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IN THIS ISSUE Christmas event guide The secret lives of 4 & 5 year olds at school Local party ideas What’s on in November & December RECRUITING NOW Successsful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside and without compromising family commitments or current career.
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Issue 61 November/December 2017 familiesonline.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk Families Hampshire West
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Contents Hampshire West 07789 882 467 Managing Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk Advertising Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk What’s on and local news Chloe Atkinson assistant@familieshampshirewest.co.uk Next issue January/ February 2018 Early years care, early years education, half term what’s on, health and famiy travel. Booking deadline 1 December 2017
November/ December 4
Local news & views
A round-up of all the latest news.
6
Education news All the latest news from your local Schools and education providers.
7
Is your child being bullied?
what are the signs to look out for?
10
The secret lives of 4 & 5 year olds at school
Claire Winter talks to Dr Elizabeth Kilbeyt about what she learnt whilst filming the series.
12
Party news
Ideas for parties with local venues and providers.
Cover image: © Istockphoto © Families Hampshire West Magazine 2017
Families Hampshire West 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 Hampshire West are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Hampshire West. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Hampshire West; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
13
Christmas special
A round-up of the best local events to visit this festive season.
20
What’s on A round-up of all the best local events this November & December
Wishing all of our readers and advertisers a very Merry Christmas
Advertise your business with us from as little as £31.20 per month and reach over 44,000 parents in West Hampshire 6 issues per year delivered directly to parents and carers in Southampton, Winchester, The New Forest and surrouding areas. To feature in our January/February early years special, email: editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk or call 07789 882467. Book by 1 December. familiesonline.co.uk
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Local News
Paultons Park announces big Peppa Pig World expansion for 2018 The world’s first Peppa Pig theme park attraction, Peppa Pig World, is getting bigger and better as Paultons Park announces plans for a significant extension with fun new rides and facilities. Fans of the Entertainment One’s (eOne) hit TV series will be snorting with delight when the two new rides, The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, are unveiled to the public on Wednesday 16 May 2018.
Brain Tumour Research enlist artist Caroline Copland to design their Christmas cards for 2017 Pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research has taken an innovative approach to their range of Christmas cards this year, signing up supporter and artist, Caroline Copland, to design a new card for 2017. Caroline, who sadly lost her mother Janet to a brain tumour three years ago, was inspired by the Christmas Hope Trees which decorate the charity’s Research Centres of Excellence across the UK each year. The Hope Tree cards will join other festive favourites in the charity’s range. All cards are priced at £4 per pack of ten, with at least 60% of the proceeds going towards supporting vital brain tumour research. Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK focused on funding sustainable research to find a cure for brain tumours, which kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Order via: www.braintumourresearch. org/fundraise/christmas-cards
Stephen Lorton, commercial director at Paultons Park, said: “This is a very exciting announcement for Paultons Park. Peppa Pig World continues to be very popular and attracts huge numbers of visitors from all over the world in the six years since its opening. A magical aspect of the expansion is that the Queen’s Flying Coach Ride offers panoramic views of Peppa Pig World and the Park beyond.” Katie Rollings, Head of UK Licensing at Entertainment One, said: “We are delighted to work with Paultons Park on the expansion of the ever-popular Peppa Pig World. Paultons Park offers families the opportunity to fully immerse themselves into the world of Peppa Pig and since opening in 2011, it has become an instrumental part of this beloved brand.” For further information visit www.paultonspark.co.uk
Two languages, too much?
Always Feel Close To Your Loved Ones with Little Fingers ‘n’ Toes ‘Imagine always feeling close to your loved ones. Allow us to capture a loved ones fingerprint or handprint and stamp into pure silver jewellery for you to cherish and wear proudly, or picture a loved one’s delight receiving this most unique special gift, beautifully gift packaged. We use the best quality materials and are passionate about what we do. Visit www.littlefingersntoes.co.uk or call 07880 720070 for more information.
Are two languages at a time too much for the mind? In a new study, an international team of researchers reports that bilingual infants as young as 20 months can efficiently and accurately process two languages. “By 20 months, bilingual babies do not just think that ‘dog’ and ‘chien’ are two versions of the same thing” reports Casey Lew-Williams, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Co-Director of the Princeton Baby Lab in the USA. “They implicitly know that these words belong to different languages.” “One of the most obvious implications of these results is that we needn’t be concerned that children growing up bilingual will confuse their two languages. Indeed, rather than being confused as to which language to expect, the results indicate that even toddlers naturally activate the vocabulary of the language that is being used in any particular setting.” Lew-Williams suggests that this study also provides a likely explanation of why bilinguals show cognitive advantages across the lifespan.
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Game Plan: Board Games Rediscovered at SeaCity Museum until 25 February
Hit the slopes this winter at Calshot Activities Centre! Taking your children skiing for the first time? Let them try it out first! Calshot has a nursery slope which offers a gentle introduction to skiing and is ideal for developing skills and building confidence. The Centre offers a range of children’s courses to suit different ages and abilities, with an emphasis on lots of fun games and activities. All equipment is provided. Plus, if your family can already ski or snowboard (all participants must be able to descend the slope in control), why not come down to our recreational evening sessions on Fridays or Saturdays? Visit www.hants.gov.uk/calshot for more information.
On tour from the V&A Museum of Childhood. Game Plan: Board Games Rediscovered celebrates the joy, excitement and occasional frustration of playing board games. This exhibition includes more than 100 objects, featuring some of the most iconic, enthralling and visually striking games from the V&A’s outstanding national collection of board games. Alongside current family favourites such as Cluedo and Trivial Pursuit, and traditional games like chess, the exhibition will look at historical board games including The Game of the Goose and other beautifully designed games from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can get ‘hands-on’ throughout the exhibition, learn about different kinds of games and discover what sort of player you are! Adults £8.50, concession £6, family £25 includes SeaCity Museum and Game Plan exhibition. www.seacitymuseum.co.uk
How children eat says a lot about their personality Most toddlers go through bouts of picky eating, but infants with more inhibited personalities are more likely to turn up their nose at new foods, according to researchers. In a study, researchers observed how infants responded to new foods and new toys throughout their first 18 months. The study found that infants who were wary of new toys also tended to be less accepting of new foods, suggesting early food attitudes stem from personality. “From the time they’re very young, some infants are more ‘approaching’ and react positively to new things, whereas other infants are more ‘withdrawing’ and react negatively to the same stimul,” said Kameron Moding from the University of Colarado, Denver and author of the paper. “Keep trying! Research from other labs has consistently shown that infants and children can learn to accept new foods if their caregivers continue to offer them” Moding said. For more information visit www.sciencedaily.com
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Families Hampshire West 5
Education News
King Edward VI School produce excellent results King Edward VI School in Southampton is very fortunate to have excellent facilities, including the hugely impressive state of the art theatre and arts centre, giving students extensive opportunities to develop their interests in many areas of the curriculum. Whilst there is an extensive range of co-curricular activities and facilities on offer, we are also immensely proud of our academic prowess. In August, we were very pleased to announce KES students had produced an excellent set of IGCSE and A-Level results. 92% of all IGCSE grades awarded, were at A*, A or B, with 76% of the grades either an A* or A. This exceptionally strong set of results puts King Edward’s significantly ahead of the national average.
Stroud School in Romsey is a co-educational independent school for 3-13 year olds As the prep school to King Edward VI, Southampton, our pupils benefit from all the resources of the senior school, including Wellington Sports Ground. The sports ground contains thirty three acres of grounds, six tennis courts, four netball courts and a water based astro pitch. Recently, the Prep School Hockey Day has been taking place at our Wellington sports ground. Stroud School and King Edward VI School welcomed Forres Sandle Manor, West Hill Park, Durlston Court School and Chafyn Grove. It was a fantastic opportunity for all of the children to have a day tutored by Hockey superstars Ellie Watton and Ollie Willars. Ellie has played for England and Great Britain women’s hockey teams, including the 2014 World Cup, 2014 Commonwealth Games and was most recently part of the Rio 2016 Gold medal winning squad. Ollie has competed for England in the men’s hockey tournament at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he won a bronze medal. For more information about Stroud School visit www. stroud-kes.org.uk
This year’s Sixth Formers also produced a set of outstanding A Level results. 100% of students in 2017 passed all of their A Levels, with 87% of all grades at A*, A or B, with over 61% at A* and A. This has meant seven students have met their offers for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Come and see what King Edward VI School can offer your child. Registrar, Mrs Sheppard, would be pleased to show you around the outstanding facilities, call 02380 799216 or visit www.kes.hants.sch.uk
What’s for lunch? Ask Lunchero! Do you struggle to keep track of which school meal is served on which day? Prefer to look at school menu information on your mobile, rather than holding onto a menu leaflet for the whole term? Great news! City Catering Southampton has developed two new apps this year – Lunchero (for infant, junior, and primary schools) and Lunchero+ (for secondaries) – to show you their KS1-2 and KS3 menus – school by school, and day by day, for the whole school term! The apps cover City Catering Southampton member schools, showing photos of meal choices (with a ‘tap-to-enlarge’ feature), details of individual school holidays and INSET days, and favourite school meal recipes – all from your tablet or mobile. And the challenge of figuring out which week it is has gone, too – the apps launch on today’s date, and show you the menu for the day, for your specific school. PLUS: for secondary school users, Lunchero+ provides users with tariff information for everything on the menu, plus a simple calculator to help younger users add up the cost of their food choices for the day. Lunchero and Lunchero+ are available via iTunes and Google Play, and more details are also available via Facebook/CityDinnersSouthampton.
Can You Invite an International Student to Share Your Home? With the number of international students coming to UK boarding schools, there is an increasing need for host families. Host families look after students when they are unable to travel home, generally during the short school holidays, but sometimes in longer holidays too. Families with children of their own, empty nesters or grandparents may all benefit from hosting international students. At the same time, a student will derive enormous cultural and language benefits whilst staying in a caring home, enhancing their learning experience and life in the UK. Whether it’s adapting to life in the beautiful English countryside or life in a large, busy city, or learning to bake bread with a host and teaching them how to cook the best noodles, these shared experiences can give rise to lifelong friendships. Hosting can be short term from just a few weekends a year, to half term holidays and can even include some of the longer school holidays. If you register to enjoy this wonderful experience, a generous compensation package will reward your hospitality. For further information, please contact jane@collegeguardians.co.uk 6 Families Hampshire West
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School menu app! Do you struggle to keep track of which school meal is served on which day? Prefer to look at menu information on your mobile devices, rather than holding onto a leaflet for the whole term? GREAT NEWS! We’ve created a primary school menu app called Lunchero, to show you our KS1-2 school menus, day by day, for the whole school term! (NB: The app covers
Access school menus from yr mobile No need to figure out ‘which week?’! See photos of what’s for lunch Look ahead for the whole school term ‘Love’ favourite dishes & get recipes
Get the
app!
Search iTunes & Google Play or get all the details at fb.me/CityDinnersSouthampton
Our brand NEW secondary-school app Lunchero+ is now live, with the full term’s menu, tariff info, and a spend-calculator for KS3 pupils.
Get Lunchero+ on iTunes and Google Play
City Catering Southampton member schools only).
We serve 1.7m nutritious school dinners in 47 Southampton schools each year. #lunchero familiesonline.co.uk
Families Hampshire West 7
What Should You Do if You Suspect your Child is Being Bullied or Bullying? By Jane Rogers When you send your child off to school you do so in the hope that they will be safe from harm. Sadly, for some children this is not the case and bullying is still an issue in many schools today. So what are the signs to look out for? There may be some obvious signs: If your child has been physically hurt or had their possessions stolen or broken, this should ring an alarm bell.
Your child may tell you they are being bullied: Children who are being bullied can be divided roughly into two categories: those who tell an adult about it and those who don’t. If your child tells you that another child has been unkind to them, it’s important to make the time to listen.
A change in behaviour:
Children who are being bullied may become withdrawn and anxious, or they may display angry and aggressive behaviour. Any unusual or worrying behaviour needs to be investigated.
Sleep disturbance:
If your child begins to have trouble sleeping, ask yourself if there could be something bothering them.
Anxiety about going to school:
Again, if this is a change in behaviour, it’s time to explore what the reasons might be.
How to help your child.
Listen to your child and stay calm However upset or angry you may feel, try to put those feelings to one side while your child is talking to you about what is happening to them. This is an opportunity for you to begin to teach your child how to approach and hopefully solve difficult problems. Staying calm and rational is a very useful skill;, role model it for your child at this difficult time.
Encourage your child to learn how to shrug off teasing
A bully will always home in on someone who seems weaker, and who gives them the reaction they want. Verbal bullying can be very hurtful to your child, but it’s useful to explain to them that a bully will bully all the more if they see a reaction. Although your child may be hurting inside, encourage them not to show it. Give them a chance to role play some scenarios at home, so that they can practice ways to react in a safe environment. 8 Families Hampshire West
Ask your child what they want you to do
When my son was bullied at primary school, he wanted me to go to the school and sort it out. I remember him saying “I don’t think the adults know how bad it is.” He had tried to sort it out himself, but it hadn’t worked, so now he was taking a different approach. Encourage your child to try to tackle their own problems, but always be there for them when they get to the point of asking for your help.
Build self-esteem
Prevention is always better than cure. Children who are confident and have good self-esteem are less likely to be bullied. That’s not to say it won’t happen, but people with resilience will always fare better in the face of adversity and will be less likely to be bullied.
What if my child is the bully?
If this is the case then spend some time trying to work out why this could be happening. People become bullies for a number of reasons. Low self-esteem Those who don’t think much of themselves on the inside may feel the need to make themselves look ‘big’ on the outside. Following the crowd Bullies can sometimes appear to be very popular and being part of the ‘in’ crowd can be very important to children and young people. For safety If the jungle that is the school playground feels unsafe, then it may make sense
to your child to align themselves to the person who looks the strongest. Learned behaviour Children who witness bullying behaviour around them may copy that behaviour and turn into a bully themselves. And finally: If you have real concerns always talk to your child’s school about it. All schools should have a bullying policy which you can ask to see, and, of course, a duty of care to each and every child. Jane Rogers is a parenting expert and founder of The Cambridge Parent Coach. Her two parent workbooks: ‘How to encourage good behaviour so you can enjoy your children’ and ‘How to use positive discipline to improve your child’s behaviour,’ are available on Amazon. You can follow ‘The Cambridge Parent Coach’ on Facebook.
Anit-Bullying Week 13 - 17 November To help stamp out bullying in our schools talk to your school about getting involved in AntiBullying Week running from 13 to 17 November. Run by the AntiBullying Alliance, the week aims to support schools with a range of free activities to help them take action to prevent bullying and create a safe environment for pupils. For more information visit www.antibullyingalliance.org.uk
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Issue 46 : (E)
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Families Hampshire West 9
The Secret Lives of 4 & 5 Year Olds at School Most parents and carers wish they could be a fly-on-the-wall when their child starts school. Well, Channel 4’s Secret Lives of 4 & 5 year Olds which returns this November, allows them to do just that. Filmed in a specially rigged Essex school, the new series aims to give viewers a child’s perspective of their transition to a school setting. Claire Winter talks to Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, a psychologist from the show, about what she learnt whilst filming the series. getting them to go in which is the tough bit. Once they are there they’ll be fine.”
What advice can you give parents whose children haven’t started school yet?
Can you tell us more about the series? “It offers this wonderful window, through which we can watch the children playing and interacting with each other. We give them lots of things to do, to see how they manage and play. It’s an amazing way of showing viewers what their children are actually doing at school.”
How did the children cope with the transition to school? “Parents main worry is generally ‘will my child be alright?’ and some children are very anxious. A great example is that wonderful picture of Prince George looking a bit worried on his first day of school. What I can now confidently tell parents and carers is that their children are absolutely fine, once they are gone. They are doing lots of interesting things and coping brilliantly.”
Not all children cope with the transition so well, what advice would you give to them? “Take a calm, pragmatic approach. Essentially children tend to be worried about what they think might happen. In reality, they are going to be fine, but they just don’t know that yet. Be confident and reassure your child that everything will be okay. Children are inherently social beings. They are curious and want to interact with people so even timid children will find something that sparks their imagination. Remember, the school setting is designed to engage them. It’s 10 Families Hampshire West
“Children need to develop communications skills, get used to talking and relating to others and playing cooperatively. All of these social abilities will be vital later in life. Encourage lots of play with other children and get them to question how things work because natural curiosity is the main driver for learning.”
How can kids deal with friendship issues, if they have fallen out with someone? “It’s very tempting as a parent to want to fix this problem, but children fall in and out of friendships hundreds of times a day and can usually sort issues out themselves. If the problem is more complicated and you think there is unkind behaviour or bullying, then an adult might need to step in. But on the whole, conflict, when you are learning to be social is perfectly normal. Ask your child, “Is there any thing you can do to sort the situation out?” Try and help them understand the other child’s perspective. As parents, we often overcomplicate issues. We can learn a lot from children, particularly the way they are so open and forgiving.”
development. Brains are not gendered, brains allow our children to learn.
What can you do if a child is exhibiting OCD type behaviour? “Anxiety needs a non-emotional response and a calm authority can be incredibly helpful. It’s tempting to offer support to someone who is suffering by saying, “isn’t this terrible,” but this reinforces the idea that there is something to be scared of. Parents shouldn’t try to neutralise the anxiety or reinforce it; it is best to carry on, with a business as usual approach. “If you are concerned or the behaviour is continuing over a long period of time and in more than one setting, get some advice from your school, GP or Health Visitor.”
What was the most interesting insight you gained from watching the children? “I learnt that children of this age are hilarious and multi-layered. They are not that different from adults. They have amazingly rich social lives. They test hypotheses, ask questions, fail and then carry on. They are resilient and incredibly complicated, just like we are.” ‘The Secret Lives of 4 and 5 Year Olds’ will be aired on Channel 4 in November.
How can we deal with the issue of gender with young children? I feel that gender isn’t particularly a driving force for children this age. They do make assumptions about children but they are happy for them to be corrected and they play on a much more straightforward basis. Gender becomes a much bigger issue for children towards the end of primary school. It’s important to encourage them to keep an open mind and understand that children of all ages and genders need the same opportunities because that is what is important for their
Saturday 11 November 2017
Woodlands Community College Harefield, Southampton SO18 5FW 10:15am - 12pm (members 10am) £1.50 per adult in aid of NCT charity
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• Preparatory School for King Edward VI Southampton • Small class sizes • Preparation for 11+ and 13+ • 22 acres of outdoor learning including sports fields, woodland forest, school farm and adventure play area Come and see what Stroud can offer your child Stroud provides an “education of the highest quality” ISI Report
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Families Hampshire West 11
Party News
Party at Oxygen Freejumping Oxygen Freejumping, Southampton’s favourite trampoline park, is making your celebrations this year one to remember with the ultimate kids party! Oxygen is the place where you can jump, flip, leap, play and soar to your heart’s content. Unlike other trampoline parks it has multiple different jumping zones, so whether you’re a superstar flipper or a bouncing beginner you’ll be in for a treat at Oxygen Freejumping!
Candy Room - a sweet lovers haven Largest
stockist of Je With every type of sweet lly Belly in the imaginable you will So ut h East always find something you haven’t tried before. Candy Room in Eastleigh specialise in American treats and drinks, plus, you can still find your traditional jar sweets, at least 80 varieties of pick and mix, novelty sweets and sweetie cones which are great for children’s parties, weddings and christenings.
Candy Room is also the largest stockist of Jelly Belly in the South East! There are 60 different flavours of Jelly Belly, Jelly Belly Christmas advent calendars, candy canes and other Christmas gifts. One things for sure, you’ll never be disappointed. We like to ensure everyone can enjoy our shop so keep our prices low! Come and see for yourself at 96B Market Street, Eastleigh SO50 5RE or order online at candyroom.co.uk
Kids parties at Oxygen Freejumping include an hour’s Freejumping fun, followed by an after-party in an exclusive room with pizza and drinks. And best of all, no washing up for Mum and Dad! You even have the chance to make your guests extra special with jumping party bags including a selection of spring-loaded goodies. Be sure to put a date in the diary soon, because you won’t want to miss out on the party of the year at the ultimate trampoline park! To find out more or to book visit oxygenfreejumping.co.uk
Birthday parties at The Race Centre If you’re struggling to find something to do for your child’s next birthday party, then look no further than The Race Centre in Chandler’s Ford. The facility is home to 10 fully linked professional racing simulators, each with full driving controls and whopping 3 metre HD projection screens! Upon arriving, the group receives a full briefing, including where to find the button for the horn! They then make their way out on track for their practice session, setting their best lap times to form the grid for the racing. When they head out for their races, all 10 drivers are on the grid for the start, normally followed by a spectacular incident at the first corner! After the racing, the top 3 drivers each receive a trophy for their efforts. Prices start from just £185, and fresh hot pizza can be ordered as an optional addition. The Race Centre also runs special sessions for Under 18s in the school holidays, just £12 per driver, and adults can drive for half price in these sessions too! Call the venue on 023 8026 9927 for more information or visit www.theracecentre.co.uk
Flip out trampoline parties Southampton trampoline park Flip Out offers parties for all the family. Along with their children’s party packages, Flip Out has introduced adult trampoline parties too – perfect for big kids.
Stagecoach themed Parties ages 4 -10 Creative drama, dance and singing parties run for two hours and are based around a chosen theme, including “Knights and Princesses”, “Super-heroes”, “Pirates and Mermaids” and “Pop Stars”. Whichever theme you choose, our party hosts will make sure it is a truly magical and memorable birthday. You pick the date, time and venue and we can come to you, either a booked venue or your home. Party invitations, balloons, stickers and prizes are included in the party price. Email totton@stagecoach.co.uk for availability and further information. 12 Families Hampshire West
Children’s parties are a great way to combine active fun with a treat for a group of friends, perfect for birthdays. The trampoline party package includes a one-hour session in the trampoline arena for the group, plus 30 minutes in a decorated party room with party host, pizza, soft drinks, ice cream and party bags for all, plus trampoline socks. To find out more about parties at Flip Out Southampton call 02382 147 811, email: southampton@flipout.co.uk or visit www.flipout.co.uk/southampton
Jungle Jeans Parties Jungle Jeans parties can be as simple or as complicated as you wish, with a variety of extras available to you such as party bags, lucky dip, piñatas and pass the parcel with many more to choose from. One of their most popular party options is the private hire the whole play centre starting from £200 which provides excellent value for money. Give Jungle Jeans a call today and speak to one of their experienced party planners on 023 80638120.
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*TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. FOR EVERY £15 SPENT A CUSTOMER IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A FREE RAFFLE TICKET. ONE RAFFLE TICKET ENTITLES THE PLAYER TO ONE CHANCE IN THE RAFFLE DRAW. TO ENTER THE RAFFLE, ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS WILL NEED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST FULL NAME, ADDRESS AND EMAIL ADDRESS. PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE OR INCOMPREHENSIBLE ENTRIES WILL BE INELIGIBLE. THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES PER PARTICIPANT. THE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 22 2017 AT CANDY ROOM SWEET SHOP, 96B MARKET STREET, EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE SO50 5RE. THE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM. PRIZE CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED AND CANNOT BE REDEEMED FOR CASH. THE WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL AND TELEPHONE AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE ON THE CANDY ROOM SWEET SHOP WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. IF THE WINNERS DO NOT CLAIM THEIR PRIZE WITHIN FIVE WORKING DAYS OF THE NOTIFICATION BEING SENT, THE PRIZE WILL BE FORFEITED AND NEW WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN. BY ENTERING THE DRAW YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE CONTACTED BY CANDY ROOM SWEET SHOP BY PHONE AND EMAIL. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CANDY ROOM SWEET SHOP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT AND CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS) WHATSOEVER (HOWSOEVER CAUSED) SUFFERED OR SUSTAINED BY ANY WINNER OR PARTICIPANT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PRIZE DRAW OR PRIZE AWARDED OR WITHDRAWN PURSUANT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. ALL RIGHTS REMAIN WITH THE PROMOTER WHO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW THE OFFER AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THE DECISION OF THE MANAGER IS FINAL.
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ADVENTURE BIRTHDAY PARTIES At Calshot Activities Centre and Tile Barn Outdoor Centre
INCLUDES: EACH PARTY ge of
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Families Hampshire West 13
It’s beginning to look a lot like
Christmas
With so many fantastic events happening locally over Christmas, it’s difficult to choose which to go to! We’ve put together our favourite festive family events, plus check out our what’s on guide for even more events!
Christmas fun at the Swan Centre Located in the heart of Eastleigh, the Swan Shopping Centre is a convenient shopping location boasting a great variety of retailers and everything you need for a fantastic Christmas shopping and leisure experience.
Christmas at Paultons Park Visit Paultons Family Theme Park from Saturday November 18 and celebrate Christmas in a world of twinkling illuminations, seasonal music and a giant musical Christmas tree. Families will enjoy Santa’s Grotto, as they join a reindeer on his journey to find Santa in time for Christmas Eve. Along the way, children will meet many of the reindeer’s animal friends, discover magical scenes and be greeted by Father Christmas himself at the magical grotto.
The Centre is home to more than 40 retailers including Tesco, Boots, Argos, The Entertainer, TK Maxx, H&M, New Look and Next plus a great range of restaurant and leisure venues including Frankie & Benny’s, Nando’s, Prezzo, Chimichanga, Harvester, Partyman World, Kung Fu Oriental Buffet, Hollywood Bowl, Anytime Fitness and VUE Cinema. This Christmas, the Swan Centre kicks off the festive celebrations with their Family Fun Day on 18th November. Children are invited to take part in the free Christmas Character trail and meet Santa, as well as enjoy festive face painting. The Centre will then pay host to a cacophony of entertainers every Saturday throughout December, including the first and only shopping trolley dance team; Granny Turismo and the Gliding Angels. With over 600 car parking space located within the Centre, and a train and bus station nearby, planning a trip to the Swan Centre is a breeze. Visit www.swanshopping.com to find out more.
After receiving a special present, children can visit the Park’s stateof-the-art 4D Show Street Cinema for a screening of the Christmas adventure film, Birds of a Feather, where Del the pelican helps straitlaced bird Brian find his way South for the winter! Peppa Pig World will also be transforming this Christmas season as Peppa Pig and George wrap up in their winter scarves, hats and coats. Among the land of seasonal music and giant Christmas trees, Santa in his sleigh from the TV series can also be seen. Guests will be entertained with a daily Christmas Show featuring Frosty and Rudolph along with Billy and Belinda the elves as they sing and dance their way around the Show Stage. Adults can enjoy a complimentary hot fruit punch and a seasonal treat and children will also receive a Christmas gift. A great range of selected rides and attractions will also be open during the Christmas season, visit paultonspark.co.uk for further information and to book tickets.
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Christmas Entertainment Every Saturday throughout December
at the
Elfie Shelfie Our cheeky elf will be up to all sorts of mischief in the Swan Centre!
With over 40 stylish shops and a variety of leisure outlets, the Swan Centre is your convenient Christmas shopping and entertainment destination!
Visit our Facebook page between 1st to 14th December and enter our competition to WIN a share of £200 in shopping vouchers!
ROTARY SANTA
Visit Santa for free! With Eastleigh Rotary Club on Sunday 19th November, then every weekend from Saturday 25th to Saturday 23rd December.
the swan centre eastleigh
@swaneastleigh
Discover more at www.swanshopping.com
Explore one of Europe’s best Christmas Markets and skate on the spectacular Ice Rink with child-friendly skate aids, before visiting the magnificent Winchester Cathedral. A fun-filled festive day out for all the family! ICE RINK
20 November 2017 – 7 January 2018 Session times: 10am – 9pm (last session starts 8pm) Tickets, including free skate hire: £11.50 adult, £9.50 child aged 8–18, £6.95 child aged 4–7. Family tickets and tiny tots sessions are also available. Book online at www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/ice-rink or call 01962 857 276 CHRISTMAS MARKET
20 November 2017 – 22 December 2017 10am – 6pm, Sunday – Wednesday 10am – 7.30pm, Thursday – Saturday W I N C H E S T E R C AT H E D R A L
An unforgettable Christmas experience for visitors of all ages. Don’t miss the Lantern Parade on 30 November! www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk
Families Hampshire West 15
Celebrate new year with the Holiday Inn December is always a busy month at the Holiday Inn Winchester and we make sure there is something for everyone. Family events include Sunday Lunch with Santa’s Little helpers on Sunday 17th December – the perfect way to exchange presents with friends and loved ones that you aren’t able to see on the big day and our big Family New Years Eve Party. Our family New Years Eve celebration is perfect for all ages from 0 – 100. We start the evening at 6pm with the children’s buffet which is followed by entertainment from the amazing “CRAZY M”! Whilst the children are entertained the adults can indulge in their gala buffet and take time to relax. As the adult buffet ends and with the children entertained the family disco will start making sure everyone is up and dancing to see in 2018!
Festive freejump at Oxygen Freejumping It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And it doesn’t get better than a festive Freejump at Oxygen Freejumping. With loads of new activities both on and off the trampolines, there’s no place like an Oxygen trampoline park to jump into the spirit of Christmas. Come along and enjoy Little Elves toddler sessions, Snowball Dodgeball, Christmas themed arts & crafts activities, and much more bouncing fun for all. Plus, exclusively for Families West Hampshire readers receive 15% off your booking by using code FESTIVE15. Book now at oxygenfreejumping. co.uk and celebrate Christmas in high flying style!
Other attractions include the Christmas panto, Dick Whittington, packed full of laughter, music and dance, the massive indoor adventure play centre, Wild Thing, and Nativity Cuddle Corner, with its host of furry friends. Go online or call 01202 483444 for further details, opening times and tickets.
Save 15%
Use code FESTIVE15 when boo king.
Meet friendly farm animals at Manor Farm as you stroll around the hands-on farmyard, watch the cows being milked and feed the ducks and chickens. Explore the new play tractor, combine harvester and pedal tractor circuit in the outdoor play area.
Santa and the Elves Christmas (Science) Experience at Winchester Science Centre and Christmas begins with Planetarium a trip to Adventure A special portal has been discovered at Winchester Science Centre which leads Wonderland directly to the North Pole. Santa’s elves
Santa, his faithful reindeer Rudolph and trusted elves, will be dropping in from the North Pole to meet visitors on 26th November, the weekends of 2nd/3rd and 9th/10th December and every day from 16th-23rd December. Tickets to visit Santa in his cosy log cabin are always very popular, so book now at adventurewonderland.co.uk/christmas to avoid disappointment and to get a 10% discount. All children visiting Santa’s grotto get a fantastic present.
Offer
Festive Fun at Manor Farm and Country Park
Visit www.hiwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 670 700 for more information.
Get your family’s Christmas off to an unforgettable start with a magical trip to Dorset’s top theme park, Adventure Wonderland, this festive season.
Exclusive
invite children and their families to visit the Elf Invention Studio to see the Master Elf experimenting with the colours of Christmas (with plenty of science, whizzes and bangs) and meet Santa at his home and take part in a science-themed toy-making workshop. All-inclusive tickets include entry to the Science Centre and Elf Trail, the Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience and Reindeer Roundup in Space (live, elf-led planetarium show). Book your tickets online, visit www.winchestersciencecentre.org or call 01962 863 791.
Kids Santa Cruises with Blue Funnel Looking for something different to do this Christmas? Blue Funnel are running their annual Cruise with Santa, and Scotty the Clown will be there to give children that magical Christmas cruise experience. Visit www.bluefunnel.co.uk for the full itinerary and dates.
Throughout December follow Manor Farm’s Christmas trail around the park, make a wish on the wishing tree, visit the Winter Woodland scene in the barn and find the mischievous elf hiding around the farm. For more information visit www.hants.gov.uk
Celebrate with colour and sparkle at Mottisfont From 25 November - 2 January, Mottisfont is celebrating Christmas with colour and sparkle, inspired by a vibrant Kaffe Fassett exhibition in the gallery. Discover a house dressed with statement trees, piles of presents and dramatic flower arrangements. Outside, artist installations will emphasise the natural winter colours found around the grounds and estate, from bright pheasant feathers to evergreen leaves, which families can discover with a fun-filled activity trail. There are lots of activities to do along the way - including a round of ‘brussel sprout bowling’ - and a craft activity to finish. Suggested donation £1 per trail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market and Ice Rink If you’re looking for festive family fun then look no further than Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market and Ice Rink!.
Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather is at the Nuffield Southampton Theatres this Christmas Roll up, roll up this Christmas, and join feisty Hetty Feather on an audacious adventure at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on 21 November - 7 January 2018. Be excited and delighted by this unmissable adventure story. Beautiful storytelling, spectacular, daring circus skills, original songs and live music. Direct from a sell out WEST END run and Olivier Award nomination for best family and entertainment comes Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather. Devised for the stage by awardwinning script writer Emma Reeves (CBBC TV’s Hetty Feather, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Eve) and critically acclaimed director Sally Cookson (Jane Eyre and Peter Pan, National Theatre).
Located at the heart of Winchester Cathedral’s historic inner close, you’ll be captivated by the sights, sounds and smells of the Christmas Market with tasty treats and Christmas gifts to entice visitors of all ages. At the centre of the bustling Christmas Market you’ll find Winchester Cathedral’s Ice Rink, an impressive real Ice Rink with a covered roof, guaranteeing a rain-free skate whatever the weather. With child friendly skate aids, family tickets and ‘tiny tots’ sessions available, the Ice Rink is popular with visitors young and old. Complete your day with a visit to the magnificent Winchester Cathedral where you can enjoy family events throughout the festive period, including the famous Lantern Parade on 30 November. With its towering Christmas tree and traditional carol services, you’ll experience the true joy of Christmas at Winchester Cathedral.
WIN
WIN a family ticket for Winchester Cathedral’s Ice Rink worth £59 The ticket includes an hour-long skate session and a festive food and drink package for two adults and two children, to include one hot chocolate and one cookie per person. To enter, go to www.familiesonline.co.uk/local/south-west-hampshire/competitions. Enties close on 30th November. T&C’s apply.
Hetty Feather is brought thrillingly to life on stage for an unforgettable Christmas family treat. Tickets start from £10, book now for the best prices! Call the Box Office on 023 8067 1771 or visit nstheatres.co.uk
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Book Today Call 07789 882467 Booking deadline 1 December
Christmas Come and enjoy Exbury’s winter delight Two fabulous festive weekends in December
Saturday 16th to Sunday 31st December Tickets: £11 / £9 concessions 023 8065 2333 www.theberrytheatre.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk
9th/10th, & 16th/17th December For more information please visit
www.exbury.co.uk Don’t miss out, come and join us! Families Hampshire West 17
Enjoy a magical Christmas at Tudor House & Garden Enjoy a heart-warming Christmas at Tudor House, SeaCity, and the Southampton City Art Gallery. There are lots of festive family activities to get involved in and make those special memories.
Exbury’s Christmas Postal Express Come to Exbury Gardens on the 9th/10th and 16th/17th December and visit specially selected areas of the gardens free of charge and delight in all the festive treats on offer! Yard Wood will be open from 10am – 4pm for everyone to enjoy and keep your eyes open as you might even bump into Father Christmas.
Christmas at Tudor House on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December from 10am-5pm - take a step back in time. Deck the halls with boughs of holly and ivy for some festive fun! Meet some of our costumed characters, book a slot to meet Father Christmas and make dun holiday crafts to take away. Small charges apply for activities. Visit Father Christmas between 10.15am-4.45pm, £7 per child and must be pre-booked. Father Christmas is scheduled to fly in for this weekend only to Tudor House & Garden. Meet with the man himself to receive a special Christmas gift and a souvenir photo. Book early to avoid disappointment for this popular activity call 023 8083 4536. Find out more at www.discoversouthampton.co.uk
Christmas at The Berry Theatre
There will also be special ‘Postal Express’ trains running from 10.45am – 3pm where children will be able to post a picture they’ve drawn for Father Christmas in a special mailbox before hopping aboard the train. At the end of each day, Father Christmas will then look at all the pictures and choose three winners who will each receive a special present. The charge for the train ride £6 and includes entry into the gardens.
This Christmas Pickled Image – one of the country’s leading family theatre company’s present Santa’s Little Trolls at The Berry Theatre, 14 - 31 December.
During the ‘Postal Express’ journey, visitors will see beautiful sights as they head through the woodland and favourite Christmas characters. Christmas music will be playing and passengers can sing along to seasonal favourites.
Formed in 2000, Pickled Image has been making puppet-led theatre for children and their families for seventeen years. With numerous awards under their belt for creating witty, visuallyengaging productions, Pickled Image present this magical Christmas extravaganza for the whole family this December.
Santa’s Little Trolls follows Jeremy. Jeremy really, really loves Christmas. All he wants is for each Christmas to be perfect; mince pies, stockings, mistletoe and especially, (and this is the icing on the Christmas cake)… lots and lots of snow!
The Tea Rooms will also be getting in the festive spirit with an ‘Elf Workshop’ for children to make Christmas crafts and seasonal delights will be on the menu with mulled wine, mince pies and hot turkey rolls. For more information visit www.exbury.co.uk
For more information and to book visit: www.theberrytheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 023 8065 2333.
WIN a family ticket to see the Santa’s Little Trolls at the Berry Theatre We have 3 family tickets to giveaway to see the show at 7pm on 16 December. To be in with a chance of winning, go to our website www.familiesonline.co.uk/local/south-west-hampshire/ competitions. Enties close on 10 Decemebr. T&C’s apply.
Christmas Eve Party 24th December 11.30am - 2pm & 3pm - 5.30pm £16.50 per child
Santas Grotto
Art ‘n’ craft
Scotty the Clown
Hunt the chocolate Santa
Fancy Dress
Biscuit Decorating
Party Bags
Christmas Pinata
Crazy Tattoos
Adult pamper area
To book a place please Call 023 8063 8120 www.junglejeans.co.uk 18 Families Hampshire West
WIN
Real Christmas trees From the 1 - 17 December, there’s a range of fantastic Christmas Trees to buy at Queen Elizabeth Country Park including; Norway Spruce, Nordmann fir, Lodgepole pine and Pot grown spruce and fir. We only sell trees that are grown in the UK. And when you buy one, you’ll get a free Christmas tree sapling so you can grow your own real Christmas tree for the future. Open 10am – 4.30pm. There’s also a magical Christmas experience, with craft making, tractor rides and a trail, meet Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a gift. Activites cost extra and must be pre-booked. For more information and to book visit forestry.gov.uk/ queenelizabethcountrypark familiesonline.co.uk
Throughout December follow our Christmas trail, make a wish on the wishing tree, visit our Winter Woodland in the barn and find our mischievous elf hiding around the farm. Little Elves Workshops Enjoy a festive story from our head Elf and take part in a Christmas craft activity. Tickets available on: 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 18th & 20th Dec ÂŁ5 per child + 1 free accompanying adult (adult admission applies if visiting the farm)
Book now at www.hants.gov.uk/shop
www.hants.gov.uk/manorfarm www.hants.gov.uk
Santa and the Elves
Christmas Experience e
scienc
1 - 23 December A magical Christmas experience with science! (and Santa). Tickets include the Santa experience, Christmas planetarium show and elf trail. winchestersciencecentre.org familiesonline.co.uk
01962 863 791 Families Hampshire West 19
Your guide to family events this November & December. Don’t forget to check with the venue before setting off just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print. 3 November show consists of a range of Firework Spectacular demonstrations, readings The Ageas Bowl from the latest books Southampton, SO30 and quizzes. Ideal for 3XH children aged 6-14 and The ever-popular their parents, but all annual Fireworks ages welcome. Party is back familiesonline.co.uk and is shaping 5 & 26 November up to be bigger Seasonal Baking and better than Demonstrations ever before, with a music Winchester City Mill soundtrack accompanying an Winchester, SO23 9BH expansive 20 minute firework Visit Winchester City Mill to see display. Gates open at 6pm, show how seasonal ingredients can be commences at 7:30pm. combined with our stoneground wholemeal flour to produce 4 November delicious bread, cakes, biscuits Winchester Bonfire & Fireworks and much more. 11am and 3pm. Broadway & Recreation Ground Winchester, SO23 7DD 5 November The Bonfire, Fireworks Sunday craft club spectacular and procession is a Winchester Discovery Centre sight to behold as over 20,000 Winchester, SO23 8SB gather to celebrate the failed plot Come along and enjoy craft of Guy Fawkes. Tickets from £3. making on Sundays. Age 2+. 6pm. 12.30pm - 2pm. Runs every week.
MORE
ONLINE
4 November Leaf The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ Join us as we tell the life story of a very special leaf in this warm, intimate and playful new piece for under 3s inspired by nature and the seasons. Framed within an evocative soundscape, this is the perfect introduction to theatre for the very young. At the end of the performance, children are invited onto the stage to play among the leaves and explore a landscape created by the changing seasons. 10am, 11.30am & 1pm, adults £8, children £6. 4 & 5 November The Big Sleep Weekend Bursledon Windmill Bursledon, SO31 8BG It’s time for the animals to hibernate for winter, come along this weekend to help us put the animals to bed. There will be animal specimens on display and fun craft activities and trails to follow. There will be a small charge for the craft activities. 4 & 5 November Horrible Science with Nick Arnold Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ A feast of science gruesomeness not to be missed! Nick Arnold celebrates the best bits of the multi-award winning Horrible Science series. Each 45 minute 20 Families Hampshire West
5 November Romsey Farmer’s Market Alma Road Car Park Romsey, SO51 8ED 10am – 2pm 7 & 8 November Shakespeare Schools Festival Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Join us for a series of unique Shakespeare productions staged by your schools. See Shakespeare’s stories brought to life like never before. 7pm. 10 November The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde The Berry Theatre Southampton, SO30 4EJ 7.30pm, tickets from £10 (suitable from 11 years+).
can learn other languages through songs, nursery rhymes, games and stories. We will be rotating French, German and Spanish during the year. 10am – 10.45am 11 November Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (U) The Berry Theatre Southampton, SO30 4EJ Running time: 1 hour 31 minutes. 2pm, tickets from £5. 11 November Penguin Nuffield Southampton Theatres Southampton, SO17 1TR Penguin is exciting, surreal and full of surprises. While the lively songs by Tom Gray will have everyone joining in! It’s a spectacular theatre experience for all ages, 11am & 2pm. Tickets £6. 12 November Winchester Farmer’s Market The High Street Winchester, SO23 9BL 9am – 2pm
11 November Beauty and the Beast (PG) Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ Experience family-friendly film screenings in the unusual setting of the planetarium. 5.20pm. £5 per person, per screening. 10% discount for annual members.
13 November Owlets Fungi Fun! New Forest Treehouse Study Centre Beaulieu SO42 7YL Owlets Club for 0 - 2 years. Activities for Parents and Babies - a morning of fun and adventure! Come along and enjoy a pleasant walk through the woods in the search for interesting species of fungi. This walk is not buggy friendly, bring carriers/slings. 1011.30 am. Tickets from £4.
11 November Fun with Languages at Eastleigh Library Swan Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5SF A free fortnightly club where young children (from babies to age 5) and their parents/carers
13 November International Baby Bounce Eastleigh Library Eastleigh, SO50 5SF Join us for a mixture of songs and nursery rhymes in English and other languages at International Babybounce. 10.30-11am.
13 November Chandler’s Ford - Mini Chatterbooks Chandler’s Ford Library Chandler’s Ford, SO53 2LH Listen to and talk about books, play games and do activities! For ages 4-6. 4pm-4.40pm 17 November Desire Jewellery & Craft Fair Guildhall Winchester Winchester, SO23 9GH A mixed discipline craft and design Fair will be held alongside the Winchester Desire Fair, giving visitors 2 shows for the price of one – one ticket will give you admission to both shows! Entry £4.50. 18 November Christmas Fun Day Swan Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5PB Join us as we kick off Christmas at the Swan Centre. Take part in our free Christmas Character Trail and meet Santa, free face painting. 18 November Santa’s Grotto Eastleigh Museum Eastleigh, SO50 5LF As part of the Christmas in Eastleigh Event in Eastleigh Town Centre, with lots of stalls and attractions, Santa will be in his grotto at Eastleigh Museum. £2 per child. 18 November Hillier Gardens: Archaeology Romans Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Join us at our purpose built trench in the woods to get muddy and find hidden treasures from ages past. Suitable for ages 4-12 years. £12 per session (for 1 child and 1 adult) Booking is essential. 10am 12.30pm or 1.30pm- 4pm. familiesonline.co.uk
The perfect family treat this Christmas Nuffield Southampton Theatres in association with Kenny Wax, William Archer and Novel Theatre present a Rose Theatre Kingston Production
All the Colours of Christmas at Mottisfont Saturday 25 November – 2 January, 10am - 4pm (excluding 24 and 25 December): discover winter surprises on our interactive family trail, and explore a house full of festive sparkle.
21 Nov 7 Jan 2018
NOMINEE
Book now: 023 8067 1771 nstheatres.co.uk
#nationaltrust
Call 01794 340757 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfontchristmas
© National Trust 2017. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust Images\Oscar Proctor.
Family New Years Eve See in 2017 with the whole family at our Family New Years Eve event. The evening starts with a children’s buffet followed by entertainment with Professor Potty. Whilst the children are being entertained, the adults can enjoy their hot fork buffet. At 9pm everyone joins together for a family disco with our resident until 12.30am. Why not make a night of it and stay overnight from just £85 per room.
at the
Join us for a day of FREE festive fun! Friday 18th November
Tickets include children’s entertainer, fork buffet and family disco.
11am-4pm Join us as we launch Christmas at the Swan Centre. Visit our Christmas Characters around the Centre, collecting festive stamps as you go, finishing with a visit to see Father Christmas in the gallery above Costa.
Visit www.hiwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 670700
• Christmas Character Trail • Santa’s Grotto • Face Painting The children’s entertainments are not supervised playschemes and parents are requested to stay with their children and join in the fun.
WINCHESTER familiesonline.co.uk
the swan centre eastleigh
@swaneastleigh
Families Hampshire West 22
18 November – 23 December Christmas at Paultons Paultons Park Romsey, SO51 6AL Meet Santa in his magical Grotto, experience Peppa Pig World in a festive setting and enjoy selected rides and attractions. Tickets from £5.50 (under 12 months), £20.75 (12 – 36 months), £26 (3-13 years) and adults £26.
21 November Hetty Feather Nuffield Southampton Theatres Southampton, SO17 1TR With beautiful storytelling, spectacular circus skills, original songs and live music, this critically acclaimed five-star production offers the perfect treat for the whole family. Suitable from ages 7+. Tickets from £10.
18 & 19 November What is the sky made of? The Berry Theatre Southampton, SO30 4EJ Questions, questions, questions. The children always have something to ask and adults never quite understand. The Berry Youth Theatre’s 8-11 year olds present a piece of new writing inspired by the questions children ask, the answers we give them and the truth that exists in between. Saturday 1pm & 6pm, Sunday 11am, tickets from £7.
23 – 25 November Beauty and the Beast The Berry Theatre Southampton, SO30 4EJ Why not join us for a fun filled couple of hours of great songs, dances, plenty of comedy, colourful costumes and lots of audience participation? Thursday, Friday & Saturday 7.30pm. Saturday matinee 2.30pm. Tickets from £10
18 & 19 November Live Science Show: The Science of Light with BBC presenter Jon Chase Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ Jon Chase has a background in aerospace engineering but has followed his passion as a professional science communicator. His unique style is entertaining, engaging and memorable. Jon is the perfect presenter to build your child’s understanding of core scientific principles. Ages 7+. 18 November – 24 December Christmas at Marwell Marwell Wildlife Winchester, SO21 1JH Begin your enchanted experience in our magical winter forest and enjoy some festive refreshments. Be charmed by Mother Christmas as she reads The Nutcracker in the fairy glen. Create your own Christmas Eve plate in the elves workshop and meet Father Christmas and receive a wonderful gift before posing for a family photo. Your experience will last around 60-80 minutes. 19 November The Emperor’s New Clothes Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Recommended Age: 3+. 2pm & 4pm. 20 November – 22 December Winchester Christmas Market Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS See page 17 for details. 20 November – 7 January Christmas Ice Rink Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS See page 17 for details.
22 Families Hampshire West
24 November Christmas In Lymington High Street Lymington, SO41 9AA This free family event is bursting with festive fun! The beautiful Christmas Market will be brimming with delicious food, festive fare and gifts for all ages. There will also be a giant Snow Globe whereby families and individuals have the chance to step inside and pose for pictures in their own winter wonderland photo booth. The Mayor will be switching on the Christmas lights, carols will be sung outside St Thomas Church and Santa will be making an appearance on his Sleigh. Free car parking in all NFDC car parks in Lymington for the whole day! Free entry. 4- 8pm 25 November Droxford Christmas Market The Village Hall Droxford, SO32 3PA The popular annual Christmas Market in Droxford Village Hall has a range of different craft stalls, home-made soup, mince pies and refreshments are available throughout the day.10.30am – 3pm. Free entry 25 November – 6 January Community Christmas Trees Eastleigh Museum Eastleigh, SO50 5LF Come and see a wonderful display of Christmas trees that have been designed and decorated by local community groups and charities. Free event - donations welcome 25 November – 2 January All the Colours of Christmas Mottisfont near Romsey, SO51 0LP See page 17 for details. 25 & 26 November Night Sky Live! Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ Activities include real-time
exploration of the night sky, live planetarium shows and fun and interactive family shows on the science of the night sky. Admission: £12 adults, £8.40 children. Additional charges apply for the planetarium and live science show. 26 November An Edwardian Worker’s Christmas Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum Swanwick, SO31 7GW Lots of really lovely activities with an Edwardian theme. Christmas market upstairs, live music and, of course, a visit from Father Christmas (not included in the entry price). 11am – 4pm. 29 November – 2 December English National Ballet Nutcracker Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE Recommended for ages 5+. No under 2s. Tickets from £11.50 30 November Lantern Parade Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS The lantern parade is a highlight of the Christmas events calendar. The event will include community carols led by Churches Together Winchester and conclude with an impressive firework display. 6pm – 8pm. 1 - 23 December Santa and the Elves Christmas (Science) Experience Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ A special portal has been discovered at Winchester Science Centre which leads directly to the North Pole. Santa’s elves invite children and their families to visit the Elf Invention Studio to see the Master Elf experimenting with the colours of Christmas (with plenty of science, whizzes and bangs) and meet Santa at his home and take part in a science-themed toymaking workshop. 1 - 23 December Reindeer Round-up in Space Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ Santa’s elves have been left in charge of the reindeer but they’ve gone missing. This live, elf-led planetarium show, includes plenty of audience participation and a flight through the Solar System to search of the seven, sleigh-pulling reindeer, which will ultimately help Santa deliver gifts across the world on Christmas Eve. 2 December – 3 January Christmas Trail Itchen Valley Country Park Southampton SO30 3HQ Take part in our Christmas Trail find the answers to the clues then come back to the Visitor Centre for your prize! £2 per trail pack
2 – 23 December Longdown Farm Christmas Barn Longdown Activity Farm Ashurst, SO40 7EH Christmas Barn with its traditional theme and real live animals. 10.30am – 4pm. 2 December Elf (PG) at the Planetarium Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ £5 per person, per screening. 10% discount for annual members. 2 December Santa’s Grotto at The Mill Bursledon Windmill Windmill Lane, SO31 8BG The site will be decorated for the festive season, Santa will be in his grotto with presents for the children and plenty of other Christmas activities to enjoy. Grotto visit £3 per child including gift, open 11-12:30 and 1-2:30. 2 December The Jungle Bunch The Berry Theatre Southampton, SO30 4EJ 2pm, tickets from £5 2 Decmeber Winchester Christmas Book Fair Winchester Discovery Centre Winchester, SO23 8SB Antiquarian, second hand and vintage books to suit all budgets and interests. 10am – 4pm. Free admission 2 December Crafty Women at Christmas Winchester Guildhall Winchester, SO23 9GH Handmade Arts and Craft faircelebrating the finest creations by local artists and designer makers.10am - 4pm. Free entry 2 December Granny Turismo Swan Shopping Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5PB www.swanshopping.co.uk Meet the first and only shopping trolley dance team! When Doris, Mary or Marge arrive on their souped up trolleys with their pumping tunes, everyone takes notice. 11am-3pm 2 December Bert and Gert’s art and craft markets Wells Place Eastleigh, SO50 5PP Bert & Gert’s Arts and Crafts market will be situated in Wells Place with a range of stalls including silver and beaded jewellery, fairy doors and trinkets, hand-made teddy bears, wooden turned items, cards, hand-made soap, pet-related items and homemade bags, aprons and other sewn items. 9am – 4pm 2 December Christmas Family Forest School Itchen Valley Country Park Southampton SO30 3HQ A woodland session for children familiesonline.co.uk
aged 5 - 10 years These sessions encourage families to be more independent in their choices and ideas but do involve more tools as well! 10am - 12pm. £15 per child aged 5 - 10 years (parents and younger siblings free). Booking is essential
9 December Christmas Craft Fair Winchester Discovery Centre Winchester, SO23 8SB Local craft makers selling a range of crafts, for example, cards and gifts, decorations, jewellery and artwork. Free entry.
2 December – 3 January Festive Fun at the Farm Manor Farm and Country Park Bursledon, SO31 1BH Join us at the farm throughout December for a host of Christmas activities. Normal Farm Admission Charges apply.
9 December Mad Dom Swan Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5PB Join us as we welcome Mad Dom to the Centre. He’ll wow you with his close up magic, and fascinate you with his stilt walking and balloon modelling. 11am - 3pm.
3 December Elf (PG) at the Planetarium Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ 5.20pm. £5 per person, per screening. 3 & 24 December Romsey Farmer’s Market Alma Road Car Park (opposite Waitrose), Romsey, SO51 8ED 10am – 2pm 3 December The Magic of Christmas The Berry Theatre Southampton, SO30 4EJ ‘Tis the season to be jolly’ and that is certainly how you will feel at The Bodyrox Productions Christmas Special: a veritable festive treat for all the family! 5pm, tickets from £8. 4 – 20 December Little Elves Workshops Manor Farm and Country Park Bursledon, SO31 1BH A fun and festive workshop especially for our younger visitors. Join our Head Elf for a story, crafts and fun around the farm. Suitable for ages 5 and under. £5 per child + 1 free accompanying adult. Booking essential. 10.30am. 5 – 9 December Slava’s Snowshow Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE A wonder of a show that is equally enjoyed by adults and families alike, Slava’s Snowshow has entertained audiences in over 80 counties receiving universal worldwide acclaim. 5 December – 1 January Peter Pan Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Join Peter Pan and The Lost Boys on this swashbuckling adventure of fairy dust, pirates and a ticking crocodile. 8 – 11 December Alien’s Crazy Christmas Royal Victoria Country Park Southampton, SO31 5DQ Dress up as an alien and join Zobble on his home planet of Blip as he tries to organise Blip’s first ever Christmas (just like they have on Earth). Will he succeed? Children £10, adults £5. familiesonline.co.uk
9 & 10 December Christmas at Tudor House Tudor House and Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Take a step back in time at Tudor House this Christmas. Deck the halls with boughs of holly and ivy for some festive fun! Meet some of our costumed characters, book a slot to meet Father Christmas and make fun holiday crafts to take away. Free but small charges apply for activities. 10am – 5pm 9 & 10 December Christmas Postal Express Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway Exbury, SO45 1AZ See page 18 for full details. 9 & 10 December Visit Father Christmas Tudor House and Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Ho ho ho! Father Christmas is scheduled to fly in for this weekend only to Tudor House and Garden. Meet with the man himself to receive a special Christmas gift and a souvenir photo for a truly magical experience. 10.15am – 4.45pm. £7. 10 & 16 December Seasonal Baking Demonstrations Winchester City Mill Winchester, SO23 9BH 10 December Dine with Santa Swan Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5PB Santa will be making a special trip to the Swan Centre, when children can come and join him for our ‘Dine with Santa’ experience. Booking is essential. 10 December Frozen Sing – Along (PG) Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium Winchester, SO21 1HZ 9am - £5 per person. 11 – 14 December Woodland Christmas Parties Itchen Valley Country Park Southampton SO30 3HQ Festive crafts, games, campfire singing and cooking with a small gift at the end. £7 per child. Booking essential. 2-5 years. 10.30am - 12 noon.
14 – 31 December Pickled Image presents Santa’s Little Trolls The Berry Theatre Southampton, SO30 4EJ With silliness, laughter, stunning puppets (and maybe a humbug or two), Pickled Image present a magical Christmas extravaganza for all the family! 15 – 18 December Alien’s Crazy Christmas Royal Victoria Country Park Southampton, SO31 5DQ Various days and times. Children £10, adults £5. 15 December – 7 January Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery. Tickets from £12 16 – 24 December Lily Little and the Snow Bear Winchester Discovery Centre Winchester, SO23 8SB Little people aged 3 + will love this beautiful new show, but their grownups will have lots of fun too! 16 – 31 December Christmas Quiz Winchester City Museum Winchester, SO23 9ES See if you can spot the reindeer hidden around the museum. Free quiz for all the family with tasty prizes for successful festive sleuths! 16 December Christmas Lantern Tour Tudor House and Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Step back in time with Dr Andy Russel by exploring the sights, smells and tastes of historic Southampton. Meet outside Tudor House in St Michael’s Square. This tour is not accessible for people with mobility issues. Bring torches. 7pm – 8.45pm. £8. 16 December Gliding Angels Swan Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5PB To help you get in the Christmas Spirit, we welcome the Gliding Angels back to the Centre between 11-3pm. 16 & 17 December Christmas Postal Express Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway Exbury, SO45 1AZ 16 December – 1 January Victorian Christmas Beaulieu New Forest, SO42 7ZN Travel back in time and visit the Victorian Montagu family home. Follow the dazzling fairy lit pathway to Palace House to see preparations for a traditional
Victorian Christmas in action. Other activities include a trail, carol singing and more. The Christmas activities are free but normal admission charges apply. 11am – 5pm. 17 December Vintage & Makers ‘It’s Christmas’ Fair Guildhall Winchester Winchester, SO23 9GH £2 adults, Children under 12 free. 11am – 4pm 18 December Santa’s Christmas Wish Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Santa’s Christmas Wish is a festive song-filled and interactive family show. Tickets £11, family of Four £42 (at least 1 adult and 1 child). 1pm & 4pm. 21 December Toddler Time – Frosty the Snowman SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Join us for an exciting story, be mini-explorers around the museum and experiment with wintery inspired crafts.10.30am11.30pm or 1-2pm. £4 (Booking essential). 21 – 23 December Father Christmas The Great Hall Winchester, SO23 8UJ Meet Father Christmas, receive a festive gift, enjoy a delicious hot chocolate and take part in Christmas themed craft activities. Tickets are limited for this prebooked event. £10 per child to visit Father Christmas. 22, 27, 28 & 29 December Christmas Holiday Special Session The Race Centre Eastleigh, SO53 2GB £12 children for 1 hours track race. 23 December Rocking Robins Tudor House and Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Use festive papers to create a colourful wooden bird photo frame, then print a photo to take home. Suitable for children 4 years+. 10am – 3.30pm. £5. 23 December Christmas Penguins Swan Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5PB Meet Christmas Penguins as they take some time out from South Pole to meet the children of Eastleigh between 11am-3pm. 23 December Family Service Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, SO23 9LS Children are encouraged to dress as characters from the Christmas story. Prayer and collection for the Children’s Society. 11am & 3pm.
Families Hampshire West 23
Families Hampshire West
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