Written collaboratively by participants on our Wild Memories project in Somerset
Inspired by nature
New Year’s Eve- My Resolutions
Written by Chloe Davey: Transforming Lives Trainee
As we venture closer and closer toward the new year, we are given a chance to reflect on our journey of the year we shall soon be leaving behind. Through good times and bad, there have been accomplishments made along the way and downfalls to overcome. With the hope of a new year around the corner, it gives us an opportunity to set up new goals and think about what we would like to achieve or change for the better. Allow me to share my journey through 2023, what I’ve learnt and a preview of my intentions for the upcoming year.
In 2023 I started off my journey being rather disappointed. I’d been trying to find work since I left college back in 2017. I had a few temporary positions, spent a lot of time volunteering in different establishments and received little to no response from every job I had applied for. Not letting the disappointment consume me, I continued to hold out hope. This year had to be the one- I desperately wanted to find my calling. With a developing confidence I began attending job fairs. It wasn’t until my third attempt, I finally found what I was looking for. Froglife, what’s that? I had a wonderful conversation with their Reserve Warden, as she spoke I felt a connection. A spark. This was it…this was my calling!
I’ve always had a passion for nature and animals. The Transforming Lives traineeship has been the perfect opportunity I’d been hoping for. I get to train for a job that I truly love and want to do. I’ve learnt so much in only six months, how to identify native species and to survey and maintain habitats. I joined an amazing, team of other trainees that are supportive and I can share a good laugh with. I’ve developed confidence and have grown so much as a person. When the traineeship eventually comes to an end, I look forward to exploring the new opportunities that await me.
It goes to show that you should never underestimate the power of hope as it can lead you to better paths and opportunities. No matter how 2023 may have treated you, I hope there will be many wonderful adventures and opportunities come your way this year.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Inspired by Nature: National Poetry Day
A Poem for Froglife: written by Madeleine Barnes, Transforming Lives Trainee
In Britain’s green embrace, a noble quest,
To shield her creatures, wild and unconfined,
From fen to heath, in every verdant nest,
We guard with care, our destinies entwined.
Stunning reptiles, secretive and shy,
Amphibians, in marsh and pond they dwell,
Beneath the bounds of Britain’s sprawling sky,
In hidden worlds are wonders we must tell.
Banded grass snake, it hunts by water’s side,
From eggs come bodies someday five feet long,
Smooth newts on wet land crawl with bellies pied,
And famous frog does leap with back legs strong.
Toads trill their ancient songs in moonlit swamps,
And slowworms bask beneath the dappled light,
Great crest’s white flash displayed with mighty pomp,
Swift lizard scurries away from your sight.
The adder, serpent of the heath and glade,
A symbol of our wild and untamed past,
With caution, let us roam where they have strayed,
And in their coils find diamonds unsurpassed.
With habitat and climate under threat,
Preserve the homes where creatures find their rest,
Let’s strive to keep their future safe, course set,
In harmony with nature, we are blessed.
By education and a watchful eye,
We’ll shield their habitats, their spirits free,
So generations yet to come may spy,
The wonders of these creatures, as should be.
Through conservation’s lens, we find our way,
To nurture habitats, protect their space,
With passion strong, these efforts never sway,
To keep our critters in their rightful place.
So, let us guard these treasures of the land,
With steady hearts and caring, gentle hand.
Find out more about National Poetry Day (5th Oct 2023) here.
Activity: Hapa-Zome
Have you heard of Hapa-Zome?
Hapa-Zome is an incredible craft originating from the Japanese art of Tataki Zome. Tataki means to pound or hammer, and when applied to flowers this is where the magical art happens! A simple search on the internet will bring up incredibly inspiring creations, the method of pounding the leaves and flowers with the fabric brings the different botanical dyes to the fabric.
Want to try it at home? All you need is some cotton, we love using Calico, an assortment of flowers and leaves from your garden, a hard surface and either a hammer or palm sized rock!
We love this craft as it allows you to be as precise or messy as you like! You can either arrange your foraged leaves and flowers on half of the fabric to create a picture or scene. Or perhaps you are a messy artist? In that case just throw them on!
Fold the material in half so all the plants are covered, place on a hard surface such as a wooden block and get hammering! You will quickly see the dyes coming though, imprints forming or explosions of colour appearing!
Finally, open the fabric and peel away the leaves. Voila your Hapa-Zome or Tataki-Zome is complete! We would love to see your creations so be sure to tag us in any social media posts!
This craft is great for all ages and abilities, just to be sure you don’t hit any fingers and of course be mindful what species of plants you are collecting as some are toxic.
Froglife’s Frogloaf Recipe
Tag us in your pictures of your amphibian or reptile inspired baking on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtags #Frogbread #GBBO
In light of the return of Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off, We’ve had a go at our own ‘frogloaf’. Recipe below!
Ingredients:
- 600g plain strong bread flour
- 1 heaped tsp dried yeast
- 2 tsp salt
- Two handfuls of spinach (optional for green colour)
Method:
- Wash and cook the spinach in a pan on a low heat, with the lid on. Once it is fully wilted and soft, use a blender to make a paste. Leave this to cool.
- Combine the flour, salt, yeast and 300ml of tepid water. Check the yeast packet as some kinds need activating in water. Next add the spinach paste. Mix the dough with a spoon. It should be soft and springy, not too wet and sticky, and not too dry. Add a little more flour or water as needed to achieve this.
- Knead this mixture for around 5-6 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball, and leave it to prove in the mixing bowl until roughly doubled in size (2-3 hours).
- Turn this out and knead again for a few minutes. Cut the dough into two – around 2/3 to make the body, and 1/3 to make the eyes and legs.
- On a baking sheet on a large tray, shape the body into an egg shape. The fatter end will form the frog’s face. Shape the smaller dough ball into two back legs, two front legs, and two eyes. It’s important that these stick well to the body, some water can help here.
- We also used two olives to make eyes.
- Leave the frog to prove until doubled again in size (around 30-60 minutes), under an oiled piece of clingfilm.
- Bake in a preheated oven on high, for around 20 minutes.
- Introduce your new frog friend to your pond (optional)
Why I love Snakes! – A poem
Adder, smooth or grass snake by name,
Our native snakes are not all the same.
The adder’s stylish zig-zags black
Make a splash along its back.
The smooth snake, who is rare to find
Has smoother scales than the other kinds.
The grass snake is the last of the three,
They love to swim – it’s a sight to see!
Snakes may have a difficult time,
But seeing one is just sublime!
Poem written and shared with us by Bethan Davies