By Kate Hodges
15th September 2021
DO BLOCK PARTY
Imagine a world free of roaring engines, fumes and, instead streets filled with children playing, communities growing crops and art.For one day a year, that dream comes true; World Car Free Day is a global event when cities and towns close their roads to traffic and let people take priority. This year, it’s taking place on Wednesday 22. Find out more about what is happening this year here, and, longer-term, how to set up a parklet or pop-up park here and find out how to create your own temporarily car-free street here. Want to read more? Find out why Dr Steven Pinker thinks we may be here.
The Marine Conservation Society run The Great British Beach Clean, which starts this weekend and is the UK’s biggest beach clean-up and survey. Not only are beaches spruced and tidies, but all the litter found is categorised, recorded and analysed in order to help come up with solutions for preventing more rubbish appearing, and to tackle the sources of marine trash. Hop along to an event or organise your own; find out more here. Find out more about the day and other sea-based action to get involved in here.
RECIPE AND DO GET HIP Our garden is full of rosehip-bearing bushes at the moment, and there are more in the woodlands and hedgerows. The berries are high in vitamin C but full of tiny hairs that surround the seeds - be sure to strain them at least once, preferably twice, before you eat or drink them. Try them added to a cup of green tea, make a tonic or a classic, warm and floral hedgerow syrup that will perk up your winter porridge. Alternatively, this cordial is fragrant, and great for winter colds and flu, these rosehip, raisin and apple muffins will make you long for autumn and this rosehip and crab apple jelly is tart and delicious. Find more to forage for this Autumn in our guide to Wild Medicine for Wild Kids
EVENT BEACH PLEASE Pollution, aggressive fishing and corporate irresponsibility is putting our nation’s sparkling seas at risk. Why not give a little back, and do your bit to help keep our beaches beautiful?
While you’re cleaning the beach, you might spot some beautiful shells. Why not pick them up and use them to create art? Try making a mathematical mandala – a great way to learn about art and maths, or blob crayons on heated shells. Hang these seashell-covered letters on your walls, and be reminded of holidays every time you see them or make this stylish, seashell-encrusted wreath for cool coastal style. Head here for more beautiful and cute ideas - we love their shell necklaces and driftwood weavings.
EVENT SEVEN DAYS OF ACTION Great Big Green Week starts on Saturday, ahead of COP26, the summit that is due to take place in November. It’s the biggest event for climate and nature in the UK (in Scotland it’s Climate Fringe Week) and will celebrate the action that communities from across the country are taking to tackle climate change, as well as showing decision makers that people from all walks of life are stepping up to take action on climate change, and that they need to step up too. You might organise an event; a nature walk, forest bathing or a seaside picnic; find ways you can get involved here. Or find an event near you here – there are hundreds all across the country.
MAKE BLOOMING BRILLIANT Flower pressing is calming, creative, and produces beautiful results. It’s also a fine lesson in patience. This tutorial explores different ways to preserve your blooms, from using books or an iron to using a proper wooden press, as well as instructions in making a botanic print. Find more ideas for things to make with your pressed flowers here, including jewellery, a whimsical flower clock or even a phone cover. Always get permission to pick your flowers and don’t take too many.
WHAT WE’RE READING What I learned from living five years in a van “I was kicked out of corporate America after the economic crisis – but I learned to find joy and meaning in a life on the road” Read more here
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING Vegan recipes, ideas for low-waste living, and a focus on cheap, whole ingredients. What’s not to love about Rachel Ama’s Caribbean-flavoured YouTube channel?! Watch it here
