I was excited to hear about Pre-Raphaelite Girl Gang, as I’ve long been a fan of Kirsty Stonell Walker’s brilliant website, The Kissed Mouth. I was even happier when the publishers kindly sent me a review copy. The book includes 50 profiles of the oft-ignored women of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, beautifully illustrated by both the […]
Read more
Collecting photos of flowers every colour of the rainbow gets harder as autumn moves closer to winter. However, there are still plenty of flowers blooming if you pay attention. I find it a great way to add a challenge to a nature walk – and love seeing the colours change with the seasons. Red, orange […]
Read more
As the nights come ever earlier and the weather becomes greyer, it can be tempting to drag all the pillows in the house onto the sofa, grab snacks and hibernate until spring. However, there’s still lots of beauty to be seen outdoors. Windy weather means nature crafting materials galore. And there’s so much more to […]
Read more
Folklore Thursday is a wonderful weekly opportunity to immerse yourself in stories on Twitter. Each week has a different theme and, with Halloween approaching, this week’s theme is ghosts. Certain plants have long been associated with ghosts. Agrimony can help ward off evil spirits, as can basil (the latter being rather easier to source, if […]
Read more
Upcycle Your Life took place at Fearon Hall, Loughborough last Saturday: a day of sharing skills and learning from the community as part of Fun Palaces. The event included people sharing produce, gardening tips, freshly pressed apple juice and beekeeping advice. People also shared their ideas for the green space around Fearon Hall. I showed […]
Read more
Having seen hints about Divine Proportions online, along with press information for my preview, I was eagerly anticipating the show. I received my free press tickets, in exchange for a review but, had I paid for the show, I’d still have loved it. Rather than theatre, cabaret or dining alone, Divine Proportions blends all three, […]
Read more
I’m a huge fan of community allotments. I’ve long loved the Transition Loughborough allotment, and have enjoyed lots of delicious produce as a result. I have recently discovered the joys of Fearon Hall’s allotment. While the space is modest, it’s packed with beautiful flowers. There are herb bushes – ideal for the zero waste cafe […]
Read more