By Kate Hodges
30th March 2022
EVENT THE HUNT IS ON!
It’s the most egg-citing time of the year for chocolate fans! The National Trust’s Easter events start this week. Try crafts, teddy bear’s picnics, nature clubs, and, of course, egg hunts! Find fun near you here. Or step into spring at an English Heritage site; follow clues to claim a chocolate prize and adventurer’s certificate. If you’re in Wales, you’ll find trails at museums including St Fagans, the National Museum, and the National Waterfront Museum. The RHS’ trail at Wisley winds around giant painted eggs, while in Scotland, there are sweet rewards to be won at 22 venues across the country, from Brodie Castle in the Highlands to Greenbank Garden in Glasgow.
EVENT CRAFTY SCOTS
Fancy learning a new art skill? Scotland’s Workshop Week runs from Saturday 2– Saturday 9, and includes sculpture making classes, exhibitions, salt printing, cyanotype making and dark room sessions, portrait-making tasters, risograph printing and fused-glass making workshops. They take place in galleries, studios and arts centres across Scotland, and many of them are free. Find the full programme here.
EVENT HOLIDAY TIME?
Artist Pete McKee invites you to his mock travel agency this Saturday; will you book a cruise to the iceless Arctic, or a city break to watch the endless sunsets caused by wildfires in California? Wish You Were Here is a one-day, interactive art installation that is set to pop up in the The Old Truman Brewery on London’s Brick Lane. Talk to holiday reps who can help you book your next ‘holiday’ at one of eight destinations affected by climate change. All visitors go home with a limited-edition, Pete McKee postcard. Free. Find out more here
DO, LEARN, EVENT CAPITAL WALKS
Headed to London over the holidays? Discover the city and its secrets in the most fascinating, interactive way; on foot. The Mayor’s London Curriculum Family Explorer Trails are free to download, and are a great way for those of all ages to explore the unique spaces found in the capital. Choose from Women of Courage, The River, City of London, Creative Quarter, the South Bank and the Knowledge Quarter. Free. Find out more here. Alternatively, the Museum of London’s free, hour-long guided walks are aimed at primary-aged kids and their families; find out about the Great Fire of London or join storyteller Olivia Armstrong on a time-travelling stroll from the Museum’s current home to its new site in West Smithfield. If you’ve got a taste for contemporary sculpture, wander through an urban art park in the financial district in the 10th edition of Sculpture in the City or explore the space where art, nature and heritage combine in London’s first dedicated public art walk, The Line.
EVENT EX-CEL-LENT
Enjoy sweet short films, join creature effects masterclasses, learn about neurodivergent animators, dive deep into the world of Studio Ghibli or enter the smallest free-to-visit cinema on the planet (it only fits one bum!) and take in some Welsh talent. The Cardiff Animation Festival takes place at Chapter this week, showcasing some of the best cartoons, stop-motion and scribbles from all over the world. Some events are online. Find out more here
WHAT WE’RE READING 5 Ways “Good Enough” is better than “Best”: “The chronic pursuit of best is frequently a sign of perfectionism. And far too often, getting caught up in what’s best becomes debilitating; it contributes to analysis paralysis, hindering our forward motion and getting in the way of progress.
Conversely, good enough can help us take the small steps that get the ball rolling. We set an attainable (ie good enough) goal. We achieve success. Rinse. Repeat.
And before we know it, with each small step towards good enough, we’re surprised and delighted when, eventually, we arrive at best. In fact, many times, the end result of good enough is actually better than best.”
Read more here
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING Dynasties: Captivating, beautiful, elegaic. Narrated by David Attenborough, Dynasties delves into the secret lives of charismatic animals as they fight for their families against the odds. Get caught up in this real-life drama on the iPlayer. Watch here
