Families NW London Nov/Dec 2015

Issue 104 Nov/Dec 2015 www.FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk

FREE North West London Including North Middlesex, South Hertfordshire and North West Hillingdon (Queensbury, Kingsbury, Colindale, West Hendon, Edgware, Stanmore, Wembley, Harrow, Northolt, Northwood, Ruislip, Harefield, Bushey, Watford, Rickmansworth and all areas in-between!)

Seasonal Celebrations! including

Where’s Santa, Ice Skating, Panto and Seasonal Shows!

We have this season all wrapped up!

PLUS

Sat 28 Nov - Sun 10 Jan 11am to 9pm The Parade www.watfordbigevents.co.uk

Competitions, Local Events, and much more inside!

Page 1 Families Magazine – North West London Issue 104 Nov/Dec 2015

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Welcome to the November/ December issue!

CONTACT US: Families North West London Magazine Editors: Heather Waddington and Janine Mergler P.O Box 2378, Watford WD18 1RF T: 01923 237 004 E: Editor@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk www.FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk

www.facebook.com/ FamiliesNWLondon

IN THIS ISSUE: 4 6 10 14 16 24

@FamiliesNW

Families News Education News What is a ‘Toddler’ portion size?

Getting Ready for the Holiday Season!

Seasonal Gift Guide Panto’s and Seasonal Shows

Circulation 30,000+ copies every issue. Published seven times a year.

For families from birth to twelve.

UPCOMING ISSUES: January/February 2016: Nurseries and Childcare Deadline 25th November 2015 Send in your news, stories and advertising bookings to the details left.

Cover Credit – Watford Borough Council

Trending articles on the FNWL website:

Where’s Santa – Grottos and Events Ice Skating Rinks 2015 Creating Confident Children

Scan your QR code to take you straight to the most current local information! www.FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk

NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015 3

NEWS

New look Craft Tub… + Café!

This familiar site on the Abbots Langley High Street now welcomes Simmons Bakeries, Smiths Coffee Co. and £10 pottery painting & crafting for the Under 5’s during the week 9am till 3pm. The perfect combination to please the whole family! Children can take away their items on the day with pottery taking 5 days to fire.

Open 7 days a week 8.30am till 6pm. Sunday’s 10am till 4pm and late night Thursday .. Bookings welcome for Hen Nights and Parties.

Join the team for some relaxing fun for the whole family, and take the stress out of your day… www.crafttub.co.uk; 01923 270 546

Local schools launch new websites New Three local NW London schools have launched new websites to further Centre enhance their ability to interact with current and prospective parents. St. Nicholas Prep & Nursery, Buxlow Prep & Nursery, and St. Christopher’s Openings Prep, all part of ILG (Inspired Learning Group), saw their new sites go live at the start of the 2015/2016 Academic year and the response has been very positive.

“Parents and Staff are very happy so far with the first-hand experience of the well designed, responsive site,” suggests Mr Edward Cooper, Head Teacher at St Nicholas Prep School.

The new site feature interactive content, galleries, blogs, prospectus, parent portal, and dynamic calendar content as well as other features tailored to the specific needs of each school.

In addition, Parents – existing and prospective – can access from the school sites their most recent ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) Report and up-to-date, comprehensive school policies. The aim of the sites is to provide parents with key information and to form the initial entry-point to the schools.

Check out the new sites from the group website www.inspiredlearninggroup.co.uk/

Due to popular demand Little Big Leaders have opened 2 new centres to cope with the requests for places – one at Rickmansworth School on a Saturday and a second at The Arena – Bushey Academy on a Sunday. Both of these are in addition to their ever popular Reading, Writing, Maths and English course run at the usual Saturday classes at the London AcademyTutoring Centre.

Experts in the field of supporting children undertaking the 4+,5+,7+ and 11+ assessments, Little Big leaders also provide competitions for students during the term time to give them an extra push academically while developing their competitive spirit.

Little Big Leaders are now taking bookings for the 7+ and 11+ Winter School and Spring Term 0208 312 3100 www.littlebigleaders.com

Families Distributor Needed!

Reliable individual with own transport needed to drop Families NW London Magazine at locations across Watford, Bushey and surrounding areas once each issue. Would suit Mum or Dad with school-age children.

Get in touch to find out more! Editor@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk

FREE TOYS for Your Local Toy Library Bizzy Bitz is a relatively new construction toy system. To celebrate the launch of their new instruction sheets, Bizzy Bitz will be donating hundreds of boxes each containing 350 Bizzy Bitz building blocks to toy libraries around the country. If you are a mum who borrows toys from your local toy library and would like your child to experience playing with Bizzy Bitz, simply ask your toy library organiser to email info@bizzy-bitz.com. Bizzy Bitz will then send out a free box their building blocks.

Find out more at www.bizzy-bitz.com

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The Great Barn at Headstone Manor, Harrow re-opens in November 2015 After an eight month programme of extensive restoration and refurbishment costing nearly £1 million, refurbished impressive structure stands on a heritage site among a cluster of historic buildings, including Headstone Manor, which boasts its own water-filled moat.

The Great Barn will serve as a unique venue for community events, functions and weddings as part of a programme of regeneration for the museum, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Harrow Council which will see all of the buildings brought into self-supporting use . Now licenced for civil ceremonies, the first wedding at the Great Barn takes place on 7th November. http://harrowmuseum.org.uk/the-collection/restoration-works/

NEWS Peter Rabbit™ Adventure Playground plans unveiled Willows Activity Farm in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, has unveiled the construction plans for its new Peter Rabbit themed play area, due to open in April 2016 and coincides with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, author of the original books.

It will have ten activities themed around the world-famous and much-loved Peter Rabbit characters, including the Mrs Tiggy-Winkle Kitchen, a Jeremy Fisher Musical Pond and Benjamin Bunny Treetop Adventure.

For more information visit www.willowsactivityfarm.com or follow @Willows_Farm

Did you know that the average waiting time for a doctor appointment is 7-10 days?

Not any more!

Be one of the first families to get a doctor to your door within 60 mins. GPDQ is a new app which may mean you’ll never need to wait for a doctor appointment ever again. At the touch of a button can request a fully qualified doctor to arrive at a location of your choice. Ahead of its launch later this year, the team is looking for families to respond to a survey designed to set the right price for the service, in exchange for becoming a VIP user. If you’re interested, simply complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GPDQPatientSep15 and a member of the team will be in touch to explain what discounts and VIP access is available. www.GPDQ.co.uk

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Education News

Shortage of Teachers Training Could Lead to A “Crisis” A Head Teacher has warned that a shortage of teachers and a rising number of pupils will create “a perfect storm” for English schools.

Allan Foulds of Cheltenham Bournside School has said at the Conservative Party conference that the schools system is near breaking point.

Mr. Foulds is president of the Association of School and College Leaders, which says that there are too few teachers currently going through training to be able to meet the numbers needed. A fall in the birth rate back in the late 1990s led to fewer 21 year olds becoming graduates now and this is now being felt in the lack of graduates available and choosing to go into teaching. At the same time, the number of pupils is increasing, with the numbers of school children under 16 set to rise to a peak of 7.85 million by 2020.

Mr Foulds said: "There is a real danger that a system, which is already under severe strain, will reach breaking point and that schools will be forced to drop more courses and increase class sizes further.

"This situation puts in jeopardy the huge progress that has been made by schools and undermines the drive to further raise standards." www.gov.uk/government/news/national-teacher-recruitment-drive -gets-underway

Education Secretary Calls for Schools To Provide Childcare

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has said that schools should take “reasonable steps” to provide childcare for the whole length of the working day during term time and the school holidays too.

As part of this move, parents are to be given the right to request that their children’s schools put this care structure into place. However, the funding for this has not been agreed.

Head teachers have said that this idea would have to be looked at “extremely carefully to ensure it is not just a popular gimmick.”

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has responded to say that while giving care for children while parents are working is a good idea, there are

several reasons to be wary of the Government’s promise. Budget cuts and recruitment issues are just two of the reasons why schools might not be able to provide care from early in the day until after parents finish work.

"Extending provision beyond 38 weeks, providing care outside of term time, can also prove very difficult for schools because of staffing and a lack of private provision,” said Mr Hobby.

He continued: "Parents can ask but the government must guarantee that a school's decision is respected.

Otherwise, it is merely going to provoke conflict between schools and their communities and would undermine the decision-making of head. www.politicshome.com Continued on page 8...

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Education News

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Education News ...Continued from page 6

New Head Teachers appointed at three NW London Schools St. Nicholas Preparatory School and Nursery in Kingsbury, North-West London invited Mr. E.M. Cooper to take on the headship of the school at the start of this academic year.

“Having held headship and other leadership roles in both small and large schools in the UK and overseas I can testify that no one school is ever the same; every school’s uniqueness stems from its history and the make-up of its community. St. Nicholas is characterised by its ‘family feel’ and its aspirations to be the best prep and nursery school in the area,” states Mr. Cooper.

"Founded in 1937, St. Nicholas School has developed over the years a number of traditions and practices that form part of the school’s ethos: a belief in hard work and determination, academia, and respect for others.

“Our aim is to develop in our young learners innovation and forward thinking, which in combination with the teaching of more traditional values, will inspire the confident, adaptable and ethical leaders our ever changing world needs," adds Mr. Cooper.

Visits are warmly welcomed; please contact the school to make arrangements 020 8205 7153.

Buxlow Preparatory School and Nursery in Wembley is a highly successful academic preparatory school and nursery for children from 2 to 11 years of age and is a member of ‘The Inspired Learning Group’ (ILG), a small but growing company of schools and nurseries in London.

The Head of Buxlow, Mrs Tina Leach, appointed in August 2015 hails from New Zealand and, for the past nine years, she has enjoyed living and working in London. Whilst Mrs Leach’s headship has been mostly in very large schools she is delighted with

the nature of the unique Buxlow setting. Mrs Leach says ‘It is the relationships at the heart of this school which underpins both the achievements of the girls and boys and the vitality of our school spirit. Present and past pupils, staff, parents, our Proprietor Mr A. Mehta, and the Inspired Learning Group Mr. Em Cooper Directors, are connected through the strands that make us "the Buxlow family". This affectionate name captures our spirit, our concern for each other and the pride we share in our school and in our achievements. It is the spirit of Buxlow that makes the tangible difference."

Mrs Leach invites all who may wish to experience the School in Action to call the School Office and make an appointment for a Private Tour.

020 89043 615 St Christopher’s Preparatory School in Wembley Park is delighted to have welcomed their new Head, Mr Paul Musetti, who took up post immediately after the recent half term. Mr Musetti has experience of teaching in both the state and independent sectors and he has also spent time teaching overseas. He studied history at Oxford University before qualifying as a teacher at the Institute of Education and also gained a Distinction in a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Buckingham University. His most recent post was as Deputy Head at Hendon Prep School.

Mr Musetti is passionate about the pursuit of academic standards and inspirational teaching and learning – all of which are core values at St Christopher’s. In particular, St Christopher's was rated by the 2013 ISI inspection team as excellent in both developing the attainment and learning of students and in its provision of pastoral care. Mr Musetti adds, “Our aim is to build on this excellence. Parents are invited to contact us on 0208 092 5069 to arrange a visit. Come and see the school in action!” www.inspiredlearninggroup.co.uk

The Bananagrams Challenge is back – and even bigger!

- UK primary school children aged 7-11 invited to ‘Go Wild With Words’ - Free-to-enter tournament aims to boost spelling in line with new Curriculum After a hugely successful first year, The Bananagrams Challenge is back and bigger than ever! Open to twice as many schools in 2016, The Challenge is a nationwide search for the UK’s Top Banana – the only official UK Bananagrams tournament for schools.

Aiming to attract 1000 competing schools, the free-to-enter Challenge will see around 30,000 children aged 7-11 years old (from school years 3, 4, 5 and 6) ‘Go Wild With Words’ as they play a series of Bananagrams games with classmates. Through a simple process of elimination, each school finds its champion, or ‘Best of the Bunch’ who then competes in a range of online word-based games – built around the Key Stage 2 spelling lists – for one of 12 places at the Grand Final in London, in April 2016. The eventual winner will be crowned Top Banana 2016 and will

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win £1000 for their school, while all finalists receive a Bananagrams Goodie Bag crammed full of fun.

As part of its mission to get children playing with words, Bananagrams has launched the Challenge to help boost vocabulary and spelling skills in classrooms and after-school clubs across the country. Each school to register receives a FREE Bananagrams Challenge Welcome Pack worth over £40 – this provides the teacher with everything they need to run their school’s Challenge, including two Bananagrams games.

For further information and to register your school before 30th Nov go to www.Bananagramschallenge.co.uk

NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015 9

Parenting

Creating Confident children

By Liat Hughes-Joshi

Confidence is just as important in life – if not more so - than a brace of A grades or endless extracurricular skills. It’s vital to emotional wellbeing and something most of us hope our children will develop.

But how can we instil this feeling in our children, particularly if it doesn’t come naturally to them?

Accept your child’s starting point Not all children – or adults - are confident by nature (wouldn’t life be boring if we were all the same?) and whilst we can encourage self-belief, transforming a shy or

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anxious child into a ‘life and soul of the party’ type, is probably an unrealistic aim.

Try to avoid making comments to your child such as how you wish they were more confident, or less shy because, in effect, you’re saying you don’t value them as they are - a real confidence crusher.

Accept your child’s personality and ‘starting point’; it might be different to yours, their sibling’s, friends’ or classmates’ and that’s absolutely fine.

Don’t force them into situations they aren’t comfortable with In most scenarios, one of the worst things you can do for a young child who’s unsure is to push them in at the deep end with something when they aren’t ready. They need to trust you when taking on new experiences and doing this damages that trust.

Parenting Take small steps to encourage confidence

Find their forte and allow it to flourish

Find opportunities to stretch just a bit beyond what your son or daughter is comfortable with at a time. So that could be going to their friend’s house with them initially, then you just staying for a little while at the start, then next time, they might be happy to go alone.

If your child doesn’t do so well in academic work, or the usual extra-curricular activities at school, this can make their self-esteem fragile. Seek opportunities for them to try other, more unusual activities out of school and highlight positive personality traits such as being especially kind or a good organiser.

Work out what their fear is Often a child will have niggling worries holding them back in a specific situation. So perhaps “If I put my hand up in class, I might get the answer wrong and the other children will laugh at me”. Pin down their concern – although preschool children might struggle to articulate their fear.

Address their concern and provide plenty of reassurance that they will be okay, that what others think doesn’t really matter and that you’re there for them.

Talk about similar situations you experienced as a child, when you were afraid of something, and how it worked out for you.

Keep praise special These days, there’s a tendency to be super-positive and heap on the ‘fabulous, you’re the best child ever!’ comments every other second – sometimes it feels like we should be praising our kids simply for breathing. But if you tell them everything they do is wonderful all the time, positivity loses power. Keep praise for when it’s truly warranted and focus on effort rather than just results. This way, when they do do something amazing, your comments will have more impact.

Step back sometimes and let them ‘have a go’ – land that helicopter!

Helicopter parenting – hovering over your child, stepping in to resolve the slightest issue or preventing them from failing – is a barrier to building confidence. Children need to find their own solutions, attempt things their way sometimes and take sensible risks. Sure, you can guide and advise but try not to jump in and take over too quickly.

Whether it’s allowing your three-year-old to choose her own outfit or your ten-year-old to walk to the post box alone, letting go is a crucial confidence builder.

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including 'New Old-fashioned Parenting' and 'How to Unplug Your Child' (both published by Summersdale) and ‘Raising Children: The Primary Years’ (Pearson).

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Parenting

Knowing the right portion size for your toddler just got easier!

Evidence-based Portion Sizes for children aged 1-4 years available to support healthy growth and development

W

ith growing evidence of the impact of increasing portion sizes on the amounts of food that adults and children consume, simple and practical advice on portion sizes could be key in curbing the obesity crisis. The Infant & Toddler Forum (ITF) has revamped its online resource to create a user-friendly, visual guide on how much food to offer young children. The guide is now accessible on all devices including mobile, tablet, and desktop computer.

The UK is facing a health crisis related to poor diet. Almost one in ten children starting school are obese, amounting to over 60,000 children in 2013-2014.

Visits Welcome

by Appointment

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Parenting One predictor of how much young children eat is how much is put on their plates. We also know that in the UK, adult portion sizes have increased dramatically within the last twenty years.

A toddler’s energy needs are significantly lower than that of an adult so they require smaller meals. There is often anxiety among parents about what and how much to feed their child. Practical advice that can help parents and carers offer young children appropriate amounts may help in our fight against childhood obesity.

Judy More, Paediatric Dietitian and Member of the ITF said: ““How much toddlers eat varies widely from day to day and meal to meal, so parents and carers shouldn’t worry if some days their toddler eats less than on other days. Our advice provides portion size ranges rather than specific amounts, to address the fluctuating appetites of growing children and helps to achieve the correct nutritional balance and calories needed for healthy growth and development. These ranges are easy to use and include the foods parents and carers usually offer toddlers. The portion sizes guide offers a combination of foods across the five food groups with advice on healthy limits for high-fat or high-sugar foods.”

The new online portion size guide can be found here: http://bit.ly/1MjR43A

The Infant & Toddler Forum brings together an independent, multi-disciplinary team of experts and practitioners from paediatrics, neonatology, health visiting, dietetics, child psychology, midwifery and obstetrics to share new ideas and to debate the latest thinking in infant and toddler nutrition. Best practice guidance on food and feeding for all young families is paramount for children's health and wellbeing now and in the future.

For ten years the Forum and its partners have strived to raise awareness and promote positive change in the field of toddler nutrition and feeding behaviour, with all guidance being in alignment with DH increased emphasis on early years intervention.

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Seasonal Celebrations

Getting Ready For the Holiday Season!

Whether you are getting ready for visitors, getting ready to go away, or getting ready to spend a peaceful time at home with your nearest and dearest, there is always plenty to do in the weeks running up the many seasonal celebrations this time of year! To help you keep on track, we’ve put together a simple CHECK LIST for you and some ideas for new traditions and helpful hints along the way!

Happy Holidays everyone!

6 weeks to go Write your gift list - don't forget to set yourself a budget early on too.

Write your card list - now is also a good time to check that you've got the right addresses. If not, start getting them.

Think about your Christmas tree theme including your table setting and decorations too - especially important if you're hosting the big day.

Organise care for your pet/s if you're going on holidays.

5 weeks to go Put together a food list - don't forget, if ordering platters, Christmas cakes etc, some supermarkets and shops require you to put your order in many weeks in advance.

Start shopping early - Think about shopping both instore and online. Don't forget about wrapping paper and gift tags.

Post any international cards / presents - after all, now is one of the busiest times for postal outlets, so you want to make sure your cards and presents will reach your loved ones in time.

4 weeks to go It's time to set up the Christmas tree - take a look at our guide to 'Decorating your Christmas Tree’ www.bit.ly/1LBBtZA for a picture perfect tree.

Book any hair or beauty appointments - it's the party season after all and you'll want to be looking your best!

Stock up on the non-perishable goods - now is the perfect time to buy chips, lollies, sauces, drinks and any other non-perishable goods for the big day.

3 weeks to go Post (airmail) cards and any presents headed to the continent or further afield (unless you were very organised and met the surface mail deadline at the end of September!) to ensure that they'll reach the destination in time. Get the kids

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involved with our 'printable Christmas Cards – www.bit.ly/1LBBCvZ ' Finalise Christmas decorations around the house - you might like to decorate outside too.

Start wrapping and continue to wrap presents as you buy them.

2 weeks to go Clean the house and get everyone to help you - don't forget about the fridge and oven.

Get a couple of 'emergency gifts' ready - it's great to have a few emergency gifts ready for those unexpected visitors. Great emergency gift ideas include chocolates, a bottle of wine or bath and beauty products.

1 week to go Charge cameras - make sure batteries are charged for those Kodak moments!

Put together your food preparation schedule - plan ahead and write down a food preparation schedule, along with the ingredients that you'll need.

Start shopping for food and pick-up any pre-orders - you'll probably want to leave fresh food and fruit until the day before to ensure that it's at its best! Don't forget about ice either.

Start baking - things that you can freeze can be baked ahead of time to save the rush at the end.

Make sure you've got fresh milk and cookies ready for Santa, plus carrots for the reindeer!

Get spare batteries for toys to avoid disappointment on the big day.

Finally, enjoy yourself! Be sure to relax and have a wonderful holiday with your nearest and dearest.

Seasonal Celebrations Get Gift Giving Organised>> Wisher App – take the guessing out of giving! www.wisher.com Rediscover the childlike excitement of making a Christmas list! Snap, scan, upload or browse for the things you wish for, whatever, whenever or wherever they are.

No more traipsing round the shops - wishes are geotagged, so Wisher lets you know when your friends' wishes are nearby Free, fun, and simple app available on iOS and Android (Oh, and don't worry - we haven't forgotten that everyone loves a surprise! Once someone's bought you a gift and ticked it off, others will see that they shouldn't buy it for you, but you won't see that.

Enjoy a new Christmas Story >> A Boy Called Christmas by international-bestseller Matt Haig is the true story of Father Christmas (RRP £12.99) Of course before everybody started calling him Santa Claus (the pixies started it, the mischievous things), Nikolas was just an ordinary boy. An ordinary boy living in the middle of nowhere, or the middle of Finland, doing nothing with magic except believing in it.

But life was going to change for Nikolas, in ways he could never have imagined. Good things.

Bad things. Impossible things…

Richly brought to life with enchanting illustrations by Chris Mould, A Boy Called Christmas recalls the pluck, warmth and wit of Danny the Champion of the World and the magical beauty of The Snowman.

Ready Your House for the Masses and Mess>> Extra guests at Christmas coupled with copious amounts of alcohol inevitably leads to a queue for the loo. But now you can have an extra WC for just £29.99 with this Toilet Tree Tent - new from British outdoor leisure manufacturer, OLPRO (www.olproshop.com), Standing 2 metres tall and made from polyester, this pop-up tent erects in minutes and features a fir tree design and with just a touch of creativity, it turns into a Christmas tree! It's so discrete no-one will ever know it conceals an extra loo. Alternatively, it can be used for storage to hide all that Christmas clutter.

Families NW London Magazine Distributed to over 30,000 local families.

01923 237 004

Capture the Memories>> In the twilight hours after the Christmas meal, ask your assembled family and guests to take five minutes to write in The Christmas Yearbook (www.2littleboys.co.uk RRP £24.99); from the excited youngster to your visiting relatives and elderly loved ones.

Year on year, watch your children's (and your own) aspirations for the forthcoming year change, check out momentous events from previous years and even look back on when your daughter finally beat you at chess. Beautifully packaged to withstand the years. It's put away each January 6 with the Christmas decorations and becomes a delightful rediscovery each year as the festivities begin. A simple yet perfect way to record your family's life for future generations.

Start a New Tradition>> The Elf on The Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is a magical story that explains how Santa’s scout elves help him manage his naughty or nice lists. Each illustrated, hardback book comes as part of a box set that also includes one of Santa’s scout elves, whose job is to watch during the day and report to Santa every night.

When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the scout elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day’s adventures. Each morning the scout elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the festive fun, creating a unique family moment. Children love to race around the house and see where their scout elf has landed. Launching in the UK from official scout elf adoption centres, including www.babyrepublic.co.uk., John Lewis and select specialty retailers RRP £27.95

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Gift IDEAS Support Local Charities!

From cards, to sponsorship, to straight forward donations (in the recipient’s name), supporting local, national and international charities can be a great choice – especially for that ‘difficult to buy for’ person on your list… the gift that gives twice!

One such example that we loved was Brain Tumour Research’s Limited Edition brooches – a perfect stocking filler! Celebrated Milliners, Rachel Trevor Morgan and Vivien Sheriff, are among those who have collaborated with the charity to produce these gorgeous brooches to help raise funds for Brain Tumour Research’s annual ‘Wear A Hat Day’. The brooches can be viewed on the charity’s website and the suggested donation is £10 per brooch. You need to be quick as only 500 of each design have been produced. Go to www.braintumourresearch.org or call 01296 733011.

Take to the sky!

A great toy for children and adults alike, we found this to be fun for the whole family and a great inspiration to get us running around in the fresh air!

Arcade (powered by Kit www.yourkit.co.uk) has introduced a new range of affordable drones. The Arcade Orbit NANO Drone is the smallest and most affordable in the range. The wind resistant six gyro stabilisers give maximum stability, so the lucky owner of this fun toy can practise flips, rolls, and tricks. The operational range is up to 80 metres, so you can fly it high in the sky! Perfect for big kids as well as small ones. RRP: £39.99 (Adult supervision recommended at the start).

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Looking for some inspiration for gifts for those special people in your life? We’ve had a look at some truly exciting things over the past few months and wanted to share with you some of our favourites!

A work of art that encourages imagination and hands on fun!

This book is truly beautiful and a wonderful gift for that storyteller in your family. Creative, visually stunning, and interactive. What more could you want in a gift?

The Sleeping Beauty Theatre by master paper-crafters Su Blackwell and Corina Fletcher. Ideal for children aged 6+, brings the tale of Sleeping Beauty to life in stunning three dimensional detail. The book's cover opens to reveal a beautifully designed pop-up stage, with moveable scenery, props and characters. A script is provided so that children can stage their very own production of Sleeping Beauty, however, the sheer variety of props and characters enclosed within this marvellous book ensure that it also encourages creative, non-prescriptive play. £19.95 www.ThamesandHudson.com

Make your Child the Star of their very own Personalised Story Book It would seem you can personalise most anything these days, and what child wouldn’t want a story where they feature at the main character!

Labels4Kids.com provides story books with Disney Frozen Fever, Disney Princesses and many more. Personalise them with your child’s name and perhaps those of their best friends or cousins and let them be part of an epic story! These adventure books are custom made and take up to 2-3 weeks for delivery so get planning! £11.99 www.labels4kids.com/fam2

Video games – on and off screen!

If interactive video games are your child’s passion this season, there are some exciting new choices!

A firm favourite with our team is the new LEGO Dimensions games launched a few weeks back. The thought and detail put into every element of every stage is truly amazing, making progress easy enough for the younger players, while providing unending challenges across the 14 universes for those truly skilled gamers in your life. Our young testers could go on about it for hours, but take our word for it; you won’t hear ‘I’m bored’ after this one is opened for a LONG time! We found it on Amazon starting from £69 for the WiiU starter pack but prices may vary.

Developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, LEGO Dimensions is now available for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Nintendo’s Wii U™ system www.lego.com/en-gb/dimensions Skylanders® fans can bring their online enjoyment offline and enjoy one of two new Skylanders® boardgames from Tactic Games.

Using a Pop-O-Matic die, pilot your pawns around the board in the exciting chasinggame of skill and luck, Skylanders® Kimble (SSP £15.99). Suitable for ages 5+, or for the older fan, work together with your friends to collect as many dice as you can for the battle against evil Kaos in Skylanders® Action Game (SSP £29.99). Suitable for ages 8+, the Action Game features a large, impressive game board, versatile and interesting mini-challenges, plus a co-op element for winning teamwork.

Copyright: © 2015 Activision Publishing, Inc.SKYLANDERS is a trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc.;

Gift your time - Share a day out!

Wrap up a copy of Explore! A Kid's Guide to IWM London then make a date to take your young adventurer on a journey of discovery at the Imperial War Museum! Explore! A Kid’s Guide to IWM London helps children discover some of the museum’s most fascinating objects through a series of Fun Facts, drawing activities and discussion starters. Kids can discover everything from Tirpitz the pig who survived the

sinking of a German warship, to an intricate model house of the family home of John Allpress who was only 10 years old when the Second World War began. For adults, the guidebook also offers tips to help families start talking about the difficult subject of war, either during the visit or by finding an opportunity to discuss later at home. Content is particularly suitable for 7-11 year olds, but a wide age range will enjoy many of the activities. £4.00 www.iwmshop.org.uk

Give the gift of Music!

Who doesn’t like a bit of nostalgia? Dust off those old LP’s in the loft and share your love of music, how YOU listened to it with a modern-come-retro record player!.

Through all the wonders of modern technology, Crosley have crafted the Revolution Turntable - the first ever battery powered turntable that can easily be taken with you wherever you go. Designed to be highly portable as well as stylish, the Crosley Revolution Turntable has two speeds, and has a USB input for simple transfer of files. Available to buy from Amazon UK RRP £69.99

Give something to DO, or try something NEW! More and more, people are opting for ‘experience’ gifts rather than tangible goods as the ‘memorable ‘gift this season. From ‘keeper for a day’ at a local zoo, to car racing (check out Mercedes Benz World – www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk – children under 17yrs can go on a driving experience as long as they are 1.5m tall), there are plenty of things to choose from!

One idea we particularly liked was to feed a passion or introduce a new experience by giving that special someone a place at a local club or class as suggested by Jigsaw Performing Arts School. Jigsaw provides Performing Arts classes for 3-18 year olds – a great way to build confidence, learn new skills and make lots of new friends. And they are offering our lovely readers a special promotion to boot - If you book a place and pay in full before Christmas then you will also be given a free T-Shirt (Worth £10) that you can wrap up along with the voucher. {Call 020 8447 4530 and quote “FAMILIES GIFT” to book a place at your nearest Jigsaw School}. www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk No matter your budget, no matter the occasion, we hope you find that special something for your special someone to make this gift-giving season one to remember!

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Competitions WIN a Family* Ticket to THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA at the Lyric Theatre!

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!

The tea-guzzling Tiger pounces back into the West End in this truly magical Olivier Award nominated production of THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA, opening at the Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue on WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2015 and running throughout Christmas to SUNDAY 10 JANUARY 2016.

Adapted and directed by DAVID WOOD OBE, Judith Kerr’s ferociously popular tale, THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA is a grrreat musical play and if you’ve never had a Tiger arrive for tea before, then this loveable production is the perfect way to show the whole family how to behave the next time one rings the doorbell.

LYRIC THEATRE, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE - BOOK NOW 0330 333 4812

Watch the trailer at: www.thetigerwhocametotealive.com - www.nimaxtheatres.com To celebrate The Tiger’s return, Families magazine has one family ticket (admits 4) to give away. To win just answer the following question – WHAT DOES THE TIGER DRINK ALL OF FROM THE TAP? To enter visit www.FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk/Competitions and click on the link. Competition closes midnight 20th November 2015!

T&C – Prize is *4 tickets to see a selected performance of The Tiger Who Came to Tea at the Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue between 25 November- 20 December only. Tickets are non-transferable and hold no cash value.

Jigsaw Performing Arts celebrates its 20th anniversary with a Scholarship competition!

To celebrate, they are offering a FREE scholarship place at each of their Watford and Harrow schools for the Spring term 2016! Classes take place on Saturday mornings for students aged between 3 – 18 years that wish to learn new skills, build their confidence and make lots of new friends.

The one term scholarship will run from Saturday 16th January until Saturday 20th March. Each scholarship place is worth £150 for 3-6 years and £280 for 7-18 years.

To be entered into their prize draw please email your name, address, telephone number and your child’s name and age to admin@jigsaw-arts.co.uk. Please quote FAMILIES North West SCHOLARSHIP in the subject box.

Competition closes midnight 14th December 2015!

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NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015

Win a Family* Day out at Willows This Season!

Robert Workman

READY TEDDY GO…

Get ‘teddy’ to enter our competition to win a family day out at Willows Activity Farm’s Santa Spectacular event!

This year, children visiting Willows between the 25th November and 24th December will be able to create a teddy of their ‘bear-y’ own to take home.

A ‘bear-y’ merry festive outing is guaranteed: families can visit the spectacular Grotto to meet Santa himself, who gives every child a golden key to his Toy Shop. Boys and girls can choose any toy of their choice from the packed shelves to take home!

After meeting Santa and making their bear, families should ‘paws’ to enjoy the Festive Wood Ride and see real life reindeer.

Make sure you have time to skate on the synthetic ice rink, enjoy the Nativity story with farmyard animals and a fun reindeer hunt to complete for your free box of magic reindeer dust.

For you chance to win a family day pass (*admits four) to Willows visit www.FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk/Competitions and click on the link.

Competition closes midnight 30th November 2015!

Midi-Me spreads her wings and flies away

T

here comes a day in every child’s life where they have to spread their wings and fly away. University, joining the French Foreign Legion, whatever – all is possible when you reach the right age. This year, Midi-Me did just that. No, this was not some Dougie Howser moment where she was admitted to UCL at thirteen years old to study medicine. I mean she actually flew away from me to another country.

On an aeroplane. Alone.

After we got divorced, Midi-Me’s dad moved to Vancouver and didn’t visit for lots of years. When he did start returning a couple of years ago, it was just for one short visit per year of one or two weeks, because he now had a life and wife in Canada.

Midi-Me and I actually managed very, extremely well as a two-member family (as regular readers over the past 9 years will know!) and her dad kept in touch regularly via birthday cards, phone, skype and latterly face time. Naturally however, despite all that, the separation has been quite the emotional trial for her (and therefore me).

Last year, having somehow miraculously ended up with my own fiancé, we planned a trip that involved taking Midi-Me to Vancouver to see her extended paternals. We had dinner with her Dad and Stepmum in a lovely Thai restaurant (where we bizarrely met a waiter from Hatch End!) before going off and doing our own thing for two weeks, and then returned to pick her up and bring her back to London.

In the springtime of this year, Midi-Me’s dad came to visit and whisked her off to Centre Parcs and they had a jolly old weekend together, riding on segways and eating steak for breakfast. Of course, no matter how long the visit was, it couldn’t possibly be long enough. By the summer, she wanted and needed more but I wasn’t able to play FEDEX mum, with a thirteen-year old human package. And as much as I wanted to ease her emotional inquietude, there was NO WAY I was going to send her on an aeroplane by herself.

It was my grown-up nephew who explained to me that it was the uncertainty that was the worst thing for a kid. Not just the “will I see my absent parent ever again” but “when?” And that’s when I realized that my being too scared to let her get on a plane alone was really doing her no favours at all. I knew she was perfectly sensible and trustworthy. I knew that BA take very good care of their charges. And I knew at that moment that although my preventing her from flying solo was me being a good, protective mum, actually it was not in her ultimate interest. For thirteen years I had made zillions of splitsecond single-parent decisions. This constant mental, emotional and physical cost/ benefit analysis had been honed over the years resulting in an automatic cognitive algorithm which I relied upon to help me with daily conundrums. From, at three years old: should I let her partake of fruit shoot (OCCASIONALLY but only in order not to be the odd one out at

parties – never of own volition). To: should I watch this 15 Will Ferrel film Stepbrothers with her (ABSOLUTELY NOT …but we did anyway last week). Alighting on: should I let my baby scramble alone onto a large piece of metal thousands of feet in the air, flying over sea and land at great speeds with nothing except incomprehensible science holding it up?

The automatic cognitive algorithm was right about the Will Ferrel film but wrong about the aeroplane. So I explained to her that this was not a holiday but that she was going to stay at her other home for around three weeks. This pre-empted the boredom I knew she would feel from sitting in her dad’s furniture shop with him for days on end. But hey, she’s been bored with me, it was important to experience boredom with her dad too. She always wanted to know what my childhood was like and now she would gain insight, because I spent much of it being bored to death in my dad’s shop too.

I haven’t completely lost faith in my automatic cognitive algorithm. I will need it when Midi-Me decides wants to join the Foreign Legion.

More on flying solo at mynotesfromtheedge.blogspot.com and facebook.com/angelinamelwani and twitter @appleina.

NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015 19

Local Clubs and Classes Directory CLASSES FOR GROWN-UPS Adult Art Classes in Stanmore (HA7) Drawing, painting and mixed media art classes for adults. Weekday morning studio sessions in a relaxed, supportive environment.

020 8954 2897 or 07500 006 099 myartclub@yahoo.co.uk Eggless Cake Delights (HA) offer eggless baking, cake decorating and dessert classes for kids & adults in Harrow.

Classes are held in small groups in hands on and Demo format, during weekdays, weekends and during term holidays in a friendly environment.

07737 847405 or info@egglesscakedelights.com. www.egglesscakedelights.com The Veggie Kitchen (HA7) Pure vegetarian cookery courses in Stanmore. Specialising in Indian cuisines, as well as Thai, Chinese and many more, students will learn to cook nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals in a friendly and homely environment. Offer group and one-to-one hands on courses.

0208 204 1906 www.veggiekitchen.co.uk Yogabellies Aquabellies (various) Beautiful water based yoga classes for women throughout their lives. The sessions incorporate traditional yoga asanas (postures) adapted for water, water relaxations and positive life building experiences for women, mothers and mothers to be. There is AquaBellies Aquanatal yoga for pregnancy, AquaMamas, post natal and AquaBelles aqua yoga classes suitable for all women..

07840 904887 anjli@yogabellies.co.uk www.yogabellies.co.uk/members/anjli First Aid MCS Training (HA1, HA5) Paediatric First Aid Course. Accepted for full and voluntary Ofsted Registration. Certificate valid for 3 yrs. Margaret 07814 191 395 mcstraining@hotmail.co.uk

LANGUAGES AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT Baby Lab (WC1E) Have fun for free with your baby making discoveries about brain development at the Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development. Birkbeck College, Malet St, London. Travel expenses refunded.

020 7631 6258 www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk Gujarati Masti Maja classes by Sansaar (HA5) Fun and interactive Gujarati music, song and dance classes for 3 to 6 year olds in North London, to help your child speak Gujarati confidently.

Saturday morning at 9am and 10am at St Lawrence Church in Eastcote, Pinner. www.sansaar.org Portuguese for Children (NW6) Every Saturday, from 10am to 12pm, the International Gospel Church on Belsize Road will be open for children from 4 to 12 years of Brazilian-English parents to enrol. Lessons will include how to read and write and Brazilian culture, including music. Lessons run from September and February 2016 and are free. contact@igclondon.org.uk Sign Language Sing and Sign (Various) Fun classes combining the benefits of baby signing with music to develop language, memory and attention skills. Babies 6-30 months. Bushey, Rickmansworth, Stanmore and Harrow: www.singandsign.com TinyTalk (Ruislip, Ickenham & Rickmansworth) Baby Signing and Toddler Talking, Newborn to 4 years old. One hour classes of signing and singing with instruments and sensory equipment which is based on a theme each week, as well as time for socialising, while babies learn to develop their social skills and play with toys. Classes term time only - Tesco Community Room in Watford on a Monday, St Giles Hall in Ickenham on Thursdays and Methodist church in Ruislip on Fridays. 07879 604967 or 01895 313150 www.tinytalk.co.uk/ruislip

Rumble Tumble Harrow (HA1) Harrowʼs only indoor supervised soft play childrenʼs play group. Why not take advantage of the Drop & Shop facility and have a stress free shop, or book a special event in the Party Room available for all occasions.

You can even relax and have a snack in the restaurant while your little ones are playing.

0208 427 8847 info@rumble-tumble.com www.rumble-tumble.com The Windmill Studio Centre (HA4) An exciting activity centre that has just about everything to offer for all ages from babies to adults. 01895 624755 www.thewindmillstudio.com

MUSIC & MOVEMENT Beat Building (HA1&HA2) Run inspiring and creative music classes for children using African drums and funky hand held percussion from around the world - lots of great songs and games get the imagination glowing and introduce the concepts of beats and rhythmic patterns and also encourage sharing, taking turns and listening. As well as being a great approach to learning about music and rhythm, beat Building is also brilliant for: enhancing coordination; fine and gross motor skills; focus and concentration; language and social skills; building confidence.

Beat Building is also lots of FUN and a great way to release energy in a positive way! 07721 623 171 info@beatbuilding.co.uk www.beatbuilding.co.uk Little Notes (HA1) Music Teachersʼ Awards for Excellence Finalist 2014. Pre-school music classes run exclusively by professional musicians. Real music, real instruments, really fun! Classes for children from 0 to 5 years in Harrow & Northwood. Please see website for more details and to book a Free Taster Session. 020 8426 4114 sarahlittlenotes@gmail.com www.littlenotes.org Mini Maniacs (Various) Multi award nominated classes that are filled with music, dance and exploration – plus plenty of excitement. Focusing on a range of engaging activities, the classes take you up tempo then down tempo, leaving parent and child feeling like theyʼve been on a tummy tickling roller coaster! Contact hilda@mini-maniacs.com or visit www.mini-maniacs.com Monkey Music (Various) Award-winning Monkey Music introduces babies and young children to music in a way they understand and enjoy - and is brilliant fun for children and adults too! The unique four-stage curriculum ensures that classes are a “good fit” for pre-schoolers. Voted as “Best National Toddler Development Activity” and “Best National Pre-school Development Activity.” Age guides are as follows: RockʼnʼRoll from 3m, Heigh Ho from 1yr, Jiggety Jig from 2rs, Ding Dong 3- 5yrs. Classes are open 6 days a week, at venues in Hillingdon, Eastcote, Northwood and Harrow.

01895 674587 www.monkeymusic.com

SPORTS AND EXERCISE Capoeira Academy UK (HA) Classes in Stanmore providing outstanding and fun classes for children aged 4+years. A unique blend of martial arts, dance, acrobatics and music; capoeira develops skills for life with inspiring and nurturing teachers. 07841 342874 capoeiracademyuk@gmail.com www.capoeiracademyuk.com Enjoy-a-Ball classes (Various) Sports coaching for 3-9 yr olds in a fun, positive and non-competitive environment. Ten ball sports for the perfect introduction to sport. Physi-ball classes Ball skills and core skills for toddlers aged 18mths to 3 yrs.

Classes run in Mill HIll, Finchley, Golders Green and Muswell Hill. Call 08452 26 26 94 to book a trial session. Enjoy-a-Ball parties are for super-active 3 - 9 year olds. They are full of high energy games loved by boys and girls alike!

08452 26 26 94 www.enjoy-a-ball.com northlondon@enjoy-a-ball.com

Gambado Watford (WD25) Giant play-frame, dodgems, climbing wall, and parties. 01923 892140 www.gambado.com

Field End Flyers Saturday Morning Community Cycle Club (HA5) Every Saturday in Term Time at Field End Road for all children aged 5 – 11 years. Join the friendly team of British Cycling Coaches at 9.45am, and learn fun skills, race on the amazing fully enclosed Cycle Track, make new friends (for both children and parents) and enjoy a whole morning of fun till 12.30 - (refreshment break half way through). All you need is your own bike, helmet, gloves and water bottle and a shower proof jacket. For further info contact Tracey at fieldendflyers@gmail.com

JAMtots (HA4) An Interactive daytime activity centre for parents with babies and toddlers. All pay as you go with a variety of sessions that include Parent & Toddler Groups, Musical Tots, Gym Tots and one off events plus special visits from Jimmy the JAMtots Bear. 01895 624755 thewindmillstudio.com

Little Kickers (Various) Enabling children aged 18mths up to their 7th birthday to develop their coordination, balance and agility through football activity classes Mill Hill, Swiss Cottage, Hampstead, Golders Green, Muswell Hill, Friern Barnet 020 8201 1084 jlevene@littlekickers.co.uk. Ruislip, Northwood/Oxhey, Pinner, Harrow (HA2), Harrow on the Hill

ACTIVITY CENTRES Aspire National Training Centre, Kidz Zone activities (HA7) Wide range of activities available from 6mths to 12yrs.

Wood Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4AP 020 8954 5759 kidzzone@aspire.org.uk.

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NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015

and Watford 0208 123 9346 jodiesloan@littlekickers.co.uk or Harrow (HA3) Bushey and North Wembley 0208 422 0676 niro@littlekickers.co.uk www.littlekickers.co.uk Modern Combat Martial Arts - MCMA (HA1/HA5/UB5) Childrenʼs Mixed Martial Arts & Self Defence from 5yrs - 14yrs old.

Ladies Only Boxing & Kick Boxing from 15yrs old. Mixed Adult Classes from 16yrs. www.fightingcombatfitness.co.uk www.moderncombatmartialarts.com 07818 416 671 NJ Taekwondo Academy (UB5, HA1) Olympic/WRF style Taekwondo with a BTCB and WTF affiliated club.

Classes in Northolt and Harrow. 0208 795 5249 or 0742 810 5017 www.njtkd.co.uk.

Rugbytots - the UKʼs first rugby based play programme for 2-7 year olds. Focusing on developing your childʼs motor skills and confidence with fun-filled programmes aimed at improving general ball skills, balance, agility and coordination. Currently classes in Watford, Rickmansworth, Bushey and Stanmore.

For more information contact remi@rugbytots.co.uk SportsKids Academy (WD3 & HA3) Multi-sports Activities for children. All students are taught in small groups of similar age and ability. Mini academy ages 4-6 years (an hour and a half) Main Academy 6-16 years (3 hours). (Previously known as SportsCoach.) Held at JFS The Mall Kenton and Rickmansworth Masonic School Rickmansworth 01923 255099 sportskids@outlook.com www.sportskidsacademy.co.uk White Crane Karate School (HA8) Karate classes for ages 4 years and above held in Edgware, East Finchley, Finchley Central , Stanmore and Harrow Weald. Adult classes in Barnet.

Sheena 0787 550 1674 whitecraneedgware34@hotmail.co.uk www.karatewhitecrane.co.uk Massage & Yoga Positiv-Life Fitness (various) Specialise in Small group Personal training Pregnancy Pilates, Mum & Baby Yoga & Postnatal Pilates & Baby Massage, for those in & near Eastcote Ruislip, Pinner, Northwood & Uxbridge. info@positivlifefitness.com 07974 062 973 www.positivlifefitness.com www.facebook.com/positivlifefitness Twitter @PositivLifeFit YogaBugs (various) A magical, fun and interactive story-style adventures for children where they learn yoga techniques.

Yoga improves flexibility, posture and concentration and also helps in relaxation. These fun and engaging classes are designed for children from walking to 12 years of age.

08458 997168. deepti@yogabugs.com www.yogabugs.com YogaBellies (HA) YogaBelliesKidz are a fantastical yoga journey for babies and children up to 16 years old. COMING SOON YogaBellies Mum and Baby yoga: Monday mornings NEW: YogaBellies Little Angels pre-school yoga (18 months to 4 years): Saturday mornings, Bushey NEW: YogaBelliesKidz family yoga (children 4-12 years): Sunday mornings, Bushey NEW: YogaBelles Mum and Daughter (13-16 years): Saturday, Bushey anjli@yogabellies.co.uk; www.yogabellies.co.uk/members/anjli Swimmimg Aqua Style (WD23/HA6) teaches children, babies and adults to swim without aids in small groups, or One to One. Good facilities and plenty of parking. They run Intensive ʻFast Trackʼ Courses during School Holidays and weekly ʻTerm Timeʼ courses. 07925 954144 www.aquaswim.org Aqua Vie (WD23, WD5) Small classes based on the Alexander Technique. Babies from 6 weeks. 07525 657 987 office@aqua-vie.com www.aqua-vie.com Aweswim (various) Aweswim offers courses for people of all ages and abilities, ranging from parent and baby groups through to adults. 01923 537070 www.aweswim.co.uk Push & Glide Swimming School (WD18, WD23, HA6) Push & Glide Swimming School provide extremely high standards of swimming instruction, they pride themselves on their friendly, dynamic teaching environment. They provide fully qualified instructors who are committed to maintaining and improving an excellent quality of teaching along with low ratio swimming lessons in a safe environment for children aged 3.5 years plus. All abilities are catered for, from gaining water confidence through to competition training, following the ASA progressive scheme awards.. 07749 554405 www.pushandglide.co.uk

Local Clubs and Classes Directory Splashtime Swim School (various) Swimming lessons, Holiday clubs and After school club held at Quainton Hall School.

Swimming lessons also held at Merchant Taylors School and Uxendon Manor Primary School. Splashtime Swim School 079031 26486 Childrenʼs Activities 07794 078452

THEATRE AND PERFORMING ARTS Beverley School of Performing Arts (HA8) After school & Saturday classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Street, Singing & Drama for boys and girls aged 3-18years. ISTD and LAMDA examinations to advanced level.

07974 750 224 www.beverleydance.co.uk.

JAM2000 Performing Arts & Agency (HA4) Truly like no other, with classes available from 2.5 years – adults, male and female plus an incredibly busy agency that is always looking for new recruits! 01895 624755 www.jam2000.co.uk Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools (Various) run weekend dance, drama and singing classes for children aged 3 - 18 years.

Children are divided into age appropriate groups and work towards shows and presentations. Jigsaw focuses on having fun and building confidence through engaging performing arts activities. Two week trial available.

020 8447 4530 www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk Perform Drama (Various) Together with a team of experienced theatre professionals, the children will combine live original music, inspirational dance and quick witted improvisation and colourful costumes into a performance at the end of the term.

Perform sessions are specially designed to encourage creativity, confidence and communication skills as well as being a kaleidoscope of fun!

0845 400 1275 www.perform.org.uk Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts (HA1, HA4, HA7, WD3) Performance based theatre school with venues based in Harrow, Rickmansworth, Ruislip and Stanmore where children aged 3-21 attend weekly classes in preparation for full scale Musical Theatre productions. 01923 437693 www.SharpeAcademy.co.uk Stagecoach (Various) Training in three disciplines or drama, dance and singing. Great for building confidence, making new friends and beginning to hone talent and enthusiasm for performing, or being coaxed out of their shell by having fun!

Harrow 020 3504 0100 Harrow on the Hill & Sudbury Hill 01923 248 294 Stanmore & Harrow Weald 020 3504 2154 Watford 01727 768 738, Queenʼs Park 020 7723 5861 Northwood 01442 263 599 www.stagecoach.co.uk Wordworks Studio (HA5) Individual and group classes in Speech, Drama and Communication Skills for children aged 3-18yrs. wordworksstudio@ymail.com Dance Futunity UK Academy of Sport and Dance (UB8) Purpose built facility in Uxbridge City Centre. Futunity UK offer classes for children ages 2 all the way through to adults. Hip Hop, Street Dance, Gymnastics, Free Running, Breakdancing, Ballet (RAD), Tap (ISTD), Contemporary, Cheerleading, Pole Fitness, and Childrenʼs Parties. Classes range from beginners to advanced/competitive levels. Futunity UK also have three fully equipped studios available for hire, at very competitive rates. Futunity UK also supply dance (all genres) and gymnastics teachers into schools to run after/before school extra curricular sessions, and PE and PPA cover lessons.

01895 251224 admin@futunityuk.com www.futunityuk.com Karan’s Bollywood Masterclass (Various) Exciting, Energetic and popular dance classes that teach a fusion of Bollywood, Bhangra, Hip-Hop and Kathak. Open to Toddlers, Children & Adults, you will learn from professional teachers and all dance levels welcome. 020 8423 9543 or 07944 457 984 www.kspark.co.uk Lorna Clark School of Dance (Various) Established for over 40 years, training students from 3-18 yrs - Ballet, Tap, Modern, Classical Greek and National. Royal Academy of Dance Examinations are taken in Ballet from Primary to Advanced Level and ISTD exams in all other Genre to the same standard. All classes held in South Harrow/Eastcote.

Book a free No Obligation Lesson with this advert.

0208 8662105 or 01923 285380. www.lornaclarkschoolofdance.co.uk The Van Niekerk Academy of Dance (HA7) Ballet classes to develop poise, technique and expression through dance, for boys and girls aged 3-16 years with Royal Academy of Dance examinations 020 8950 2457 www.vanniekerkacademyofdance.co.uk

ARTS AND CRAFTS Art Classes for Kids (and Adults) in Stanmore (HA7) Drawing, painting and mixed media art classes for children and adults.

On-going, small groups Monday–Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings in Term Time for children from Year 1 up.

Weekday morning studio sessions for adults in a relaxed, supportive environment.

020 8954 2897 or 07500 006 099 myartclub@yahoo.co.uk Art and Craft Club (HA5) Term time, Mon 4.30-5.30, Sat 1011am or 11-12pm at Harrow Arts Centre. New activities introduced every term; drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, sewing, fabric printing and much more! For 5-11yr olds.

Materials provided. Qualified teachers. 07946 055 422 info@mysistersandme.co.uk Messmakers! (HA5) A gentle and fun introduction to creative arts for the very young and their families, with lots and lots of mess and none of the tidying up! Exploring different materials and textures each week. Ages under 5, come dressed for mess! 0208 416 8989 www.harrowarts.com/family Mini Picassos (NW10) Offer exciting after school art courses for children aged 4-13 years. Toddler Picassos - weekdays at 10am & Tues 2.45-3.45pm: Painting, water play, collage, play dough and songs. Ages 15 mnths–3 years. Adults evening Life drawing classes. Get creative with a Mini Picassos Arty Birthday Party for children aged 2-10 years and Summer Holiday workshops too! 07903 638 817 www.minipicassos.co.uk info@minipicassos.co.uk The Veggie Kitchen (HA7) offers pure vegetarian cookery courses in Stanmore. Specialising in Indian cuisines, as well as Thai, Chinese and many more, students will learn to cook nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals in a friendly and homely environment. Offer group and one-to-one hands on courses. 0208 204 1906 www.veggiekitchen.co.uk

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB / EDUCATION SUPPORT Brownies and Guides (Various) Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Units exist across the area which provide fun activities for girls aged from 5 onwards. www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested or Peggy Brand on 020 8205 7597 to find out more Click IT! Computer lessons for Children (HA2) Fun, exciting and educational weekly computer lessons for children aged 25. Classes held at nursery schools all over North West London. Have fun learning with technology: mouse and keyboard skills and devices including graphic tablets, trackpads and digital microscopes. Every lesson is designed to complement the EYFS curriculum. Free trials available.

020 8434 7111 www.clickit-kids.co.uk wendy@clickit-kids.co.uk Elisa’s Tutorial School (HA8) Experienced private tutor in Edgware. Programmes for children from 2.5-16 yrs. If your child needs a little extra help, in English maths verbal and non-verbal 4+ 7+ and 11+ preparing for entrance exams or you just want to give them every advantage, Elisa can help.

99% success rate. 020 8958 1192 or 07956 868119 www.childrensstories.net Excel Academy Tuition Centre (HA3) Run special GCSE/IGCSE exam preparation classes and ensure A/A* in the exams.

Teaching is by well qualified, experienced and professional staff, who carry out regular assessments with one-to-one sessions.

020 3602 9407 or 07850 477563 info@excelacademy.org.uk www.excelacademy.org.uk Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Visit their website to find your nearest centre or call to book a free trial class! www.explorelearning.co.uk.

First Class Learning (Various) Structured yet flexible programme, designed for children studying the UK National Curriculum.

Tailored to a childʼs learning needs & style. Find out more about this structured approach to learning, by contacting one of your local Centre managers. www.firstclasslearning.co.uk Fleet Tutors (Various) Private home tutoring for Maths and English; 37 yearsʼ experience. 020 8580 3911 www.fleet-tutors.co.uk Hatch End 11+ (various) Provide courses to fully prepare children for the 11+ and Independent School Examinations for Yr 4 and Yr 5 students. . Lessons are carefully constructed to fully meet the requirements for the exams.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths, Mental Arithmetic, Creative Writing, Grammar and Comprehension. Small class sizes mean the studentsʼ progress is closely monitored and an open dialogue between teacher, parent and pupil gives each student the best chance for achieving their potential. www.hatchend11plus.co.uk Holidaytime After school club is part of Activetime Childrenʼs Activities limited (HA1) Pickʼs up from four local schoolʼs at the end of the school day, then take the children back to the club for a snack and the daily activity. They are open Monday- Friday 3pm-6pm Nicole 07794078452 holidays@activetime.co.uk www.activetime.co.uk Integratedbrain - Improve Co-ordination for learning! (UB5) Activities to help those with poor co-ordination, dyspraxia, dyslexia or fine motor difficulties. Small groups of 4/5 children working to develop better all-round motor integration.

Usha Patel 07766 837 616 ushapatel.raviv@gmail.com www.integratedbrain.co.uk Jaderberg Krais Educational Consultancy and Tutoring (various) Tutoring, Assessments, Consultancy for children 5-18yrs.

7+, 11+, GCSE, A Levels, SEN, EFL. 020 3488 0754 www.jaderbergkrais.co.uk Knowledge Above Standard (HA7) Maths, English, Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, 7+, 11+ 13+ exam preparation.

07985 588 085 www.knowledgeabovestandard.co.uk Leaders are Readers (HA5 & N21) Leaders are Readers offer specialist experience and accelerated learning in their award winning Saturday School, and also run popular Summer and Winter Schools during holidays. 2 hours spent per subject, including English, Maths, Learning to Read and Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. All programmes are for ages 3.5 to 11 and the success rate is 90% for helping pupils prepare to sit entrance exams, including 4+, 5+, 7+ and 11+. Childcare vouchers accepted. 01992 651 300 www.leadersarereaders.co.uk Little Big Leaders Ltd (HA7) Supplementary School for students aged three and a half to 11 years undertaking Reading, Maths and English. 020 8213 3100 or 07949 925374 www.LittleBigLeaders.com; Magikats (HA1) Innovative programmes, written to support the National Curriculum from ages 3 – 16, Sat at Gayton Library, Harrow. Individual programmes and support for individual children, promotes confidence, skills and a love of learning.

02084 275663 www.magikats.com Math’scool Award-winning Maths Tuition plus out-of-lesson homework support. 0844 840 8400 www.mathscool.com The Northwood Speech and Language Therapy Practice (HA6) An independent service covering a range of childrenʼs communication difficulties. 01923 824 074 www.northwoodpractice.co.uk Number Works ‘n’ Words (Eastcote) After school Maths and English tuition classes which target identified needs to improve achievement levels. They set goals for your child, monitor progress and provide regular progress reports. Cater for all levels from Reception to Year 11. www.numberworksnwords.co.uk The Play Shelter After School Club at Malorees Infant & Junior Schools (NW6) - 3.30pm to 6pm term time. Play Schemes available October 2015. 0207 407 6744 for more information. admin@theplayshelter.co.uk www.theplayshelter.co.uk Raviv Practice London (UB5) Catch up reading course for children on the SEN register. Reading courses are flexible with home based learning (via computer) monitored daily.

Usha Patel on 07766 837 616 info@ravivpracticelondon.co.uk (registered therapist) School of Academic and Behavioural Interventions (ABI) (various) support children with autism and related conditions on behaviour and academic management strategies. We work with children from the age of 2-19yrs. For more information Tawa on 07985 290 316 www.schoolofabi.com Stanmore Tutor Stanmore Tutor prepares students thoroughly for the top selective schools ensuring that they reach their maximum potential for that all important place. 020 3538 2437 Susan Daughtrey Education (SDE) SW Herts courses are based on more than 25 years experience preparing students for 11+ tests. All courses have been personally written by Susan Daughtrey M.Ed, author of the market leading verbal reasoning Technique and Practice series. Every year since 1987, over 90 per cent. of the students on the courses have achieved success. 020 7683 0734 www.sdeuk.org/swherts

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Winter Wonderland

Where’s Santa?

Father Christmas is once again using some of his Christmas magic to make himself available for visits with your good girls and boys at a number of events and venues throughout the upcoming holiday season!

And don’t worry, if a personal visit isn’t your thing, you can still get a special request off to him via the NSPCC website and, with a small donation, receive a lovely letter back from the big man himself! www.nspcc.org.uk/santa HA postcodes Harrow Masonic Centre (HA3) Head along to Winter Wonderland and join in the fun on Sat 28th & Sun 30th Nov . Lots of exciting activities from a special ice rink, a funfair, Santa's grotto, food stalls and other seasonal stalls. On Sat 28th Nov & Sun 30th Nov. www.mgff.co.uk Pinner High Street (HA) Thu 26th Nov sees Pinner Pantomime Evening with fireworks. Santa will be in his Grotto, as well as Music and Dance, face painting, children's rides, charity stalls and much more. www.pinnerlocal.co.uk Squires Garden Centre Stanmore (HA7) Go and meet Santa in his free grotto every Saturday and Sunday, between the 28th Nov – 20th Dec! The Grotto will be open between 10.30am-4pm every Saturday and 10.30am- 3.30pm every Sunday! Children may visit the grotto free of charge and receive a present. Santa will not be in his grotto between 1-2pm, as he is feeding his reindeer. There will be an optional donation which will go to the centre’s local charity. www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk St Anselm's Parish Church (HA5) Head over to visit Father Christmas on Sat 28th Nov. Pick up a bargain from one of the bring & buy stalls, win a prize or two on the tombola and raffle, as well as Crafts, Cakes, Music, Toys, Refreshments and more. 11am-2pm. www.stanselmshatchend.blogspot.com St Martin's Church Martinmas Fayre (HA4) Go along to the wonderful Martinmas Fayre at St Martins Church Ruislip on Sat 14th Nov, where there will be Santa's grotto, Cakes, Gift stalls, Games, Cafe, Music, Face Painting and much much more. www.stmartins-ruislip.org West House Pinner (HA) Santa’s Grotto in the Upstairs Gallery at West House on Saturday 12th December from 11am – 4pm. www.westhousepinner.com

NW postcodes Brent Cross Shopping Centre (NW4) Details TBC, but Santa will yet again be making an appearance in his Grotto at Brent Cross. Keep an eye on their website for further information. www.brentcross.co.uk ZSL London Zoo (NW1) Be greeted by cheeky elves before being taken to visit Santa in his fairy-tale grotto. Children’s faces will light up as they meet Father Christmas, share their Christmas wishes and

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NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015

receive a Christmas gift. Then the whole family can pose for a festive photo opportunity, make tasty treats for the animals in the “Keeper’s Little Helper Workshop” and get a sneak peek at Santa’s trusted herd of reindeers as they chill out at the Zoo in preparation for their Christmas eve duties. www.zsl.org

London Zoo ZSL ©

UB postcodes Harlington Locomotive Society (UB3) The last run of the year is the Mince Pie Run on Sun 13th Dec! Head along to the High Street in Harlington to meet Santa, take a ride on the miniature railway and enjoy a mince pie or two! www.harlingtonlocomotivesociety.org.uk Holy Cross Church (UB6) Santa will be in his Grotto at the Christmas Craft Market in Greenford on Sat 5th Dec. From 11am-4pm there will be homemade craft stalls, a home produce stall, refreshments served all day and a Grand Raffle. www.greenfordmagna.info Intu Uxbridge (UB8) 22nd Nov sees the Town Christmas parade and light switch on – including Santa and roaming acts. Then throughout December there will be a Roaming Santa and 2 elves every weekend from 28th Nov, a Snowman ball pit from 29th Nov until 29th Dec, Christmas activities for children, free giveaways such as candy canes being handed out, and free T-Shirt Printing on 18th and 19th Dec. www.intu.co.uk/uxbridge

WD postcodes Bushey Rose Garden (WD23) Father Christmas will be in the summer house at Bushey Rose Gardens on Sun 13th Dec between 12-3pm for some festive celebrations. www.facebook.com/busheyrosegarden Colnbrook School (WD19) Enjoy fabulous festive fun at Colnbrook School in South Oxhey on 28 Nov from 11am – 2pm. There will be Santa's grotto, arts and crafts, hot food, refreshments and more!

Admission £1 adults, children free.

020 8428 1281 www.colnbrook.herts.sch.uk

Intu Watford (WD17) This year's Grotto will open on Thur 12th Nov with a 'Build a Snowman' theme. Bookings can be made online or at the Grotto. The opening coincides with the Christmas light switch on and there will be free family activities from 4pm. www.intu.co.uk/watford Nascot Wood School Christmas Fayre (WD17) A warm welcome and an afternoon of family fun awaits you at the Nascot Wood Schools' Association's Christmas Fair. There will be a range of stalls for you to buy Christmas gifts, games for the children, bottle and chocolate tombolas and not forgetting a trip to see Father Christmas in his grotto. nwsa@live.co.uk www.nascotwoodjm.herts.sch.uk/ National Animal Welfare Trust (WD25) Santa will be in his Grotto at the Christmas Fair on Sun 6 Dec, from 11.30am. There will also be lots of stalls including gifts, books, bric - a - brac and pet accessories. Have a go on the Hook a Christmas Duck or stock up on bargains to make your Christmas extra special - there will be Christmas cards and gifts to fill those stockings. Refreshments available including hot food and homemade mince pies. Free parking at the Mercure Hotel. www.nawt.org.uk Watford Rural Parish Council (WD19) The annual Christmas Fun-Day will take place on Saturday 5th December from 11am-3pm at St Andrew's Parade in South Oxhey, with all proceeds going to Watford Hospital Premature Baby Unit. There will be the usual attractions on the day, as well as Father Christmas in his grotto - all presents are FREE for the under 10's - and a raffle for a fantastic Christmas Hamper!! www.watfordrural-pc.org.uk/

Legoland (SL4) This winter you and your family are invited to unwrap a magical day out at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Christmas Bricktacular! Experience the Park as you have never seen it before, with twinkling lights, snow dusted pine trees and exciting seasonal festivities….all with a sprinkling of special LEGO® delights. Ride the Bricksmas Express and discover a charming Christmas land with an enchanting Elves workshop for you to take part in card making ,and Mrs Christmas’ kitchen is also open for your little ones to enjoy a sweet treat! Follow the sound of sleigh bells to the Christmas Kingdom where Father Christmas and his cheeky elves are waiting to meet you in a festive cabin, where your children will receive a special LEGO gift! www.legoland.co.uk Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands (EC2Y) Meet Santa in his secret grotto in festive 19th century Sailortown at the Museum of London Docklands or in the festive 19th century Victorian Walk at the Museum of London on 5th, 6th & 12th-23rd Dec. Tell him your Christmas wishes and receive a special gift. www.museumoflondon.org Paultons Theme Park & Peppa Pig World (SO51) The magic of Christmas is set to arrive early at Paultons Park in Hampshire, as the family theme park will be will be transformed into a sparkling wonderland of twinkling illuminations, seasonal music and giant Christmas trees. From Sat 14 Nov to Wed 23 Dec, parents are invited to treat their kids to a visit to Santa’s Christmas Wonderland and to meet Santa and his singing reindeer, Rudolph and Donner. Along the way, children will see the elves, working hard in the Santa Claus Toy Factory and Peppa Pig and George in their winter scarves, hats and coats. www.paultonspark.co.uk

Around London and Further Afield Buckinghamshire Railway Centre (HP22) See Santa and get a gift!

Trains depart at 10.25 & 11.15am, 12.10, 1.05, 2.20, 3.15 and 4.05pm on Sat 19th & Sun 20th Dec. www.bucksrailcentre.org Hatfield House (AL9) This year's Frost Fair will take place over 4 days, from Thu 26 – Sun 29 Nov. go along to meet Father Christmas and enjoy some festive entertainment. There will be over 200 exhibitors with exciting new and innovative ideas for gifts, a Fine Food Fair to tempt your palate, Stable Yard retailers and the Coach House Restaurant. www.hatfield-house.co.uk Hyde Park (W2) Winter Wonderland will be back this November for another Christmas extravaganza. From 20th Nov to 3rd Jan, Hyde Park will be transformed into a dazzling spectacle of winter magic, filled with festive activities,and is free to enter! Tickets are needed for Ice Skating, The Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Circus, The Giant Wheel and Bar Ice. www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Kew Gardens (TW9) From Wed 25 Nov – Sat 02 Jan, Christmas at Kew will once again combine a breathtaking winter landscape with a new, glittering mile long trail, creating a magical after dark experience.

Visitors can walk through playful ribbons of light, count the Christmas trees festooned with seasonal cheer, and listen to the Choir of the Holly Bushes as they twinkle in time to festive music. The younger members of the family can catch a glimpse of Santa and his elves putting the finishing touches to their Christmas preparations and a Victorian Carousel and family rides, can be found at the White Peaks Cafe. Keep warm under the stars with a mulled wine, spiced cider, or hot chocolate, as well as roasted chestnuts, toasted marshmallows, and other sumptuous traditional Christmas fare. www.kew.org/christmas Knebworth House (SG3) Visit the Knebworth Christmas Fair from Fri 13th – Sun 15th Nov, where you can sample and buy from the wide range of arts, craft and gift stalls. Food and drink stands include wine, festive foods as well as chocolates and other confectionery. Take the children to visit Father Christmas in his Grotto – child entry price includes a visit to Santa and a present. There will also be the opportunity for Sunday Lunch with Santa. Give your family an early Christmas treat with a fantastic lunch at Knebworth Barns, complete with a visit from Santa and a gift for every child, on 6th, 13th and 20th Dec. www.knebworthhouse.com Lauderdale House (N6) On 12th & 13th Dec, Santa will be flying in for a weekend meeting and treating the children of North London! Due to the current refurbishment, Santa will setup his grotto at the Highgate Dental Practice (Highgate High St, N6 5JT) with the help of the local Tooth Fairies. Go and meet him, find out about the reindeer … and, of course, leave with a present! Advance booking advisable. www.lauderdalehouse.co.uk Lee Valley Boat Centre (EN10) A Santa Cruise on 19th & 20th Dec including mulled wine & mince pies for the adults and a visit with a present from Santa for the children. www.riverleecruises.co.uk

Paultons Park

Royal Albert Hall (SW7) From Mon 7 – Thu 24 Dec, Meet Father Christmas at the Hall. Enjoy a truly festive experience that reaches back in time to the era that created Christmas as we know it. Journey through the Hall on an exclusive children’s tour of our beautiful building, take part in a workshop making cards and decorations, and meet Father Christmas in his grotto filled with gifts. www.royalalberthall.com Santa to your Door (Various) A visit from Santa on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any other time. He will deliver your presents and chat to your children about their favourite things. He may even sing a few festive songs before he says goodbye having nibbled a mince pie, or two. Call the Santa hotline on 0208 959 1045 or email info@adamantsparties.co.uk The Enchanted Christmas House (N1) This Christmas from 28th Nov to 24th Dec, join Mrs Claus on a truly memorable adventure. The Elves will take you and your children on an exciting tour around the House to meet Santa's magical friends... Take part in an array of different Christmas activities that will keep the family busy for hours. www.enchantedhouse.net Willows Farm (AL4) From 25th Nov - 24th Dec visit Santa in his grotto and receive a golden key to his toy shop to choose any gift. Join in with the nativity story, hop on the festive wood ride and make time to write a letter to Santa in the Elves House and receive a free reply. With Willows Magical Ice Rink (synthetic ice), festive funfair rides, indoor play and reindeer hunt with prize all included in the entrance prices it’s a fantastic family day out. www.willowsactivityfarm.com

Willows Farm

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What’s On – Children’s Theatre

Compiled by Anna Blackshaw We aim to be as accurate as possible, but these listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please check with the venue before setting out.

Artsdepot 5 Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk

Wed 2 – Sun 6 Dec – Hetty Feather Roll up and join Hetty on her escape from the Foundling Hospital.

Tremble as she faces Matron Stinking Bottomly; Thrill as she discovers the squirrel house and Tanglefields Travelling Circus; Gasp as she endures a night locked in the attic; Quake as she braves the scary streets of Victorian London and Cheer as she overcomes all in her search to find her real mother and a true family of her own.

From best-selling author Jacqueline Wilson, Hetty Feather is a terrific adventure story with original music, circus skills and a huge heart – the perfect treat for the whole family.

Ages 7+

Tue 8 Dec – Sun 3 Jan – Room on the Broom Tall Stories’ magical, musical stage adaptation of the picture book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler flies back into town! The witch and her cat are flying happily along on their broomstick when a stormy wind blows the witch’s hat, bow and wand away into the night. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch’s lost things and all hop on the broom for a ride. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK! - it snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Songs, laughs and lots of fun for children aged 3 and up (and their grown-ups).

Tue 15 Dec – Sun 3 Jan – Land of Lights A truly magical experience designed especially for young children. A splendidly-coloured hot air balloon floats over a miniature landscape.

But where have all the little people gone? Perhaps the tiny balloonist can tell us... The little people need your help to find the lights that once illuminated their land. Head along for a wonderful adventure as you journey to the magical, twinkly Land of Lights. Discover different worlds; explore sights, sounds, smells and textures as the story unfolds around you. Ages 3-5 years

Cadogan Hall 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 020 7730 4500 www.cadoganhall.com

Fri 4 – Sat 5 Dec – Mr Popper's Penguins Painter and decorator by day, Mr Popper spends his time dreaming of Antarctic adventures. He is astounded when one day a packing crate arrives on his doorstep, out of which waddles a penguin! With songs, puppets and a family of performing penguins, this delightful musical adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater’s popular book (also made into a Hollywood film starring Jim Carrey) is brought to you by the producers of The Tiger Who Came to Tea and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. 55 Minutes of family fun for ages 3 plus.

Chickenshed Chase Side Southgate N14.

020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk

Wed 25 Nov – Sat 9 Jan – The Twelve Days of Christmas Four brave children flee their mean step-family to follow a mysterious Partridge on a quest for five gold rings. Aided and abetted by Three French Hens, they encounter a dazzling array of larger than life characters including a gaggle of paranoid Geese and some particularly pompous Lords, and are pursued by Four Calling Birds who are also in search of the rings. Featuring Chickenshed’s famously large and amazingly diverse cast, and chock-full of fun, music and dance, The Twelve Days of Christmas is one of their most popular and imaginative Christmas shows ever. Ages 5+

Compass Theatre Glebe Avenue, Ickenham UB10 01895 673 0200 www.compasstheatre.co.uk

Wed 18 – Sat 21 Nov – Scrooge Taking place at Winston Churchill Theatre is Charles Dickens' classic tale of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is made to face up to his life by visits from Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Excellent pre-Christmas entertainment for all the family.

Thu 10 Dec – Sun 3 Jan – Snow White Compass Theatre is proud to present the fifth pantomime to be presented in partnership with DkproDuktions. Expect a fun and exciting show, packed with great songs, laughs and specially created animated scenery.

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What’s On – Children’s Theatre Harrow Arts Centre Hatch End HA5 0208 416 8989 www.harrowarts.com

Sun 29 Nov – Once Upon a Snowflake Liza has gone missing, and no-one knows where she can be. One thing's for certain: those mysterious Winter Sprites have something to do with it. Appearing every winter, these tiny elf-like creatures can be found hiding in pockets, shoes and sock drawers, watching everything and hearing everyone. Follow Liza into a colourful whirlwind of stories and adventure, led by a tiny Sprite with a fascination for snowflakes, where things may never be the same again. A magical world of shadow puppetry, storytelling and enchanting songs for everyone aged 3 and over.

Thu 17 – Mon 21 Dec – Cinderella Poor Cinderella lives a horrible life, cooking and cleaning all day for her ugly sisters...but wait, here's an invitation to the Prince's Grand Ball!

Find out what Cinders does next in this magical pantomime, brought to life by talented local people. Featuring live music and plenty of participation, this exciting adventure will entertain children and adults alike!

The London Coliseum St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 020 7845 9300 www.eno.org

Wed 16 Dec - Sun 10 Jan – The Nutcracker On a sparkling Christmas Eve in a frost-dusted Edwardian London, Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker doll discover a magical world, where she battles with the Mouse King and meets a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot air balloon ride across London to the glistening Land of Snow where her adventure really begins. Over 100 dancers and musicians bring Nutcracker to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s glorious score played live. This magical Christmas ballet for all the family is an unforgettable Christmas treat.

Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES 0844 482 9674 www.nimaxtheatres.com

Wed 25 Nov – Sun 10 Jan – The Tiger Who Came to Tea Hold on to your biscuit tin, The Tiger Who Came to Tea is roaring back into the West End for a smashing Christmas season! Join Sophie and the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem....expect to be surprised!

The Radlett Centre 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Sat 5 – Wed 30 Dec – Snow White A sparkling traditional pantomime with stunning costumes, hilarious comedy, fabulous live music, and loads of audience participation.

Follow Snow White's adventure in the enchanted forest, as she escapes the Wicked Queen, helped by seven little people with big hearts. Join in the fun, songs and laughter of this extremely popular fairy story with all your favourite pantomime characters ....and a magic mirror!!

Vaudeville Theatre 404 Strand, London WC2R 0844 482 9675 www.nimaxtheatres.com/vaudeville-theatre

Wed 15 Dec - Sun 3 Jan - The Gruffalo Everyone’s favourite furry monster, roars back into the West End, by popular demand, this Christmas in Tall Stories’ smash hit production of The Gruffalo. Based on the much loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the most fearsome creature that never was takes to the stage in this enchanting production with the perfect combination of songs, laughter, physical theatre and just the right amount of scary fun! Set to a wonderfully catchy score with original music and lyrics, The Gruffalo continues to entertain audiences the world over and is a must see family show for lovers of the timeless story and everyone looking for a smashing day out!

Continued on page 26…

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What’s On – Children’s Theatre ...Continued from page 25

Watford Palace Theatre Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 01923 225 671 www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Fri 4 Dec – Sat 2 Jan – Dick Whittington

Watersmeet High St, Rickmansworth WD3 01923 711 063 www.watersmeet.co.uk

Wed 18 – Sat 21 Nov – Scrooge! The Musical Scrooge is a musical stage adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens short story ‘A Christmas Carol’. Ebenezer Scrooge is the most mean-spirited miser in all of Victorian London, but on Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his ex-partner Jacob Marley, who warns him of three apparitions who are coming to teach him the error of his ways. From the pen of renowned writer/musician Leslie Bricusse and featuring the toe-tapping Oscar nominated Song “Thank You Very Much”, Scrooge is a mustsee seasonal treat for all the family.

Fri 4 – Thu 31 Dec – Cinderella Glass slippers and a spell that breaks at midnight means it’s time to charm audiences with the classic rags to riches fairytale of the downtrodden girl forced to serve her jealous step sisters. With best buddy Buttons and the magic of a Fairy Godmother on hand, Cinderella’s certain to escape the misery of her dastardly diva sisters and find true love in the arms of a dashing Prince…it’s just the journey getting there may be a little rocky and raucous before romancing reigns supreme!

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Watford Palace Theatre's five star family pantomime is back with the ultimate rags to riches tale of a young man and his cat on an exciting quest for fame and fortune. With everything you love about the Watford Palace Theatre pantomime including live musicians onstage, stunning sets and costumes, plenty of audience participation, and song, dance and slapstick performed straight from the heart by a talented company of new talent and Palace favourites this is the perfect festive treat for all the family.

Watford Colosseum Rickmansworth Road Watford WD17 0845 075 3993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Fri 27 Nov – Thu 24 Dec – Santa Claus and The Magical Christmas Journey It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus is delivering presents to all the good boys and girls around the world. Hiding in the back are two naughty elves Charlie and Kara who have snuck on-board for the ride…!mAll is well until just as Santa Claus flies high above Watford Colosseum, the Sat Nav goes haywire and breaks leaving him stranded! With the clock ticking and morning fast approaching it’s down to Charlie, Kara and Muffin the bear to come up with a clever plan to save Christmas. This new magical adventure filled with songs, nursery rhymes and stories promises to be the Christmas treat you won’t want to miss. As an added Christmas treat, all of the good boys and girls in the audience will meet Santa after the show and receive a special present of their own. Ages 2+

What’s On

listings for all the family Compiled by Anna Blackshaw

To promote your local event, coffee morning, nearly new sale, parenting courses or community group in the next What’s On listing (January February 2016) send your entry by 25th November 2015.

Email Editor@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures.

Please check details of the events before setting off in case anything has changed since time of printing

November 9 Nov – 14 Dec - Anger Management for Parents & Teens Together (HA1) This 6 week course run at Hope Harrow, will look at improving both Parents' and Teen's understanding of anger and share tips and strategies on how to enhance relationships.

The majority of the course is run with Parents and Teens in separate rooms, joining the groups at times to work together. The aim of the course is to help with managing difficult behaviours and emotions, through a better understanding of anger, helping to create a happy, cooperative, cohesive home environment. www.hopeharrow.org.uk Thurs 12 Nov - intu Watford Christmas Light Switch On (WD17) Head along to intu Watford for the Christmas light switch on and an evening of festive fun! Activities include visits from Watford FC players, the cast of the Watford Palace panto Dick Whittington, and of course the big man himself, as well as performances by Watford Academy Performing Arts and Pauline Quirke Acad-emy. The main show starts at 6pm and the lights will then be switched on at 7pm along with a fireworks display to round off the night. Free parking from 4pm! www.intu.co.uk/watford Fri 13 Nov – Philharmonia At The Movies: Screen Heroes (WD17) Acclaimed composer and conductor Carl Davis leads the Philharmonia Orchestra for a night of music from the movies. The performance celebrates some of the screen’s most famous heroes including Indiana Jones, Superman, Marvel’s The Avengers and Sherlock. www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Sat 14 Nov - Christmas Fayre (HA6) Children's Activities, Crafts, Games & Toys, Bric-a-Brac, Tombola and Raffle, Home Made Preserves Cakes & Chocolates and Jewellery.

10am-1pm at Northwood Methodist Church. www.northwoodmethodistchurch.org/ Sat 14 Nov - Lots for Tots Table Top Sale (WD23) An indoor table top sale at Queen's School in Bushey, for people that want to sell their second hand baby, toddler and children's items, and those that want to buy them. Typical things for sale are: toys and books, baby equipment, bike seats, car seats, stair gates, clothes and more. Parking is free and directly outside the building, and there are also bus stops outside the school.

10am-12pm. 07745 295015 info@lotsfortotssale.co.uk www.lotsfortotssale.co.uk Sat 14 Nov - Diwali: The Festival of Light (SE10) Celebrate Diwali with a day of fun activities for the whole family at the National Maritime Museum. Discover more about how trade by sea brought people, ideas, and culture from all over the world to Britain.

11am-4pm www.rmg.co.uk

Sat 14 Nov - Lighting up the Darkness Family Festival (WC2N) Celebrating Diwali and the different forms of light found in the National Gallery's paintings. Activities include making Rangoli patterns inspired by Turner, making huge lanterns and a pilgrim puppet to bring light to the Gallery, traditional Indian music and dance performances, and a musical magic carpets session for under 5s. www.nationalgallery.org.uk Sat 14 – Sun 15 Nov - Cracking Codes (SE1) Can you decipher secret messages? Go and join in this family activity at HMS Belfast; intercept messages, map hazards on a sea chart and even make up your own secret code. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm. www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast Sat 14 – Sun 15 Nov – The Independent Schools Show (SW11) Go along to Battersea Evolution and meet the big names of British education. As the UK’s largest school open day, the Independent Schools Show annually welcomes 200 of the leading schools to Battersea Park. Join in at this informative and dynamic event to meet key admissions teams; speak with heads; enquire about entry requirements at all stages and explore scholarships and bursaries. www.schoolsshow.co.uk Sun 15 Nov - St Albans Christmas Lights Switch On (AL3) Join Tinkerbell & Peter Pan at this street festival guaranteed to kickstart your holiday season! Live music & entertainment; food & gift stalls; seasonal refreshments; fun fair & Santa's Grotto, all taking place on St Peter's Street from 12-6pm. www.enjoystalbans.com Sun 15 Nov – Jazz for Toddlers/Family Jazz All-Stars (N12) Enjoy music and moves in a jazz groove in this workshop at Artsdepot for 2-5 year olds with clarinettist Arun Ghosh, alongside Taiko drummer and percussionist Nao Masuda. Proving you are never too young to be a jazzer, with ideas to take away and try at home. Then later on join an all-star line up featuring the fabulous vocals of Juliet Kelly and some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians in a fun-filled family concert, as they lead you through the songs of jazz singers past and present – plus a few jazzed up versions of your favourite pop hits. Perfect for all ages - from toddlers to grannies - take the whole clan and enjoy an energetic, music packed show like no other! www.artsdepot.co.uk Wed 18 Nov – Autism Surgeries (UB3) The monthly surgeries provide an opportunity to speak with a Family Support Worker, find out the latest news at Hillingdon Autistic Care & Support (HACS), borrow/ return library books, collect or return membership and booking forms and to meet other parents/carers. The Autism Surgeries are open to all parents and

carers who are affected by autism and are held at Dudley Place in Hayes. If attending a surgery please inform Emma on telephone no 0208 606 6780 or email emma@hacs.org.uk.

Sat 21 Nov - Countdown To Christmas Watford 4 Watford Family Fun Day (WD17) Head along to Watford Colosseum between 12 & 4pm for a mince pie and a host of winter treats at the annual Watford4Watford Family Fun Day! Events include Gymnastics display, Face painting, Arts & crafts, Story-telling, ‘Frozen’ room (with character photo opportunity), Cupcakes & gifts. Plus performances from the Dan Tien Performing Arts School and Herts Inclusive Theatre. All money raised will be split between 2 fantastic local charities. www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Sat 21 Nov - Christmas Craft Fair (WD25) Held at Parmiter's School, this fair is a very popular event for those looking for a bargain or gifts for Christmas, with 90 stallholders selling a wide range of crafts and festive goods. There will be refreshments available throughout the day, both hot and cold food, plus festive mulled wine and mince pies.

11am-4pm www.parmiters.herts.sch.uk Sat 21 Nov - Plague Takeover (SE10) The plague bells are ringing, there are crosses on every door and everywhere there is talk of ‘Black Death’. What are the causes and cures of this vile disease? Go to the National Maritime Museum for a day of plaguethemed events and activities not to be sniffed at. 11am-3pm www.rmg.co.uk

Harrow Open Studio

Sat 21 – Sun 22 Nov - Art and Craft Winter Sale (HA3) An art and craft winter sale will be held by Harrow Open Studios artists at The Stables, West Drive from 11am – 5pm.

Affordable gifts will be available from a number of artists, including potter Zalina Dewan, jewellery from Morag vanGeyzel, wood craft from Gordon Cookson, paintings and cards from Jenny Oliver, and Christine Spring. All welcome to share some winter cheer and complimentary refreshments and mulled wine. www.harrowopenstudios.com Continued on page 28…

NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015 27

What’s On

...Continued from page 27

Thu 26 Nov – Sun 20 Dec - Christmas Market (AL1) Up to 60 traditional wooden chalets outside the Cathedral & in the Vintry Garden at St Albans. www.enjoystalbans.com Fri 27 Nov - Rickmansworth Starlight Evening 2015 (WD3) Head to Rickmansworth High Street from 6-9pm to celebrate the start of the festive season!

There will be a Starlight Parade, Festive Stalls, a Festive Fairground, Little Fox Market and much more! www.rickmansworthtown.co.uk Sat 28 Nov - Hospice to Hospice Walk (HA3) Join Councillor James Bond and friends as he walks 8 miles from St Luke's Hospice in Kenton to Michael Sobell Hospice in Northwood. The walk will bring together everyone who has a connection with one or both of the hospices who would like to walk for a lost loved one, or simply to support both charities. Registration is free but participants are asked to raise sponsorship. www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk Sat 28 Nov - Lots for Tots Table Top Sale (WD3) An indoor table top sale for people that want to sell their second hand baby, toddler and children's items, and those that want to buy them. Typical things for sale are:good quality toys and books, high chairs, walkers, bike seats, car seats, stair gates, clothes and much more. Parking is free and directly outside Rickmansworth School.

10am-12pm. www.lotsfortotssale.co.uk Sat 28 Nov – Mum2Mum Market (HA2) Have a big declutter of all those baby and kids bits you no longer need on the run up to Christmas! The next award winning Mum2mum Market in Harrow is on November 28th at the Beacon Centre from 13pm. Recycle all your little ones outgrown items back into cash and help other mums in the Harrow community with your bargains!

Making parenting more affordable for all.

Selling is fast, easy and rewarding and you keep 100% of your takings. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Sun 29 Nov – Compass Christmas 2015 (UB10) The perfect event to get you in to the festive mood, a traditional Christmas Concert. Featuring songs, readings and sketches with performances from many of the local musicians and singers in the Compass community. www.hillingdontheatres.uk Sun 29 Nov - Winter Fair (WD7) Stalls & fun at the Radlett Centre. community@aldenham-pc.gov.uk www.aldenham-pc.gov.uk Sun 29 Nov - Victorian Christmas Fair (AL9) Change new coins for old pennies to spend around the fair at Mill Green Mill & Museum.

Victorian street sellers & food, children's activities, festive story telling & Santa's Grotto. www.welhat.gov.uk

Cutty Sark © National Maritime Museum, London

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December

Sat 5 Dec - Christmas Fair (WD4) Stalls & festive fun at Kings Langley Secondary School. www.kingslangley.herts.sch.uk Sat 5 – Sun 6 Dec - Christmas in the RAF (NW9) Head along for a very special weekend with the Curatorial Team at the RAF Museum, where you will get access to items from the archive that tell the story what it was like to spend Christmas in the RAF during the First World War. 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Throughout December – Shrek's Adventure! London (SE1) Everyone is on Shrek’s ‘nice’ list as Christmas comes to Far Far Away. With over 20 live actors and 10 separate shows, Shrek’s Adventure! London is the perfect family alternative to a Christmas Panto. There will be laughs and jokes for all and even a chance to take a starring role in the action. During the visit there is also a jaw-dropping ride on Donkey’s 4D bus, and at the end of the adventure guests will be welcomed back to London by Shrek himself, dressed for the occasion in his festive best. www.shreksadventure.com Tue 1 – Wed 23 Dec - Santa Scramble Trail (NW9) Locate your way around the RAF Museum in search of Secret Santas this Christmas! www.rafmuseum.org.uk Fri 4 Dec – Christmas Fair (WD7) Stalls and Cutty Sark © National Maritime Museum, London festive fun at St John's CofE Infant & Nursery Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec - Cutty Sark Christmas School in Radlett.

(SE10) Inspired by the cargoes that Cutty www.stjohnsradlett.herts.sch.uk Sark carried around the world, go along and Fri 4 Dec - Silent Disco (SE10) Time Out's make your own beautiful Christmas legendary silent disco is sailing down the decoration to celebrate the festive season. river to Greenwich once again. Get ready to 11.30am-1.30pm & 2-4pm. www.rmg.co.uk climb aboard the good ship Cutty Sark for a Sun 6 Dec - Ashridge Christmas Fair (HP4) nose around the world-famous attraction Lots of stalls, including local produce at before donning a pair of headphones and dancing the night away. 8.30pm to midnight. Ashridge Estate from 10am to 4pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge www.timeout.com Thu 10 – Thu 24 Dec - Christmas Tree Sat 5 Dec - NCT Harrow Nearly New Sale Festival 2015 (HA6) Get your Christmas (HA3) Nearly New Sales help parents to save season off to a magical, twinkling start with a money by picking up bargains, help other visit to the annual Christmas Tree Festival at parents make money by selling good quality baby and kids items they no longer need and Northwood Methodist Church. The Grand Opening and switching on of the lights will encourage re-use. There is parking in the be on 10th Dec, and the Festival will run from roads around the venue and there will be an 12th-24th Dec, 10am-12pm & 5.30-7.30pm. attended buggy park outside. Every year the www.northwoodmethodistchurch.org/ funds raised at the sale keep the local christmas-tree-times support groups and activities running and make a contribution to the national NCT charity. 2-3.30pm at Kenton Evangelical Church. www.nct.org.uk Sat 5 Dec – Orienteering (WD19) An exciting introduction to orienteering at Big Wood organised by Thames Valley Orienteering Club, ideal for all ages & abilities. There will be several courses, for newcomers and families as well as those wanting a longer run/walk. The challenge is to visit a series of checkpoints as quickly as you can, using your map to choose your route between them.

Turn up between 10am and 11.30am and start a course any time up until midday. www.facebook.com/tvoclub Sat 5 Dec - Sine Nomine Singers Autumn Concert (HA5) Go and enjoy some wonderful music in the run-up to Christmas at St Lawrence's Church. The programme includes Haydn's St Nicholas Mass and Advent Carols.

7-9.30pm www.sinenomine.org.uk Cutty Sark © National Maritime Museum, London

NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015

Fri 11- Fri 18 Dec - The Baddies Christmas Sleepover! (SE1) The legendary sleepovers are back for Christmas at the Unicorn Theatre - watch the show, meet the actors and take part in a whole host of activities before you bunk down on the set for the night (as usual, no grown-ups allowed). Tickets include dinner, performance, workshop and breakfast and the sleepovers are for ages 8-12. 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com Sat 12 Dec - Festive Coffee Morning (HA6) Head along to Michael Sobell House for live entertainment, a variety of gift stalls, tombola, home made seasonal favourites, a children's reading corner and Red Cross massages. Free entry and free parking. 10am-2pm. www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk Sat 12 Dec - Family Carol Concert (AL1) Christmas music & readings performed by the St Albans Bach Choir and organist at 3pm at St Albans Cathedral. Pre-concert entertainment for children from 2.15pm. www.stalbanscathedral.org Tue 15 Dec – Carols & Candles Service (E14) Enjoy the festive and community spirit at the Carols & Candles Service, a special service for those working in and around Canary Wharf and their families. Carols will be led by the combined choirs from Canary Wharf tenants as well as members of the Canary Wharf Community Choir. All proceeds from this year’s service go to support a local Tower Hamlets charity Streets of Growth, and the international charity Article 25. At 5.30 & 7.30pm, free but booking is required. www.canarywharf.com Sat 19 – Sun 20 Dec - Cribfest 2015 (WD3) For the first ever Cribfest, All Saints Church in Croxley Green will be filled with traditional, contemporary, exquisitely designed and home made cribs. www.croxleygreenallsaints.org Mon 21 – Wed 23 & Mon 28 – Thu 31 Dec - Smelly Christmas (SE10) Pinch your nose and learn about smelly London at the National Maritime Museum. Find out how holiday decorations kept the season fresh before people took regular baths. 11.30am1pm & 1.30-4pm. www.rmg.co.uk Mon 21 – Thu 31 Dec - A Wartime Christmas (SE1) Get crafty, help decorate the Imperial War Museum's Christmas wreath, and learn about how people celebrated Christmas on the Home Front. Have a go at making your own charm for the wreath, inspired by the lucky numbers, coins and love hearts that featured in lucky charms and tokens given as presents during the First World War. www.iwm.org.uk Sun 27 Dec - Christmas Walk (HP4) At Ashridge Estate from 10.30am-2pm. Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards. Booking is essential. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate Mon 28 Dec - Hawk Talk (SE10) Join bird of prey specialist, Gary Railton, and Norman, the hawk, on the main deck of Cutty Sark and find out how he helps look after the ship and her rigging. www.rmg.co.uk Mon 28 – Wed 30 Dec - Holiday Workshop-Ringing Bell Towers (WC2N) Investigate the architecture painted in Canaletto's Stonemason's Yard at The National Gallery, and construct a model bell tower, complete with ringing bells. 11am and 2pm for all ages. www.npg.org.uk/ Mon 28 – Thu 31 Dec - Go Wassailing! (SE10) The word 'wassail' comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase 'waes hael', which means 'good health', and was also originally a drink made from mulled ale. Join in this special event at the National Maritime Museum and discover Britain's fascinating history with the fruits and spices used in this traditional Christmas drink. www.rmg.co.uk Tue 29 – Thu 31 Dec - Sparkling Silver, Glittering Gold (EC2R) Discover the Bank of England Museum's collection of glittering silver objects and the allure of the gold on display, and then get creative and decorate a gold bar money box to take home.

There's a chocolate gold coin for every child. 10am-4pm www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Sat 9 – Sat 16 Jan – Dick Whittington (HA6) The Arrow Players present their 2016 pantomime Dick Whittington at St Edmund's Hall in Northwood Hills. www.arrowplayers.org.uk NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015 29

Winter Wonderland

Ice Rinks

Dates TBC – Hillingdon Ice Rink (UB8) The ice rink outside the Civic Centre, Uxbridge will be back this year during the Christmas period. The council is pleased to reveal that prices to take a turn on the ice have been frozen for a fifth time. Whether you're looking for something fun to do with friends or family, children and adults alike will have a fun, festive experience on the ice rink. www.hillingdon.gov.uk Sun 6 Dec – Sun 10 Jan/16 – JW3 Ice Rink (NW3) Go and skate on North West London’s winter ice rink, in the Piazza at JW3. Whether you’re a complete newbie or you know your Double Lutz from your Triple Salchow, it’s a wonderful day out with family, friends or a special someone. As well as the skating area, Zest café is open to all visitors (including non-skaters), so go and warm up with a full range of tasty food and refreshments.

Specific dates, times and prices will be announced soon. Stay tuned! www.jw3.org.uk Fri 20 Nov – Sun 3 Jan - Ice at the Tower (EC3N) Put on your ear muffs, gloves and skates, grab a steadying hand (if needed!) and have some festive fun on the ice in glorious historic surroundings. The outdoor ice rink at The Tower of London offers spectacular views. The Ice Bar & Café provides a welcome place to warm up after your skate, serving a selection of winter drinks and festive snacks. www.toweroflondonicerink.com Thu 29 Oct – Sun 3 Jan – Natural History Museum Ice Rink (SW7) Set against the backdrop of Hintze Hall, the Ice Rink is one of the most magical places to be this winter. Experience the thrill of skating surrounded by fairy lights nestled in frost-covered trees, with the smell of mulled wine and toasted marshmallows in the air. Whether you can dance on ice like Torvill and Dean, or your skating moves are more akin to Bambi, a visit to the Museum’s Ice Rink is a must this festive season. Soak up the atmosphere from the new Café Bar and balcony which has a bird's-eye view of the rink and is open daily until the Ice Rink closes. www.nhm.ac.uk Sat 31 Oct – Sat 27 Feb – Ice Rink Canary Wharf (E14) Located in the heart of Canary Wharf, the ice rink feature's London's only skate path, guiding skaters along a glittering trail of fairy-lit trees beneath Canary Wharf's soaring towers. For those less stable on the ice, the venue has a large heated outdoor viewing terrace from which to admire the icy action. www.icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk Sat 7 Nov – Sun 17 Jan – Royal Pavilion Ice Rink (BN1) The most beautiful rink in the South East, Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink is stunning, twinkly, romantic, and child-friendly... all topped off with beautiful food in the rinkside bar and restaurant. www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk Wed 18 Nov – Sun 10 Jan – Somerset House (WC2R) Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason and enjoy memorable winter experiences on and off the ice. By day, skate in the splendour of the stunning Somerset House courtyard, or head along after dark, when the rink hosts some of the best international clubs and festivals at exclusive Club Nights. Everyone can brush up their skills at Skate School and young children can take their first steps on the ice with Polar Cub Club. www.somersethouse.org.uk Mon 16 Nov – Thu 25 Feb – Broadgate Ice Rink (EC2A) Skate in the heart of the City of London at Broadgate’s magical ice rink this winter. Perfect for skaters of all levels and ages, you can skate from morning to night, 10am10pm. Just a two-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station and Broadgate Circle, London’s longest running outdoor rink is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants and just a stone’s throw away from Spitalfields Market. www.broadgate.co.uk/ice

30

NORTHWEST (LONDON) Nov/Dec 2015

2015

Wed 18 Nov – Sun 3 Jan – Westfield London (W12) Skate into the Festive Season at Europe’s Largest Shopping Destination. The approach of winter heralds the return of Westfield London’s coolest indoor ice rink.

Located in the magnificent Atrium event space, the 500 square-metre ice rink boasts an impressive festive backdrop and after dark, sumptuous lighting and live music, makes late night skating a special experience for friends and family. For over six weeks, the ice rink, made of real ice, will host exciting themed sessions and the best value ice skating tickets around. www.uk.westfield.com/london Fri 20 Nov – Sun 3 Jan – Ice Rink at Wembley Park (HA9) Enjoy spectacular ice skating next to the iconic Wembley Stadium and London Designer Watford Big Skate Outlet. The outdoor sparkling ice rink is open to everyone, and there will also be traditional family fairground rides offering something for everyone! An Alpine Cabin bar will be open every day serving mulled wine, and other seasonal alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks which you can enjoy in a warm undercover marquee. www.iceskatingatwembleypark.co.uk Fri 20 Nov – Sun 3 Jan – Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland (W2) Experience the essence of Winter Wonderland as you don your skates and glide around the spectacular, glittering ice rink. Set around the Victorian bandstand and illuminated with over 100,000 lights, the Ice Rink provides a beautiful setting for ice skating. www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Fri 20 Nov – Sun 3 Jan – Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink (KT8) Put on your ear muffs, gloves and skates, grab a steadying hand (if needed!) and have some festive fun on the ice in glorious Tudor surroundings. The outdoor ice rink at Hampton Court Palace offers spectacular views of the red brick Tudor front of King Henry VIII’s magnificent palace, on the banks of the historic river Thames. Book an evening session to see the stunning palace lit up after dark while you skate under the evening stars! www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace Sat 28 Nov – Sun 10 Jan - The BIG Skate (WD17) Crack open the mulled wine and heat up those mince pies - Watford's Big Skate is back (with real ice...brrr) to fill you with festive cheer. This time the rink is bigger and will be adorned with a host of twinkling lights and trees. You can even sip on a hot drink and chow down on a sweet treat while watching the gliding skaters from the wooden ski lodge. While you're waiting to skate why not spend some time at the German Christmas market which will be taking over the town centre. www.watfordbigevents.co.uk Wed 25 Nov – Wed 24 Dec – Willow's Farm Village Festive Farm Fun (AL4) As part of their Santa Spectacular Grotto and Festive Farm Fun, Willow's Farm will have a Magical Ice Rink (with synthetic ice). Great fun for the whole family! www.willowsactivityfarm.com

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