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Thames Valley East July/August 2014 - Issue 73

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

please call Diana Page

01235 533362 07747 086518

Try before you buy!

A to Z of Summer Fun Win tickets to see Dizzee Rascal Why Art matters

01628 660 893

www.justoutdoortoys.co.uk BIGGEST Display in the Thames Valley (just 5 mins from M4 J7) Abbey Rose Nursery, Nashdom Lane, Burnham SL1 8NJ

School Uniform, Sportswear Custom Clothing Solutions & Workwear • School Uniforms for most schools in Maidenhead, Windsor, Slough & Burnham area • Complete Design, Embroidery, Screen printing & alteration services • Stockists of all official scouting and girlguiding organisations & dancewear • School Shoes - black & brown - Startrite and Asics

01628 639725 • sales@goyals.co.uk www.goyalmaidenhead.co.uk 28 Bridge Street, Maidenhead Berkshire, SL6 8BJ

...endless ideas for families of young children. Packed with interesting features and fun things to do with the family in Maidenhead - Windsor - Marlow - Ascot - Slough - Egham

REDROOFS THEATRE SCHOOL 26 Bath Road SL6 4JT, Littlewick Green SL6 3QY and Novello theatre Ascot SL5 9NE

*** Redroofs offers an exciting choice of part time evening and weekend classes in our three venues.

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At Redroofs the emphasis is on performance with many performing opportunities. Baby dance from age two years upwards, dress up and dance from age 3, adult tap and musical theatre. ISTD Tap grades, RAD ballet, Saturday and Sunday musical theatre schools for ages 6-17, Junior and senior acting schools, screen acting and workshops. LAMDA speech and drama.

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Redroofs is the place to learn from the very best in the business, to grow in confidence and for each child to achieve his potential in a friendly atmosphere in our own purpose built studios and two theatres. See our website for new timetables.

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Redroofs part time dept age 2-adult Redroofs Full Time school coed academic and vocational for yrs 5-13 inclusive. Redroofs 6th form BTEC and A levels, musical theatre, dance and teacher training. Gap year foundation course one year intensive theatre arts. Redroofs agency offering representation for all pupils for TV, film theatre etc. Holiday courses and masterclasses.

Call us on: 01628 674092 • Email: info@redroofs.co.uk Find us on Facebook and Twitter

www.redroofs.co.uk

Moon Tuition prepares your child for 11+, 13+ success! KS1, KS2, 11+, 13+, GCSE Excellent Pass Rate in 11+, 13+ Providing both one-to-one and small size classes Holiday intensive courses - Maths, English Verbal Reasoning and non Verbal Reasoning Complete preparation & proven strategies for achieving scholarship success - Academic, Music & Sports Specific focus on your child’s academic development and confidence

Summer 11+ Course

BOOKING NOW! Centres in Reading, Maidenhead, Oxford & Harrow Email: enquiry@moontuition.co.uk • Mobile: 07474 898 668

“Moon Tuition is commited to make you successful”

Moon Tuition

www.moontuition.co.uk 2

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

in this

issue 3 News & Information 7 How to prepare your child for Secondary School 8 Education News 10 Clubs & Classes News 12 Healthy Competition, Healthy Kids 13 A 21st Century Swallows and Amazons Summer 14 A to Z of Summer Fun 19 How to make your children more independent 20 Making Sure our Teens are safe online 21 Why art matters 22 Coping with long car journeys 24 Summer shorts workout 26 Competitions - Win a pair of school shoes - WIn a Kurio 4S Touch bundle - Win tickets to see Dizzee Rascal - Win a family ticket plus camping to Lakefest 27 What’s On 32 Ed's Reading Room 33 The Wonder Weeks 34 Mums Who Mean Business 35 Classifieds web: FamiliesTVEast.co.uk tel: 01628 627586 fax: 08717 146 305 (calls cost 10p/min) e-mail: Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk editor: Claire Winter circulation: 19,500 next issue: September/October 2014 due out: September 1, featuring: Back to School; Clubs and Classes Special copy/advertising deadline: July 20

Cover Photo: © zagorodnaya - Fotolia.com

twitter.com/familiestve • facebook.com/FamiliesTVE

Our summer issue is packed full of great features from some brilliant writers and experts including: Why competition in sport is healthy, Why art matters and How we can really keep our teens safe online, plus much more. Also, we have our A to Z of Summer Fun – a great guide to keeping the kids entertained during the holidays, rain or shine, on pages 14 to 18. We also have some amazing competitions including the chance to win a family ticket to the festival Lakefest and tickets to see Dizzee Rascal at Kempton Park Racecourse on page 26. Have a great summer!

New Children and Families Act A landmark act comes into law this summer giving greater protection to vulnerable children, better support for children whose parents are separating and help for parents to balance work and family life. It will also help children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities, while ensuring vital changes to the adoption system mean more children who need loving homes will be placed faster. The act will also make it easier for families to access more flexible childcare, and amend the law to protect children in cars from second-hand smoke and give parents new options to share parental leave following the birth of a baby. Possibly the most interesting change is that from this June every employee will be granted the right to request flexible working hours, with a duty on employers to consider requests in a ‘reasonable’ manner. ‘Current workplace arrangements have not kept up with the times,’ said Jenny Willott, Employment Relations Minister. ‘By enabling any employee to request to work flexibly, we want to

remove any cultural assumption that flexible working is only for women, or just for parents and carers. The new system is good for business as it will create a more motivated and flexible, talented workforce. Employers will be able to attract and retain women – from the boardroom to the shop floor - and prevent them from dropping out of the world of work once they start a family.’

World Breastfeeding Week This year’s World Breastfeeding Week takes place August 1-7 with the theme Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal For Life! Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is a vital, life-saving goal of World Breastfeeding Week, with breastfeeding a key intervention for

improving child survival in the world, potentially saving about 20% of children under five across the globe. They need your help, so please get involved by organising activities or pledging your time or money at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Building conﬁdence through Performing Arts The largest network of part-time performing arts schools in the UK Nurturing and developing young potential through the performing arts For 4–18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops

Book now! - limited places! Ascot: Bracknell Warﬁeld: Maidenhead: Windsor:

01344 206466 0845 055 6382 0118 930 5200 0845 293 7207

Bracknell: 0800 707 6684 Henley, High Wycombe & Marlow: 01494 533 203 Staines: 01483 235216

www.stagecoach.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

News & Info Local council is calling for parent volunteers The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Children’s Centre’s are looking for volunteers who would like to provide information and support to other families within their local community. The volunteers will be trained to be Parent Champions and will talk to other parents individually, or with the support from others, using networks in and around the Children’s Centres. For example, visiting Parent and Toddler groups, Libraries, Baby Weigh-In Clinics, Stay and Plays, etc. They will provide parents with information on a range of services and activities on offer at their local Children’s Centre, which will also include two year-old funding and Parenting Services. Parent Champions will also help parents to over come barriers to accessing these services. In return for volunteering, the centres will offer free accredited training, which will provide participants with the skills and knowledge they need to become a Parent Champion. For more information please contact Lucy on 01628 683620 or email childrens.centres@rbwm.gov.uk

All the fun of the country fair comes to Maidenhead Fundraising event for Longridge Activity Centre A Charity Gala Dinner is being organised to raise much-needed funds for the Longridge Activity Centre in Marlow. The proceeds will go towards the extensive re-build needed after last winter’s flood damage. The event will take place at Marlow’s MacDonald Complete Angler on Friday September 19. The centre is badly in need of funds because it cannot get comprehensive insurance for flooding due to its close proximity to the river. It has suffered water damage costing in the region of £100,000. The objective for the centre is to undertake an extensive rebuild of the facilities, which will incorporate flood defences and floodproof buildings, while still operating the exciting and confidence building activities they have always run. Tickets to the Longridge Gala Charity Dinner are £75. There are only 120 available and they are expected to sell out. To get tickets simply visit www.longridge.org.uk and click on “Give it a try.”

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

An exciting new event highlighting creativity and community is coming to Maidenhead Town Centre, the Maidenhead Town Show. It promises to bring a traditional fete to the High Street and the Nicholsons Centre. Dogs with the waggiest tails, children in fancy dress, and prize winning cakes will all be appearing on Saturday July 12 from 10am to 5pm. Organised by Craft Coop, in partnership with Enjoy Maidenhead, the event seeks to bring all the elements of a typical country fair and bring them into the town centre. People will be able to enter cakes, knitted articles, jams, and crafts to be judged by local professionals including members of Craft Coop, local bakers, and the owners of local haberdashery Sew Crafty. There will be workshops, demonstrations and performances from local singing and dancing groups, including Rosie’s Rainbow Choir. The event is supporting two local charities Maidenhead FoodShare and Rosie’s Rainbow Fun. For more information please contact Deborah Jones: jones624@btinternet.com or check the website: www.craftcoop.co.uk/the-maidenhead-show, and follow the event on Facebook for up to the minute information.

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

News & Info

Goyals uniform and sportswear specialists Go on a book themed tour in London If you’re visiting London this summer keep an eye out for the BookBenches that will be popping up all over the city from July 4 until mid-September. Families can go on a literary trail around London to spot them. The Books about Town project is being organised by the National Literacy Trust and Wild in Art to celebrate our literary history and to promote reading for enjoyment. Families and individuals will be able to view over 50 benches, shaped like open books, that have been designed by top artists and illustrators. Set to become a major tourist attraction, the benches will feature both children’s stories such as Peter Pan and The Gruffalo as well as adult favourites including 1984 and The Day of the Triffids. Children’s authors Lauren Child and Cressida Cowell have each designed benches based on their own series Clarice Bean and How To Train Your Dragon. Walker Books are sponsoring their very own We’re Going on a Bear Hunt themed BookBench, which will be illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. For the latest news and to download the Books about Town trail maps of the BookBenches, visit www.booksabouttown.org.uk

Enjoy an Alpine Summer If you want to explore the French Alps in summer, nothing beats the style and variety on offer from Chilly Powder. With hotel rooms and large, self-catered chalets, Paul and Francesca Eyre’s expertise provides a beautiful Alpine experience, with crèche and kids club available for parents who need a bit of time to themselves and fabulous dinners to round off the day. The local, summer ‘Multi Pass’ is available at only 1 Euro per day when you stay at Chilly Powder and this gives instant access to 22 lifts in the Portes du Soleil area around Morzine, 850km of walking paths and 10 mountain lakes! This means there are endless possibilities for the family to enjoy the beautiful Alps in summer. www.chillypowder.com

Goyals is a 45-year old family run business in Maidenhead that stock a wide range of school uniform and shoes. They also are the official uniform suppliers for many cricket, football, rowing and sailing clubs in Berkshire, including The Maidenhead and Bray Cricket Club. They provide a professional uniform and shoe fitting service for schools in Maidenhead, Windsor, Slough and Essex. They also offer an alteration and embroidery service in the shop and they can supply bespoke blazers on request. If you need ballet shoes, they sell a wide range of dancewear. They also provide bespoke work and officewear and have Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides uniform in stock. Car parking facilities are available on 26-28 Forlease Road. To find out more go to goyalmaidenhead.co.uk or call 01628 639725.

Soar Away Together Coming soon to Marlow and Windsor Designed to let you and your little ones 0 to 3 years old wiggle, sing, and learn together, the Zumbini programme is where the science of child development meets the magic of Zumba. Zumbini classes in Maidenhead every Thursday at Pinkneys Green Community Centre from 10am to 10.45am. For ages 0‐3. Booking Essential. To ﬁnd out more about Zumbini classes or adult Zumba classes email Niki_kitt@yahoo.co.uk or call 01628 673006 or 07775653051. Search for Niki Kitt through Zumba.com

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

News & Info

Killer Bags Still Threaten The Environment A shocking 10.6 billion single-use bags will be given out over the next 18 months before the government implements its new bag charge legislation in October 2015. With the average person using 133 bags per year, the Break The Bag Habit coalition are launching a new website to encourage supporters to pledge to stop using single-use bags, in an effort to offset the environmental impacts. The website is supported by internationally acclaimed photographer Martin Brent with a series of stunning yet shocking images entitled ‘Killer Bags.’ These images feature plastic bags Martin was confronted with whilst diving, and make some difficult viewing. So don’t delay, make your pledge today! www.breakthebaghabit.org.uk

CALL TO BOOK NOW For advertising in our September/October 2014 issue due out September 1. Featuring: Back to School; Clubs and Classes Special

Sessions available at Maidenhead pre-school There is space available for children aged 2½ years and up at the Little Fishes Pre-School in Furrze Platt, Maidenhead this September. A community run early years provider, they pride themselves on being able to offer a high staff to child ratio, ensuring they give children the highest level of care and attention. The pre-school is run by Niki Knibbs and her highly qualified team and is run daily at Furze Platt War memorial Hall, (opp. St Peter's Church) Maidenhead. Sessions runs from 9.15am to 12.15pm and children have the option to join the lunch club, which is run from 12.15pm to 1pm. For more information or to arrange a visit then please contact Niki on 07855 572336 or email admin@littlefishes-preschool.co.uk or chair@littlefishes-preschool.co.uk

Labels4Kids improves website Labels4Kids, the experts in labeling, continues the expansion of its website to improve your ordering process. The new site is state of the art and now in full working order with any “add to basket” issues from last year now resolved. Labels4Kids is expecting a very busy summer so remember to get in early at the start of summer and order to guarantee a quick turnaround in time for school. Your ordering process will be much faster and smoother this year. Not only can you design your vinyl order on screen now but postage if free for £20 or more, and they have a 100% money back guarantee if you have any problems with your labels. Follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or flickr and sign up to their blog to keep up with more developments later this year! www.labels4kids.com/fam

Littlewick Green Montessori School We are a wellestablished Montessori Nursery set in a once Victorian primary school at the heart of the picturesque village of Littlewick Green.

Call: 01628 627586

Operating a 48/38 week year We take children aged 3 months 5 years Open 8am6pm We are a graduate led nursery with an experienced and friendly team who create a stimulating environment for children to play and learn in. We also offer: • French tuition • Jo Jingles music club • Number fit- a multisensory maths group who promote fitness, fun and learning numbers • Mouse wizards- who teach the children to use the computer as a learning tool • Multisports- a sports session packed with learning about colours, numbers and fitness For further information please call or email us at:

Tel: 01628 828258(Maidenhead) Email: montessorischool@aol.com

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Marking the transition to secondary school How much to help and how much to let go? Margaret Ansell has supported large numbers of children and parents through this important change and this is what she has learned. arental anxiety is normal at the time your child moves from primary to secondary school. During the primary school years, it is fairly easy to support your child at school.You will probably know his teacher, other members of staff and parents, as well as being familiar with school policies and routines. Losing the control this familiarity offers is as daunting for parents as it is for children and you may wonder how best to continue to support your child. You may also worry specifically about your child’s ability to cope with the new environment and, crucially, whether he or she will make friends. Your anxieties may be eased by adopting strategies that help with the transition. Here are some tips and tools which should help you prepare for and manage the early months:

Before the transition: 1. Shield your child from your anxiety. They can make this transition. Critically, they need to know that you believe in them and in their ability to deal with difficulties and challenges. 2. Relax the organisation. Towards the end of Year 6, step back from the organisation of your child’s school life eg packing school bags etc.You may secretly want to savour these last few months of dependency but your child needs a taste of independence. If they are slow to take up the reins, don’t take over and don’t despair, they will get there eventually. 3. If your child will walk to school or travel independently on public transport, practice the new journey. Start by travelling together but without

interaction. Then move to simply following behind your child. Finally, let him do it alone and meet him there.Travel at busy times. Allow your child to make mistakes and find solutions. This equips him with the skills to handle the unexpected, like bus detours and road closures. After the transition: 1. Be There. Make sure a parent or trusted carer is available before and after school, to provide food, notice if your child comes in late, listen to his successes and concerns and be aware of subtle changes in mood; someone to empathise and with whom to discuss problems. Watch and listen, help out if asked but don’t take over. Become an Enabler rather than a Fixer. 2. Support the development of friendships. Mixing socially and establishing secure friendships is of great importance to older children and they need to do this whilst still young enough

Education to turn to you for support when they make mistakes. Gradually, they will learn to make informed choices about friends. It’s appropriate for this age group to have access to a basic mobile phone and computer to communicate with friends but the dangers of social networking should be discussed and boundaries agreed.. 3. Support organisation and routines. Create “To Do” lists or “Timetables” for the fridge, agree places to keep bags, kit, and books. Label uniform and valuables. Establish routines so they can get to school punctually. Don’t expect too much too soon, many won’t crack this for years! 4. Understand what homework they have and know when it has been completed and handed in. Agree a routine that will help your child to complete and hand in all homework on time, without devoting too much time to one piece and little or nothing to others. However, remember it is their homework not yours; help, encourage, motivate but accept their best. 5. Schedule time to relax. Your child will be exhausted by the effort of holding it all together.Tears are likely over the most trivial things and they may regress and demand more care. Trust that they can cope and make sure there is time for sleep, friends, homework, more sleep, watching TV, playing computer games and yet more sleep! Avoid weekend breaks and reduce extra-curricular commitments to the minimum. Now is not the time for your child to begin new activities or classes. And lastly, schedule time to relax yourself! All will eventually be well. Margaret Ansell owns and runs The Study Zone in Twickenham and provides study support, holiday activities and childcare for children age 8 to 16. www.thestudyzone.co.uk

At Herries, ...... every child is an individual and every child is known and loved. Come and visit us at our Open Mornings on Wednesday 25th June from 9.30 – 11.00am and Wednesday 17th September 2014 See our website for full details:

www.herries.org.uk Herries Preparatory School, Dean Lane, Cookham Dean, Berkshire SL6 9BD Tel: 01628 483350 Email: office@herries.org.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Education IS YOUR CHILD GETTING STRESSED ABOUT THE ELEVEN-PLUS? To perform at your best in any situation, whether at a sports event or in an exam like the eleven-plus it’s really important to do two things. The first is to prepare by practising. The second is to be in the right frame of mind. nfortunately exams make us stressed and the expectation around this exam in particular can be quite hard on such young children. Will they get to go to the best school? Will they get to go with their friends? Many parents buy in additional coaching for their children but to date there has been little to help children understand and cope with the stress of it all. To address this issue, Dr Lucy Russell, the lead clinical psychologist at Everlief Child Psychology has written Thinkerbud, an online course for children preparing for their 11-plus. Thinkerbud will go live for the first time in mid-June. There is some recent published evidence to support initiatives like Thinkerbud. Researchers at the University of New

Orleans presented a group-administered, test-anxiety-reduction intervention including relaxation techniques to 325 eight to 17-year-olds, all of whom were found to be experiencing higher than usual levels of exam stress. By reducing exam anxiety the researches also observed reductions in symptoms of anxiety disorders, depression and lack of control. So how does Thinkerbud work? When you have registered on the Thinkerbud website, your child is guided through a course by “Bud” which takes around an hour. Thinkerbud will teach your child about stress, how it affects people and what you can do about it. It will also work with your child to build their own action plan which they can print at the end.

The course is designed to be taken by your child but of course you could take part with them, which might be a good way to help them learn. The course costs £25 and can be found at www.thinkerbud.com. Dr Lucy Russell is the lead child psychologist at Everlief Child Psychology in West Wycombe. Everlief can be contacted on 01494 521332 or contactus@everlief.co.uk

REDROOFS ON STAGE SUMMER HOLIDAY WEEKS At Redroofs Theatre School, Littlewick Green Maidenhead SL6 3QY and The Novello Theatre Sunninghill Ascot, SL5 9NE.

Perform in a summer full of musicals onstage. At Maidenhead enjoy the delightful gardens and optional swimming in heated pool with end of week performance onstage. At Ascot experience the magic of Redroofs performing in fully equipped 160 seater theatre. Our professional and Fully trained experienced staff and directors offer a warm welcome to beginners and experienced performers ages 6-14. Wrap around care available daily. Find us on Facebook

Redroofs at Littlewick Green SL6 3QY Mon 28th July –Friday 1st August -Revolting Children Week ages 6-12 £220 Mon 4th August –Friday 8th August -Frozen week ages 7-13 £220 Mon 11th August-Friday 15th August Frozen week ages 7-13 £220 Mon 18th August- Thursday 21st August - A Charlie Bucketful of Musicals ages 5-8 [£150.00 4 days 10-3pm daily] Tues 26th August-Saturday 30th August- Summer School for Broadway Stars 7-14 £220

Redroofs at Novello Theatre Sunninghill Ascot SL5 9NE Monday 28th July –Friday 1st August -Stars Onstage ages 7-13 £220 Mon 4th August-Friday 8th August -Revolting Children Week ages 7-13 £220

Please call: 01628 674092 • Email: info@redroofs.co.uk • www.redroofs.co.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Education Excellent report for Claires Court

Explore Summer Offer Explore Learning, who provide tuition in Maths, English and 11+ for five to 14 year olds have a special offer of 25% off your first month, when you join July. They have centres in Maidenhead, Slough, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Reading. To see details of the offer go to www.explorelearning.co.uk. Terms and Conditions apply. Participating centres only.

Claires Court in Maidenhead is celebrating after announcing the findings of a superb ISI Inspection Report. Not surprisingly, as the word ‘excellent’ was mentioned 39 times! The visiting team of inspectors were glowing in their comments, saying, “The school is highly successful in promoting its core values and fulfilling its stated mission and purpose.” They recognised that the quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is ‘excellent’, stating, “The very high level of success enjoyed by pupils is seen not only in class, but also in the myriad activities, individual and collaborative endeavours, and in their attitudes for study and learning”. James Wilding, Academic Principal said: “It’s hard to be more delighted. At a time when there is so much change, turbulence and indeed argument around education it is really great to celebrate that a team of 15 inspectors have visited Claires Court, and in every area of provision for our children, from Nursery to Sixth Form, found that what we offer is excellent.” To find out more go www.clairescourt.com or call 01628 411 470.

11+ Summer Camps Moon Tuition is offering a four-week 11+ Summer Camp at their Reading centre from August 4-29. The course will prepare students for their upcoming 11+ exams in early September. The summer is a crucial time for children to prepare for the exams. Extra tuition during this period helps students consolidate what they have learnt and ensures that they don’t forget any important topics. By being fully prepared it ensures that students and parents remain stress-free in the lead up to and during the exams. Moon tuition also offers term-time tuition too. To find out more call 07474 898668 or visit www.moontuition.co.uk

An exciting new school starting with the primary phase! The second SASH School – SASH 2 – planned to open in 2015 for children in Reception and Year 1! Imagine a brand new school where children could go to primary school and then choose to stay on right through to sixth form without having to apply for a secondary place at age 11!

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Please look at the website to find out more and register to be kept up to date as plans develop:

www.sasheducation.co.uk/sash2 A group of Primary and Secondary Headteachers in Slough plans to open a new all through, co-educational free school to provide extra choice for local families. The preferred location for the school will be the central or slightly west of central Slough area.

The school would open in September 2015 for Reception & Year 1. We would especially like to hear from you if your child (or children) will become 2, 3 or 4 years of age between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014; please support us by registering your interest and leaving your details.

www.sasheducation.co.uk/sash2

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Clubs and Classes News Junior Triathlon Club goes from strength to strength

Kickboxing for children Established in 2010, The Samurai Fitness Group (TSFG) teaches kickboxing to over 300 children (Little Samurai 4-6 years,Young Samurai 7-11 years and Samurai Kickboxing 12-16 years) that attend classes before and after school and at the weekend across Bucks and Berks. They have a16 student maximum per class. One satisfied parent says, “My children’s confidence, concentration and fitness has really improved since they started The Samurai Fitness Group lessons…the instructor is brilliant at engaging the children, making sure they learn loads and behave themselves whilst also having fun…they love it!” Summer Camp bookings are now being taken (In Seer Green on August 11-15 and in Cookham on August 18-22). To find out more go to www.TheSamuraiFitnessGroup.com.You can also find them on facebook and twitter.

The Windsor based Evo Junior Tri Club has just started coaching open water swimming to its members at Heron Lake, near Wraysbury. This allows the junior members to experience fresh water swimming in a controlled and safe environment, with water safety cover just metres away. Evo even provides some wetsuits designed for triathlon for the children to try, so everyone gets involved! This compliments its already very popular twice-weekly coached pool swim sessions and weekend bike-run coaching in Windsor Great Park (by kind permission of The Crown Estate). No matter what your child’s ability, Evo will coach them in all three triathlon disciplines. Members get Triathlon England CRB coaches on their sessions to nurture these budding athletes to enjoy a fun way of exercising, making friends and gaining confidence. SPECIAL OFFER: Parents are encouraged to get their youngsters along for a FREE TRIAL so they can experience what the club has to offer, when you ring to book, please mention FAMILIES Magazine. For more info call Kevin 07780 994772; www.evotri.co.uk

Making Music Magic! For babies & pre‐schoolers

Quality Day Care for Ages 0-5 years Open all year 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday • Friendly and homely environment • Experienced and qualified staff • Covering the EYFS & Montessori curriculum • Excellent & Safe outdoor play area • Free funded sessions for 2-5 year olds • Childcare Vouchers accepted • Freshly cooked meals Our childcare philosophy is to promote a warm, safe and stimulating environment for every individual child so they develop a unique curiosity for knowledge and potential for learning.

For further information please call: 01628 665621 email: oratorymdn@gmail.com

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Maidenhead, Windsor, Datchet & Bracknell Contact Liz 07985 935662, liz@hartbeeps.com For Marlow Contact Kerraleigh Child 07866 656366, kerraleigh@hartbeeps.com

www.hartbeeps.com

JULY/AUGUST 2014

Making music fun and educational for the under-5s MAD Academy has always been about helping children develop through music and movement, but it has recently introduced a new class format, which goes even further to teach pre-schoolers As well as its high-energy singing, dancing, props and games, it has introduced lots of fun activities designed to support children’s wider learning. Each of their weekly classes now has three or four activities dedicated to a particular area such as, listening and speaking; motor development; numeracy; phonics and topics about the world. Their commitment to music is as strong as ever and children still learn musical skills such as pitch, tempo, dynamics, notation, beat and rhythm. Each of the activities has been designed to support the Government’s Early Learning Goals and progresses through the age ranges from babies to pre-schoolers, to ensure the child’s development. “Our new activities have been a great hit with parents and children alike,” says Emma Lelliot from Mad Academy. “The children love all the fun and laughter as we learn new songs, rhymes, and games, while their parent’s enjoy seeing their children learning new skills such as counting or hopping. And of course the strong focus on Early Learning Goals has been a big hit with nurseries too.” If you would like more information on MAD Academy classes in your area, please call Emma on 0118 979 2695 or visit the website www.madacademy.com

Advertise for as little as £60 plus VAT.

Call: 01628 627586

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Clubs and Classes News Have the best welcome ever with summer week at Redroofs Redroofs theatre school is offering week-long summer courses Redroofs on Stage at Littlewick Green in Maidenhead and the Novello Theatre in Sunninghill, Ascot. Participants get to perform their favourite musicals during the five days culiminating in an end of week performance onstage. Their professional and fully trained experienced staff and directors welcome beginners and experienced performs age 5-14 on their courses. At their Littlewick Green location children get the option of swimming in a fully heated swimming pool in beautiful gardens. Courses include: Revolting Children Week, Frozen week, A Charlie Bucketful of Musicals and a Summer School for Broadway Stars At their own Novello Theatre in Sunninghill they will be running Stars Onstage and a Revolting Children Week. To find out more go their website where you can also book online www.redroofs.co.uk or call 01628 674092. Their September timetable offers an exciting choice of part-time classes, from baby ballet to adult tap classes. They offer evening, Saturday and Sunday theatre schools, acting schools, , dance, singing, acting and media classes for everyone. Redroofs is the place to learn from the very best in the business, to grow in confidence and to discover and achieve your child’s potential in a friendly atmosphere, in their own purpose built studios and two theatres. They offer agency representation to all their pupils and currently have children appearing in West End shows, TV and films. To find out more go to their website and you can visit their Facebook page for daily updates.

Twinkle Tots Dance Summer School Once again Twinkle Tots Dance are running their popular Ballet Summer School from the August 4-8 at Sunningdale Village Hall. This year’s theme is Disney Dancers. The children help create their own ballet show based around their favourite Disney characters. They have a daily ballet class followed by arts and crafts where they make their own props for the show, ready to perform for family and friends at the end of the week. The summer school is suitable for age 2 and up, and no previous dance experience is needed. Twinkle Tots Dance also run term-time classes throughout Berkshire and Surrey and will be opening new classes for 2-4 year olds on Friday afternoons in September at Champney Hall, Horton, offering a twoweek no obligation trial. To book your place or for more information on either the summer school or any of the term time classes call Maggie on 07828 85701 or email info@twinkletotsdance.com www.twinkletotsdance.com

Living Tennis take over at Bisham Abbey Living Tennis are the new Tennis providers at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre. Paul Delgado and Martin Lee, the directors of Living Tennis are delighted to have secured such a prestigious site. “This will act as our flagship venue from which we will deliver tennis for all levels of players. Our motto of “opportunity and accessibility” will ensure that not only high performance players but that the whole community will benefit from such facilities. We will be running a full-time Pro Academy for fulltime aspiring professionals, who will be based on site. Our partners Claires Court School will be offering an excellent academic education.” Living Tennis will also be delivering all year round coaching for Adults, Mini Tennis Juniors, pre-school, schools and residential tennis packages. Living Tennis will be on site at Bisham Abbey from June 30 and will start all courses in September 2014. They will also be running Summer Camps at their feeder venues, Great Marlow School, St Pirans, School and Hurley Tennis Club. To find out more go to www.livingtennis.co.uk or call 07818052206.

Building conﬁdence through performing arts The largest network of part-time performing arts school in the UK. Nurturing and developing young potential through the performing arts. For 4–18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops. Amersham- 01494 565402 amersham@stagecoach.co.uk

Henley, High Wycombe & Marlow- 01494 533203 Henley@stagecoach.co.uk. highwycombe@stagecoach.co.uk

Summer Workshops Booking Now! 4th-8th August 2014

Living TENNIS the new providers at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre will be running Summer Camps at.... • • • • •

St Piran’s School Great marlow school Hurley TC Widmer end LTC Woodford

For full details please visit: www.livingtennis.co.uk or contact Paul Delgado on 07818 052206.

Where kids have a ball! Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

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Sport Healthy competition, healthy kids

By Dean Horridge, CEO Fit For Sport.

As a PE teacher since 1986, with over 20 years experience delivering physical activities to young children, it’s fair to say I’ve seen some trends come and go. From the ‘school of hard knocks’ approach that saw kids doing cross-country in the snow wearing only shorts and t-shirts, to the banning of sports day races for fear of upsetting the children that didn’t win. ome things have improved over time – cross-country in sub-zero temperatures is now done in sleeved shirts and long trousers. But sadly there’s still a school of thought that says asking kids to compete is somehow wrong. Too much political correctness? Perhaps people don’t want to hurt the less able children’s feelings, or to heap the pressure of expectation on such young shoulders. However, most DO want to see children succeed in sport, rise through the ranks and represent our country at international levels. Sorry, but you can’t have it both ways: elite athletes need to learn how to compete, what it feels like to win and, more importantly, what it feels like to lose. Children need goals and targets. They need to be encouraged to push further and try harder to realise their potential. These skills are not just for competition in school sport, they are skills for life. Why competing is important Children need a variety of fun, engaging activities, that introduce a competitive element to all, rather than the 1/3 children in school who play school sport. With all physical activity, the goals need to be realistic and the child should be engaged. There needs to be a support structure in place to catch them when they

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fall or fail, which is bound to happen, as in many things in life when they strive to succeed. I’ve long suspected that implementing non-competitive games is a decision made by adults assuming what children want. In fact the results of a survey Fit For Sport did as part of our ‘Engage to Compete’ primary schools programme with Sport England last year, showed that kids enjoy competition. The children themselves relish a challenge After taking part in our fun, active pilot, we asked children aged 4 to 11 how competition made them feel. The responses were overwhelmingly positive with the vast majority of children stating that competition made them feel happy, excited, strong and confident as opposed to nervous, afraid, weak or worried. And when we asked them outright if they liked taking part in competitions, 86% of the children said that they did. This figure speaks for itself. And our children should be able to do the same, and their teachers should be able to act on what they hear. Active at home I think people forget that it’s not just about being active in school, it’s also about being an active family. Family time should not just

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be watching TV together, having dinner or going to the shops. Equally important is being active as a family. Parents have just as much responsibility if not more than schools to ensure their kids are eating right, learning to live a healthy lifestyle and engaging in fun activity as a family unit. Small sustainable steps to an active family life should always be a priority for parents. Encourage your kids to go on a family walk, swim, cycle with you and spend more time outside, this will set them a positive example. After all, an active family is a healthy family - surely that is something to strive for in life, for this generation and the next? For more information about Fit For Sport, The Voice of Kids, go to: www.fitforsport.co.uk

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

A 21st Century Swallows and Amazons Summer

Summer Fun

By Natalie Trice

If you’re looking through rose-tinted glasses, the school holidays are funfilled days of laughter, smiles and relaxing after the busy academic year. In reality, six weeks is a long time. If you have no activities planned chaos can erupt, tempers can be frayed and tears will be shed (yours and theirs). here are those (annoying) parents who sail through the break updating their social media statuses with a whirlwind of art and craft projects, face-painting fun and frolics in Italy. They return to the gates in September looking radiant and tanned whilst we mere mortals are frazzled, broke and on the brink of booking into The Priory. I can’t magic you into Mary Poppins, but I am here to help make life a little easier, with a few suggestions. They are all fun and will create life-long memories but won’t cost the earth (or even a penny). You've got to eat, right? So why not go for a picnic? Throw together sandwiches, snacks and bottles of water and eat alfresco in the garden, by the river or in the local park. If you have friends close by why not ask them to come along too – the more the merrier – and enjoy a game of rounders or a treasure hunt? Get wet! It is fun, free and mums can join in too. Water balloons, spray bottles, garden hoses, paddling pools and water guns are all

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brilliant mood boosters and if you have a friend with the real deal, pack up your swimming costumes and hang out at their house for a few hours. My sons are massive bug lovers, so one of the mums at school, who is far more imaginative than me, suggested a mini beast adventure. Pack up a picnic (you see a theme here), your fishing rods and buckets and head to the river for some bug-hunting, pond dipping, pooh stick playing and tiddler catching – what’s not to like? Ride a bike; it is free, easy and great exercise when you can’t get to the gym. Building a den is a treat for girls and boys and if you add a theme like pirates and princess the fun can last for days. Have your very own sports day in the garden complete with rosettes and whistles. Who says the egg and spoon race is only for the school field? The library is not just for borrowing books and DVDs. As well as summer reading challenges taking place, there is often a

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plethora of information about local activities, events and places to visit on display, so make sure you are a member of yours. Of course all of this is well and good when the British weather is kind to us, but for rainy days I called on my friends for inspiration: “We have a rainy day box full of bits and pieces that can be used to make cards, jewellery or story books and of course making a cake for tea is always a winner”. “My kids love to visit the fish and pet department at the garden centre and afterwards we go for a sneaky hot chocolate and piece of cake”. “Every summer we have an ongoing multiauthor holiday story using a large roll of paper that is added to over weeks, usually when the weather is bad, and it is a brilliant way to remember all the stuff we have done and enjoyed”. “Rather than pay for cinema tickets, we create our own movie fest at home. We choose a film, make some popcorn, create tickets and then snuggle up on the sofa with blankets – sometimes you just need a chillout day”. Whatever you do this summer, think back to what you did as a child and remember there is more to the holidays than 101 likes on Facebook and an overdraft. Natalie Trice is a freelance journalist, writer and awardnominated blogger, she knows a thing or two about PR and social media too. She’s also a Mummy to two small boys, wife to Oliver and an owner of a cat and a dog.When she isn't writing or networking on Facebook, Natalie is an avid shopper, coffee drinker and collector of handbags and shoes. www.passionateaboutwords.co.uk

See pages 14-18 for more ideas and also log on to www.familiestveast.co.uk/whatson for more inspiration.

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A - Z of Summer Fun Summer Boredom Busters... The holidays are looming and there are lots of things to do locally and a bit further afield. We’ve compiled an A to Z of Summer Fun, so hopefully you won’t hear the words “I’m bored” all summer long…

A – Everyone’s favourite mousling, Angelina Ballerina, is coming to the Wycombe Swan this summer (27–28 August). Sure to be a hit with all little ballerinas, this gorgeous show is packed with lots of singing and dancing. Angelina and her friends think their dreams have come true when Camembert Academy wins the opportunity to appear in the TV show, ‘Dancing With Mice!’, but with problems on the horizon, it’s soon up to Angelina to make sure that the show goes ahead. For more info, visit www.wycombeswan.co.uk or call the box office on 01494 512000. B Go to the Maidenhead Beach at Norden

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Farm. The beach will be at the arts centre in Maidenhead all summer long (from July 26 to August 31) and is free E FRE to play on. There is a great café and lots of shows, films and activities on during the holidays too.You can make sandcastles, hide out in the den or explore their new underwater themed zone in the Gallery. Morning beach craft sessions are at 11am and cost £5 per person and story sessions in the Story Den are at 1.15pm and 3pm and cost £2 per child and will keep the kids entertained even if it’s raining (booking is recommended). Go to www.nordenfarm.org or call 01628 788997 to find out about their shows and events or go to our what’s on guide on pages 27-31. C Roll up to the circus at Odds Farm Park this summer. Every day during the summer holidays, the Charles Chipperfield circus is at the farm with a whole host of family fun to enjoy at four daily shows – marvel at the spectacular human acts from around the world including a Mexican Clown, Italian Fast Speed Juggler and even the amazing ‘Spiderman’. With four shows daily, followed by circus skills workshops, all the extra fun is included in entry. And there’s lots more to enjoy – go-karts, sheep racing, tractor and trailer rides, plus the newly opened Sand and Water play area. For more information, call 01628 520188 or visit www.oddsfarm.co.uk. D Write a diary of the holidays – entries can be big or small, complete with

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drawings, photos or tickets collected from places visited. E E FR These are a great way to make some memories, as well as making sure the kids don’t forget how to hold a pencil by the time September comes around. E Get messy and creative with some eggshell art. All you need are some crushed eggshells; food coloring; glue and paper. Soak the shells in E FRE some food colouring and water then allow to dry – the more colours you have the better or they can even mix their own. Draw a picture and then glue on the shells to make a mosaic. F How about finding out a bit more about your past and making a family tree? It should be easy to do your immediate family, but go back a few generations E and it might get interesting! Ask FRE the kids to talk to relatives and find out as much as they can about the names of distant aunts and uncles – births, deaths and marriages are also good to know. Then try to find out more online, www.ancestry.co.uk and www.findmypast.co.uk are useful places to start. G Get them gardening! Most kids love digging so give them a patch of garden, or if you’re short of space a window box or pot, and sow some seeds. Easy plants to grow from seed with fast

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results include rocket, nasturtiums, sunflowers and marigolds. Or buy some plug plants from the garden centre and plant out. If you try growing herbs like basil, parsley or cress they can even eat them once they've grown. H Hide some goodies around the house and garden and have a treasure hunt.You can make it as hard or easy as you like – just dropping marbles for little ones and asking them to collect as many as they can, or asking them to find ten things beginning with a specific letter. E E FR For older kids you can write out clues or perhaps they can do clues for each other… I Go ice-skating! You don’t have to be Torvill and Dean to enjoy some skating, and most of the rinks have hirable penguins or polar bears for the kids to hold onto while they learn to feel confident. Absolutely Ice in Slough (www.absolutely-ice.co.uk) has parent and toddler sessions, as does Planet Ice (www.planet-ice.co.uk) in Hemel Hempstead. Skating courses over the holidays are often available, as well as public skating sessions. J All join in with a big jigsaw for the day. Pull out those long-forgotten puzzles and concentrate – all devices and TVs off and no one’s allowed to answer the phone. It’s a good way to bond as E E FR well as an excuse to see exactly what is at the back of the cupboard! K Go fly a kite! They’re cheap and easy to buy, or you can even make your own. Read

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A - Z of Summer Fun

up on tips about how to fly them (www.thekitesociety.org.uk); or if you’re really challenged and E FRE doubtful about your skills, seek out a master kiteflyer to help you learn. Good kite-flying spots include Maidensgrove (nr Henley), Coombe Hill (nr Wendover) and Pinkney's Green in Maidenhead. L Take a trip to London. There’s loads on in the capital over the holidays. Come face to

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face with some of the largest animals to have walked the earth at the Natural History Museum’s exhibition Mammals: Ice Age Giants (www.nhm.ac.uk); car and film lovers will enjoy Bond in Motion at the London Film Museum (www.londonfilmmuseum.com), an exhibition of cars, boats, motorbikes and jets from many of the Bond films; while at the Children’s Story Centre Discover (www.discover.org.uk) kids can master surveillance techniques, unlock codes, dodge laser beams and learn how to become invisible at Secret Agents - Spy Academy. If you don’t fancy a museum, you could always go for a walk along the river. M Embrace your inner pirate at the Maidenhead Festival, which is taking place on Saturday July 26 and Sunday July 27 in Kidwells Park, Maidenhead. Everyone is being encouraged to dress up in their best nautical fashion for this great two-day family event, which includes music, fun and entertainment. It will feature the return of the Maidenhead beach and a pirate cove area with lots of activities for children. Plus a treasure hunt around the town centre for families to take part in. Also, for the first time the festival will host the Royal Counties Festival of Strength - a strongman competition. There will also be sideshows, stalls, a funfair, performances of local bands on the main stage and acoustic tent. On

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

A - Z of Summer Fun Saturday night there will be a headline concert followed by a fantastic fireworks display. To find out more www.enjoymaidenhead.com N Net your self some rock pool finds. Take a day out to travel to a seaside town like Rottingdean near Brighton or Broadstairs in Kent and go rock pooling. Don’t forget

to check tide times on before you go your kids will be disappointed if the tide is in! Plus you need buckets, E FRE spades and nets. All kids love having a picnic on the beach, why not stay all day and have fish and chips for tea?

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O Go to The Story Museum in Oxford and check out their 26 characters exhibition. A gallery of rogues and rascals, wizards,

witches and wild things unfolds throughout this great new museum. Sail to a tropical island, walk through the wardrobe into Narnia, listen to stories, dress up and meet a talking throne. Suitable for all ages, tickets are £7.50, £5 for concessions and £20 for a family ticket. Opening hours vary. Please see website for details and more events: www.storymuseum.org.uk

P Explore Bucks Country Parks. With over 850 acres to explore, there’s always something to do in Bucks’ Country Parks. They have over 10 miles of E E FR well-surfaced tracks in Black Park (near Slough) alone, so there’s always somewhere different to walk, cycle and play. Both Black Park and Langley Park have fully equipped play areas for the little ones to run wild and you’re never too far from well needed refreshments with San Remo cafés on both sites. For something a bit more special to do over the summer, they have open-air theatre performances of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys on August 5 and Romeo and Juliet on August 30 in Langley. They’re also opening their very own open-air cinema for one night only on August 7 in Black Park, showing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. A number of the movie’s scenes were filmed in the park; can you spot which ones? For more information go to www.buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks Q Go and visit one of the Queen’s residences, Windsor Castle. It is one of the oldest occupied castles in the world and best of all its right on our doorstep. They hold fun, family friendly activities all summer long and residents of the Royal Borough can visit the attraction for free with their Advantage card. www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle

JULY/AUGUST 2014

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A - Z of Summer Fun R Take part in the 2014 Reading Challenge at your local library. This year’s theme is The Mythical Maze. The Challenge starts on Saturday 12 July and runs until Saturday 6 September. School E FREchildren aged 4 to 11 can collect a free starter pack from their local Library, while stocks last. To join in the adventure, all they have to do is read six books borrowed from the library. Participants will be rewarded with stickers of mythical characters every time they read a book. If they complete the challenge they will be rewarded with a medal and certificate. To find out more go to summerreadingchallenge.org.uk S Following rave reviews last summer, a giant stainless steel Slide is returning to the National Trust gardens of Cliveden, near Maidenhead to continue to raise awareness of the ambitious and complex conservation project to save the magnificent South Terrace.Visitors climb up to a 6.5 meter high platform to look over the conservation work as it progresses before children and brave-hearted adults descend to ground-level in just 5 seconds via the 22.5 metre long slide – far more fun than the stairs! Set within these colourful gardens, the slide is just one of many attractions this summer. Other family favourites include the storybook-

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themed play area, the challenging Cliveden Maze and weekly Wild Wednesday events throughout the school holidays. Cliveden is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm with the slide open at weekends and daily during the holidays 1 to 4.30pm, subject to weather conditions. 01628 605069; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden T Visit The Look Out Discovery Centre, where you can launch a rocket, build a house, and study a colony of ants…all in

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one day. This hands-on science and nature centre in Bracknell, Berkshire is well worth a visit. There are more than 90 hands-on interactive activities at the centre, from playing the light harp, creating circuits, making locks in a “stream”, to challenging puzzles and game playing on the Smart Table. There is quite literally something for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents. Why not enhance your visit with a science show? The Dinosaur show is on until 1st September, Open every weekend and daily during Bracknell Forest school holidays, see the website for more details: www.bracknellforest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre. 01344 354400. U Understand history at Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. The museum regularly stages historic battles and living history

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

A - Z of Summer Fun

find the geocache container, hidden in a specific location. Once you find it you have to fill in the logbook and replace it where you found it. All you need to do is buy and download the geocaching app (it costs £5.49) on to your smart phone or buy/borrow a GPS device. To find out more go to geocaching.com Y The Tour de France starts in Yorkshire on July 5. It’s the first time the world’s most famous cycle race has come to E Britain. The Tour traditionally E FR kicks off outside France, and this year,

Summer Break 2014 28th July - 29th August

October Half Term 2014 27th October - 31st October

the Grand Départ is coming to Leeds. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your kids to the world of cycling. If you can’t spectate along the route, why not follow the Peleton’s progress on one of big screens set up in Tour De France Fan Parks across London? Entry to all the parks are free, Green Park, Trafalgar Square and the Olympic Park will be open from July 5-7, so people can watch the first 3 stages of the race. Canary Wharf Fan Park will be open from 24-27 July, so fans can watch the riders triumph at the end of the Tour as they ride through the Champs-Elysées. tourdefrancefanpark.co.uk or letour.yorkshire.com Z Go to the Zoo, ZSL London Zoo is well worth a visit.You could check out how the Tiger triplets are getting on. The trio of cubs were born back in February and are enjoying their home in the Tiger Territory. Or you could step in back in time and go on a special guided history tour. The tours were set up to mark the centenary of World War One and are held on the last Friday and Saturday of every month.You can find out all about the Zoo’s fascinating 188-year history. Guests will hear how ZSL helped inspire Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work and see the Zoo’s many famous listed buildings. Tours must be booked and the tour price includes entry to the Zoo, and a 45-minute guided tour. Book online at www.zsl.org or call 0844 414 5728.

s: Venue or, ds Old Win & Thorpe ry u Wraysb

Ofsted 'OUTSTANDING' Provider

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JULY/AUGUST 2014

Tel: 07854 078 728

email: hc_thegapclub@yahoo.co.uk

QUALITY ASSURED HOLIDAY CHILDCARE

events, from medieval life to Roman battles and replaying scenes from the Napoleonic wars. Open daily 10am-5pm (last admission 3.30pm). Adults £9.50 (Conc. £8.50) Children (age 4-16) £6.00. Family tickets also available. To find out more go to www.coam.org.uk V Make a Violin from junk - get hold of some Rubber bands, cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, empty containers, dried beans and paper and get creative. E The combinations are endless, E R F you could make drums, rainsticks, guitars.Your kids could even form their own orchestra or band and perform a song for you or the neighbours after all their creative efforts! W Watch Alice in Wonderland at the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park. The Cambridge Touring Company returns with

a new open air production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on 25 and 26 July with a 7pm start in The Savill Garden. Children are invited to come along dressed in their best ‘Wonderland’ fashion. Before the show, there will be a theatre workshop on The Lawns at 5.30pm suitable for 5-10 year olds. (Pre-booking required - adults: £14, children (3-16) and concessions £10, family (2 adults and 2 children) £40. Theatre workshop before the show, £3 per child). There are many fantastic family events to enjoy at The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park. Puppets in the Park will be performing free at 11am every Wednesday in August with family puppet shows on Obelisk Lawn, next to The Savill Garden. For more information visit www.theroyallandscape.co.uk or call 01784 435544. X – X marks the spot. Try Geocaching - a modern day treasure hunt.You have to follow the GPS coordinates and attempt to

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How to make your children more independent by Mette Theilmann from ParentingSuccess Having spoken to many Headteachers in schools, they say that one of the biggest challenges facing teachers today is that children are not independent enough. They often find it hard to take responsibility for their own actions and behaviours and to ‘problem solve’ everyday issues on their own. So, one of the most important goals any parent should have is to raise independent and self-reliant young people. This should leave them equipped to do well in both their academic and social lives. ut, independence is not something that your children can gain by themselves. It is, in fact, a gift you give your children they will cherish and benefit from for their entire lives. So, why not use this summer holiday to help your children become more independent and give them a fresh, positive start to the new school year? Giving back the responsibility of timekeeping to your children Most of us are guilty of keeping time for our children by constantly reminding them where they need to be next and what they need to take with them. The problem is, this makes us feel frustrated and exhausted and our children become reliant on us to think for them. So when they go to school they are not used to being organised or self-sufficient. Awareness is the first step to giving back the control of timekeeping. Make them responsible for their own time and activities. This will give them a sense of personal responsibility and help them to be self-organised. A good place to start is to become aware of what you do for your child on a daily basis. Write a list and circle the tasks you expect your child to take over and do

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by themselves (pick the three easiest ones to start with). Agree these with your child (you can write or draw them out as a stepby-step guide). With younger children, it helps to include a preparation stage, where you guide and support them by doing the task together to begin with, until they become able to do it by themselves. It can be difficult but try to make it a positive experience by praising them and telling them how mature and great you think they are. Being personally responsible teaches children to be part of a society where everyone needs to share the workload and this helps to prepare them for real life. This in turn boosts their confidence as they are trusted to do something for themselves and others. Giving a child responsibility is a great way to positively discipline them and increase their independence without simply shouting and nagging.Yes, it is often quicker and less hassle to do it yourself and if we are a bit of a controlling parent then it is even harder to ‘allow’ them to take over as it may not be done to our standard or at our speed. But the benefits are huge in the long run, for both parents and their children.

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Parenting Teach your children to become independent problem solvers Most of us react to our children’s problems by wanting to make the problem go away because it makes us sad and we want to try and solve it for them immediately. We just want our kids to be happy and calm again but if we do that, we don’t allow our child to think or problemsolve for themselves! • Firstly, try to practice being a good listener; STOP – THINK – LISTEN • Then, acknowledge your child’s feelings and emotions, by repeating what they are saying/what you can see; ‘You have no friends?’ ‘You feel rubbish at maths?’ • Encourage talk, by asking questions; ‘How did that make you feel?’ ‘What did you do then?’ • Ask how they want things to be? • Brainstorm all possible solutions; ‘What can you do to improve the situation/fix what is broken?’ What are the possible consequences of each? • Choose the best solution, TOGETHER Often children find the first step is enough; it is nice to be listened to, understood and not judged and it makes them think about what they have just said or done. Above all, praise your child every time you see them being self-motivated and attempting to problem-solve small everyday issues, however small you think they may be! If you need help with this or any other parenting issues, please give ParentingSuccess a call or visit their website for more information.They offer parenting workshops and one-to-one parent coaching on all family issues.To find out more go to www.parentingsuccesscoaching.com. You can also find them on Facebook (parentingsuccesscoaching) and Twitter (@ParentSuccessCo). Keep checking their website for more useful tips, updates and articles.

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Parenting MAKING SURE TEENS ARE SAFE ONLINE

By Alicia Drummond

Unlike us, our children were born into a digital world, which means that most parents are unlikely to be as technologically savvy as their offspring. Obviously it is important to closely monitor computer activity when they are young but, as they head into adolescence, we would be naive to think we can limit what they see and do online. uite apart from the fact that as teenagers they are less inclined to show us what they are doing or to share their passwords and access codes, they can gain access to the internet from most of the gadgets they use. One fifteen year old told me that her dad punishes her by switching off the internet, but she has worked out that she can access the next door neighbor’s Wi-Fi from the garage guess where she spends a lot of her time! Statistically teenagers are much less likely to tell us if they encounter problems online than offline, for the simple reason that they are terrified we will stop access to the Internet – social suicide for a teen. Reassure them that if things do go wrong you won’t cut them off, but will work with them to sort the problem out. For example, if they have found something about themselves that they dislike, encourage them to get busy blogging, tweeting and contributing to online discussions to bury the unwanted content, making it harder for other users to find. As parents our job is to teach them how to become critical consumers of online content, with a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe in the cyber-world. The first sites they are likely to want to go on are Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, Twitter, Tumblr and Vine. These bigger sites all have pros and cons but tend

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

to be safer than the small pop-up sites that don’t invest in client safety, reporting systems or terms and conditions of use. Setting teenagers up to be successful online is not about trying to control their activity - this doesn’t teach them how to become responsible cyber-citizens. It is about getting them to think, so that they can protect themselves and their reputations without missing out on all the wonderful things that the Internet has to offer.

Alicia Drummond – is the Director of Let’s Talk and a mother of two teenagers. She is BACP accredited psychotherapist, who runs successful workshops for parents called ‘Lets Talk Teens’ in over 30 different schools. She is also the author of ‘Why Every Teenager Needs a Parrot’, a positive and practical guide to 21st century teenagers. It costs £11 and is available from www.letstalk.uk.com or Amazon UK.

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Checklist for parents Does your child… • Understand privacy settings, use them, and regularly check them? (Even the biggest service providers can have occasional breaches of security.) • Know how to block messages from unwelcome contacts or un-tag photos? • Know where to find online safety advice if they need it? (Ask them what they would do if they came across content they felt uncomfortable about.) • Know not to give out personal information or that a “friend” met online may have posted a false persona? • Realise that social networking sites are free because, in exchange, they collect their data? And that this digital footprint will be accessible to any future college, university or employer they apply to? Talk to them about… • What services they would be happy to use a webcam for • What content is appropriate to put on line and what isn’t. • What they share - once it is in the public arena they will have very little control over where it ends up. (For example, sexting via Snapchat may seem safe to teens because it disappears in seconds but if the recipient screenshots it, who else might get to see it?)

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Why Art Matters...

Culture

One of the founders of Maidenhead’s Art on the Street, Marie-Anne Leonard, explains why art is important whatever age you are. he first time I took my little girl to the Tate, I almost had to wrestle her to the ground as she belted headfirst towards a Duchamp and then ignored the security barriers in order to cuddle a sculpture with massive boobs. She’s not a badly behaved child, but the vast expanses of space, curated perfectly to attract the eye, were irresistible for a two year old. Grappling aside, I was less mortified than I probably should have been, and not even remotely concerned by the disapproval of other visitors. Does that make me an awful parent? Well, I certainly wouldn’t allow my daughter to run riot in a restaurant or pull objects off the shelves in supermarkets, but when it comes to art I often feel saddened that we stare quietly, reverently, head-tilted and contemplative when faced with something beautiful that fills us with profound joy. When children see something that excites or stimulates them, they race towards it and clap their hands with glee. They laugh out loud and bounce up and down. They channel their feelings through every bone in their little beings. At the opposite end of the spectrum, they have not learnt to stifle tears when something strikes them as inexplicably sad, or cower behind daddy’s legs when they’re scared. They feel so openly. It’s glorious. Picasso understood this completely; "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." So when I spotted the book ‘The Boy Who Bit Picasso’ by Antony Penrose, I immediately snapped it up for my daughter. It’s a brilliant read for adults and children, telling the story of Antony whose parents were great friends of Picasso, visiting him in France frequently. Picasso was notorious for being impatient and grumpy with adults, but Penrose delights in describing their horseplay and how he, unlike the adults, was allowed to freely roam the great artist’s studio.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

So many adults feel uncomfortable in the company of art and artists because we come from a generation that didn’t engage with art. Popping to a gallery was never an activity my family chose, preferring safari parks or the Natural History Museum.You know where you are with penguins and dinosaurs, right? These are places that embrace children as visitors, focusing firmly on educational exhibits and colourful souvenirs in the gift shop. As funding becomes harder to come by, large galleries are clamouring for greater visitor numbers and subsequently have to be much more forgiving places – the Tate Modern even hold family-friendly events and have a ‘Tate Kids’ section on their website. There are plenty of places locally that you can visit as a family for a fix of art and culture: the Ashmolean in Oxford (my daughter loved doing the artefact trail in the Egyptian section); our wonderful local art centres such as Norden Farm, South Hill Park and Windsor Firestation; my beloved Art on the Street in Maidenhead, where you can enjoy art, music and creative workshops without any pressure or stress.

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It's going to take a long time to entirely break down the barrier between art and audience, taking away the pretensions so we can all experience its real value. On my last visit to the Tate I was delighted to see a dozen small children gleefully doing the conga through the Turbine Hall. I don't know about you, but when I see a conga I ALWAYS want to join in.

Marie-Anne Leonard is co-director of award-winning social enterprise Art on the Street CIC, an organisation that provides opportunities for artists while removing restrictions for those least able to visit galleries. www.artonthestreet.org.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Travel Tips for Long Car Journeys with Kids By JW Patrick

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Travel The key to a successful car journey with kids is to think of it as part of your holiday and make sure you all enjoy it. This is a chance to spend family time together, to talk, to share each other’s music, to see new things and to visit new places and forge great memories. Every time you complete a journey that is actually fun for the children, the easier it will be to sell them on the idea next time.

ur family regularly drives long distances and we prefer it to flying. Tantrums, spills, accidents and illness are so much more easily handled in a confined, (and sound-proofed) car than when stuck in a long queue of

Top Ten Tips for Long Car Journeys with Kids. 1.Treat the car journey as the start of your holiday (and not a chore). Make sure it is fun for the kids and as stress-free as possible for mum and dad. 2. Eliminate as much time related stress as possible. In other words, try not to have a ferry crossing booked at the end of a 7-hour car drive. If you can, overnight near the terminal. If there’s no rush to get where you are going, there’s no need to get stressed about traffic or roadworks. Remember your holiday has already started. 3. Charge up your screens and other gadgets. Buy or borrow at least one portable DVD player, Nintendo or iPod etc. and make sure every gadget is charged ahead of travelling. Ration their screen time and use it as a tool for rewarding good behaviour if necessary. 4.Take regular breaks. Break up your journey regularly with picnics, walks and play areas. Fresh air and a runaround for the kids plus a power nap for the driver reduces stress all round. If budget allows, an overnight hotel with a pool gives the kids something to look forward to and burns off energy before bedtime.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

5. Buy some journey presents (bribes) Buy some small presents and wrap them up for the journey- action figures, crayons, DVDs etc.You can then award a present (bribe) for milestones or legs of the trip achieved without arguing, fighting or tantrums. This encourages and rewards good behaviour as well as keeping them entertained for the next leg of the journey. 6. Stock up with snacks. OK, your back seat upholstery will take a bit of a hammering but snacks are so, so important. Pack a snack bag that can be pulled out when you sense that their attention and patience may be waning. 7. Play games and quizzes. Kids have you all to themselves for once (and vice versa) so why not take advantage? Our favourite is this number plate game: take the letters from the number plate of the car in front of you and make up a proper sentence. Score points and prizes for cleverest or funniest etc. There are no distractions (for either of you) and they often enjoy this time, knowing you are not secretly checking your emails or texts.

JULY/AUGUST 2014

tense fellow travelers. Our last two summers involved approximately 4000 mile road trips around Europe and the kids had a fantastic time - though it has to be said, the back seat of the car has never really recovered!

8.Travel in convoy, if possible. If you’re holidaying with friends or grandparents then, if possible, travel in convoy. It makes such a difference for them to see a new friend or face when you stop and gives them something else to look forward to. 9. Stock up on essentials such as baby wipes and water. Lots of baby wipes are a must. As well as bottles of drinking water, we keep several big jerrycans of 5 and 10 litres of water in the boot, pretty much permanently. Sooner or later you’ll be thankful you did too. We also keep a roll of black bin bags in case clothing or shoes need to be separated from everything else… 10. Involve them in navigation. We have a map and a globe that the kids can place stickers on once they have visited those places. Give them a map or two and buy a couple of packets of ‘organiser’ sticky dots, one colour for each child. Tell them where they are heading to, where they are staying next, or are passing though and award them coloured dots to place on the map for whoever sees the town/sea/river first. If you have SatNav, you’ll notice how quickly they fathom the concept of the map and soon become aware of how long it takes to travel from town to town.

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Health Summer Shorts Workout Summer holiday fast approaching? Worried you’ve left it too late to tone your legs and bottom? Fear not, Sarah El-Hawary from Go Figure has come up with a 6-week program that will target your legs and give you a body worthy of those summer shorts. The following program can be done every third day for beginners and on alternate days for those already exercising. Start with sets of 10 repetitions and repeat each set 3 times. If you want to challenge yourself further, keep adding 2 more repetitions to each subsequent workout. As with any fitness program, healthy eating combined with a consistent approach to exercise will help you achieve your goals quicker. For individuals new to exercise please consult your GP prior to starting any new exercise regime.

Sumo Squat Take a wide stance, point toes outwards. Imagine you are sliding your back up and down a wall as you lower your body towards the ground. Knees travel outwards in line with toes, but remain over feet. Squeeze bottom muscles to raise.

Single Leg Bridge Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on floor. Exhale and raise pelvis up in line with shoulder and knee. Lift one leg up straight into the air. This is your starting position. Allow bottom muscles to relax and lower pelvis towards the floor, squeeze muscles to lift the pelvis. Repeat on opposite leg.

Lunges Lunges are a great exercise to tone all the leg muscles. The most important thing with a lunge is that you take a long enough step forward and then allow your back knee to travel towards the floor. Push back through front foot to return to standing. Alternate the legs.

“Sarah has introduced me to and nurtured me through, post natal circuit classes, personal training, circuit classes, training for and running a half marathon and Pilates. She makes exercise safe, fun and ﬁt for purpose. She spends a lot of time making sure she understands you and your needs, limits and physical state and works to push you safely to get you to a ﬁtter and stronger place.” Sarah Nutbrown 2013

Go Figure oﬀers a range of classes to suit all abilities and lifestyles, Personal Training and One to One Pilates. • Pilates 1 to 1 Personal Training

Step Ups

• Pregnancy Pilates, Postnatal Pilates and General Pilates. Pilates is a total body conditioning regime that works by rebuilding strength, ﬂexibility and improving your body’s posture at any stage of life.

• Let’s Go Mummy Buggy Class

Find a sturdy chair and step up with one leg. Repeat on other leg.

This is a buggy class focusing on exercises which will help rebuild and strengthen your body, helping you drop some of those extra baby pounds along the way.

• Pelvic Floor Course. Learn how to activate and strengthen your pelvic ﬂoor, and reduce your waist line in the process! Baby welcome For more information please visit

www.goﬁgure.org.uk or call Sarah on: 07938 588029

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Sarah offers Personal training, 1 to 1 Pilates, Pregnancy, Postnatal and general Pilates, Pelvic floor course and a Let’s Go Mummy buggy course. To find out more ring 07938 588029 or go to www.gofigure.org.uk.

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

For Little Kickers & Little Rugby classes in Maidenhead, Bourne End, Henley, Marlow & Stokenchurch. Call 01628 526 584 or email bevans@littlekickers.co.uk. For Little Kickers classes in Ascot, Langley, Windsor & Eton call 07412 166 686 or email sleslie@littlekickers.co.uk. Call for Birthday Party entertainment information

Spanish and French for children with La Jolie Ronde

A unique structured language course established for 30 years

For more information please contact Marzena

Mobile: 07718989950 Email: info@linguas-novas.co.uk Website: www.linguas-novas.co.uk

Wishes and smiles all come true at a party planned just for you! Amazing, energetic and fun entertainment for children at Birthday parties and events! Call Debi Party Entertainer and Face Painter

07531 928075 Email:

clickityclackparties@gmail.com

www.swimkidz.co.uk paul@swimkidz.co.uk call Paul Daniels 07860 652190 www.facebook.co.uk/swimkidz

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Competitions and Offers with WIN THE CHANCE TO SEE

WIN A PAIR OF SCHOOL SHOES

DIZZEE RASCAL PERFORM AT KEMPTON PARK

FROM THE CHILDREN’S SHOE COMPANY

Kempton Park Racecourse is delighted to announce that the British rapper, song writer and record producer Dizzee Rascal will perform live after racing on Saturday September 6, promising racegoers a truly great evening of entertainment.

The Children’s Shoe Company understands just what children put their school shoes through – you need them to be hard-wearing and to fit well for as long as they can.The Marlow store has a great selection of comfortable, durable shoes from size 7 to adult 9 (in styles that you and your child will like).

Two summers ago the rapper famously performed his hit single “Bonkers” during the London 2012 Olympics Opening ceremony, to an estimated TV audience of nine hundred million people. Ticket prices start at £30 for adults and £20 for children if booked in advance and the first 1000 tickets are available with 20% off at £24! To book your tickets visit Kempton Park’s website www.kempton.co.uk or call 0844 579 3008. For your chance to win four tickets to Kempton Park Racecourse on September 6 go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

To save you precious time, they have trainers, ideal for PE bags, as well as dancewear and swimwear for those after-school activities. And, even better, you can make an appointment to beat any queues. See the full school shoe selection at www.thechildrensshoecompany.co.uk where you can also make an appointment, click and collect instore or buy online. For your chance to win go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

WIN A FAMILY TICKET WITH

WIN A KURIO 4S

CAMPING TO LAKEFEST IN THE COTSWOLDS

TOUCH BUNDLE

The annual family friendly music festival based in the Cotswolds returns for its third year in August.This year's line-up for Lakefest ranges from 70s punk to 80s indie and 90s Britpop with headline acts including the Buzzcocks, Doctor and the Medic,The Lightning Seeds, Shed Seven, Neville Staple,The Bad Shepherds, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Snap! The family friendly festival, at Croft Farm Water Park, from August 8 to 10, also features a tempting menu of West Country food and drink alongside a feast of fun for younger visitors with over 30 kid’s activities including water sports, juggling, mask making, painting, face painting and much more! Lakefest promises to be funfilled for all the family with something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re not lucky enough to win these tickets then don’t worry – tickets are still available but are selling fast! For full festival info and to purchase tickets please visit lakefest.co.uk

The Kurio 4S Touch is a Personal Android Media Player, preloaded with fun and educational applications including Angry Birds Space, Cut the Rope, Where’s My Water, Fotodanz and Toon Goggles.There is also access to Google Play and the Kurio Store to download further apps. The 4S Touch comes with KurioGenius™ parental control to apply customisable 24/7 safe internet filtering and define time and application management. As well as an intuitive capacitive 4” screen, built-in Wifi, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage and micro SD card slot. There are also full multimedia capabilities to view and take photos, listen to music and watch videos, so there’s loads to keep all of the family busy! Kurio 4S Touch is suitable for children age four and over. To find out more go to www.kurioworld.com/uk One lucky reader will receive a bundle of goodies, including a Kurio 4S Touch, a tough case, a protective bumper, a zip-up case and a screen protector. For your chance to win go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

For your chance a family ticket with camping go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

What’s On

Compiled by Barbara Meredith Event times and dates to change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

Nature Tots, Wooley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Maidenhead, July 11

Old Macdonald had a Farm,The Firestation Centre for the Arts, Windsor, July 5

Comedy Club 4 Kids,The Firestation Centre for the Arts, Windsor, July 12

JULY

Every Friday from 4 July to 29 August. DIGI DEN DROP IN at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Led by DJ Mhlanga. An introduction to podcasting, recording and editing. Report on and review Norden events and your own projects. Suitable for ages 10 to 13 of all levels of experience. 6-8PM. £2. nordenfarm.org Saturday 5 July. FUN DAY AT BATTERSEA OLD WINDSOR in Priest Hill, Old Windsor, Surrey, SL4 2JN. 01784 432929. Activities, stalls and dog shows plus dog talent contest and dog who looks most like its owner. Charity ambassador Dame Jacqueline Wilson will crown the winners. 10.30am-5pm. www.battersea.org.uk Saturday 5 July. CREATE A BIRD OF PARADISE at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Led by Fausta Scarano. Be inspired by the story How the Birds Changed their Feathers and create a Bird of Paradise. Suitable for ages 5 to 8 years. 1-3pm. nordenfarm.org Saturday 5 July. OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM at The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture, St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3BL. 01753 866 865. Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! But Old MacDonald’s animals have gone missing. Help a friendly scientist and his amazing time machine get them back. 2.30PM. www.firestationartscentre.com Saturday July 5. OLD TIME AUTOMOBILES at Maidenhead Heritage Centre, 18 Park Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1SL. 01628 780555. Travel back to 1911 when the first ‘GWK’ car was built in Maidenhead. 11am-12.30pm and 2pm-3.30pm. £4.50 per child, accompanying adults free. www.maidenheadheritage.org.uk Saturday July 5 and every Saturday. PARKRUN at Black Park, Black Park Road, Slough, Bucks , SL3 6DS 01753 511060. Weekly, timed 5km run that is open to everyone, regardless of running ability. black-park 9am. Free must register first though. www.parkrun.org.uk/black-park Friday July 4 to Thursday 10. WALKING WITH DINOS at Odeon cinema, 42-44 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1DY. 0871 22 44 007. See and feel what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, in a story where an underdog dino triumphs to become a hero for the ages.

Sunday July 6. BABY AND CHILDREN’S MARKET at Langley Grammar School, Reddington Drive, Langley, SL3 7QS 01753 598300. More than 30 stallholders selling quality nearly new baby & children’s items! 2.30-4.30pm. Adults £1, children free. babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk Every Sunday from July 6 to August 7. ZUMBA at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Led by Annet Bowler. Party yourself into shape. 11-12pm. nordenfarm.org. Friday July 11 to Thursday 17. TINKERBELL:THE PIRATE FAIRY at Odeon cinema, 42-44 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1DY. 0871 22 44 007. Friday July 11. NATURE TOTS at Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 3LJ 01628 829574. Chance for parents and pre-schoolers to have fun in natural surroundings. Booking essential. Games, story-time and refreshments included. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 9.30-11.30am and 1-2.30 pm. £4 suggested donation. www.bbowt.org.uk Friday July 12, FAMILY CAMPING, MOTHS AND MOONLIGHT at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 0844 249 1895. Join National Trust rangers for a special overnight camp in the woods. Try moth trapping, bug hunting, toasting marshmallows over the fire and midnight story-telling. Bring your tent and picnic tea, then wake up to a delicious breakfast. From 2pm Saturday to 11.30 Sunday. Adult £27, child £17. Booking essential. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Saturday July 12 and Sunday 13. MEDIEVAL LIFE themed day at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB. Learn about archery, cookery and a medieval lavatory. 01494 871117. 10am–5pm, adult £9.50, child £6. www.coam.org.uk. Saturday July 12. COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS at The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture, St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3BL. 01753 866 865. The best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best‚ but without the rude bits, 1pm. www.comedyclub4kids.co.uk Saturday July 12. MADE IN MAIDENHEAD:THE TOWN CENTRE SHOW. Nicholsons Centre and High Street. All the fun of a fête but in town. Children’s fancy dress and dogs’ waggiest tail contest. People can enter cakes, knitted articles, jams, and crafts for competitions. Workshops,

Every day until September 1. BIG DINOSAUR SHOW at the Lookout Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW. 01344 354400. Find out what the breath of a T-Rex would have smelt like and how much poo the biggest dinosaurs would make. For ages 3 to 4 upwards as involves sitting for half an hour. Shows: 11am, 12 noon, 2pm, 3.15pm. £1.85 per person on top of entry to discovery centre where activities include rocket launching, building a house or play a giant piano. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre Every Tuesday from July 1 to 15. MAIDENHEAD COMMUNITY CHOIR at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Sing Bach to Beatles and Gershwin to gospel. Suitable for all levels of experience. 7.15-8.15pm. www.nordenfarm.org Tuesday July 1 and Wednesday 2. MICK INKPEN EXHIBITION at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. See original works by the renowned Kipper and Wibbly Pig author and illustrator. In the gallery 3-10pm. nordenfarm.org Tuesday July 1 and Wednesday 2. THE TEMPEST. Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF 01628 682555. Encore screening of the 2011 production from the Stratford Festival in Canada. Christopher Plummer stars as Prospero.Various times. nordenfarm.org Every Wednesday from July 2 to 16. NORDEN LIGHTS ACADEMY at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Led by Troublemaker Theatre Company. Classes for young people to develop performance skills, scriptwriting, devising and directing and work towards performances. Each term is 10 weeks long. Suitable for all abilities.Year 12+. 6.45 - 8.45PM. nordenfarm.org Every Wednesday from July 2 to July 23. ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF 01628 682555. Led by Juliette Tieku-Smith. Chant rhythmic rhymes, play with finger puppets, dress up, let loose on the dance floor and jam out on percussion. Suitable for ages 6 months and over. 10-11am. £6. nordenfarm.org

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

What’s On

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Theatre Royal Windsor, Windsor, July 23-August 2

Summer Circus Spectacular, Odd Farm Park, July 24 - September 2

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Savill Gardens, Englefield Green, July 25-26

demonstrations and performances from groups including Rosie’s Rainbow Choir. Supporting Maidenhead FoodShare and Rosie’s Rainbow Fund. Contact Deborah Jones at jones624@btinternet.com, www.craftcoop.co.uk/the-maidenhead-show, or the Facebook page. Saturday July 12. PAEDIATRIC CHILD FIRST AID COURSE at Marlow Sea Cadets, Wethered Road, Marlow, SL7 3TZ. 07952 922836. Session for those who have completed the online part of the Blended paediatric course. This group includes childminders and carers. 9.30-4.30pm,£65/£70. www.procourses.co.uk/classrooms Monday July 14. NATURE TOTS at Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 3LJ 01628 829574. Chance for parents and pre-schoolers to have fun in natural surroundings. Booking essential. Games, story-time and refreshments included. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 9.30-11.30am and 1-2.30 pm. £4 suggested donation. www.bbowt.org.uk Wednesday July 16 to Sunday 20. MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS at Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX 0844 346 3000. An awe-inspiring new show from the world’s most famous circus. www.moscowstatecircus.com Friday July 17 to Thursday 24. THE LEGO MOVIE at Odeon, 42-44 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1DY. 0871 22 44 007. An ordinary Lego construction worker is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the Lego universe into eternal stasis. Friday, July 19. FAMILY CAMPING, MOTHS AND MOONLIGHT at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 0844 249 1895. Join National Trust rangers for a special overnight camp in the woods. Try moth trapping, bug hunting, toasting marshmallows over the fire and midnight story-telling. Bring your tent and a picnic tea, then wake up to a delicious breakfast. From 2pm Saturday to 11.30 Sunday. Adult £27, child £17. Booking essential. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Saturday July 19. TURBO at The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture, St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3BL. 01753 866 865. A high-velocity animated comedy about an underdog snail who kicks into overdrive when he miraculously attains the power of super-speed. 1pm. www.firestationartscentre.com Saturday July 19 and Sunday 20. CLASSIC VEHICLES SHOW at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB. 01494 871117. 10am–5pm. Adult £9.50, child £6. www.coam.org.uk. Sunday July 20. THE BEECHES AT WAR at Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE. 01753 647358. The Beeches were requisitioned by the War Department during the Second World War and played a prominent part in the D-Day landings, find out how. Sorry no dogs. Morning event. Booking required. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/thingstodo

Sunday July 20. ROCK CHOIR:THE CHOIR THAT ROCKS at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF ,01628 682555. Record-breaking Rock Choir was the first amateur contemporary choir – check it out. 3 & 7.30PM. www.rockchoir.com/ Wednesday July 23. BUSHCRAFT WALK & BLACK PINES CAMP at Black Park, Black Park Road, Slough, SL3 6DS. 01753 511060. Join Andy on an interactive walk to learn the secrets of the forest and uses for natural materials. Finish at the camp to put your new knowledge into practice. Max ratio of 1 adult to 2 children. Over 12s only 2-5.30pm. £22 adult, £17 child. www.buckscc.gov.uk Wednesday July 23 to Saturday August 2. JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, SL4 1PS. 01753 863444. This colourful retelling of the biblical story about dreaming Joseph, his brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Thursday 24 July to Friday 25 July. A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS at Stubbings Nursery, Stubbings Estate, , Henley Road, Maidenhead, SL6 6QL. 01628 825454. Two nights of wonderful musical numbers performed by the Stage One Youth. Gate to the lawns opens at 5.30pm for picnics, performance 7.45pm. Tickets £18/£15 for seniors, students and under 16s. www.stubbingsnursery.co.uk Thursday July 24 to Thursday August 28. SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER! at Colne Valley Visitor Centre, Denham County Park, UB9 5PG. Fun and games on the terrace. Every Thursday during the holidays. 11am-4pm. www.buckscc.gov.uk Thursday July 24 to Tuesday September 2. SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR at Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Common, HP10 0LX, 01628 520 188. New for Summer 2014, enjoy the fun and excitement of the famous Charles Chipperfield Circus! Inside the Big Top, marvel at the spectacular human acts from around the world! Four shows daily followed by Circus Skills workshops, all included in entry cost. Plus new sand and water and daily sheep racing. www.oddsfarm.co.uk Friday July 25. NATURE SAFARI at Langley Park Café, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LS. 01753 511060. Follow the self-led trail set up by rangers, finding the clues and learning about the animals that live here. The trail takes around an hour to complete. 1-2pm. £4 per guide. www.buckscc.gov.uk Friday July 25 and Saturday 26. ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND at Savill Gardens, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, TW20 0UU. 01784 435544. Children are invited to dress in their best‚ Wonderland fashion. Before the open-air show at 7pm, there will be a theatre workshop (£3) on The Lawns at 5.30pm. Suitable for 5 to 10 year olds. Booking required for both events. Adults:

£14, Children (3-16) £3 and concessions: £10, family (2 adults , 2 children) £40. www.theroyallandscape.co.uk Friday July 25 to Thursday 3. TARZAN at Odeon cinema, 42-44 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1DY 0871 22 44 007. New film version of the jungle adventure story. Saturday July 26 to Sunday 27. MAIDENHEAD FESTIVAL at Kidwells Park, access from Cookham Road, St Lukes Road, Marlow Road and town centre underpass. Enjoy 50 bands across two stages, storytelling bus, stalls, Festival of Strength, Traylen's Fun Fair, puppet shows; fabulous street food, a special Pirate Cove a beach and an incredible fireworks display. See www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/ News/Maidenhead-Festival for times. Saturday July 26 to Sunday August 31. BENEATH THE WAVES at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF . 01628 682555. A very special, interactive installation, forming part The Maidenhead Beach at Norden Farm. it features work made by children and young people as part of the summer beach craft project. 3-10pm six days, 10am-10pm Sundays. nordenfarm.org Saturday July 26 and Sunday 27. MEET THE ROMAN ARMY at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB. 01494 871117. 10am–5pm. Adult £9.50, child £6. www.coam.org.uk. Saturday July 26. OPERA at Stubbings Nursery, Stubbings Estate, Henley Road, Maidenhead, SL6 6QL. 01628 825454. Performed in English with ensemble and piano. All the classics will be performed from Mozart, Bizet,Verdi, Rossini. Picnics from 5.30pm, performance 7.45pm. Tickets £36 (£26 under 16s). www.stubbingsnursery.co.uk Sunday July 27. COLNE VALLEY FESTIVAL at Colne Valley Visitor Centre, Denham County Park, UB9 5PG. 01753 511060. Fun for all the family with canal boat trips, face painting, crafts, games, model air planes a funfair and much more. 11am-4pm. www.buckscc.gov.uk Monday July 28 to Friday August 1. CIRCUS WEEK at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Albert and Friends teach incredible circus skills and performing. Learn to walk on stilts, ride a unicycle, walk the tightrope and perform on a trapeze! Suitable for ages 7 to 13. 10am-4pm. nordenfarm.org Monday July 28 and Tuesday 29. DEN BUILDING at Langley Park Café, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LS. 01753 511060. Have a go at building your own den in Langley Park with the Country Park Rangers. Bring a picnic along to eat in your newly built den! 10am-12pm. £16 per family, £3 per extra. www.buckscc.gov.uk Tuesdays from July 29 to August 26. ONCE UPON A BUS storytelling at Jolly Gardener Pub, Moneyrow Green, Holyport, SL6 2ND. 07912 101619, advance booking essential. All aboard for a unique story telling experience. Sessions 10am and 11.15am £6 per session payable on the door/in advance if multiple children. Suitable for children aged 0-12.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

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JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

What’s On

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

Storytelling, Once Upon a Bus, Jolly Gardner Pub, Moneyrow Green, July 29-August 26

Peter Pan the Lost Boys, Black Park, Wexham, August 5

Wild Wednesday:Fabulous Flowers, Cliveden, Taplow, August 6

18 places available per 45 minute session. Plus SNAKES ON A BUS weekly from 12.15-1pm to meet fascinating reptiles, learn about their origins, habitats, the threats they face and what can be done to protect them. Educational and enlightening tales and scales session to delight the creature-curious. Places are very limited and must be booked in advance. Wednesday July 30 and Thursday 31. CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Encore screening from the 2009 Stratford Festival production.Starring Christopher Plummer and Nikki M James. A witty comedy about the relationship between a veteran Roman political strategist and an enchanting Egyptian teenage queen. 8pm. £15. nordenfarm.org Wednesday July 30. WILD WEDNESDAY at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 0844 249 1895. Fun outdoor activities whatever the weather with National Trust rangers. 11am-3pm. Ages 4-11. Child £2, no booking required. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Wednesday July 30. FUN IN THE PARK at Langley Park Café, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LS. 01753 511060. The afternoon will be fun-packed with activities including falconry displays, sword swallowing and story telling, as well as fun games, face painting and an inflatable slide. 12 - 4pm. www.buckscc.gov.uk Wednesday July 30 and weekly to September 3. WILD WEDNESDAY at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 01628 605069. Outdoor adventures for families, every Wednesday in the local school holidays. Ideal for children aged 4-11. 11am to 3pm. £2. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Thursday July 31 to Saturday August 2. OPEN AIR CINEMA with Raiders of the Lost Ark, Some Like it Hot and Dirty Dancing. Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX. 0844 346 3000. Fabulous food and drink will be available or bring a picnic along. Licensed bar, parking at the venue. Limited capacity, all tickets must be bought in advance so book early. Open 7.15, performance 8.45pm. Children (5-15) £10, adult £15. www.thelunacinema.com/ascot-racecourse Thursdays from July 31 to August 28. ONCE UPON A BUS storytelling at Ladds Garden Centre, Bath Road, Hare Hatch, RG10 9SB. 07912 101619, advance booking essential. All aboard for a unique story telling experience. Sessions 10am and 11.15am, £6 per session payable on the door/in advance if multiple children. Suitable for children aged 0-12. 18 places available per 45 minute session. Plus SNAKES ON A BUS weekly from 12.15-1pm to meet fascinating reptiles, learn about their origins, habitats, the threats they face and what can be done to protect them. Educational and enlightening tales and scales session to delight the creature-curious. Places are very limited and must be booked in advance.

AUGUST

beneath the waves. Go on a treasure hunt, build sandcastles on the beach and get stuck in to some magical marine crafts. Must book. For age 4 and over. 10am-2pm. www.bbowt.org.uk/events Wednesday August 6. WILD WEDNESDAY: FABULOUS FLOWERS at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 01628 605069. Outdoor adventures for families, every Wednesday in the local school holidays. Ideal for children aged 4-11. 11am to 3pm. £2. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Wednesday August 6 to Saturday 16. DREAMBOATS AND MINISKIRTS at Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS 01753 863444. It’s 1963, and the world is changing. Bobby and Laura’s hit single Dreamboats and Petticoats‚ has not taken off. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss and a baby! 8PM. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Every Wednesday from August 6. PUPPETS IN THE PARK at Savill Gardens, Wick Lane, Englefield Green , Surrey, TW20 0UU. 01784 435544. Join us for family puppet shows on Obelisk Lawn, next to The Savill Garden. 11am. Free shows.. www.theroyallandscape.co.uk Thursday August 7. MINI BEAST HUNT at Black Park Visitor Centre, Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, SL3 6DS. 01753 511060. Hunt for creepy crawlies in Black Park with the help of our Rangers, using your mini-beast kit. Book an hour slot and meet us at the Visitor Centre 1-2pm, or 3-4pm. £4.50 per kit. www.buckscc.gov.uk Saturday August 9. DUBAI DUTY FREE: SHERGAR CUP AND CONCERT at Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, SL5 7JX. 0844 346 3000. Prestigious race and off off-track entertainment with Vernon Kay introducing Scouting for Girls, the Stars of the Commitments, Bjorn Again, B*witched and Chesney Hawkes. Free fairground all day and evening rounds off the fun. Gates open 11am. £25. www.ascot.co.uk Saturday August 9. RETRO FESTIVAL at White Waltham Airfield, SL6 3NJ.Vintage fun, wheels and wings plus Once Upon a Bus storytelling, family friendly displays and activities, music and dancing, vintage fun fair. Accompanied under 11s free. Monday August 11 to Friday 15. SUMMER ART WEEK at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Led by Michaela Clarke. Work on individual craft activities with lots of messy materials plus a group art project. Suitable for ages 8+, 10am-4pm. nordenfarm.org Monday August 11. SUMMER NIGHT WALK at Langley Park Café, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LS. 01753 511060. An evening walk looking and listening for signs of nocturnal animals. We hope to see bats and hear owls and deer calling from the

Friday August 1. CARS OF THE FUTURE. Maidenhead Heritage Centre, 18 Park Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1SL 01628 780555. Go back to the future as we explore Dennis Burney’s 1930s designs for an experimental aerodynamic car in our family friendly tour and workshop. 11am to 12.30pm and 2pm-3.30pm. £4.50 per child, accompanying adults free. www.maidenheadheritage.org.uk Friday August 1 to Thursday August 7. RIO 2 at Odeon, 42-44 King Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1DY. 0871 22 44 007. It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they’re hurtled from Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel, and meets his father-in-law. Saturday August 2. BUTTERFLIES FOR BEGINNERS at Langley Park Café, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LS. 01753 511060. Explore the glades in search of beautiful butterflies and learn some great facts as you go. No dogs, please. 10.30am-12.30pm. £4.50 adult, £2.50 child. £3.50 cons, £12 family. www.buckscc.gov.uk Saturday August 2 to Sunday 3. MEET SHARPE’S RIFLES with Wellington’s soldiers, drills and skirmishes at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB. 01494 871117. 10am-5pm. Adult £9.50, child £6. www.coam.org.uk. Monday August 4 to Friday 8. SUMMER THEATRE WEEK at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Create an entire show from idea to performance. Experience all aspects of stage production, from lighting to stage blocking to acting with the help of professional directors. Suitable for ages 10 to18 years. 10am-4pm. nordenfarm.org Tuesday August 5 and Tuesday August 19. BODY CONTROL PILATES: SUMMER SPECIAL SESSIONS at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF. 01628 682555. Led by Gillian Burn. Relax, unwind, stretch and tone. Suitable for all levels of experience. 10-11am,£8. nordenfarm.org Tuesday August 5. PETER PAN AND THE LOST BOYS at Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, SL3 6DS. 01753 511060. Heartbreak productions will be performing an interactive version of the iconic tale. Bring a rug. Early booking advised. 8.30-10.30pm, tickets £12.50 adult, £8 child, £39 family. www.buckscc.gov.uk Tuesday August 5 to Thursday 7. PIRATES AND MERMAIDS at Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 3LJ. 01628 829574. Dive in and find out what amazing creatures lurk

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Go online to www.familiestveast.co.uk/whatson for more events and fun things to do with the family

What’s On

Bat Walk, Black Park Visitor Centre, Wexham, August 22

George's Marvellous Medicine, Cliveden, Taplow, August 28-29

Romeo and Juliet, Cliveden,Taplow, September 6

woodland. Bring a torch! 8.30-10pm. £5 adult £3 child £4 cons, £14 family. www.buckscc.gov.uk Saturday August 11. FROZEN at The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture, St Leonards Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 3BL 01753 866 865. Cool down this summer as fearless Anna teams up with Kristoff and a hilarious snowman named Olaf in a race to find Anna's sister, trapped in an eternal winter. 1pm. www.tickets.firestationartscentre.com Wednesday August 13. WILD WEDNESDAY: ENCHANTED ORIENTEERING at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 01628 605069. Outdoor adventures for families. This week’s fairy and goblin theme will take you on an adventure around Cliveden followed by the opportunity to get involved in some craft activities. Ideal for children aged 4-11. 11am to 3pm. £2. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Thursday August 14 and Friday 15. TREE CLIMBING at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 01628 605069.29 An adventure high up in the trees in Cliveden’s woodlands provided by The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. One hour session £17.50, available 10.30am-5pm. Normal admission charges apply to spectators and accompanying adults. Booking essential on 0844 249 1895. Saturday August 16 to Sunday 17 August. RED BULL AIR RACE at Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX. 0844 346 3000. Enjoy fantastic views as planes take off and land in front of the iconic Grandstand. High-octane, high flying fun. 11.30AM - 6.30PM. £30.00. www.ascot.co.uk Saturday August 16 and Sunday 17. MEDIEVAL PAGEANTRY at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB. 01494 871117. 10am–5pm. Adult £9.50, child £6.www.coam.org.uk. Sunday August 17. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS open air Cinema at Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, SL3 6DS 01753 511060. Bring a rug and refreshments will be on sale. Opens at 8pm, starts 8.35pm. Adult £12, child £9, family £40. www.buckscc.gov.uk Sunday August 17. MEET THE RANGER at Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE. 01753 647358. Come along to a drop-in afternoon session at the Information Point. A ranger will be on duty to answer your questions or help you with issues relating to the site. Dogs welcome but must be on leads. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Monday August 18 to Tuesday 19. KIDS WILDLIFE WALK at Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE. 01753 647358. Morning. Head out on a ranger-led adventure aimed at accompanied children age 5+. Free but a £1 donation per child welcomed. Sorry No Dogs. Booking Required. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Tuesday August 19 to Wednesday 20. ANIMAL GAMES at Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3LJ 01628 829574. Can you run as fast as a hare or jump as high as a grasshopper? Join the action-packed animal athletes trail and win the chance to make your own gold medal and laurel wreath headband.10am-2pm. £3 donation per child. Booking required. 10.am-10pm. www.bbowt.org.uk Wednesday August 20 WILD WEDNESDAY:TAKE TO THE SKIES at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 01628 605069. Explore flying kites, cloud watching, blowing bubbles. Ideal for children aged 4-11. 11am to 3pm. £2. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Wednesday August 20. NIGHT WALK meeting at Black Park Kiosk, Black Park Road, Slough, Bucks , SL3 6DS 01753 511060. An evening walk searching for signs of nocturnal animals. We hope to see bats over the lake and hear deer and owls calling in the woodland. 8-9.30pm. £5 adult, £3 child, £4 cons, £14 family. www.buckscc.gov.uk Friday August 22. BUG HUNT TODDLE at Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 3LJ 01628 829574. Short walk tand hunt for creepy crawlies. Follow a trail and listen to a tale. Activities are designed for pre-school children. 11am-12.30pm. £3 donation per child. Booking required. www.bbowt.org.uk Friday August 22. BAT WALK at Black Park Visitor Centre, Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, SL3 6DS. 01753 511060. Using detectors to convert the echolocation of bats as they hunt for food. Bring a torch! 7.45-9pm. Adult £5, child £3, £14 family. www.buckscc.gov.uk Sunday 24 August. BUSHCRAFT & SURVIVAL DAY at Black Pine Camp at Black Park Visitor Centre, Black Park Road, Wexham, SL3 6DS. 01753 511060. Join Ranger Andy to learn bushcraft and survival skills in the inspiring surroundings of Black Park.You enjoy a day of practical skills, exploring your potential and enhancing your ability to deal with the unexpected. 10am-4pm. £65. www.buckscc.gov.uk Tuesday August 26 to Wednesday 27. A DAY ON THE FARM at Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 3LJ. 01628 829574. Press some rapeseed oil, mill flour and make some Woolley Firs muesli to take home. Learn how the farm has been made a great place for wildlife. For 4 years +. 10am-2pm. £3 donation per child. Booking required. www.bbowt.org.uk Wednesday August 27. WILD WEDNESDAY at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 01628 605069. Fun activities, whatever the weather. Ideal for children aged 4-11. 11am to 3pm. £2. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Thursday August 28 and Friday. TREE CLIMBING at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 01628 605069.29 An adventure high up in the trees in Cliveden’s woodlands

provided by The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. One hour session £17.50, available 10.30am-5pm. Normal admission charges apply to spectators and accompanying adults. Booking essential on 0844 249 1895. Thursday August 28. TWILIGHT SAFARI at Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3LJ 01628 829574. After-dark adventure. Bring your torch and head off bat-detecting then check out the catch at the moth traps. 7.30-10pm. £3 donation per child. Booking required. www.bbowt.org.uk Thursday August 28 and Friday 29, GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 0844 249 1895. Illyria return with a fabulous performance Roald Dah’s classic tale, adapted by David Wood. Bring a picnic and some friends and relax in the beautiful surroundings of the Water Garden at Cliveden. 2.30-4pm. Adult £13, child (age 3-16) £10, booking essential. To book call 0844 249 1895. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden. Friday August 29. PAEDIATRIC COURSE FOR AU PAIRS AND NANNIES. 07788 720 612. Marlow Sea Cadets, Wethered Road, Marlow, SL7 3TZ. 07952 922836. Designed for nannies, au pairs, voluntary workers, schools staff and those working with children. 9.30am-4.30pm. £70.www.procourses.co.uk Saturday August 30. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. 0844 249 1895. Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents this special outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Bring a picnic, something fizzy, some friends and relax in the Water Gardens. 7-9pm. Adult £16.50, child £10 (age 5-16). To book call 0844 249 1895. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden. Saturday August 30. THE BIG PICNIC at Alexandra Gardens, Barry Avenue, Windsor, SL4 3HY. 01753 743915. The Firestation’s jam-packed line-up of bands, DJs, comedy, stalls, food and drink, arts and crafts, a bouncy castle and (hopefully) sunshine! Free to attend. www.firestationartscentre.com Saturday August 30. ROMEO AND JULIET at Langley Park Café, Billet Lane, Iver, SL0 0LS. 01753 511060. Renowned theatre company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men present an action-packed production of Shakespeare’s tale of young love. Refreshments will be on sale on the night. Please bring low-backed seating or a blanket. Early booking online is essential. Show starts 7.30pm. £15 adult, £8 child. www.buckscc.gov.uk Saturday September 6. ROMEO AND JULIET at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. Immerse yourself in their unique blend of all male Shakespearean entertainment with this classic tale of two opposing households, whose children defy their parents and fall passionately in love. 7 – 9pm, (gates open at 6pm). Adults £16.50, children £10. To book call 0844 249 1895. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden

Music with Mummy Themed, fun music classes for children aged up to 5 years in small groups Jolly Babies – specially designed for babies under one year Jackie @ Windsor: 01344 301954 Caroline @ Ascot: 01753 850772 www.musicwithmummy.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Ed’s Reading Room Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere! I’m Ed and here is my Summer book selection for you to enjoy. The books are all available online and from good bookstores. Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools.

For Ages 5 to 7 years Humphrey’s Tiny Tales: My Really Wheely Racing Day! by Betty G Birney (Faber £3.99) ED SAYS: ‘Humphrey has lots of friends in Room 26 where he is the class hamster but he is delighted to make a new pal Winky. When he sees Winky’s new hamster racing car he thinks it is unsqueakably wonderful and decides he wants a set of wheels of his own. At school a hamster race is set up and Humphrey practises hard but when his car rolls against a wooden block will he be able to zoom across the finishing line first? ‘Here is another FUNFUN-FUN story in this super series for young readers who can enjoy Humphrey’s latest adventure reading on their own or reading together.’

For Ages 7 years plus

Superhero School:The Revenge of the Green Meanie by Alan MacDonald (Bloomsbury £4.99) ED SAYS: ‘Stan Button knows that to be a superhero like Captain Courageous he must practise his surprise attack moves. When he is offered a place at Mighty High School he is over the moon but also flabbergasted as he is not sure he has any superhero characteristics yet. The evil and dangerous Green Meanie soon starts to stalk the school corridors – time for Stan and his pals to concoct a cunning plan to overcome this supervillain! ‘This is a laugh out loud tale for boys and girls alike. If you enjoy it as much as I did, look out for other books by this super-funny author.’

Scam on the Cam by Clementine Beauvais (Hodder £6.99)

SWARM: Operation Sting by Simon Cheshire (Stripes £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Sesame Seade has reason to be suspicious about the strange goings-on by the river. She is rather half-hearted about being part of a rowing crew herself but she becomes very interested in certain events in the buildup to the Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge. When the Cambridge crew go down one by one with a mysterious bug it’s time for Sesame to get into supersleuth mode.

ED SAYS: ‘The Secret Intelligence Agency’s new weapon SWARM is set on a mission. The robotic bugs working as undercover agents are put into action to locate a stolen device that has the power to wreak havoc on the world’s electronic communications. Will SWARM be able to recover the device before the encryption code is cracked and the villains have their evil way?

‘This is a brilliantly written hilarious story peppered with super illustrations. Sesame is a fantastic character and a very smart heroine.’

‘This is an action-packed page-turner of a book by this fantastic writer. It is the first book in this adventure series featuring robot technology.’

Ed’s Reading Room is part of www.edontheweb.com, a DTI award-winning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating.You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at maggiehumphreys@aol.com.

Blossom Ballet For a FREE taster class or for further information please contact Lucy:

07813084283 lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

Bespoke Hand Drawn Portraits

Summer School dates: 12th - 15th August

Contact:

Blossom Ballet

MARTIN STRATTON

is about having lots of fun and making new friends.

art@martinstratton.com

Classes throughout the week, including weekends, in Windsor, Birch Hill and Maidenhead.

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Tel: 07769 722607

JULY/AUGUST 2014

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

(Mental) Leaps and Wonder Weeks Ever wondered why babies seem to go through a fussy stage at the same time? It’s not your imagination– all babies go through a difficult period around the same age. Research has shown that during the first 20 months, babies make ten major, predictable, age-linked changes, or leaps. During this time, they will learn more than in any other time. ith each leap comes a drastic change in your baby’s mental development, which affects their mood, health, intelligence, sleeping patterns and the “three C’s” (crying, clinging and crankiness). Babies cry during a leap because they’ve reached a radical new step in their mental development. The “difficult” behavior is actually a signal that great progress is underway. Like the physical growth spurts that a child makes, the mental development of children is also made with leaps. Neurological research has shown that such leaps are accompanied by changes in the brain. The Wonder Weeks, by Dutch authors Hetty van de Rijt and Frans Plooij, describes in easy to understand terms the incredible developmental changes that all babies go through during their first 20 months of life. What is a mental leap? A leap in the mental development of your baby means that suddenly there are many changes in his head. Their brain perceives things it wasn’t capable of perceiving before, making the whole world look different. Phases in a mental leap Just as your baby has processed the previous mental leap and has mastered a number of new skills, the next leap announces itself! The life of your baby will change drastically yet again. This process keeps repeating itself during the first two years. You can well understand that your baby has not had time to fully master all new skills before the next stage begins. That does not matter, because they will keep going, mastering skills made possible by previous leaps while going through the next stages of development. Clinginess, Crankiness and Crying For 35 years, we have been studying interactions between mothers and babies, documenting times when mothers report their

Bumps ‘n’ Babes babies to be “difficult.” These difficult periods are usually accompanied by the three C’s: clinginess, crankiness, and crying. These are the tell-tale signs of a period of mental development. Babies all undergo these fussy phases at around the same ages. During the first 20 months of a baby's life, there are ten developmental leaps with their corresponding clingy periods at onset. (These come at 5, 8, 12, 15, 23, 34, 42, and 51 weeks). The onsets may vary by a week or two, but you can be sure of their occurrence. Usually calm, easygoing babies will react to the developmental changes just as much as difficult, temperamental babies do. Unsurprisingly, temperamental babies will have more difficulty in dealing with them than their calmer counterparts. Babies who already demand more attention will want even more when they have to cope with these big changes. These babies will have the greatest need for mummy, the most conflict with their mothers, and the largest appetite for learning. How does your baby’s world change during a mental leap? With each mental leap that your baby makes, it gains an ability to perceive new things. These were already present in the environment before the leap, but your baby just did not notice them because their brain did not make them out at the time. It is difficult for us adults to imagine this, but your baby's whole world has now changed. Does a baby automatically gain new skills once a mental leap is complete? If your baby has completed a mental leap, it means that they have come to terms with this new perceptual ability. They are no longer crying, cranky and clingy. But that does not mean that they can suddenly do everything. Their brain is now capable of developing a whole set of new skills, but your baby has to try them out and practice before fully controlling them. This does not happen by itself. They will learn by experience, learn by mistakes, and learn by trial and error. But be patient with your baby, this exercise can take a lot of time.

Open Day Saturday July 19 10am-12.30pm

NEW Baby Signing and Cookery Club Children from 6 weeks to 5 years 7.30am - 6.15pm with French, Music and Swimming Lessons

Dr. Frans Plooij PhD is a leading expert on infant mental development and the author of the bestseller The Wonder Weeks. The book describes your baby's mental development and help him turn his 10 predictable, great, fussy phases into magical leaps forward. www.thewonderweeks.com

Where your little ones will blossom into independent confident learners in a wonderful environment, cared for by dedicated and qualified practitioners.

Come and meet our team and see what makes Poppies Day Nurseries different. Bourne End 01628 521522

Marlow 01628 487772

Beaconsfield 01494 677116

Old Windsor 01753 313030

www.poppiesdaynursery.com

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Mums Who Mean Business Arti Sharma Gray’s love of performing and storytelling led her from a career in IT to the creation of the magical Storytelling Bus. Who are you and where do you live? I am Arti Sharma-Grey 40 and I live in Bray, Berkshire, with my husband Matt Grey 42, and children Bali 5 and Maya 2. Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career? I had always felt some frustration with the limitations of presenting for a business audience. While I performed for boardrooms, I actually dreamt of being a stand-up comedian! I knew that my passion for my work lay in the delivery but not necessarily the content. What did you used to do? I used to be an IT pre-sales consultant. Becoming a parent inspired me to refocus the energy and commitment I put into my work to provide a new kind of exciting activity for parents and their children. What inspired you to set up the business? From my own experiences caring for my 2 children I realised that there was an opportunity to provide a new kind of fun, but essentially creative and educational activity for families. I set about developing an "interactive storytelling" concept that would engage kids and inspire them to really sense the joy of just "running away with the imagination”. I decided to make the jump from the security of a full time job to the risky business of seeing the idea made real. One of the challenges in realising this initial vision was finding a suitable venue that had the right feel and character to get the kids totally immersed in the storytelling. It Her passion for drawing, along with the demands of two children, took Marlow girl, Nicola Metcalfe from a career in Graphic Design to that of full-time illustrator.

• We will teach your child to swim • Pre-school children will participate in Forest School activities • We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum • We are competitively priced and accept all childcare vouchers • We have free on-site parking • We offer a free family complimentary health club membership for all full-time children

Nuffield Health Day Nursery - Stoke Poges Wexham Street, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, SL3 6NB

Tel: 01753 663996 Email: SouthBucks.Nursery@nuffieldhealth.com

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Who are you and where do you live? I am Nicola Metcalfe and I live in Marlow Bottom with my two children and two chickens. Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career? Being an illustrator allows me to indulge my love of drawing whilst being flexible enough to fulfill the daily requirements and slavish demands of being a Mum! What did you used to do? I was a Graphic Designer working on many prestigious projects for Blue Chip clients such as Audi and Top Rank. What inspired you to set up the business? I have been illustrating all my life, and I like

JULY/AUGUST 2014

Arti with Paul Daniels, Debbie McGee and Nisha Anil

was during one of those “brainstorms over a bottle of wine” that we hit on the idea of creating a mobile venue that we could design from scratch to provide exactly the right kind of space - and so when the chance opportunity presented itself, we bought a double decker bus! Working with a vehicle presented numerous design challenges, but in the company of experts the conversion job succeeded in creating an amazing space that captivates children and adults alike to provide the back drop for a completely unique storytelling adventure. What are your plans for the future? I have great ambitions for the Storytelling Bus project and already have plans to grow the venture into a multi-faceted operation which will provide more opportunities to share the storytelling experience with a wider audience… I believe we have a valuable contribution to make to the lives and minds of our customers, and I am committed to seeing this mission reach far and wide for a long time to come. onceuponabus.com “Once upon a time, there was a storytelling bus…” to celebrate what it is to be British, by capturing the eccentricity that symbolises aspects of Britain today. I try to add a contemporary twist to familiar architectural landmarks, with the addition of a few quirky social references. What are your plans for the future? I have recently been selling my prints through the Tate Galleries and John Lewis and the RNLI are commissioning some artwork from me too! I will be participating in Bucks Open Studios in June and the Big Harvest at Greys Court in September. I will be having an exhibition of my work at Henley Business School April 2015. To discuss a commission or purchase prints or cards, go to the website: www.nicolametcalfe.com

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Classifieds MM Popcorn and Hotdog Hire

Local service oﬀering commercial popcorn and Hotdog machines to hire

Great for all occasions! Weddings, Christenings, School fetes, Community events, Anniversaries, Celebrations, BBQ’s, Children’s Parties, Sports events and Galas with staﬀ or machine only options available For further information please call us on

07415 746 196 / 07743 218393

Fun, interactive Spanish for you and your child

Maidenhead based mum, Shalani, has found the perfect unison of her love to work with kids and passion for art in her business, Artspiration. Who are you and where do you live? I am Shalini, a mother of 2 bubbly 5 yr old twin girls, they have a very equable older sibling though, and that's my husband :-). I live in Maidenhead. Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career? I relocated from Boston (USA) to Maidenhead to live with my husband soon after my Masters in Painting. I was just figuring out things in the new place when a friend of ours asked me to teach her two lovely daughters - I accepted and haven't looked back since. I love what I do! I found more parents approaching me who were interested in drawing and painting lessons for their children. I started in 2007 and worked up lesson plans slowly. Last year when my girls started school, I took this up full time. What did you used to do? I used to spend long hours painting in my studio. I have exhibited my works in Mumbai, Boston, New York, Seattle, London, Maidenhead too. I can’t do that anymore and I do miss it, but working with kids in itself is so rewarding . I am sure the journey of Artspiration will inform my own works once I get more time to pursue my art practice as an artist full time again. What inspired you to set up the business? Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day - I believed in it. I am just lucky that I can make a living out of what I love to do. I must say the kids, their enthusiasm, innocence, their openness and their art works inspire me the most. Being a parent also changed quite a few things, having my own business gives me the freedom to choose my time and presently it works best for my family and me. It’s a lot of work though but I guess when you are so passionate and believe in what you are doing, you don't mind putting in those extra hours. What are your plans for the future? We now run classes in Maidenhead, Datchet, Langley, Wokingham and Reading. It would be great to have these classes available to more children. I would like to have artists like me on board who could use the course structure that I have developed from my 10 years of teaching experience and open new branches in their local areas. We have quite a few things lined up for the next academic year. We will be offering Schools an In School enrichment program for all students to participate and work towards the 'Discover- Arts award' that is accredited by the Trinity College of London. Next, we are preparing to launch our first pre-school group for ages 3-5 year olds. I am also excited about our 3 day art packed summer courses that we will be running in Maidenhead this summer on July 28, 29 and 30 and again on August 4, 5 and 7. artspiration.co.uk

Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire

Book your FREE taster class! ellie@babylovesspanish.co.uk

07868 711581 www.facebook.com/babylovesspanish

HELP WANTED WORKING FROM HOME Our natural healthcare co. is expanding in Bucks and Berks. If you'd like to work from home flexibly around your kids and/or other commitments, full-time or parttime, we'd love to hear from you! Call Sarah today for more info

020 8133 8266

Candle-making parties for children and grown-ups! www.candlebyparties.co.uk

Tel: 01628 947224

Telephone: 01628 627 586

JULY/AUGUST 2014

FAMILIES Thames Valley East