Join the Paper Chain
Author: Belinda Kelly
Did you know that there exists a fragment of paper from a map that was made over 2,000 years ago? [1] It’s an incredible fact when you consider how paper can be so easily cut, torn, screwed up, shredded, pulped or burned! When we think of ancient documents, we perhaps tend to think of paper’s...
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When Did You Last Read A Book On The Train? Imagine sitting in a hushed train carriage where all that can be heard is the sound of the train on the tracks and the occasional rustle of paper as pages are turned. If you have been on a train lately, you will be aware of...
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It’s curious to think that the country that has long been associated with technology has never lost touch with one of the world’s oldest manmade materials. Paper. While much of the world is embracing all things digital, in Japan, paper continues to be used in abundance. From its use in age-old rituals to its still-current...
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We might live in the digital age, but there can be little doubt that paper is still one of the most important materials in the world. For most of us, it will be something we touch, see or use multiple times a day, probably without giving it a second thought. Paper is understated and versatile,...
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Frogmore Paper Mill, near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, is the world’s oldest mechanised paper mill. The mill, which still produces paper, is now operated by the Apsley Paper Trail, a charitable trust “founded to conserve the unique industrial heritage of this site in Hemel Hempstead”.[1] Sadly, in January 2022, a fire on site caused extensive...
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How Paper Plays A Role In Different Traditions From Around The World Writing on it, folding it, floating it or burning it... paper is central to some of the world’s oldest traditions that continue to be practiced today. Here, we explore 12 of the most fascinating traditions from around the globe, each of which has...
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Christmas is a time full of excess, including excess waste – typically an increase of about 30% compared with the rest of the year.[1] Even though many of us will be spending a little more carefully this year, there are things we can do to also reduce waste – and have fun in the process....
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How To Create Maximum Effect With Minimum Environmental Impact Nothing heightens the sense of anticipation on Christmas morning more than beautifully wrapped presents under the tree. But, as we all become more conscious of our environmental responsibilities, you might be wondering if that means you need to compromise on your wrapping paper and start wrapping...
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We’ve all been there. Christmas is suddenly right around the corner; you’re feeling like summer only ended three weeks ago and now you’re stuck for inspiration, time and/or pennies when it comes to what to get for your friends and family. We all know at least one person in our circle who is seemingly just...
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Decorating the house for Christmas is always lots of fun, but it can be extra special when you have made the decorations yourself. Making decorations from paper, especially if you use old wrapping paper saved from the year before, is environmentally friendly, too. Here are 10 DIY Christmas decorations that kids of all ages will...
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If you’re looking for a sustainable and fun craft idea suitable for adults and children alike, making your own paper could be just the thing. The very first paper was made by a Chinese court official during the Eastern Han period (25-220 AD) [1]. It’s thought that he made his paper by mixing mulberry bark,...
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“Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble” [1] As the nights draw in and the days grow colder, our attention once again turns to witches, ghouls and things that go bump in the night. Halloween is a time when shadows play tricks and imaginations run wild… and what better way to put...
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This November, why not join hundreds of thousands of would-be, and actual, novelists around the world participating in National Novel Writing Month? If like many of us, you have always felt you’ve got a best-seller lurking somewhere inside, then this November could be the time to finally put pen to paper. The concept of National...
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“Choose Forests. Choose FSC™” is the theme of the new, week-long global awareness campaign from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Formerly known as FSC™ Friday, the switch from a single day to a full week is designed to advance consumer awareness of sustainable forestry and responsible consumption. From Friday 24th September until Friday 30th September,...
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Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who would like to read more, deciding what book to read next can be a challenge, particularly when you consider the overwhelming choice of titles available. Back in 2010, Google Books did a count of the number of books that had been published since the invention of the...
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If you’re looking for ideas to keep children occupied during the long summer holidays, look no further than papier mâché. It’s a fun craft in its own right, but it can also be used to create any number of objects that will provide hours of entertainment until back-to-school time and beyond. A Brief History Of...
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June is the beginning of the peak wedding period, so there will be a lot of wedding anniversaries being celebrated this month. Celebrations for gold and silver wedding anniversaries date back as early as the 1500s. However, it seems it’s only since the Victorian era, when the giving of gifts became more common, that other...
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The idea of studying or collecting postage stamps – or philately, to use the official term – might be dismissed by the majority of us as being a bit stuffy, boring or old fashioned, but the truth is, stamp collecting is perhaps more interesting than many of us realise. Plus, postage stamps are another example...
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It may come as a surprise in this digital age, but about 52% of British adults still read printed magazines. And it’s not a generational thing either as a reported 7 out of 10 millennials read printed magazines for leisure and entertainment. So, in an age when digital screens dominate, and we seemingly have all...
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Over the last couple of years, while we’ve all been spending more time at home, many of us have taken the opportunity to give our living spaces a makeover in an effort to make them more comfortable as well as more practical for homeworking. But what about the furniture we buy – and throw out?...
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Created by UNESCO on 23 April 1995, World Book Day is a celebration of books, authors and illustrators. Its ultimate aim is to encourage children and young people to discover the pleasure of reading. Over 100 countries around the world mark World Book Day each year. Why Reading For Pleasure Is Important Numerous studies have...
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Friday 24 September is FSC Friday. It’s an annual event organised by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to raise awareness of their work and what we can all do, at work or at home, to support it. This year’s theme ‘Save our forests. Save our climate.’ aims to highlight the FSC’s support for international climate...
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Rising consumerism, an increasing population – it is well-documented that humanity is generating more waste than the planet can handle. Fortunately, as we become more conscious of the need to protect our environment and live sustainably, many of us are also realising that responsibility begins at home. One really easy contribution we can all make...
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After 18 months of juggling home working and looking after children, punctuated only by relatively short periods of school attendance, the prospect of keeping the kids occupied for another few weeks is likely to be daunting for even the most resourceful of parents and carers. Back in 2019, a survey by The Reading Agency revealed...
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