Archived

FIX: Make do and mend it!

In Finland, just about every eight year old child can mend a hole in their socks. 'Finland has a great legacy of fixing and repairing', says  Sara Martinsen, co-curator of FIX. 'It’s part of our cultural heritage and leads back to our history, especially to the post-war times of the 1920s and '50s when there was lack of everything.' She says the skills to fix and repair garments, houses and furniture have been passed down through the generations and the fact that woodwork and handicrafts are still part of our primary school curriculum helps keep these skills alive.

By The Sea: Emma Jeffryes' art exhibition

This exhibition centres on works Jeffryes made after visiting Falmouth last August to paint the 2023 Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta. Unfortunately the event itself was cancelled at the last minute due to the arrival of Storm Betty, so Jeffryes turned her attentions to Falmouth's sea-going folks - the works on show will range from her inimitable depictions of swimmers and paddle boarders, to fishing boats, sailing yachts and huge military ships, along with Tall Ships anchored in the harbour during stormy conditions. 

Plastic-free compostable bin liners

EKO has developed new, large fully compostable bags for household bins.

The bags have years in development to ensure the product is strong enough for non-recyclable household rubbish, yet will completely decompose once it leaves the home.

Lidl's very own Botticelli inspired Venus comes to Glasgow

If you can't make it to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to see Botticelli's Venus, there's a green version of the 15th century masterpiece much closer to home - in Glasgow, a city famed for its incredible murals. Lidl chose to collaborate with mural artist Smug and Yardworks to bring a Venus to Glasgow, only this one is made from over 30,000 recycled plastic bottle caps.

Film: The Oil Machine

The Oil Machine reveals the hidden infrastructure of oil from the offshore rigs and the buried pipelines to its flow through the stock markets of London. As the North Sea industry struggles to meet the need to cut carbon emissions, oil workers see their livelihoods under threat, and investors seek to protect their assets. Meanwhile a younger generation of climate activists are catalysed by the signs of impending chaos, and the very real threat of global sea level rises.

Feed the birds

RSPB wildlife advisor Charlotte Ambrose says as winter approaches, so birds become vulnerable: 'Up until now they've been able to feed on insects and seeds, but the cold weather means they move into our gardens to find refuge. You can make a real difference and improve their chances of survival, as well as being rewarded by great views of wildlife in your garden or outside space.'

Paint your way to a lovely home with Annie Sloan

Annie Sloan's book Colour Recipes for Painted Furniture, published by CICO Books, takes you through 40 projects, showing you how to transform old furniture, floors, walls and ceilings, using eco friendly chalk paint. It covers French, Swedish, contemporary and shabby chic styles. With pictures and text that tells you what to do step-by-step, it's a useful, practical book. need a hobby for 2024? take up furniture upcycling

What are the main types of blinds and where to use them?

Blinds are a classic way to shade your windows, they are simple to use, easy to install and most importantly, they look amazingly stylish. Unlike curtains where you have one variation of the shading, choose from multiple different types of blinds ranging from rolling fabric blinds to metal slat blinds. And to help you navigate the world of blinds we’ve teamed up with DotcomBlinds to explain the various types available.

Roller Blinds

Cancer charity Tenovus launches online shop

The smaller cancer care charities are struggling with funding, or lack of funding to be more accurate, so they are increasingly relying on e-commerce to work alongside donations. Tenovus has sourced a good selection of products to cater for health, house and garden and prices are very reasonable. Many items meet eco criteria, for example ceramic and terracotta products.

How to resolve the housing crisis?

Building more co-living developments and micro-homes in urban areas top the list of people’s preferred solutions to the housing crisis, according to research by the Federation of Master Builders, while building on the greenbelt is the least favoured solution.

 

The FMB asked 2,000 home owners across the UK if there is a housing shortage and if so, how best to address this shortage.

 

• Two-thirds (66 per cent) believe there is a shortage of housing Britain.

 

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