Why does Britain still compare every heatwave to 1976? A gardener and environmental observer considers historic hot summers, changing seasons and the difference between memory and evidence.
Monthly Archives: Jul 2026
The Garden Butler Essays
Why do some people notice what others walk past? Rory reflects on observation, gardening, hospitality and how years of service shaped the quiet art of paying attention.
The Long Way Into the Dark
A reflective essay series exploring a lifelong relationship with horror literature, collecting, belief, and how dark writing shaped attention, curiosity, and meaning.
Working With Worms
A reflective exploration of scale in worm farming, examining growth, labour, economics, ethics, and why bigger systems often lose what makes them work.
If Shade Became More Important Than Sun
What if shade became more valuable than sunshine? A reflective, quietly humorous look at how gardeners might adapt as hotter summers change the way we think about our gardens.
A Gardener's Curiosity 