Thanks for all the suggestions. We won't be attaching anything to the fence, though the chances of it coming down are nil - as it's not only concreted in underneath, but the other side is a private road, and the concrete bases are completely tarmacced in with a foot high load of tarmac.

Yes we are gradually adding a few shrubs, I'm quite fond of 'traditional English' gardens, or 'cottage gardens' if you will. I'd like a hydranger, preferably blue if at all possible, though I don't know the acidity of my soil! We have buddleia and lilac, honeysuckle and a nice old English rambling rose, which is just getting established. Lots of young lavender plants too. I'd rather like a wisteria, which loves the sun (no fear of invasive plants as there's 140ft to cover (from the front through to the back) and when we moved here.

The entire garden was totally naked and looked very barren being nothing but grass and concrete (formerly a stupidly long drive going all the way into the back garden that we've now happily turned into spot for benches and planters - with the help of a gifted old caravan now parked alongside the house which provides both shelter and privacy). We're slowly making progress breaking up the boring oblong lawn. Have some young fruit trees and a now well established herb garden alongside the 'drive cum sun trap/patio'

Sorry for the waffling! I must go and sow my 'red warty things' (really!) among other goodies.