flowers

“HE was the heart of Hyde.”

Emily Tunnicliff, 25, laid her simple arrangement of flowers outside Ricky Hatton’s home, called The Heartbreak, to join the hundreds already there.

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For many, the former boxer was the heart not only of Hyde but of Britain.

“I am from Hyde,” Emily added.

“He was proud of where he came from and we were proud of him.

“He has done so much for this city. He never forgot his roots.”

Her friend, boxer Tyler Dolby, 23, trains at Ricky’s brother Matthew’s gym nearby.

He agreed. He said: “He was an estate lad and you could never take that out of him. He was such an inspiration. He said to all the young lads here and in Britain you could all make it.”

In silence, a steady stream of mourners gathered at Ricky’s home to pay their respects.

Fans wearing Manchester United tops laid their tributes next to wreaths adorned with Ricky’s beloved Man City logo.

Charlie, 45, said: “I watched all his fights. I met him once and he was so nice and friendly. He was not a star, just Ricky.”

A grey rainy morning brought strong winds that blew over many of the tributes.

Kirsty Cartwright, 34, said: “I wanted to be here to show how much he was was loved.”

The boxer’s manager Paul Speak was there to look at the tributes.

He told The Sun: “It is just all too much to take in. All of it. I don’t have the words.”

The gates closed, with Ricky’s black Rolls-Royce on the drive.

But the mourners still came.

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The walk is just as magical as the sunflower farm offering sweeping views over the rolling Chiltern Hills, woodlands, a deer park and a National Trust House once linked to a king

Tucked away in the heart of the Chiltern Hills, a bustling sunflower farm awaits discovery. Not only do they produce sparkling wine from the chalk-rich soils just north-west of London, but they also harvest their own honey and offer you the chance to pick your own sunflowers.

The journey to the farm is as scenic as the fields themselves, offering sweeping views over the rolling Chiltern Hills, woodlands, a deer park and the National Trust House that was once the residence of Catherine Carey, one of Henry III’s alleged offspring.

A train ride from Paddington Station, with a change at Twyford, will get you to the riverside town of Henley-on-Thames in just under an hour. Once there, face the church tower and choose either a left or right turn.

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After navigating some sizeable hills (a less strenuous option is to walk from Marlow), you’ll find yourself at the imposing 14th-century house, steeped in medieval origins and Tudor history. The gardens at Greys Court are encircled by ancient ruins and offer panoramic views of the Chiltern Hills.

First mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, this was once the dwelling of the powerful de Grey family. Among its notable residents was Catherine Carey, who married Sir Francis Knollys, a descendant of the de Greys, reports MyLondon.

She was the daughter of Mary Boleyn, and is widely believed to be the illegitimate child of Henry VIII. Centuries later, British politician Sir Felix Brunner resided in the house with his wife before donating it to the National Trust.

After immersing yourself in the rich history of Greys Court, it’s a brisk 90-minute journey to the sunflower farm. You’ll find a few pubs along the way, and the sunflower farm welcomes visitors from sunrise to sunset.

Upon reaching Stonor Farm, you’re greeted with two hectares of vibrant sunflowers – that’s larger than two football pitches. The farm has thoughtfully cut footpaths through the flowers for easy exploration.

Purchasing the sunflowers is a bargain at £2 per stem or £5 for three stems, with all proceeds going to charity. For a few extra quid, you can wander through a second field filled with even taller sunflowers. The farm also hosts themed events throughout August, including sunflower yoga and sunflower sound baths.

As for walking routes, there’s no shortage of options. If you fancy a stroll around Greys Court itself, there’s a circular walk through classic Chilterns scenery of beech woodlands and open countryside.

For a longer trek, you can walk from Henley-on-Thames to Greys Court. If you prefer driving to the sunflower farm, ample parking is available at the entrance to The Wine Farm on Stonor Road. Additional car parks are located in Henley and at Greys Court.

From London Paddington to Henley-on-Thames, the journey takes approximately an hour. Walking from Henley to Greys Court will take just over an hour and a half, and from there to Stonor Farm, it should take around one hour and forty minutes.

IT’s been HOT this summer – it’s no surprise if some of your usual garden favourites are wilting somewhat.

But as the climate changes it’s worth thinking about new varieties that can cope a bit better going forward.

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There’s a whole host of wildflowers out there that can handle the heat and still put on a beautiful show.

Dr Emily Attlee, conservation scientist and co-founder of Seedball has shared her top picks with Sun Gardening.

CONEFLOWERS

“Not just a feast for the eyes, these are tough and reliable perennials that come back year after year. Easy to grow and adored by pollinators, coneflowers bring long-lasting colour and drought resilience to any garden.

OXEYE DAISY

“Spotted on roadside verges, the oxeye daisy is a fuss-free flower that thrives on neglect. It handles poor soil well and requires very little watering once settled in.

These cheerful self-seeders return annually and spread with ease – bringing with them rustic charm and a welcome haven for pollinators.

MEADOWHALL CRANESBILL

Although young plants may need a little more water to begin with, meadow cranesbill is a fantastic choice for dry, well-drained soil once matured.

With rich violet blooms and a place in the geranium family, this plant supports pollinators while adding definition and charm to beds and borders.

MUSK MALLOW

With soft pink flowers and a classic cottage garden appeal, musk mallow is both beautiful and hardy. Low maintenance and drought tolerant, it dies back in Autumn but reliably reappears in spring. Its vintage look and wildlife-friendly nature make it a garden favourite.

CORNFLOWER

These eye-catching blue blooms feature open faces, frilled petals, and curly stamens. Loved by bees and other beneficial insects, cornflowers are easy going once established and thrive with minimal watering. Ideal for adding colour and texture to a dry garden.“

She added: “These are just a small selection, as most native wildflowers are naturally suited to withstand drought once they’ve taken root.

“Many have evolved over time to adapt to the UK’s unpredictable weather patterns, including long dry periods. Some even store seeds beneath the soil, ready to regenerate when conditions improve.

“So, if you’re planning for the future of your patch, wildflowers are a smart, sustainable choice.”

For more tips from Emily and the Seedball team, visit  www.seedball.co.uk.

Also in Veronica’s Column this week

Top tips, news, Plant of the Week and a competition to win a Spring Bulb Bundle with 183 bulbs!!

NEWS! Multi award-winning garden designer, Pip Probert, from BBC 2’s Your Garden Made Perfect, is designing the headline feature garden at this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, taking place at Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, Essex next weekend.
 As reported previously in Sun Gardening – the  ‘Make a Metre Matter’ campaign encourages gardeners to transform a metre of outdoor space for the good of the planet. More than 13,500 eco-friendly metres have been pledged at gardenersworld.com to date, and Pip’s feature garden is brimming with meaningful metres to inspire Autumn Fair visitors to get involved. For tickets, visit  www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.

TOP TIP! If you’re thinking about attracting birds to your garden and keeping them happy in Autumn – then Honeysuckle is a win-win plant for your outside space.
It will provide you with a gorgeous scent and lovely trumpet-shaped flowers, as well as being a great climber for trellis and walls.
But in September it also provides lush red berries – a favourite food source for birds and other wildlife.
Or consider Cotoneaster shrubs – blackbirds and thrushes absolutely love them – just check the size of the one you’re buying as you don’t want it to take over.

TOP TIP! IF you’re coming to the end of your tomato journey for this year and you’ve still got some on the vine that look like they’ve got no chance of turning red – don’t despair.
Some experts suggest putting them in a bowl with a banana! The bendy yellow fruit emit ethylene – a compound that helps fruit ripen. Or you can just make green tomato chutney. Remember to chop up your vines and chuck them on the compost.

JOB OF THE WEEK! If you’re lucky to have wisteria – cut back this year’s current green shoots to five/six leaves. It will prevent it from growing too large and unwieldy.

PLANT OF THE WEEK! Spider Lillies are blooming now – and are named after the stamens resemble spider legs. Great for tropical borders, they look really exotic, best in full sun, in well drained soil and are full hardy to -5ºC

TOP TIP If your kitchen ginger has started sprouting, plant in a shallow tray with the shoot poking out – as it grows, keep topping up the soil. Keep on a sunny windowsill and you can grow year round as long as it doesn’t get too cold.

WIN! Win one of FOUR Spring Saver Bulb Bundle – 183 Bulbs WORTH £64.94 from Suttons Seeds. 
Featuring a variety of beloved spring-flowering bulbs to bring colour from February all the way through May, they’re ideal for beds or rockeries and can be layered in patio pots. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/SPRINGBULBS or write to Sun Spring Bulbs competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. September 6, 2025. T&Cs apply

For more gardening content follow me @Biros_and_Bloom

Eighth in a series of stories profiling top high school football players by position. Today, Jalen Flowers, Palos Verdes defensive back.

Jalen Flowers made a spectacular one-handed interception in a one-on-one drill during the spring. He didn’t run off the field waving his arms wildly or proclaim he’s the greatest lock-down cornerback since Deion Sanders.

“I’m not really a talker,” he said. “I let my game show it.”

He gives Palos Verdes High a 6-foot-2, 175-pound sophomore defensive back with the rare skill of being able to stick with any and all receivers. They can make moves, they can run their best patterns, but escaping Flowers doesn’t happen very often.

His instincts, lanky frame and knowledge from playing receiver come into play at a position in which misjudgments or a failure to respect an opponent can leave the defender getting burned for a touchdown.

“He’s got a knack,” coach Guy Gardner said of Flowers’ ability to cover receivers. “We coach him the best we can, but most of the things he does we didn’t coach. The way he carries himself, covering guys, running routes, things came naturally.”

He showed up during the summer of his freshman season and immediately got noticed as someone with talent. “It was pretty obvious,” Gardner said.

A 16-week season that led to a Division 2-A state championship saw Flowers catch four passes for 58 yards and one touchdown in the final. He finished the season with 26 tackles and one interception in his first full season playing defensive back and was literally growing taller every month.

“We didn’t think about him being a freshman from the midpoint of the season,” Garner said.

Flowers has played football since he was 6, so nothing an opponent tries to do on a football field ever surprises him.

“He really enjoys playing,” Gardner said. “You can see it when he plays. And he has some God-given ability.”

There are so many defensive backs with college football scholarship offers this season in Southern California that you’ll get a different answer every time you ask, “Who’s best?”

Madden Riordan, a USC commit from Sierra Canyon, had 11 interceptions last season. Isala Wily-Ava of St. John Bosco had 72 tackles as a sophomore safety along with seven interceptions. Aaryn Washington, a junior at Mater Dei, had 23 tackles and three interceptions during a 13-0 season. Gardena Serra has a trio of defensive backs headed to the college ranks in Wesley Ace, Marcellous Ryan and Duvay Williams.

There are schools with multiple top defensive backs, including St. John Bosco, Serra, Sierra Canyon, Mater Dei and Santa Margarita. No one is perfect. Even the best give up a touchdown on occasion.

But pay attention to what Flowers accomplishes in his sophomore season. Prepare for the bandwagon effect when people realize his gift for sticking close to receivers and start figuring out he’s no fluke.

And Flowers warns he’s not done growing.

“I might have an inch or more in me,” he said.

Said Gardner: “He’s putting in the work ethic with that ability and keeps getting better.”

Wednesday: San Pedro kicker Dylan Moreno.

Defensive backs to watch

Davon Benjamin, Oaks Christian, 6-0, 170, Sr.: Oregon commit returned three interceptions for touchdowns last season

Havon Finney Jr., Sierra Canyon, 6-3, 170, Sr.: LSU commit is terrific cornerback

Jalen Flowers, Palos Verdes, 6-2, 175, So.: He covers receivers so close he knows what gum they are chewing

Josh Holland, St. John Bosco, 6-2, 175, Sr.: USC commit with long arms and deceiving strength

Derrick Johnson, Murrieta Valley, 6-2, 170, Sr.: Oklahoma commit is tall, aggressive cornerback

Jeron Jones, Mission Viejo, 6-0, 195, Sr.: Washington commit makes big plays and big tackles

DeVohn Moutra Jr., Gardena Serra, 5-9, 190, Sr. Defensive player of the year from Mission League

Madden Riordan, Sierra Canyon, 5-11, 164, Sr.: USC commit had 11 interceptions

Aaryn Washington, Mater Dei, 6-0, 160, Jr:. Ready to make a leap in production

Isala Wiley-Ava, St. John Bosco, 6-3, 195, Jr.: Had seven interceptions as a sophomore

Donte Wright, Long Beach Poly, 6-2, 170, Jr. Georgia commit is fast, tough and smart

JACK Osbourne has revealed the touching way tributes left by Ozzy’s fans will be saved, with flowers to be buried at his final resting place.

The late rock legend’s son shared a heartwarming clip to Instagram and explained how hand-written letters, memorabilia, and merch are being “carefully preserved”.

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They were left at the Black Sabbath Bridge after news of Ozzy’s death broke and during his funeral procession through Birmingham last week.

Jack told how every item will be recorded on a digital database and given to the Osbourne family.

A video showed all the tributes laid out in rows, being photographed and logged.

“Here’s how tributes for Ozzy Osbourne are being carefully preserved by Central BID,” read the caption.

“All items from the Black Sabbath Bridge and Navigation St Mural have now been moved to a secure location.

“Every piece is being laid out individually, catalogued and treated with care.

“Our team has been working to respectfully sort the items ensuring they’re preserved in the best possible condition.

“We will be working to create a digital record of every tribute over the next few weeks to be sent to Ozzy’s family.

“The flowers are being mulched and bagged, with the compost to be included at Ozzy’s final resting place.

“Thank you for all of your tributes.”

One emotional fan penned: “Such a beautiful way to respect us fans and allow the family to see how much your Dad was adored.”

Another wrote: “Imagine all the different stories in those letters and cards from people old and young, all over the world all being bought together by one person who had an impact on their lives in some way.”

“That is so awesome, Ozzy touched so many people all over the world. What a wonderful way to acknowledge his fans,” shared a third.

Someone else agreed: “This is amazing and show just how much you loved your dad and also respected his fans. You should all be proud of what you did for his legacy.”

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“Wow and wow what an awesome tribute to your dad. God bless you Jack and your family,” added a fifth.

It comes after Jack paid an emotional tribute to his dad and told how his heart has “hurt too much” to speak out.

Ozzy’s youngest son shared a short video compilation of clips and photographs of himself and his father.

The 39-year-old was seen supporting his mum Sharon and his sisters Kelly, 40, and Aimee, 41, at their dad’s funeral.

He appeared on the American reality TV show The Osbournes as a child alongside his father, sisters and mother.

Jack said: “I haven’t really wanted to post anything since the passing of my father.

“My heart has hurt too much. I’m gonna keep this short because he certainly hated long rambling speeches.

“He was so many things to so many people, but I was so lucky and blessed to be a part of a very small group that got to call him Dad.

“My heart is full of so much sadness and sorrow, but also so much love and gratitude.

“I got 14,501 days with that man and I know that is such a blessing. I think this quote best describes my father.”

The tribute was followed by a quote from Hunter S. Thompson, known for writing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

It reads: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body… but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!'”

Jack went on to say that the quote from the American author summed up his dad, adding “he lived his life fully.”

Meanwhile Sharon earlier revealed Ozzy’s poignant final words about his fans following his farewell Black Sabbath concert.

She told Pollstar: “It was the first time, I think, that anybody’s gone into retirement and done it, where the show is streamed and it goes to charity.

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“So it’s the first time anybody has said goodnight like that, it’s the perfect way, when you’ve had such a long career, to end it – I never wanted Ozzy to just disappear without some big event.

“He [Ozzy] turned around and he said to me that night, he said, ‘I had no idea that so many people liked me’.”

Last Thursday, an “incredibly emotional” funeral service was held for the rocker, a family friend told The Sun.

The family home was decorated with pictures of Ozzy, and mourners were given a photograph of him to take home.

The singer’s nearest and dearest attended, joining his wife Sharon and his children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis, his son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.

His official death certificate lists ‘acute myocardial infarction’ and ‘out of hospital cardiac arrest’ under the cause of death section.

It also listed coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction as “joint causes” of Ozzy’s death.

The document described his occupation as a “rock legend, songwriter and performer” in a heart-warming nod towards Ozzy.

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A new patio in the UK typically costs between £80-£150 per square meter, but it depends on the materials and layout.

So a typical homeowner could end up paying a few hundred, to thousands to get a new one.

Amy on Facebook didn’t have that kind of money to sort her patio out.

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Instead, she came up with a genius idea to transform her wonky slabs, into an area she would love.

Posting in the Facebook group Garden Makeover Ideas On A Budget, she said: “On a very tight budget, I couldn’t stretch to funding a new patio.

“So, last year, I bought some ground covering seeds and planted them between some of my wonky pavers.

“I’m thrilled with how they now look but, the amount of bees that have been collecting the nectar from them is incredible. I’m so pleased.”

She added a photograph of the results, showing her wonky patio slabs covered with gorgeous purple, white and blue flowers.

As for what flowers she sowed, replying to a comment, Amy said: “Mixed ground cover,” and said it “will bring new life to your garden/patio”.

She “added a little sand to the compost” which she was advised to do so by her local garden centre because “the sand stabilises the wonky pavers”.

Her post has received 11,000 likes so far and hundreds of comments.

One replied: “I absolutely love this idea! I have a horrible concrete area that I cover with benches and pots! Also have an old paved area all sunken forever taking out the weeds in between! Thank you for the great idea x.”

Someone else wrote: “I think that looks lovely & far nicer than a new boring patio, it looks how nature would have intended it to look with plants tumbling out if cracks & crevices.”

One comment read: “It looks so pretty! Love your solution and how nice that it’s attracted pollinators too.”

Another said they make a great replacement for pesky weeds: “Oh I love this. I’m going to pulled out those weeds and put in seeds.”

Someone else was keen to know if any weeds grew amongst her flowers. They asked: “That looks lovely. Do you have any problems with weeds pushing through too?”

Amy replied: “I have had a couple yes, but by and large, the flowers are winning the ‘cosy’ and limited space.”

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How to grow flowers between your patio slabs

1. Clean the area

Remove any weeds or debris from the cracks between your patio slabs. A weeding tool or a stiff brush can help with this. 

Make sure the holes are at least six inches deep to help roots develop.

2. Fill with soil and compost

Use a mix of soil and compost to fill the cracks.

3. Choose your plants

Opt for low-growing, spreading plants that can tolerate foot traffic. 

Some good choices are: thyme, chamomile, creeping speedwell, dwarf mondo grass, daisies.

4. Plant

If using seeds, mix them with a little compost and sand and push them into the cracks. 

For plug plants, carefully remove and gently plant them into the cracks. Fill any surrounding gaps with compost.

5. Water

Water the seeds thoroughly and continue to water regularly, especially during dry spells, until the plants are established. 

June gardening jobs

The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month.

Stake out leggy perennials

With all the dramatic weather we’ve been having, it’s definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop.

Picking out the slugs and snails

Hopefully as we move into summer they  will do less damage as the plants get bigger.  The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them. 

Pick elderflower heads

You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter. 

Get on top of weeds

It’s around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing – or just the traditional ‘on your knees with a hand fork’. Try and avoid chemicals – remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place. 

Up the mowing

You’ll need to mow your lawn weekly now – if you’ve got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them. 

Check on your tomatoes

Your tomato plants will need attention – water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots. 

Chelsea Chop

There’s still time for the Chelsea Chop – plants like Rudbeckia’s, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period.

Sort out your tulips

If you can be bothered and have space – lift and story your tulip  bulbs to ensure colour next Spring. 

Deadheading your roses

Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves – which will ensure more flowers for longer. 

Enjoy your space

Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space – it’s great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference. 

LIDL is launching a new garden plant range with flowers starting from just £1.99.

The budget supermarket has unveiled a huge variety of indoor and outdoor plants to help Brits give their gardens a glow-up without breaking the bank.

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Green-fingered shoppers can snap up British bedding plants and assorted flowering plants, which are perfect for brightening up flowerbeds, hanging baskets and window boxes this summer.

The budget blooms start from just £1.99 and are already hitting the famous middle aisle, with more due to land in stores later this week – just in time for the sunny season.

From Friday, 7 June, shoppers can pick up gorgeous flowering plants that will brighten your outdoor space from late spring all the way through to autumn, meaning you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck.

But that’s not all. Lidl is also stocking large perennials for just £4.99, and Hibiscus plants for only £6.99, which will add colour and height to any patio or garden display.

These prices are incredibly competitive, considering a 9cm potted perennial plant would set you back between £10 at Dobies.

Likewise, Waitrose sell Hibiscus plants for £12.99, whilst B&Q sell them for £11.99 – making Lidl the cheapest.

The new drop includes hardy plants in vibrant shades of purple, pink, white and yellow – ideal for creating a full, colourful display with minimal effort.

And for those looking to spruce up their indoor space, Lidl also has a fresh selection of houseplants and stylish ceramic pots in-store now.

The stylish plant allows you to revamp your lounge for just £14.99.

Available across stores nationwide, these blooming great buys are expected to fly off shelves, so you’ll want to be quick.

As always, stock is limited and varies by store, so head to to your local Lidl if you want to dig into these flowery deals.

Its also worth calling up ahead to check the items you’re after are in stock.

Garden makeover

Meanwhile, Lidl isn’t the only retailer offering great garden deals this summer.

In fact, a Home Bargains buy is said to add a touch of glamour to your garden.

The retailer is also selling a budget buy guaranteed to brighten up your space.

You can also add a stylish touch to your privacy fence with a B&M buy.

Or you can pick up another summer flower favourite from B&Q right now.

Shoppers can also nab a £9.99 novelty decor buy that adds character to flowerbeds.

A £7 gardening gadget is also available from Home Bargains and is guaranteed to transform your lawn.

And Lidl customers can add a “whimsical” touch to their flowerbeds for just £3.

Or a £2 B&M buy transforms your patio into an “ambient” paradise this summer.

Its always worth comparing prices across different stores to make sure you’re bagging the best deals.

That’s where price comparison tools can come in handy.

Websites like Google Shopping let you type in a product name or model number to instantly compare prices across dozens of retailers.