Beebo Summer 2013

Summer 2013 www.beebomagazine.co.uk

Complimentary

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Father’s day!

Perfect gifts and gadgets Plus

WIN tickets to the RNAS

Yeovilton Air Day!!

Kids Teeth

Why it’s important to keep them clean!

My Child is Bullying

Tips on the best approach Know the warning signs of a child that is being bullied

Plus :-

The Great Outdoors Getting kids active

The perfect family picnic

Summer travel, let’s go Glamping!

what’s on locally, books for summer, hayfever, and lots lots more....

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4 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Contents

Summer Edition 2013

Features 08 Are You an Anxious Parent?

Dr. Rebecca Chicot emphasises

the 5 P words

Bump to Baby

09 Help - My Child is a Bully Your child could also be a victim - look out for the signs

10 Second Time Around

12

Is having children a blessing to reinvent your career

12 Bump to Baby We follow one readers story - the second trimester

Summer Health

18

14 Young Summer Fashion Beachwear and accessories

17 Tooth Care for Kids The importance of starting young

18 Beebo Health Summer first aid tips and dealing with Hay fever

21 The Perfect Baby Shower The US tradition now fully integrated in the UK

Summer Camps

52

22 Summer Recipes Tasty Scones and our favourite Annabel Karmel

27 Beebo Outdoors Garden View for Summer

28 Happy Father’s Day Perfect gifts, Air Day competition and more

32 Getting Active this Summer Family activities and fun

34 Beebo Escapes Beebo test drives Honeypot Cottage and glamping

36 Holiday Packing The Baby essential packing list

37 The Perfect Family Picnic Essentials and luxuries

38 Party Time!

Top Tips

44 Books Books Books Summer reviews and great reads

47 Learning to Read The life long journey and Phonics

48 Schools & Education News News News

52 Summer Camps 2013 Joint the Club!

54 What’s on this Summer Festivals, family fun days and more...

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Help Raise A Smile for Children’s Hospice South West Good intentions of supporting a local charity can be hard to achieve whilst juggling the demands of bringing up a young family. However Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) has recently re-launched their lottery offering an affordable and simple way to support families with life-limited children.

The ‘Raise A Smile’ Lottery is a major source of income for CHSW, helping the charity to support more than 400 families with life-limited children from across the South West.

The Parson family, who have been supported by CHSW since 2009, were invited to officially launch the new lottery. Three year old Ruby Parsons had the important job of pressing the button to randomly select the winner of the charity’s first Raise a Smile Lottery draw.

Jessica Parsons, her younger sister Ruby and mum and dad visit CHSW’s Little Bridge House in Barnstaple and mum Carly explains how their visits are a lifeline for the family: “The condition that Jessica suffers from is so rare, no one knows quite what is wrong – it is referred to as a syndrome without a name, ‘swan’.

Until she was six months old she was fine, but then she started to have fits over and over again.”

“When we come to Little Bridge House we get to do things as a family like going to the beach which is a rare treat.

Jess is so happy here; we literally walk through the door and breathe a sigh of relief.”

Carly goes on to talk about how important their visits are to Ruby: “Ruby is a fun loving, very sociable little girl who loves visiting Little Bridge House. Messy Play is her favourite room and the sibling team spend time with her painting, gluing and creating.

When we were asked to help promote the new look Lottery we jumped at our

chance to give something back to the charity that has given us so much.”

Mandy Robbins, Director of Care at Children’s Hospice South West, explains more about the charity’s dedicated sibling support: “Growing up knowing that your brother or sister may not reach adulthood is unimaginable, yet hundreds of children in the South West face this reality.

Our sibling service was established in recognition of the needs of well brothers and sisters and is prized by parents and siblings alike. We provide dedicated care and support, giving brothers and sisters the time and space they need to be themselves and come to terms with the difficulties they face.”

Siblings of children with life-limiting conditions often feel that they are different to other children, that family life isn’t the same as their friends and that being a carer is part of their responsibility. Children’s Hospice South West offers them a huge range of bespoke support to stop them feeling isolated, to help them express themselves and, importantly, to allow them to have ‘me’ time and fun, just like their friends.”

Alana Marie Smith, who runs the Raise a Smile Lottery for Children’s Hospice South West says, “Joining our Lottery is an easy way to help us provide our vital service to families like Jessica and Ruby’s. By doing a good deed you will also be giving yourself a chance to win one of 14 cash prizes available each week ranging from £5 to £1,000. In addition you could win our rollover which grows each week if not won. Help us Raise a Smile by signing up to the Lottery today.”

The draw takes place every Friday with 14 regular possible cash prizes of up to £1,000 and a £200 weekly rollover which can grow to a maximum of £10,000.

6 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Ruby Parsons at Little Bridge House getting ready to press the button and draw the winning number.

To sign up to the Raise a Smile Lottery visit www.chsw.org.uk/ lottery or for information on more ways you can help us make the most of short and precious lives visit www.chsw.org.uk Children’s Hospice South West was founded in 1991 by Eddie and Jill Farwell after they experienced for themselves the urgent need for hospice care for children in the South West.

Their two eldest children, Katie and Tom, had life-limiting illnesses and they had to travel over four hours, from their home in North Devon to Helen House in Oxford, then the country’s only children’s hospice.

In 1995 Little Bridge House, the South West’s first children’s hospice opened its doors to families from across the South West. Little Bridge House very quickly became oversubscribed, which led to the opening of the charity’s second hospice Charlton Farm located just outside Bristol, in 2007.

Our Precious Lives Appeal to build our third hospice, in Cornwall, Little Harbour was launched in September 2007. The appeal ended in September 2011 as the £5 million target was reached. Little Harbour welcomed our first families through the doors in December 2011. This will, by common consent, complete a chain of children’s hospices covering Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, Devon, Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Su mmer Edition Hello and Welcome!

To our sizzling Summer edition of Beebo magazine. It has been a super busy start to the year for the Beebo camp and we have enjoyed every minute of getting stuck into the parenting depths of Somerset and meeting some of our supporters in the process. We would like to extend a very big heartfelt thank-you to all of our followers, readers, distributors and clients to date. We value your support immensely and we look forward to welcoming new faces this season.

Remember to follow all of our progress via facebook www.facebook.com/ beebomagazine and tell all of your friends and family about us. We are here to provide a good read, something for all of the family, and our aim is to join together the parenting community and create a one-stop hub of information focusing on Somerset and surrounding counties.

Summer is a fabulous time for getting active and outdoors. Spring

10,000 copies of Beebo 10,000 copies of Beebo has been distributed for free across Somerset landing in schools, nurseries, maternity units, cafes, doctors surgeries, shops and homes to those subscribing via our website. We will be publishing 4 seasonal editions per year with the hope of moving into adjoining counties in the future.

has hopefully wetted our appetites for exploring the great countryside that surrounds us and has perhaps reinforced the urge to get booking summer holidays and plan days out if you haven’t already done so.

We are extremely fortunate here in Somerset to have some of the Countries finest national parks and heritage sites on our doorstep. In our Summer edition we are keen to get families active. It is important to get our children engaged in sport. To encourage them to see their body as a machine and not just aesthetic recent studies have shown children are growing up too fast due to being conscious of image - managing the early thought process can help conquer later issues. Take a look at some of our recommendations for holidays and days out from page 34.

This Summer also marks another year in history with the impending arrival of our future King or Queen. Summer is

a glorious time to have a baby and is perfect for looking at baby and mummy accessories. We have some fabulous summer fashion which is all about accessories and beachwear for our babies, toddlers and children up to 12.

Let’s not forget Father’s day - June 16th. We have found some great gifts and gadgets all dads will love and to add to the excitement we have tickets to give away for the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day - July 13th. You have to enter to win! Good luck!

Have a fantastic Summer everyone!

Zoe Farnham, Editorial Director zoe@beebomagazine.co.uk

What’s being talked about this Summer......

Contact us : Editorial Director : Zoe Farnham Creative Director : Alex Farnham Printed by : Warners Midlands PLC Website : www.beebomagazine.co.uk Editorials : editorials@beebomagazine.co.uk Sales : sales@beebomagazine.co.uk Telephone : 07923 201517 Copyright © 2012 - 2013, Beebo Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Please note all content within Beebo magazine is subject to copy right laws therefore permission is required for any duplication and use. All editorial features and articles are purely the opinion of the author and should at no time be taken and used as fact.

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Are you an anxious parent?

by Dr. Rebecca Chicot, co-creator of the Essential Baby Care Guide DVDs and App (www.essentialparent.com) Worrying about your baby is a universal aspect of parenthood. When you first hold your ‘little bundle’ you suddenly realise that they are utterly reliant on you…and you are a beginner.

It’s no wonder that countless parents check their baby is breathing, fret about colour or their poo and spend a lot of time saying “careful!” to your toddler.

However, for some parents this can develop into chronic anxiety that has an effect on their baby and diminishes their enjoyment of parenthood.

What is it like to have an anxious mum or dad?

Anxious parents are more likely to display fear and anxiety in common situations, be critical of their children and worry what people think of them and their parenting. This triple effect may instil low confidence and fear in their children. This goes some way to explain why anxious parents are more likely to have anxious children (though anxious tendencies have a genetic component too).

Even if you feel very anxious about your baby or child try to remember these 5 P words: Pretend Children use their parents’ behaviour as a barometer to guide how they should feel or behave in certain situations. They will model their parents’ behaviour so to avoid passing on some of your own phobias or worries try to be brave for your child. Even if you are not keen on e.g., parties or spiders try to be as calm and reassuring as you can for your child so

that they don’t learn to respond with fear and anxiety too.

Personality All babies have their own personality and one strong aspect of temperament is how fearful versus bold your baby is.

As you get to know your baby you will be able to gauge their anxiety around certain things, e.g., loud noises and heights. Remember, you are their secure base so encourage them but avoid forcing them to do things that they find very frightening. Being forced to do scary things can make a child feel more anxious, so respect their personality and take things gently.

Performance Everyone worries a bit about what other’s think of their parenting. Try not to worry about what you think others ‘might’ think of you and instead focus on your child and deal with situations in the way you know works with you and your child.

Play Babies and children are designed to play and love to try new things. This is how they learn so let them try, and sometimes fail and try not to micro manage what they do.

Praise Lots of warmth and praise works wonders for a child’s confidence.

Praise ‘trying’ and not just the end result.

These top tips can help all parents to be warm and sensitive and encouraging with their children.

8 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

For more information about your baby’s emotional development visit www. essentialparent.com or watch the Essential Baby Care Guide DVDs or Apps. Dr Rebecca Chicot, has a PhD in child development from Cambridge University.

The ESSENTIAL Baby Care Guide is introduced and narrated by Professor Robert Winston. It contains all the advice you’ll need for your baby’s first year.

The Baby Care Guide is available as a FREE App in the App Store or as a giftpack at essentialparent, John Lewis and Mamas and Papas. The pack includes 4 DVDs focusing on Feeding, Sleeping, Everyday Care & Development and First Aid & Accident Prevention.

The content is all research based and advised by expert organisations such as The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Help my child is a bully It’s what every parent dreads, but bullying behaviour can be beaten.

We all want our children to have good friends and can’t bear the thought of them being bullied. But what can you do if you think that it’s your own child who is the bully?

The first thing is to keep calm. It is important to know exactly what’s going on before you act. Was this an isolated incident or is it something that has been going on for a while? Talk to your child’s teachers and find out as much as you can about what led up to the bullying behaviour, what triggered it, who was involved, and so on.

Discuss what happened with your child. Why did they act in the way they did?

Bullying behaviour is often caused by other problems in a child’s life. They might have been retaliating against another child’s aggression or teasing.

Low self-esteem, unhappiness, stress, boredom and jealousy are also triggers.

Whether it’s a one-off or a long-term problem, you need to tell your child that all bullying is unacceptable.

Encourage them to think how the other child must feel, a role-play exercise may help. Explain that if it doesn’t stop now, the situation could become worse and lead to suspension from school or even police involvement.

Set out clear consequences that you will implement if the bullying continues, but give your child chances to show improved behaviour. Set goals and reward them when they succeed.

Try to keep the atmosphere in your home as calm and relaxed as possible.

Children will copy what they see and need to learn appropriate ways of dealing with anger, such as taking ten deep breaths or going to a quiet place

to cool off.

To boost their self-esteem, find an activity or sport that your child enjoys and give them lots of praise and encouragement. You could divert their excess energy into jobs around the house – tidying up, watering the garden or walking the dog – anything that gets them moving in a positive way and earns them rewards.

Keep in touch with school to check that your child’s behaviour is improving.

If you think the situation is getting serious, don’t be afraid to ask for help – your doctor or the school can suggest a child psychologist or counsellor. The charities listed below will also give you good advice.

And don’t expect instant results. It can take months or even years to change bullying behaviour, and the older the child, the harder it is – but it’s worth it!

Bullying UK: www.bullying.co.uk 0808 800 2222 Kidscape: www.kidscape.org.uk 08451 205 204 Beat Bullying: www.beatbullying.org 0208 771 3377

by Alex Brown

Your child could be a victim of bullying look out for the signs......

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Sudden change in behaviour and/or personality

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Unexplained physical marks, cuts or bruises

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Not wanting to do something they previously loved doing

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Trouble sleeping

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Change in appetite and/or coming home from school hungry

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Appears sad, moody, anxious or depressed for no known reason

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Shows aggression towards siblings or vulnerable people

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Becomes clingy and/or afraid to be alone

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Tries to avoid the school bus

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Starts to play truant from school

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Frequently losing or damaging things

Bullying can be physical , psychological, verbal, social and now a days cyber. You know your child - look out for the signs.

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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SECOND TIME AROUND FAR FROM BEING THE REASON TO ‘GIVE UP’ ON YOUR CAREER, HAVING CHILDREN CAN BE THE CATALYST FOR RE-INVENTING YOURSELF Emily Fairweather, Somerset-based Photographer, shares her story.

And the winner is ‘Kelly and her Sisters!’ I couldn’t believe it – the documentary I had recently been filming, looking at the experience of Kelly and her family in a condemned house in Birmingham from the children’s perspective, had won a BAFTA!

My husband and I had been dropped off on the red carpet by my best mate in her mini and we had just received the news. We beat Louis Theroux! I have a photo of me with my huge bump holding the gong with the rest of the team from Carlton Television. We also won the Grierson & Broadcast awards that year for best documentary too. It was extraordinary.

It was also lucky timing because I’d just moved out of London to the West country with my husband and my growing bump. We were living in Bristol because, to be honest, I couldn’t quite cope with a jump straight to my husband’s Withnail & I type cottage down a tiny muddy lane in the Quantock Hills. He couldn’t cope with London so Bristol was our compromise.

Bristol also has a vibrant television market and I was clinging on to my career until my baby dropped. With the success of ‘Kelly and her Sisters’ under my belt it was easier to get a job in Bristol where I started as a development producer for a start up production company, coming up with concepts for documentary programmes

and pitching them to broadcasters.

Once I’d had our first daughter I took five months off before going to work at Granada TV on Whiteladies Road.

I worked on the ‘For one Night Only’ series where we sent Cheltenham Ladies College teachers to be Can Can dancers on the Moulin Rouge and Barristers to be Texan cow-hands.

But within a year I was pregnant again and happily had another little girl. By this time I realized that my husband was never going to settle in a city and we sold up and moved into the Withnail and I cottage in Somerset full time. I got a dream job as development producer for another independent production company in Bristol and spent four days a week commuting there. We had a full time nanny who looked after the girls beautifully. We both commuted to Bristol but ironically not together.

I barely saw the girls on four days of the week I loved my job in television, dreaming up series ideas and working in a team of dynamic people, but with young children, I realized, and living where we had chosen to live (1 hour 15 minutes to Bristol) it just didn’t stack up. I barely saw the girls on four days of the week and, once I’d paid for petrol and our nanny, I was left with virtual pocket money.

When my contract came to a natural end I decided to have a re-think.

Happily this coincided with us buying a derelict mill so I had to be on-site overseeing the renovations. For six months, my neighbour, a retired farmer and I repaired the dry-stone walls around the mill. Refreshed from

10 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

six months manual labour and with considerably larger pecs than when I’d started I now knew what I was going to be. A portrait photographer.

I’d done a photo-journalism course in London and had photographs published in national newspapers in my early 20’s when I’d edited an African magazine. On a particularly hairy trip to Southern Sudan where I’d spent a month touring the country the rebel leaders’ sudden rift provided several angles for stories and photographs to accompany them: child soldiers; refugee crises, I even had a pseudonym to protect my identity.

My work is so flexible that often I can do a shoot while the kids are at school But all that was a long time ago and way before the era of digital cameras.

So I took the plunge and rang Pauline Rook, a photographer who’s style I much admired. I asked her if she would mentor me and said she would.

Having children and wanting to be a Mum who is around in the daytime prompted this career shift and has been fantastically positive for us She determinedly pushed me on over several months until I earned my British Institute of Professional Photography Qualification with a panel of twenty photographs of kids in rustic settings, my forte.

Now I take my girls to school and pick them up. My work is so flexible that often I can do a shoot while the kids are at school and can then edit the photos when they’re in bed. My husband, who is a lawyer and tends to work long hours in the week, is happy to look after the girls at weekends when I have a wedding or a family shoot.

Travelling has always been a big part of my life and it is wonderful to now have the skills to enable me to get features commissioned. Last year I went to Uganda twice to do pieces for Country Life and reviews for Tatler. It was very refreshing and I am resolved to do at least one international photojournalism trip each year.

Having children and wanting to be a Mum who is around in the daytime prompted this career shift and has been fantastically positive for us. Being a photographer was always something I secretly aspired to being and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to do it, second time around.

I love having contrasts in my life and no two days are the same. This year I’ve already done several commercial shoots like the boutique shop Coco Blue’s Fiorentini shoes and boots; Sleeps 12 Holiday Houses, Parham

House Bridal posters as well as my mainstay Family Portrait Shoots and Weddings.

What’s next? Well I’m specialising in some areas for instance, I’m going to create a new-born baby studio and I’m expanding my props so that when families come for a shoot with me I’ll have backdrops of old-fashioned wooden trolleys filled with flowers or a gypsy caravan at our disposal. I’m also using new album providers so that for weddings and family shoots I provide options to use a contemporary photobook or a bespoke leather, embossed album. In September I’m being trained by an expert in horse portraiture as this is something that I would like to explore further. I have my own black and white mare, Bug, and I’ve done pony club portraits over several years now but I am keen to do more considered portraits with ponies and their owners.

Moving to the Country and having children has allowed me to pursue my dream career I’m running a second half marathon in September as 2013 is my year for sport. And I’m planning where my next international adventure’s to be.

To contact Emily Fairweather for a portrait shoot please call 01984 667 281 or 07958763029 e-mail: emilyfairweather@btinternet.com www.emilyfairweatherphotography.co.uk

Moving to the country and having children entailed a shift in life-style for our family but has given me the opportunity to follow my dream career.

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Bump to Baby Following one reader’s experience from bump to baby - the second trimester

Dear diary, Week 15 We are finally able to talk about the pregnancy!! Hoorah!! We decided to tell both of our grandmothers the day after the scan and everyone else in the following few days. Nobody seemed to have suspected it was on the cards at all but I decide not to take this personally, maybe they think I’m such a high powered career woman I wouldn’t have time for babies! hah yes that must be it!!

Week 16 I’m almost scared to say it but I think the sickness may be going! Yes! We meet up with some friends who are also expecting a baby a week after us, it is so nice having someone in the same boat..until it comes down to dinner arrangements! She’s pregnant and fancies an Indian, I’m pregnant and fancy a Chinese. By this stage both partners know there is no point discussing this and both the Chinese and Indian are ordered! We also visit my brother and his girlfriend in London at the weekend. A two hour drive plus pregnancy emotions equal we almost don’t make it out of the door! In hindsight perhaps crying and saying I don’t feel supported because Craig didn’t carry my bag to the car is over-reacting but all the books say this is normal “its my hormones”!! A further discussion about how “being extra emotional when pregnant is just in your head” makes for a not

so enjoyable journey. We agree to disagree (but of course I was right) and we have a nice weekend away after all!!

Week 17 Feeling pretty much back to normal I decide to book up most evenings with yoga and pilates. It gets to Monday lunchtime and I cancel all the bookings..who am I kidding!? I struggled to get to the classes before my wedding why I am I going to bother now!? I decide it is actually better to cancel my gym membership altogether and use the money for more important things.. lashes and nails are importantish!

Week 18 Boobs!! My boobs seem to know something my belly doesn’t and are still growing! This is not bad at all - new boobs, no sickness and no belly yet!! I could get used to this! We are off to a black tie auction and stupidly I forget that my existing clothes probably don’t have space for the twins up top now!!

20 minutes before I am due to leave I have to make a panicked trip across town for a friend to do up my dress!!

It takes not only her but her sister and mum, who were in the middle of a lovely family dinner, to force me in while her daughter just asks “what’s the matter with you!?” I have to drive home not wearing my dress after 3 hours of sitting and not breathing.. really hoping this is not the time I get

12 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

pulled over.. not so much for the lack of clothes but more the fact that I don’t think anyone can pull off wearing just a giant pair of Spanx!

Week 19 I am now seeing a hint of belly but not the lovely ‘oh she’s pregnant’ belly... more of the ‘ooh I’m not sure she should be wearing that’ belly! We have a date night and I try to be a bit dressy.. I ask “does this look OK?” and am told “you know when you see those girls and they look a bit bigger....”

The sentence doesn’t even finish.... he knows!... I wear the dress anyway due to lack of options but make sure to discuss pregnancy at all times while out to ensure people don’t just think I am “a bit bigger”. Polishing off three courses probably doesn’t help this though! The appetite is most certainly back!!

Week 20 Most people now know I am pregnant and a lot of people keep grabbing at my belly. This bemuses me a little as I really don’t have a ‘bump’ I just have a podgy belly and I still believe not that podgy. People also seem to love calling me ‘fatty’, mostly people who are actual ‘fatties’ themselves but again I’m not too sure how to take this. I didn’t realise pregnancy meant groping and abuse!!

Week 21

Week 24

A family trip to Edinburgh! Had to walk up lots of steep hills and I just imagine everyone was thinking ‘good on her all this hill walking despite being pregnant’- yes I’m sure they were! My bump is showing more now especially when wearing my coat! I have purchased some maternity jeans but I don’t think I’m quite ready for them yet as the band is still baggy. I’ve started trying to get out of things by pointing at my belly or saying ‘you do know I’m pregnant!?’ I pretend it is all in jest but actually deep down I am hoping for sympathy.. it seems to rarely happen.

The sickness seems to be a thing of the past thank goodness and my belly has definitely now ‘popped’. Now that I can see a belly I have started ‘eating for two’! I know that this is nonsense but just think ‘well there is no hope so I may aswell...’ Plus it is Christmas so what better time to indulge.

Week 22 Scan number 2!! This time I am excited for it and not too nervous. We have decided not to find out the sex of the baby. I would like to but Craig doesn’t want to, I am a terrible secret keeper so we decide not to know.

Everything seems to be good as far as the sonographer could tell and this time we are much happier when we leave! We decide its okay to start buying things now but then have no idea where to start!! Of all the exciting things to purchase we buy some muslin cloths, lets not go crazy!! We decide to start proper shopping after Christmas.

Week 23 Again another pretty standard uneventful week. This stage of pregnancy is so so much nicer than the first. I seem to have a repertoire of questions to all mums I know with the main focus being ‘did you tear?’ And ‘did you poo?’ Charming!! Of course everyone has different answers, none of which really make me feel much better about anything, still telling myself that maybe people make labour sound worse than it actually is..what can really be so bad? I may have to refer back to this in a few months time!!

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Indulge is some maternity clothes now your bump is growing

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Catch-up with friends, family and make the most of enjoying evenings out

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Take a babymoon with your partner/husband

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Now your appetite is back, try to eat well and regularly

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Don’t take up any new strenuous exercise but keep active as well as getting plenty of rest. Swimming and walking are great options

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If you have a stressful job take up yoga to help relax and relieve tension

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Take regular breaks at work and if possible put your feet up to reduce swelling

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Use pillows (invest in a pregnancy pillow) to help get a comfortable nights sleep. They are perfect for supporting your growing bump and alleviate pressure on your hips by placing between your knees

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Sign up for Antenatal classes they can be busy so good to book in advance to ensure you get the times you want

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Book a massage, spoil yourself!

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Be sure to keep your fluid levels up. Keep a bottle of water handy and sip throughout the day

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Make sure if you haven’t started already that you regularly do your pelvic floor exercises! (Kegel exercises)

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Keep moisturising your belly and thighs. If you haven’t started then invest in some anti-stretch mark cream

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Start planning your maternity leave

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Start putting together a gift list - family and friends will want to know what to buy you

Week 25 It is Christmas party time so of course along with being pregnant I also have a stinking cold! This week I go to the Hit Factory concert at the 02 Arena (probably not something I should be admitting to in print!) And am told by my friends I cannot drive as I’m pregnant! I have no idea why but I’m not complaining. I also avoid the usual falling asleep in the car guilt because ‘I am pregnant after all’..

Week 26 I wake in the middle of the night with chronic back pain! I have no idea if this is related to being pregnant but it is a good opportunity for us to do a trial midnight run to the hospital as I need to go to A&E. Of course whilst in the waiting room the pain wears off so we go home-embarrassing! On the journey to the hospital I wonder how I’m ever going to cope with labour as my back is hurting so much-my drug free butterflies round the head idea of giving birth may be out the window!!

Trimester Two has been a relative breeze compared to the first three months and it has been nice for life to return to some kind of normality!

I’m definitely getting used to being pregnant but the idea of there being a real baby in my belly still bemuses me! The hardest part has been the feeling of missing out especially as it is Christmas and everyone is out so much more sociable. This is such a small issue in the great scheme of things and so far, now the sickness days are long gone, pregnancy isn’t too bad!!

Julia and Craig will be back in the Autumn to update Beebo on the third and fi nal trimester! We hope trimester three continues along the same path, although we hear tiredness can creep up as B-day approaches! Good Luck Julia and Craig!

At last a baby bump!!

Tips for the Second Trimester.....

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Beebo

fashion

Boys

Swim Shorts with nappy £14 (0-3 years)

Beanie Sun Hats £12 (0-5 years)

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Towelling Poncho from £18 (0-3 years) www.boden.co.uk

Striped Anchor Swim Trunks £12.95 (6 months-5 years) www.gap.com

Clarks Beach Fun Sandals from £18.00 (size 6-11.5 JR) www.johnlewis.com

Sunwashed slip-on sneakers (new shadow) (size 4-10 toddler) £12.95

Beach Sandal £9.99 (size 7-5.5) www.zara.com

Crocs Electro Sandals £22.99 (size 4-13JR, 1-3)

Everyday Pull-ons from £22 (size 22-37)

www.boden.co.uk

www.boden.co.uk

Straw Porkpie Hat £9.95 (S-XL) www.gap.com

Rashguard Hoodie £9.95 (6 months-5 years) www.gap.com

Aviator Style Boys Sunglasses £2.99 (8 years+)

Bluezoo Boy’s Grey Sporty Sunglasses £6

www.hm.com

www.debenhams.com

14 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

www.boden.co.uk

Towelling Throw-on from £22 (18 months-10 years)

www.johnlewis.com

www.gap.com

Rash Vest from £16 (2-10 years)

Boys Woven Crinkled Scarf £3.99 (8 years+) www.hm.com

Girls

Baby Espadrilles Navy/White Dot £9 (0-24 months)

Girls’ Flap Sun Hat £12 (0-5 years) Meadow

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

John Lewis Girl Polka Dot Flip Flops £7 (size 10-13JR, 1-6)

Girls Printed reversible Hat £12 (0-3 years) www.boden.co.uk

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Embroidered Kaftans £14 (6 month-5 years)

Pleated Cap £3.99 (18 months-8 years)

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

www.hm.com

www.johnlewis.com

Embroidered Bandana £3.99 www.zara.com

Girls Scarf £2.99 www.hm.com

Swim Bubbles with Nappy £18 (3 months-3 years) Meadow

Applique Kaftan from £22 (18 months-10 years) www.boden.co.uk

2-pack Flower Hair Clips £1.99 www.hm.com

Multi-colored Sandals £14.95 (size 11-1) www.gap.com

Pretty Bikini from £16 (18 months-10 years) www.boden.co.uk

Crocheted Fedora £10.95 (XS-L) www.gap.com

Fabric Drawstring Bag £15.99 www.zara.com

Ruffle dot one-piece (XS-XXL) £12.95 www.gap.com

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

15

From its position in the Courtyard shops, Yummy Mummy Hair and Beauty can often be overlooked by passers-by but to those Mums in the know it has become a true destination location for Somerset and its surrounding counties.

Established in 2011 by business women and mother of two, Sarah Green, Yummy Mummy Hair and Beauty was created to fill a fundamental gap in the salon market.

Yummy Mummy Hair and Beauty is Somerset’s first entirely family friendly salon. Not only do they have a crèche but they also specialise in children’s cutting and styling and prenatal treatments, including massage and their signature prenatal pedicures. They offer a one stop shop for all your hair and beauty needs, whether it’s a new hair colour, manicure, massage or facial, all under one roof!

“Clients love the variety of services on offer and the convenience. Mums have a lot of juggling to do these days, balancing work and family commitments, our free crèche allows Mums to take some time out without having to worry about childcare, leaving weekends free for family” said Sarah. Yummy Mummy prides themselves on the patience and understanding of their staff, many of whom are mothers themselves. “We have a superb team at the salon and they do a fantastic job at turning a Mums day around. It’s never good to see an exhausted stressed out Mummy but it is great when they leave relaxed and refreshed having had some time out to unwind without the kids”.

One of the salons highlights is their little red sports car styling chair which is a massive hit with pre-schoolers and the ball pool, located in the crèche on the ground floor.

Parents can watch their children play as they have their hair done. “Children get incredibly excited about the red sports

WIN WIN WIN!!

A little wardrobe!

car, most can’t wait to get in the only trouble is getting them back out again” said Sarah. For the ultimate relaxation Mums can visit the Beauty Retreat on the first floor where they can indulge in a treatment or two, knowing the kids are out of ear shot but well looked after and just a staircase away.

“Operating in a relaxed yet professional atmosphere allows us to be a lot more accommodating than most salons” In fact the lovely ladies at Yummy Mummy have thought of everything, from a baby change room and bottle warming facilities, to a quiet breast feeding area and child friendly products, you really cannot get much more family friendly.

“We want every Mummy to look Yummy and we’re really passionate about it. Whether you’re looking for a new style, colour or a last minute manicure and spray tan, before you jet off on your Summer holidays, our team of talented stylists and therapists are always on hand to offer advice, inspiration and give you great results every time”.

We all know that our little ones grow up so fast and clothing them in designer clothes quickly becomes costly.

Half-Pint Chic is an exclusive online site that runs weekly sales offering the best designer children’s clothes at up to 70% off high street prices. Choose from brands like Caramel Baby & Child, Marie Chantal, Baby Graziella, Bonnie Baby, Their Nibs and many more in their weekly sales, so it is the perfect place to pick up a stylish bargain.

This summer we have teamed up with Half-Pint Chic to offer one lucky person the chance to win a £100 holiday wardrobe for your little one worth £100.

Terms & Conditions: items will be age and gender specific and picked by Half-Pint Chic stylist from a range of designers in consultation with the winner.

For more information on how to enter please visit our website :-

www.beebomagazine.co.uk/competitions 16 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

dental check-up. This will get them used to the sights, sounds and smells of the dental surgery. Your dentist may take a quick, casual look in your child’s mouth, ostensibly to count teeth, but also to check gently for any early problems. This will encourage your child to feel comfortable in the chair.

Get your child used to cleaning their teeth start as soon as the first tooth shows through their gums. Brush

Tooth Care for Kids Does the thought of visiting the dentist fill you with dread?

Do you break out in the cold sweat of sheer terror? If so, then please don’t pass this fear onto your child. Your child must be relaxed about visiting the dentist for their future health and wellbeing.

Good dental habits start young.

Introduce your child to the dentist as early as possible by taking them with you when you go for your regular

gently with a special baby toothbrush.

Supervise teeth cleaning until they prove they are proficient enough to do it themselves. Plaque-disclosing tablets stain the plaque so your child can see it. This is good for encouraging a thorough brushing routine. An electric toothbrush especially designed for children is very effective. Fluoride toothpaste is vital, fluorine in the water is a bonus, not a replacement.

Most children have their entire set of 20 milk teeth by the age of three.

Proper development of their permanent

teeth depends upon the condition of these first teeth, so it’s essential to care for them. Milk teeth are small with thin enamel so problems spread quickly. Adult teeth start to grow by the age of six and most should be evident by the time they’re 13.

Apart from accidents, there are two preventable causes of damage to children’s teeth; tooth decay and dental erosion. Both have similar causes.

Acids from sweet foods and drinks, including fruit juices, eat into the tooth enamel. Water or milk are the best drinks for children.

Fissure sealants are well worth considering. This is a special film used to cover the vulnerable molars which have deep, hard to clean crevices. The sealant protects the tooth surface from decay. Sealants are quick and painless to apply and last for years.

Regular dental check-ups are essential to prevent future, potentially traumatic, treatment. Help your child grow up with a healthy set of teeth and gums.

Good habits created while the child is young will stand them in good stead for the rest of their life.

‘Have you brushed your teeth?’

It’s a question every parent asks their child & the response, well it varies! Children’s oral health starts at home and so it’s every parent’s task to provide guidance and assistance.

Easier said than done!

The important messages are: 1. Brush teeth twice a day 2. Limit sugar & reduce frequency of sugar 3. Use fluoride products 4. Visit the dentist regularly Brushing teeth should be started early, even before there are visible teeth. Allow babies & toddlers to play with a toothbrush to get used to the texture & introduce at regular times so they start getting used to a routine.

As teeth start to erupt introduce some toothpaste. When children start to be more independent and want to brush themselves let them have a go, but until they are at least 5, a parent should finish off to make sure all areas have had attention. Using 2 brushes can be a great help if cooperation is an issue, one for the parent & one for

the child. As children get older, they can lose interest, use disclosing tablets which stain plaque bacteria a colour.

This gives children a visual guide to where they need to brush. Reward can be helpful for the really stubborn. To encourage brushing for long enough a two minute timer can be used, alternatively use music as a timer, brush for the length of a favourite song and a great way of keeping it fun.

Everyone has some idea that sugar is bad for teeth, children don’t. It is so important for parents to monitor sugar intake. The other big dietary issue are fizzy drinks; they not only contribute to decay but erosion. The best message is that fizzy drinks and sweets should be occasional treats. Other sweet things like fruits, yoghurts, flavoured crisps, cakes, biscuits & juices should be restricted to meal times. The big problem is children are almost always hungry, a mid-morning and midafternoon snack can help, but it is important that other than these five times a day only water or milk should be consumed.

Fluoride is essential for added protection and should be introduced as soon as teeth start to erupt. It is important to use a specific children’s paste until the age of three when they can use an adult one. These pastes come in a selection of flavours, but as

adult pastes are mint it is important to start introducing mint flavour as early as possible. After brushing, to gain the full benefit from the fluoride it is important not to rinse after brushing.

If a child’s teeth are at risk then fluoride mouthwashes & varnishes can be introduced but should be obtained from a dental professional.

The last piece of advice is to visit the dentist regularly. First as babies & young children they can accompany a parent to get to know the sights & smells. This builds up a familiarity with the dentist & so when it’s time for their teeth to be checked it’s not a totally new experience. To help there are many books about visiting the dentist some with favourite TV characters, this can help with explaining what to expect.

The most important thing is to make it all a fun experience, from the brushing to the dental visit. And don’t worry if you can’t get total cooperation all the time, continuing with a good routine of brushing, healthy diet, fluoride toothpaste & dental visits and it will become a habit.

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Beebo

health

Summer first aid tips for families Hot, sunny days, or torrential rain and the quest to find indoor things for your family to do – the British summer is always full of joys and challenges.

Whatever the weather, long days and seemingly endless school holidays give children more scope than ever to present us with a first aid emergency.

Fortunately, St John Ambulance – the nation’s leading first aid charity – is on hand with helpful advice for dealing with some of the most common summertime medical challenges and injuries.

Sunburn

If you can see that your child is sunburnt you can help by doing the following: • Cover their skin with light clothing or a towel and move them out of the sun (or indoors if you can) • Encourage them to sip cold water • Dab the reddened skin with cool water to relieve discomfort • If the burns are mild, an aftersun lotion may soothe them • Should the sunburn be blistered, or if you can see any other skin damage, seek medical advice

Dehydration

Symptoms of dehydration are a dry mouth and eyes, headaches, dark urine, dizziness and confusion. It can be avoided by drinking water regularly. Children are at particular risk, so it’s crucial to rehydrate them promptly.

• To treat dehydration, encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids; water is normally suitable but you may prefer to add oral rehydration powder to help replace the salts lost from the body • Monitor their condition and if they remain unwell, seek medical advice

Cuts and Grazes •

• • •

If a small cut is dirty, clean it by either rinsing with cold water or using alcohol free wipes and use a gauze swab to pat the wound dry. Then cover it with sterile gauze With soapy water, clean the area around the injury Try and wipe away from the wound and use a clean swab with each swipe Remove the wound covering and apply a sterile dressing or plaster

Nosebleeds

In children nosebleeds are usually caused by sneezing, picking or hitting the nose, though there may be no obvious trigger. Your priority is to control bleeding and make sure it doesn’t affect their breathing.

• Sit them down, tilt their head forward so the blood can drain, and pinch the soft part of the nose for ten minutes. Ask them to breathe through their mouth • If bleeding continues after releasing the pressure, repeat this twice more. If it hasn’t stopped after 30 minutes, take them to hospital • Stop them from speaking, coughing or spitting, which could make the bleeding worse • Once bleeding has stopped, gently clean around the nose • If the nose bleed is severe, take the child to hospital

Bites and stings

Insect bites or stings tend to be painful rather than dangerous and are much more common in summertime.

• If a sting is visible, carefully scrape it off sideways with your fingernail or a credit card – do not use tweezers • There’ll probably be redness and swelling around the sting, so raise the affected part of the body and apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth • After stings to the throat or mouth there’s a chance that swelling could block the airway. To minimise this, give your child an ice cube to suck or a cold glass of water to sip • If you notice swelling to the face or neck or any difficulty breathing, call 999 for an ambulance immediately

For more information on first aid, including details of courses in your area, visit www.sja.org.uk For advice on the go, download the free St John Ambulance first aid app to your mobile phone, reader or tablet.

18 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Bless You!

Hay fever

is on the increase, says the British Allergy Foundation. The most likely explanation for this is that summer in past years has started earlier and pollution is rising.

Pollution traps pollen in the atmosphere and holds it there. As a result we’re all being exposed to many more allergens, particularly those of us who live in towns and cities. No wonder we’re all sneezing.

The body’s immune system is a wonderful creation. It responds to nasty substances such as viruses and bacteria by generating special antibodies which help to neutralise them. These helpful antibodies are actually large protein molecules of a category known as IGG. Unfortunately there is a another set of antibodies from a category known as IGE. These are less helpful because they tend to over react to allergens, which are actually harmless materials such as grass pollen.

of hay fever it triggers runny noses and itchy eyes, but it can also trigger asthma if the response occurs in the airways and eczema if it occurs in the skin.

Susceptibility does have a genetic basis. However scientists also know that the immune system develops very early so early exposure to an allergen may affect the development and number of immune cells present, so later in life an allergic response to a particular allergen is more likely.

We can’t as yet reduce the number of IGE cells in a body but a few years ago scientists discovered that IGG and IGE molecules have different structures and bind differently to mast cells.

Thus new medications are now being developed with the ability to disable the IGE and stop it binding to mast cells in the first place.

In the future we may be able to relieve the misery of hay fever altogether.

Wouldn’t that be lovely!

Hay fever in Children Children can be hard to diagnose with so many colds and other ailments. However if symptoms such as runny nose and itchy eyes appear at a specific time of year, generally between March-June and often until the Autumn then hay fever is the likely cause.

You can combat triggers by: •

Keeping bedroom windows closed during the night

•

Bathe every evening to remove pollen from hair

•

Keep car windows closed when travelling

•

Place a small amount of vaseline just inside the nostrils to catch any pollen

•

Piriton can be given to children over the age of 1 year

•

Saline nasal spray is good at removing pollen from inside the nose

•

Give locally produced honey to children over 1 years which will contain pollen from local sources

by Alex Brown

The problem lies with our mast cells.

These are cells choc full of histamine and other substances capable of producing inflammation. The IGE molecules cling to the mast cells and when an allergen enters the body it sticks to the IGE-coated mast cells and triggers them to explode, whereupon they release all their histamine and cause an inflammatory response.

Current Treatments

Some of us have high levels of IGE in our bodies and some of us don’t.

Those with high IGE levels are more susceptible to allergies. In the case

•

Anti-histamine tablets Impede the body’s immune response so preventing symptoms.

•

Nasal Sprays work directly on the affected area and leave the rest of the immune system alone.

•

Injections offer long term protection but are only used in severe cases because of their ongoing nature.

If symptoms are persistent and/or severe you should consult your GP.

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

19

Expecting a new baby in the family ?

Then a trip to Taunton Pram & Nursery Centre is a must.

This gem of a shop operates just 2 miles from the centre of Taunton on a working dairy farm. Park in the large car park, enter the bright inviting shop and you will receive a warm welcome from the friendly sales team all mums themselves.

Get ready for summer Buggies - Sun protection - Trunki`s All are top brands ensuring you have fantastic choice, value for money and the superb quality that today`s parents expect.

Fully trained in car seat fitting we stock Be Safe, Kiddy and of course the ever popular Maxi Cosi Pebble and Cabriofix Easy payments scheme, twins discounts , factory seconds and second-hand means there is something to suit all budgets.

Don`t need a pram ? then visit us for changing bags, sunshades, mattress`s, baby toys, Moses baskets, nursery furniture and bedding.

www.tauntonprams.co.uk - Yarde Farm,Langford Lane,Taunton TA2 6PA - Tel 01823 338355 Open Tuesdays - Saturdays 10am - 4pm

The Perfect Baby Shower Their world may seem light years away from ours, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are no doubt experiencing similar wonder and excitement as they anticipate the arrival of their first baby. With around a month to go until Junior makes his or her appearance, now is when close friends or family members should throw Kate a baby shower, as a chance to impart a few pearls of wisdom whilst showering her and baby with gifts.

Traditionally, a baby shower is thrown for first time mums-to-be by close family members or best friends a month or two before baby is due – just in case Junior decides to put in an early appearance - and before the expectant mum is too tired or uncomfortable to enjoy the event.

Like any other celebration, a baby shower can be as grand or as simple an affair as you choose, but perhaps the best are kept small enough to hold in someone’s home where it can be kept cosy and intimate. Invitations should

be sent out about a month before, and there is no easier way to do this than via email, text or Facebook.

You don’t have to spend a fortune in time or money decorating the room to look fun and welcoming. A few balloons spruced up with say dummies, rattles or teething rings are all it might take!

Similarly, by inviting guests to contribute to the food you can keep work and expense to a minimum, but you might want to come up with a list of suggestions if you want to avoid ending up with a dozen plates full of sausage rolls and very little else!

The receiving and opening of gifts is possibly the highlight of any baby shower. You could leave it entirely to the guests to decide what to give, but it is becoming increasingly acceptable for the expectant mum to compile a wish list should guests prefer some guidance.

No self respecting baby shower should pass without a few games. Some ideas include Guess the Baby (from photos guests bring of themselves); Match the Celebrity to Baby (from pictures which have been cut from magazines), Feed the Baby (spoon feed porridge or baby food to your partner while blindfolded), or alternatively see who can guzzle down a bottle of milk the quickest!) Or why not set a baby quiz?

Finally, to ensure that the happy events of the baby shower remain emblazoned in the future mummy’s memory forever, have a memory book on hand for guests to write personal messages or words of advice, and consider capturing the occasion on camera.

With all these elements in place you are sure to have a baby shower to remember!

by Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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You choose Unwin Photography to create a lasting piece of art not just a photograph! Our popular themed portrait experience is back Mon 29th July – Sun 11th August, and you can book now. This time it is ‘Finding Neverland’ where children can be Peter Pan, one of the Lost Boy or Fairies etc.

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Use the voucher to receive a FREE 12” x 8” Mounted Print (worth £20) from any session you book with us. Tel: 01823 666908 E: unwinphotography@aol.com/W: www.unwinphotography.co.uk

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The world’s first merino wool baby swaddle, it has been designed for all season versatility by using merino’s natural properties to regulate baby’s body temperature. The Cocooi™ Swaddle also allows for natural movement for baby’s comfort and for healthy brain and hip development. * To receive 20% off the RRP of any Cocooi™ Swaddle just use the coupon code BB0613 on our website. Offer ends 31/08/13. While stocks last. Terms and conditions apply.

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

21

Buttermilk Scones with Fruit Compote Makes 10-12 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 15 minutes

Ingredients Scones 450g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting ¼tsp salt 100g cold butter, diced 85g golden caster sugar Handful of raisins or sultanas (optional) 284ml pot buttermilk 2tsp vanilla extract Splash of milk

Compote Frozen fruit of choice – summer fruit mix is good, sour cherries are fantastic Sugar to taste

Method Heat oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Sift the flour and salt together. Rub in the butter until the mixture is like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar and raisins or sultanas if using.

Gently warm the buttermilk (don’t throw away the pot) and vanilla in a microwave or pan. Using your largest bowl, quickly tip in some of the flour mix, followed by some of the buttermilk mix, repeating until everything is in the bowl. Use a knife to quickly mix together to form a dough - don’t over-mix it.

Tip onto a floured surface and lightly bring together with your hands a couple of times. Press out gently to about 4cm thick and stamp out rounds with a 6cm or 7cm cutter. Re-shape trimmings, until all the dough is used. Place scones evenly on to a lightly floured baking sheet or two.

Add a splash of milk into the buttermilk pot, and then use to glaze the top of each scone. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and well risen.

To Make The Fruit Compote: Place as much of the frozen fruit as you need in the saucepan, on a gentle heat on the hob on top of your cooker.

Simmer the fruit in the saucepan on the hob until the fruit starts to soften; stir gently now and again just enough so that the fruit does not stick to the pan; do not allow it to burn.

Now add sugar to taste - not too much at first. Taste the fruit as you add the sugar so that you do not make it too sweet or leave it too tart. Take care not to burn yourself when testing it! Fruit and sugar get very hot.

Once the fruit has softened, but before it turns to a pulp or goes too mushy, it is ready and you should remove it from the heat to cool.

It keeps for 2-3 days in the fridge.

22 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Salmon en Croûte

Light and tasty. The perfect spring dish.

Method Pour a just enough into a large lidded pot to cover the bottom. Place it on the heat so the water begins to boil, pile in the spinach and cover with the lid.

Cook for 3 minutes, then strain it well.

Squeeze as much liquid out of the spinach as possible. Set aside.

Rinse the pot and return it to the heat.

Chop the spinach then return it to the pot. Stir it around to dry it out a little more then add a pinch of nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.

Take the pan off the heat and stir in the cream.

Cut the pastry in half and roll out both pieces. They need to be big enough to sandwich the fish in the middle, leaving approximately 3cm /1in around the edge for sealing.

Place the salmon en croûte into a nonstick roasting dish and bake it in the oven for 20 minutes.

Ingredients 200g/7oz baby spinach a pinch of nutmeg Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2tbsp double cream 375g/13oz good-quality butter puff pastry 500g/1lb salmon fillet, skinless and boneless 1 egg, beaten Preheat oven to 180°C /Gas Mark 4

Place the fish on to one of the pastry halves and brush the edges of the pastry with egg. Spread the spinach over the fillet and cover with the other piece of pastry. Gently press the pastry over the fish so that it fits snugly.

Trim the edges to about 1cm (½ inch), and then press down with your thumb all along the edges to seal the fish into the pastry. Cut four diagonal slashes in the top to let out the steam, and brush the pastry all over with the egg.

You can use the scraps of leftover pastry to decorate the top of the parcel.

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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24 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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26 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Beebo

outdoors space should reflect your personality.

The residents at Bestall Towers are generally neat and tidy (in fact clutter makes my head hurt), so my garden reflects this with its simple straight lines, well ordered borders, immaculate patio, and perfect lawn! So what does my garden say about me? I’m a clean freak, with an obsession for perfection and a need to control my environment … pretty accurate I’d say.

Garden View At a time when I’m making preparations for my summer holidays and browsing through pictures of tropical locations, I can’t help but compare them with the images of England that I hold in my mind. It wasn’t until I visited America last year, that I realised how very English we are, and how we really do live up to the stereotype we’ve been given. I wouldn’t say I’m a shrinking violet when it comes to confidence, but I really did feel quite reserved.

As a nation, I don’t think we’re very good at expressing ourselves, our thoughts or our emotions, and whilst I’m not advocating yelling at random people in the street because “your dust cart is blocking my parking lot” or applauding in the cinema (both of which I experienced whilst over there last year), I do think that when it comes to gardens we are, in the main, a little unadventurous. In fact, I would go as far as to say that a striped lawn and three borders are as traditional as our Sunday roast!

But fear not, it doesn’t have to be this way. Expressing yourself outdoors needn’t mean exposing your inner most secrets, but I do think your outdoor

So what does your garden say about you? Does it reflect who you are, or maybe who you were? Maybe it’s time for a change and to let loose that wild side, paint the fence black and plant only orange flowering plants. Whatever you do, break from the norm and express yourself.

by Lee Bestall

You can also grow your very own:

First ever Carrot

First ever Strawberry

First ever Garden Peas

Grow my first ever Sunflower £4.99 www.hallmark.co.uk

There is no better time than Summer to get kids active and involved in the garden. A sunflower is the perfect choice for children to start with. They begin with a small seed that will hopefully emerge into a brilliantly tall Sunflower!

First ever Radishes

First ever Pepper

Jobs to do this month (just for fun’) •

Plant up pots and containers with annual bedding plants. Go crazy and plant up a coloured glazed pot with a wild colour combo

•

Re-shape your lawn and introduce new borders to break from the norm

•

Feed shrubs if you didn’t earlier in the year

•

Plant out tender vegetables such as tomatoes and courgettes

First ever Tomato All from www.amazon.co.uk

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

27

ROYAL NAVAL AIR STATION YEOVILTON INTERNATIONAL

AIR DAY

SATURDAY 13 JULY 2013

A SPECTACULAR FAMILY DAY OUT! BOOK ONLINE www.royalnavy.mod.uk/yeovilton-airday

TICKET HOTLINE 08445 781 781

Advance Prices: Adult £20 (£25), Senior £18 (£25), Child 5-15yrs inc £5 (£10), Child U5 Free

BIG SAVINGS ON ADVANCE TICKETS!

Pedal power Road cycling is an exhilarating way to challenge yourself and get fit.

You know what they say about riding a bike – once you’ve learned you never forget. So if you enjoyed zooming down hills when you were younger (and struggling up them!) road cycling may be the ideal sport for you.

As the name suggests, road cycling involves riding exclusively on roads, and the aim is to build up your speed and the distance you can cover.

It’s a very efficient way to get fit and lose weight as it’s one of the few sports that you can sustain for two to four hours. Like running, it gets you out in the fresh air, but it is low impact and places less strain on your joints.

Road bikes are designed for racing.

They have a lightweight frame, narrow tyres and rounded handlebars so that you sit forward in an aerodynamic position. You can pay anything from £150 to £5000 plus. Cheaper bikes are made from steel or aluminium, while

the more expensive are carbon fibre or titanium, which is amazingly strong and light.

If you decide to take up the sport seriously, look for a well-known brand and expect to pay around £600.

Getting the right size is important, so ask your local bike shop for advice.

Your legs should be almost straight when they are on the pedal at bottom of the turn.

There are two types of pedals on road bikes. Platform pedals are like those on a traditional bicycle and you will need to add toe clips. Modern clip-less pedals will need special shoes with cleats on them that fix your foot to the pedals.

The saddle of a road bicycle is normally very narrow and can be uncomfortable, so you may want to get a gel cover or wear padded shorts.

When you’re out on the roads, safety has to be your top priority. A helmet is a must, as is brightly coloured clothing.

Ride your bike as if you were driving a car and obey traffic laws. Take a tool kit with you – a spare inner tube, tyre levers, puncture repair kit, pump and Allen keys are essential. It is also sensible to carry your address and phone number in case of an accident.

Think of road cycling as a long-term sport. It will take you a few weeks to get used to your bike and build up your speed and stamina. Joining a club is a great way to keep motivated. You will find a directory of over 1500 clubs at www.britishcycling.org.uk ranging from informal groups who ride for pleasure to competitive racing teams. So what are you waiting for – get on your bike!

By Alex Brown

WIN Air Day Family Ticket Treat Dad for Father’s Day! We have a Family ticket (2 Adults, 2 Children) to give away For more information and to enter go to our website competitions page:

www.beebomagazine.co.uk/ competitions

Closing date for entries - Monday July 1st

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

29

Great gift ideas for Fathers Day

Fingerprint Cufflinks A Father’s Day gift that any dad, grandad, or godfather will cherish. Why not make it personal this year! www.raeandedward.co.uk (£110)

Pint & Half Pint T-Shirts How cute (and masculine!!). The perfect match for the big and small man in your life. www.gettingpersonal.co.uk (£29.99)

Docs2Go Scanner For iPad Dock and Copier

Every man loves a gadget! This scanner for the iPad is a great accessory for the man that likes to tinkle! Sleek and portable, scan any photograph or document and it will instantly appear on the iPad. It doesn’t look that bad either! www.frebox.com (£149.99)

30 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Mulberry Wallet 8 Card Coin Wallet - Chocolate Natural Leather Bring dad up to speed with the ultimate in fashion accessories. Everyone loves a Mulberry! www.mulberry.com (£195.00)

Survival in the Wild Weekend Course Learn new skills and awareness of the great outdoors in a 2-day course. What can be more masculine than living off the land and training for survival! Fully instructor led by a forces trained instructor. Who will make it! www.theinsideman.co.uk (£199)

Novelty Sports Golf Balls Add some colour to the golf course - it’s meant to be fun isn’t it? These novelty golf balls are just the ticket! www.gettingpersonal.co.uk (£9.99)

Wireless Car Mouse - Aston Martin - Storm Black Iconic Banksy Print.

An iconic print from the man himself Banksy. Ironically narrated to emanate Father’s Day. If dad likes art, he will love this. Comes in various canvass sizes. www.theinsideman.co.uk (from £20)

Give dad his very own Aston Martin, OK it’s a computer mouse but it is still an Aston Martin! The perfect wireless computer accessory. www.theinsideman.co.uk (£39.95)

Personalised Sporty Silhouette Print Created from your very own photograph.

Produce a silhouette of your sporting hero for them to treasure. www.notonthehighstreet.com (£40)

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Get your family Active this Summer!

You’re never too young to cycle a cycle helmet. For most children this is between 10-14 months but take advice from your local cycle specialist.

Trailers: these attach to the adult’s bike and may be single or double. They offer some protection from the elements as they can be covered. They can also take children up to 45Kg. An older child has enough space to take along their own snacks and a couple of toys.

They can nap in comfort if they wish.

A Bicycle Built for Two Teach a child to ride a bike and you also do so much more. You improve their confidence, their independence, and you make a valuable contribution to their health and fitness. Regular family cycling trips provide a wealth of new experiences and a sense of adventure.

It’s never too late to start: even if junior is too young for their own bike they will love to travel along with you.

Please note that for most trailers and all child bike seats the child should be able to support their own head wearing

The disadvantage of a trailer is its proximity to the ground: it doesn’t afford much of a view. There is also a danger that, if used on the road, some drivers may not see it. Hire before you buy. Most cycle-hire outlets offer a good range. It’s a great way to find out if a trailer is for you.

You can buy specialist trailers for babies too young to travel in child seats or in conventional trailers. The child is securely strapped in and the framework acts as a roll-cage in case of a toppling accident. The beauty of these specialised trailers is that they also convert into a buggy. They are not recommended for road use though.

Child bike seat: these are comfortable and offer a great view as the child is raised up. Choose the seat according to the child’s weight and height rather than age as children vary so much.

32 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Carrying a child alters the centre of gravity of the bike so practice on soft ground or in a safe area before venturing out on to the roads.

Trailer bikes / Tag-alongs: these have one wheel, and a saddle with a curved frame which attaches to the adult bike.

The child can peddle or just hitch a ride.

For an older child who wants to ride independently but who tires on long cycle rides, you can buy a connector kit to attach their bike to the adult bike.

Consult your local dealer for advice.

Remember…

No-one should travel in a conventional trailer or bike seat unless they are wearing a helmet. Bike seats and to some extent trailers leave children exposed to the elements. Wrap them up warm in cold weather, and make sure they’re slathered in sunscreen when it’s sunny.

5

Beebo

Active

Ways to Get Kids Active Around 30% of British children are overweight, due primarily to an unhealthy diet and not enough exercise. Experts state that children should engage in 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and encouraging them to become more active now will help them maintain a healthy weight, improve their general fitness and wellbeing and reduce the risks of serious health problems in the future.

Following are five suggestions to help kids get more active.

1.

Walk to school. Often our kids’ lack of activity is due to OUR busy lifestyle. Factor an extra half hour or so walking to school and back into your daily routine.

2.

Give them chores. Doing a bit of housework or walking up and down stairs a few times will get the cardiovascular muscles working.

3.

Limit the amount of time spent watching the TV or on the computer. This will free up more time to engage in other more physical activities.

4.

Buy them sports equipment like a ball, racquet or bike for birthdays, instead of toys or sedentary games. This will get them up and moving!

5.

Exercise with them! Go swimming, cycle or do some gardening together.

If you incorporate physical activity into your normal routine, you are more likely to keep it up, as will your children. Good luck!

by Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Geocaching A modern day pirate hunt for hidden treasure! Geocaching is an active and fun family activity. Simply using a GPS device or smartphone you use coordinates to search for cache (treasure).

Geocaching is a world wide phenomenon and you can find a geocache map via the official website which will identify all hidden caches across the globe. If you spend time plotting sites to be found an enjoyable day can be spent trekking the Country side.

A family adventure - hunting for hidden treasure Once a cache has been found there should be a logbook for you to sign and a box of treasures that others have left behind. Don’t forget to add something!

For further information and to get involved take a look at the websites listed below:

Somerset Trails There are some fantastic trails across Somerset and we have listed a selection below:

•

Ashcott Circle

•

Catcott Circle

•

Channel Link Power Trail

www.geocaching.com www.garmin.com www.opencaching.com

•

Chilcompton Charms Trail

There is even a smartphone app available to downlaod via www.itunes. apple.com

•

Kilmersdon Walk

•

Up and Down on Cock Hill

•

Zider Zeries

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Beebo test drives Honeypot Cottage, Corfe Castle of Spring into Summer! Our beach visit was perfectly finished with a Purbeck ice-cream It has been a busy day - everyone is suitably tired and after a quick dance along to Dirty dancing it’s off to bed.

Saturday 4th May After a relatively short and stress free drive we arrive in the beautiful village of Corfe Castle and the endearing HoneyPot Cottage. It could not have been described better - ‘Straight out of an Enid Blyton adventure, Cath Kidston meets Thomas Hardy’. We couldn’t wait to see every room and take in the beautiful restoration. Naturally Oliver, 2 and Evellyn 1 quickly sourced out the fully equipped toy box!

Our Sainsbury’s food delivery arrived slightly ahead of schedule allowing for a well timed family dinner. Of course lovingly made by mum whilst the kiddiwinks played ball in the garden - a beautiful little sun trap.

Kids bathed and in bed, ahhh, now to sit down and indulge in the Dorset apple cake which was waiting for us upon arrival - a nice little touch! Whilst reading through the visitor guide start to finish there is so much to do!

Sunday 5th May We can’t believe our luck! The sun is shining and we have all slept brilliantly in our new home for the week. The attic room clearly agrees with the kids. After breakfast we head into the village to explore and you can’t miss the magnificent sight that is Corfe Castle amazing!

Having loved the Dorset apple cake we can’t resist a pit-stop at the village bakery and we were not disappointed perfect sandwiches and cakes at super reasonable prices. We could see a dangerous pattern forming!!

A quick stop in the village park to let the kids burn off some energy and then on to Studland - Knoll Beach. Just a 5 mile trip down the road via the scenic route and we’re walking on a beautiful sandy beach. Soaking up the sun, we are all in our element- let’s hope this is the start

Monday 6th May We have some visitors today. It’s mum / nanny’s birthday so grandparents, aunty, uncles and cousin are all coming down to Dorset for a family day of celebration.

Hmmm fresh bread from the bakery makes super toast and after filling up on tea we all head off to Knoll Beach.

After such a great day there yesterday we wanted to share the experience. With cafe, shop and toilet facilities to hand we all had a great day.

To end a perfect family gathering we concluded the party back at Honeypot Cottage with a BBQ. The owners really have thought of everything - we had amply crockery and cutlery for everyone, the only thing I would request is a bigger tea mug!

Tuesday 7th May Another beautifully sunny day and a trip to Swanage on the Steam train.

Literally a 10 minute walk from the Cottage to the station. The kids have the look of amazement as the train rolls on to the platform! We easily board with double buggy in tow and get a table seat where we eat a snack on our 20 minute journey through the Dorset countryside everywhere is beautiful.

Swanage is a lovely seaside town with a great sandy beach. Having had two days in the sand we decide to head-up to the park overlooking the bay and settle down on the grass for a picnic. It is so peaceful that Evellyn falls asleep which means it is the perfect opportunity for dad to head off and explore the park with Oliver while I take some mummy ‘time-out’ (rest!).

All back on foot and following a 30 minute stop in the fun park riding tractors and trains we board the train for ‘home’. We end a perfect day with a drink and play in the Castle pub beer garden - pretty much opposite Honeypot Cottage.

Kids fast asleep in their new found haven, what better time to take a soak in the roll-top bath - pure bliss.

Wednesday 8th May Our first day of rain. We decide it’s the perfect opportunity to take a drive into Poole via the ‘chain’ toll ferry. Another scenic car trip and we get to the ferry

34 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

stop just as it departs. I think we were all secretly pleased we were at the front of the queue and just missed the boat!

It meant we could take in the sights of Sandbanks - the exclusive and affluent area of Poole, the houses, complete with private jetty, look amazing. Of course we spend about 20 minutes dreaming of owning one before the cars behind start beeping for us to board the ferry!

We arrive in Poole and the rain has stopped - a perfectly timed trip for a spot of lunch and stroll around the town. We found a lovely little cafe - completely child and double pushchair friendly.

With no sun it’s a chilly day - the perfect excuse to light the log fire back at the cottage! Absolute heaven - warm, snug and cosy.

Thursday 9th May Very exciting - today is Monkey World!

Literally 6 miles down the road. We were amazed by the close proximity and number of monkeys there - the kids loved the entire day, particularly the monkey that was impersonating ET running around fully encased by a sheet!

Apparently they can’t get enough sheets!

After another eventful day it’s back to the Cottage - friends that live nearby are coming over with a Chinese take away.

Honeypot Cottage is a very sociable place!

The children excitedly show off their attic room and head-off to sleep like a dream!

Leaving the night to chat and drink wine in the cosy lounge.

Friday 10th May We are heading home today - no rush, a leisurely breakfast, pack-up and play in the garden. It’s sad to be leaving!

We couldn’t go without another visit to the village bakery for lunch. We even bought some bread to bring home! We have had an absolutely brilliant family holiday - thank-you Honeypot Cottage!

Don’t forget if you are lucky enough to stay that you count how many honeypots you can find around the cottage and leave your thoughts in the visitor book - it is starting to tell a great story!

For more information and to book visit: www.HoneypotCottageCorfeCastle. co.uk or email: enquiries@ HoneypotCottageCorfeCastle.co.uk /tel: 01202 620879. Be sure to mention Beebo when booking.

Halfway back to nature Technology, it seems, has not made the parent’s life much easier. The false promise of labour saving devices, that deliver nothing but another kilo of weight to the straining parental kit bag, has now been added to by gadgets for kids themselves and the pressure of capturing every moment and sharing it on Facebook. It’s no surprise, as the background hum of the digital age gets louder, that there are a growing number of places designed to help you, and your kids, switch off. This has always been possible of course, but in the past it would have involved cramming a week’s worth of clothing and food into a groaning rucksack and then piling a tent on top of it all.

Glamping, where all you need to do is turn up to a beautiful rural space and let the kids off the leash, is becoming the affordable alternative to carcluttering camping trips or soulless resort hotels.

Glamping is a very modern sort of

rustic getaway. It takes the stress out of camping without condemning you to high-rise hotels and block-printed rooms OR to cramped and flimsy tents, but making even your room an adventure. There’s a little cottage on wheels at Swallowtail Hill near Rye, converted railway carriages at Otter Camp in Gloucestershire, the stunning La Palombiere Treehouse in France and a VW camper with a huge orange hot tub at Coppice Woodland in Herts, to name but a few. These are rural escapes designed with character and flair for families. They come kitted out and ready with bedding, kitchens and bathrooms that make mealtimes and bedtime simple. Or at least no more complicated than they usually are.

harangue you with unfulfillable requests for mobile signal or to change the channel on the wood-burner.

But glamping sites have a wealth of wonderful ways to get your kids engaged in the outdoors and bring out the den-building, mud-covered urchin that lurks within even the most phone-obsessed iTeen. There’s crayfish to be picked out from the river at Nightingale Camp, lambs to be fed at Fisherton Farm and, for the really ambitious, the whole family can head down to Drybeck Farm and learn how to run a smallholding! Of course, just the chance to give your kids a taste of life beyond the urban sprawl can be enough. Even the sight of stars or the quiet of the countryside can be a revelation and glamping gives you the chance to get everyone outdoors with the greatest of ease and get, at least halfway, back to nature.

To check out all the places mentioned above and many more, take a look at Sawday’s Canopy & Stars.

(www.canopyandstars.co.uk).

The glamping gurus inspect and select their collection of unusual places to stay, bringing you the best weird and wonderful outdoor experiences they can find.

Photography Jenny Hardy

The worry, as ever, is that your children will be bored and that they’ll The Southwest’s must have family magazine

35 Photography Andrew Ogilvy

Essential baby travel packing list!

By Cathy Winston

After visiting more than 50 countries during the course of her career, travel writer Cathy Winston wasn’t about to give it up when she got pregnant. Her nine-month-old daughter is now on her third trip and they’ve both survived a long-haul flight together – all detailed in her blog, MummyTravels.com, along with other tips, advice and reviews of some of the best kit for travelling with a baby.

Planning your first travel away with a baby, looking at all the day-to-day items you can’t live without, can be overwhelming. So overwhelming, you pack the passport away and decide to stay at home until they’re 5. Or 10. Or maybe 18.

But actually, with a bit of planning and a mild ruthless streak (it won’t all fit in the suitcase, I’ve tried), you can pack all the essentials without giving yourself a holiday hernia.

They do have babies worldwide, after all – except perhaps Antarctica – so when it comes to nappies, formula and baby food, just put in enough for a couple of days to give you enough time to scope out a supermarket. As for the rest? Along with your passport, money and travel insurance, here are my top 10 essentials.

1.

Travel cot – will your hotel or villa provide one? If so, go for that unless there’s a very good reason you’ll need something different. If not, something lightweight is essential. It’s surprising how many ‘travel’ cots weigh well over 10kg, and come with all kinds of extras you can easily live without.

Unless you’re in a single room, do pack a baby monitor though.

2.

Microwave bottle sterilising bags – these are a godsend if you’re formula feeding or planning any bottle feeding, and the Munchkin* ones are great, lightweight, reusable and ultra-simple. If you won’t have access

to a microwave, Milton is great for cold water sterilising.

in hand luggage too, in case teething strikes unexpectedly.

3.

8.

Food – already weaned but aren’t at the point where your child is eating ‘adult food’? Take some pouches like Ella’s Kitchen or Plum Baby, which tend to travel better than glass jars, and stock up when you arrive. Baby food is not that different the world over, and you don’t want to spend your holiday pureeing. Same goes for formula unless you need less than a container or need a specific type.

4.

High chair – if you can get one at the destination, do. But pack a Totseat** too. The cloth travel high-chair folds into almost nothing and is great when you’re out and about. The cummerbund alone is ideal for extra chest support on highchairs without shoulder straps.

5.

Clothes – some rules are the same for all ages: pack layers, layers and more layers. Plus some hats. And plastic or wipeable bibs. Even if you’re absolutely guaranteed daytime heat, loose tops are useful for covering up in the sun or for unexpected sea breezes. And always always keep at least one spare set in hand luggage, as leaks invariably happen at the most inconvenient times.

6.

Washing liquid – if you can do laundry while you’re away put double the liquid in and take out half the clothes. Then add a few bodysuits/vests back in – see point 5 re inconvenient leaks. And some stain remover…

7.

First aid kit – wouldn’t it be lovely if no-one got ill on holiday?

But unless you want to try to work out the local version of Calpol, or try to take a temperature by feel at 3am, a well-stocked first aid kit is essential. Keep some travel sachets of baby painkiller (plus spoon or syringe)

36 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Bath stuff – it’s worth decanting some toiletries, especially if your baby has sensitive skin (now is not the time to discover they react to certain products) and a bath thermometer to be on the safe side.

But forget inflatable baby baths and rubber ducks.

9.

Toys/books – got anything flat or foldable? Perfect, put it in.

My travel favourites include a couple of cloth books (complete with crinkly, chewy, generally entertaining bits) and a set of animal finger puppets to stash in pockets. Be wary of anything squeaky – it might be a firm favourite, but after an hour’s squeaking on a plane, you won’t be the only person who’s thoroughly fed up of it.

10.

The failsafes - is there a comforter your baby won’t sleep without? A toy which always puts a smile on their face?

Take it. Take two. And a spare one, just in case. *Available from Amazon and Boots **www.totseat.com

The Perfect Family Picnic Whether it’s a day out at the beach or local park, or even during the family holiday - there is a lot to be said for the perfect picnic! It provides the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends in the great outdoors and if you already have the basics then it is a pretty cheap day out. Something we all look for these days! Simply choose the right location, invite family and friends, pack food, drink, seating and activities and off you go! You can even picnic in your back garden!

We have found the perfect picnic essentials and luxuries to inspire you...

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1. Envoy 29 piece picnic hamper bag 4 person set with built in cooler/keep warm section £44.99: www.amazon. co.uk 2. Folding picnic basket £30 3. Child’s Cricket Set (size 1 & 2) £16 4. Melamine Plates, beakers and bowels £39 (set of 12) 5. Rainbow bunting picnic blanket £45: www.gltc.co.uk (0844 848 6000) 6. Down It Street bottle cooler £10.99: thecookskitchen.com 7. Set of four melamine stacking bowels with lids £40: www.notonthehighstreet. com 8. Cath Kidston waterproof picnic rug £23: www. asos.com 9. 4 Person willow wicker picnic basket hamper set - striped lining £44.99: www.amazon.co.uk 10. Retro picnic cooler £59.99: www.lakeland.co.uk 11. Jaques metal case 7 boule set £44.99: www.insideman.co.uk 12.

Rainbow acrylic drinking glasses (set of 6) £16: www.gltc. co.uk (0844 848 6000) 13. Uber Games quoits £20.90: www. outdoortoysdirect.co.uk 14. Portable BBQ Bucket £6.99 15.

Union Jack Deck Chair £19.99: www.dunelm-mill.com (0845 165 6565) The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Party Time

A great children’s entertainer can make a party: a bad one can break it. How do you tell the difference?

First, let’s get one thing straight: I am not a competitive parent. I don’t go in for all this ‘my son’s party has to be bigger and better than everyone else’s’ malarkey.

Because of this I always said I’d never hire a children’s entertainer on the grounds that they are for show-offs.

Then I had to organise Jack’s fourth birthday party and I panicked.

I am not confident around small children, and the thought of entertaining ten of them for an hour and a half was so daunting, I broke out in a rash just thinking about it.

Finally I had to concede that there are some people in this world who genuinely relish the challenge of entertaining youngsters, so who was I to deprive them of earning a living.

Several hours of phone calls ensued while I tracked down the perfect party host.

During this time I learned a lot about the world of children’s entertainment and I’ve summarised it here in the hope that it will help other, hapless parents.

Top Tips Ask around - most good entertainers get the majority of their business by word-of-mouth.

If you can’t find anyone this way...

Pick someone enthusiastic - if they don’t enthuse you, they’ll hardly enthuse your child. Children are harsh critics.

Book early - everyone wants a slot between 2pm and 5pm on a Saturday.

Or Offer alternatives - you might get exactly what you want a little cheaper.

Ask for references and follow them up.

A good entertainer will be happy to provide references.

Insurance - make sure they have public liability insurance and are registered with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Choose someone age-appropriate - a magician will be too sophisticated for a three-year-old while a clown might be embarrassing for a nine-year-old.

Trust your entertainer - Your child’s birthday comes once a year whereas they entertain children all the time so they know what makes a great party.

BUT You know your child best. Don’t

38 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

be afraid to voice any concerns you have. Jack hates loud bangs so the entertainer we chose promised there would be no balloons, just in case. Oh, and the party was fantastic!

If the words ‘children’ and ‘party’ uttered in the same sentence fill you with dread, read on...

It’s been said that children’s parties have become too sophisticated, too expensive and altogether too much of a good thing.

In September last year I was a party virgin but thanks to my four year old I’ve now attended several so feel better able to hold an opinion on this.

My son’s ‘favouritest’ party was a cheap as chips pirate-themed job, held in the child host’s own home, with everyone dressed in pirate costume, going on a treasure hunt, then picnicking on finger food while sitting cross legged on the floor.

It seems you can spend as much or as little as you like on the event and the proportion of children who have a great time remains pretty much unaffected.

This is good news for those of us on a budget.

Money it seems can buy a great children’s entertainer but a little imagination can go a long way towards

compensating for a small bank balance.

Tie balloons to the door or gate It helps guests to locate the venue.

So how do you plan a great kids’ party DIY?

Aim for 1– 2 hours depending on the age of the children.

Party Tips Start early: Plan the venue (will it be at home or will you hire a hall?)

Book the entertainment (if required): Good children’s entertainers are always booked well ahead.

Decide if the party will be themed: Order paper plates, napkins, tablecloths etc.

Make a list of party games, try: musical chairs • • pass the parcel musical statues • • Simon says • pin the tail on the donkey Issue invites and allow plenty of time to avoid clashes with classmates’ parties Don’t invite the whole class. Some children won’t like each other and there may be a couple of troublemakers.

Stick to known friends: it’s safer.

Use a table for the gifts. This keeps them safe and allows them to be opened later.

Keep food simple. Avoid too much sugary or creamy food and don’t provide too much. Most children will be too excited to eat. If you are organised give out sandwich options with the invitation this way you can prepare ready made lunch bags!

Party Bags. Don’t feel pressured into giving these if you don’t want to. If you do, be creative: put in a polaroid of the child at the party plus a small frame, or a packet of cress seeds and a tiny pot.

Remember imagination is powerful currency.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy your child’s happiness. After all, birthdays only happen once a year!

Woodland Birthday Parties One of the most exciting things that we do at the Woodland Play Centre is organise your Woodland Birthday Party! These parties are so exciting and will leave you with unforgettable, treasured memories.

• Woodland Parties can be held at weekends and during the school holidays.

• They can be themed, fancy dress, or as casual as you wish.

Parties can be catered for children aged 3 years and over, as well as catering for adults that want a unique experience – perhaps a 40th birthday celebration?

Parties usually last a half day, generally from 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm, including all day drinks and biscuit refreshments, sausages in a bun cooked on the fire.

Our Woodland Birthday Party offerings can also include: •

CookAbility Birthday Parties

•

CookAbility Birthday Parties are a great way to entertain the children whilst they are learning skills they can use for the rest of their lives. The menus are designed to teach good basic skills in preparing a three course meal which the children will then sit down together to eat. We also make something fun for them to take home in their goodie bag. The children have fun making lots of mess which we deal with. As Mums have said we are ‘the easiest party that they have ever organised’.

CookAbility have been teaching cookery for over 16 years. Our passion is to encourage everyone to enjoy cooking and build up confidence in the kitchen.

The cost of the parties is £100 for up to 6 children and £12.50 for each child thereafter. We supply invitations, all the food and goodie bags. Ages 6-8 must have some extra adults present. Contact Venetia 01823 432419

Puddies Kitchen cakes – homemade, locally sourced, bug ball, themed fairy cakes or woodland birthday cake, special dietary requirements catered for.

Eco party bags – small reusable jute bags with birthday goodies inside.

Cost: £180 for up to 12 children per Woodland Birthday Party (inclusive of all day refreshments and lunch).

Plus 1 free adult per 8 children.

For more information visit the website www. woodlandplaycentre.co.uk or contact Louise on 07775 941353 / email: info@ woodlandplaycentre.co.uk

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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Board Games.........

They’re anything but boring!

Despite the increasing popularity of computer and electronic games, good old fashioned board games still have their place. There are websites dedicated to fans of the genre, and when I posted a request on Facebook for recommendations, I was inundated with suggestions. Yes, a passion for this type of gaming is still very much alive!

As a child I spent rainy Saturday afternoons sprawled across the living room carpet engrossed in a game of Monopoly. British weather being what it is, mum would entertain us three children for several hours with this rather long winded game that has aptly been renamed ‘Monotony’ by some!

The most memorable games always involved dad. He was kind, fair and compassionate by nature, but once involved in a game of Monopoly, a much darker side would emerge. If he met with bad luck at the start, he would tug at our heart strings, persuade us to part with valuable

properties for next to nothing, talk us into letting him off rent, and then end up winning by placing about fourteen hotels on Park Lane! Merciless, totally merciless.

Scrabble is another favourite. Mum and I have enjoyed many an hour challenging one another’s wits and word power. It’s a great way to improve vocabulary and spelling skills, but neither is actually required to win.

Dad was notorious for his somewhat unorthodox spellings and when it was his turn, he would pour over the board for what seemed like hours, giving mum time to make a drink, eat a round of toast and watch the latest episode of Coronation Street, before placing his three letter word that included an x and z over a triple letter wordscore and earning himself in excess of 100 points. Strategy was always the key, and he was not lacking in that department!

I remember the time the family played Pictionary on a caravan holiday. We

laughed and teased and giggled at one another’s attempts at drawing, but none were as funny as dad’s rendition of a horse. It took us the best part of an hour to identify it and the cup and saucer that followed weren’t much better!

Fun, friendship and family time together are all reasons why board games continue to be as popular now as ever. Nothing can replace that feeling of camaraderie that comes with physical proximity as you nudge elbows and knock knees, or even the board itself, while engrossed in the very serious business of trying to beat down your opponents. All the better if those opponents are blood-relatives!

More recent additions to our games cupboard include Blokus, Rummikub and Uno, but there is a whole host of games out there just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed! Go get yourself one!

by Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Check out our favorite board games

Uno card Game Age 7+ (£5.15)

Relatives visiting? Hosting a party?

Stuck in an airport? Then it’s time for Uno, the classic card game, which is quick to learn, easy to play and fun for all the family. The aim of the game is to be the first player to score 500 points, by getting rid of all the cards in your hand before your opponents.

Trivial Pursuit Family Ed Age 9+ (£19.97) In this great edition of Trivial Pursuit how will your knowledge fair! You can be sure that there are plenty of questions to intrigue and entertain whether 10 or 100! With the questions being for both adults and children, it means that the playing field really has become equal, and so everyone stands a chance!

40 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Giant Snakes and Ladders Age 3+ (£36.68)

This giant version of Snakes and Ladders puts you right in the heart of the game, where you act as the counter and move up the ladders and down the snakes. A perfect family game for the summer and a great game for teaching young ones to ‘take turns’.

Hungry Hippos Age 3+ (£11.53)

Fingers at the ready to chomp as fast as you can! The winner will be the hippo that eats the most marbles or win instantly by eating the golden marble!

The Game of Life Age 9+ (£39.84)

Chutes and Ladders Age 3+ (£14.99)

A family classic. Your goal is to dodge bad luck and make a buck. Along the way, you’ll also earn valuable Life Tiles by doing good deeds, helping your community, or just taking a break from the rat race! Retire with the biggest fortune, and you’ll win!

Chutes and Ladders is the game of rewards and consequences: rewards for doing good deeds and consequences for naughty ones. Ideal for younger children who are still learning to take turns. It is also a gentle introduction to the higher numbers as players climb to 100 at the top of the board.

Bus Stop

App Player Board Game

Monopoly

This best-selling and award-winning game can help children with basic maths skills. Throw the two dice to move your bus counter around the board, counting passengers on and off your big bright bus board as you go. Children learn simple addition and subtraction skills while having fun, and there’s plenty to talk about with so many passengers - where are they going? How many are wearing hats? Can you find a passenger with a moustache? Can you spot the helter skelter on the board? What animals can be seen on the board? The winner is the player with the most passengers when the bus reaches the bus station. to the bus station.

Imagine a game with more cards than you could possibly cram into the box.

A game where cards don’t date and come graded in difficulty to suit all the players taking part. Where you don’t need to fill your cupboards up with ever bulkier and planet unfriendly boxes. Where technology you already use for personal gaming can be used by a whole party of people. The AppPlayer Board Game is all this and more...

Move over every other game ever invented and make way for the classic board game by which all others are judged.

A fabulous game that can be played with friends and family. Ideal for the young ones that are learning to engage and increase their attention spans as games can be over quickly.

Age 4+ (£8.09)

Age 12+ (£15.58)

Age 8+ (£10)

Monopoly is the absolute timeless family game. It’s a game about strategy, chance, luck and ultimately about greed.

Will you become a property billionaire!

Complete with four games, custom made to suit the App-Player games board, you can expand and enhance your set as new App Games are launched. iPhone and Android compatible.

All board games are available to buy from www.amazon.co.uk The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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are some children who will never get the chance. Children living with a life-threatening condition – many of them with just weeks to live. MakeA-Wish Foundation® UK was formed in 1986 and has one very simple objective – to grant the wishes of these very special children.

Local lady runs London marathon in memory of her nephew Jakobi Hookens Donna Hookens decided to run the Virgin London Marathon in memory of her nephew Jakobi Hookens.

Donna who was a non-runner started training to run for the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation® trustUK because she saw first-hand what amazing work they do.

Two very sad years ago Aunty Donna lost her seven year old beautiful nephew Jakobi to a rare form of Cancer. Jakobi was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma a rare form of cancer when he was just four years old, but the one thing he looked forward to during his gruelling bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy was to go home and play with his brothers and sisters in the garden.

Pirate Ship Makes Jakobi’s Day Jakobi’s wish was to have a giant Pirate Ship built in the family garden and he enjoyed many hours playing pirates with his family! Make -A-Wish made Jakobi’s wish come true because someone had helped them raise money.

The fun Jakobi had playing on his pirate ship was lovely to watch. This inspired Donna to raise awareness and money for Make-A-Wish, so other children can experience the joy of having a wish come true.

Thanks to the “Make-A-Wish” team for giving Donna’s family another fond memory of Jakobi having fun and laughing. www.make-a-wish.org.uk

Jakobi’s Pirate ship dream come true, thanks to Make-A-Wish Foundation

A wish granted is true magic for the child and provides them and their families with hope, strength and joy at a time of uncertainty. Since 1986 more than 8,500 have searched the depths of their imagination to select their most heartfelt wish; Make-AWish has turned their wishes into a magical and memorable reality.

Whether the wish is to meet someone famous, own something, visit somewhere or do something special, its coming true can bring a little sunshine into lives that have been dominated by pain and trauma, providing respite from their normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatment.

When a child is stricken down with an illness, often there are others whose lives are directly impacted.

In all possible cases, Make-A-Wish pledges to grant a child’s wish, regardless of its cost or complexity, and to ensure that immediate family members have the opportunity to participate in the wish. Wishes enrich the lives of parents, siblings, grandparents and other family members – replacing the pain and heartbreak caused by a child’s illness with laughter and joy.

Make-A-Wish has no cures to offer, and all too often some of our endings are sad, but during desperate time when there seems to be no hope, Make-A-Wish steps in and provides positive, immediate and uplifting relief. Most of all we provide a time of magic and joy for the children and families we serve.

Jakobi enjoying his Pirate Ship

Make-A-Wish Foundation UK Have you ever had a wish come true?

Most of us are lucky and have a lifetime to turn our goals and dreams into reality. Sadly, there

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Make-A-Wish Foundation UK 329-331 London Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3HQ Tel: 01276 40 50 60 www.make-a-wish.org.uk Charity Registration Nos. (England & Wales) 295672 (Scotland) SC037479 Granting magical wishes to children and young people fighting lifethreatening conditions.

Beebo

just loves

Mini Mia Children’s heart friendship bracelet These adorable little bracelets are available with lots of different charms and are fully adjustable to fit all little wrists. www.mialia.co.uk (£18)

Red Toolbox Workbench

TrayKit

A classic work bench and toolbox for littlemen aspiring to be like dad!

How cool is this!! Perfect for dad and child to work together. www.lovelylittlegifts.co.uk (£75)

Milkysnugz Making feedtime fun! Available in six cuddly characters, the milkSnugz is perfect for providing comfort to your baby. www.milkysnugz.co.uk (£9.99)

This is an award winning travel backpack and travel tray. Perfect to keep young ones occupied whilst travelling in cars, trains and planes! www.contentandcalm.com (24.99)

Breastvest Make any top a breastfeeding top! What a fabulous idea. Easy access, less fiddling and your belly is hidden at all times - perfect! www.breastvest.co.uk (£15.00)

AZATOM® iFlute PINK docking station speaker Sleek design and perfectly pink for young ladies. A great room accessory and with remote control we love this docking station. www.amazon.co.uk (£22.99)

Tikkers Watch Bright, fun and fashionable.

Tikkers have a watch for all ages. Easy to clean and durable - perfect for kids! www.amazon.co.uk from £5

Micro MX Trixx Scooter The coolest 2-wheels around!

Perfect for young aspiring stunt masters. Robust and strong - it is ideal for beginners www.micro-scooters.co.uk (£99.95)

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Beebo

Book Review

Kids Book Review Clown – Quentin Blake Can you tell a story without words? Well, Quentin Blake can, and in Clown he does.

The book consists entirely of illustrations, in Blake’s well loved and instantly recognisable style.

Our hero, Clown, finds himself thrown into the dustbin, along with a number of other toys. He escapes, dusts himself off, and sets out to find someone who can help him to rescue his friends.

Along the way he finds himself in a fancy dress competition, entertaining a rather fierce looking dog, and possibly finding himself a home – all without words.

The beauty of the story is that while Blake’s illustrations carry the narrative forward, the reader can choose their own way of telling it. No two versions are ever the same, as each child brings to the book their own language and rhythms. Clown himself is wonderfully expressive, and the pictures are enough to have you laughing out loud in several places.

An absolutely marvellous book, which every child should read – and which every adult will enjoy too.

Books for Kids

Bumpus Jumpus Dinosaurumpus

Mog the Forgetful Cat Judith Kerr

I am Too Small to Go to School Charlie & Lola

Shake, shake, shudder near the sludgy old swamp. The dinosaurs are coming!

Get ready to romp!

Reissue of everyone’s favourite family cat!

Mog always seems to be in trouble. But, one night, Mog’s forgetfulness comes in very handy…

Lola is almost big enough for school but as much as it will be useful to read, write and count - she doesn’t really have time!

This Moose Belongs to Me

Big Red Bath

Oliver Jeffers

Julia Jarman, Adrian Reynolds

All about a boy and a moose. Wilfred hadn’t always owned a moose but the moose found him. Then one day someone else tried to claim Marcel as theirs!

Ben and Bella are having such a lovely, splashy time in the big red bath that soon everyone wants to join in the fun! But will there be room.

HarperCollins £11.99

Orchard books £5.99

Little Ballet Star

Room on the Broom

Steve Backshall’s Deadly 60

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days

It’s Tilly’s birthday and she’s off to a REAL theatre with her auntie, a REAL ballerina! Will Tilley be given the chance of dancing under the spotlight?

The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand!

Greg’s idea of how to spend the Summer holiday’s is very different to his Mom’s!

Hilariously funny and perfect for boys and girls - a must read!

Orchard Books £5.99

Macmillan £6.99

Steve Backshall embarks on his most daring adventure yet.

From lethal beauties to killer beasts, the one thing these creatures have in common is that they are all deadly.

Adele Geras, Shelagh McNicholas

Enid Blyton

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Tony Milton, Guy Parker-Rees

Orchard books £5.99

HarperCollins £5.99

Stephen Backshall

Jeff Kinney

Lauren Child

Orchard Books £6.99

Ketchup Clouds Annabel Pitcher

New Holland Publishers Ltd

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can’t confess to anyone she knows.

Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can - in letters to the man in prison in America.

£9.99

Indigo £9.99

Puffin Books £6.99

Mum & Dad Book Review The Shining - Stephen King Even if you have seen and loved Stanley Kubrick’s film, maybe even especially if you’ve seen and loved it, you should read the book. The book is not the film. The book is a deeper (and scarier) experience altogether.

Stephen King is a master story teller, and in The Shining he created a classic novel of possession and isolation.

The Torrances are a damaged family. Jack is an ex-teacher and sometime writer with a drink problem, who takes the only job he can find – the winter caretaker at a hotel called The Overlook.

He takes along his wife, and young son Danny. They are welcomed by the chef, Dick Hallorann, who has psychic abilities which he calls ‘the shine’, and Dick quickly realises that Danny shines too. He has to leave but forms a powerful connection with Danny promising that wherever he is if Danny calls to him he will hear and come – a promise he later honours.

Ostensibly Danny is the main character and the book is about his father’s descent into madness, but it is the hotel which dominates the story. King paints an incredibly detailed picture with undertones of American Indian burial grounds, multiple homicides, hauntings and sightings. Jack appears to become possessed by forces at work there. The tension and claustrophobia build a threatening atmosphere. Prepare to be transported into the long, dark corridors at The Overlook Hotel and know that something dreadful awaits you there. There’s a plot twist or another dimension on every page, as you explore King’s carefully crafted nightmare landscape, populated with the spectres of dead children and their maniac father.

As the plot develops, we question whether Jack is really possessed or simply an alcoholic losing his mind, and whether Danny is psychic or whether what he sees is because he’s been so damaged by his dysfunctional family. King’s skill is to weave together the demons, both real and imagined without drawing any distinct boundaries between the two. As the story builds to its terrifying conclusion you will be on the edge of your seat.

The Shining is a book that doesn’t only deserve a place on the bookshelves of horror fans, but of anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, fast-paced story with plenty of depth. Read it and you won’t be disappointed.

Books for the Grown-ups

Reviews in next Edition How to Train Your Dragon Cressida Cowell

The Story Teller

The Thief

Sage Singer has a past that makes her want to hide from the world.

Sleeping by day and working in a bakery by night, she kneads her emotion into the beautiful bread she bakes.

A bold kidnapping aboard an ocean liner sends detective Isaac Bell across America in a deadly game of cat and mouse

Jodi Picoult

Hodder & Stoughton £18.99

Clive Cussler

Penguin Books £7.99

Paul Hollywood’s Bread Paul Hollywood

Paul Hollywood is Britain’s favourite master baker. His new book is all about bread - how to make it and how to use it.

But while it’s all very well making a lovely loaf of bread, can you guarantee that it won’t be wasted?

The Earth Hums in B Flat Mari Strachan

Bloomsbury £20.00

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Learn to read with the Alphablocks Phonics First Steps Volume 1 Enter the magical world of reading with the hit CBeebies show, Alphablocks.

The Alphablocks are 26 living letters who fall out of the sky and discover that if they hold hands and make a word, it magically comes to life!

Based on best-practice phonics, your child will laugh and learn with the little letter people and their adventures, songs and all kinds of fun and games.

Volume 1: Phonics First Steps Phonics First Steps introduces the first letters and sounds that children are taught at school and starts them off making simple words. With repeat viewing, children can build key phonics skills and boost their reading confidence - while having lots and lots of fun.

Features 18 episodes and Parent Guide. This DVD also comes with a FREE Alphablocks, Alphabet poster! Find out more at www.alphablocks.tv DVDs can be purchased from all good DVD stockists

Beebo has been lucky enough to review the DVD and we also have 10 copies to give away to some of our lucky readers!!

CBeebies is a TV channel favourite in our household so it wasn’t a great surprise when our young audience of two were glued to the TV screen from the off-set!

You can laugh, you can sing, you can make anything........ And they were hooked again and again! The DVD has played at least every other day since we introduced it.

The individual letter Alphablocks repeat their sound, as well as their letter name, each time they appear alongside other letters to spell a word, which naturally reinforces the potential of remembering it. Repetition is key!

As a parent new to the language of Phonics this has in fact been a learning curve for me! It certainly wasn’t like this when I was at school. Evidently you are never too young, or too old to learn! My youngest is 15 months but with an older sibling her vocabulary is progressing fast. She is particularly grasped by the brightly coloured Alphablocks, their high-pitched tone and of course the opening song! With a brain currently like a sponge I am more than happy for her to watch this DVD regularly.

My son is more pre-school age and coming into the realms of actually understanding the use of words so as a supporter of the Early Years Curriculum, ‘Learn to read with the Phonics First Steps’ is the perfect tool to help us (parents) encourage progression and learning at home.

With 18 episodes equating to almost 1 hour 30 minutes of entertainment coupled with learning we love this DVD. It is educational yet fun for children aged between 3-5 years, although as we have found, those much younger will enjoy it too. It’s never too early to introduce the art of learning! Especially when it is through enjoyment.

We have stuck the free brightly coloured A3 poster on the fridge so we can practise whenever we are in the kitchen. N says nnn-nnn...no! K kicks his ball: k! k! k! and U thinks everything is unfair! uh! As a family we are well and truly hooked - who thought phonics could be so much fun!

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WIN WIN WIN.........

We have 10 Learn to read with the Alphablocks - Phonics First Steps Volume 1 DVD to give away.

Simply go to our website www. beebomagazine.co.uk/competitions and leave your name, address, e-mail address and telephone number.

Closing date August 4th 2013 Don’t forget to also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with competitions and offers.

How can we help our children embark on their learning journey in reading and begin to instil that all important life long love for books and the written word?

It goes without saying that we all want what’s best for our children. From education to building meaningful relationships, having a wealth of experience and shaping the lives they will lead as they grow as individuals, ultimately creating their own unique future. We all understand the importance of supporting our children to develop the skills they will need as they develop and negotiate the limitless pathways through life. Learning to read and developing a life long love of books and the written word is one of the many facets in this journey and one we can absolutely provide support, guidance and encouragement.

How do we do this? I hope to impart some valuable ideas, tips and food for thought as you read on…

The Reading Environment Sometimes it is all too easy to pull out a book, whether it is a reading book from school or one that is simply the closest to hand, and rush through it sat in a busy environment full of distractions and interruptions.

You can find yourself amidst it all; television noise, conversations across the room, the telephone ringing…and all whilst you are desperately trying to do some purposeful reading with your child. This is not going to work for either of you. You need to create the meaningful environment necessary to encourage concentration, attention, comfort and enjoyment of the task in hand. Try to make time somewhere comfortable and quiet where you can both be drawn, without distraction, into the books you are enjoying together. Maybe “snuggling up on the sofa”, bedtime reading or even creating a den together that you can get inside and escape for a moment from the outside world!

Reading for Enjoyment First and foremost, reading should above all else be a fun and pleasurable

experience! Make books and reading magical. Get enthusiastic and celebrate the books and reading that you are sharing. Maybe books are kept somewhere special and safe and when you get them out get excited!

Enthusiasm is catching – in some cases it may take a bit more time, but eventually it always rubs off. Read with expression, pause and create suspense, make drama and bring the words to life! Talk about what’s going to happen next…explore the possibilities and get those imaginative juices flowing.

Starting to Extract Information Reading in its very nature is all about extracting information from what can be seen whether it is within the written word or displayed in pictures, photographs and illustrations. In the early stages of reading, focus on the pictures – what can you see?

What colours are there? What are the facial expressions telling you? Is something happening? As you read the accompanying words, were you right about the information in the pictures?

Encourage curiosity. Add sound effects to the pictures. Not only do sound effects help to bring the images to life and create another dimension, these types of “voice sounds” appear in early phonics as they support speaking and listening skills.

Early Phonics As you read the words and they begin to become more familiar, encourage your child to read with you. They don’t need to read it all, but simply join in with words they are either anticipating from memory or beginning to recognise on the page. Stop to let them finish sentences or fill in gaps. Don’t let it become too challenging, if something is difficult move on. As you move towards listening to your child read, the same rule applies – don’t let it

become to challenging, if something is difficult move on. Practice “sounding out” words but make sure this doesn’t become a labour. Reading should be fun, not stressful or a chore.

What to Choose?

The options are endless! Explore all sorts of reading books. You can look at fiction, non-fiction, story books, information books, magazines, cartoons, comic books, anything…!

Tap into your child’s interests – if they like cars, read about cars; if they are into fairies, read about fairies; if they have a hero, look them up! A mixture is best – the more variety you can supply and encourage, the wider the experience. Consider what media you are using as well. Books are wonderful, but we must not forget that our children are 21st century children and the reading they will need to access in their lives is complex – the internet is currently the most complex form of reading in existence as it requires multi-directional reading and vast quantities of information which must be quickly deduced to determine the most important/relevant parts and negotiated to find the next link! Is it wrong to offer a computer or tablet as a way of encouraging and practising reading?

When developing reading, we need to consider a few factors - the reading environment, extracting information, early phonics and reading materials.

That being said, if I was asked to give you only one piece of advice it would be this: Reading is, and should always be fun!

by Caroline Oestreich

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Beebo

schools & education Summer Term

The final term before the big summer break. The ideal term to continue to focus on taking education outdoors and encouraging children to opt for the healthier lifestyle. The final term is very poignant for many with year 6 making a fond farewell to the educational home they have known for at least seven years and setting their sites on a new chapter of life at Secondary / Senior school from September, Our pre-schoolers will soon fly the nest to embark upon full-time education and our Seniors will move on to the real realities that will lead them into adulthood. A very challenging, exciting, anxious and life changing experience for all involved.

Time should be taken to embrace the final school term of the year - make the most of what is being taught, enjoy time with friends and definitely cherish all leaving parties / balls.

Every bit will become a life long memory.

Book your place at our Prep & Pre-Prep Open Day on Saturday 5 October

Mathematician Clarinettist Horse Rider millfieldprep.com/everyfield

Millfield Pre-Prep Plant 400 Trees Children at Millfield Pre-Prep always enjoy learning outside the classroom.

Recently, as part of their Forest School activities, they donned their waterproofs, armed themselves with trowels and went off to a pretty corner of the school grounds near the Glastonbury Tor to plant their own 400-tree wood. This was part of the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Tree Planting project.

Ably assisted by Year 8 pupils from Millfield Prep School, they spent a busy afternoon together and look forward to regular visits to check on the progress of their trees. Find out more about how Millfield Pre-Prep children learn and explore at www.millfieldprep.com.

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Providing space to achieve potential.

Do you see what we see?

1 7 5

Y E A R S

O F

E X C E L L E N C E

At Chilton Cantelo School, in idyllic South Somerset, we help our pupils achieve their potential by giving them space to grow. chiltoncanteloschool.co.uk

Open Days-

20 June (Reception) 27 June (Sixth Form) 28 June (Whole School)

Parents & ToddlersFREE weekly Pre School Sessions

What makes a true Wellingtonian?

This term, the Wellington School Council – who have representatives from each year - was asked to identify the attributes of a “True Wellingtonian. The School encourages pupils to be individual and they are appreciated for their unique gifts and abilities. However, some qualities remain constant throughout the school.

According to School Council, the ‘True Wellingtonian’ is: • Friendly and welcoming • Gets involved • Respectful • Honest • High level of integrity • Willing to serve • Disciplined • Open to new ideas • All rounders • Proud of the school • Organised • Strong sense of community • Striving for the best (excellence) The Council has identified qualities of character and not simply gifts, abilities or even personality. Of course results are important, but if we could sum up what we really want for our children and what would stand them in good stead for their futures, wouldn’t it be these?

We nurture and teach pupils from 3-11 in the Junior School and 11-18 in the Senior School, and we are justly proud of the rounded, all-encompassing education they receive. We call it “Learning For Life”.

Excellent academic results | Fully co-educational – ages 3-18 Superb sporting, music & drama facilities | Day & Boarding 5 minutes from M5 – junctions 26/27 Wraparound care available for 3-11 year olds

SCHOOL

www.wellington-school.org.uk admissions@wellingtonschool.org.uk 01823 668800

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Beebo

schools & education

SCHOOL NEWS

Chilton Cantelo School

North Newton Primary School - Celebration Day On Wednesday, 26th June we shall be holding an Open Day in the school from 9.00am – 3.30pm. Parents, relatives & friends are invited to come to the school at any time during the day and observe a number of activities: ICT, drum tuition, music recitals, speech and language performances, dance, gymnastics, literacy, numeracy, etc.

The PTFA have kindly agreed to provide refreshments during the morning and afternoon.

Other information will be available on the website nearer the time www.northnewtonschool. co.uk or telephone 01278 662140 or find us on Facebook!

Renowned for its family atmosphere Chilton Cantelo School focuses on providing personal attention for each of its pupils from Reception to Sixth Form.

The school is located in a country park setting, minutes from Yeovil and Sherborne, and offers value for money. Providing low, affordable fees, pupils enjoy free after-school clubs and activities, learning support, and boarders have free weekend trips.

There are no Saturday morning classes for day pupils. Boarding is flexible with weekly boarding available.

Bus transport is provided with routes across Somerset and Dorset.

Bishop Henderson CE Primary School, Taunton Summer Fair QUEEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY IS ACHIEVING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

Queen’s College Taunton is rapidly gaining an outstanding reputation for hockey with three teams reaching the 2013 National Schools’ finals. In the last calendar year, five of the school’s teams have reached this national competition level and also boast a number of county and regional titles.

The U16 girls’ team were silver medallists at the national competition in February and the U14 boys’ hockey team claimed the bronze medal in April, after having scored the most goals and conceded the least at the tournament. Last year, the same team were the U13 Boys’ National Champions and the U13 girls’ team finished ninth. The U16 boys’ team has also performed admirably at the national finals this year.

Not sure what to do with your Friday night? Then why not join us on Friday 14th June for a fun-filled evening of activities and entertainment?! There will be lots to enjoy including a hog roast, bouncy castle, Arsenal beat the goalie and mini go-karts. We'll also have chocolate and bottle tombolas, a coconut shy, cake stall, stocks along with the police and fire brigade. You can enjoy a cream tea while watching one of the fantastic displays from the school gymnasts, choir, country dancing and tae kwondo teams.

Join us from 6pm until 8pm in the grounds of Bishop Henderson School, Henderson Close, Taunton, TA1 4TU. www.bishophendersonschool.org.uk.

Lower down the school, the U11 boys’ and girls’ teams qualified for the West of England finals in April; the girls, who are currently the Somerset county champions, finished in third place regionally while the boys took fifth place in the region.

“Looking at the tremendous success both of our hockey teams and of individual pupils, there is no doubt that Queen’s College is now one of the leading schools for hockey in the country.” Chris Alcock, Headmaster.

Free Educational Space for Schools: Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre has a fantastic and FREE educational space consisting of an outdoor classroom and conference room - available Monday-Friday. The outdoor centre is the perfect setting for exploring environmental geography with meadows, woodland, wetland and of course willow which is used for making the baskets. To book please contact the visitor centre on 01823 490249.

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Hazlegrove

...making the most of childhood

If you are looking for a school which • develops your child’s confidence in the classroom, on the stage or elsewhere • keeps academic endeavour at the forefront without compromising on a breadth of education education • allows your child to play team sports, whatever their ability, with the best competing at a national level national level • encourages musicians and artists to build on their talents through numerous extra-curricular opportunities extra-curricular opportunities • will give guidance about the next stage of your child’s education including scholarship possibilities possibilities whether you are looking locally at our senior school, King’s Bruton, or further afield whilst still valuing childhood, then please visit us at Hazlegrove - you will be assured of a warm welcome. warm welcome.

“If Hazlegrove is a child’s first-ever experience of school life, then all we can say is: ‘Lucky child.’”

Tatler Schools Guide 2013

To visit, call Fiona O’Neill 01963 442606 Hazlegrove, Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7JA

Richard Fenwick, Headmaster of Hazlegrove writes: Target setting and increased regulatory expectation, monitored by a box-ticking inspection system, have left our nation without a clear educational vision and purpose.

Add to this the impact of mobile technology and the gradual erosion of previously accepted social values and morals and it is of no surprise that many parents are left confused as they try to support their children through their educational years.

Whilst still suffering the shackles of compliance, Independent Schools are free to develop an education they believe in, based on a clear vision about what is best for children growing up in today's world.

At Hazlegrove, we are passionate about breadth of opportunity from the youngest age. Sport, drama and music all feature highly and Forest School / outdoor education allows pupils to develop self-reliance and to feel confident within the natural environment.

Our Year 3 classrooms are currently being extended and planning permission had recently been received to build a new £1.7M, state of the art, Teaching and Learning Centre, due to open in September 2014. The provision of 30 MB of bandwidth and a sophisticated wireless network is allowing us to explore the use of iPads in the classroom.

Visitors to Hazlegrove are assured of a warm welcome – to make an appointment please call us on 01963 442606.

…but not all can be hurried. The 2,500 trees planted last year as part of our Jubilee celebrations are responding to the warmer weather as leaves and blossom appear. The frogs and newts in our ponds are beginning to stir. The chickens in the school farm have begun to lay again and the pigs are coming up to their first birthday.

Essentially, education is not about statistics, league tables and compliance. It is about the fabric of society and the future of humanity.

We don't believe in standing still…

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Join the club Let a holiday club help with your childcare this summer The six-week school holiday looms. Up and down the country you can hear collective groans from working parents beginning to stress about securing holiday care for their children.

can range from sports, crafts and cooking to quad biking, archery or trampolining. Many clubs will plan a theme for the day or week, and some may let the children choose what to do.

Whether you need childcare while you’re at work, or a way to keep your energetic offspring entertained, holiday clubs can be a lifesaver. There is such a wide variety available that you are sure to be able to find something that suits both you and your child.

Find out what children need to bring with them – aprons, trainers or drinks, for example. They probably won’t need any money unless they are going out for a day trip.

Some clubs are run by local authorities and are based at schools, nurseries or community centres. You’ll find that places offering ‘before and after school’ clubs often have holiday clubs too. Others are linked to clubs offering specific activities, such as a sport or performance art. There are also some big companies offering schemes throughout the UK, such as Kings Camps (www.kingscamps.org) and Super Camps (www.supercamps. co.uk).

Visit www.daycaretrust.org.uk/nafis to find details of your local Family Information Service. They will have details of childcare in your area, including holiday clubs.

Most clubs will be registered with Ofsted and you can find details of their latest inspection at www.ofsted.gov.uk .

It’s a good idea to visit the venue and speak to the manager. Make sure you are happy with the child/adult ratios and the qualifications of the staff – they should all have been CRB checked.

If you don’t know anyone else who has used the club, ask the manager to provide you with some recent testimonials.

Try to see a timetable and photos of a typical day at the club. Activities

Make sure you know the arrangements for dropping off and collecting children, and what happens in an emergency.

You will need to book your child’s place in advance. Check the session times carefully – some clubs may be

half days, some will run within school hours, while others may be open from 8am until 5 or 6pm.

Ask what is included in the price. Is lunch provided, or will children need to bring their own? Paying for a week is usually cheaper than paying per day. You may also get a discount for more than one child. Some clubs will accept childcare vouchers, and you can claim back some of the cost of Ofstedregistered clubs if you qualify for Family Tax Credits.

Happy holidays!

by Alex Brown

Somerset Summer Camps 2013 Woodland Adventures Summer Holiday Club July 8-August 30, age 3-13 years Contact for times, costs and further information King's Hall School, Taunton t: Clare Masters 07850 775495 Mill On The Brue Summer Camps July 14-August 24, 7 days+ Cost: £555 per week (age 8-15 years) Mill On The Brue, Bruton t: 01749 812307 Mill On The Brue Summer Day Camps July 15-August 23, arrivals from 8.30am (activities start 9am) Cost: £55 (per child, including a home cooked, two course lunch!)

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Weekly ticket £265, (age 7-15 years) Mill On The Brue, Bruton t: 01749 812307 Queen's College Super Camps MultiActivity Summer 2013 July 22-August 23 Cost: £160 per week, £40 per day 40+ exciting activities, Sports and Arts & Crafts. Up to 8 activities per day. No two days are the same. Book individual days or full week Queen's College, Taunton t: 01235 832222 King Edward's School Super Camps Multi-Activity Summer 2013 July 22-August 30 Cost: £160 per week, £40 per day 40+ exciting activities, Sports and Arts

& Crafts. Up to 8 activities per day. No two days are the same. Book individual days or full week King Edward's School, Bath t: 01235 832222

& Crafts. Up to 8 activities per day. No two days are the same. Book individual days or full week Chilton Cantelo School, Yeovil T: 01235 832222

parents) From £40 per day (£145 per week) Wellington School, Wellington www.activesport.co.uk t: 0115 973 1676

Theatresaurus Summer Shakespeare Course July 23-26, 10am-4pm (performance 3.30pm on last day) Cost: £95, age 6-19 years An intensive, fun-filled course culminating in a performance of a Shakespeare play Bruton School for Girls, Bruton t: 07976 710076 e: info@theatresaurus.co.uk

Active Sport Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy August 5-9, 9.30am-4.30pm (extended hours available for working parents) From £40 per day (£160 per week) King Edwards School, Bath and Wellington School, Wellington www.activesport.co.uk t: 0115 973 1676

Active Sport Everything 4 Rugby August 19-23, 9.30am-4.30pm (Extended hours available for working parents) From £40 per day (£155 per week) Wellington School, Wellington www.activesport.co.uk t: 0115 973 1676

Stage Coach - The Wreckers August 5-9, 10am-4pm (presentation time 5.30-6.30pm) Cost: £135, siblings £110 We have a great holiday workshop planned. We are going to devise a play in a week based on the subject of a small Cornish fishing village. The play will incorporate the Sea, fishermen, smugglers and possibly pirates and will include acting, singing and dancing. Of course at the end of it there will be a performance for family and friends. No experience necessary just come along and join in for a creative and energetic week The Taunton Academy, Taunton t: 01823 333176 / 07932 071173

Wet & Wild Adventure Camps August 19-23, (8.30am-5.30pm or 5-day trip) August 27-31, (8.30am-5.30pm or 5-day trip) Cost: £280 per week, age 8 years and up (includes all activities, food and accommodation for the week) 5 days of adrenalin fuelled adventure.

Join us for some surfing, coasteering, bushcraft, camp cooking. Plus oodles more..... Two nights spent in Bell Tents in a beautiful Somerset woodland and two nights on the North Devon coast. £280 for the 5 day camping Includes all costs; food, travel, accommodation and activities. Recommended age 8 years and upwards | Places are limited and MUST be booked in advance. There is no skill just thrill!! For more information visit the website: www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk t: Louise 07775 941353 e: info@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk

Speedy Wheels July 26-28, starts at 5.30pm Cost: £160 age 9-13 years Biking, boarding, blading, BMXing. The weekend will be spent onsite and off trying your hand (or rather…feet) at as many wheeled activities as we can cram in. Mountain bikes, skate boards, grass sledges…we have them all!

Kilve Court, Bridgwater t: 01278 741270 Theatresaurus Summer Speech and Drama Course July 28-August 8 10am-4pm Cost: £320 (includes exam entry fee), age 6-19 years A 10-day course working towards a Trinity Guildhall qualification Millfield School, Street t: 07976 710076 e: info@theatresaurus.co.uk Theatresaurus Summer Shakespeare Course July 29-August 1, 10am-4pm (performance 3.30pm on last day) Cost: £95, age 6-19 years An intensive, fun-filled course culminating in a performance of a Shakespeare play Kingswood School, Bath t: 07976 710076 e: info@theatresaurus.co.uk Junior Activity July 29-August 2, August 19-23 Cost: £200 age 8-10 years An action packed week of outdoor fun for you and your friends! Activities typically include climbing, mountain biking, grass sledging, archery and stream walking to name but a few!

Kilve Court, Bridgwater t: 01278 741270 Chilton Cantelo School Super Camps Multi-Activity Summer 2013 July 29-August 16 Cost: £160 per week, £40 per day 40+ exciting activities, Sports and Arts

Summer Camp Rocks!

August 5-9, 10am-4pm Cost: £125 A brand new musical celebration starring… YOU! This is your chance to shine, make new friends and enjoy the best summer ever! Working with our professional directors, you’ll develop your skills in singing, dancing and acting. As you grow in confidence so you will be ready to perform on the Octagon stage. All the biggest and best musicals will feature in our super new show created especially for this project The Octagon theatre, Yeovil t: 01935 422884 Woodland Playschemes August 6-8 & 12-16, 10am-4pm E/B from 9am & N/O until 5pm Costs: £20 per child per day. 10% sibling discount (8 Years and Over) Days spent den building, playing capture the flag, woodland crafts, camp craft, cooking, exploring, getting muddy and directing your own play!

Taunton - Contact for further details t: Louise 07775 941353 e: info@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk Active Sport Gold Medal Academy August 12-16, 9.30am-4.30pm (Extended hours available for working

Giant Camps / Holiday Activities Tone Leisure provides quality holiday camps and specialist activity programmes for children at Blackbrook Pavilion, Wellington Sports Centre, Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Taunton.

All children attending Giant Camps must complete an annual registration form and hold a Buzz membership card - these are available at reception.

Giant is about offering fun for all children, especially those with additional needs. If your child requires extra support to meet their personal or play needs, we may be able to provide a support worker. This service must be booked in advance. For further information please contact Ali Cottey on 01823 273085 or a.cottey@ toneleisure.com www.toneleisure.co.uk for more information and centre contact numbers.

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Beebo

Nursery Directory Millfield Pre-School Millfield Prep School Glastonbury Somerset BA6 8LD

Age: 2-4 years Tadpoles and Frogs classes offer a safe, stimulating and fun environment where our youngest children are gently introduced to a routine for learning through play, encouraging them to grow in independence. Contact: 01458 837750

Fledglings Early Years Centre Cotford St Luke Primary School, Bethell Mead Cotford St Luke, Taunton TA4 1HZ

Age: 2 years 9 months - school age Open term time only and 3 weeks in the summer holidays 8am-6pm Monday - Thursday 8am-5.30pm Friday Contact: 01823 432569

Billy’s Young Stars Nursery Butlins Skyline Ltd Warren Road Minehead, Somerset TA24 5SH

Crèche sessions available for guest children aged 3 months - 8 years. Free fun sessions for the whole family to enjoy – all run by professional fully qualified team.

Contact: Angela Clark, Nursery Manager

Queen’s College Nursery Queens College Trull Road, Taunton Somerset TA1 4QS

Our friendly nursery provides outstanding care and education with excellent facilities for all our young children 3-4 years. Staff are all highly qualified, experienced and caring. Achieving ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by OFSTED we encourage all our children to happily grow and develop in independence and confidence. Contact 01823 340830

Bouncy Bear Childcare Wellington Children Centre Wellington Somerset TA21 8NE

A nursery with a family feel for children aged from 3 months - 5 years. Bouncy Bear Childcare is committed to offering high quality childcare, with a caring team and great facilities for your child to enjoy.

Contact: 01823 667149

Cheekie Monkeys Nursery Unit 4, Broadoak Canal Way ILminster, Somerset TA19 9FA

Children’s Day Nursery and Pre-School offering excellent care and education for children 0-5 years.

Monday to Friday 8am -6pm.

Contact: Alison Jeffery or Lesley Jay 01460 52457

King’s Hall School Kingston Road Taunton Somerset TA2 8AA

King’s Hall Pelican Nursery is the first step of a child’s learning journey at King’s Hall and is tailored to meet the developmental needs of each individual child following the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. From 3 years - expanding our provision in Jan 14 to include from 2 years. Contact: 01823 285920

What’s On Summer 2013 June 2013 Charcoal Burn June 4-7, Normal opening hours Admission fee applies, FREE for members Come and see how Hestercombe's charcoal is made Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton t: 01823 413923 (to confirm times) TreeTots (5 Years and Under) June 6, 13, 20 & 27, 10am-12pm Costs: £10 per child, £5 per sibling. £3 for under 1’s Accompanying adults and siblings under 1 FREE

Would your child like to play, explore and get muddy in our beautiful pixie woods?

Crowcombe, Taunton t: Louise on 07775 941353 or e: info@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk

Collett Park Day June 8, 11am-5pm Lots of activities including a main display arena, various other display areas, community stalls, trade stands t: 01749 342521 / 07860 733644 Family Fun Day June 8, 11am-3pm Bouncy castle, danec shows, Stalls, Raffle, BBQ and more Kingshill Church School, Nailsea

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Let's Rock Bristol 80's Music Festival June 8, 11am-10pm £35 for adults, £18 for children (aged 3-12) and £80 for a family ticket An action packed day of live music is planned at this family friendly, 80's music festival with plenty to do for everyone Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol t: Lisa Robért 07979 552357

RSPCA Duck Rescue June 9, 3pm Normal opening hours Admission fee applies, FREE for members Hestercombe’s Pear Pond will be host to 1000 rubber ducks!

Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton

* % 0 2 SAVE

online T E K IC T R E P O O Z r u Buy yo

paigntonzoo.org.uk 0844 474 2222

* SAVE 20%

TwO ZOOS E C I R P E N O purchased tickets * From separately

PAIGNTON ZOO

LIVING COASTS

Summer wouldn’t be Summer without a trip to the Zoo! To WIN a family ticket to the fabulous Paignton Zoo, Devon get your little monkey(s) to show us their artistic talents by colouring in the above picture. Send completed entries, along with name, address, age and contact telephone number to the following address: Beebo HQ, The Rectory, Thurloxton, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8RH. Closing date is 19th July. If you have more than one little monkey in your household you can download and print another entry picture from our website: www.beebomagazine.co.uk/competitions The Southwest’s must have family magazine

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t: 01823 413923 Toy Fair June 9, 10am-4pm Cost: £3.50/£3-£7.50 Up to 300 stalls selling the best in collectable toys, Dinky, Corgi, Dolls & Teddies, Model Railway items Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet t: S Volwles 01373 452857 Charity Dragon Boat Race June 9, check to confirm time A great way for teams to have fun and raise money for charity River Tone, Taunton t: 07940 830168 or e: alison@headwaysomerset.org.uk The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Button June 9, 3pm Tickets £10 (£7) With live music and all your favorite characters from both Peter Rabbit tales Quantum Theatre’s delightful new production provides a magical and enchanting experience for young and old alike. Outside on the ECOS Amphitheatre, bring picnics and cushions. In the event of bad weather the performance will move inside.

Merlin Theatre, Frome t: 01373 465949 Open Farm Sunday at Wookey Farm June 9, 11am-4pm See the animals (goats, sheep, pigs, donkey), milking demonstration, farm walk and treasure hunt for children, taste the produce Wookey Farm, Wells t: 01749 671859 www.wookeyfarm.com Leaping Out: Primary Dance Festival June 10-11, 7pm Tickets from £6 Heathfi eld Community School and Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre welcome Primary Schools from across Somerset for a sparkling evening of dance!

Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton t: 01823 414 141 www.tacchi-morris.com Siege and Surrender Tours June 11, 11.30am-1pm & 2pm-3.30pm Cost: £3.50, child £2, plus admission £8.80, child £4.20, family £13.10 & £21, advance booking required A Civil War-themed guided tour of the castle Dunster Castle, Minehead t: 01643 821314

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Alice: IES Youth Theatre June 13-15, 7.30pm, mat June 15, 2.30pm Contact for prices A modernisation of Alice In Wonderland written by Sonya Young and her father Duncan Shaw The Warehouse Theatre, Ilminster t: 07502 189717 Somerfest 2013 June 15, 10.30am-4.30pm A Mid-Summer Celebration Taunton Town Centre t: 01823 324050 Felting Workshop with Tracey Bartlett June 15, Contact for times Further details via the website www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre, Taunton t: 01823 490249 CRESTA Junior Activity Family Fun Day June 15, 12pm-4pm Our activity day offers a host of FREE exciting sports and activities for children of all ages CRESTA Leisure Centre, Chard

t: Lucy Rickard 01460 64084 Shepton Free Family Fun Day June 15, 12pm-3pm Our activity day offers a host of FREE exciting sports and activities s Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre t: 01749 346644 The Gruffalo’s Child June 15-16, 12.30pm & 3pm Tickets: from £9.50 Following hot on the heels of the Gruffalo’s sell out tour and his monstrous West End success comes The Gruffalo’s Child - with attitude! Just how brave is she? Find out for yourselves by joining her at The Octagon!

The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil t: 01935 422884 www.octagon-theatre.co.uk Father's Day BBQ June 16, 12pm-3pm Normal opening hours In the Courtyard, no entry fee Celebrate Father’s Day with a sizzling barbeque and games whatever the weather!

Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton t: 01823 413923 Dads & Lads Paintball Special June 16, 10.30am-3pm DADS and LADS Fathers Day paintball special followed by a BBQ in the woods .. lads must be 10 years old and over.

Dads can be any age!

Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton t: 01823 410216 Father's Day at the Museum of Somerset June 16, 12pm-5pm Cost: Adults £3, Children £1 Lazy River Jazz, Cotleigh Brewery, Family activities Castle Green, Taunton t: 01823 255088 Father's Day Special on the WSR June 16, 12.35pm train More info at www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk Costs: from £18.50 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead, Somerset Daddy Cool 2013 June 16, park opening times Free entry for dads with an accompanying paying child See website for competition www. puxton.co.uk/events Puxton Park, BS24 6AH Let's Go Fly a Kite for Father's Day June 16, 10.30am-3.30pm Cost: £6.50 Come to Ashton Court and learn to make a kite which you can then fly in

the perfect kite flying arena of our park Ashton Court Estate, Bristol More info at: www.mandysmake.com Spot - A Show for 1-4 Year Olds!

June 17, 11am Tickets: Adults £4, Children £3 “Spot” is a very unusual stage light that expresses itself by drawing shapes and colours on the floor. With lights, sounds, movement and simple words, this magical new show by innovative Italian company La Baracca presents a funny, playful and dangerously delightful show designed especially for 1 to 4 year olds Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton t: 01823 414 141 www.tacchi-morris.com TYNTEtots June 18, 10am-12pm Cost: child £2.50 Join us once a month as we discover a special part of Tyntesfield using our favourite story book characters. There will be lots of activities for you to do as a family.

Tyntesfield, Wraxall t: Rebeca Medrano 07775 035547 NCT Taunton Pregnancy and Baby Fair June 22, 10.30am-3.30pm Richard Huish College, Taunton t: 0844 243 6293 or e: babyfair@ ncttaunton.org.uk Basket Making for Beginners June 22, 9.30am-4pm Cost: £85 inc. lunch Further details via the website: www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre, Taunton t: 01823 490249

tive and drama Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton t: 01823 414 141 www.tacchi-morris.com Wonderful Wetlands Craft Fayre and Fun day June 29, 10am-5pm A day of discovery and family fun in association with the RSPB and Great Crane Project Willows & Wetlands Vistor Centre, Taunton t: 01823 490249 St Margaret’s Summer Fair June 29, 11.30am-3.30pm Entry £1, under 16 free Summer Fair. Stalls, entertainment and refreshments all in the beautiful surroundings of the hospice gardens and meadow. Featuring Star Wars UK Garrison, BBQ, Vintage Vehicles, Magician, Morris Dancers and much more St Margaret’s Hospice, Taunton www.somerset-hospice.org.uk

July 2013 TreeTots (5 Years and Under) July 4, 11 & 18, 10am-12pm Costs: £10 per child, £5 per sibling, £3 for under 1’s, accompanying adults and siblings under 1 FREE Would your child like to play, explore and get muddy in our beautiful pixie woods?

Crowcombe, Taunton t: Louise on 07775 941353 e: info@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk

Love Bath City Festival June 23, from 11.30am Free food and drink for everyone - family fun!

Parade Gardens, Central Bath

Bishops Lydeard School Fete July 6, 1pm-4pm Cost: £20 per person We are holding a annual school fete and as part of this event we are currently running an Auction Of Promise and looking for donations Bishops Lydeard, Taunton t: 01823 432582

Evershot Country Fair June 23, 12pm-5pm Cost: Adult £2, Children free Our country fair has traditional rural crafts, delicious locally produced food, a range of interesting stands and plenty to entertain Evershot, Dorset t: Lee Wicks 07523 502171

Willow BBQ Smoking Baskets with Barbara Clift July 6, 10am-1pm Cost: £20 per person Further details via the website: www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre, Taunton t: 01823 490249

Alice: The Musical June 25-26, 7pm Tickets from £4 West Monkton Primary School presents the timeless classic Alice in Wonderland, wonderfully retold in a creative combination of song and dance, narra-

A Day Out with Thomas July, 6-7 & 13-14, from 10am See website for prices: www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk Thomas and his Friends will be at Minehead Station Minehead, Somerset

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Children's Cooking Classes July 7, 10am-2pm Cookability, Bishops Lydeard Fun way for kids to learn important life skills. www.cookability.com t: Venetia - 01823 432419 NASS-National Adventure Sports Show July 11-13, 9am-5pm Aims to merge music and sport, bringing together Extreme and Street Sports Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet t: 0207 348 5200 NEWT Festival 2013 July 12 & 13, All-day, camping also available Tickets from £20 Probably the biggest and best music and beer festival in the South West of England and definitely the most fun you will have this year North Newton, Bridgwater See website for more information and contact details: www.newtbeerfest.com Tiverton Balloon Festival July 12-14 Tickets from £6, see website for more info : www.tivertonballoonfestival.co.uk The 3rd Tiverton Balloon Festival will be Returning bigger and better for 2013

with a fun-filled programme of events Petroc College, Tiverton, Devon t: 01404 823735 / 01404 823102 www.tivertonballoonfestival.co.uk RNAS Yeovilton Air Day July 13, 11am onwards Costs: Advance - adult £20, Senior £18, Child £5 (under 5 free) The Air Day, one of the Southwest’s largest one day events, will return this summer with an action-packed day out for all the family Yeovilton t: 01935 462781 Taunton Race for Life 2013 July 14, 11am onwards Costs: £14.99 adult entry fee, £10 child entry fee (aged 15 and under on race day), free entry for under 5’s Join the fight and enter Race for Life Cancer, we’re coming to get you Vivary Park, Taunton (Various other event across the County) t: 0845 600 6050 TYNTEtots July 16, 10am-12pm Cost: child £2.50 Join us once a month as we discover a special part of Tyntesfield using our favourite story book characters. There will be lots of activities for you to do as

 

                



Tel: 0845 345 9671 Email: fundraising@st-margarets-hospice.org.uk www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk Registered Charity No: 279473

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a family.

Tyntesfield, Wraxall t: Rebeca Medrano 07775 035547 Charcoal Burn July 16-19, Normal opening hours Admission fee applies, FREE for members Come and see how Hestercombe's charcoal is made Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton t: 01823 413923 (to confirm times) Butterfly Walks July 20, 23, 28, 31 & August 4, 8, 10, 11am & 2pm Admission fee applies, FREE for members An informative walk around the garden to find and identify the many butterflies at Hestercombe Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton t: 01823 413923 (to confirm times) Basket Making for Beginners July 20, 9.30am-4pm Cost: £85 inc. lunch Further details via the website: www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre, Taunton t: 01823 490249

Corston Country Fair July 20, 2pm-5pm Lots of stall to browse, classic cars, fun dog show and much more..RAF fly past weather permitting Corston Playing Field, BA2 9AS t: 01225 874265 Open-air Film Night at Bristol Zoo Gardens July 20, 5pm The Lion King, 8pm Ghost Busters Cost: £8 audlts, £5 children and concessions per film www.bristolzoo.org.uk/whats-on to book Giant Flea Market July 21, 9.30am-4pm Cost: £3.50 per adult, accompanied children free The fair has 200+ stands inside and many more outside with everything for sale from toys - Furniture Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet t: Mrs S Ede 01278 784912 Dunster Country Fair July 24, from 10am This year the fair will be celebrating 35 years from the early beginnings, as a Donkey Derby held in West Somerset.

The Dunster Country Fair has grown to become one of West Somerset’s premier attractions Dunster Castle Lawns, Dunster www.dunstercountyfair.co.uk Wild Wednesday's July 24-August 28, 10am-2pm, £2 per child Fun outdoor activities to enjoy with the family Fyne Court, Taunton t: 01643 862452 Marvellous Minibeasts July 24-September 1 Admission fee applies, FREE for members Join a journey of discovery into the hidden lives of our noteworthy next door neighbours Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton t: 01823 413923 (to confirm times) North Newton Flower Show & Fete July 27 Lots of competition categories contact in advance for details of entry St Peter's Church, North Newton t: Linda Lowndes 01278 663584 Scooby Doo at Animal Farm July 27-28, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628

Family Dog Day July 28 Admission fee applies, FREE for members Come and celebrate our canine friends at Hestercombe!

Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton t: 01823 413923 (to confirm times) The Lowland Games 2013 July 28 (Smaller evening events from July 25) A bit of country fun and a lot of mud!

Started in 1984 by the England family and friends, the Lowland Games is still going strong 29 years later. This year’s events will be as much fun for the audience as they are for the participants and will guarantee enjoyment for everyone Thorney, near Langport t: 07974 693562 Walk On Stage July 28, Contact for times and costs Walk On Stage ‘A Celebration Of People’. It is about fulfilling your dreams, being whoever you want to be! Walk On Stage oozes warmth and passion and is the ultimate feel-good peoples’ show! Walk On Stage is live, unplanned and anyone can take part Junction24, North Petherton t: 01278 662200 Woodland Storytelling at Yeovil Country Park July 30, 1pm-3pm Cost: £3 per child - accompanying adults free Walk with the Gruffalo, come on a bear hunt! Meeting Point: Yeovil Country Park noticeboard, near Goldenstones t: 01935 422884, booking essential

Fireman Sam and Naughty Norman at Animal Farm July 30-August 1, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 Geocaching Wild Wednesday July 31, 11am-2pm Cost: child £2 JEnjoy some holiday fun by the seaside.

Have a wild day out at Brean, looking for secret treasure on our geocaching trail. No need to book, just turn up!

Meet at Brean Cove Cafe, Brean t: Carole Elliott, 01643 862452

August 2013 Woodland Dens at Ham Hill Country Park August 1, 1pm-3pm Cost: £3 per child - accompanying adults free Learn how to build your very own shelter using natural materials from the woodland Meeting point: Rangers office Ham Hill Country Park t: 01935 422884 Taunton Flower Show 2013 August 2, 10.30am-7pm, August 3, 10am-6pm Save 10% in advance all tickets bought online or from Taunton Tourist Information Centre where no booking fee is charged Vivary Park, Taunton t: 01823 336344 or 401035 Open-air Film Night at Bristol Zoo Gardens August 3, 5pm A Bugs Life, 8pm The Goonies Cost: £8 audlts, £5 children and concessions per film www.bristolzoo. org.uk/whats-on to book

A warm welcome awaits you at the Willows and Wetlands Centre Come and enjoy a walk on the Somerset Levels Learn about the Willow Industry and view the rare collection of basket ware in our Museum Browse through our shop and enjoy a light lunch in our tea room Admission is free but tours of the basket workshop are available at 11.00am and 2.30pm at £3.00 per person Opening hours Monday to Saturday - 9.30am to 5.00pm Meare Green Court, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton TA3 6HY www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk

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Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally August 3-4, 10am-5pm See website for costs www.westsomerset-railway.co.uk Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton Thomas the Tank Engine and Fat Controller at Animal Farm August 3-4, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 Folksy Theatre's Romeo & Juliet August 4, 7pm Online: adult £12, child/concession £8, family £35, Offline: adult £15, child/ concession £10, family £40 This annual outdoor Shakespeare production uses Hestercombe as the gorgeous backdrop for this timeless play Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton t: 01823 413923 (to confirm times) Woodland Playschemes (8 Years and Over) August 6-8 & 12-16, 10am-4pm E/B from 9am & N/O until 5pm Costs: £20 per child per day, 10% sibling discount Days spent den building, playing capture the fl ag, woodland crafts, camp craft, cooking, exploring, getting muddy

and directing your own play!

Taunton - Contact for further details t: Louise on 07775 941353 e: info@woodlandplaycentre.co.uk Tree Fu Tom at Animal Farm August 6-8, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 Summer Holiday Event at the Museum of Somerset - Roman Week August 6-17, Museum opening times Costs: £1 for crafts Museum of Somerset, Taunton t: 01823 255088 Wild Wednesdays August 7, 14, 21 & 28, 11am-4pm Cost: £2 per item (donkey ride) Let loose your wild side with our series of family activities to get you closer to nature. Includes donkeys in the stables and donkey rides through the gardens Meet at Dunster Castle ticket office t: 01643 821314 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta August 8-11, See website for more info: www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk Crowcombe Playday August 9, 11am-3pm

Free (with a donation pot) Annual Playday event to support the national campaign. Family Event - bring a packed lunch Crowcombe Village Hall, Taunton t: Louise on 07775 941353 or e: info@ woodlandplaycentre.co.uk A Day Out with Thomas August 9-11, from 10am Cost: from £13 see the website: www.eastsomersetrailway.com Come and see Thomas and his Friends Cranmore Railway Station, Shepton Mallet Peppa Pig and George at Animal Farm August 10-11, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 Mysterious Minibeasts August 13, 1pm-3pm Cost: £3 per child - accompanying adults free Come along and discover the mysterious world of the minibeast Meeting Point: Yeovil Country Park notice board, near Goldenstones t: 01935 422884 - booking is essential

Swim, splash and enjoy...

A great range of activities at Trinity Sports and Leisure this summer...

Children’s holiday playscheme 25 metre swimming pool Family fun sessions Inflatable sessions Parent and toddler sessions Call more more info: Trinity Sports and Leisure Chilton Street, Bridgwater Somerset TA6 3JA T 01278 429119 www.1610.org.uk

60 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Mike the Knight at Animal Farm August 13-15, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 Minehead Summer Festival August 14, check for times The town will be alive with street entertainment: music, unicyclists, face painters, magicians - something for all the family Minehead Seafront, TA24 5BG t: 01643 700635 Sandy Wild Wednesday August 14, 11am-2pm Cost: child £2 Join us for a wild day out at Brean making sandcastles or whatever sand sculpture takes your fancy. Just don’t get it in the sandwiches. No need to book, just turn up Meet at Brean Cove Cafe, Brean t: Carole Elliott, 01643 862452 Campfire Cooking at Ham Hill Country Park August 15, 10am-12pm Cost: £3 per child - accompanying adults free Come and have a wild lunch - campfire bread, wild pancakes and more all washed down with some nettle tea

Meeting Point: Ranger Office Ham Hill Country Park t: 01935 422884 - booking is essential Open-air Film Night at Bristol Zoo Gardens August 17, 5pm Happy Feet Cost: £8 audlts, £5 children and concessions per film. www.bristolzoo. org.uk/whats-on to book Postman Pat & Jess the Cat at Animal Farm August 17-18, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 The Mid Somerset Show August 18, from 8am The largest free admission show in the UK & a great family day out!

Shepton Mallet, BA4 5RT t: 01749 938044 TYNTEtots August 20, 10am-12pm Cost: child £2.50 Join us once a month as we discover a special part of Tyntesfield using our favourite story book characters. There will be lots of activities for you to do as a family.

Tyntesfield, Wraxall

t: Rebeca Medrano 07775 035547 Moshi Monsters - Katsuma & Poppet at Animal Farm August 20-22, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 Summer Holiday Event at the Museum of Somerset - Castle Week August 20-31, Museum opening times Costs: £1 for crafts Museum of Somerset, Taunton t: 01823 255088 Weymouth Carnival August 21, see website for info: www.weymouthcarnival.co.uk A Midsummer Night’s Dream August 22, 7pm-10pm Cost: adults £11, child £5.50 Another fantastic outdoor theatre event at Lytes Cary Manor for you to enjoy. A Shakespeare classic performed by the Pantaloons in their very own distinctive way Lytes Cary Manor, near Somerton Treasure Hunt Wild Thursday August 22, 11am-2pm Cost: child £2 Have a wild day out at Brean on a treasure hunt by the sea. Look out for

The largest multi-sport disability event of 2013 28th August – 1st September 2013

1,700 athletes.

12 sports.

5 days.

1 big smile.

Get involved www.bath2013.org.uk

To donate text SOGB13 + your amount (e.g. SOGB13 £10) to 70070 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

61

Wet Days Out in the South West The West Country may be famous for the Severn Bore and the Newquay Surf Championships, but the adults don’t have to have all of the fun. Here’s some watery ideas, suitable for the whole family, to fl oat your boat Boat trips

Bristol Packet boat trips Boat trips are always popular with children, and the old docks and canals of Bristol have made the city Somerset’s answer to Venice. Step aboard the Bristol Packet and cruise through the steep-sided Avon Gorge towards the Bristol Channel, passing under Brunel’s ambitious Clifton Suspension Bridge; to fully appreciate the scale, the bridge is best viewed from underneath. If you would prefer, take the one-way, five-hour cruise to Bath along the River Avon and see how close the neighbouring cities come to bucolic wildlife. Shorter lunchtime cruises and city sightseeing boat tours are very popular - and more manageable - with smaller children.

Times vary Prices from £5.50/£3.50 www.bristolpacket.co.uk

Horse drawn barges in Tiverton The Tiverton Canal Company offers a glimpse of life when goods were moved countrywide via a network of canals and waterways. Climb aboard the last horse-drawn barge in the West Country, towed by heavy-set working horses named Taffy, Dandy and Ross.

The brightly-painted barges travel the Grand Western Canal at a leisurely pace fit for a relaxing family day out.

The surrounding country park is a nature reserve and perfect for walks, long or short.

Times and trip lengths vary From £9.40/£6.90 www.tivertoncanal.co.uk

Jet boating in Pembrokeshire Highly manoeuvrable and with no propellers to injure wildlife, the New Zealand-style jet boat is well suited to the waters around the Pembroke Coast. A jet boat can even navigate narrow canyons, sea caves and can get closer to rocky offshore islands than a motor-driven boat. The minimum age allowed on board is five years old, unless weather and sea conditions are

very good. Children’s life jackets can be supplied and trips are tailored to the youngest. Expect to see nesting sea birds, and maybe even porpoises, dolphins, sun fish or whales.

Times and trip lengths vary From £25/£14 www.venturejet.co.uk

Nature

SeaQuarium Get close to rays and sharks without getting wet at the popular aquarium positioned at the end of a pier on Weston-Super-Mare’s three-mile strip of beach. Some of the aquariumdwelling creatures, such as the thornback ray, are native to British waters, however unless you’re very lucky then this may be the best place to see them. The piranhas, turtles and catfish are clearly emigrants, adding to the number of fascinating exhibits.

Time your journey to coincide with a feeding session, a ray-stroking session or the shark feeding from inside the aquarium’s viewing tunnel.

10am-5pm daily £7.99/£5.99; online discounts available www.seaquarium.co.uk

Marine Discovery This popular Penzance-based sea safari regularly encounters seals, sea birds, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks at close proximity. The sailing catamaran carries small groups of visitors to inlets and outcrops around Penzance where known wildlife colonies live, as knowledgeable crew members offer commentary on what can be seen.

Certain trips are suitable for children aged three and up, and all passengers are supplied with fitting life jackets.

Cruise length and times vary Prices from £18/£14 www.marinediscovery.co.uk

Cornish Seal Sanctuary The sanctuary has been open in Gweek since 1975, but the practice of rescuing sick and washed-up seal pups has been happening for far longer.

Entrance fee proceeds fund the work

62 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

of the sanctuary, whose long-standing aim is to return the seals to the wild, when and if they are well enough to do so. Ponies, sea lions, otters and penguins also live within the confines of the sanctuary, which makes for a varied and enjoyable day out.

Open from 10am every day except Christmas Day; closing times vary Adult prices from £10 inc. online saver discount www.sealsanctuary.co.uk

History

Dunster Working Watermill The 18th century watermill has been perfectly preserved by the National Trust, fully aware of the site’s historic importance: a watermill of sorts has stood at Dunster since 1086. The fully-functioning mill shows how flour is produced by the power of water, from grain to bag. Combine your visit with lunch in the watermill’s cafe, a walk in the gardens and a trip to the adjacent Dunster Castle (managed privately; separate admission fee applies).

11am-4.45pm summer; other times vary £3.75/£2.75; family tickets available www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunsterworking-watermill/

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard The Dockyard is the present-day home of the Royal Navy, hosting several decommissioned ships to explore, including the colossal HMS Warrior (1870). The site was also famous for the Mary Rose exhibit, Henry VIIIs flagship, which is due to reopen soon.

Combine a visit to the Dockyard with trip to Portsmouth Water Sports Centre, which can cater for children and disabled visitors, and the Spinnaker Tower for unrivalled views out to sea.

The Dockyard plays host to the annual Victorious Festival over August bank holiday, showcasing live music, real ale and food.

10am-6pm summer; other times vary £21/£14.75; online discounts available www.historicdockyard.co.uk

Waverly Paddle Steamer

Brean Splash Water Park

The last sea-going paddle steamer in the world sails from many locations in the West Country, including Weymouth Pleasure Pier. When aboard the Waverly, see the triple-expansion steam engine in full flow, the noisy engine room, and speak to the engineer hard at work.

Timetables, locations and prices vary www.waverlyexcursions.co.uk

The outdoor heated pool, under12s wet play area, jacuzzi and four outdoor water slides tempt locals and holidaymakers alike to the Brean Splash Water Park. When the weather turns chilly, the indoor pool’s waterfalls and fountains offer equal amounts of fun. Visitors are also given the opportunity to try Water Walkerz - an inflated ball which allows you to walk on water, zorbing-style.

9am-8pm most days £4.80/£3; family reductions available www.brean.com/pool

Water sports

Cotswold Water Park Whilst the sailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming and kayaking might distract the older kids, the attached wetland reserve is renowned for bird watching as well as walking and cycling for those who want to keep their feet dry. Keep your eyes peeled for herons, otters, dragonflies and other wildlife allowed to flourish.

Times and prices vary www.waterpark.org

Rock pools and fossils Treyarnon Cove, Cornwall

This natural pool is renowned for snorkelling. Sea fauna has a large space in which to play, as the pool is 30ft long and 8ft deep in the centre.

Step outside of the pool, and a clean sandy beach awaits (patrolled by

The Great British Summer At

lifeguards from May bank holiday to September), as well as a break popular with surfers. If you don’t feel like getting your feet wet, the surrounding coastal footpaths offer a beautiful alternative. www.thisisnorthcornwall.com/ treyarnon-bay

Doniford Bay, Somerset Many fossil types can be spotted on the foreshore of this stretch of the Jurassic Coast. Visit Doniford Bay, and the odds are good for spotting white ammonites, brachiopods and bivalves.

The car park allows good access to the beach, and the horizontal slices of rock make it especially suited to families. www.visit-watchett.co.uk

By Rachel Thom

AT BREAN LEISURE PARK

Open Daily During The Summer Holidays!

This Summer, visit the South West's largest FREE to enter Theme Park (you only pay if Free d you ride)! With over 40 different rides tban s i r W this and attractions, it's also home to CITV h t i w * Ad! Sooty, Sweep & Soo! favourites, Soot *Buy 2 Wristbands and get the 3rd FREE! 3 for 2 offer applies on redemption of this advertisement on entry only.

Cheapest wristband will be free. Not valid for online bookings or with any other offer. Only one free wristband per advertisement. Photocopies and web copies not accepted.

Offer valid until 2 September 2013.

www.funcitybrean.co.uk

Fun City at Brean Leisure Park, Coast Road, Brean, Somerset, TA8 2QY. T: 01278 751595

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pirates, stealing your ice cream! No need to book, just turn up Meet at Brean Cove Cafe, Brean t: Carole Elliott 01643 862452

typically British event offering a unique blend of nostalgia and entertainment Tarrant Hinton, near Blandford Forum t: 01258 860361

Dawlish Air Show 2013 August 23-24, main air show on Saturday see website for info: www.dawlishairshow.co.uk

Children's Cooking Classes August 29, 29 & 30, 10am-2pm Cookability, Bishops Lydeard Fun way for kids to learn important life skills. www.cookability.com t: Venetia - 01823 432419

Ben & Holly at Animal Farm August 24-26, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 Octonauts - Captain Barnacles & Kwazii at Animal Farm August 27-29, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628 2013 National Summer Games August 28-September 1, see website for info: ww.bath2013.org.uk The country’s largest sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities, held every four years University of Bath, Bath City The Great Dorset Steam Fair August 28-September 1 The Great Dorset Steam Fair is a

Fame: The Musical August 29-31, 7pm Tickets: from £13 With some of the best performers Somerset has to offer producing a cast of outstanding adults and children, the music dance and performance of The Young Musical Theatre Company will blow you away!

Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton t: 01823 414 141 www.tacchi-morris.com Bournemouth Air Festival 2013 August 29-September 1, see website for info visit the website: www.bournemouthair.co.uk Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta 2013 August 29-31, see website for more info: www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk

Babe the Sheep-Pig August 30, 6.30pm-8.30pm Cost: adult £16.50, child £10, family £31.50 (1A 3C), family £48 (2A 3C) Dick King-Smith’s heartwarming tale of friendship, courage and determination is vividly brought to life by the same creative team behind Illyria’s sensational record-breaking 2012 production of The Twits Tyntesfield, Wraxall t: 01275 461900 Basket Making for Beginners August 31, 9.30am-4pm Cost: £85 inc. lunch Further details via the website: www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk Willows & Wetlands Vistor Centre, Taunton t: 01823 490249 Bob the Builder at Animal Farm August 31-September 1, 9am-6.30pm Normal entry fee applies Animal Farm, Burnham-on-Sea t: 01278 751628

come and play!

Tre et ots Monday & Thursday

Join us each week during the term time for exciting woodland themed adventures, free play to spark imaginations and get closer to nature.

Ages:

5 years and under

Costs:

£10 per child, £5 per sibling £3 per child under 1 year Accompanying adults and siblings under one free

Gymboree Play & Music Taunton Winner of Netmums.com “Favourite Somerset Preschool-class Silver Award” 2012

Gymboree Taunton offers Baby Play classes for pre-mobile babies, Play & Learn classes (Levels 2-6: mobile to 5 years), Toddler and Pre-School Play classes, and Family Music classes during term time. We also run Gymboree parties.

All classes are teacher-led and last 45 minutes. Join us: Mondays - Oake Village Hall Tuesdays - St James’ Church Hall (Taunton town centre) Wednesdays and Thursdays - Queen’s College Fridays - Trull Memorial Hall.

Please contact Claudia or check www.gymboree-uk.com for class times.

10% discount

if you book a full block

Sessions must be booked and paid in advance, directions will be sent with booking confirmation.

Weekly

mornings l 10:00 – 12:00noon

Den building Mini beast safaris Eco art Campfire cooking Storytelling Woodland games Woodcraft Campfire songs....and more.

Special offer

AWARD WINNING CLASSES FOR 0-5’s

Boo onlinek

...Ok

Call us for more info on 07775 941353

www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk 64 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

Contact Claudia to book a FREE TRIAL near you.

Tel: 07540 970019 Email: Claudia�gymboree-uk.com Web: www.gymboree-uk.com Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Gymboree_UK

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Carols Cleaning Services All domestic duties carried out in Bridgwater / Taunton area Contact: 07880 664116

Home Maintenance

ABC Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Fully NCCA qualified professional carpet and upholstery cleaners based in Taunton Contact: 01823 433748 / 07751 802582

Electrical Engineers James Mansfield Bridgwater based electrician / BS 7671 compliant Contact: 01278 422750 / 07721 014092

Plumbing & Heating ABC Plumbing Fully qualified plumber. Experienced in bathroom and kitchen installation and all household plumbing. Covers Taunton, Bridgwater, Wellington, Tiverton and surrounding areas.

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ABC Maintenance Fully experienced home maintenance professional. Covers Taunton, Bridgwater, Wellington, Tiverton and surrounding areas.

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To advertise here please contact sales@ beebomagazine.co.uk

The Southwest’s must have family magazine

65

the lungs. If the aorta and pulmonary artery do not divide, the child is born with common arterial trunk. This one big artery has one large valve instead of there being two arteries with pulmonary and aortic valves. A part of the wall between the left and right ventricles is missing (Ventricular Septal Defect). This means that the truncus arteriosus is able to receive blue blood from the right side of the heart, and red blood from the left side of the heart.

There are 3 possible types. Ellie had type 1 - the pulmonary artery branches off just above the valve. The result of truncus arteriosus is usually that too much blood is going to the lungs and too little red (oxygenated) blood is reaching the body.

Ellies Story

We were transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital on the 23rd February 2012 where Ellie had open heart surgery on Friday 2nd March 2012. Ellie has done amazingly well only staying in intensive care for 4 days after the big op! She was off the oxygen by Thursday 8th March. Then feeding tube was removed on Friday 9th after some problems feeding Ellie

How one special girl would need open heart surgery to save her life Ellie Harrison Payne Born on Christmas Day 2011, the best present ever. She weighed 10lb and appeared fit and healthy. However Ellie’s breathing always seemed a little laboured and erratic.

At her 6 week check (the appointments came late so Ellie was 8 weeks old) the doctor asked if we had any concerns. I said we were still concerned about her breathing even after doctors and health visitors had told us it was fine. The doctor examined Ellie and thought that she had a heart murmur so referred us to Bath RUH. At Bath RUH on Tuesday 22nd February 2012 we were told it was not a heart murmur and that Ellie has Common arterial Trunk (Truncus Arteriosus)and would need open heart surgery to save her life.

What is Common Arterial Trunk (Truncus Arteriosus)? When a baby’s heart is developing in the womb, one large blood vessel, the truncus arteriosus, should divide to become the two main arteries: the aorta, and the pulmonary artery. The aorta carries red (oxygenated) blood from the heart to the body, and the pulmonary artery carries blue (deoxygenated) blood to

decided breast is best and resumed breastfeeding which enabled us to go home. We were discharged on Saturday 10th March 2012. 19 days after being admitted. We are so proud of Ellie she has proved what a fighter she is!

Unfortunately Ellie will need further operations when she is older as the piece she has had put in during the operation will not grow with her so she will need operations to replace it as she grows. We would really like heart surgery to progress further to make Ellie’s next operation less invasive and reduce the risks.

By Jenny Payne (Ellie’s Proud Mum)

Ellie has a just give page if you would like to make a donation to the British Heart Foundation and leave a message of support go to http://www.justgiving. com/BabyElliePayne1 or by texting YHRA56 followed by the amount you want to donate to 70070 (example YHRA56 £5 to 70070)

Please support the British Heart Foundation and join Ellie’s family on a sponsored Walk: 12th October 2013 at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset.

Ellie and her family have pledged to raise money for the British Heart Foundation-Mending Broken Hearts Appeal and are planning a.........

sponsored walk for children on 12th October 2013 at 10.30am. The walk is a mile and a half circuit around the Glastonbury festival site.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME. We would like as many people as possible to join us. All children that register and walk will receive a medal and certificate.

Ellie has done fantastically, since coming home. When we left hospital on the 10th March Ellie weighted 9lb 14oz; two weeks later she weighed 11lb 7oz! Everything now seems to be fine with Ellie and we are crossing our fingers that her check up will all show everything inside is fine. She is now 9 months old and weighs 21lb!

Ellie and her family would like to raise money for the heart foundation as the research and work they do is amazing.

66 The Southwest’s must have family magazine

We would love to make the walk as big as possible. Last year 97 children walked! Please invite friends and family to join us on the walk. Sponsor packs can be obtained by contacting Jenny Payne (Ellie’s mum) via e mail jenjade80@ hotmail.com or phone 07708757641 or join the event on facebook http://www.facebook.com/ events/536274223056170/?fref=ts

HomeFinders

TAUNTON IS NOW OPEN HomeFinders provide a comprehensive residential letting and management service to suit your requirements.

Established since 1989 we have extensive knowledge of the Devon and Somerset property market.

We are offering fantastic introductory offers to all new tenants and landlords

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Summe rf Hesterc un at ombe.

Minibe ast trai ls, challen ges and craft ac tivities.

Lots to do throughout the summer holidays.

Check the website for more details!