street and have the papers gushing about how you should bake an Elizabeth sponge, when you regard the monarchy as a travesty that was outdated in feudal times. The great thing about being the citizen of an actual republic, yet resident in a kingdom with functioning royalty, is that you can marvel at the pomp and ceremony, completely free of inner conflict. You can – as I, an Irishwoman, did on Tuesday – hail a taxi and say "take me to Buckingham Palace" , without compromising your democratic values. Some of my English colleagues were full of contempt.