Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

22nd September 2022

Celebrate magickal Autumn Equinox, reuse, recycle and enjoy budget fun at the Festival of Thrift, find mental health support for new dads! Plus gather tree seeds, go car-free, and celebrate Jewish New Year.

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

22nd September 2022

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

22nd September 2022

EVENT AND MAKE HARVEST HOME
The Autumn Equinox or Mabon falls on Friday. It’s a gentle opportunity to mark the transition of the seasons? Find some juicy ideas for you and your family here, including planning a harvest party, using Ayurveda to stay healthy, and how to survive and thrive with yoga and affirmations.
Pagan symbols of Mabon include the apple and the horn of plenty; find out how to make an bounteous altar, or bake a buttermilk bread charm and join the fun here. Discover more facts, traditions, folklore and more about the Autumn Equinox here; is it really true that you can only balance an egg on its end on this day? We’re going to try!

EVENT BUDGET UP!
This year, more than any we can remember, the Festival of Thrift feels timely and much-needed. Held in Redcar, it’s a riot of workshops; make flowerbombs, laundry powder, or join a kids hammering and sawing class. Or you might visit a swap shop, Fix It Cafe, learn about budgeting and get some make-do-and-mend tips. There’s lots of entertainment, art, storytelling and wild fun on offer too. Entry free, car parking £6, some events ticketed Friday–Sunday. More here

EVENT NO PARKING
Imagine a world free of roaring engines, fumes and, instead streets filled with children playing, communities growing crops and art.For one day a year (Thursday 22, this time around) that dream comes true; World Car Free Day is a global event when cities and towns close their roads to traffic and let people take priority. Find out more about what is happening this year here, and, longer-term, how to set up a parklet or pop-up park here and find out how to create your own temporarily car-free street here. Want to read more? Find out why Dr Steven Pinker thinks we may be smothering our children here, and get ideas for going car-free in the country here.

DO BRANCHING OUT
Trees look beautiful, store carbon, improve our health and are fun to climb! Every year, The Tree Council celebrate Seed Gathering Season; a month-long festival for everyone – no matter how much or little they know about trees – to gather seeds, fruits and nuts ahead of the winter planting season.
The idea is that seeds collected from local trees are adapted to local circumstances – local provenance – and are more likely to thrive. Both rural and urban spaces benefit from new trees; bringing energy, life and beauty to any area. A growing tree is a pretty exciting concept for a youngster too and watching a tree grow alongside the child can make it very special.
Give purpose to an early autumn walk, and find your own, or take part in an organised event near you. Find out more – including how to grow and nurture your own trees – here.
Read more about learning through trees here, bringing children up with a love for trees here, and holiday treehouses to rent here

EVENT ALL NEW
This weekend sees the start of Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. It’s a two-day festival that commemorates the creation of the world. It’s a time for people to reflect on the achievements of the last year, as well as assessing priorities in life. Whether you’re religious or not, creating a Family Blessing Journal is a lovely idea for families Alternatively, try special New Year recipes here (find vegan takes here ). It’s a tradition to eat apples and honey during the holiday – why not follow the suggestions here of making apple-print tablecloths or turning one into a honey bowl (find other fun ideas there too).

WHAT WE’RE EATING Chocolate Mint Mousse This mousse is the perfect dessert for when you’ve forgotten to make dessert! A refreshing, healthy and easy twist on the classic crowd-pleaser, this dessert is so simple and yet so delicious. The mint washes away the sins of any feast, and it is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Find out more here

WHAT WE’RE READING New dads - your guide to good mental health: “Becoming a dad can trigger a whole range of emotions – from overwhelming joy to utter fear and everything in between.Throw in a lack of sleep, broken routines and hormonal changes (yes, dads have those too) and it’s not unusual to feel completely off-kilter.” Read more here

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