By Kate Hodges
13th July 2018
EVENT, MAKE, LEARN Rain or Shine
According to an ancient tradition, if it rains on St Swithin’s Day (this Sunday), it will rain for the next 40 days (although to be honest, it’s not looking very likely). In 971, the bones of St Swithin were moved to a special shrine at Winchester Cathedral, and there was a terrific storm that lasted for 40 days. People said that the saint in heaven was angry because his bones had been moved. Why not try some weather-themed activities this weekend? You could build your own weather station or find more about how meteorologists predict weather patterns. Alternatively, get arty! If you’re feeling all this sunshine, make beautiful sun prints or make these beautiful sun catchers out of bottles. If you or your dry garden are craving rain, try making lightning in a jar, a rainbow, or a cloud in a bottle (and find out about the science behind them!)
EVENT New Issue
The new issue of The Green Parent hits the shelves this weekend. This month’s juicy, fruiting-themed issue will help you track down the high street’s secretly vegan cosmetics, find Fair Trade school uniform, build your own tree house, and discover the stress-free way to eliminate toxins from your home. Plus an inspirational home birth story, and some of the greatest breastfeeding tips we’ve ever heard – courtesy of our wonderful readers! Every issue comes with a copy of our inspiring and lush Beauty Bible. Can’t find it in a shop near you? Subscribe today and never miss an issue – right now there’s a free bundle of ORGANii goodies for every new one or two year subscription!
EVENT Musical Statues
What could be more dreamy – a place that combines getting out in the open air and enjoying some thought-provoking, large-scale art. Yorkshire Sculpture Park is home to a shifting programme of works by some of the world’s leading artists. Their current shows include the incredible Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads – a dramatic group of a dozen creatures, and magical works from Mister Finch that kids will love – hand-sewn badgers in blue jackets and hedgehogs playing brass bells. This Saturday, Carnatic singer Supra Nagarajan will lead an afternoon of playful musical games centred around Weiwei’s circle. Don’t forget to check out the park’s lovely summer holiday events too; bushcraft sessions, sculpture-making workshops and more! Entry to the park free, event from £3.
RECIPE Munch Mallow
Pink mallow flowers are dotting our hedgerows and roadsides – why not go for a forage? Try sprinkling the flowers over your salads, adding the leaves to soups to add a glutinous texture, or nibbling on the seeds. Alternatively, try making these White Bean and Mallow Burgers or using the plant as a herbal remedy for coughs and sore throats.
EVENT Veggie Party
South east London gets its very first free vegan festival this Sunday. Catford Food Market’s vegan traders such as jackfruit and seitan superstars The Nooch, ice-cream supremos Black Milq and vegan cupcake baker MissFlits are joined by cosmetics makers, brewers, cocktail makers and food producers in this celebration of plant-based eating. There’ll also be free talks, cooking demonstrations and live music, as well as an aftershow party run by Vegan Vibes.
