Daily Post

Not so Secret Garden ; Liverpool Is Tentatively Putting a Toe in a National Scheme to Open Private Gardens for Charity. Peter Elson Reports

MANY people will recall the Liverpool International Garden Festival of 1984, but howmany have heard of a garden festival here in 2008? Well, maybe not quite, but tomorrow sees the launch of Sefton Park Gardens Open day, under the auspices of the National Garden Scheme.

The Essentials

FORGET food poisoning and 24-hour bugs, more Britons are inventing ill and dying animal stories in an attempt to avoid work. According to a survey by More Th>n, almost a quarter of UK bosses are aware of pets being used by workers for an unauthorised day under the duvet - and are bracing themselves for an increase in illegitimate sick days as a new epidemic, "Slocombe syndrome", kicks in.

10 Questions ; Danielle Maloney, 27, Is a Programme and Monitoring Officer for Workplace Health Specialists Health@Work

Philosophy of life: What goes around comes around. Idea of happiness: Knowing that my family is happy and healthy.

I Think a Lot of Questions Will Be Raised After This ; Emma Johnson Learns More About the Man Spielberg Described As 'the Best Actor in the World'

THANKS to his distinctive name and features, not to mention his string of successful films, Pete Postlethwaite is one of Britain's most recognisable actors. Whether you saw his turn as Friar Lawrence in Baz Luhrmann's modern-day retelling of Romeo + Juliet, as mysterious lawyer Kobayashi in The Usual Suspects, or as Giuseppe Conlon from In The Name Of The Father, the role that won him an Oscar nomination in 1994, the Warrington-born actor is unforgettable.

Leave the Cares of the World Behind ; Ben Schofield Goes Soul Searching in a Converted Nunnery, and Finds the Sisterhood Knew a Thing or Two About Inner Calm

THE only thing that's loud in La Locanda delle DonneMonache is the artwork. Its walls and alcoves are strewn with technicolour exhibits - from a clay sun and his family crammed into a speeding car, through abstractMurano glasswork and on to racy oil canvases. But the whitewashed walls of this former nunnery will bring a hushed silence on every conversation.

Cutting Comments About Roses

I HAVE the most glorious David Austin rose, Golden Celebration, recommended to me several years ago by the man himself when I inquired whether it was possible to grow fragrant old English roses in large containers This repeat-flowering yellow shrub rose has now been housed in a large wooden trough for several years and is still doing well, but I would like to replicate its appearance and scent in other spots in my garden, which brings me to the subject of propagating roses.

What's It Worth?

Q. CLEARING the attic recently, we came across a framed portrait of Queen Victoria and donation of one sovereign presented by the Royal Commissioners of the Patriotic Fund in memory of my husband's late great-grandfather, who died on June 7, 1900. While there is no sign of the sovereign, we are interested in knowing more about this and wondered if your antique expert can help us. M Sharp, Neston

Food & Drink: Teatime Treats ; Combine the Best of British in This Summer Essential

WITHW imbledon well under way and the British summer in full flow, we hope, strawberries, clotted cream and good old-fashioned freshly baked scones should be back on everybody's menu - I often find making them slightly smaller entices people to eat more readily. Brush with a little milk and sprinkle with sugar to give a glossy finish. WIMBLEDON SCONES

Tiny Bites ...

THIS delicious summer pudding recipe is inspired by the strawberry-and-creamdessert traditionally served at Eton College on June 4, and is really called EtonMess. It uses red summer berries and broken pieces of meringue so children don't need to worry about it looking perfect. Meringue nests can be bought pre-made from any supermarket.

Honey Mangoes Make the Perfect Summer Soup ; Food & Drink

THEmango has come a long way in recent years. Until relatively recently, it was seen simply as an exotic delicacy to be sampled on trips to the East. Now, however, it sits comfortably as a staple of smoothies, yoghurts and ice creams the world over.

Perfect Family Property ; Emma Thompson On a Home in a Sought-After Area

VIEWING is essential to fully appreciate this modernised, detached executivestyle property. With no chain, this property offers many features and is ideally located for schools, amenities and recreational facilities.

Six of the Best

Burscough, pounds 399,950 OVERLOOKING open countryside, this superb barn conversion is perfectly located in a small development, and well worth viewing.

Royal Park, Birkdale Prices From Pounds 355,000 ; in Association with Smartnewhomes.Com

IF QUALITY and style in an excellent location isn't enough, then the fantastic 20% discount* at the impressive Royal Park development should make now the time to buy. Situated on Grosvenor Road, in Birkdale, these stunning apartments and penthouse properties are certainly worth viewing and now there is a 20% discount on selected plots for completions before June 30, 2008.

Kaber Court, Dingle. Prices From Pounds 114,950 ; in Association with Smartnewhomes.Com

KEY workers looking to live in the vibrant city centre now have a little help, with discounts being offered on a range of Stewart Milne's contemporary apartments. Essential workers such as firemen, police officers, nurses and teachers can benefit from the offer available at Kaber Court, with the opportunity to purchase selected properties at pounds 2,000 below market value.

Interiors: Bring Some French Fancy Home ; Gabrielle Fagan Looks at Clever Tricks to Bring Some Continental Style Into Your Home Lacuisine

FOR years, we've had an enduring love affair with France. From this side of the Channel, we seem unable to resist the charmof its relaxed cafe culture and chic lifestyle, not to mention its fashion and food. The lucky ones have holiday homes across the water, some are so enamoured they're upping sticks and relocating, but increasingly the most popular choice is to recreate the essence of a sophisticated French style in our homes.

Interiors: Parisian Style

Gitane Blue Drucker Chaise Fouquet Basic, pounds 295; Metier tall- back chair, pounds 460; Luxembourg armchair, pounds 600; Circular tric-trac table, pounds 850; Bridge table, pounds 800; White ceramic soup terrine, pounds 190; Cassonade, pounds 75; Amour et Reconnaissance 1882 celebration souvenir plaque, pounds 95; 1930's tin storage jars, pounds 225; and French oblong ceramic dishes, pounds 14 each STOP dreaming about a chic apartment in one of the French capital's most fashionable distric...

Willaston, Pounds 825,000 ; in Association with Smartnewhomes.Com

SET in 11 acres of parkland with a communal tennis court, this magnificent Georgian coach house offers spacious, wellpresented accommodation. Downstairs, the reception hall has underfloor heating and oakstrip flooring, along with a feature central staircase.

Prenton, Pounds 435,000 ; in Association with Smartnewhomes.Com

OFFERING generous accommodation, this five-bedroom, detached house is situated on a corner plot and is highly recommended for viewing. On the ground floor, the reception hall has understairs storage and a cloakroom/wc. The sitting room has a Living Flame gas fire with a limestone surround, and French doors to the rear garden.

Canu Clod

Tair soprano'n dechrau canu ... MARKET

Overheard

Now that he has left ITV News in favour of working for the opposition, BBC newsman Nicholas Owen obviously feels it's safe to take the mickey out of his former colleagues. He recalls the occasion when in 1991 John McCarthy and other hostages were finally flown home after being held captive in Lebanon.