Great Outdoors

The Great

Outdoors

How do we encourage our children to live a sustainable life? Country Child has some suggestions for you...

Now, more than ever, planet earth needs our help – a quick flick through any newspaper or magazine is testament to this; forest fires, melting ice, plasticridden seas, decline in species, the list goes on. Encouraging our children to live a sustainable life is key if we want to ensure future generations benefit from the wonders of our world. But how do we go about teaching our children to respect the world they live in without planting the seed of fear about the planet’s fragility?

Here are a few simple steps, which are easy to implement and will help to encourage your children to embrace their childhoods in a sustainable and sensitive way: Say NO to plastic: Every day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans. Working with your family to source non-plastic alternatives in the home can be a fun and inclusive challenge; wooden toys, beeswax wrap, re-usable bottles, cardboard boxes…who will be the nonplastic Prince or Princess?

WIN

Recycle: Whether you’re looking for your child’s next pair of jeans or their first bike, talk with your child about the benefits of buying second-hand. Sites such as Ebay, Gumtree and Freecycle are not only great places to pick up a bargain, your children are also doing their bit for the planet too. Cut back on food waste: Sit down as a family and plan the weekly shop. Coming together to decide on the meals you’d like to eat will likely reduce food waste. Consider eating vegetarian meals a couple of times a week – another great step on the sustainable ladder! Carry on Composting: Food waste makes the perfect compost for growing vegetables – ask your child to be Composting Captain and see how quickly their food waste turns into rich plant food. Get Outdoors: Time spent outdoors does wonders for the soul, whether you’re a new born or ninety! A family weekend nature walk is the perfect tonic to a busy week – encourage your child to admire the beauty of the natural world and in turn they will learn to appreciate just how important it is that we strive to protect our very precious planet.

Carl Mynott has spent his entire life fascinated by wildlife. He’s well aware there’s no shortage of species to discover and protect across the British Isles! It’s become a calling so strong that, after almost thirty years in the insurance industry, Carl threw in the towel to forge a new career as an author. And so the ‘British Wildlife Tales’ series was born, currently comprising four books that introduce children to the amazing wildlife that surrounds them, and helping to foster love and respect for the natural world. The entire ‘British Wildlife Tales’ series is available now britishwildlifetales. co.uk or simply answer this question to WIN a set! How many books are in the series of the ‘British Wildlife Tales’? Email info@countrychild.co.uk by closing date: 20th March 2020. Competition not open to Country Child employees. Editor’s decision is final.

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Country Child scan the borders for properties that could be your new year challenge!

Shaftesbury, Dorset £1,450,000

Marlborough, Wiltshire £1,300,000

The property has been sensitively extended and renovated over the last 20 years and backs onto the Port Regis School, giving excellent family accommodation in a quiet and secluded position. Planning consents have been granted to enlarge the roof of the adjoining garage to provide two additional bedrooms and a bathroom and to extend the master bedroom with a dressing room and balcony. jackson-stops.co.uk

A fine Grade II listed home with the main façade of the house mentioned by Pevsner as dating from the Jacobean period. Planning consent has been granted to re-configure the utility and rear lobby area to create a breakfast room. There is also planning consent to convert part of the outbuildings to create a cottage with 3 en suite bedrooms, sitting room, games room and playroom.

savills.co.uk

Wincanton, Somerset £1,250,000

Romsey, Hampshire OIEO £850,000

symondsandsampson.co.uk An opportunity to provide a buyer with a unique chance to build an impressive country house and guest cottage with views over open countryside. Detailed planning consent has been granted to build a 7,500 sqft country house with 2,736 sqft cottage. The properties have been part built with some work already paid for.

connells.co.uk Located in the heart of East Wellow backing onto the Blackwater river is an exciting opportunity to build a luxury 4 bedroom detached house set within approx 2 acres (plot has not been measured), there is an existing 2 bedroom detached bungalow to be retained as an annex, double vehicle access and a secluded position.