By Kate Hodges
04th November 2016
EVENT Sparks Will Fly
It’s Guy Fawkes night this weekend. Of course, you will have your favourite display to oooh and aaaaah over, or will be going the back garden route. However, there are some alternatives to ordinary parties. We love the Lewes Bonfire on Saturday with its Pagan feel, drums and fiery procession, although its too crowded for really small kids. Children will, however, love the special display at Coram’s Fields in the centre of London on Friday. It’s open from 3, with the display at 5.15, and there are fairground rides and food stalls.
In the West Country, towns hold processions of brightly lit floats. Burnham-On-Sea’s Carnival takes place on November 7, and consists of over 100 floats, while Bridgwater’s parade, held on November 5 is followed by some spectacular ‘squibbing’ where around 150 fireworks, or ‘squibs’ are let off at the same time.
For ideas for ways to celebrate bonfire night in an ethical fashion, head to our feature on Green Bonfire Celebrations.
LEARNING AND CRAFTS Dead Good
Mexico celebrated its Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) festival this week. Join in the fun by creating your own, very cute recycled drinks can tin hearts, making sugar skulls or crafting your own shoebox altar. Or find inspiration to create your own sugar skull make-up here.
RECIPE Veg-Spiration
The Great Vegan Challenge runs for the whole of November, and is a great impetus to start moving towards an animal product-free lifestyle (or, if you’re already vegan, to provide some fresh inspiration!). Their blogs and tips provide fantastic support. We’re going to rustle up some vegan treats for bonfire night. Tomato soup and chocolate fudge. Mmmmm!
EVENT T-Wrecks
There’s going to be a dinosaur on the loose in Biddulph Grange Garden in Staffordshire this Saturday. Help! Make like a raptor-captor and head it back to prehistoric times. Dress as your favourite ancient beast to make the day even more fun.
LEARNING Tut Tut!
One of the greatest archaelogical discoveries of all time, Tutankhamun’s tomb, was made on November 4, 1922. Why not use this year’s anniversary as inspiration to find out more about Egyptians? Learn about the boy king here. Or get crafty and make your own (adorably wonky) cat statue, try the ancient art of papyrus making, build your own pyramid, or, um mummify a rubber chicken!
