Rugeley News Archives - Citylife Magazines

The Month of Mellow Fruitfulness By Lesley Smith

September – the month of mellow fruitfulness and soft evenings (usually) is also the month when I unwittingly started training to be Anne Boleyn at the age of four.

My mother (who was local to Lichfield up until being married) liked us five children to look as smart as possible for school, so the nuns wouldn’t talk about her. I was by far the youngest, so really was brought up almost like an only child, giving mother more time to spray starch my school uniform shirt collars and anywhere else that looked like it needed a bit of a stiffen – even if it didn’t. My uniform was positively crispy.

Sore neck, red itchy line (hence the link to Anne Boleyn) almost all the way round but I didn’t complain, as there were other children at school also rubbing their fingers down their collars. I was a year younger than most of the other children, as the nuns agreed to take me a year early. They must have felt sorry for mother as they knew the rest of the children in the brood and my siblings were all reserved and quiet.

I was nothing of the sort, which will not be a surprise to any readers who know me or have seen me perform. The other garment issue I had was a liberty bodice that I had to wear on top of my vest and continued to wear in larger and larger sizes until I was fourteen. They were hand-me-downs from my sisters. This name will be a mystery to readers of this article who are young or even middle-aged.

To explain, it is a lambswool lined waistcoat made of hardwearing thick cotton and had small rubber buttons. It reached down to the waist and came in two colours, cream or a pale peach colour. Some of the versions had suspender belts attached. Some boys as well as girls wore them but presumably without the suspender belt! They were frightful but, as the name suggests, they were intended to provide considerably more freedom and comfort than the Victorian corsets that they replaced.

This garment had gone out of fashion by the end of the 1950s but I still had one in 1971, when the other girls at school (it was an all-girls convent) had 32A-cup bras in pretty colours. Fortunately, I wasn’t teased but my friends just shook their heads in sympathy. Now and again, I raise the subject of liberty bodices to audiences and ask people to put their hands up if they wore one. It’s cold in Buxton is all I can say, and men and women of about a third of the audience put their hands up to uproarious laughter.

One woman still had hers in the back of her airing cupboard, she told me. I bet when she got home, she got it out and looked at it. I did, however, love school, which makes me sound like a creep, but actually I did! All those friends, all that falling over in the school grounds and school dinners. My mother ran a tight ship but cooking was a waste of time to her, so we had forty ways with mince or packet food. Instant TV dinners at the time served in a tinfoil tray were ghastly and worryingly, the thinly sliced beef had a green sheen to it. Iridescent, like oil on water. No wonder I liked school dinners. Now I love to cook – I learned young, it was survival.

Now, as the years have rolled by, the time for the school children starting their first day is upon us. Poor little nervous souls, clinging sweaty-handed to mother or father at the school gates. My eldest sister Trisha was asked politely if she would kindly go home and not cling to the school gates trying to have a glimpse of her child (she had five children too but is a brilliant cook). When my son Henry started at the Cathedral School, he was so delighted with his uniform he would wear it for days leading up to starting school. He had a little yellow peaked cap like a canary.

When he first started school, off he went cheerfully, whilst I and my late husband sat by the phone despite the fact that we lived across the road from the school ourselves. So, this article reminds us of the shared experience of school, and starting school ourselves, and the adventures that lay ahead for us. I do feel however that starched collars for school uniform are rightly a thing of the past and Liberty Bodices definitely are. The schoolchildren of today have much to be grateful for. If you have a liberty bodice in your airing cupboard, do send a picture to the Editor of this fine magazine so other readers can enjoy seeing it!

A Gift That Keeps on Giving – By Lauren Hirst

While it might feel strange to be thinking about Christmas in September when the leaves are still green and not a snowflake in sight, why not get a head start on your Christmas shopping?

If you’re on the lookout for unique and meaningful gifts to give to your loved ones instead of the usual material presents, please consider giving a gift that can change a life – sponsoring a greyhound from Home Run Hounds Greyhound Charity.

Home Run Hounds works tirelessly to home greyhounds that have retired from racing and are ready for their “happily ever after” homes. By sponsoring a greyhound, you can provide much-needed support to a greyhound with some extra needs, while giving your loved ones a gift that truly makes a difference.

What is Greyhound Sponsorship? Sponsorship starts from as little as £3 per month. You can, of course, give more if you wish or pay a lump sum by cheque for a year’s sponsorship.

You can either sponsor an individual dog or a kennel. It costs Home Run Hounds over £13,000 per month to look after the 55 greyhounds in our care across our three Midlands-based kennels (Lichfield, Stourbridge, and Wombourne). Your sponsorship will help us buy food, treats, toys and essential equipment as well as helping to pay for veterinary treatment for our “forever” foster hounds who have special needs; those who maybe a little older, or who need that extra bit of care.

Lovely sponsor boy, Toby, (pictured) has been pretty unwell and very under the weather for a couple of months. He deserved a present for being such a brave little lad and so he was treated to a spanking new collar by his foster mum. Here he is modelling it for us and boy, doesn’t he look handsome! Toby is sweet senior boy who retired from racing and luckily found himself a home.

Sadly, his elderly owner was no longer able to care for him and so he found himself back in kennels. After moving into a foster home, it became apparent that he had quite severe back problems, causing him pain and mobility issues. Monthly injections from the vets, plus fortnightly therapeutic massage sessions have put a spring back into Toby’s step.

This gentle, sensitive boy now adores his walks (where he greets everyone he meets!), trips out in the car, tasty treats (soft ones, he has hardly any teeth!) and playtime with Derek, his squeaky duck toy. Toby is one of four sponsor hounds along with April, Ruby, and JJ, or if you sponsor a kennel, you will receive:

• A certificate and small gift from your chosen hound each year you renew.

• Updates on your hound and Home Run Hounds progress.

• Kennel sponsors will receive news about the kennels and ongoing kennel life. Why Sponsor a Greyhound as a Christmas Gift? Unlike traditional gifts that are often quickly forgotten sponsoring a greyhound is a gift that continues to give throughout the year.

Sponsors are able to see the direct impact of their gift on the greyhound’s life and all Sponsors are welcome to contact our Sponsor Co-Ordinator to arrange to meet their special hound or visit our kennels to see the work we are doing So, why not make this Christmas extra special for the animal lover in your life by supporting a greyhound in need? Visit our website www.homerunhounds.co.uk/sponsor-a-greyhound to find out more and download a sponsor form to get started on your Christmas shopping.

All Hail Augustus!

By Lesley Smith

It’s August, so “All hail the mighty Emperor of Rome, Augustus” – architect, philosopher, visionary and founder of the Roman Empire as we imagine it. Of course, there were Romans before and after Augustus, many of whom were luminous figures, while others were a flaming nuisance, like Nero and his appalling relatives Caligula and Tiberius, all of whom were members of the dynasty established by Augustus himself. So, apart from establishing a horrible family in power, what does an emperor have to do to have a month still carrying his name more than two thousand years later?

Born Gaius Octavius, he was adopted by his great-uncle Julius Caesar, and became his heir. Adoption was very much encouraged in ancient Rome, and considered honourable, as it should be today. When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC, the young Gaius Octavius inherited the loyalty of Caesar’s legions – they hadn’t been assassinated, and there were a lot of them. Initially he allied with two other supporters of Julius Caesar to punish the assassins, but then fell out with them, and after the defeat of his former ally Mark Antony at the battle of Actium in 31 BC, he was left as the sole leader of Rome. Although he claimed to uphold traditional Republican attitudes, he gradually seized more and more power for himself (sounds strangely familiar!) and in 27BC the Roman senate granted him the title of Augustus, and his formal reign began (although in January, rather than August – no sense of timing). Then he and his chariot really got rolling. The title imperator (emperor) meant commander-in-chief, and was an established honour for leading generals, but he was appointed imperator for life, and with the continued support of the armies he was able to take the title, and make it his own, bringing in sweeping reforms to government and society.

• His armies carried out a series of successful campaigns (with a few notable exceptions), expanding the Roman empire in various directions and restructured the army to support the expansion. This led to the establishment of the Pax Romana – Roman Peace – a period of relative peace, prosperity and stability across the Roman Empire for the next two centuries (although it may not always have seemed that way in some of the conquered provinces).

• He improved the infrastructure of Rome, from running water and sewage systems, to coating the red brick buildings with glittering white marble, transforming the drab buildings into the glamorous centre of the Roman empire.

• He introduced laws encouraging personal morality (although his family didn’t provide the best example).

• Once he discovered that some of his subjects were worshipping him as a god, he encouraged the development of an imperial cult based around himself (sometimes vanity can be bad thing)

• He did not just create imperial power for himself, but passed it down to his descendants, the Julio-Claudian dynasty (again, with hindsight, perhaps not such a great idea, but it was impressive at the time).

• He provided a model of authority in later history that inspired other great leaders (like Napoleon and Mussolini. Oh dear). His coins even inspired some of the designs of the coins of Offa of Mercia, who built an empire of his own, with its heart in this this area.

On top of this, he ruled for longer than any other Roman emperor, ruling until his death in AD37. On reflection, it is a bit of a mixed bag, but there is no doubt that he achieved a lot, even if not all of it was entirely positive. Enough to earn a month for himself, surely?

Is this relevant to Lichfield? It certainly is. Under his successors, Britain was brought into the Roman Empire. England especially is still criss-crossed by Roman roads, including the modern A5 and A38, and the crossing of those two roads was an important junction. The little village of Wall, just outside Lichfield, still has visible traces of important Roman ruins, as well as less visible mosaics under some of the back gardens. Recent research shows that Wall was more important in the late Roman period than was previously recognised. Even when the Roman armies left, the Roman legacy did not entirely disappear – not just buildings and roads, but people. After centuries of Roman occupation and marriage with the locals, many of you may have Roman blood in you, along with Celts and Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and all the others that form part of our history. So, all hail Augustus!

Business of the Month:

Interior Choice

Established in 2020 and boasting a showroom on Eastern Avenue, Interior Choice specialises in providing a range of soft furnishings and services to customers, including made-to-measure curtains, blinds, shutters, awnings, wallpapers, paints, home automation and energy saving products. We find out more from Garin Offer as the company is named Business of the Month.

• What made you decide to start your own business?

“I have over 35 years of experience in our industry and with the loss of key retailers in the area such as John Lewis and various Independent it was time to develop our retail and commercial offering.”

• What is unique about Interior Choice?

What makes it stand out from others? “Our 5-star reviews have been earned from our growing reputation for quality, service and price from a family run local business. We now deal with over 55 different suppliers offering all the latest trends and style to hit every budget. We also offer a price match and two-year guarantee, plus have our own booking system so you can book your home, business or showroom appointment easily online.”

• Why did you choose Lichfield as a base for your business?

“I have lived in Lichfield for over 30 years and from leaving the trade where I worked as a Sales and Marketing Director with National accounts, export and independent market, it was time for a fresh challenge with all my industry experience.”

• How are you finding business at the moment?

“Business is challenging as cost of living and government policy, and suppliers’ costs are also increasing with higher National insurance premiums. We constantly look at our pricing to ensure we are offering competitive like for like ranges but backed with our quality and service you would expect form a family business. We are confident of achieving our customers budget with the vast choice we have in store.”

• What has been the toughest challenge for you business-wise to date?

“Opening our showroom one month prior to the covid pandemic outbreak and then having to close during lockdown.”

• And what has been your proudest business moment so far?

“Achieving over 134 genuine 5* reviews to date and having the largest selection of Curtains, Blinds, Awnings, Shutters, Little Greene and wallpapers under one roof. Also being highlighted by the british blind and shutter association with a national write up on our business.”

• Do you have any plans for the future of Interior Choice?

“Due to expansion, we are opening an additional showroom which will feature a bigger selection of blinds, shutters, wallpapers and awning and additional home automation in its new additional showroom. We currently have over 25,000 samples across curtains, blinds, shutters, awnings, wallpaper and Little Greene paint.”

• If you had one piece of advice for small business owners or people looking to start up their own company, what would it be?

“Believe in your business and yourself if you have done your research the business model will develop even in the current climate!”

Visit Interior Choice at Sure store, Eastern Ave, Lichfield WS13 6UY. Tel: 01543 406162. www.interiorchoice.net

Celebrate the best of the season with fresh, green asparagus in this beautiful Italian risotto recipe.

We’re lucky to be surrounded by incredible farm shops in Lichfield stocking locally-grown and farmed produce. Find the freshest asparagus at New Farm Produce in Elmhurst, WS13 8EX, and visit Bradbury’s Farm Shop and Butchers at Curborough Countryside Centre, WS13 8ES, for ethically farmed, local meats. Bradburys supplies Mangia Mangia with meats and stocks a fantastic range of sausages – its classic farm sausages are perfect for this dish from Mangia Mangia’s cookbook, Appetito.

Asparagus & Sausage Risotto

Preparation time: 30 minutes, serves 4

Ingredients: 750g green asparagus

80g butter

1 chopped white onion

Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

2 farm sausages

360g risotto rice

½ glass of white wine

1 – 1.5 litres boiling vegetable broth

Black pepper

60g grated Grana Padano

Preparation:

1. Wash the asparagus and remove the lowest part by gently bending the stalk until it snaps. Discard the bottom sections (or use them in a soup or stock) and chop the rest of the stalk, leaving the tips whole. If the asparagus is thick, you can use a potato peeler to remove the hard, outer skin.

2. Sauté the chopped onion and asparagus in a deep pan with 30g butter for a few minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.

3. Remove the tips and set aside. Take half of the contents of the pan and place in a container suitable for a stick blender. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the container and set aside to cool for a few minutes.

4. Remove the skins from the sausages slicing down the side of each one with a sharp knife and then, add the meat to the onions and asparagus in the pan. Brown for a minute, breaking up the sausage meat with the back of a wooden spoon as it cooks. (For a vegetarian version, simply leave out the sausages).

5. Add the risotto rice and pour in the wine.

6. Let the alcohol cook off whilst stirring gently and then add 500ml of broth.

7. Keep gently stirring as the rice absorbs the liquid, adding more broth as the risotto dries up.

8. In the meantime, use a stick blender to blend the onions and asparagus from step 3 and add this puree to the risotto pan.

9. After about 20 minutes, bite into a grain of rice and if it is still hard in the centre, add more broth and stir again for a few minutes more.

10. When the rice is al-dente, add half a ladle of broth and switch off the heat.

11. Using a wooden spoon, vigorously stir in the remaining butter, black pepper and Grana Padano until creamy, this fundamental process in risotto-making is known as La Mantecatura.

12. Let the risotto sit for one minute and give it a good stir just before serving, placing the cooked asparagus tips on top with a grating of black pepper and more Grana Padano if you wish.

Buon appetito!

*Appetito – The Life, Soul and Tastes of Italian Home Cooking by Alison Ranwell is available from Waterstones, Amazon, Kindle, and your local bookshop. www.mangia-mangia.co.uk

With more hot weather forecast for the summer, children from low-income families will get the chance to enjoy water sports as part of Staffordshire’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme as a local water sports company joins the scheme.

Child paddle boarding at Pier 52, Chasewater.

The county council run scheme is available to over 23,000 eligible children aged between five and sixteen who receive benefits related free school meals.

The programme includes access to physical, fun activities, nutritional advice, and a healthy hot meal where possible. Funding is provided by the Department for Education.

Joining the scheme in time for the summer holiday is Pier 52, based in Chasewater Country Park, Lichfield. The club is offering children the chance to try stand up paddleboarding and kayaking lessons. All equipment is included and a wetsuit if needed. The lessons are suitable for all children and young people aged between eight and sixteen and include a hot lunch.

Dean Russell, Director of Pier 52, said: “We’re really pleased to be part of the scheme and look forward to welcoming children who might not normally get the opportunity to try water sports, as the equipment can be quite expensive.

“We are running the free classes in the morning for 4 days, every week over the summer holidays. The lessons are great to help build confidence and the paddle boarding is great for balance. We can also cater for wheelchair users, giving them a new experience in the kayaks.”

Lewis, 16, who regularly attends Pier 52, said: “The instructors are out on the water for the lessons and all the kids wear life vests, so they don’t need to be able to swim that well. I love being out on the water as it really clears my mind.”

Mark Sutton, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “We’re always looking for new activities for the programme to make sure children get the chance to try lots of different activities.

“We’re extremely pleased with how the scheme has developed since it launched in 2021 and the addition of the water sports for this summer is great. Since then, more than 138,000 free places have been made available, with a further 49,300 places available this summer. This continues to be a really important programme for Staffordshire families, especially with the continuing cost of living pressures.”

HAF activities will run from Monday 31st July to Friday 1st September.

All eligible children will have received a registration code from their school. Parents and carers should go to www.staffordshire.gov.uk/holidayactivities at 4pm on Monday 3^rd July to register for a timetable of activities in their local area.

The warmer days are becoming more regular as Summer approaches and with it comes an abundance of fresh blooms to adorn our gardens. If you’re looking for activities to do this season, and days out to enjoy with friends, why not pop along to some of the local Open Garden events that are taking place in and around the area? It’s a chance to gain inspiration from others, enjoy an afternoon tea, and also help out local charities too!

Marchington
Sat 17th & Sun 18th June

At least 12 beautiful gardens to view. Scarecrows, Craft Fair, Vintage vehicles, music, photography exhibition, refreshments and RAF fly past of the marvellous Hurricane!
Free parking and Shuttle Bus.
Location: Marchington, ST14 8LJ
Time: 11am – 5pm
Price: £5 (buy from community shop or gardens).
Visit www.marchingtonfestival.co.uk for more.

Fradley
Sat 24^th & Sun 25^th June

Spend an enjoyable weekend looking at our collection of gardens, some large, some small, all with their own interesting and unique theme. We have two refreshment areas each day where you can purchase drinks and cakes. The church will be open early on Saturday at 12 noon when they will be serving Ploughman’s Lunches till 2pm and homemade cakes until 5pm. Tickets can be purchased from the car park opposite the church or any participating garden. Sorry no dogs except assistance dogs. We look forward to seeing you there.
Location: Fradley village
Time: 1pm-5pm
Price: £5 per adult, accompanied children free.
Programmes available from car park opposite the church or participating gardens.

Whittington
Sat 24^th & Sun 25^th June

Eleven colourful and very varied gardens and a number of other horticultural spaces will be open to visitors. Refreshments available in some gardens, at St Giles Hospice and in the village pubs and the brand-new Main Street Café. Tickets are available from the car park and Café and cover entry to all the gardens.
Location: Baxters Farm, Back Lane, WS14 9NL (parking available).
Time: 11am – 4pm. Tours of St Giles Hospice Garden at 12 noon and 2pm.
Price: £5 (under 16s free)

Alrewas
Saturday 2^nd & Sunday 3^rd July

Alrewas Open Gardens weekend is back after a break of two years and features around 24 venues, with some past favourites and some new gardens to enjoy. There will also be plant stalls, musical and craft artists, a free children’s treasure hunt and free parking, in addition to the traditional refreshment venue at The Vicarage grounds this year.
Alrewas village is located on the A38 between Lichfield and Burton, near the National Memorial Arboretum. Please follow signs to the free parking area.
Opening Times: 12pm-5pm
Price: Admission by programme at £5 per adult, under 16s free.

Grafton Cottage, Barton under Needwood
Sun 2^nd, 26^th, 30^th July & 6^th August
Fri 7^th July

Designed by the gardeners to create a picturesque cottage garden. Old fashioned roses climb over trellis and arches laden with clematis. Hollyhocks adorn the front of the cottage, a wide range of salvias, dahlias and perennials. Colour themed borders with scent being insect friendly, amphitheatre, stream, parterre and much more. The garden has attracted visitors for over 30years having been on BBC Gardener’s World and in all the garden magazines. Homemade cream teas and cottage garden plants for sale.
Location: Grafton Cottage, Barr Lane, Barton under Needwood, DE13 8AL.
Price: £5 per person, accompanied children free (share of proceeds to Alzheimer’s Research UK).

Cannock Wood and Gentleshaw
Sat 8^th & Sun 9^th July

13 gardens, a very varied mix of sizes and styles to enjoy with refreshments available. Several have wonderful views and some are partially accessible for wheelchair users. Free parking at village hall.
Location: Village Hall, Buds Road, WS15 4NB.
Time: 11am – 5pm
Price: Entry by programme (£5 for each adult), available from the Village Hall.
Visit www.cwggc.co.uk/events for more information.

Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton
Every Mon to Thurs until 26^th October

Goldstone Hall Gardens are mature and intriguingly designed, including formal and informal planting, encapsulating the essence of a quintessential English garden. Set in 5-acre grounds overlooking the tree-strewn rolling countryside, enjoy one of the UK’s most productive hotel kitchen gardens, a walled garden, rose terrace and unique herbal walkways.
Location: Goldstone Hall, Goldstone, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 2NA.
Time: 10am-5pm
Price: £7.50, children free of charge.
Visit www.goldstonehallhotel.co.uk for more.

By Jess Davanzo

By now there is a good chance you have heard of Veganuary, which is celebrating its 10^th year. But what is it all about and what is a vegan anyway?

Let’s start with the basics…

“Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.

There are many ways to embrace vegan living. Yet one thing all vegans have in common is a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy, eggs and honey – as well as avoiding animal-derived materials, products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment.”

The number of vegans is rapidly on the rise as more and more people change their lifestyle in hopes for a better future.

Veganuary

Veganuary launched in 2014 and since then more than 2 million people from all over the world have signed up!

It is a not for profit organisation that was created to encourage individuals as well as businesses to embrace a plant-based diet in order to prevent the suffering of animals, help protect mother nature and to improve health. Many of us overindulge in December so January is the perfect month to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and the idea is for people to pledge to try a vegan diet for the entire month of January which is how the term “Veganuary” came about (but don’t worry, you can start anytime!)

Going vegan might sound overwhelming for some, so trying it for a month is a wonderful way to start! Veganuary is FREE to join and offers so many great resources to support all those taking part!

When you sign up, you receive a welcome email packed full of information to help make Veganuary as easy as possible.

You’ll receive:

Daily hints and tips
Dozens of meal plans
Nutrition information
Information about the benefits of a vegan diet for health, animals and the planet

There is also a free downloadable celebrity cookbook, YouTube videos and even a Veganuary Podcast! The range of meal plans is fantastic with a variety of options to suit, from budget friendly, family friendly, gluten free, sports nutrition and more! By signing up, you’ll become part of a global community, and you’ll be able to share your experience and inspire each other along the way.

On top of the amazing resources provided by Veganuary, there are more and more vegan options available in general. Last year 1560 new vegan products and menu items were launched in January alone, as a result! Lots of businesses and restaurants are starting to transform their offering and many have special offers for Veganuary! We even have some lovely offers on vegan products this month at EarthyStuff.co.uk to help celebrate!

Part of Veganuary is about being more sustainable and what better way than to shop local. If your local restaurants and shops are taking part be sure to support them! Most cafes now have plant milk alternatives so you can still enjoy your favourite cuppa when out and about! Places like Mary’s Tea Rooms at Bishton Hall have an array of lovely plant based options to choice from and Tavern in the Town have a delicious vegan tapas menu! The fabulous Peaks Health Food in Rugeley have a plethora of cruelty free food and their friendly staff are always happy to help!

Both Rugeley and Lichfield have some great markets with cruelty products like Naturally Heavenly Chocolates and Hunnypot Cottage Bakery with fresh vegan breads and even vegan cheese! And of course you can save money and gain a ton of nutrients by purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables from a local green grocer or farmers market.

If your curious to try it out but worried about time, one thing that helps is batch cooking! Keep your freezer full of healthy vegan meals make it easier to stay on track during busy periods.

I have been vegan now for several years and I can honestly say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. In the beginning it took time to figure out recipes that would work for myself and my partner and something that really assisted us was ordering recipe boxes! A couple nights a week we tried various vegan recipe boxes that helped us learn new dishes and saved time and wastage! There are lots of introductory offers to allow you to try these out. My favourite are Mindful Chef and Riverford Organic Farm. But there are loads to choose from!

Already vegan? You can sign up too, benefit from some fabulous offers and support your non-vegan friends who to take part!

Following last years challenge, 83% of participants have planned to permanently make changes to their diet following their Veganuary challenge, whether going fully vegan or by reducing their intake of animal products! And 98% of people said they would recommend Veganuary to a friend or family member!

The top three reasons people choose to embrace veganism are to reduce environmental footprint, protect animals and to improve health. But an added bonus is saving money on that weekly shop, which could help us all in the current climate!

Still need some motivation?

Did you know…

YOU spare 100+ animals from suffering every year on a vegan diet!
According to the United Nations, a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to fight climate change!
Vegans live longer! An average of 8 years according to US studies.

So if you want to be kind to yourself, the environment, the animals and even your bank accounts, take the pledge today!

For more info or to sign up visit Veganuary.com or scan the QR code below.

By Jess Davanzo

‘Tis the season of giving, but sometimes our well-intentioned generosity has the opposite effect on our resources. Unless you’re living under a rock, you have heard the buzz around needing to live more sustainably. It can feel overwhelming at times, but in truth there are a multitude of little things we could all do that can collectively have a big impact! Particularly at a time known for excess, little tweaks can make huge difference.

This isn’t to say you must go into Grinch mode! On the contrary! Some of the best ways to be “greener” are more meaningful practices that add to the holiday spirit, not detract from it!

Here’s some quick sustainable holiday tips…

Wrapping paper
Is it necessary? It looks beautiful, but millions of rolls get thrown away every year and much of it is non-recyclable (especially shiny/glittery kinds!) For something that is torn and discarded quickly there must be a better way – and there is! If wrapping presents the old fashioned way is important to you, why not use natural brown paper that is recyclable? Or even newspaper? This can look beautiful especially when tied with natural string or biodegradable ribbon. You could even use some of nature’s offerings like holly leaves to decorate the packages. Another alternative is old fabric or reusable bags. It might sound strange, but it can truly look lovely and make a big difference. Plus, it saves you money!

Gifts
Give gifts that support a sustainable lifestyle and you can encourage positive change whilst giving a wonderful present. Think reusable and purchase things like lunch boxes, water bottles and bags that are made in a conscious way and also promote a better way of living. Lots of sustainable gift companies give back to earth friendly and ethical initiatives, and I’m pleased to say that we carry lots of ethical, cruelty free and sustainable gifts at www.earthystuff.co.uk that are not only eco themselves, but a portion of the profit goes back into investing into planet and people friendly projects. Also, trees are planted with every order! So, for guilt-free giving, look for local sustainable companies that truly care. Another idea is to make your own gifts or baked goods or better yet, give the gift or your time and plan a lovely day out in nature!

Decorations
These are an integral part of the festive season, but often made from harmful materials. A fun way to be more sustainable is to turn your decorating into a foraging exercise, get out in fresh air and collect some beautiful holly or pinecones and make some lovely features on the mantle or the table. Make your own ornaments, but remember to avoid glitter & tinsel! And if you already have a plastic tree, keep using it! It’s better to maintain and keep using one you already have then to opt for a new one, even if the new one is more eco! You can also rent trees (seriously)!

Christmas Dinner
This is often the pinnacle of the day and a simple thing to do is to buy locally and seasonally. This not only supports the earth but helps your community and local businesses too. If you get your vegetables from a local farm shop or farmers market, not only are supporting your community and preventing unnecessary transport, but you are going to get a much tastier and more nutritious vegetables grown down the road than ones that have been flown from far away.

You
Sure, we want a more sustainable way of living but that doesn’t just mean the planet, we must protect ourselves too! The recent rises in the cost of living, coupled with the pressure to overspend and buy things for the sake of it, doesn’t help with our personal sustainability either. The season of giving often comes at a cost to our mental health and it shouldn’t! The most valuable thing we have is our time, so why not let go of the pressures of buying presents and focus instead on being present with the ones you love?

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Jess Davanzo is the Founder of Earthy Stuff, an online store selling a range of eco-friendly, sustainable gift and home items. Passionate about promoting cruelty-free ad ethical lifestyle choices, Jess is on a mission to help make the world a greener and kinder place.
www.earthystuff.co.uk

Following on from sold-out Forest Live 2022 performances, Madness have announced dates for 2023 as part of the annual concert series presented by Forestry England.

GB. England. London. Camden. Shoot for the band Madness. 2019.

Drawing on their musical roots in pop and ska, Madness are responsible for some of the most credible pop compositions of their generation with the ability to write songs that sparkle with the spirit of British life. Creating their trademark ‘nutty’ sound, they became the UK’s consummate singles group with a huge haul of hits such as ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘My Girl’, ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Embarrassment’, ‘It Must Be Love’, ‘House Of Fun’, ‘Driving In My Car’, ‘Our House’ and ‘Wings Of A Dove’. A career spanning over 4 decades in the business is testament to the band’s enduring popularity as music makers, their legendary live shows satiating the appetite of the steadfast ‘Madheads’ fanbase. The band are currently in the studio recording their first new album in 6 years.

Forest Live is a major outdoor live music series that introduces forests to new audiences in unique, natural woodland arenas around the country. Over 2 million people have attended a Forest Live gig in the last twenty-two years, enjoying great music and supporting the nation’s forests when buying a ticket. Going to a concert helps Forestry England create beautiful places for people to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Last year they planted some 6.8 million trees, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests sustainably and welcoming 363 million visits annually.

Madness + special guest Hollie Cook
Thursday 8th June: Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley, Staffs.