By Kate Hodges
17th February 2017
EVENT Inspect A Norse
Jorvik Viking Centre in York was severely damaged by floods in December 2015, but re-opens this spring. Celebrate its raaaawsome new look at the 33rd annual Jorvik Viking Festival – the biggest Viking Festival in Europe. See historical reenactments, including dramatic combat performances, learn to sword fight and shoot a bow, find out how poo helps historians find out about our past, try playing Viking-style games, Viking crafting, and enjoy evocative folk music. The events we’re most looking forward to however, are the strongest warrior competition and the ‘best beard’ contest. Rraaaaaaah! Until February 26
LEARN Eggs-Actly
It’s the time of year to start thinking about pond-dipping; we’ve begun to spot mating frogs and spawn. Dig out your nets and head for the nearest park, or make a day trip to somewhere special. National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire hires out pond-dipping equipment to curious kids; there are experts on hand across London’s nature reserves – the tiny Camley Street is incredibly central but stuffed with wildlife, and Allen Banks in Northumbria provides a stunning backdrop to a search for the jelly-like eggs.
COOK Pith Perfect
Luscious, sharp, sinful-looking blood oranges are in season right now. We can’t wait to try Sabrina Ghayour’s spicy take on the traditional Italian blood orange and radicchio salad. Thomasina Miers’ blood orange cake is free from butter and oil, and will fill your kitchen with bad–mood–melting citrus smells. Otherwise, try making ruby marmalade, either traditional, or spiked with chilli, to keep chills at bay until spring.
MAKE Shadow Play
Not only is it enormous fun to make silhouette cut-outs of family members and friends, but they’re also beautiful things to frame and preserve memories. Try creating some while the evenings are still dark enough – there’s a good tutorial here, which also explains some of the social history behind the art, or there’s a less romantic, but easier method here.
EVENT Beside The Sea
This weekend’s Scarborough’s Coastival Festival offers three days of pop, comedy, theatre and dance, with over 100 events. This year it’s all about the unexpected, including an attempt to build the town in Minecraft, Horrid History walks, stargazing, and singing workshops Some events free, some ticketed. Find Saturday’s events for kids (including circus classes and interactive storytelling) here, and Sunday’s here
