Issuu

ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED 1996 1996

ISSUE ISSUE NO. NO. 154 153

NOVEMBER OCTOBER 2013 2013

familiesse.co.uk

south east london

online edition

with working website links

The Pointer School (Blackheath)

A Prep, Pre-Prep & Nursery School for boys & girls between the ages of 3 and 11 • First Class examination results • Organic food • Breakfast club and after school care (8am-6pm) • Christian Evangelical in ethos • Numerous extra-curricular clubs (36 in total, from fencing to horse riding)

• Large variety of outdoor and PE activities • ‘The Brazilian Kickers’ teach football the Brazilian way • Holiday club (Christmas, Easter and Summer and Half-Term)

OFSTED: “OUTSTANDING IN ALL AREAS“ Telephone: 020 8293 1331

See OFSTED reports on our website

Email: secretary@pointers-school.co.uk

www.pointers-school.co.uk

Founded by Muriel & Della Pointer in 1951

Small and tall, we welcome all

families What’s waiting for you this season? Framed Film Festival 16–24 Nov Fantastic films and workshops galore

Get Happy 12–29 Dec A madcap, mischievous treat for families

The Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child

Wallace and Gromit’s Musical Marvels

21 Dec Enchanting animated films accompanied by live orchestra

22–23 Dec A cracking adventure with live orchestral accompaniment

barbican.org.uk/families 2

families south east - november 2013

familiesse.co.uk

“I’m going to be a leopard in the school nativity”, our big cat-loving son announced proudly. Hmm okaaaay (I suppose you can only have so many lambs and little donkeys onstage). Then we found the crumpled letter in his schoolbag which confirmed his role as Second Shepherd, so it’ll be teatowels rather than fake fur this year. We’ve started keeping an eye out for stocking fillers when out and about while for you lucky readers, there are prizes to be won on page 10, skate sessions and Christmas shows to be booked. Despite officially waving bye bye to British summer time, November’s starting to have more than a tingle of excitement to it. Robina Cowan, editor

LocalNews email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

hildren C r o f s ie it iv t Ac

IN THIS ISSUE 3-5 Local News and Views Music and drama for children; hope for Herne Hill traders; local fundraisers and national awareness weeks

6-8

School News Beyond the curriculum at the GDST schools; autumn Open Days and helping children to fight their own battles

The Book Review Page Part blog, part review - what’s on Justine Crow’s mind this month, and what to read

10-11 What’s New Prizes to be won! And new products and services for families

Mothers Mean Business This month we talk to professional stoyteller Vanessa Woolf

Ask the Expert Family solicitor Mandeep Clair on divorce settlements

14-18 What’s On SHE’S BEHIND you! Pantos, Christmas shows, brilliant ice rinks and family workshops to enjoy together

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like... While we don’t “Wish it Could Be Christmas Every Day-ay”, we’re already thinking ahead as the countdown begins

The Back Page Local business contacts to make your life easier Front cover: Kien cardigan £100, Koody hat £68,

Oilily Autumn/ Winter 2013, www.oililyshop.com/en Next Issue out: 7 December, copy deadline mid November 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.

Free Drama Class Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with Perform’s unique drama, dance and singing classes. Our weekly workshops will do wonders for their social, linguistic and physical development as well as being the best fun they’ll have all week.

perform.org.uk familiesse.co.uk

New Funky Monkey keyboard classes Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes swing into Crystal Palace with new classes from Tuesday 12 November. The hugely popular and action-packed group keyboard classes teach children how to read, write and play music to first grade. Each week there’s an interactive, stimulating and affordable lesson that ticks all the boxes for a great musical education that 4-5 and 5-8 year-olds love. Funky Monkey are offering trial afterschool classes to bring their music to more children. To book a place, or ask about classes already making a noise in Blackheath, East Dulwich, Herne Hill and Bromley, visit www.funkymonkey.info or call 0800 107 7949.

Perform head for Hither Green The ever-popular Perform is bringing new workshops to Lochabar Hall in Hither Green next January. Each week, 4-8 year-olds will be able to enjoy drama, dance and singing classes; billed as “the best fun they’ll have all week”, and joining children who already attend Perform classes in Beckenham, Blackheath, Bromley, Dulwich, Greenwich and West Wickham. Lucky Families readers can take advantage of a free trial session plus a 10% fees discount by quoting FAMI300114 when booking. Find out more by calling 0845 400 1277 or see www.perform.org.uk.

Build a Bear for Children in Need With Children In Need coming up on 15 November, a fun way to join the Pudsey fun is to build a bear to keep. Pudsey and Blush furry friends will be available in all 58 Build-A-Bear stores across the UK, where visitors can make and stuff their own BBC Children in Need mascot, add a heart, and dress them in ‘pawsome’ Children in Need licensed pyjama outfits. For each sale of a Pudsey or Blush, Build-A-Bear Workshop will donate £5 to Children in Need. Additionally, £1 from the sale of each Pudsey outfit will go to the charity. The nearest stores are in Bromley, Croydon and Covent Garden, or kits can be ordered online at www.buildabear.co.uk.

Classes for 4 –12 year o lds

0845 400 1277 november 2013 - families south east

n Ups w o r G r o f s New

Playgym career opportunity Mini Monkey Gym are recruiting people who want to run their own active, family friendly businesses. The soft playgym programme is a professionally developed network of colourful 45-minute parent-child gym classes for under 5s, plus high quality soft play parties. With Mini Monkey Gym classes already successfully up and running in other parts of the country, franchises are now available nationally. For more information, click the Franchise tab at www.minimonkeygym.co.uk or call 07917 872205.

After the flood

In the early hours of the morning of 7 August 2013, a 3ft wide mains water pipe burst near the shops on Half Moon Lane. With many family-friendly independent retailers affected (Merry Go Round, Tales on Moon Lane, Just Williams, Fourway Pharmacy, Duo Dance and more), we asked the Herne Hill Forum for an update in the run up to Chrismas: “By the time Thames Water and the fire brigade were called out, this whole section of the street was submerged in over a metre of water. Thames Water managed to cap the pipe and the flood water subsided quickly, but it left behind £4 million pounds worth of damage to the local businesses and residents. All the shops on Half Moon Lane and others in the immediate vicinity were severely affected, losing stock, valuable electrical items such as ovens, fridges and computers as well as the destruction of all fixtures and fittings, with many suffering structural and electrical damage to boot. All businesses closed, some still remaining so; the Half Moon pub is not opening until spring 2014. Although Thames Water accepted liability, the negative affect on the area goes beyond repairing and replacing what was lost. With so many key businesses closed, footfall across Herne Hill has plummeted. Life is slowly returning to the area but shoppers who have gone elsewhere in the meantime will have to relearn their local shopping habits. The Herne Hill forum, working with the councils, local traders and residents, are negotiating funding for legacy projects that will breathe life once more into the heart of Herne Hill.”

Fundraisers Team Freddie Farmer!

King’s Christmas trees For the sixth year running, the Jericho Road Project will be selling top quality, freshly cut Nordman Fir trees, with every penny of profit helping rough sleepers get safe housing, offering them a brighter future this Christmas. Part of King’s Church London, the Jericho Road Project has been helping rough sleepers and disadvantaged people throughout Lewisham borough for 12 years. The project provides 24 low support accommodation places and approximately 4,500 three-course meals for homeless people each year. Heidi Alexander MP (pictured alongside King’s Church’s Simon Allen), says: “this is a fabulous project that is making a significant contribution for people in need.” Prices range from £35 for a 4ft tree to £63 for an 8ft tree, with tree pick-up points in December in Catford, Deptford and Beckenham; or you can pay a little more for the convenience of home delivery. For orders, email kingschristmastrees@kingschurchlondon.org, call 020 8690 5121, or read more at www.kingschristmastrees.org.

families south east - november 2013

At the end of September, a team of determined youngsters from Eltham, Bromley and Bexley schools took part in the Hever Castle Triathlon and raised thousands of pounds for the Freddie Farmer Foundation - wow! Very few races in the country offer such a stunning and inspirational race setting as Hever Castle, and this year over 1200 children took part, representing numerous charities and making it the largest children’s triathlon in Europe, if not the world. The Freddie Farmer Foundation was set up in 2011 to raise funds to set up a specialised physiotherapy centre in southeast London for children and young people with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems. Having raised over £230,000 to date, the charity hopes to open the new centre in Bromley early in 2014 to help 100 children per year. The inspiration behind it all is nine-year-old Freddie Farmer who was born at 28 weeks with cerebral palsy, weighing just 2lb 12oz. At present, Freddie goes to a specialist centre near Oxford three times a year for three weeks of treatment, travelling there and back every day. The treatment includes a “Spider” - elasticated ropes that allow Freddie and the other children to get vital support as they do their exercises. The Spider would be the single most important piece of equipment when the local centre is developed. To find out more or offer your support, visit www.freddiefarmerfoundation.org.uk.

Penguin dash Your eyes won’t deceive you - there really will be lots of penguins around Wood Wharf in Canary Wharf on 13 November as adults and children dress up to join The Richard House Children’s hospice and attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as penguins. After the initial congregation has been counted by officiators at 6.30pm, there will be a short 2km dash around Wood Wharf in which everyone is invited to participate by walking, jogging - or waddling. Children can opt to make their own penguin outfits and enter a fancy dress competition, while for £15 (and with a minimum sponsorship of £100), adults receive their penguin costume and one child under 12 can go for free - all in aid of the Richard House Children’s Hospice. To take part, go to www.richardhouse.org.uk/Penguin_Dash_2013.

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Weeks This Month’s Get ready to jump

Against bullying

Children’s Activity week will run from 11-15 November, when children are invited to ‘Get Ready To Jump’ and raise over £30,000 for Tommy’s charity to help give women the best possible chance of having a healthy baby. Right from the word go, activity should be a way of life and parents can take the lead in developing their children’s physical and social development at an early age. The key point is to have fun and join in with them, because that’s what they really like. Around 40,000 babies and children will be participating in extra active Tumble Tots sessions during National Children’s Activity Week, and to help build a healthier nation, parents will be encouraged to continue the physical activity at home. A free copy of the Get Ready to Jump leaflet with ideas of jumping exercises, dance and singing activities is available from Julia Forrest’s Tumbletots classes in Dulwich, Blackheath, Clapham and Battersea, 020 8464 4433. For other class areas or your leaflet, call 0121 585 7003 or go to www.tumbletots.com.

National Anti-Bullying Week takes place 18-22 November this year, with the theme ‘The Future is Ours: Safe, Fun and Connected.’ As always, the Anti-Bullying Week website is packed with resources for schools, parents and children, plus online workshops, practical resources and short films on how to survive bullying. You can also join the Anti-Bullying Roadshow which tours schools, youth clubs and parents groups throughout the UK during November. Powerful, fun and exciting, the Roadshow includes music, science, strategies and up-to-date research and information on bullying. Check out the website too for their Anti-Bullying Village for Kids and Teens - a virtual space created by young people for young people where you can interact with others, as well as find out about events on school bullying, violence, racism and xenophobia through workshops, young people’s conferences and exhibitions. www.antibullyingweek.co.uk

National Adoption Week Making space for a child in your life is an amazing thing to do. It is also a big decision and there is a lot to think about and learn. National Adoption Week runs from 4-11 November this year. Since its launch in 1997, the initiative has gone from strength to strength, reaching people across the UK who want to know more about adoption. It is important in reminding people about the backgrounds of the children waiting for adoption and the difference adoption can make to a child’s life. It also attracts people wanting to find out about their own adoption or about a child they put up for adoption. The National Adoption Week website is packed with advice and support for people thinking of adopting a child, as well as help for adopted children, birth parents and adoptive parents. Discover some fascinating real life stories and find out more about the steps you should take if you are thinking seriously about adoption. Check out the myths and facts of adoption, how to go about it and all the support you will need at www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk.

ristmas h C o t n w o d Count street h ig h e h t n -o It’s often said that today’s London is a collection of little villages. The high streets that used to run through separate suburbs now sit together like well-behaved siblings at a dining table, each with their own distinctive character. Here are our favourite local shops, where you can chat to the owner, pick up great gifts, and a free copy of Families South East to take home. TOYS and GAMES 2nd Impressions Art Stationers and Toyshop Beckenham Toys Choc-A-Block Toys Education Interactive Gently Elephant Green Baby Just Williams Just Williams Papagaio GORGEOUS GIFTS Alexandra Nurseries Alhambra Home & Garden Aqua Lifestyle Bunka Cissy Wears Doopo Doopo Dulwich Trader Jumping Bean Jumping Bean Ottie and the Bea Smash Bang Wallop South of the River BOOKSHOPS Beckenham Bookshop Bookseller Crow Dulwich Books Kirkdale Bookshop Review Rye Books Tales on Moon Lane Village Books

10 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath SE3 31 Dulwich Village SE21 226 High Street, Beckenham BR3 5 Nelson Road, Greenwich SE10 10 Staplehurst Road, Hither Green SE13 169 Brockley Road SE4 52 Greenwich Church Street SE10 105 Grove Vale, East Dulwich SE22 18 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill SE24 83 Church Road, Crystal Palace SE19

020 8852 6192 020 8693 5938 020 8650 5355 020 8616 3308 020 8318 6380 020 8692 2881 020 8858 6690 020 8299 3444 020 7733 9995 020 8653 1070

56b Parish Lane, Penge SE20 148 Kirkdale, Sydenham SE26 1b Calton Avenue, Dulwich Village SE21 4 Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill SE23 212a Hither Green Lane SE13 6RT 15 Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill SE23 9 Croxted Road, West Dulwich SE21 45 Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill SE23 47 High Street Beckenham BR3 Blackheath Royal Standard SE3 40 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE19 56 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE19

020 8778 4145 020 3417 6385 020 8693 9222 020 8291 4499 020 8852 8687 020 8693 2660 020 8761 3457 020 8314 4747 020 8650 5889 020 8465 5318 020 8771 5517 020 8653 1669

42 High Street, Beckenham BR3 50 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE19 6 Croxted Road, West Dulwich SE19 272 Kirkdale, Sydenham SE26 131 Bellenden Road, Peckham SE15 45 Upland Road, East Dulwich SE22 25 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill SE24 1d Calton Avenue, Dulwich Village SE21

020 8650 9744 020 8771 8831 020 8670 1920 020 8778 4701 020 7639 7400 020 3591 1850 020 7274 5759 020 8693 2808.

THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE! GOOD CHILDRENS PARTY CATERING 07415 720763 info@theincredible-edible.co.uk

www.theincredible-edible.co.uk familiesse.co.uk

november 2013 - families south east

school feature Day of Languages The modern languages department and the entire senior school at Bromley High School enthusiastically celebrated a recent International Day of Languages. Pupils, teaching staff, support staff and catering staff were all involved to make for an unforgettable day. The day started with an assembly prepared by Head of Spanish Miss Delatorre, with the help of some bilingual Year 7 and Year 8. This was followed by a quiz for Years 7 to 11 organised by the school’s very efficient and committed year 12 linguists who acted as Language Ambassadors throughout the day, which featured a special theme lunch. Throughout the day sixth form Language Ambassador linguists helped to promote the message of the day: “Languages are important, socially and in the work environment, but above all they are fun!” Head of Languages Madame Caroline Strange commented: “At Bromley High we realise just how important languages are, with currently around a quarter of our Sixth Form studying Languages at A level, including several studying more than one Language, and many of the girls will continue to study Languages at University. In a shrinking world, it is fantastic and very important to be able to celebrate languages and international culture in the school today. On the back of our recent International School Award from the British Council, and the diversity of pupils, many with a second language at home, it has been a day of celebration for us all. Merci bien to all concerned!”. www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net

Go girls! Design inspiration for Sydenham High girls Girls at Sydenham High School GDST recently received some money-can’t-buy design and career advice from the design chief of one of the world’s leading communication companies. Steve Pearce, Design Principal at Skype for the last five years, visited the school to talk to senior school pupils about how he became a designer and to explain the creative process at the global giant, which now has over a billion users worldwide. He has been designing software products for 17 years for some of the world’s most respected companies; creating services and products for the likes of Nike, the BBC, Gucci, Jamie Oliver and many others. The girls were amazed to discover how much development work and consumer research goes into the design of the simplest Skype icon. Mr Pearce also explained the importance of being proficient at Maths, as well as Art, if they want to go into his sphere of design work. Mr Pearce then visited the school’s Design & Technology department to talk to a group of aspiring 15-year old designers, working on their GCSE projects. He also saw the school’s newly acquired 3D printer in action, which the girls are now able to use in their work. www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

Streatham school hosts Girls’ Day School Trust Art Exhibition Britain’s foremost portrait artist Jonathan Yeo, currently exhibiting at the National Portrait Gallery, met aspiring young artists at the GDST Art Exhibition 2013 hosted at Streatham & Clapham High School. The exhibition featured nearly 200 works including acrylic and oil painting, etching, mixed media, sculpture, photography and video by A’Level and GCSE students from 20 Girls’ Day School Trust schools from around the country. In his speech, Mr Yeo commented on the high standard and creative range of the artworks before mingling with the guests and talking with many of the exhibitors. A highly successful portrait painter who received no formal training, he was inspired by his art teachers at school. Since the GDST was founded in 1872, art has always been part of the syllabus, and continues to flourish alongside complementary subjects such as design and technology and textiles. www.schs.gdst.net.

families south east - november 2013

Autumn Open Days Check the schools’ websites or telephone for more details and admissions criteria. For more schools and more dates, see our What’s On guide at familiesse.co.uk. St Dunstan’s College 7 November Prep, 16 November Senior school, Stanstead Road SE6, 020 8516 7200, www.stdunstans.org.uk

Sydenham High School GDST 6 + 13 November, Junior school 15 Westow Hill SE26, 020 8557 7000 5 + 12 November, Senior school 19 Westow Hill SE26, 020 8557 7000, www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net Streatham + Clapham High School GDST 5 November, Junior school, Wavertree Road SW2, 020 8674 6912, www.schs.gdst.net Bromley High School GDST 14 November, Senior School, Blackbrook Lane BR1, 020 8781, 7000, www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net Alleyn’s School 7 + 19 November, Junior school, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22, 020 8557 1519, www.alleyns.org.uk

Rosemead Preparatory School 5 November, and tours on Tuesday mornings by appointment Prep department 70 Thurlow Park Road SE21 Pre prep Elmcourt Road SE27, 020 8670 5865, www.rosemeadprepschool.org.uk Oakfield Preparatory School Group tours held once a month, 125-128 Thurlow Park Road SE21 8HP, 020 8670 4206, www.oakfield.dulwich.sch.uk.

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St Dunstan’s College Co-educational Independent day school for 3 -18 year olds

BROMLEY HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES 130 YEARS OF

Excellence

Us she will Thrive

With

Prep (KS2) Open Morning 2013

Thursday 7 November Tours start at 09.00 & 11.00

To book your place, please contact Rosemary Scard on 020 8516 7225 or rscard@sdmail.org.uk

Charity number: 312747

www.stdunstans.org.uk

Stanstead Road, London, SE6 4TY

4+, 7+, 11+, 13 + and 16+ Fees Assistance & Scholarships available in the Senior School

130

Your child’s future starts here

Find out more about life at Bromley High School S BH

admissions@bro.gdst.net Tel: 020 8781 7000 www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net/fse1

Maths & English tuition centre For 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities t Courses mapped to the National Curriculum. t Adapts to the individual needs of your child. t Convenient for families - Open 7 days a week. t Award-winning tuition - voted Education Investor Supplementary Education Provider of the Year. “Explore Learning members’ improvement in maths was 30% higher than that of the comparison group after controlling for gender, age, year group and special educational needs.” Independent Efficacy Study by the Institute of Education at Reading University (2013). See www.explorelearning.co.uk/efficacy.

are s c ild her ! h C uc pted Vo acce

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november 2013 - families south east

school feature

Memo to self:

let them fight their own battles

with these people, or round them, is a hugely important life skill.

Are you forever rushing into school to talk to your child’s teacher, or phoning other parents to talk about playground squabbles?

Talking to your child about what’s going on will also help her process her own feelings; and again, this is an important learning curve. Help your child see that it’s not the case that someone has got it in for her, but maybe just that the teacher or the other child has issues in their own life. And instead of encouraging your child into negative feelings (“that teacher / child has always been a total pain, I’ve been saying it for years”); turn things round into something positive (“everyone has bad days; what could you do tomorrow that could start to improve this relationship?”)

Think again, says Joanna Moorhead, a mother of four daughters. One of my daughters is disgruntled. I am, she says, a bad mother. “Other mums support their children,” she says. “When they have a problem, their mums go into school to talk to the teachers. You never do that.” She’s not entirely correct; I’ve had children at school for the last 15 years or so, and there might have been one or two occasions when I’ve gone in to talk to a teacher or a head outside of parentteacher meetings. But I could certainly count those times on the fingers of one hand; and, thinking about it, probably even on one finger. I hope I’m not a bad mother; and I know there are some problems - and bullying is foremost among them - when a meeting with a teacher has to be arranged, and fast. But bullying apart, I believe that my daughters are better helped if I hang back from making appointments, and arm them instead to negotiate their own issues, and fight their own battles, at school. Why so? Well, the raison d’etre of parenting is to make your child independent: and it seems to me that if I wade in at every opportunity to smooth my child’s path in life, I’m not helping her to learn to do it for herself. And what message does it give, if when she tells me about a problem she’s experiencing, my response is to say ‘I’ll come in to talk to your teacher about that’?

What message are you giving? What it says is: you can’t sort this out for yourself; you’re not smart enough or capable enough or

families south east - november 2013

eloquent enough. You can’t do it, but I can. And that doesn’t help my daughter develop those skills, and it doesn’t help her become experienced and confident at learning to problem-solve for herself. Sometimes, over the years, my daughters’ problems have been significant ones - and certainly many of them have seemed significant to my daughters, even if they didn’t seem all that important to me. On at least one occasion, the problem has been a clash between them and a teacher, and listening to their version it’s been difficult not to agree that, yes, it sounded as though the teacher was in the wrong.

Similarly problems with classmates. I long ago made a resolution never, ever to get involved at parental level over my daughters’ squabbles. Not only is life far too short, but more importantly, learning to get on with their peers is what childhood and adolescence are for. None of this means, by the way, that I’m abdicating responsibility for how my girls behave. It’s just that talking to other adults isn’t how I believe my offspring will learn to treat others well. That comes, I think, from modelling what I hope are good relationships in my own life, and in listening to the issues they have in their lives (when they want to talk about them) and helping them find a way of dealing with them.

Empowering our children This is what I tell my daughters: teachers are only human. Like everyone else in the world, teachers like some people better than others. So of course it’s possible that one teacher might not favour you, might even seem to pick on you, because he or she doesn’t like you. And, yes, of course it’s a terrible shame if you end up with an unfriendly-seeming teacher in a subject you really love.

‘I’m here for you’

But rather than race in to school to have it out with the teacher, I tell my daughter to find a way of dealing with it; and if possible, I help her work out what that might be. Could she start the ball rolling on building a better relationship with the teacher in question by being nicer to her, or by working harder in the subject, or by making more contributions in class? Because the truth is, all through life, there will be individuals who will seem to stand in the way of what we want - and learning to work

So it’s really important to make time to listen when my children are experiencing problems at school; and it’s crucial to validate how they’re feeling, to reflect back that I understand their worries and can see that it’s a genuine issue. But what should happen next is far more about equipping them to go back into school and work out how to put the problematic relationship on track, than it is about grabbing your coat and racing in to try to solve the difficulties yourself.

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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. Right. Here goes. Deep breath. “I am a football mum..” There, I’ve said it. My life is dominated by the Association Rules. And my car is full of mud as well as balls that thunk against the interior of the boot whenever I turn left or right. But we couldn’t have predicted the sheer mileage on the car in pursuit of away games when our son was first corkscrewed out. Afterall, we had no boy stuff at all. With two sisters under the age of six and Woolworths in the pinkest phase of retail history, the toy box was crammed with Polly Pockets and unicorns. Mindful not to waste the legacy of my liberal upbringing, I didn’t rush out to replace the Barbies with Action Men but when he finally got off his backside, our son was mad about the ball practically from that very first wobbly step. There was no science involved. No psychology (unless all that pink plastic worked as aversion therapy). That old nature versus nurture chestnut was a futile supposition in the face of a toddler who talked about shinpads in his sleep. HOW TO BE A DINOSAUR HUNTER - Lonely Planet rrp £12.99. But he was no stereotype. While Match Attack cards were his vice, he was never as taken by dinosaurs as his peers. Sure, he loved sharp teeth. Especially his own. But when we took him to see the animatronix at the Natural History museum, he jumped into my lap and wouldn’t get down til we were back on the Circle Line. From the Not-For-Parents series, “your globe-trotting, time-travelling guide” is absolutely stuffed to the museum rafters with facts and cheery drawings concerning anything and everything to do with our favourite extinct beasts, including tales of explorers and fossil hunters, male and female. Here you can learn how to excavate your own bones (no silly, not the ones still attached to you), how to identify the difference between the prehistoric time periods, who ate what in the food chain. And just to prove its thoroughness, it even has a page on our beloved Waterhouse Hawkins' dinos in Crystal Palace Park. BUILD THE T-REX by Darren Naish - Templar rrp £14.99. I could have saved myself the tube fare had this existed then. A make-it-yourself model plus book that is robust yet unfiddly, simple yet satisfying. Even the grown-up male gender stereotypes in your house could manage it. They’d probably make a mess though. Blood thirsty roars not included. THE BUCCANEERING BOOK OF PIRATES by Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by M P Robertson, Frances Lincoln rrp £12.99. Refusing to confirm to macho convention, unlike most of his mates my boy didn't care much for pirates either - you can’t kick a ball with a parrot on your shoulder, derrrr. However, I'm a tad partial to a pirate myself and as a kid nearly set the house on fire trying to brown the edges of a homemade treasure map. There are plenty of those here, plus stories and an enormous poster of your very own pirate. Sadly he looks more like Jim Royle than Johnny Depp but if I squint, I can but dream… THE PIRATES NEXT DOOR SOUND BOOK, by Jonny Duddle, Templar rrp £12.99 will drive you nuts of course, but you could keep it for emergencies only and get your own back by pressing the "har-har" button when your significant other has nodded off halfway through the bedtime story. WALTER TULL'S SCRAPBOOK by Michaela Morgan - Frances Lincoln rrp £6.99. This is the true tale of the first black outfield professional soccer player who turned out for Spurs before WW1. Then he became the first black officer in the British Army, seeing the trenches and being recommended for the Military Cross. This publisher is adept at making history approachable and here social and military facts are accessibly mashed up. With football. That’s right. There’s just not enough of that in my life. WHAT IF? by Anthony Browne - Doubleday rrp £11.99. This fellow is so very compelling. I challenge anybody to read any of his books fast. You just can’t. His illustrative style combining the mundane with the surreal, often featuring animals or even hinting at the grotesque, always sets the mood solidly in the contemplative. Here Joe is nervous about going to a birthday party. Worse, he and his mum have arrived on the right street but have no idea which house it is in. Each window depicts Joe’s worst nightmares - an austere elderly couple with a moonscape

on the wall and the saddest dog imaginable; naughty Tweedledum type school boys eating slugs and snails; Breugelian peasants wrestling in the living room; a stern elephant. But as ever, there is a happy ending when we can breathe a sigh of relief and wonder what all the fuss was about. ONE GORILLA, Walker rrp 6.99 is Mr Browne’s latest paperback, a counting book that features his favourite subjects - primates. And right at the end our relationship to lemurs and chimps and macacques and baboons is revealed with a crowd of smiling people just like me and you. Genius. 1000 ANIMALS, illustrated by Nikki Dyson - Usborne rrp £9.99. You are not kidding. There are hundreds of them. All with the trademark Usborne goggle eyes, like they are on amphetamines. But I can’t think of another children’s book that has two different types of seahorse in it, or Pacific thorny oysters for that matter. With creatures sorted by spots and stripes, horns and antlers, rivers and lakes, it goes all the way from the top of the food chain to the bottom. Usborne’s 1000 THINGS THAT GO, Simon Taplin, rrp £9.99 is more of the same only with wheels. The boy-child may well have been soccer crazy from the start though apparently immune to other laddish obsessions, but I did discover there wasn't much he wouldn’t do for a 99p Hot Wheels car with flames stuck on. Cheapest bribe in town. And it didn’t involve me being in goal. FAST & SLOW by Britta Teckentrup - Barefoot rrp £4.99. When I worked in nursery I often had to resist the urge at to put my hand up at circle time and answer the questions the teacher put to the fidgeting brood. “And what colour is a fire engine?” she’d ask and I would have to stuff my fist into my mouth to prevent myself from blurting out the answer, age forty-two. This lovely board book brought out my inner pre-schooler, flicking through it wasn’t enough and I had to apply my attention to each image - boat and raft? Fast and slow! Rocket and hot air balloon? You get the picture. Meanwhile, I’ve got a lot of time for Barefoot Books, not just because they have an enlightened catalogue of fine authors (look out for the reissue of the popular Cleo the Cat series by Stella Blackstone) but because they’ve pulled out of supplying a certain behemoth online supplier. What a novelty then to have to buy their excellent offerings from a real life book shop only. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, HARD LUCK by Jeff Kinney Penguin rrp £12.99. Earn yourself some Brownie points. Go on. They'll love you forever if they come home from school and find this on the kitchen table. THE LITTLE MERMAID by Robert Sabuda - Simon & Schuster rrp £19.99. I know this month’s page has come across a little ‘boy heavy’. Possibly I’m subconsciously infected by the cleggy reek of concentrated Bio liquid (why do they always have to smell so strong? It’s like my washing has been dipped in Lynx) that is required to get the dirt and grass stains out of all the sporty drip-dry garments I’ve got all over the radiators. But this isn’t girly. Sabuda is an unsentimental creator, and though his exquisite pop-ups are marvels of paper engineering, he never resorts to sparkly fluff. I like to think it is the kind of book you buy regardless of gender simply because it is so captivating. SCOUT TESTS & HOW TO PASS THEM - O'Mara rrp £14.99. This is firmly back in Man Land however. Old fashioned intellectual interrogation the pen and paper, Baden-Powell way. It is a punishment for my son who has ruined my parenting reputation over the course of a single weekend. I am always complaining that when he isn’t playing football for real, he is nailed to FIFA on the Xbox. “Can I get Grand Theft Auto instead?” he asked. “None of my friends are allowed it.” There’s a reason for that, I say. You aren’t eighteen. “But I’ve already told them I am going to buy it” he pleaded. “And now they've all told their mums that you don’t mind.”

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk fam-

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november 2013 - families south east

What’sNew inners Christmas W WIN: Dodo Pad retro treats The Dodo Pad is a high quality year planner, packed with inspirational quotes, quirky illustrations and a snigger of wit, as well as key calendar dates that will keep even the most disorganised person on track for success in 2014. Made of paper sourced from sustainable forests, the Dodo Pad comes in a range of sizes and formats, from desk to pocket diaries to wall planners and Filofax inserts. All planners have space to record the comings and goings of up to five family members so there’ll be no excuses for missing that dental appointment/ parents’ evening or upcoming birthday. Lord Dodo has perfect gifts for the whole family this Christmas. With the entire range available for under £15 and even an online ‘present picker’, you can easily find a stocking filler for the trickiest family member or workplace Secret Santa gift. Managing Director of Dodo Pad, Rebecca Jay, said: “Unlike a smartphone or tablet, the Dodo Pad will not chip or smash when dropped - though we do make rather gorgeous optional leather slipcovers to protect the corners! The cliché of ‘the gift that keeps on giving’ is almost as old as the dodo itself, but the Dodo Pad really is just that; constantly surprising and delighting those who use it week by week as it reveals its titillating titbits.” Now approaching its 50th birthday, Dodo Pad creates more than just diaries. With a range of organisers for parents-to-be, cooks, gardeners and many more, mugs and stationery, there’s something for everyone. For more information, visit www.dodopad.com or join @Lord_Dodo on Twitter or Facebook.

WIN! Dodo Pad are offering Dodo Planner Calenders to 3 lucky Families readers, and pocket diaries to 2 winners. To enter the draw, simply email info@familiesse.co.uk with “Dodo Pad Prize” in the subject line, sending us your name and address and whether you’re entering for a planner calendar or pocket diary, by the closing date Friday 29 November.

ACTING

SINGING

Ages 2.5 yrs - 19 yrs

STREET DANCE

WIN: Lands’ End winter layers Keeping out the winter chills is easier with snuggly layers, and Lands’ End is a much-loved, high quality clothing brand. Colourful, practical and packed with innovative details, Lands’ End outerwear is scientifically tested in all weather conditions to ensure your warmth, comfort and enjoyment whatever the weather. Children will love playing out in outerwear designed for adventure. Mothers will appreciate the long-lasting value of the ‘Grow-A-Long’ sleeves range, designed to adjust to little ones’ growth spurts. Grownups will find an extensive collection, from luxury tailored wool cashmere blend coats, to hi-tech performance outerwear including a range of down-insulated, super-light jackets and full-on weatherproof coats. Lands’ End truly has something for everyone and what’s more - for your first order, they’re offering £10 off on orders over £40. Simple enter FAMILY10 at the checkout for your exclusive discount. To view the collection, head to www.landsend.co.uk. Tweeters can follow @LandsEnd_UK and there’s a Facebook page too. WIN! We have £100 worth of Lands’ End gift vouchers for one lucky Families reader - it could be you! To enter the draw, simply email info@familiesse.co.uk with “Lands’ End Prize” in the subject line, sending us your name and address (and any message you’d like to send us!), by the closing date Friday 29 November.

WIN: Bizzy Bitz construction set Cool, addictive, educational - and as seen on Dragon’s Den earlier this year - Bizzy Bitz is set to be a Christmas hit. The simple ball and socket system offers infinite possibilities in creating accurate models of absolutely anything and everything. The additional advantage is that if a piece goes missing, you can always build hundreds of things from your remaining pieces. There are different boxes available to suit ages 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12yrs. To see the range, go to www.bizzy-bitz.com. WIN! For the chance to win a super maxi 850 piece box of Bizzy Bitz, go to www.familiesse.co.uk/competitions and enter before 2 December 2013.

GLEE CLUB

BOOK A FREE TRIAL CLASS TODAY!

PERFORMING ARTS South East London

Week long courses jammed full of acting, song and dance! TEL: 0208 244 4873 www.freedomacademy.co.uk info@freedomacademy.co.uk

families south east - november 2013

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Peter’s Railway offer Peter’s Railway Hits the Jackpot is the newest instalment in the Peter’s Railway series of children’s books, in which Peter and his Grandpa take on their most ambitious adventure yet - extending their lovingly hand built line from Crossacres Farm to carry children to and from the local school in Yockletts. The books are written by Christopher Vine, an engineer who loves railways and anything mechanical or electrical. They are his way of passing on his passion for engineering to today’s youngsters. One of the finest features of the Peter’s Railway series is the simple but accurate child-friendly explanations of how things work which are woven through every one of Chris’ books, along with John Wardle’s colourful illustrations. Children are shown easy to understand explanations of things like building a railway tunnel and how railway brakes work. There are hardback books, paperbacks, and an activity book, available from transport museums, selected high street bookshops, and direct from www.petersrailway.com. SPECIAL OFFER: Chris Vine is offering a free extra book with every order, all signed with a personal dedication to make a special Christmas present. Just go to www.petersrailway.com and order at least one book, then enter FAMDEC13 along with your dedication where shown, by the end of December.

Imagination for the Everyday Early years Drama www.theatretots.com

+ Weekly classes in Lee, Blackheath and Hither Green

+ Schools, nurseries and parties too! info@theatretots.com - 07801072776

ews Products & N Magic Mitten Every once in a while a truly revolutionary product hits the market, and this one promises to instantly settle distressed babies and regain precious sleep. The patented Magic Mitten is the first ever handheld baby calming aid that plays settling white noise sounds that only your baby can hear. The specially designed sounds have a swiftly calming effect that will soothe your baby whenever he or she is distressed. Even babies with colic are gently soothed into a calm state, removing a stressful burden from sleep deprived parents. The clever design allows you to securely and easily hold your baby while holding the Magic Mitten to your baby’s ear so it can be used by anyone, at anytime, at home or out and about. Product features include three sound options including mother’s heartbeat, ocean waves and rain on a tin roof; fixed volume providing safe decibel levels; and automatic switch off after 10 minutes’ use. The Magic Mitten is now available in the UK, rrp £29 from JoJo Maman Bébé instores and online at www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk. For more product details and testimonials, see www.magicmitten.com.

Structured play is “key for under 5s” A leading Kingston University psychologist says structured play for the under fives, rather than formal school learning, is the key to future education success. Dr Jo Van Herwegen has carried out extensive research in local schools using a series of numberbased games of her own devising, and says that while the government is right to resist pressure to raise the starting age for primary schools children, early years education needs to be targeted to make it as productive as possible. “Pre-schoolers need the basic building blocks as their working memory and language isn’t complete until they reach five or six, so developmentally they’re not ready for formal learning before that,” she said. In recent times, childcare costs have rocketed with parents having to fund provision up to the age of four through childminders, grandparents and nurseries, which means children are hitting school with varying levels of readiness depending on which environment they have been in. Dr Van Herwegen added: “If school nurseries became proper pre-schools with times and routines more akin to those the children will experience in reception class, they would be better prepared for school and parents would also save money and be able to consider going back to work.”

Countdown to Christmas Award winning classes from newborn to 5 years

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10% off first months membership

Quote FAMILIES MAGAZINE. Book your free trial class today!

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with K on

2013 winner!

‘Best national pre-schooler development activity’

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South London Dance Studios, 130 Herne Hill, London, SE24 9QL 020 8123 8423 hernehill@gymboree-uk.com

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Gymboree Herne Hill & Gymboree Crystal Palace

Longer lasting than a chocolate advent calendar, here’s one you can make yourself and use year after year. The kit contains everything you need to cut out, decorate and sew a unique and personalised fabric advent calendar with 24 treat sized pockets to fill with exciting little gifts. Why not divide the pieces of small construction toy like Lego or Playmobil among the pockets so children can slowly assemble the whole model in the run up to Christmas. £15.95 from Folly, www.follyhome.co.uk.

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gymboree-uk.com

november 2013 - families south east

Mothers Mean Business

Vanessa Woolf

Storyteller What a wonderful title - professional storyteller! When we heard about Peckham mother-of-two Vanessa Woolf, we wanted to find out more, particularly when she offered to advise Families readers on the many places to enjoy storytelling in southeast London.

FSE: What does the job of a professional storyteller actually involve? I have to engage an audience! Whether it’s two toddlers or two hundred medical students, whether it’s a hall of schoolchildren or a room of people in a pub... Sometimes I’m asked to read books aloud, and of course I love reading. But usually there are no books involved. Just like my mum did, I tell stories. I know myths, folktales and legends by heart... my head is full of dark forests, foolish ravens, brave heroines, villainous foxes, ancient gods, talking fish, and all the wonders of our imaginations. That’s where the magic comes in. The professional side is about being sensitive and flexible to my clients because everyone needs something different. Businesses like Pret A Manger or Westfield Shopping Centre want punchy versatile shows to keep children happy. Schools and museums want workshops to inform and educate. Festivals might commission a story about local history or a landmark. I also get asked to do parties - both for adults and children. Choosing tales to suit the mood is a big part of the job. But whatever the gig, my main task is to be interesting, funny and exciting.

FSE: You are now successful and in demand. How easy or hard was it setting up the business? The learning curve was immense, because I needed to start getting paid quite quickly or the family would go hungry! I had some flyers designed and printed which were gorgeous and cost a fortune - I didn’t realise that most of my business would come from word of mouth. Sadly - though I loved those flyers - they were a total waste of money. The hardest thing about starting out was learning lots of new tales in a short time. I’ve got loads at my fingertips now, kids usually like the funny ones best. (Though not all stories are suitable for little ones- some are quite scary!) FSE: How do you balance work time, family time and time off? Balancing work and family is a task that would challenge even the most gifted circus acrobat. Sometimes I have to take the boys with me to a gig. They usually don’t mind, but if it’s one they’ve heard before then it’s iPhone-time! FSE: Where are your favourite places to visit in southeast London, whether for your own time off, or with your family? I’m a fan of London’s secret corners. When I find somewhere with real atmosphere, I often organise a storytelling event there. For example, the 500 year-old derelict docks in Woolwich are magical and perfect for stories - as is the Heygate Estate in Elephant and Castle. When I’m with my sons we go

The Ward Homes Discovery School

FSE: We would have loved to know that such a job existed when we visited our careers office at school. How did it come about for you? My mum is an author and she used to make up imaginary worlds for me - and I do the same for my children and friends. When I lost my job, I suddenly thought: ‘I’ve heard of storytellers, I wonder what they do?’ When I found out that it was a real job, I was delighted!

mudlarking by the Angel Pub in Rotherhithe, rummage in the bargains of Deptford Market or we feed the squirrels in Greenwich Park. (There are sometimes stories in the Maritime Museum!) FSE: What about great places to take story-loving children? The Horniman Museum has a wonderful thriving stable of storytellers, highly recommended. The Cuming Museum is fantastic and they are still running storytelling activities in local venues despite their recent fire. If your kids like pirates, take them to meet one at the Golden Hinde in St Saviours Docks (you can even sleep over!) The Albany Deptford and The Unicorn Theatre host loads of amazing storytelling shows - look out for anything by the ‘Crick Crack Club’. If your children really love stories, you could take them for a walk in Crystal Palace park and make up your own tales about the strange dinosaurs lurking in the lakes. Finally, many of southeast London’s bookshops and libraries hold free weekly storytelling sessions for little ones. FSE: The big question - are your two boys bookworms - or like many parents, do you find the lure of the games console/ laptop appeals to them more than a thumping good read? At the moment my boys are utterly obsessed with Minecraft and Doctor Who. I allow them 30 minutes of ‘computer time’ a day but offer extra screentime if they want to write a story on MS Word. This has resulted in lots of stories about Minecraft and Doctor Who, so I reckon that’s a partial success.

FSE: How can readers contact you to book events or find out more about your work? The best way is to email me on neckingernell@yahoo.com. You can find my website by googling “London Storyteller”.

families south east - november 2013

familiesse.co.uk

Ask the expert

“

My marriage has broken

down.

My husband and I have agreed on divorce and how to sort out the finances.

Do we need to bother with a solicitor? It is understandable why some people want to

by Mandeep Clair

finalise a divorce and resolve financial issues between them quickly and without lawyers. You didn’t plan to divorce when you married so, when you have come to the conclusion that your marriage is over, why prolong your predicament and not get the divorce finalised without further aggravation and lawyers being involved?

Asset sharing The terms of your financial settlement may have far reaching ramifications which could affect the rest of your life. There may be all kinds of highly relevant issues which you may not have appreciated and on which a solicitor can advise. They could be highly relevant to your claims. Furthermore, in your desire to achieve a quick and as painless a resolution as possible to your marital issues, you may feel pressurised into agreeing matters without full knowledge of the facts. Do you know exactly what assets your spouse owns, how much is in his bank account or indeed which bank accounts he has? Don’t be fooled into thinking that you automatically have no claim to assets in your spouse’s sole name.

Tailor made, sympathetic advice

the terms of your settlement may

affect the rest of your life...

”

Avoid unpleasant surprises A good solicitor will provide you with a high quality service, keep you properly updated on the level of your legal fees as they accrue and provide you with regular estimates for future legal fees, all of which will enable you to budget for costs and avoid any unpleasant surprises. A good solicitor will also encourage you to undertake straightforward tasks in your case yourself rather than making a charge for doing this, will inform you of any developments in your case in a timely manner, will try to ensure that your costs remain proportionate to the value of your claim, and can provide you with imaginative solutions which cater for your particular needs and priorities.

About the author

a good solicitor can provide you with

imaginative solutions...

Mandeep Clair is a mediator, collaborative lawyer and an experienced family solicitor at southeast London solicitors Grant Saw. The practice offers friendly, professional family mediation and legal services including an initial fixed fee appointment of £100 inclusive of VAT for legal advice in respect of relationship breakdown and/ or issues concerning children. If you then go on to instruct us to deal with your case, we will credit this payment back to you on your next bill. Please call 020 8858 6971 or email mclair@grantsaw.co.uk.

A good solicitor can provide you with a tailor made, face to face, sympathetic and cost effective service which suits your own particular needs and circumstances. There are various online organisations promising fast and cheap online divorce solutions. But the low fixed fees which they offer are likely to mean that the advice and service received is not of a good quality, which could mean that important and complicated issues are overlooked. The initial advertised fixed fee may not be the final fee, and you should beware of the small print and extras being added to the final bill. An online company may simply not deal with a case if it becomes contested, leaving you to instruct a solicitor to pick up the pieces which might end up costing you more than if you had used a solicitor from the outset. Instructing a solicitor is not necessarily expensive and you can ask your solicitor to stop work once you reach a specified fixed fee. You might want to obtain just some initial advice on a fixed fee basis and some solicitors offer this.

familiesse.co.uk

november 2013 - families south east

Christmas Fairs BLACKHEATH CHRISTMAS FAIR 17 November, BLACKHEATH HALLS, 23 Lee Road SE3 9RQ

LEE GREEN OPEN STUDIOS

KATE ADIE

Thirty selected local designers, artisans and independent traders will be showcasing and selling beautiful hand-crafted presents, from cashmeres to award-winning ceramics, Bolivian knits to finger puppets, limited edition prints to jewellery, organic babywear and recycled bags, to enamel bowls and gorgeous Christmas decorations, spectacular Indian silks and kitchen linens. There’ll also be gourmet delicacies, live music, face painting, a tombola and the opportunity to buy charity Raffle tickets. 10.30am-4pm, with door sale and raffle proceeds going to the work of Age Exchange, and also the volunteer-run lending library which shares its building with Age Exchange in the heart of Blackheath Village.

BLACKHEATH FAIR

What’sOn

ALLEYN’S HOLLY FAIR 30 November, ALLEYN’S SCHOOL, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22 More great stalls than ever, offering a huge range of Chrismas gifts. Plus Father Christmas in his grotto, Popchoir providing the music, raffles and Christmassy refreshments. 11am-4pm.

Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

Diary Dates for Grown Ups NCT TOY & EQUIPMENT SALE 9 November, St JOHN’S CHURCH, Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham BR3 3JN Good quality toys and equipment for sale, just as Christmas budgets are starting to feel the squeeze. Organised and run by Beckenham and Borders NCT. 10.30am-1pm.

HORNIMAN FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays until 21 December, HORNIMAN MUSEUM GARDENS, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk A locally sourced, locally sold farmers’ market selling vegetables, meat, fish, bread, flowers, hot food and much more in the glorious museum gardens. 9.30am-1.30pm, admission free.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SHOW 9+10 November, BATTERSEA EVOLUTION, Chelsea Bridge entrance, Battersea Park SW11 4NJ, 020 3301 0299, www.schoolsshow.com Everything you need to know about independent schooling, from pre-prep to sixth forms, single sex, co-ed, day and boarding schools. The Education Theatre hosts talks from education experts and school heads, while hundreds of school exhibitors showcase the education they offer. Open 10am-5pm Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday. Tickets £10 on the door or free when booked in advance.

LEE GREEN OPEN STUDIOS 9+10, 16+17 November, VARIOUS VENUES around Lee Green SE12, www.leegreenopenstudios.com Lee Green Open Studios currently has 57 visual and applied artists and crafts people working in studios and homes in the southeast London area. During the Open Studios weekends, local residents and visitors are able to meet and buy arts and crafts from printmakers, photographers, painters, sculptors, ceramicists, textile artists, jewellers, mosaic artists and craftspeople. For the full line-up, see the website.

BLACKHEATH TOY SALE 16 November, ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, Duke Humphrey Road, Blackheath SE3 0TY, email: toysaleblackheath@gmail.com Thousands of fabulous second hand toys on sale, a raffle, a café and the marvellous Axel Scheffler will be there to sign books for a donation to Children in Need. 11.30am-1.30pm, entrance £1 adults, children free.

BABY JUMBLE NEARLY NEW SALE 16 November, HABERDASHER’S ASKE’S HATCHAM COLLEGE, 135 Pepys Road, Telegraph Hill SE14 5SF, www.babyjumble.com The day promises to be busy and fun for all of the family. As well as being able to pick up nearly new baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment, there will be tea, coffee, cake and other activities. 11am2pm, entry £2 per family, with 25% donated to the Lee Oasis Baby Safe Project.

KATE ADIE TALK AND BOOK SIGNING 22 November, The Great Hall, ALLEYN’S SCHOOL, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22 Dulwich Books presents multi-award winning journalist Kate Adie, who will discuss and sign copies of her new book ‘Fighting on the Home Front: The Legacy of Women in World War One’. When World War One broke out, a generation of men went off to fight. Kate Adie’s book shows how women emerged from the shadows of their domestic lives to take up essential roles. 7pm start, tickets £20 include a copy of the book (rrp £20), available from Dulwich Books, 020 8670 1920, www.dulwichbooks.co.uk.

WELCOMING BABY NUMBER TWO 24 November, THE VALE PRACTICE, 64 East Dulwich Grove SE22 8DT, 020 7043 0672, www.theneopractice.com An antenatal course specifically designed by the Neo Practice for second time parents. The course has been developed with leading experts including midwives, maternity nurses and sleep specialists as well as in-house research, conducted with the help of seasoned, second time parents. Get expert advice on managing day to day with a toddler and a new baby; learn how to avoid and deal with sibling rivalry; help your eldest child prepare for the new addition to your family; hear real life stories from second time parents on handling crunch times, and

families south east - november 2013

HORNIMAN CHRISTMAS FAIR 7+8 December, HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk

meet other local second time parents-to-be. 10am-5pm, £200 includes a free phone consultation with a Neo midwife, sleep consultant or other parenting expert for use before or after your baby arrives.

Discover unique Christmas fair trade gifts, enjoy festive food including mulled wine and visit Santa’s Grotto (book first). 10.30am - 4.30pm.

Theatre, Shows and Music FAMILY SHOWS AT THE ALBANY

CINDERELLA

THE ALBANY, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4AG, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk All tickets £7 or £24 for a family unless otherwise stated. FAMILY CIRCUS BITES, 10 November. Circus for audiences of all shapes and sizes! Experience the excitement and magic of a trip to a very modern circus with all the family to the sounds of DJ Jean Genie spinning terrific tunes. Ages 3+ £9, family ticket £32. PINOCCHIO, 17 November. Follow Pinocchio and his grasshopper friend as they set out on an adventure - to find some fun! Now; if only his nose would just stay still! Hiccup Theatre join forces with acclaimed children’s writer Michael Rosen to bring to life a sparkling new version of this classic tale with live music, puppetry, physical storytelling and longer and longer noses. Ages 4+ £7, family ticket £24. ONE SNOWY NIGHT, 10-29 December. Percy the park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. But one cold winter’s night, Percy finds his little friends shivering on the doorstep looking for somewhere warm to sleep. Squirrel, Fox, Badger, Hedgehog and friends warm their collective paws (and claws) in Percy’s home until they too are disturbed by a little something burrowing into the hut from below. A cosy Christmas tale based on the best-selling books by Nick Butterworth, full of songs to sing along to, furry friends to meet and blankets to be tucked up in. Ages 3-7, tickets £9.50 adults, £8 children under 12, family ticket £32.

29 November - 5 January 2014, CHURCHILL THEATRE, High Street, Bromley BR1 1HA, 0844 871 7620, www.atgtickets.com With spectacular sets and costumes, ugly sisters and stepmother to boo and hiss at,Cinderellais fantastic seasonal fun for everyone aged 3 to 103! £15.90- £34.90.

PUSS IN BOOTS 21 November - 5 January 2014, GREENWICH THEATRE, Crooms Hill SE10 8ES, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk The classic tale of a poor young man whose fortunes are transformed with the help of a magical talking cat is brought to spectacular life in our latest pantomime extravaganza - but can Puss really outwit the evil goblin and survive with any of his nine lives intact? Tickets from £19.

SLEEPING BEAUTY 13-31 December, BROADWAY THEATRE, Catford SE6 4RU, 020 8690 0002, www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk Spin some dreams this Christmas with the premier pantomime production of the girl who pricks her finger and falls asleep for one hundred years before true love’s kiss awakens her. The classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty will be packed with comic calamities, slapstick humour and a host of creative characters to entertain everyone.

FAIRFIELD HALLS FAIRFIELD HALLS, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk MOSCOW BALLET, 18-20 November. Some of Moscow’s best young dancers, outstanding principals, stunning soloists and a sublime corps de ballet are joined by a live orchestra to perform Swan Lake, and the Nutcracker. Tickets from £15. SANTA CLAUS AND THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE, 5-24 December. It’s Christmas Eve in Santa’s North Pole HQ. The reindeer satnav is programmed and the toys are piled high on the sleigh - then chaos strikes! Rudolph is missing and the Elves are misbehaving. How will Santa ever deliver the presents to all the boys and girls? Help save the day in a show filled with songs, stories, snowflakes, a meet and greet with Santa and a free gift. Tickets from £10. PETER PAN, 6 December - 5 January 2014. EastEnders baddie Steve McFadden is the villainous Captain Hook in a fun-packed comedy panto promising dazzling sets and costumes plus plenty of audience participation. Tickets from £17.

SNOW PLAY 10 December - 11 January 2014, BLOOMSBURY THEATRE, 15 Gordon Street WC1H 0AH, 020 7388 8822, www.thebloomsbury.com What would you do if one year Winter decided to stay and moved into your house? That’s what happens in this snowy spectacular show where you are guaranteed a white Christmas, no matter what the weather or the time of year. £10-£15.

INTO THE FOREST 3-22 December, THEATRE PECKHAM, 29 Havil Street SE5 7SD, 020 7708 5401, www.theatrepeckham.co.uk An adaptation of Anthony Browne’s book that leads children to ask many questions about imagined characters. Starring young actors from TP’s Theatre School, the production is a highly visual version of the book, with original music and audience participation. Ages 4-11.

TREASURE ISLAND 2-22 December, GLYPT TRAMSHED THEATRE, 51-53 Woolwich New Road, SE18 6ES, 020 8854 1316, www.glypt.co.uk A thrilling theatrical voyage full of live music, sing-along sea-shanties and plenty of pirates! Experience the magical transformation of The Tramshed as the players batten down the hatches and get ready to set sail on a swashbuckling family adventure! For the whole family. Tickets from £6.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK 6 December - 11 January 2014, SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE, Shipwright Yard, Corner of Tooley Street and Bermondsey Street SE1 2TF, 020 7407 0234, www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk Journey with Jack through a raucous world of magical beans, milk squirting cows, tap dancing mice and, of course, giants! Age 7+, £10-£16.

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Spring term dance classes for children and adults Starting January 2014 Contact us for information and to enrol 130 Herne Hill, SE24 9QL 020 7978 8624 info@southlondondancestudios.co.uk www.southlondondancestudios.co.uk

LONDON’S FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SHOW Sadler’s Wells presents The Birmingham Repertory Theatre production of

The live stage show based on Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman Music and lyrics by Howard Blake © Snowman Enterprises Ltd 1982, 2012

SOUTH LONDON DANCE STUDIOS

“Sheer theatrical magic. Go see The Snowman and melt” The Times

ET ONLY £95 FAMILY TIstCK include at least 1 child

g Featurin

‘Walking in the Air’

4 tickets, mu

Max £2.50 Transaction fee applies.

Wed 27 Nov Sun 5 Jan

4 5

1 7

Leeds Castle presents

The Twelve Days of Christmas Castle Decorations 7 to 24 December

Husky Sleigh Rides 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 to 24 December

Christmas is alive at Leeds Castle this year. Nature has crept into the magniﬁcent castle rooms to create a glittering Twelve Days of Christmas.

Children will love our new husky sleigh rides. £3 per child per ride.

“A fantastic, utterly enchanting show. Children and adults will be captivated.” Evening Standard With Cbeebies Patrick Lynch

Real Reindeer 7 to 24 December

10 Dec - 11 Jan

Meet Father Christmas’ reindeer outside the castle.

Our ﬁrst Christmas Market with German market style chalets and traditional carousel rides. Browse handmade decorations for your home and quality gifts, as well as locally-produced fare ideal for the Christmas dinner table.

LYNGO THEATRE PRESENT

AGES 3+

SNOW PLAY Bloomsbury Theatre 020 3108 1000 / 15 Gordon St. WC1H OAH / www.lyngo.co.uk www.thebloomsbury.com

Father Christmas Visits 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 to 24 December Discover an enchanted forest grotto where children can meet Father Christmas.

The Christmas Market 7 to 22 December

A £7 grounds only ticket is available. Late night shopping until 9pm on 12, 13, 19 and 20 December.

There is so much to discover at Leeds Castle this Christmas. For further information and booking details visit leeds-castle.com familiesse.co.uk

november 2013 - families south east

inventor dad in a house filled with technology. Bobbie has everything she needs ñ except someone to play with. Age 4+, £8-£10.

MINI MAESTRO FAMILY CONCERTS

ONE SNOWY NIGHT

THE GRUFFALO

ALICE AT THE POLKA

POLKA THEATRE

MoreWhat’sOn Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG 23 November, CHELSEA THEATRE, Kings Road SW10 0DR, 020 7352 1967, 30 November, MICK JAGGER THEATRE, Dartford DA1 2JZ, 01322 291100, 7 December, RIVERSIDE STUDIOS, Hammersmith W16 9RL, 01789 799 499, 8 December Lilian Baylis Studio, Rosebery Avenue EC1R 4TN, 0844 412 4300, www.lets-all-dance.co.uk Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess. She loved playing with her golden ball but one day she drops it in the pond. When a very friendly and very bouncy frog offers to retrieve it in exchange for her friendship, she is far from keen. But in the end the princess must agree to be his friend just to get her ball back. Slowly their friendship grows and the princess is rewarded in true fairytale style. This beautiful new ballet by Let’s All Dance combines all the ingredients to charm audiences young and old. An original score, gorgeous costumes and crystal clear story-telling draw you into the magical world of classical ballet, and make it accessible to all. A lovely production and a heart-warming tale with the theme of friendship at its core.

THE GRUFFALO 20 November - 12 January 2014, LYRIC THEATRE, Shaftsbury Avenue W1D 7ES, 0844 412 4661, www.gruffalolive.com Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of The Gruffalo, based the award-winning picture book by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson MBE and Axel Scheffler. Meet a wheeler-dealer Fox, an eccentric old Owl and a maraca-shaking, party-mad Snake! Mouse can scare these hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined? Expect songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3+ and their grown-ups, in a show that’s toured around Britain and the world. Let your imagination run wild!

ARTS THEATRE ARTS THEATRE, Great Newport Street WC2H 7JB, 020 7836 8463, www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk DICKENS ABRIDGED, 27 Nov - 5 January 2014. A high speed, comic journey through Dickens’ greatest hits in just ninety minutes. SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, 30 Nov - 5 January 2014. Join the Cat in the Hat as he takes a journey into the fantastical, bombastical and songtastical world of Dr Seuss.

BARBICAN THEATRE BARBICAN THEATRE, Silk Street EC2Y 8DS, 020 7638 8891, www.barbican.org.uk/theatre FRAMED FILM FESTIVAL, 16-24 November. The Barbican’s annual showcase of the best international cinema is back with a fantastic mix of screenings and workshops aimed at under 12s and teenagers. GET HAPPY, 12-29 December. A mysterious noise is heard from a bag. An opera singer falls in love with a gorilla. And the strangest egg sandwich ever is created in front of your very eyes. Performance, dance, music and visual comedy for ages 4+. SLEEPING BEAUTY, 22 December. Cursed at birth by the evil fairy Carabosse, Princess Aurora descends into a deep slumber on the day of her 16th birthday. Only the kiss of a prince will awaken her. 3pm, £18.

UNICORN THEATRE UNICORN THEATRE, 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7645 0560, www.unicorntheatre.com GET UP AT THE WEEKEND. Join the Unicorn Play Club every Saturday from midday. Take part in free activities in the foyer such as rocket building, cake decorating or even Olympic musical chairs. SENSACIONAL, until 14 Nov. Bursting with colour and joy, this interactive and immersive experience captivates younger audiences. Suitable for 18 months - 4 years. HENRY THE FIFTH, until 16 Nov. Kings need crowns and castles to prove themselves, and so does Henry the Fifth of England. But Henry is running out of cash and all he can think about is that his neighbour’s castle is bigger than his. So he decides to invade... Ages 8+. DORA, until 17 Nov. Letting go of things can be hard but sometimes giving something away can make you even happier. Dora’s story celebrates the pleasure in giving and receiving, and will charm children and adults alike. Ages 4+. CINDERELLA: A FAIRYTALE, 26 November - 5 January 2014. A dazzlingly original take on one of the best-loved fairytales of all time. £15-£22.

families south east - november 2013

St MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS, Trafalgar Square WC2N 4JJ, 020 7766, 1100, www.lmaorchestra.com Treat your family to a magical musical event for young people, with live music performed by the London Musical Arts Orchestra, and lots of hands-on fun. BRAHMS’ 1st SYMPHONY, 16 November. Ages 4-12, 4.30pm, tickets £6.50 children, £8.50 adults. PETER AND THE WOLF, 7 December. 11am, tickets £5 children, £7 adults. FAMILY CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT, 7 December. 4pm, tickets £7 children, £14 adults.

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 3-29 December. Leave your shoes and slippers by the fireplace and settle down to hear one man’s story about the night he met a certain twinkly eyed, round-bellied chap! £10-£16.

THE GOOD NEIGHBOUR 6 December - 4 January 2014, BATTERSEA ARTS CENTRE, Lavender Hill SW11 5TN, 020 7223 2223, www.bac.org.uk There are long-forgotten mysteries lurking behind every creaking door of Battersea’s old Town Hall. Cobwebs cling to hidden doorways and secret passages, and from these old and dusty places an adventure is waiting to burst out and take over the building. Age 6+, £12-£19.50.

THE SNOWMAN 27 November - 5 January, PEACOCK THEATRE, Portugal Street WC2A 2HT, 0844 871 0091, www.sadlerswells.com When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure, meeting penguins, reindeer and naturally, Father Christmas. Ages 2+, tickets from £12.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, Covent Garden WC2E 9DD, 020 7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk THE NUTCRACKER, 4 December - 16 January 2014. A young girl’s nchanted present leads her on a wonderful adventure in this classic ballet, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s glittering score. Ages 5+, tickets from £6. HOW THE WHALE BECAME, 3 December - 4 January 2014. Ted Hughes’s magical stories are transformed into a captivating new Royal Opera commission by Julian Philips and Edward Kemp. Ages 5+, tickets from £7.

MY BROTHER THE ROBOT 10 December - 5 January 2014, ROUNDHOUSE, Chalk Farm Road NW1 8EG, 0844 482 8008, www.roundhouse.org.uk Once upon a time in the future a little girl called Bobbie lives with her

POLKA THEATRE, 240 Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB, 020 8543 4888, www.polkatheatre.com ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, 22 Nov - 15 February 2014. When Alice falls down a mysterious rabbit hole she stumbles upon a magical fantasy world where anything can happen. A 21st Century spin on the much-loved children’s classic, Lewis Carroll’s charming characters spring to life in an enchanting show full of music, madness and mystery. Take tea with the Mad Hatter, meet the White Rabbit, grin with the Cheshire Cat and play croquet with the Queen of Hearts in ad adventure that’s bursting with laughter, imagination, original songs and stunning staging. Tickets from £11. GORILLA, until 15 February 2014. When Hannah’s toy gorilla comes to life, dressed in her father’s coat and hat, they embark on a thrilling, moonlit adventure. Meet the world’s friendliest gorilla this winter in an adaptation of the classic award-winning picture book by former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne, brought to life with puppetry, music and a giant sprinkling of Polka magic. Ages 1-5, tickets from £8.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Until November 2014, THEATRE ROYAL, Drury Lane WC2B 5JF, 0844 858 8877, www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com Five golden tickets are hidden beneath the wrappers of Mr Willy Wonka’s delicious chocolate bars - five golden tickets which will change the lives of those who find them. The winning children are invited through the gates of Mr Wonka’s Chocolate factory to see all the secrets and magic inside, and to meet Mr Wonka and his staff of Oompa-Loompas. For Charlie Bucket, a poor boy living within sight of the factory, winning the fifth and final golden ticket is just the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of Roald Dahl’s original story is brought to life in a spectacular musical starring Douglas Hodge. Tickets from £25.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL Until December 2014, CAMBRIDGE THEATRE, Earlham Street, WC2H 9HU, 0844 412 4652, www.matildathemusical.com Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda is the captivating musical masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny.

Events and Attractions FAMILY EVENTS AT THE HORNIMAN HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ, 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. AMAZON ADVENTURE, until 24 November. Experience the world’s largest and most biologically diverse river with its extraordinary animals, exotic plants and fascinating cultures, with unusual creatures including mysterious pink dolphins, piranhas and anacondas, live rays and tetra fish. Discover the environmental dangers facing the Amazon and its inhabitants such as overfishing, poaching and logging. Fittingly, the displays and audio are bilingual English/ Spanish. Admission free for accompanied under 3s, £3 children, £6 adults, £15 families.

TRANSPORT MUSEUM EVENTS LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM, 39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6433, www.ltmuseum.co.uk Museum open 10am-6pm Mondays to Thursdays and weekends, from 11am Fridays. Admission free for under 16s, £15 adults. Tickets are valid for 12 months’ unlimited admission. ALL ABOARD! Let your under 6 ‘drive’ a scaled-down bus, train, tube or taxi , complete with passengers. They can also take control of the transport system, moving buses and trains around the museum’s miniature London. FAMILY STATION, weekends and school holidays. Pick up a free coin bag and choose some activities to do as you explore the Museum. Whether you fold your own bus and drive it between the vehicles, design your own poster-postcards or take photos through flickr frames, there is something here for families with children of all ages. LOOK FOR LONGER, until December 2013. Enjoy playing a cryptic Underground game in the galleries where you try to find the 75 London

Underground and DLR stations hidden within interactive graphics. You can also play at home at www.lookforlonger.com.

BEYOND EL DORADO: POWER AND GOLD 17 October - 23 March 2014, BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8181, www.britishmuseum.org In ancient Colombia, gold was used to fashion some of the most visually dramatic and sophisticated works of art found anywhere in the Americas before European contact. This exhibition will feature over 300 exquisite objects drawn from the Museo del Oro in Bogot, one of the best and most extensive collections of Pre-Hispanic gold in the world, as well as from the British Museum’s own unique collections. The exhibition explores the complex network of societies in ancient Colombia a hidden world of distinct and vibrant cultures spanning 1600 BC to AD 1700. Open 10am-5.30pm Saturdays to Thursdays, 10am-8.30pm Fridays. Admission £10.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING TO GREENWICH Greenwich Market SE10 9HZ, www.shopgreenwich.co.uk LIGHTS ON AND LANTERN PARADE, 27 November. The festivities begin with the local school children’s lantern procession and the switching on of the Christmas sparkly lights. The procession will start at 4pm in front of the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre at the Old Royal Naval College and will wind its way to the Market. The big countdown at 4.30pm is led by Sarah Jane Honeywell from CBeeBees and characters from this year’s Greenwich Playhouse panto Puss in Boots. All can join in singing Christmas Carols, meet Father Christmas in his Greenwich Grotto and shop late through to 7pm. GREENWICH MARKET, every day from 9-24 December. Up to 150 craft and designer maker stalls plus independent shops filled to bursting with gifts, stocking fillers, original artworks, toys jewellery, beauty treats and festive foods. FATHER CHRISTMAS AT HOME, 27 November, weekends to

familiesse.co.uk

Dance parties, fun classes and shows for children! Our magical ballet production, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

CANARY WHARF

The Princess & The Frog

BRIGHTON ROYAL PAVILION

is currently touring to schools and theatres all over England.

Ice Skating NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Until 5 January 2014, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Set within the museum’s breathtaking grounds, the Ice Rink is a charming winter wonderland in the heart of the city, where skaters twirl around a magical Christmas tree in the middle of the rink. Offering an array of entertainment and events for all ages, attractions include a beautiful fairground carousel, a junior rink for younger skaters and delicious Christmas themed refreshments. Tickets from £8 off-peak.

EYESKATE AT THE LONDON EYE 27 November - 5 January 2014, EDF Energy London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB, 0871 781 3000, www.londoneye.com Eyeskate in the shadow of one of London’s iconic landmarks, the London Eye, situated on the festive South Bank.

CANARY WHARF Until 16 February 2014, CANARY WHARF, Canada Square E15 5NY, 0844 847 1556, www.canarywharf.com Perfect for children and grownups, this year’s ice rink is bigger and better than ever, with all new skates and London’s only skate path which leads skaters on a glittering trail through fairy-lit trees to add to the excitement. Visitors can take to the ice and make the most of over 250 shops, bars and restaurants too, with lessons from fully-qualified National Ice Skating Association coaches, and three hours’ free parking for weekend visitors. Rink open 10am to late every day except 25 December.

SOMERSET HOUSE Until 5 January 2014, SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2R 1LA, 0844 847 1520, www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink Celebrate the festive season in style at London’s most glamorous ice rink. Skate School sets the standard for people of all ages and abilities to learn how to build confidence or improve their technique on the ice. A Penguin Club for under 8s successfully guides children through their first tentative steps on the ice. Booking required in advance for lessons. Open 10am to late, tickets from £7.50.

TOWER OF LONDON Until 5 January 2014, TOWER OF LONDON, Tower Hill EC3N 4AB, 020 8241 9818 www.toweroflondonicerink.com

22 December. A funny elf will entertain children with magic and balloon fun while they wait their turn to talk to Santa and collect a Christmas gift bag. 12.30-5.30pm, £4 a visit.

WHIPPERSNAPPERS’ WINTER WONDERLAND 7-23 December, The Park Keeper’s Lodge, DULWICH PARK, Dulwich Village SE21 7BQ, 020 8693 1682, www.whippersnapperschristmasshow.co.uk Father Christmas and his Elves will be helping Whippersnappers raise money to support their work at the Lodge delivering activities for children with disabilities in 2014. The setting is a magical ‘Gingerbread House, where guests will be served festive refreshments before entering Whippersnappers’ Winter Wonderland. Young visitors can dress up to help elves in a toy workshop, visit Santa’s twinkly classroom to decorate gingerbread tree decorations, meet Starfrost the Christmas fairy, make a miniature Christmas stocking, and enjoy a Christmas sing-along. And of course, no visit would be complete without meeting Santa himself in his grotto for some words of wisdom and a magical present to take home, before visiting the arts and crafts/ toy shop to collect their finished tree decorations and a framed sleigh photograph. Children’s tickets £18, adults £5 - book first.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM 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.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTS GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

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Check our website for more info and give your children the chance to experience dance at its best!

London’s most dramatic open-air ice rink returns to the spectacular setting of the Tower of London. Located in the moat, the ice rink is set against the magnificent fortress battlements, providing a stunning setting for winter skating in the City. Beside the ice rink, an Ice Bar & Café provides a welcome place to warm up after your skate, serving a selection of winter drinks and festive snacks. Sessions 10am-10pm, tickets from £9.

www.lets-all-dance.co.uk 020 8265 4634 info@lets-all-dance.co.uk

HYDE PARK 22 November - 5 January 2014, HYDE PARK, London, 0844 858 6755, www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Experience the essence of Winter Wonderland as you don your skates and glide around the spectacular, glittering ice rink. Set around the Victorian bandstand and illuminated with over 100,000 lights, the Ice Rink provides a truly magical setting for ice skating. Other attractions include the iconic Giant Observation Wheel, fairground rides, Zippos Circus, Christmas markets and new Yuletide Market and Santa Land for the younger visitors.

HAMPTON COURT 30 November - 12 January 2014, HAMPTON COURT PALACE, East Molesey KT8 9AU, 020 8241 9818 www.hamptoncourticerink.com Hampton Court Ice Rink invites visitors to glide around the ice in royal style within the setting of the magnificent Palace. Enjoy the winter sun as it glistens on the ice, and after dark, skate under the stars. The Palace is illuminated after the sun goes down, providing a magical fairytale scene to delight young and old. Open 10am-10pm daily, tickets from £9.

circus parties A unique and exciting way for your child to celebrate their birthday. Activities include everything from juggling and plate spinning to stilt walking! A perfect interactive treat for all! Contact james@pressplay.org.uk Tel: 0208 771 5075 or 07939 225 213

www.pressplay.org.uk

BRIGHTON ROYAL PAVILION 9 November - 19 January 2014, ROYAL PAVILION, Prince’s Street, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1ED, 0844 847 2352, www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk If you fancy a skating day trip by the sea, head to the Royal Pavilion in Brighton where an 800 square metre rink has space for 250 skaters. For families, visiting the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink for a day out is an experience not to be missed during the festive season, conjuring up the very essence of Christmas, whether it be for Sunday lunch with Father Christmas or an early evening skate and supper. Under 8s skate free at the Penguin Club when accompanied by a paying adult. Open 10am-10.15pm.

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

Established

1979

The springboard to confidence for your child • Exciting physical play programme • Specially designed equipment • Supervised by trained staff • Develops a child’s confidence, balance and co-ordination • First steps to an active life • Great fun! • Parties available For more information please call Julia on: 020 8464 4433 julia.forrest@tumbletots.com Classes in: Battersea, Clapham, Dulwich, Blackheath www.tumbletots.com/dulwich

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.

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. INVESTIGATE CENTRE. Explore hundreds of real natural history specimens, from a shark’s jaw to a meteorite as old as Earth. Work together as a family to investigate specimens and discover evidence along the way using microscopes, the computer database and other scientific instruments, with educators on hand to help. Weekends and school holidays. OCEAN LIFE, 10, 23 + 30 November. Discover the wonder and variety of

Tiny Tots age 2.5-3

Little Aces Junior Champs Grand Slammers age 3-4

age 5-7

age 8-11

fun filled tennis games and activities indoors with sponge balls and mini tennis rackets

FREE introductory session phone

07877 391005

www.tennis-4-kids.com email: gordon@tennis-4-kids.com

november 2013 - families south east

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.

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH GREENWICH MARKET

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

MoreWhat’sOn Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On marine creatures with the help of science educators. Handle real specimens, make your own 3D starfish and take part in rock star challenges, featuring amazing starfish costumes from costumier Anna Cocciadiferro. 11am-1pm, free drop-in. DINO CLAUS, 7 December. Discover what really happens at the Museum when the staff and visitors have gone home. While you stalk the corridors as the night descends, you’ll come across a variety of activities, including a torch lit trail in the Dinosaur gallery; a live minibeasts show; snuggling down at midnight after the excitement in the shadow of a diplodocus skeleton for the night. In the morning, before the Museum opens its doors to the public, tuck into breakfast and enjoy more amusements including a live animal show with Animal Man Nick Spellman. Ogle owls and marvel at meerkats in the Museum’s Central Hall. Ages 7-11, book first. PUPPET STORIES, 24 December. The stories of Rapunzel and Goldilocks never cease to enchant children of all ages. Meet the main characters in a colourful puppet show. As well as interacting with these enchanting tales, you’ll learn some amazing facts about the natural world. Children will be encouraged to think about things like the strength and structure of hair, and can handle real specimens from the Museum’s collections. Noon-12.30pm and 1.30-2pm, free booking on the day.

HMS BELFAST On the THAMES by Morgans Lane, Tooley Street SE1 2JH, www.iwm.org.uk 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-5pm, admission free for under 16s, £14.50 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. Entry included in general admission price. HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS, 16-17 November. Discover hidden stories about HMS Belfast and explore the fascinating lives of the men who lived and worked on board. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ, 020 7416 5000, www.iwm.org.uk IWM London’s brand new First World War galleries mark the 100 year anniversary of the start of the first world war. Large object displays in the new atrium accompany shops and a cafe opening directly onto Geraldine Mary Harmsworth park. A FAMILY IN WARTIME explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children, and what life in London was like during the war. A Family in Wartime is brought to life through interactive exhibits, photographs, recorded interviews with the family, archive film footage, paintings, personal documents and an intricate model of the Allpress family home. Admission free. HORRIBLE HISTORIES: SPIES, until January 2015. A major new family exhibition based on the popular children’s book series written by Terry Deary. Visitors will be immersed into the world of Second World War spy-craft, including codes and cyphers, disguises, camouflage, forgeries and gadgets. Tickets £3.30 children, £6.20 adults, families from £12.25.

V&A 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,

National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.uk Royal Museums Greenwich holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and incorporates the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the 17th-century Queen’s House, and Cutty Sark. The Museums works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people, and is also a major centre of education and research. Open 10am-5pm daily. General admission is free; some buildings, special exhibitions and events have an admission fee. 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.

CUTTY SARK CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark The world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four levels to explore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’s wheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on board through interactive displays, props, information boards and animations. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £6.50 children, £12 adults, from £20 families. Bundled tickets are available with the other Royal Museum Greenwich attractions. 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 with admission ticket. CHRISTMAS CARGOES, 7 + 8 December. Make a beautiful Christmas decoration inspired by the cargoes Cutty Sark carried around the world. Suitable for all ages, drop in workshop 11.30am1.30pm and 2-4pm.

Surprise a child Money comes to life

with a magical Letter

It’s fascinating and fun! Suggested donation

Special events and more every day in the Bank’s Museum

£5

WIN A TRIP TO ! LAPLAND

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 18

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Visit nspcc.org.uk/santa Call 0845 839 9304 or text Santa to 65599

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Cuddledeer Reindeer Towel, £29.99 from Cuddledry.com

The real family Christmas By Sarah Butters and Robina Cowan

Get your (ice) skates on In our house, the countdown to Christmas begins when the festive ice rinks open for business. It’s great exercise which means you’re able to treat yourself to cake and coffee without any guilt. And the children love seeing mummy and daddy fall flat while attempting a graceful glide; particularly when they seem to effortlessly ‘get it’ themselves. This year I’m seriously considering asking for a go on one of the Penguin stability aids at Somerset House... See our What’s On listings for great rinks; book ahead to avoid disappointment; and choose an off peak slot for the best prices.

Dress for the occasion

Track Santa Do you remember the days when a half eaten mince pie and an empty glass of sherry were proof enough that Santa had been? Life has moved on and the Twitter generation needs more. You can now receive personal communication from the overstretched OAP and even keep an eye on old St Nick as he circumnavigates the globe. To arrange a letter from Santa, (and help a good cause), visit www.nspcc.org.uk/santa, call 0845 839 9304 or text Santa to 65599. To track Santa from 1 December, go to www.noradsanta.org and tell your children to start behaving!

Ban the Christmas list Enjoy the end of term play Whether you have the Angel Gabriel, the fifth sheep or a chorus member under your roof this Christmas, take the time to enjoy the end of term play. Ignore the crowing parent whose daughter has the lead, again: “She’s Mary this year so I’ve made her go straight into character. She’s living in the shed and sleeping on hay.” Chances are, the production will not be the nativity at all but a modern show to rival West End’s finest musicals. Just pray that whatever your child’s role, the outfit can be cobbled together without too much hassle. But most of all enjoy the moment. Too soon it won’t be the sheep and the camels you’ll be fretting about. It will be the birds and the bees.

Have a pre-Christmas clear out There are certain inevitable facts about Christmas. You will receive an item of clothing that neither suits nor fits you. You will not have the batteries needed for 50% of the items your children open on Christmas Day. And the amount of ‘stuff’ in your home will double overnight. In the run up to the big day, encourage your children to fill a box with outgrown toys and take it to the school’s Christmas fair, a nearly new sale or your local charity shop. As well as clearing some space for the new arrivals, it’s a way to introduce your little elves to the concept of thinking of others.

Call me Scrooge, but I’m no fan of Christmas wishlists. I think it fuels the idea that this time of year is all about ‘getting stuff’ and that isn’t the spirit of Christmas we want in our house. No good will come of giving a child an Argos catalogue and a pack of Post-it notes. In fact, a survey in the aftermath of Christmas 2012 found that the most asked-for wish on the lists of British children was a brother or sister. Next was a reindeer. I think even Argos would struggle with those. If you don’t ask them to write a list, they’ll be delighted with whatever Santa leaves under the tree. Trust me.

Dig out the boardgames One year, I had to ban my mother from my Trivial Pursuit team as she kept calling out her answers when it wasn’t our turn. Yes, traditional games have so much to offer. They bring together the generations, inject a bit of competition (play in teams if you have little ones), and the chance to see their grown ups behaving childishly brings even the most avid console player to join in around the table. Have a laugh together with Charades, Cluedo, Pass the Bomb, Twister or Pictionary - there are so many games for all levels and abilities.

It’s a parental right of passage to dress up your son or daughter as a reindeer or a shrunken Santa. As well it being very cute, it also provides us with some super photographic ammunition for the future. My girls are 10 and 7 and have declared this the final year they’ll go along with my festive antics and will be withdrawing their labour from 2014. It’s a decision that’s making me broody. For those of you with more compliant/ younger children, enjoy the moment. And make sure you take plenty of photos.

Don’t forget the Christmas cards The incessant creep of new media has led to a huge increase in batch sending e-cards to all and sundry. In our view it simply doesn’t cut the mustard (or cranberry sauce). Thoughtfully chosen and personally sent, real Christmas cards add to the decorations, and call us old-fashioned but we’ve yet to hang a laptop over the fireplace. Enlist the help of the children on a wet afternoon to make some Christmas magic to send to aunts, uncles and grandparents, and buy charity cards for favourite friends, doubly showing that you care.

Make it magical Real magic doesn’t have to cost the earth but it will make your child’s Christmas one to remember. Spend time dressing the tree together or making Christmas biscuits. Time is something we have in such short supply in our lives but it’s well worth finding it this time of year. Create new traditions. Santa’s elves started leaving a Christmas Eve hamper at our front door last year. It’s filled with inexpensive items like a toothbrush, a festive DVD, some jolly pyjamas and a silly mug for a night time hot chocolate. It kicks off the festivities in a truly magical way.

Watch a Christmas movie Nothing lifts the spirits on a cold winter Sunday more than settling down together for a festive film. We’ve done a straw poll in and around Families HQ and here are our favourite five. Find them, watch them and have a very happy family Christmas. 1. Elf 2. The Snowman 3. The Polar Express 4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 5. The Nativity

And finally, remember that Christmas is not about presents or perfectly cooked turkeys. It’s about time and family. Your children will have forgotten what they were given by Easter, your family will have erased the memory of the burnt parsnips; but no one will forget the fun they had.

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