rainbow

WELL, arc at you, birthday girl!

Model Iris Law beams with joy under a rainbow as she prepares to celebrate hitting 25.

Iris showed off her toned tum in ­swimwear on a beach while on hols.

The daughter of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost wrote on social media: “Last day of 24.”

For Iris, who dated footballer Trent Alexander-Arnold, 27, last year, the sky’s the limit in the fashion world.

We recently revealed how Iris had her assistants running across New York to find her favourite treats ahead of the Victoria’s Secret show.

LAYING DOWN LAW

Nepo-baby Iris Law had list of ‘diva demands’ before Victoria’s Secret show

NEW MATCH

Iris Law spotted out for summer stroll with Trent Alexander-Arnold lookalike

The model made her debut as an Angel during the return of the world famous runway show in October.

Iris is said to have sent her team of assistants looking for cookies from a particular bakery and then smoothies from another place in New York, according to Daily Mail.

The Victoria’s Secret catwalk show made a stunning return earlier this month and was full of A-list models including, Alessandra Ambrosio, Jasmine Tookes, Angel Reese,  Barbie Ferreira,  Ashley Graham, Irina Shayk and Emily Ratajkowski.

Iris burst onto the modelling scene when she was in her teens and has been booked by some of the biggest fashion houses in the world.

She has previously posed for Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, and Versace.

She has also started to forge a career in the movies and follow in her famous parents’ footsteps.

The “Reading Rainbow” is officially back, with internet-famous librarian Mychal Threets at the helm.

Following the reboot’s premiere last Saturday, the new host responded to the audience’s wishes for a Latino lead in a recent social media post. He wrote, “You’re not going to believe this… I am [Latino]! My dad is Black, my mom is Mexican and white. I’m a mixed kid, homeschool kid, library kid, PBS kid, and @readingrainbow kid!”

Threets, who got his start as a Bay Area librarian, tells The Times that because he was home-schooled, he was able to learn about his heritage mostly through books. He says he was raised to be proud of his heritage and looks up to both his grandfather and mother as examples of what it means to be Latino. Much of his childhood was also marked by the sounds of Selena Quintanilla, whom he recently got memorialized in a tattoo.

“My heritage and being Latino will hopefully be reflected in my appearance on the show,” said Threets in a statement. “I hope people will see me and see a happy, jovial person who has the same heritage as them.”

Threets started to gain online popularity in 2020. He started posting short-form videos of himself reading and sharing stories from working in a library. Many of those videos garnered more than a million views and earned him several hundred thousand followers.

The original “Reading Rainbow,” hosted by LeVar Burton, first launched on PBS in 1983. For over two decades, Burton taught literacy skills and helped instill a love for reading in children across the country. The show ended in 2006, having earned a handful of Emmy and Peabody Awards. It ran for a total of 155 episodes and is recognized as one of the longest-running children’s programs ever.

At the time, the show was funded in part by the Department of Education. The reboot comes at a time when public media, including television, has been subject to sizable budget cuts. The revitalization will instead appear on the kids’ YouTube channel, Kidzuko, which is owned by Sony Pictures Television, as well as the Reading Rainbow’s website.

The reboot, which premiered over the weekend, has mostly stayed true to its roots with a new rerecorded theme song and a trivia segment. Celebrity guests will include “Dancing With the Stars” performers Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa, “The Bear’s” actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen and Gabrielle Union. New episodes air every Saturday, until Oct. 24.

“Reading Rainbow seeks to make reading fun for everyone, all races, all backgrounds, all levels of reading! The reactions have been out of this world,” said Threets. “I am overwhelmed in the best of ways.”

IT was the Autumn equinox on Monday – which means the days are about to get a lot shorter.

Before you know it, it will be dark when you get home from work and when you get up in the morning.

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And although that means less gardening time – there’s still loads you can get in the ground or your greenhouse.

In fact, Autumn is a great time to get planting – simply because the soil is still warm but the weather is cooler – which means roots can establish well before Winter.

Whether it’s for produce or colour before Christmas – or flowers after – I’ve put together a guide on what can go in the ground now.

FLOWERS

You can always tell from what’s on sale in your local garden centre or supermarket as to what will bring you colour in the run up before Christmas.

But staples like container grown Geums, Cyclamen, Astor, Japanese Anenome, and Chrysanthemums can be bought in flower and planted now.

Plus racks of bedding plants like pansies, viola and primroses are filling supermarket shelves.

I managed to find three packs of eight viola plugs from Asda for just a fiver last weekend – which means each of the 24 plugs are only 20p.

Plus the gorgeous colour combinations will fill your garden with rainbows of colour.

And a lot of the garden centres are offering Winter Bedding packs – which takes the decision of what to buy out of your hands – and provides you with a lovely rainbow of colours for your outside space.=

Seeds-wise – you can plant sweetpea, poppies, calendula, cornflower, nemesia, forget-me-nots, and lavender under cover.

BULBS

Daffodils, crocus, alliums and grape hyacinth bulbs are good to go in September and October – as well as the more unusual large Fritalliaries  and Camassia – which look really like bluebells.

But hold fire until November until you plant your tulip bulbs – they love the colder weather.

If you put them in too early, you’ll risk the change of Tulip Fire, which is a fungal disease that causes distorted leaves and spots – that look like scorch marks – on the tulips themselves.

A lot of online garden centres have big bulb sales on at the moment, so it’s worth shopping around.

Suttons Seeds are offering Sun Gardening readers an exclusive link to get 80 per cent off their bulb sales right now.

Access it now at www.suttons.co.uk/sunoffer

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT

Butterhead and Lamb’s lettuce actually like the colder weather – so under a cloche or cold frame, or in a greenhouse – sow the seeds thinly, about 1.5cm deep. Sow every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.

Overwintering cauliflower seeds like ‘All The Year Round’ and ‘Autumn Giant’ can be planted now – under protection.

Plus onion seeds, winter greens, garlic, pak choi, spinach and kale.

There’s a lot of fruit you can grow in pots – including cherries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.

Then wait until November for bare root season

Also in Veronica’s Column this week…

Gardening news, top tips, Plant of the Week plus a chance to win a £200 Gardening Express voucher.

Fore more gardening content and competitions follow me @biros_and_bloom

NEWS! Did you know that 22 billion carrot seeds are sown each year in the UK, and we eat our way through 700,000 tonnes of carrots annually?
This works out to be around 100 per person, and laid out end to end they would stretch 1.4 million miles – two and a half trips to the moon.  
And as British growers provide 97 per cent of the carrots consumers buy in the UK, there is almost no need to buy imported carrots.
They’re also worth £290m to the UK Economy yet are one of the cheapest vegetables – with loads of nutritional benefits.  
The incredible stats have been released in time for British Carrot Day on Friday – which celebrates the UK carrot growing and encourages people to buy, get creative, eat, and cook with carrots.
For more information visit www.britishcarrots.co.uk 

NEWS! A whopping leaf four metres long has been grown at the Eden Project, Cornwall. Lodoicea maldivica, more commonly known as coco de mer, is native to the islands of the Seychelles and is famous for producing the world’s largest and heaviest seed.
The mature leaf has taken around ten years to develop to this stage. And over the next decade, it could reach a massive eight to ten metres. A coco de mer can live for up to 800 years, reaching up to 112 feet tall.

TOP TIP! September is the start of baby hedgehog (hoglet) season, and you may find that they need your help.
Autumn Juvenile hedgehogs are old enough to be away from their mums, but often too small to hibernate successfully.
Guidance from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society  says that “if the hedgehog is a regular visitor to your garden, is only seen at night, appears active and you are prepared to feed it every night then it can be left in the wild.
But  if the hedgehog goes off its food, wobbles and staggers or starts coming out in the day, then it needs extra help as soon as possible.
The best way to ensure wild hedgehogs are well-fed is to create organic wild spaces, leafy corners and log piles where they can forage for natural foods, like grubs and insects.
To supplement their diet in the wild, you can offer hedgehogs a good quality meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or dry biscuits for cats.

NEWS! If you fancy turning your hand to growing houseplants, Unwins have launched a brand new Houseplant Seed Collection, a curated range of eight varieties that have been specially selected and bred to flourish in UK and Irish homes.
Including Asparagus Ferns, Sempervivum, Bird of Paradise and Dichondra Silver Surfer, the packs are available now in your local garden centre.
Natasha Lane, Head of Seed, for Unwins, commented: “We’re very excited to be launching a collection of houseplant seeds for the first time. It now means that it’s easier than ever to create your very own indoor jungle. Whether you’re looking to enhance wellbeing, purify the air, or simply add style to your space, our houseplant seeds are ready to grow with you.”

WIN! One lucky reader can win a £200 Gardening Express voucher to spend online. To enter, visit www.thesun.co.uk/EXPRESSVOUCHER or write to Sun Gardening Express competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. October 11, 2025. T&Cs apply

PLANT OF THE WEEK! Japanese Anemone. Blooming now, they’re graceful and tall with long stalks and single or double flowers – great for brightening up shady corners, but prefer a bit of sun. Spread by rhizomes.

JOB OF THE WEEK! If you’ve got a pond it’s time to get it ready for winter – net it before leaves start to fall and trim back any overgrown pond plants. Put a tennis ball in to help prevent freezing.

Sandgate, in Kent, has 4.3 stars on TripAdvisor with people saying it’s great to have a lovely walk or bike ride next to the coast

This quaint seaside village in Kent is brimming with charm and personality, boasting vibrant quirky homes, crystal clear waters, and a laid-back vibe. It’s our county’s very own Riviera – there’s even a sign ‘The Riviera’ to confirm it – and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Welcome to Sandgate, a perfect spot for leisurely exploration if the weather holds up. You can stroll through the town, taking in the picturesque properties and flower-laden gardens, and spotting delightful ‘holiday vibe’ details like hanging baskets, eccentric windows, and intriguing balconies.

If you’re seeking inspiration for house painting, this coastal village nestled between Folkestone and Hythe will have you reaching for your paint roller in no time.

The houses are painted in a true spectrum of colours, ranging from bright green, to a soft lavender, to aquamarine and sun-bleached terra cotta reminiscent of Spain. The sea at Sandgate’s pebble beach boasts ‘excellent’ rated bathing water quality, a status it has maintained for the past eight years.

However, in May, swimmers were advised by the Environment Agency to steer clear of the beach due to sewage pollution caused by a damaged pipe. Southern Water, however, assured that it had not affected the bathing water, reports Kent Live.

The beach has also consistently held a Seaside Award for the past 12 years.

Amenities such as toilets, shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants are conveniently located on the High Street just a few minutes away. There’s also a promenade where you can enjoy a 1.5-mile walk to Folkestone or a three-mile stroll to Hythe.

There are three council car parks available: Castle Road and Wilberforce Road, where charges reach £4.50 for up to four hours; and Gough Road, which comes free of charge but offers just six spaces.

Last year, Rightmove crowned Sandgate as one of the 10 priciest seaside locations in Britain for house purchases, with average sale prices hitting £495,009.

It hasn’t featured in the newly released rankings, though Whitstable and Hythe have made the cut. Anyone considering property investment in Sandgate now would be looking at an average of £435,995 for the past year.

Overall sale prices climbed six per cent compared to the previous year, yet dropped 21 per cent from 2022’s peak. The majority of transactions involved flats, which commanded an average of £233,438.

Some of the most stunning properties perch on hillsides with sweeping Channel views. Housing also extends along the Esplanade and stretches towards the interior.

The area buzzes with activity, as Sandgate’s High Street boasts an array of restaurants, cafés, bars, and pubs. The beach earns 4.3 stars out of five from 199 Tripadvisor reviewers.

Whilst the most recent pair of reviews partly grumble about public music playing, one visitor’s said: “I’ve always loved Sandgate beach and frequent this area a lot over the summer. It’s great to have a lovely walk or bike ride next to the coast.

“Lovely views, and feels like you’re somewhere else. Great to just take your mind off everyday issues, to relax and take in the lovely sea air, sound of the sea and birds. Love this place.”

On a day when the skies are clear, you can feast your eyes on the coast stretching towards the enigmatic Dungeness, with France occasionally peeking through the horizon. Sandgate Park, too, has upped its game with fresh play surfaces introduced last year, complete with hopscotch for the older generation to share some old-school fun with the kids.

Then there’s The Famous Ship Inn, a beloved community haunt that dishes up freshly netted fish and chips, boasting a top-deck terrace with breathtaking views.

Don’t forget about the cosy log fire – a perfect spot to remember when the leaves start to fall. And if you’re strolling along Granville Parade, pop into the Boat House Café, which commands a stunning view of the beach.

With an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor from 126 reviews, it’s a hit for scrumptious lunches and breakfasts. A recent review gushed: “I’ve been here a few times now and the first time I had their hot dog with onions and wow, it was lovely.

“The second and third time I went I had their Greek salad and oh my goodness, it is spectacular and the owners are very welcoming. I’m definitely recommending this place and 100 per cent going back, so much so I’m literally on my way there in 10 minutes with my daughter.”

One of Sandgate’s most celebrated former residents was the beloved actress Hattie Jacques, and you’ll quickly spot a blue building bearing a commemorative plaque marking her birthplace as you stroll down the High Street. She remains the cherished English comedy star best remembered for her appearances in the iconic Carry On film series, though her talents graced stage, radio and television throughout her prolific career.

The village was also home to author H. G. Wells, hailed as “the father of science fiction”. Beyond his imaginative novels, he penned non-fiction works and established himself as a respected journalist, sociologist and historian.

Delving deeper into history, you must explore Sandgate Castle, constructed during Henry VIII’s reign to guard the beach and coastal route to Dover rather than protect a harbour. This Grade I-listed fortress boasts an extensive defensive heritage.

By 1808, the central tower had been converted into a Martello tower design. Roughly one-third of the original fortress has since been lost to time.

The village also houses the Shorncliffe Redoubt, a Napoleonic-era earthwork fortification linked to Sir John Moore and the 95th Regiment of Foot, famously known as the 95th Rifles. Don’t miss St Paul’s Church either, whose striking tower soars from the hillside – it’s absolutely stunning.