i have a shrub that is about 1m tall and has cone like cones on it and the end have pinkish red pieces growing out of the ends - what is it

Is it an evergreen, Wench? I can't hazard a guess without a photo, I'm afraid. Is that possible?

Maybe another member may have a brainwave.

could it be a ginger? just tweaked a memory of a recent pic from Marguerite of a ginger with a pinecone-like item with flowers that grew from under the pseudo scales...??? or a protea, (feathers)??

I'll just hazard a guess Wench.
Could it be a Callistema, bottle brush.

from the discription i would second what Dr.B has said, Ginger or Protea, would also match discription but unlikely in the UK Lori. but obvioulsy this is all gues work without a pic, as Spritz has said. if you don't have a photo, tap in Callistemon or bottle brush in the search box at the top of the page, there are quite a few of us that have them, so some pic's will come up, hope this helps.