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Britains party leaders clash in landmark TV debateElectionsBritains party leaders clash in landmark TV debateElections

The UKs three main political party leaders have locked horns in an historic TV debate. The trio clashed on issues including the economy, crime and immigration. Despite insisting his party was the only real alternative, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg called for unity.

I would say its worth the politicians just setting aside their political differences for once and trying to come up with a solution that everyone can agree with. Weve all got different ideas, weve got proposals, that there is a contribution from the individual and the state. David Cameron has ideas which help some, but doesnt help people in their homes. Gordon Brown has some ideas which help some of the most needy, but not others. Why dont we, for once, given this is something which is bigger than any other party, actually work together, Clegg said.

On the economy, Conservative leader David Cameron attacked the Labour governments tax plans.

If you put a tax on jobs, that I think is a jobs killer, its a recovery killer, its an economy killer. So I think that weve got to remove this dark cloud of a deficit over our economy, and it makes sense to make a start on that now. Make a start this year, to avoid the tax next year and then we can go forward with further plans to remove our deficit and our debt, Cameron argued.

But, current Prime Minister Gordon Brown hit back. He insisted Tory plans to cut spending would threaten any recovery.

The risk to the economy is this year, and every country, America, the rest of Europe, including Britain is saying weve got to make sure we invest in the economy this year so that we can have the growth we need. Now pull out the money, and youve proposed it at every point during this recession, pull out the money and youll have less growth and youll have less jobs and youll have less businesses. Now thats a fear, weve got to take an overall responsibility for the whole economy, Brown said.

Most polls and pundits judged Clegg the winner. The debate, one of three before the May 6 election, is the first in UK electoral history and is being seen as marking an new era in British politics.

Britains party leaders clash in landmark TV debateElectionsBritains party leaders clash in landmark TV debateElections

The UKs three main political party leaders have locked horns in an historic TV debate. The trio clashed on issues including the economy, crime and immigration. Despite insisting his party was the only real alternative, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg called for unity.

I would say its worth the politicians just setting aside their political differences for once and trying to come up with a solution that everyone can agree with. Weve all got different ideas, weve got proposals, that there is a contribution from the individual and the state. David Cameron has ideas which help some, but doesnt help people in their homes. Gordon Brown has some ideas which help some of the most needy, but not others. Why dont we, for once, given this is something which is bigger than any other party, actually work together, Clegg said.

On the economy, Conservative leader David Cameron attacked the Labour governments tax plans.

If you put a tax on jobs, that I think is a jobs killer, its a recovery killer, its an economy killer. So I think that weve got to remove this dark cloud of a deficit over our economy, and it makes sense to make a start on that now. Make a start this year, to avoid the tax next year and then we can go forward with further plans to remove our deficit and our debt, Cameron argued.

But, current Prime Minister Gordon Brown hit back. He insisted Tory plans to cut spending would threaten any recovery.

The risk to the economy is this year, and every country, America, the rest of Europe, including Britain is saying weve got to make sure we invest in the economy this year so that we can have the growth we need. Now pull out the money, and youve proposed it at every point during this recession, pull out the money and youll have less growth and youll have less jobs and youll have less businesses. Now thats a fear, weve got to take an overall responsibility for the whole economy, Brown said.

Most polls and pundits judged Clegg the winner. The debate, one of three before the May 6 election, is the first in UK electoral history and is being seen as marking an new era in British politics.

In search of the magnetic monopole Large Hadron Collider experiment could rewrite laws of physicsIn search of the magnetic monopole Large Hadron Collider experiment could rewrite laws of physics 2

U of A physics professor James Pinfold is leading an international team of physicists who will use ultra high energy proton collisions. The protons will move at very near the speed of light, in search for a hypothetical particle, called the magnetic monopole.

Conventional understanding of magnets is that they must have north and south poles. In 1930 it was shown that a sub atomic particle with just a single magnetic pole could exist. Several modern theories of physics are built on the theoretical existence of magnetic monopoles.

Last year, researchers in France and Germany reported the observation of certain states of spin ice, a kind of crystalline material with essentially the same atomic arrangements as water ice that would create monopole-like particles. But Pinfold warns, these "quasi-monopoles" should not be confused with the real thing being sought by the U of A led collaboration at CERN.

At CERN, on the Swiss-French border, Pinfoldteam will use the LHC, a particle accelerator 27 kilometres in circumference, to search for magnetic monopoles in the shrapnel like debris produced by colliding protons. The protons will collide at an unprecedented energy -- 7 trillion (1012) electron volts, or 7 tera electron volts (TeV) . The tiny fireballs created in the impact will duplicate the energy produced just after the Big Bang, the event that created the universe.

For more information, see Jim PinfoldMoEDAL Experiment movie and CERN Experiment Collaboration Webpage: http://web.me.com/jamespinfold/MoEDAL_site/Welcome.html

An article explaining the MoEDAL Experiment is available on the CERN web site at: http://cdsweb.cern.ch/journal/CERNBulletin/2010/12/News%20Articles/1248906?ln=ru

Snowdrops: the stage is setSnowdrops: the stage is set

By Sarah Raven Published: 7:00AM GMT 26 Feb 2010

Comments 7 | Comment on this article

This long, slow winter has delayed and lengthened the snowdrop season, which is great for snowdrop lovers and may encourage others to look again at this unassuming yet fabulously pretty flower. Photo: ALAMY

Buy snowdrops at Telegraph Garden Shop

They have them beneath a 200-year-old, curvy armed walnut tree mixed in sweeps with aconites and the first of the primroses; they have carpets of simple Galanthus nivalis and G. elwesii merging with clumps of celandine and narcissus in their woodland garden.

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They have them in the best winter container Ive seen for years, the huge teardrop snowdrop, "S. Arnott standing high above a dense magenta carpet of Cyclamen coum.

The two flower at exactly the same time, the colour contrast between them intense, like sweets in a jar, for a good six weeks at this grim time of year. But around the corner they have something even better.

This winter, theyve created a plant theatre to parade their large and wonderful collection of snowdrops.

Plant theatres are more associated with auriculas (theyll use theirs for that too - Isabel has a great collection), but they want to make displays right through the year and its an inspiring and delightful thing.

Theyll have snowdrops right through March, auriculas for April and May, then on to wild flowers, picked from their meadows for June and July, with cut roses and dahlias taking them through until winter.

A plant theatre is a way of having fun with the garden and enjoying the flowers in a different way, with some plants cut, some in pots, and all treated as museum pieces.

Julian fell for the idea when, as a child, he visited a small plant theatre in the museum in the Cathedral Close at Wells, Somerset.

It was filled every day by an elderly lady, who had layer upon layer of simple glass bottles, each filled with a little bunch or single stem of a wild flower picked from the fields that morning.

He remembers the beauty, the simplicity, with bright, clean water, a vision of perfection.

Each clump of snowdrops, in their varying sizes of terracotta pot with Isabels perfectly inked labels, has the same delicacy and embroidered care. Its just a way of making you see how beautiful each one of these things is.

BEST SNOWDROP VARIETIES

This long, slow winter has delayed and lengthened the snowdrop season, which is great for snowdrop lovers and may encourage others to look again at this unassuming yet fabulously pretty flower.

You can divide snowdrops into two groups those good for the garden that do well for anybody, are quite quick to bulk up, easy to divide and then replant to naturalise (planted at least 3in deep). Then there are those that are a little more rarefied, slower to bulk up and hence more expensive.

FOR THE GARDEN

Galanthus nivalis The straight-up, wild (or naturalised) snowdrop, with silvery green leaves and neat, slim flowers.

Quick to establish if lifted and divided in the green (when it is in active growth and even flowering) on almost any soil, in sun or partial shade. Usually flowers from early February, but a little late this year.

G. nivalis "Flore Pleno": The double form of our naturalised snowdrop, with cancan skirts of white and green filling out the centre of the flower.

Another one easy to establish, and divide to replant and create massive carpets. Earlier to flower than straight G. nivalis.

G. elwesii A native to the former Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey, this is similar in appearance to G. nivalis, but earlier to flower in January. It bulbs up quickly and easily and so is ideal to create far-reaching carpets.

"S. Arnott" is one of the largest and most impressive, just about affordable in number, with beautiful pure white, light bulb flowers. They open up to sycamore seed heads in the sun and smell deliciously of honey. The bees adore it.

This is the one they have as one-year-old, single bulbs planted above a carpet of cyclamen in a large stone sink beside the front door.

"Atkinsii" is another quick clump-former, with finer, more needle-like petals than "S. Arnott", but still lush and lovely. It"s easy to grow, brings light under a tree, bulbs up easily, ideal standing with "S. Arnott", towering above the rest in the February garden party.

"Straffan" is an excellent, large, late-flowering form, with a distinct green mark on the inner petal that looks like a Chinese bridge.

It often has a second, even later flower stem that starts to bloom towards the end of February. It"s useful if you want a dispaly from Christmas until Easter.

For a reliable succession, the first really good snowdrop to flower is G. retinae-olgae subsp. vernalis, with big grey leaves and medium-size flowers that can be in flower for Christmas. Start with that and end with "Straffan", with any of these others in between.

"Hippolyta" is one step up from the wild double "Flore Pleno" with taller stems, wider flowers and bigger central petticoats. This is also very early, so ideal if you want a succession in the garden for three or four months at a stretch.

"Lavinia" is another double, with very long stems, so you can see right up into the centre of the flower without having to scrabble around on your hands and knees. Nice green tips to the petals too.

FOR POTS AND PLANT THEATRE

These tend to be slower to bulk up and so are much in demand and hence expensive.

"Grumpy" Has a grumpy-looking face marked on the inner petals small, delicate and funny.

"Walrus" Another eccentric with thin outer petals, which make it look like a walrus with tusks and whiskers.

"Bill Bishop" The first of what Julian calls "the fairy light bulbs" with white pearly petals that open out almost flat. Huge and delicious.

"John Gray" is a huge and handsome light bulb type, which flowers earlier than "Bill Bishop". A must for the collector because of its scale.

"Gerard Parker" Lovely, slightly puckered outer petals that give it a beautiful glossy sheen.

"Blewbury Tart" A fabulous double with upward-looking flowers where the grey-green central ballerina"s tutu dominates the white outer petals. Unusual and lovely for it, and fantastic when picked.

How to make a plant theatre

Make a plant theatre using a door frame at the front, backed by a mini room behind it made from wood or similar. The roof can be clear, corrugated plastic to let in light, with the narrow shelves gradually tiered upwards.

Decorate it with a flourish of pine cones or other natural ornaments from the garden.

WHERE TO BUY SNOWDROPS

Unusual snowdrops can be found at:

Avon Bulbs (01460 242177; avonbulbs.co.uk)

Foxgrove Plants (01635 40554; foxgroveplants.co.uk)

For bulbs in the green in bulk go to: Euro Bulbs (www.eurobulbs.co.uk)

Cambo Estates (01333 450054; www.camboestate.com)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Snowdrops by Matt Bishop, Aaron Davis and John Grimshaw (Griffin Press, £45).

WHERE TO SEE

The Bannermans" garden Hanham Abbots, Bristol, is open tomorrow, 11.30am-4.30pm, and from Good Friday, April 2, until October, Friday to Monday, 11.30am-5.30pm (hanhamcourt.co.uk)

Anglesey Abbey, Lode, Cambridge. Garden open daily, 10.30am-4.30pm (01223 810080; nationaltrust.org.uk)

Stonor Park, Henley on Thames, Oxon. Snowdrop walks, March 11 & 25, 10.30am. Tickets £12, inc. refreshments. Book early (01491 638587; stonor.com).

Colesbourne Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Open this weekend, from 1pm. Snowdrops, hellebores and plants for sale. Group tours by arrangement (01242 870264; snowdrop.org.uk)

Chippenham Park Ely, Cambridge. Open for snowdrops today and tomorrow (01638 720221; chippenhampark gardens.info).

READER OFFER

Create your own snowdrop displays with this special offer. Buy 50 bulbs of the single-flowering Galanthus nivalis for £14.95 or 100 bulbs for £23.90.

Buy 25 bulbs of the double-flowering Galanthus nivalis "Flore Pleno" for £12.95 or 50 bulbs for £21.90. Save £8 when you buy a mixed collection, 50 bulbs of each variety for just £28.85.

Call 0844 770 4653, quoting TL774. Delivery within 28 days.

Buy snowdrops at Telegraph Garden Shop.

Glazer family set to defy protests and watch Manchester United in Carling Cup final Glazer family set to defy protests and watch Manchester United in Carling Cup final 2

By Mark Ogden Published: 10:30PM GMT 19 Feb 2010

Watching brief: the Glazer brothers are set to return to Wembley Photo: GETTY IMAGES

They are considering travelling from the United States for the clash against Aston Villa at Wembley on Feb 28.

The Florida-based Glazers have been absent from United fixtures for the majority of the season and none of the six family members on the club"s board have attended a game since the release last month of the prospectus for the controversial £500 million bond issue, which led to revelations of the scale of the club"s £716 million debt.

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Since then an anti-Glazer campaign, marked by the wearing of green-and-gold scarves, has become increasingly visible at Old Trafford.

Chief executive David Gill has been forced to endure a protest banner being draped from the gates of his Cheshire home, while security has been stepped up to protect senior club officials.

But despite the hostility towards the family, chairman Joel Glazer and brothers Avram and Bryan have not ruled out attending the Wembley showpiece.

Although no Glazers were at the 2005 FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal in May 2005 eight days after the completion of their takeover of United they have since travelled from Florida for all of the club"s subsequent finals in the FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League.

With security remaining a sensitive issue, sources close to the family have refused to disclose any possible travel plans. But with London offering greater anonymity than Manchester should the Glazers choose to attend, they are now considering returning to Wembley for the first time since the NFL fixture between their Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise and New England Patriots last October.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is unconcerned by the green-and-gold protests against the Glazers.

He said: "Every fan has a right to complain about what they think is right. We also have to run the club the way we think is right and I think we are doing the right thing with the club."

United travel to Everton on Saturday with Ferguson admitting he is hoping to persuade Paul Scholes to sign a one-year contract extension, despite the midfielder"s recent claim that he could retire this summer.

Ferguson said: "I"d be happy to do that. His form in the last few weeks has been incredible, absolutely brilliant. There"s no need for him to think about retirement."

Fortnightly bin collections for everyoneFortnightly bin collections for everyone 2

By Rosa Prince Published: 10:32PM GMT 19 Feb 2010

At present, less than half of local authorities empty bins on a fortnightly basis Photo: EDDIE MULHOLLAND

Only special containers for food waste and recyclable material such as paper, cardboard and glass will be collected weekly from outside homes.

Councils hope that the move will encourage residents to recycle more, reducing the amount of waste dumped in landfill sites, where it is taxed by the ton. Taxpayers will face fines if they do not place their rubbish in the correct bins.

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Polls show that nearly three quarters of householders are opposed to having "black bag" rubbish collected fortnightly.

There are fears that the change will lead to a rise in fly-tipping and problems with vermin and bad smells in summer.

Guidance signalling the end of weekly bin collections has been sent to councils by the Audit Commission, the local authority spending watchdog.

Critics claimed that the move would leave a "nation of mini-landfill sites on our doorsteps".

At present, less than half of local authorities empty bins on a fortnightly basis.

Councils have been ordered by the Government to find £550 million in savings from waste disposal budgets to cope with the pressures of the recession.

It is estimated that households in England pay an average of £82 a year for bin collections out of an average £1,175 council tax bill.

While the Audit Commission insisted that it was a matter for individual authorities to decide the frequency of bin collections, it said that councils which failed to show that they had considered fortnightly schemes would be given poor inspection reports. The commission can refuse to sign off a councils finances if it is not abiding by directives.

The Conservatives, who uncovered the guidance after a series of parliamentary questions, claimed that it amounted to "bullying" by central government.

Caroline Spelman, the shadow local government secretary, said: "Central government bodies have been caught red-handed cajoling and pressuring councils into making cuts to weekly bin collections. This destroys the Whitehall claim that rubbish collection policies are a local decision."

Doretta Cocks, of the Campaign for Weekly Waste Collection, said: "Ive lost count of the number of parents with young families who have said how disgusting it is to have nappies piling up in their bin for 13 or 14 days at a time. As well as a health hazard, it is simply undemocratic to ignore the wishes of local people who want weekly collections."

A spokesman for the Department for the Environment said: "Councils should work with their local communities to determine what waste collection arrangements are most appropriate for where they live."