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By Kate Hodges
13th January 2017
EVENT AND RECIPES Spirited Away
Ward off evil spirits, worms and maggots, and encourage the ‘good’ robin at a wassail. Traditionally held in orchards on Old Twelfth Night (January 17), ceremonies involve singing traditional songs, making lots of noise to scare off ghoulies, and hanging a cider-soaked piece of toast on a tree. Bring something noisy to the fun event at Frieze Hill Community Orchard in Taunton, enjoy singing, children’s activities and storytelling by the fire at Glastonbury Tor (both on Saturday), or head to the 150-year-old celebration at The Butchers Arms in Carhampton on the 17th. Alternatively, visit your nearest apple tree, and hold your own noisy, magical ceremony while drinking a traditional wassail cup. Try these recipes for alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.
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MAKE Big Freeze
We’ve got our fingers crossed for super-low temperatures, because we’re dying to make these spectacular, huge ice balls. Add food colouring for extra daytime prettiness, or try these slightly more complicated candle-lit ice luminaries. If the weather doesn’t play (ice) ball, try making them in your chest freezer.
MAKE AND LEARN Peck it In
Watching the birds that visit your garden is a simple yet wonderful way to spark your child’s interest in nature. Getting kids involved in making food and nest boxes is a fulfilling way for them to step up that interest. The RSPB has instructions for making a speedy bird cake using yoghurt pots as containers – substitute vegetable suet if you’re avoiding animal products.
COOK Veg-ta-Bowl
One of our new year’s resolutions is to step up our breakfast game, and attempt to ditch the sugar-laden, processed cereals. These Green Smoothie bowls provide all five of your five-a-day, are infinitely tinkerable with, and taste absolutely delicious. Make the seed mix and frozen bananas ahead, and prepare the bowl the night before to combat school rush mayhem.
EVENT Bearly There
Revived in the 1980s, the custom of parading a ‘Straw Bear’ around the streets of Whittlesea is an ancient tradition. A man dressed in a curious, heavy straw costume leads a parade of dancers, street perfomers and a decorated plough around the streets of the Cambridgeshire town, calling in at pubs on the way. The parade is on Saturday, and the bear is burned on Sunday. It’s a fun, atmospheric way to engage in a custom that’s part of the UK’s ancient heritage.
