ISSUE NO. 138 ESTABLISHED 1996
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FR
APRIL 2012
®
www.familiesse.co.uk
south east london
online edition
with working website links
Ruskin House School To Teach is to Touch a Life Forever
Private Day Care 3 Months – 5 Years Open 51 Weeks a Year 7am – 7pm
OPEN DAY Saturday 14th April 2012 11am – 2pm We look forward to meeting you 48 Herne Hill, SE24 9QP
Tel: 020 7737 4317 w w w . r u s k i n h o u s e s c h o o l @ h o t m a i l . c o . u k
OH HOW WE love this warmer weather; although there’s nothing like sunshine to show how much the windows could do with a buff and polish. And the lawn needs its first cut. And the hedge is looking rather straggly. The children can ‘help’ by tidying the borders with a small trowel as long as they remember “please put that down NOW - you know mummy doesn’t like worms...” Looking ahead, in our May issue we are running a big party feature, with tips for children’s birthdays, the Jubilee, the Olympics - you name it, there’s plenty to celebrate this year. If you are a party supplier or entertainer, this is a great time to advertise your services to our readers - ask for our rates! Meanwhile, making the most of weekends out and about and hot cross buns for tea all sound good to me - Happy Easter. Robina Cowan, editor
LocalNews email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk
s Reader Offer
IN THIS ISSUE
2-4 Local News Special offers for Families readers; school open days; and local activities for parents and children
5-7 Education News Sydenham High celebrate their 125th anniversary; school and club gymnasts gear up for the Olympics; and a parent expert explains how children with ‘special needs’ are unique and special
8-9 Easter Holiday Workshops Sports, daycamps, theatre arts and more two pages of supervised activities for the school holidays
10-11 What’s New These are a few of our favourite things...
12 Mothers Mean Business Canvas & Cream is a new social enterprise space in the heart of Forest Hill; brought together by three generations of one local family
13 Book Review Page The pick of the best new books for parents and children, reviewed by Justine Crow
14-18 What’s On Five pages of diary dates for grown ups, events and exhibitions for families, shows, music, art activities and fun in the great outdoors. It’s spring make the most of it!
19 Luca & Maya make... Another delightful page to inspire your children at home. This month, decorating Easter eggs
20 The Back Page
WIN a month’s bootcamp training Wouldn’t you love to look great and feel amazing this spring? Shenda Falvey Personal Training & Bootcamps is offering one lucky Families reader the chance to win a month’s course of twelve morning bootcamp classes, (three per week), to have you in tiptop condition this spring. From new mums and unfit beginners to marathon winners and fitness fanatics, these outdoor sessions are fun and motivational with an upbeat group dynamic. Suitable for men and women, they offer a complete body workout and are guaranteed to get results fast! Designed to burn fat and improve body shape, they cater for all ages and abilities by offering a range of levels for all exercises - basic to advanced. So whatever your capability, if you want to increase your fitness, stamina and energy levels while improving muscular tone, strength and endurance, these classes are for you. Unlike other bootcamps, a fully qualified personal trainer plans and delivers each session to ensure you achieve your goals, and with classes changing daily no muscle is left untrained! With the spectacular backdrop of the O2 and Canary Wharf, the bootcamps take place at Central Park on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings between 9.30-10.30am and also Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7.30-8.30pm. For more information about bootcamps, directions, prices or to discuss personal training options visit the website www.shendafalveypersonaltraining.com, or contact Shenda directly by email shenda@shendafalveypersonaltraining.com or phone 07887 727 335. The prize is a consecutive 4-week course of three bootcamps per week, taking place on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 9.30-10.30am. The course must be completed by 16 June 2012. ENTER NOW! It’s easy to enter at www.familiesse.co.uk - click ‘competitions’ in the toolbar. Or send your name, address and a contact number to ‘Bootcamp Competition’, Families South East, PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB by Monday 16 April 2012.
Local business contacts to make your life easier Front cover: Maisie wears dress from £14 and shoes from £8 by F&F at Tesco, 0845 226 0435, www.tesco.com/clothing Next issue out: 4 May, copy deadline 16 April Families South East PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB 020 8699 7240 www.familiesse.co.uk editor@familiesse.co.uk
© Families South East. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Families South East is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.
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families south east - april 2012
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WIN A copy of ‘Learning Together: what Montessori can offer your family’ Put the quality back into family time! Have you ever wondered... • How to make positive parenting a way of life? • What ‘Montessori’ means? • How to tap in to your baby’s or child’s potential? • How to encourage your child to be more independent? Whether you are a family with several children or expecting your first, Learning together: What Montessori can offer your What Montesso ri family brings the Montessori philosophy alive can offer your fam and into your home, with an overview of ily Montessori ideas and a wealth of practical ideas for incorporating them into your family life. For more information on Montessori or to purchase a copy of the book, priced £6.99, go to: www.montessori.org.uk/bookstore READER OFFER: We have five copies of Learning Together to be won. It’s easy to enter at www.familiesse.co.uk - click ‘competitions’ in the toolbar. Or send your name and address to ‘Montessori Competition’, Families South East, PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB by 27 April 2012.
Learning Together
MONTESS ORI
Tennis club open day If you’ve ever thought about joining a tennis club, this spring would be a good time, when Families readers can save 20% on membership fees. Sydenham Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club has seven floodlit tennis courts, two squash courts and a beautiful croquet lawn. On Bank Holiday Monday, 7 May, they are throwing open their doors to welcome visitors of all ages and abilities. Bring friends and family and try your hand at tennis, squash, racquet ball or croquet. Club coaches will be on hand to offer tips and advice on how to improve your game. All equipment will be provided or feel free to bring your own. The open day is a fun way to find out more about the sports on offer, which include social doubles with players of a similar level, individual and group coaching for adults and juniors, children’s holiday courses, league matches and evening events in the clubhouse/ bar. Coaches and members will be happy to answer any questions you have during your visit. The open day runs from 11am-2pm at the club on Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham SE26 6ET. 020 8778 4217, www.sltcc.co.uk, email info@sltcc.co.uk. READER OFFER: Mention Families magazine to receive a 20% discount on membership when you sign up on the day.
Activities for Children
News for Grown Ups Open day dates
Start imagining Start Imagining is a programme for primary and secondary schools which aims to stimulate young people to create arts and crafts from scrap or reclaimed materials. The initiative is inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales to encourage simple steps to sustainable living. The campaign has been launched with a competition for 5-16 year-olds. From Tip to Ship invites children to create a model boat from reclaimed materials, taking inspiration from the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, which will take place on 3 June. The winning creations and five runner-up entries will form part of a special exhibition to be displayed at the Discover Greenwich centre at the Old Royal Naval College throughout June. The creators of the winning boat will receive a tour of London, culminating in a special visit to the Old Royal Naval College, plus exclusive art kits provided by the specialist Cumbrian pencil company, Derwent. The ‘Start Imagining’ programme and competition are available to schools through free, online resource packs designed by Cool it Schools and Craft Club. The website demonstrates practical skills such as knitting and sewing and provide a selection of exciting art and design projects including; how to build a Junk City, make a puppet,
‘Stuff Your Own Doodle’, Tetra Ants, and Plastic Portraits. All competition entries must be received by 16 April 2012. Full competition details and terms and conditions are available from www.startimagining.co.uk.
Bilingüebabies Bilingüebabies is a new Spanish class for families with under 4 year-olds. Set up by a local mother, the interactive sessions help babies and toddlers learn Spanish through action songs, music, colourful props, gestures and puppets. The classes take place on Monday mornings at St Hilda’s Church in Crofton Park SE4. For information, call Audrey on 07989 779 578 or email bilinguebabies@gmail.com.
The following independent schools are welcoming prospective parents and pupils for 2013 entry. For more schools features and information and more open day dates, go to www.familiesse.co.uk: • Ruskin House School, 14 April, ages 3 months - 5 years, 48 Herne Hill, SE24 9QP, 020 7737 4317, www.ruskinhouseschool.co.uk • Bromley High School GDST, 14 May Juniors and Seniors. Blackbrook Lane BR1, 020 8781 7000, www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net • Eltham College, Age 11+ Saturday 16 June, ages 7+ and 11+ Saturday 15 September. Grove Park Road, Mottingham, London SE9 4QF. 020 8857 1455, www.eltham-college.org.uk • Rosemead Preparatory School, 24 May and 14 June, Prep 70 Thurlow Park Road SE21 8HZ, Pre-Prep Elmcourt Road, London SE27 9BZ, 020 8670 5865, www.rosemeadprepschool.org.uk • Streatham & Clapham High School GDST, Junior School Tuesday 15 May and 26 June. Wavertree Road SW2, 020 8674 6912, www.schs.gdst.net • Colfe’s School, Nursery to Prep, 15 May, 020 8463 8240, Senior School 19 June 2012. Horn Park Lane SE12, 020 8852 2283, www.colfes.com • Croydon High School GDST, Nursery and Reception 16 May, Junior and Senior Schools 17 May. Old Farleigh Road CR2, 020 8260 7508, www.croydonhigh.gdst.net.
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april 2012 - families south east
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YES, YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL!
Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside and without compromising family commitments or current career. If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle, please call Skye Edwards
07973 749 846 Imagination for the Everyday Early years Drama www.theatretots.com
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Early days course for new parents
Dulwich Books wins award
NCT Early Days postnatal courses are designed for parents who are experiencing the huge lifestyle changes that a new baby brings. Topics covered include how parents deal with issues such as coping with babies’ feeding, sleeping and crying patterns. Parents are encouraged to share ideas, enjoyment and experiences to help support others and understand more about your baby and your skills as a parent. The sessions are supportive, inclusive and friendly, and offer the chance to meet other local parents with new babies. Kate Ensor, postnatal leader for the NCT Greenwich branch explained: “We discuss changing roles, how becoming a parent affects us inside and out, how relationships may be affected and the importance of ensuring we have time to look after ourselves and recharge our own batteries. You will be supported to develop strategies that work for you and your baby.” NCT Early Days is for parents whose babies are six months or younger. The next course in Greenwich and Blackheath runs from 17 April to 22 May. There is a charge for the course but discounted rates are available for those on low incomes. Call Alison on 0844 243 6921 or email bookings4h@nct.org.uk. For details of your nearest local NCT branch call 0300 330 0770 or visit www.nct.org.uk.
Congratulations to Dulwich Books on being named the London Independent Bookshop of the Year. Now in its third year, The Bookseller Industry Awards recognise the very best in and of the book trade. The unchanging aim of the awards is to celebrate the very best of publishing, retailing and libraries, and Dulwich Books is naturally very excited to have won the London region for best independent. Commenting on the award, Sheila and the team told us “We are very proud to have been chosen for this prestigious award by our colleagues in the book industry and join the other six independent bookshops from across the UK and Ireland for the winner, decided on Monday 14 May. As well as a great stock of books for adults and children, Dulwich Books hosts author talks and runs children’s events. Find out more instore at 6 Croxted Road, West Dulwich SE21 8SW, or go to www.dulwichbooksevents.com.
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Writing courses at Alhambra Plans are afoot to run a series of writing courses in the tearoom at Alhambra Home & Garden in Sydenham. Screen-writing, feature-writing and creative writing are some of the options. If you’re interested, email rebecca@alhambrahome.co.uk.
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families south east - april 2012
School place appeals Thousands of 11 year-olds across southeast London missed out on their preferred secondary school place in this year's allocations. While many were offered their second, third or fourth preferences, others missed as many as six of their choices. In total, a third of local children failed to secure their preferred school, while one in 20 missed out on the maximum number of choices possible. The situation is partly driven by increasing demand for improving secondary schools in the area, along with rising competition from pupils previously in the independent sector. "We are seeing more areas around the UK becoming increasingly short on secondary school places", says Suzi Freeman from Making Experiences Count. "This is very likely to lead to a sharp rise in the number of parents lodging official appeals." Making Experiences Count is one of a new generation of parent training organisations based solely on the Admissions Appeal process. Suzi explained: "Our core objective is to steer parents through the stormy waters of hearings. We do this in our uniquely parent-friendly way, incorporating knowledge and understanding from specialists who are also parents." For more information, go to www.schoolsappeal.com.
Waiting in - for you A new London-based company offers householders a convenient way to manage their more inconvenient domestic appointments. No more begging a favour from a friendly neighbour or grandparent to stay in and wait for that delivery - Waiting In do just that, so you don’t have to. Whether it’s letting in a plumber or taking delivery of a sofa, the team of reliable, vetted and fully insured sitters is available for half or full day bookings across London. Prices start at £60 for a half day, with no monthly subscriptions or membership fees. Call 0845 519 8080 or go to www.waitingin.co.uk.
2012 games This summer’s London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be amazing festival of sport and culture; a breathtaking event that the whole nation can get excited about. The Local Leader programme is an opportunity for people across the UK to celebrate in their local area. At the heart of every celebration will be the one person who makes a difference - an organiser or someone who makes things happen. All you need is an idea of how you will celebrate the Games. You can create your own events or use the ideas communities across the UK suggested to London 2012. From gardening for the games to planning a sports quiz, an opening night in or a super Saturday barbecue, it’s a special opportunity to get friends, family and neighbours to celebrate the greatest sporting event in the world. For inspiration and to register, go to www.london2012.com/localleaders.
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school news
GYMBOREE HERNE HILL Award Winning Classes for 0-5’s
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Beauty lies within at Sydenham High School Sydenham High School launched its 125th anniversary celebrations with a spectacular production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, including a Gala Reception on the final night for staff, governors and parents attended by the Chief Executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust, Helen Fraser. The production showcased the acting and musical talents of girls from across the entire Senior School with the actors supported by the school’s orchestra and chamber choir. It was a real Disney experience, with many of the children in the audience turning up in costumes and able to meet the characters for photos and autographs. Kathryn Pullen, Headteacher, reflected on how the play’s theme that beauty really does lies within was an important reminder to girls in today’s image-obsessed world. Helen Fraser, CEO of the GDST, reflected on the school’s 125 year history and how proud its original founders would be of the school’s outstanding inspection report which was published in December 2011. Sydenham High School is an independent day school in southeast London educating girls from 4-18. The school, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, offers an academic education that prepares girls for university and for a future built on each girl’s abilities and interests. For admissions information, call 020 8577 7000 or go to www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net.
Equipping pupils for a changing world www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk
Exceptional independent secondary school for boys & girls For enrolment and all inclusive fee details call 020 7228 3933 Thames Christian College, Wye Street, London SW11 2HB
YES, I can touch-type Touch-typing taught in just 10 hours Book now for Easter Holiday Courses
Young gymnasts prepare for the Olympics Streatham & Clapham High School (SCHS) pupils and their coaches were invited to attend the London Prepares Series and act as award bearers, presenting medals and flowers to winners at the Victory Ceremony for gymnastics. The SCHS pupils and coaches from Gemstones Gym Club were delighted to be chosen to attend this international qualifier event at the O2, part of the preparation and testing of venues for the 2012 Olympic Games. They were invited by London Schools’ Gymnastics in recognition of their outstanding achievements in gymnastics. Gemstones provides a community hub for Streatham gymnastics and has a long association with SCHS. Their collaboration has resulted in the school’s impressive record in national gymnastics events. SCHS and Gemstones have also joined with Lambeth Sport to train and prepare local gymnasts for the London Youth Games. Streatham & Clapham High School is an independent junior and senior girls day school (3ñ18 years) and member of the Girls’ Day School Trust. Its mission is to prepare girls for life in C21 with a high quality academic education; pupils are encouraged to be high achieving, independent, responsive and caring individuals who view life with a broad perspective. For admissions information, call 020 8677 8400 or go to www.schs.gdst.net.
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‘It has proved an enormous advantage as Max has started secondary school.’ Mother of 11 year old. With proper tuition children can learn to touch-type
surprisingly quickly and, whatʼs more, enjoy the whole experience. ■ Improved speed and effectiveness in study. ■ Well presented work increases self-esteem. ■ There are particular benefits for those with dyslexia or dyspraxia.
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april 2012 - families south east
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education news
Unique and Special - when your child is different
by Sue Atkins I have recently been coaching some wonderful After the initial shock of discovering your child is unique and special, gently and slowly change your parents who have a child with ADHD and as a focus from one of despair to gently and gradually former teacher of many children with unique starting to see it as an opportunity to learn how to and different needs, I have been exploring help you and your child to explore and discover with them how to handle the painful and often more about themselves. overwhelming feelings associated with dealing * Remember: Giving a child a label can limit them. with the diagnosis that their child is different. Children who are unique need your parenting Some parents will always focus on the difficulties approach to be individual, flexible and creative as and grieve their child’s lost potential compared to well as consistent and clear because they have others, but I challenge you to see beyond the different needs from other children and this can be diagnosis - to become a family who sees your very stressful for you as a parent. child’s challenges as making their triumphs even sweeter and your child’s apparent ‘weaknesses’ always being balanced by their amazing strengths.
What is ‘unique and special?’
‘Special needs’ is like an umbrella sheltering and hiding a huge collection of diagnoses underneath. Children with ‘special’ or ‘different’ needs may have trouble paying attention, profound mental retardation or be gifted, or they may have a food allergy, be terminally ill or have a stammer. The vastness of the term can be confusing and bewildering. Special needs is often commonly defined by what your child can’t do - by milestones unmet, foods banned, activities avoided and experiences denied. These minuses can hit you as a family really hard and may make ‘special needs’ seem like a tragic designation or a millstone around everyone’s neck. But I believe that a label should not limit a child’s potential and I see every child as a way to find a new opportunity to explore their potential in a new or different way that hasn’t yet been tried. I have worked and trained with Dr Richard Bandler - the co-creator and founder of NLP when I was training to become an NLP Master Practitioner and Trainer. He is an extraordinary man who challenges accepted ways of doing things and stereotyped labels as he is curious and fascinated by different and new ways to explore the way the brain works and how it can be improved and fine-tuned to enable everyone to reach their true potential.
Dealing with the diagnosis that your child is different The diagnosis is useful for getting the support or services your child needs and it is helpful in setting appropriate goals and gaining understanding that your child has a unique talent or unique need, but I think it is worth pointing out that the diagnosis may come as shock or a relief to you and that whatever your reaction it is perfectly normal - some of you will have known from an early stage that your child was different, but for others of you it may be years before you guessed it and it may have taken you many visits to professionals to receive a clear diagnosis and for you to accept the new situation. I remember when I was teaching a Reception class when a little boy arrived on the first morning into the classroom and just ran round and round, then he started eating the sand and rocking on his seat sucking his thumb, looking bewildered and scared. His Mum hadn’t wanted to bring him to the two “getting to meet the teacher” afternoons as she was frightened and scared herself about what was happening to her son but we helped the family get some professional help, support and a clear diagnosis of autism; and when I bumped into the
little boy’s Dad one lunchtime in the local butcher’s he looked so relieved, relaxed and optimistic I was pleased we had helped the family come to terms with something that was overwhelming and frightening. They were moving forward with their lives, facing the challenges and anxieties and getting the help and support they all needed. Here are some tips that you may find useful in the weeks and months ahead after receiving the news of a diagnosis for the first time. • Give yourself time to come to terms and to develop an understanding of what this diagnosis means for you, your child and your family. Avoid making any rash or major decisions in the weeks following the diagnosis. • If you need to, do seek another appointment with the professional who gave you the diagnosis so you can ask more questions. Before any consultations decide what you want from the meeting and jot down any questions you have it’s very easy to forget them during a meeting. Don’t forget to make a note of the answers. • If you can’t go to meetings together do take a friend or relative if you want support and another pair of ears to help you remember want was said. • The diagnosis may affect each of you as parents differently - while one of you may be able to accept the diagnosis, the other may feel that it is not correct and continue searching for alternative explanations for your child’s difficulty - that’s why it’s important to give yourself time and discuss all the decisions made about your child. • Be aware that there will be mixed reactions from your family and friends to the news of the diagnosis - some are very supportive or some are very hurtful and distressing. • Educate yourself about the condition that is affecting your child - use all the sources of information available to you - library, internet, other parents, organisations - knowledge is power. • Do seek a second opinion on the diagnosis if you feel the diagnosis you have received is flawed. • Get to know the professionals in your area. Who are they? Where are they based? Do they work as a team or individually? Try to get to know the team that is dealing with your child and build a relationship with them.
education news
Lack of sleep devastates the school day Lack of sleep among primary school children is having a devastating effect in schools with nine out of 10 teachers complaining that pupils are so tired they are unable to pay attention in class. More than a third said lack of sleep among youngsters is a daily problem for them. Nearly nine out of 10 teachers felt that too many distractions in the bedroom (games machines, TVs etc) were at the root of the sleep related problems, along with the fact parents are simply not strict enough about enforcing bedtimes. The poll of 250 primary school teachers was conducted for The Sleep Council which launched its first ever ‘sleep awareness’ project in schools - “Better Brains with More Sleep”. It aims to teach primary school children the importance of a good night’s sleep and the factors - such as regular bedtimes and a good bed - that can affect it. Commenting on the survey results, Siôn Humphreys, Policy Advisor for the National Association of Headteachers said: “NAHT is pleased to support this important initiative, drawing attention as it does to an oft-hidden yet significant matter. Schools cannot succeed without effective partnerships with the home. A tired and irritable child will not thrive, particularly in the active and pacey modern classroom. NAHT is particularly concerned about the still small but rising numbers of pupils who stay up late engaged in online gaming.” The Sleep Council’s free ‘Good-Night Guide for Children’ booklet is filled with hints and tips for parents on how to help their children get a good night’s sleep. It can be downloaded from www.sleepcouncil.org.uk or by calling the leaflet line on 0800 018 7923.
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families south east - april 2012
Children love reading Up and down the country, Chatterbooks groups encourage primary school children to get the reading bug through fun, shared activities. With top children’s author Jacqueline Wilson as its patron, and authors and publishers supporting the scheme, Chatterbooks helps librarians, teachers, parents and anyone wanting to run a Chatterbooks group find out about the best children’s books and ideas to get children love reading. Joining the network is free, along with the chance to sign up for the Chatterbooks e-newsletter, tips on getting a group started and promotional goodies from children’s publishers. It also harnesses the involvement of young volunteers. For full information on all Chatterbooks has to offer, and more details about how to join, email chatterbooks@readingagency.org.uk or visit www.readinggroups.org/chatterbooks.
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education news • Begin to keep notes of all your meetings with the professionals you are working with and if a professional is compiling a report on your child ask for a copy to keep with your records. Many parents I’ve worked with find it very helpful and supportive to be involved with the organisation or support group that represent children and families with similar special needs. I know making the initial contact can be a very big and frightening step but remember these groups can be a source of fantastic ongoing help and support. When you are ready, do make contact. You are not alone - and it helps to know that.
How a diagnosis affects you The reaction to hearing a diagnosis for the first time will be individual to you and how you react will depend on a number of factors such as: • the severity of the diagnosis • nature of diagnosis and the prognosis for your child • your child’s age • presence of other associated disabilities • your previous experiences and knowledge of the condition diagnosed • your child’s temperament • your own temperament • the amount of help available • how you were told about the diagnosis It’s perfectly normal to grieve after hearing a diagnosis and most parents experience a reaction similar to a feeling of bereavement - because while of course you love your child whether they have special needs or not, it is important to acknowledge that you have suffered the loss of a child who may have followed a customary path of development.
Of course, the presence of a child with special needs in your family alters your family relationships and the way it may now function, including the closeness of parents and other siblings. However, remember these changes may be positive as well as negative. It is down to your positive attitude and mindset about how you are going to handle this challenge. That’s why I am passionate about using strategies and techniques that I’ve learnt in my 22 years as a teacher and from my years of studying NLP to help you move forward in your lives creating the happy, harmonious and fulfilling relationships and experiences that you all deserve. If you’d like to find out more about positive ways to raise children with unique and special needs, there is far more detail and resources in Chapter 14 of my book Raising Happy Children for Dummies which covers Dyslexia, ADD, Dyspraxia, Asperger’s Sydrome, and the gifted and talented.
About the author Sue Atkins is a parenting expert, broadcaster, speaker and author of Raising Happy Children for Dummies’, Parenting Made Easy CDs and a Parenting Made Easy app for iPhones and iPads. Sue’s new book Parenting Made Easy is published this month by Random House. Find out more at www.thesueatkins.com.
Family Legal Services To arrange an initial free consultation please ring
020 8858 6971 Friendly, professional legal advice Email family@grantsaw.co.uk Visit www.grantsaw.com Norman House, 110-114 Norman Road, Greenwich, SE10 9EH Find us just around the corner from Greenwich train & DLR stations
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UK children ‘culturally starved’ Millions of British children have never been to an art gallery, theatre or stage show, a new survey revealed. The ‘culture starved’ generation emerged in a study carried out among 2,000 parents of five to 12 year-olds throughout the UK. Incredibly, four in 10 children have never seen the inside of an art gallery. Half of the parents surveyed admit they make little effort to educate their children on culture or history. Instead, they rely on schools to take full responsibility for sight-seeing trips and educational visits to local attractions. And as for seeing historical sites across the UK - by the time they reach their teens, the average child won’t yet have set eyes upon famous landmarks such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Stonehenge or the Angel of the North. London parents have the edge when it comes to cultural opportunities, with some of the country’s finest museums an easy bus ride away, and many offer not just free admission, but free or low-cost drop-in sessions too, where staff bring the collections to life with fun activities. Be inspired by our What’s On pages - you’ll be doing your child a big favour, and have fun at the same time.
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Offering professional and creative solutions for all legal issues including:
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7R PDNH DQ LQLWLDO IUHH HQTXLU\ SOHDVH FRQWDFW Nicola Gunn RQ 020 7940 4000 RU YLVLW www.anthonygold.co.uk All solicitors are experienced and accredited specialists Lloyds Bank Chambers 186 Streatham High Road London, SW16 1BG
The Counting House 53 Tooley Street London Bridge City London, SE1 2QN
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Easter Activities THE HOLIDAYS are a’ coming and the endless weeks of the Easter break loom ahead, long and empty. You’ve ‘done’ the park but don’t want your children stuck in front of the TV.
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Top tips
School support Families to the rescue! We’ve tracked down the best of the many clubs and classes running during the holidays. And if you need to work, you’ll know your children are safe and supervised while you do so. From sports to performing arts, drama to cookery and clay modelling, there’s something for everyone.
Holiday activities can be a great experience for children: classes can play a big role in physical and intellectual growth, while working with others helps them learn cooperation and teamwork. The chance to hone a new talent or skill gives children confidence, while having fun and making new friends.
Theatre, dance and music ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND WITH PERFORM 2-4 April, St Stephen’s Millennium Hall in DULWICH and St George’s Church Hall in BECKENHAM, 0845 400 1277, www.perform.org.uk Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice on an adventure that childhood dreams are made of, exploring the weird and winsome world of Wonderland. Based on Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, children will meet a host of strange and marvellous characters on a three day course specially designed to stimulate creativity, confidence and communication skills. Together with a team of experienced young theatre professionals, the children will combine live original music, inspirational dance and quick witted improvisation into a colourful mini performance on the final day. Ages 4-8 years, 2.30-4.30pm each day. Weekly termtime classes are also available. ‘TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL’ WITH STAGECOACH 10-13 April in EAST DULWICH, 0845 055 6368, www.stagecoach.co.uk/dulwich.html ‘Too Cool For School’ is all about hit songs, scenes and dance numbers from musicals that feature young performers including Shrek, Horrid Henry, Matilda, Camp Rock, The Lion King and many more. The Easter Workshop is four fun-filled days of dance, drama and singing with a free presentation on the last day for family and friends to enjoy. No previous experience required - all you need is enthusiasm! Two age groups: 4-7 and 8-16 years. Book first, sibling discount available. BUZZ THE BEE WITH THEATRE BUGS 3-5 April in BLACKHEATH, CHARLTON and CLAPHAM, 11-13 April in EAST DULWICH, GREENWICH and DEPTFORD, www.theatrebugs.co.uk Three fun-filled days of dressing up, acting, singing, arts and crafts with a show for parents on the last day. Meet Buzz the Bee, the busiest bee in all of Fuzzyway Forest! Buzz around with him to help Fairy Petal, Bounce the Bunny and even the Queen Bee herself. Will Buzz get all his jobs done before the
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Fuzzyway Festival? Maybe Bellows the Windmaker can help? Three hour sessions each day, £78 a child, discount available for siblings. For East Dulwich and Clapham bookings, call 0800 9755290. For Blackheath, Charlton, Greenwich and Deptford bookings, call 020 8244 2036. DIDDI DANCE Various southeast London venues, 07973 982790, www.diddidance.com Diddi Dance classes continue through school holidays, offering fun and funky dance classes to pre-school boys and girls. Sessions help with co-ordination, rhythm, gross motors skills, socialisation and confidence. FUNKY MONKEY KEYBOARD WORKSHOPS 10 April in STREATHAM, 11 April in HERNE HILL, 0800 107 7949 or visit www.funkymonkey.info Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes are fun throughout the term, and this Easter they are running One Hit Wonder workshops for 5-8 yearolds. Children will learn how to play and write notes C-G, have a basic introduction to music theory, learn famous tunes, and enjoy quizzes and activities. 10am-2.30pm, £30 includes a workbook to take home. MAKE A PLAY TODAY 13 April, LOCHABER HALL, Manor Lane, Hither Green SE13, 0780 107 2776, www.theatretots.com Theatre Tots’ Easter workshop is a unique opportunity to create a brand new story then create and paint the set with local artist Sara Santos. A splash of words, a dab of paint and a whole pot full of imagination for 3-6 year-olds. 10am-12noon, £10 per child. FUNKY MOVES 2-4 April, THE EXHIBIT, 12 Balham Station Road, London SW12 9SG, 020 8772 6556, www.funkymovesdance.com Children will watch a film (Rio, Streetdance or Tangled) in the private cinema while they eat lunch, then practice a dance to the film and perform it to their parents at the end. Ages 5+, noon-3pm each day, £15 per day.
INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING School holidays and weekends, YES TUITION and Training, The Station Building, 187 Greenwich High Road SE10 8HA, 020 8858 9180, www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk Learn a new skill with a touch typing courses run by YES. Children find them fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently in just ten hours. Sessions can be booked to fit around other holiday commitments so children can progress at their own pace. Termtime classes also available. INKHEAD EXAM BUSTERS COURSE 10-12 April in HERNE HILL AND BLACKHEATH, 01749 938137, www.inkhead.co.uk Help your 10-12 year-olds prepare for the creative writing and English language section of school entrance exams. Inkhead tutors show them how to write to persuade, argue and advise; to use metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration and assonance in descriptive pieces; to write within a time constraint; and create one or two characters who become so familiar they will be able to call them to mind in any number of different storylines. Three hours each day, £135 includes books and pens.
Sports TENNIS IN SYDENHAM 2-5 and 10-13 April, SYDENHAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB, Lawrie Park Road SE26 6ET, www.sltcc.co.uk, email chrishowarduk@aol.com Four day group activities with professional coaches. Each session includes tennis coaching, games and other team events, with a mini tournament at the end of each week. Facilities are available for wet-weather activities if necessary. Beginners and improvers welcome. 9am-12noon for 7-10 yearolds, 1-4pm for 11-15 year-olds, £48 for all four days, one day £14. Book with Chris on 0773 993 6999 or Michael on 07956 995820. RAW TENNIS 4-13 April, OLD WILSONIANS’ LAWN TENNIS CLUB, Hayes, Bromley, 07563 603822, www.rawtennis.co.uk The children’s holiday courses are split into two ages groups. Younger children will have an hour’s tennis every morning, concentrating solely on tennis while parents can enjoy coffee and cake while they wait. The sessions for older children include a multi-sport marathon of activities which guarantee to keep them on their toes. All coaches are LTA qualified and fully CRB checked. Ages 4-7 years 9.30am-10.30am, ages 8-14 years 9.15am-3pm. Morning sessions £6 an hour, multi-sports marathon £16.50 with discounts for full week bookings.
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Multi activity daycamps HOLIDAY DROP-OFF 2-5, 10-13 and 16-20 April, DULWICH COLLEGE SPORTS CLUB, Pond Cottages, Dulwich SE21 7LD, 07944 485 552, www.holidaydropoff.com Multi sport daycamps for 4-14 year-olds, offering a wide variety of activities including swimming, football, rugby, athletics, team games, tennis, trampolining and much more. From £32.50 a day, £150 a week, sibling discounts available. 9am-4pm a day, extended days available.
PIC CAPTION: Childrenswear: Oilily Spring/ Summer 2012
CAMP BEAUMONT 2-5 and 10-13 April, COLFE’S SCHOOL, Horn Park Lane, Lee SE12 8AW, 01263 823 000, www.campbeaumont.co.uk/daycamps Multi activity daycamps offering over 40 different activities including sports, games and crafts. Ages 3-17, day passes from £42, four days £140. SUPERCAMPS 2-5 and 10-13 April, venues include BLACKHEATH, STREATHAM and CROYDON, 01235 832222, www.supercamps.co.uk Action packed programmes of sports, arts and crafts for 4-14 year-olds. As well as multi activity days, there are ‘passion for’ courses focusing on specific interests including stage, dance, food, invention and creativity. 9.20am-4.30pm each day, single days £38, four days £140, five days £174, sibling discounts and extended hours available.
Food (glorious food) CRAFTY COOKS 2-5 April, RHUBARB AND CUSTARD CAFE, Manor Lane SE12, 07811 108523, www.craftycooks.co.uk/lewisham The days are split into two cooking sessions, which includes a hot lunch, and an afternoon crafts session. Previous recipes have included custard creams, fresh fruit cupcakes, pizzas and baked vegetable risotto. Fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients are used as much as possible and with it being Easter, expect some seasonal crafts to be brought home! The club is for ages 4-11 (ish) and sessions are 9.30am-1.30pm or 9.30am- 3.30pm. You can book as many or few sessions as you want. £30 per session, discounts available for siblings. MUNCHKINS HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 2-13 April, BLACKHEATH COOKS, 13 Old Dover Road, Blackheath SE3 7BT, www.munchkinskidscooking.co.uk Celebrate Easter at Munchkins with a feast of traditional seasonal treats from all over the world, and lots of other recipes to have fun with. At each session children will make their own morning or afternoon snack, a nutritious lunch or tea, and a couple of tasty recipes to take home and share. There will be a different menu each day, with workshops repeated morning and afternoon. Ages 4-11 years, 9am-12.30pm or 2-5.30pm, £42 per session.
Arts and crafts
materials. 10.30am-12.30pm ages 6-8 years; 2.30-4.30pm ages 9-11 years, £18 per child, book first.
STORYTELLING WITH INKHEAD 3-5 April in HERNE HILL and BLACKHEATH, 01749 938137, www.inkhead.co.uk The course demonstrates how to develop stories from the point of view of different characters, understand time shifts in a story and how to build a storyboard. Individual feedback gives each member of the group appraisal on their ideas, use of English and character development. Suitable for 8-11 yearolds; three hours each day, £135 includes books and pens.
SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM 4, 5 and 11-13 April, SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP, 020 7440 4263, www.soaneeducation.org.uk Discover amazing Greek myths, paint pots, create puppets and prints, design buildings and find out about fascinating freizes. Ages 7+, half days £12, whole days £20.
FUNKY ORIGAMI 4-5 April, DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Make a paper garland to decorate your bedroom or home for Easter. Learn interesting paper and cutting techniques and choose from a range of vintage
PLAY WITH CLAY 10-13 April, STREATHAM & CLAPHAM HIGH SCHOOL, 42 Abbotswood Road, London SW16 1AW, 07930 413649, www.play-with-clay.com Fun and creativity with clay for children aged from six years. 9.30am-3.30pm each day, from £20 per half day including all materials and firing.
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What’sNew Baby
Honey bunnies
Gro-Egg room thermometer and night light Room temperature is vital in creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby, and should be maintained at 16-20 degrees to help reduce the risk of cot death. The Gro-Egg’s colour changing technology makes it easy to see the range from too cold (blue), through to too hot (red), combining a digital read out with a soft ‘nightlight’ glow. Gro-Eggs are fully endorsed by FSID, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Cot death. The product comes with a mains power adaptor, instructions and a safe sleep guide, priced £19.95 from the Baby Sleep Shop, 01425 656060, www.babysleepshop.com.
Time to Tiddley Pom A new baby spa treatment range brings together touch, smell and sound to make baby bonding a pleasurable, easy and relaxing experience. The Tiddley Pom range consists of a massage oil, a soothing lotion, a baby wash, a nappy balm, three music CDs and an instructional baby massage DVD. The products use eco-certified organic ingredients, are made in the UK and each component in the range has been developed by a leading expert in their particular field; cosmetic formulation, aromatherapy, massage or music. Tiddley Pom products have been created with more than parent baby bonding in mind: the music helps soothe and calm both baby and mother, massage helps develop baby muscles and teaches social behaviours, language and movement, while the gorgeous smell of the products helps induce sleep and creates a calming relaxing environment. Tiddley Pom won Junior magazine’s Best Eco Skincare Award 2011. The products can be bought separately and in sets from leading independent health stores and online at www.tiddley-pom.com.
Family Health
Baby animals are as cute and precious as any newborn and the Cobwebs Company is inspired by nature to produce a wonderful new range for babies up to three year-olds. Pop a bunny, frog, giraffe, monkey or lamb-eared hat on your baby and everyone will coo with delight. The hats are handknitted and machine washable and arrive gift wrapped, priced from £14.95 each. Bodysuits are also available to make up a set, priced from £9.95 at www.cobwebknits.co.uk.
Attach-a-Tag is cool We all know that it is essential that children drink plenty of water. Whether at school, a club, playing or travelling, personalised bottles are a perfect way to encourage your child to drink regularly throughout the day. Designed to keep drinks cool, these Attach-A-Tag bottles come with a pull out spout inside the drinking cap and are also supplied with a stopper and clip - which is great for fastening to bags etc. The bottles are available in nine different designs and can be personalised with any name up to 24 characters, making them easily recognisable and fun to use. Each one is £9.95 each. For orders, call Attach-aTag on 01757 638926 or order online at www.attachatag.com. Attach-a-Tag have introduced a new fundraising scheme which is proving popular with schools, nurseries and groups. By registering for the scheme, Attach-a-Tag offers fundraising packs and 10% commission on orders, making for an easy way to raise funds. See the website for more details.
Marmite - start’em young The love-hate relationship with Marmite can start young with the launch of Marmite Toddler Rice Cakes. Perfect for little hands, the mini rice cakes are delicately flavoured to treat young inquisitive taste buds as they explore new flavours. Look out for them in Sainsbury’s and Boots, rrp £1.10 a pack.
Natural headlice treatment It’s lovely when our children bring little friends home from school for tea - but not when they’re headlice. There are plenty of chemically-based treatments on the market which are very effective, but many parents prefer natural ingredients. Pink Ocean Tea Tree and Geranium Conditioner is a new treatment which repels headlice and relieves itchy scalps; addressing prevention as well as cure. Ingredients include the pleasant-scented Tea Tree, Neem Oil, Geranium, Rosemary and Citronella.
The product was developed by a team of pharmacists led by Pink Ocean’s Rosie McDermott (herself a pharmacist, and more importantly a mother of three boys) who says, “Our Tea Tree and Geranium Conditioner eliminates the stigma of the treatment of headlice and can be used every time you wash your child’s hair, throughout the year. It can be kept discreetly on the side of the bath or shower and is in addition great value for money in comparison with other treatments currently on the market.” The conditioning treatment comes in a 150ml pack, priced £5.10 from thehealthcounter.com.
Spring clean your website today!!! lots of fresh ideas for websites, blogs & shops 020 8658 9975
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The online reading program for children! 5 weeks FREE access acccess with this t code: UKJ23LSE Register for FREE www.readingeggs.co.uk REE at ww ww readin
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© www.alanwrightphotography.co.uk
You and Your
s New Product
When Poppy went to London
Fourway Pharmacy 12 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London SE24 9HU
In the wake of the 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Poppy and her trusty dog Fred take a trip to the big city to see what all the fuss is about. Metropolitan icons such as Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Routemaster buses all make an appearance on the charming new London fabric for British designer Bryony Richardson’s latest fashion collection. Aimed at creating a wonderful world of innocent fun, the brand takes children on a magical journey of play and adventure, drawing inspiration from the bygone eras and authors that influenced Bryony when growing up. Bryony’s hand-drawn quirky illustrations are Poppy’s trademark, along with the quality cotton twill. Each charming outfit comes with a storybook telling the tale of Poppy’s newest exploits. The collection is available from John Lewis, Peter Jones in Sloane Square, independent boutiques across the UK, and online at www.poppychildren.co.uk.
• Moltex, Nature, Bambo and Tushies eco-friendly nappies • Buggiboards • Baby passport photos • Green toiletries, homeopathy, aromatherapy • Friendly and free health advice
Special offer! Free pack of eco-friendly nappies when renting a TENS machine for labour!
Guten Appetit! Roger Humbles MRPharmS
Routine, practice and regular subliminal exposure can go a long way to helping children learn, whether spellings, times tables or songs. The World Language Mat is a new product from language based design company Idioma. The colourful double sided, wipe-clean place mats have an outline of a plate, knife, fork, spoon and glass, with the item names in a range of languages, along with the numbers one to ten, and colour blocks. Designer Seth says: “Children will learn how to set a place at the table and family members can take turns describing the colours they see, name their cutlery, count the number of food items on the plate - and all in a new language.” Each mat has English on one side, backed with either Spanish, French, German or Italian, available singly for £4.99 or in packs of four in the four different If you’re looking for designer children’s furniture with languages for £16.99 from personality that is unique to you, you’ve just found it. www.idioma.eu.com. For This maple wood Siamese Chest of Drawers is custom telephone orders, call made and exclusive to Punkin Patch Interiors, 01473 760 180. www.punkinpatch.co.uk, 020 3371 7530.
020 7924 9344 e mail: fourway@npanet.co.uk
wwww.fourwaypharmacy.co.uk
Crawley Studios
Great Fun for Any Age Come along and enjoy the excitement of painting the item of your choice. We provide a large selection of unpainted pottery, from egg cups and mugs to ducks and dinosaurs, as well as paints, brushes, stencils and stamps.
Children’s parties with a difference For further details please ring:
Tel/Fax: 020 8516 0002
Exclusive furniture
www.crawleystudios.co.uk Open daily weekdays, weekends and evenings by appointment only 39 Wood Vale, Forest Hill, London SE23 3DS
nightnannies.com
Ready... steady go!
020 8467 9761
sally@nightnannies.com Encouraging your baby to sleep through the night with maternity experts. We can also provide Maternity Nurses.
Conran Juno is a brand new ride-on toy which develops gross motor skills from the stage babies can stand unaided. The clever geometry adapts from being a ‘stable’ ride-on, to ‘unstable’; encouraging young riders to develop their own balance and stay upright. Made from extremely light, hard wearing nylon with a comfortable moulded foam saddle and wooden handle, Juno has been created and made in Britain by Early Rider, who first created the successful Early Rider bike in 2006. Juno will be launched this month and is suitable from 12 months to around 21⁄2 years, priced £65 from the Conran shop, www.conranshop.uk.uk.
Call Greg Randall on
020 8670 6141
Cotton cottages Two Chislehurst parents are the proud new owners of Win Green - a company that makes charming cotton playhouses and accessories. Jeffrey and Suzanne Sands explained: “We first discovered the company whilst looking for gifts for our two children and their friends. We immediately fell in love with their beautifully decorated playhouses and all the accessories that go with them. When the opportunity came to acquire Win Green we jumped at the chance. Going forward we have some great surprises in store for our customers.” The range includes hand woven cottages and tents, floor quilts, beanbags, St George’s cross bunting, sleeping bags and accessories, all designed in Britain and made in India using traditional Indian weaving and dying techniques, hand embroidered and appliqued with skill and precision. For orders, see www.wingreen.co.uk. READER OFFER: For your chance to win a Win Green playhouse, go to www.familiesse.co.uk and click ‘competitions’ in the toolbar.
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Our experience includes dealing with substantial assets
We help with family problems, including: • Divorce • Separation • Civil partnership dissolution • Disputes about children • Inheritance disputes
We aim to resolve disputes in a constructive and non-confrontational way We can also help with pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements
www.bennettwelch.com Bank Chambers, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, London SE19 1TY
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Mothers Mean Business Canvas & Cream Canvas & Cream is a newly opened, family run Social Enterprise in Forest Hill. It encompasses an up-cycled restaurant/ dining room and a dedicated gallery/ project space with art workshops and a creative events programme. Joanna Gore is one of the brains behind the venture, and told us more: FSE: How would you sum up Canvas & Cream? JG: “We are an artists’ enterprise and up-cycled cafe combining health, wellbeing, arts innovation and a unique social experience all under one roof. In the daytime we sell coffee, speciality teas, homemade cakes, pastries, healthy salads and light bites to eat in or take away. Our produce is sourced locally in most cases to reduce our carbon footprint and provide a seasonal menu. Our chef (modern English with French and Italian influence) cooks a full cook to order menu from Thursdays to Sundays and we also have an alcohol and entertainments license, so look out for performance poetry, story telling, pop-up cinema, opera singers etc. We have seven artists’ studios at the rear adjoining Havelock Walk, an established mews of live-work spaces. We also have an alternative therapy room offering a wide variety of treatments including reiki, massage, osteopathy, core process, laughing therapy, acupuncture and reflexology. The construction of Canvas & Cream has been a vast DIY public art project. We have used up-cycled and recycled materials where possible; some sourced from skips and demolition sites, and others generously donated by our growing list of supporters. Much of our décor has a story to tell of its journey to be here.” FSE: How did it come about? JG: “When I was made redundant 18 months ago, my daughter Emily was at a turning point in her life having worked in catering and events. We got to talking and decided that we wanted a space we could go to, near to where we live, where like-minded creative people would be: a community of friends who want something new and different to happen, a place where we would be inspired, could talk to others and build ideas together. We wanted a project space where we could learn and share our skills, we wanted a healthy wholesome focus where we could come and share healing. It seems others wanted this too; local people started dropping in to say hi and show support, picking up a paint brush or dropping off some tiles. The experiences we have shared and the challenges we faced over the last months have been exhausting but fulfilling in themselves. If it ended here, it would have been a fantastic experience in itself!” FSE: I understand this is a joint venture - who else is involved? JG:“The main partners in the business are myself and my daughter Emily, however my partner Paul J Rushworth is a self employed carpenter and joiner - he has been instrumental in the build and will continue as our premises manager. My mum Linda Gore helped us collect furniture, broken items and antiques, and reupholstered all our furniture in modern materials. Paul and I have made most of the lighting, the bar etc and all of us designed and created fixtures and fittings that create the atmosphere. Many other people from the
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local community volunteered their time in the run up to our opening, helping with painting, tiling, clearing, and loads of support from our webmaster Pen Else.” FSE: What did you do before setting up Canvas & Cream? JG: “I was a lecturer and arts curriculum manager running the arts programme across an inner city London borough. Before that I was a self employed artist working collaboratively with underrepresented people. I am also a published author. Canvas and Cream to me is like one of my community/ public art projects; it is focussed around creativity, it brings people together and the arts and healing programmes will develop organically to affect social change. After completing her art diploma Emily worked in a large events and catering company in central London, before deciding she wanted a change. Emily’s art practice focused around the up-cycling process. The social aspect is important to her; she too wanted an arts cafe where her time would be spent talking to people about the world and the impact art and creative thinking can have.” FSE: What were the biggest challenges you faced? JG: “The biggest challenge was financial. We have had to borrow most of the money from banks and private loans, and also re-mortgaged our home. This was one of the reasons we have up-cycled the inside, it saves money on materials, and doing it ourselves saves costs on labour. The second challenge was negotiating the lease and the build; we had to go through planning applications for change of use and building control, all the while project managing the electricians and plumbers. The building was an empty warehouse with leaking roof, holes in the floors, no electricity or plumbing, and we built and knocked through walls. Being practical people we can do the building side ourselves but negotiating our way through the legalities and red tape while working physically every day was a huge learning curve.”
Joanna and Emily
8am - 11pm most days; we’re still running around fixing things and trying to catch up on admin. When laying parquet flooring Emily and I got bitumin on our faces everyday for two weeks (it splashes up when hammering down), each day we had to get it off with white spirit which is extremely bad for the complexion. We long for a day in a spa a massage would be nice; a bit of peace and quite and a skin treatment!” FSE: Do you have any advice for readers who are thinking of setting up their own ventures? JG: “You need to do the research first. We worked on that for 12 months before launching in; it set us up in good stead and enabled us to get the loans we needed. • Go on a business course, it definitely helps. • Talk to anyone and everyone. If their advice is no good just don’t use it but listen to everyone who has any advice, there are some real gems that make a difference. • Prepare as much as you can in advance. Set up as many systems as you can before you take on the lease, as once you open and start paying rent it’s too late to sort it all out. • Keep going, don’t give up no matter how hard it gets or how many arguments you have at home or how tired you are. Remember the fog will clear and the sun will shine at some point.” FSE: Where can readers find you? JG: “Canvas & Cream are open Tuesdays to Sundays at 18 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3HF. If you come out of Forest Hill Station, cross the road and head towards the Horniman Museum - we are two minutes on your right.” There is a wealth of information including a blog and forthcoming events on www.canvasandcream.com.
FSE: What is a typical day like, now you’re up and running? JG: “We are very newly opened so we are still smoothing out teething problems. We go in together to open up and decide what needs doing. Emily is mainly in charge of the dining room, serving customers and keeping it running smoothly. I might need to go home and work through a mountainous backlog of admin and liaise with artists and therapists. We are in every day for our dinner as we have neglected our health lately. The menu is wholesome and we like the atmosphere, it has already become our home.” FSE: If you have any time off, how do you like to relax? JG: “We worked seven days a week on this project for 18 months, the last four months were long days from 6am - 8pm, sometimes it was 11pm by the time we finished. We worked through Christmas day, Boxing and New Year’s days, and the launch weekend was extremely busy. Opening a restaurant, gallery, artist studios, art workshop programme and therapy space all at one time requires us to be there from
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The Bookseller Crow
is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business. Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or point your mouse at their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles. THERE HAS BEEN an exam fest here at Crow Towers and all our household activities, when not riding the usual school, homework, football, swimming, bookshop carousel, have revolved around revising or practising or agonising or getting results. Even I have suffered a flutter or two when picking the post off the mat and I haven’t even been tested. Well, not in the conventional sense. I have tooled it through traffic with an anxious teenage passenger convinced we won’t make it and all will be my fault. And I’ve endured endless what-ifs and why, why, why? discussions and tried to maintain a rational atmosphere only to ruin it all by uttering the evil words, don’t worry darling. Cue, explosion. Then, that done, they pick themselves up, apply some eyeliner - or in the boy’s case, earphones and a judicious head-flick towards the mirror - and go out. Leaving the emotional fall-out scattered behind them like dirty washing. PARENTING MADE EASY by Sue Atkins - Vermilion rrp £12.99. First pick up the dirty washing. Then breathe. Then shake your head and wonder where it all went wrong. It isn’t so much than we all expected to get it right. Rather it is living with the consequences of having to learn it as we go along, trying not to be like our own parents and then screwing up, in our children’s eyes at any rate, anyway. Atkins sets out the principles of good parenting, tells us to control the inner bully and nurture the inner angel, identifies pressure points and toxic moments, works out how we can eliminate guilt. Hmm. That’s the Macguffin. Get rid of the guilt and there’s no story. And we get to live our lives as directionless and fluffy as dandelion clocks. In the meantime, I think we are going to need all the help we can get. Probably forever. PARENTING WITHOUT POWER STRUGGLES by Susan Stiffelman – Simon & Schuster rrp £14.99. So there I was, retrieving the strewn feelings, thinking that power struggles were part of the momentum of family life, the engine that drives it, or else we’d all sit on the sofa and watch telly til we die of being nice to each other, but now I’m told otherwise. Apparently, I need to awaken their will to cooperate and I must become a calm ‘captain’, thus my calmness will filter through to them. For instance, do not weep at the lights after sitting in a commuter jam for what seems like a week to collect the child that has recently accused you of never doing anything for her. Ever. Exude serenity. Then I see where this esteemed ‘parent coach’ lives – that’ll be Malibu – and I wonder just a teensy bit whether her life experience bears any relation to mine whatsoever. Who wouIdn’t exude serenity in Malibu? FALLING FAST by Sophie McKenzie – Simon & Schuster rrp £6.99. Juliet falls for Romeo at secondary school. Shudder. But Trasha and chums love it, segueing seamlessly between gut-wrenching heartache and a big Glee number. Meanwhile, I haven’t enjoyed myself so much since, let me see, the time I broke my arm, when I went to see THE WOMAN IN BLACK recently. I was there with the boy cos he needed to be with someone over 12 to get in and his sister wouldn’t dream of letting him go with her crowd - “loser..” - and the combo of teenage screaming and cloying cloud of Impulse has haunted me ever since. But afterwards there was the rare sight of Trasha actually in the parental bookshop – her turn to shudder – demanding a copy of Susan Hill’s novel, Vintage rrp £7.99, upon which the Radcliffe vehicle was based. And while we are on the subject of teenagers and obsession and mortality, by local all round good bloke, Sarwat Chadda, one slightly geeky boy is going to “kick some demon ass” in ASH MISTRY & THE SAVAGE FORTRESS, Harpercollins rrp £6.99. THE CROW GIRL by Kate Cann, Barrington Stoke rrp £6.99, is about reclaiming power after bullying from a brilliant publisher dedicated to burying those who struggle with
reading in books. The Crow Girl is also what my headmaster used to call me, with distaste. Right. I’ve had my fill of angst. I need a complete change where no teenager would be seen, er, dead. 30 MINUTE GARDENING – DK rrp £12.99. As if by magic! And given that “speed gardening” is my forte – anything slower is downright decadent – with sections headed ‘kitchen door salad’, ‘plants for poor soil’ and ‘low water pots’, this could have been written for me. By one Jenny Handy, it says inside, though the opposite page name-checks a production team that reads like the credits on a Harry Potter film. Ahem. Which ever one it was that had the time-saving idea of turning the lawn into a wild flower meadow was genius. Next, stick the mower on eBay. NATURE ADVENTURES by Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom – Frances Lincoln rrp £7.99. I love this. A wildlife handbook, a sketchbook, a diary, it is really interesting and relevant, whether you are out in the garden, trudging through woods or stuck behind an artic on the A14. Indeed your sweet little dearly beloveds will be fascinated by the bits on road kill. With tips on beachcombing and facts about birds, flowers and trees, it is a useful primer too. All shot through with poetry. No really. Robert Browning, W.B.Yeats, Walter de la Mare walk with you along the hedgerows and there’s nothing quite like pond-dipping with Gerard Manley Hopkins for an earworm. UNCOVER DISCOVER WHO’S LIKE ME; What Will I Be? by Nicola Davies – Walker rrp £5.99 each. Aw, Marc Boutavant’s retro illustrations in these nature books for really small kids are really cute. Just lift the flap. Baby turtle anyone? DOLL’S HOUSE STICKER BOOK illustrated by Ina Hattenhauer – Usborne rrp £5.99. Where as now she needs pain, heartbreak and a cover version of an Elton John song belted out by kids in matching varsity jackets, once Trasha would have been thoroughly absorbed by this brilliantly drawn activity book in fine adhesive detail that includes a teeny tiny toilet roll on a holder to complete the perfect town house. FRANK N STAN by M.P Robertson – FL rrp £11.99. The clue is in the title. The artwork is stunning. It’s a cross between the Iron Giant and a new baby primer. WHERE IS FRED? by Edward Hardy & Ali Pye – Egmont rrp £6.99. Gerald the Crow is looking for his dinner. Fred, despite his fluff, is just that. But hang on, all is not quite what it seems... THE FRANK SHOW by David Mackintosh – Harpercollins rrp £10.99. Poor lad. He has to stand up in class and talk about a member of his family and while his friends’ relatives appear to be thrilling, funny, useful even, he can only conjure up his grandad. He is dreading it because daft, decrepit Frank doesn’t like modern music or noise or gizmos or haircuts or doctors or anything but vanilla. Ah, but Frank has a past that is captivating. When I was “that Crow girl” a borderline eleven plus pass sent my parents into paroxysms of pride and the dream of at least one family member going to university was re-kindled - mum had chucked in art school after a fortnight to get a job and my dad did National Service. I never did get to uni and the pressure is piled on my offspring to make the grade instead. But what’s this? A call from their bonkers old grandad whose idea of good parenting is to give a toddler matches and show them how to light a fire, and for whom a good education should include compulsory viewing of every movie Jane Fonda made before 1974, to say that one of us has got it right – after working all his life, he has achieved his MA with a merit. At seventy-four. The pride is all mine.
The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk ww ww w .. ff a am m ii ll ii e es ss se e .. c co o .. u uk k w
april 2012 - families south east
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HORRIBLE HISTORIES
ST ALFEGE MILLENNIUM
Theatre, Shows and Music
What’sOn
JAZZ, GROOVE AND FUNK: INTERACTIVE CONCERT
Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On
Diary Dates for Grownups BUSINESSMUMS NETWORKING GROUP 19 April, Chapters in BLACKHEATH, motherslife@hotmail.co.uk, www.selondonmumpreneurs.blogspot.com Meet like-minded mothers in business, brainstorm any issues you may have and make new connections. £15 to trial the group, includes coffee and croissants.
BEGINNERS’ TENNIS COURSES Starting 25 and 29 April, SYDENHAM TENNIS, SQUASH AND CROQUET CLUB, Lawrie Park Road SE26 6ET, 07776 231 676, www.sltcc.co.uk Do you want to start playing tennis or brush up your skills after a long break? SLTCC runs six week blocks of beginners’ tennis lessons for adults on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons for just £20. Club coaches get you started with basic techniques in groups of players at a similar standard, and set up fun doubles games to practise new skills. Longer blocks of lessons and children’s coaching is also available; and the club is hosting an open day on Bank Holiday Monday, 7 May - see below.
CHILDREN’S TABLE TOP SALE 28 April, LOCHABAR HALL, Lewisham SE13 5QL A parents’ sale of anything their children don’t use any more: clothes, toys, books, sport equipment, maternity gear and more, at very low prices. 3-5pm.
A PLACE TO CALL HOME: WHERE WE LIVE AND WHY Until 27 April, ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECT, 66 Portland Place, London W1B 1AD A Place to Call Home is co-curated by Sarah Beeny, and charts the story of the design and appeal of the everyday home over 250 years. It explores the changing characteristics of the British home and the key drivers that have shaped how and where we live. The exhibition is accompanied by a series of talks, displays, film screenings and activities as part of the RIBA’s Home Season.
BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM FUN
GRAND DESIGNS LIVE 5-13 May, ExCel Centre, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock E16 1XL, 0844 854 1348, www.granddesignslive.com Grand Designs Live plays host to over 500 exhibiting companies and 100s of products that you simply won’t find on the high street. The show has something for every room in your home with different sections which include interiors, gardens, kitchens, bathrooms, the automated home and building. For those interested in up and coming eco designers, visitors can expect to see some innovative and creative products in Kevin’s Green Heroes sponsored by Daikin. Open 10am-6pm Saturday 5-12 May, to 5pm Sunday 13 May, weekday tickets from £12, weekend tickets from £15, children go free.
TENNIS CLUB OPEN DAY Bank Holiday Monday, 7 May, SYDENHAM TENNIS, SQUASH AND CROQUET CLUB, Lawrie Park Road SE26 6ET, 020 8778 4217, www.sltcc.co.uk, email info@sltcc.co.uk Sydenham Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club are throwing open their doors to welcome visitors of all ages and abilities. Bring friends and family and try your hand at tennis, squash, racquet ball or croquet. Club coaches will be on hand to offer tips and advice on how to improve your game. All equipment will be provided or feel free to bring your own. The open day is a fun way to find out more about the sports on offer, meet some of the members and coaches and take a look around the facilities which include a cash bar. Mention Families magazine to receive a 20% discount on membership if you sign up on the day. 11am-2pm, all welcome.
14 April, 12 May, 9 June and 14 July, St JOSEPH’S CHURCH, 103 Pelton Road, Greenwich SE10 9AN, 07855 916496, www.boppinbunnies.co.uk A series of join-in concerts for families with children of all ages, led by Henry, Anna & Tim from Boppin’ Bunnies, with the support of Jools Holland. As people arrive they are given an ‘instrument pack’ and at various points in the concert everyone plays with the performers, and sings together (hopefully in harmony!). Concerts start 10.30am, tickets £3 children, £5 adults on the door.
GREENWICH THEATRE PRODUCTIONS GREENWICH THEATRE, Crooms Hill, Greenwich SE10 8ES, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK, 31 March. Plop was a baby Barn Owl. He lived at the top of a tall tree, in a field. He was fat and fluffy with big round eyes and very knackety knees. Plop was exactly the same as every barn owl - except for one thing. He was afraid of the dark. An irresistible blend of live music, puppetry and storytelling, adapted from the much-loved book by Jill Tomlinson. Performances at 11am and 10m, suitable for ages 3-7, tickets £7.50 children, £10 adults. HAIRY MACLARY AND FRIENDS, 11 + 12 April. Meet Hairy Maclary and many of his friends - live on stage! Say hello to Hercules Morse (as big as a horse), Bottomley Potts (covered in spots), Schnitzel von Krumm (with the very low tum) and Scarface Claw (the toughest tomcat in town). With music, singing and several of your favourite Hairy Maclary stories, this show is a must for the whole family. Performances at 11am and 1pm, tickets £7.50 children, £10 adults.
ALCHEMY 2012 AT THE SOUTHBANK 11-22 April at the SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX, 020 7960 4200, www.southbankcentre.co.uk Southbank Centre’s third annual Alchemy festival returns with another potent mix of music, dance, literature, film, fashion and design that will cast an illuminating light on the fast-changing economic and cultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent. Riverside venues and spaces become a film set, complete with a ‘Taste of India’ food market, and festival-goers can enroll as dancing and singing extras in a Bollywood-style movie to be made throughout the festival and screened as a finale. Family-friendly highlights include: THE LONDON JUNGLE BOOK, 14 April at the Royal Festival Hall. A live theatrical event with actor-animators, musicians, spellbinding designs and kinetic props. In this extraordinary travelogue, London metamorphoses into a fantastical jungle-like place inhabited by some bizarre creatures and customs: London buses morph into dogs, Big Ben doubles as a cockerel, and tube trains burrow like purposeful worms. Shyam’s playful take on London has been likened to reversing Kipling’s gaze on India. WHEN SPRING COMES, 20-22 April at the Royal Festival Hall. Half Moon’s new show for children aged two to five combines contemporary Kathak dance by Vipul Bhatti and live jazz trumpet by Sean Corby within an enchanting world created by illustrator Amberin Huq. Travel to a magical woodland dell where time passes from one season to another. Follow Adeel on his journey of discovery from summer into winter as he anticipates the coming of spring. After the performance you can enter the performance space to join Adeel and dance to the gentle jazz rhythms of the play. YUVA, 22 April. A joyous celebration of South Asian dance and theatre by young people from across the UK. The event includes ‘100 words’, a British Council project pairing schools in the UK with schools in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan to create 100-word plays. BOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER, 22 April at the Royal Festival Hall. Southbank Centre has taken on the enormous challenge of producing its very own Bollywood film! Working with dancers, actors, writers and musicians across London, poet and playwright Nikesh Shukla will create a new script celebrating the very best of Bollywood cinema.
THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE
12 May, St JOHN’S CHURCH, 251 Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, www.nct.org
15 April, the ALBANY, Douglas Way, Deptfrod SE8 4AG, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a hugehumpback whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, experiencing sharks and penguins, icebergs and volcanoes. Tall Stories’ production has live music and lots of laughs. Ages 2+, single tickets £7, families £24.
Baby and children’s toys and equipment at knock-down prices. Organised by Beckenham NCT. 11.30am-10m.
Until 15 April, UNICORN THEATRE, 020 7645 0560, www.unicorntheatre.com Will is nine. And as family holidays go, this one isn’t very promising: three weeks in a cramped caravan by the
NEARLY NEW SALE
THE LEGEND OF CAPTAIN CROW’S TEETH
play tennis, squash, racketball, croquet.
FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk FamiliesSouthEast.co.uk
play sydenham.
club open day. bank holiday monday - 7 may 2012 - 11am to 2pm standards welcome • All ages and playing meet the members and s litie • See all our faci d to give advice han on • Coaches/players own for use, or bring your • Equipment available day advert if you join on the • 20% discount with this www.sltcc.co.uk ash and Croquet Club Sydenham Tennis, Squ enham SE26 6ET Syd Lawrie Park Road, aphone) (ans 7 Tel: 020 8778 421
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families south east - april 2012
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Easter Fun! CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS
sea with his four brothers. Yet the spirit of a fearsome pirate still haunts the area and there are adventures to be had. Based on the novel from the popular best-selling children’s author Eoin Colfer, creator of the Artemis Fowl series, The Legend of Captain Crow’s Teeth is a funny and lively adventure of ghostly pirates, sibling rivalry and terrifying junior discos. Ages 7+, tickets £10 children, £15 adults. There will be an autism-friendly performance at 2pm on 7 April.
THE WIZARD OF OZ Until 15 April, COLOUR HOUSE THEATRE, Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way SW19 2RD, 020 8767 8886, www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk We’re off to see the wizard again as Dorothy puts on her ruby slippers. Follow the Yellow Brick Road all the way to the Emerald City with her good friends in this new musical adaptation. Tickets £7 children, £9 adults.
A LITTLE PRINCESS 19-22 April, SADLER’S WELLS PEACOCK THEATRE,Portugal Street, London WC2A 2HT, 020 8969 1555, www.londonchildrensballet.com Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved tale of the trials of Sara Crewe in Victorian London has delighted audiences since it was first published in 1905. New for 2012, London Children’s Ballet are bringing their production to the stage to delight new audiences. A Little Princess is also a chance to see three ballet professionals at the height of their career passing on their skills to the future generation of dance talent as this year’s performance has the additional interest of three Royal Ballet soloists working together on the production. London Children’s Ballet is a Charitable Trust open to children aged 9 - 15 from all backgrounds allowing children to participate in professional productions for free. This year 55 dancers have been chosen from competitive auditions with 500 boys and girls auditioning for roles.
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS 28 + 29 April, Ashcroft Theatre, FAIRFIELD, Park Lane, Croydon, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk Climb aboard Buster the big red bus and meet all of his friends as they embark on a magical adventure. Music and song come to the stage in this delightful treat which have children up, dancing and singing along to their family favourites.
2 – 5 and 10 – 13 April 10:00am – 4:30pm
Easter EGGstravaganza! Follow the treasure trail to find the chicks and egg hidden in the Museum then create and decorate your own Easter basket to take home. There is a chocolate egg for every child and prizes to be won.
Admission free 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and public holidays. Entrance in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH. Tel: 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum
HORRIBLE HISTORIES - BARMY BRITAIN Until 1 September, GARRICK THEATRE, 2 Charing Cross Road, London WC2 0HH, 08444 12 4662, www.barmybritainlive.com British history is full of barmy people who did nasty things to each other. With blood, battles, murder and mayhem, the show explores stories from Roman, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian and the wars, featuring famous figures such as Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, Florence Nightingale and General Earl Haig. Ages 6+, tickets from £10.
Events & Exhibitions QUENTIN BLAKE FAMILY FUN 7 April, FOUNDLING MUSEUM, 40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ, 020 7841 3600, www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk An afternoon of activities exploring themes from the museum’s Quentin Blake exhibition. Suitable for ages 3-12 years, 1-4pm, children free, adults £7.50.
FABERGE BIG EGG HUNT Until 8 April, VARIOUS VENUES, www.thebigegghunt.co.uk The first event of its kind, ‘The Faberge Big Egg Hunt’ seeks to raise up to £2 million for leading children’s charity, Action for Children, and Elephant Family - the UK’s biggest funder for the endangered Asian elephant. Two hundred giant hand-crafted eggs are dotted around iconic London landmarks, before going to auction as highly collectible works of art. The jewel in the crown of the auction will be an exclusively designed, stunning 127ct emerald and gold egg pendant ‘Le Collier Plume d’Or’ by Fabergé.
FAMILY EVENTS AT THE HORNIMAN HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, general admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium. The museum’s music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautiful green space. MUMMERS, MAYPOLES AND MILKMAIDS. Until 9 September. An exhibition of over 50 photographs depicting regional rituals from all over England. Costumed processions, symbolic dramatisations, traditional dances and fire ceremonies mark the changing seasons and celebrate nature’s bounty. Many of these customs claim an ancient origin such as traditions like Jack-in-the-Green, or have a pagan heritage like the Celtic festival of Beltane, and are kept alive today by local communities. Award-winning photographer Sara Hannant’s vibrant images offer a captivating and surprising glimpse of contemporary ‘Merrie England’. Free.
ST ALFEGE MILLENNIUM WEEKEND 21+22 April, St ALFEGE PARK, St Alfege Pasage, Greenwich, London SE10 9BJ, 020 8853 0687, www.st-alfege.org Enjoy an open air celebration and a recreation of Anglo Saxon village life by members of Regia Anglorum to mark one thousand years since St Alfege was killed on the site of St Alfege Church in Greenwich. 11am-5pm, suitable for all ages, free.
FIREPOWER - THE ROYAL ARTILLERY MUSEUM ROYAL ARSENAL, Woolwich SE18 6ST, 020 8855 7755, www.firepower.org.uk Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich tells the powerful and dramatic story of artillery, scientific discoveries made through warfare and human stories of courage and endeavour. The ‘ground shaking’ Field of Fire audio-visual show puts you in the midst of battle as shells whizz overhead and guns roar. The Royal Arsenal was one of the most important centres in the world for munitions manufacture and until recently was a well kept secret from the public. Many of the guns and carriages on display were made in the Arsenal, making
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St Christopher’s cares for over 2,000 dying people and their families and friends each year from the London boroughs of Bromley, Croydon , Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. Through innovations in care, education and research we promote the highest standards of end of life care worldwide. Please help us to raise funds to maintain these vital services.
VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON Sunday 22 April 2012 Do you have a place? Please join our team and help us give more people the best possible end of life care. We provide excellent support to all our runners! Please contact Liz Sowden to join the team
Bupa London 10,000 Sunday 27 May 2012
Superhero Run Sunday 13 May 2012
10k road race start & finish in St James's Park Minimum sponsorship is £150 Contact Liz Sowden
Fun fancy dress 5K or 10K run in Regent’s Park Contact Rebecca Kemp
British 10k London Run Sunday 8 July 2012 10k road race from Hyde Park Corner through London Minimum sponsorship is £150 Contact Rebecca Kemp
Run to the Beat Powered by Nike + Sunday 21 October 2012 Music filled half marathon from Greenwich O2 Minimum sponsorship is £300 Contact Rebecca Kemp
Rebecca Kemp on 020 8768 4570 - r.kemp@stchristophers.org.uk Liz Sowden on 020 8768 4575 - e.sowden@stchristophers.org.uk St Christopher's Hospice - 51-59 Lawrie Park Road - Sydenham, SE26 6DZ 020 8768 4500 - www.stchristophers.org.uk - Registered charity 210667
St Christopher’s Hospice Official Fundraising
stchfundraising
april 2012 - families south east
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MUSEUM OF LONDON
ROYAL OBSERVATORY GREENWICH
MoreWhat’sOn Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On MUSEUM OF LONDON
it a significant part of the local heritage. Together with a world class collection of artillery and associated weapons, uniforms, drawings, displays of diaries and medals bring together some 700 years of world artillery history, Open 10.30am-6pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Sundays and Mondays. Admission £2.50 children, £5.30 adults, £12.50 families. EASTER ACTIVITIES, 3-13 April. Children can take part in a range of activities including a bungee run, tin can alley, fire a wartime 25 pounder gun, have a go on the museum’s firing range, try on historical military uniforms and join in with a mystery event. Activities all day, £5 per child.
V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum is fascinating for families with young children. The collection includes dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography. Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails. There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3’s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. If it’s sunny there’s an outdoor space to enjoy a picnic. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.
BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM FUN BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank. Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free. EASTER TREASURE TRAIL, 2-5 and 10-13 April. Follow the treasure trail to find the chicks and egg hidden in the museum, and make an Easter basket to take home. 10am-4pm.
GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTS GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Special workshops and quizzes inspire creativity and provide amusement for accompanied 5-11 year-olds on the first Saturday of each month and during school holidays. Places allocated 30 minutes in advance of each workshop. Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from noon Sundays.
CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS, Clive Steps, King Charles Street SW1A, www.iwm.org.uk The Churchill War Rooms were originally the Cabinet War Rooms, created in 1938 as underground storage areas for the Office of Works Building in Whitehall. They were soon converted to house the central core of government and to become a temporary military information centre serving the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff of the air, naval and land forces. Visitors can hear the first-hand personal accounts of those who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war. Learn what life and conditions were like underground and experiencing the authenticity and emotional resonance of walking through the corridors where Churchill made history. Open 9.30am-6pm, admission free for under 16s, £15.95 adults.
SCIENCE MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road SW7 2DD, 0870 870 4868, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Aiming to be the best place in the world for people to enjoy science, the Science Museum makes sense of the science that shapes our lives, sparking curiosity, releasing creativity and changing the future by engaging people of all generations and backgrounds in science, engineering, medicine, technology, design and enterprise. Open daily 10am-6pm. STEPHEN HAWKING: A 70TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, until 13 April. Discover objects and papers primarily sourced from Hawking’s own archives. The exhibition also features audio, specially recorded by Professor Hawking for the exhibition, and a projection of photographs from his life and career. ME IN 3D, 7 March - 30 April. The Craniofacial team from Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College Hospital and the Eastman Dental Hospital and Institute ask visitors to help them with a study investigating the structure of different faces. Visitors can have their photograph take in 3D and explore what they look like in another dimension. The photographs will form part of a database of 3D images. This will be the largest database of its kind in the world and could help
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families south east - april 2012
treat patients with facial disfigurement in the future. LAUNCHPAD SCIENCE SHOWS. The largest free interactive science gallery in the UK is packed with exhibits which allow visitors to launch a rocket, turn their head into a sound box and control a magnetic cloud. Ages 8-14, free. WHO AM I? Find out what makes you special through interactive activities which use the latest in brain science and genetics. Free.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Dinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies - discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museum open 10am-5.50pm, admission free.
TOWER OF LONDON TOWER OF LONDON, EC3N 4AB, 0844 482 7777, www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon Tower open 9am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10am Sundays and Mondays. Admission free for under 5s, children £10.45, adults £19.80; book for less online. FIT FOR A KING. Discover 500 years of spectacular arms and armour worn by kings and royal princes in this stunning exhibition on the first floor of the White Tower. Learn about the personalities, power and physical size of our nation’s kings, from the Tudors, and the notorious Henry VIII, to today’s royal family through the historic collection. POWER HOUSE. Discover the stories and personalities behind the major organisations of state, who took care of royal business behind the mighty Tower walls, from 1100 to the present day. The exhibition showcases the roles of the major organisations that provided the bedrock of England’s power throughout the centuries. ROYAL BEASTS. Find out about the Tower’s imperial Royal Menagerie. Founded during the reign of King John in the early 1200s, it became a regular feature of the Tower for over 600 years. Visitors can encounter a diverse cast of former Tower residents through arresting modern animal sculpture by artist Kendra Haste and new interactive sensory displays. The recently restored north wall walk and the never before opened Brick Tower will host some of the displays, including sights, sounds and smells of some of the animals.
SEA LIFE AQUARIUM SEA LIFE LONDON AQUARIUM, County Hall, Southbank SE1, 0871 663 1678, www.visitsealife.com/london Explore the world’s rivers, oceans and reefs and come face to face with the life that inhabits them. Open 10am-7pm daily, admission from £12.96 children, £17.82 adults, family tickets available. BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS whisk visitors right into the heart of the aquarium to discover what it takes to keep everything running smoothly. You can see the dedicated aquarists at work on research and breeding programmes, caring for sick creatures and new arrivals, preparing food and monitoring the sophisticated water management systems. Tickets can be booked online or purchased on entry; £5 children, £7.50 adults. SHARK REEF ENCOUNTER features a stunning shoal of over twenty magnificent creatures - including two impressive 2.8m long brown sharks and a ten strong group of sleek black tip reef Sharks. Visitors step onto a 5m long glass walkway and witness the unique spectacle of sharks swimming literally inches beneath their feet. Next, they come face to fin through the aquarium’s gigantic 19.6m by 12m pacific reef display where the striking creatures circle a dramatic shipwreck scene dominated by huge floor to ceiling Easter Island heads. On the upper level, the shark academy area has plenty of touchy feely, fun interactives telling fascinating shark stories - from their 450 million year evolution to the modern horrors of shark finning.
NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT, 020 7881 6606, www.nam.ac.uk The history of British land forces from 1485 to the present day, with costumes, paintings, artifacts and special displays telling the stories of men and women who served in British armies across the globe. Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free. DRAW YOUR WEAPONS. A colourful and dynamic exhibition exploring the history of the war comic, in partnership with leading publisher DC Thomson.
CUMING MUSEUM EVENTS CUMING MUSEUM, 151 Walworth Road SE17 1RY, 020 7525 2096,
www.southwark.gov.uk/cumingmuseum Thursdays, FAMILY CLUB. Explore and play with the Cuming explorers. 10am-11.15am for under 5s and their parents/ carers.
HMS BELFAST On the THAMES by Morgans Lane, Tooley Street SE1 2JH, www.iwm.org.uk. (Thames Clipper London Bridge City Pier) Discover the exciting stories of those who served HMS Belfast; exploring the nine decks where sailors once hurried up and down its ladders, or take a look at the mess desk where her 950-strong crew ate and slept. Open 10am-6pm, admission free for under 16s, £13.50 adults. GUN TURRET EXPERIENCE. Immerse yourself in the new Gun Turret Experience, a chance to see what fighting at sea would have really been like. Overlooking the front of the ship, or Fo’c’sle, is the forward most of HMS Belfast’s Triple Gun Turrets. Lights, audio, videos and projections will recreate the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time. The guns are trained and elevated onto a target some 12.5 miles (20 kilometres) away in north-west London - the London Gateway Motorway Services Area on the M1 - a reminder of the awesome power of naval gunnery in the Second World War. Entry included in general admission price.
LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM, 39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6344, www.ltmuseum.co.uk Museum open 10am-6pm Saturdays to Thursdays, from 11am Fridays. Admission free for under 16s; under 12s to be accompanied, adult admission £13.50 lasts for 12 months. MONTY MAKES HIS WAY TO LONDON, 2-6 and 9-13 April. Meet a character from the past as they tell the story of Monty the Mole and his adventures in London. 11am and 1.30pm starts. TIP TOP HATS AND BONNETS, 2-6 April. Design your own Easter bonnet to take home, taking inspiration from hats on display in the museum. Ages 5+, noon-1.30pm. TICKETS PLEASE, 2-6 April. Join a craft workshop where children can handle cash bags and license badges at the handling table, and make your own to take home. Ages 5+, 2-3.30pm.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, South Bank, London SE1, 020 7620 0347, www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Uncover the lady behind the legend at the brand new Florence Nightingale Museum on London’s South Bank. The museum presents a vivid retelling of her story and how modern nursing began. The museum’s unparalleled collection features highlights such as Florence’s pet little owl Athena as well as her lamp and medicine chest from the Crimean War. Engaging interactive exhibits as well as regular contemporary art exhibitions enhance the experience, visitors even use stethoscopes to hear the audio tour. Admission £4.80 child, £5.80 adults, £16 families.
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM EVENTS IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road, London SE1, 020 7416 5000, www.iwm.org.uk Museum open daily 10am-6pm. Admission £3.95 children, £5.95 adults, families from £12.50. A FAMILY AT WAR, From 5 April. Take a step back in time to the Second World War and experience life on the Home Front, through the eyes of one London family, the Allpress’. The exhibition explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children and what life in London was like during the war. The Allpress family is unique but their experiences of evacuation, the Blitz and D-Day mirror many aspects of the lives of a whole generation of British people during the Second World War. A Family in Wartime has interactive exhibits, photographs, recorded interviews with the family, archive film footage, paintings, personal documents and an intricate model of the Allpress family home. MEET THE FAMILY, 6-15 April. Find out more about the Allpress family through hands-on activities for all ages. INTRODUCTION TO THE HOLOCAUST, 28-29 April. This free drop in session is a useful starting point for families who wish to learn about the Holocaust. Suitable for ages 11+ but recommended for ages 14+. For further information please contact Grant Rogers, Informal Learning Manager, grogers@iwm.org.uk or 020 7416 5329. 11.30am and 2.30pm start times. THE CHILDREN’S WAR. Look at the home front in Britain and the impact of WW2 through the eyes of the children who lived through it. Incorporating hands-on activities for visitors of all ages, it also features the popular 1940s house and part of a post-war prefab.
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We are looking for babies and children between the ages of 0 and 12 years to assist us in a range of fun activities investigating how children see.
MARITIME MUSEUM
WWT BARNES
The Child Vision Lab is based at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in Central London. We will refund any travelling costs up to £20.
LEE VALLEY
CHILDREN AT THE V&A
020 7608 6819
V&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk/families During any visit, families can pick up a trail from the Information Desk and explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation. Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free Saturday BACK-PACKS. Pick up a back pack and explore the museum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games. 10.30am-5pm.
www.childvisionlab.org
MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, West India Quay E14, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life. EASTER FUN FOR FAMILIES, 31 March to 15 April. Throughout the Easter holidays the museum is hosting trails, art activities and storytelling for families with young children. Learn about animals from the past, hear secret stories of city animals or create your very own animal puppet show. All included in the free admission.
LEARN YOUNG HAVE FUN Rally round for a smashing time. A fun filled introduction to tennis for 2-8 yr olds. Played indoors with small rackets, sponge balls and scaled-down court. Aids agility, co-ordination and balance. A positive introduction to tennis with lots of fun. Weekend and weekday sessions now available. For further details ring Gordon on 07877391005 or e-mail gordon@tennis-4-kids.com
MUSEUM OF LONDON EVENTS MUSEUM OF LONDON, London Wall EC2Y 5HN, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life. EASTER FUN FOR FAMILIES, 31 March to 15 April. Throughout the Easter holidays the museum is hosting trails, art activities and storytelling for families with young children. Learn about animals from the past, hear secret stories of city animals or create your very own animal puppet show. All included in the free admission. DICKENS AND LONDON, until 10 June. The first major UK exhibition for over 40 years celebrates the 200th anniversary of the life of Charles Dickens. Recreating the atmosphere of Victorian London through sound and projections, visitors can take a haunting journey to discover the city that inspired his works. Exhibits include paintings, photographs, costume and objects that illustrate themes that Dickens wove into his works, including his childhood hardships while his father was locked away in a debtor’s prison. Admission by timed, prebooked tickets: £5 children, £8 adults, from £18 families.
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NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM EVENTS National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory, Romney Road, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.nmm.ac.uk. The National Maritime Museum holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. It incorporates the Royal Observatory Greenwich, and 17th-century Queen’s House. The Museum works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. The Museum welcomes over 1.5 million British and international visitors a year and is also a major centre of education and research. Museum open 10am-5pm daily. General admission is free; some buildings have an admission fee. TITANIC REMEMBERED, 8 March - 30 September. A exhibition highlighting the stories of some of those who survived the tragedy and exploring how the fateful night in 1912 has become the most famous maritime disaster in history. Exhibits include letters, photographs and recovered objects. ROYAL RIVER: POWER, PAGEANTRY & THE THAMES, 27 April 9 September. David Starkey guest curates a landmark exhibition on the enduring relationship between Britain’s royal families and the world’s most famous river. Nearly 400 exhibits from museums, galleries and private collections are on display, including Canaletto’s celebrated view of the Thames on Lord Mayor’s Day, the oldest known copy of Handel’s Water Music, Anne Boleyn’s personal music book, carvings from the royal yacht Victoria, a stuffed swan and hundreds of diverse objects brought together by the museum to celebrate the queen’s diamond jubilee. Open daily, admission £9 children, £11 adults, £24.50 families. EXPLORE SATURDAYS. Meet a character from the past and take part in an exciting performance that brings maritime history to life. Suitable for ages 6+. Noon, 1, 2 and 3pm start, free. DISCOVER SUNDAYS. Be inspired by the museum’s galleries and take part in free design, craft, illustration and music workshops designed for families. Suitable for all ages. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-5pm, free. PLAY TUESDAYS. Young children can have fun with their families as they explore the museum through making, music, dance and drama. 10.30 and 11.30am, 1 and 2pm, suitable for under 5s; collect a ticket from the admissions desk. THE SECRET LIFE OF STARS. A spectacular show, narrated by Patrick Stewart, explores the fascinating life history of the stars, from the smallest red dwarf to the largest blue giant. Using state-of-the-art digital simulation, it charts the life of a star from birth to death and beyond, and looks at what
Call Séverine: 020 8699 7665
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
impact this has on the universe around us. Ages 5+, tickets £4.50 children, £6.50 adults, £17.50 families. SPACE SAFARI, weekends and holiday weekdays. Join teddy bear Ted for live music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar system looking for the Great Bear in the sky in a show designed especially for younger children and presented by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer. Tickets £4.50 children, £6.50 adults, £17.50 families.
DISCOVER GREENWICH OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE (next to the Cutty Sark), Greenwich SE10, www.greenwichwhs.org.uk Unlock the history of Maritime Greenwich, through artefacts, artwork, film and stories of former lives to bring the past to life. A permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the College’s Tudor beginnings, through its naval past, as the Royal Hospital for Seamen and Royal Navy Staff College, right up to the present day. Special objects, including personal items from Henry VIII’s palace, as well as fascinating stories from monarchs, admirals and architects help chart the historic town’s development. Activities for children and families play a significant part in the new destination, enabling families to maximise their visit to Maritime Greenwich and for children to explore and understand the history of the magnificent site.
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LEEDS CASTLE
HYDE BARK
DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY
THE NATIONAL GALLERY
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TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays to 9pm, admission free. With over 2,300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the gallery, along with free hands-on art workshops for families at weekends and during school holidays. No need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival up to one hour before the start.
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FAMILIES AT THE TATE
Art Activities FAMILY ARTS IN DULWICH DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bank holidays. Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child. ARTPLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session. Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm. FUNKY ORIGAMI, 4 + 5 April. Make a Paper Garland to decorate your bedroom or home for Easter. Learn interesting paper and cutting techniques and choose from a range of vintage materials. 10.30am12.30pm ages 6-8 years; 2.30-4.30pm ages 9-11 years, £18 per child. INDIAN KITES, 15 April. Create your own Indian inspired patterns, experiment with melting plastics and learn basic kite construction. Decorate your own creation and hope for a windy Dulwich day! Children aged 6-10 years plus an adult. 10.30am-4pm, £20 per child.
THE SUNDAY SPOT Sundays, SOUTH LONDON GALLERY, 65-67 Peckham Road, London SE5 8UH, 020 7703 6120, www.southlondongallery.org Hands-on family workshops every week linked to the gallery’s collection, using stories, art materials and film. Ages 3-12, 2-4pm, free.
JEWISH MUSEUM EVENTS JEWISH MUSEUM, Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town NW1 7NB, 020 7284 7324, www.jewishmuseum.org.uk The museum houses internationally acclaimed collections where visitors can explore Jewish culture, heritage and identity within the wider context of British history. Open 10am-5pm daily, Fridays to 2pm. Admission
£3.50 children, £7.50 adults, £18 families. CLICK!, 3 April. Explore photography and the work of photojournalist Judah Passow. Join photographer Miranda Lopatkin and turn your lens to investigating contemporary images of Jewish life. Participants will investigate Passow’s images, learn about photography, and create portraiture shots. This is an intergenerational workshop for families to produce striking results together. Ages: 6-11yrs with an adult, £6 per adult and young person. Take a camera and connection cable.
ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soane.org Tucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the heart of London, this magical, mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane’s treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Sir John Soane (1753- 1737) was an inveterate collector, filling every nook and cranny of his beautiful home with items that fascinated him. From fossils to classical fragments from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and from contemporary paintings to architectural models, drawings and literature, he intended that after his death both his house and its extraordinary contents should be used to educate and inspire. Free drop-in activities run on the third Saturday of every month, with activities for all ages and families can take part together from 1.30-4.40pm.
SOMERSET HOUSE FAMILY EVENTS SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk Free family workshops run on Saturdays from 2-3.30pm. Tickets available from 1pm from the information desk. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult.
TATE BRITAIN, Millbank SW1, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/britain Open daily 10am-5.50pm, and until 10pm the first Friday of the month. Family trails are available daily from the Information Desks and are free for 5yrs and under. Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your ‘Post it’ box as you go. When you get home, open up the box and show your friends what you found. Or you could follow the ‘Join up’ trail: play the listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talking hands, and make your own sculptures. Every weekend the free Art Trolley encourages children to imagine and create, make colourful collages, style a wonderful sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas.
TATE MODERN BANKSIDE, London SE1 9TG, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/modern Open 10am-6pm Sundays to Thursdays, to 10pm Fridays and Saturdays, admission free. OPEN STUDIO: WEEKEND SESSIONS. The Clore Studio hosts drop-in sessions to explore, experiment, play and create with ideas and materials from artworks in the collection displays. Suitable for all ages, 11am-4pm. WHAT’S GOING ON THERE?, weekends. Visit the Welcome Room and pick up free new activities, display your own creation, build a plinth for a very small sculpture. 11am-4pm. UNDER 5S ZONE. The under 5s Zone on Level 5 invites children on a creative, physical and sensory exploration of themes inspired by cubist art works.
THE WALLACE COLLECTION HERTFORD HOUSE, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN, 020 7536 9500, www.wallacecollection.org Open 10am-5pm daily, admission free. Visitors can hire a multimedia tour with interactive games or pick up free themed family trail.
The Great Outdoors BATTERSEA PARK ZOO BATTERSEA PARK CHILDREN’S ZOO, Chelsea Gate entrance, Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, London SW11 4NJ, 0845 6016679, www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Open 10am-5.30pm, admission £6.50 children, £7.95 adults, £26 families. Have you ever come face to face with a ring tailed lemur? Or popped up right beside a meerkat? Have you spent time with Kune Kune pigs, seen an otter at work, chatted with a mynah bird or patted a pygmy goat? From giant rabbits to miniature Shetland ponies, monkey mayhem to the mouse house - this is the zoo that gets you up close and personal. EASTER EGG HUNT, 31 March - 8 April. All around the zoo the animals are guarding Easter eggs. With a quiz sheet young visitors can follow the clues and win a prize. £1.40. RABBIT DAY, 10 April. A day of rabbit stories and mask making. CHICKEN DAY, 12 April. A Day of chicken related fun including stories and portraits.
EASTER AT THE WETLAND CENTRE 31 March - 15 April, WWT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WR, 020 8409 4412, www.wwt.org.uk Meet a family of friendly ducklings, find out how they grow and what they like to eat. There are two interactive duckling shows every day where you can find out more about these fluffy characters and join in with some special duckling games. Watch the newly-hatched ducklings taking their first swims in their very own pool, take part in pond dipping sessions and follow the Easter trail to win a small prize. Take a springtime walk around the centre, listen out for singing birds and see how many spring flowers you can spot. As warm sunny days become more frequent primroses poke their noses above ground, willow branches are decked in their soft, shiny catkin baubles and the first newts will be making their way to the ponds to spawn. Open 9.30am6pm, admission free for under 4s, children £6.10, adults £10.99, families £30.60.
LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK Lee Valley Regional Park is hosting a variety of fun-filled activities in April 2012. Each event takes place in the 10,000 acre award-winning park,
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which winds its way 26 miles along the banks of the River Lee in Hertfordshire, down through Essex and north London to the East India Dock Basin on the River Thames. THE REALLY WILD WATCH, 7 + 8 April. Get closer to spectacular wildlife with the Wild Place, Your Space team and explore the Lee Valley through a series of mini-events in east London with a range of close-up wildlife spectacles such as nesting swans, blue tits and sparrows. 10am-4pm, for more information visit www.wildplaceyourspace.org.uk. STAR TRACK, 10 + 13 April. The Lee Valley Athletics Centre is the training ground for many of the UK’s top athletes and 2012 hopefuls. Athletics coaches from the state of the art centre will be providing tuition in different sporting disciplines to all children in the star track scheme. For bookings, call 020 8344 7230. GB CANOEING SELECTION TRIALS FOR LONDON 2012, 13 April. Watch the country’s best slalom canoeists battle the rapids in this selection event for the 2012 Games. Book online at www.gbcanoeing.org.uk. LEE VALLEY OPEN, 14 April. An open competition for all groups from 12 years to veterans across the athletics disciplines at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre. Entry forms available from 020 8344 7230 or www.visitleevalleypark.org.uk.
PAINSHILL PARK PAINSHILL PARK, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1JE, 01932 868 113, www.painshill.co.uk Open 10.30am-6pm or dusk if earlier. Admission free for under 5s, children £3.85, adults £6.60, families £22. If you love nature, enjoy history and are looking for a great family day out, discover the magnificent landscape of Painshill Park. During the Easter holidays from 2-13 April, various events will include egg and spoon challenges, bush craft for kids, tracking and orienteering, and den building.
HOP FARM FAMILY PARK HOP FARM FAMILY PARK, Beltring, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6PY, 01622 870804, www.thehopfarm.co.uk All the fun of the farm with animals to meet, soft and outdoor play areas, plus over 30 rides and attractions. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission £12.80 children, £14.90 adults, less online.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA, 31 March - 15 April. Daily Easter egg hunts and the chance to see cute spring lambs, bunnies and chicks. Join in with egg and spoon races, farmyard party dances, egg decorating, magic shows and even ferret racing.
EASTER AT LEEDS CASTLE 6-9 April, LEEDS CASTLE, Near Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1LP, 01622 765400, www.leeds-castle.co.uk Spring will be in bloom at the castle and children will be able follow an ‘Egg-lympics’ trail through the grounds to collect letters from sports themed clues to win a chocolate egg in the Bunny Burrows. Families will also have the chance to meet fluffy bunnies and friendly Alpacas. A craft marquee will host spring themed activities including Easter egg archery and face painting. A £2.50 charge applies per child which includes a trail card, Easter egg and craft activities. Admission free for under 4s, £12.50 children, £19.75 adults. Tickets are valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round.
THE HYDE BARK 15 April, The Old Football Pitches, HYDE PARK, Royal Albert Hall Side, www.mayhewanimalhome.org Join in a day of pet-themed fun for children, adults, pet owners and animal lovers alike. The event is organised as a fundraiser for The Mayhew, a London charity that cares for homeless dogs, cats and rabbits. There will be a variety of stalls, a Diamond Dog Show and Jubilead Sponsored Walk, which pay homage to the Queen’s upcoming celebrations. There will also be an ‘Olympups’ agility arena for dogs and owners who are feeling athletic. To register for the sponsored walk, email events@mayhewanimalhome.org, or call 020 8968 2445. The event is open from 10am-6pm.
SUPERHERO FAMILY FUN DAY 7 May, ROYAL WINDSOR RACE COURSE, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berks SL4 5JJ, 01753 498400, www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk Fantastic racing and lots of fun for the whole family. Batman, Ben 10’s Water Hazard and Humuncousaur and the Zingsillas will be appearing at various intervals throughout the day, and there will bouncy castles and soft play fun for children. Gates open 12noon, admission free for accompanied children, adult tickets £11.
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and finally
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