Families Central Scotland Jan-Feb 2011

FREE

Central Scotland’s really useful magazine for busy families of chidlren age 0-12.

Issue 2 Jan/Feb

In This Issue - - -

Your Local A to Z Party Guide Out and About Guide 10% off Voucher at Kicks for Kids childrenswear, Falkirk.

www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN - Win a children’s birthday party at Sprinkerse Play Zone - Win £50 voucher at Carters Toy Shop in Stirling.

editor@familiescentralscotland.co.uk

079302 64979

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families central scotland / issue 2

contents Welcome and Contents.................................................................. 3 News and Local reviews.............................................................4-5 Your child’s birthday party..........................................................6-7 Hi and welcome to our second issue of Families Central Scotland, the really useful magazine for parents and carers of children age 0-12. Thankyou to everyone who has given us positive feedback about the first issue. We are delighted to bring you our parties issue which is packed full of local party ideas to help you plan the perfect party. Given how terrible the snow was in November/December we have included a page on helpful hints for the Feb half term as well as the top sledging destinations.

As ever we bring you our handy out and about guide of family friendly activities across the coming months.

Central Scotland’s really

useful magazine

for busy famili

es of chidlren age

0-12.

Your local A to Z Party guide...................................................8-9 FREE Issue 2 Jan/Feb

Ideas for the Feb half term...........................................................10 Parent to Parent article with Seonaid McNeish..............11 Green page...........................................................................................12 Relax for the New Year and book reviews.........................13 Out and About guide.............................................................. 14-15

In This Issue

- Your Local A to Z - Out and About Party Guide Guide - 10% off Vouch er at Kids childrenswe Kicks for ar, Falkirk.

www.familiescen tralscotland.co.uk

YOUR CHANCE

TO WIN - Win a children’s birthday party at Sprinkerse - Win £50 vouch Play Zone er at Carters Toy Shop in Stirlin g. editor@familiesce

ntralscotland.co.u

k

079302 64979

In this issue • • •

Win a children’s party at Sprinkerse View Play Zone p9 Win a voucher worth £50 at Carters Toy shop p4 10% discount on children’s clothing at Kicks for Kids p8

contact us Fiona Logan and Louise Boyle Joint Editors Families Central Scotland PO Box 21612 Stirling FK7 1DQ editor@familiescentralscotland.co.uk tel no 07930264979 Visit us on www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk

If you have any feedback we would be delighted to hear so please email us on editor@centralscotland.co.uk If you have any event you would like us to include in the Out and About section please let us know and we will do our best to include this.

Circulation 12 000 copies delivered directly to nurseries, playgroups, health centres, libraries, leisure facilities as well as selected shops, cafes and schools. Please contact us if you wish to receive our media pack, detailing costs and sizes of adverts.

Congratulations to Fiona from Bannockburn who won the Piccolina’s competition.

Deadline for Mar/Apr issue is 1st February

We wish you a very happy New Year and all the best for 2011.

Design – Gillian Lamb of Lamb Designs Printers – J Thomson Colour Printers

Fiona & Louise the editors

Families Central Scotland is part of a larger group of magazines headed

by Families SW London who are celebrating 20 years of publishing. All Franchised magazines are operated under licence. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences. Any original materials are sent at the owners own risk and while every care is taken neither families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage.

Contact Gail 01259 211218 forthvalley@stepaheadtuition.com

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Competition Win a £50 voucher from Carters Toy shop in Stirling.

Carter’s is in the centre of Stirling and jammed packed with loads of toys including playmobil, Sylvanian families, Ben 10 and Orchard toys.

Just answer the following question.

Who is the voice of Woody in the Toy Story films

a) Tom Hanks

b) Justin Bieber

c) Cheryl Cole Send your answers with your name and address to editor@familiescentralscotland or Families Central Scotland PO Box 21612, Stirling FK7 1DQ Closing date 31st January 2011.

The Peak – Multi Sports Classes A new chance for 3-5 year olds to take part in and experience a range of activities including athletics, basketball, dance, football, orienteering and rugby at The Peak, Stirling. The multi sports classes will run from Wednesday 12 January to Wednesday 30 March, 9.45am – 10.30am and 10.45am – 11.30am. It will cost £45.60 for 12 weeks. For more information call 01786 273555 or visit www.activestirling.org.uk

Show off your label

This is the message that the Fairtrade Foundation wants us to hear. Last year the people of the UK made over one million swaps to buying Fairtrade products during Fairtrade Fortnight, recognising the need to give a fair deal to the producers of the products that they buy. This year, Fairtrade Fortnight is from the 26th February to 13th March 2011, and we want to build on this success and explain the importance of Fairtrade to individuals and communities.

A fair price gives the producers access to clean water, food for their family, education and healthcare. In fact, all the things they need for a better and more stable future.

Fairtrade is transforming the lives of millions of producers and their families in developing countries and this is down to the passionate commitment of Fairtrade supporters around the world. The Fair Trade Stirling group are organising a ceilidh at the Bridge of Allan Parish Church Hall on Saturday 12th March 2011 and would welcome you to come along and enjoy a great evening as well as the chance sample Fairtrade wines, beers and soft drinks. If

you can’t come to the ceilidh, you can still do your bit to help create a fairer world.

Look out for the Fairtrade logo on a wide range of food and drink, gifts and cotton clothing, stocked in a number of stores across the Central Region. If you buy Fairtrade show off the label and in doing so, encourage others to follow in your footsteps.

Details about the ceilidh, the Stirling Fair Trade group and local stockists of Fairtrade products can be found at: www. fairtradestirling.org

Are you sitting comfortably?

After the birth of my son, I found out first hand how uncomfortable sitting could be after having a baby. I’d read about the NCT’s Valley Cushion and decided to become the agent for the Central Scotland branch so that new mums could access this invaluable service.

Phoenix Cards for all occasions.

Phoenix Trading publish quality, affordably greeting cards, stationery and accessories for all occasions with exclusive designs for both adults and children.

Each card costs only £1.20 when you buy 10 or more or, £1.50 when bought individually - no minimum order required. Why not take the hassle out of card shopping and choose a mixed pack of cards with prices starting from £12 for 10 cards. There is something for everyone, from toddlers to teenagers and sisters to great grandmas. Orders are usually delivered within 10 days.

Phoenix Trading have a great range of party invitations, thank you postcards and even paper chains to decorate your birthday party venue. Please have a look at the great range, visit my website http://www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/web/ rebeccalawrencewww.phoenix-trading. co.uk/web/rebeccalawrence or contact me, Rebecca Lawrence (your local Independent Phoenix Trader), on 01786 463717 to request a brochure, book a party or to discover how you too could become an Independent Phoenix Trader

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Swimming Success for All with SwimEasy!

Midwives and health visitors have long recognised this painful problem and in the past may have provided the old-fashioned ring cushions which weren’t ideal as they restricted blood circulation and could cause swelling to the perineal wound. The Valley Cushion is different. It is scientifically designed and consists of two adjustable, inflatable bags which are positioned either side of the cushion’s unique central channel (the ‘valley’) allowing you to adjust the level of support whilst ensuring that sore areas are kept free from painful pressure.

The cushion allows new mums to remain seated for hours at a time and users have found wound healing time to be shorter.

Rental through the NCT is just £15 for a minimum of 5 days hire, extra days are charged at £2 per day, there are also unwaged rates available.

For further information or to hire please call Kerry Butler 01259 213622.

families central scotland / issue 2

SwimEasy’s innovative style of teaching provides children with the unique “SwimEasy Passport to Success”, offering small class sizes with the added benefit of our teaching staff in the water.

SwimEasy is Scotland’s largest independent provider of swimming lessons for children and adults of all abilities. Not only do we teach children to swim, we specialise in progressing young athletes through into the sport of swimming.

We offer specialist One-to-One, One-toTwo and Small Group Classes for children of all abilities at venues throughout Forth Valley, including: Braes High – Falkirk, Larbert High – Stenhousemuir and Donaldson’s School - Linlithgow.

Parents wishing to give their child the best opportunity to develop their swimming for safety, fitness and fun should contact us now on 01506 516220 or 0131 466 0764 to discuss their child’s needs. www.swimeasy.co.uk

Bringing the boogie to Falkirk

Caroline Shannon has brought her dancing shoes back to Scotland to set up the country’s first ‘Popdance’ classes for busy adults. She said: “I thought the classes were such a good idea – I want to get Falkirk dancing and having a great time, while doing healthy exercise at the same time!”Popdance involves learning professionally-choreographed routines using music from the 80s through to the ‘noughties’. Caroline started dancing aged

8, then after leaving school took a threeyear musical theatre course at The Theatre School of Dance and Drama in Edinburgh.

She has worked as head dancer and choreographer in various theatres across Scotland.Caroline has now turned her talents to Popdance after taking time out to have children.“The Popdance classes fit in with my home life and give me, and other stressed-out adults and fellow parents, some real ‘me time’ and time out to have a laugh and to exercise. Falkirk is a vibrant town, and I’m pretty sure I

Big Garden Birdwatch

If you’re not too sure what bird you’ve seen, try our easy to use bird identifier, or have a look on our A-Z of birds pages on our website. . You can also ask questions, and share your tips for a brilliant birdwatch on our friendly Big Garden Birdwatch community group.

How you’ve already helped us For over 30 years, we’ve been asking our supporters to count the birds in their garden.

During this time, more than 3 million hours have been clocked up watching and enjoying the birds that visit our gardens (that’s more than 380 years!), and every year, some 6 million birds are spotted by people like you.

With results from some 280,000 gardens

World Book Day

World Book Day 2011, the UK’s largest celebration of books and reading, takes place on Thursday 3 March 2011, celebrating 14 years of encouraging the young and old to share their love of books and reading.

For children, World Book Day £1 flipbooks are back for a third year; each book contains two new stories by two authors in one book, providing double the fun for readers to enjoy when they redeem their free World Book Day £1 Book Token. Philip Reeve, Betty G. Birney, and A.A. Milne are among the ten authors for this year’s five flipbooks, suitable for 5+ to 11+ years. There is also

For more information on Popdance, go to: www.popdance.co.uk, email: info@ popdance.co.uk, or call 08444 829706.

Active Moves in Clacks

If like us, you love birds and want to help them, then the Big Garden Birdwatch is your chance to do something that really counts.

All you need is a pen, some scrap paper (or, a printout of our handy bird ID sheet found on our website www.rspb.org.uk/birdwtach), and an hour to spend watching the birds in your garden on either Saturday 29, or Sunday 30 January 2011.

Then simply record the highest number of each bird species seen in your garden, or local park (not flying over) at any one time, and come back to these page to tell us what you saw.

will be able to bring the boogie to the people here and put some smiles on faces, while giving them a great workout at the same time!” she said. Caroline’s Popdance classes launch on Tuesday, January 11th at The Dance Studio, Falkirk High School, Westburn Avenue, FK1 5BZ, from 8-9pm.

helping us create a ‘snapshot’ of bird numbers in each region, we’ve been able to see that some of our birds are disappearing in scary numbers.

All nursery aged children in Clackmannanshire as well as local Playgroups and Mother and Toddler groups benefit from the delivery of the Active Moves Programme. Active Moves is designed to lay the foundations of and then enhance basic movement skills so crucial to the overall development of the child at this age.

We’ve lost more than half our house sparrows, and three-quarters of our starlings, and your results have certainly helped highlight these dramatic declines.

However, it isn’t all doom and gloom - these surveys might help us spot problems, but more importantly, they are also the first step to help aid a species recovery.

In the classroom If you’re a teacher or youth leader, get your whole class to take part in Big Schools’ Birdwatch - our simple and fun activity for schools and youth groups that runs between 24 January to 4 February 2011.Visit our website www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for details of how to receive

a stand-alone picture book for early years featuring a collection of rhymes by Dr Seuss.

This year World Book Day welcomes new initiatives aimed at teens with a special dedicated website: www.digi-tale.co.

For adults, 2011 marks the sixth anniversary of Quick Reads with ten books published on World Book Day which provide a fast-paced read for adults looking for an introduction to reading or a bite-sized book for regular readers.

This year GALAXY® is teaming up with the Quick Reads charity in a new partnership that will promote ten new Quick Reads titles, by

authors including the world Number One James Patterson, poet Benjamin Zephaniah and ex-Python, Terry Jones, to millions of households on World Book Day. Over 13 million £1 World Book Day Book Tokens will be distributed to school and pre-school children across the country, thanks to National Book Tokens, principal sponsor of World Book Day 2011, and to participating booksellers who redeem the tokens at their own expense Hundreds of book events take place up and down the country to celebrate World Book Day. Visit www.worldbookday.com to find an event near you.

Classes start back on Thursday 6th January and there are still some spaces left for this block at the Spiers Centre in Alloa.

The new block for the Active Start Pre-school gymnastics at the Speirs Centre in Alloa starts on Thursday 3rd March and the Football at Dollar and Alloa starts on Wednesday 9th March 2011.

Book now – Telephone 01259 213131 or for more information e-mail jstevenson@ clacks.gov.uk or call Jackie Stevenson 01259 452341

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feature article parties

The Best Party Ever!

H

OW MANY MORE sleeps until your child’s birthday? Oh - the excitement! Some parents enjoy planning and hosting children’s parties, while others are deeply relieved it’s only once a year. We asked a bunch

of mothers to tell us about their most memorable and successful parties, and there’s plenty of inspiration here.

DIY Parties

So, you’re a gung-ho mummy with a stash of bunting at the ready and a wellthumbed recipe book with post-it notes on the party treat pages...

Karen: “My three have always loved traditional party games and dancing parties. Some of the most popular games have been: doughnut eating competitions - thread ring doughnuts onto string/ a washing line at the correct height and eat without using your hands: chocolate eating competitions - but using only a knife and fork: and the Mummy game - teams use loo roll to wrap a child to create the best wrapped Egyptian Mummy. All the old favourites are still very popular - musical bumps, the best dancer, sleeping lions etc.

It’s advisable to not invite too many and have an alternative quiet activity/ chill-out zone for those who want to opt out.”

- Karen: “My friend held a cinema party recently for eight year-old girls. Turned lights down low, had choc ices in the interval with a torch, popcorn and the latest DVD release, then hot dogs afterwards. Very easy and cheap.”

We play very traditional games, such as pass the parcel, musical statues, musical bumps, and sleeping lions. This year we’re going to do more sports day things like sack and egg and spoon races. Giant frisbees and skittles fill in unstructured moments and they act as presents too..

The parties always feel pretty chaotic and are very home made but are full of energy and fun.”

Sarah: “The party I put the most effort into was Megan’s fifth. Firstly I completely emptied her bedroom (moving toys, shelves, bed and her sister’s cot), borrowed about six tables and plenty of chairs from the nursery up the road, and set them all up with shiny tiaras, glue, sequins, feathers and glitter for them to make their own princess tiaras. I pinned loads of netting to the ceiling and filled it with fairy lights. The room looked amazing! The only downside was having to single-handedly provide the services of party entertainer, house clearance and removals... not to mention the tidying up.”

Sara: “I buy lots of crafts for the children to do - usually about four items - www. yellowmoon.co.uk do lots of crafts in packs which are good for parties. If you buy things that aren’t too difficult for the age group it works well..

Pascale: “Our parties have always been low key. We set up good old traditional party games and provide plenty of sweets and cucumber sandwiches. A bouncy

Kim: “Buy some plain wooden photo/ picture frames from a pound shop or Ikea.

Each child decorates a frame using paints, glitter, feathers, anything you can think of.

While they’re absorbed decorating, call each one up and take his/ her photo or a group photo and print off on computer .

At the end of the party each child can put the photo in their frame and take it home - party bag sorted!”

Susan: “We are lucky that our son is a summer born so always head to the park for his party which means numbers aren’t an issue (and we always say if it rains we get wet!). Every child has a cardboard lunchbox of sandwiches, carrot sticks, hoola hoops and fruit; Nigella’s birthday biscuits come next and then the cake. As it’s in the park we expect parents to stay and provide refreshments for them too.

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families central scotland / issue 2

castle is always a success, the cinema for older children and sleepovers for everybody

Party Venues and Entertainers

There’s absolutely no shame in bringing in the professionals to help with your party, and there are lots out there with years of experience in crowd control.

Hiring a venue is great too as the mess is kept out of your home, and there’s more space for all that energy to bounce around.

Lisa: “The best party we had was my son’s fourth birthday. We hired a hall and a magician, and the theme was Batman. I made individual Batman cupcakes and one main candle-topped Batman cake.. My son Callum says the magician is his hero!”

Kim: “My sons have always loved Laser Quest, a laser tag game . It’s heart pounding and adrenaline pumping stuff, but such an easy party to organise. We’ve probably had about six of these parties.

My daughter has also had a Laser Quest party; and even my husband and I had an adult one with friends, which was a scream!”

parties; the cinema followed by dinner in town; a day out to a theme park; facial/ nail/ henna makeover parties and most recently, murder mystery Louise: “We have always arranged for party entertainers as I find it much less stressful, and have had great parties one year with a magician and 2 Enjoy-a-Ball parties. This year my son wants a bowling party as he has been to others and really enjoyed them.

Themed Parties Little Kicks

Helen: “Oscar’s birthday is two weeks before Christmas which is always a really stressful time of year. Last year I bought a block of tickets to the panto (Snow White). It was fantastic - the only preparation I had to do was invitations and name badges for the day.. We bought ice creams in the interval, and arranged for Oscar’s name to be read out by one of the cast to make him feel extra special.

It was definitely the least stressful party I’ve done and worth repeating.”

Enjoy-a-ball

Karen: For Bethany’s 10th birthday we went to the Safari park, did the drive through safari and saw the animals, had a cooked lunch in one of the restaurants, went on all the rides. She starred in the sealion show, and we had a picnic tea, which I brought with me. It was a full day out and all the children really enjoyed themselves.”

Felice: “Over the years as our children have progressed from primary school age to teens, we have held: swimming parties at a local pool with the party tea included; a movie followed by tea at Pizza Hut; rollerskating, ice skating and bowling

Most children have a special interest, be it a sport, dancing, singing, a particular book or film, which provides the perfect starting point for arranging the party.

Claire: “I like themed parties. We had a Mad Hatter’s tea party for our two year-old twins.. We had it in the garden, everyone wore a funny hat and we ate lots of miniature cakes, sandwiches and nibbly bits. Great fun and the girls loved the hats! ‘

feature article parties Kim: “We threw a Murder Mystery party for our 12 year-old daughter which was excellent, with her friends declaring it the ‘best party ever’. Choose which mystery you’d like from the internet, download it and print out (costs about £20). Detailed instructions are provided along with timings. It takes a little time to prepare but is well worth it and anyway at that age the birthday girl/ boy can help. The children dress up and act in character, we had a 1920s newspaper reporter, glam starlet.

Food can be laid out to graze on or you can break to eat. The party was a hoot and still talked about!”

Karen: “For my daughter’s third birthday we had a Bug’s Life party. I actually think both my daughters enjoyed helping me make all the caterpillar cakes, bug like sandwiches etc more than the party itself!”

Alix: “When our daughter was nine she invited eight friends for an ‘X-Factor sleepover’ party.

When the girls arrived, we sent them off to each choose a character (the over enthusiastic, the pleading, the downright awful etc), plan their look and rehearse their song, plus come up with a group dance for the finale. The judges were daddy, her brother, plus one guest who didn’t want to perform, while I played Davina McCall.

The girls duly performed their act, were judged (lots of mock screaming down their mobiles when they got through), an overall winner was declared and we finished with the group dance. We filmed the whole thing and gave each girl a CD to take home the next morning, taking care of the goodie bags.”

Frances: “We are lucky with our youngest daughter in that her birthday falls on Hallowe’en which gives us an instant theme her friends never tire of. We have games (eg pin the tail on the witch’s cat, apple bobbing) and get creative with the food (spider biscuits, dead man’s fingers, mystery punch, etc). As the years have passed we’ve made each year different - once they were older we risked an evening bonfire and barbeque which was quite spooky and of course there was the year we hired a magician whose traditional magic act was a real success.”

Kicks for Kids childrens wear

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A-Z local party guide

Your Local Party Guide Bouncy Castle UK Company 01324 876813

Alloa Clay Station 07856 694 126 fbs.ceramics@googlemail.com Amazing James Kennedy Magician 01236 606491 www.james-kennedy.co.uk AMF Bowling AMF offers fabulous bowling parties available with either 1 or 2 hours of bowling. Each package also provides food, drink and gifts for all the children as well as a special gift for the birthday child.

Forth Street, Stirling 0844 326 3033 www.amfbowling .co.uk Animal Man Mini Zoo Party 0141 649 7181 www.minizoo.org

Baby Sensory Parties Looking for something extra special to celebrate that fabulous first birthday?

With bubbles, lights, puppet shows, music, rainbows and much more, let us help you throw the most fantastic party! Tailored to your exact requirements your party will be as individual as your baby.

Contact Victoria Clarke 01786 475200 www.babysensory.com Bearheart Castle Soft play 35 Colquhoun Street, Stirling 01786 462621 bearheartcastle.co.uk

Brucefields Golf Parties Bannockburn, Stirling 01786 818184

Cadwinkles Soft play and parties Falkirk 01324 622822 www.cadwinkle.co.uk Calley’s Creche Soft play for 2-7 year olds, available for parties Callendar Square, Falkirk 01324 620020 www.premiercrecheservices.co.uk Celebration Station Cakes for all occasions Dunblane 01786 462621 www.celebrationstations.co.uk Cheery Hands Craft Centre Craft parties, Airth, 07807 308947 www.cheeryhands.co.uk Cineworld Falkirk Central Retail Park 0871 200 200 www.cineworld.co.uk

Frankie and Benny’s Forthside, Stirling 01786 468880 Central Retail Park, Falkirk 01324 639236 Fun and Games Mobile laser quest,bungee runs, sumo-wrestling and more 0800 073 5250 scott@brilliantfun.co.uk

Clive Party Disco 01324 831434 clivedisco@live.co.uk

Ice Skating The Peak, Stirling Sports Village, Forthside Way 01786 273555

Crazy Castles(Scotland)Ltd Bouncy castle hire 01324 551800 www.bouncycastlefun.com

Ian F Cox Magician Call 01698 818 292 www.magicdaze.co.uk

Dragonfly Cakes Celebration cakes for all occasions, Contact Tracey 01360 850 766 Dunblane Centre Dunblane Centre provide a great venue and also soft play, bouncy castle and arts and crafts.

01786 824224 www.dunblanecentre.co.uk

families central scotland / issue 2

Facepainting Fairies Childrens Party Entertainers 01324 626244 info@facepaintingfairies.com

Climbing Wall The Peak, Stirling Sports Village, Forthside 01786273555

D’nisi Kids parties Alloa - 01259 725443

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Enjoy-a-Ball Winners of the ‘What’s on 4 Little Ones’ Best Kids Parties Award 2010, Enjoy-a-Ball parties are great fun for kids and hastle free for parents.

Lots of fun, creative games guaranteed to capture your child’s imagination. Invite up to 25 kids for one set cost. Call Claire Beattie or Jenna Clark 08452 262694 www.enjoyaball.com

Jo Jingles Children’s Parties Songs and fun for young children Aileen 0141 416 0405 www.jojingles.com/stirlingarea Judes Jewels Jewellery making parties 01786 479192 www.judesjewels.co.uk

Kidz World Ltd Soft play adventure centre Kelliebank, Alloa 01259 720850

Kids Party Club Puppet and magic shows Stevie 01577 670064 www.kidspartyclub.co.uk

Little Kicks football parties Celebrate your childs birthday party with us! It’s fantastic fun, it is healthy too and we guarantee every child leaves with a huge smile. Take to the sidelines while our qualified, experienced football coaches with specialist skills in coaching children aged 2-7 years, even absolute beginners, ensure your child and their friends enjoy a party to remember!

You take care of the drinks and party snacks and leave the excitement and sports equipment to us. Contact Andrew Henderson 01786 842973 ahenderson@littlekicks.co.uk

Perfect Parties Themed parties for children of all ages. Marnie Foster 07838 234084 www.pparties.com Peter Merlin Childrens Entertainer.

01501 742534 www.petermerlin.co.uk Phoenix Cards Beautiful cards for all occasions as well as wrapping paper, party bags and gifts. Contact Rebecca Lawrence on 01786 463717 to request a brochure or visit www.phoenix-trading.co.uk/ web/rebeccalawrence to view online.

Play Pots Ceramics (Formally Ceramic Experience) Drip Road Stirling 01786 471755 www.playpotsceramics.co.uk

Science Boffins Kids science birthday parties, ages 5-12. 0800 0192 636 www.scienceboffins.com

Magic Den Magical entertainer for 4-9 year olds, 01236 765743 www.magic-den.co.uk

Scott Lovat Magician and Puppeteer Contact 0131 331 5387 www.scottlovat.co.uk

Megazone Falkirk Lasergame centre for 5 year olds and over 01324 634828 www.megazonefalkirk.com

Silly Billy Magic Show 01505 325998 or 0141 561 0000

Paint Pot Stop Ceramics parties.

Aileen Young 07973 521 385 www.thepaintpotstop.co.uk Pamper Parties 07763 246 557 www.childrenspamperparty. co.uk

Stirling Albion Football Parties 01786 450399 www.stirlingalbion.com

Te Ann’s Party Pad 075812 15807 www.te-annspartypad.co.uk Toddler Sense Parties Toddler Sense Stirling introduces a whole new world of adventure for toddlers and children up to the age of three years. Great music, great equipment and great new ideas! We can travel throughout Central Scotland for your special event. You and your little one will have the most fantastic birthday experience. Contact Victoria Clarke 01786 475200 www.babysensory.com Tubing at Firpark Ski Centre Tillicoultry, Clacks 01259 213131

Marelle Beauty Salon Make over parties Riverside, Stirling 01786 447288

MacRobert Arts Centre A huge variety of parties are on offer at the MacRobert. You can have a Lazytown Sports Club party, arts and crafts party, drama, dance and a variety of other options.

01786 466666 www.macrobert.org

A-Z local party guide

Splat Balloon and facepainting parties.

01324 716425 Sprinkle Happiness Baking parties.

Contact Sara 07814 135326 www.sprinklehappiness.co.uk Springkerse View Play Zone The Play Zone is suitable for children aged 1-10.Parties can be tailored to individual needs.

For £7.99 per child you get 2 hours of fun in the Play Zone, children’s party food, party bag, balloons, birthday cake and drinks for the kids. If you book a VIP party at £9.99 per child you will also get party games and facepainting. Invitations included and free tea/coffee for mum and dad. For a £50 supplement on a Saturday and Sunday morning you can have exclusive use of the Play Zone for your party. Springkerse Business Park,Stirling.

Call 01786 446092 springkerseview.stirling@ belhavenpubs.net

The Venue Childrens entertainers Contact Kat 07774 701452 info@thevenue-online.com

Restaurant

Vue Cinema Forthside, Stirling 08712 240240 www.myvue.com

Wellsfield Farm Childrens pony riding parties Stirling Road, Denny 01324 822800 www.wellsfield.co.uk

Xtreme Karting For 8yrs and over Larbert, 01324 579797 www.xtremekarting.co.uk

Ziggy Forelles At Ziggy Forelles we can provide a great birthday for your child. We will do everything from tea parties for the little ones to a more sophisticated dinner party with mocktails for the older children, we can even provide the cake! There will be a set price per child for a meal and drink.

Let us know what you want and we will give your child and their friends a birthday party to remember. 52 Port Street, Stirling 01786 463222 www.ziggyforelles.com

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feb half term

Top Sledging Destinations in Central Scotland We asked some local parents and this is where they said they most enjoyed sledging with their kids.

• The golf course at Bridge of Allan.

Stirling and Surrounding Areas • Causewayhead Park • Kings Park, Stirling • Stirling university • The hill by the park at Breamar Hill in Dunblane

• Menstrie gardens (for the little

Alloa and the Hillfoots. ones)

• Field at the back of Tillicoultry Primary school • Fields at the back of Dollar Golf Club.

Falkirk and surrounding areas.

• Calendar Park • Bantaskine Estate • Gartcows Road, (near Falkirk high) • Quarry Brae in Brightons • Parkhill in Polmont • Bellsmeadow, Falkirk • Sunnyside Road rugby pitch – across form St Mungos

Attention all Active Families

by Lindsay Park Saturday/Sunday afternoons need never be dull again. Geocaching is a fantastic/free activity to get families out and about and keeps kids motivated and active in their local environment.

Geocaching (pronounced geocashing) is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. A geocacher can place a geocache anywhere in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS device can then try to locate the geocache.

As a family it is a great way to make walking the dog more interesting – the kids never tire of finding treasure and adding their own treasure to the geocache.

In Falkirk there are 280 geocaches hidden within a ten mile radius of the town centre, in Stirling there are 300 geocaches hidden within a ten mile radius of the city centre.

Register for a free basic membership http://www. geocaching.com/www.geocaching. com or download the free geocaching app for the Ipod/ blackberry smart phone/nokia 60 series. Enter the postcode of the place you wish to explore and then follow the instructions.

Some tips to get started • Find a geocache that will meet your families needs. The geochache is rated in terms of

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Ideas for the Feb Half Term holiday It can be difficult to keep the kids occupied during the February half term due to our unpredictable weather, we can have lovely bright crisp and cold days or we can have wet and damp days, sadly the latter is often the more frequent! And with 2010’s record snowfall in the central belt sometimes you need some indoor activities to keep kids happy and active.

Here are a few suggestions from local mums and dads.

Swimming – Good fun in any weather and there are loads of pools across the central belt from The Peak in Stirling, the Mariner Centre in Grangemouth, Maclaren leisure centre in Callander, The leisure bowl in Alloa . Grangemouth Pool and the Recreation Centre at Bo’ness. Check the following websites for times and costs. www.stirling.gov.uk, www. falkirk.gov.uk and www. clacksweb.gov.uk.

Cinema – Again good for any weather. See listings for the Macrobert and the Bo’ness Hippodrome in our out and about or check on www. macrobert.org.uk and www. falkirk.gov.uk. There is also the Vue in Stirling www.myvue.com and Cineworld in Falkirk www. cineworld.co.uk Ten Pin Bowling – AMF Bowling in Forth Street Riverside in Stirling. Check out times on www.amfbowling.co.uk If you join the Bumper and Squeak Club you can get cheaper rates for kids at certain times.

Ceramics – Paint your own pot at Play Pots Ceramics in the Drip Road Stirling (Fornally Ceramic Excitement) or check out the Falkirk Council ‘whats on guide’ www.falkirk.gov.uk as there are often arts and crafts sessions from the Paint Pot Stop. www. thepaintpotstop.co.uk.

how difficult it is to find and how tricky the terrain is. Start easy and build up to the trickier ones • Mark your car as a waypoint to ensure your safe return.

• Be mindful of the environment .

• Bring friends and family with you; sharing the experience can be very rewarding. A bit of competition between families makes it even more fun.

families central scotland / issue 2

Historic Scotland – whilst not totally indoors we have some fantastic castles right on our doorstep, from Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace. All great fun for one of those crisp sunny (if cold) days out. Check out www.historicscotland.org.uk Check out also the National Wallace Monument and Bannockburn. For a warmer indoor activity check out Callendar House in Falkirk.

Soft Play – There are loads of soft play venues across the central belt. Bearhaert Castle and the Springkerse View in Stirling, Cadwinkles and The Buzz in Falkirk as well as Kidz World in Alloa. There is also a small soft play at the Motor Museum in Bo’ness.

Why not pop into your local library. Its free to use and great way to keep the kids happy for an afternoon.

• Remember that distances can be deceiving. A geocache can take longer to find depending on trails, rivers and other obstacles.

• If you take something from the geocache, leave something of equal or greater value.

• Write about your experience in the geocache logbook. -.

• Place your geocaching stories and photos online.

S

eonaid lives in Dunblane with her husband Stuart and her 3 children Murray 8, Claire 6 and Morven 1.

Seonaid set up her own physiotherapy clinic, Physiofocus at Brucefields Golf Centre, Stirling in 1999. Physiofocus provides the very highest quality of physiotherapy treatments to a wide variety of people of all ages and lifestyles, from chair shaped computer users to elite athletes. They also offer pilates, yoga and podiatry services. Physiofocus is now 11 years old and Seonaid now juggles running a successful business with being a mum.

To find out more about Physiofocus go to www.physiofocus.com or call 01786 480048 Why you like living where you do?

I grew up here and went to school in Dunblane! I have travelled abroad and lived in some lovely places but was happy to come back here and still think this is one of the best places to bring up children… near to parks, good schools, the river, countryside, shops and the train. And of course lots of lovely people!

Favourite shop Mr Dunlop’s fruit shop in Dunblane-you always get the personal touch and can buy as much or as little as you need.

parent to parent

embraced the idea and take turns to police the bathroom making sure no one goes over their time. Last week they all headed for the shower and after ages I went up to rant about how long they’d been in. Murray replied…but mummy we are putting our four minutes together so we can have 12 ! No answer!

Best planet saving tip I try to use and donate to Good Green Fun…it’s a shop in Springkerse which recycles children’s toys, books, prams etc and it’s fantastic. They set out to try and reduce the amount of children and baby goods going to landfill.

You can donate to it and you can get all sorts of nursery goods and childrens toys and books. The staff are always really helpful finding you what you need from a potty to a pram! www.goodgreenfun.co.uk No parent should be without Sellotape Parenting pet hates Wiping runny noses…yuk!

Favourite park The park up behind Argyle Way in Dunblane…my kids call it the sand park!

It’s got something for all ages of kids, beautiful views and lovely at any time of day or evening! And close enough to run home if it rains!

Most embarrassing moment Murray asking me in a packed doctors waiting room why I had put on lipstick to see the doctor!

Funniest comment Someone asked me last week if I had any grandchildren yet.

Favourite children’s club/class I asked my children this one and they said Rainbows and Cubs. They love these clubs and both have fantastic leaders!

Favourite family holiday spot Morar. We love to get up to Morar and it’s even easier now with the new road from Fort William..it’s less than three hours and not as twisty. The beach is fabulous!

Favourite day out We like to cycle from Dunblane to Doune on the cycle path and have a hot chocolate at the new café Buttercup and then play at the castle or swing park!

Favourite child friendly restaurant Corrieris…we’ve gone into Corrieris with every age…3 days old up to 92 year old!

Peter and Robert(the owners) tell me there is less sugar in their ice cream than Farleys Rusks! The food is always excellent and there’s never a fuss when juice goes flying.

Proudest eco-friendly moment We have just been given shower eggtimers by Carbon Neutral Stirling (www. goingcarbonneutralstirling.org.uk) and you get 4 minutes per person in the shower.

(Actually they are a great wee gadget, especially for teenagers). Our kids have

Best children’s book The Hungry Caterpiller by Eric Carle.

Best children DVD or video We all love Toy Story, it’s great entertainment for all ages.

Most successful food I got this fantastic tip from a lady with grown up children who must get all the credit. She told me not to faff about making sandwiches in the morning but to buy several dozen rolls or loafs and make them all up in one huge batch. Then wrap them or put in sandwich bags and put in the freezer immediately in carriers labelled cheese, ham, tuna, chorizo, jam, honey etc. In the morning the kids just choose what they want out the freezer and by lunchtime they’ve thawed out perfectly.

I’ve been doing it a year and have saved myself hours in the morning! The only things that I’ve found don’t work are salad and egg! It’s brilliant if you decide to go on a impromptu picnic-just grab some sandwiches out the freezer and you’re off!.

Seonaid’s recommendations: Buttercup Cafe Main Street, Doune 01786 842511 Corrieri’s Alloa Road, Stirling 01786 472089 www.corrieris.co.uk Good Green Fun Stirling, 01786 849216 www.goodgreenfun.co.uk’

Most played with toys Lego, playmobil and train set.

Biggest waste of money Brand new kids clothes..they just seem to grow out of them by the time I’ve got the label off.

great value schoolwear all year round

Made to last qualty school uniforms from Trutex, and a super speedy embroidery service, makes us the first choice for school uniforms in Falkirk.

Call: 01324 618810 Trutex, 32 Vicar Street, Falkirk, Scotland FK1 1JB E-mail: falkirk@trutex.com

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green page

Community

Hard to Treat Homes Advice Night

Do you live in a draughty house and want to keep your energy bills down this winter?

If you live in a house with solid walls and can’t get cavity wall insulation Low Carbon Stirling’s ‘Hard to Treat Homes Advice Night’ is just for you. Following November’s successful Renewable Energy Fair, Low Carbon Stirling is organising an event for Stirling residents who live in so called ‘hard to treat homes’. The event will be held at the end of January and will be packed full of impartial advice and information on how to eco-make over your home. From what to do with single glazed windows if you live in a conservation area or listed building to the latest solutions and products to help insulate solid walls..

Going Carbon Neutral Stirling will be on hand

and are keen to co-ordinate bulk buying deals for anyone who is interested. The Energy Savings Trust will be there to give information and advice about any potential grants or funding. For more information visit the events page at www. goingcarbonneutralstirling.org.uk.

Eat the Streets This spring Low Carbon Stirling is launching ‘Eat the Streets’ a campaign to get Stirling growing and eating home grown food as well as highlighting the importance of food security as a long term goal to help us meet some of the bigger challenges we face as a result of climate change and peak resources. To launch the campaign a Food Summit will be held in late February for a day of discussion, debate, networking and knowledge sharing. From this day it is hoped a

their own fruit and veg but didn’t have any garden ground and there’s a waiting list for local allotments.

Lisa stays just a five-minute bike ride from Marisa’s house so the “match” has been very convenient.

Stirling’s Gardenshare scheme has found a perfect “match” in St Ninians.

The initiative seeks to bring together people who have a garden but can’t look after it with “wannabe” gardeners who don’t have a plot of their own. It’s the brainchild of Stirling woman Philippa Cochrane and she has already notched up quite a few successes.

The latest is in St Ninians and it links up Lisa MacLeod, who stays in a flat in Main Street, with Marisa Rosie, who stays near the top of Coxithill Road. “I love my garden and when I first moved in here I did a lot of work in it,” said Marisa. “It was a bit of a jungle back then.”

More recently, however, Marisa hasn’t been able to tend the garden herself so she was very interested when she saw publicity flyers produced by Philippa for the Gardenshare project.

Meanwhile, Lisa MacLeod and her fiancé Andy (who were married on November 19) were keen to grow

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“It has been shown elsewhere that sharing gardens works better when the two partners don’t stay too far away from one another, “ said Philippa.

She can be contacted by email at gardensharestirling@gmail.com if you would like to participate in Gardenshare either as a garden provider or worker.

In the past month or so, Lisa and Andy have been busy double digging the heavy clay soil in preparation for planting in the spring. Everyone concerned is excited by the project and just can’t wait until next year’s growing season.

Going Carbon Neutral Stirling (GCNS) has been supportive of the Gardenshare project. Through its current Big Street Challenge project, they are also finding that neighbours are starting to get together to share garden implements and knowledge. See their website at www.goingcarbonneutralstirling. org.uk <http://www. goingcarbonneutralstirling.org.uk/>

families central scotland / issue 2

Food Growing Forum will be launched which will connect members and allow them to input into discussions around future food strategies in Stirling. While in Spring Stirling Council will be turning six flower beds into ‘Edible Borders’ and planting a mixture of vegetables and companion plants in a permaculture system. For more information visit www.goingcarbonneutralstirling. org.uk.

‘What will you be doing to save the planet in 2011’- Sustainable Resolutions for the New Year.’

The Winter holidays are a time of indulgence for many people; a welcome break from everyday routines. But it is also a chance to reflect upon the year just closing and chart a course into the future.

With New Year’s resolutions in mind then, here are some suggestions as to how we can make 2011 a bit less of a burden on the years to come:

‘De-clutter and pass it on’

an alternative to landfill as a destination for the majority of all of our household refuse: www.zerowastescotland.org. uk/

‘Stop the drop’ Take the first step to reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive by visiting www. stop-the-drop.org.uk

Unwanted gifts and other items that you no longer need can help all manner of good causes as donations to charity shops, jumble sales, and raffles etc.

Recycle children’s toys, clothes and equipment at www. goodgreenfun.co.uk.

‘Check it out and switch off ’ Complete the Energy Saving Trust check list to find out how you can save energy and money. On average, leaving things on standby adds 8% to our electricity bills: www. energysavingtrust.org.uk

‘Love food, hate waste’

‘Make a difference’

Good food is one of the great joys of life. Find the cash for next years treats by reducing the £430 worth of food the average Scottish household throws away uneaten. Plan your shopping and get creative with leftovers! See www. wasteawarelovefood.org.uk for tasty recipes.

‘Slim yer bin!’

Recycle all you can. It has never been easier to find

Looking for a change?

Volunteering is an opportunity to make a positive contribution while learning new skills and meeting interesting people.

Forth Environment Link has volunteer opportunities throughout the Forth Valley. Email donna@ forthenvironmentlink.org for further information.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and sustainable New Year, from all at Forth Environment Link.

Relax this New Year

N

ew Year has arrived and we are feeling the effects from eating too much at Christmas and all the stress of the season. It is so easy for us to get upset and bogged down with negativity especially with the bad weather and anti climax after the clock struck 12!

However, here are a few tips on how to improve the atmosphere in your home this month – with no expense but lots of rewards!

Cuddles: It is official; they can help us all relax.

The British Heart Foundation has already researched the links between cuddling and our emotional states. Did you know, when we get a cuddle, we release Oxytocin, which is the hormone which gives us that warm fuzzy feeling – so hug your nearest and everyone can be a winner!

Positive thinking: Actively visualise what you want to achieve and actually believe that you can do it – and great things will happen. It may sound a little bit airy fairy – but it is true.

If you struggle with this concept, then write down what it is you want to achieve and look at it everyday. Slowly it will creep into your subconscious and all will be revealed!

Smile: Give yourself a free face lift! It takes

book reviews

more than double the amount of muscles to frown, so let your face rest a bit and you’ll appear younger for longer! Now that really is something to be happy about in these winter months!

Massage: Stay warm with a quick massage – get the whole family involved or give your self a quick pummel by making a fist with your hands and massaging your whole body as quickly as you can. This is a great way to wake yourself up, when the sky is grey and start off your day. It also helps you get rid of any tension so you can start the day with a clear mind.

Relax and Beat Illness: Relaxing can help strengthen your immune system. By actively taking time out to chill, your nervous system learns how to settle itself in all levels of situations from different weathers to stressful times. This results in it directing the immune system to attack viruses developed with less energy than required with someone who does not take the time to relax and in turn, makes any illnesses less extreme.

We can all become healthier and happier by consciously making a few changes here and there. And before you know it, those resolutions that seemed so difficult will be

Reviewed by Emilie Amos

Reviewed by Tina Hene

Hugless Douglas

Old Dog

By David Melling

By Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross

Published by Hodder Children’s Books RRP £5.99 Hardback ISBN 978-0-340-95063-0 This book introduces us to Douglas who is due to appear in a number of forthcoming Hodder titles and will no doubt become a hit as he is such a lovable character.

Douglas is a big brown, huggable bear, who wakes up one morning in need of a hug.

He sets out to find one and tries to hug just about everything in sight but some of these hugs just don’t seem right: too big; too small; too heavy; or even too busy.

Finally he is led to a cave where he finds his mother and she gives him the most perfect and warmest hug that he could possibly imagine – exactly the sort of hug that he had been after all day long.

This heart-warming story of Douglas’s quest for the perfect hug makes a perfect tale to share with little ones. Make sure you give them a big hug at the end...

Families rating: 5 out of 6

Published by Andersen Press RRP £5.99 Paperback ISBN 978-1-84270-880-4 From ”You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” to “There’s life in the old dog yet” The Young Pups are reluctant to visit their grandfather as they think he’s really boring and only talks about the olden days. But when they do visit him, he becomes fed up of their rudeness and being underestimated and unappreciated.

So he surprises them with tales of running away to join the circus and shows them he still knows a few tricks – such as juggling eggs on a bike whilst blindfolded.

This is a wry and warm book, accompanied by very funny illustrations, about the perils of underestimating old people. Old Dog is a heart-warming and amusing tale, although it contains a surprising number of dogrelated puns and sayings which may go over the heads of many small children.

Families rating: 4 out of 6

a breeze! Relax Kids have created a range of products and relaxation classes to help keep your children calm. For more exercises or information, visit www.relaxkids.com and see how they can help you. Products include Marneta Viegas’ bestselling books “The Wishing Star” and “Aladdin’s Magic Carpet” and the Relax Your Child range of CDs, designed to help combat specific issues such as anxiety, self esteem and concentration.

Reviewed by Jan Deykin

Witches at War!: The White Wand

By Martin Howard, illustrated by Colin Stimpson.

Published by Pavilion RRP £7.99 Hardback ISBN 978-1843651345 Sam, the talented apprentice to warty old witch Esmelia Sniff, discovers that the head witch has been turned into a frog by rival Diabolica using the famous Black Wand of Ohh Please Don’t Turn Me Into Aaaargggh… Ribbett. Diabolica now plans to take over the world with a zombie army.

Only a wand of equal power can thwart her so, with very different motives, Sam and Esmelia set off for Egypt. The race is on to create a new wand and battle against Diabolica with only a few ancient witches and some beetles to help them. An action packed and enormously funny book, The White Wand is second in a series and leaves you wanting to read more. It is equally appealing to girls and boys who would appreciate the horrible details of witches’ lives and fast-paced humorous storyline.

Families rating: 6 out of 6

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out & about

Whilst every care has been taken to compile the Out and About section please remember that this magazine is printed weeks in advance of the event.

Please call and check events with the venue to avoid any disappointment before setting out.

to play their part, audiences are limited to 50 per show - book now! Dates & times: Tuesday 25 - Friday 28 Jan 10.30am & 1.30pm Saturday 29 Jan 11am & 1pm to book phone 01786 466 666

Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd January

Wall E (U) Macrobert 1.30pm

Saturday 8th January

Alpha and Omega (PG) Macrobert 1.30pm Saturday 15th January Tuesday 4th January

Megamind (PG) Bo’ness Hippodrome 2.30pm Ratatouille (U) Macrobert 1.30pm

Ramona and Beezus (U) Bo’ness Hippodrome 11.00am Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 (12A) Macrobert 1.30pm Sunday 16th January

Wednesday 5th January

Megamind (PG) Bo’ness Hippodrome 7.30pm

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 (12A) Macrobert 1.30pm

Ratatouille (U) Macrobert 1.30pm Friday 7th January – Saturday 15th January

Dick Whittington Forefront’s fabulous family panto at the Alloa Town Hall. For tickets phone 01259 750394 The Nutcracker (U) Film of the Royal Ballet performance Macrobert 5.15pm Saturday 8th January

Hopetoun’s New Year Hike Burn off those Christmas calories with a long walk around the Hopetoun Grounds. We will witness stunning views of Hopetoun House, the Forth Bridges, Abercorn Church, Blackness Castle and learn about the natural history of this special landscape. Bring a snack for the walk, a healthy one if you can!

Time: 10am - 1pm Cost: £3.70 adults, £2.20 children (Includes Grounds Entrance Charge) Dogs welcome on lead Meet at the car park Booking Required Please book your places by telephoning 0131 319 3956 or email ranger@hopetoun.co.uk

Saturday 22nd January

Legend of the Guardians (PG) Bo’ness Hippodrome 11.00am Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd January

Megamind (PG) Macrobert 1.30pm Tuesday 25 January Saturday 29 January

Macrobert Stirling – Mole In the Hole Oily Cart present Mole In The Hole. Meet the Mole Family in their cosy, underground home, lined with straw and strewn with sweet-smelling herbs. This is a wonderland with delights underfoot, popping out from the walls and even down from the ceiling. The Musical Mole fills the cavern with sounds as we journey to meet the Silly Rabbits, the Brave Snail and we encounter some problems that the Moles will need all your help to solve.

Linlithgow Farmers Market The Vennel, 10am-2pm.

Tel: 07977 179 861 Saturday 29th – Sunday30th January

The Big Garden Birdwatch.

This is a chance for everyone to help with the conservation of birds by recording all the bird species spotted on one of these days in a garden or local park. The RSPB provide a birdwatch ID sheet online to help with the recording.

See http://www.rspb.org.uk/ birdwatch/ for information on how to take part.

Sunday 30th January

Big Loch Bird Watch at Linlithgow Palace Join Historic Scotland Rangers as part of the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch to record the birds on and around Loch, and take part in various birdy activities. Some walking on rough but flat paths involved. No booking required.

Meet: Linlithgow Peel.

Time: Walks start at 10am and 1.30pm. For further information, contact Historic Scotland Rangers Team at Linlithgow Peel hs.rangers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 01506 842065.

Tickets will be on sale from The Steeple Box Office or Telephone: 01324 506850 Email venue@falkirk.gov.uk Friday 4th February

Falkirk Farmers Market High Street 12-4 Saturday 5th February

Alamar(U) Bo’ness Hippodrome 11.00am Jeely jar special (bring a jar and get a discount).

Planet 51 (U) Macrobert 1.30pm Sunday 6th February

Planet 51 (U) Macrobert 1.30pm Friday 11th February

Pretty Woman (15) (one for the mums!)

Macrobert 5.15pm Saturday 12th February

Stirling Farmers Market in Port Street in Stirling Gulliver’s Travel’s (cert tbc) Macrobert 1.30pm

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (PG) (one for the mums and romantics) Various times at Macrobert Despicable Me (U) Macrobert 1.30pm

Secret of Kells PG Bo’ness Hippodrome 11.00am

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Despicable Me (U) Macrobert 1.30pm

Saturday 12th February – Monday 14th February

Stirling Farmers Market in Port Street in Stirling

Alpha and Omega (PG) Macrobert 1.30pm

Saturday 29th January

Igor (U) Bo’ness Hippodrome 11.00am

have you met The Wiz? Ease on down the road with Big Bad Wolf and enjoy a whole new twist on the tale of Dorothy’s adventures in the land of Oz, in this Broadway musical version of the much-loved L. Frank Baum story. Join Dorothy as she journeys along the Yellow Brick Road to meet the Wiz in the hope that he can help her return home. With songs in a lively mix of rock, gospel and soul Oz has never sounded so good!

Tuesday 1st Saturday 5th February

This is an adventure for all the senses to be enjoyed by all children from ages 3 to 6. So that everyone will have a chance

families central scotland / issue 1

Falkirk Town Hall Big Bad Wolf theatre company perform THE WIZ You’ve been over the rainbow to the Wizard of Oz. You may even have been a little Wicked- but

Monday 13th February FEB Half Term

Gulliver’s Travel’s (cert tbc) Macrobert 1.30pm Tuesday 14th February

Gulliver’s Travel’s (cert tbc) Macrobert 1.30pm

Sat 19 February - Sun 20 February

Wednesday 16th February

Tangled (PG) Bo’ness Hippodrome 7.30pm Gulliver’s Travels(cert tbc) Macrobert 10.30am and 1.30pm

Lyngo Theatre present The Dust Man at the Macrobert.

Have you ever thought about what’s on the other side of the mirror? It’s the place where dreams come from, all light and floaty, and it’s where the Dust Man, with his cat Nero, goes to collect them for you. At bedtime he reaches out, takes you by the hand and you fly off on the wind to dream together. So put on your pyjamas, brush your teeth, turn out your night-light and slip through into their back-to-front world. Written, directed and designed with stunning stage illusions by Marcello Chiarenza, this show is set to amaze and delight you with live music from Carlo Capelli and brilliant clowning from Patrick Lynch. approximately 50 minutes suitable for ages 5+. For details of tickets and times contact MacRobert on 01786 466666 or go to www.macrobert.org

Hercules (U) Bo’ness Hippodrome 11.00am Arthur and his Great Adventures Macrobert 1.30pm Linlithgow Famers Market The Vennel, 10am-2pm.

Tel: 07977 179 861 Sunday 27th February

Arthur and his Great Adventures Macrobert 1.30pm Thursday 3rd March

World Book Day Friday 4th March

Falkirk Farmers Market High Street 12-4 Sunday 13 March

Folded Feather presents Suitcase Circus at the Macrobert Pick of the Day at the 2009 Glastonbury Festival, Suitcase Circus is a delightfully heartwarming and interactive familyfriendly puppetry spectacular.

Saturday 26th February Thursday 17th February

Tangled (PG) Bo’ness Hippodrome11.00am Gulliver’s Travels (cert tbc) Macrobert 10.30am and 1.30pm Friday 18th February

Tangled Bo’ness Hippodrome 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Voyage of the Dawn Treader (PG) Macrobert 1.30pm Saturday 19th February

Voyage of the Dawn Trader Bo’ness Hippodrome 11.00am Tangled Bo’ness Hippodrome 2.30pm and 7.30pm Voyage of the Dawn Treader Macrobert 1.30pm Sunday 20th February

Tangled Bo’ness Hippodrome 2.30pm and 7.30pm Voyage of the Dawn treader Macrobert 1.30pm

Abbamania at the Falkirk Town hall.

So dust off your platforms, put on your flares and enjoy an unforgettable night with Abbamania. Half price admission for children accompanied by two paying adults.

Time: 7:30pm Age Group: All Admission: £17.50 Falkirk Town Hall Telephone: 01324 506850 Email: venue@falkirk.gov.uk

Further Afield 8th February – 12th February

ANNIE at the Playhouse in Edinburgh From its Broadway beginnings to the classic film musical, this heartwarming rags-to-riches story of Annie’s adventures, from the New York orphanage to the luxurious home of Oliver Warbucks, is a tale that has been told all over the world for decades and will continue for many years to come.

Su Pollard plays Miss Hannigan in this show which features a cast of over 40 talented artistes.

Annie has a brilliantly memorable score including “It’s A Hard Knock Life”, “Easy Street” and of course the legendary “Tomorrow”, fantastically visual choreography, and a side-splittingly funny script .It really is no surprise that Annie has become one of the best loved family musicals of all time. see www.edinburghplayhouse. org.uk for details and to book tickets phone 0844 847 1660 or go to www.ticketmaster.co.uk 25th February to 27th February

ABBA are still one of the most popular groups in the world today, from ‘Waterloo’ to the disco vibe of ‘Dancing Queen’ their record breaking songs continue to thrill generations.

Abbamania are widely regarded as the UK’s Top ABBA tribute band with countless sensational live performances throughout Europe. With their fabulous representation of ABBA at the height of their supremacy, Abbamania will have you dancing and singing along to nearly 2 hours of pure nostalgia.

out & about

Thomas and Friends Live on stage at Edinburgh Playhouse

Meet Wobulous Discombobulous, the anarchic sock, as he presents a line up of extraordinarily talented performing objects, all with their own unique and captivating storylines. Suitcase Circus features the most unlikely of performers including the world’s only acrobatic potato sack, a daredevil ski glove, an incredible dancing milkshake straw, the hypnotic tie snake Windsor Knot, and the loveable yet bizarre magical Mexican hat Timrek. As with all quality circuses, it is accompanied by wonderful live music. Suitable for ages 4+ approximately 1 hour for details of times and tickets phone 01786 466666 or www.macrobert.org

This all new 90-minute musical adventure is packed with audience sing-a-longs, high energy dancing and thrilling adventures.

When Thomas makes a big mistake, all the engines on the Island of Sodor must work together to prepare for the exciting event under the Big Top and Thomas must prove he’s a really useful engine once again.

In this fun filled family show, Percy, James, Gordon and of course Thomas join The Fat Controller and the townspeople from the Island of Sodor to welcome a colourful cast of circus performers in an engaging story that demonstrates the importance of friendship and cooperation. see www.edinburghplayhouse. org.uk for details and to book tickets phone 0844 847 1660 or go to www.ticketmaster.co.uk For cinema listings at Bo’ness Hippodrome call 01324 508850 or www.falkirk.co.uk/ hippodrome For the MacRobert in Stirling contact 01786 466666 or visit www.macrobert.org

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Forth Valley Real Nappy Network Real Nappies are:  Good for the environment.  Good for your baby.  Easy to use  Good for your pocket.

We provide impartial advice and support, and offer a range of services including demonstrations and lending packs.

Contact us for any information and advice or come along to one of our nappuccinos for a coffee and a chat.

Tel: 01786 449215 Email: Kelly@forthenvironmentlink.org

Nappuccinos:  First Tues of every month, 11am at D’nisis Cafe, Alloa.  Last Thurs of every month, 11am at Caffe Nero, Stirling.