Families Upon Thames Issue 136 March April 2020

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Upon Thames

Easter Holiday Fun at Brooklands Museum! WIN a Family holiday with Away Resorts

Issue 136 March/April 2020

RECRUITING NOW Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career. If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or selfemployed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle

please call Diana Page 01235 533362 • 07747 086518

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contents

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News

6-7

Early Years

8

Mindfulness

...endless ideas for families of young children in • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey

9-13 Education

Families® Upon Thames • Issue 136

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Kids Fun

15

Parenting

March/April 2020 • Visit us at

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16-17 Easter Clubs 18-21 Clubs and Classes Upon Thames

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Book Competition

23-27 Days Out 28-31 What’s on To advertise in this magazine contact: MIMA WALIA, Editor SARAH HODGSON, Managing Editor DESIGN & PRINT, Ridgeway Press

m: 07792 006546 e: editor@familiesuponthames.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

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Find us and like us on Facebook Facebook.com/familiesuponthames @FamiliesuponT Now more than 8,000 followers!

Make sure you pick up our May/June 2020 issue for Kids Parties and Summer Camps Out early May

WIN a Family Holiday with Away Resorts and support Wear a Hat Day see page 5

Mindful Little Souls comes to Richmond! Mindfulness Classes for 7-11 years old

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Equip your child with the life skills, backed by scientific research, and benefit from: • Increased focused and self-awareness • Increased resilience and self-worth • Reduced stress levels and anxiety • Increased compassion and kindness In a fun and interactive manner. Classes take place on Saturdays during term time every week. Please visit us on www.mindfullittlesouls.com or contact us for our parents information days in March’2020 or dilpreet@mindfullittlesouls.com or 07790 993013

Families Upon Thames is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Upon Thames are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Upon Thames. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

News Families join the Fight against Plastic Wherever you live, you and your family can make a difference to your local environment by sparing just a few hours to take part in the Great British Spring Clean from 20 March to 13 April. Run by charity Keep Britain Tidy, this initiative is the country’s biggest massaction environmental campaign and aims to get 600,000 #LitterHeroes out and about, cleaning up the environment on their doorstep. It’s easy for families to get involved. Simply pledge to take part and either organise a litter-pick in your community or join an organised event. To find out more, join a local event, register to take part and access resources including a how-to guide, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org/GBSpringClean

Maintained Schools Outperform Academies and Free Schools Maintained schools in England outperform academies and free schools in national exams taken at the end of year 6, according to figures released by the Department of Education (DfE). This data seemingly contradicts assurances given by government for several years that conversion of schools from council-maintained to academies and the opening of free schools would drive up education standards. The DfE reports says 66% of pupils in local authority-maintained schools reached the government’s expected standards in both maths and reading, whilst 65% did so in academies and free schools. In sponsored academies, only 58% of pupils reached the required national standards. Free schools also compared poorly with maintained schools, with 62% of pupils reaching the expected standards. In maths alone, 77% of free school pupils reached the expected standard, compared with 80% in maintained primaries. More at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/multi-academytrust-performance-measures-at-key-stage-2-2018-to-2019

Fewer Toys: Better for your child? You’ve probably suspected it – well, it may now be confirmed! Children who have too many toys are more easily distracted, and do not enjoy quality playtime, a new study suggests. Researchers at the University of Toledo in Ohio, US, recruited 36 toddlers and invited them to play in a room for half an hour, with either four toys or sixteen toys. They found that youngsters were far more creative when they had fewer toys to play with.

They also played with each for twice as long, thinking up more uses for each toy and lengthening and expanding their games. The authors of the study conclude that parents, schools and nurseries should pack away most of their toys and just rotate a small number regularly, to encourage children to become more creative and improve their attention spans. More info: www.sciencedirect.com

British Science Week for the Family British Science Week is a 10-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 6 to 15 March. The whole family will enjoy entertaining and engaging events and activities: your child can also enter the annual poster competition and/or download a series of FREE activity packs filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school. The good news is these activities don’t require parents to have a science background or buy any expensive equipment. To find your local event or activity, visit www.sciencelive.net. Download activity packs at www.britishscienceweek.org,

4 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

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News WIN a Family Holiday at an Away Resort of your Choice*! For a chance to win this fabulous family holiday, take part in Wear a Hat on 27 March to raise money for Brain Tumour Research Away Resorts offers family holidays at award-winning holiday parks, each superbly located and unique. Mill Rythe on Hayling Island offers a holiday jam-packed with activities from zorbing to an outdoor high ropes course, plus daytime and evening entertainment. Sandy Balls in the New Forest gets you back to nature; delve into the forest with its resident alpacas, enjoy a serene spa, fantastic on-site restaurants, and an array of activities including cycling and swimming. Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire is a water world away. From fishing and pedalos to jet-skiing and a water aqua park, there’s fabulous on-site restaurants, rooftop bars, indoor/outdoor splashpads and activity programmes for all. Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight offers the perfect balance, with rolling countryside on one side and a beautiful sandy beach on the other. The park bustles with great on-site activities to keep your family busy.

To Enter: 1. Register for Wear a Hat Day 2020 at www.wearahatday.org and take part on 27 March. 2. Email your competition entry to info@familiesmagazine.co.uk with your full name and post code or enter online at https://bit.ly/2OytS6D by 30 April 2020. Use the same email address, name and post code for both steps 1 and 2. T&Cs: *Excludes Mersea Island Holiday Park and Barmouth Bay Holiday Park. Prize is for a seven-night stay for two adults and two children. Accommodation provided will be of Superior or Luxury grade at Sandy Balls, Tattershall Lakes and Whitecliff Bay, and Ambassador at Mill Rythe, subject to availability. Prize value will be dependent on location and time of year chosen. More T&Cs online.

Encourage your children to eat veg? Here’s how! Parents can now access new FREE resources* to help persuade their children to eat more vegetables. These resources include 24 new eBooks which parents download from the ‘See & Eat’ website. The books are developed from research which demonstrates that showing hard-copy picture books about vegetables to children helps to familiarise them with new food and ultimately, helps them to eat a wider variety. Each ‘See & Eat’ eBook tells the farm to fork journey of a different vegetable and can be personalised with pictures, videos and text. *courtesy of the ‘See & Eat’ project, an initiative supported by the British Nutrition Foundation To access eBooks, visit www.foodunfolded.com/seeandeat

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Where children become everything they can be Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4- 18 year-olds

CHERTSEY 0772 517 6102

NEW MALDEN 0208 540 7791

COBHAM 07484 208274

RICHMOND 020 8332 6741

HINCHLEY WOOD 01372 238238

STAINES 07802 800633

TEDDINGTON & TWICKENHAM 0208 979 5276 WEYBRIDGE 0808 208 5134

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

Email: editor@Familiesuponthames.co.uk • Tel: 07792 006546

Families Upon Thames • 5

Baby talk

Early Years Your baby's speech development depends on your "baby talk" skills as well as those of your baby, says Andrew Campbell

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uring the first three years of life, a baby’s brain is developing rapidly: this period contains many contain critical milestones for speech development. The first “baby talk” is non-verbal and happens soon after birth. Babies grimace, cry, and squirm to express a range of emotions and physical needs, from fear to hunger to frustration. It is important to listen to your baby’s different cries, work out what they mean and respond accordingly. At the age of 3 months, you’ll notice your baby listening to your voice, watching your face as you talk and turning towards other voices, sounds and music. Before babies start talking, they are gathering information. That information eventually becomes the foundation of the first baby talk. And the best way for parents to help their babies make it to those first words – and thrive with language development in the months after – is to talk to them. In fact, your baby's speech development depends greatly on your "baby talk" skills as well as those of your baby!

range of consonant sounds and tones as they try out sounds and find their own voice. Babies may also be able to point to people, objects, and body parts you name for them. They repeat words or sounds they hear you say, like the last word in a sentence, but they often leave off endings or beginnings of words. For example, they may say "daw" for "dog" or "noo-noos" for "noodles”.

“Before babies start talking, they are gathering information. That information eventually becomes the foundation of the first baby talk”

At around 6 months of age, you’ll hear your baby begin to babble and coo, as they play around with different sounds. This “baby talk” is a happy, gentle, repetitive, sing-song vocalisation sounds similar the world over, despite the language of a baby’s parents. After nine months of age, babies can say and understand a few basic words like "no" and "bye-bye". They also may begin to use a wider

Most babies say their first words sometime around their first birthday - possibly "mama" and "dada”. Now, importantly, they know what they are saying. They should also respond to or at least understand, if not obey - short, one-step requests like "please put that down”.

Over the next six months, your baby will start to use language in a more recognisable way and you may start to hear them talking. You might find that initially only you and a few of your baby’s favourite people can make out what they’re saying though! By the age of two years, babies can string together short phrases of two to four words, such as "Mummy bye-bye" or "me milk”. They're learning that words mean more than objects like "cup" - they also mean abstract ideas like "mine”. Over the course of the next year, your baby’s vocabulary expands rapidly, and "make-believe" play spurs an understanding of symbolic and abstract language like "now," feelings like "sad" and spatial concepts like "in”.

More words = more talk The more words children hear, the more they learn so here are some fun things to do together to encourage your baby’s speech and language development • Chat to your baby about the things you’re doing, even if you think they’re boring – for example, “Daddy’s vacuuming the carpet to get rid of the dust that makes you sneeze”. • Repeat your baby’s attempts at words to encourage a two-way conversation. For example, if she says “mama” you could say “mama” back to her. Build on your toddler’s words. For example, when baby says “train,” you say “Yes, it’s a big red train”. • Show interest in your baby’s babbling and talking by smiling and looking him in the eye. • Respond to and talk about your baby’s interests. For example, if your baby starts playing with a toy train, you could say “Toot, toot”. • Read, tell stories, share songs and nursery rhymes with your baby. • Praise your baby’s efforts to talk. For example, if your baby points to a dog and names it, you could say: “Well done for pointing out the dog, Georgie”. Infants all develop at a different pace, but if you're worried about your child's speech or language development, talk to your GP or health visitor. If necessary, they will refer your child to your local speech and language therapy department.

More info: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/helping-your-childs-speech www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/learning-talk-and-communication-your-baby

6 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

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Early Years

Welcome to Teddington Nannies Find the best nanny, housekeeper or babysitter to care for your family

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eddington Nannies and Sitters is an exciting new nanny and housekeeping agency with a fresh approach which has opened its doors this month in Teddington. Serving families in Teddington, Richmond, Kingston, Hampton and Twickenham, Teddington Nannies understands that choosing your new Nanny, Housekeeper or Babysitter means that person will take care of the most important people in your life: trust is absolutely vital. Using an approach which puts customer service foremost in everything they do, they will come and meet the client to discuss what really matters to them and what they really need. This ensures a successful match and helps forge strong, lasting relationships based on trust and honesty. It also ensures clients and nannies stay with them long term because they know they really care. Affiliation to the Association of Nanny Agencies ensures high standards of work are delivered and monitored to maintain best industry practice too. If you feel Teddington Nannies can help you find the best Nanny or Housekeeper be it full time or part time to really support your busy family lives then please give Helen or Emma a call or send them an email. Also, if you are an exceptional Nanny or Housekeeper and truly outstanding in what you do with fantastic references Teddington Nannies would like to hear from you - please get in touch or register your interest via the web site. www.teddingtonnanniesandsitters.com helen@teddingtonnanniesandsitters.com 0208 075 5333

• Pre-school Montessori Nursery for 2 - 5 year olds • Excellent Montessori education combined with the Early Years Foundation Stage in a nurturing and stimulating environment For a prospectus or to visit call 020 8546 3442 or email us at georgia@kvmontessori.co.uk www.kvmontessori.co.uk | www.facebook.com/kvmontessori St John’s Church Hall, Robin Hood Lane, Kingston Vale, London, SW15 3PY (Located off Kingston Hill)

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Families Upon Thames • 7

Mindfulness

Mindful Little Souls comes to Richmond Mindful Little Souls is Richmond’s new provider of children’s classes dedicated to mindfulness and they will launch their first class in April 2020!

Why is it important? Practising mindfulness can positively affect all other executive functioning skills. Studies have shown that some benefits of mindfulness include: • Reduced stress levels and anxiety • Improved health and better sleep • Improved focus and awareness • Increased resilience and self-worth • Improved impulse control • Increased compassion and kindness

Lessons are suitable for 7-11year olds and will focus on core themes such as mindful senses, body and brain partnership, selfreflection, coping skills, gratitude, growth mind set amongst others in a fun and interactive manner. Each class runs for 1 hour. Classes are held every Saturday morning during school term time at King’s House School, 68 Kings Road, Richmond TW10 6ES. Open day sessions: 6th and 13th March (Fridays) from 6pm until 7.30pm and 7th and 14th March (Saturdays) from 10am until 11.30am. Venue: Starbucks (opposite Richmond train station), 19-22 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2NQ Motivation The system of education is systematically putting our children under stress by focusing almost entirely on academic attainment and rankings. Whilst there has been an increasing trend of results and studies over recent years highlighting the benefits of mindfulness in the form of decreased stress and anxiety, increased focus, improved social skills etc, such life skills are not being taught to children fast enough. To prepare today’s children for the new global economy, they need to be equipped with a

toolkit to help them gain self-awareness, confidence, self-regulation and resilience to succeed. The earlier children develop these life skills, the more empowered they are to lead an extraordinary and purposeful life. Mindful Little Souls seeks to nurture and positively impact the emotional intelligence of children by equipping them with the skills to gain self-awareness, confidence, selfregulation and resilience to succeed in the 21st century and beyond. What is Mindfulness According to Prof John Kabat- Zinn, university of Massachusetts (Medical School), "mindfulness is paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally". Mindfulness is learning how to clear your mind and focus on the present moment. Rather than thinking about what happened earlier in the day or worrying about what might happen in the future, mindfulness helps you to focus on the now. This is an important skill for children and young adults because it can help them to manage their emotions, improve their focus, cope with stress and feel calmer. We can begin to practise mindfulness by adding many brief moments of awareness into our lives on a daily basis.

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Curriculum section They have designed the curriculum with the aim of providing a simple but effective way for the child to add mindfulness practice into their daily routine. They have focused on both the inner and outer self in a fun and interactive manner and includes Mindfulness • Mindful senses • Body and Brain partnership to achieve ultimate focus • Self- reflection and coping skills • Gratitude and Kindness • Growth mindset Whilst the core themes underlying mindfulness remain the same, their curriculum also allows for a progressive differentiation in how a child can build his or her bespoke coping toolkit overtime that is unique to the child. To embed mindfulness practice into daily basis, they will be also be providing the children with activities in the form of fun homework after each class and a journal for the term to encourage discussion and practising with the family. What to expect section A child that practise mindfulness may: • Have increased ability to focus and tune out distractions • Be better able to identify the feelings they are experiencing and respond to them appropriately • Be able to regulate their responses to stressful situations For information on class times, fees and parents Info Days, please email us on mindfullittlesouls@gmail.com or call us on 07790993013. www.mindfullittlesouls.com

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EDUCATION FOCUS SPRING 2020 Assessing Choices

Education Awe and Wonder at Newland House School Newland House School’s Nursery curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage. This outlines how creating opportunities for Awe and Wonder, where children can learn through making, testing hypotheses, exploring, predicting and discovering, are some of the essential ingredients of effective learning. Topics provide plenty of novel activities to widen children’s experience in this way, as well as extending their language skills. During their Fire and Ice topic this term, Nursery pupils learned about cause and effect by observing how coloured vinegar, bubbles and fizzes when combined with bicarbonate of soda. They also used their problem-solving skills to

work out how to free objects, frozen inside ice balloons, using a variety of tools and discovered how penguins stay dry, using a waxy coating on their feathers, through wax crayon drawings. The children really engaged with the topic and the fun experiments helped them to learn in a more natural, incidental and enjoyable way. The Nursery, which opened two years ago, is very popular and provides a lovely stepping stone to starting school. Waldegrave Park, Twickenham TW1 4TQ 020 8865 1234

Natural Tree House Learning When you think back to your childhood what are your favourite memories of play? Building clubhouses in woodland areas? Climbing trees and making mud pies? Our fondest recollections of childhood play all have one thing in common - nature. Will your children’s? At Tree House Learning they create irreplaceable childhood memories for children. For the past decade they have been marvelling at nature, playing in the mud, birdwatching, watching the seasons change, playing woodland games, cooking on fires and much much more.

Families’ readers will receive Forest School provides a 10% off so please platform for their mention ‘Families10’ children to live those vivid, treasured when booking at Tree moments of childhood -House Learning that free play with your friends out in a natural environment, the interaction with nature on an intimate scale. At Tree House Learning your child will engage with nature using all of their senses and come away from our sessions with that all-important smile on their face. www.treehouselearning.co.uk

Handwriting Tutor 3 Achieve clear and confident handwriting 3 Neat handwriting is important in Exams 3 Don't lose marks unnecessarily! Mrs. Cutler: St Margarets, TW1 T: 07521 554188 E: selene.cutler@handwritingsupport.co.uk BA(Hons) Languages - Professional Handwriting Analysis/Graphology Member of the National Handwriting Association - DAB checked

To advertise here call Mima on 07792 006546

Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory School Open Morning Friday 20 March – 9.30-11am Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory School is an excellent IAPS Independent school for boys and girls from age 3-7. The school will be open for you to meet teachers and staff and to get a

10 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

glimpse of life at Shrewsbury House Pre-Prep. All are welcome. Register at www.shrewsburyhousepreprep.net 22 Milbourne Lane, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9EA 01372 462781

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Ham’s local Forest School Sessions for toddling to tween all year round. Check our website for the latest term time and school holiday offerings. Readers will receive 10% off if they use ‘Families10’ voucher code when booking.

www.treehouselearning.co.uk

11+ Mock 11+Moc 1+M ck k Tests Tests Te t For Maths, English & Writing When: Sat 23rd May 2020 Time: 9.30am - 12.00pm (WEEKEND) Sat 18th July 2020 Time: 9.30am - 12.00pm (WEEKEND) Where: The Hollyfield School, Surbiton Hill, Kingston KT6 4TU Time: Fee: 9.30am – 11.30am £90

BOOK K NOW www.mocktestmasters.co.uk ✔ Detailed feedback report Child’s strengths and weaknesses ✔ Access to mock test questions and answers ✔ Over 25,000 pupils have taken our tests ✔

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Families Upon Thames • 11

Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep School

Open Morning Friday 22 May: 9.30am Headmaster’s Welcome BOOK YOUR PLACE VIA WEBSITE Hampton Prep is Part of the Hampton School Trust. IAPS Independent Day School for boys 3-11 and girls aged 3-7 years Gloucester Road, Hampton TW12 2UQ T 0208 979 1844 admissions@hamptonprep.org.uk

Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep School offers an excellent all-round education, with superb pastoral care and exceptional teaching. Every child is recognised as a unique individual and allowed to flourish in a caring, lively and happy environment. The welcoming and friendly Pre-Prep School and Kindergarten are accommodated in an attractive Edwardian building with a superbly equipped playground. Part of the Hampton School Trust, the Pre-Prep & Prep School enjoys close links with the nearby senior school and an increasing number of the boys move onto Hampton School via the Assured Place Scheme. For further information, visit www.hamptonprep.org.uk

12 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

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Education Learning styles in brief Visual Processes information using information and charts Needs images to explain concepts and ideas Prefers graphic elements over words Auditory Learns best when information is spoken out loud Prefers to listen to lectures and discussions Processes information by talking through things

How does your child learn best? Claire Winter offers ways to identify how your child learns and suggests techniques to help with revision at home

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hether it be for SATs, 11+ or school exams, your child is likely to need to do some preparation at home. Of course, your child’s school may provide practice exam papers which are important tools but it may be that your child needs to hone in on revising particular subjects or topics in order to complete these successfully. So how do you help equip a primary school child with the techniques they need to revise? Educators, scientists, and psychologists have developed different models to understand the different ways that people learn. One popular theory, the VARK model identifies four primary types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic. Each learning type responds best to a different method of teaching. For example, auditory learners remember information best after reciting or explaining it back, while kinesthetic learners jump at the chance to participate in a hands-on activity. Most pupils don’t learn in just one way, so often using a combination of techniques will work best. Once you have established your child’s preferred learning style, you can try a variety of these methods to help your child prepare successfully for exams.

Mind Mapping A mind map is a visual representation of information, introduced in an organised but innovative method. This method is great for visual learners. Mind maps can be as detailed as your child likes, organising notes and suggestions around bigger, connecting ideas,

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around one idea, or around several topics. Mind maps can enhance memory and learning by 15% compared to conventional study methods. Creating Visual Reminders Note-taking and highlighting are mainly reading-based learning techniques, but flashcards, post-it notes, and mind maps all take advantage of visual recognition too. If your child is naturally creative, then making flashcards with essential keywords or formulas on them can help them recall what they are studying. Try sticking flashcards or post-it notes around the house and every time your child comes across one, encourage them to describe the keywords or information in more detail. Organising Information Children who learn by reading and writing will like planning their work by topic. Not only will this help them access the information they have to learn much faster, but the act of planning can make a child feel more in charge of their learning. Visual learners can use colour coded post-it notes to help remind them about the different topics too. Note Taking Taking notes on important facts from current classwork can help your child keep the essentials in mind. If your child likes writing and reading, they may find this highly effective. For younger children, highlighting important information can be just as efficient.

Email: editor@Familiesuponthames.co.uk • Tel: 07792 006546

Read/Write Prefers to receive written words Enjoys reading and writing assignments Processes information by writing notes Kinesthetic Learns best through a tactile process Prefers to create concrete personal experiences Processes information by recreating and practicing

Verbally Explaining Another great revision technique for auditory learners is to ask your child to verbally explain something. They retain more information revising this way. Ask your child questions about their classwork such as: “Can you tell me more about XYZ?” This will encourage your child to use memory recall to remember the important facts. You can also use questions to identify any gaps in their knowledge. An excellent revision game is to make your child the teacher. Get them to pretend they are in front of a class and talk about certain topics as if they were teaching themselves. This is a great learning technique for primary school kids who enjoy drama and acting things out. Listening to a Recording or Watching a Video Auditory learners can record information (even in the form of songs they make up!) and listen to it. Watching videos is also a good way to revise. Assembling Charts and Diagrams Kinaesthetic learners learn by assembling charts and creating diagrams. Flashcards can also help kinaesthetic learners; if you physically turn them over and write on them, it engages many different parts of the brain. Keeping fingers busy, tracing words or tapping out sequences can help your child retain knowledge too. Using a mixture of many learning techniques is the most successful way to help your child retain information. You will soon learn what they like doing and what helps the most in their tests and exams.

Families Upon Thames • 13

Education

Teaser Easter Amazing Anagram! Challenge your brain and enjoy our Easter Teaser page – answers below the game!

ANAGRAM

Can you unscramble the letters to spell out the names of five popular book characters?

1. d i a t m l a

2. p e t h o r r a t y r

3. k t e r a c y r e b a e

4. f g e e l f r y e g h

5. l g p i c n p s k i p g t o o i n

When you’re done, unscramble the circled letters to spell a special message!

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TOP

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EDUCATIONAL APPS FOR CHILDREN

‘Appy Kids

by Claire Winter

Children learn in many different ways including outside the classroom. This is where educational apps can come in very useful as the best of these engage even the most reluctant learner. As well as making learning fun, educational apps also turn screen time into a positive experience, rather than something you are constantly arguing with your children about.

Here are Families’ Top Ten educational apps that will keep any child ‘appy!’ Cursive Writing Wizard (£4.99) By L’Escapadou Age 6-8 With a UK-friendly cursive font, this app is ideal for teaching young primary kids how to write. It’s based upon a tracing system and there are 50 plus animated stickers, sound effects and interactive games that animate letters at the end of the tracing. You can also print off writing PDFs for the kids to practice on and even import their current spelling list.

Safari Tales (£2.99) By Kuato Games Age 6-8 Children can develop their storytelling skills with this beautiful and fun animal-themed app. Safari adventurers can explore the Savannah and learn interesting facts about the five baby animals. The game is so much fun they won’t even notice that they are boosting their reading and literacy skills at the same time. Endless Wordplay (Free + In App Purchase) By Originator Inc. All ages This app focuses on learning simple spelling patterns while reinforcing letter names and sounds. Each stage is a different rhyme, with the user spelling three words from the same word family. Once you complete all three words, you are taken to a sentence screen with a silly sentence and cute animation that will encourage and delight the player. It’s free to download but to play more than three levels you have to pay £4.99.

Toca Lab: Elements (£3.99) By Toca Boca Age 6-8 Perfect inspiration for future scientists, this funky app is a virtual chemistry set. It introduces your child to all 118 elements of the periodic table as cool, fun characters. It also presents the concepts of what happens during chemical reactions when they are warmed, cooled, combined and much more. Your kids can indulge in exciting virtual experiments that won’t blow up your house!)

Hoopa City (£3.99) By Dr. Panda Ltd Age 6-8 This app allows children to let their imaginations run wild building cities and towns with a combination of different materials. The game will boost their understanding of mechanics and engineering and also help them develop their problem-solving skills. The Human Body (£3.99) By Tinybop Inc Age 6-8 If you have a budding biologist or child with a ‘why’ imagination then this is the app for them. Explore the human body and learn about how our amazing internal organs perform.

Artie’s Magic Pencil (£2.99) By Minilab Ltd Age 3-5 Boost your child’s drawing skills with this creative app. It shows 3-6 year olds how to draw by means of an engaging game in which a monster destroys everything in its path and Artie has to rebuild the world with his magic pencil. Squeebles Times Tables (£3.99) By KeyStageFun Tired of getting your child to repeat their times tables again and again? Get these lovable characters on hand to inspire your child to sit and practice them. There are several games to play and a training area that also teaches and tests maths skills too. EduGuru Maths (£1.99) By The Game Creators Specifically created for children ages 3-5 years, this app brings maths to life with cute animated graphics which will engage them straight away. It concentrates on basic maths skills, shapes, sequences, coins and number recognition.

Toddler Counting 123 – Learn to count for kids (Free) By GiggleUp Kids Apps Teach your toddler to count with this fantastic free app. Designed for pre-schoolers this simple game gets them to tap and count a variety of real life objects.

Are there any apps that your kids love? Let us know on our Facebook or Instagram page. familiesonline.co.uk

Email: editor@Familiesuponthames.co.uk • Tel: 07792 006546

Families Upon Thames • 15

Stagecoach Hinchley Wood

Easter Clubs

Magic of the Musicals - Easter Workshop 2020 Dates: Monday 6th - Thursday 9th April 2020 10am-4.30pm A fun packed week of Musical Theatre learning songs and dances from some of the most popular musicals. The week culminates in a performance to family and friends on Friday 4.30pm. Come and join the fun! Ages: 6-18 years old Performance: Thursday 9th April at 16.30 Cost: £120 Siblings £80 Venue: Imber Court, Ember Lane, East Molesey, KT8 0BT www.stagecoach.co.uk/hinchleywood

Superheroes: Perform’s 3-day Easter holiday course for 4-10s Fly to Superhero School this April for an action-packed Top Secret Mission to save the world. Your child will discover their own special powers as they zoom towards a supercharged showcase for family and friends. Filled with brilliant music, funky dances and fabulous costumes, this course is a real Easter treat. Age range: 4-10 years. Dates: 6-8 April and 15-17 April. 3-day courses 10am-3pm each day. Venues: The Russell Primary School. Petersham Road, TW10 7AH Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk perform.org.uk/superheroes

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Just Imagine DANCE

Ballet For ALL Glimmer~Twinkle~Sparkle ~Dazzle

(6?17 mnths)(18 mnths?5 years) (5?10 years) (11+ years)

BOOK A FREE TASTER CLASS Richmond - East Sheen Kew - St Margarets Twickenham - Teddington

info@justimagineballet.com 16 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

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Easter Clubs Hoppy Easter Workshops at Happy Potter Drop the kids off this Easter for an exciting range of crafts and activities! Crafts include Spring fabric wreaths, crochet cushions using giant yarn, Easter headbands and clay workshops! Have a look at the website for

details of what's on each day! Weekdays 10.30am-12.30pm for ages 6+ with lunch included. www.happypotterceramics.co.uk 020 8973 1468

"Unicorns & Rainbows" Dance with the unicorns and leap over rainbows with Just Imagine!! Dates: Monday 6-Wednesday 8 April Time: 10am-1pm (bring a packed lunch) Age: 3-10 years (divided into age groups) Where: Duke Street Church, Richmond

BOOK FOR 1, 2 OR ALL 3 DAYS!!! Book Single day/s = £42per child (includes vat) ALL 3 DAYS = £120 per child (includes vat) To Book: email info@justimagineballet.com or Text 07813 741189

Delight in an imaginative world with favourite magical animals and enjoy ballet, art and craft activities, dress-up, music and storytelling!

Team Swim School Easter Easter Courses running in small groups in the mornings, experienced in water teachers. Team Swim School is a private exclusive swim school in the heart of Surrey, offering outstanding swim tuition in small groups and 1 to 1′s. They are in an outstanding environment and offer a state of the art swim complex, including seating, cafe, as well as a homework area so all your children’s needs can be met under one roof.

Great facilities, location and parking. Friendly atmosphere and good results gained from the course Please email info@teamswimschool.com to enquire for lessons and times or call Paul 07915510720.

Play in a Day at Easter Dates: Tuesday 14th – Thursday 16th April 2020 Ages: 4-15 This Easter Holidays come and join us for a completely free day of theatre as we devise our own play in just a day. Throughout the day we’ll devise a script, create a set and rehearse before performing for friends and family at the end of the

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session! Let your imagination run free. Play in a Day week runs over 3 days with each day being for a different age group from the ages of 4-15 years. And that's right they're completely free! Hook Church, Brook Road, Surbiton, KT6 5DB www.southsidetheatre.com

Families Upon Thames • 17

Clubs & Classes

All Stars Cricket 2020 All Stars Cricket is a programme aimed at children aged 5-8 years old to give them a great first experience in cricket. Sessions are accredited by the England & Wales Cricket Board and delivered nationwide at over 2,000 centres. All Stars Cricket will help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too and help create #BigMoments you’ll both treasure! Following successful registration, All Stars Cricketers will receive a brand-new kit bag full of goodies to help them get their summer of cricket started and fully look the part when they attend their 8 weekly sessions and it’s all delivered straight to your door. To find out more about how to get involved this summer, simply visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk and get your place booked as sessions begin May2020.

Camp Beaumont For families looking for fun educational experiences for children to take part in during half term and the school holidays, look no further than Camp Beaumont. The UK’s most experienced day camp provider which is now in its 40th year hosts a wealth of activities for three to 16-year-olds to enjoy such as zorbing, go-carting and arts and crafts as well as a range of sports including tennis, swimming and hockey. The camps are a great chance for kids to try something new and make new friends, while having lots of fun in the process. Jof Gaughan, Operations Director, said: “It’s always great to see the children having such a fun time at our camps. Whether they come for a day or the whole week, it’s nice to see them making new friends and getting stuck in with exciting activities. “Coming to camp is a great way to make the most of the holidays and ensure they are making memories to last them a lifetime.” For more information visit www.campbeaumont.co.uk

Waterlife The joys of baby swimming go beyond the first classes and can lead to a lifelong love of swimming. Waterlife swim school runs small classes in warm pools with enthusiastic, fully qualified, “in water” instructors, guiding you through a structured and progressive program from your child’s initial submersion to swimming small distances between parent and instructor. Babies are born with many different natural reflexes and having spent 9 months suspended by mum’s amniotic fluid babies will feel a natural affinity to water. We recommend starting your baby swimming around 3 months, as their natural instincts are then at their strongest. Young babies have no inherent fear of water so display more confidence and will progress steadily through the levels. Our classes are packed with activities and songs with the emphasis on swimming and water safety. From their very first lesson babies are encouraged to hold on at poolside, keeping their heads above water. With improved strength & ability they are taught to turn around underwater, float, safely enter & exit the pool. Our fabulous, experienced instructors remain with us for years, building strong relationships with their regular swimmers. All are fully trained, insured and DBS checked. We hold lessons 5 days a week across SW London & Surrey in small warm private pools. Our terms are 12 weeks long, lessons 30 minutes in

duration, costing £180.00. We offer 3 catch up classes per term, subject to availability. Photographs are taken towards the end of each term for just £15.00 a set. For the most rewarding activity in which your baby can fully participate and for an investment in their future health and safety Waterlife believes swimming is a must! www.waterlifeswimschool.com

18 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

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Clubs & Classes

Invisible Goodness Wrapped Up in Fun Perform founder, Lucy Quick tells us more. Perform classes are a bit like a pasta sauce that’s filled with hidden vegetables: kids think it’s really tasty and don’t realise that it’s full of healthy nutrition. I see our classes like this invisible goodness wrapped up in an hour of games, role-play, dance routines and songs. The children think they’re enjoying an hour of fun but they’re also being equipped with essential confidence-building social skills.

Quote LUT300420 for an introductory £40 discount when booked by 30th April 2020

We all want our children to be happy, feel confident enough to try new things and interact well with others. Taking part in regular drama activities encourages confident and fluent speaking, boosts reading and writing abilities and enhances coordination and spatial awareness. Rescuing a mermaid from a pirate ship might seem like just imaginative improvisation for 6 year olds, but it's teaching problem-solving and team-work too. Early drama, dance and singing lessons changed my life and helped shape my vision for Perform - to deliver classes with a specific

focus on developing a child’s confidence and social skills - not to create just another drama school.

Try a FREE no-obligation drama class in Kingston, Twickenham and Weybridge. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book.

Firetech

the way in empowering young people to use technology in a positive, creative and meaningful way.

We are really excited about the year ahead in which we will grow our work, adding new courses (on subjects like Artificial Intelligence, how to build a tech startup, and Hollywood special effects) and working in partnership with international governments and leading corporates like Amazon to help grow the impact of our work.

Seven years ago, I started Fire Tech when I realised that I couldn’t find a way for my kids to learn about tech skills, either in or out of school. I wanted to provide a place where kids like them could get their hands dirty and experiment with a wide range of technology concepts. Since then, we are proud to have established ourselves as the UK’s leading provider of exciting, challenging and relevant tech education experiences for 6 to 17 year olds. Seven years on from our first camp, the world in which children learn has transformed at an astonishing pace. Technology now offers young people radically new ways to create, connect and learn. Equally, however, they now encounter challenges ranging from data privacy concerns to the rise of fake news, from inappropriate content to inappropriate relationships, and from online bullying to managing their screen time effectively.

We are proud to announce that, from 2020, we are making them an important commitment: to evolve from a tech education company, to one that is focused on developing digital leadership in young people across the world. To us, this means four things • Encouraging positive, human-centred relationships with technology • Being conscious of the impact of how we use technology • Harnessing tech for the good of the world, and • Promoting the most cutting-edge, exciting tech to young people

We’re confident that our commitment to digital leadership sensitively reflects the changing needs of those we educate, while retaining the fun and creative expression that has been our essence since we began, all the way back in 2013. We can’t wait to see what the future of tech education holds. https://www.firetechcamp.com/

In the face of these challenges, it’s vital that young people are able to take control of technology as creators, rather than as passive consumers. At Fire Tech, we envisage a future where young people can harness technology as a force for good in their lives. Fire Tech continues to be ahead of the game, and that includes leading

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Email: editor@Familiesuponthames.co.uk • Tel: 07792 006546

Families Upon Thames • 19

• Warm pools • Small classes • Dads welcome!

Specialising in Baby Swimming, Pre-school Swimmers and Toddlers Call 0208 679 4243 or email info@waterlifeswimschool.com

ART & CRAFT CERAMICS CAFÉ KEW Ages: All Children can create something unique. Starting with a plain white bisque shape, they paint on their design using ceramic under-glazes, it is then fired in the kiln, and their piece is ready for collection within 2 to 4 days. Open Tuesday to Sunday, Mondays on Bank Holidays/half terms. In: Kew Contact: Joanna Wronka 020 8332 6661 www.ceramicscafe.com HAPPY POTTER CERAMICS Ages: 6+ Arts and crafts café for all ages offering pottery painting, clay, T-shirt design, mosaics, foam clay and decopatch. NEW: After School Art Club, plus holiday workshops, baby prints and children’s parties. Adult workshops available also. In: Teddington Contact: Una 02089731468 www.happypotterceramics.co.uk

DANCE JUST IMAGINE BALLET Ages: All Just Imagine Ballet is an inclusive ballet and dance school for all ages and abilities. Just Imagine values creativity and expression and focuses on the healing and nurturing aspects of the creative arts. Children can progress through four separate ballet programmes created to be in line with their physical, emotional and social development and aligned with the National Curriculum key stages. Glimmer (0-18 months), Twinkle (18 months-5 years), Sparkle (6-10 years), Dazzle (11+ years). Plus: Tap, Contemporary, Street, Jazz, Character Dance, Classical RAD Ballet, Boys Only Ballet, Family Dance/Homeschool Classes, Holliday Camps, Birthday Parties, Adult, Silver Swans Dance (60+ years) and SHINE (SEN Dance classes, workshops and one2one sessions with a Dance Therapist). In: Richmond, East Twickenham, St Margarets, Teddington, East Sheen, Kew Contact: The Fairy Godmother or Miss Jessica, Principal 07813 741189 info@justimagineballet.com www.facebook.com/JustImagineBalletL ondon STREET DANCE ACADEMY RICHMOND Age: 5-16yrs in 3 squads Date and Time: Every Sunday AM (see website) Location: Christ School, TW10 6HW Description: Street Dance for children Price £10wk/ £120 a term mid term enrolment welcome Contact: Lorraine / Lisa 0800 0236 236 Info@streetdanceacademy.co.uk www.streetdanceacademy.co.uk

DEVELOPING SKILLS MINDFUL LITTLE SOULS Ages: 7-11 years old. Equipping your child with the life skills, backed by scientific research, and benefit from: Increased focused and selfawareness, Increased resilience and selfworth, Reduced stress levels and anxiety, Increased compassion and kindness, in a fun and interactive manner. Classes take

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place on Saturdays during term time every week. Contact: 07790 993013 www.mindfullittlesouls.com or contact us for our parents information days in March’2020 on dilpreet@mindfullittlesouls.com TREE HOUSE LEARNING Ages: toddlers to 11 Dates and Times: Term Time: Thursday am (10-12) for preschool, Friday pm (13) for preschool. Easter Holidays: Monday April 6, 7, 8 – 3 day workshop for ages 5 and up (10-3). Friday April 9 for ages 7 and up (10-3) More Easter classes April 14/15/16/17 added based on demand Location: Ham Common Woods Forest School is child led fun, adventure and learning in a woodland environment. Topics covered vary greatly and could be anything from fireside cooking to environmental art, plant identification to tool use or simply play group games in our beautiful site. Contact: April Gutensohn 07985 969416 contact@treehouselearning.co.uk www.treehouselearning.co.uk

MUSIC & DRAMA

PERFORM WEEKLY DRAMA, DANCE AND SINGING CLASSES FOR 4-12S Perform is a unique children’s drama school with a special emphasis on child development. Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s full potential. Run by highly experienced actor-teachers, in small groups, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: confidence, communication, coordination, and concentration. The Perform curriculum ensures plenty of fun, using a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, music downloads and videos for the children to play at home, keeping the magic of the classes alive. Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class today. Venues: Brentford, Esher, Kew, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Richmond, Teddington, Twickenham, Walton On Thames and Weybridge. Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk www.perform.org.uk/try SOUTH SIDE THEATRE ACADEMY For Ages: 4-15 Years Old Dates and Times: Tuesdays (Ages 4-7 at 4-5pm, Ages 7-11 at 5-6:30pm, Ages 1115 at 6:30-8pm) Location: Hook Church, Brook Road, Surbiton, KT6 5DB South Side Theatre Academy runs imaginative, enjoyable and inclusive theatre workshops and shows in Surbiton for young people, giving them the opportunity to experience all elements of theatre at affordable prices. We have 3 weekly academy classes running at Hook Evangelical Church during term time. Our academy classes run as weekly workshops, starting at the age of 4 where we start to look at exploring your child’s imagination and playing with performance, right up to the age of 15 where you take to a professional stage to perform a range of hit shows. Alongside this we run a range of Holiday Projects throughout the year. Price (optional): £85-100 (£10 off sibling deal), 2-Week Free Trial Available

Contact Name: Toby Ward-Smith Contact phone number and email for booking: info@southsidetheatre.com Website address: www.southsidetheatre.com STAGECOACH PERFORMING ARTS Ages: 4-18 Fun, educational and confidenceboosting classes in singing, dancing and drama, which cater for the varying needs of young performers, whether reserved or budding talents. Classes focus on the Performing Arts and having fun in a structured safe environment, whilst learning life skills to prepare them for the stage of life. Two-week trial available. In: Chertsey, Cobham, Hinchley Wood, New Malden, Richmond, Staines, and Weybridge Contact: Chertsey: 0772 517 6102 Cobham: 020 3723 9702 Hinchley Wood: 01372 238238 New Malden: 020 8540 7791 Richmond: 020 8332 6741 Staines: 07802 800633 Weybridge: 0808 208 5134 www.stagecoach.co.uk STAGECOACH TWICKENHAM / STAGECOACH TEDDINGTON PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES Ages: 4-18 Dates and Times: Thursdays Ages 4-6 4.15-5.45pm Waldegrave School Thursdays Ages 6-18 4.30-7.30pm Waldegrave School Fridays Ages 4-6 4.15-5.45pm Waldegrave School Ages: 6-18 4.30-7.30pm Waldegrave School Fridays ages 14+ 4.30-7.30pm Waldegrave Saturdays Ages 4-6 9-10.30/9.3011/10.45-12.15/ 11.15-12.45 St Catherine’s School Saturdays Ages 4-6 9-10.30/ 9.15-10.45/ 10.45-12.15 St Marys & St Peters School, Teddington Saturdays Age 6-18 10-1 and 2.305.30pm St Marys & St Peters School Teddington Saturdays Ages 6-18 10-1 and 2.305.30pm St Catherines School Saturdays Ages 15+ 3.30-6.30pm St Catherines School Part time Performing Arts classes for children ages 4-18 offering exciting West End performance opportunities, and learning to sing, dance and act all under one roof. A dynamic and exciting extra curricular school club offering Creative Courage for Life! Price: Ages 4-6 £168 (90 Minutes) ; Ages 6+ £336 (3 hour session) Contact: Sarah & Will Chitty 07824 999414 0208 979 5276 twickenham@stagecoach.co.uk teddington@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/teddington www.stagecoach.co.uk/ twickenham

SWIMMING TEAM SWIM SCHOOL Ages: 2.5yrs+ Swimming lessons for all abilities and ages. Fun and engaging classes for nonswimmers, as well as taxing for stroke improvers. Children enjoy the whole pool, not just sectioned areas. NEW: Water Polo for kids – Stage 4 swimmers and above. Contact the school to register interest. Small groups, great results. Plus club swims available three evenings a week. Call or email to arrange a trial lesson.

Email: editor@Familiesuponthames.co.uk • Tel: 07792 006546

Clubs & Classes In: Cobham Contact: Paul Furness 07915510720 info@teamswimschool.com www.teamswimschool.com WATER BABIES Ages: 0-4 An incredible sensation of freedom and empowerment. Babies have a real affinity with water and because they’ve spent 9 months floating in the womb, being in warm water feels much more familiar to them than being on dry land. However, this early confidence usually diminishes with time and can even turn to fear. That’s one of the main reasons why Water Babies believes in starting them young. But a baby never swims against their wishes, and lots of bonding, fun and socialising is always incorporated so you can be sure that a Water Baby is a happy baby. In: Chessington, Kingston, Morden, Shepperton, Richmond, Surbiton, West Horsley, Woking, Godalming, Cobham, Farnham, Addlestone, Cranleigh Contact: Melissa Holt 01932 227 428 underthewaves@waterbabies.co.uk www.waterbabies.co.uk WATERLIFE SWIM SCHOOL For Ages: 3 months -Pre school Dates and Times: W/C Mon 20th April13th July Location: Strathmore school, Ham Description of Class/Club/Activity Baby, toddler and pre-school swimming Price (optional): £180 for 12 weeks Contact: Lizzie Emler Contact phone number and email for booking: 02086794243 info@waterlifeswimschool.com www.waterlifeswimschool.com

TUITION HANDWRITING WITH MRS CUTLER Ages: 4 to 11+ Achieve neat, cursive, joined-up handwriting and boost your child’s selfconfidence with one-to-one handwriting lessons. Half term group courses are available for pre-school and older children. Pre-school children will learn to build fine motor skills to improve strength and dexterity in their hands and fingers. The courses for older children will focus on learning how to hold a pencil correctly, letter formation, spacing and cursive handwriting. In: Twickenham Contact: Selene Cutler 07521 554 188 selene.cutler@handwritingsupport.co.uk MRS JONES EDUCATION – 11 PLUS TUITION Ages: 8 to 11 Mrs Jones Education aims to enable your child to reach their full potential and successfully gain a place at a good senior school where they will achieve and be happy. Learning is structured to maintain your child’s enthusiasm and imagination and allow them to enjoy learning. In Year 4 children attend 11 Plus Foundation before moving onto 11 Plus Preparation in Year 5. 11 Plus Mock Exams are also available for both age groups. In: Kingston, Surbiton, Wimbledon, South Wimbledon/Sutton, Hampton, Richmond, Twickenham, Chiswick, Ealing, Hounslow and Isleworth Contact: 020 8390 6076 www.11plustuition.co.uk

Families Upon Thames • 21

Brilliant Book Quiz! Encourage your child to have a go at our fabulous Families’ book competition Recent World Book Day activities may have inspired you and your child to focus on books and reading this Spring. Now’s the perfect time to test your knowledge! Families has teamed up with Young Writers to bring you this amazing quiz. It’s divided into two sections for ages 4 to 7 and ages 8 to 11. We have a £50 National Book Voucher for the winner of the ages 4 to 7 category. Thanks to Young Writers, we have a fantastic book bundle of 10 books for the winner of the ages 8 to 11 category, including popular, recently published books such as You Won’t Believe This by Adam Baron, Agatha Oddly Murder at the Museum by Lena Jones and What’s that in Dog Years? by Ben Davis.

Look out for the answers to the quiz in our next magazine or request them in your email entry. T&Cs online. Young Writers organise poetry and creative writing competitions for children in schools. For further information, visit www.youngwriters.co.uk

To enter the competition, just email info@familiesmagazine.co.uk with your child’s name, age, your telephone number and answers to the questions in the relevant section. Closing date: 15 June 2020. Only one entry per child please!

Quiz for ages 4 to 7 Years

Quiz for ages 8 to 11 Years

1.

1.

Name 3 fruits the Hungry Caterpillar ate.

Where do Silky, Moon Face and Saucepan Man live?

2. In the Charlie and Lola books, what is Lola’s invisible friend called?

2. How is Stanley Lambchop better known?

3. Which book series do the characters Bottomley Potts and Blitzer Maloney feature?

3. Who is the main character in Diary of Wimpy Kid? 4. Who does Barney meet when exploring an old chalk pit?

4. Which animal visits Sophie and her mummy one tea time? 5. Who wrote Where the Wild Things Are? 6. Who was the ‘Room on the Broom’ for? 7.

5. In the book Holes, who gets sent to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Centre? 6. Who wrote about characters called James, Matilda, Sophie and Charlie?

What is the name of the boy who builds The Snowman? 7.

8. What is the name of Biff and Chip’s dog? 9. Who lives in Hundred Acre Wood?

Which David Walliams’ book is his character Joe from?

8. What are Mary Norton’s tiny characters called?

10. Aliens, pirates and dinosaurs love these… 11. Who is Perfect Peter’s rather naughty brother? 12. What are the names of the witch and cat Valerie Thomas writes about?

9. Who is the main character in The Bed and Breakfast Star by Jacqueline Wilson? 10. In which book series does Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III appear? 11. The dormouse, a gryphon, a mock turtle and a rabbit are characters from which classic children’s book? 12. Who wrote My Brother’s Famous Bottom book series?

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Days Out Cheer on Chelsea FC Bring the family and support the Blues as they battle for the Women! league title at Kingsmeadow KT1 Chelsea FC Women are on the hunt for the Barclays Women’s Super League Trophy. With a total of 12 teams in the league, the Blues are battling for first place with London rivals Arsenal and last season’s Women’s FA Cup winners Manchester City. Having had a fantastic start to the season, winning all eight of their home league games so far, Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side have three more games left to play at Kingsmeadow this season. International superstar Sam Kerr was signed by the club in January. Named the best women’s player on the planet by the Guardian newspaper, Sam has recently returned from international duty with Australia and will be looking to finish the season on a high by leading the team to glory in May. Everton Women – Sunday 22 March, 2pm Next up at home for Chelsea is a visit from Everton, who travel down to Kingsmeadow on Mother’s Day. With furry mascots Stamford and Bridget in attendance, not to mention face painters and prizes on offer, the whole family will enjoy the community spirit and togetherness at Kingsmeadow. Chelsea will be looking to break their own record and go for a ninth home league win in a row!

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Get Your Tickets – Bring the Family Chelsea FC Women play their home matches at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames (KT1 3PB). Tickets are just £1 for juniors (under-20s) and seniors (65s and over) while adult tickets are £9. Visit chelseafc.com/womens to get your tickets today All fixtures dates and times are subject to change. Keep an eye on chelseafc.com for further fixture information. All tickets are subject to availability. All information correct at the time of print and subject to change

Brighton & Hove Albion Women – Sunday 5 April, 2pm Football fans from across the country and local community are invited to celebrate the Easter Holidays with the Blues as they take on South Coast outfit Brighton & Hove Albion. The family can enjoy the Easter Fair with fun activities and giveaways outside the ground ahead of kick-off (from 12.30pm). Tickets for this match are scheduled to be available to purchase online from Monday 9 March.

Email: editor@Familiesuponthames.co.uk • Tel: 07792 006546

Liverpool Women – Saturday 16 May, 3pm It could all come down to the last game of the season! Chelsea will be looking for all three points against a Liverpool side that are currently fighting to stay in the league. Fans will be hoping to see Emma Hayes and her side win the league on this day. They last lifted the prestigious trophy in May 2018. Tickets for this match are scheduled to be available to purchase from Monday 20 April.

Families Upon Thames • 23

Days Out Easter Eggstravaganza 4th April 2020 - 19th April 2020 • LAMBING! It's the most exciting time of the year at Bocketts Farm with over 500 gorgeous new born lambs due in our Animal Discovery Barn. You may even get the chance to watch one being born! • 'Meet the Shepherd' sessions throughout the day. An opportunity to learn all about our sheep and lambs! • Don't miss the gorgeous baby chicks and ducklings in our small animal village • 'Hop to it!' and complete our fun Easter stamp trail with a yummy chocolate treat for each child! • Join Snuffles and Tiggles in the the Easter Garden for fun live shows throughout the day! • Get creative in our Easter Craft Corner with badges, colouring sheets and lots more! • End your day with a boogie in the Disco Den! • Enjoy a full programme of fun farm activities with Small Animal Encounters, Goat Milking, Tractor Rides, Pony Rides and our famous Pig Race. Open every day: 10am - 5.30pm

Gruffalo Adventures 4-19 April 2020 Explore Kew's deep dark wood this Easter. Join Kew Gardens on a woodland trail to find the Gruffalo this Easter. Who is hiding in Kew's deep dark wood? Unleash your inner detective to find out what creatures live in our woodland. Gruffalo trail Have your face painted to become the little brown mouse, pick up your trail pack and get set for an adventure. There will be fun for the whole family as you follow footprints, marks and feathers and figure out clues at stops along the trail. Discover the secret world of plants and animals, what marks they leave behind, and how their lives are interconnected. Meet your favourite Gruffalo characters on the way, and keep your eyes peeled to spot the Gruffalo himself...

Please note our earlier opening time of 9.15am over easter weekend (10th 13th april)

Habitat building workshop Become a nature detective and learn about woodland plants that animals use to build their homes. Identify the different wildlife in our Gardens and have a go at building a log pile house for animals to live in.

www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

www.kew.org

Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway

Family festival at Camp Bestival

For your next family day out, come along and discover Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway (HKWR). Sometimes known as the ‘secret railway’, it’s the only operational steam narrow-gauge railway of its kind within the M25 and it has a fascinating heritage for you to explore. Train lovers of all ages will enjoy a ride on our historic railway, and if you fancy even more steam history, *Kempton Steam Museum is right next door, so you can drop by and explore after your journey. There’s also a lovely picnic and play area where the kids can run around freely and play train driver on the static play train, as well as lots of exciting monthly events taking place. The first major event is an Easter Egg Hunt on April 12th, followed by our volunteer recruitment weekend ‘Keep Calm and Volunteer’ on April 18/19, so if you’re are interested in joining the railway, come along and see what we get up to!

Join Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, Liam Payne, Friendly Fires, Sophie EllisBextor, Becky Hill, Dick and Dom, Max & Harvey, Brainiac Live, The Sugarhill Gang, Sam & Mark, The Sherlocks and many more at Camp Bestival. Taking place at the start of the school holidays (30 July- 2 Aug) at Lulworth Castle, Dorset, this family adventure offers hundreds of things to see and do from music and shows to tree-climbing, woodland workshops, spoken word, arts, science and circus for all. Parents are particularly spoilt at Camp Bestival; well, they do buy the tickets! Amazing live acts and DJs, raves, discos, parties, comedy, literary talks, cocktails, award-winning street food, like-minded people all in a big old field by a castle and the sea. Kick-start your summer holidays with a 4-day family festi-holiday - voted Best Family Festival in the UK Festival Awards. Camp Bestival: 30 July- 2 Aug; Lulworth Castle, Dorset. Line-up, info and tickets: campbestival.net

We offer all sorts of different volunteer opportunities, from Train Driver, Fireman or guard, to railway construction and maintenance with lots of other opportunities in between. All training is provided, and our volunteer recruitment weekend will give you a chance to have a chat and look around. You will receive a warm welcome no matter what your background or skills, especially now as HKWR has just been awarded a grant to help further restore the railway so jump on board and be part of our exciting railway team. Check out www.hamptonkemptonrailway.org.uk for further details. *Separate entrance fee for museum

24 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

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Plant Sale for Wildlife – plant a garden wildlife will love

Days Out

Sunday 26th April 2020, 10am – 3pm at Kilmorey Mausoleum wildlife garden. Bring wildlife back into your garden this spring! Come along to the Environment Trust Plant Sale for Wildlife and Open Day at the Grade II listed Kilmorey Mausoleum in St Margarets on Sunday 26th April. With a great selection of plants to encourage and sustain local wildlife including annuals, perennials, herbs, grasses, shrubs and many more this year’s Plant Sale promises to be the biggest yet! Whether you have a huge garden or tiny outside space, there will be plenty of bargain plants to get your backyard buzzing. Sadly, our wild animals and plants have been losing their homes over the last 50 years. (State of Nature report, 2016). But we can all play a part in helping to reverse the decline. Many of the most beautiful garden plants are attractive to wildlife and any garden, however small, can be turned into a sanctuary. A £3 entry fee (members of the Trust and kids go free) includes refreshment, a tour of the mausoleum and the wildlife garden. The first 50 visitors will get a free pack of “bee friendly wildflower seeds”. Homemade cakes will be available, as well as lots of great raffle prizes. There is

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unrestricted parking in the area all day and all proceeds will support the work of Environment Trust to improve, preserve and protect our local neighbourhood. 275 St Margarets Road, Twickenham, TW1 1PN For more information and to find out how you can get involved visit: www.environmenttrust.org/Event/plant-sale-for-wildlife

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Families Upon Thames • 25

Easter Egg Hunts March/April 2020 FROM 28 MARCH TO 13 APRIL CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG Time: 11am- 4pm Cost: Normal admission applies plus £3.50 per hunt Discover Claremont’s spring-time animals. Fun and delicious treats for all ages, every day throughout the school holiday. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremon t-landscape-garden FROM 28 MARCH TO 13 APRIL CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Winkworth Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Godalming GU8 4AD Time: 10am-4pm Cost: £3.50 (normal admission applies) Discover spring-time nature at Winkworth. Fun and delicious treats for all the family throughout the school holidays. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkwort h-arboretum FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL CADBURY’S EASTER EVENT Box Hill, The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7LB (car parking KT17 2LB) Time: 10am-3pm Cost: £3.50 Easter is a very special time at Box Hill, with nature waking up everywhere you look. Grab your coat and wellies and explore the top of this iconic hill on a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL CADBURY’S EASTER EVENT Hindhead Commons & Devil’s Punch Bowl, London Road, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6AB Time: 10am – 3pm Cost: £3.50 Easter fun and frolics for all the family to enjoy. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hindhead -commons-and-the-devilspunch-bowl FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL CADBURY’S EASTER EVENT Frensham Little Pond, Priory Lane, Frensham, Surrey, GU10 3BT Time: 10am-3pm Cost: £3.50 Grab your coat and wellies and explore the pond on a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt and win a treat. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/frensham -little-pond

FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Surrey GU4 7RT Time: 10am-4pm Cost: Normal admission applies plus £3 per trail Take the nature-themed trail through the parkland and claim your chocolate prize. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlan ds-park FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Osterley Park and House, Jersey Road, Isleworth TW7 4RB Time: 10am-4pm Explore the gardens to find the wooden Easter eggs that have been hidden, then collect your Cadbury Chocolate prize. Booking not needed, admission applies. 020 8232 5050 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterleypark 10 APRIL EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY AND CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4RR Time: 11am-5pm Cost: Normal admission plus £3 for children’s activities A day of family fun, with Easter themed races for children, mums and dads, craft activities and the Cadbury Easter hunt. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey-and-godalming-navigationsand-dapdune-wharf

FROM 10 TO 13 APRIL CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT National Trust Runnymede, Windsor Road, near Old Windsor, Surrey, SL4 2JL (SatNav: TW20 0AE) Time: 10.30am-4pm Cost: £3.50 per trail Take part in the Easter trail for a chocolate prize at the site of politics and picnics for over 800 years. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnyme de-and-ankerwycke FROM 10 TO 13 APRIL CADBURY EASTER HUNT AT MORDEN HALL PARK Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD Time: 10am-4pm Take the Easter bunny's challenge! A favourite event where you'll complete a trail of outdoor activities to earn your Cadbury chocolate treat. £5 per hunt - no need to book. 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mordenhall-park 11 APRIL CADBURY’S EASTER EVENT Holmwood Common, St Johns Church, Willow Green, Holmwood, RH5 4JH Time: 1-4pm Cost: £3 Explore this beautiful site on a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holmwo od-common

26 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

FROM 11 TO 13 APRIL CADBURY EASTER WEEKEND Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4RR Time: 11am–5pm Cost: Normal admission plus £3 for children’s activities Easter trails with Cadbury Easter egg prizes. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey-and-godalming-navigationsand-dapdune-wharf FROM 11 TO 13 APRIL CADBURY’S EASTER EVENT Leith Hill Place, Leith Hill Lane , Leith Hill, Surrey, RH5 6LY (Car parking at RH5 6LU) Time: 11am-4pm Cost: £3. Have fun with science and nature on this interactive trail and earn a chocolate prize. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill-place

FROM 11 TO 13 APRIL CADBURY EASTER EGG TRAIL Shalford Mill, near Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8BS Time: 11am-4pm. A woodland wonderland themed trail, with Cadbury chocolate prizes. Normal admission applies, children’s activities £3. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shalford-mill

12 APRIL EASTER EGG HUNT Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway Have fun with the kids hunting down Easter Eggs hidden around the railway.

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Get Ready to Race this Easter at Brooklands Museum 6th – 17th April There is a variety of speggtacular fun at Brooklands Museum over the Easter Holiday period from 6th – 17th April. Pick up your free Easter egg trail on arrival, head off around the Museum to solve the hidden clues and then head back to the Shop to claim their FREE chocolate prize. The Museum’s long-established and hugely popular rides in vintage-style cars and on London Bus Museum’s iconic doubledecker buses will also be operating during weekdays (except Good Friday and Easter Monday). Car rides take in the challenging summit of Test Hill and the Members’ Banking, the steepest part of the original Race Track or, for a more relaxed journey, hop on board a real double-decker bus for a bus trip through the surrounding streets. Car and bus rides* will run in the mornings and afternoons with a short break for lunch and are subject to crew and vehicle availability. Also on the weekdays, any youngsters wanting to join the Brooklands pit crew can head over to the car workshop where they can put on overalls and discover the science behind the speed with an amazing ‘Get Ready to Race’ activity. You can build your own car with different components and try it down the specially constructed test slope to see how your design would really race. The Concorde Experience is a half-hour virtual supersonic ‘flight’ on the Brooklands Concorde and runs every day, but on each weekday over Easter, special Kids Tours will be running twice a day. And don’t forget to explore inside the award-winning Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed. Inside the restored WWII hangar, visitors can ‘clock in’ and don factory work coats as they begin their ‘Brooklands Apprenticeship’. A series of workshops and interactives explore some of the skills used over the 80-year history of aircraft manufacture at Brooklands. On a new mezzanine level, the story of aviation design at Brooklands is told and visitors can design their own military and civilian aircraft from different eras of aviation including those of the future. Leaving the Factory and entering the new Flight Shed visitors can see some of the Museum’s collection of complete aircraft, including opportunities to sit in the cockpits of the Hawker Hunter and Harrier, as well as displays on radar, ground-to-air radio and pioneering pilots. The Sunbeam Café is the ideal place for refuelling and add to this a visit to the Museum Shop to pick up a souvenir and you have the recipe for a perfect day out come rain or shine. Normal admission prices apply for Easter which include all workshops and exhibition areas. See www.brooklandsmuseum.com for more details, future events and how to become involved in Volunteering. familiesonline.co.uk

Prices: Adult £17.95, Senior (65+)/Student £16.95, Child (5-16, under 5 FREE) £9.95, Family 1 adult & up to 3 children £29.00, Family 2 adults & up to 3 children £46.95. All prices include a voluntary 10% donation. *Subject to operational and weather conditions, a minimum donation of £1 per passenger is requested for car and bus rides

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What’s On - March/April 2020 DAILY KEW EXPLORER LAND TRAIN Kew, TW9 3AB

Times: Every half hour between 10.30am – 4.30pm Price: Adults £5; Children £2. Enjoy a guided tour around the Gardens on the Kew Explorer land train and learn about Kew's flora and fauna, historic buildings and vital conservation work. 020 8332 5655 www.kew.org EVERY WED MORNING PARENT AND BABY CINEMA AT WATERMANS ART CENTRE 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Times: 11.30am Cost: £6.50 Screenings of the latest films for parents or carers with babies under one. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk EVERY WED AND WEEKEND LOCOMOTIVES IN OPERATION The London Museum of Water and Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, TW8 0EN

Enjoy a ride on the Museum locomotive. Running every 15 minutes from 11am until 3:30, you can enjoy a steam powered trip around the Museum building. www.waterandsteam.org.uk EVERY FRI DURING TERM TIME AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS SEE SAW DROP-IN SESSIONS AT ORLEANS HOUSE GALLERY Riverside, Twickenham TW1 3DJ Ages: under 5s

Time: 10.30am-12.30pm Cost: Child £6 (additional sibling £3) Multi-sensory sessions which include music, play materials, soft play, creative activities, stories and rhyme time in a relaxed informal environment. 020 8831 6000 www.orleanshousegallery.org EVERY SAT MORNING FAMILY CINEMA AT WATERMANS ART CENTRE 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Times: 11am Cost: £5 per person Your favourite family films old and new, on the big screen. See website for details. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk EVERY SUNDAY SUNDAY STORIES Kew, TW9 3AB

Time: 12pm, 1pm and 2pm A fun-filled family session of stories

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about the extraordinary Marianne North. Be inspired by the adventures of this intrepid explorer and solo world explorer. Collect one of our family learning cards and head off on your own adventure to see what amazing plants you can discover for yourself. 020 8332 5655 www.kew.org FROM 1 MARCH TO 19 APRIL WOODLAND ADVENTURE TRAIL National Trust Runnymede, Windsor Road, near Old Windsor, Surrey, SL4 2JL (SatNav: TW20 0AE)

Time: 10am-4pm Cost: £1 per trail What will you find at Runnymede? Go and see what different wildlife roams freely around the woodlands. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnyme de-and-ankerwycke 6 & 20 MARCH, 3 APRIL MUSEUM MONKEYS Chertsey Museum, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey KT16 8AT

Time: 9.30 to 11am Cost: £5.00 per child, additional sibling £2.50 (1-5 year olds) Join Charlie the Chimp for singing, stories and crafts Under 5s (must be booked in advance by telephone or online). 01932 565764 www.chertseymuseum.org 7 MARCH & 4 APRIL 15 MINUTES OF FUN Chertsey Museum, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey KT16 8AT

Time: 1.30-3.30pm Free family craft activities. March: Mothers' Day cards; April: Easter Wreaths. 01932 565764 www.chertseymuseum.org FROM 7 TO 8 MARCH MARCH STEAM UP The London Museum of Water and Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, TW8 0EN

All available engines are in steam at the Museum and this is your chance to see the stationary water pumping engines in operation! Engines expected to be running over the weekend are: the Easton and Amos engine, Waddon engine, Dancers End engine and Triple and Bull engines. www.waterandsteam.org.uk FROM 7 TO 8 MARCH WORLD BOOK DAY: STORYTELLING AT THE PARK (3+)

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Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD

Time: 10am & 2pm Celebrate the World Book Day at Morden Hall Park! Join the secondhand bookshop volunteers for a storytelling session. Free, booking essential. 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mordenhall-park FROM 7 TO 15 MARCH SCIENCE WEEK AT WISLEY RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

Go along to RHS Garden Wisley for a week-long science extravaganza showcasing the research of the RHS, along with hands-on activities, workshops and talks. www.rhs.org.uk 8 MARCH MIDNIGHT (5+YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 3pm Cost: £10 (£9) Midnight is a dream-like show about time, the night, and dreaming. And about clever cats and really silly dogs. For family

28 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

audiences with children age 5+, Midnight combines beautiful puppetry, music, and storytelling. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk 8 MARCH STORY CAFE - THE KISS THAT MISSED Riverhouse Arts Centre, Manor Road, Walton KT12 2NZ

Take a cushion and cuddly toy to this creative storytelling event. Enjoy crafty projects, themed activities and a tea-time treat - the perfect afternoon outing for families with small children. 01932 254198 www.riverhousebarn.co.uk 12 MARCH MINI ACES UNDER 5’S CLUB Brookland’s Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0QN

Time: 10:30am-12:15pm Cost: £2 per child Mini Aces club brings the Museum to life through stories, craft, song and dance. Please book in advance, sessions are limited to 10 children max. 01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com familiesonline.co.uk

MORE ONLINE: familiesonline.co.uk FROM 14 TO 15 & 21 TO 22 MARCH MUM'S THE WORD Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD

Time: 11am-4pm Make a gift for mum that just keeps growing. You'll get to plant up your very own flower and decorate its pot for a present she'll never forget! £4 per pot, no need to book. 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mordenhall-park 15 MARCH BEASTLY BELLE (4+YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 3pm Price: Premium tickets: £12 (£11), Family of 4 £44; Standard tickets: £10 (£9), Family of 4 £36 Be charmed and surprised by a new twist on an old tale, inspired by the iconic era of 1920s and 30s cinema. Featuring a skilful mix of puppetry, film projections and an original musical score. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk 17 MARCH MEET ME A TREE – A VERY FIRST OPERA (0-2YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 10am, 11.30am, & 2.30pm Cost: £15 (£13.50) per pair of parent and child Hurly Burly return with another interactive musical adventure for babies. Join them to sing with blackbirds, march through fallen leaves and feel the wind on your cheeks in this multisensory journey through the year in the life of a tree. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk 21 MARCH YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS' CLUB Chertsey Museum, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey KT16 8AT

£5.00 per child (£4.50 for members) Most of us have had to take antibiotics at some point in our lives. But how did people protect themselves from horrible diseases like the Plague and Typhoid without them? We will look at some rather strange preventions that were thought to help as well as some truly horrible remedies and cures - some good, some not so much!! For 8 to 16 year olds. Advanced booked required. 01932 565764 www.chertseymuseum.org familiesonline.co.uk

21 MARCH SPRING CELEBRATION: MARZANA DOLL CRAFT Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD

11am-1pm. Join us on the first day of spring, Saturday 21st of March, to make a traditional Polish doll made of straw, hay, cardboard, and rags to celebrate the rebirth of life and nature. Ages 3+. £2 per doll. 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mordenhall-park FROM 21 TO 22 MARCH ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY WEEKEND Kempton Steam Museum, Kempton Park Waterworks, Snakey Lane, Middlesex, TW13 6XH

See the Triple in steam both days plus a fascinating exhibition of items supplied by the volunteers on the themes of engineering and technology, and ride on the narrow-gauge railway. www.kemptonsteam.org FROM 21 TO 22 MARCH MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND: TEA BLENDING Ham House & Garden, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7RS

Time: 12-4pm Cost: £1 per tea bag Concoct a special selection of your very own. Choose from a range of flavours to make a signature blend. Children welcome, please supervise them during this activity. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hamhouse-and-garden 22 MARCH MOTHER’S DAY Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Surrey GU4 7RT

Time: 10am – 5pm. Treat your mum to a day at Hatchlands Park. Mums go free. Normal admission applies. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlan ds-park 22 MARCH MOTHER’S DAY 2020 Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG

Time: 10am-4pm. Free entry into Claremont for mums when accompanied by their children. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremon t-landscape-garden 22 MARCH BROOKLANDS MINI DAY Brookland’s Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0QN

Time: 9am-5pm. All types of Mini

What’s On - March/April 2020 (including the modern BMW) are invited to this annual event, so expect displays in all areas of the Museum site. From the oldest to the newest, this year’s event will see some of the earliest examples nestling among hundreds of Minis and their variations including vans and pickups. 01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com 22 MARCH THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE (310YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 3pm Cost: £10 (£9) What if you discovered the secret that your grouchy neighbour is really a wizard whose house is powered entirely by magic? With intricate puppetry, hilarious characters and sumptuous design join us for a thrilling story in things might not always be quite what they seem … Don’t forget that magic wand! 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk FROM 28 MARCH TO 19 APRIL SPRING TRAIL: SENSORY SCAVENGERS

Winkworth Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Godalming GU8 4AD Time: 10am-4pm. Cost: £1 per trail (normal admission applies) Put your super senses to work and see what you can discover in the Arboretum. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkwort h-arboretum FROM 28 MARCH TO 20 APRIL ‘TREE TRUMPS’ TRAIL Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG

Time: 10.30am - 4pm Cost: Normal admission applies plus £1 per trail. Explore Claremont far and wide with the whole family. Collect fascinating facts about the amazing trees dotted around the garden to play 'tree trumps' at the end with your friends and family. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremon t-landscape-garden 29 MARCH DUST (4-9YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 3pm. Cost: £10 (£9) Dust uses exquisite poetic language to explore a heartfelt story about love, loss, identity and memory. With haunting music by Hugo White of The Maccabees, this striking and emotional new play is a joyous reminder about just how playful the world can be. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk

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FROM 4 TO 9 AND 14 TO 19 APRIL UGLY BUG BALL Dapdune Wharf, Wharf Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4RR

Time: 11am-5pm Cost: Normal admission plus £2.50 for children’s activities Celebrate the magnificent and beautiful minibeasts that call Dapdune Wharf home. Come and dance at our daily ball (silent disco) and make some new buggy friends. Which minibeast will you come as to our Ugly Bug Ball? www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey-and-godalming-navigationsand-dapdune-wharf FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Bocketts Farm, Young St, Fetcham, KT22 9BS

Hundreds of gorgeous baby lambs, Meet the Shepherd sessions, Meet the Easter Bunny, Easter Quiz Trail with chocolate treats, Fun Easter shows in the Easter Garden, Baby chicks and bunnies to meet, Spring craft making and End of day disco! 01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL GRUFFALO ADVENTURES Kew, TW9 3AB

Families are invited to play the role of the ‘little brown mouse’ and follow a specially curated trail to track down The Gruffalo. With map in hand and face-painted whiskers, children will discover the animals’ hiding spots, and interactive activities at each stop will enable them to see the world from the perspective of each character. www.kew.org FROM 4 TO 19 APRIL EASTER WATER FUN AT THE LONDON MUSEUM OF WATER & STEAM The London Museum of Water and Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, TW8 0EN

Join in with Easter activities every day at the London Museum of Water & Steam. www.waterandsteam.org.uk 5 APRIL LONDON BUS MUSEUM SPRING GATHERING Brookland’s Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0QN

Time: 10am-5pm. The South East’s biggest, longest-running and bestloved bus show is back and will be a fabulous day out for families and continued on page 30

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What’s On - March/April 2020 transport enthusiasts alike. For the family, there are the bus excursions and two free circular service routes to ride, children’s activities and more. 01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com 5 APRIL PIGS & BEARS DON’T COME IN PAIRS! (3-8YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 3pm Cost: £10 (£9) If two’s company and three’s a crowd, then book your place now for these well loved stories, retold with puppets, original music and a perfectly petite pop up set. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk FROM 6 TO 9 & 14 TO 17 APRIL EASTER HOLIDAY FUN: READY TO RACE Brookland’s Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0QN

Time: 10am-5pm. This Easter get your overalls on and step into one of the workshops as you explore the science behind speed. There will also be an Easter Egg trail, car rides, pedal planes, Concorde Mini Tours and London Bus Museum will be operating bus rides around the local area. 01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com FROM 7 TO 8 APRIL QUACKY RACES Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD

Time: 11am - 3pm. Borrow one of the plastic ducks and race it down the river to see if yours will be the fastest in this Morden Hall Park classic. Booking not needed. 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mordenhall-park

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12 APR HAVE-A-GO ARCHERY Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Surrey GU4 7RT

will include information and identification points of the birds seen. www.rhs.org.uk

Cost: Normal admission applies + £2.50 for 6 arrows. Try your hand with a bow and arrow with experts from H&H Archery. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlan ds-park

FROM 18 TO 19 APRIL MODEL RAILWAYS Kempton Steam Museum, Kempton Park Waterworks, Snakey Lane, Middlesex, TW13 6XH

FROM 14 TO 17 APRIL COLOURFUL SPRING CRAFTS Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG

Time: 11am -1pm Cost: £2 per craft (normal admission applies) Join in easy to make creative crafts that will bring some colourful Easter fun to your home. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremon t-landscape-garden FROM 16 TO 17 APRIL THE GREAT BIG TREE CLIMB IS BACK! (6+ ONLY) Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD

This Easter you can join instructors from the Big Tree Company for an exciting tree top adventure at Morden Hall Park. Experts will lead the session and show children and adults too on how to safely climb into the canopy of our tallest London Plane. 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mordenhall-park 18 APRIL RSPB FAMILY BIRDWALK RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

Time: 8.30-10am Take an early morning walk around RHS Garden Wisley with the North West Surrey RSPB and discover the sight and sound of bird life dwelling in the garden. This informal walk

This is the weekend for every train buff regardless of age, with working and interactive displays to entertain adults and children alike. See the Triple in steam both days and ride on the narrow-gauge railway. www.kemptonsteam.org 19 APRIL MG AND BRITISH MARQUES DAY Brookland’s Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge KT13 0QN

Time: 10am-5pm Celebrate the best of British manufacturing at this all marque event. There will be action on Test Hill, Cavalcade at Mercedes-Benz World, club displays around the site and traditional British fare in the Café. 01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com 19 APRIL ROLLING DOWN THE ROAD (3-11YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 3pm Cost: £10 (£9) Family singer songwriter David Gibb is proud to be the driver of the world's first bus to be powered by song. Guaranteed to have both parents and children singing along, this is a show that the whole family can enjoy together. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk

SATURDAY 25 APRIL FAMILY FUN ON ST GEORGE’S DAY

Whitton High Street 11am. St George's Day Parade & Fun Day, Whitton High Street. 11am-6pm: Main Parade 12noon www.lovewhitton.co.uk EVERY SUNDAY FROM APRIL 26TH TRY GEOCACHING Shalford Mill, near Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8BS

Time: 11am-4pm Drop in and borrow GPS devices, with a pre-set trail (2 mile circular walk) to find clues to the hidden cache at the mill. Normal admission applies, £2 for trail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shalfordmill 26 APR DAWN CHORUS WALK Winkworth Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Godalming GU8 4AD

Time: 5.30-8am Cost: £18 per person Join us as the sun rises and the birds sing for an early morning guided walk in celebration of International Dawn Chorus day. Breakfast included. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkwort h-arboretum 26 APRIL SPY MONKEY (4+YRS) 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS

Time: 3pm. Cost: £10 (£9) A contemporary retelling of a classic Indian tale from the Ramayana. Three incredible performers use hip-hop and Bharata Natyam dance, music and story-telling to excite and engage young audiences and adults alike. 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk

Join Whitton’s St George's Day Parade & Fun Day Whitton’s St George's Day Parade & Fun Day has grown from a small community gathering to a major event, drawing in people from all over the borough and beyond. This year the Parade and Fun Day runs from 11am to 6pm, with the main parade at midday. There’s a street market of over 50 stalls featuring community groups, schools, PTAs, gift, clothing, jewellery and food; two stages packed full of entertainment and a Punch and Judy show running several times throughout the day.

Come and meet special guests a real Pearly King, Chelsea Pensioners, Stormtroopers, Disney Characters and possibly a celebrity or two - and join in the biggest street fair the borough! The focus of the parade has always been youth and community, so they are inviting all youth and community groups who wish to take part to send their details for inclusion in the parade. Check the website for more information. St George's Day Parade & Fun Day, Whitton High Street. 11am6pm: Main Parade 12noon https://www.lovewhitton.co.uk

30 • Kingston • Richmond • Brentford • Isleworth • Spelthorne • North Surrey - March/April 2020

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