July and August - Keeping the Home Fires Burning!
While I have been away in the UK, Linda and Ray have been keeping the Nursery running with the help of regular volunteers.
Seeds have been sown, cuttings taken and potting up and weeding have been regular activities over winter.
Meanwhile, in the UK we had the wettest June and August since records began and much flooding! I did manage to catch up with Maggie and Stephen though and we spent a gorgeous day at Tatton Park, one of the many National Trust properties in the north west of England. The walled vegetable garden and sculpture exhibition were features of this famous place - www.tattonpark.org.uk
National Trust properties all over England are embracing a concept of “Cotton-wool kids or free-range children”
Evidence of a long-term and dramatic decline in children’s relationship with the outdoors is ‘overwhelming’ and urgent action is needed to bridge this growing gap before it’s too late, according our new report published today.
In his Natural Childhood report naturalist, author and TV producer Stephen Moss charts years of academic research and a steady stream of surveys on the subject, highlighting how a generation of children is finally losing touch with the natural world.
The report outlines a clear need to tackle the rise of ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’, a term coined by the US based writer Richard Louv, to describe a growing dislocation between children and nature. Follow the link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/what-we-do/news/view-page/item788564
Most Trust properties were encouraging lots of children’s outdoor activities – “50 things to do before you are 11 ¾ ‘s” see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/what-we-do/news/view-page/item804841
Posted: 2 October 2012