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Melissa Corkhill info@thegreenparent.co.uk Lucy Corkhill Jez Harris art@thegreenparent.co.uk

Advertising Sales Space Marketing Emma Moss, Emma Parfitt, Brian Shilling Tel 01892 677740 e-mail thegreenparent@spacemarketing.co.uk

With many thanks to our inspirational contributors: Claire Ashbourne, Natalie Fee, Adharanand Finn, John Paul Flintoff, Joan Gorman, Janey Lee Grace, Lisa Hassan Scott, Sandra Howgate, Kathy Hurst, Gill Kilner, Zion Lights, Catherine Mack, Alice Metcalfe, Jo Middleton, Andrea

Mynard, Rebecca Narracott, George Nelson, Chris Oldenberg, Patience, Claire Potter, Brigit Strawbridge, Donna Taylor, Sally Turner, Emma Tyer, Phil Vickery, Karen Walant, Susun Weed, Jasper White, Tracey Wright

The Green Parent magazine PO Box 104, East Hoathly, Lewes, BN7 9AX www.thegreenparent.co.uk • info@thegreenparent.co.uk

Tel 01825 872858

We are an editorially led magazine, which means intelligent, non-biased journalism. A limited amount of advertising space is available to those companies with a strong ethical, environmental ethos; we have a self-imposed ceiling of 25%. And The Green Parent really works for those businesses keen to promote their products to a conscious audience:

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The Green Parent is printed by Warners Midlands PLC on FSC paper. Distributed by Diamond Magazine Distribution Ltd throughout the UK, USA, Canada, India, Pakistan and Egypt. The Green Parent is a member of INK (independent news collective), an association of radical and alternative publishers. The Green Parent is published by Green Parent Publications © 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is strictly prohibited. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy we cannot take responsibility for losses resulting from publishing errors, however caused. The opinions expressed in this publication are not to be considered those of the publisher, who accepts no liability of any nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this magazine. Competition guidelines Entering a competition will be seen as acceptance of these rules • The closing date for competitions is 3oth Sept 2012 unless otherwise stated • Only one entry per person per competition is permitted • No responsibility is accepted for entries that are lost, delayed or damaged in the post • Entries can be sent by postcard to the address above or emailed to competitions@thegreenparent.co.uk . Please supply name, address, telephone number and email and mark clearly which competition you are entering • Illegible or incomplete entries will not be accepted • No cash alternative to any prize is offered • The editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into • Your details will not be passed onto any third parties except where you have requested promotional literature. The winner’s details may be passed to the company in question so that they can send the prize.

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UK: £35 (12 ISSUES) FOR OVERSEAS AND DIGITAL ONLINE: £15 (6 ISSUES) contentsAUGUST/SEPTEMBER2012

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HOUSE AND GARDEN 47 NATURAL LIVING Learning to read your local landscape 48 WEAVING WILLOW Meet a woman who lives on the land, using natural resources to provide for her family 51 SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS The lore and legend of the sacred grain HEALTH AND BEAUTY 52 WELLBEING Revolutionising kitchen tasks and toning your pelvic floor 54 SUN GAZING The importance of vitamin D, how we don’t get enough and what to do about it GREEN TRAVEL 69 ON THE MAP Discovering a secret hideaway and youth holidays 70 BEST OF BRITISH Travel to

North Yorkshire for best cafes and gorgeous beaches 72 YOGA TOGETHER Best relaxing retreats for the whole family ETHICAL CLOTHING 75 MAKE YOUR OWN

Inspiration for creating clothes your children will love 80 SLOW FASHION DIY couture and how to change the world REGULARS 23 SUBSCRIBE TODAY 81 NEXT ISSUE 83 HOROSCOPES 85 GREEN LIVING PAGES 13 pages of news, ideas and competitions Like us on Facebook at facebook. com/greenparentmag for more.

�Want to try natural goodies? We are looking for readers to test products. Join our reader panel – email us your details and a recent photograph to info@thegreenparent.co.uk meet our readers { { Carly Bailey, 31, lives in Peterborough with husband Stewart, and their daughter, Heidi, eight months. Describe yourself: Creative, practical, fidgety Starsign: Gemini Favourite read/film: I love a good Hitchcock classic like Vertigo Best place: Our Superking bed Memorable experience: Seeing and holding my daughter for the first time. Everyone was convinced (and convinced us) I was having a boy. Best surprise ever! Hobbies: Sewing, baking and yoga Pets: Cat called Muffin Edible treat: Honey roasted parsnips.

Hannah Hiles, 33, lives in Staffs with husband Andy,

and their son Alex who was born on his daddy's birthday in August 2011. Describe yourself: Organised, inquisitive, caring Starsign: Taurus Favourite read: The Dark Is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper Best place in the world: Home Most memorable experience: Hearing Alex's first cry after delivery by emergency C section Hobbies: Reading, geocaching and visiting ancient sites Edible treat: Galaxy chocolate.

Sam Hart, 37, lives in Derbyshire with her partner,

John, and two boys; Seth, four, and Jobe, three. Describe yourself: Optimistic, thankful, enthusiastic Starsign: Scorpio Favourite read: To Kill a Mocking Bird Favourite film: The Royal Tenenbaums Best place in the world: Cliché – but home Most memorable experience: Watching the sunset off the coast whilst camping with my family Hobbies: Self-sufficiency, wood carving (very amateur) Pets: 3 chickens Edible treat: Giant custard slice!

Georgina Yexley, 36, lives in Cambridgeshire with husband, Jamie, and daughter, Willow, one. Describe yourself: Organised, caring, fun Starsign: Leo Favourite read: Pride and Prejudice Best place in the world: Looking out over Derwent Water when it is so early the ducks are still asleep Most memorable experience: Holding my baby girl for the first time Hobbies: Walking, birding, getting out and about Pets: Four cats; Isobel, Lily, Apollo and Bob Edible treat: Vegan lemon buns that my husband makes.

Sarah Escott, 34, lives in Devon with her husband and Daniel, 18, Ben, 15, Jack, 13, Rebecca, 11, Josh, 10, Charlotte, nine, Harry, five, Max, four, and William, 10 months. Describe yourself: Organised, caring worrier Starsign: Cancer Favourite film: Horse Whisperer Best place: Putsbrough beach, North Devon Memorable experience: My wedding day or births of all my children (and their first breast feed) Edible treat: Chocolate.

The Green Parent 7