Bridget F

An amazing woman I know has been made redundant by the charity she has worked for for years - they say the grant that funded her has run out, but actually we think it's because her face does not fit. The users of our day centre love her but we've been told the trustees are within their rights. So how can we change the trustees?

I am organising gifts for a colleague who is retiring. We have got the main gifts but got £10-15 over. Could get a bottle of fizz, but another suggestion is a map book. He is a keen walker/rambler, based in NW London. Any ideas for a good map book or book of walks?

I will be visiting friends there for a family party and they do not have enough room to have every one to stay overnight. I've stayed in lovely hotels before on business trips, but can't afford them on my own account. I would like somewhere comfortable and convenient for central Birmingham or Moseley/Hall Green area.

I have a small, partly-shaded, town garden. I am looking for bright low maintenance plants that will last. I have been successful with fuchsias and geraniums but am looking for something else to complement them. Nothing that needs a lot of tlc as I travel a lot for work.