Weatherwatch: how robins became a symbol of Christmas

With its plumped-up red breast and sweet song, this tiny garden visitor is a British festive favourite

Of all Britain’s birds, none is more closely associated with winter and Christmas, than the robin. But how did this come about?

The species’ association with the festive season can partly be traced to the 19th century when the newly created postal service dressed its workers in red uniforms. The Victorians nicknamed the delivery staff “robins” and the birds eventually cornered the Christmas market, appearing on greeting cards and wrapping paper.

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Weatherwatch: how robins became a symbol of Christmas

With its plumped-up red breast and sweet song, this tiny garden visitor is a British festive favourite

Of all Britain’s birds, none is more closely associated with winter and Christmas, than the robin. But how did this come about?

The species’ association with the festive season can partly be traced to the 19th century when the newly created postal service dressed its workers in red uniforms. The Victorians nicknamed the delivery staff “robins” and the birds eventually cornered the Christmas market, appearing on greeting cards and wrapping paper.

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I'm renting in London – should I try to buy now or wait?

I’m saving for a deposit and wondering if I should leave it a few years until I can build up more

Q I rent in London and I’m on a yearly wage of £28,000. When I have saved enough to put down a deposit on a property (ironically I can save more in London as I have very cheap rent) I would like to move out of London and buy a home in Norfolk. My prospective wages in Norfolk would be £26,000 and I would like to buy a flat for around £80,000 to £100,000. I can’t work out the logistics. Do I buy now with a deposit of £10,000 or wait until I have a larger deposit of £20,000? And do I get a mortgage based on my current wages or my prospective wages?

I understand that mortgage lenders prefer that you’ve been in the same job for a couple of years, so should I relocate now and work in Norfolk (and rent) for a couple of years? Or does the fact that I’ve been in my current job in London for four years show that I’m a good bet? RH

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Can overpaying your mortgage save you money? Nottingham Estate Agents

Have you made a resolution to tackle your mortgage? Do you have any disposable income that could be offset against your mortgage? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, you may be considering overpaying your mortgage. But is it the right decision for your circumstances? Here, the Money Advice Service sets out some […]

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Gardening books to turn over a new leaf | James Wong

My top five gardening books for horticulture enthusiasts

I have been collecting gardening books since I was eight years old, and three decades later it is fair to say that the impulse is out of control. But out of well over 200 titles there are only a handful I go back to time and again. So whether you are a horticultural newbie or fellow gardening book junkie, here are my favourites. Between them, they have taught me everything I know.

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Gardening books to turn over a new leaf | James Wong

My top five gardening books for horticulture enthusiasts

I have been collecting gardening books since I was eight years old, and three decades later it is fair to say that the impulse is out of control. But out of well over 200 titles there are only a handful I go back to time and again. So whether you are a horticultural newbie or fellow gardening book junkie, here are my favourites. Between them, they have taught me everything I know.

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Will the rain stop in time to save my tagetes seed? | Allan Jenkins

Endless wet days are making it impossible to pick seeds from flower heads – and there’s no red tagetes quite like mine

Steady rain for near endless days, wet leaves littered like old confetti. I want to do stuff at the allotment, but the ground is still sodden. I am exiled by wet. It’s not that there are many chores – it is November after all. But the red tagetes are soaked and fallen and I want to save the plant’s seed. I have carried it with me for a dozen years now. Maybe more than any other, it feels important to keep it alive.

It came to me almost by accident, in a mixed batch from Lila Towle at the Danish Seed Savers. Originally found at the Danish Agricultural Museum, and thought to be German in origin, it was renamed Ildkongen (Fire King).

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