Let’s face it – January isn’t a popular month. In fact it’s widely considered to be the most depressing month of the year. We’ve also just had so-called ‘Blue Monday’ as it’s referred to throughout the media, although arguably this year that could have been changed to ‘Black Friday’ , certainly for all liberal-minded folk around the world. Dastardly politics …
Life
Interviews, tips, ideas and features on how to deal with life, the universe and everything else in a less conventional, arguably much more fun, way.
HOW TO make your own Christmas decorations
It was the posh shabby-chic Christmas catalogue that came through the post a few years back that provided an incentive for me to start making my own festive decorations from items gathered from the garden. I balked at what they were charging for what (appeared to me) to be simply bits of tree with silver spray-painted on them…. Instead, with …
The UNSCHOOLERS – on managing discrimination and judgement
In an extract from their new book; home schoolers Lehla and her husband, Anthony talk about their experiences when it comes to dealing with the sometimes disapproving reactions of others… Anthony says: Sometimes people get curious and want to know if our way of life works according to their framework. Some of our relatives sneak little tests in to reassure …
AUTISM CHAMPIONS – the 17 year old Kart racing supremo, Bobby Trundley
In this, the first of a new series aimed at showing the inspirational people behind the autism, proud mother, Jackie tells us about her son Bobby was diagnosed with Autism when he was four. I felt relief, I wasn’t a bad mother and he wasn’t a bad boy needing discipline (words that had been said to me many times even …
DOING IT IN WELLIES – Working with chefs
In this second blog for us, inspirational lady-farmer, Sam explains how much she enjoys working with local restaurants. There is no greater privilege for a smallholder like me than tasting your home-reared, much loved, rare breed produce on the menu of a well reputed restaurant. I recently enjoyed a spectacular 10 course taster menu exquisitely prepared by Director Chef Chris …
DOING IT IN WELLIES – the changing seasons
First – a bit about Sam Sam Gray works a five acre plot in the heart of Shropshire where she keeps British Lop pigs, rare breed chickens, Soay sheep and grows a lot of her own fruit and veg. A published writer and author of ‘Doing it in Wellies’ about her first years on the farm, she is becoming well …
Celebrating all pollinators – why they truly are the bees’ knees
Kim Stoddart gets up close and personal with all pollinators great and small… Have you ever stopped and listened to the musical sound a bee makes as it works a flower head? Or looked at a wasp as it chews tiny bits of wood off your fence or garden furniture? Wasps may have a somewhat chequered reputation but they are …
GROWING WILD IN HACKNEY
I am part of The Growing Kitchen on the Wenlock Barn Estate in Hackney. We started in 2008 with a community garden on a disused piece of lawn. Since then we have expanded to create a foraging garden with a wild area and a community orchard on a separate site. We also have a pond that is teaming with life …
HOW GARDENING CONTINUES TO HELP MY AUTISTIC SON TO BLOSSOM
In the few years since Arthur’s diagnosis (he’s nearly 7) my family and I have been through a lot with our youngest son and found that like most (if not all) non neuro-typical children, he is happiest outside. Actually he’s a charmingly happy little boy most of the time anyway, but he’s utterly in his element when either walking …
INCREDIBLE EDIBLE DUNSTABLE
A few years back (and inspired by the community growing initiative in Todmorden), Sahira Ward decided to approach her local council to see what could be done along these lines in her area. Since then, working with friends, family and neighbours, she has gone on to transform a plot of former waste ground at the top of her road into …