By Kate Hodges
10th June 2021
EVENT AND DO Beetle’s About Help experts find out if this spring’s topsy-turvy weather has had a detrimental effect on beetles. June is traditionally ‘peak beetle’ season, with many species out looking for a mate; if you’re lucky, you might spot a huge stag beetle. However, Wildlife Trusts and RHS are worried that a cold April and wet May may have impacted on the beetle population. You can help by creating a beetle bank you your garden, with species such as hawthorn, dogwood, fennel and chervil, and recording species using iNaturalist. Pledge your patch for beetles and download a Bring back our beetles guide here and find our guide to creating a wildlife-friendly garden here
FORAGE AND RECIPE Brighten Up Your Breakfasts Put some zing into your morning meal with some fresh breakfast ideas. Find our three ways with overnight oats here and sesame, lemon and honey flapjack recipe here. The warmer weather means that ice lollies are back on the menu; try these berry smoothie versions or this granola and yoghurt popsicle. Alternatively try these warm, peanutty apple nachos or this super-simple and very cute pancake rabbit
EVENT AND DO Putting on the Bricks Running for the whole of June, London Festival Of Architecture is the world’s largest annual architecture festival. Its events are inclusive and fun, taking place in the streets and parks of the city, and include plenty for families. Follow sculpture trails, watch architects make building-shaped cakes, enter the RA Lego Challenge, go for a guided walk on the Thames foreshore, find out how trees talk to each other, or retrofit your house using sustainable materials. Free
EVENT Make a Change A blizzard of colourful banners have gone on display at the Women Making History exhibition at London Scottish House in Westminster. Emblazoned with the concerns of contemporary women across the UK, the banners are an inspiring reminder of the power of female protest. Created by women’s groups and artists including Vivienne Westwood, Claudette Johnson and Sadie Williams, this exhibition is accompanied by a multimedia guide. Book your free timed tickets here and find out how to make your own banner here.
EVENT Hunger Busters Marcus Rashford and Tom Kerridge’s hunger-busting Full Time campaign to fight child food poverty includes recipes that are easy to follow, simple to make and require no fancy kitchen gear. Why not try making some with your family? Try Tortilla Pizzas, Shakshuka Traybake Crunch and Kettle Omelette.
What we’re reading
Menopause Truths Jen Gunter Wants All Women To Know “For women to navigate menopause, they need facts because empowerment requires accurate information,” she says. “But they also need feminism because our bodies, our medical care, and even our thoughts have been colonised by the patriarchy.” Read more here
What we’re watching
Eve: the off-grid life of a nine-year-old climate activist Eve is the intimate story of a nine-year-old girl living in Tinkers Bubble, one of the oldest off-grid communities in the UK. A fledgling environmental activist, we follow her as she navigates her way back into traditional schooling and stands up for what she passionately believes in: the environment. Watch here
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Hello! Kate here. I put The Green Parent newsletter together, but also write books. This week, Rock, Paper, Scissors hits the shops.
It’s packed with creative fun things for families to do using very simple materials: stones, paper and scissors.
Find it at your favourite book shop or here
