Dear Mrs Danvers, being well-organised and practical, I am already planning for the baking weather prophesied for the summer. I intend to buy some electric fans while there is still a chance of snow so, surely, they will not have sold out. Any suggestions? Office suppliers Viking Direct (a href="http://www.viking-direct.co.uk" title="Viking Direct">www.vikingdirect.co.uk; 0844 412 0000) have a fair selection, priced from £9.39 for a clip-on desk fan in plastic to chrome pedestal fans in two heights. One, the smaller, is £23.49 and the taller is £46.99. Both will oscillate and have three speeds. Lakeland (www.lakeland.co.uk; 01539 488100) have a high-velocity air circulator with three speeds (£39.99) and one with beechwood effect blades at the same price will also be available shortly. The company stocks a tower fan, £59.99, which is, it says, extremely quiet and good in bedrooms. It also has a remote control, eight-hour timer and ?natural breeze? mode, whatever that is.
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You're all invited to Cecil Beaton's Garden Party'The space given over to 'Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party' at the Garden Museum is smaller than Beaton’s own drawing room, but its intimacy is its trump card.'
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Chelsea Flower Show 2025: Ten things not to miss in what promises to be a superb year at the world's greatest horticultural showIt promises to be a stellar year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Kathryn Bradley-Hole previews some of the highlights you can expect, while we take a look ahead to what Country Life will be up to during the week.
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How to prepare your house for winterAs winter approaches, experts advise that preventative measures are crucial for our houses to weather hard winters
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Ten house tips for the winterNow is the time to put your house in ship-shape for the winter months ahead. Chartered surveyor Tom Grillo shares his ten top tips
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Choosing an interior designerFinding the right skilled interior designer for your period property requires some dedication; in particular you need to make sure you share the same vision
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Maintenance tips for Victorian housesThere are a number of aspects to look out for when viewing or indeed owning a Victorian house
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Best cooking pansMrs Danvers suggests the best makes of pots and cooking pans to hunt down when shopping for a special friend's wedding present
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How to save old floorboards
Lots of care and elbow grease can help old floorboards gleam again
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Buying bellowsMrs Danvers recommends where to find a new or antique pair of bellows
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Removing chocolate stainsMrs Danvers tackles readers' household queries: this week's are chocolate stains on a linen suit and screen doors
