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Families Suffolk – The local magazine containing useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds

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iss JAN ue 15 /F 201 EB 4

Suffolk w w w. f a m i l i e s s u ff o l k . c o . u k

Once Upon A Time Exhibition page 3

In this issue

Clubs & Classes News - Family Matters – Meningitis – Suffolk Most Active County News – Child Safety plus much more I p s w i c h • R U SH M E R E • B E L S T E A D • WH E R S T E A D • P I N E W O O D • K E S G R AV E • H E N L E Y • W I T N E SH A M N A C T O N • H O L B R O O K • SH O T L E Y • C L A Y D O N • Woodbridge • Hadleig h • Sto w market

Welcome

Welcome back to Families Suffolk and I hope you all enjoyed some lovely family time over the Christmas and New Year period. We are starting 2014 with an issue jammed pack full of articles to beat away any January blues. So grab a cuppa and take a few minutes to enjoy reading not only our regular pages, but our new clubs and classes news page, a nursery feature which includes an article asking if we send our children into the classroom too early, plus a child safety feature that may be of interest if over the Christmas period you or your children received new computers or tablets. Not only that, but on page 6 Families Jack enjoying a winter walk Suffolk friend Shelley Brinkley shares her own familys experience of dealing with meningitis, plus Suffolk -Most Active County News and Ipswich Borough Council provide us with some inspiration and motivation to get active and healthy in 2014. If that isn’t enough, on page 15 we have 3 great competitions for you to enter. I hope you enjoy this issue, please do get in contact if you would like us to feature any specific article or event, we are always happy to hear from you. Happy Reading – Editor

Lisa Giddings

P.S If you enjoy Families Suffolk magazine why not register for our bi-monthly newsletter, this contains more useful articles, information and offers for you to enjoy www.familiesonline.co.uk/user/register

editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk twitter.com/Familiessuffolk facebook.com/FamiliesSuffolk

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Child Safety Suffolk Most Active County News

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Local News

BEAUTIFUL BENCHES

3-4 6 8-9 10 - 11 12 13 15

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Competition Page

Next issue - Mar / Apr 2014 Circulation - 16,000 copies of Families Suffolk are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other distribution points throughout Suffolk. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please contact us. Contact details 01473 788546 / 07887 945767 editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk

Offering a range of classically designed & traditionally constructed benches. Available in Teak & FSC Hardwood. Hand carved lettering & engraved brass plaques available.

Ideal for schools, playgroups, nurserIes & chIldren centres.

Request a brochure Call: 01284 830100 Email: info@johnrobertson.ltd.uk www.johnrobertson.ltd.uk Rowhedge Farm, Alpheton, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9BJ

Editorial, Advertising & artwork editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk Printed in the UK by Events, diary dates, out & about The Magazine Printing Company editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk using only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers DESIGN & EDITING www.magprint.co.uk Cresign: 01473 422 779 info@cresign.co.uk www.cresign.co.uk COVER IMAGE Front cover credit: Once Upon A Time Exhibition - A collection of works by East Anglian illustrators who have inspired generations. Our cover illustrations are the creation of Suffolk born Janet and Anne Johnstone who gifted some of their illustrations to the Museums service in Ipswich. Families Suffolk 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 license. We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributers can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any correspondences.

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Local News

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Is 2014 going to be a special year for your school or nursery?

Kidzone Mobile Creche Easton Farm Park - Half Term Offer

Enjoy half price entry during the February half term at Easton Farm Park. It is a magical time of year on the farm as the first lambs start to appear, the first kid goats pop out and the weather (hopefully) starts to give a hint of spring. Lambing on the farm lasts through from half term until after Easter and with over 50 ewes due to lamb during this period, there should be plenty to look at and enjoy on the farm. On top of this, enjoy a daily pony ride, pony & cart ride, hug a bunny, barrel bug ride and meeting the farm’s Suffolk Punch horses, ponies, pigs, donkeys and alpacas. There are two heated indoor playareas and a lovely warm café selling homemade food and cakes. Be the farmer as you ride around the farm on a pedal tractor looking at the animals and take part in a lambing quiz. Easton Farm Park is located approx. 3 miles from the A12 towards Framlingham. More details about half term and other events for 2014 can be found at www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk. Entry is half the usual price during the February half term, which TWELVE NEW SUFFOLK means £15 for a family of 4 – this includes all the in Lowestoft or attempting to thwart TREASURE TRAILS activities such as pony rides and hug a bunny. disgruntled jockey Rhoda Loser’s Local Treasure Trail Writer Dave Senior has Easton Farm Park also runs children’s birthday evil plan to disrupt horseracing created 12 new Treasure Trails for Suffolk, so parties and has a CL caravan site and 4 star in Newmarket. Other Trails cover if you are looking for something new to do holiday cottages. Aldeburgh, Beccles, Bury St with the children this year why not try one? For more info visit eastonfarmpark.co.uk Edmunds, Eye, Framlingham, Hadleigh Treasure Trails offer an imaginative and fun info@eastonfarmpark.co.uk. and Lavenham whilst a combined way to explore – and learn about – the local driving and walking Trail explores the area and its history. villages of Walberswick, Dunwich and You can choose between three themes; a New Year, New Career? Thorpeness. Treasure Hunt, a Spy Mission or a Murder Treasure Trails are neat A5 booklets Mystery. At the outset of each Trail the that are light and easy to carry. They ‘mission’ is given – to find the treasure, vary in length, but most average two miles and take a couple of hours crack the spy code or discover the murderer. to complete. Clear symbols on the front of each Trail will tell you at a You then follow an easy route and answer glance the length of the Trail, how long it should take you and whether it is a series of clues involving some interesting, pushchair and wheelchair friendly. Most of the local Trails are dog friendly scenic and historical sights along the way to too so you can get the whole family out and about, whatever their age, find the answers. exploring Suffolk. Perhaps your school or nursery is preparing to celebrate an important anniversary, a special teacher’s retirement, or long service? Is there someone who has made a significant impact on your school or nursery that needs to be acknowledged? If the answer is yes – you will love the competition we are running in the March/April issue of Families Suffolk Magazine. Courtesy of John Robertson Ltd, we will be offering one lucky school or nursery the chance to win a Suffolk 5ft Teak bench worth £260 plus £20 towards either hand carved engraving or a personalised brass plaque. John Robertson Ltd is a family run business based near Sudbury, Suffolk and specialise in high quality outdoor furniture and fittings, including commemorative and memorial seating. With an extensive range of beautifully designed and traditionally constructed benches made from Teak & FSC Hardwood they are certain to have a product available to suit any space and budget. If you can’t wait for the next issue and would like more information about John Robertson Ltd or to discuss any requirements you may have call: 01284 830100 email: info@johnrobertson.ltd.uk or visit johnrobertson.ltd.uk

The new Suffolk Trails will see you looking to solve The Mystery of Rosie Lee’s Last Cuppa in Southwold, seeking to identify the location of The Hidden German Gold

NUTKIN NANNIES ESSEX

Nutkin Nannies Essex is a professional Nanny agency run by Norland Nannies trained Sarah Healey. Having trained at the world-renowned Norland Nursery Training College, Sarah had over 15 years’ experience as a nanny and then a childminder. Having also had two children of her own Sarah therefore understand how hard it can be to juggle being a working parent and finding the best childcare for your little ones, and big ones! Having been the childcarer and the employer, Sarah is able to find the perfect unity between the two. Nutkin Nannies Essex specializes in providing the perfect nanny to suit your families’ needs, thus taking the stress out of finding the perfect childcare solution. The agency meets all our nannies personally and thoroughly checks all qualifications and references. Their nannies are all trained in paediatric First Aid and have an up-to-date DBS. Most are also Ofsted registered so you can be reassured, as a parent that they are of the highest quality. Nutkin Nannies Essex provides Nannies, Mother’s Helps, Maternity Nurses, Night Nannies and Babysitters. They cover Live-In, Live-Out, Permanent and Temporary positions. Although based in Braintree, Essex they cover not only the whole of Essex and the surrounding counties, but also nationally and internationally. 01376 529795 nutkinnannies.co.uk

Treasure Trails are a great way to encourage children to get out in the fresh air, explore Suffolk and most importantly…have great fun doing so. At just £6.99 each, they offer a great value activity for all the family. For all information and treasure trails visit: treasuretrails.co.uk.

Once Upon a Time

A collection of works by illustrators who have inspired generations. Colchester and Ipswich Museums are very excited to be staging the Once Upon a Time exhibition at Ipswich Art Gallery starting in January 2014. On show will be works by some of the UK’s greatest illustrators including Suffolk artists Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone, who are best remembered for illustrating Dodie Smith’s classic book The Hundred and One Dalmatians. (see front cover illustration).

If you have had the time over Christmas to reflect on your work/family/life balance and decided you are spinning too many plates. Or have made a New Year’s resolution to find a job or career that fits around your family commitments. Then you may be interested to read our New Year, New Career website article. Within the article you will find local opportunities, both employed and self-employed, which may give you more flexibility than you currently have and re-address the work/family/life balance. familiessuffolk.co.uk

The exhibition will also highlight other children’s book illustrators with links to Ipswich Art School and East Anglia. Margaret Tempest’s drawings for Little Grey Rabbit and Fuzzy Peg the hedgehog are in the Ipswich collection. Helen Oxenbury’s of We’re all going on a bear hunt fame and Ali Pasha illustrator Michael Foreman both attended Ipswich Art School. The works of the following Illustrators will be included in the exhibition Edward Ardizzone - Tim, Nick Butterworth – Percy the Park Keeper and Q Pootle 5 (cbebbies) , Michael Foreman – War Boy, Ali Pasha, Little Manfred with Michael Morpurgo, Kathleen Hale – Orlando the Marmalade Cat,Margery Gill – The Little Princess, Janet and Anne Graham Johnstone – 101 Dalmatians, Bill & Ben, Andy Pandy, John Lawrence – Watership Down, Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials, James Mayhew – Katie’s Picture Show, Katie and the British Artists Helen Oxenbury – Alice in Wonderland, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Margaret Tempest – Little Grey Rabbit, Fuzzy peg the Hedgehog The exhibition is at Ipswich Art School from 25 January – 4 May 2014 there is free admission. 01473 433681 cimuseums.org.uk #onceuponatime

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Local News

in association with

The New Wolsey Theatre

Multi – Sensory production at The New Wolsey Theatre

The New Wolsey Theatre strives to keep theatre accessible as possible for all. They are proud to be hosting and working with Frozen Light and their production of Tunnels. Join Lana on an exciting adventure as she searches for the light that has mysteriously disappeared from her city. Leaving the place that she calls home, Lana travels deep below the city into an underground world filled with music, smells and curious characters. An enchanting multi-sensory production that fuses live music, sign and movement; Tunnels is a unique adventure for an audience of six 13 – 19 year olds with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) and their companions All tickets are to be booked through the Performances are at the High Street Exhibition Gallery (HEG) New Wolsey Theatre on 01473 295900 on Friday 24 January 10.30am and 1.30pm, and Saturday 25 or wolseytheatre.co.uk January 11am and 2pm.

Copdock & Washbrook Preschool

The children have returned from their Christmas break well rested and raring to go for the new term ahead. We have shared our memories about the festive season, talking about the special food we had to eat and our favourite gifts from Santa.

time. We encourage the children to help each other as they develop these important skills which will help them to become more independent. It is really exciting to investigate the ice, and look at the frost which forms on the grass and trees this time of year! The Preshool offers quality care and education for children aged two to four.

Sessions are available daily, 9am to 3pm Monday to Wednesday and 9am to 1pm Thursday and Friday. We have taken down the decorations and packed away The setting offers an exciting and stimulating indoor the glitter and tinsel for another year, as it is now time to and outdoor environment equipped with a wide range turn our thoughts to the new experiences to look forward of open ended resources to support children in their to in 2014. The children will face fresh challenges that learning. Well qualified staff plan and interact with the will continue to develop and extend their learning. At children to enhance their experience at Preschool. the moment they are having lots of practice at putting If you would like to come and look around the on their own coats, gloves and wellingtons, as they setting please call 01473 731047 prepare to explore the outside environment at winter

Treat yourself with Blossom Beauty

Christmas and New Year is a lovely time for most but it can leave you feeling a little flat once the decorations come down and the children return to school. If you are in need of a little pick me up why not take advantage of the New Year offers that Blossom Beauty are offering. There are treatments such as Eve Taylor facials on offer, also Shrinking violet body wraps or body massage, if like me a little detoxing is required after indulging a little too much over the festive period. Alternatively

if you are missing the sunshine why not give your body the sun kissed look with a Nouvatan treatment. Full details of all these treatments on offer can be viewed on our website familiessuffolk. co.uk/offers. So why not take some time out for you in January and treat yourself to some ‘me time’– you know you want to. 07849 114571 blossommobile.co.uk

Why not make a New Year’s Resolution to check out the facilities at your local library?

There have probably never been more activities and events at your local library. As well as the many regular Bookstart activities for families and children there are plenty of other activities and services which you may be interested in such as music, literary and arts events. Suffolk Libraries are constantly looking to engage with more people and show them what the modern library service has to offer. If you can’t get to a library you can still access the many online services. Many people don’t realise they can download free ebooks from the ever increasing online catalogue via the Suffolk Libraries website at www. suffolklibraries.co.uk . There are also plenty of children titles to download. If you check out the eLibrary section on the website, as well as ebooks you can also make the most of the new Freegal service which gives all library users the chance to download and keep free and legal (hence Freegal) music from a catalogue of over 7 million tracks. The Suffolk Libraries website is the place to find out about activities near you or please follow @SuffolkLibrary on twitter or like Suffolk Libraries on Facebook. Look out for special events for children at the library on National Libraries Day on 08 February 2014 and World Book Day on 6 March 2014. For all information suffolklibraries.co.uk

Sailfish swimming parties

We offer a party package with exclusive use of the swimming pool at Bradgate, Elton Park in Ipswich. The newly built pool offers a relaxed, clean, safe and fun environment for your child’s party. For 2 hours, we can entertain your party guests with 1 hour of fun and games in the pool with up to 2 lifeguards being present depending on age/ability. After changing we provide and serve the party tea, with either hot or cold options which can be tailored to suit your needs. All this for £175 for up to 12 children, additional children can be booked on at £12.50 per head. We can also extend the party and organise a beautician to come in afterwards to paint the girls toenails for an additional £35. Why not do this instead of having party bags! So why not, sit back, relax and let us organise a party to remember. Visit www.poolpartiesipswich.co.uk Sailfish swim school also run daily swimming lessons for all ages and abilities. For all enquiries, contact Lindsey on 07824 366377

Make some permanent changes in 2014 Finally lose your extra inches for good and decide to live life happily with the ‘Shrink’ weight loss programme.

If you want to make some changes, to feel happier and more confident ‘Shrink’ weight loss is a programme which combines cognitive training and ‘Virtual Gastric Band’ surgery which includes gentle hypnosis. I can help you to make a real change to the way you think and feel about food and can help you to reach a healthy weight and stay there. Being able to lose weight and stick to a healthy eating and excercise plan is about control; how much control you have over your life, emotions, and thinking so the most imortant part of changes comes out of learning about why you eat too much and learning to spot the sort of thinking and emotions which are behind your tendency to overeat or ‘comfort eat’. You can be happy with yourself and maintain a healthy weight; if you are in control of your emotions, if you change your beliefs about yourself and understand why you are the way you are now. The ‘Shrink’ weight loss programme is suitable for clients whose BMI(Body Mass Index) is above 30; if you have less weight to lose a slightly different approach will help you to be successful. For further information 07855 798 789 melaniecollingshypnotherapy.co.uk/shrinkweightloss.html

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Clubs & Classes News New Year, New Hobby? Why not enrol your child onto a Gymnastics class? Pipers Vale Gymnastics Club has vacancies on some of their Pre-School and Recreational Courses. Gymnastic Courses are a structured and fun way to learn Gymnastic skills. Classes are designed to be stimulating and enjoyable for children whilst teaching the elements needed for gymnastic development. Children will experience all gymnastics apparatus including floor, beam, bars, trampoline and vault.

The classes operate around an award scheme, which gives the classes’ direction and purpose. The awards are designed to help progression and give a sense of achievement for the child. In week Seven, the children are tested on all the moves they have learnt throughout the course, and providing they pass; receive a Certificate to show off their new skills! The classes are booked as an eight week course and cost £46.00 (£34.50 concessions) for the full term. The club also have casual sessions for Parent and Toddler, Youth Night and Free Running as well as Adult Night sessions every week! In addition, they also offer Children’s Gymnastic Parties most weekends throughout the year as well as Dance, Cheerleading and Karate lessons. If you are interested in booking onto one of the classes, please contact 01473 433676 admin@pipersvale.co.uk or visit gymnasticsinipswich.co.uk

improve their confidence, reduce hyperactivity, Blackwell Martial Arts Academies and build in both Ipswich and Stowmarket friendships offer specialist Martial Arts classes outside of the for younger children. Their Little pre-school Dragon classes are structured and school for children 3-5 years and offer environments. The children will also learn Blackwell a real alternative to many other Academies student creed, giving them a great sense classes available for pre-school/ of achievement when they recite it back in class. The early years aged children. During Little Dragons classes are a great way to introduce the lessons discipline and fun is your child to a sport with benefits that can stay with balanced, ensuring that the Little them for the rest of their lives plus your first lesson Dragons not only enjoy their class is free. If you would like more information about but learn to follow instruction, to how the little person in your family could become a identify colours and shapes as Little Dragon please either call Ipswich Academy well as numbers. The martial arts 01473256500 / Stowmarket Academy skills that they will begin to learn 01449 674745 or visit will not only improve their balance blackwellacademy.co.uk or and co-ordination but help them facebook/com/blackwellacademy

Little Dragons at Blackwell Academies

New Wriggle and Relax class Baby Senses are launching a new class from February 2014 called Wriggle and Relax. Ann from Baby Senses says “So often I hear mums say how they struggle to continue baby massage when their baby is older and more wriggly and sadly this is often the point that it is no longer used. I want to show mums how to adapt the massage and continue enjoying this lovely skill together and many of the benefits, during this development phase and beyond.” Wriggle and Relax is the perfect class for your wriggly baby or to follow the baby massage course, as we use gentle movements and exercises to encourage their new interest in moving and strengthen their core muscles. The class also challenges their balance to help stimulate their vestibular system, which is essential for brain development. Ann makes the class fun by introducing sensory props and toys, music and songs. Reminding your baby how to relax with lullabies and massage adapted for an older baby. The classes will be held in the Baby Senses Room at Just Learning Nursery, Rushmere, IP4 5RE. The first course of 6 sessions starts Tuesday 25th February 2014 from 2pm until 3pm and costs £28.00. To book your place contact Ann BabySenses.co.uk, info@BabySenses.co.uk or by calling 07748914370

New crafty kids sessions Kidzone crafty kids creative session NEW group starting Jan 9th 2014 1.15pm-2.30pm at the Kidzone studio at Ipswich sports club Henley road, different themed craft activities to enjoy each week. Drink and snack included. £1.75 a child, booking essential. Call or text for information or to book 07756535059/07724114794

. sponsored by Ipswich Borough Council

Additional venue for Little Kickers. If you live in or around Capel St Mary and have toddlers or children up to the age of 5 years then you may be very interested to know that as of January Little Kickers football coaching classes will be held at the village hall, Capel St Mary. These classes are for children 18months to 5 years and are a fun way for the children to develop co-ordination, control, confidence and a feeling of camaraderie, all of which will help them in other areas of their lives. The classes are for both girls and boys. Do not worry; your toddler does not have to sit still for any length of time in these classes! The Little Kickers coaches are very used to parents saying that their child doesn’t concentrate very well so they are unsure if they would be able to get involved with the class. The answer is most definitely yes, the structure of the class and the coaching methods used in Little Kickers classes will more often than not actually help your youngster’s ability to concentrate in other environments whilst having loads of fun in the sessions. If you’re looking for a new class for your child this year then why not try Little Kickers. 01394 210016 littlekickers.co.uk

Stutton Babies and Toddler Group

We meet every Tuesday during term-time from 9.30 to 11.30 at Stutton Community Hall. We are a friendly group of Mums, Dad and Grandparents with children aged from 0 to school age. It is only £2 per session (first session free) which includes a healthy snack

The largest sport provider in Ipswich

Alpha Out of School Clubs Alpha Nurseries know that parents can face real challenges for quality childcare when their child starts school. Working hours do not coincide with the conventional school day and school holidays can be very challenging. Alpha Nurseries can offer a solution to this and allow families to take holidays together. Rather than having to juggle childcare with partners and relatives. Their out of school clubs could provide the solution you are looking for. They have breakfast and after school clubs available in term times and Holidays clubs that open all school holidays and teacher training days. At their out of school clubs children can have fun and be active, while parents can be sure that their child is safe and secure. Parents are welcome to call in at any of their settings to have a look around. You will find details of all Alpha nurseries including opening times, contact details, fees and out of school clubs on alpha-nurseries.co.uk and drink for the children, tea/coffee for the adults, lots of toys and craft/ activities Call Louisa Saunders 07523 108179

Creche sessions available. Kidzone crèche at Ipswich Sports Club currently have daily spaces available for children aged 3months to 5years for 2 hourly crèche sessions in our fully equipped studio. The crèche is available to members and non members of the club using the clubs fantastic facilities, exercise classes, gym, squash, tennis, onsite hair dressers or simply have some time to yourself or meet up with friends while your child enjoys a fun filled crèche session, children have the opportunity to join in craft activities, singing , dressing up , small world play, games, outside play and much more…crèche sessions are charged at £5 per 2 hour session for club members and £6.50 for non-members, we do a discount for block bookings, book 6 sessions and get the 7th session free. Keep an eye out on facebook for our updated timetable for January, we also run toddler sessions, physical play group, singing sessions and NEW for January a crafty kids creative session. For more information about crèche sessions or toddler groups please call 07756535059 or 07724114794 enquiries@kidzonecreche.co.uk

Water Babies – swimming’s a complete physical work out – exercising and strengthening muscles they’d never just the beginning! Whatever the weather, swimming still provides one of the best forms of exercise for both of you, and is just as perfect for cold winter days as it is for hot summer ones. The good news is that it’s never too early to take your baby to the pool – as long as the water’s warm enough. Water Babies classes run in warm water and hydrotherapy pools, which are just like stepping into a giant bath tub and perfect for new babies. The multi-award winning Water Babies course teaches using voice commands, and learning to respond to these is excellent for your baby’s mental development. Lessons last half an hour and, despite looking very gentle, provide

even find on land. It’s also a great way for parents to exercise and learn new skills. One of our core philosophies is that we are teaching you to teach your baby to swim. So we’ll always explain why we’re doing everything, as well as carefully demonstrate exactly what to do. Water Babies are currently offering free taster sessions in Ipswich and Hadleigh for further information 01206 841126, blastoff@waterbabies.co.uk or visit waterbabies.co.uk.

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Baby & Toddler Talk Meningitis

The worst day of my life

Meningitis is a word that strikes fear into many of us. This summer, Families Suffolk friend and mum to three Shelley Brinkley’s world was rocked when her son Charlie suffered with meningitis. In the first of a two part feature Shelly shares her own experience in the hope that it will make us all more vigilant to the early signs.

Sunday 2nd June about 1pm Sitting watching TV with the kids and my little lad, Charlie (2.5yrs) starts wobbling towards me crying. Oww oww he’s saying in between tears, he’s also walking funny. My immediate reaction was that he was trying to poo, he sometimes suffers constipation and often walks that way when he’s trying to go. I picked him up to cuddle him and realized he felt a little warm. I cuddled him for a while expecting him to go to the toilet, but he didn’t. Over the next hour or so he got really sleepy, still crying and still hot. So I made him a little bed on the sofa and laid him down. Charlie spent the rest if the afternoon in and out of sleep, crying every now again saying ow. He seemed to have a temperature, although I had no thermometer to check for sure but as a mum you can usually tell. I hate it when my kids are ill, I’m sure all mothers do. I’m a bit of a worrier so keep them close when they are. Due to this Charlie stayed with us for the rest of the evening, with no improvement. I then took him up to bed in with us and cuddled him to sleep.

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Lazy Daisy

Sunday 2nd June about 1am. Charlie woke screaming, unsettled, not making any sense. He was both floppy and jerky all at the same time. He was babbling gibberish. He was hot, very hot. Amongst the babble I made out the word drink so got hubby to get up to get him one. He seemed to be getting hotter by the second, I sat him up and removed his top, I needed to cool him down. For a second I froze. Guy I said, stop, as he was about to leave the room to get a drink. There was a rash, starting to appear on his chest, red and purple, dark… I grabbed a glass of the bedside table and pressed it against his skin, no change. “Get me a phone, quickly” I said to Guy. How I was able to calmly say that I will never know. Shaking I rang 111 (NHS direct). Guy took Charlie as he was still crying, still confused, still getting hotter. After answering some questions the lady on the phone said the paramedics were on their way to us, told us not to let him get cold and take him downstairs and put the lights on. I have honestly never been so terrified and full of adrenalin and yet so calm and controlled in all my life. The paramedic arrived, by this time Charlie was floppy, still conscious and the rash was spreading all over his body. The paramedic took one look at him and radioed in with the words “we have a hot one, repeat a hot one” He then attached a stats monitor (measures blood oxygen levels), I don’t remember the reading but he put him straight on oxygen. He then added a heart monitor and took his temp. It was 40.7 I will never forget that, I have never known a child that hot. He then told me very seriously that Charlie was very ill and he needed to get antibiotic into him straight away. I agreed and he did it. He then told me that an ambulance was on its way and we needed to be ready to go the minute it arrived. The ambulance arrived and I carried my poorly baby half naked covered in wires and a horrific rash into the back. I said goodbye to my husband as he had to stay with the girls and off we went. We arrived at the hospital after a surreal journey spent telling Charlie about the ambulance (not that he could hear/understand me) and making small talk with the paramedics. It wasn’t as I imagined the doors opened to a quiet place with a secret looking back door, we went through the door which lead straight into the ER. There was a team waiting for us. I laid Charlie on the bed and they took over. More monitors, more drugs, lots of questions and then we wait….. He had a heart rate of 210, at the time this meant nothing to me but I now realize it was about double what it should be! We had to keep calling his name and keeping him conscious. If he started to lose consciousness/responsiveness the anesthetist was waiting beside him to intubate and rush him to the ITU (intensive care unit) I stood there, in my pyjamas, suddenly very cold and sick, my head swimming, I felt like I was going to collapse at any moment. But I couldn’t, I couldn’t leave Charlie. The doctor asked me if I’d like to lie on the bed to comfort him. I think she knew that if I didn’t lie down I was going to fall down. 4am. They decided he was stable enough to go onto the ward and they sent the waiting anesthetist away. I stayed on the bed, they wheeled us to the ward. We went into a private room, next to the nurses’ station. I looked around so many machines, so many wires, so many noises…. my poor little boy. Everything in the room beeped, every time he moved some alarm went off. A kind nurse came into the room, I have no idea who she was, I know it was one we got to know but I cannot remember who. She told me she’d be looking after us, made me a cuppa and got me some food. I think it was then that I first heard that word said to me “you understand we think he has meningitis”. “Yes” I replied, confirming my worst fear. After calling my husband to let him know what was happening I lay down next to my boy, my poorly poorly boy. I didn’t cry, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t allow myself to take on the enormity of what was happening, I just stroked my baby’s hot little head and waited for the nurse. Charlie was frightened and confused and was on hourly obs so it was going to be a long night…….. Part 2 of Charlie’s story will be the March\April issue in the meantime these are the symptoms to look out for in babies and toddlers: • A very high temperature with cold hands and feet • refusing food/vomiting • fretful, dislike of being touched • Floppy, hard to wake. • rapid breathing/grunting • unusual cry • Dislike of bright lights. • stiffness in the neck (check by trying to get child to put their chin to their chest) • Convulsions • Lastly the rash. Blotchy skin and/or the appearance of a red/purple rash that doesn’t disappear under pressure (do the glass test)

For more information: www.meningitis-trust.org

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Family Matters

A stitch in time by Josephine Hayes

In the last issue, Josephine Hayes, Margary and Millers Family Solicitor discussed the dangers of falling for the common law spouse myth (see Families magazine November/December 2013). In this issue, Josephine moves on to look at the impact on the family of not being aware of how your marital status affects you and how you might change that at low cost to protect you and your family for the future.

A fine romance? As we discussed in the last issue, marriage is not just about love and romance. At its most basic, it is a legal contract, with a series of legal consequences. When you marry, your husband or wife becomes your next of kin. If you are not married, in law, your partner is not your next of kin because you have no legally recognised relationship with them. You might not be aware of this, but if you are not married then your next of kin are automatically members of your family to whom you are physically related.

Food for thought… In a recent case in which we advised, a man and woman had cohabited in her house for many years. The couple had never married and his name was not on the deeds of the property, despite him contributing to the mortgage. The woman died unexpectedly and neither of them had made a will. Where there is no will, the rules of intestacy apply. Instead of her partner inheriting the house and her possessions, they all passed to her brother, with whom she had had almost no positive relationship with for a long time. Our client had potential claims against his late partner’s estate, including making a claim for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act. Yet investigating and making a claim is costly, especially when compared to making a will.

My dad’s married your mum Another common enquiry we have is from the children of parents who have remarried but not made a will and therefore not made provision for their children. If a parent dies in these circumstances without making a will, any child is unlikely to inherit any of their property or possessions; instead the new spouse will. There is no provision for children unless the estate is over £250,000 and even then the spouse is entitled to use 50% of amounts above £250,000. We would urge everyone to review their wills every five years or whenever there is a major life change, such as separation, divorce, the birth of children, the death of a close family member or remarriage.

Mr and Mrs forever…? Another often forgotten scenario is where a marriage has broken down and the partners have separated but not divorced. In these circumstances, unless there is a will, if one spouse dies, the other spouse is entitled to inherit their property and possessions. Even if there is a will, there still may be a claim for financial provision because the spouse is still, legally, their spouse.

A stitch in time saves nine! The cost of initial advice is very affordable, compared with the cost of trying to get things repaired and redressed after a relationship break-up or death of a partner. Taking advice in advance and being informed and prepared will protect your family and allow you to take control in the most trying of circumstances, instead of merely hoping that bad things won’t happen to you. Unfortunately, as solicitors, we regularly see the harder, more difficult side of life, and often the circumstances people find themselves in could have been avoided if they had sought advice when they had the chance. When you consider how much money people spend on a wedding, for example - the cars, favours, invitations and photographers - the cost of taking legal advice before that marriage, or of making a will using a solicitor, is extremely modest and highly affordable. It’s not fashionable to consider making a will as part of the wedding plans but it should be as much a vital part as the venue or the dress! A pre-marriage consultation or the costs of drafting a will can start from as little as £150+VAT which should give you some idea of how relatively little it costs compared with the overall price of a wedding. If you are cohabiting with someone permanently and seriously, take a moment’s pause to think carefully about what would happen if one of you died or if the relationship broke up, especially if you have children. It might well be worth taking legal advice to see if you should make a will (you should) and whether actually you would be better off as a couple or family unit if you formalised your relationship with the legal contract of marriage. That piece of paper could save you a huge amount of distress further down the road and protect both of you from a financial or legal headache that could arise because of an unforeseen event in your lives together.

Assuming we could establish he had a reasonable case to make those claims, actually going ahead and claiming against his late partner’s estate could cost him tens of thousands of pounds in legal costs. Rachel Cronin, a dispute resolution lawyer at Margary + Miller says, ‘While he may well have recovered these, the immediate cost and stress experienced when compared to the low cost and ease of taking advice and planning in advance, made me keen to contribute to this article. Had the couple got married, he would have automatically inherited as her next of kin. Alternatively, had they both made wills and remained unmarried, the will would have made full provision for his inheritance and he would have avoided losing his home. The cost of either would have been insignificant’.

For more information visit www.margary-miller.co.uk www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

Nursery Feature

What’s the right age to start school?

A fierce battle has broken out between the Department of Education and a group of campaigners who say British children are being disadvantaged by going to school aged four. Joanna Moorhead investigates. What is it that children start much too early at four, that stems their creativity and reduces their chance of good exam results further down the line?

By Joanna Moorhead

According to a growing group of educationalists, thinkers, teachers and parents, the blight on the lives of young children is...school. Or at least, it’s too much school too soon – and that, according to the backers of a new campaign, is exactly what’s happening to thousands of British four-yearolds each year.

• The early years to be re-established as a unique development stage in its own right • Protection for the rights of young children to develop naturally • An end to baseline testing • A new emphasis on the importance of play

Link with mental health

For the Too Much Too Soon lobby, the emphasis on formal education from a young age is part of a mindset that sees testing and academic pressure as good for young people – whereas they believe it’s harmful rather The argument put forward by the Save than helpful. They point out, for example, Childhood Movement, which is running the that the now-implemented Year One Phonics ‘Too Much, Too Soon’ campaign in favour of Screening Check in English primary schools is waiting until children are six before they go unnecessary and say there’s little correlation to school, is that young children need the chance to play, and should not be shoehorned between the results of the phonics check and a child’s reading achievements at the end of into ‘learning’ too early. The campaigners Year 2 say that in other parts of the world, early childhood is recognised as a valuable phase They point out, too, that prescriptions of Ritalin of development in its own right – whereas for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or in Britain, it’s seen solely as preparation for ADHD, have quadrupled in the last ten years, school. and many believe the drug is being used to ‘normalise’ behaviour that may partly have come from having too many expectations There’s a misconception in Britain, say the heaped on them at too young an age. Mental campaigners, that starting early with school health disorders among children and young means settling down to learn more quickly, people are also on the rise – again, the question and achieving more in the long term. But, the campaigners ask is whether that could be they say, that’s not borne out by what linked with early pressure at school. happens in other countries. “Children who The Department for Education has hit back at enter school at six or seven – after several the Too Much Too Soon campaign, saying it years of high quality nursery education – consistently achieve better educational results amounts to a call for dumbing down. Those as well as higher levels of wellbeing,” said 127 behind it were a “powerful and badly misguided lobby who are responsible for the devaluation senior educational figures in a letter to the of exams and the culture of low expectations in Daily Telegraph in September. “The success state schools,” according to a DoE spokesman. of the Scandinavian system suggests that many problems in English education – such as “We need a system that aims to prepare pupils the widening gap in achievement between rich to solve hard problems in calculus or be a poet and poor, problems with boys’ literacy, and the or engineer – a system freed from the grip of those who bleat bogus pop-psychology about ‘summerborns’ issue – could be addressed ‘self image’, which is an excuse for not teaching by fundamentally re-thinking our early years poor children how to add up.” policies.”

Misconceptions

Specifically, the Too Much Too Soon campaign is calling for

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

How to choose your child’s nursery

By Joanna Moorhead

It’s one of the most important decisions you’ve made for your child in his or her life so far. So which nursery is the right one – and how do you know? Joanna Moorhead shares some tips. There are all sorts of different nurseries out there. Big ones, small ones; ones run by the local council, and ones run by independent companies. There are nurseries attached to primary schools, and there are stand-alone nurseries. When you start out looking for one, the plethora of what’s out there can make it all seem very daunting.

Looking round To kick the process off, you’ll need to put together a list of nurseries in your area (or perhaps in the area where you work, if you’re thinking your child can be cared for at nursery while you work nearby). Comb through the nurseries in your area online; look at the Ofsted reports for any you think sound promising. Think about what factors matter most to you in a nursery (see our checklist) and then make appointments to look around a selection of those that have, or might have, vacancies. When you look round, don’t be too anxious about all the questions you need to ask or whether you’re going to miss something vital. Instead, switch on all your ‘vibes’ and take in the holistic sense of the place. Does it feel friendly, and welcoming, and a fun place to be, from what you can see of it? Do staff treat you warmly – are you convinced by what they’re telling you? Do you, in a nutshell, feel a sense of confidence about the place; would you feel confident about leaving the most important person in your life, your child, here in the care of the people you’ve met? If the answer is yes, the nursery you’ve just seen is a possible one for you; if you have any doubts whatsoever about this most crucial thing, whether you’re confident about leaving your baby there, cross it off your list at once.

Your nursery checklist What are the most important things you’re looking for in a nursery? Here are some things you need to think about: Food how important is it to you that food is organic? Do you like the idea of nursery children eating alongside staff – ie, the family model - which some nurseries practice? Outdoor play space this varies hugely from nursery to nursery. Think about how important outdoor play is to your child, and decide how much importance you’re going to attach to whether the nursery has a garden, how big it is, and how many activities take place in it Wifi do you have worries about wifi and its potential impact on young children? If so, make sure you ask about whether there’s a wifi network at the nursery, and how extensive it is.

See www.familiesonline.co.uk/radiation

But here’s the first, the most important, and possibly even the only thing you need to know about how to make your choice. Listen to the voice inside your head, heed your instinct about what’s right for your child, and you’ll almost certainly make the ‘correct’ choice. Because the truth, of course, is that there isn’t a ‘right’ nursery or a ‘wrong’ one; there is, however, a nursery that will suit your child best, because it will mesh in with your own and your partner’s ideas about how to raise a child, and what matters most in his or her life. All of which is why what you feel inside you about a nursery will give you the biggest guide as to what to go on.

For more stories on choosing a nursery see www.familiesonline.co.uk www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

Our Community In this issue we find out why it is very relevant for our feature sponsor Ipswich Building Society to associate themselves with the Our Community feature. We also find out from St Elizabeth Hospice how your work place or business could work with their Fundraising Partnerships Manager Sarah Archer to raise funds in a variety of ways. We also hear from local charity The Dame Vera Lyn Trust, that supports babies and children under 5 years old with cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties, and their families, at their school based in Sproughton, as to why community support mean so much to them.

Ipswich Building Society – getting to know us As community page sponsor we take a keen interest in our local area and get involved where we can. Being an active part of the community sounds good- but what does it really mean? Get to know us and read more about what we do. An independent, mutual organisation, we’re here for our members, not shareholders. We are based in East Anglia, and operate mainly in the East of England with 9 branches in Suffolk. We’re here to provide mortgages and savings, not gimmicks. And we’re here to help the local community, because it’s the one we live in too – and have done for over 160 years. Lending a helping hand Each member of staff can take advantage of our volunteer scheme to spend a half day per month volunteering for a charity or community organisation. In 2013 this totalled 322 hours, with Lighthouse Women’s Aid, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Age UK Suffolk just a few of the charities benefitting from this.

But it doesn’t stop there! Sometimes we like to think big, which is why in October we built a plastic bottle greenhouse for Somersham Primary School – you may remember reading about this in the last issue. Our team of enthusiastic volunteers, with the help of Ridgeons Timber & Builder Merchants, successfully constructed the greenhouse out of 1137 plastic bottles to the delight of the schoolchildren who are eager to start growing plants and vegetables. Financial education - money is more than maths The complexity of personal finance and the comparative ease of getting into unmanageable debt, makes financial understanding a vital life skill. This is why we regularly have staff visiting local primary schools to deliver our bespoke, tailored Money Days to year 2 students, focused on improving financial literacy through stories, games and creative play. In 2013 we held 27 Money Days dedicating 369 hours, and received a fair

Funding on a local scale We appreciate that many community groups and charities often need an injection of funding, which is why our sponsorship We are also widening the reach of policy delivers small grants each quarter. our education sessions, with a pilot This year we have supported the Ipswich programme taking place at HMP Highpoint. Handball Club, Boccia Barmy Army and the Ogilvie Charities amongst others. Branch community hubs We don’t just want to talk about mortgages Our “grass roots” charitable foundation with and savings, even though this is our area Suffolk Community Foundation allows us of expertise. We’re equally happy to get to distribute funding towards smaller local involved promoting local events, selling projects and initiatives as part of the Suffolk tickets and helping collect donations. Fund, with beneficiaries including ActivLives, Fresh Start New Beginnings, Just 42 and the Every December our Ravenswood Rural Coffee Caravan Information Project. branch staff get busy lending staff time to the Ipswich Greyfriars Roundtable We could happily go on for hours about Rudolph fundraiser, counting the buckets why we’re convinced giving back to our of donations for charity. Similarly, our community is the right thing to do, but we Tower Ramparts town centre branch think that’s enough examples for now. Why are renowned for their bustling coffee not keep up to date with what we’re doing mornings and always find an excuse by following us on Twitter, Facebook, visiting for cake. They are also fast gaining a our website or calling in to your local branch. reputation for brilliant book sales so keep an eye out for their next event. few school dinners in return - far tastier than what we remember from our school days!

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

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St Elizabeth Hospice

Sarah Archer

St Elizabeth Hospice have a dedicated Fundraising Partnerships Manager, Sarah Archer, who has implemented a variety of ways corporate organisations can get involved, from simple asks that just take five minutes and no cost such as popping a used Inkjet cartridge in the post to be recycled by the Hospice, to campaigns such as The Accumulator Challenge, where organisations are given a £50 note to turn into more cash for the charity. Mrs Archer said: “The Accumulator Challenge scheme has attracted a lot of interest over the last few months and has raised thousands of pounds. It has been such a success there will be another challenge in 2014.” Among those taking part has been:

St Elizabeth Hospice, one of Suffolk’s leading charities, relies on the support and generosity of businesses, to help meet its £9.1m a year running costs. With just a £2m grant a year from the NHS the rest of the income the Hospice needs to provide its services in East Suffolk and South Norfolk is generated by donations and fundraising. Fred Olsen Cruise with Fred’s Bake Off where the Hospice’s Catering Manager Graham Reid was invited to be a judge alongside Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred Olsen Cruise Line. The company also held a dress down day, raffle and car boot sale.

Ipswich Building Society

St Elizabeth Hospice often has the opportunity to team up with local businesses and has been working with Ipswich Building Society over the last five years. IBS has signed up to a number of income generators for the Hospice and instigated their own, including their We Care account, which allows savers to choose an account which pays out an annual bonus to a choice of three local charities, one of which is St Elizabeth Hospice. St Elizabeth Hospice cares for patients with a progressive illness at their home or at the Hospice and provides support for their families, free of charge. The support of businesses is key to the charity’s success and that includes the support of staff that may take part as individuals or a team at sponsored events such as the Great Xscape and Survive or the Midnight Walk...or run. Other ways to help include sponsoring an event or match funding employees sponsorship.

For more information visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk or email sarah.archer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk

Energie Fitness for Women - Members and staff were given a 200 mile challenge using the treadmill, bike or cross trainer and paid £2 to join in. She Tribe– organised Super Suppers where they each took it in turn to cook a dinner and asked guests to make donations for coming along. Charity of the Year partnerships are popular with Sainsbury’s, Haven Power and Birketts among the firms who have teamed up with the Hospice recently. The Hospice has a Pillars of the Community Network with regular networking events.

The Dame Vera Lynn Trust The Dame Vera Lynn Trust is a registered charity that supports babies and children under 5 years old with cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties and their families together at our school which is based in Sproughton, Ipswich. The children actively learn everyday living skills such as dressing, eating, sitting safely and other skills to help the children gain more confidence and independence, using the principles of Conductive Education. The parents and carers participate in the sessions with the children, empowering them to play an active part in their child’s development and helping them to see their child’s unique qualities; seeing the child before the disability. The school focuses very much on what the child ‘can do’ rather than can’t do helping the child to reach their full potential. The Dame Vera Lynn Trust receives no statutory funding, so therefore we rely totally on the generosity of the local community for our support. We currently support 23 children from all over Suffolk and surrounding areas, and their families and it costs approximately £7500 per child per year to access our services which are provided totally free of charge. Every penny raised for the charity is effectively used to benefit the children and their families. With funds raised throughout this year, for example by the Suffolk Foundation Port Community Fund, we have been able to improve the facilities at the school by building an outdoor classroom which allows the children to experience learning outdoors in a sensory environment. Additional funds, generously raised through various other different activities has meant the children can continue to attend the 2 ½ hours session each week with their families which helps the child develop their physical skills, gaining more independence and reaching their full potential. The children are provided with a healthy snack during the session to help them learn how to eat properly, this is also all provided at no cost to the parents. Each weekly session costs approximately £200 per child so all funds raised ensure the school can remain open and the children we support can attend the school for as long as they need to, before they move on to primary education. We are the only school of its kind in the area so it is really important we continue to raise funds to ensure we can support as many children and their families as possible. By helping us to raise awareness of our services and funds we can hopefully reach as many families as possible in the Suffolk area that need our help.

Fred Olsen: The Hospice’s Catering Manager Graham Reid with Fred Olsen Cruise employees.

As a small charity that is relatively unknown in the area, it is a huge challenge to raise awareness and much needed funds to ensure that the school remains open so we can continue to provide our vital services now and in the future. We rely entirely on the local community, businesses, groups and organisations to help us to raise awareness and vital funds. We have had some fabulous support during 2013, for which we are extremely grateful, including donations from a number local businesses, groups and organisations, for example Baker Tilly who held a Golf Day event, and Dulux Decorator Centre Ipswich, who sponsored our Quiz Night, Woodbridge Golf Club who have chosen us as charity of the year and the Mayor of Ipswich who has nominated us as one of their chosen charities this year. We have also taken part in a sky dive and the local community have taken part in various other sponsored events to raise funds for the school. As Regional Fundraiser I am appealing to the local community to please think about the Dame Vera Lynn Trust if you know of any businesses, groups or organisations or individuals that would like to support us to ensure we can continue to provide our services. Every penny really does count and we would love to hear from you if you feel you are able to help in any way. Please contact Sara on 01473 857678 or email sara.white@dvltrust.org.uk or visit www.dvltrust.org.uk

www. www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

Child Safety

Are the parents in control? By Mark Weidman - ABC7 Anglia Business Computers At this time of year many children would have received, or now have access too, new computers or tablets which are amazing tools for children to learn with, but there are some dangers if a child is left unattended. For example, access to games with higher age and content ratings, unsuitable websites, and bullying on social networking websites, are a few of the dangers. An NSPCC report for 2012 found that 35% of child internet users (aged 5-15 years old) spent most of their time using the internet on their own. This highlights that children need to be educated on the dangers of the web. First and foremost, parents should be discussing with their children how they can stay safe online.

So what can a parent do?

Firstly, your operating system (e.g. Windows 8) will have some built in parental control features. Setting up user accounts for each individual allows you to set various restrictions of access for both the computer and the internet.

By creating a separate children’s user account the Family Safety feature can be enabled. For example, it is possible to block specific sites and programs that the children can gain access to and parents can set time limits for how long and when their offspring can use the PC. Also, ensure that personal information is protected when using social media sites like Facebook, or Twitter, and when shopping online as well. There are settings on most social media sites which allow restrictions on who can see personal information. Ensure that these settings are correctly in place. Additionally, parental control software is available to help. Some free downloads include: Norton Online Family; PGSurfer; and AVG Family Safety – although less comprehensive than bought versions, can offer additional peace of mind and may be all you need. Companies such as abc7 supply computers that cater to your needs and can install and set up your parental control software and help in many other ways. For existing computers, we can also perform a service that will speed up your computer as well as ensuring that parental controls are set up and in place. By implementing these type of safety measures not only provides peace of mind for you, but more importantly safe learning for your children.

The importance of water safety

by Matt Buggs

Accidental drowning causes more than 400 deaths in the UK each year. It is the 3rd highest cause of death in children and claims the lives of 400,000 people worldwide. Unfortunately during the summer months there were an extremely high number of reported teenager deaths caused by accidental drowning throughout the UK. It is therefore essential that all children are trained in water safety from an early age and Matt Buggs who runs his own company Pure Training is desperately trying to combat this issue.

youngsters will be taught how to save themselves or rescue others if they happen to get into difficulty. It will also help them to improve their fitness, understand the importance of teamwork and they will be learning the basics of first aid and CPR which could potentially save somebody’s life. National Drowning prevention week is between 21st – 29th June where Matt will be working closely with schools in the local area to help educate youngsters about benefits of water safety.

Matt not only trains professional lifeguards, he also delivers Rookie sessions at Birch Farm Complex in Hintlesham for children aged between 8-15 years of age. During the sessions

If you or your school would like more information please contact Pure Training on 07861299298 or email enquiries@puretrainingservices.com

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Cycling in Suffolk in 2014 Suffolk offers some of the most beautiful countryside and coastal cycle rides in the UK such as The Brewery Tour, Kings Forest Rides and Three Rivers loop. Details of these rides and many others can be found at www.discoversuffolk. org.uk. But that’s not the only reason why you should consider cycling as a family. There are many health benefits and it’s a great way to enjoy the fresh air. And Suffolk continues to attract some of the top cycling events in the UK such as the Women’s Tour and the UCS Giro d’Espresso.

Women’s Tour 2014 Bury St Edmunds will host the finish of the final stage of the inaugural Women’s Tour elite cycle race next May, as the world’s top female cyclists race from Essex into Suffolk. Stage Five of the new-for-2014 international level stage-race will go from Harwich in Essex to finish in Bury St Edmunds, providing the perfect scenic backdrop to what is bound to be an exciting and competitive race in the heart of Suffolk on Sunday 11th May. Exact details of the route The Women’s Tour will take will be announced in early 2014.

As part of the project over 250 pupil’s bikes have been checked and repaired free of charge to ensure they are safe and roadworthy, creating an added value of over £5000 into the local community. Another aim of the programme is that of reducing congestion around schools by encouraging pupils and parents out of cars and on their bikes. Now just over half-way through the pilot Suffolk County Council and its partners are beginning to evaluate the project and look at how targets have been met so a roll out to other schools in the county can be explored. For more information about cycling in Suffolk visit www.cyclesuffolk.org

As part of Suffolk’s ambition to become England’s most active county, Suffolk Sport and partners are launching the Suffolk Workplace Challenge which starts on 6th January

About The Challenge

A national programme from County Sports Partnership Network funded by Sport England aims to engage workplaces in sport and physical activity. Challenge yourself through the activity log. Log your levels of sport, physical activity and active travel online and compete with other workplaces at the same time. The more activity you do, the more points you get... and points make prizes! Sign up for free today at www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/suffolk Take part in inter-workplace sports competitions. These events are low cost and fun! Suffolk Sport is organising inter-workplace competitions across a variety of sports for you and your colleagues. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played before, local sports coaches will provide support and instruction for your team and all events have an emphasis on fun. Check out the competitions page for more details

Ipswich pupils get their bums on bikes Children from four schools in Ipswich are taking part in a pilot project called ‘Bums on Bikes’ (BoB), an initiative to boost the percentage of pupils and their families cycling to and from school. Over 900 pupils have taken part in the project to date, which has piloted in Sidegate, St Johns, Hillside and Castle Hill Primary schools, funded and organised by Suffolk County Council in partnership with Cycle Suffolk, British Cycling and Activating CIC The project aims to increase the percentage of children cycling to school once a week from the national average of 2% to 15%. So far all schools have seen a significant rise in cycling numbers over the first 20 weeks of the project, with over 15% of all pupils riding to school during weeks in July and September. St Johns Primary School achieved 50% cycling to school ratio during a week in September.

Helping Suffolk to become England’s Most Active County www.mostactivecounty.com www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

11 13

Here’s to a Happy, Healthy 2014

A year from now you’ll wish you started today by Kat Parnel, Fitness Instructor, Ipswich Borough Council

You have a choice.

You can sit and grumble about how much you overindulged over the Christmas period and dwell on the ‘should haves’ and ‘could haves’ or you can get up, hold your head high and take action. After all, that is what lies between your health goals and reality. ‘It’s too cold.

It’s too dark. It’s too early ...’

If we waited for the perfect conditions we wouldn’t get anywhere. What’s your new years resolution? Patience and consistency are key in your journey to success and however slow it takes to progress you are way ahead of all those not trying. So don’t expect to eat well and exercise for a week and see huge changes. Your body takes time to adapt and positively change so start by creating goals within your new year fitness plan and healthy eating regime to fit your lifestyle. By incorporating different forms of exercise into your routine, such as swimming and fitness classes, you will not only keep your body guessing by exerting different demands upon it, but you will stay motivated for exercise by having a wide range of activities to choose from. And you will be in the company of supportive friends striving for similar goals! Why isolate yourself when you could be surrounded by energetic people sharing the same targets. Exercise classes are efficient, dynamic and a challenging approach to fitness. Whether it’s 45 minutes of indoor cycling, where you can change resistance to compliment your own fitness ability, or a session where you can learn a new skill and test your body with strength exercises, classes encourage you to work harder! And you are in a social environment with qualified trainers to give you sufficient feedback so you can progress. The most important thing though is that it is fun! Everyone comes out of a class with a buzz of endorphins and feeling a great sense of achievement. Then its time to find your goggles... Swimming is not only excellent for losing weight and toning up but it is low impact and great for your joints, making it perfect for those with injuries or who find weight bearing exercises too difficult. Swimming is also great after a workout because your body is in a fat burning state so will benefit more. And if you find swimming difficult because you lack motivation, try SwimFit at Crown Pools, a super new way to get more from your swim with expert tuition on poolside. Whether you want to lose a few pounds, get fitter or just feel more energetic by being more functionally fit and healthy this year, believing in yourself comes first. Rather than fixating on fad diets and endless hours of cardio with end dates that leave you feeling exhausted and demotivated, the fact is you only need 30 minutes of high intensity interval training (HIIT) 3 times a week to dramatically change your body shape. This, along with keeping on track with nutrition (75% of results come from this), having the knowledge that there is no diet that will do what healthy eating does, adequate sleep (7-8 hours a night) and sufficient water intake (2-3L a day), will make a fitter and healthier you. Whilst being positive and believing in yourself is vital to success you do also need to remember to be realistic on your journey. The path will be by no means smooth and even the most determined individuals hit hurdles,

but those who triumph are the ones that fall 7 times and get back up 8. Being a member of the Profiles Gym automatically makes you part of a team. A team striving to create an environment of people refusing to give up, knowing that they will get there if they keep going, with their focus not on fighting the old but on building the new. When it comes to exercise keep your options open... Don’t stick to the same routine. Give yourself something fresh, new and fun to take on every now and again so you stay motivated and on track.

Here’s to a happy, healthy 2014!

For information about Profiles Gyms, SwimFit or the iCard memberships, visit www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport or call 0800 0371 371

Competition Page Fabulous family prize

Now the whole family can take part in the Great

East Swim

We’ve teamed up with Suffolk County Council and Nova organisers of the Great East Swim to offer one lucky family the chance of free entry to this year’s Great East Swim on 21st June 2014 plus access to the VIP hospitality. This wonderful prize is worth over £150 and includes entry for two adults and up to three children. With around 3,000 participants the Great East Swim is South East England’s biggest open water swimming event. Held in the beautiful clean waters of Alton Water reservoir, near Ipswich, swimmers can choose from 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 mile and 5k swims, participants set off in waves of approximately 300 every half an hour. The course starts and finishes on dry land with a run or walk into the water and swimmers can relax safe in the knowledge that expert kayakers and safety boats are with them, every stroke of the way. Their advanced safety system also lets them know exactly who is in the water at all times. For children aged between 12-16 years the ½ mile swim is a great introduction to outdoor swimming, and is equivalent to around 32 lengths of a 25m pool. The ½ mile event will start and finish in the same location as the one mile swim where the whole family can then enjoy the rest of the day’s activities including lots of sport, culture and super food and drink.

Competition question

How many distances are there in this year’s Great East Swim. A) 1 B) 5 C) 4 D) 9 Competition details: To enter email your answer either a,b,c, or d, plus your name address and telephone number to editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk Prize details: The prize will include free entry for up to 5 people (2 adults and 3 children) plus event pack, medal and t-shirt). Wetsuit is NOT included but is necessary for each of the swims. Children must be aged 12-16 to take part in the ½ mile swim. Terms and conditions apply visit familiessuffolk.co.uk/competitions Closing date: 28th February 2014

Baby Massage Competition

Win a family meal at The Mermaid

Local family friendly restaurant The Mermaid on Yarmouth Road Ipswich is offering Families Suffolk readers the opportunity to win a family meal for you and your children. The competition prize is based on 2 adults and 2 children ordering from children’s menu. TWO COURSES from their fabulous menus are available, starter/ main or main/ dessert. (Drinks to be purchased separately).

To enter the competition please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk stating The Mermaid Competition in the subject box.

This prize is to be taken Monday - Friday before 30th March 2014. This prize is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer and holds no monetary value – for full terms and conditions please visit familiessuffolk.co.uk/competitions Closing date: 28th February 2014

Baby Senses is offering a place for 1 lucky parent and baby to win a place on one of their group baby massage courses. Applicants must have a baby from birth up to 12 months old at the time of the course. Be able to attend the full course of 5 weekly sessions and be happy to provide details of their experience of the course after completion and permission for their photo to be used for the May/June Suffolk Families issue. To enter this competition, all you need to do is send your name / mobile telephone number / email address/ your baby’s name and date of birth to editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk Closing date for entries is 10th February. T&C’s apply please visit familiessuffolk.co.uk for full details

For all February Half Term What’s On listings please visit familiessuffolk.co.uk/whatson The Spring and Easter What’s On listings will be returning to the magazine in the March/April issue www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

11 15

And Finally

sponsored by

Birch Farm Play Complex & Nursery

WEEKLY

LOCAL

CLASSES

6 with Water Babies, the UK’s leading baby swim school

3 Fully qualified, world class instructors 3 Award-winning programme teaches babies from birth

3 Teaching you to teach your baby to swim

3 Saving lives through water confidence and safety skills

classes held... in pools throughout Ipswich (Defoe Rd, Tuddenham Rd, London Rd) and Hadleigh

To join in the fun call

01206 841 126

waterbabies.co.uk

Our all-inclusive fitness membership includes: • 4 Profiles gyms • Fitness classes • Swimming • Racket sports • Sauna/steam room Family and couples memberships now available. Swim and racket memberships also available. Call 0800 0371 371 or call into any sports centre or Crown Pools to have a look around. Terms and conditions apply Sign up by 28 February 2014

E E R F H

T N O M E