By Kate Hodges
13th June 2019
EVENT Be Wild
Marking the middle of 30 Days Wild, the month-long dive into nature-based activities organised by The Wildlife Trust, the Big Wild Weekend is two days of super-special events. Learn to photograph wildflower meadows, watch puffins from a Yorkshire cliff-top, or go bug-hunting, bat-watching or butterfly spotting at a site very near you. Seize the opportunity to explore ono the trust’s beautiful nature reserves (some are teeny tiny, and there will be one very, very near you).
RECIPE and HEALTH Elder Generation
Fragrant white elderflowers are hanging in thick bunches in every hedgerow, wood and garden right now. This year, we’ve tracked down yet more new recipes to try; floating clouds in elderflower custard is super-sweet but light, elderflower jelly makes a whisper-delicate pudding, and we can’t wait to try Yotam Ottolenghi’s weird and wonderful elderflower pickle. Keep some aside for healing; elderflower can be used to treat colds and flu, and makes an effective antiseptic gargle and mouthwash. Find out more here
EVENT Love and Peace
One of the UK’s longest-running free festivals (it’s been running since 1978), the two-day Peace Festival fills Leamington’s Pump Room Gardens with laughter, music, and healthy debate. Wander into a tent to catch a talk, brush up your circus skills, try Tai Chi, drumming or sample new flavours from one of the many vegetarian food stalls. Previous acts gracing the Riverside Stage include Attila The Stockbroker and Misty’s Big Adventure. The aim of the festival is to promote peace and equality; it’s a positive, uplifting event that not only entertains but inspires; a peep into a more enlightened world.
LEARN In Frames
Our kids love exploring art galleries, and their lack of pre-conceived ideas mean that you start to see the work in a different way too. Of course, you can use paintings to explore ideas, emotions and history too. There’s a great guide to formal art criticism for kids here and ideas for ten paintings to explore here. This guide to art criticism at different ages is also useful. Visual art is great for teaching kids about history, propaganda and satire – find a springboard to start you off here and yet more inspiration here. Perhaps most importantly, art can spark conversations about emotions – find a good starting point here (explore the whole site while you’re there – it’s great!)
EVENT Azure Thing
Corsham’s joyous Blue Sky Festival celebrates the arts through performances, exhibitions and workshops, and lots of it is free! Try dad dancing, go to a family silent disco, beatbox with Shlomo, or listen to Folk in a Box in the world’s smallest performance venue, one person at a time! Just like this festival – small and perfectly formed. Some events ticketed, many free.
Image copyright Matthew Roberts
