Just visited the beautiful sand garden in the Sunken Garden at @westdeangardens and talked to @tombrowngardener about how this exciting new method of growing in sand or concrete rubble could be a game- changer for the traditional herbaceous border. It's a divinely pretty garden, do check out the video now up on the Middlesizedgarden YouTube channel (and in bio) and the practical tips are in the post on The Middlesizedgarden blog. Sand gardening really does feel like something quite new - Nigel D

As one of the world’s leading institutions for arts and conservation, West Dean continues to champion craft, creativity, and cultural heritage ✨ This year brought international collaborations, major artistic commissions, global conservation initiatives, award-winning student achievements, and vibrant campus celebrations. Thank you to our remarkable community. Here’s to the journey ahead in 2026 🫶 https://www.westdean.ac.uk/news/2025-highlights | West Dean College

West Dean College near Chichester is one of the UK's leading conservation centres. They've restored rare clocks and helped preserve examples of Jane Austen's handwriting. But their latest project is rather more modern. Students are working on three aircraft propellors from the Second World War. They'd been found at nearby Tangmere which had been an RAF airbase. | BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight