Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

11th November 2016

Poppies for peace, cooking up in-season Jerusalem artichokes, fairies in jars, the Lord Mayor's Show and science fun. What will you get up to with your family this weekend?

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

11th November 2016

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

11th November 2016

LEARNING Poppies for Peace
Sunday is Remembrance Day, a time to remember everyone who sacrificed their lives for their country during wars. However, at a time of enormous global uncertainty, any glamorisation of conflict can seem at odds with what we teach our children. The White Poppy movement, run each year by the Peace Pledge Union, represents remembrance for all victims of war worldwide, including civilians and those in conflicts that are still happening; a commitment to world peace, and a challenge to those who would celebrate wars. Incidentally, if you’re finding this week’s political news hard to explain to children, this guide might help. And here’s our steer on finding positive news among the doom and gloom.

RECIPE Arti Party
Jerusalem artichokes have just come into season – we helped dig up a load of the knobbly beauties this week – so we’ve been looking for some tasty, inventive recipes to make the most of them. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s soup is creamy and comforting, and his winter salad with hazelnuts, goats cheese and leaves sounds perfect for a weekend lunch. Both recipes here

EVENT City Celebrations
Saturday’s Lord Mayor’s Show might seem a quaint tradition; the great and ‘good’ of the city garlanding themselves in their finest jewellery and parading through the streets. But there’s a lot more going on than stuffy old dudes in tricorn hats sitting in gold-encrusted carriages. The giant basket-woven figures of Gog and Magog, the guardians of the city, lend a Summerisle-style pagan feel to the procession, while tanks, vintage cars, horses and marching bands create a show over which kids will go nuts. Get there at around 9.25am if you want to see Tower Bridge open and the river procession. Or head there later and stay for the the fireworks. If you have time to kill between the parade and the fireworks, why not take one of the free guided walks of the stranger corners of the city? Download a map of the day’s events here

MAKE Luscious Lamps
As afternoons get darker, throw some glittery, magical light into the shadows with these ‘fairies in a jar’. The gorgeous, speckled lanterns are beautiful to look at and easy to make. Why not create a few, and take them outside for an atmospheric storytelling session?

EVENT Digi-Do
Have fun while you’re learning at this year’s Dundee Science Festival. The fun kicks off on Friday with a Science Adventure day at Menzieshill Community Centre (it’s an in-service holiday for many local schoolchildren). On Saturday, there’s a chance to delve into digital technology at Dundee Science Centre with a laser obstacle course, a chance to build your own PC, and digital art workshops. You’ll also find stunning scientific demonstrations being held in the Overgate Shopping Centre. More here

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