mistaken

Social News Assistant Editor Samantha Bartlett visited a picturesque lavender farm. However, although it may look like it could be Provence in France it’s actually based right here in the UK

Provence, in the south-east of France, is globally famous for its expansive lavender fields, which blanket the region in vibrant shades of purple and violet every summer. Known locally as “blue gold,” lavender farming is a cornerstone of Provence‘s agricultural economy and cultural identity, historically fuelled by the perfume industry in nearby Grasse.

So you would be forgiven for thinking that the stunning lavender field I visited recently is based there. However, instead of being in France, it’s situated right here in the UK. Lordington Lavender Farm is a family-operated, working farm situated in the South Downs National Park near Chichester, West Sussex.

Founded in 2002 by local farmer Andrew Elms following his shift away from dairy farming, it covers 10 acres of stunning French Maillette lavender – a variety exceptionally valued for its superior essential oil quality.

The farm, which is perfect for a sunny day out, stands out particularly because it functions with a rigorous commitment to conservation, employing no chemical fertilisers or pesticides, rendering it an environmentally-friendly sanctuary for bees, butterflies, and more than 12 red-listed bird species.

As it remains a working commercial farm, it welcomes visitors for just a short window in July annually when the flowers achieve their peak purple display.

This weekend (Sat July 18-Sun July 19) marks the final Open Days, so if you fancy experiencing this magnificent attraction, you’ll need to get there sharpish.

Visitors will find countless chances to wander amongst the lavender rows while capturing plenty of photographs and observing local wildlife such as bees and butterflies.

I visited recently with my family and my young son, who adored racing up and down the rows and discovering the butterflies amongst the lavender. There are also plenty of opportunities for snapping photos, including an egg chair, toy tractor and a table and chairs set to pose alongside.

Beyond the lavender fields themselves, visitors can opt to take a tractor ride down to the farm from the car park, which naturally my little one adored.

Educational talks about lavender are available too, alongside a ‘Hay Play’ zone for children, featuring some small slides, bowling and tin cans for entertainment.

In addition to this, there’s a new maize maze. The weekend of my visit featured alpacas, lambs and Pygmy goats as well, though sadly they won’t be present this coming weekend.

Despite being outdoors in the sun, there’s ample shade and numerous refreshments to sustain you, ranging from cakes to lavender-flavoured ice cream, fresh strawberries and Pimm’s.

Visitors can even browse the shop and purchase their pure, steam-distilled essential oils, natural soaps and potted lavender plants to bring back home.

All in all, we enjoyed a wonderful day out in a distinctive setting that I’m confident my little one will cherish for years ahead, so I’d strongly suggest heading down for a visit if you’re available this weekend.

The United States opened their World Cup campaign with a fine win – but not before a sequence of events that left everyone inside SoFi Stadium scratching their heads as the video assistant referee (VAR) made history.

The co-hosts were comfortably leading Paraguay 3-0 when confusion reigned in the Group D game.

Veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, conceded a free-kick and was shown a yellow card for his ‘challenge’ on Miguel Almiron.

After the free-kick was taken, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was sent to the screen by the VAR and overturned his decision – something officials have not previously been allowed to do.

After rescinding Ream’s caution, Makkelie instead booked former Newcastle United forward Almiron, who had clearly dived.

It is the first VAR intervention for mistaken identity at the World Cup, even if it perhaps was not used in the way most expected it to be.

Fifa has introduced of a number of rule changes for the tournament, with Pierluigi Collina, the head of referees, requesting one specifically for mistaken identity.

The rule states that if a player is booked or sent off – but the foul was actually committed by the opposition team – the decision can be changed.

Another new law is second yellow cards leading to a red card can be reviewed, but not first yellow cards. The only reason referee Makkelie was able to rescind the decision was by using the mistaken identity law.

The officials allowed the game to restart before stopping, which also confused fans as normally once the game resumes it cannot be pulled back.

Former Everton and Wales defender Ashley Williams, speaking to BBC Sport, added: “They let them take the free-kick, which was bizarre but clearly the right decision.

“It’s the first time we have seen it but fair play.”

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy, who was co-commentating for BBC Sport, added: “Any adaptation of the rules which means diving gets more punishment is good.”

The United States, managed by former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, won the match 4-1 to get their campaign off to a winning start in front of a jubilant home crowd.

Following an own goal by Damian Bobadilla, the US led 3-0 at half-time after Folarin Balogun scored twice.

In doing so he became just the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match.

Paraguay pulled one back through Brazilian-born Mauricio before the goal of the night from substitute Giovanni Reyna, who curled a 20-yard shot home with the outside of his right foot with the final kick of the game.