Bulletin

Over at our Nomadic Gardens site in Queen’s Park, the vegetable boxes are blooming, as are the urban bees and butterflies. Last week on 7th September, it was an honour to welcome the Deputy Mayor of London, Matthew Ryder to our site at Queen’s Park. If the community spirit wasn’t already high, then it certainly was after this incredibly special appearance.

Even though the skies were grey and weather was patchy, vibrant colour was aplenty with Punch and Juicy, an independent juice cart with a heart-warming backstory. The Juice Lady, as she is known on Twitter, was once a homeless person living on the streets of London, but with determination, drive and passion she is now a co-founder of Punch and Juicy and has got her own allotment on site so she can provide fresh juices to fellow gardeners and other visitors in the community garden. If you haven’t already paid a visit to the Nomadic Community Garden’s at Queen’s Park, then what are you waiting for? After all, there’s no better time than now to start growing your winter veg.

It’s that time of year again. You guessed it…the Londonewcastle summer event. I have to say that we were truly spoilt this year as we were transported into the deep depths of The Scottish Highlands. After taking in our first breath of fresh Scottish air once we disembarked the plane, we were in for a bumpy coach ride to take us to Corrour Lodge - two hours later and slightly car sick, we arrived. It’s safe to say that our destination was truly stunning, located in over 57,000 acres of mountainous land, there was not another soul to be seen for miles upon miles.

We were warmly welcomed into a breathtaking reception area where a sumptuous afternoon tea awaited us: cheese scones, salted caramel profiteroles and raspberry macaroons, and tea of course…the dream. After settling into our impeccable bedrooms with views to match we enjoyed a glass of wine, or two (or three) and tucked into to a rather special buffet. Then it was time to explore…the hidden games room was the first port of call but then it was off to bed, as some of us were set on climbing Ben Nevis the following morning.

The alarm went off at 6am and an indulgent Full English was waiting in the kitchen to fuel us up for our climb and then we set off (with our packed lunches in hand) for our big day ahead. Back at the lodge, others enjoyed a leisurely day rowing on the loch, biking and reclining in the sauna (sympathising with the Ben Nevis climbers, I’m sure).
That evening, whisky tasting and truly marvellous Gaelic band was enough to make many of us drift to sleep by the fire after our long and adventurous day.

It’s fair to say that this summer trip has set the mark and we can only wonder what on earth could top it when next year’s event rolls around.

Perfume: A Sensory Journey Through Contemporary Scent is one of Somerset House’s latest exhibitions which demonstrates the motivation, passion and craftsmanship of present-day perfumery. Visitors of this exposition will be able to enjoy everything from perfume masterclasses to intimate discussions and the topic.

Expect to witness the brains behind some of the most iconic modern fragrances, such as Geza Shoen, founder and creator of Escentric Molecules (for those of you who haven’t tried Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, drop everything and do it now.)

Discover the evolution of scent over the past twenty years and marvel at the skill it takes to create such wonderful perfumes that have truly made their mark in the world of modern beauty.

Showing until 23rd September, get your tickets here: http://bit.ly/2sSpq9F