By Kate Hodges
24th March 2017
EVENT Feeling a Little Sheepish
It’s that magical time – lambing season. Meet the new, bouncing arrivals, and, if you’re lucky, you may get to feed or snuggle them. This weekend there are events at the excellent Forty Hall Farm, which includes activities for kids and demonstrations of rural arts; at the eco-innovative Earth Trust in Oxfordshire, where, as well as seeing the lambs and meeting shepherds, you can climb bales, try spinning, make candles and have a tractor ride; and at Wiltshire College, who are holding their annual Lambing at Lackham weekends. Search online to find more community farm or open farm events near you.
LEARN AND EVENT Lights Out
At 8.30pm this Saturday, the world will go dark. At least, some of the world will go dark. Homes, business and iconic buildings including the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House will turn off their lights for 60 minutes for Earth Hour to raise awareness of renewable energy. Across the UK, landmarks, businesses and private houses will use candles or flounder around in the dark; why not go to a good viewing point and see if you can spot who’s turned their lights off?
If you’re staying in and turning your lights off, why not listen to a special, free recording of the Just So stories, produced for Earth Hour 2013, and featuring the voices of Miranda Richardson, Alistair McGowan and Kevin McCloud. If you feel like heading out, check on the WWF’s interactive map to find out what else is happening in your area of town, or even hold your own event. Show your support and sign up today.
COOK What A Pal-laver
It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday. We have some great ideas for creating a meaningful celebration for the woman who raised you below. If you’d like to make a gift with your children for mum, Martha Stewart has some lovely ideas for cards and presents (we love the stamped book bindings), and, for those kids less inclined towards complicated crafts, Buzzfeed has a great list of easy, last-minute presents to make that are still fun and special.
EVENT Veg Fast
Mothers of the country rejoice, for this Sunday you are likely to be served a lukewarm cup of tea and soggy toast in bed. If your kids are a little older and capable of making something a bit more complicated, you might do well to drop a subtle hint about some of the recipes made by Isa Chandra, one of our favourite vegan bloggers. These breakfast nachos and seitan waffles with pomegranate syrup are very indulgent, but an absolutely delicious treat. Worth getting out of your bed and helping in the kitchen for.
EVENT Roman’s Holidays
We all know what the Romans did abroad – all that conquering and empire-building, but when they got home and put their feet up, what were they like? Head to Liverpool’s World Museum this Saturday afternoon and join Travellers Through Time for a fun look into the Romans at home and learn about how they lived, what they ate and what they did for fun. Drop in, no booking required.
