WHAT is more beautiful and tranquil than an English country garden in the summertime? Many of us adore our gardens and spend hours lovingly tending them, especially in the spring and summer when everything is so magnificently verdant.

How many of us really get to relax and enjoy ourselves amongst the peaceful splendour of our gardens though? Not many these days unfortunately!

A strange dichotomy arises every year when everything begins to bud and flourish. As our lawns and flower beds become ever greener, so the clattering, howling, droning cacophony of garden machinery noise intensifies until the idea of a peaceful afternoon relaxing in the garden becomes nonsensical.

The clamour of petrol driven strimmers, mowers and shredders pollutes the air from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. It even seems that the distinction of possessing the biggest, and therefore the loudest lawnmower in the neighbourhood, cannot be resisted by some, regardless of the size of their lawn.

There is no doubt that gardens must be tended, weeds suppressed and lawns manicured with ever increasing regularity as the sunny seasons progress.

Isn't it a shame though, that we as a society seem to be steadily negating the very purpose of our gardens as peaceful retreats in an ever hectic and noisy world? I'm certainly not advocating the banning of all garden machinery, just asking respectfully that those who are about to pull the starter cord have a thought for their neighbours.

Perhaps the folks next door or across the street are just sitting down to a quiet lunch in the sunshine, or hoping to sneak a rare half an hour with their book in the fresh air. Why not leave it until tomorrow when the weather forecasters are predicting cold or cloudy conditions? Do you really need to shatter the peace of a lovely day? They seem to be rare enough these days! Well, it's just food for thought . . .

Here's hoping you get the chance to enjoy the lovely weather while it lasts!

Steve Hipsey

Tavistock