By Kate Hodges
18th October 2018
EVENT Core Blimey
October 21 is Apple Day, a celebration of the most English of fruits. Apple Day is both a celebration and a demonstration of the variety we are in danger of losing, not simply in apples, but in the richness and diversity of landscape, ecology and culture too. Find a fruitily fun event near you here. Taste varieties, ride pedal tractors and try archery at Lathcoats Farm, explore the community orchard and go on a foraging walk in Frome, or try a Bedfordshire clanger at Bromham Mill. Alternatively, head to the magnificent October Plenty at Borough Market in London, where you’ll see the parading Berry Man, take in sumptuous theatre shows and join apple peeling competitions.
MAKE Pippins in Playland
Why not celebrate Apple Day at home by making fruit-themed goodies? This wrapped apple garland looks cute strung up on a chimney breast, while making these pom-poms will a-peel to everyone. Try using real apples to print – make wrapping paper or even bunting. But our all-time favourite apple craft is appropriate for the gathering ghoulish time of year – creating shrunken heads!
EVENT In Bloom
The (mostly free) Bloomsbury festival is one of the highlights of our year – the area is a great place to visit, with its strange museums and odd little nooks and crannies, and even more fun to explore this weekend. Many of the events are great for kids, but we’re especially looking forward to the printing press workshop for teens, the family art day at the October Gallery and the Microscopic Marbling classes. Sunday is ‘funday’, centred around Brunswick Square Gardens - print your own T-shirt, learn photography, try origami, play cricket, create slapstick comedy and sew your own emoji. Plus loads more! Full programme here. All weekend.
MAKE Hallo-Green
Lots of us will be on half term next week. Why not make your own, eco-friendly decorations for Hallowe’en? We love these recycled door wreaths – we might try making a vampire-repelling garlic version. Alternatively, little cheesecloth ghosts are fiendish (and a little bit cute!), while these rustic-looking webs are fun for small hands to weave. Or why not explore your sinister side, and make your own reusable Halloween window silhouettes?
EVENT Dropping Science
Manchester’s magnificent Museum of Science and Industry holds its Science Festival across Manchester and Salford this week. Discover events for teens, including an exploration of the young adult mind using digital images and high-wire acrobatics, and an Afrofuturism workshop. Or take in family-friendly events including experimental gaming sessions, explosive science shows, and a chance to meet with conservation scientists.
