Page 12, At Sheringham paper, Norfolk UK

GARDENING

Prune spring flowering clematis after flowering. Use cuttings to propagate new plants. Control weeds in lawns with a selective weedkiller. Don't cut the grass for at least a week after applying. Don't put these grass cuttings on the compost heap. Once weeded cut grass weekly as long grass takes more nutrients out of the soil.

Thin out seedlings, leaving the strongest growing plants. Water the soil beforehand to reduce soil disturbance. Regularly water trees and shrubs that were planted last autumn and winter.

As daffodils fade, remove the flower heads. Don't cut back the leaves - leave them to die back naturally, if you want to tidy them up, wait until the leaves have yellowed before removing.

Plant lavender, lavender is ideal for borders or a low hedge,and is widely grown for its scent and foliage, it is available in shades of purple, blue, white and pink and is a magnet for bees and butterflies.

Tidy up any remaining leaves and general garden rubbish. Keep an eye on the weather as it is still quite variable, cover shrubs that are likely to be damaged by frost.

North Walsham Citizens Advice Bureau

is open from 10am-3pm on Mon, Tues & Thurs for drop in and advice line on 01692 402570. We also have appointments only sessions on Monday evenings 5.30-7.30 and Sat morning 9.30-11.30 at the Bureau.

If you would like to see an adviser, at one of our outreach locations, (Aldborough, Bacton, Buxton, Cromer, Horstead, Hoveton, Mundesley, Sheringham & Stalham). this can be arranged on our appointment line on 01692 405847.

Sheringham Museum Winter Talks Programme

Five days and counting... May Day call!

People are being urged to roll up their sleeves to give a pint of 'the red stuff in May to ensure blood banks remained topped-up throughout the forthcoming bank holiday weekends.

Blood stocks traditionally fall by up to 10 per cent during bank holiday weekends and May will prove no different.

The National Blood Service (NBS) must collect 7,000 donations every day for patients in need of a transfusion and are looking for renewed support from donors across the region.

Gareth Bell, Communications Officer for the NBS, said: "Fewer sessions take place during bank holidays which means we need to increase our efforts around these times to ensure stocks do not fall significantly.

"There is no doubt we will see a drop over the extended weekends but with the help of our wonderful donors we can ensure blood is still there for everybody who needs it.

"Sessions take place on a daily basis and you are never too far away from saving a life."

Platelets are the main concern for the NBS at this time. They can only be stored by the NBS for 5 days and are most frequently needed for patients undergoing cancer and leukemia treatments.

Platelets are collected along with red cells and plasma, each time you give a donation, which means up to three lives can be saved with each unit.

Mr Bell added, "Thanks to people who give blood stocks are currently healthy but May is an important month for us. We really need to meet our collection targets each day to ensure the effect of the bank holidays is kept to a minimum."

It is possible to give blood every 16 weeks, that's just three times-a-year. If you haven't donated before, make this the time to begin.

Most people aged 17-59 who weigh over 7st 12lbs (50kg) and are in general good health, can give blood. Regular donors can continue to donate up until the age of 70.

For further information and to book an appointment contact our National Helpline on 0845 7 711 711 or visit our website www.blood.co.uk