Hub on the Green Blog

Monday, 13 February 2012

Playdough and Flapjack

Today started with yoga babies and some of the little ones stayed for coffee time where they were joined by lots of slightly bigger ones.

We had play dough and flapjack. Both took very little time and effort to make but made coffee time a lot more fun for half-termers. Some got the play dough and the flapjack muddled up which made it a lot more entertaining for us. The progress on the jigsaw went backwards (sorry Darren) but Zoe and co brought us in some simpler ones...we were a little ambitious with our 1970's Cathedral Green from the Air puzzle.

I am under strict instructions from Hannah to put her picture up on the blog so I am putting it up first. Hannah (hello Hannah) and her mummy Sarah made an excellent Peppa Pig model.

Hannah and Peppa Pig

Peppa Pig

This is Fred

Penny's fabulous vegetable modelling

Opps - I wasn't watching the puzzle!

Shelia ran her Margaret Morris Movement class in the afternoon and Janette is running her Lazy Daisy Active Birthing Classes as I write this. Lots of Janette’s class members have had their babies now and she is hearing their birth experiences and they are so positive.

Thank yous...

thank you Dan for the panini

thank you Zoe for the scones

thank you Maddie (aged 9) for counting and sorting my money tin

thank you mum for doing the banking

Tomorrow Lisa is running her family crafting session. We have a few spare spaces so if you would like to come along it isn’t too late. Email me at joey.lee@sustaincare.net or ring or text on 07950 961751

Or come along to coffee time from noon - 1:30pm (this will overlap a little with crafting).

There is no choir tomorrow :(

There is Babychino with Arabella from 1:45-3:15pm for any parents and babies who want a chat and a coffee and a chance to relax in good company. This is a free group with coffees and teas on sale for £1 (unlimited refills).

Sunday, 12 February 2012

HUB'S HALF TERM DIARY

Children are very welcome to come to coffee time over half term. We have the toy box, the marble run, a new playmat thanks to Laura and play dough. We ask that you keep little ones safe as we have coffee machines and marbles around so it is not completely baby friendly but there are always lots of people to give cuddles and hold babies. This week Penny is starting her organic vegetable pick up scheme...see Friday.

The key half term family activities are in RED

Monday:

Yoga Babies 10:30am-11:30am

Coffee time at noon - 1:30pm - play dough and flapjack :)

Margaret Morris Movement...I'm not sure whether Shelia is running tomorrow's class as it is half term but regulars will have been told last week.

Daisy Birthing Classes 6:30pm - 8pm

Tuesday:

Family Crafting at 11am-12:30pm £3 per person. You need to book (email joey.lee@sustaincare.net or ring 07950 961751). We will be weaving with the wonderful Lisa Purchase.

coffee time at noon - 1:30pm - Everyone is more than welcome but it will be crafty until 1:30pm

BabyChino Baby Group 2pm-3pm

Wednesday:

Hatha Yoga 9:45 -10:45

Walk for Health 10:45 -12noon

Coffee time at noon -1:30pm Children are very welcome to come and play

Knitting group at noon -1:30pm

Babysign 2pm -3pm

Friday:

Family Play Session with Tracey 11am -12noon £1.50 per person

11:30am-1:30pm ORDER YOUR ORGANIC VEGETABLES details...

Coffee time at noon -1:30pm again with play dough, the marble run and the toy box

Beat the Blues (Women's Network) 2pm - 4pm

Thursday, 9 February 2012

FAMILY CRAFTING on TUESDAY - IMPORTANT!!!

Right...this is important: If you want to come to Lisa's Family Crafting on Tuesday 11am-12:30pm YOU HAVE TO BOOK & PAY IN ADVANCE. Lisa has sensibly put a cap on 15 children and their parents. It is £3 per person and this is going to be a popular one so please be quick if you plan to come :)

Charity Crafty Swap

Thursdays are usually quiet days at the hub and a chance to catch up on other things. The hub isn't open as usual but there for day rental for conferences, meetings or longer courses. However today we had Sophie over to help clear the basement which has rapidly become Joey's Dumping Ground. I have new boxes but that thing about spaces getting worse before they get better is oh so true. In fact, I left before the getting better bit started. But there is always tomorrow.

Sean (Argentine Tango dancer amongst other things) popped by for coffee only we were closed but it was too cold to talk by the door so he came in and we talked in reception. Sean is now teaching dance and some serious bartering and swapping went on between the dancer and the osteopath.

Sparkly Sonia will be running the crafting table at the next fair on March 3rd. Hannah will be running another one in the future for those that were very taken with her. Sonia will be making magic wands and hopefully conjuring up a prince or two.

Tomorrow is Friday and therefore Tai Chi night for me. But also:

9:45am Matork Pilates with Teresa Thirwall (Osteopath and Pilates teacher)
11am Wriggle Rhythms with Sophie Headlong-Moore (Sophie is a fabulous group leader. She turns the hub into a fantasy world for an hour)
12noon Coffee time (and teatime)
2pm Beat the Blues
6:30pm Tai Chi with Sue Daniel (The start to my weekend. Tai Chi has made such difference to me. I sleep better and it marks switch off time - I love it)

Please put Thursday 8th March in your diaries from 10-1pm we will be having three Charity Craft Swaps (on the hour) in aid of Oxfam's International Women's Day.

Hannah and Pip from The Craft Hub
who are the driving force behind the Crafty Swap

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Fairtrade Fortnight 27/2/12 - 10/3/12

Now this isn't about events at the hub but it is worth getting your diaries out and supporting some of the events below. Thank you Ian Martin for Tweeting this so we didn't miss out :)

Take A Step For Fairtrade
03/02/2012

Tickets have gone on sale for a special Fairtrade feast to mark the start of the fast approaching Fairtrade Fortnight.

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 27 February until 10 March with people being encouraged to swap an item of their usual shopping for something Fairtrade.

To launch the Fortnight, Exeter College will be holding a Fairtrade themed dinner at its @34 restaurant, with guest speaker Michael Caines. Tickets, priced £25 for a four-course meal, canapes, Fairtrade coffee and chocolate, are available from Kelly Booth, at Exeter College, on 01392 205418 or emailing kellybooth@exe-coll.ac.uk

Cllr Ian Martin, Chair of the Exeter Faitrade Steering Group, said: "Fairtrade is important to us here in Exeter because we are a small international city which has an interest in a fairer world for all. By buying Fairtrade, people can help communities around the world invest in their future."

This year's Fairtrade Fortnight sees a new on-line Exeter Fairtrade Directory, giving people the opportunity to access up to date information on which stores, cafes and venues stock Fairtrade products.

There will be a whole host of Fairtrade events, exhibitions and tasting sessions across Exeter. Listed below are some of the highlights.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 events:

• Sunday 5 February 6pm, Paul Chandler Chief Executive of Fairtrade pioneer Traidcraft will be discussing 'Fairtrade - job done?'. St Davids Church – all welcome.

• Saturday 25 February, Church of Blessed Sacrement, Heavitree will be holding a big Coffee, Tea, cake and Traidcraft sale.

• On Thursday 1 March the Lord Mayor, Councillor Stella Brock, will be hosting a Fairtrade Tea in the Guildhall for schools and faith groups. A visiting Fairtrade dried-fruit producer from Pakistan will be speaking about how Fairtrade has benefited some of the world’s poorest farmers and producers.

• On Saturday 3 March from 12 noon, shoppers are invited to Bedford Square where the Co-op will have a tasting stall so everyone will get a chance to sample Fairtrade products. Exeter Oxfam Group and students from the University will also be there with activities for children.

• Riverside Christian Centre, Okehampton Street, will be holding a coffee morning on Saturday 3rd March from 10.30am till 12.30pm. Homemade cakes and Traidcraft products will be available to purchase.

• A conference for schools with a Fairtrade dried fruit producer from Pakistan will be held at St James School on Thursday 1 March, where children across Exeter will able to learn more about Fairtrade and what life is like for a farmer in a developing country.

• Fairtrade Exhibitions: Look out for Fairtrade displays in shops and cinemas across the city from 27 February to 10 March.

• The University of Exeter Wine, Chocolate, Slow Food and Green Societies will be hosting tasting sessions on the Stocker Road campus.

Hubby Update 2...

Lunchtime was lovely and buzzy. We had crispy cakes and flapjack - but not for long! Lisa has arranged to run her (quickly becoming infamous) children's holiday crafting session on the Tuesday of half term from 11am-12:30pm. This is an activity for children to do with their parents. Lisa creates wonderful things at the hub but the children often need adult help (or in my case the adult needs the children's help)...so be ready to get stuck in! There will be a small cost.

Sophie ran her Baby Heuristic and Sensory Play Group for the first time this afternoon and it was really busy. Well done Sophie. It is a big thing to organise.

I had a great meeting with Andy who saw The Sustainable Health Centre for the first time since the dispensary was in pieces on the floor. Some people don't pop by often enough! Then Simon Bowkett and Yvonne from CVS and Christine from Organic Arts came by for a great little unexpected meeting.

I am still on the lookout for an unloved baby monitor if anyone has one that needs rehoming and would love ideas for the Monday Group (see previous post).

So tomorrow we have...
9:45am Gentle Hatha Yoga
10:45am Davy's Walk leaving from the hub by the black doors - a lovely gentle stroll with fabulous Davy who is always great company (we saw photos of his adventures today...just ask him when you see him)
12 noon coffee time and knitting group (if you want to) or play time with me and the lego blocks (if you don't)
2pm Babysign with Sophie
6pm The last Feldenkrais for a while.

Wednesday evenings are now available at the hub for any groups who want an evening slot.

Night night all and safe journey home from The U.S. Simon. See you tomorrow.

Hubby Update...

(Added later...I have just reread the title! Looks like a dating review!)

I have been totally hopeless at blogging recently but it doesn't mean that there is nothing to say...thank goodness.

At the moment I am sitting at the back of choir listening and singing and catching up. On Tuesday mornings I have the best office space in the world. How many people get their own choir to work along to? Peter is just magical. Such a great teacher and such fun (said like Miranda's mother!).

There is a lot in the pipeline at the hub. Our lunchtimes sessions are really buzzy except on Monday when they are quiet and a little underused. I am thinking of starting a group on Mondays but I am not sure what people would like. The quilting idea is still bouncing around. I have lots of quilting equipment which was donated to us by Ruth, I have a wonderful creative space to meet in and people who would love to join the group. The only problem is I can't quilt...yet! So if you know of anyone who has a bit of time and would like to help start up a quilting group, I would really love to be put in touch.

We have a wonderful Craft Swap planned for Thursday 8th March. It's a collaboration between Hannah and Pip at THE CRAFT HUB and The Hub on the Green and it is in aid of Oxfam's International Women's Day. The Craft Hub ladies are giving their time and lots more, we are getting donations from other companies wherever we can and I have donated the hub for the day. The more help we get the greater the funds raised for Oxfam so if you would like to help/be involved/know more...please do get in touch. We are hoping for press coverage and publicity so it could be as simple as a emailing a contact or as helpful as a leaflet drop (all good exercise!). As always the hub thrives on teamwork (and being cheeky enough to ask for help when we need it).

..."Help!"

We have a new part time receptionist, Darren, starting at the Sustainable Health Centre next door which is great for me as it frees up a bit of time for me to create chaos elsewhere! Darren is one of the people who have been a real help at the hub. He has been a regular face at coffee times and gets stuck in wherever help is needed. He is doing a few hours next door to help us out which is great.

We also have our next craft fair in the diary for Saturday March 3rd 10:30am-4:30pm which is my birthday. My Lottie said, "You can't do a fair on your birthday!" but I think it'll be really good fun. Lots of cakes and lots of people...that's a party!

Now the choir are singing our hub song, written and composed by Peter our choir leader. It's beautiful. The percussion from the builders sorting out the roof is taking away from the emotion slightly. They aren't even banging in time! One day I hope the choir will get a chance to perform...they are like our hub secret at the moment and yet they sound so good. Let's see what Peter says.

More later...it's coffee time...