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“Families® SW” – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London. Find us online: NEW WEBSITE FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

JULY/AUGUST 2014

Contents 04-07

News & info • • • •

Local news Clubs and activities news Products School news

Noticeboard

04-07

Competitions, special offers and more

Sports listings Tennis, Trampolining, Volleyball, Watersports and Yoga

All content ©Families 2014 www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Editorial: editor@familiesmagazine.co.uk News: news@familiesmagazine.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on info: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

Absent dads memory bank

Parenting Mindfulness: the secret to happy parenting

Writing competition!!

Next issue: September 2014. Deadline: 1st July •“Families® South West” heads a group of magazines. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. There are around 40 UK local editions with a print run of more than 700,000 copies in all, in which you can advertise too. Oh, and we have a very useful website… familiesonline.co.uk

16-17

Muddling through the house move

18-27

Summer feature

• MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website or call us.

• Tips for long car journeys • An active life leads to a healthy life • HUGE SUMMER HOLIDAY Listings • Time to unplug and reconnect with your family

• Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Pewsey, Wiltshire. • Designed by Shirley Trimmer • We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. • Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources — meaning trees which are felled are continuously replaced. Inks are soya-based, which can be re-cycled.

Find us on Facebook & Twitter FamiliesSW

July/August 2014

31-39

16-17

What’s On • • • •

Theatre Museums & Galleries Days out Diary dates and events 31-39

new website familiessouthwest.co.uk

News

Compiled by Joanna Parry

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk fresh new look (see above)

Do Like us/Follow us we are on Facebook and Twitter! Facebook.com/FamiliesSW and Twitter.com/FamiliesSW

We are delighted to announce Families Online is now much easier to use than ever. Our fresh rebranding expresses our aim to cover all things 'families', as well as offering 'endless ideas for families'. You can set the website to show only information local to you. See top left on this page? Simply enter your postcode once and the site will remember you after that, no need to log in. Use our interactive WhatsOn calendar to search for things to do locally (or elsewhere you are going to in the UK); our Directories are filled with clubs & classes, schools & nurseries, indoor play centres, party entertainers, local toy shops as well as a very comprehensive list of playgroups. Our site has a huge amount of content of interest: everything is free for you and to make your parenting life easier!

Spot the birds… Get help with the children this summer The summer holidays are here but as all parents know, holidays with children don’t always give you the break you deserve! This year, why not try taking a holiday nanny along with you so that you can make the most of your time away? Holiday nannies can be booked for as short or as long as you need, be it a few weeks abroad or just a weekend away in the UK. The nanny can accompany you on your holiday, help with the travelling, keep the kids entertained by the pool, organise fun activities or just be an extra pair of hands, making sure you have special time with your children but also time to yourself. Like Minders can organise interviews with potential nannies to ensure you find the perfect person. 0844 879 7189 www.likeminders.co.uk

NEW Perform in Putney, Clapham South / Balham Perform Plus is a drama, dance and singing class designed for 8- 12 year olds. The new Putney Branch launches in September 2014 so book your place now! The class will explore fun Drama and Singing techniques. They will offer a professional style rehearsal and will work towards a performance. Every Thursday during term time, 4pm - 5.30pm. New Perform branch also in Clapham South/Balham for 4-8yrs. To take advantage of a special reader offer please call 0845 400 4000 or to book your child's Free trial lesson. And if your child would like to continue then you can claim a special £40 discount on your child's first ten sessions quote FAMI101014 (Putney). FAMI011114 (Clapham South / Balham)

…at Angry Birds Land, flying into Thorpe Park Resort this summer! Spot 7 life-sized Angry Birds nesting around the new land, dive 100ft on Detonator: Bombs Away, and go beak to snout with Red and the gang on King Pig’s Wild Hog Dodgems. Perfect for families and fans of the feathered flock, it’s the world’s first experience of the Angry Birds up close and personal. Don’t miss the fabulous Angry Birds 4D Experience and be part of the action as rumbling chairs catapult you through a fast-paced adventure with timed air gusts, water jets, leg ticklers, flashing lights, bubbles and smoke blasts! Or join the birds and sleep over with a night at the Thorpe Shark Hotel, new for summer 2014 and just steps away from all the fun. Thorpepark.com

Imperial War museum is back! This July sees the long-awaited re-opening of the Imperial War Museum. The new First World War Galleries, which include never seen before objects and a recreated trench, will open on 19 July to mark the Centenary of the First World War. Discover the story of war - how it started, why it continued and its global impact, through the lives of those who experienced it at the time on both the front line and the home front. Drawing on IWM’s First World War collections, over 1,300 objects including weapons, uniforms, diaries, letters and souvenirs, will be on display alongside photographs, art and film – many of which have never been seen before. The museum will also have three new shops and a café by Peyton and Byrne. We can’t wait! www.iwm.org.uk

New nursery comes to Streatham Dewdrops Play Scheme and Nursery is a vibrant new environment for children aged 3 months - 5 years, opening in Streatham this summer. The nursery is Ofsted registered for 20 children and offers both full and part-time packages, plus Saturday flexible care 9am-4pm. Situated conveniently just behind Nandos on Streatham High Road, it aims to give little ones the opportunity to play and fun as well as learn and develop new skills. Call 020 8769 8967 or 0785 279 7990 to arrange a visit.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

new website familiessouthwest.co.uk

Killer bags still threaten the environment A shocking 10 billion single-use bags will be given out over the next 15 months before the government implements its new bag charge legislation in October 2015. With the average person using 133 bags per year, the Break The Bag Habit coalition are launching a new website to encourage supporters to pledge to stop using single-use bags, in an effort to offset the environmental impacts. The website is supported by internationally acclaimed photographer Martin Brent with a series of stunning yet shocking images entitled ‘Killer Bags.’ These images feature plastic bags Martin was confronted with whilst diving, and make some difficult viewing. Make your pledge and re-use your bags! www.breakthebaghabit.org.uk

New Children and Families Act A landmark Act comes into law this summer giving greater protection to vulnerable children, better support for children whose parents are separating and help for parents to balance work and family life. It will also help children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities, while ensuring vital changes to the adoption system meaning more children who need loving homes are placed faster. The Act will also make it easier for families to access more flexible childcare, while making amendments to the law to protect children in cars from the dangers of second-hand smoke, and giving parents new options to share parental leave following the birth of a baby. Possibly the most interesting change is that from this June every employee across the country will be granted the right to request flexible working hours, with a duty on employers to consider requests in a ‘reasonable’ manner. ‘Current workplace arrangements have not kept up with the times,’ said Jenny Willott, Employment Relations Minister. ‘By enabling any employee to request to work flexibly, we want to remove any cultural assumption that flexible working is only for women, or just for parents and carers. The new system is good for business as it will create a more motivated and flexible, talented workforce. Employers will be able to attract and retain women – from the boardroom to the shop floor and prevent them from dropping out of the world of work once they start a family.’

World Breastfeeding Week This year’s World Breastfeeding Week takes place 1-7 August with the theme Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal For Life. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding is a vital, life-saving goal of World Breastfeeding Week, with breastfeeding a key intervention for improving child survival in the world, potentially saving about 20% of children under five across the globe. They need your help, so please get involved by organising activities or pledging your time or money at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org Organise a baby shower or help raise awareness in your community, or you can even enter the World Breastfeeding Week 2014 Photo Contest?

July/August 2014

South London Book Festival 2014 Tickets are selling fast already for STREAM, South London’s Book festival. Children (and parents) will enjoy meeting Malorie Blackman Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child, Chris Riddell, The Wimpy Kid Show, Nicholas Allan, Holly Smale and many more (mostly free) events, including talks, Q&As, workshops, book signings and competitions. Saturday, 8 November held at Streatham High School. Malorie Blackman www.STREAM.co.uk for details and booking.

I’Mfit – Fitness weekends and retreats A workout for the body, mind and soul Tracy and Tom are fabulous teachers, with experience in yoga, fitness and nutrition. They create classes aimed at supporting you meet your fitness and weight loss goals. They offer affordable weekends in the UK and Summers retreats in Italy with the aim of inspiring clients to embrace what might be beyond the fear that is stopping them exploring real change. Tracy says: “Our support will allow you to bring about transformation in all areas of your life from weight loss to creating a healthy life style plan. This is not a quick fix, this is about learning new skills to incorporate a healthy way of living into your life for ever. “ www.imfit.co.uk Inclusion in these pages is always FREE: send to news@familiesmagazine.co.uk

new website familiessouthwest.co.uk

Clubs & activities news Funky Monkey swings into Battersea Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes are swinging into the Ethelburga Community Centre, 60 Worfield Street, Battersea SW11 4RA after the summer holidays. These fun packed, educational classes are carefully designed for young beginners between 4-8 years and encourage not only keyboard skills but how to read and write music too. To celebrate the new centre Funky Monkey are offering free trial sessions on Saturday 13 September. Call 0800 107 7949 or visit www.funkymonkey.info to book your slot.

Rugby for the teeny ones Get creative Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned printmaker, if you are interested in the traditional arts of printmaking and bookbinding then Lavender Print School is for you. A stunning new print studio in SW London, it runs weekday and weekend workshops open to everyone artistic experience is not a necessity! Create beautiful prints for your home, as gifts or even to sell. In their family printing workshops all ages can learn together, plus they run fantastic classes for children in an art form they are unlikely to encounter at school. A creative and unusual day out for all! Families Magazine readers receive a 25% discount on all workshops. Call 07580 597 342 or 020 7223 6767, email studio@lavenderprintschool.com. Lavender Print School, Unit 140a Battersea Business Centre, 99109 Lavender Hill SW11 5QL www.lavenderprintschool.com

Does your little one show signs of becoming a future Jonny Wilkinson? If so, why not sign them up for Rugbytots. The first UK rugby specific play programme for children aged 2-7, Rugbytots combines the multiple skills used in rugby with a fun, enthusiastic and energetic programme designed to enhance your child's social and physical skills. Due to huge demand they are opening new classes across SW London this summer, including Fulham, Chelsea, Pimlico and Richmond. They can also throw a great birthday party! Contact Lorna on 0845 481 6444 or email lorna@rugbytots.co.uk. www.rugbytots.co.uk

Bake real bread Learn how to bake real bread in a small and friendly class in Fulham. Have fun baking loaves, rolls, focaccia and soda bread while learning about ingredients, how easily you can fit bread into your life and why homemade bread is good for you. Take your freshly baked bread home with you as well as the recipes, so you can bake your own at home. The lesson includes afternoon or morning tea with more delicious home baked treats. Great for families, or as a gift, or just for yourself. Check out award winning baker Ma Baker on www.mabakerbakes.com or email abakerbakes@gmail.com

Products Good night, sleep tight Yummy Mummyâ€™s favourite Pink Lining launches gorgeous must-have nursery bedding this summer. Their first ever range of bedding comprises cot quilts, moses baskets, sheets, sleeping bags, cuddle robes, comforters and wall stickers in two new prints. Hop, Skip and Jump to Bed features bunny rabbits, owls, toadstools and butterflies, while One Starry Night bursts with dragons, clouds and stars. We love them! Available from the end of July through www.pink lining.com/uk

Have you sorted your labels? Labels4Kids offers a wide range of name labels, so whatever you need to be able to identify, they've got a solution. Choose from iron on labels, sew in labels, sticky labels, click on labels, and dishwasher and microwave-proof labels for water bottles or lunch boxes. Labels4Kids offers such a large, tried and tested amount of labels that there really is something for everyone. Labels4Kids continues the expansion and modernisation of their website to make the ordering process faster and smoother. Not only can you design your vinyl order onscreen now, but postage is free for orders of ÂŁ20 or more, and they have a 100% moneyback guarantee if you have any problems with your labels. Labels4Kids apologise for any ordering problems you may have encountered last year during the website move which took longer than expected but is now completed. Remember to get your orders in early at the start of summer to guarantee a quick turnaround in time for school. www.labels4kids.com/fam

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

new website familiessouthwest.co.uk

Lalaloopsy™ craze continues!

Adorable gifts for the summer

Adorable new characters are joining the Lalaloopsy™large doll range this summer, including Mari Golden Petals, Cherry Crisp Crust, Yuki Kimono and Smile E. Wishes. Lalaloopsy™ dolls, as everyone knows, magically come to life when their very last stitch is sewn. They live in a fantastical world full of silly surprises and each character is ‘sewn on’ a special date to reflect their personality. Also tumbling into the range are four new Lalaloopsy™ Littles characters, the younger siblings of the original dolls, who come with a cute pet just like their big sisters. From £14.99, available from all good toy retailers. www.lalaloopsy.com

For a gorgeous, unique gift this summer take a look at the new Forest Friends collection by Gisela Graham. Divine lunch bags, bookends, clocks and peg rails feature the Forest Friends of foxes, owls and badgers in a range of designs. From £13.99. www.giselagraham.co.uk

School news Merton Drawing competition winners announced Local estate agents Ellisons are pleased to announce the winners of the ‘Our Merton’ school art competition 2014: they are Lois Johnston, age 7 from Priory School (Primary School) and Laura Alfe, age 12 from The Ursuline Convent (High School). Each school received a prize fund of £4,000 and the pupils took home an iPad mini for their incredible efforts. All the runners up received a certificate for their achievement and a round of applause from the large crowd in attendance. The winners were presented with their prizes by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Krystal Miller. Congratulations to all, we were very impressed by the works of art, keep drawing!

New Putney primary The former Putney Hospital is confirmed as the site for a new primary school in Putney, to help meet the growing demand for primary school places. Putney Hospital has been vacant since 1998 but will now be home to 24 flats at the northern end of the site (the proceeds of which will help pay for the school), plus the new school, which will be an academy or free school. If planning permission is granted it will provide 420 primary places from September 2015 for children living in the west of the borough. The proposed school is a two-storey building with external play space, plus the roof would be used as a multi-use games area. Find out more at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/betterschoolsmorechoice

First and foremost a school should be fun!

The fastest swimmers in the land! Great news for Garden House School who are now officially the fastest girl swimmers in the country! Their Girls’ Under 10s swimming team won the top trophy for their age group in the IAPS National Swimming Finals this summer, a prestigious national competition. On top of this, team member Clara von Opel won gold in the individual butterfly final, breaking the current record. An excellent result all round! Garden House School, Turks Row SW3, www.gardenhouseschool.co.uk

July/August 2014

There are lots of exciting things happening this year at Paint Pots Montessori Schools and Creative Classes. In September they are opening a new Montessori Nursery School at St Mary The Boltons Church, SW10 9TB and the long established Paint Pots Bayswater will relocate to St Stephens Church, Westbourne Park Road, W2 5QT. The accompanied Creative Classes, for children aged 6 months to 6 years, will continue to run at The Boltons and now also at St Stephens Church, W2. Georgina Hood, Founder and Principal, with a history in Early years Education spanning over two decades, is actively involved in the creative classes. She teaches the baby classes weekly and also delivers the Empowered Parenting course, which includes creativity, language and number development. All four Paint Pots schools offer something unique to each family. These first experiences of attending classes and nursery are important stepping stones. At Paint Pots the aim is to make these steps as happy and as rewarding as possible. To find out more about these MEAB accredited Montessori Schools or to book Creative Classes online visit www.paint-pots.co.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Ofsted Registered We accept Childcare Vouchers

July/August 2014

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Noticeboard

Get ready f or summer

WIN a family ticket to see What the Ladybird Heard at London’s Cadogan Hall! & Lydia by Julia Donaldson Based on the award winning picture book of What the ation adapt stage new ing glitter Monks, this 24th July until from Hall gan Ladybird Heard will hit Cado hairy hog, the fat the , sheep ly wool the Join st. Augu 10th on the villains and red hen and the dainty dog as they take The perfect win, in this colourful farmyard adventure. re for pre and theat to uction introd ideal the and family treat primary school children! www.whattheladybirdheardlive.co.uk

.co.uk/competitions To enter, go to www.FamiliesSouthWest red on the pages of this scatte are irds Ladyb many how asked You will be issue, so count them now! etition closes at 9am on Terms and Conditions apply. The comp 15th July 2014.

While you’re planning your beach wardr add the kiko ob y towel from Blue Summer e this summer, why not family beach , sure to be accessory fo the must-ha r 2014? Impo handwoven ve rted by a loca by artisan w eavers in Ke l mum and sarong, and ny a, the kikoy comes in a ra is half towel nge of 22 co natural cotton , half lours, all mad . Easy to pa e from the fin ck and quick your holiday est dr s or even for ying, they ar e perfect for an imaginativ towels come e gift. Best in three sizes of all, the kiko for children, Stay ethical th y adul is summer at www.bluesum ts or even a family size! From £29. merboutique .com

July offer: 25% off your first month when you join in July. Explore Learning centres offer maths and English tuition for 5 to 14 year olds. Terms and conditions apply. See www.explorelearning.co.uk for details. Participating centres only.

Guide for depression

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unger ake travel ing special for the yo Known for their “M nted to create someth wa rs tte Ma l . ve agency Tra ich the better for children a great booklet, wh vel experience even make the family tra ok for Global Kids is bo tional e uca tur ed ven o Ad als is bal it Boo Glo ponsible travel tips, The new Bertie & & Boo films is booked. With res y rtie Be lida rt ho sho the the en to wh u children collect des inside to take yo o melt downs. rs. There are QR co uld they be going int for the pre-schoole sho en ldr chi the for on cti tra dis al ide also. It’s an ketravelmatter.co.uk • Travel matters ma 020 8675 7878 2 Balham High Rd, • Bertie and Boo 16 London SW12 9BW

Around one in ten young people will experience depression, stress or anx iety by the time they reach 18. But where can their parents turn to for help? This summer sees the launch of an essential guide for parents who mig ht be worried that their child is depressed. On beh alf of charity the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, the guide offers answers to all the most frequently asked questio ns parents have, plus guidanc e on what to do next. A Parent’s Guide To Depre ssion is filled with clear, practical advice for anyone concerned that their son or daughter has a me ntal health problem, tackling the challenges par ents face such as how to distinguish between natura l adolescent mood swings and depression, and ways to talk about your concerns with your child. ‘Parents are usually the first to notice that the ir child’s behaviour has changed,’ said Jackie Wil liams of the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. ‘Often they feel powerless to help, particularly if their child is shutting themselves off from their family and the wider world. But the good news is the re are proven, practical strategies to help your chil d overcome their depression.’ The online version can be accessed at www.cwmt.or

g.uk/category/parentsguide; the more concise printed booklet can be downloaded at www.cwmt.org.uk/wp content/uploads/2014/0 5/parents-guide-todepression.pdf

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Sports Listings A-Z – Final Part! xxxxxxxxxxxxx For the complete list of ALL sports for children in South West London go to our online Directory

compiled by Joanna Parry

Sports Listings T-Z We have reached the end of our challenge: to try and list every single children sporting activity based in a SW postcode. We've covered Archery, Badminton, Martial arts to Ruby. To see the complete Sports listing go to www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/Directory Wigmore Lawn Tennis Club 43 Becmead Road, Streatham SW16 1UJ A family-friendly tennis club with weekly group coaching sessions from age 3 plus fun kids holiday camps Julia Searle on 07816 004 992 or juliasearle31@gmail.com www.wigmoretennis.com

TENNIS continued from May issue (see familiessouthwest.co.uk/ Directory to see all others) Jonathan Markson Tennis Barn Elms, Barnes SW13 Intensive tennis camps for children

TRAMPOLINING Tooting Leisure Centre Trampolining Club Tooting Leisure Centre, Greaves Place, Garratt Lane SW17 ONE Pre-school trampolining, with a range of games and play for children under 5 to help develop social skills as well as physical skills 020 8333 7555 www.placesforpeopleleisure.org/cent res/tooting-leisure-centre

age 7+, in the school holidays and half term breaks. Suitable for all levels. They also run residential camps for children over 10 020 7603 2422, info@marksontennis.com www.marksontennis.com

Latchmere Leisure Centre Trampolining Club Latchmere Leisure Centre, Burns Road SW11 5AD Trampolining club for 5-12 year olds 020 7207 8004 www.placesforpeopleleisure.org/cent res/latchmere-leisure-centre

Sheen Lawn Tennis Club Parklands Close, East Sheen, SW14 7EH Individual and group lessons for children aged 3+, plus holiday camps 020 8878 7650, sheentennisquash@btconnect.com www.sheentennisquash.co.uk

Aspire Centre 337 Merton Road SW18 5JU Try a new activity, learn new skills and have fun at the same time. No previous experience required. For children aged 5+ 020 8875 2603, info@aspirecentre.com www.aspirecentre.com

The Spencer Club Fieldview, Earlsfield SW18 3HF Lessons for children of all abilities, plus holiday courses 020 8874 2717, tennis@spencerclub.org www.spencerclub.org

Battersea Sports Centre Hope Street, SW11 2DA Try trampolining in the Battersea Sports Centre’s holiday programmes 020 8871 8529, holidayfun@wandsworth.gov.uk www.wandsworth.gov.uk/holidayfun

Telford Park Tennis Club 35a Killieser Avenue, Streatham Hill SW2 4NX Holiday tennis camps for children aged 4-15, plus weekly coaching for ages 3+ 020 8674 5979, coaching@telfordparktennisclub.co.uk www.telfordparktennisclub.co.uk/holi day-camps

Shene Sports and Fitness Centre Park Avenue, East Sheen SW14 8RG Trampolining for ages 3 and up 020 8090 9630, leisure@richmond.gov.uk www.richmond.gov.uk/shene_sport_f itness_centre_junior_programme

year to get juniors ready for racing info@windrushtri.co.uk www.windrushtri.co.uk

people to sail, canoe and kayak. Age 10+ 020 7821 7389, alan@westminsterboatingbase.co.uk www.westminsterboatingbase.co.uk

VOLLEYBALL

Wimbledon Park Watersports Centre Home Park Road, SW19 7HX Offers a range of water sports activities for the whole community. All activities are run by qualified professional staff. Sailing boats include Drascombe Lugger, Wayfarer, Laser 2000, Optimist and more 020 8947 4894, wimbledonpark@merton.gov.uk www.merton.gov.uk/leisure/sport/faci lities/wimbledonparkwatersports.htm

Shene Sports and Fitness Centre Park Avenue, East Sheen SW14 8RG Volleyball for all ages 020 8878 7578, leisure@richmond.gov.uk www.richmond.gov.uk/shene_sports _centre_facilities_sports_activities Dulwich Tuskers Dulwich, Peckham, Tulse Hill and Tooting Sessions for children of all abilities www.tuskersvolleyball.co.uk Ernest Bevin College Beechcroft Road, SW17 7DF Holiday volleyball camps for children aged 9+ 020 8672 8582, ashley.trodden@greenhousecharity.org www.ernestbevin.org.uk Richmond Volleyball Venues across Richmond Junior players not only learn new skills but also improve health and fitness, co-ordination, selfconfidence, teamwork, not to mention making new friends and having fun. They are also able to compete in regional and national junior competitions contact@richmondvolleyball.co.uk www.richmondvolleyball.co.uk/juniors

WATERSPORTS Barn Elms Boat House Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 0DG Junior Learn to Row and Junior Intermediate Rowing, 12 week courses each 020 8876 9873 www.wandsworth.gov.uk/barnelmsb oathouse Westminster Boating Base 136 Grosvenor Road, SW1V 3JY A children's charity teaching young

YOGA Children’s Therapies The Pilates Room, 226a Upper Richmond Road, Putney SW15 6TG Tailored yoga sessions for children and families. Practicing yoga develops physical and emotional stamina, making children stronger, more confident and better able to cope with problems. It can also improve sleeping and eating patterns 0208 673 7930 www.childrenstherapies.co.uk South West London Yoga Wimbledon Village SW19 Yoga for children and teenagers. The benefits are immediately noticeable in terms of improving sleep patterns, alleviating tension headaches and boosting self confidence 07977 298648, southwestlondonyoga@gmail.com www.southwestlondonyoga.co.uk YogaBugs The largest children’s yoga company in the UK - fun story-style yoga for young children, which stretches their imagination as well as their bodies info@YogaBugs.com www.yogabugs.com Please mention “Families” when you call!

Windrush Triathlon Club Take part in one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, with a Junior section for boys and girls age 8+. Running sessions take place in Brockwell Park, cycling sessions at Herne Hill Velodrome and outside swimming training at Brockwell Lido during the summer. They also run one-off workshops throughout the

Tennis 4 You Wimbledon Park Tennis Courts Term time and holiday coaching sessions for children aged 3-16 0208 789 0482/07961 170675, paul@londontennis.co.uk www.tennis4you.co.uk

July/August 2014

Westminster Boating Base

TRIATHLON

See familiessouthwest.co.uk for other sports A-R… Please mention you found them in “Families” when you call!

Digital memory bank helps estranged dads stay in touch with children

Not all of these dads want to or deserve to see their children, however, there are many dads out there who want to be involved but who miss out because of circumstances – and their children miss out too.

also include advice. Their children may be too young to appreciate advice right now but knowing that it is there will only help them in the future.

But modern technology has come to the rescue in the form of a new online memory bank, lifestorybank.com, which allows dads to share all sorts of information with their children, such as stories about childhood and family facts. Dads can

No, it will never be the same as holding their hand or giving them a real hug but it is a good way to connect with them and leave your stories. Today’s children are tech savvy. They connect electronically to each other on a daily basis and this is having an impact on their attention span, making it shorter. So more frequent connections can be better than few long ones an organised collection of video clips is easier for them to watch than a long documentary type film.

Britain has the highest proportion of fatherless families (2 million) of any major European country and 1 in 3 children – nearly 4 million in total – live without their father. (Source: Office of National Statistics). Of those children who don’t live with their father, 1 in 3 will lose contact with their dads permanently. (Source: Centre for Social Justice).

The service is online, so all they need is an invitation from their parent, an internet connection and an email address to receive a password and access the parent’s account. The fact that they can log on anywhere at any time stops any emotional negativity or feeling bad that asking permission or a phone call can cause. It holds the information indefinitely in the Cloud and is available 24/7. Yes there are other ways of leaving information but video recording is important. Children want to see their parent's face, expressions and mannerisms not just read a text or listen to a disembodied voice. To feel like their parent is there, even when they cannot be there physically. Basic membership to Lifestorybank is free, which includes three chapters and 30 questions.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

July/August 2014

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Parenting

Mindfulness, the secret to happy parenting By Mette Theilmann Meditation www.batterseayoga.com

Mindfulness is the difference between being a DOer and a BEer. As parents today, we often experience high levels of pressure and stress to make sure our children become well-rounded individuals. We pack their lives with a variety of activities and sports clubs to keep them fit, sociable and confident, encourage them to do well at school, make the right friends and painstakingly pore over every decision about their education. The daily routine of family life with all its chores and demands and our own feelings of responsibility to ensure our children are confident, independent, responsible and happy can all make for very stressed and exhausted parents. Basically what I am saying is that if we are not physically on the go, we are mentally on the go; thinking about what to do and where to be next. It’s no wonder that 90% of parents describe themselves as frantic rather than fun. It’s no wonder that parents today have become DOers rather than BEers.

Too busy on your screens ?

By Helli Roberts, mum of two

It’s not helped by the fact we’re always having to take calls, check texts and e-mails; our children quickly realise they don’t have our full attention when we’re attached to our tablet, laptop or phone! This can also create huge challenges when we try and tackle the issue of their screen time too. The effect of this “full on all the time” way of life is that we are never really in the moment or mindfully there for ourselves or our children and this can have a negative effect on us both! For us, it can cause stress/irritability and exhaustion and we can start to react to situations in a much more negative way. We stop listening properly to our children; we are just too busy thinking about other things. We forget to enjoy the small moments with them and sadly miss out on opportunities to praise them. We then often start to feel guilty as deep down we know that this is not the parent we want to be and we can start to lose our confidence as a parent. This can encourage self-doubt in our children too as they can start to think that we don’t want to be with them. They start playing up to get our full attention as they know we always react when they are fighting or misbehaving. They feel that we are not listening and start not listening to us, or each other. They start mimicking our behaviour and becoming like us!! Our stress is being passed on to them. But the good news is that the key to mindfulness can be achieved by anyone, anywhere.

How mindfulness can help parents Mindfulness aims for you to fully focus on each moment you are with your children. Mindfulness helps you to find the balance between being a DOer and a BEer. When we do become “mindfully there”, we become a great role model for our children based on respect, care and deep love. Since we are fully aware of what they say, do and feel we really get to know our children again and re-connect with them. We feel proud of ourselves at the end of each day as we feel we are doing the right thing, even if things haven’t gone to plan! We gain energy and motivation as a parent as we start to see the same emotions and feelings manifesting themselves in our children. We will have a positive and dynamic focus on problem-solving in stressful situations and become more open-minded to positive discipline. Our children develop healthy social skills based on listening and respect for other people. They become like us (and in a good way!) and we start to have fun together again! Awareness is the first key to mindfulness. Our daily tasks and challenges are not going to go away but when you become aware that you are not “in the moment” and are just too busy thinking about other things or multi-tasking, remind yourself why you need to focus now. Relax your body, breathe slowly and look at your children and smile. Try to think more calmly and remember that mindful parents become essentially better able to manage difficult situations and issues arising in the family and within themselves. •ParentingSuccess offers parenting workshops and one-to-one parent coaching on all family issues. To find out more go to www.parentingsuccesscoaching.com

Mindfulness tried & tested Many of my friends are doing it, so is my boss and even my sister; Government ministers, top sports people and company CEOs all benefit from it. Mindfulness is the scientifically proven discipline of meditation without the spirituality. People who live in a busy mind find they can’t engage with their feelings. Anxiety, fear, mild depression and stress are caused by the inability to turn off the constant stream of thoughts – ‘our thinking tap’. Once you’re in touch with your feelings you can express them properly and communicate them to others. Imagine how every business and family would benefit! Battersea Yoga offered me the chance to try out one of their classes, I was very curious to experience it for myself so was delighted to accept. Battersea Yoga has been running Mindfulness courses for twelve years. Their courses attract intelligent, professional people who find they are being rocked by life’s wobbles – worrying about their children, money, their relationships – all the usual stresses. Angus FordRobertson devises his courses to help people who are struggling with the worries of modern life. GPs now recognise the benefit of learning Mindfulness skills and are referring patients – preferring to prescribe Mindfulness than medication. How cool is that!? I found the course made Mindfulness far easier and more accessible than I’d imagined – and I can see how it can work on improving the overall enjoyment of life. I’ve signed up for the whole course! Six week beginners course costs £90. 020 7978 7995 www.batterseayoga.com

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Roving reporter

Writing competition! Could you be the next Families Roving Reporter? Do you like writing? Do you live locally, have small children and enjoy going out and about with them, discovering new places and things to do? Then why don’t you enter our writing competition and become our new roving reporter! ? Families® South West prides itself in reporting on anything that is local whether it’s a business, an event, a festival, a parenting course, a product, a yoga class for children, a tried and health therapy... anything that young families get into!

For a chance to win, we are asking each person who wants to participate to send us a 400 word-long piece on a topic of interest to families. It can be themed, for example the best dance classes for children, or the best places to go with young children on a rainy day, or natural therapies tried and tested or you may decide to rant about a local issue (remember we cover all SW postcodes so it needs to be relevant to as many of our readers as possible) or it could be a piece tackling issues you feel are important for families: environmental, nutritional or the like... Send your piece(s) by the end of July to editorFSW@familiesmagazine.co.uk together with a bit of blurb about you, and how you see your column developing, and accompany it with high resolution pictures for your piece if you can. We will print the best ones over a few months, and the readers will vote to decide who wins. The winner wins the chance to become our next Roving Reporter and have his/her own column in Families! Good luck, I am looking forward to reading you! Pascale Editor PS: If you are not interested in writing but have ideas of what Families could cover in this new column, then fell free to email me your thoughts!

July/August 2014

Moving on

Muddling through a house move By Wendy Flynn, editor Families Birmingham

When it comes to buying, selling and moving to a new family home, Murphy’s law applies – what can go wrong, will go wrong. Yet, with a little bit of pre-planning (or, to be strictly honest, with some strategic military-style planning) it can go rather more smoothly than my muddled efforts would suggest.

Think ahead! With the benefit of hindsight I have learnt rather a lot. For example: never have children in the house at the same time as viewers. I learnt this the hard way when my then 5-year-old daughter cheerily informed a potential buyer that our kitchen was so small that we couldn’t fit all the family in at the same time, and then proceeded to accompany her outside where she pointed out that the front garden was dangerous for children. (The garden sloped away from the house and there was a drop over the retaining wall to the pavement). Needless to say – that viewer never returned.

The average family moves 8 times in their lifetime. To date, I’ve clocked up a staggering 20 new addresses but, thankfully, only five of those have been with husband, children and pets. Moving home as a singleton with few belongings and a free storage facility back at home base is a breeze compared to moving lock, stock and barrel to an unfamiliar place with children in tow.

I also once had removal men half way through loading up the entire contents of another house when I got a call from my solicitor to say our buyer had not exchanged contracts as scheduled. And, on that same ill-fated move, when the van had finally gone and I had loaded the children into the car, I couldn’t find the cat. Hours later with the cat found, duly caged and in the car, I discovered I had a puncture and faced the prospect of driving a 100 mile journey to our new home on an emergency tyre (the garages all being closed by then) until a kindly neighbour stepped in to the rescue. So with the benefit of all that has gone wrong on my moves – and some sage advice from fellow Families magazine editors - what can you do to make sure your house move goes without hitch?

Prepare the children First, prepare the children. If they are very young don’t assume they understand what a house move is all about. As one mum recalls “We moved house when my son and daughter were 6 and 9 years old. Although we did talk with them about moving, it wasn't until they asked whether they could take their belongings with them that we realised we hadn't made it clear that we were only selling the building; they thought we were selling the house plus its contents.” A good way of preparing young children is to read stories about moving, for example Topsy and Tim Move House. If you do that when your own house is on the market, it gives your child time to become familiar with the idea before the time comes to move out.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Moving on

A practical plan Once your house is sold you can breathe a sigh of relief that you no longer have to run around stuffing toys back in cupboards to make the house presentable for viewers, but then sit down with a cup of coffee and make a plan. The key to a smooth move is in the planning:

Declutter Don’t move your junk from one house to another. Take the time between selling and moving to do a thorough clearout. Quotes for removal companies – get several. They can vary hugely in price. Decide whether you are going to do your own packing or want the removal company to do it. It doesn’t cost a lot more to let the removal company do the packing and with their speed and efficiency it is often money well spent. If you are pregnant when moving, have to move in a hurry with jobs or for a house sale, or have loads of belongings, it is definitely recommended. Change of address list – do this in advance and have your letters or e-mail sorted ready to go out before you move. It is not just day to day contacts you need to inform – you will also need to change address on TV licence, driving licence and vehicle reg. And, you need to contact pension providers from previous jobs, ISA savings providers and so on. You can find a good list of people you need to contact on http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/property/moving_not ifychecklist.shtml Don’t forget to set up a redirection with Royal Mail. Inevitably you will forget one crucial contact to notify so redirection of mail is essential. Insurance – you need to make sure you have insurance on your new home. Contents and building.

July/August 2014

Pets – they too can get stressed with moving house. Make a plan in advance to ease their transition. Helpful websites include www.dogstrust.org.uk and www.bluecross.org.uk

few familiar toys are unpacked from their own special box to make them feel at home. A toast: The final word in this piece goes to Families Leeds editor Sarah Butters who is about to move home for the second time in 6 months.

On the Day Utilities: Don’t forget to take utility readings before leaving the house Mobile phone: make sure your mobile is fully charged in case there are any last minute snags to sort out like getting keys from the estate agent. Essentials kit: One mum says: “The best advice we were given was to pack a separate box with the kettle tea/coffee milk, mugs etc in it so at least when we were in the midst of chaos we didn’t have to hunt to find the kettle.” I second that. You also win brownie points with the removal men who will be much more amenable if their thirst is quenched when you change your mind about where you want the wardrobe! Bedrooms – linen, blankies and cuddly toys: “The first thing we did when we got in our new house was to make the beds so later on when exhausted and tired we didn’t have to do it before falling into bed,” advises another Mum. You can also make sure any special sleep ‘blankies’ or cuddly toys are on your child’s bed waiting for them, and that a

If you are moving within your local area and no school move is involved, it is easier than when you are moving to a totally new area. Older school age children are likely to be upset – and often angry - at the prospect of losing friends. Listen to their fears and be endlessly patient and positive about the move (however you are feeling yourself), and explain how they can keep in touch with old friends while making new ones. Children are very adaptable and the chances are they will settle in the new area and have firm friendships a lot sooner than you will, but they need to vent and they need your reassurance.

“Packing the wine glasses somewhere handy is an absolute MUST.” When all does not go according to plan – and believe me I know all about this – this is sensible advice indeed. So, to everyone involved in a house move, we say: ‘Here’s to your new life!’ And, even if all does not go smoothly, somehow or another you will muddle through. Cheers!

Tips for long car journeys with children

The key to successful long car journeys with children is to think of it as part of your holiday and make sure you all enjoy it. This is a chance to spend family time together, to talk, to share each other’s music, to see new things and to visit new places and forge great memories. Every time you complete a journey that is actually fun for the children, the easier it will be to sell them on the idea next time. Our family regularly drives long distances with the children and much prefer it to flying. Tantrums, spills, accidents and illness are so much more easily handled in a confined, (and sound-proofed) car than when stuck in a long queue of tense fellow travelers. Our last two summers involved approximately 4000 mile road trips around Europe and the kids had a fantastic time though it has to be said, the back seat of the car has never really recovered. Comedian Sean Lock says that his car doesn’t require child seats anymore as the rear seats are so sticky the kids are effectively glued down!

Top ten tips for long car journeys

Treat the car journey as the start of your holiday (and not a chore). Make sure it is fun for the children and as stress-free as possible for mum and dad.

Eliminate as much time related stress as possible. In other words, try not to have a ferry crossing booked at the end of a 7 hour car drive. If you can, overnight near the terminal. Otherwise every single contraflow will stress you out, right from the start of your trip. If there’s no rush to get where you are going, there’s no need to get stressed about traffic or roadworks. Remember your holiday has already started.

Charge up your screens and other gadgets. Buy or borrow at least one portable DVD player, Nintendo or iPod etc. Ensure every gadget is charged

ahead of travelling and that you have enough travel leads and multi adaptors for everyone to use the 12v cigarette lighter socket. Obviously you don’t want the kids plugged in to screens for too long as they’ll never see where they have been. So ration their screen time and use it as a tool for rewarding good behaviour if necessary.

Take regular breaks. Break up your journey regularly with picnics, walks and play areas. Fresh air and a runaround for the kids plus a power nap for the driver reduces stress all round. If budget allows, an overnight hotel with a pool gives the kids something to look forward to and burns off energy before bed time.

Buy some journey presents (these could be called bribes). Buy some small presents, like Christmas stocking fillers, and wrap them up for the Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

By JW Patrick

Summer feature

journey. Action figures, crayons, DVDs etc. Ensure they see the bag full of presents beforehand. You can then award a present (bribe) for milestones or legs of the trip achieved without arguing, fighting or tantrums. This encourages and rewards good behaviour as well as keeping them entertained for the next leg of the journey.

Stock up with snacks. OK, your back seat upholstery will take a bit of a hammering but snacks are so, so important. Pack a snack bag that can be pulled out when you sense that their attention and patience may be waning.

Play games and quizzes. Kids have you all to themselves for once (and vice versa) so why not take advantage? 50 Games to Play in Cars is good. Our favourite is this number plate game: Take the letters from the number plate of the car in front of you and make up a proper sentence. Score points and prizes for cleverest or funniest etc. Nowadays, you can buy all sorts of spotter charts for particular landmarks and vehicles for the children to look out for. Car journeys are also a good opportunity to test their spelling, maths ability; start to learn some foreign words if going abroad. There are no distractions (for either of you) and they often enjoy this time, knowing you are not secretly checking your emails or texts.

Travel in convoy, if possible. If you’re holidaying with friends or grandparents then, if possible, travel in convoy. It makes such a difference for them to see a new friend or face when you stop and gives them something else to look forward to.

Stock up on essentials. Such as baby wipes and water. Lots of baby wipes are a must. As well as bottles of drinking water, we keep several big jerrycans of 5 and 10 litres of water in the boot, pretty much permanently. Sooner or later you’ll be thankful you did too. (Spills, puke, poo, sand, mud etc.) We also keep a roll of black bin bags in the boot as sometimes a complete set of clothing or shoes needs separated from everything else until such time it can be dealt with properly.

Involve them in navigation. We have a map and a globe that the kids can place stickers on once they have visited those places. Take with you a map or two and buy a couple of packets of ‘organiser’ sticky dots, one colour for each child. Tell them where they are heading to, where they are staying next, or are passing though and award them coloured dots to place on the map for whoever sees the town/sea/river first. If you have SatNav, you’ll notice how quickly they fathom the concept of the map and soon become aware of how long it takes to travel from town to town.

July/August 2014

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Summer feature

An active life leads to a healthy life, it’s not rocket science By Dean Horridge, CEO, Fit For Sport.

As a PE teacher since 1986 and with over 20 years’ experience delivering physical activities to young children, it’s fair to say I’ve seen some PE trends come and go. From the ‘school of hard knocks’ approach that saw kids doing cross county in shorts and t-shirts while snow lay on the ground to the pendulum swinging right back to the point that sports day races were banned for fear of upsetting the children that didn’t win.

Too much political correctness in sport Some things have improved over time – cross country in sub-zero temperatures can be done in sleeved shirts and long trousers. But, sadly, there’s still a school of thought that says asking kids to compete and vie for victory is somehow wrong. This brings me to a survey conducted with eight to 16 years olds recently by Marylebone Cricket Club and Chance to Shine, suggesting the majority of children would be happy to see the competitive element removed from school sport. Perhaps the politically correct don’t want to hurt the less able children’s feelings. Or they don’t want to heap the pressure of expectation on such young shoulders. However, they DO want to see children succeed in sport, rise through the ranks and represent our country at international levels. Sorry, but you can’t have it both ways: elite athletes need to learn how to compete, what it feels like to win and, more importantly, what it feels like to lose. Children need goals and targets. They need to be encouraged to push further and try harder to realise their potential, these are not just skills for competition in school sport, they are skills for life.

Why competing is important Furthermore, competition should not be driven through sport alone, it is the mistake we all make, it’s about driving competition fun, engaging activities, as they will be inclusive to all rather than the 1/3 children in school that play school sport. Maybe if we get more children engaged in physical activity, we will have more athletes representing our National Governing Bodies at tournaments and events in the future. And there’s no harm in doing that – provided the goals are realistic, the child is engaged and the support structure is in place to catch them when they fall or fail which is bound to happen, as in

July/August 2014

many things in life, when they strive to succeed. I’ve long suspected that these anti-competitive decisions are made by adults deciding what children want. What we should actually be doing is asking the children whether they like to compete and strive, and the key to this is engaging kids at a much earlier age in the benefits of physical activity. Fit For Sport did just that as part of our ‘Engage to Compete’ primary schools programme with Sport England last year. And the answers were revealing.

The children themselves relish a challenge After taking part in our fun, active pilot, we specifically asked children aged four to 11 how competition made them feel. The responses were overwhelmingly positive with the vast majority of children stating that competition made them feel, happy, excited, strong and confident as opposed to nervous, afraid, weak or worried. And when we asked them outright if they liked taking part in competitions, 2836 said yes; 257 said no and 206 were not sure. Put it another way, that’s 86% of children that like taking part in competitions, once they are engaged in physical activity at a younger age.

not a lot more than schools to ensure their kids are eating right, learning to live a healthy lifestyle and engaging in fun activity as a family unit. This is what I do with my family and I would hope other parents do the same with theirs, a child can do great things at school but if they just go back home to an environment which is not geared towards being an active family, much of the positive engagement gets lost in a play-station, or the TV or social media on a smart-phone. Small sustainable steps to an active family should always be a priority for parents. After all, an active family will lead to a healthy family and surely that is something to strive for in life, for a parent and a child who will eventually become one? •For more information about what Fit For Sport, The Voice of Kids, go to: www.fitforsport.co.uk

This figure speaks for itself. And our children should be able to do the same. Not only should they be able to speak, teachers should be able to act on what they hear. I also think people forget that it’s not just about being active in school, it’s about being an active family. Kids learn so many of their traits from their parents, why should physical activity just be about what kids do in school? It’s so important that family time does not just amount to just watching TV together, or having dinner together or going out or going to the shops. Equally important is being active as a family, parents have just as much responsibility if

Summer holiday listings We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with the organiser to avoid disappointment. Space is limited in these pages, there are a lot more summer activities online, see them all here: familiessouthwest.co.uk/holidayactivities With the help of Joanna Parry

ARTS AND CRAFTS Paint Pots House St Mary the Boltons Church Hall, The Boltons SW10 9TB 08456 434442, carol@paintpots.co.uk www.paint-pots.co.uk 14 July – 1 August. Holiday Fun Creative art, cooking, music, story time and games. Age 18 months-3 years with parents or carers, 1011.30am, £25 per day. Age 3-6, drop off, 9.30am-12.30pm £35 per day, or 9.30am-3.30pm £55 per day. For more arts & craft activities this summer see our June Summer listing. See it here www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/holi dayactivities

LANGUAGES Le Club Tricolore Across SW London 020 7924 4649, info@leclubtricolore.co.uk www.leclubtricolore.co.uk July and August dates TBC. Holiday French Activity Days Cooking, art and craft, drama and games for children who want to improve their French while having fun. Ages 3-11

French Day Camps from Et Patati et Patata www.etpatatipatata.com For 4-6 year olds and 7-10 year olds, running throughout July and August

from 9am-3pm. Learn French without leaving London in these camps: have a ball with creative activities led by experienced French teachers. Children will explore the sounds, flavours, customs and cultures of France through stories, songs, visits and workshops. Enjoy cooking, French theatre, discos, museum visits, sports, arts and crafts and much much more. For more language activities this summer see our June Summer listing. See it here www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/holi dayactivities

MUSIC DANCE & DRAMA Amanda’s Action Club Wandsworth, Putney, Parsons Green, Southfields, Battersea 01895 623999, info@amandasactionclub.co.uk www.amandasactionclub.co.uk Throughout the summer holidays. Music Classes and Workshops

“It’s Frozen out here” with Stagecoach Merton Park and Tooting Fun, fitness and music for children 4 months to 4 years

Allsorts Drama • More House School, 22-24 Pont Street SW1X 0AA • Notting Hill Prep School, 95 Lancaster Road W11 1QQ 020 8767 5298 or 020 8969 3249 www.allsortsdrama.com Summer Drama Workshops 14th -18th July & 28th July - 1st August, 9.30am-3.30pm. The week will involve many aspects of drama and the children will put on a fantastic show for family and friends on the last day. Price £220 for the week with a 20% sibling discount. Ages 4-6, 7-10 and 11-14.

Children Comedy Workshop 2014 Balham Comedy Festival The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill SW12 9HD www.balhamcomedyfestival.com 13th July, FREE as part of the Balham Comedy Festival taking place 11-19 July Comedy Workshop for Children run by John Moloney and Adam Bloom. Starts at 2.00 pm with 45 minute masterclass featuring hints and examples of how to structure jokes,

Marcus Brigstocke writing and performance tips. Followed by a 30 minute break when the children will be asked to prepare jokes. Students will be invited to perform their routine in front of their parents when they will be given advice and support. Age of 8+ accompanied by an adult

Fancy Footwork Belleville Primary School, Belleville Road SW11 6PR 0845 094 1774, info@fancyfootwork.co.uk www.fancyfootwork.co.uk 28 July – 1 August. La Fille Mal Gardée A great opportunity for children to

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Summer holiday listings immerse themselves in dance, culminating in a special performance at the end of the week. 9.30am3.30pm, ages 4-7, £190

Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888. www.polkatheatre.com 24 July – 8 August. Summer Holiday Courses and Workshops Includes Summer Puppet Theatre Course, Musical Theatre Summer School, Summer Fiesta and Play in a Day

Kensington Ballet School Phone Karen on 07957 650 042 or check www.kensingtonballet.com Their annual Summer school mornings will again take place in Kensington at the end of August. The week-long programme, aimed at children aged 3-5 years old comprises a mixture of ballet, drama and assorted games and is great fun. The sessions are overseen by two of their most experienced ballerinas.

Stagecoach Merton Park

Perform Battersea, Fulham, Notting Hill, Kensington, Kew, Putney and Wimbledon 0845 400 4000, enquiries@perform.org.uk

Stagecoach Tooting Based in Graveney School, Welham Road, SW18 020 8942 3502 www.stagecoach.co.uk/tooting It's FROZEN out here holiday workshop from the 18th-22nd August, for children age 4-6 and 718. Children will work with their professional team to put on a fully costumed show (for the older students) and a 'Presentation' (for the younger students) complete with all of your favourite 'Frozen' characters. 4-6 years -£110, 7-18 year olds £140, sibling discounts available

www.perform.org.uk 21-25 July, 28 July – 1 August and 4-8 August. Fly Away to Neverland Go on a magical trip to Neverland with Peter Pan, Wendy, John and Michael as they help rescue Tinkerbell from the dastardly Captain Hook. Using funky dance and quickwitted improvisation go on a dazzling adventure guaranteed to fire your imagination. With colourful costumes, original songs and live music, put together a fantastic show to delight family and friends. 4-8yrs, times and dates dependent on venue Special readers offer for Families readers only: 10% off when you quote FAMI220814

July/August 2014

BeeActive Summer Camp In Wimbledon. 14 July-5th Sept. 07957 460 694 Fun packed, multi-activity day camps for 5-12 years. A wide range of activities inc football, basketball, super frisbee, street dance, arts & crafts, tennis, face

Allsorts Drama painting, drama, bouncy castles etc. Ofsted registered, 8.30am to 5.30pm with option to extend from 8am to 6pm.

SPORT Passionate about tennis? Next camps: 18-22 August (Fulham); 28 July-1 August, 23-25 August (Barnes). 020 7603 2422,

info@marksontennis.com, www.marksontennis.com If you or your children are passionate about tennis then why not sign up to a Jonathan Markson Tennis Camp. With 5 hours of professional coaching each day this is the perfect way to smash your way off that tennis plateau. Led by LTA Level 5 Coach, Erwan Nicolas, the experienced team uses the latest technical drills and on-court video analysis to boost your performance.

Children (+7 years), adults and all levels are welcome.

Fit for Sport Dates vary according to locations check www.fitforsport.co.uk Camps in Ealing, Barn Elms Sport Centre, Dulwich College and more. The Bear Grylls Survival Academy and Fit For Sport are launching Kids Survival Day Courses. A chance for 8 - 12 year olds to learn Bear's extreme survival techniques. Children will have the opportunity to leave their parents behind and take on these exciting new challenges by themselves! The courses are designed to give kids the opportunity to get back to the basics, learn new skills, get outdoors and stay active.

Sports Fusion activity club Call 07857 501 004 for dates and prices www.sportsfusionuk.co.uk Run for four weeks at Griffin Primary School, Stewarts Road, SW8 (ages 5-11). From in/outdoor activities, sports sessions (football, tennis, athletics), to drama classes, games room and exciting trips – there won’t be any dull moments. They’ll also be running a football camp for 11-15 year olds who want to sharpen their skills.

Cont p. 24

Based in David Lloyd Raynes Park. 020 8942 3502 or www.stagecoach.co.uk/mertonpark It's FROZEN out here holiday workshop from the 4th-8th August, for children age 4-6 and 718. Children will work with their professional team to put on a fully costumed show (for the older students) and a 'Presentation' (for the younger students) – complete with all of your favourite 'Frozen' characters. 4-6 years -£110 9.30am-12.30pm, 718 year olds £140 10am-4pm, sibling discounts available.

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Summer holiday listings Open Air Fit Kids Camps Wandsworth Common dog free zone. Ages 4-14. 9.30am-12.30pm. £21 x1 morning, £99 x5 mornings. 15% sibling discount. Register www.openairfit.com Multi-sport sessions led by guest coaches. Individual and team challenges, fun games and sportsbased activities. Run during half term and holidays. 711 July, 14-18 July, 21- 25 July, 281 August, 25-29 August.

SwimWay East Sheen, Knightsbridge, Putney, Streatham and Wimbledon 020 8871 3972, info@swimway.co.uk www.swimway.co.uk 21 July – 8 August. Summer Swimming Courses One-week intensive courses to improve your child’s swimming technique, on a private or semiprivate basis. 3-9yrs.

Playball Summer Camps 2014 Chelsea, Battersea Park, Clapham, Balham and Fulham 28th July-1st August, 4th-8th August and 26th–29th August, 10am-1pm. Playball holiday camps are tailored to meet the needs of younger children and are based on the fundamental sport skills for tennis, hockey,

cricket, golf, football, rugby, basketball, football, volleyball - just about any ball sport you can imagine! For 3-8 Year Olds

THINGS TO DO

For more sporting activities this summer see our June Summer listing. See it here www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/holi dayactivities

London Transport Museum

SCIENCE

39 Wellington St London WC2E 7BB 020 7565 7423 www.ltmuseum.co.uk Three sessions over a five week

the chance to meet a real life author. The Challenge starts on Saturday 12 July and runs until Saturday 6 September and children of all ages can collect a free starter’s pack from any local library. Children can also visit www.mythicalmaze.org.uk for more fun and games, and the chance to link with top authors and other children taking part across the country.

Cycle in London with Sky Ride

Mother Nature Science In Merton, Kingston, Sutton, Richmond, Croydon, Kew (Queen's CofE Primary School, Cumberland Road) Hammersmith & Fulham

(Kensington Prep School, 596 Fulham Road.) For Boys and Girls, ages 5- 12 years. Daily 9am - 3:30pm. www.mnature.co.uk Children will 'get ahead in science' this holiday with action packed programmes of hands-on activities exploring a spectacular array of scientific themes and topics. Every day is filled with science experiments to make and take home. "What separates us from other activity camps is the length of day and ammount of pure hands on activities included." Every science camp is designed as a week long programme, for optimum enjoyment and benefit to your child. Choose any week between 21 July and 18 August.

Our online listing has got three times the number o camps and activities there are on these pages! Check them out on www.familiessouthwest. co.uk/holidayactivities

period from 28 July to 29 August 2014. Check out the website for full listing of events as there are many! Events include: Listen to Constance the ‘conductorette’ as she teaches you her clever tricks for catching thieves and cheats. Suitable for families with children aged 3 to 7 At 11.00 and 14.00 (lasts approximately 20 minutes) Be Safe Week, a going Undercover circuit where young visitors can dash between different transport safety scenarios. Or make your own secret messages and take them home with your specially made carrier pigeon.

Take part in the Reading Challenge The Reading challenge has been the best thing we’ve ever done to encourage our children to read. Libraries across the country invite children to join in the challenge to read six books from the library. If they complete the Challenge they will be invited to attend a special presentation ceremony to receive their medal and certificate and will have their name entered into a prize draw where they could win

The popular Sky Ride programme returns to Wandsworth this summer with a series of guided rides across the borough. Enjoy organized rides of varying distances and difficulties ranging from easy-going spins around picturesque parts of south London through to more challenging rides. Sky Ride Local is just one of many ways British Cycling is encouraging people to get out on their bikes this summer, so register to take part or find out more at www.goskyride.com. Don’t miss our favourite ride, which takes place in Richmond Park on 27 July – meet at Roehampton Gate entrance outside the café at 2pm.

Visit Chelsea Football Museum £9 children £11 adults www.chelseafc.com The tour of Stamford Bridge is not to be missed, home of the incredible Chelsea Football Club. The fully guided one-hour tour will take you behind the scenes at one of the world's greatest football clubs, giving you access to areas normally reserved for players and officials. All stadium tours include entry to the Museum, giving you the chance to see how Chelsea has evolved on and off the pitch to become one of the greatest football clubs in the world. A highly interactive experience, bringing the club's past alive through audio visual shows as well as a fascinating collection of Chelsea related memorabilia.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Summer holiday listings

of e k

Things to do—courtesy of “Little London” Take a trip up a skyscraper

Child-friendly days out and fun things to do, by Kate Hodges and Sunshine Jackson (Virgin Books, £12.99)

Spot butterflies Take part in the Butterfly conservation this summer. Download identification charts and log your spottings. Try excellent Morden Hall Park for excellent picnicking and butterfly-watching, Kew Gardens or the rare plant packed Chelsea Garden, (one of FSW’s favourites) whose strange blooms attract all kinds of different insects 19th July -10th August. bigbutterflycount.org

Watch a pig race at The Lambeth Country show The Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park makes us very, very happy. It’s a peculiar event, that has been bringing all the traditions of a village fair to the city for 40 years. What makes it special are the more off-beat offerings: sheep-shearing, falconery, jousting displays and racing pigs. 19 and 20 July 2014. Northwood Road, SE24 0PA lambeth.gov.uk/country-show

Archikids is a weekend long festival with workshops, classes, and drop in activities across the square mile. Try your hand at building a gigantic cardboard city, customise giant city-dwelling creatures or ride a scooter around some of London’s most interesting buildings. Take a trip up to roof terraces not usually accessible to sketch buildings. Best suited for 5-11 year olds. 26-27 July 2014 http://opencity.org.uk

Go plane spotting with a picnic Very near to the Woolwich Ferry terminal and Woolwich Foot Tunnel is our secret planespotting place. The roar of the engines and the rush as they pass overhead thrill in itself. Or make your way to our pick of the viewing points at Heathrow airport, at Myrtle Avenue, TW14 9QU. Aircraft pass 12m above your head, shaking the ground as they go. The viewing site is just around the corner from Hounslow Urban Farm (hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk), combine the two experiences for a wildly varied day out.

Have a dance at the Notting Hill Carnival It’s the highlight of the year for many Londoners, the biggest street celebration in Europe attracts over 2.5 million people every year. It’s a full on festival of Caribbean culture that is wild and fun in your child-free days,

but as with everything when you have children, it’s a different kind of fun with the nippers in tow. Open August Bank Holiday. Thenottinghillcarnival.com

Roll round Battersea Park with the easy Saturday skate The Easy Saturday Skate takes place at the Pagoda every dry Saturday at 10.30am and consists of two easy laps of the park. If it’s your first time, relax, beginners are more than

welcome and there are often qualified instructors on hand to help get you moving. Easysaturdayskate.com For more days out and things to do this summer see our June Summer listing. See the complete listing here www.familiessouthwest.co.uk /holidayactivities

•KIDS CAMPS •PERSONAL TRAINING •WOMEN’S FOOTBALL •MIXED CIRCUITS •TODDLER FIT FUN • KIDS PARTIES •PRIVATE GROUPS •POST NATAL FIT MUMS •AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS Visit www.openairfit.com for more information, to see our weekly calendar and to book onto the Kids Camps. To discuss any training requirements or set up a private group for your friends or children just call or email. 07930 272 572 OPENAIRFITUK@GMAIL.COM

July/August 2014

Summer feature

Sleep

under

Ping! Time to unplug and reconnect with your family

canvas

Summer is a great time to enjoy being together with your nearest and dearest. But for many families these days, even together time is dominated by mobiles phones, iPads, TV and other devices. According to a recent survey, though, even kids themselves recognise the need to unplug and welcome the chance to ‘do something different’. Here are our top 20 ideas for what that ‘something different’ might be.

Borrow a dog for a weekend

Play a board game: this sounds so simple you can’t quite believe I’m recommending it! But a game like Monopoly or Cluedo, which children can play from a young age or can play in teams, is a genuinely bonding experience. Put those mobile phones and other devices way out of reach – yes, parents too – and concentrate on the game. And on one another. Build a den: whether you do this indoors or in the garden, or out in the woods or on the beach, you’ll have loads of fun. Joint tasks like making a den together bring out teamworking skills and help you see one another’s hidden strengths. Once the den is built, do something wacky like having tea in it. Go fruit picking: not only will you have a good time picking your favourite fruits and discovering new ones, you’ll also be setting up your next family project which will be making jams and chutneys or just a massive fruit salad to see you through the next few days. Sleep under canvas: if you’re regular campers this one may be a bit too boring – but for families that haven’t camped before, even one night away can be a huge adventure. Alternatively, if you’ve a big enough garden and can borrow a tent from someone, just pitch it outside the back door on a warm evening and dig out your sleeping bags.

Cook on a campfire: this is a perfect add-on to your camping adventure. Get advice online about how to build your fire and what foods are best to cook on it (sausages, haloumi cheese, peppers, burgers are all easy peasy).

Go on a long bike ride: if you’ve all got your own bikes you probably do this all the time. If not, it can be a really fabulous and different day out to hire bikes and follow a cycle trail.

Go wild swimming: swimming in a pond or lake, or in the sea, is a very different experience from an indoor pool. Children love it, and there are plenty of websites packed with ideas: but do check the one you’re heading for is family friendly.

your family 8 Reorganise photographs: these days, many families’ photographs remain in online galleries. They can be a great way of sharing pictures with relatives and friends – but there’s a huge amount of fun to be had from creating an old fashioned album together, when you relive past fun and remember what you enjoy most as a family.

Climb a big hill: this can be a mountain or a fairly small hill, depending on how old your children are. Enjoy helping one another to make the climb; your reward is the view from the top, and the picnic lunch you have up there!

fishing: you can do this with a net in 11Go the rock pools at the beach, or in a stream or river inland. Have a snail race: find some snails, and 12 set up the course; place bets on which snail will win, and watch the action unfold. Go star-gazing: find a place where the 13 sky is open, ideally away from too many artificial lights; do some research beforehand so you know what to look for, and when you get a clear evening, head off in search of the North Pole, Saturn and the Plough. Take a blanket with you so everyone can lie down and look up, which makes it more relaxing. Hunt for treasure or bones: beaches 14 can be great places for this, or look online to see if there are any ‘treasure troves’ near you (eg if you’re in London, mudraking on the banks of the Thames has plenty of potential).

Borrow a dog for a weekend: if you geocaching: ok, so this is one activity 9 have 15 Go your own dog, this isn’t for you. But if you will need your mobile phone for. But the you’re not a dog-owning family, having one on loan for a few days can be a hugely rewarding experience. See www.borrowmydoggy.com

high-tech treasure hunt is fascinating, and it pulls all members of the family in. Try it! More information at http://www.geocaching.com

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Joanna Moorhead has some ideas on how to do it

Summer feature 16

Switch roles in the kitchen: if you’re usually the meal-maker, and the children are usually the table-setters, do things the other way round. Let the children plan, shop for and prepare the meal (depending on their ages, they may need some help) while you put together an excitingly-laid table. It’s always good in a family to do things a different way round…everyone learns, and there’s plenty of fun to be had.

a family talent show: this is a 17 Have good one when you have another family or relatives visiting. Everyone has to do a turn; no wriggling out allowed, however shy the mums and dads are. Allow time for rehearsing, and have one person double up as a compere. Reciting a poem, singing a song, doing a mime, dancing, playing an instrument…everyone has a talent to share. a family journal or scrap 18 Make book: this can be a good project for a fixed amount of time, like a family holiday or a school holiday. Like a talent show, everyone needs to contribute something. Theme the book to the holiday you’re on or the season you’re in, and invite ideas on descriptions of where you are, reviews of local pubs or restaurants, accounts of days

July/August 2014

out or activities, book reviews or accounts of favourite ways to spend time together as a family. Writers can write, artists can draw. You’ll keep this book forever; it will be a snapshot of your family in a certain place, at a certain time. they’re cheap and easy to buy, 19 orFlyyoua kite: can even make your own. Read up on tips about how to fly them (www.thekite society.org); or if you’re really challenged and doubtful about your skills, seek out a master kiteflyer to help you learn (google kite flying lessons in your area). There’s nothing better than seeing your kite soar into the air, knowing you’ve pulled together as a family to make it happen. birdwatching: you don’t need to 20 Go know anything about birds to enjoy watching them, but if you go to a birdwatching sanctuary or wetlands centre you’ll learn loads. Being in a shelter makes birdwatching more fun and should in theory mean you see more interesting birds. Take your binoculars, and get the children to draw pictures of the birds they see. For more information see www.wwt.org.uk

Summer feature

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Summer feature

July/August 2014

速

Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing. For 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.

Stagecoach Schools enrolling now Battersea 020 8946 Fulham 0845 202 New Malden 020 8540 Putney 0845 265 Tooting 020 8942 Wimbledon 020 8946 www.stagecoach.co.uk

2986 5727 7791 7050 3502 3400

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s on

Drama See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill SW11 5TN bac.org.uk Wot? No Fish!! A true story of love, art, history and fish balls. 7.30pm, £12 To 19 July Dumbstruck Somewhere in the North Pacific, a lonely scientist hears a whale song like no other… 8pm, £12/£9 2-19 July

The Cambridge Theatre Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street WC2H 9HU uk.matildathemusical.com Matilda The Musical Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny Throughout July and August

The Chelsea Theatre 7 World's End Place, Kings Road SW10 0DR www.chelseatheatre.org.uk Field of Asphodel Retelling the Persephone myth with puppets, shadows and music with an East European twist resonating with texts from witnesses of the Chernobyl disaster. 7.30pm, £12/£10 1-2 August

Chicken Shed Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE chickenshed.org.uk Tales from the Shed - Summer Season 2014 Entertaining, interactive theatre shows perfect for young children. Informal, lively and amazingly engaging, the performers and audience share the same space - children are always encouraged to make a lot of noise and to make the story happen. 0-7yrs, £6 4-12 July Chickenshed's Youth Theatre presents The Ever Popular War Show Using World War One as a start point, The Ever Popular War Show takes in what this conflict did to a

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM 39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6433, www.ltmuseum.co.uk The London Transport Museum is a fantastic destination for holiday activities and weekend days out. Right in the middle of busy, bustly Covent Garden, the museum is located in the beautiful and spacious Victorian flower market building. It brings together a comprehensive collection of real vehicles alongside posters, signs, uniforms, photographs and tickets, celebrating over 200 years of the city's transport system, from the earliest horse-pulled trams to today's Underground system and iconic big red buses. Stop off at the Family Station and pick up a coin bag filled with childfriendly activities to help explore the galleries. There are stencils, blank postcards, ticket books, Flickr frames and travel card holders waiting to be filled in, decorated and taken home as souvenirs. Also during school holidays, costumed staff hold storytime sessions to share the adventures of workers who have kept London on the move.

LOVES!

Family-friendly facilities include ramp or lift access to all galleries, two cafés, a picnic area, baby feeding and changing areas, and a shop with pocket-money priced souvenirs among the selection. Before you go, we recommend checking out www.ltmuseum.co.uk to plan your visit and take advantage of any special activities for the day you go. We say: "The museum really does have something for all ages. Grandparents and parents will enjoy reminiscing, the BIG exhibits are jaw-dropping, all visitors will learn something new, and children are very well catered for. Best of all, entry tickets are valid for a whole 12 months, so every time you're up in central London, you can pop in and 'drive' a bus!" Open 10am-6pm Mondays to Thursdays and weekends, from 11am Fridays. Admission £15 adults, free for under 17s. generation of young people, and how current conflicts are affecting youth today. Age 10+, 7pm, £5 16-19 July London Bridges Story-collector Jackto Factotum lives on one of London’s bridges and is on a quest to collect magical stories brought to his city from around the world. Told through puppetry, rhyme, larger-than-life characters, mime, song and dance, Jackto’s stories enchant all who hear them... 3-7 years. £7 31 July to 9 August

The Colour House Theatre Watermill Way SW19 2RD colourhousetheatre.co.uk

KidsFest 2014 A special day dedicated to children. With something unique and inspirational for all ages, it's a fantastic family day out with lots of activities and workshops. 11am-5pm 25 August FREE

The Garrick Theatre 2 Charing Cross Road WC2H 0HH www.nimaxtheatres.com/garricktheatre/horrible_histories_barmy_britain__part_two Horrible Histories Barmy Britain - Part Two! Can you beat battling Boudicca? Can evil Elizabeth

CALLING ALL PARENTS! Our business is expanding and we need help! I am a busy Mum supporting and coaching other busy parents to find the ideal work/life balance.

looking We are nts who for pare a decent n ar e want to ilst working h salary w ere me. Th from ho positions ous are vari to suit available and e m ti r u yo ments commit

July/August 2014

Would an extra £500 to £700 per month make a difference to the family budget? Do you need an extra income in order to give your kids more activities and treats? Is your hard earned money going on childcare fees rather than your children and lifestyle?

Please call Adele on 07447 485 105 For further information.

www.motherbynature.co.uk

Cont p. 32

Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong...

from p.31

What’s on entertain England? Will King Charles keep his head? Escape the clutches of Burke and Hare and move to the groove with party Queen Victoria! Don't miss this horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in! 3-31 August

Cadogan Hall 5 Sloane Terrace SW1X 9DQ, 020 7730 4500, www.cadoganhall.com What the Ladybird heard Two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard of fun! Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer's fine prize cow.

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

The Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 7ES www.nimaxtheatres.com/lyric-theatre The Tiger Who Came to Tea The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don't expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! For children aged 3 and above 2 July - 7 September

The New Wimbledon Theatre

www.puppetbarge.com Joey's Circus Comes to Town The Beadle wants to close the circus down but Dog Toby comes to the rescue. Featuring traditional characters such as Pretty Polly, Burglar Bill and Mr Punch, all on strings! Age 3+, 11am and 3pm, £10/£8.50 To 13 July

Regents Park Open Air Theatre Inner Circle, Regents Park NW1 4NU www.openairtheatre.com Hobson’s Choice Times vary, £25-£45 21 June – 12 July Twelfth Night Re-imagined for everyone aged six and over. Times vary, £15 21 June – 12 July

But they reckon without the tiniest, quietest creature of all: the Ladybird has a plan of her own! Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks' award-winning picture book bursts onto stage with plenty of colour and verve. Ages 2+, tickets from £14.50. 24 July - 10 August.

The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre English National Ballet School 25th Anniversary Summer Performances. 7.30pm, £16.90 4-5 July Peppa Pig's Big Splash Fresh from the success of Peppa Pig's Party and Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt comes Peppa's brand new show Peppa Pig's Big Splash. Join Peppa and her friends for another all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles! £16.40-£22.90 26-27 July Top Hat Direct from its tremendous success in London, Top Hat brings the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the glorious, tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the stage in one of the greatest dance musicals of all time. £17.90£49.40 12-23 August

Little Angel Theatre

The Peacock Theatre

The Royal Opera House

Portugal Street WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com Mummenschanz - Musicians of Silence The performers of Mummenschanz create inspiring and captivating illusions using masks, props and sleight of hand. The result is a visually stunning spectacle of entertainment that is suitable for all the family to enjoy 19-27 July New English Ballet Theatre - Tryst: Devotion and Betrayal Following their highly successful debut season in 2012, New English Ballet Theatre returns with a mixed bill programme showcasing new works from some of the UK’s top choreographic talents 2-5 July London Studio Centre's Jazz Dance Company - Circus of Dreams A dazzling display of song and dance for whole the family. A vibrant programme of works, from contemporary jazz to hip hop, tap and music theatre 9 July

Covent Garden WC2E 9DD roh.org.uk The Royal Ballet School Summer Performances A showcase of dance in the Linbury Studio Theatre, designed to display the full range of the School's talent. 2.30pm, 7.30pm, £11 2-5 July

N1 2DN Littleangeltheatre.com Fireside Tales with Granddad Cuddle up around the campfire as Granddad recalls a daring escape from a hungry shark. Tuck into a marshmallow or two as he attempts to make a new set of underpants for a giant. And watch as the shadows between the trees unravel a tale of greedy goblins, grumpy trolls, sneaky princes and a very unusual princess. Age 4+, £10/£8 2-6 July

The London Coliseum St Martin's Lane WC2N 4ES www.eno.org Push After sell-out seasons around the world Sadler’s Wells’ critically acclaimed production returns to the London Coliseum. The production features four works, including 'Two', a dazzling solo which seems to trap Guillem in a box of light. 29 July - 3 August Coppelia Dr Coppélius the toymaker has created the lifelike Coppélia doll and wishes for nothing more than to bring her to life. He thinks his dream has finally come true, but he has merely been caught up in a lovers' tiff. Love triumphs over all in this comedy of mistaken identity 23-27 July Diaghilev Festival of Ballet Part of the Russian Season at the London Coliseum, Diaghilev Festival is a collection of Ballets including Petrushka, Chopiniana and Polovtsian Dances 11-13 July London's Summer Lake - Swan Lake Les Saisons Russes du XX1 siècle stages a season of legendary works that honour Sergei Diaghilev, Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 15-19 July

The Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com Moominsummer Madness Breathtaking puppetry, live music and humour bring Tove Jansson’s much-loved Moomins to the London stage for the first time. 4-8 years, £13.50/£9 11 June – 16 August Skitterbang Island Storm! Shipwreck! Adventure! An original puppet opera for ages 3-6, £11/£8.50 25 June – 16 August

Puppet Theatre Barge

The Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com The John Wilson Orchestra - Kiss Me, Kate Following the enormous success of their staged performance of My Fair Lady in 2012, John Wilson and his orchestra return to perform Cole Porter's Tony Award-winning reworking of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. 7.30pm 2 August CBeebies Prom Classical music, plus classics from everyone’s favourite CBeebies’ programmes, 11am, £7-£13 26-27 July

Sadler's Wells Rosebery Avenue EC1R sadlerswells.com Brasil Brasileiro The exuberance and energy of Brazil returns this summer as performers from Rio de Janeiro bring alive the spirit that makes Brazil so unique. Famed for its sizzling, feel-good dance heritage, this is a country where the musical culture of Africa and Europe merge with dance to create the infectious rhythms of samba. £35-£50 8-27 July

Shakespeare's Globe 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com Antony and Cleopatra The alluring and fascinatingly ambiguous Queen of Egypt has bewitched the great Mark Antony, soldier, campaigner and now one of the three rulers of the Roman Empire. Times and dates vary as this production is in rep To 31 August

The Southbank Centre Belvedere Road SE1 8PX southbankcentre.co.uk Festival of Love A festival of comedy, circus and family shows To 7 September

Little Venice, Blomfield Road W9 2PF

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s on Catherine Street WC2B 5JF www.reallyuseful.com/theatres/theatre-royaldrury-lane Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl's deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka comes to life in a brand new West End musical directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes. From £16.50 Throughout July and August

Museums & Galleries

Grant Museum of Zoology UCL, University Street WC1E 6DE www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/zoology Weird and Wonderful Wildlife Flying lizards, giant starfish, duck-billed platypuses, thorny devils and spiny anteaters. Take part in fun hands-on activities and come face to face with these beasts. Drop in, 1-4.30pm 29 July-2 August FREE

The London Transport Museum

See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org Sutton Hoo and Europe AD 300–1100 A display of the British Museum’s unparalleled early medieval collections which include the famous Sutton Hoo treasure

The Design Museum 28 Shad Thames SE1 2YD designmuseum.org Time Machines: Daniel Weil and the Art of Design The first museum exhibition devoted to Daniel Weil’s work spans his thirty years at the forefront of design practice. £12.40/£5.60 To 31 August Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary Things Discover key designs that have shaped the modern world and be inspired by this fascinating exhibition of memorable objects from the Design Museum Collection. £11.85/under 12s free

The Florence Nightingale Museum 2 Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7EW www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Miss Nightingale Said An illustrated talk given by

July/August 2014

one of the museum’s curatorial team examining the incredible life and achievements of Florence Nightingale. 3.30pm, £5.80/£4.80 Every Wednesday from 1 July

Covent Garden WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Goodbye Piccadilly – from Home Front to Western Front New exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War, revealing the untold story of London’s Home Front

The Museum Of London London Wall EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk House of Muses Explored Be inspired by an exciting temporary structure at the museum, and get creative in this Londoninspired art drop-in for families. 12-2pm 6 July FREE Archikids Festival From Skyscraper Sketching and Catwalk Hatwalk to On Your Scooter, children aged 4-11 will turn into detectives of architecture by exploring wonderful buildings in the City of London's Square Mile 27 July Museum Explored Join one of the Museum's Hosts and explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities. 12-2pm 13, 20 and 27 July FREE

The National Gallery Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN nationalgallery.org.uk Family Sundays Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm, age 5-11

Every Sunday in July FREE Making Colour Take a journey through the history of colour. Follow a family trail, explore the properties of colour and the materials used to create colour in paintings. £8, under 16s free To 7 September

National Maritime Museum Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Nelson, Navy, Nation A major new permanent gallery looks at how the Royal Navy shaped individual lives and the course of British history over the tumultuous 18th century FREE Guiding Lights: 500 Years of Trinity House and Safety at Sea Five hundred years ago, a fraternity of London mariners was given a charter by Henry VIII and became the Corporation of Trinity House, with instructions to improve the safety of navigation on the Thames. FREE

The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story What was Britain like when the first humans arrived on its shores? Travel back in time nearly one million years to uncover what life was really like for our ancient relatives. £9/£4.50 To 28 September Sensational Butterflies Experience the wonder of walking among hundreds of free-flying butterflies. Wander through a tropical enclosure, discovering the science behind these delicate creatures and their amazing life cycles as they evolve from crawling caterpillars into beautiful butterflies To 14 September Lates with MasterCard Visit the Museum after hours and experience London’s most unique Friday night out. 6pm–10.30pm 25 July FREE Night Safari Get up close and personal with their scientists’ favourite creatures as you travel through the Central Hall and adjoining galleries. You’ll see some of the Museum’s most famous exhibits and learn about their fascinating backgrounds. 7-10pm, £284 August

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Theatre Royal Drury Lane

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk NEW!

from p.33

What’s on Science Museum Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD sciencemuseum.org.uk The Rubbish Collection What does one month of ‘rubbish’ from one institution look like? Discover the beauty, value and volume of what we throw away. A unique twopart exhibition is to use 30 days’ worth of the Science Museum’s waste to expose the beauty, value and volume of what we call ‘rubbish’ 16 June – 14 September FREE

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk The Great Diary Project Using documents from The Great Diary Project archive, this exhibition offers unique insights into the lives of children and teenagers at particular moments in history To 12 October FREE Hand Over Hand Me Downs Examining the UK’s international adoption policies, taking artist Annabel Stockman’s photographic project as inspiration To 31 August FREE Toy Stories A display of photographs which explores the role of toys in the lives of children around the world, reflecting the impact of the children’s backgrounds and families on their choice of toys To 14 December FREE Artbash Camp Enjoy a week of arty fun! Young artists will develop their creative skills through a programme of imaginative workshops. As well as linking to the Museum’s displays, there will be some messy outdoor workshops. Bring a packed lunch and dress for mess. www.artbash.co.uk/book, email Linda@artbash.co.uk. Ages 5-11, 9am-3.30pm, £140 per week or £40 per day (10% sibling discount) 28 July-4 August Summer Festival The best in family festival fun. The Museum grounds will be buzzing with live music, dance, walkabout acts, art and craft activities, designer stalls, food, face painting, rickshaw rides and games. Not to be missed whatever the weather! Drop in, all ages, 11.30am-4.30pm 27 July FREE Daydreams and Diaries - The Story of Jacqueline Wilson Celebrate all things Jacqueline Wilson, find out

about her childhood, early career and what inspires her to write. There are also extracts and illustrations from some of her best-loved books including The Story of Tracy Beaker, The Illustrated Mum and hetty feather To 2 December FREE Family Fun Fridays Join them for a day of creative fun. Drop in, all ages 11am-4pm 8, 15 and 22 August FREE

Wandsworth Museum 38 West Hill SW18 1RX www.wandsworthmuseum.co.uk Ready, Steady, Play! Playtime and songs for little ones 6 months–3 years. 10.15–11am, £3 Every Thursday in July and August

Days Out See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The Chelsea Physic Garden 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Family Activity Days Includes Mandrakes, Minibeasts, Medicines & Microscopes, Chocolate Tuesday, Flight Club: an introduction to things that fly, Garden Photography, and Art Safari. 10.30am-2.30pm Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 5-28 August

Kensington Palace Kensington Gardens W8 4PX www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace Glorious George ll Take your place among the glitterati of court, where they play host to some of the greatest minds in the kingdom. Become a courtier for the day, indulge in gossip and gambling, listen to beautiful Georgian music, and even help Queen Caroline get dressed in the morning!

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo Battersea Park SW11 4NJ batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Bugs Day Meet some creepy crawlies and make an Ugly Bug puppet, with the help of Zoo Artist in Residence Beatrice Von Preussen. 11am-12.30pm

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo and 1.30pm-3.30pm. Admission fees apply 29 July Butterfly Day Make butterfly arts and crafts. 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm. Admission fees apply 24 July Ring Tailed Lemur and Monkey Day Listen to a Monkey story and make a Lemur mask or Monkey Badge. 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm3.30pm. Admission fees apply 31 July August Zoo Family Days Includes Animal T-shirt Printing, Otter Day, Snake and Lizard Day, Meerkat Day. 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm3.30pm. Admission fees apply Every Tuesday and Thursday 5-28 August

Kenwood House Hampstead Lane NW3 7JR www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood First Family Sundays Creative workshops bringing Kenwood’s worldfamous paintings to life. Work together to try different art and crafts whilst exploring the house and finding out more about its collections. All activities are free. 12pm-4pm 7 July FREE

Visit 345 Nursery where “The Nursery offers an exceptionally welcoming and inclusive environment” (Ofsted November 2011). Children become independent inquisitive and motivated in this rich and vibrant learning environment. Great outdoor space! Options include Afternoon School, Lunch Club and Early Bird Club. www.345nurseryschool.co.uk Please contact us on 020-8870-8441 or dixonannab@aol.com Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3SA

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Meet The Neighbours Meet our neighbours in space in this entertaining interactive show, where you decide which planets to visit. 5yrs+, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.45pm, 1.45pm, £6.50/£4.50 Mondays and Wednesdays during term time only. Check website for dates during school holidays

Longitude Punk’d Celebrating the creations of wacky inventors, stargazing scientists and elegant explorers of the 18th Century. The Royal Observatory Greenwich have commissioned nine UK ‘Steampunk’ artists to create new works inspired by the technical inventions that were presented to the Board of Longitude between 1714 and 1828. £16/£12 To 4 January 2015

The Tower Of London Tower Hill EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon Fortress Tower Welcome to the greatest fortress in the land! Knights and squires prepare to do battle for the Kingdom of France. Admission fees apply From 1 July Life in the medieval Palace Step into a world of gallant knights and beautiful damsels, of brutal lords and sturdy peasants. As King Edward I extends his fortifications and royal lodgings, there are skills to learn and friends to be made. Be entertained and enthralled by the tales of heroism and woe that King Edward and his Court enjoy. Admission fees apply To 5 July

The London Wetlands Centre Queen Elizabeth, Barnes SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk Introduction to Wildlife Photography Confused or frustrated by the buttons and settings on your camera and want to really take control of your photographic creativity? Photographer and author Iain Green will guide you through your camera’s various automatic settings - and then show you how to turn off the 'automatic ' mode but still get fantastic photos. 10am–4pm, £55 4 July Be a Wildlife Explorer Come to WWT London Wetland Centre this summer and be a Wetland Warden. Help make bat boxes, build a home for a bat or create a bug

hotel of your own to take home. Admission fees apply 24 July - 1 September Evening Wildlife Photography This workshop gives keen photographers a rare opportunity to enjoy WWT London Wetland Centre in a relaxed, secluded atmosphere when most of the other visitors have left. Experience the beautiful evening light from late afternoon until dusk, taking advantage of the changing conditions to capture images that aren’t possible during normal opening hours. 4-8.30pm, £39 14 and 28 August

Out of town See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The Home of Charles Darwin (Down House) Luxted Road, Downe, Kent BR6 7JT www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse Garden Tours Hear about the experiments Darwin carried out to help prove his theories on evolution and see how the grounds have been restored to their original Victorian layout, complete with authentic planting. Garden Tour only £3.50/£2 Every Wednesday and Sunday 2 July–31 August

Kent & East Sussex Railway Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE www.kesr.org.uk Wallace & Gromit Enjoy a Day at the Kent & East Sussex Railway with Wallace and Gromit. Families can enjoy a steam train journey with the chance to see the popular TV characters. 8am, £16/£11 12-13 July

Leeds Castle Maidstone ME17 1PL leeds-castle.com Knight’s Glamping Escape to the countryside for a glamorous camping holiday with a difference. Eight splendid striped pavilions based on a Medieval design form a 'village' on the one-acre castle vineyard. From £185

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The Royal Observatory

What’s on

Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QX

‘The unique needs of the children are promoted exceptionally well and staff are committed to meeting children’s learning and welfare needs' (Ofsted Outstanding – December 2011) Please come and see us in action and capture the excitement of learning at Oaktree Nursery School Incorporating art, music, yoga, sport, cooking and drama and all aspects of the Early Curriculum. Contact: Annabel Dixon Phone: 020 8870 8441 email: dixonannab@aol.com www.oaktreenurseryschool.co.uk

July/August 2014

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What’s on

Diary dates and events See more events in our online What’s On calendar

NCT Wimbledon & Wandsworth

Qualified and experienced teacher – specialism English (CRB checked) Age 3 to 11+ tuition Tel: 07738 238273 chloeabbott02@gmail.com www.tailoredtutoringuk.com

Carmela Guida’s School of Ballet The Dance Lab 63 Upper Richmond Rd, East Putney, SW15 2RD Christ the King Roman Catholic Parish 9 Cresent Gardens, Wimbledon Park, SW19 8AJ

To arrange a free trial class visit:

www.carmelaguidaballet.co.uk

www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com Monday Munchkins. Every Monday in July, 10am12pm at Elim Church, High Path, South Wimbledon Breastfeeding Drop-in. Every Thursday in July, 10am–12pm, Gooseberry Bush Café (upstairs studio) Bumps and Babes. Every Friday in July, 10.30am–12pm, Wimbledon Park Pavilion Post-natal meet up. Every Friday in July, 1.30–3.30pm at Mood Food Café, 131 Penwith Rd, Earlsfield, SW18 4PZ

Royal Opera House WC2E 9DD www.roh.org.uk Every Sunday in July. Family Sundays A new regular event for families to come and explore the Royal Opera House, its artists and the world of opera and ballet. Packed full of creative and practical activities for all the family including informal performances from Royal Ballet dancers, plus interactive singing and dance activities. 12–4pm, £5 adults, £3 children

Dulwich Picture Gallery SE21 7AD dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk First and last Sunday of July. Family Sundays Enjoy being creative together in these drop-in Artplay sessions, making everything from bunting to block prints. 2.10pm and 3.10pm, no booking necessary, free for families with a Gallery ticket or £3 per child To 9 July. A Painter’s Palette Learn how to mix and manipulate colour, develop new skills making one new painting each week with artist Jo Lewis. Every Wednesday, ages 7-10, 4.30-6pm, £60. 5-6 July. The Comedy of Errors The Dulwich Players bring Shakespeare to these beautiful grounds, with a shipwreck, warring states, two sets of twins, mad conjurers, courtesans and a jealous wife! £12 seated, £7 on the grass in the Gallery Garden

Try on period Tudor costume, handle artefacts and learn about the history of Fulham Palace. Free, no booking necessary, 2pm-3.30pm 23 July. Garden Gnomes Family Drop-in Everyone knows that gnomes love gardens! Craft your own and take them home to live there. £2 per child, no booking necessary, 5-12 years, 2pm3.30pm. Meet beside the Bishop's Tree in the garden 6, 10, 19 and 24 August. Monthly Historical Tours Learn the secrets of Fulham Palace on this Historical Tour through the grounds and public rooms of the Palace. £5, no booking necessary, 2pm 13 August. Summer Masks Family Drop-in Make a mask inspired by the garden, be a beautiful flower or a scary insect. £2 per child, no booking necessary, ages 5-12, 2pm-3.30pm 17 August. Pirates of Penzance – Outdoor Theatre Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comic opera gets the complete Illyria treatment. £15/£10, 4pm, age 5+, book at www.illyria.uk.com 21 August. Punch and Judy at ‘Margate Sands’ Come along to 'Margate Sands' in Bishop's Park and enjoy some old-fashioned seaside entertainment with Punch and Judy. 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm. Free, no booking necessary 25 August. Garden Stories Family Drop-in Join storyteller Olivia Armstrong for this free afternoon of storytelling inspired by the Fulham Palace garden. Age 2+, 1.15pm, 2pm, 2.40pm 27 August. Pizza, Pizza Family Drop-in Make pizzas to bake at home using fresh ingredients from their vegetable garden. £2 per child, no booking necessary, age 5-12, 2pm3.30pm

Wimbledon Common Nature Club Wimbledon Common

French Coffee Morning

Fulham Palace SW6 6EA fulhampalace.org 6 July. George’s Marvellous Medicine – Outdoor Theatre Illyria returns with another Roald Dahl classic full of larger-than-life characters, plenty to join in with and a twist of malicious fun! Bring the whole family along for a fun afternoon of theatre in the Walled Garden. 2.30pm, age 5+, £12/£8, book at www.illyria.uk.com 13 July. Museum Drop-in

Wimbledon Common Nature Club 6 July. Secret Life of the Honey Bee Led by Alison Pelikan, local beekeeper 3 August. Minibeast Safari

Putney Embankment Art and Craft Market The Embankment, Putney (Between the Thai Square Restaurant and Thames Place) www.facebook.com/artonputneyembankment 6 July and 3 August An exciting new market showcasing a range of arts and crafts such as paintings, sculpture and photography, wood carvings and furniture from established and emerging artists. 10am–4pm

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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Contact Teresa at info@leclubtricolore or 020 7924 4649 / 07889 967003 Every Wednesday morning in July Get together ‘between the Commons’ for coffee and to speak French for an hour. Lively discussions on a topic (articles are distributed in advance) and a great opportunity to practise your French

What’s on

Families: the Top Five this summer! This month we have picked out five of our favourite shows to see this summer. We chose shows that are short running and specifically for young children. Book your seat before you forget and the tickets run out! See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Moominsummer Madness

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Photo by Alastair Muir

The Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 7ES www.nimaxtheatres.com/lyrictheatre The wonderful classic returns to the West End. If you’ve never had a tiger arrive for tea, then this loveable production is the ideal way to show the whole family how to behave the next time one rings the doorbell. We loved it. 2 July - 7 September

Photo by Manuel Harlan.

Photo by Snorkmaiden (c)

The Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com Breathtaking puppetry, live music and humour bring Tove Jansson’s much-loved Moomins to the London stage for the first time. To 16 August

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical.

Matilda The Musical The Cambridge Theatre, Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street WC2H 9HU uk.matildathemusical.com If you haven’t seen it yet, take the kids this summer! Inspired by the genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny. A real joy! Throughout July and August

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Horrible Histories Barmy Britain Part Two! Photo 14 by (K. Charles & Oliver C)

The Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road WC2H 0HH www.nimaxtheatres.com/garricktheatre/horrible_histories_barmy _britain_-_part_two Horrible Histories returns with Part Two of the horrible history of Britain, with the nasty bits left in! Needs no introduction, this is a great show. 3-31 August HH Barmy Britain

July/August 2014

The Ever Popular War Show Chicken Shed, Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE chickenshed.org.uk Chickenshed's 40th year anniversary coincides with the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Their Youth Theatre explores what World War One did to a generation of young people, and how current conflicts are affecting youth today. An opportunity to see Chickenshed’s inspirational 1321 age group perform a piece they have devised together. 16-19 July

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk NEW!

from p.37

What’s on

NCT Putney & Fulham

Rugby Legends Festival

www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com 9 and 23 July. Fulham FC coffee morning 10am–12pm at Cafe at the Cottage, Fulham Football Club, Stevenage Road SW6 6HH. Join Debs if you’re new to the area, starting to get out with your baby or just need an excuse for a welldeserved cup of coffee 9 and 23 July. Putney new mums' group 10.30am–12.30pm at Tried and True Cafe, Upper Richmond Road SW15 6SP. Contact sophie.bartholomew@gmail.com

Wimbledon RFC www.legendsrugby.co.uk 12 July The UK’s best rugby festival is back! A celebration of rugby with veterans teams representing some of the UK’s biggest clubs including Harlequins, Wasps, London Welsh and Saracens. Plus women’s teams, mini’s teams, interactive kids zones, live bands and food and drink

First Aid for Life Balham and Westminster firstaidforlife.org.uk 11 and 12 July. The Emergency Course A 3-hour course covering care of the unconscious baby and child as well as most commonly occurring injuries and illnesses such as choking, bleeding, breaks, bleeds, burns, head injury and febrile convulsions. 9.30am-12.30pm, £60/£65

Get Active Day Warm loving environment for 2+ to 5 year olds Montessori-qualified staff International atmosphere Light and airy premises Private sunny patio Fulham /Hammersmith border Please ring— Morning sessions plus Tuesdays 1-3pm

020 7381 3511 020 7736 8729

King George’s Park, Wandsworth www.wandsworth.gov.uk/active 12 July Get sporty with loads of fun, free family activities 12pm-5pm Legends festival

Swaffield Primary School's Wild West Bonanza! Swaffield Primary School, St Ann's Hill SW18 2SA 12 July A fun day for the whole family with BBQ, inflatables and entertainment from Sharkey and George. Plus Wild West themed stalls, performances from local musical theatre school PSSA, rides and prizes. 12pm-3pm, free admission

History of Theatreland Tours Central London location walkingtours@solttma.co.uk 13 July and 17 August. Official London Theatre’s Theatreland Walking Tour Take in some of London’s quirkier theatrical sights including a Victorian music hall, the entertainment district, the home of Revuedeville variety and London’s most elegant stage door. 2.30pm, £10, age 12+

City of London Festival St Paul’s Cathedral and across the City of London www.colf.org To 17 July An innovative, eclectic programme of music, dance, spoken word and theatre. Highlights include world-class symphonic concerts in St Paul's Cathedral, recitals in livery halls, street performances in the City's gardens and squares, plus a ground-breaking new pop-up venue, to be revealed...

West End in Chelsea Chelsea Academy, Lots Road SW10 0AB http://westendin.com 28 July – 1 August Bringing the delights of the stage to Chelsea with a week-long course for kids aged 7-16, bringing the top West End performers from Matilda, The Lion King, Wicked and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Chelsea to run inspirational and fun workshops of their shows. 9am-1pm ages 7-11, 1.30pm-5.30pm ages 12-16, £199

Lollibop Festival 2014

Hatfield House, Hertfordshire AL9 5NQ www.lollibopfestival.co.uk 15-17 AugustThe UK's biggest children's festival with great names including Justin Fletcher, Mister Maker, Cbeebies Sam & Mark, National Geographic Kids, Scooby Doo, Lazy Town Live, Bear Grylls Survival Academy. Join STOMP workshops and take part in the daily parade to showcase your new talents, plus sign up to Harry’s Wizard School with fun antics and enchanted activities. 5% OFF all new client bookings! The Tottenham Hotspur Global www.themobilebeautylounge.co.uk Coaching Team will be teaching Professional, Fully Qualified & Insured Mobile Beauty therapist and Makeup artists. essential football skills including We pride ourselves in bringing you the pamper you dribbling, keepy uppies, deserve, to the comfort of your own home or venue, shooting, 5-a-side and more. at the best time for you. Book your pamper now!! Call: 07427 169001 Unmissable! Tickets £17.50 contact@themobilebeautylounge.co.uk

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July/August 2014

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