An apple a day!

Today is officially Apple Day! Both a celebration and demonstration of the importance of orchards to our landscape and culture, as well as the locality and traceability of our food. The first Apple Day took place right here in London, in 1990.

Head to Portobello and Golborne Road markets today and tomorrow for their English Apple Festival (10.00-16.00, free). There will be a whole host of celebratory activities, including cooking demonstrations, samples of seasonal British produce to taste, cider press demonstrations, 'Tea in the Market' and much more!

To celebrate this festival, Wedge have gathered a whole host of fantastic apple-themed offers and discounts for you to enjoy! Just click on the link to download a printable voucher to use in these wonderful businesses:

One of a Kind
259 Portobello Road
25% off all knitwear

Channel Films
142 Ladbroke Grove
2FOR1 film rental

Kell Skott Haircare
93 Golborne Road & 2-4 Lambton Place
FREE Autumn Colour Shot

Orange Coffee
Bright Orange VW, under the Westway, Portobello Green
Size up your coffee for FREE!

Meatline
103 Portobello Road Market
£1.50lb Pork Loins

Chinese Tea Company
14 Portobello Green, 281 Portobello Road
Free Chinese Tea Tasting

Notting Hill
142 Portobello Road
FREE pair of slippers with any boots

hydrohealing
216a Kensington Park Road
Win an Autumn Renew package

Vito’s Olive and Vinegars
Pitch 61 Portobello Road
FREE 250 ml bottle of “organic apple vinegar”

Bicycle Workshop
27 All Saints Road
FREE reflective strap

Notting Hill Veterinary Centre
106 Talbot Road
1/2 price micro-chipping

Robin Martin Antiques
44 Ledbury Road
25% off fireplace accessories

What to do with your weekend!

If you are wondering how to spend your weekend, stop! We have done the thinking for you with these top recommendations - and they won't cost you a penny.

1. Diwali on the Square
Trafalgar Square, Sunday 16th October, 2pm-7pm
A whole day celebrating the festival of lights including delicious food, free sarees, dancing and music.

2. Lady Magpie Vintage Sale
The Crown and Goose, 100 Arlington Road, Camden, Sunday 16th October, 2pm onwards
Vintage clothes and jewellery sale.

3. Cheese and Wine Festival
Southbank Centre, Saturday 15th October, 11am-6pm & Sunday 16th October, 11am-6pm
A whole weekend of cooking demonstrations, wine and cheese tastings.

4. Big Draw Stokey
Abney Park, Stoke Newington, Sunday 16th October, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Create drawings, rubbings and mono prints using the natural surroundings.

5. Dog Day Afternoon
St Marylebone Parish Church Grounds, Marylebone High Street, Saturday 15th October, 11am-5pm
Cabbages & Frocks market special event with dog demonstrations, dog competitions, doggy stalls and more.

Big Birthday!

This week marks the 20th anniversary of our sister organisation The Big Issue.

Since the first magazine was published in 1991, it has helped countless homeless and vulnerably housed individuals get back on their feet and construct a future for themselves, and not just in the UK but worldwide.

The idea was that of John Bird and Gordon Roddick who were passionate about helping the homeless and dispossessed, by providing them with the means to make a legitimate living. Big Issue vendors are not begging, they are working. They buy the magazine for £1 and sell it for £2, giving them motivation to sell the magazine, plus a weekly routine and structure, a crucial aspect in the process of transforming their lives.

A bumper 56-page birthday edition of the magazine is out now and includes John Bird talking about the magazine and a look back at the magazine’s history through its covers.

There are also celebratory stories from ex-vendors who have successfully turned their lives around, thanks to selling The Big Issue. Quotes from these stories include: “It got me into regular habits: getting up, getting to my pitch.” – Terry Gore. “I love my life now and I couldn’t have got to where I am now without The Big Issue” – Antonio Felicio. “Selling the magazine also gives you a purpose in life” – George Malone. These stories prove what The Big Issue has achieved and how it has helped so many people.

The birthday edition of the magazine also includes some special birthday messages from David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Boris Johnson, John Hurt, James Corden, Will Self, Suggs, Natascha McElhone and many more celebrity fans of the magazine.

Unfortunately, homelessness is still an issue today, a big issue, but by giving these individuals “a hand up, not a hand out” – a difference can be made.

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY BIG ISSUE!

Autumn's here!

Summer has gone for another year and autumn has arrived along with the annual harvest festivals.

Here we have five great harvest events happening in London this weekend to get you in the autumnal mood, and to make them even better - they are all free!

1. Real Food Harvest Festival, Southbank

Friday 23rd September & Saturday 24th September 11.00-21.00 and Sunday 25th September 11.00-18.00, free.

Southbank Centre Square, SE1 8XX

Celebration of the best produce available at this time of year. Taste and buy delicious food, watch food demonstrations from top chefs and check out the sheep shearing demonstration four times each day.

2. Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival, City

Sunday 25th September, 13.00, free.

Guildhall Yard, Gresham Street, EC2V 5AE

Enjoy traditional entertainment from the iconic London Pearly Kings and Queens in their pearl button covered suits. There will then be a parade with marching bands, to St Mary–le-Bow church for the annual harvest festival service.

3. London Oktoberfest 2011, Hackney

Friday 23rd September & Saturday 24th September 16.00-23.00 and Sunday 25th September 11.00-18.00, free.

Shoreditch Park, New North Road, N1 6TA

Traditional German celebration of the harvest. Plenty of 1 litre beers and delicious German food to buy, plus singing and dancing on benches. Great fun.

4. The Regent's Park Harvest Festival with Capital Growth

Sunday 25th September , 11.00-17.00, free.

The Regent’s Park allotment, corner of Chester Road

Delicious seasonal produce inclusing artisan bread and fresh apple juice, scarecrow-making workshop, children’s activities and Capital Growth’s ‘big raffle’.

5. London Walks Autumn Ambles Weekend

Saturday 24th September and Sunday 25th September, free.

Various locations.

Free led walks all over London.

Put on your walking shoes

On Friday 30th September 2011, over 500 people will be taking to the streets to walk 15 miles around London to support homeless and vulnerable people across the UK - and you could join them!

The Big London Night Walk is an annual fundraising event for The Big Issue Foundation and this will be the biggest and best yet, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Big Issue Magazine.

This fantastic event is a chance to make a real difference to people's lives and have a great time while doing so. See London wake up, take in the city's iconic landmarks, meet the vendors and hear their stories of how The Big Issue has helped them. And if that wasn't enough, enjoy a music gig along the way too!

To register click here. Registration costs are £30 for individuals with £250 sponsorship target or £100 for a team of 4-6 with a sponsorship target of £1000.

The Big Issue Foundation changes lives and you can too by taking part in this wonderful and inspiring event.

And if you are still not sure, maybe these vendors can persuade you.......

.......and remember, "small steps, big changes".

Five free things to do this bank holiday...

1. Notting Hill Carnival

28th-29th August, 09.00 - 19.00

London's biggest street party with music, costumes, dancing and lots of tasty food.

2. More London Free Festival

Until 4th September

The Scoop (next to City Hall), SE1 2DB

Theatre in outdoor sunken amphitheatre, seating 800.

Around The World In Eighty Days originally by by Jules Verne- 18.00

The Mother by Bertolt Brecht - 20.00

3. Alternative Village Fete

28th August 13.00-17.30, 29th August 13.00-16.00

National Theatre, SE1 9PX

Quirky stalls, crafts, food, performances and live art.

4. Bookstock Street Party

August 28th, 12 - 21.00

Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH

Day of music, dancing, dressing up, games,and food.

5. London Street Photography

Until 4th September, 10.00-18.00

Museum of London, EC2Y 5HN

Exhibition with over 200 images documenting everyday street life.

Home Goal

For those of you who thought the World Cup was another three years away, think again. The Homeless World Cup kicks off in Paris on Sunday 21st August, the first of seven fast and furious days of street soccer, and England are one of the 48 nations taking part.

The first Homeless World Cup was in 2003 and has engaged with over 100,000 homeless people since with an impressive 70 grass roots football programmes initiated worldwide.

This annual event gives homeless and socially marginalised players from all over the world the chance to feel accepted, represent their country and above all the courage to re-evaluate their lives. The mission to end homelessness is working with over 70% of players changing their lives following the tournament. Players have gone on to rebuild family relationships, overcome addictions, find accommodation and employment, including professional football coaches and players.

The England team, is led by The Big Issue in the North Trust and is supported by the Manchester United Foundation, Homeless Link and the England Homeless Football Network.

Wedge thinks this is a wonderful event and wishes the England 2011 team the very best of luck for the tournament. Who knows, maybe football will finally come home this year!