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After turning the clocks forward one hour at 2am on Sunday 7 October, there are always slight adjustments to be made in the days following. But the gains are immense, with more sunlight in the afternoons leading to more time spent outdoors in the warmer months. Here are some ideas about how to spend your extra hour everyday. 

Barbecues are banished in winter to exceptionally sunny weekend lunches, but in summer they can become a weekly midweek dinner special. Pour a cold drink, make a fresh salad and fire up the burners to enjoy a casual meal by twilight. Better yet, make it a weekly tradition!

Now is the time to put away the heavy tablecloths and casserole dishes and break out the barbecue tongs and picnic basket as the weather warms up. Spring is a time of bountiful produce and inspiring new menu ideas that make the most of the balmier climate. Below are a few exciting meal ideas for the springtime months. 

Pastas and risottos open up a string of possibilities when it comes to showcasing the gems of the season. For pasta, think beyond the basic red sauce and make garlic, chilli and shallots the stars. In a risotto, why not highlight fresh peas, mushrooms and spinach brought together with the richness of parmesan? 

Festivals are a great way to get into your local community and enjoy it with other local people who share similar interests. The greater Camden area offers a diverse and interesting range of spring festivals to suit an assortment of interests and budgets.

Camden Garden Festival Friday 21 – Sunday 23 September A three-day festival across various locations, the inaugural Camden Garden Festival brings an exciting mix of all things garden-related to the people of Camden. With a variety of specialists from horticulturalists to winemakers at the helm, the volume of knowledge is exceptional. The rich history of the area also takes centre stage through a number of open days and tours of local historical homesteads.

The Quercus Palustris ‘Pin Oak’ is a glorious medium to large sized tree that makes for a stunning street tree. Its shiny, rich green leaves give way to a splendid bronze in autumn, constantly changing the landscape as the seasons shift.

It grows to approximately 15-20 metres and has a distinctive conical shape. The upper branches point upwards, the middle branches are roughly horizonal and the lower branches point towards the Earth in a noticeably elegant display of Pin Oak structure.

The hibernation of winter has now made way for the crisp warmth of spring. Throw open the doors and windows, get the fresh air circulating again and set some time aside to get into a thorough spring clean to herald the end of winter.