Egg heads

In suburban Brentford, Ellie Fazan discovers Hen Corner – the back garden that Sara Ward has turned into a mini organic paradise, where chickens cluck, honey bees buzz and grateful visitors taste the good life

For Sara Ward it began with a chicken. Well, two actually: Pepsi and Shirlie, named after the backing singers of Wham! – because ‘one was white, one was black, and they had the most beautiful iridescent feathers’. The hens were a birthday present from her husband, Andy. ‘It was a surprise. I mean, I’d asked, but he always said no. Then one day I opened the door and a hen house was outside. I’d never even touched a bird before!’