Sustainable Squad

Every May, a patch of West London becomes the most talked-about garden on the planet. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea since 1912. It's the world's most prestigious horticultural event. Over five days it draws more than 168,000 visitors — royals, celebrities, and garden obsessives alike — all there to see what the best designers in the world. For this episode, I'm talking to garden designer Sarah Mayfield about her show garden Hedgerow in the Sky, a balcony garden designed by herself and fellow former Plumpton College student Monika Greenhough. You'll learn all about the show garden, the importants of hedgerows, and you'll pick up some great ideas and tips for your own outdor spaces. Find out more here and remember to cast your vote for The 2026 People's Choice Award https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2026/hedgerow-in-the-sky Thank you to Sara for being very generous with her precious time - the show starts on 19th May.    

What would our food system look like if it was built around people, place and seasonality rather than distance and scale? In this episode, I'm joined by Ed Johnstone, founder of The Sussex Peasant, to talk about how a single wooden horsebox grew into a network of mobile farm shops connecting Sussex communities directly with local growers. We explore Ed's journey into food, the relationships behind the produce, and why transparency, fair pricing and simplicity sit at the heart of everything they do. This conversation goes beyond food shopping. We talk about seasonal eating, soil health, loneliness and community connection, what it really means to support local farmers, and why "getting started" matters more than getting things perfect. It's a grounded, hopeful look at how small, local choices can quietly reshape the way we eat – and live – together.

This special Christmas episode captures a moment in time – a warm and reflective conversation with my dad, Gary, recorded with his loyal sidekick Hobbs the dog, who makes his presence known but settles down after about 5 minutes. With Christmas approaching, I wanted to step back and explore what the festive season felt like in the 1950s – when Dad was growing up in a terraced house in Leeds, the National Health Service was brand new, and festivities were shaped far more by family and imagination than by spending. Across the episode, Dad paints a vivid picture of Christmas Eve plays staged in their tiny kitchenette, paper-chain decorations, walk-to-grandma traditions, and the excitement of having the whole family under one roof. We talk about presents, pubs you couldn't take children into, cars with no seatbelts, and rituals that meant far more than the gifts themselves. It is also a gentle reminder that the memories that last are the simplest ones – cooking together, laughing together, being together. As Dad says, the details stay with you forever, long after the people have gone. If you need a moment of nostalgia, grounding or perspective in the build up to Christmas, this is a lovely listen.

This episode opens with a question you probably haven't asked yourself: what exactly can you do with a Christmas tree… besides decorate it? It turns out, quite a lot. I'm joined by food writer and baker Julia Georgallis for a conversation about the bits of Christmas we rarely talk about. It may look glittery, but for many people it's a season of waste piling up, stretched budgets and surprising moments of loneliness. Julia brings refreshing honesty, humour and plenty of practical ideas. We talk about the ten–year journey behind her book How to Eat Your Christmas Tree, the quiet comfort of eating alone - inpired by her podcast How to Eat Alone, why tins deserve more respect, and simple ways to support people who are struggling. If you're looking for a lighter, kinder, more creative approach to December, this one's for you.

I'll admit I'm one of those people who have a cupboard full of 'one day I'll use this' items. Laura and Jenny have built a creative life around exactly that instinct, proving those odds and ends still have real value. In this episode it's late in November and I'm at a Christmas wreath-making workshop using only scrap materials.  Laura and Jenny were an absolute delight to get to know. They talk openly about how their brains work together – Jenny's quick-fire ADHD thinking alongside Laura's slower processing, shaped by a brain injury, epilepsy and MS. The balance has become their "dream team" superpower and where making something with your hands genuinely helps both of them feel more settled and capable. Expect stories about turning duvet covers into art, wreath bases traced around ceiling lights, unexpected problem-solving, and why "happy accidents" are half the fun. It's a warm, funny and practical look at the joy of making – and a reminder that the things we hide in our cupboards might be exactly what we need to start creating. Follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recraftarts/ Find their workshops on Event Brite https://www.eventbrite.com/o/recraft-arts-120571758361

In this episode I sit down with Lis Long, founder of Apron, to explore how a forgotten patch of land in Buckingham Park became a thriving community garden – and how that small beginning has grown into an ambitious plan for a regenerative community farm in Lancing. Lis shares the story behind Apron, from the early pop-up craft sessions to building a garden from reclaimed materials during lockdown. We talk about food growing, heritage fruit trees, nature school, biodiversity, and the surprising power of small green spaces to rebuild confidence, connection and community. We also discuss Apron's next chapter – four acres of former equestrian land that Lis and her volunteers are turning into a space for wetland restoration, heritage craft, community food and practical climate action. The project is now in its crowdfunding phase, and Lis explains what support is needed to bring the site to life. If you're curious about community growing, regenerative practices or how local people can restore nature on their doorstep, this episode is a gentle, hopeful listen full of practical insight. Support Apron's Community Farm projectClick here to go straight to their Crowd Funder

Today I'm talking to Charis Williams, AKA Salvage Sister, and she gets creative and makes stuff out of old metal and wood and teaches people how to do the same Over 60% of our landfill waste comes from construction, demolition and excavation - so what Charis does is mega important for all this waste we produce. And there's loads of material to choose from, you just need the energy to do it - and she does. Me and my sister in law did one of her workshops where we used some hard core power tools, so we chat about all that fun stuff - she has some great advice on what to do with what. Charis also shares more personal stories about her recent battle with thyroid cancer and the rubbish careers advice she was given, which squished her dreams and confidence. But not anymore! It's a big energetic and positive chat and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You can follow Charis @therealsalvagesister on Instagram and book a workshop online https://www.salvagesister.co.uk If you feel like you can't make a difference to climate change, you're wrong! We all can no matter how small, so tell your friends and inspire little changes.  

86% of all UK bought flowers have been imported, so just like food and drink, buying local flowers helps us support our businesses on our front door and reduces our impact on the planet. For this episode, I'm sat with the lovely Liz from Betty Blooming talking about seasonal flower growing and allotment life.  I wish I'd spoken ti Liz before I got married, I would have 100% commissed her to grow a colourful and wild bunch of beautiful flowers for the big day.  You can follow her gorgeous account on Instagram and DM her if you'd like to know more. https://www.instagram.com/betty_blooming/          

A large group of women at a hen party can be carnage, but also presents an opportunity to make a real difference and do some good without skipping the fun parts. Amy Sillince had an idea at a hen party. She paid attention to how much people were spending, how much time they had spare, what food was wasted and what items were bought for single use. The idea? Hens with Heart. Amy came to visit me in Brighton, one of the top cities for hen parties in the UK, and completed opened my mind to the concept of finding a moment to give back when you're with your besties. This is not about beach cleans and charity shop volunteering, although you can, this is as simple as donaing a beauty product to a local collection point or writing a letter to someone who's lonely or sick.  Amy also shares her top tips on hen party planning and how to waste less and buy better. We also share our own stories from hen parties and have a laugh at banana shaped things. If you loved this episode please share it. You can find out more about Hens with Heart here https://www.henswithheart.com/about-hens-with-heart

My home town of Brighton and Hove is a magnet for beach lovers, even with the pebbles. It's extra busy during May to September, but knowing what to do if you get in trouble in the sea applies all year round. Becky Knights from The Sea Safety Project gives us a flavour of what she teaches kids in schools, what dangers and signs to watch out for when visiting the beach, what to do if our dogs get in trouble and how she has become a better swimmer. Since recording this podcast we both completed the Arundel Triathlon on Sunday 21st May. It was a lot of fun and the Sprint distance is a great way to get fit, get outside and improve on your swimming. To learn more, check out Becky's Instagram @sea_safety and always check your local tides and weather warnings.