Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

28th April 2017

Feel reborn at Beltane, try sharp and spicy vegan recipes, use string art to learn maths, ride a steam train, get pagan at Jack-in-the-Green!

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

28th April 2017

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

28th April 2017

EVENTS, MAKE, RECIPES Children of the Beltane
May Day and Beltane are this Sunday and Monday, find out about some wonderful traditions here (we love having a bonfire to celebrate the rebirth of the earth), and find our favourite five ways to celebrate as a family here. Don’t forget to rise before dawn on May 1 to take the kids to wash your faces in the dew (the droplets are meant have special, beauty-enhancing powers). Later, you might want to crown your own little queen or king with one of these very sweet floral headbands, or try making some delicious, traditional bannock cakes, which are like large oatcakes. It’s said that if you eat one on Beltane morning, you’ll be guaranteed abundance for your crops and livestock (which is great, as our herb garden could do with a boost!)

RECIPE Spice of Life
After the stodge of winter, we’re beginning to crave sharp, bright flavours and lots of crunchy vegetables. These vegan Vietnamese recipes are mouthwateringly good; we can’t wait to try the fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce. Also, we will take any excuse to indulge in Vietnamese cold-brewed iced coffee.

MAKE AND LEARN Flattering Angles
On the cusp of design and maths, string art is the most beautiful way to illustrate geometry. It’s also a lot of fun banging nails into wood. Try it with glittery or rainbow coloured strings for even more stunning curves. This idea is part of Little Bins for Little Hands’ inventive and useful A-Z of STEM resources, which is fantastically useful for parents.

PLACES Steam Ahead
Bristol’s magnificent M Shed explores the city’s maritime past. Outside the museum, are huge, working cranes, steam trains and boats, perfect for little transport fans to examine up close. This weekend, take a twenty-minute steam train ride (£2/3) on Bristol Harbour Railway. The train will be pulled by the locomotive Portbury.

EVENT Green Scene
Hastings’ annual Jack-in-the-Green festival is a gloriously wild-feeling event. After a weekend of folk dancing, singing and storytelling, comes the day of the procession. A green, leafy giant is paraded through the streets of the town by chimney sweeps, bands and dancers, up to the stretch of grass overlooking the town and the sea. After stirring performances from some of the paraders, he’s ripped apart, welcoming back the sun. The inventive, surreal costumes of everyone in town make the festival feel truly earthy and witchy. Go.

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