9 minute read
Luton Carnival & VE Celebration
Luton International Carnival is making an exciting return to Luton Town Centre as part of this year’s VE Day 75 commemorative event, which celebrates 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe.
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To mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the early May bank holiday is moving from Monday 4th to Friday 8th May and Luton Council will be providing a programme of activities as part of the National commemorations in St George’s Square.
Luton’s vibrant and colourful Carnival will be a major part of the townwide celebration, moving from its traditional Spring Bank Holiday spot to Bank Holiday Friday 8th May, with the theme of “Give Peace a Chance”. As a major cultural event in the town, Luton International Carnival brings together all of Luton's diverse communities. What better celebration can there be, than to mark 75 years of peace?
The Carnival parade will begin at 12-noon at Wardown Park, but this year the route will be adjusted to take in St George’s Square in the Town Centre. The parade will then lead the crowds to return to Wardown Park where the party will continue with a range of music, food, stalls and funfair attractions for families until 7pm. Commemorative events will take place across the 3-day weekend and also include: Fri, 8 May 12 noon Luton International Carnival Celebrates VE Day 75 Carnival parade begins at 12 noon at Wardown Park Saturday 9th May Family day with groups and families free to organise their own celebrations. Sunday 10th May Formal church celebration at St Marys & St Lukes Churches followed by Street Party style celebrations organised by Luton’s BID in the region of The Mall.
For full details about the Carnival route, and what celebrations are taking place around the town that day, visit www.carnivalarts.org.uk
Gin Palace One Five O
The Old Palace Lodge Hotel invites you to a wonderful evening ofGin. Guest Speaker Daniel Patton from Two Birds Spirits will be showing off their gins, how to mix them and throwing in some interesFng facts.
Join us on Thursday 26th March 2020 18:30 till 21:30 The Old Palace Lodge with Two Bird Spirits invites you to Gin Tasting in aid of The British Red Cross Gin Palace One Five O
Henry’s Restaurant, The Old Palace Lodge Hotel, Church Street, At the Old Palace Lodge 26th March 2020
£12 of ticket sale goes to the British Red Cross Bedfordshire All Gin’s supplied by Two Bird Spirits Supported by Jeremy Hardy at Matthew The Bri(sh Red Cross society, incorporated by Royal charter 1908, is a charity registered in England & Wales (220949), Scotland (SCO37738) & Isle of Man (0752) Dunstable, LU5 4RT The British Red Cross society, incorporated by Royal charter 1908, is a charity registered in Englad & Wales (220949), Scotland (SCO37738) & Isle of Man (0752) Ticket Price £25 To book tickets Contact 01582 589083 cnorrish@redcross.org.uk www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising-and-events/gin-palace-one-five-o
BRILLIANT MINDS
Crack the code this Easter with our family activities. Find out more bletchleypark.org.uk
In this issue: 3 Luton Carnival & VE Celebration 4- 5 News 6 Celebrating Motherhood 7 Mums and babies classes directory 8 Tech consumer to tech creator 9 Dealing with Asthma in children 10 Education 11 Fabulous Families book quiz and competition 12 Competitions & kids crossword 13-15 Local events and What's on in March and over Easter
Contact no. 07824 377175 Editor: Michéllin Store. Email: editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk Design: Sarah Harmer. www.familiesonline.co.uk Published six times a year.
UPCOMING ISSUE: May/June – Parties feature, May half term & Summer holidays preview Due out: Early May Advertising and editorial deadline: Monday 6th April 2020
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Thank you to everyone who entered into our Jan/Feb (Issue 44) competitions and to all of our competition suppliers. Here are the winners of the Jan/Feb 2020 competitions: ✹ Peppa Pig - Best Day Ever - Amy and family ✹ Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition - Kim, Sarah and Emily & families ✹ Wanda Water Jar - Gerlie and Lucia ✹ Made Good Bars - Rachana and Julie ✹ The Fred & Woody Series – Kairen and Gemma
Competition winners reviews:
Jan/Feb '20 Iss 44 Winner of Grove Theatre ticket – Peppa Pig 'Best Day Ever’– ‘Thank you for the tickets, the kids loved it!’ – Amy, Mum
Nov/Dec ’19 Iss43 Winner of The Stables ticket – The Scarecrow’s Wedding –
Rosie Williams, age 7 wrote: ‘We had a wonderful time. I went with my friend. My favourite bit was all the singing. All the actors and actresses at the play were amazing!
Tot Bop nominated for 2 businesses awards in the last 3 months!
Tot Bop are finalists in the ‘Business Growth of the Year’ category with The Family Network Business Recognition Awards and, have been nominated for ‘Best Independent Business’ in this year’s ClubHub Awards.
Tot Bop’s dance and creative movement classes are pitched perfectly for every stage of development, whether your child is 1, pre-school aged or at school. Tot Bop’s classes provide a perfect introduction to dance. These colourful classes are designed to build confidence, develop
co-ordination and motor skills, enhance musicality and develop little imaginations. Their syllabus is aligned and underpinned with the Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) guidelines.
Wherever you live, you and your family can make a difference to your local environment by sparing just a few hours to take part in the Great British Spring Clean from 20 March to 13 April. Run by charity Keep Britain Tidy, this initiative is the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign and aims to get 600,000 #LitterHeroes out and about, cleaning up the environment on their doorstep. It’s easy for families to get involved. Simply pledge to take part and either organise a litterpick in your community or join an organised event. Join the fight against plastic with the Great British Spring Clean
To find out more, join a local event, register to take part and access resources including a how-to guide, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org/GBSpringClean
A detailed design for the new Chambers Way skate park in Biggleswade has been signed off by Central Bedfordshire Council with construction work set to start in April.
The £200,000 project was developed with input from local skateboarders and BMX and scooter riders of all ages and abilities and is set to open in the summer.
It will feature quarterpipes, a 360º rollover and two volcanos as well as sens r-controlled LED lighting. The existing wooden fence will be removed as part of the scheme.
Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “We believe that by working with users and our design partners Maverick Industries we have come up with a unique and exciting format that challenges the most expert but also meets the needs of the less experienced.” New skate park in Biggleswade
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
The grey herons are back at Rushmere Country Park (*RCP) bringing the return of Heron Watch, where visitors can view the herons nesting, clearly visible from the visitor centre's deck, and volunteers share their expert knowledge with visitors, helping them make the most of their Heron Watch experience.
The first egg was laid on Tuesday 4th February - around three weeks earlier than usual - spotted thanks to the in-nest camera. *RCP hope to see the first chick possibly in the beginning of the month. Last year ten of the nests were occupied and we estimate around 15 chicks reached the fledgling stage.
The herons stay at the park until mid-June. Heron Watch returns to Rushmere Country Park
annual poster competition and/or download a series of FREE activity packs at www. britishscienceweek.org, filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school. The good news is these activities don’t require parents to have a science background or buy any expensive equipment. British Science Week is a 10 day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 6 to 15 March. The annual festival features fascinating, entertaining and engaging events and activities across the UK, designed to appeal to families with children of all ages. Your child can also enter the Participate in British Science Week
To find your local event or activity, visit www.sciencelive.net or visit The Higgins for the BedPop Science Lab, Sat 7 Mar - www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk
The Kempson family moved to Treewell Farm in May 2019 which forms part of the original Moggerhanger Park estate, designed by Soane, Bank of England’s architect. Based between Willington and Sandy, the farm’s treelined avenue is also mentioned in Humphrey Repton’s red book of 1792. Families are invited to Treewell to grow their own produce for free and be part of Bedfordshire’s first organic community farm. Onsite family friendly workshops are run in the newly restored Serenity Shed and Glass House by local businesses such as Rosehip Bespoke Floristry (Bedford). The farm can also Treewell Farm
be exclusively hired for events, weddings and parties (and maybe even at a reduced rate if you're willing to lend a helping farm hand).
For more information email customerservice@treewellfarm.com or call 07736573982.
Harpers Nursery & Forest School BLUNHAM MK44 3NX
A unique learning experience for children aged from 6 months to 5 years.
I wonder what you might know about the British Red Cross? That they are internationally responding to emergencies or that they do something with first aid? Both points are right but have you heard of all of the amazing work they do right here in Bedfordshire? The British Red Cross respond to emergencies right here in the UK. They support our local services with fires, floods, power cuts and major situations like explosions and human trafficking. Their emergency vehicles are loaded and ready to go 24/7, 365 days a year with essentials packs, trained volunteers and a cup of tea. They also loan mobility aids and support the community with their independence living service
helping Bedford hospital reduce bed waiting times.
The British Red Cross provide free first aid training to students, people looking after elderly family members and to the older communities. They also support refugee and asylum seekers, many of who have been trafficked here as slaves or, have left war torn countries.
All fundraising within Bedfordshire stays within Bedfordshire services and projects, £150 will buy a new wheelchair, £100 could provide 10 people a wheelchair for a week, £20 could provide emergency food supplies for a family of 4 during a crisis, £10 provides a blanket and £5 provides a food pack.
To find out more visit www.redcross.org.uk or contact Charmaine Norrish cnorrish@redcross.org.uk 01582589083 for more information.
Looking for childcare in Bedfordshire? Since 2004, Harmony at Home has been finding the perfect nannies for families across the UK. We now have a dedicated and professional service to create ‘Harmony at Home’ for families in Bedfordshire. *20% sole agency discount
Contact Sally now: T: 01234 522360 / 07812 605106 E: sally@harmonyathome.co.uk www.harmonyathome.co.uk
Tel: 01767 641499 www.harpersnursery.co.uk Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas Limited spaces now available for 30 hours of FUNDED childcare
Swimming lessons from Little Fishes
✹ Sub – Surface Swimming ✹ Warm Pools perfect for babies ✹ Structured and progressive lessons through play & having fun ✹ Over 20 years’ experience Classes for babies, toddlers & preschool children
