Around Town Magazine Upminster November Edition 2018

T E R I N S U P M T I O N E D I 4 4

An independent day school for girls and boys age 2 - 16 years

96% of pupils achieved 5 or more A* to C / 9 to 4 grade GCSEs in 2018. Call or e-mail today to arrange a tour.

Telephone - 01277 623070 | E-mail - registrar@stjohnsschool.net | www.stjohnsschool.net

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Christmas Events in Romford

Market Open EVERY DAY 12 to 24 December

Mini Christmas Concert on the Time 107.5FM Stage featuring: Little Miss Santas Percy the tap dancing penguin Frozen sing-along All the Jingle Ladies and performances from your favourite childrens'

characters

FREE Mini funfair, including a Ferris wheel

FREE Interactive giant Snow Globe

15 & 22 December

Come and meet the Reindeer

15 to 24 December* Daily 10:00am to 5:00pm

22 December

*finish 3pm on 24 December

Christmas stilt-walking Elves

Ice King & Queen contact jugglers 22 December

15 December

www.havering.gov.uk/romfordmarketevents Sponsored by:

ROMFORD MARKET EVENTS

in Romford

We are looking for Christmas Market traders to be part of our Christmas event Our event includes:

Free fairground rides Interactive photo snow globe Reindeer Music and entertainment Contact the Market Team on: 01708 433324 (our Trader Enquiry Line) or if you are a New Trader call us on: 01708 431442 (our New Traders Line) Email: romfordmarket@havering.gov.uk

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CONTENTS 09 08

CLLR Clarence Barrett Christmas Presents

14 James Blower 18 What’s On

Sunday 9th December

When and Where...

22

Stubbers

11

10

The Savings Guru

17

Nokes & Co, Squire House, 81-87 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9AS

Enjoy the01277 outdoors!

633971

07949 266321

mark@nokesandco.co.uk

www.nokesandco.co.uk

Copyright 2018. Around Town Upminster is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine.

Opinions expressed in Around Town do not necessarily represent those of the editors of Around Town Magazines. Around Town Magazines are published by Black Square Print Media Ltd produced by Black Square Litho Ltd.

Around Town Magazines Graphic House, Radford Way, Billericay CM12 0DX

01277 658444 www.aroundtownmagazines.co.uk We’re pleased to announce sales@aroundtownmagazine.co.uk Sir Trevor Brooking

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CLLR The CLARENCE BARRETT

Upminster & Cranham Residents’ Association

Christmas is a time for giving, which is why many people end up with at least one present they don’t want, need or like – so what are your options?

The first tip is for the giver to attach a gift receipt with the present, this will give details of the purchase but not the price, it makes life much easier when seeking an exchange or refund and also transfers the buyer’s rights to you if the goods are faulty.

Nonetheless, if the item is something you like, but is simply the wrong size for example, most shops will allow an exchange for the correct size. Many retailers also operate a ‘goodwill’ returns policy offering exchange, refund or a voucher for unwanted items through to mid-January.

Buying gifts on-line is a slightly different matter and is more flexible. If your gift was purchased on-line, over the phone or by mail-order then the present buyer has additional rights under consumer law. Basically, you have a 14 days cooling off period after your order has been received to notify the seller that you intend to return the item and get a

full refund, this then triggers a further 14 days in which to return the item.

Another option is to sell the item on eBay, local facebook selling groups or gumtree, but always check the credibility of potential buyers.

Perhaps the easiest way of dealing with the ‘unwanted gift’ dilemma is to store the presents away in your cupboard or loft and use them for gifts to other people when the need arises. One word of caution, make sure you don’t end up giving a gift back to someone who gave it to you!

Another tip for buyers is to use a credit card for purchases. This means you are covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which gives additional protection on purchases between £100 and £30,000. On debit cards, you may be covered by a voluntary scheme called ‘chargeback’ which includes protection on purchases under £100.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

HAVE YOU GOT A LOCAL BUSINESS? DO YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT YOUR STORY? Contact Around Town Magazines enquire about editorial today!

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Nokes & Co, Squire House, 81-87 High Street, Billericay, Essex CM12 9AS 01277 633971

07949 266321

mark@nokesandco.co.uk

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Savings Roundup What does the Autumn Budget mean for savers?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced his budget on Monday 29th October.

Usually budgets are at 12 noon on a Wednesday, so the 3.30pm timing on a Monday has caused a little furore! The change was due to the Chancellor wanting to pull forward the timing, to avoid clashing with the final month of Brexit negotiations in November. Initially it was scheduled in for Wednesday 31st October – until aides pointed out this was Halloween!

Fortunately for savers, there weren’t any tricks, but it was a budget short on treats also. There were no headline announcements on savings but there was some good news buried in the 102 pages of budget detail.

The treats: • Premium Bonds – there were two surprise changes. Firstly, they have had their minimum investment reduced from £100 to £25. Secondly, they can now be purchased by people other than parents and grandparents for children under 16. Given the prize pool is paying an attractive 1.40% and over £75bn are held in them, they are hugely popular with UK savers.

• National Savings & Investments – earlier in 2018, it was announced that government backed NS&I was to have a reduced funding target of £6bn, with a range of

14

£3bn - £9bn. In essence, the range gives NS&I flexibility but the reduction to £6bn of net new savings was unwelcome. Given that NS&I have actually taken between £11bn and £18bn in the previous three years, £6bn is a significant reduction. However, the budget has raised this to £9bn with a range of £6 – 12bn. This is good news as it reduces the likelihood of further interest rate reductions from NS&I. • Personal tax allowances increase – a manifesto commitment from the Conservatives was to raise the tax free personal allowance to £12,500 and the 40% higher tax rate to £50,000 by 2020. This is going to happen a year earlier than planned and come in to effect in April 2019. This is good news generally but particularly relevant for savers who go over their personal savings allowance, the amount of savings interest they can earn without paying tax (£1,000 for basic rate savers and £500 for higher rate).

• Junior ISAs – the limit for JISA’s will rise to £4,368 (from £4,260) with effect from April 2019.

The tricks: • ISA allowances – there were no changes to the ISA allowance which remains at £20,000. This was somewhat expected given it had risen strongly from the £15,240 in 2016/17 tax year but effectively is a tax rise as more people will go over their allowance – indeed the government is

forecasting an extra £5m a year of tax revenue as a result.

• ISA simplification – with seven different types of ISA available, there was hope that ISAs might be simplified but sadly there were no changes to reduce the number of them or simplify what is available.

In summary, it was a quiet budget for savers with some small areas of good news and limited bad news.

Nottingham Building Society launches best easy access account since 2015 Last month we wrote about the new bank from Goldman Sachs called Marcus, which caused a stir with its new savings account paying 1.50% and attracting over 50,000 savers in its first 10 days. However, it’s been quickly topped by Nottingham Building Society who have launched an internet based eSaver account paying 1.55%.

The account can be opened with a minimum balance of £1,000 from aged 16 and upwards and allows unlimited withdrawals. It’s maximum balance of £250,000 is unlikely to be an issue for most savers too! It’s internet access and lack of restrictions is likely to make it hugely popular.

Nottingham is the 8th largest building society in the UK with 60 branches. Given it has a deposits of around £3bn, which is smaller than challenger banks like Charter Savings, Paragon and Shawbrook,

it is unlikely that this account will be available for long so definitely one to move quickly on.

You can sign up to our newsletter, by filling in your email address on our website, so you get to hear about the latest rates and information as soon as it happens.

Billericay Christmas Market We will be at the Billericay Christmas market in Billericay High Street on Sunday 2nd December. If you have a burning savings question, want to win some fantastic prizes or just want to grab some Savings Guru giveaways, pop along and say hi!

What are the best rates currently?

The market can move quickly, so we always recommend that you check our website for the latest rates. At time of going to print, our best personal savings rates are:

Terms

Interest Rate

Provider

Instant Savings

1.55%

Nottingham Building Society

Notice

1.81%

Charter Savings Bank and Secure Trust Bank

1 Year

2.05%

Bank of London & Middle East

18 Months

2.25%

Bank of London & Middle East

2 Year

2.32%

Al Rayan Bank

3 Year

2.42%

Al Rayan Bank

4 Year

2.52%

Vanquis Bank

5 Year

2.70%

Bank of London & Middle East, Close Brothers and Ikano Bank

James Blower Founder Savings Guru Ltd

www.thesavings.guru hello@thesavings.guru @SavingsGuruUK

That’s all for this month. As always, this article is reproduced on our website www.thesavings.guru, with links to all the accounts and providers mentioned.

Have a fantastic November and see you in December!

15

#WEAREPRINT PROJECT OF THE MONTH Billericay Street Pastors were donated a minibus and came to us with the task of signwriting it. For added privacy for those in the minibus we used 1-way vision. If people want to see out of the windows, but not in. If you think you could benefit from a signwritten vehicle or 1-way vision on any window, please get in contact!

65844o.u4k 01277 squarelitho.c

www.black relitho.co.uk sales@blacksqua y, Essex CM12 0DX

dford Way, Billerica Graphic House, Ra

Sunday 9th December

We’re pleased to announce Sir Trevor Brooking will be kicking off our festive fun run.

Sunday 9th December

Sign up today!

Visit www.sfh.org.uk/ santathon, email events@sfh.org.uk, call 01708 771404 or complete the form overleaf.

Join in the festive fun by chasing the turkey at our Daggers Dash – be the first to catch it and win a Dress up as Santa and run, walk or stroll this 5km course for your local hospice. Registration at 9.30am, run starts 11am at Dagenham & Redbridge FC, RM10 7XL

URN174 © Saint Francis Hospice – all rights reserved.

Saint Francis Hospice is a registered charity, number 275913.

ACS Dance Centre Ballroom dancing weekly class to learn something new, have fun and get fit!

Beginners welcome Fridays 7.30-8.30pm at ACS Dance Club, 66 Albert Road, RM1 2PP. Experienced dancers Tuesdays 8.30pm or Mondays 8.30pm- please Call Diana 01708 783576 for details Basildon & District Rambling Club The group meets every Saturday at 2.00pm.

The Saturday walks are 4-5 miles with a rest halfway, we have some longer walks on other days.

New members are welcome and membership is only £6 per year which includes all walks. See our website www. basildonanddistrict ramblingclub.btck.co.uk for full details Cranham Art Society If you would like to join a friendly Art Club why not give us a try. We meet every Tuesday in Cranham Community Centre in Marlborough Gardens every Tuesday between 10am & noon. Whatever your standard you will be made welcome.

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Ring Gordon Setter on 01708 225612 for more information.

Cranham Community Library Come along to our new style Library at Cranham Community Centre in Marlborough Gardens.

We have a great range of jigsaws and fiction books to borrow. We are open Tuesday to Friday 10.00 to 12.00 and Monday 1.30 to 3.30.

Volunteers wanted ring Janet 01708 222665 for information.

Cranham Over 60s Club Covers Upminster and Cranham. Every Thursday 1’00pm ‘till 3.00pm.

Cranham Social Centre.

Good company, tea and biscuits, entertainment, dancing free raffle, bingo.

Car parking at the rear.

Access for the disabled.

All welcomed. £4.00 each.

Just turn up, or ring 0208 5935 625.

Friends of Parklands The aim of our “Friends” Group is to maintain Parklands Open Space as a pleasant place to walk and relax, surrounded by a natural environment.

We arrange Working Parties to keep Parklands tidy and to help control any excessive overgrowth. The Working Parties meet for a couple of hours, at 10 a.m., on the second Wednesday of every month.

If you would like to join us please visit our website, www.friendsofparklands.org. uk, for further information, or email our Working Party Organiser, Andy Brett, at: upminsterbrett@gmail.com Friends Of Upminster Mini Golf Course We are a recently formed group with the aims of promoting the Mini Golf Course in Hall Lane, Upminster and working in partnership with Havering Council to improve amenities and to encourage people of all ages to participate at the course.

Find us on Facebook.

Why not come and give it a go. Equipment is supplied and the course suits all abilities from novices to experienced golfers looking to improve their short game.

More information on the Councils website: www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/ ServiceChild/Hall-Lanegolf-course.

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Friends of Upminster Windmill Volunteers are sought to help us develop and maintain an attractive garden area around the new visitor centre at Upminster Windmill.

Our small friendly group meets on Tuesdays. If you would like to help email info@upminsterwindmill.org or enquire at the site on a Tuesday.

Greenfingers Gardening Club We are a friendly group and meet at the Cranham Community Centre, Marlborough Gardens, Cranham. 7.30pm First Monday of the month, but if this falls on a Bank Holiday we meet on the following Monday. No meetings in January or August.

Horticultural speakers, raffle and free refreshments. Come & join us you will be very welcome. Info from Sheila Woodrow 01708 228752 Havering Museum The Museum tells the remarkable story of Havering from pre-history to the present day and celebrates the achievements of local people while exploring how the areas

that make up the Borough were formed and developed.

Currently exhibiting; Titanic - Honour and Glory. It tells the story of the Titanic disaster through artefacts and includes stories from local people, who have a connection to the ship. We also have various family events, talks and events on throughout the year.

See website for details www.haveringmuseum.org.uk or phone 01708 766571 Registered charity no109376 Learn, Laugh and Live!

Havering U3A meets at 2:30pm second Wednesday of the month at St. Michael’s Church Hall, Main Road, Gidea Park.

12th December “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” by Eve Regelous.

Interest groups run throughout the month.

Doors open 2:15pm. For more information come along or see our website. www.u3asites.org.uk/havering Pilates for a Healthier Spine Experienced Sports &

Remedial Massage Therapists Charlene & Neil Carpenter teach traditional Pilates in private sessions and also to small groups in Upminster & Cranham.

For further information or to book a course or trial class please visit www. upminstersportsmassage. co.uk or call Charlene on 07411 826721, or email upminstersportsmassage@ gmail.com Upminster and District Probus Club Retired with free time during the week - Upminster and District Probus Club.

Luncheon club, with talks and outings, for retired men, covering art, crime, gardening, history, music, sport and transport etc.

Meet on the last Wednesday of the month at the Cranleigh Restaurant, Hornchurch.

Outings planned 2018: Chelmer Cruise, Bressingham Gardens, The Peoples Post and Kentish Curios.

Secretary: Barry on 01708 703783 secretary@upminsterprobus.co www.upminsterprobus.com and www.facebook.com

If you would like to promote your club or event for Nov/Dec then please email a maximum of 70 words to:

admin@aroundtownmagazines.co.uk Please ensure that all contact details are included.

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19

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K.A.S. ADULTS LEARN TO SWIM Contact Kay Hamilton Qualified A.S.A. Teacher on Mobile: 07957 567915 Thames Chase volunteers help www.kasuk.co.uk schoolchildren create an outdoor learning garden.

The Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers are supporting a number of projects throughout the Thames Chase Community Forest. At present the teams are working with schools to provide learning opportunities about the natural world close to their classrooms.

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up?

THAMES CHASE VOLUNTEERS HELP SCHOOLCHILDREN CREATE AN OUTDOOR LEARNING GARDEN.

A recent project was at Drapers Maylands School in Harold Hill, where over the course of four days our Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers delivered an exciting project creating a fantastic outdoor learning area within the school grounds. This was facilitated through a Community Action Fund grant from a Heritage Lottery Grant under an extensive project entitled ‘The Land of the Fanns’

ThetheThames Chase Conservation The school children helped teams of volunteers over four days to transform the area. AVolunteers wildlife pond was hand dug with spades, linedhelp and a are supporting Thames Chase volunteers Thames Chase volunteers help Thames Chase volunteers help filled with water. A pond dipping platform designed and throughout constructed schoolchildren create an number of was projects schoolchildren create anoutdoor outdoor schoolchildren create an outdoor and safety fencing wasthe built around the pond and platform. Community Hand crafted learning garden.

Thames Chase learning garden. learning garden. benches and a table were built and installed by the volunteers.

Cloudy2Clear Are A ...

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At present teams are The Conservation Volunteers are aanumber TheThames ThamesChase Chase Conservation Volunteersthe aresupporting supporting numberof of The Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers are supporting a number of projects the Chase At projectsthroughout throughoutwith theThames Thamesschools ChaseCommunity CommunityForest.

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projects throughout the Thames Chase Community Forest. At present the The school children and their watched in delight as theopportunities area was about teams are working schools teams areteachers workingwith with schoolsto toprovide providelearning learning opportunities about teams are working with schools to provide learning opportunities about learning opportunities the world tototheir transformed into a haven for wildlife.

Some children had a practiseabout at pond thenatural natural worldclose close theirclassrooms. classrooms. the natural world close to their classrooms. natural world close toHill, where dipping although it willthe a little while until the wildlife moves in.Harold Abe recent project was atatDrapers Maylands School inin A recent project was Drapers Maylands School Harold Hill, where A recent project was at Drapers Maylands School in Harold Hill, where classrooms.

However, they were their happy just catching leaves in Chase their nets and Volunteers over course ofoffour days Thames overthe the course fourfallen daysour our Thames ChaseConservation Conservation Volunteers over the course of four days our Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers ananexciting creating delivered exciting project creating outdoor learningarea area learning about some ofdelivered the animals thatproject will soon liveaaafantastic infantastic theiroutdoor pond. learning delivered an exciting project creating fantastic outdoor learning area

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within the school grounds. This was facilitated through a Community

withinthe theschool schoolgrounds. grounds.This Thiswas wasfacilitated facilitated through through aa Community within A recent project was atCommunity

Action Fund grant Grant under Action Fund grantfrom from aHeritage Heritage Lottery Grant under anextensive extensive The children also helped with planting up aathe manyLottery aquatic plants inan Action Fund grant from Heritage Lottery Grant under an extensive project Land the projectentitled entitled‘The ‘TheMaylands Landof theFanns’ Fanns’ project entitled ‘The ofofthe Fanns’ baskets for the pond Drapers (kindly donated byLand Latchford Aquatics,School Upminster) in Harold Hill, where over The school children helped the teams of volunteers over four days The school children helped the teams of volunteers over four daysto to and planted some locally grown native trees around the pond area.

The school children helped the teams of volunteers over four days to

transform the pond was with lined transform thearea. area.AAAwildlife wildlife pond washand handdug dug withspades, spades, linedand and the course of four days our transform the area. wildlife pond was hand dug with spades, lined and filled filledwith withwater. water.AApond ponddipping dippingplatform platformwas wasdesigned designedand andconstructed constructed

filled with water.

A pond dipping platform was designed and constructed having planting trees as part offencing afencing Community Forest Project, forHand Thames Chase Conservation and safety was built the pond platform. and safety was builtaround around the pondand andTrees platform.

Handcrafted crafted and safety fencing was built around the pond and platform. Hand crafted Learning, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural benches and were built and bybythe volunteers. benches anda atable table were built andinstalled installed the volunteers.

Volunteers delivered an benches and a table were built and installed by the volunteers.

Affairs the children are very happy to take care of the area and look exciting project creating Theschool schoolchildren childrenand andtheir theirteachers teacherswatched watched delightasasthe thea areawas was The inindelight area The school children their teachersprogramme. watched in delight as the area was forward to using it regularly as part of and their learning transformed into a haven for wildlife. Some children had a practise at pond

0800 61 21118

transformed into a haven for wildlife. Some children had a practise atarea pond fantastic outdoor learning transformed into a haven for wildlife. Some children had a practise at pond

dipping althoughthe it will be school a work little while until Thames the wildlife moves in. within grounds.

Projects such as this are fundamental tohappy the of the However, theywere were happy justcatching catching fallenleaves leavesininChase theirnets netsand and However, they just fallen their However, they were happy just catching fallen leaves in their nets and Trust, who manage thelearning Community Forest arethat hugely grateful to the learning aboutsome some theand animals that willsoon soon liveinintheir their pond. about ofofthe animals will live pond. learning about some of the animals that will soon live in their pond. fantastic teams of volunteers and would their leader, Becky Gibson, who yet plants again If you like help with a The children also helped with planting up the many aquatic in www.cloudy2clear.com The children also helped with planting up the many aquatic plants in The children also helped with and planting up the manyonaquatic plants in demonstrate their excellent skills, work another basketsfor forthe theknowledge pond (kindlydonated donated byLatchford Latchford Aquatics, Upminster) baskets pond (kindly by Aquatics, Upminster) project such asteam the one above baskets for the pond (kindly donated by Latchford Aquatics, Upminster) andplanted plantedsome somelocally locallygrown grownnative nativetrees treesaround aroundthe thepond pondarea. area. very successful project.and and planted some locally grown native trees around the pond area.

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havinginvolved planting treesasaspart partof ofa aCommunity Community Forest Project,for Treesfor for be in the ‘Trees having planting trees Forest Project, Trees If you are interest in joining our army working throughout having planting treesofas volunteers part of a Community Forest Project, Trees for Learning,funded fundedbybythe theDepartment Departmentfor forEnvironment, Environment,Food Foodand andRural Rural Learning, the Forest or at the Forest Centre, get in touch.

(Email below) Learning, funded please by theProject, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Learning’ please email Affairs the children are very happy to take care of the area and look

Affairs the children are very happy to take care of the area and look

Affairs the children are very happy to take care of the area and look forwardtotousing usingititregularly regularlyasaspart partofoftheir theirlearning learningprogramme. programme. enquiries@thameschase.org.uk forward

forward to using itsuch regularly as part of above their learning programme.

If you would like help with a project as the one or would like Projects suchas‘Trees asthis thisare arefundamental fundamental thework workofplease ofthe theThames Thames Chase Projects totothe your school to be involved insuch the Learning’ emailChase Projects such as this arefor fundamental to Project, the work of the Thames Chase Trust,who whomanage managethe theCommunity CommunityForest Forestand andare arehugely hugelygrateful gratefulto tothe the Trust, enquiries@thameschase.org.uk Trust, whoteams manage the Community Forest andBecky are hugely grateful fantastic of volunteers and their leader, Gibson, who to yetthe again

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fantastic teams of volunteers and their leader, Becky Gibson, who yet again fantastic teamstheir of volunteers and leader, Becky Gibson, who yet again PLEASE MENTION AROUND TOWN MAGAZINE WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTS demonstrate excellent skills,their knowledge andteam team workon on another demonstrate their excellent skills, knowledge and work another demonstrate their excellent skills, knowledge and team work on another verysuccessful successfulproject. project. very very successful project.

If you are interest in joining our army of volunteers working throughout

Enjoy the outdoors at Stubbers Adventure Centre this Winter!

Stubbers Adventure Centre, based in Upminster has plenty on offer for this Winter. Set in 130 picturesque acres of Essex countryside with acres with three lakes, an independent coffee shop and a children’s play park, it’s the perfect place to spend time with family for a leisurely stroll or a bike ride.

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Birthday parties are also a popular choice at Stubbers, even during the winter months! The qualified instructors supervise children on their chosen activities whilst parents can stay warm in our on-site coffee shop The Source. Available to kids in school years two to 11, parties are also held across 90-minute sessions and fall into Bronze (£165), Silver (£210) and Gold (£265) packages.

Stubbers Adventure Centre provide a wide spectrum of activities to engage and excite every member of their birthday party groups.

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Ben tells us: “Whether it’s for our popular 90-minute parties or our new full-day adventures, we know we have something for everyone at Stubbers Adventure Centre. Just leave it to us, and simply collect your little ones when they’re done!”

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Ready to book or have any questions? Call us on 01708 224 753 Discover more: www.smashcamps.co.uk

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