kew's compost: Experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew will be tackling the steamy problem of home composting during a one-day workshop on Saturday. The workshop has been organised by Richmond Council's recycling group and will include a guided tour of Kew's composting centre. To reserve a place on the course, ring 020 8891 7048.

ghost story: Crowds of ghost hunters visited Hampton Court Palace last week as part of a paranormal investigation. Visitors were asked about ghostly vibes in the Haunted Gallery and Georgian rooms in a questionnaire collected by a visiting parapsychologist, seeking an explanation behind reported hauntings by Catherine Howard.