FROM PLOT TO PLATE

Discovering the secret life of mushrooms and joining in the trials and tribulations of a hungry caterpillar are among the events and workshops included in this new initiative taking place at National Trust properties next year. The programme will celebrate the history and distinctiveness of British food, how we farm our land and the eating choices we make. Wimpole Hall’s kitchen garden, for example, produces a wide range of seasonal crops, including 60 varieties of tomato, which will be celebrated on the property’s Tomato Day next August.

Tel: 0870 458 4000

www.nationaltrust.org.ukmainthingstodo events

UNTIL SUMMER 2004

CAN I HAVE A WORD?

The Barbican arts centre in London has been working with Year 5 pupils from nine local primary schools. The centre has helped them to develop their ability to use language creatively and encouraged their enthusiasm for literature and language through stimulating workshops with leading writers.

Teachers nationwide will be able to access documents, photographs and images from the project, 18 new pieces of writing and worksheets online.

Forthcoming projects include artist Helen Chadwick who will lead an ambitious creative writing and visual arts project in the spring, and Gumboots, a summer drama writing and music theatre project that will explore the themes of African history and liberation.

Tel: 020 7638 8891 www.barbican.org.uk

UNTIL MAY 2004

PARTNERS PLUS

This initiative, offered by West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, forges strong links between the theatre, its productions and students aged 14 and upwards. The Playhouse explores particular productions - currently Medea, which runs until December 13 - through a mixture of discussions, workshops and hands-on tours.

Tel:0113 213 7295 www.wyp.org.uk

Damp;T RESOURCES

CREATIVE SPACES COMPETITION

ConstructionSkills invites students aged 11 to 14 and their teachers to submit resource and design plans to improve their school environment with support from local and national mentors the industry. The first prize is pound;50,000 of building work to realise the winning design; 12 runners-up will get pound;3,000 to develop design and technology in their school. A set of KS3 support materials sponsored by the Construction Industry

Training Board is available.Tel: 01536 399009

Email: creativespaces @ncw.org.uk

www.ncw.org.uk creativespaces