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Whatâ€™s Ons & Festive Guide Indoor play venues Early Years & Schools Exclusive interview Jacqueline Wilson

Issue 2 November/December 2018

email: editor@familieswestkent.co.uk

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WOODSIDE SCHOOL OF BALLET Our Principal Nicola Moriarty trained at the Royal Ballet School and danced professionally throughout Europe. Coming into her 20th year as a teacher. Pupils benefit from small, intimate classes and enjoy Nicola’s expert training in our airy, spacious and modern studio. • Elite Ballet School (10 hours per week, evenings/weekends) Serious Ballet hopefuls ONLY • Associate Programme (Sundays 10am-3pm) • Ballet Intro classes for 4-11 years • Baby Ballet for 1-3 years Supporting • Training Days dance parents as well as • Intensive Courses dance • Summer Schools students!

Parents of serious ballet students aged 8-15 years please tell us about your son or daughter’s dance journey, their hopes and dreams. If appropriate a free assessment may be available with our Principal Nicola Moriarty.

For full information about our lessons and our school in leafy West Kingsdown email us on info@woodsidedanceretreat.com or call us on (01474) 852 377. Please visit our website at www.woodsidedanceretreat.com Facebook “f ” Logo

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Improve your child’s study skills

What’s Ons & Festive Guide

West Kent

Indoor play venues Early Years & Schools Exclusive interview Jacqueline Wilson

Editor: Helen Cook For advertising, editorial and What’s Ons contact editor@familieswestkent.co.uk 07980118626

Issue 2 November/December 2018

email: editor@familieswestkent

.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s Ons compiled by Kate Craggs Advertising: Amanda Biggs and Helen Cook

Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to build your child’s confidence and inspire a passion for learning. To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment. Sevenoaks Study Centre Mandy Yarnold 01342 851 221

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

2 Families West Kent November/December 2018

Writers: Helen Cook & Claire Winter (unless otherwise stated) Next issue January/February 2019 Booking deadline Dec 1. Artwork deadline Dec 8. Distributing 18,000 copies to schools, nurseries, leisure centres, play centres, theatres and more in: Sevenoaks, Weald, Westerham, Brasted, Sundridge, Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Bidborough, Lamberhurst, Cranbrook, Benenden, Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Paddock Wood, Kings Hill, West Malling, Aylesford, Maidstone, Bearsted, Rochester and areas in between. Families West Kent is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families West Kent are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families West Kent. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, Families West Kent and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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Contents Page 4 Bumps and Babies Free advice sessions and groups for new parents

Editor’s Welcome

Welcome to the November/December issue of Families West Kent Magazine. Our magazine is published every two months and 18,000 are distributed through schools, nurseries, leisure centres, family friendly venues and play centres in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone areas. The feedback on our launch September/October issue from readers and advertisers was so good we have added 2,000 on our print run and also many new distribution points for our magazine! We were told readers loved the What’s Ons and all the local content and information - so we have a bumper local edition for you here including a big guide to Christmas events throughout West Kent – from markets and fairs to theatre and panto, from lights switch-ons to Santa’s grottos. As a mum bringing up two children in the area I understand the challenges winter poses for keeping little people happy and occupied, so we have compiled a Parents’ Survival Guide to indoor activities across the area. We have something useful and interesting on our pages for parents or carers of children of all ages from birth to 12, from our Bumps and Babies page through to Early Years and school news. Plus we have an exclusive Families interview with famous children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson. Have a lovely November and a great festive season! Helen

Page 5 Early Years Which is best, play-based learning or adult-led learning? Pages 6 & 7 Education Latest news and views from schools including open days, anti-bullying week and new reception tests Page 8 Arts News Festival of Remembrance is launched plus find out about a new ballet school Page 9 Families Exclusive! Interview with (Dame) Jacqueline Wilson when kids ask the questions AND win a copy of her latest book Pages 10 Parents’ Survival Guide Where to go for fun undercover activities this winter Pages 11-15 What’s Ons and our bumper Festive Guide to Christmas events throughout the area Facebook “f ” Logo

Page 16 Families West Kent Directory Useful businesses including yoga and massage for mums, and kids’ clubs and classes

Our next edition will be January/February 2019 so look out for our bumper Health and Wellbeing feature and ideas on how to Beat the January Blues. Plus lots of interesting features, local articles and school news, What’s Ons and days out. To advertise in Families West Kent Magazine and reach our 40,000 readers please contact editor@familieswestkent.co.uk or call 07980118626. Booking deadline Dec 1. Artwork deadline Dec 8. CMYK / .eps

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We are not only a magazine! Our busy Facebook page is regularly updated with lively stories, competitions, recipes and ideas for activities and weekend events in the area. Find us at @FamiliesWestKentMag And follow us on Twitter @FamWestKentMag for regular updates and information for families.

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Tonbridge is home to the biggest Clip n Climb in the WORLD

Book your session now: www.clipnclimbtonbridge.co.uk | 01732 753330 UNIT 4 TON BUSINESS PARK, 2-8 MORLEY ROAD, TONBRIDGE, TN9 1RA

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BUMPS AND BABIES

Expert help and support for parents Free drop in sessions with a midwife and family relationship practitioner are available at Langton Green Pavilion Café in Speldhurst near Tunbridge Wells. Midwife, hypnotherapist and birth trauma resolution therapist Anne Bayati is available every Wednesday from 10am to discuss any issues mums and dads may have regarding birth, parenthood and beyond. Anne specialises in the psychological issues surrounding pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. However the focus of the informal free sessions are more on the mental wellbeing of parents rather than clinical advice for mum or baby. Anne explained:“Having a baby brings with it a complete change in lifestyle for new parents which can sometimes feel challenging and overwhelming as well as wonderful. Looking after you and how you are feeling is really important and often overlooked once baby has arrived.”

Then on Tuesday, November 6 from 10.30 to 11.30am, Sarah Weller of The Weller Way will give a free talk on A Guide to Positive Parenting. This aims to help parents gain an insight into the philosophy and research-based evidence behind why a Positive Parenting approach helps establish discipline that works, and how children develop emotional resilience and good self esteem. Sarah will suggest some easily implemented tips for parents to try at home. Following the talk, she will then be available with Anne for a parenting/postnatal wellbeing drop in session and to discuss Positive Parenting. Some issues covered in Positive Parenting include difficulties in your relationship with your child, negative behaviour patterns in your child or if you want to find a positive behavioural management system that considers the needs behind the behaviours, or if your child is anxious or stressed due to the pressures of exams.

The Pavilion at Langton Green Recreational Ground is in Speldhurst Road, Langton Green, Near Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0JJ.

For more information visit FB Langton Pavilion Cafe and www.langtonpavilion.com

New weekly breastfeeding and sling group for mums

A new breastfeeding and sling group now runs weekly at Hope Church in Sevenoaks every Friday morning and will be running until April 2019. This is a new community group started through grant funding provided by Sevenoaks District Council. Similar groups offering help

are available throughout West Kent through non-profit organisation Kent Baby Matters (contact details below). At the Sevenoaks group, a lactation consultant and breastfeeding counsellor will be there every week at the church in Mill Lane from 9:30-11:30am along with volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters who can help answer any questions. Kent Sling Library will also visit to provide information on using slings and carriers, and offer

a rental service for a small fee if you want to take one away to try. You can bring your own sling for help with using it or getting it more comfortable. Other services: Maternity and nursing bra fittings - A local bra fitter will visit each week who will work to find a comfortable fit for you before and after baby arrives. If this service becomes busy, organisers may start booking appointments in the future. Breast pump Hire - Pumps will be available for hire for any reason. Initially there will only be small numbers which will be prioritised for those who need them the most. Organisers hope to build up numbers to have the capacity to offer the service for

those going away on trips or going back to work. Hot drinks and snacks, plus fruit for children, will be offered each week. All information and support is provided at this group free of charge. Some additional services will be available at a small or discounted cost so that the group can be sustainable beyond the first year. Hope Church is at Mill Lane, Sevenoaks TN14 5BX. Stop Press! At time of going to press it was announced a new Breastfeeding and Sling group for Tonbridge will start on Nov 6 at Tonbridge Baptist Church Tuesdays 9.30am11.30am. Details on website.

For information visit www.kentbabymatters.org or call 03003020223. Find on FB at Kent Baby Matters

Can Babies Sense Stress? Babies may not be able to convey complex emotions, but they can still feel what their mothers are feeling, at least when it comes to stress. In a recent study, 69 mothers and their babies ages 12 to 14 months had cardiovascular sensors attached to them to record heart rate. The mothers were divided into groups to perform tasks ranging from “no-stress” to “high stress.” Their babies were not with them whilst they carried out these tasks and they were reunited ten minutes later. Researchers then examined changes in heart function. Within minutes of being

reunited, Infants of mothers in the “high-stress” condition experienced matching changes in heart rate. This stress contagion effect grew stronger as time passed. “Your infant may not be able to tell you that you seem stressed or ask you what is wrong, but our work shows that, as soon as she is in your arms, she is picking up on the bodily responses accompanying your emotional state and immediately begins to feel in her own body your own negative emotion” said study researcher Sara Waters of New York University.

More info, visit www.parentingscience.com 4 Families West Kent November/December 2018

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EARLY YEARS

Play or Structured Learning in the Early Years? In England, the current Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum stipulates a 50/50 balance between child-centred, play-based learning and adult-led learning. Over the years there have been individuals who question the system and look to introduce new ideas. For example Liz Truss, a past Education and Childcare Minister, championed the introduction of a French-style ‘structured learning’ approach, with a graduate-led workforce responsible for larger groups of children, and a reduced child-to-carer ratio. Whilst the benefits of a more highly qualified workforce are indisputable, there are other considerations. If teachers are responsible for larger groups then opportunities for vital play-based learning are reduced. Whilst the ‘structured learning’ model is hailed for its effectiveness in socialising children, teaching them manners, and creating a calm, organised atmosphere, it is not an environment in which young children learn best. And it definitely doesn’t encourage them to be inquisitive, self-motivated learners. Children need to practise negotiating with each other and experience problem solving situations, without the direct supervision of an adult. If they are unable to practise these skills in free play, they become reliant on adults to both intervene for them in social situations and to motivate and inspire them to learn. A great example of the benefits of play-based learning happened in one of our nursery settings recently. I observed the children carrying large construction blocks, lengths of fabric, pegs and sticky tape out of the building and

realised they were busy working together to construct a range of interestingly shaped homes in the garden, entirely from their own imaginations. Some children were making signs to indicate who lived where; others were adding connecting tunnels and others still were creating places for everyone to sit and a welcoming atmosphere. It wasn’t all smooth sailing. The children often disagreed about how to construct the dwellings and tempers flared when some children “borrowed” things from one den to improve their own, but it was fascinating to observe. Our carers were on hand to support the children – making sure they were safe and allowing them to negotiate between themselves. When necessary, they offered suggestions to help the children make decisions, but they provided choices rather than answers. They also asked open questions

Wraparound care in a beautiful setting

Bishops Down Nursery is a sessional nursery, led by qualified teachers, for children aged 3-4 years old. We are very proud of our provision and, we believe, we offer our children the best start possible. Acorn Class is on the same wonderful site as Bishops Down Primary School and the children get to enjoy and share the amazing grounds, facilities and dedicated staff. The Nursery provides a stimulating, exciting, secure and friendly learning environment

but challenging adult-led activities for each child, taking account of their preferred learning style and developmental level. During the den-building activity, carers were able to identify which children: ● confidently led the action ● preferred to watch ● were interested in creating the tents and dens, ● disappeared when all the building and mending was done ● wanted to play in the dens when they were completed, delegating characters to each other and adding furniture to create narratives for their games. A mixture of adult-led and play-based learning is important for the child’s development. The individual child needs to learn structure and rules, and participate as part of group but they also need to explore their own interests, likes and dislikes and see where they fit into the whole. When considering the introduction of new ways of learning for children, it’s important to consider the impact this can have on the individual development of a child, as well as the changes that will need to be made to group learning. For example, increasing the number of children each worker has in their care makes it more difficult for detailed observations to be made about each child and to organise adult-led activities which are appropriate for both the development of individual children and the group. Inevitably, this forces settings to move to a classroom-style environment in which, sadly, children lose vital free-play learning and development opportunities.

throughout the process such as: How many pegs have you used? How is this staying up? What does your sign say? The learning that took place that afternoon was incredible – the children were self-motivated, interested in the task and invested in a positive outcome. In adultled learning, we often meet resistance, as a child does not want to complete the task in the way that we expect. However, this leads to other teaching opportunities and is equally as important as play-based learning. The two work well in tandem, giving the children opportunities to develop core skills, find their own strengths and become well-rounded individuals. Currently observations are made about a child’s development while they play, helping carers plan structured learning activities relevant to that child’s development. These observations include the individual interests, abilities and levels of assistance required by each child. This makes it possible to organise interesting, achievable

Maxine Henderson is a Childcare Expert at Tinies Childcare, a leading childcare specialist with over 30 years’ experience helping families, nurseries and other childcare settings find the right childcare professionals to suit their needs. For more information, visit www.tinies.com

Bishops Down Preschool and Nursery Bishops Down Nursery, Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SU

where every child’s contribution is valued. We aim to give each child a sense of achievement and success. Through practical activity children broaden their growing understanding of the world.

To come to an open session or tour and to find out about the wraparound care and holiday playschemes every school holiday, contact Jo Sheldon on 01892 520114. www.bishopsprimaryschool.org Bishops Down Preschool and Nursery, Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9SU. www.familiesonline.co.uk

By Maxine Henderson

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Call Jo Sheldon on 01892 520114 Open Sessions thoughout the year or private tours available. ofﬁce@bishops-down.kent.sch.uk www.bishopsprimaryschool.org

Please tell advertisers you saw them in Families West Kent Magazine.

EDUCATION

Curiosity Is Key to Early Childhood Success New research links curiosity levels in young children with later academic success. Researchers from the University of Michigan assessed the reading and maths ability of 6,200 kindergarten children and found that the children of parents who reported their child’s behaviour as highly curious did the best at school, regardless of socio-economic status. The results were consistent for both boys and girls. The children’s reading and maths scores were consistently better the more curious they were. That was true even when

the students weren’t very good at a self-control measure called “effortful control,” which tracks how attentive and persistent students are when completing tasks. “Even if a child manifests low effortful control, higher curiosity may be associated with more optimal academic achievement,” the authors of the study wrote. The study, published in the journal Pediatric Research said that cultivating curiosity in children, especially in those from deprived backgrounds, may be a valuable way of fostering academic achievement.

More info at www.nature.com

New Reception Test Criticised

Compulsory Relationship and Health Education Relationship and health education will become compulsory for school children from September 2020, the Government has announced. Under the proposals, all pupils will study compulsory health education and new reformed relationship education in primary school, as well as relationship and sex education in secondary school. Teachers will talk to primary school pupils in an age appropriate way about the features of healthy friendships, family relationships and other relationships they are likely to encounter.

At secondary school, teachers will build on the foundation of relationship education in primary school and, at the appropriate time, extend teaching to include intimate relationships as well. At both primary and secondary, pupils will learn about staying safe online and how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. Classes will also cover physical health, such as the importance of exercise and healthy eating, as well as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and how it contributes towards the prevention of health problems.

More info can be found under Consultations at www.gov.uk/government/publications

Children who start Reception in September 2020 will be the first group to take the new Reception test, a baseline measure to track pupils’ progress during primary school. It is proposed that it will take place during the first 6 weeks of the autumn term. Guidelines recently released by the government say the new reception baseline assessment will be short (about 20 minutes), interactive and practical. It will cover language and communication, early mathematics and social and behavioural skills. However, the proposed test has been criticised in a report written by an expert panel and published by the British Education Research Association. The report’s authors say that the assessment is highly likely to produce unreliable and invalid results, as it fails to recognise that young children develop at different paces and doesn’t adjust for key factors, such as differences in ages and family background. Add to this the fact that teachers and practitioners are likely to become increasingly pressured to ‘teach to the test’, and it is difficult to see how baseline results will have any real value, the report comments. More info at www.bera.ac.uk 6 Families West Kent November/December 2018

November independent school open days Please check details with school and whether you need to book a place before setting out. Benenden School, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AA (Girls senior boarding school) Please book online. All start at 9.45am. Thurs Nov 8 at 1.45pm (11+ candidates only); Tues November 13 Music & Sport Open Day; Sat Nov 17 Open day; Tues Nov 20 (13+ candidates only). The list for 11+ entry in September 2019 is now closed but with a waiting list operating. www.benenden.kent.sch.uk 01580 240592 Fosse Bank Prep School, Hildenborough, TN11 8ND (Co-ed junior school) Open week for reception places Mon 5-Fri 9 November 9am-4pm; Open Morning Kindergarten Parents Thurs Nov 8 9-10am www.fossebankschool.co.uk 01732 834212

Hilden Oaks School, Tonbridge TN10 3BU (Co-ed nursery and junior school) Fri November 9: 9am-11am Contact school to book a place. www.hildenoaks.co.uk 01732 353941 Sutton Valence School, Sutton Valence, ME17 3HL (Co-ed Pre-prep, Prep and Senior school) Sat Nov 10 (Senior School) www.svs.org.uk 01622 845200 www.familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Odd Socks Day for Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Week runs from 12 to 16 November 2018 and the theme this year is choosing respect over bullying. The aim of the week is to support schools to help children understand: ● The definition of respect ● That bullying is a behavioural choice ● That we can respectfully disagree with each other i.e. we don’t have to be best friends or always agree with each other but we do have to show each other respect ● That we all need to choose to

A Daily Mile Improves Children’s Health

respect each other, both face to face and online Students are being encouraged to wear odd socks to school on Monday 12 November to show their support and raise money for a good cause.

To get involved, visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

. competition . competition .

An initiative to get schoolchildren to walk or run a mile every day leads to significant improvements in their health, according to a study. The Daily Mile scheme was originally the brainchild of a Scottish head teacher who started it in 2012. Researchers at Stirling University compared the health of children at a primary school taking part in the scheme with those at a school that wasn’t participating. The children wore accelerometers which recorded

how much moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) they were undertaking every day, and for how long they were sedentary. Children who were doing the Daily Mile were significantly healthier than those who were not. According to the Daily Mile Foundation, more than 3,600 schools worldwide have introduced the initiative, including about 1,200 in England, 770 in Scotland, 210 in Wales, 85 in Northern Ireland and more than 100 in the Republic of Ireland.

More info at www.stir.ac.uk and www.thedailymile.co.uk

Time travel tales

Budding young writers all over Britain aged 5 to 13 years are invited to join in celebrating Leeds Castle’s 900th birthday by writing a short story about castles and time travel. The two winning stories picked by the judges, including renowned broadcaster and children’s author Clare Balding, will go into a time capsule to be buried by the winning children and HRH Princess Alexandra and only opened again in 100 years’ time. Entries will be sought in two age brackets: 5 to 9 years and 10 to 13 years. The winning children, with their family, will be invited to a very special Awards Day at Leeds Castle in 2019 to meet Clare Balding and will win a basket of prizes. They will also be invited to take part in the ‘time capsule’ ceremony with Royalty later in the summer.

The parents/guardians or tutors will be contacted via email, phone or post by April 30 2019 if the child’s story has been selected as one of the top ten stories in each category. Each child selected as one of the top ten stories in each category will be invited to attend the awards ceremony with their family and/or tutor on May 30 2019. Only one story is accepted per child and it must be wholly written by them. This competition is open to anyone between the ages of 5 and 13 on 1st April 2019 and a full-time resident of the UK.

Tailored work plans to address your child’s needs: • English • Maths • 11+ • SATs • GCSEs • CE •

We can help your child: • Build confidence • Move up a set

• Improve exam results • Develop and reach goals

Call 01732 453657 to book your FREE Assessment. For more information visit: sevenoaks-tutoring.co.uk

FREE Assessm ent & Taste r Lesson

Entry for this challenge closes at 12pm on March 5 2019. No late entries will be considered.

For further details about the competition including terms and conditions and how to submit a child’s entry visit www.leeds-castle.com/Education

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Professional tuition by fully qualified teachers

Sevenoaks Tutoring, 69c London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AX. Email: teaching@sevenoaks-tutoring.co.uk

email: editor@familieswestkent.co.uk

ARTS NEWS

New Ballet School to nurture young talent The new Woodside School of Ballet is the latest venture of ex-professional Ballerina Nicola Moriarty with the aim of making an impact on ballet training within the UK. Having studied at the prestigious Royal Ballet School and danced as a professional classical dancer for three years throughout Europe. Nicola was given the chance to teach aged 23 and she never looked back. Now in her 20th year of teaching, Nicola has been The Head of Dance at The Centre - Performing Arts College in Maidstone for the last 12 years and four years ago Nicola and husband Simon established Woodside Dance Retreat. They opened up their family home approximately 30 days a year and their home studio in West Kingsdown to young ballet enthusiasts from around the

globe with a range of short courses and two weeks of International Summer Schools. These are aimed at helping young dancers who need a boost in their ballet training in a friendly, private and nurturing environment. For the International Summer Schools they have welcomed star dancers and teachers including Edward Watson MBE, Principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, Ricardo Cervera, Ballet Master at The Royal Ballet, and former Principal dancer at the Royal Ballet Zenaida Yanowsky. Now they have also launched Woodside School of Ballet, which started in September this year as a chance for Nicola to work with her own young talent and nurture them from a young age.

The school is aimed at ballet hopefuls aged 8-15 years. Nicola trains the Elite Ballet School students 10 hours a week, two evenings and Saturdays, many traveling from all over the South East to attend Nicola’s Ballet School. Students all have an eye on places at Vocational Ballet Schools, or moving into a professional career in dance. No rest on a Sunday either, with the WDR Associate Programme running every Sunday 10am3pm, giving a boost to other dance students with a passion for Ballet and a desire for more training hours. Working on ballet technique, strength, stamina, musicality, flexibility and artistry, Nicola really covers it all. Following in Nicola’s footsteps

and taught by her, son Elliott has just joined the Royal Ballet School in Year 7, having been picked as one of only 13 successful boys of the 850 who applied from around the world. On top of the Elite Ballet School, Ballet Intro classes are run for ages 4 to 11 years which gives the chance to introduce correct technique as early as possible, and also Baby Ballet classes from 1-4 years. Nicola explained: “In keeping with our belief that classes should be kept small, we will only take 16 per age group, so only 32 within the school in total within the two current age groups.” Winter Auditions for ages 8-15 years are being held on December 12 from 7pm-8pm. Please email for an audition application form to be considered.

To find out more please email nicola@woodsidedanceretreat.com www.woodsidedanceretreat.com 01474 852 377

Telling children the truth about war Remembrance Day on Sunday November 11 will be especially significant as it will mark 100 years since the original agreement to end fighting during the First World War in 1918, also known as Armistice Day. Discussing war with children can be quite difficult. Recognising this, CBeebies has produced a short animation, simply titled ‘Poppies’ to help convey the notion of remembrance in a way that resonates with a young audience. It is a beautiful piece to watch and would be a great way to introduce any discussion of Remembrance Day. The two-minute film follows a bunny who starts off playing in a meadow, which then becomes a WW1 battlefield. The film can be viewed on the CBeebies 8 Families West Kent November/December 2018

Armistice Day

website at www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies As part of ‘Sevenoaks Remembers’, a festival to commemorate 100 years since the end of WW1, The Stag Youth Theatre in Sevenoaks is presenting Great Power, an action packed and educational history of WW1, suitable for Key Stage 2 and upwards. This short play, performed by ten members of the youth theatre, will be touring schools in November including Trinity School, Seal Primary School, Knole Academy, Amherst Primary School, Seal St Lawrence Primary School, Lady Boswell’s Primary School and Hilden Oaks School. The public performance will be on Sunday November 17 at 7pm at the Stag Theatre. Tickets £8, Concessions £5 from Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ. Call the Box Office 01732 450175. www.familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILIES EXCLUSIVE JACQUELINE WILSON

Beaker’s Back! Young readers get to quiz ‘JW’ about her inspiration as a writer, how she was able to re-imagine Tracy Beaker from a child to a grown up in her latest book, and what her advice is for new writers – young and old. See below for the chance to win a copy.

Dame Jacqueline Wilson is arguably Britain’s favourite contemporary children’s author. She has over one hundred published books to her name, most of which deal with the often troubling and unvarnished realities of being a real-life child or parent. First published in 1991, Tracy Beaker quickly became Jacqueline’s most well-known character. Now, over a decade after her last literary appearance, the fiery, former foster-kid is back in new book My Mum Tracy Beaker, and while she’s now mature and mother to Jess, she’s still the same Tracy readers know and love. Families Magazine is lucky enough to have secured an exclusive interview with Dame Jacqueline Wilson in which our readers and their children ask her some of their most burning questions about her new book and her life as a writer.

Why do you think Tracy is one of your most popular characters?

Harbinder, age 7, Croydon I think because she’s naughty! She has reason for her bad behaviour, of course, and she’s naughty but she’s not spiteful, she’s funny. I think she’s a character that children would like as a friend I’m not sure about adults, I think a little of her as a child goes a long way!

How have you made the grown-up Tracy as appealing to children as Tracy, the child?

Lily’s mum, Leeds I’ve kept her, not exactly naughty, but mischievous. She’s quite surprising - she might suddenly do something a bit mad, or a bit silly. I think being a mum has slightly changed her because she’s a very loving, caring mum.

Kids put the

Is Tracy’s daughter the same or different to Tracy?

Olivia, age 8, Aylesbury They certainly look alike, but Jess is a quieter girl, partly because she has had a much easier, more loving, caring upbringing than Tracy herself had. Jess is probably more studious, and more of a bookworm, but when push comes to shove Jess can certainly stand up for herself too.

Did you and your illustrator, Nick Sharratt, disagree at all about how Tracy and her daughter should be drawn?

Rosie, age 9, Twickenham I mostly leave it to him, and certainly I think he has done Jess wonderfully. He suggested that Jess might wear glasses, which I thought was a very clever touch because it gives them that little bit of difference, and also Jess is a total bookworm and it just looks right for her to be wearing her little glasses. I was very pleased with that addition.

What’s been the highlight for you of being the Children’s Laureate?

Emma’s mum, Portsmouth It gave me a chance to speak to lots of children and teachers and librarians, and the particular thing I wanted to promote was reading aloud to children. Because right from when they are one year old, any child likes to sit on a lap and hear the simplest of stories, and I also suggested that even when your child has learned to read, sometimes it’s fun to read aloud a book that they might not necessarily tackle themselves because it’s a bit difficult to get into, or the vocabulary is quite hard, but they would love to listen to the story. If they are doing colouring, or building something, or just petting the dog or whatever, or at bedtime, children do still like to be read to aloud.

questions to JW!

Your books depict real children’s real lives and challenges in a way that few others do – how do you get inside the heads of your characters?

Lizzie’s mum, Glasgow Bizarrely, I can remember very vividly what it is like to be a child. I mean, ask me what happened or how I felt about something a couple of years ago and my mind is a complete blank, but ask me what I was worried about when I was nine, say, and I remember entirely. It’s just a happy trick of nature that I can take myself back.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers, young or old?

Amaya’s mum, Harrow I always suggest aspiring writers read lots to enrich their imagination and increase their vocabulary and try and get into a regular writing habit. Maybe keep a diary - just so you learn to write even when you don’t feel like it!

When did you first become a writer?

was about eighteen. They had a car and went on a drive through France and Spain and got boyfriends! It wasn’t the most inspiring work!

How do you select names for your characters?

Readers at the Chatterbook Group, Ringwood Library, Dorset I like to try and have slightly unusual names, and if they are pertinent to the story that pleases me - for my identical twins in my book Double Act, I had them called Ruby and Garnet because they are both red jewel stones. For The Illustrated Mum, the mother Marigold has a great passion for tattoos and has called her girls the rather outlandish names of Star and Dolphin, simply because they are very popular tattoo icons. With Tracy I wanted a quirky, bouncy modern name - and with Hetty Feather, Hetty is an old-fashioned name and Feather because she’s light as a feather!

Emily, age 10, Sevenoaks Well, by the time I was fifteen I had written what was - at least in length - a full book. It wasn’t very good though! It was about two sisters, Margot was about fifteen, the narrator, and the sister

My Mum Tracy Beaker by Dame Jacqueline Wilson is out now, published by Doubleday. Dame Jacqueline was awarded an OBE in 2002 and was the Children’s Laureate for 2005-2007.

WIN

a copy of My Mum Tracy Beaker. To enter, email your name and contact details to editor@familieswestkent.co.uk with ‘JW competition’ in the subject header. A winner will be chosen at random on Dec 31 and notified. No information will be retained.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Parents’ Survival Guide

Stick me on the fridge!

Wintry weather is starting to get a grip - rainy days and bored, complaining children may be on the horizon. But don’t despair! Here at Families West Kent Magazine we have researched ways to help you keep your sanity and make your winter more enjoyable.

We’ve compiled an in-depth guide to indoor activity options throughout West Kent. So when the temperature plummets and the skies open, take a deep breath, put Paw Patrol on for ten minutes and start reading. Importantly many of these venues have cafes with coffee, cake and other grown ups. Please make sure you look at the details on the websites first and check opening times and days before setting out to avoid disappointment. If you have very little ones and their idea of fun is to throw themselves around soft play areas, leap onto small bikes or cars and hurtle down slides, take them off to a soft play centre. Many centres cater for older children too with fairly challenging older age activities. So head for Minor Mania in Frant near Tunbridge Wells (www.minormania.co.uk), Manic Monsters at Edenbridge (www.manicmonsters.co.uk), Wear M Out - Tonbridge and Maidstone (www.wearmout.co.uk), Cheeky Dino children’s play centre, Maidstone (www.cheekydino.co.uk), Little Street, Maidstone (www.little-street.co.uk/ maidstone/) or Tiny Town, Larkfield (www.yourtinytown.co.uk/). Other indoor venues like play cafes also put on activities and soft play sessions like the Little Play Café in Tunbridge Wells (www.thelittleplaycafe.co.uk) or the Soft Play at Sevenoaks Rugby Club (www.thesoftplaycafe.co.uk). If they want to work off some serious

energy, let them bounce it off at Jump In trampoline centre Tonbridge (www. gojumpin.com/tonbridge) or Gravity, Maidstone (www.gravity-uk.com/ lockmeadow-maidstone). It’s better than having them bouncing on your sofa! For some challenging high ropes and indoor quad bikes try out Adventure Kidz in Aylesford (www.adventurekidz.co.uk) which also has soft play for younger ones. If they are climbing the walls, take them somewhere they can do that safely. At ClipnClimb in Tonbridge there are activities to suit all levels plus a kids’ play area (see below and www.clipnclimbtonbridge.co.uk). Done indoor play and activity centres? Head for a museum. No longer places of dreary items in glass cases and hushed tones, many local museums host children’s activities, crafts, interactive exhibits and special events especially in school holidays. Why not investigate Maidstone Museum (www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk), or Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham (www.re-museum.co.uk). If you don’t want to go too far afield, check out your local leisure centre. You will find swimming a good indoor option, plus many leisure centres have soft play areas and play sessions. Take a look at Maidstone Leisure Centre (www.maidstoneleisure.com), leisure centres in Sevenoaks, Edenbridge and Swanley (www.sencio.org.uk) Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre (www.fusion-lifestyle. com/centres/tunbridge-wells-sports-

centre), The Weald Sports Centre in Cranbrook (www.fusion-lifestyle.com/ centres/the-weald-sports-centre) or Tonbridge Pool, Larkfield Pool and the Angel Centre in Tonbridge (all at www.tmactive.co.uk). How about bowling? Look at Hollywood Bowl Maidstone (www.hollywoodbowl. co.uk/our-centres/maidstonelockmeadow) and at Knight’s Park, Tunbridge Wells (www.hollywoodbowl. co.uk/our-centres/tunbridge-wells). For ice skating, check out the skating rinks in our What’s On and Festive guide or ditch the blades and head for Sevenoaks Leisure Centre roller disco every Saturday evening (www.sencio.org.uk). Some heritage properties and National Trust properties put on special children’s craft and festive activities at this time of year so take a look at the What’s On guide which lists activities like making Christmas cards or Christmas decorations at properties like Knole. If crafts don’t hit the spot, for guaranteed undercover entertainment (you can’t get more undercover than in a tunnel) check out Fort Amherst at Chatham, the largest Napoleonic Fort in Britain with tunnel tours and activities (www.fortamherst.com). After a full day of these activities, even the most energetic child should crash out in the car on the way home – giving you a nice quiet evening. Win win!

Get Clip n Climbing! Kent’s first and the world’s largest Clip n Climb is a place where climbing meets theme park in an exciting new leisure concept for ages four and up. It is challenging fun for all the family to enjoy. One of 150 centres worldwide, the Tonbridge centre has 33 individual and multi climber wall challenges of varying design and difficulty. These include two special attractions: the infamous Vertical Dropslide and Stairway to Heaven. Intrepid visitors can test their resolve and determination across the arena - climb commando on

Jungle Vine, reach new heights on Sky Scraper, take the speed climbing challenge, get tangled up on Spaghetti Junction, tackle the Lightening Crack or go Face to Face and race against friends. Each climbing wall has three different challenges with differing degrees of difficulty so there is a challenge for the novice as well as the more experienced. No climbing experience is necessary as a full safety briefing is given for every session, and includes a 30 minute safety brief and harness fitting – the

automatic belay devices take up the slack as you climb and then lower you gently to the ground. After the safety briefing there is an hour in the climbing arena. The facility also includes a kids’ play area, free wifi and a café, plus plenty of car parking. Full party packages are available. The venue is open 2pm to 8pm during the week and 9am to 8.30pm at the weekends and school holidays. ClipnClimb Tonbridge, Unit 4 Tonbridge Business Park, 2-8 Morley Road Tonbridge TN9 1RA.

Visit www.clipnclimbtonbridge.co.uk or call 01732 753330

10 Families West Kent November/December 2018

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G e v i Fest Firework Displays

November

A selection of what is going on in the area: 2 NOV 6.30pm – 8pm Pembury Annual Firework Display Lower Green Recreation Ground, Lower Green Road, Pembury, TN2 4DZ. Recreation Ground opens at 6.30pm, with a collection for local charities. Info at www.pemburyparishcouncil.gov.uk 2 NOV 6pm – 9pm 4th Sevenoaks (St John’s) Scouts Firework Night 4th Sevenoaks Scout HQ, Mill Lane, Sevenoaks, TN14 5BU. Fireworks, bonfire, food and drinks. Gates open at 6pm with the bonfire lit at 6.30pm. Fireworks with music and laser light show by Silver Pines Sound and Light. Info at www.eventbrite.co.uk 3 NOV 5pm Sevenoaks Round Table Fireworks Display Sevenoaks School, Dukes Meadow, Sevenoaks, TN13 1HU. Event starts in the High Street with live entertainment for all ages plus stalls selling food & drink and Christmas gifts. At 7pm the Torchlit Procession will start along the High Street towards Dukes Meadow. Gates open at 7pm and the firework display starts at 7.45pm prompt. Advance discounted tickets available from Stag Theatre, Lorimers, Sevenoaks Travel. 3 NOV 6.30pm Weald Fireworks Scout Field, Glebe Road, Weald. Torch procession will leave the Memorial Hall at 6.30pm with the firework display, bonfire and barbeque at the Scout Field, Glebe Road at 7.30pm. Profits will go to local clubs. Info at www.sevenoakswealdpc. kentparishes.gov.uk

3 NOV 5.30pm – 7.30pm Dunorlan Park Fireworks, Tunbridge Wells Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3QN Gates open at 5.30pm, enjoy food and drink and firework display is at 7pm. Dunorlan Park is a great natural amphitheatre for fireworks with the lake reflecting all of the action for double the spectacle. Info at www.rtwrt.org/info 4 NOV 5pm – 8pm The Greatest Firework Show Offham School, Church Lane, West Malling, ME19 5NX. Fairground rides, hot food, wine & beer tent, glow stall, tombolas, face painting, bumper raffle and lots more. Paid event. For tickets call 01732 842 355 or buy from Offham School, The Kings Arms Offham and Spadework. 4 NOV British Truck Racing Championship & Fireworks Brands Hatch Circuit, Fawkham, Longfield, DA3 8NG. The British Truck Racing Association Championship headlines a spectacular weekend of family entertainment which will end with a ‘big bang’ on the Sunday – their longest and biggest fireworks display yet. (Fireworks on Sunday 4 Nov only.) Paid event. Info at www.brandshatch.msv.com

1 NOV ONWARDS Sevenoaks Remembers arts festival The Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ The Sevenoaks Remembers festival is a series of special events to commemorate the end of the First World War, including a new play The Dimming of the Day set in Sevenoaks, Great Power (devised and performed by the Stag Youth Theatre) and other events. For details see www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk Booking is online or via the Box Office 01732 450175. EVERY SATURDAY 6pm – family session; 8pm – open session (ages 8+ only) Roller Disco Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1LW. Customers are allowed to bring their own skates however no inline skates are allowed. Paid event. Info at www.sencio.org.uk

Food, crafts and gifts for Christmas. £3 entry. Info at www.thefatcarot.co.uk

3 NOV & 1 DEC 12pm-5pm Penshurst Christmas Fairs by Support Local Pop Up Markets Kingdom Penshurst Tonbridge TN11 8DU Free Entry Browse a selection of homeware, gifts, jewellery, clothing, candles and much more. www.supportlocalpopup.co.uk

17 & 18 NOV Mid Winter Market at The Tithe Barn, Lenham Court Lodge Farm, Lenham ME172QD Lenham’s medieval tithe barn hosts its 5th pre-Christmas ‘made by hand’ craft and art market including local food and drink producers. It will showcase the work of 60 stall holders, mainly Kent based artisans. Info at www.facebook.com/thetithebarn/

4, 18 & 25 NOV & 2, 9 & 16 DEC 10am-4pm Tunbridge Wells Christmas Fairs by Support Local Pop Up Markets One Warwick Park Hotel Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TA Find Christmas gifts by local crafters including homeware, jewellery, clothing, candles and more. www.supportlocalpopup.co.uk 11 NOV 11am-4pm Tonbridge Vegan Festive Fair Angel Centre, Angel Lane, Tonbridge TN9 1SF

11 NOV 10.15am & 1.30pm Autumn Nature Explorers Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, TN13 3DH. A fun autumn event where families can get stuck in with pond dipping, mini beasting, bark rubbing, searching for fungi and much more! Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/ events 15 – 17 NOV 9am – 5pm Wealden Times Midwinter Fair Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6PY. Set in a tented village at the Hop Farm, showcasing over 220 exhibitors for three days. Info at www.thehopfarm.co.uk/events

18 NOV The Royal Tunbridge Wells Christmas Lights Royal Victoria Place, 300 Victoria Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2SS. This year the lights will be switched on across town when Father Christmas takes up residence in his Festive Grotto under cover of Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre. Info at www.visittunbridgewells.com

We aim for accuracy but do check with the venue before setting out in case details have changed after print... And don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families West Kent. www.familiesonline.co.uk

email: editor@familieswestkent.co.uk

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G Festive

November 24 & 25 NOV Festive Market at Sissinghurst Castle Garden Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Biddenden Rd, Cranbrook, TN17 2AB. Local foods, drink, crafts and produce, live entertainment, including the East Grinstead concert band playing on Sunday. Shop and restaurant will be open throughout the weekend. Free event, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

22 NOV Hever Christmas Fair Hever Castle, Hever, TN8 7NG. Hever Castle hosts the fair with all proceeds going to Hever Primary School and St. Peter’s Church, Hever. Entry to Fair £3, free entry to grounds, castle entry £2.75. Tickets not available online. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk/whatson 23 & 24 NOV Christmas Fair at Chiddingstone Chiddingstone Castle, Hill Hoath Road, Edenbridge, TN8 7AD. Shop unique and unusual gifts from stalls spread throughout the historic house and grounds. Pre-booking essential. Info at www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk 24 NOV – 9 DEC Rochester Christmas Market High Street, Rochester, ME1 1SW. Set in the Rochester Castle gardens; browse the stalls for unique gift ideas and unusual stocking fillers. Wander around the Bavarian food village or visit the funfair. With live performances and a guaranteed snowfall, all framed by Rochester’s cathedral and castle. Info at www.medway.gov.uk/christmas 24 NOV 10.30am & 1pm Explore Bird Twitching Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, TN13 3DH. Take part in a migratory bird trail, listen to a bird watching talk and get stuck in with some craft activities. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events 24 NOV – 24 DEC Christmas at Hever Castle Hever Castle, Hever, TN8 7NG. With welcoming log fires, and beautiful decorations in the Castle, a Christmas trail to follow and the chance to see Father Christmas – be enchanted by the magic of Christmas at Hever. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk 24 & 25 NOV 10am The Friars Christmas Fayre The Friars, Aylesford Priory, Aylesford, ME20 7BX. Visit Santa’s Parlour, enjoy the skating rink, Polar Express train, Christmas craft market, entertainment, ceramic workshop, seasonal refreshments and much more. Under 12s free - Adults £4.50. Info at www.visitmaidstone.com

24 & 25 NOV 10am – 5pm Hospice in the Weald Christmas Market Hospice in the Weald, Pembury, Maidstone Road, TN2 4TA. With over 45 varying stalls in and outside of the building and the return of Father Christmas and his Grotto. Info at www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk 24 NOV-16 DEC Christmas Market Leeds Castle Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL. Visit the Christmas Market on the Cedar Lawn overlooking the Castle to discover an array of seasonal gifts, toys, festive decorations, specialist food and drink. See reindeer and birds of prey and enjoy traditional fun fair rides (additional charges apply) and live music performances from the band stand at 12pm, 2pm & 4pm each day. Info at www.leeds-castle.com 25 NOV 10am – 4pm St Julians’ Christmas Fair Rumshott Estate Ltd, St Julians, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RX. Annual Christmas fair with local crafts and unique gifts for adults and children. This event is open to non-members. Free event. Info at www.stjulians.co.uk 25 NOV 2.30pm – 6pm Tonbridge Rotary Christmas Festival & Christmas Lights Entertainment on stage and Christmas stalls. Christmas Lights switch on at 5pm. Fireworks from Tonbridge Castle. Free event. Info at www.tmbc.gov.uk 25 NOV 1pm – 4pm Fosse Bank Christmas Market Fosse Bank School, Noble Tree Road, Hildenborough, TN11 8ND. Children can enjoy visiting Father Christmas while parents wander around the festive stalls. Info at www.fossebankschool.co.uk

Always wanted to be able to tell your favourite trees apart in the winter? Join the Community Engagement Officer on a short walk to find out how. Booking essential, suitable for all ages. Contact emma.peters@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to book. 30 NOV Christmas Lights Switch On, Sevenoaks High Street, Sevenoaks Ian Waite, of Strictly Come Dancing and It Takes Two fame, will switch on the Christmas Lights. With entertainment and stalls in the High Street. For further information see www.sevenoakstown.gov.uk 30 NOV Langton Pavilion Cafe – Christmas Fayre The Pavilion at Langton Green Recreational Ground, Speldhurst Road, Langton Green, TN3 0JJ. Christmas fair with gifts and vintage style Christmas decorations, food, children’s gifts, homeware, candles, unusual crafts, local stall holders. Info at www.www.langtonpavilion.com 30 NOV & 1 DEC Penshurst Christmas Market Penshurst Village Hall, High Street, Penshurst, TN11 8BP. Free event to raise money for local charities. Festive entertainment from local schools and choirs, BBQ and refreshments. Info at www.facebook.com/ PenshurstChristmasMarket 30 NOV – 30 DEC Christmas at Bedgebury Bedgebury Pinetum, Park Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SL. A new festive woodland walk for all the family. Singing trees, scented fire, Garden Canopy of Light, Father Christmas, seasonal food. Paid event. Info at www.christmasatbedgebury.co.uk 30 NOV – 31 DEC Maidstone Panto’s Winter Wonderland Maidstone Panto, The Friars Event Space, Aylesford Kent ME20 7BX. Maidstone Panto’s Winter Wonderland includes an ice rink, white-knuckle rides, food stalls and Christmas market, plus a fully-licensed bar. Guests will be able to visit the Winter Wonderland before and after their Pantomime showing and entry is free. Info at www.maidstonepanto.com

27 NOV 3pm - 4.30pm National Tree Week Winter Walk Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, Upper Grosvenor Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LW.

MARKETS FESTIVALS WALKS FAIRS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 12 Families West Kent November/December 2018

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Family theatre & Panto

2 NOV 7.30pm Vienna Ballet Nutcracker The Stag Sevenoaks, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ. Be swept away on a magical adventure in one of the most famous classical ballets of all time. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk 4 NOV 2.30pm Tales from Shakespeare Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP. Three of Shakespeare’s plays are brought to life and are specially adapted for the whole family making them fun, engaging and accessible. Info at www.trinitytheatre.net 11 NOV 2pm Vienna Ballet Nutcracker Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP. With its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music, this fabulous ballet is a real Christmas treat. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre 13 & 14 NOV Tues 13, 1.30pm & 4.30pm Wed 14, 11am & 1.30pm Stick Man Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP. Scamp Theatre’s delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre 18 NOV 2.30pm Snow Queen Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP. When Gerda’s friend Kay is taken by the Snow Queen no one knows what’s become of him, but the heart-broken Gerda decides she must set out to find him. Theatre production for children and families. Info at www.trinitytheatre.net 25 NOV 2.30pm Snow Play Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP. What would you do if one year Winter decided to stay and move into your house? Well, that’s what happens in this snowy spectacular show where you are guaranteed a white Christmas, no matter what the weather or the time of year! Info at www.trinitytheatre.net

30 NOV – 24 DEC AM & PM performances Sammy the Sheep Saves Christmas The Brook Theatre, 5 The Brook, Chatham ME4 4SE. Join Sammy on a Christmas adventure that travels from the festive farmyard to far-away lands, as the little sheep tries to save Christmas for us all. Please note that the Brook Theatre Christmas shows are promenade theatre, which means that seating is not available (under special circumstances some seats may be made available on a very limited basis). Info at www.tickets.medway.gov.uk 30 NOV – 31 DEC Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Maidstone Panto, The Friars Event Space, Aylesford Kent ME20 7BX. Maidstone Panto’s production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has an all-star cast, amazing special effects and a troop of seven dwarfs. And this year there is a Winter Wonderland (see page 12) which is free entry. Info at www.maidstonepanto.com 30 NOV – 6 JAN Dick Whittington The Stag Sevenoaks, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ. Britain’s Got Talent star Danny Beard, and Sevenoaks’ favourites Ant ‘Silly Billy’ Payne and Jasette Amos, all return for the Stag’s 10th Christmas panto. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk 1 – 31 DEC Aladdin Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP. Richard Blackwood, former Eastenders star, actor, comedian and rapper, will lead the cast of Aladdin as he plays the Genie for Kent audiences. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre 7 DEC – 2 JAN Sleeping Beauty The Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LU. This magical pantomime promises to be jam-packed with smash-hit songs, stunning sets, spectacular costumes and magical special effects. Info at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 7 – 31 DEC Dick Whittington and his Cat The Central Theatre, 170 High Street, Chatham, ME4 4AS. Star of stage and screen, Ray Quinn, takes the title role of Dick Whittington in the rags-to-riches tale of a young man and his loyal cat on their exciting quest to find fame and fortune. Info at www.tickets.medway.gov.uk

8 – 30 DEC Aladdin The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED. Marti Pellow, the lead singer of 80s sensation Wet Wet Wet stars as the evil sorcerer Abanazar in Aladdin at The Orchard Theatre. Expect flying carpets, a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and a lamp-full of laughs. Info at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk 13 DEC – 2 JAN AM & PM performances Wind in the Willows Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP. Ratty, Badger and Mole join the exuberant Toad and embark on a series of adventures and misadventures caused by his insatiable need for speed! Info at www.trinitytheatre.net 15 DEC 11am Baby Broadway Concert The Stag Sevenoaks, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ. An interactive Christmas performance suitable for all ages; from new-borns to school age to grandparents. The whole family can sing and dance along to seasonal show tunes from hit musicals and well-known songs from Christmas films, all performed by West End singers. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk 15 DEC – 6 JAN Jack and the Beanstalk EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge TN9 1JP. Wicked Productions’ Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be a glittering Christmas treat for the whole family to enjoy. Info at www.emftheatre.com 17 DEC 1pm & 7pm Cinderella on Ice Planet Ice, Gillingham Business Park, Ambley Road, Gillingham ME8 0PU A magical retelling of the classic story – Fairy Godmother, glass slippers, carriages made of pumpkins, and other such delights on the ice. Fun for all the family. Info at www.iceaccount.co.uk/events 17 – 24 DEC (VARIOUS) Flipper’s Perfect Present The Stag Sevenoaks, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ. Flipper’s Perfect Present is an interactive theatre experience for children. At the end of the show every child meets Santa and receives a gift in the grotto. Info at www. stagsevenoaks.co.uk

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G e v i t s Fe

1 & 2 DEC Parades at 12pm & 4.45pm Dickensian Christmas Rochester High Street, Rochester, ME1 1SW. Uncover a feast of Victorian delights, familiar costumed characters, parades and open air carol concerts. Remember to dress-up and join in the parade. Everyone’s welcome! Info at www.medway.gov.uk/christmas 1 – 24 DEC ON SELECT DATES Spa Valley Railway Santa Specials Eridge, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9LE. Christmas at the Spa Valley Railway starts at Eridge where inside the waiting room will be two face painters ready to decorate children’s cheeks with Christmas trees or snowmen! Then enjoy a train ride through the winter countryside to Tunbridge Wells West. During the journey Santa will visit every child on board with a gift. Info at www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk 1 – 21 DEC Twilight Christmas Hever Castle, Hever, TN8 7NG. Discover the festive trail themed around the Charles Dickens classic novel ‘A Christmas Carol’. Ride the carousel and enjoy vintage fairground stalls, meet the huskies, and some characters along the trail. Father Christmas will be visiting on select dates. Paid event. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

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1 DEC – 2 JAN 10am – 3pm Christmas Deer Trail Knole, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RP. The trail will take you on a walk around beautiful parkland at Knole Park. Once you have found the 10 festive deer be sure to return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize. Everyone welcome. Paid event. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/whats-on 2 DEC 10am Tonbridge Angels FC Annual Christmas Fair Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, TN10 3JF. Stalls, festive food and drink, and a possible appearance from Santa Claus and his reindeer! £1 Entry. Ample free parking. Info at www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk 8 DEC 10am & 1pm Natural Christmas Decoration Workshop Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD. Make your own environmentally friendly Christmas decorations. Suitable for families, children and adults. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events 8 DEC 10am – 3pm Spadework Christmas Market Teston Road, West Malling, ME19 5NA. Free-range meat, game, fresh fish, cheese, bakery, charcuterie and smoked meat, pastries and cakes, confectionery, vegetarian food, ready to eat food, Indian specialities, jams and preserves, beer, cider and apple juice, cobnuts, handmade soap, candles and craft. Info at www.spadework.net/farmers-market

December 8 DEC 10am & 3pm Willow Christmas Decorations Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Nr Edenbridge, TN8 7AR. Angels, stars or Christmas trees and a wreath – use locally grown willow and hedgerow materials to make your own decorations. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Paid event. (The 10am-2pm workshop includes soup lunch, the 3-7pm workshop includes mulled wine and mine pies.) Info at www.boreplace.org

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9 DEC 2pm - 3.30pm Carols with Create Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, Upper Grosvenor Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LW. FoGH (the Friends of the park) invite you to join them at the Hub for some Christmas carol singing, with mulled wine, juice, and mince pies. Suitable for all ages, no booking required. Singing will be outside if the weather is good. Info at www.fogh.org.uk

15 – 22 DEC 12pm – 6pm Fort Amherst Winter Market Fort Amherst, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4UB. Find Christmas presents and stocking fillers, enjoy an enchanted Tunnel tour at this Napoleonic fort, mince pies, and a hot chocolate or mulled wine. Family friendly event. Info at www.fortamherst.com 19 DEC 3.30pm - 5.30pm Feeding Frenzy Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, Upper Grosvenor Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LW. As the weather gets colder and food supplies for our UK bird species get harder to find, give some birds in your garden or in the park a helping hand by providing them with some food balls in the Hub. Suitable for all ages, drop in. Suggested donation of £1 per person. Info at www.fogh.org.uk

9 DEC 10am - 11.30am Winter Forest Skills – Woodcraft Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, TN13 3DH. Have a go at using natural materials to make wearable art items, suitable for all the family. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events 9 DEC 12.30pm - 3pm Winter Forest Skills – Fires Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, TN13 3DH. Learn how to safely make and light fires without matches! When you’re done you can toast marshmallows and enjoy hot chocolate by the fire. Suitable for all the family. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

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11 DEC 4.30pm - 6.30pm Christmas Greeting (cards) Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, Upper Grosvenor Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LW. Visit the Hub and have a go at making your own greetings cards to send to your loved ones. Suitable for all ages. Drop in, suggested donation of £2 per person to cover materials. Info at www.fogh.org.uk 15 & 16 DEC 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm Children’s Deer Decoration Workshop Knole, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RP. Make a wooden decoration, inspired by Knole’s deer, to hang in your home this Christmas. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Paid event. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/whats-on

26 DEC 2pm Boxing Day Walk Knole, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RP. Discover more about the ancient parkland, its history and flora and fauna. Suitable for all the family. Booking not required. £2 suggested donation. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/whats-on 27 DEC – 1 JAN Winter Walks Hever Castle, Hever, TN8 7NG. Wrap up warm and blow away the cobwebs, walk off the Christmas pudding and enjoy winter walks in the stunning Hever Castle gardens. During this period, you will only need to pay for Garden entry and you’ll receive free entry to the Castle. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk 1 JAN 2pm New Year’s Day Walk Knole Park, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RP. Discover more about the ancient parkland, understand its seasons and when and where to return to enjoy the seasonal changes. Suitable for all the family. Booking not required. £2 suggested donation. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/whats-on

MARKETS WORKSHOPS WALKS FAIRS CAROLS 14 Families West Kent November/December 2018

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Santa’s Grotto 17 & 18 NOV, 24 & 25 NOV, 30 NOV – 24 DEC Santa’s Magical Christmas Grotto Polhill Garden Centre, London Road, Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, TN14 7AD. Each slot will last 20 minutes where Santa will interact with all his guests and read a Christmas story or sing one of his favourite songs. Gifts will be suitable across a wide age range. Info at www.polhill.co.uk

Christmas in his grotto with a gift for every child, 30 minutes skating on the ‘Magic Ice’ rink, unlimited fairground rides (suitable for children only, queuing system will be in place) and much more. Info at www.bewlwater.co.uk

24 NOV – 23 DEC The Christmas Grotto, Penshurst Place Penshurst, Tonbridge, TN11 8DG. Make crafts in Father Christmas’ workshop, visit his study, and see the man himself in his super-secret Penshurst Office. Each child will receive a gift and a candy cane during their visit, and be able to enjoy crafts, face painting and the adventure playground. Paid event. Info at www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on

1 – 23 DEC Father Christmas at the Hop Farm Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6PY. Treat the kids and meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto experience. Paid event. Info at www.thehopfarm.co.uk/events/fatherchristmas-at-the-hop-farm

24 NOV – 24 DEC Millbrook Grotto, Staplehurst Millbrook Garden Centre, Staplehurst Road, Tonbridge, TN12 9BT. No Christmas is complete without a visit to see Santa and in the Magical Millbrook Grotto there is always lots to see and do. Paid event. Info at www.millbrookgc.co.uk/whats-on 1 – 24 DEC Christmas Experience (Santa’s Grotto & Ice Skating) Bewl Water, Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst, TN3 8JH. Ticket price includes visit to see Father

15 & 16 DEC Natural Christmas Grotto and Christmas Fair Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Activities throughout the day including carol singing, local stalls, craft activities, nature walks and much more. Ticket price for the grotto visit, entry to the reserve and other activities is free. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events 15 & 16 DEC Nature Barn Christmas Grotto Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD. Meet Santa and his elves and enjoy some

festive arts and crafts surrounded by the wildlife garden. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events NOV – DEC (DATES TO BE CONFIRMED) Brookside Christmas Grotto Brookside Garden Centre, Seven Mile Lane, East Peckham, Tonbridge, TN12 5JG. Return of the award-winning Christmas grotto, supporting local charities and good causes. Info at www.brooksidegc-kent.co.uk/grotto 24 NOV-16 DEC ON SELECT DATES Santa’s Grotto, Leeds Castle Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL. Wander through the Christmas Market to an enchanted path leading to a magical grotto. Father Christmas will be waiting to greet you. And meet Father Christmas’ reindeer in their stable at the Christmas Market. Info at www.leeds-castle.com

Ice Skating including a Bratwurst sausage in a bun, waffles and cakes, hot and cold drinks. Info at www.ruxley-manor.co.uk

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15 NOV – 6 JAN Skating at Bluewater Bluewater, Greenhithe, DA9 9ST. Undercover outdoor ice rink so you can skate around the huge sparkling Christmas tree, come rain or shine! Beverages, hot drinks and refreshments are available from the rink side cabins. Info at www.bluewater.co.uk 20 OCT – 4 JAN 10am – 5pm Ruxley Manor Ice Rink Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Maidstone Road, Sidcup, DA14 5BQ. Peak and off peak sessions available throughout the festive season. Christmas Food Market offers a great place to sit and watch the ice skating with a range of refreshments,

16 NOV – 2 JAN Calverley Park Ice Rink Calverley Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1SJ. Set in the amphitheatre of Calverley Grounds in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells, the real ice rink is a favourite festive destination. Father Christmas will be welcoming families on selected dates from Saturday 2 December to Sunday 24 December. With a fair

and many other attractions. Info at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 30 NOV – 31 DEC Maidstone Panto’s Winter Wonderland (with ice rink) Maidstone Panto, The Friars Event Space, Aylesford Kent ME20 7BX. Includes an ice rink, white-knuckle rides, food stalls and Christmas market, plus a fullylicensed bar. Guests will be able to visit the Winter Wonderland before and after their Pantomime showing and entry is free. Info at www.maidstonepanto.com

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Would you like to see your event in our What’s Ons? Deadline is Dec 1 2018 for our Jan/Feb issue. Please email your listing with your contact number to editor@familieswestkent.co.uk and if we have space we will try to include it. www.familiesonline.co.uk

email: editor@familieswestkent.co.uk