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In case you missed it after I was so effusive about it the other day, someone who goes by the improbably moniker of “alfski” has just posted the section of Monty Don’s ‘Around the World in 80 Gardens’ where he visits the organoponicos of Cuba. It is quite wonderful and Monty really comes across here like a wide-eyed child in the best sweetshop he’s ever seen. Should help get you in the mood for the weekend…
Last week saw the launch of the 2nd Totnes local food directory, entitled “A Celebration of Local Food: Totnes guide to local food, shopping, eating out and places to stay”. The first directory was published around the same time last year, and provided shoppers with information to support their sourcing of local food and support for local shops. This second revised and updated directory, produced by Transition Town Totnes along with the Totnes Development Trust, was funded by an award from the National Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ scheme and now includes bed and breakfasts, pubs and advice on what foods are in season at different times of year.
Yesterday morning, while chivvying my kids along to eat their breakfast and clean their teeth (not simultaneously), I had one ear on a piece on Radio 4’s Today programme about the economy and recession, prompted by Marks and Spencer’s dismal drop in share price, and its CEO talking of “stormy times ahead” for the UK economy. One of the guests was Sir Martin Sorrell (right), a businessman, who attempted to offer an upbeat picture of the future for the UK economy that left me scratching my head.
I have the great pleasure of being a Trustee of the Soil Association, and as part of a recent meeting, we visited St. Katherine’s School in Pill, just outside Bristol. St. Katherine’s is one of the 54 schools which have joined the Soil Association’s Food for Life Partnership (FfL). FfL provides a forum for schools and their communities to have a positive experience around food, reconnecting with local and organic food and farming.
Sometimes I pass things so ridiculous I have to go back again for a second look. The other day I was near Paignton, and I passed a zebra crossing and its attendant Belisha beacons (see right). Interesting fact for the day (or quite possibly not), Belisha beacons are named after Leslie Hore-Belisha (1895-1957), the Minister of Transport who introduced them in the 1930s. The idea of Belisha beacons is straightforward, a black and white stripey pole with a yellow flashing globe on top which shows people where to cross the road. The yellow flashing light has long been considered adequate in attracting attention and which in turn insinuates where the stripey pole is to be found (if anyone should be interested). This Belisha beacon near Paignton had come up with an ingenious, energy-wasting way of solving a problem that I never knew existed, lighting the pole up from within!
