By Kate Hodges
12th May 2021
EVENT New Issue Alert!
Our new issue out this week is dedicated to the healing powers of water and protecting our precious oceans. You’ll meet game changing teen activists fighting plastic pollution, discover a baby led approach to learning to swim, hear how real-life mermaids have healed depression through wild swimming and discover the benefits of hydrotherapy. Also in this issue, learn why it’s important to let our children cry, how to consciously parent a toddler through a tantrum and how self-directed learning gives our kids true freedom. Plus beat overwhelm, make tasty treats from the hedgerow and the best plastic free beauty goodies to give you a boost. We think you’ll love it!
SHARE THE LOVE!
To celebrate the new edition of The Green Parent, published on Friday (yay!), we’ve a special code you can use. Buy a copy for yourself and get a half price mag for a friend. Use code: sharethelove when you checkout and we’ll send you two copies - one for you and one for your bestie! Buy your copy here
DO Spot White-tailed Eagles
Have you seen a big bird overhead? Really, really big? We were lucky enough to spot the barn door-sized White-tailed Eagle flying overhead recently; it was big enough to blot out the sun! The birds have a wingspan of anything up to 2.45m, and were once widespread along the south coast of England, but became extinct in 1780. They have been reintroduced to Scotland and more recently the Isle of Wight. Excitingly, the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation track the birds and plot their course online. There are no live updates, to protect the birds, but you’ll see their incredible journeys over the last few weeks tracked here – they travel across England as well as into Europe – perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to see one fly over too!
EVENT Liverpool Biennial
The Liverpool Biennial is renowned for its commissions of international artists that reflect the tenacious, funny spirit of the city. Postponed from last year, the theme is The Stomach and the Port, with over 50 artists exploring the notion of the body and connecting with the world. Explore outdoor sculptures and trails which include works from the likes of legendary US feminist artist Judy Chicago, radical collective Black Obsidian Sound System and electronic music maker Lamin Fofana. Online events, workshops and learning resources that include a Kinship Activity Pack and lesson plans for stages KS1-4 complement the esoteric line-up. March 20 – June 6
EVENT National Vegetarian Week
National Vegetarian Week runs from May 10–16, and makes a great opportunity to try cutting out meat from your diet, or, if you’re already veggie, discovering some enticing new recipes. This year, take the Veggie 123 challenge to help the planet; go veggie for one week, nominate two friends to join in and donate to the Vegetarian Society. Find posters, planners, certificates and social media graphics, and discover delicious-tasting recipes including Ethiopian Squash Stew and Samosa Pie here.
EVENT Shakespeare Live!
Get on board with the Bard! The Courtyard Centre for the Arts’ Shakespeare Live! aims to get kids enjoying the work of Shakespeare through a multitude of art forms. There’s a full and fun online programme; find out how to be a Shakespearean villain, join a combat workshop and battle like Macbeth, interact with a sense-stimulating retelling of a Midsummer’s Night’s Fream, join drama workshops or play Shakespeare games. All for free! Find out more here
What we’ve been reading this week:
We Asked Black Mothers & Daughters For Their Best Advice
“But being ahead of the curve is nothing new for Black women. If you’ve been on Twitter you’ve probably seen someone tweet: “Black women tried to tell y’all.” I love this refrain. Again and again, Black women have organised, campaigned, and voted for issues that matter to us most (our track record is impeccable), but also benefit the rest of society. When other groups don’t do the same and everything goes to sh*t, well, Black women tried to tell y’all.”
Read more here
VEGETABLE GARDENING
We are looking for real-life stories of growing your own for our next print issue.
Are you a gardener? Do you have an allotment? Have you always gardened, or is it something you’ve taken up recently – perhaps over lockdown? How has it improved your life?
Perhaps it’s something you do as a family, across generations, or maybe it’s improved your mental health or well-being?
You might have set up a neighbourhood co-operative garden, or become an expert in permaculture.
Whether you’ve nurtured a few pots on your balcony, or managed total self-sufficiency, we’d love to hear from you.
Do get in touch [email protected]
Found something inspirational to read that you’d like to share? Want to share your lockdown creations with us? Have an idea for things to do? We’d love to hear from you. Email Kate
