Help! We are inundated with ladybirds. For the past few months we have been plagued with swarms of the insects of all different colours. We have had to keep all…
Country Queries
Fireworks – what are your rights?
I live in a remote spot and my only neighbours are a charming but feisty family who have taken to celebrating everything with fireworks: New Year, their birthdays or just…
How to restore and reprint old photographs
I have an old photograph album containing some charming family hunting and shooting photographs depicting a number of days out with several packs and among the coverts. It has been…
How to restore a club fender
The seat of our club fender has been well used over the years by children, party guests and guns reliving the day's shooting. All in all, it's looking rather tired…
Where to find a good tree seat
We have a large tree in our field that is being slightly damaged by the assortment of livestock that uses it and the ground underneath is no longer suitable for…
How to restore a gilt frame
I recently bought some gilt frames from an auction house. The gilding on the frames needs repairing and I wondered if you knew of anyone who could restore the gilding…
How to remove a bookplate
I have acquired a book with a foolscap-size bookplate pasted on the inside of the cover saying "From the library of..." How can I remove the bookplate safely? JB Morvern,…
Where to find an educational gun for a young shot
I am trying to find an educational shotgun for a boy of eight who is mad keen on the countryside and shooting. Is there such a thing as an educational…
How to repair the catch of a Revelation suitcase
I am the owner of a leather Revelation suitcase of about 1920 vintage. One of the catches has broken and I would like to get it repaired. Antler luggage, which…
How to get rid of ants
This year we have been plagued by ants, in particular flying ants. At one stage we had three flying ants' nests in the house. How can I prevent a repeat…