The Ragged Optimist 62
“Perhaps all places are ideas to those who don’t live there.” Jonathan Meades
I’ve just read Jen Calleja’s new book, Fair, after going to hear her talk at an event for The Margate Bookshop. I honestly didn’t think it would interest me - it’s outwardly a book about literary translation, and the world of publishing. And while I’m a writer, I don’t expect to ever be published, let alone translated.
But Jen grew up down my way, in Shoreham - turns out we were both born at Southlands. Like me, she’s had to find her way into the arts from a Working Class place. So the book discusses fairness and work, how we define success, and whether it’s possible to make a living in the arts. All in a decidedly honest, authentic, and playful way. If that stuff interests you, it’s well worth a read.
“Every act of kindness we receive, we witness, we give makes a difference. There are so many people in the world (in our own neighbourhoods) helping each other, caring for each other, litter picking, tree planting, bird feeding, petition starting, protesting, donating, creating places for us to come together and experience joy and wonder. All of it is important. All of it is valuable." Bernadette Russell
Researchers are developing a living material that actively extracts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Photosynthetic cyanobacteria grow inside it, forming biomass and solid minerals and thus binding CO2 in two different manners.
For fifty years, one small organisation have been finding new uses for old buildings, saving some iconic architecture and creating new landmarks along the way.
And in that spirit - winner of the Architects’ Journal Community Impact award is The Camellia House. The building is a community space and provides training and employment opportunities. Research into how different cultures drink tea has influenced the tearoom menu. And one day a week is reserved exclusively for local community activities, with transport provided by the trust.
Guerrilla rewilding - meet the people freeing the beavers.
There is a rare opportunity to visit Ham Fen in Kent, a nature reserve that is usually closed to the public, on 6th July. Learn about the restoration of the fen and see for yourself the amazing work that is being carried out by the beavers.
If you can’t get out to see wildlife, here are 25 wildlife webcams. They promise ‘an unrivalled view of courtship and nesting’. Maybe NSFW.
Four years after it was founded, a small charity has planted 5km of hedges and over 40,000 trees and hedging plants.
In Rotterdam, a new mass-timber block of affordable apartments references the area's iconic post-war social housing.
After visiting Marine Studios in Margate last week, and then heading along the coast and stopping at The Pines Gardens in Dover, the next walks for The Coat of Hopes are being planned for August-September.
This week, First Friday at Marine Studios, Margate looks at regenerative and restorative craft practices – making something from nothing or putting good things back in the world. I’m going to dust off my papermaking kit, and makers from Brighter Days Markets will demonstrate their work. Drop in to the studios any time between 6-9pm - and stay for as long as you like.