By Kate Hodges
22nd August 2019
EVENT Street Life
Drink in the most incredible street performers, circus acts, dancers and musicians from around the world at the Devizes Street Festival this Sunday and Monday. Performers this year include the drag-tastic Fantabulosa, Ockhams Razor Circus, who ride a giant semi circular see-saw like surfers on a wild sea, juggler and improviser Ian Deadly, Rajasthan’s elite circus, Circus Raj, the charming Company Satchok, and Apocalyptic Circus – a performance for really tiny people held in a quirky house. Plus lots of live music and great food. Free
RECIPE A Right Cob On
We’ve spotted hazelnuts (AKA cobnuts or filberts) in gardens near us – the time for the sweet green nuts is here. See if you can beat the squirrels to them! Dry them and turn them into hard little sweet brown flavour bombs for the winter. Or use them in recipes now. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall transforms them into Pear and Hazelnut Salad, Honeyed Hazels and Chocolate Hazelnut Cake (all vegetarian), or try this Cobnut, Wild Mushroom and Chestnut Stir Fry (vegetarian or easily made vegan - if you don’t serve it with the suggested chicken!). Most triumphant of all, is Yotam Ottolenghi’s decadent Fruit and Cobnut Crumble Cream (vegetarian). Find out more about the hazel tree here
EVENT and LEARN Plague Village
Every year, the village of Eyam holds a remembrance service, to commemorate the enormous sacrifice made by its inhabitants in August 1665. Bubonic plague arrived via a parcel of cloth from London at the house of the village tailor. The plague quickly spread through the village, but the locals made a brave decision; to stay within the confines of the village in order to stop the spread of the disease. At least 260 people lost their lives. Procession starts outside the church at 2.30pm. Find out more about the bravery and moving story of the villagers here, or visit the village museum
EVENT and MAKE In to Bat
Watching tiny bats flit across the sky in summer is one of life’s great joys. It’s International Bat Weekend, so get out into the dusk and see, hear and find out about our leathery winged friends – download a pack here. There are events across the UK; go here to find a batwalk, quiz trail, bat night or craft workshop near you.Find out more about bats here, find out how to encourage them with a bat-friendly garden here, and, if you don’t spot any real-life chiroptera, make your own cute origami version!
EVENTS London Life
Two very different free parties in London this weekend. The huge, noisy and brilliant Notting Hill Carnival rocks across West London with soundsystems, parades, and glittering, eye-scorching costumes – head there on Sunday for the slightly quieter Family Day. A lower-key alternative, The Clerkenwell Festival in is a great introduction to music parties. As well as bands including Young Knives and The Shadracks, there are history walks, kids area, tarot reader and dog show.
