Term Times Issue 139

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PETERBOROUGH

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SCHOOLS

Issue 139 July - September 2019

the magazine for families

Heritage Days Out

WIN A FAMILY MEAL TRAIN SETS A BARBECUE FROM VAN HAGE

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Experien

Learn mo

VR Zone and Adventure Land

Research your Summer in family history Cambridge

Explore

Covering Cambridge, Fenland, Huntingdon, Oundle, Peterborough, Spalding, South Kesteven, Wisbech and more

The essential FREE publication for you and your children www.termtimes.ltd.uk

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Welcome to this issue of

The school playground was always fun when I was a kid. Those halcyon days of wolfing down your lunch too quickly so you could see your friends are fondly remembered when picking up my youngest. The playground was still busy even at 4.05pm with children performing different sports, after-school activities or just racing around with far too much energy!

‘What are your favourite games to play?’ I asked quizzically.

'Elimination', 'Tig', 'Cross Tiggy', 'Stuck in the Mud', and 'Hide and Seek' were just a few mentioned – happy to hear variations of some old favourites were still going strong. As a child from the era of 'What’s the time Mr Wolf' and permutations of clapping madly to 'A sailor went to sea, sea sea…' it makes me smile seeing children learn about playing and developing friendships at school. Whilst learning is important, the social skills we take out in the wider world are not just derived from books and teachers, but our peers.

With the end of term nigh, soon those playgrounds will be empty.

The sun will shine (hopefully) and the longest holiday will be upon us.

Whether you are going away this year or spending the holiday nearer home, make sure you enjoy some quality time with your children.

In this issue we have a wealth of subjects covered from Virtual Reality through to our special feature looking at Heritage days out, whilst we also explore how you can embark on the fun and investigative journey of researching your family history. Don’t forget many of our local shopping centres, such as Springfields and Queensgate, are offering fantastic entertainment this summer, so why not combine a visit with the dreaded back-to-school shop.

Whatever you do or wherever you are going enjoy this issue and have a great summer.

Useful information

Contact us Publisher: Steven Beacham Editor: Amanda Stacey T: 01780 757731 E: steven@termtimes.ltd.uk 70 Rutland Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1UW www.termtimes.ltd.uk

Advertise with us Term Times reaches over 51,000 children and many more parents six times a year. Through a transparent and targeted channel, your business will be seen in a title read and respected for over 20 years.

For options available, please contact the team on 01780 757731 or via steven@termtimes.ltd.uk Another great publication designed by

Dimension T: 01733 772095 www.dimension6000.com

Amanda

Birthdays

Now n e rolling for September Drama & singing lessons of distinction

Does your child have a birthday soon?

Would you like to have it announced in a forthcoming issue of Term Times?

Just send us their name, photo, age, date of birthday and details of who it's from to: steven@termtimes.ltd.uk

Let your

little one

shine!

Drama & singing lessons in Stanground, Werrington & Orton

Competition Entry

www.littlevoices.org.uk t: 07801 953 643 e:julie@littlevoices.org.uk

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

Contents Regulars

4 – 6..............News and events 24 ..................Puzzles

Editorial

Competitions

10...................Win a family meal 25...................Win family ticket for Skylark 30 ..................Win a new barbecue 38 ..................Win shoes, books and a train set

8 .....................Out and about 10 ..................Review: Dragonfly hotel and restaurant 12 ..................How to help their Little Voice to shine 14 – 15 ........A round-up of the best heritage attractions in the area 16 ..................New exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral 19 ..................Summer at the Museums 22 ..................How to research your family history 26 ..................Review: Springfields Adventure Land 29 ..................Review: VR Zone 30 ..................What’s on at Van Hage Garden Centre 32 ..................Handwriting advice 34 ..................How many 11+ exam questions can you answer?

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/advertisers 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/advertiser. Competition winners will have their details shared with the competition supplier for purposes of fulfilling delivery/provision of the prize. Details of the winners will sometimes be published in a subsequent issue and by entering the competition you grant Term Times permission to publish these. 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.

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NEWS Calling all primary schools…

If your child’s school has a pending event or news to shout about, send it to the team at Term Times so we can share it with all our readers. The press release deadline for the next issue is 14 August.

Please send them to steven@termtimes.ltd.uk

A trip to the Posh Freya, a Year 1 pupil at Malcolm Sargent Primary School in Stamford, recently won a competition organised by Peterborough United for all local schools. Her teacher, Alison Harrison, said that the children were asked to write a book review for the team's mascot, the football-loving rabbit called Peter Burrows. “The whole school loves to read, and the children enjoyed writing suggestions of books for Peter to read that they loved and why. It must have been tricky selecting an overall winner, but Freya certainly tried hard."

Freya recommended the book The Koala Who Could saying that it's one of her favourites as it shares an important message about not being afraid to try new things. As well as a bag full to the top with new books, Freya and her family were treated to tickets for a match where they saw Peterborough United win!

Free children’s places in the Anna’s Hope 5K Fun Run Charity Anna’s Hope are encouraging children to participate in the Anna’s Hope 5K Fun Run, part of the Perkins Great Eastern Run, on Sunday 13 October by offering 300 free places to children up to age 16. Participants will need to aim to raise £30 or more for Anna’s Hope in return for the ticket. Just £30 will fund one week’s specialist neuro-rehabilitation support for one child with a brain tumour and £125 is enough for a month’s care. Founder of Anna’s Hope, Carole Hughes, says: “We want to thank all those children who have supported Anna’s Hope in the past and this year we are delighted to offer up to 300 free places to encourage children to have fun, run or walk with their friends and family and make a difference to the lives of children with a brain tumour.”

Children taking part in the Anna’s Hope 5K Fun Run will also be awarded a certificate in addition to the medal they receive for completing the run. In addition, any school that raises more than £375 for Anna’s Hope (three-months support for one child) will receive a ‘Making a Difference’ trophy. The 300 free places initiative is only open to children under 16 but adults can of course enter the Anna's Hope 5K Fun Run and raise money for the charity.

All Anna’s Hope runners are invited to the Anna’s Hope marquee after the run to celebrate with cake and a drink.

For details on how school children can claim their free entry and for sponsor forms please email: admin@annashope.co.uk or call 01780 740 492.

Stay creative this summer with Peterborough Presents Peterborough Presents, an organisation that creates great art, events and projects across the Peterborough area, will be hosting a selection of entertainment over the summer to encourage new family experiences.

Kick off your summer with the brilliant Bretton Festival on 6 July, along with outdoor performances there’s the annual 'Arts Zone' where families can make their mark on a giant doodle and colouring chart and create a Bretton-themed poster, to name a few.

On Saturday 20 July at The Undercroft in Serpentine Green, Hampton, you can enjoy partaking in mass drumming, singing and music making at ‘Hampton Makes Music’. All abilities are welcome to get involved and make some family-friendly racket!

And if that's not enough, Millfield Festival will be back for its third year at the New England Rec (also known as the Triangle / Rock Park) on Saturday 3 August for an afternoon of free family festivities. There will be interactive stalls, food, music from a Bhangra Brass Band and giant puppets taking over the park for an atmosphere like no other.

For full details of the summer programme, visit www.peterboroughpresents.org 4

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Embrace summer at Queensgate The Westgate Arcade in Peterborough’s Queensgate Shopping Centre will adorn stunning floral displays throughout July. Designed to give shoppers’ senses a summertime explosion with scents of freshlycut grass, cherry blossom and camp fires. Whilst surrounded by stunning flowers, shoppers will hear the vibrant sounds of summer – listen out for the buzz of bumble bees, birdsong, lawn mowers and children playing happily. You can enjoy all this while helping Queensgate celebrate Independent Retailer Month and supporting some of its many independent shops, such as The Oculist, Clues Fashion, to Style, Maysons, Pi-Kai and Elsa Rose. www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk/westgate-arcade Summer at Church Farm Six weeks of summer family fun begins on the 25 July at Church Farm in Stow Bardolph, near Downham Market. A typical day will include animal encounters, pig racing and a feeding time at 3.30pm.

Tractor rides run every hour from 11am-4pm and are only £1 per person for everyone aged 1 and over. Look out for craft activities, quizzes and Donkey treks where Treacle will take you around Church Farm wood (£5.00 per ride). www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk

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Peterborough celebrates

NEWS continued

An exciting campaign aiming to inspire the Peterborough community to enjoy reading more is being rolled out by schools, community groups, charities and businesses. Called Peterborough Celebrates Reading, the campaign is a calendar of festivities such as outdoor story time and summer reading challenges. www.peterboroughcelebrates.org.uk Summer events at Nene Park If you’re looking for ideas on how to entertain the children over the summer months, Nene Park will be hosting its Multi-Activity Days for eight to 16-yearolds for three weeks in August. Running Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, children can enjoy a jam-packed day of land and water-based activities such as sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, climbing, orienteering, archery and bushcraft skills. The days are designed to be full of fun and excitement and offer a chance to make new friends and learn new skills. Sign up for a day (£37) or a full week (£170). Lunch is included. www.nenepark.org.uk Outdoor theatre at Harvest Barn

The Lincs Pass is on its way

Summer in Stamford The Stamford Arts Centre is hosting week-long theatre workshops for children throughout the summer holidays, as well as several family productions. Five to 13-year-olds can partake in Wildcat’s Little Mermaid Summer School from 29 July to 2 August, and from 5 August children can dive into their imagination for a Mythical Creatures and Monsters workshop with the Bailey and Burns theatre group. There will also be an incredible production for young, first-time theatregoers with the Lyngo Theatre presenting Egg and Spoon on Saturday 20 July. An interactive journey through the seasons where children’s participation in their magic circle is actively encouraged, it’s the perfect introduction to the theatre for ages one to five. There will also be a fantastic production by the Wildcats Theatre School of Disney’s High School Musical 2 on 4 – 6 July. www.stamfordartscentre.com

Harvest Barn Farmshop & Café in Farcet, Peterborough, will be hosting four open-air theatre events throughout August. You can muck around with the Big Bad Wolf in Whooooo’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf and help the prince find his match in Charmed, among other shows.

Family fun in Huntingdon

www.harvestbarn.co.uk

www.huntingdonfirst.co.uk

Back by popular demand, the Summer Family Fun Day on 27 July in Huntingdon’s Market Square will be packed with activities for all ages. There will be a climbing wall, bungee trampolines and bumper cars along with lots of free activities.

Heritage Lincolnshire has partnered up with the creators of the East Anglia Pass for an exciting concept that allows visitors free entry to various attractions, venues, cafes and retail spaces.

Such offers might include a free cup of tea and sandwich, 10% off your next shop and 2-for-1 offers. There are already some huge high street brands such as Carluccio’s, Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Go Ape that have signed up with the hopes that many independents will also follow. Along with the Lincs Pass card, there will be a website full of listings and a mobile app that gives you a push notification when you’re close to an offer. www.lincspass.com Top marks for Stamford school Malcolm Sargent Primary School in Stamford has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark.

They have spent this year developing their vision for the teaching and learning of Science, which has impacted on teaching and learning, particularly in how staff approach and plan lessons. The school’s Science team meet regularly to ensure that support is being provided across the school for staff members and the school’s action plan is being monitored. Engaging and inspiring visitors, lessons and trips have been a key part of planning for all year groups in Science. All of this hard work is having a positive impact on raising the profile of Science in the school and ensuring it receives the core subject status it deserves.

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out and about

Take part in The Big Den Sleepover to raise funds for Wood Green, The Animals Charity

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies into the Cresset Enjoy the ‘fantasmagorical’ family musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang this October at The Cresset in Peterborough Every parent’s favourite flying car is heading to Peterborough to perform an adaptation of the much-loved 1968 film and Ian Fleming’s novel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Share the joy with the next generation by taking them to watch the award-winning Peterborough Operatic and Dramatic Society perform this beloved family classic complete with toot-sweet guzzling dogs, a hugely talented cast and everyone’s favourite ‘flying’ car.

With the help of a stellar score from musical theatre legends, the Sherman Brothers, and lots of rip-roaring dance numbers, the show is said to be one of the most ambitious musicals ever staged in the city – so don’t miss out on this fond family memory.

The show will be performed 22-26 October at The Cresset in Peterborough at 7.30pm with a Thursday and Saturday matinee. www.cresset.co.uk

Chiropractic care for the whole family From birth trauma to everyday bumps and falls, chiropractic care can offer a natural solution to keep your child developing to their full potential New Heights Family Chiropractic & Wellness Centre in Brampton has a special interest in caring for pregnant mums, babies and children, which is why its offering free spine and posture checks to children under 12 years old until 1 September.

Chiropractors specialise in the function of the spine and nervous system. They help identify a nervous system that’s under stress and help prevent the consequences it has on normal function, development and the efficiency of how brain and body communicate. Such stressors can begin from birth, sometimes after the delivery, and often presents themselves as symptoms but, if not, the effects on function can go undetected for a long time unless checked.

As children learn to sit up, crawl and walk they experience unavoidable jolts, trips and falls, causing more stress to the body. Add in the modern stressors of heavy school bags, the use of game consoles, phones and tablets, poor posture and back pain in children and other health and developmental challenges are proving more prevalent than ever.

Chiropractic care for babies and children uses gentle techniques and is designed to check the alignment of the spine, detect any stress on the nervous system and correct imbalances. Book your family’s appointment today to identify and prevent bigger issues later in life and allow your children to develop, be happy and healthy just as they were designed to be! www.newheightswellnesscentre.com 8

This summer Wood Green, The Animals Charity is giving families and young supporters the chance to help a much-loved animal welfare charity by holding their own sponsored Den Sleepover A chance to work with your children to create their perfect den, indoors or outside, using materials found around the home e.g. sheets, pillows, tents etc. And help them raise funds as they challenge themselves to spend the night in their homemade hide-out.

It’s a great way for children to learn about the five welfare needs of every pet. Building their own den gives children the opportunity to think about and understand their pets’ need for an appropriate environment (the den), a suitable diet (healthy snacks for the sleepover), companionship (inviting friends), enrichment for pets’ happiness (activities) and access to veterinary care (health and safety in the den).

A perfect summer holiday activity for children (aged four-13) on Saturday 3 August, join pet lovers across our local counties and take part in The Big Den Sleepover.

Wood Green receives no government funding and relies entirely upon the support of our local communities to continue to provide welfare support, veterinary care, shelter and rehoming to pets and pet owners.

If you can’t join in on the day of the Big Den Sleepover, why not hold your own den sleepover at another time, or with your local youth group?

To request your fundraising pack please visit www.woodgreen.org.uk/ fundraise or contact the team on 0300 303 9333

Preschoolers raise £300 Preschool children raise more than £300 in a sponsored scavenger hunt Children from Holme Village PreSchool walked together around their local community searching for items, such as: something green, round, a twig, a flower and something pretty.

The money will be used to update learning resources for the children, in particular the small world and construction toys.

Holme Village Pre-school is now enrolling for September 2019, offering 9am – 3pm care as well as extended all-day hours, Monday to Thursday.

For more information, visit www.holmevillagepre-school.co.uk Facebook: @HolmeVillagePreSchool

www.termtimes.ltd.uk

We have a special interest in caring for pregnant mothers, babies and children, helping everyone to develop their full potential.

FREE

spine and posture check for babies and children under 12 yrs Until 01/09/19

Call us to book an appointment: 01480 457909 www.newheightswellnesscentre.com 42 Thrapston Road, Unit 3, The Barns, Brampton PE28 4TD

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Greatness awaits at the Dragonfly The Beachams get a taste of Peterborough’s newly-refurbished Barley and Graze Restaurant – the perfect eating place for families Nestled to the east of Ferry Meadows, in the area of Thorpe Meadows, this gem of a restaurant provided us with a great pit-stop as we explored the park. The area is the home to Nene Park’s rowing lake, riverside walks and sculpture collection.

After walking for about an hour and crossing the Nene Valley Railway, we headed to the Dragonfly Hotel which houses the Barley and Graze restaurant. A part of a four-strong hotel chain and Surya Property Group, the Dragonfly Hotel’s restaurant is located at the start of the rowing lake with diners able to look out across the meadows and beautiful lakeside views.

Like all good armies (and families) we tend to march on our stomachs and were pleasantly surprised by this smart and modern restaurant. Not having been before, and mistakenly thinking it was only a hotel for the weary business traveller, the Barley and Graze is a real treat for families too. The hotel chain has gone under a million-pound refurbishment which is clear from the attractive, clean and familyfriendly set-up.

With a cheery smile, two attentive staff invited us to choose drinks and examine an extensive menu.

The bar menu runs from 12pm to 9pm and covers all bases. There was a good selection of starters and main courses, as well as a separate pizza menu.

‘Greatness Awaits’ was the call on the menu, well let’s find out.

Sharing some freshly-baked flatbreads with hummus, nachos and chicken strips we had gone off-piste a little between the adults and children’s menus. Our two kin are nine and 12 so entering into adult measures, although the sausage, mash and beans from the children’s menu went down a storm.

The menu also includes a main, ice cream and bottle of water for £5.95, not forgetting the puzzling fun available for kids. If puzzles are not for them, then there is also a brand-new outdoor play area too.

Resting easy after the shared starters, we enjoyed the freshly topped hand-stretched 12-inch pepperoni pizza (£11.65) and the vegan bean burger that was accompanied by a delicious red onion chutney (£10.45). For the bigger appetites amongst us, extra sides were ordered… next time we will find out what Truffle chips are!

Remembering to save the best until last, we topped off the meal with waffles and berries, whilst the children enjoyed ice cream.

Walking back to burn off our fodder we enjoyed a mixture of hide and seek, some treasure hunting amongst the sculptures and some trainspotting as the steam engines roared past on the nearby heritage railway line.

www.dragonflypeterborough.co.uk

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Win a family meal!

WIN

To be in with a chance of winning a meal for two adults and two children at the Dragonfly Hotel in Peterborough, answer this simple question: How much has been invested in refurbishing the hotel chain? Turn to page 3 for how to submit your answer before 1 August.

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A big shout-out for Little Voices Caroline Schmidt speaks to Julie Armstrong about how amateurdramatics can be the foundation for personal and social growth Visions of a flamboyant, red-haired Annie, the ruthless cast of Fame and extrovert kids showcasing on social media are what I thought of when considering the type of child suited to drama school. Not a shy wallflower who would likely be intimidated by powerful personalities – but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Amateur-dramatics is not just for those children with big dreams of the West End, it’s for children who need to build self-esteem, to improve their mental outlook and benefit from a sense of belonging.

Julie Armstrong, the principal of performing arts school Little Voices in Peterborough, sheds some bright, twinkly lights on the misconceptions many parents have. “Drama and singing are hugely beneficial for children in so many different ways; it can help children of all ages succeed in many areas. It’s proven that singing together in a group promotes wellbeing, a positive outlook and a sense of team spirit, which in turn builds self-esteem and makes a child feel more confident. We have had many examples where a parent tells us how proud they are because their formerly shy child has been able to read a piece of homework out in class or assembly. Or, completely unexpectedly, their child has entered into the school talent show, auditioned for the lead role in the school play or asked to go to an audition. Music lessons have even been known to improve children’s math scores too!”

Julie is keen to highlight how the skills learnt in drama lessons are also transferable in later life: “Our teens leave us able to use techniques such as eye contact and body

language, to conduct themselves in an interview, to work well in a team and to present with confidence.

Our warm-up exercises, such as deep breathing techniques, have also been proven by scientific studies to be a natural stress reliever, releasing feelgood chemicals in the brain and having a similar effect to exercise by boosting circulation and digestion – it all leads to improved health and happiness!” she adds.

For more reserved children who perhaps aren’t as confident as their other classmates, Julie assures that performing arts lessons allow children to relax and to be themselves, with self-expression positively encouraged. “Our younger pupils (Little Voices accepts children as young as four) learn to take turns, listen and focus, which also helps them to settle and concentrate at school much quicker.

Drama and singing can also help young children undergoing speech therapy as it strengthens the lips and tongue and gets them to focus on their diction.”

Clearly drama and singing are not just for those seeking a life on the stage. The outstanding tuition and expert guidance from the likes of Little Voices is a great investment in a child’s future; by helping them build confidence and develop socially, it will equip them with the life-skills to achieve their dreams whatever or wherever their figurative stage may be.

www.littlevoices.org.uk

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Julie Armstrong

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Nene Valley Railway

Centre for Computing History

Peterborough Cathedral Photo Credit Tim Corrigan

Grimsthorpe Castle

Heritage Days Out Term Times rounds up some of the great local heritagerelated attractions for your family to enjoy this summer Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences PRICE: Free.

HIGHLIGHTS: Fossils galore and billions of years of fascinating facts and history to explore – a great day out for any dinosaur enthusiast or archaeologist in the making.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Sedgwick in Cambridge is the oldest of the University of Cambridge museums, having been established in 1728 as the Woodwardian Museum. Since then the collection has grown from 10,000 fossils, minerals and rocks to at least two million. A walk through the museum will take you on a 4.5-billion-year journey back in time, from the meteoritic building blocks of planets, to the thousands of fossils of animals and planets that showcase the evolution of life on land, in the oceans and air. There are many family activities to explore during the day including a dinosaur hunt, free trails, puzzles and activity boxes to enjoy. During the summer families can also embark on fossil casting and rubbing as well as a voyage of discovering into how animal senses and characteristics have adapted over the years in Zoolab – How to build a Dinosaur.

DID YOU KNOW? Around 120,000 years ago, there were hippopotamus, mammoths, elephants, lions, hyenas and bears roaming the Cambridgeshire area, suggesting East Anglia was once much warmer, like the grasslands of Africa today.

Nene Valley Railway

Grimsthorpe Castle

PRICE: £40 for a family, full day.

A summer pass is valid 22 June – 1 September for £65 and covers three visits, including any Thomas events.

PRICE: Family (2+3) £17 for the park and gardens; £31.50 to include entry to the castle.

HIGHLIGHTS: Thomas, the annual Teddy Bear Express event (21 & 22 August) and Santa Steam from late November to Christmas Eve.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Grimsthorpe Castle, near Bourne, in the heart of Lincolnshire is more than 800 years old. Presented to William, 11th Lord Willoughby, by Henry VIII in 1516, the castle has withstood the Tudors, Stuarts/Georgians and Victorians – if only the walls could speak. Explore the state rooms, artworks and generations of English history within the castle, partially designed by the same architect as Blenheim Palace – John Vanbrugh. You needn’t go in the castle, however, to enjoy Grimsthorpe. Families can spend their time in the large open grounds and woodland playground, hire bikes, fly a kite and look for wildlife like Red Deer. On 15 August, Grimsthorpe will also be hosting an open-air theatre; there’s plenty on offer including delicious refreshments in the Tea Room.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Step back in time as you climb aboard the heritage steam or diesel trains at Nene Valley Railway, Wansford Station, near Peterborough. Nene Valley Railway is a visitor attraction and educational centre for primary age children, linking in with school curriculums. Students and visitors get to experience a steam train ride, visit the viewing gallery and the Post Office museum at Overton Station, even stop off at Ferry Meadows. With your full-day ticket, families can ride all day and visit all areas of the railway.

On set weekends, families can enjoy travelling with Thomas on his Branch Line to Yarwell and then onto Peterborough and back. The trains have licensed buffet cars. Wansford Station also offers a children’s play area, while Overton Station features a miniature railway, bouncy castle and tearoom.

DID YOU KNOW? Time was standardised thanks to the railways.

Prior to this, different parts of the country used different time zones.

www.grimsthorpe.co.uk

Peterborough Cathedral PRICE: Lots of free things to do with certain events and activities individually priced.

HIGHLIGHTS: Explorer backpacks for little ones; Monks, Mischief and Marauders activity books for older children and a free augmented reality app for mobile phones and tablets to enhance your tour.

WHAT TO EXPECT: A hands-on, low-cost fun day out for all the family, Peterborough Cathedral was built in 1118 but its story stretches from the Saxons to present day and there’s lot to learn and see from all periods of Peterborough’s past. The Cathedral took 120 years to build and children over eight years old can climb over 170 steps to explore the upper levels and tower of the Cathedral. Take a free Cathedral Highlights tour, book to brave the heights of the Cathedral on one of our outstanding tower tours, have a picnic in the Cloisters or visit Sundays restaurant in the precincts, and see some of the Cathedral’s amazing artefacts in the Visitor and Learning Centre.

Leading on from its successful ‘Be an Astronaut for a day’ in 2018, the Cathedral is also hosting themed days for children aged eight and over on Wednesdays and Thursdays during August, see the adverts on page 17 for more information!

Peterborough Cathedral 14

HIGHLIGHTS: Woodland adventure playground, park cycle trails and plenty of ice cream.

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Peterborough Museum

Burghley House

Deene Park

PRICE: Family entry (2+3) £56 on the day or £48 in advance.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Built between 1555 and 1587, Burghley House and Gardens in Stamford are an exceptional piece of proud British heritage. Explore its staterooms, discover contemporary works of art in the Sculpture Garden, picnic in the grounds or take the afternoon to splash in the fountains at the Garden of Surprises. Children can be introduced to the gruesome tales and horrible history of Burghley in the Beastly Boring Burghley Tour with costumed guides. There is also a drop-in craft workshop, mirrored maze and magically moving Caesar busts. Book to see a brilliant range of outdoor movies too this summer at the Burghley Film Festival on 24 – 28 July.

Deene Park

www.burghley.co.uk

PRICE: House & Garden: Adult £12, Child £6; Garden only: Adult £6, Child £3.

IWM Duxford PRICE: Unlimited entry £35; Family ticket with two adults £45; under 4s free.

HIGHLIGHTS: The lakes, gardens and parkland at Deene with its diverse collection of wildlife including Red Kites, Kingfishers, Little Grebes and black Swans. Meet Ronald the horse who led the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War and count the hidden seahorses throughout the house and gardens.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Deene Park, near Corby, has been the home of the Brudenell family for more than 500 years and today it is the family home of Robert & Charlotte Brudenell and their son William. Visitors can uncover the history of some very notable family members, not forgetting Ronald the horse, and explore up to 15 rooms which are still used by family and friends. Visiting Deene is an ideal way to get your family outdoors enjoying local history, gardens, lakes and woodland areas; you can learn about the Tudors through to the Victorians. During the summer, Deene Park estate will be hosting a Napoleonic Skirmish and Living History Camp on 13 & 14 July at 10am; while on 8 August, 12pm – 4pm, the whole family can enjoy a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Walk through the same hangars and buildings as those who served at RAF Duxford near Cambridge, see aircraft take to the skies from the airfield that Spitfires first flew and get up close to over a century of aviation with hundreds of aircraft on display. Visit IWM Duxford for its schedule of air displays in 2019.

Centre for Computing History

Oakham Castle PRICE: Free, donations welcomed.

WHAT TO EXPECT: England’s most complete Norman Great Hall built between 1180 and 1190, Oakham Castle in Rutland is a slice of history and encourages family participation in learning about its history. Equipped with dressing-up costumes, toys, books, quizzes and trails, there’s enough to fill a few hours of learning. www.oakhamcastle.org

The Cromwell Museum PRICE: Free, donations welcomed

DID YOU KNOW? The old kitchen was so far away from the living areas in the main house that in the past some members of the family used a bicycle to get there.

The Fitzwilliam Museum PRICE: Free.

HIGHLIGHTS: Family First Saturdays, Fitz Kits and trails.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is a great place to bring children to see paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and more – it’s the type of place you’ll want to return time and time again, with each visit uncovering something new. Bring paper and pencils to sketch what you see in the galleries, take time to imagine the sights, sounds and smells you would have experienced if you stepped inside one of the magnificent paintings. Search for colours, faces, crowns or animals, or just explore a period of time that’s of interest – the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Medieval knights are two of the most favoured. If you’re at a loss of where to start, pick up a trail map or Fitz Kit at the information desk to help structure your time.

On Family First Saturdays, between 2pm – 4pm on the first Saturday of the month, families can also collect drawing materials, activities and trails from the Fitz Family Welcome Point. There are also practical art workshops and many other events over the summer, including a code cracking workshop, Family Art Week and a fantastic bookable show starring two women scientists turned circus performers, Strong Women.

www.iwm.org.uk

Centre for Computing History PRICE: Family (2+2) £26.

A donation of £2 per play on the Playstation VR and plenty of workshops bookable online.

HIGHLIGHTS: The hands-on gaming, opportunities for coding in the 80s classroom, and building your favourite game characters on the Pixel Wall!

WHAT TO EXPECT: Rated the #1 museum in Cambridge on TripAdvisor, the Centre for Computing History is a hands-on interactive display of computers and game consoles dating back to the early 1960s! From Pong to Pokémon, the centre showcases how gameplay has evolved. Children can get hands-on with gaming, learn coding and enjoy workshops, tours and gaming nights during school holidays.

During a workshop (booked separately) participants learn about programming, electronics, and other creative aspects of computing. The museum has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with most exhibits being interactive. Parents can enjoy some retro gaming or let the kids play games while they enjoy a cup of coffee from the Pac Lunch Shop.

DID YOU KNOW? The Megaprocessor is the world's largest functioning processor. The museum has a Guinness World Records certificate to prove it.

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WHAT TO EXPECT: Being born in Huntingdon its only fitting to have a museum here dedicated to such a prominent and powerful character in British history, Oliver Cromwell. The museum holds the best collection of Cromwelliana on public display in the world, consisting of nearly 700 items including portraits, clothing, miniatures, originals cartoons by Quentin Blake, arms and armours and historical documents. The museum looks at more than Cromwell himself but his legacy and examines his impact on our own times. www.cromwellmuseum.org

Peterborough Museum PRICE: Free, donations welcomed WHAT TO EXPECT: Peterborough Museum has a wealth of stories to fascinate and enthral the whole family. With interesting objects and interactive displays for all ages, the collections comprise more than 200,000 items of national and international importance. Tours are offered, lasting approximately 90 minutes, designed to cover the major items on display and the history of the museum building. www.vivacity.org/vivacity-venues/peterboroughmuseum/

National Trust locations PRICE: Free for members; entry prices vary WHAT TO EXPECT: The National Trust offers visitors an array of historic country-house estates to explore with accompanying grounds and play areas. You can fill a day at Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill with hands-on activities, woodland trails and learning about the historic watermill. The same can be said for Houghton Mill in Huntingdon, which provides milling demonstrations and plenty of history to absorb. Wimpole Estate near Royston is also a must-see with an impressive mansion that’s been developed over generations and many periods of history. It’s gardens and farm are also a welcome accompaniment for a family day out. www.nationaltrust.org.uk 15

COMPETITION WINNERS

Peterborough Cathedral’s new exhibition See the world as you never have before at the latest art installation in Peterborough Cathedral

Well done to Poppy, Grace and Holly for winning copies of Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods.

Jimmy having completed his new jigsaw of Great Britain and Ireland that he won from Gibsons.

Well done also to Holly and Harvey for completing their GoFeral challenge. Liam, Jacob and Ethan having enjoyed their prize of a great day at Grafham Water Centre.

Congratulations Miss Walker for winning you and your fellow teachers a great night at Peterborough Greyhounds. Above is Archie's drawing that he sent in with his nomination for Miss Walker.

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Top left: Poppy Top middle: Grace Top right: Holly Middle left: Jimmy Middle middle: Holly & Harvey Middle right: Liam, Jacob & Ethan Bottom left: Miss Walker & fellow teachers Bottom right: Archie's drawing

Following on from the hugely popular Museum of the Moon at Peterborough Cathedral last October will be its sister artwork, Gaia, also created by Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our own planet on this scale, floating in three-dimensions under the Cathedral’s central tower. The 3D installation rotates once every four minutes, 360 times faster than our real planet. The show will be open from 19 August until 15 September.

This beautiful installation is free to visit during the Cathedral’s usual daytime opening hours, and there will be frequent evening openings when the piece can be seen in its full glory, as dusk falls, with the accompanying soundtrack. Tickets for the evening sessions are £2 per person or £6 for a family (two adults, two children) and can be booked online via the Cathedral’s website.

Look out for the Silent Disco under the Earth on an evening towards the end of August. This amazing event will be fun for all the family and a great way to spend time together. All the details are on the Cathedral website at www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/gaia

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Grimsthorpe Castle 15 AUGUST 6PM Adult: £9 Child: £6 BOOK TICKETS ONLINE*

The Legend of King Arthur Boxtree Productions invites families to join us in the open air to enjoy this classic tale of Arthur, a sword and the Knights of the Round Table. With inventive staging, original songs and magical storytelling we will provide you and your family with an experience you will be talking about for years to come!

This production will be approximately two hours long and is outdoors, so please bring a picnic and a blanket or a low backed chair. Refreshments will be available.

Exotic Pet Refuge

OPEN DAYS

21 July  15 Sept  13 Oct Visit our refuge of exotic animals and native wildlife. Enjoy our collection of over 300 animals and help us to continue our work.

Children’s entertainment and refreshments available. Open days run from 10am to 5pm.

Entry: Adults £6, Children £3

Buy online from our secure website page. www.grimsthorpe.co.uk or 01778 591205 for details The show will go on regardless of the weather. Cancellation only in the event of dangerous conditions.

Charity Commission no 507478. Scottish Charity no SC039364

*

07706 999 838

exoticpetrefuge@aol.com www.exoticpetrefuge.org.uk

GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT STALLS AND G ANIMAL FEEDIN TALKS, ANIMAL EXPERIENCES, AND SCHOOL VISITS IES BIRTHDAY PART E AVAILABL

102 Station Rd., Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8RH

What’s on ...

Family Summer Pass Valid until 1 Sept

£65 for the Summer Family Pass allows a family (2 adults & 3 children), to visit up to 3 times between now and 1 Sept. Valid for all standard steaming days and many special events, such as Thomas Branch-line and Thomas’ summer holiday.

Thomas Summer Holiday Sat 10 & Sun 11 Aug October Thomas Half-Term Sat 19, Sun 20, Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct

Teddy Express Wed 21 & Thu 22 Aug

Thomas Branch Line Trains Sat 27 & Sun 28 Jul Sat 31 Aug & Sun 1 Sep

T: 01780 784444 www.nvr.org.uk Wansford Station, Stibbington PE8 6LR charity 263617

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Join our Teddy Express for family fun where hundreds of teddies take a ride.

res u t n e v d a r e m m u s r e v Disco on your doorstep Cambridge University Museums Promotion

With over 100 events taking place as part of Summer at the Museums in Cambridgeshire, here’s a taste of what you have to look forward to!

From pre-historic themed crafts and ancient archaeology, to pirate adventures on the high seas and nature-based fun, choose from more than 140 low-cost or free family events between 25 July – 3 September, courtesy of the University of Cambridge Museums.

Summer at the Museums is an annual schedule of hands-on activities, trails and events for all ages to enjoy. There’s storytelling and performances for young children, a chance to explore historic periods as a family and to delve into the world of science, botanicals and zoology.

This year’s programme is promised to be the biggest yet, with more than 25 museums in Cambridge and the surrounding area participating, so make sure you study the full programme of events to see what’s on offer to suit your family’s ages and interests.

Here are just a handful of events happening in the first weeks of summer: Thursday 25 July, 11am – 12.30pm Dinosaurs! at Ely Museum Visit the Museum for a morning of fun dinosaur crafts.

Ages 5-11; £3 per child, pre-book: 01353 666655 Thursday 25 July, 11am – 4pm Family Archaeology Day at Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey Discover what it’s like to be an Archaeologist for the day and try your hand at a range of activities. Try a mini-dig, draw and record the things that you find, talk with real archaeologists, make a clay pot and investigate seeds found in replica ancient poo! All ages; normal admission charges apply.

Monday 29 July, 10am – 12.30pm Family Engineering at Cambridge Museum of Technology Work with your family to design and test a rocket and build a simple moving machine.

Ages 7+; children £3.50, accompanying adults £1 (one per child), additional adults £3.50, pre-book: info@museumoftechnology.com Thursday 1 August, 9.30am – 3pm Science Detectives at Venues across the University of Cambridge Museums

Saturday 27 July, 10am – 4pm Summer on the Ouse at Norris Museum

Calling all detectives in training. Experience a day of science and problem solving. Hone your scientific skills and get a taste of hands-on exploration at this day-long event.

Join in a summer celebration of the river Great Ouse. Create your own river-inspired screen-printed artwork and enjoy crafts, face painting, refreshments and more – plus take a river trip with the Lady Bird Boat Trust. All ages; £3 per child, drop-in.

Enjoy sessions with the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, the Polar Museum, the Sedgwick Museum, the Museum of Zoology and the Botanic Gardens. Ages 8-11; £15, pre-book: www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/events

Visit: www.museums.cam.ac.uk/summer for the full programme of events.

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What’s in your history?

Kate Chapman looks at how your family can explore and learn about its heritage online With so much information and so many records available online, researching your family history has never been easier – and it’s a great activity to get the kids involved in, too.

There are so many different ways they can turn detective and piece together the puzzle of their family tree; who knows what stories and characters they might uncover along the way? But with so much information at your disposal, where is it best to start?

Alex Cox, of the genealogy website www.findmypast.co.uk, says chatting with older relatives is a good place. “Grab a pen and paper and sit down with your grandparents, greatgrandparents, aunties and uncles and question them about everything they can remember,” he said.

“Find out about family stories, all those rumours that have been passed down through generations and what they can remember about other relatives from their childhood. Dig out any old family photo albums that you might have, take a good look through them and remember to check the rear of the pictures in case they have any useful dates on them. It’s also worth having a look around your house to see if there are family heirlooms that might also have a story to tell.”

Alex says most online resources are geared towards adults who are researching their family trees, but using them alongside children can be a great way to work on your project together.

As well as Census data, other information is available such as crime records, although he suggests adults check these first as sometimes there can be data that’s unsuitable for children.

“Normally, the first records you will come into contact with are the Census ones and they list a person’s occupation as well as all those living under the same roof as them,” he adds.

“The Census is taken every ten years, so if you’ve got family members who were alive in the 1930s that will give you a good starting point. You can get a good idea of who your relatives were and you can quickly find yourself tracing your family back to the 1840s, which is when the first modern Census was recorded.

“When you’ve found one person, it’s easy to find another and also what each of them were doing at that time. Researching online every day is better than yesterday, as there is just so much information coming onto the internet.”

Alex says creating your family tree itself can also be a fun art project, which you can all work on together and there are lots of ways to can record the information you uncover. “Getting kids excited about someone from their past, who they never met and who died 100 years ago can be tough. But find a name, encourage your children to build a picture of their face; get them to draw them, write about them

For more information visit www.findmypast.co.uk

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– where did they live, what was their job, what would their life have been like?,” he adds.

“Put it all into context; if there are children in the family tree get yours to think about what life would have been like for them, how would school have been different for them? You could use your photos in your tree too.”

There really is no end to what you might find – and who knows maybe there’s a link to a famous face or even royalty waiting to be discovered!

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SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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Adventure Land

Discover what Adventure Land has in store for families as journalist Caroline Schmidt shares her family’s experience Tucked at the back of Springfields Outlet Shopping & Leisure in Spalding, Lincolnshire, is a little gem. A cosy kids haven where explorers await a full day of fun or a post-shopping treat.

Never will it be easier (or cheaper) to go schoolshoe shopping with the promise of a visit to Adventure Land after – and I can vouch for that.

After a quick stop en route at the Clarks outlet, we entered Adventure Land where we were greeted

by Goldies Gold Mine, the Tree Top Village and 120m2 suspended Skynet, Springy’s miniature steam train and undercover beach, a JCB Young Drivers Zone, and Dino ‘mini’ Golf. Armed with our Adventure Land Passports to get stamped at most activities (ten stamps get you special offers and treats) we went exploring.

but it’s packed with plenty to keep the whole family happy. After panning for gold and being rewarded with a bag of ‘gems’ and a certificate, we headed onto Springy’s Railroad which passes every 30 minutes for a joyful ride through the woodland. But it was the towers, rope bridges and Skynet that caught the interest of my six-year-old. Dubbed the ‘biggest outdoor bouncing experience in East of England’, the Skynet doesn’t disappoint even for the adults who have to chaperone under sevens. The Tree Top Village was a hit, too, although short and young children will need help from an adult to climb it.

(£7.95pp or £29.95 family ticket) but you can pay £3 entry to enjoy the Skynet, beach and Tree Top Village, then pay & play as you please. Most activities are £2-3pp with the JCB zone costing £5, pre-booking advisable. If you’re planning to stay for a few hours, the allinclusive pass offers great value and the same can be said for Springy’s Diner.

Although there are plenty of picnic benches, visitors aren’t permitted to use their own food when kids get peckish. Instead you need to purchase refreshments from the retro American diner onsite, but I assure you that’s no hardship – it will be a highlight.

The ideal age for visiting is clearly Hearty portions of stacked pancakes three – 12 years old, with that being and crispy bacon, root beer floats and the ceiling age for the centrepiece All Amercian ‘sourdough’ Door Stop JCB Young Drivers Zone. Build, climb, sandwiches, milkshakes made from drive and let them delve into their scoops of gelato ice cream and finished imaginations – you get 30 minutes off with New York cheesecake or during busy periods, but my boys Mississippi Mud Pie. Of course, there’s could have spent hours. The dinosaur- salads, steaks and snacks for the grazers themed mini golf, we highly recommend as well as a scaled-down kids’ menu. it but hope your clan aren’t half as Food was fantastic, service was always competitive as ours were. with a smile and the 1950s chart list As attractions come, Adventure Land We were able to do all of these sent you on your way with a boogie in activities with an all-inclusive pass may be smaller compared to many your step.

www.springfieldsadventureland.co.uk

CALL

01733 893 666

TO BOOK TODAY!

Powerleague Peterborough, Peterborough Road, (Next to Stanground Academy), Farcet PE7 3BW

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Embrace a

NEW REALITY Kate Chapman visits VR Zone in Lincolnshire to experience what virtual reality fun it offers gamers Gaming has certainly come a long way since I played Paperboy and Dizzy on my Spectrum ZX, and while the experience may have evolved the joy of gaming is much the same. As a family, we’re often pit against each other in a tense game of Mario Kart, so when the offer of testing out the new virtual reality centre – VR Zone – in Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, was proposed we all got a little giddy.

Located on the eco business park in Hoddins Way, VR Zone is easy to access and has plenty of customer parking – there’s a great family atmosphere, too. On our arrival owners Tele and Purdy Barros gave us a friendly welcome and took their time showing us the equipment and explaining how it works.

They have six pods, each loaded with different games for children, teens and adults, which can be played individually or hooked up to enjoy together.

My son and daughter (aged seven and eight) tried the Job Simulator on Tele’s recommendation.

After measuring them to make sure the equipment was configured correctly, Tele demonstrated the Vive Pro headsets. They feel a little strange at first but you soon get use to them, you’re given two paddles to hold, too – one for each hand – to control your actions in the game and allow you to handle objects.

game where you slash the beats of adrenalinepumping music flying towards you; The Lab, where I became an archer defending my castle; and Eagle Flight, which had me soaring above Paris collecting feathers for my nest. Needless to say, I discovered how poor my co-ordination is, but I didn’t care – I was having too much fun.

There were four jobs to choose from – mechanic, office worker, factory worker and chef – each with their own tasks to complete in order to progress. My son chose to be a mechanic, while my daughter tried her hand as an office worker and being a chef. They both picked the game up easily and were amazed at how lifelike it felt as they picked up objects, moved them about and navigated around their virtual workplace. For £5.50 for 30 minutes of gaming, it’s quite reasonable and the perfect amount of time to avoid eye fatigue.

The games are so lifelike, it’s hard not to be impressed – especially when I was firing my virtual bow and arrow; I could really feel the tension in the bow as I pulled it back.

While they were playing, I tried some of the other games such as Beat Saber – a rhythm

The whole experience was really enjoyable and something families can share together, no matter what their physical capabilities. Even before we’d got back to the car, my kids were asking when we could go again – the sign of a successful outing!

We’ll definitely be returning soon and to others hoping to give it a try, make sure you book before you go to avoid disappointment at peak times.

For more information and to make bookings online visit www.vrzone.website or follow VR Zone on Facebook Facebook-square

PLAY WITH LEGO MINDSTORMS, ELECTRONICS AND PROGRAMMING

FREE parking

DEVELOP PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

BEGINNER WORKSHOPS Fri 26 July, 5–6:30pm Sun 11 August, 10–11:30am Wed 21 August, 5–6:30pm NEW RECURRING EDUCATIONAL ROBOTICS CLUBS Starting Tuesday 10 September in Stamford and Market Deeping, please see website for details FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO REGISTER: www.stamfordsteamcentre.co.uk info@stamfordSTEAMcentre.co.uk Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

30 MINS per game

ONLY £5.50

Small family run company offering virtual reality games/experiences suitable for 8+ years Private Parties for max of 6 people Pre-book online: www.vrzone.website Contact us for more: info@vrzone.website Mon–Sat 10am–9pm | Sun 12 noon–6pm twitter-square @vrzoneltd1 Instagram @vrzoneltd Facebook-square @vrzoneltd 4 Hoddins Way, Long Sutton, Spalding PE12 9JB www.termtimes.ltd.uk

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Van Hage makes your summer sizzle Win a barbecue worth £399* and learn about what’s happening at the Van Hage Garden Centre this summer Van Hage Garden Centre in Eye, Peterborough – voted the Best Garden Centre in the Midlands by the Garden Centre Association – has lots of treats on offer this summer. In addition to its Children’s softplay and free Mini Farmyard featuring a variety of animals such as rabbits, goats and pigs, it’s offering a plethora of events to suit all ages across July and August.

Van Hage starts the summer on 13 July with its Summer Party Event, boasting music, games, a barbecue and much much more for a full day of family fun. In July and August there’s a children’s Animal Farm Pizza Party costing £5.95 per child (22, 24 and 26 July and 19, 21 and 23 August) and on 25 July, don’t miss the start of its summer sale!

And for August there’s a children’s beach party with buffet (5,7 and 9 August). With so much on offer it’s unlikely you’ll be in short-supply of things to do, but for the days in-between Van Hage is giving you the chance to win a £399* RRP Leisuregrow Grillstream Classic 3 Burner Roaster Gas Barbecue.

Part of the new Grillstream Classic range of barbecues, this amazing prize is stylish, sophisticated and grills a mean-tasting burger. Compact and efficient, this barbecue is made with a dual grill system that catches excess fat from meats and fish to prevent flare-ups and mess, making barbecue life safer and easier. Add to this an integral side burner, bottle opener, storage cabinet, stainless steel warming rack and double skinned roasting hood with built-in thermometer, this gas barbecue is ideal for the small family or tight spaces. www.vanhage.co.uk/leisuregrow-grillstream-classic3-burner-matt-gry-709546

Win a barbecue!

To be in with a chance of winning this BBQ beauty simply answer this question: In addition to pigs, name another animal that can be seen at the Farmyard.

Turn to page 3 for details on how to submit your entry before 27 July.

www.vanhage.co.uk

WIN

Prices correct at the time of going to print

*

WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNING

Saturday 28 September

1000 – 1230 Kindergarten to 6th Form

At WGS, academic excellence is at the heart of our educational approach. We believe that educational development is not simply confined to the classroom or laboratory, but can be found in the art rooms, drama/dance studios, sports fields and music rooms.

We go beyond the narrow confines of exam specifications, giving an all round experience, that inspires our pupils to ‘discover who they are’.

We also offer a range of Academic and All-rounder Scholarships for for entry into 1st Form (Year 7) 3rd Form (Year 9) and 6th Form (Year 12) September 2020.

Contact us: 01945 586750 or admissions@wisbechgrammar.com Dedicated buses across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

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Bouncy castle & garden games Children’s arts & craft station Children’s menu available No booking required



HALF PRICE CHILDREN’S MEALS T&C: One half price child’s meal with every paying adult. No photo copies.

Toft Country House Hotel and Golf Club, Bourne PE10 0JT | Tel: 01778 590 614 | www.tofthotelgolf.co.uk

Zebedee Shoes have been supplying families for over 10 years, and here are some of the reasons why our store stands out from the crowd

We work closely with podiatrists who excel in their trained field should we need them and Liz, the owner, is a VTCT-qualified reflexologist and has also passed through examination with the Society of Shoefitters.

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Learning to write the right way Breakthrough Therapy Solutions offers expert advice and five top tips to help your children improve their handwriting this summer Handwriting is a complex and important fine-motor skill to develop. It encourages concentration and helps to build connections in the brain as well as allowing a child to express themselves. Despite the growing digital age, the National Handwriting Association still states that “handwriting remains important in education, employment and in everyday life”. However, its importance shouldn’t overshadow the task of making learning to write and improving handwriting fun and engaging. It’s not all about pens on paper! Here are some tips to keep you going over the summer holidays…

ry multi-senso  Make it s, of sand, oat Use a tray and lly je r o am shaving fo nger or ur child’s fi then use yo write letters, to paintbrush apes in it. sh r o s rn te pat

day ce every  Practi gs rite thin hild to w a short c r u o y t Ge from nything name in down, a eir th d n a message card, a shopping ay a birthd st-it note or a po rd. list on a hite boa r on a w our child e d in m re y find that l You may to have a pen pa al e k would li a diary or a journ in te ri w or . each day

 Don’t just use pens Use mate rials with tactile o r kinesth enhanced eti feedbac k, such a c s ch drag) or writing in alk (extra clay with a stylus.

 Start big Have yo ur child fo rm a letter in the air u sing their whole arm Write th as one big ‘pencil e le ’. chalkboa tters large on a rd, white board, o paper on r th Use a las e floor or wall. er pointe r wall or ri on the bb Trace lett on on a stick. ers on ea ch back and guess wh other’s at they a re.

ls s and penci n with pen  Have fu t pens of differen Try out lots see what to and pencils cil grip t, use a pen and es b s rk o w g in w ra d Even if needed. a positive e av h ill w colouring riting as eir handw effect on th extra practice de it will provi fine d improve an ip gr r fo s. motor skill

For more information check out our blog post: https://awyattot.co.uk/blog/f/why-handwriting-isn’t-all-about-pens-and-paper or contact us about the summer handwriting programmes offered.

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Bond Promotion

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Sharpen your skills and put yourself to the test with these actual 11+ exam questions.

Let’s see if you’re up to the challenge . . .

In September, children across the country will sit the 11+—a selective entrance exam for secondary school, used in areas which still have grammar schools and by selective independent schools.

The exam has a strong emphasis on English, maths, verbal, and non-verbal reasoning skills. This includes grammar, spelling, reading comprehension, arithmetic, logic, problem-solving, and data manipulation.

Put yourself to the test and see if you can answer some of these 11+ questions, taken from Bond Online.

 Pat needs 275g of sugar to make 18 biscuits. How much sugar

(in grams) is needed to make 54 biscuits?

 If you rearrange these words into the longest sentence you can, which

word is superfluous?

smoothies shall yoghurt and milk ice-cream made fruit or can be with

 Which code matches the final shape or pattern?

a) KY

b) MX

c) LX

d) MY

e) KZ Answers: 1) 825g 2) shall 3) d Prepare your child for the 11+, or simply help them develop their core maths and English skills ahead of the transition to secondary school with Bond Online and Bond books. Discover more at www.bond11plus.co.uk

Equestrian experiences Find out what fun Fenland Equestrian Centre has in store for your horse-enthusiast Fenland Equestrian Centre in Wisbech has a host of events to suit those who enjoy horse riding, want a taste of what it’s like or an experience of owning their own horse. On their Pony Days, young children can have fun learning how to care for a pony as teams compete throughout the day in grooming, hair plating and gymkhana. No need to know how to ride, but if your teenager does they can partake in an Own a Pony Day. They’ll learn how to groom, tack up, stable manage and ride, with the day consisting of an hour’s lesson and competitions.

For an intensive horsey experience, there’s summer camp where children can camp out and have their days packed full of fun, lessons and competitions. Fenland Equestrian Centre also hosts birthday parties – offering a mix of grooming, riding and catering – and school trips. For more information and to benefit from a £5 discount voucher, see the advert on page 7. www.fenlandec.co.uk 34

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Could you pass the 11+ exam?

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More graduates than ever this summer!

The rain outside didn’t dampen the spirits and enjoyment of the children and families inside the cathedral Around 270 children received awards in June from the Peterborough Children’s University for their extra-curricular learning at the organisation’s graduation ceremonies; two ceremonies were needed to accommodate the large number of graduates.

Thanks to the grant awarded to Peterborough Children’s University by Tesco Bags of Help, the graduation was again held at Peterborough Cathedral. Liz Knight Academic Director of the University Centre Peterborough spoke enthusiastically about the importance of education in Peterborough and their support of the Peterborough Children’s University the Awards were presented by Richard Hunt Director of Culture Vivacity.

Over 900 certificates were presented to the 270 graduates representing a total of over 39100 hours of extra learning undertaken by these avid learners.

For many five-to-14-year-olds, this year was their first graduation when they received the Bronze Award for 30 hours of learning thus

starting this exciting journey. However it was wonderful to see that this year three of our graduates achieved the very highest award the Gold Fellowship for over 1000 learning hours: Evie-Mai Latronico-Ferris, Arthur Manara and Rhianna Waumsley. This is a tremendous achievement proving that learning doesn’t have to stop when the school day ends.

The Peterborough Children’s University is a national project that supports, encourages and celebrates the achievement of seven to 14 years old, and those aged five and six years old when accompanied by a parent, who take part in out-of-hours learning activities.

The project recognises that learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom, it can happen anywhere and everywhere. It signposts great learning opportunities in often very different locations such as museums, country parks and leisure centres. With nearly 100 local learning destinations to choose from, as well as activities suited to almost all interests, children are clocking up hundreds of learning hours in

a bid to improve and broaden their skills and have fun.

We now look forward to a summer of wonderful learning activities at the many wonderful Learning Destinations in the Peterborough area and nationwide.

Any child, aged 5 to 14 years can join The Children’s University and it will cost just £6 to get started. A child will be issued with a paper passport, the CU Passport To Learning, and an online E-licence, and is then signposted to the many and varied CU validated Learning Activities and experiences which are available locally and nationally.

Each hour of CU validated learning they complete brings the child closer to a Children’s University graduation certificate which start at 30 hours and go through to 1000 hours.

The awards are then presented at a locally organised CU graduation ceremony.

The scheme is accessible through many schools and our Virtual School is available for children whose school isn’t registered with us.

Be part of the adventure and look out for the Passport To Learning logo when you are out and about.

If you are a school or a parent who would like to be a part of Peterborough Children’s University, or a venue interested in becoming a Learning Destination, contact Gill Hall, Peterborough Children’s University Manager, at Gill.Hall@vivacity.org or call 01733 864 729.

For more information, visit: www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/home/learning-destinations/peterborough-childrens-university/ Children’s University promotion 36

PETERBOROUGH

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Achieved 11+ success in 2018...

INTENSIVE 11+ COURSES. WILL YOUR CHILD BE OUR NEXT HIGH ACHIEVER?

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Maths, English & Science A-level, GCSE, 11+ and other classes St. Mary’s Educational Academy Ltd E-mail: info@stmarysedu.co.uk Mobile: 07735 492 695 | 07925 608 168 | 07854 885 030 1–B Almoners Lane, Peterborough PE3 9EH

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competitions

NEW gStoHtiOe ES TO WIN Learnin laces can be a bit of a tricky job but it’s a life skill and, e like learning to rid your bike, once you can do it you will never forget

FIVE TO WIN

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s for a a new pair of shoe rough is offering bo to tie ter w Pe ho in rn s oe lea Zebedee Sh . They’ll need to rn to tie their laces ed – watch the ow all rs ea y nn child who can lea no bu tied traditional way, so ce you’ve got it all their laces in the cebook page. On Fa est e nt de co be e th Ze on ter en ‘How-to’ video details on how to amazing ur turn to page 3 for yo w, ow bo sh at to ne a ed in up you will ne w If you are picked, to choose your ne before 1 August. e when you go in de be ne! yo Ze er at ff ev k sta to win. Good luc new skills to the ls shoes available gir d an ys bo th Bo shoes. . n conditions apply In store competitio www.zebedeeshoes.com

A great read Fans of The Worst Witch and The Magic Unicorn Society are sure to enjoy this new series by Pip Bird. The Naughtiest Unicorn and its sequel The Naughtiest Unicorn at Sports Day are about Mira, her unicorn Dave and their time at Unicorn school. Dave is more grumpy than glittery, more interest ed in lunch than magical Quests, and certainly doesn’t want to be ridden by Mira. But that doesn’t get Mira down as it’s her mission to be the best at Quests and protect the special unicorn world. Focused on laughter, friendship and adventure, these hilarious and brilliantly-illust rated collection of books should definitely be destined for the book shelf.

The Naughtiest Unicorn and The Naughtiest Unicorn at The Naughtiest Unicorn series Sports Day, will soon be

By Pip Bird followed later in the year by For ages 6+ The Naughtiest Unicorn at the RRP: £5.99 School Disco and Published by Egmont UK The Naughtiest Unicorn at Christmas.

Winners will receive a copy of each of the two books shown above.

Turn to page 3 for how to submit your entry before 13 August

THREE TO WIN Win the new Hornby Paddington Train Set

Hornby, the UK’s brand RRP: £34.99 leader in model railways, is offering three lucky readers Set. Train n ingto or Padd the opportunity to win its new Juni n-themed , this battery-operated Paddingto Designed for ages four and over sturdy Its nby.

Hor of ld wor the into ion train set is the perfect introduct before l for little hands to play and explore plastic construction makes it idea then leaping into and e, rang oad Railr nby Hor taking the next step into the with contains a carriage express train the Hornby main range. Each set als, power poles and sign es, piec k trac of e rang a on, headlight, tunnel, stati active toy. trees complete this wonderful inter com products, please visit www.hornby. nby Hor t abou ion mat For more infor Turn to page 3 for details on how to enter before 13 August.

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more than just a garden centre…

Gifts Outdoor Living BBQs Family Events Gardening Local Butchery

Fantastic Mini Farm This free family attraction includes rabbits, goats, turkeys, sheep, pigs, guinea pigs, a gorgeous peacock, giant and normal-size chickens and aviaries.*

13 July

Summer Party Event Music, games, BBQ and more

22, 24 & 26 July 24 July

Children’s Animal Farm Pizza Party £5.95 per child

Weber BBQ Event Cooking demo

5, 7 & 9 August

Children’s Beach Party (includes buffet)

19, 21 & 23 August 12 – 18 August

Children’s Animal Farm Pizza Party £5.95 per child

National Afternoon Tea Week

Brand New Weekly International Menu *Animal

Join us at the VH Cafe for American Mondays, Curry Wednesdays, International Thursdays and more

food is available for 50p between 11am and 4pm (weather permitting), allowing you to feed and get closer to the animals.

Van Hage Garden Centre PE1 Retail Park, Eye Road, Eye, Peterborough PE1 4YZ 01733 221 400 peterborough@vanhage.co.uk www.termtimes.ltd.uk

Join us on to see all of our in store events

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