VISITORS looking for advice on composting in a garden in Ashton-under-Hill during the village Open Gardens on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 will have no doubt they are in the right place - there's a five ton heap of farmyard manure in the entrance.

Compost-making demonstrations are part of the village Open Gardens when some 20 villagers will be throwing open their garden gates to visitors.

"I have been making compost from garden refuse for many years, long before it was encouraged by local authorities bidding to cut down on the amount of waste going into landfill sites," said the Journal's Gerry Barnett, a resident of the village.

"As part of the process, I am fortunate in being able to get the occasional load of good old fashioned farmyard muck delivered and normally I have been able to get rid of it all, either by spreading or incorporating it in the compost heaps, long before village Open Days, but most of the last load delivered is still there and I have no chance of shifting it before visitors start to arrive."

He added: "I think the best thing I can do is to try and make a feature of it. No doubt there are many people nowadays, especially those from the towns, who have never seen such a real part of rural life as it used to be."

Gerry will have his home-made compost bins and wormeries on show and with the backing of Louise Warner, waste management officer at Wychavon District Council, will be displaying special offer compost bins from the council, alongside details of events organised by both Worcestershire and Gloucestershire Organic Gardening Groups.

Large and small gardens will be open in the village from 1.30pm to 6pm both days, and both St Barbara's Church and the Free Church will be open. Home-made teas will be served in the Village Hall and cream teas in some garden. There will be plants for sale as well as a range of other stalls. Entrance costs £3 (children free) and more information is available on 01386 881487.