After years hidden away, Oldham’s memorial to six local volunteers who died fighting fascism in the Spanish civil war has been restored to public view, marking both a victory for campaigners and a renewed tribute to the town’s proud International Brigade heritage, says ROB HARGREAVES
Latest editorial
How to beet the winter blues with some pinks
MAT COWARD recommends finding a perfect spot for rhubarb which will provide you with plenty of food each year
Rhubarb
[Mykola Swarnyk/Creative Commons]
While pretending to seek peace, Europe is heading toward a collision course with Russia – using security guarantees, troop deployments, expropriation and censorship as tools, writes SEVIM DAGDELEN
Alba party leader KENNY MacASKILL makes some suggestions on how to save our pubs and reduce irresponsible drinking
The catastrophe unfolding in Gaza – where Palestinians are freezing to death in tents – is not a natural disaster but a calculated outcome of Israel’s ongoing blockade, aid restrictions and continued violence, argues CLAUDIA WEBBE
Opinion polls point to electoral collapse, parliamentary rebellion and a looming leadership challenge as Starmer’s Labour haemorrhages working-class support and the far right exploits the vacuum left by a hollowed-out party, says NICK WRIGHT
The long-term effects of chemical weapons such as Agent Orange mean that the impact of war lasts well beyond a ceasefire
RHUBARB is too accommodating for its own good. Because it’ll grow well enough in almost any unloved corner of the garden, that’s where it tends to end up.
But if you can spare it an open spot that gets plenty of sun, has soil that is moist but at the same time free-draining, and doesn’t catch late frosts, you might be surprised at the enormous amount of food one rhubarb plant can provide each year.
The flavour will be much better, too. If the ground’s not frozen or saturated, then February is a convenient time for starting a new rhubarb plant.
Similar stories
MAT COWARD rises over such semantics to offer step by step, fool-proof cultivating tips
It’s a dead easy crop to grow and can be made into one of Britain’s best sauces. MAT COWARD explains how
MAT COWARD battles wayward pigeons in pursuit of a crop of purple sprouting broccoli
Although there’s not much growing in the garden in January, globe artichokes are worth a try if you follow these tips from MAT COWARD