By Kate Hodges
07th October 2016
- Dolly Would
In traditional pagan culture, it was believed that the spirit of the corn lived in the crop, and the harvest made it homeless. Corn dollies were created every year during harvest time so the spirit had somewhere to live over the winter, and were ploughed into the first furrow of the season. They make your home look autumnal and cosy and are fun to make with children. Find instructions here. - Not-Ella
It’s hazelnut season! Head to the country for a bracing walk in the October sun, and forage for fresh nuts. Squirrels snag most of them, but if you’re lucky you’ll find some in soft green cases, ready to enjoy as you’re walking along (there are some hints for finding and growing them here). However, you’ll need to use more mature specimens for this recipe, which is a healthier, palm oil-free version of a well-known, chocolate and nut breakfast spread! - HB or not HB
Every year, October’s Big Draw festival brings hundreds of events to families across the country, encouraging everyone to sharpen up their pencils and get sketching for a whole month. Find our pick of the best events here. This year, the theme is STEAM – encouraging support of STEM subjects while giving art equal parity – so expect lots of technologically themed classes and workshops being held at galleries, museums and public spaces across the country. Perhaps you’ll contribute to a huge communal drawing, learn how to sketch with a real-life illustrator, or try your hand at street art? More here - Going Nuts
One of the greatest things about heading into Autumn is the anticipation of conker season. Shiny brown chestnuts stud the ground of our parks and pavements, and it’s lovely to use them in some way. See how the experts do it this Sunday 9, in Southwick, Northamptonshire, home to the World Conker Championships. Teams from around the world meet yearly to play on podiums and compete for the title of World Conker Champion. There’s also a special junior championship for talented nut-knocking kids, plus live music, stalls and morris dancing. More here - Let It Grow
The National Tree Council are asking people to collect and pot seeds from healthy trees this month. With increasing numbers of tree diseases taking hold, it’s important to make a positive effort to stop the spread. If you’re heading for a walk in the country or park, look out for healthy trees, gather seeds and germinate and grow them in pots. It’s a great project to do over the winter. Find seed gathering events and find out more about what to look for here
