B e r n a d e tt e
Terry
On knitting
O n w i l d f oo d
“Learn to hold the needles and the
“Japanese Knotweed is a highly
wool properly and you will knit. I
invasive plant. But if you take young,
don’t teach people over the internet,
tender stems you can make jam from
I hold their hand until they can do it.
them exactly as you would make
If it’s shown to someone, they get the
rhubarb jam – many people consider
feel for it. Anyone can learn.”
it to taste better!”
T h e Am a z i n g s Wise old Londoners are coming out of retirement to share their know-how with the world.
all kinds of crazy talents are coming out of the woodwork to share their knitting, cooking and retro-hairdressing skills with the local community. “There’s an absolute gold mine of amazingness all around us, which should be celebrated and passed on,” says Community Manager Lara Swansbury, who joined shortly after Katie Harris founded the project in Hackney, Autumn 2011. “It’s important to help
p ortrait s : samue l hicks
Older people know a lot of cool shit. And now, thanks to The Amazings - a new project and business model that helps retired people run and profit from their own workshops –
different generations connect and feel valued.” Past events have included everything from foraging for food in wildlife parks and dancing the Rhumba to street photography and history tours of local areas. “People in their fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties are an incredibly exciting, important and diverse group of people,” says Lara. “And they should be recognised, celebrated and connected with their wider communities.” sh e l l e y jon es theamazings.com
Dennis
Judith
On glass art
On upc ycling
“Make sure the cutting wheel is sharp
“Instead of dry cleaning, you can use
and learn how to hold the wheel
a solution of purified water, vodka
correctly and everything else will fall
and lavender oil, which works as an
into place.”
antiseptic to stop moths. Spray your clothes and leave to air to keep your clothes smelling and looking fresh.”
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