How children lost out to cars in the battle for space on our streets
‘It’s a graphic illustration of the changing face of our streets over the second half of the 20th century.
These pictures show how many of the areas around our homes have been transformed from popular play areas for local children to car-dominated no-go areas.
The photographs, dating from the 1940s to the present, paint a stark contrast with children and families enjoying the freedom of the streets in days gone by, and largely banished in the most recent images….’
Sowing peas
See this link for some handy advice on ways of sowing peas from the RHS Campaign for School Gardening
Nectar Quest: The ‘Bees and Flowers Mutual Admiration Society’ Under Threat
‘Plants and bees have a symbiotic relationship. Flowering plants depend on an outside source to ‘spread the love’ through pollination, and bees are happy to fill that need, receiving nectar (which they convert into honey) for the service they provide.
But how do bees manage to be so efficient in their quest for nectar? And is it true this delicately balanced relationship is under threat?
Scientists at Britain’s University of Bristol have spent 30 years trying to figure out exactly how bees know which flowers will give them the most bang for their buck, so to speak. The recent discovery is that bees and flowers participate in a mutually beneficial electromagnetism1 that results not only in the pollination and proliferation of the plants, but the nourishment of the bees and the hives they call home….’
Financing community food: Securing money to help community food enterprises to grow
‘This report examines the funding needs of community food enterprises and how they can continue to use food to achieve a wide variety of important social and environmental benefits.
The report was written following a series of community food finance meetings, bringing together organisations that assist community food enterprises, with progressive funders. This process was undertaken as part of the five-year Big Lottery funded Making Local Food Work programme that has – since 2007 – supported a wide range of community-run food enterprises to help communities take control of their food and where it comes from. The community food finance meetings discussed how best to secure funds for community food enterprises in the future, to help them through the all-important start-up phase, and to obtain funds to grow and, thereby, continue work that has more charitable than commercial aims.
We hope to see the community food movement grow and thrive, hence the enterprises need improved prospects for securing the finance they need to succeed. With this report, and work evolving from it, we wish to encourage conversations between enterprises and their communities, the sector organisations that support them, the individuals and organisations that provide funds, and with government, whose policies provides the framework in which we operate….’
Community Veg Growing
Tips for community gardening:
• Join with like-minded neighbours who’ll commit time to the project and keep the momentum going.
• Start off small – sharing a few packets of seeds and swapping a bit of growing advice.
• Don’t be afraid to knock on doors – there’s a real appetite to grow vegetables and to get to know those who live around you.
• Funding is important. Look online for national awarding bodies for community projects. Approach local businesses for sponsorship, and seed companies for free or discounted seeds.
• Record your activities to demonstrate to funders and others how great your project is. And start a blog: mytinyplot.com/build-a-blog/ has a great “build your own blog” tutorial.
• Grow what you love to eat. With space (and time) at a premium, plump for fruit and veg you’ll find truly delicious.
You can’t run uphill indoors
A further contribution to the debate over ‘nature deficit disorder’ and outdoor play
Paper is not dead…
A little light video offering, courtesy of Eric, a friend of mine. Enjoy :0)
Our Mud Kitchen
‘We’ve been very busy collecting to make a mud kitchen outside and at lunchtime today Miss Lowery and her mummy ‘Nessa’ put it all in position. We can use this space to explore all things muddy! Making mud mixtures, mud soup, mud stew, mud cakes and mud potions! This really helps our physical development, our knowledge of the world, communication and language and working together and sharing resources. Look at how much fun we’ve had already!…’
Old School Garden 