By Kate Hodges
19th May 2021
EVENT Museums Unlocked Here comes more fun! Museums and galleries in Scotland are already open, and those in England and Wales fling their doors wide this weekend. You may need to book ahead, but it feels as if a whole new world of things to do has just opened up. New exhibitions we’re raring to see include the V&A’s Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum, Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema at Edinburgh’s Modern Two gallery and Fantastic Beasts The Wonder of Nature at the Natural History Museum. Have you seen a great, family friendly exhibition recently? Let us know!
DO Thrive After Lockdown The gradual end of lockdown is, for many, fantastic news. However, we should be prepared for the fact that for some it might be as hard for us as the beginning of restrictions. Things may not be the same as they were before, and it’s set to be a period of high stress only with added social demands. Find some tips from the Mental Health Foundation and Leeds Children’s Hospital’s advice for parents whose children are worried about life after lockdown.
EVENT AND MAKE World Bee Day Thursday is World Bee Day, which aims to get the world buzzing about the importance of bees and beekeeping. Bees are vital links in the food and food security chain, and contribute to the mitigation of climate change. They’re also awfully cute! Everyone is invited to join the global online waggle dance challenge; the dance mimics the way honey bees communicate. Why not show your love for the fuzzy, striped creatures by making a bee hotel, creating a bee-friendly garden or crafting this adorable tin-can bee.
DO Newcastle Colour Party Celebrate the reopening of Newcastle’s Discovery Museum at a colourful outdoor party this Saturday afternoon. Create dotty, colourful head dresses and crowns inspired by Japanese artist Yahoo Kusama, collaborate in an installation, create your own family colour banner, make mini bird kites and add your mark to the chalk floor. Free
DO and RECIPE Forage Lime Leaves! Late May brings more natural bounty to forage. The young, heart-shaped leaves of the lime or linden tree are sweet, and taste even sweeter when the leaf is covered in honey dew from aphids. The green leaves have been used as a herbal remedy for thousands of years; they were believed to cure boils, regulate menstrual cycles and dissolve blood clots. The flowers and leaves of the tree make soothing herbal teas and cordials, or they can be added raw to sandwiches and salads. Alternatively, try making refreshing Lime Flower and Himalayan Balsam Vitamin Water or sweet Fragrant Linden Blossom Sun Cake.
What we’re watching
Climate activist Greta Thunberg takes a year off school to explore the science of global warming and challenge world leaders, calling for action on climate change. Watch here
What we’re reading
Motherhood Project aims to capture an authentic take on being a new mum - “When Brisbane photographer Roseann Hall gave birth to her fourth child, she found herself on social media comparing herself to the picture-perfect experiences of mothers she saw in her feed. After Roseann had her fifth child and again found herself scrolling through photos that didn’t reflect her experience, she decided to use her skills as a photographer to capture something more authentic. Read more here Picture: Roseann Hall
