Term Times Easter 2014

www.termtimes.ltd.uk

Issue 107 March – May 2014

EXPLORING CAMBRIDGE HOMEWORK HELP

Family Truckfest Tickets

New Lego Mixels

The essential FREE publication for you and your children Happy Mothering Sunday to all our readers Easter Edition

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Easter Edition

Welcome

As the new Editor, I would like to wish you a warm welcome to the Easter Issue of Term Times magazine. As a mum of two, I have often relied on recommendations from friends for new ideas to keep the whole family entertained; this is how we want you to use Term Times, another source of inspiration delivered directly to you via your children’s book-bag.

You will find this magazine brimming with great ideas for days out both in the area or sometimes slightly further afield, as well as offering helpful advice to assist your child’s development.

In this issue we are taking a day out in Cambridge, seeing what the world-famous university city has to offer families.

Our spotlight on a children’s activity explores the wide variety of dance-related activity in the region. If your little one likes to boogie, we have it covered!

One of the new series we are starting is ‘Helping Hands’ which will focus on advice and ideas from an educational perspective. We would also love to hear your suggestions and ideas to share with our readers.

Have a Happy Easter and see you all again on May 12th.

Cover image: Egg trail© National Trust Images, Stuart Cox

Amanda ing Keep check k our faceboo gular page for re ns competitio

70 Rutland Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1UW Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

E: steven@termtimes.ltd.uk T: 01780 757731 www.termtimes.ltd.uk

CMYK / .eps

FUN DAYS OUT COMPETITIONS

FAMILY INFORMATION

Publisher: Steven Beacham Editor: Amanda Stacey Designed by

Dimension6000 www.dimension6000.com 01733 772095 1 Church Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1DB Term Times/Term Times Ltd are independently published and are trading styles of 12th Man Services and Solutions Ltd. Distributed free throughout primary schools in your area. Its aims are to inform families and children of current education issues, forthcoming events, places to visit, attractions etc. Every care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press. However, please check opening times/ entry fees etc., before setting out on a journey. We also aim to give teachers, parents and children, the opportunity to participate in the content of Term Times. Term Times does not intend to publish any racist, sexist or political matters, nor carry out editorial or advertising that may be considered to be offensive to families. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Term Times or the schools that distribute it. The publishers cannot be held responsible for any erroneous or misleading claims or comments made by any contributor. Our thanks go to the schools for their assistance in distributing the magazine, and for their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank the advertisers who have supported this publication and made it possible. Please support them where you can.

COMPETITION ENTRY Mentioning the competition you are entering, send your name, age, address, telephone number and name of your school to 70 Rutland Road, Stamford, Lincs PE9 1UW or via email to steven@termtimes.ltd.uk Alternatively, competitions will be posted on our website. Please ask your parents’ permission before entering via the internet. All winners will be picked at random and Term Times decision is final.

Enter as many competitions as you wish!

Enter simply at www.termtimes.ltd.uk Please mention Term Times when responding to adverts.

Call Steven on 01780 757731 for advertising rates.

Easter Edition

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New Era The fun families can have all-year-round at Sacrewell Farm near Wansford, no matter what the weather, will be boosted on April 5th by the opening of the new Play Barn.

Featuring a three-storey Sacrewell-themed play frame, Didi Car track and giant slide, this new attraction will add to the many facilities at the Farm, just up the road from Peterborough and open daily except Christmas Day. The variety of animals, heritage buildings and displays over 550 acres at Sacrewell bring to life the history of the Farm and enable adults and children to discover the importance of food and farming.

April 5th also marks the first day of the renowned Big Bunny Hunt. Explorers will be taken on a bumpy tractor ride up to the woods to hunt for a hidden egg. Upon finding one, you present it to the Easter Bunny who will in turn exchange it for a delicious chocolate surprise.

Sacrewell’s Lambing event coincides with Easter this year.

There will be daily lamb feeding shows where families can learn how Sacrewell Farm raises orphaned cade lambs.

Maybe you would like to have a go at bottle feeding one?

To round off the Easter holidays, Sacrewell will host a Sunflower Sunday on April 27th where visitors can plant a seed with their name next to it – and then return in the summer to see how tall it has grown!

To mark its 50th anniversary this year, The William Scott Abbott Trust at Sacrewell Farm is having a 1960s-themed Spring Fair on May 4th and 5th where there will be plenty of traditional ‘village fete’ type activities as well as stalls selling everything from crafts to cordials!

The Farm is getting as many groups and suppliers from the community involved as possible with May Pole dancers from Nene Valley Primary School among those who are making the event special.

Marketing and Communications Officer Megan Horner said: “This event is really our way of celebrating our 50th anniversary with the community who helped us to build ourselves successfully as an educational charity.

“We’re incorporating as much 60s pop culture as we can, including music and games, plus a few Farm-themed events that will keep everyone entertained!”

The Farm is open daily from 9.30am – 5pm. For more information about events visit www.sacrewell.org.uk or call 01780 782254

SNAP! 4 Kids Ltd ,works with families to create the best childcare choices for Cambridge parents. Each setting is very different in character, but maintains the core principle of the Company - parents are partners. OfSTED highlighted the strength of our relationships with children, parents and staff in our recent ‘good’ report.

Summer Term At our Hauxton, Cambs, setting we have constructed an ‘outside playroom’ for our babies to enjoy. A dedicated area in the extensive garden will be especially prepared and equipped so that our youngest snappers can have a great experience both in doors and out.

As The Snap! 4 Kids Family continues to grow we are delighted to be able to continue to offer at no additional charge to families, weekly music sessions from our visiting music specialist, Laura Moran. The children have a wonderful time taking part in a variety of musical activities including being introduced to a wide range of musical genre’s and Laura brings in various musical instruments for the children to try out!

If you would like to see SNAP! in action please call to arrange a visit on:

01223 477413.

Our Staff will be delighted to meet you.

SNAP! 4 Kids - the best choice for family run and family focused childcare.

TREASURE FROM TRASH An exhibition in Peterborough demonstrating how to turn rubbish into useful items will appeal to families and students as well as proving inspirational for artists and designers.

Treasure from Trash at Peterborough Museum until April 27th encourages the re-use of waste products and shows how they can be transformed into useful artefacts and works of art. Who would believe you could produce jewellery from old flip-flops, toy cars and animals from metal cans and even a 3D chicken from plastic bags?

The exhibition also looks at the work of Peterborough’s waste management team and Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) to see what happens to the city’s waste and how we can recycle more.

Free entry to the exhibition (except on special event days).

Easter Fun at Ferry Meadows Get along to Ferry Meadows at Peterborough this Easter for the opening of the new Lakeside centre. This will be home for Nene Outdoors - a new water sports and outdoor activity venture - and Lakeside Kitchen and Bar. The new Otter play area, located by the Ferry Meadows Café, will also be opening over Easter and there will be boat trips with Captain’s Folly together with train rides on the Ferry Meadows Railway. www.neneparktrust.org.uk is a great place to plan your visit and to examine the events programme. When you arrive at Ferry Meadows, be sure to pop in to the Visitor Centre where the friendly team will help you make the most of your day.

Tel: 01733 234193

vou10% che r o off nli ne

HamertonZooPark

100s of animals from tortoises to •Gift and Coffee Shops •Picnic and Play Areas

tigers

Open Daily at 10.30am www.HamertonZooPark.com Hamerton, NrSawtry, Cambs

(10 miles South of Peterborough, off the A1)

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Easter Edition

TTE2014

Available for any occasion...

• plasma screens, • loud music system, • disco lights, • Wii dance, • karaoke, • dance floor, • smoke machine, • custom made seating, • drink optics • champagne ice buckets

No ordinary bus!

The ultimate playbus for toddlers...

• ball pit • slide • Wii dance and games • music • climbing wall • swing-ball and not forgetting the delicious • candy floss and popcorn machines....

Yummy Yummy!

A wide selection of coaches and buses available for hire ranging from 12 to 70 seats with seatbelts.

Disabled access coach with a lift available.

01733 351 694 info@deckerbus.co.uk

www.deckerbus.co.uk

Easter Edition

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Let’s

GtO o

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King’s College Chapel

Cambridge

Walking the universities

Punting on the Cam

What to do in this famous city to have a lovely family day out 9

Get a free street map from the tourist office to guide you around some of the 31 wonderful colleges. Everywhere you turn is a building more beautiful than the last as you walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest people in history.

FREE (but admission fee for some colleges). www.visitcambridge.org 2

Punting on the Cam

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King’s College Chapel The actual 500-year-old chapel is a wonder in its own right with many beautiful stained glass windows and awesome architecture. To hear the world-renowned choristers sing is a great experience so try to attend a choral service (5.30pm daily except Sunday when 10.30am & 3.30pm) when admission is free. www. kings.cam.ac.uk

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Botanic Garden Discover all year-round a 40-acre oasis of beautiful gardens and glasshouses with plants from all over the world. Kids should take a camera or sketchbook to get the most out of it. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

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Fitzwilliam Museum Vast collections of antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, including exhibits of English and European pottery and glass, furniture, clocks, Chinese jades, and ceramics from Japan and Korea. FREE. www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

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Cambridge Museum of Computers and Gaming Home computers, games terminals and arcade machines from the last 30 years, all up and running with games your dad used to play. There are PCs, consoles and games (like Pacman and Space Invaders) that parents grew up with. www. computinghistory.org.uk

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Sedgwick Museum of Earth Science Pass through more than 500 million years of the history of life on Earth with this extensive collection of geological specimens from around the world.

Discover strange creatures from lost worlds including a dinosaur and other amazing skeletons. FREE. www.sedgwickmuseum.org

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The Polar Museum Find out about those amazing Arctic and Antarctic explorers like Scott and Shackleton with this unique collection of artefacts, journals, paintings, photographs, clothing equipment, maps and other materials illustrating polar exploration, history and science. FREE. www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum

Other places to visit around Cambridge on another day: Anglesey Abbey, Wimpole Farm, Wicken Fen, Audley End House & Garden, Shepreth Wildlife Park, IWM Duxford air museum and Linton Zoo.

Date for the Diary: Strawberry Fair (7th June) on Midsummer Common has become the most popular free music and arts event in Cambridge.

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Spy-themed action adventure centre at nearby Bar Hill suitable for six-year-olds and above. Infiltrate the ship and stop the terrorists from launching the missile without being caught! The mission ends with an adrenalin pumping escape. www.skymissions.co.uk 10

Taking a punt is an ideal way to get a taste of the history of Cambridge. Try it yourself or hire an undergraduate to steer you down the river while being given a commentary about the colleges. View magnificent, medieval colleges like King’s, Trinity and Clare and the picturesque Backs. www.scudamores.com

Easter Edition

Si5 Spy Missions

Cambridge & County Folk Museum Family-friendly and housed in a 17th Century timber-framed building formerly an inn, the displays show a wealth of Cambridge’s tradition and history. Find out how to do the laundry without a washing machine and how to keep witches at bay! www.folkmuseum.org.uk

Exotic Pet Refuge 2014 Open Days

Spanish & French Language School

20th April, 18th May and 15th June.

Visit our refuge of exotic animals and native wildlife for a great family day out. Enjoy our collection of over 300 animals, and help us to continue our work.

Children’s entertainment and refreshments available.

Open days run from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Entry costs just £6 for adults and £3 for children.

www.exoticpetrefuge.org.uk 01778 345923/07597 329330 exoticpetrefuge@aol.com

for children Beginners to Advanced Term Times & Holiday Clubs. Nurseries & Schools NEW for 2014: School v isits and birth day parties.

102 Station Road, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8R

Language, culture and more

Spanish Amigos in Cambridge

E: cambridge@spanishamigos.co.uk - T: 07882 404064 www.spanishamigos.co.uk

www.spanishamigos.co.uk/clubs/cambridge.htm

CHURCH FARM CHURCH FARM STOW BARDOLPH STOW BARDOLPH

Open Daily 10am - 5pm OPENFeb DAILY - 5pm 13th - 2nd10am Nov 2014 PLUS Thurs2014 - Sun 13thWinter Feb -Opening 2nd Nov PLUS Winter Opening: Thurs - Sun FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

WHATEVER THE WEATHER FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY • Indoor Treehouse Playarea WHATEVER THE WEATHER • Adventure Playground • Indoor Treehouse Play Area •• Huge Undercover Sand Pit Adventure Playground & Climbing Wall • Huge Undercover Sandpit • Trampolines & Pedal Tractors & Climbing Wall •• Homemade & Cakes Trampoline Lunches & Pedal Tractors Home-made Lunches & Cakes •• Tractor & Trailer Rides • Tractor & Trailer Rides

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN!

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN! • Meet the Lambs

• Meet The Lambs • Lamb Feeding • Lamb Feeding • Cuddle FluffyEaster EasterChicks Chicks • Cuddle Fluffy • Easter Egg Quiz • Easter Egg Quiz

Just off the A10 near Downham

(Just off the A10 near Market, Norfolk, PE34Downham 3HT Market, Norfolk PE34 3HT)

01366 T: 01366 382162

382162

www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk Easter Edition

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Surprise!

Your birthday gree

tings

Is ab el Faux

21st Ap ril 2014 Ha ppy 4t h Birthd ay y, Lots of Love Mumm xx xx ver Oli & y Dadd

Happy 6th Birthday

To Rose on the 8th May.

Love from Mummy, Daddy, Rachael and Taya

Happy belated 6th Birthday for the 14th March Keira Williams

Lots of love from Mummy, Daddy & Liana xxx

COMPETITION WINNERS

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Name

Location Competition

Logan Barbault Jasmine Rastall Emma Morris Adam Huber Scarlett Williams Brandon Bland Ellie Warby Isabella McMordie- Jackson Harry Tozer Harrison Edgley Molly Bunter Grace Wool Dominic Restaino Leah Monaf Daniel Bently Grace Miller-Brown

Chatteris Peterborough Whittlesey Peterborough Peterborough March Chatteris Huntingdon Peterborough Chatteris Peterborough Chatteris Whittlesey Orton Goldhay Bourne Friday Bridge

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Books for schools Board game Board game Board game Board game Board game Board game Board game Board game Skylark Santa’s Grotto Skylark Santa’s Grotto Skylark Santa’s Grotto 12 Dogs at Christmas DVD Nature Detective membership CBBS Live Show- The Big Bang CBBS Live Show- The Big Bang

Easter Edition

Duxford and D-Day 70 YEARS ON IWM Duxford commemorates the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings with a range of events, family activities, exhibitions and digital resources that explore the preparations for the invasion of Normandy and the final decisive D-Day mission.

The many individual contributions that combined to make the D-Day invasion a success are examined. Complementing those personal experiences are hands-on family activities bringing the science and history of D-Day to life, alongside events showing the aircraft and vehicles in dynamic action.

Easter holiday activities (5th – 21st April) are included in general admission to IWM Duxford. Visitors aged 15 or under enjoy free admission to the museum and to Easter holiday activities.

D-Day Landings Tour (5th April, 30th April, 3rd May, 21st May, 6th June) A guide will discuss the strategic planning for D-Day, the work of the resistance, how deceit and misinformation played a vital role in preparing for the D-Day Landings, the challenge of the mission itself and the specialist armoured vehicles used.

D-Day Anniversary Air Show (24th and 25th May) The air show demonstrates the vital role that aerial warfare played in the invasion of Normandy and will feature fighter, bomber and transport aircraft, types that would have been seen over the beaches of France.

Easter Edition

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Party ideas for boys If you’re a parent or carer of boys you might be looking for a birthday party that will appeal especially to their interests. If so, you’re in luck as there are many parties available that suit boys.

Here are some ideas that you might want to consider.

sports adventure transport science

Sports

There are lots of opportunities to host a birthday party that revolves around either one sport or several. A good place to start is your local sports or leisure centre, as these often have party packages involving sports. Swimming parties are popular for sports centres that feature a swimming pool. Apart from local authority centres, there are many private companies involved with sport.

Football in particular is widely catered for with many clubs set up especially to teach children football, and these often include birthday party packages in their offerings. Likewise, you can find gymnastics clubs, ice skating, ten pin bowling and many others. If the club doesn’t offer a party package, perhaps you can arrange a group introductory session for the children and have the birthday meal celebrations separately.

Adventure Boys love adventure and there are so many activities to choose from including: rafting, kayaking, zorbing, go-karting, indoor skiing, sledging and climbing. Some adventure centres combine more than one activity. You will also find that some centres base their activities outdoors whereas others are based indoors. Not all of these centres will offer a party package so you may have to combine a trip to the centre with separate dining arrangements.

Before proceeding further it may be best to decide whether you want to include several activities or just focus on one specific area of interest.

Transport Trains, boats, buses, planes and fire engines; these can all be featured as part of your sons’ birthday parties. Let’s start with trains and boats. If you’re fortunate you may live in an area where there are organised children’s parties that take place on board a train or boat. Otherwise, why not organise your own group outing and have the party meal elsewhere? It is possible to hire a party bus, but again it is worth checking out what is available in your area.

Fire engines can also be hired, which could be a good added party attraction.

Although it probably wouldn’t be feasible to arrange an aeroplane trip for your son’s birthday, some of the larger airports have viewing platforms or a Visitor Park with dining facilities.

Science If your son has an enquiring mind, then why not try a science party? You can do this in one of several ways. Firstly, if you live near a science museum, check whether they offer a child’s birthday party package. If not, you may be able to host your science party at home. You can either do this through a specialist company that will visit your home, or by buying science related toys and equipment and organising your own science themed party. There are companies that host science themed parties UK-wide so it’s worthwhile checking what’s available.

These days there are a wealth of different party types to choose from so you’re bound to find some that will also suit both sexes.

Bear in mind that there are no hard and fast rules; although the above parties typically appeal to boys, there is nothing to stop members of the opposite sex from joining in if they want to.

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Easter Edition

You can find lo ts more birthd ay party idea as well as excl s usive special offers in ‘Gre Places for Kids at ’ Pa rt ie s (UK)’ by Dia Mannion. The ne book is availa ble from Amaz www.amazon on: .co.uk/dp/B00 GXHQ02G in both print an d digital versio ns.

First Aid Course PAEDIATRIC COURSE DATES FOR 2014 28th & 29th April 19th & 20th May 16th & 17th June

£75 per person Venue: Centre 68, Westgate Church, Peterborough

E: denise@fenlandfirstaid.co.uk

BOOK NOW: T: 01733 351909 www.fenlandfirstaid.co.uk

Easter Edition

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THEATRE

e Easter Activities in Pe

Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play

Curious Creatures

In the Key Theatre Tues 15 – Wed 16 April, 11am & 1.30pm, plus 4pm on Tues Everyone’s favourite brother and sister, Charlie and Lola, are coming to the Key Theatre! This magical show combines puppetry, live action and music. Charlie is struggling to get Lola to go to sleep, the dancing dogs have borrowed Lola’s pyjamas, and the thirsty tigers want their bedtime milk!

In the Key Studio Sat 19 April, 10.30am and 2.30pm Meet some amazing animals at the Curious Creatures wildlife park – big ones, little ones, scaly ones, furry ones, friendly ones and scary ones! Combining comedy, puppets and live music to educate young children all about how animals survive in the wild and what they can teach us about ourselves.

Tickets: £8, children £6.50.

Tickets: £12.50, £8.50 concs, £38 family.

Key Theatre box office: 01733 207 239 or book online at vivacity-peterborough.com

HERITAGE

Preparing for War The Tower and Richard III At Longthorpe Tower Sat 5 - Sun 6 April, 10am-5pm

Photos by John Moore

At Flag Fen Archaeology Park Sat 19 – Mon 21 April 10am-5pm Enjoy an action-packed day out as we transport you back 2,000 years to meet the Romans.

See exciting fights between gladiators, drill with the Roman army and learn about life in Roman Britain. Family craft activities, hourly presentations, dig for artefacts and more!

Adults £4, children and concs £3, families £10.

There’s no need to book, just drop-in!

Adults £7, children and concessions £5, families £18. There’s no need to book, just drop-in!

vivacity-peterborough.com Easter Edition

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Roman Invasion!

It’s 1485 and Sir Robert Whittlebury is preparing to fight for King Richard III. Meet soldiers, handle weapons, see the ‘arming of the knight’ daily at 11am and 3pm. Find out about delicious food and gruesome cures, plus take part in children’s military drill sessions!

Flag Fen: 01733 313 414 or email flag.fen@vivacity-peterborough.com Longthorpe Tower: 01733 864 663 or email longthorpe.tower@vivacity-peterborough.com

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Key Theatre Peterborough

Peterborough Heritage

LIBRARIES

et Peterborough 2014 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Meet the Gruffalo

Head along to your local library for a scrumdiddlyumptious time! Enter imagined worlds and discover more about Roald Dahl’s classic tale.

Take part in the Golden Ticket Treasure Hunt, help de-juice Violet Beuregarde in our hilarious game and try your hand at crafting a ginormous lollipop from materials to take home.

What happens when a quick-thinking mouse comes face-to-face with an owl, a snake and a hungry Gruffalo has become one of the most enduringly popular children’s stories. This Easter come and meet the Gruffalo himself, enjoy listening to this wonderful story, and take part in our activities and crafts.

For ages 6-11 years. £3 per child.

Sat 5 April, 10.30am-12noon – Dogsthorpe Library Mon 14 April, 1.30pm-3pm – Thorney Library Tues 15 April, 10.30am-12noon – Eye Library Sat 19 April, 10.30am-12noon – Werrington Library Sat 19 April, 10.30am-12noon – Stanground Library Sat 19 April, 11am-12.30pm – Hampton Library Sat 19 April, 1pm-2.30pm – Bretton Library Sat 19 April, 1pm-2.30pm – Orton Library Sat 19 April, 2pm-3.30pm – Central Library

SPORT

Libraries: 01733 864 280 or email libraryenquiries@vivacity-peterborough.com

For ages 6 and under. £3 per child.

Fri 11 April, 10.30am-11.30am – Werrington Library Fri 11 April, 1pm-2pm – Bretton Library Fri 11 April, 3pm-4pm & 4pm-5pm – Orton Library Sat 12 April, 10am-11am – Hampton Library Sat 12 April, 12.30pm-1.30pm – Eye Library Sat 12 April, 2pm-3.30pm – Central Library Mon 14 April, 10am-11am – Central Library

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Peterborough Peterborough Libraries Libraries

Disability Sports: Sharks Basketball Sundays, 11am-12pm Werrington Leisure Centre £2 per session Learn how to play basketball through a range of games and activities. A relaxed and fun environment for all ages to enjoy the team spirit and try to shoot some hoops!

Parents, carers and friends are welcome at disability sports sessions.

Rollers Family Skate Every Saturday, 5pm-8pm Werrington Leisure Centre £3.50 entry (£11 family of four) with skate hire at £1.50 per person, or bring your own.

Get your skates on and show us your best moves with our state of the art lighting and sound system, with our resident DJ taking song requests.

Don’t worry if you’re a little unstable on your feet as we have friendly skate stewards on hand to help out!

Family Skate: 01733 576 606 or visit vivacity-peterborough.com Disability Sports: 01733 863 783 or matt.taylor@vivacity-peterborough.com

Peterborough Sports and Leisure

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I can’t tell you the number of times parents have spoken to me at the end of a karate class and said how much they have enjoyed watching their child in action and wish they could get involved.

KS TOGETHER THE FAMILY THAT KIC STICKS TOGETHER When I tell them we do adult classes as well, it always meets with surprise even though posters all around our karate school advertise this facility.

Children normally become involved in karate because they feel it builds confidence, attracts better attention and is a deterrent to bullying. The response from adults as to why they take up karate is more varied - selfdefence, meeting new people, fitness and weight loss are a few of their reasons. I then go on to explain how our adults and ladies only classes are structured differently to the children’s programme and incorporate more fitness, reality-based self-defence plus a progressive belt-testing syllabus.

Many parents join to be close to their children and train together in our family class. Once they get the bug for martial arts there is no stopping them and many go on to achieve their Black Belt. Some even become British and World Champions at the same time.

Adult classes are run from our full-time Family Martial Arts Centre, Fengate, Peterborough - Mondays 8pm, Tuesdays 7:30pm (Ladies only), Wednesdays 7pm and Thursdays 7:30pm. For more information visit www.hickskarate.co.uk or call chief instructor Andrew Hicks on 01733 810043 / 07974196256.

Experience the Fens the fun and unique way Linking Spalding to Springfields Outlet Shopping & Festival Gardens and Beyond A relaxing 35 minute cruise along the river with our knowledgeable pilots Boats depart from both locations

ber 2014 11th April - Octo

SElf DRIVE BOaT HIRE These boats are licensed for up to 12 people and are available for half or full day hire 9am - 5pm

g n i d l a p S r Discove lUXURy NaRROWBOaT HIRE Day Hire / Over Night and Mini Breaks available Lock free Narrowboating

Telephone: 01406 380532 / 07970 832131

for further information, please visit our website: www.spaldingwatertaxi.co.uk 14

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Easter Edition

Free workshop to keep children and dogs safe Families are invited to discover more about keeping dogs and children safe in a FREE workshop.

Too frequently we are seeing headlines in the press relating to attacks on children by family, friends or relatives’ dogs. It is vital that as an animal welfare and rehoming charity we use our expertise and share our knowledge to advise people on how best to try and avoid this happening in their families and communities.

At Wood Green, The Animals charity, we use our expertise and share our knowledge to advise people on how best to try to avoid this happening in their families and communities.

Whether you share your home with children and dogs or are thinking about getting a dog in the future, our Living With Dogs workshop is an essential guide to staying safe and having fun.

Children will enjoy their own workshop and through fun activities will learn to speak dog language, know when their dog needs some time alone and discover how to make feeding time fun.

Adults will cover safely managing children and dogs living happily together in their workshop.

The next workshops take place on 23rd March and 27th April from 10am to 12pm. For future dates and to book your FREE place, call 0844 2488181 or email handson@woodgreen.org.uk

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Easter Edition

HELPING HANDS

Do your

homework!

Love or loathe it, homework is part of our offspring’s everyday week. Homework reinforces your child’s learning in school and also gives us parents a chance to help, interact and be involved.

Most of us remember the homework from secondary education level but now with more and more schools setting strategic goals and plans for homework within Key Stage One/Two, how can we help aid and support our children, without the use of Wikipedia?

Term Times has spoken to a number of parents and teachers to look at the best ways in which we can structure this learning activity.

One of the most important ways to help is showing an interest and asking your child what they have learned today. That’s not always easy especially after a long day’s work but it ensures they see you engaged with their learning and they can relate the home activity to schoolwork.

Here are our suggestions (but please tell us about your creative ideas!)...

1 How long should homework take? Times vary on the age group and the activity. They also depend on the strength of the child in that particular subject. Get some feedback from your teacher and use their guidance.

You can evaluate and manage this time depending on the factors we have outlined. Set a regular time each week or day and make sure they have some food before starting the task in hand. It’s as important to have full energy reserves as it is to set time aside to focus.

2 Are you up to date to with modern teacher techniques, ideas and views?

It may be easy to slip back into the way you were taught at school, but do a little bit of homework first. Techniques and styles can change and you should be aware of these. Otherwise it will confuse your child and create more issues back in the classroom. Good sources for this are www.education.gov.uk or www.tes.co.uk.

3 Use a range of different sources for research-based homework. Encourage them to investigate different providers of information, including books from your own shelves, knowledge of others - grandparents, relations and friends - and even the TV. There are many interesting documentaries that may help a science project. Make it fun, engaging and creative.

4 Create a good area for them to work in - quiet, relaxed and away from distractions. CBeebies in the background is not conducive to helping them work although music may lighten the atmosphere. Put up a reward chart in this area, but getting your tea is not really a suitable incentive! Why don’t you invest in an old-style wooden, school desk - it has a great tidy-away facility and is good to work from. There are many on the internet but we like searching for examples on www.preloved.co.uk.

5 Friend or foe? Yes we know most of the answers are on the internet. The computer needs to be managed but also encouraged. This is a tool that all children draw on and will continue to use. Educate your child to look at the sources of information and be creative in their research, rather than just source the answer. Why not try www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize to start off? Developing typing skills and use of software packages cannot be underestimated for later life.

So why don’t you share your tips, advice and ideas with Term Times readers to help with homework? Tells us about your most enjoyable primary school homework challenges, the rewards you use and the how others can benefit from your ideas. Perhaps your school does not use homework as a learning strategy - is this good or bad? Remember though that because it is on the internet, does not mean it’s a fact!

share your

&

s w e i v

Email your views to steven@termtimes.ltd.uk and the suggestion we believe most useful will be published in our Spring issue and...

WIN

e family Fun for th ses r o H y b s n a r at B 4 Holidays 201 ter Spring/Eas

There are more reasons than ever to visit Bransby Horses!

Come along and learn about the exciting and rewarding work we do here at Bransby Horses in our inspirational new Visitor and Education Centre. Meet more than 300 of our rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules and no doubt fall in love with their charming and cheeky personalities!

Bransby Horses tour Monday 7th, 14th & 21st April, 1pm Enjoy a full tour of the Bransby Horses Lincolnshire site, from the Visitor Centre to Walklands Farm and everything in between!

Rehoming demonstration Wednesday 9th & 16th April, 1pm The rehoming team will proudly be showing off their talented ponies in the main riding arena. This could be anything from carriage driving, to lunging and long lining or even show jumping!

Meet the adoption animals!

Friday 11th & 18th April, 11.30am & 1pm We are open all year round enabling our supporters to come and see the adoption animals, but it isn’t every day you get the chance to give them a cuddle, hear some funny stories about them while also learning their history! There are also a variety of other activities, kids crafts and demonstrations throughout the week.

Visit www.bransbyhorses.co.uk/calendar for more

Please visit our website www.bransbyhorses.co.uk as we regularly add events throughout the year.

£25

a Marks and Spencer voucher

Easter Edition

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For fun activities and competitions, join our junior club! Just click ‘Juniors’ on our website and follow the instructions!

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Easter Edition

Put on

Your Dancing Shoes In every issue we feature a different activity available for little ones to enjoy and participate in. This time we focus on dancing and look at the variety of different clubs that are getting the kids jumping. The first myth we need to dismiss is that all classes are still very traditional and (I say this quietly) aimed solely at girls. Although the traditional forms are still popular, the recent successes of groups like Diversity and Flawless and the huge influence of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing means our local studios are offering an array of different styles of dance. With the Diversity boys, and even our very own Louis Smith getting in on the action, dancing is being seen as much more of an attractive prospect to both boys and girls than ever before.

DOES YOUR CHILD

LOVE TO ACT AND SING? • • • •

Are they destined for the stage?

Or would you simply like them to have more confidence?

Performing arts training leading to LAMDA qualifications.

Small classes (up to 6 pupils) *Big fun!

Ballet Ballet is still a wildly popular form of dance for our little ones. The satin shoes and pink fluffy tutu may be the initial draw but ballet is recognised as one of the best ways to develop strength, agility and posture. The popularity of Billy Elliot has meant that many boys are getting in on the action and the Royal Ballet has doubled the number of male students since the film was released.

Ballet classes for the very young are structured around the basics allied with an appreciation of the movement. Due to intense nature of ballet most schools only start to introduce formal ballet training from the age of 7-8. This is also the time that ballet schools offer examinations (either Royal Academy of Dance - RAD or Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing - ISTD) in order for children to hone their technique. There are many good local Schools of Dance, but why not have a look at Endana in the east of our region (01406 540023) or www.balletclass.org.uk near Kimbolton/Spaldwick.

Street dance/hip hop

www.littlevoices.org.uk/peterborough out Ask ab liday our ho e theatr ! ops worksh

07801 953643

Street dance classes are hugely on the increase. Popular with both boys and girls, street dance combines funk, jazz and hip hop moves although it’s seen as much more of a ‘loose’ form of dance in terms of both choreography and often costume. The choreography is often deceptively complex and the incorporating of gymnastic moves will keep the kids fit and strong.

Ballroom/Latin Strictly Come Dancing has had a huge impact on this once unfashionable form of dance. It has enjoyed a surge in popularity and now kids and adults are eager to learn the differences between their foxtrot and their Viennese waltz.

The combination of great music, colourful costumes and more sequins than you can shake a maraca at make both ballroom and Latin a great prospect.

If your child gets a real taste for ballroom there are many opportunities for competition.

Dancing for Pre-Schoolers There are lots of more informal classes to get our toddlers started early. Little ones love to get moving to music and it’s a great way to socialise both kids and parents. This doesn’t have to be a class as it’s always a good energy burner to whack on a favourite tune and bop around the living room.

Buying the kit • Most dance schools have a ‘try before you buy’ approach so that your child can go along to a couple of lessons before any large scale commitment. Be sure to make use of this opportunity and wait before investing in any expensive kit.

• Often a dedicated kit is required. Many schools will be able to purchase for you to ensure your little one will match the rest of the class.

CLASS LEADERS WANTED

• Have a look on eBay where there are often bargains although sometimes it can be very hard to get exact colour matches.

• Talk to the other parents at the dance school. If there’s not a second-hand community already for people to sell on kit that’s been grown out of, why not ask about setting one up? All Dance Schools will see the benefit of parents communicating.

There we have it, the opportunities are varied and exciting for the kids to get out and boogie. There should be a form of dance to suit them be that at competition and exam level or just in order to have fun and keep active. We recommend www.dinkydancers.com (01780 591469) www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk (01733 241947, advert on page 7).

Amanda Stacey

Full Training given and great rates of pay.

www.dinkydancers.com E: jointheteam@dinkydancers.com Classes during term-time and fit around school drop off and pick up times and wherever possible teachers are allocated classes in their area.

Experience not essential - just an enthusiastic and confident outlook and a desire to encourage and inspire children through movement and physical activity.

If you are interested in joining the Dinky Dancers Team Contact Emma 01780 591469 Easter Edition

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Easter Crossword Competition 2014 Six Family Day Passes To Be Won* *Admits 2 adults and 2 children

Easter Crossword Competition 2014 1 2

www.bigsky.co.uk

Across

3

1

4

5. Easter eggs are often made of this 7. Collect3 your eggs in this 8. The season in which Easter falls

2

5

6

4 5

6

7

Post this ck to puzzle ba ss re d d our a on page 3 Closing date is 21st April.

7 8

$ IN family tickets WAcross 8

5. Easter eggs are often made of this 7. Collect your eggs in this 8. The season in which Easter falls

Down

1. Cheerful, yellow spring flower 2. You may go on an Easter egg ....

3. Show off your Easter bonnet at one 4. You may wear one in an Easter parade 5. They hatch out of real eggs 6. We give chocolate ones at Easter 7. Will they visit your this year?

Mix it up with

Down

LEGO® MIXELS™

1. Cheerful, yellow spring flower

for a great day out at2. You may go on one - Easter egg ---

3. Show off your Easter bonnet at one 4th and 5th May, Peterborough Showground 4. You may wear one in an Easter parade

5. They hatch out of real eggs Over 1,500 trucks are expected, including the world-famous 6. We give chocolate ones at Easter Bigfoot, at thisAcross action-packed family event.

Celebrities 7. Will they visit you this year ?

Down including ‘The Only Way Is Essex ‘star Joey Essex, will be at yellow spring flower 5. Easter eggs are often made of this 1. Cheerful, your eggsfollowed in this 2. You may go on one - Easter egg --the event 7. onCollect the Sunday,

by Coronation Street 8. The season in which Easter falls 3. Show off your Easter bonnet at one beauty Michelle Keegan on the Monday.

4. You may wear one in an Easter parade

5. They hatch out of real eggs 6. We give chocolate ones at Easter 7. Will they visit you this year ?

Hundreds of leading truck manufacturers gather each year at the Showground in Peterborough, supported by top arena action.

Family fun includes many childrenfavourite characters such as the Angry Birds and the Teenage Ninja Turtles.

Get creative with brand new LEGO® Mixels™ series one and build your own mini characters - the weirder the better! Discover the three unique tribes: the Infernites, Cragsters and the Electroids. Each comes with brand new LEGO elements such as eyes, teeth, and ball joints so you can get super creative, and really let your imagination go wild Catch the series on Cartoon Network this month, where the Mixels characters must pit their creative prowess against their foes, the Nixels – annoying, colourless creatures of destruction who try to tear down and break the tribes apart.

TO ENTER For a chance to win Michelle Keeg an one of 20 family tickets simply tell Term Times in which ITV Manchester- based soap opera does Michelle Keegan appear?

Entry details for all our competitions are on page 3 and closing date is 11th April.

A family ticket is for one day and allows entry for up to 2 adults and 2 children.

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners picked at random and will be notified

by Term Times. Winning tickets will be available for collection at the Truckfest box office.

Your chance to

WIN 3 Mixel characters!

To celebrate this exciting new launch from LEGO we’re giving away three Mixel characters Flain, Shuff and Volectro to five lucky winners (RRP £3.00 each).

Closing date 11th April’

For more information visit

www.truckfest.co.uk

To enter Simply answer this question:

Who are the Mixels’ foes?

Then follow instructions on page 3 Closing date is 21st April.

For more information, content and videos visit LEGO.com/Mixels LEGO, the LEGO logo, and MIXELS are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2014 The LEGO Group. All rights reserved. TM & © 2014 Cartoon Network.

one of 4 copies of Daisy: A Hen into the Wild!

WIN

What’s it about?

On a chicken farm among hundreds of hens is Daisy, a hen who dreams of a life outside her cage. She manages to escape from captivity using her wit only to find herself being hunted down by the weasel One Eye.

Term Times has four copies of the new ‘A Hen into the Wild’ DVD to give away.

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Collect, build, mix and match the first ever LEGO® constructible collectibles

Luckily, a brave ‘guardian’ duck named Wanderer manages to save her by the skin of their beaks or bills as it were. Even though she was saved, Daisy realises that she is surrounded by danger. Especially when she becomes the adoptive mother of a duckling.

www.termtimes.ltd.uk

Easter Edition

TO ENTER To win, answer this simple question: Name the duck hero in this film? Entry details on page 3. Closing date is 21st April.

The film is on general release from 31st March and can be purchased from itunes.

More great releases available from

www.signature-entertainment.co.uk

Dinky Pony Parties’ New for 2014 Ask for details.

Stockists of: Berg Go-Karts Galvanised & Wooden Climbing Frames Swings Sandpits Slides Trampolines Petrol Go-Karts Goals Playhouses Woodchip Surfacing & much, much more...

Large Outdoor Display Area Delivery and Build Service Available www.lets-go-play.co.uk

We can be found at: Chase Farm, Spice Chase (off School Road), Tilney St Lawrence, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE34 4RD Tel: 01945 880418 Mobile: 07885 150111 Email: letsgoplay@btconnect.com OPENING HOURS Tues to Sat 10am - 4pm Other times by prior arrangement

Easter Edition

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Puffin

BOOK REVIEW Goodnight Pirate

By Michelle Robinson, picturebook, £6-99 In the fourth instalment in the bedtime series, a little boy says goodnight to his dressing-up clothes and is transformed into a swashbuckling pirate. The beautiful rhyming text is perfectly accompanied by atmospheric illustrations which will delight youngsters everywhere.

Ages 3-6

Spy Dog: Mummy Madness

By Andrew Cope, paperback, £5-99 Spy Dog, otherwise known as LARA, isn’t the only Mummy around. The evil Mr Big has escaped from prison again and he’s on a mission to steal Egypt’s most valuable treasure, The Nile Ruby. Only one agent can stop this evil criminal mastermind - Spy Dog. But can Lara learn some new tricks in time to find the ruby, protect her pups and get Mr Big back in jail where he belongs?

Ages 7-9

The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star

By Jill Murphy, paperback, £5-99 The first Worst Witch adventure in six years features lovable but disaster-prone Mildred Hubble. Mildred successfully makes a wish for a small dog on a shooting star - but how can she keep him a secret from all the others? It’s a disaster waiting to happen! But everything turns out for the best when Mildred and her clever dog, Star, win an indoor swimming pool for the school.

Ages 7 - 10

The Diary of Dennis the Menace

By Steven Butler, paperback, £5-99 Readers are given the hilarious, inside story of every awesome trick and prank played by Dennis the Menace, star of The Beano which has just celebrated 75 years of publishing. Meet Dennis, Gnasher and friends (as well as enemies) and explore Beanotown with Dennis as your guide.

Ages 7 - 10

Dragon Frontier: Burning Moon

By Dan Abnett, 352 pages, £6-99 This rip-roaring Wild West fantasy adventure series has cowboys, Red Indians and dragons coming together. Twelve-yearold Jake Polson and his family set out to start a new life on the American Frontier.

But after a tragic attack on the wagon train, Jake has to search for a legendary creature to help save his family. With the help of his faithful dragon, Match, Jake is determined to uncover the truth about his family’s disappearance. But out on the Frontier, an evil force is waiting...

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Easter Edition

Ages 9+

BOOKS FOR YOUR SCHOOL This competition is for anyone to participate, with the winning entry gaining these books for their school.

See page 3 on how to enter. Closing date is 21st April.

Alpha Kindergarten Schools

EDUCATIONAL DAY NURSERY

lpha - Where Children Come First! · Day care & structured early learning · Excellent facilities for learning & play

· Ages 3 Months to 4 Years · Full & Part-time Places · Sibling Discounts · Qualified & Dedicated Staff · Jumping Jacks Out Of School Care · Holiday Club (up to 11 years) · Healthy menus

· Preparation for school in a happy creative environment · CCTV & secure access control · Outdoor play areas with soft safety surface · OFSTED registered & Nursery Grant available · Childcare vouchers accepted

See our website for more information

www.alphakindergarten.co.uk We Do Not Charge For Bank Holidays

OPEN 8am to 6pm Weekdays All year round (except Bank Holidays)

2 settings available 24 Wainman Road, Orton Longueville, Peterborough PE2 7BU Tel: 01733 390969 66 Fletton Avenue, Fletton, Peterborough PE2 8AU Tel: 01733 311080 Email: alpha@alphakindergarten.co.uk

New outside area is r now open at ou Orton setting complete with outdoor classroom

ALL children in your family enjoy FREE membership of BIG SKY Adventure Play centre too!

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n Day e p O GWC May 2014 y5 Monda£3 per session s Activitie to book No need

There is always something to do at Grafham Water Centre!

Discovery Club

7-12 April, 14-17 April, 27-30 May 2014 8.30am - 5.30pm Our multi-activity Discovery Club is for young people aged eight and over during school holidays. Over 12’s have their own Discovery Club Teen - same price and dates but with a more advanced programme.

Prices start at £40 per day (lunch provided) - discounts are available for multi-day bookings and if you bring a friend you pay for one place and get one half price!

multi-activity holiday clubs family days open days parties clubs and courses 24

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Easter Edition

Family Days

18 April, 21 April, 26 May, 25 August 2014 A chance for Mum and Dad to take part in some of our many activities with the younger generation of the family. Bring a picnic with you and enjoy the day!

Family days are designed for young people aged eight and over - if your children are under eight, please let us know when booking. £20 per person (booking essential)