Families Thames Valley East November - December 2015 Issue 81

R

Thames Valley East

November/December 2015 - Issue 81

FRE E!

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!

WHERE TO FIND SANTA AND MUCH MORE INSIDE...

RECRUITING NOW

Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career.

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle,

please call Diana Page

01235 533362 07747 086518

...endless ideas for families of young children.

Packed with interesting features and fun things to do with the family in Maidenhead - Windsor - Marlow - Ascot - Slough - Egham

Come and see what makes our nurseries special!

Bourne End 01628 521522 Marlow 01628 487772

Beaconsfield 01494 677116 Old Windsor 01753 313030

New longer opening hours (7.30 till 6) from January 15

www.poppiesdaynursery.com Marlow Montessori School Bovingdon Green Village Hall Frieth Road Marlow SL7 2JQ

• Ofsted OUTSTANDING • Fun and learning for 2–5 year olds • Experienced and fully qualified Montessori staff • Early Years Funding available and childcare vouchers accepted • Visits welcome For more information please

email: jan@marlowmontessori.co.uk or call: 01628 477855

www.marlowmontessori.co.uk

in this

3 6 7 8 10 11 12 14 16 17 18 20 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

issue

News & Information Clubs & Classes News Creating confident children Education - Are we over-testing our children Education News CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Christmas Stocking filler ideas Christmas Presents for all the family Christmas Fun Panto Special Christmas Shows Where to find Santa What’s On Competitions - Win a family ticket to see One Snowy Night at Norden Farm - Win a signed copy of Andy Day’s album as seen on CBeebies - Win a big bundle of Christmas toys Coping with winter coughs & sneezes Christmas Cookie Tree decorations Ed’s Reading Room Baby not sleeping ?

Mums Who Mean Business Classifieds

web: FamiliesTVEast.co.uk tel: 01628 627586 fax: 08717 146 305 (calls cost 10p/min) e-mail: Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk editor: Claire Winter circulation: 19,500 next issue: January/February 2016 due out: January 4, featuring: Health and Children’s Parties

As the Christmas countdown begins we have a great festive issue, with ideas for gifts (pages 12-13) and fun days out on pages 14-15. We’ve got an incredible Galt Toy giveaway on page 25, a look at the best local Christmas shows on page 17, a guide to how to find that popular man in red on page 18, as well as Panto jokes and japes with Craig Revel Horwood on page 16, which is just wonderful daaaarling…

Have a great time with family and friends and we’ll see you in the New Year, with our Family Health and Children’s Party Special.

Design the ‘Rush’ mascot Rush Trampoline Parks is coming to High Wycombe soon and in the run up to opening, the Rush team are excited to launch their latest competition for local children: to come up with a cool and fun design for the Rush mascot.

From super heroes to animals and birds, whatever your child creates, Rush will consider every entry - the more adventurous the better, as long as they're inspired by the Rush logo.

Have a look at the Facebook page (facebook.com/rushuktrampolinepark) and the website www.rushuk.com for more inspiration.

Entrants must be aged between 4 and 11 years old and the closing date for entry is Friday 27th November. Entries should be in pdf or jpeg format and emailed to hello@rushuk.com The Rush Mascot will be selected on Monday 30th November and announced on Facebook and Twitter.

The winning child will win a family open jumping ticket (worth £48).

copy/advertising deadline:

December 1 R

Cover Image: Falling Snowflake Mod Dress £26. www.hatley.com/en_uk

twitter.com/familiestve • facebook.com/FamiliesTVE

Enrolling Now! Call your local school for details

Help the local economy on Small Business Saturday Will you support your local small businesses this December? Why not pledge to purchase your Christmas shopping nearby this year and help boost your local economy at the same time! What better time to start than Small Business Saturday, which this year will be on 5 December.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Families Thames Valley East has joined the campaign and is offering a free mention in our ‘Where’s Santa’ article online to help promote Festive Events which include a Grotto held by local charities, businesses and social enterprises up to Christmas 2015. (Send in your details to listings@familiestveast.co.uk).

To see how you can get involved, or for details of businesses close to you that are taking part, go to www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.

FENCING IN EARLY YEARS START FENCING NOW

with Gemesi Fencing and Salle Eton in

Windsor and Slough from the age of 4!

For further information call or visit the website.

R

Advertise for as little as £60 plus VAT.

Tel: 07583630283

www.gemesifencing.com

Ascot: Bracknell: Bracknell Warfield: Henley, High Wycombe & Marlow: Maidenhead: Windsor:

Call: 01628 627586 01344 206466 01342 833380 0800 915 0199 01494 533 203 0118 9712870 0845 293 7207

Holiday workshops booking now!

Age 4-18 Fun, confidence-building, educational classes in acting, singing and dance.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

www.stagecoach.co.uk

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

QUALITY TRAINING

ESTABLISHED 1988 600 SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

3

News & Info New book to help parents with children suffering from hip condition Small, independent day nursery 10 places for children aged 1- 5 years Extremely high standards of care and education Est 2004

Friendly, qualified and experienced staff Healthy, freshly made meals and snacks Fantastic Ofsted report Open Mon to Fri 8am ‘til 6pm 48 weeks per year Full and half day sessions Discounts for full time places For information call 07876800537 email: bcdn@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.briarcottagedaynursery.co.uk

Cast Life – A Parent’s Guide to DDH was published this autumn and offers a vital lifeline to parents with children suffering from Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH).

DDH occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit snugly together. Whilst it can affect around one child in every thousand, information and support is shockingly poor, often leaving parents feeling confused about what happens next.

Inspired by her son who was diagnosed at four months, the author, Natalie Trice, passionately believes that there needs to be more awareness of DDH, which if left untreated, can lead to long term disability, hip replacements and life long pain.

Cast Life covers everything, from explanations about the condition and details of the various treatments involved, to the various products available to make life during treatment easier. It also looks at family life and dealing with emotions, as well as featuring first person stories.

Cast Life is available on Amazon and Natalie has also set up a charity called Spica Warrior offering information about DDH, 10% of the royalties will be going to this cause. She also blogs about the condition at www.justbecauseilove.co.uk

CALL TO BOOK NOW For advertising in our January/February 2016 issue due out January 4.

Featuring: Health and Children’s Parties

Call: 01628 627586

4

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Farquhar’s Vocabulary Flash Cards believe that parents are invaluable in helping a child develop a rich vocabulary, critical to success in the 11+.

They offer a bank of challenging words, childfriendly definitions and synonyms, specifically developed for the 11+.

They’ve done the hard work so you can focus on your area of expertise: your child.

Don’t just “do” vocabulary once a week repetition is the key to internalising new words.

Stick them up in the kitchen; practise them on the go; challenge each other to sneak them into conversation; even act them out!

A great vocabulary is an asset for life, not just for the 11+. It’s worth the effort.

For more information visit www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk

New riverside nursery in Windsor

The 33rd annual AWBS Christmas craft fayre will be held in historic Founders Hall at Royal Holloway on Saturday December 5. There will be many stalls selling art, crafts, food, decorations, jewellery and more! Santa will be putting in an appearance and taking requests.

It’s a great day out and it supports a great cause.

All proceeds are donated to local Berkshire and Surrey charities.

The AWBS International Women’s Club is an organisation of expatriates and international women. The Christmas fayre has raised over £100,000 for charity in its 30+ year history.

Please email craftfayre@awbs.org.uk or visit them on line at www.awbs.org.uk.

The Riverside Day Nursery has re-located from Helston Lane in Windsor to the bright, modern surroundings of Windsor Leisure Centre.

Their pretty riverside premises are carefully designed to provide the most stimulating and safe environment for little ones to explore, have fun and learn about the world.

Catering for children from three months to five years, their new facilities include a warm, welcoming space for babies, a spacious fun-filled toddler room (complete with large soft play climbing frame) and a pre-school room packed with exciting educational activities.

Children also have access to an outdoor garden equipped with mud kitchen, cubby house, and climbing equipment.

For busy parents, there’s also ample onsite parking. To take a look around and meet the staff, please call in or contact them on 01753 855543; www.theriversidedaynursery.co.uk

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Go Christmas shopping at the AWBS Fayre

R

Improve 11+ Vocabulary in a Flash

News & Info

All babies to be protected against Meningitis A new vaccine to protect babies against meningitis B has been introduced for all babies aged two, four and 24 months.

Since September 2015, all babies are given the meningitis vaccine at their regular vaccination appointments. The scheme was delayed by cost disputes but is now the world’s first national, publicly funded programme against this deadly infection. It should protect babies and children against 90% of meningococcal group B bacteria. This can affect babies under the age of one and can be caught up to around the age of five years. If left untreated, it can cause damage to the brain and cause blood poisoning. It can also kill.

The Men ACWY vaccine will also be offered to all 17 and 18 year olds who are starting university this year.

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 teachers.”

33rd Annual

Christmas Craft & Gift Fayre Jamie’s Sugar Rush inspires sugar cuts Jamie Oliver’s groundbreaking TV programme Sugar Rush, which explored the relationship between obesity in kids and the hidden sugars in everyday foods, has led to many City councils calling for a ‘sugar tax’.

Brighton and Hove council is introducing a 10p surcharge on sugary soft drinks and is putting the proceeds towards a children’s health and food education trust. They are also supporting the introduction of healthy vending machines in schools and food education classes in primary school classrooms.

The council is responding to the celebrity chef’s investigations into the quantities of sugar hidden in food. England has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Europe and teenagers may be eating up to three times the recommended sugar intake every day.

Jamie Oliver has also introduced a sugar tax in his restaurants and the proceeds are going towards the Children’s Health Fund.

Send your child a ‘Letter from Santa’ and support the NSPCC To help share the magic of Christmas the NSPCC has teamed up with Santa to send personalised letters out to children. Each letter contains illustrations and stories, tailored to specific age groups. Parents can choose whether ‘Santa’ or ‘Father Christmas’ signs the letter, and each includes an age appropriate game.

You can now add a unique Post Script message and you will also receive a complimentary pack with games, recipes and activities.

There’s also the option to send a special poem written to celebrate Baby’s First Christmas – a keepsake to treasure for years to come.

For a suggested donation of only £5 parents can delight their own children whilst helping others who are less fortunate.

Request your Letter from Santa up until 22nd December at nspcc.org.uk/Santa

Saturday, 5th of December 10AM - 4PM At historic Founders Hall Royal Holloway University, Egham, TW20 0EX A great day out of shopping, Santa and fun for the entire family All proceeds to support local Berkshire and Surrey charities

HOWLAND TUTORS (MAIDENHEAD/MARLOW and WINDSOR/SLOUGH areas)

Expanding local agency

(established in 1998 and owned by highly experienced teachers)

offers individual tuition in twenty subjects including: all primary; Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, French, Geography, History, Latin, Maths and Physics. Further tutors welcome Tel. (01628) 477164 www.howlandtutors.co.uk

We are a super-friendly Ofsted registered day nursery providing high quality childcare for babies from three-months-old to children up to the age of five set within the bright, modern surroundings of Windsor Leisure Centre.

Open for 51 weeks a year!

To find out more about our excellent new childcare facility and meet our team: Call: 01753 855543 • Email: info@theriversidedaynursery.co.uk Visit: www.theriversidedaynursery.co.uk Telephone: 01628 627 586

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

5

Clubs & Classes News Go for Gold with Redroofs Redroofs have launched an exceptional training package, the Gold Team, for able children aged 6-18 years. Children have to audition to be considered for the classes and can be taken on their own or in tandem with other classes at the school.

With repertoire-style intensive workshop sessions, the sessions are taught by an expert team, including visiting West End professionals alongside their most experienced faculty. Experience the highest level of training available to young performers in the UK. 12-year-old Esmee, who attends the Monday class, says, “I love the Gold Team classes, the dance and performance sessions are really challenging and I love being taught by West End stars too.”

Classes run every Monday during term time. To find out more about auditions, please email info@redroofs.co.uk to register your interest. www.redroofs.co.uk

New Monkey Music classes in Flackwell Heath

Spanish Dance Classes in Marlow for children in Years 1& 2 Why not get your child to try a different type of dance? Experienced dance teacher Sue Arkle teaches Spanish Dance lessons in Marlow. The sessions are ideal for children who enjoy dance and want to try a different genre.

The classes focus on fun and begin with learning how to play the castanets, rhythmic stamping of feet (zapateado) and clapping (palmas).

It is a wonderful way to challenge coordination and gain further development of skills. Children will have the opportunity to explore Flamenco music, leading on to learning traditional regional and Flamenco dances.

The school follows the Spanish Dance Society syllabus and has been established for 26 years under the direction of Sue Arkle, with examinations held every year.

Sue is a registered and fully qualified teacher and examiner for the Spanish Dance Society with extensive national and international dance experience.

If you would like to try a free trial lesson please contact Sue on 01628 529413 for more details.

Monkey Music is delighted to add 7 NEW classes to their already extensive timetable of musical fun for little ones aged from 3 months to 4 years. Monkey Music runs classes Monday to Saturday in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and now in Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe.

To celebrate their new venue opening, they are OFFERING a reduced membership of just £1 to the first 30 new Monkey Music members at Flackwell Heath. For a FREE trial, call 01494 716861 or email amersham@monkeymusic.co.uk.

Further details can be found on their website www.monkeymusic.co.uk.

New Perform School in Sunningdale Perform deliver drama, dance and singing workshops for children, that focus on helping develop children’s confidence, coordination, communication and concentration skills. Perform is not a stage school but will help give your child amazing social skills and the best fun of their week.

The new Sunningdale school is holding classes on Tuesdays from 4-5pm (4-7 year olds) and 5-6pm (7-12 year olds) at Sunningdale Village Hall, Church Road. **SPECIAL READER OFFER** Book a free trial session before 30th January and get a £40 discount. Just quote FAML310316 For more information go to www.perform.org.uk or to book a free trial session call the Perform team on 0845 400 4000 or email enquiries@perform.org.uk

Spanish Dance Classes For Children age 6-7 year olds Try a different genre of dance, learn to play the castanets, have fun with regional and flamenco dances.

For more information and to register Phone Sue - School of Spanish Dance Marlow

01628 529413 Places are limited so early registration is recommended Sue is a registered and fully qualified teacher and examiner of the Spanish Dance Society with more than 25 years dance teaching experience both in the UK and overseas

6

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Education

CREATING CONFIDENT CHILDREN

By Liat Hughes-Joshi

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

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

Accept your child’s starting point Not all of us are confident by nature (life would be boring that way…) and whilst we can encourage self-belief, transforming a shy child into the ‘life and soul of the party’, is rarely realistic.

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

Don’t force things Your child needs to trust you when taking on new experiences and forcing them into something they’re very uncomfortable with damages that trust.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Instead, take small steps to encourage confidence Find opportunities to stretch just a bit beyond what your son or daughter is happy doing at any one time.

Work out what their fear is Pin down their concerns – perhaps it’s that they’ll make a fool of themselves, won’t be able to find you at the end of the party, won’t be understood.

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

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Keep praise special Keep praise for when it’s truly warranted and focus on effort rather than just results.

This way, when they do achieve something amazing, your comments will have more impact.

Find their forte If your child doesn’t do so well at school, this can erode their self-esteem. Seek opportunities for them to try activities out of school and highlight positive personality traits, such as being especially kind or a good organiser.

Step back sometimes and let them ‘have a go’ Children benefit from finding their own solutions, doing things their way sometimes and taking sensible risks. Guide and advise but try not to jump in and take over too quickly.

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).

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

7

Education

ARE WE OVER-TESTING OUR CHILDREN

By Carey Ann Dodah

The UK’s education system has traditionally been far less test-centric than its counterparts in countries such as the USA, where last year saw children actively boycotting and protesting against the test-culture. In the USA, children are tested annually and these tests dictate whether they progress into the next year or are held back. Children feel a lot of pressure to do well.

Parents want them to do well, but feel simultaneously concerned and disappointed at the way in which creative and life-skills can be side-lined in their children’s academic lives.

8

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

I

n the UK, the move towards the new curriculum and introduction of new assessments such as the the Baseline Assessment tests, Phonics Screening check, and KS2 SATS including the new SPAG test, are disturbing many parents, who are concerned that too much emphasis is being placed on teaching children to pass tests.

So what exactly are these tests?

The Baseline Test 1:1 formal test that will take place within a few weeks of a child starting school. It focusses on a child’s literacy and numeracy to generate a ‘baseline’ against which to measure progress to Key Stage One and Two. The baseline test has received a lot of criticism. However, if delivered in the right way, a child will not be aware of being assessed and the results will provide valuable data that teachers can use to track a child’s progress. Looking at the rate of progress each child is making is really

positive, as every child is different and learns at a different pace. The test will enable teachers to be recognised for the difference they are making to each individual pupil, rather than getting a whole cohort to one level.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Education

The baseline test has received a lot of criticism. However, if delivered in the right way, a child will not be aware of being assessed and the results will provide valuable data that teachers can use to track a child’s progress.

The Phonics Screening Check Taken by pupils in Year 1, this test is designed to confirm whether pupils have learnt phonic decoding to an appropriate standard. It will identify pupils who need extra help to improve their decoding skills.

The check consists of 20 real words and 20 pseudo-words that a pupil reads aloud to the teacher. Pupils must also take the check in Year 2 if they didn’t meet the required standard in Year 1 or haven’t taken it before.

KS2 SATS National Curriculum tests which are taken by pupils at age 11 at the end of Key Stage 2. Tests include:

Telephone: 01628 627 586

The SPAG Test An English grammar, punctuation and spelling test which assesses a child’s English skills in four key areas: spelling, punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary.

English Reading Test based on reading comprehension of three texts, with a total of 35 to 40 questions of increasing difficulty.

Three Written Maths Tests and a Mental Maths Test The new KS2 SATS will initially see pupils and schools judged on test results, as there is no historical data to evaluate progress for each individual pupil. So the tests will be tough and those sitting them in May

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

2016 are going to be challenged with material that would previously have been expected of children a year or two older.

With this amount of extra material to learn it’s natural that schools will feel the need to tailor their focus to the test.

The new curriculum set out to provide a creative, collaborative experience for children in both maths and English but the KS2 SATS tests focus on the mechanics of maths and English and don’t include any creative problem solving activities in maths or any opportunities for children to demonstrate their skills in creative writing.

The danger here is that the narrowness of the tests could flow into a narrow focus of learning during lessons.

Despite the increase in testing children in the UK, I remain positive that a testculture like that of the USA will be avoided.

It’s vital that the UK education system maintains a balance between creating a love of learning in children and nurturing their creative talents and passions, whilst simultaneously teaching them in a way that enables them to pass tests. The majority of teachers feel similarly and we need to trust in the intention they have to preserve this balance for our children.

Carey Ann Dodah is the Head of Curriculum at Explore Learning, one of the UK's leading providers of extra tuition with 117 centres located across the country including Camberley, Maidenhead and Slough. For further information visit explorelearning.co.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

9

Education News Maidenhead and Windsor set to expand places for secondary students

Taplow school pupils win at business in national competition Pupils from St Nicholas’ CE Combined School have won the Most Profitable Business Idea prize in the age 9-11 category as part of the Fiver Challenge, run

by Young Enterprise and supported by Virgin Money. The winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony this September at the Ham Yard Hotel in central London.

The team, ‘Sweet Treats’, sold cupcakes, cookies and other treats at events. They also allowed children to decorate their own cookies, and secured a trading spot outside Sainsbury’s to sell to the public.

The team made £670 in profit, which they used to fund their school production of The Lion King.

10

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

The Royal Borough of Maidenhead and Windsor is set to invest £20m in increasing the number of places available for secondary school pupils.

The council’s cabinet has agreed to boost the number of places at six of the borough’s schools. There would be a predicted shortfall of 184 secondary school places in the borough by 2021 if more places were not provided.

The expansion plans will see Charters School, Sunningdale, Furze Platt and Cox Green in Maidenhead, Dedworth Middle, Windsor Boys and Windsor Girls each expanded by 30 places by September 2017. A further 30 places will be provided at Dedworth Middle School for 2018.

After the announcement of the Secretary of State’s decision to support the expansion of the Weald of Kent grammar school. The council has announced that they are also exploring the option of supporting an existing local Grammar school to develop a satellite in the borough.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

A new Montessori school in Old Windsor Dr. Maria Montessori opened her first school in 1907 in Rome and called it ‘Casa dei Bambini’, which means ‘House of Children’.

In 1980, the Windsor Montessori School opened its first school in Windsor, it was also the first ever Montessori school in Berkshire.

35 years later, with the support of the Crown Estate, they are opening the ‘Windsor Montessori House of Children,’ in Old Windsor, in a beautiful building on the Datchet road. The school will be for children aged three months to six years.

The new school will open its doors for their first group of children on November 2 this year. Working parents can be assured that the school will provide a safe, caring, loving, nurturing and stimulating environment, where they can leave their babies and young children. They will be in the care of mature, qualified and experienced staff, for fifty weeks of the year, from 8am to 6pm.

WMHC will follow the true tenets of Dr Montessori. As an AMI Montessori school, it will offer a child centred and multi-sensory environment. Their carefully planned programme will support the child’s different stages of learning and development from six months to six years in three different environments. ‘The Nido’ (nest) for infants from 3 months to 18 months, ‘The Children’s Community’ for 18 months to 3 years and ‘The Primary Classroom’, for 3 to 6 years.

The school will be opened for parents to view on a Monday and a Friday.

To arrange a visit please call 01344 844592. www.windsormontessorihouseofchildren.co.uk

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

GO BACK TO BASICS WHEN FILLING YOUR CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS THIS YEAR

Come Christmas Eve I just know there will be endless photos posted on social media that show off mounds of presents from Santa and stockings so packed I can only imagine the exhaustion of those poor elves.

When did things change?

When did Christmas become so competitive?

I

don’t know whether it is simply because you can see what everyone is doing on social media, whether it’s because parents feel guilty about uneven work-life balance situations, or if we have simply lost sight of what the festive season is all about?

One way of keeping things real is to think about the traditions you are creating in your home. A great way to do this is to create stockings that are less plastic fantastic and more traditional and thoughtful.

While not suggesting you pop an orange and a walnut in an ankle sock and call it a day, we have found some endearing gifts that you will love buying and they will love unwrapping.

You can’t get much more old school that a pretty little wooden box full of shiny, coloured beads? This lovely little starter kit from kidsonestopshop.co.uk comes in at under £6, making it a winning gift on many levels. borngifted.co.uk is the perfect place for traditional toys and we just love their brightly coloured wooden whale jigsaw (£9.99). The chunky, bright pieces are great for little hands and we are pretty sure Father Christmas will give this classic toy the thumbs up.

Everyone loves a pull along wooden animal and JoJo Maman Bebe have some super-cutes one in store. Their funky little turtles and hedgehogs look cool, have rubber gripped wheels for a smooth and quiet ride (really important after a 5am opening session) and you never know, it may just keep those requests for a puppy at bay until Boxing Day. The World’s Smallest Rubik’s Cube is 1.5 inches of brainboggling, mind-frustrating, finger-cramping fun for kids, big and small.

This scaled-down version of one of the world’s best-selling toys is just £7.99 from thefowndry.com and is a stocking must-have that’ll keep them busy for hours.

A cheeky set of wind-up chattering teeth will bring a smile to anybody’s face, however early the present is opened on Christmas morning. These are available at dotcomgiftshop.com for just £1.95 along with many other cool pressies including bags of marbles, mini spinning tops and pots of colouring pencils.

The Chewits Selection Box is a retro treat packed with eight full-size chewy stickpacks, including flavour favourites strawberry, fruit salad and sour apple.

Rory’s Story Cubes (£10 from Amazon) is the much loved pocket sized creative story generator.

Simply roll the dice and let them guide your imagination through a story that begins with ‘Once upon a time...' no screens or apps required.

For those teenagers who are too ‘kool for skool’ but secretly still love finding a stocking at the end of their bed, head to Tinc. OK, they do sell lava lamps and pretty Telephone: 01628 627 586

Chistmas Gifts ‘sick’ (I think that’s the word on the street) headphones but go back to basics with their neon pens, pencils and school bags and we are talking 1980s stocking fillers people.

For older girls or adults, Brain Tumour Research’s Limited Edition brooches are a good choice. Celebrated Milliners Rachel Trevor Morgan and Vivien Sheriff are among those who have collaborated with the charity to produce these gorgeous brooches in order to raise funds for their annual ‘Wear A Hat Day’. Suggested donation £10.Visit www.braintumourresearch.org or call 01296 733011 to secure yours today! (Each brooch is limited to a run of 500).

Of course, a stocking wouldn’t be a stocking without a soft toy and our money’s on Jelly Cat’s Peanut Penguin this year (from £8 at John Lewis). With a wobbly tummy, adorable big eyes and super-soft fur, you’ll have to set an extra place at the lunch table.

With all these gifts wrapped up and a couple of gold coins thrown in for good measure, the only thing you need to decide now, is what to leave Santa and Rudolf to munch on when they make their deliveries.

Natalie is a freelance journalist and blogger (www.justbecauseilove.co.uk) who knows a thing or two about PR and social media too (www.tantaramedia.co.uk). Based in Buckinghamshire she is mummy to two little boys, wife to one husband and keeper of a cat and dog, who all keep her busy and on her toes.

Make Christmas dreams come true for your child with a magical Letter from Santa straight from the North Pole. There are eight fantastic new designs and lots of new ways to make the letter personal for your child. All we suggest is a £5 donation to help support our work keeping vulnerable children safe.

With enchanting new stories and even a Baby’s First Christmas poem, a Letter from Santa can bring a smile to children everywhere this festive season. Get your Christmas off to the perfect start and order yours today.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

11

Chistmas Gifts

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP Stuck for present ideas? We’ve got some brilliant suggestions that cover the whole family.

• Kids Art Clubs • Pottery Painting • Adult Art Classes & Workshops • Corporate Meetings & Events • Parties

FOR BABIES 1. Christmas Pudding Leggings £11- Blade and Rose How cute will your baby look crawling around on Christmas Day in these seasonal striped leggings with their cheeky Christmas pudding on the tush. They’re made from, soft fabric with a thick waistband for comfort and you can add matching socks, a bandana bib and a hat.

2. Pirate Ship Personalised illuminated Canvas from £55.95 Illuminated Canvas A picture for your baby’s nursery wall but with a twist; not only can you have your child’s name on the canvas but it lights up, showing an illuminated window in the ship and on the masts.

3. Maya Organic Peppy Five Stackers £25.95 - Igloo Kids These stacking toys are hand made from quality wood and finished with child-safe paint and lacquer. Sweet to look at, your baby will also enjoy taking the stacks apart and gradually learning to put them together again.

4. My Wondercube £17.99 - My Wondercube This fabric cube toy was invented by a mum inspired by how fascinated her baby was with a box of tissues. Inside the bright colourful organic cotton cube are soft squares that your child can pull out of the cube, pull apart, stick back together and push back inside. Each square has a squeak, crinkle or a rustle and it’s machine washable too.

FOR CHILDREN 1. Magic Elf Door £20 - The Magic Door Store Creating a whole world of imagination and anticipation, these sweet doors can be put at the bottom of a wall or even on a tree in the garden.Your child will love leaving little gifts for the Elf or Fairy and who knows – they may even get a response!

2. Sudokube £5.95 - Prezzybox If you used to love the Rubik’s cube, this is a great new take on the classic game that’s good for maths-minded kids. The idea is to get all the numbers from one to nine on each and every side of the cube. If nothing else, it will keep the kids quiet until lunch is ready.

12

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Chistmas Gifts

3. Bath Bomb Factory £12.99 Argos There are several Wild Science kits and this one will create a beautiful bathtime.

With all the ingredients to make scented, fizzing bath bombs, it sparks your child’s interest in science too. In fact, it supports Key Stage Two learning and there aren’t many bath products that can make that claim.

4. Portable Phone Charger £19.99 - Anker Easy to pop into a pocket or bag, this tiny charger will hold a full phone’s worth of charge to use just when you need it. Then simply re-charge with a USB plugged into your computer.

Comes in several colours.

4. Personalised Story Book, £11.99 - Labels4Kids Make your child the star of their very own personalised story book. Labels4Kids.com provides story books with Disney Frozen Fever, Disney Princesses, Toy Story 3 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! A great gift idea for Christmas and now available on their website. Order early so they can send them to you before Christmas - the adventure books are custom made and take up to 2-3 weeks for Christmas delivery.

Get yours today from www.labels4kids.com/fam2

FOR HIM OR HER 1. Personalised tree decoration, starting from £20 - Dinky Fingerprint Company Make your tree sparkle with a personalised tree decoration. The Dinky Fingerprint Company can create beautiful, stainless steel Christmas decorations, engraved with messages, names and dates.

They can also be personalised with hands, feet, paws or fingerprints and you can even engrave a favourite drawing. They have a mirror shine finish, which will add some extra twinkle to the tree and they are a great Christmas gift.

They also sell a wide range of personalised jewellery, including on-trend men’s leather bracelets and engraved Pandora style beads and jewellery.

To create a personalised gift that is unique as you are, go to www.dinkyfingerprintjewellery.co.uk or call 01628 623386.

5. Coffee Subscription £7.95 per month - Kopi For just £7.95 per month, your coffee lover can receive a little shot of caffeine kindness to your door.

Sourcing only from small-scale farmers and including a tasting booklet, this is an education in coffee.

6. Mini Indoor Herb Garden £24.95 - Gifts Direct With the increase in popularity of gardening and cookery programmes on the television, this sweet little garden will help you create your very own tiny allotment. It comes with three tiny plant pots with drainage holes that fit neatly in the fence. Inside the shed are tiny snippers, soil pellets and a packet of three kinds of seeds; coriander, basil and oregano. The shed can be used to store more seeds for next time.

2. Fitbit Charge Large Activity Tracker £84.99 - Fitbit Perfect for fitness novices or those who love to work out, this will help keep track of activity and calories. On a chunky wristband this tracks steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned, floors climbed and active minutes. It even helps monitor your sleep patterns.

3. Classic Coffret of Diptyque Candles £60 - Space NK This is a luxurious set of candles and though there are cheaper brands, the intense perfume of these lasts well and is good value for money. There’s Figuier, the scent of fig wood, Baies which has bouquets of roses and blackcurrant leaves and Roses, smelling like a freshly picked bouquet.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

13

Christmas Fun

FESTIVE FROLICS...

There’s so much fun to be had at this time of year, ice skating, Panto, yummy food, shopping and festive cheer, what more could you ask for? Here Families has picked out some of our favourite things to do during the Christmas season.

run up to Christmas. A special ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ adventure trail has been created around the gardens which will see you looking for ladies dancing, playing with five gold rings and even becoming ‘drummers drumming’ among other creative activities.

There’ll be stocking-filler gifts to pick up along the route and there’s even the chance to meet Father Christmas himself. Ideal for children aged four years and above, the trail costs £5 per child plus usual admission.

Cliveden’s gardens turn into a natural wonderland in the winter months with countryside views to rival any around. With the estate open through until 3 January (excluding 24 and 25 December) you can visit for your Boxing Day or New Year’s Day stroll, as well as every day in between, to work off that Christmas indulgence. Cliveden, Taplow near Maidenhead SL1 8NS, 01628 605 069; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden JOIN SANTA’S HELPERS AT THE SAVILL GARDEN A magical Winter Sprite trail awaits you at The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park. The fun family trail will lead you around parts of the park and you will be rewarded with a bag of chocolate coins. The trail is open from December 1 to 31 December and costs £3.50 per trail sheet (parking charges apply).

From 01 – 23 December, every weekday morning there will be Christmas story

reading for the very young at 10.30 and 11.30am in The Gallery Coffee Bar (Parents and Grandparents welcome). Write a letter to Father Christmas, or make your own Christmas card in the Arts and Crafts area.

Or you can join the busy elves from LaplandUK as they prepare for Christmas, learning special rhymes and songs at a special workshop. The elves will help children write a letter to Father Christmas, which they can post in the Woodland Glade post-box. The workshops are held every weekend from 28 November to 20 December, hourly from 10.30am to 3.30pm. They last 30 minutes and cost £7.50, to book call 01784 485 400; windsorgreatpark.co.uk GET YOUR SKATES ON! Now in its 6th year at Alexandra Gardens, the Windsor on Ice rink is open from November 2015 until January 2016.

Windsor On Ice offers a great value day out for all the family, regardless of the weather. They are the only temporary ice rink that has a covered main rink with an outside ice skating track so skaters can still enjoy the fantastic views. It is also an excellent venue for Christmas Parties and family gatherings.

All levels of skaters are welcome, experienced and inexperienced.

This year the viewing area, festive food court and some attractions are also under cover, so non skaters can relax and stay warm while watching their family have fun on the ice rink, whilst enjoying freshly ground coffee or sampling their festive food and drink from the indoor Ice Bar and Grill.

New for this season, Alexandra Gardens have built the bandstand, which will be seen from the side of the ice rink outside track with an extended outdoor viewing platform. www.windsoronice.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

FESTIVE FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY AT THE CROWNE PLAZA Get into the Christmas spirit with a festive celebration for the whole family at the Crowne Plaza in Marlow by tucking in to their Festive Family Sunday Lunch on Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th December.

A sumptuous Festive Carvery Buffet will be served up, with a kids’ buffet. Following the carvery, the children will be thoroughly

entertained with a Kids’ Christmas Party, which includes face painting, a disco and an entertainer, from 2pm to 5pm. As well as all the fun, a visit to Father Christmas is also included, which will really make your children’s day. He’ll be in his grotto from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Price: £29.95 per adult and £17.95 per child (3-12 years old), 0-2 year olds go free. Tickets must be booked in advance at www.cpmarlow.co.uk/whats-on.

Other family events to look out for are their Bonfire night celebration on November 7 and Christmas Market on November 22. For more information, call 01628 496 860 or email christmas@cpmarlow.co.uk; www.cpmarlow.co.uk EXPLORE CHRISTMAS AT CLIVEDEN A festive exploration for families is in store at Cliveden each weekend in December in the

14

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

FORMER MP TO JOIN BASIL BRUSH AND BLUE PETER PRESENTER IN THEATRE ROYAL PANTO Waltzing across the stage in Cinderella this Christmas will be former Strictly star, the Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe, who will star as the Fairy Godmother alongside former Blue Peter presenter and Miss Northern Ireland Zoe Salmon, who will play the title role. Singer Jai McDowell, who was crowned the winner of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011 will star as Prince Charming, with Dreamboats and Miniskirts’ leading man Alex Beaumont as his best friend Dandini.

Returning to the Theatre Royal are Windsor’s panto favourites Basil Brush as Baron Hardup and comic Kevin Cruise as the lovable Buttons. Regular Panto Dame, Steven Blakeley, will be joined by Emmerdale’s Shaun Prendergast - described by the Daily Telegraph as “the finest, funniest pantomime Dame” - playing the Ugly Step-Sisters, in what promises to be another fun-filled show for all the family.

Book now to ensure the best seats. Call the box office on 01753 853888 or visit the website www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Christmas Fun MAIDENHEAD’S COMMUNITY LANTERN PARADE IS BACK The Carnival of the Animals Lantern Parade is on Saturday 12 December featuring live music from the Bollywood Brass Band.

You can get involved by joining one of the Lantern Making workshops, running throughout November and December.

Create an animal inspired lantern by weaving and decorating willow. Expert lantern makers will guide you through the process and you will have a lantern ready to illuminate at the parade.

Suitable for all the family, workshops are £3 per person. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF, 01628 788997; www.nordenfarm.org ACCESSIBLE ART EVENT Find original gifts at Art on the Street in Maidenhead on December 5. Over 100 stands of fine art, prints and photography will be sold direct from the artist, to a backdrop of fantastic entertainment - music, performances, free workshops, activities and street food.

This now bi-annual event is an award winning social enterprise that was set up by a group of local people in 2009 and is staffed

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

on a volunteer basis. Every stallholder is an artist selling their own work, so you can chat to them and found out more about their art.

You also know the money you spend is going straight to the artist and not on expensive commission fees that many artists have to pay to galleries and shops. The event gets thousands of visitors and there is a real carnival atmosphere in the town centre on the day of the market.

To find out more go to www.artonthestreet.org.uk For more Christmas shows go to page 17 and for other Christmas events go to page 20 to 23.You can also see What’s On online at www.familiestveast.co.uk/whatson

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

15

Christmas What’s On

Waltz and all…

Siobhan Newman chats to Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood and talented impressionist Paul Burling about good times, bad boys and the joys of Pantomime...

I

t’s strictly come Panto for Craig Revel Horwood this winter – the strictest judge of the BBC’s dancing competition will swap his barbed comments for a real hook when he sashays into the Wycombe Swan’s production of Peter Pan. I met the dancer and choreographer at the show’s launch in Legoland Windsor, along with friend and co-star Paul Burling (Britain’s Got Talent finalist and impressionist extraordinaire) who plays Smee. I found them in the calm of the Legoland Hotel, swords down and out of their pirate boots.

Famous for his caustic put-downs on Strictly Come Dancing, it’s rather disarming that this Captain Hook is so candid - he lights up when talking about his partner Damon Scott, who was also a Britain’s Got Talent finalist and happens to be friends with Burling.

So what’s it like, I ask Revel Horwood, being a baddie? “Villains are far better to play,” he says, decisively. “It’s great to be a baddie. I’m not a soubrette, the more boos I get, the more I’ll get paid!”

As Burling said: “We have good chemistry which is good, as there are a lot of scenes and dialogue so it’s nice to have a rapport to draw on.”

Revel Horwood has starred in the Swan’s pantomime before, as the Wicked Queen in Snow White in 2012 alongside, bizarrely, Ann Widdecombe. So does he miss the drag?

The very British tradition of panto remains something of an enigma to Australia-born Revel Horwood, who admits he was bewildered when he first encountered it. But he’s hooked into this production of Peter Pan:

“It’s a change but I still wear make-up and at the moment I’m in

REDROOFS SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

JOIN THE GOLD TEAM! www.redroofs.co.uk

The Gold team is our exceptional training package for able children ages 6-18 years.

Repertoire Style Intensive Workshop Sessions for our able performers. Delivered by our expert team including visiting West End professionals alongside our most experienced faculty.

You need to audition to take part in our Monday night Gold Team classes, please email info@redroofs.co.uk to find out more. i i i Part-time & Weekend Schools, including Musical Theatre School, Drama School and Dance School (Ages 2-19 years), Full Time School (9-16 years), 6th Form (16-18 years), 1 year Foundation course (18-19 years) Holiday Courses, Professional Master Classes & Parties

www.redroofs.co.uk or call 01628 674092.

16

women’s underwear for Annie. (Revel Horwood is on tour as Miss Hannigan in the rags-to-riches musical). I draw on a lot to do that, loneliness, my father’s alcoholism…”

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

“It’s got everything… there is sword fighting, pyrotechnics, incredible comedy, a massive crocodile – I get to control the croc.”

He’s looking forward to giving a 10 out of 10 performance, though the ever-critical judge admits to the odd mishap the last time he played in Wycombe.

“I was all ready, I came out on stage in the spotlight and I turned to Ann Widdecombe and said ‘Darling (two-beat pause) I cannot remember what I’m meant to say next’. And of course the audience love it when things go wrong.”

Revel Horwood is busy until December with the Annie tour, as well as a certain TV show. For all the Strictly lovers, I had to ask about this year’s contestants.

“Well darling, I think people were loving the opening. The Olympian, Iwan Thomas, is a workaholic, really competitive, which can be slightly dangerous in a show like Strictly. Helen George I’m tipping to be in the final and I think Peter Andre is going to be really really good, people like him, he looks good and 50% of the vote is the public.”

I wonder what voices Burling will be honing for Peter Pan but he’s keeping shtum: “Only Fools and Horses is my favourite, and retro stuff like Rainbow and Harry Hill, appealing to every age group.”

So can you do him? I ask, gesturing towards Revel Horwood. They both giggle, then, in fabulous stereo…

‘Disaster daaarling…”

Peter Pan is at the Wycombe Swan from December 11 to January 3. Craig Revel Horwood and Paul Burling are joined by comedy ventriloquist Dawson Chance as Starkey and Joe Sleight as Peter Pan.Visit wycombeswan.co.uk for information and online tickets or call the box office on 01494 512 000.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Christmas What’s On November 24 to December 27 ONE SNOWY NIGHT Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997.

One winter's night it was so cold it began to snow.

Great big snowflakes fell past the window of Percy's hut… Percy the park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. But one cold winter’s night Percy finds his little friends shivering on the doorstep – a snuggly, heartwarming story, with songs to sing along to and furry friends to meet. The show's original run was at Norden Farm in 2010 and it returns by popular demand! Created by Slot Machine, the company that brought the hit Christmas shows Miki (2011) and Kipper's Snowy Day (2014). Suitable for ages 3+. See website for One Snowy Night Art Competition.Various show times. www.nordenfarm.org

December 2 to January 10 CINDERELLA Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, SL4 1PS, 01753 853 888. The classic fairytale of a beautiful girl forced to serve her jealous dastardly Ugly Step-Sisters. The star cast, includes

Telephone: 01628 627 586

former Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon in the title role, Anne Widdecombe as the Fairy Godmother and the comic Kevin Cruise as Buttons. Steven Blakeley will join Emmerdales’ Shaun Prendergast – to play the Ugly Step-Sisters and panto favourite Basil Brush will play Baron Hardup! Tickets to enjoy Windsor’s fun-filled traditional pantomime are on sale now. Oh yes they are! www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk December 3 to 5 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Stoke Poges Village Centre, Rogers Lane, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4LP. Jack Trott is a poor boy who lives with his mother, two brothers and their cow in the village of Loose Chippings where they and the villagers live in fear of a Giant and the only thing of value that Jack’s poor family owns only is the cow, Gorgonzola. Will their fortunes improve? Come along to the Village Centre to find out. Ring: 01753 677032 or email: stokepogesplayers@hotmail.co.uk for tickets. www.stoke-poges-centre.org.uk From December 4 to December 12 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Memorial Hall Old Windsor, Straight Road, Old Windsor, SL4 6RN, 01753 860329. Snow White is full of comedy, right down to the apple core! … A traditional family panto with lots of fun for everyone. www.riversideplayers.com/current.shtml December 5 to January 3 DICK WHITTINGTON The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, 0118 960 6060. Starring CBeebies superstar Justin Fletcher and, back by extremely popular demand, Reading's favourite dame Paul Morse and children's TV presenter Kerry Newell. Put together the hero Dick, a brilliant cat, some lavish costumes, spectacular sets, toe tapping music and bags of knockout comedy and you have a recipe for the ‘purrfect’ Christmas Show! www.readingarts.com/thehexagon/pantomime

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Wednesday December 9 to Saturday 13 CAMELOT – THE PANTO Colnbrook Village Hall,Vicarage Way, Colnbrook, SL3 ORF. Trot along to Camelot for medieval fun and panto knights to remember. Wed, Thurs and Fri at 7.45pm and Sat and Sun at 12 noon. Adults: £10 children/conc.: £7.

Tel: 07894 579177 or email: boxoffice@castonline.org.uk or book online. Early bird deals. www.cast-online.org.uk.

December 11 to January 3 PETER PAN Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE. It’s Strictly panto when Craig Revel Horwood is joined by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Paul Burling and comedy ventriloquist Dawson Chance. Don’t miss this fabulous swashbuckling pantomime adventure packed with lots of laugh-out-loud comedy for all the family and, of course, sensational flying! This dancing Captain Hook had better watch out for the crocodile... www.wycombeswan.co.uk From December 16 to 20 PUSS IN BOOTS Desborough Suite, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF, 01628 683540. Classic panto tale of a clever and devious cat, who helps his master win the hand of a princess. www.maidenhead-drama.co.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

17

Find Santa

WHERE TO MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS…. …You can meet him at ASCOT RACECOURSE on Saturday, December 19. Father Christmas will be waiting in his Winter Wonderland to give a gift to every child, subject to availability and good behaviour throughout the year. Racing and a Christmas carol concert too! www.ascot.co.uk …at LAPLAND UK in Swinley Road, Ascot, from 21 November to 24 December. Go through the snowy …at HUGHENDEN MANOR, High Wycombe, every weekend from 5 December to 20 December. It wouldn't be Christmas without meeting the jolly man himself! 11am to 3pm. Costs £6. 01494 755573. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats-on/events …at ODDS FARM PARK, Wooburn Common Road, Bucks on 21 and 22 November and then daily from 28 November to 24 December. Entering a cosy Grotto via a sparkling Woodland Walkway, children will meet the Elves and of course Father Christmas himself, before exchanging a magical Golden Ticket for something very special in the Elves’ Teddy-Tastic Workshop.* Combined with plenty of Christmas Lambs to meet and Crazy Entertainers every weekend in December and daily during the Christmas Holidays until 4 January+, there’s stacks of festive fun for the whole family! For more information about the NEW Magic of Christmas event including prices and call 01628 520188 to book online or visit www.oddsfarm.co.uk *Extra charge applies – see website for details ….at WINDSOR ON ICE, Alexandra Gardens, between noon and 6pm every Saturday and Sunday, December 5-20, Monday to Thursday, December 21-24. The Ice rink is open November 28 to January 4.

You can have family fun whatever the weather, they have a covered ice rink and outdoor skating track, so you can enjoy the views in the picturesque Alexandra Gardens in Windsor. 01753 743915; www.windsoronice.com …at OAKTREE GARDEN CENTRE & NURSERY, Brockhill, Bracknell Road, Warfield, Bracknell, RG42 6LH, every Wednesday, weekend and 23 & 24 of December. Christmas is a very special time at Oaktree Garden Centre, see the amazing Christmas wonderland display, walk down the avenue of lit trees and Christmas scenes leading to Mother Christmas’s House where you can help prepare for the big day. Then visit Santa’s Reindeer before meeting the big man himself! Santa visits start from £8.50 per child with two accompanying adults. www.oaktreegardencentre.com …at LEGOLAND WINDSOR, from 21 November to 23 December. Twinkling lights, snow dusted pine trees and exciting seasonal festivities….all with a sprinkling of special LEGO® delights. 0871 2222 001 www.legoland.co.uk/Plan/Christmas …at NICHOLSONS CENTRE, Maidenhead, every Saturday from 28 November to 19 December. Santa and his helpers will be in the centre from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. Bernard Ranger Photography will also be there to capture some festive fun. Weekend parking will be FREE; www.enjoymaidenhead.com/events-and-offers

18

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

…in WINDSOR TOWN CENTRE Date on 5 December (date tbc). Come and see the reindeer

forest to an immersive theatrical experience for the whole family. Approximately 3.5 hours. Prices from £45-£89.50 per person plus booking fees. 0871 6207063; laplanduk.seetickets.com/content/laplanduk …in MAIDENHEAD MAIDENHEAD TOWN CENTRE, on Sundays 13 December to 20 December Santa and his elves will be visiting the High Street with some animal friends between 11am and 3pm. www.enjoymaidenhead.com …at BLACK PARK, Bucks, SL3 6DS, on Sunday 29 November and weekend of 5 and 6 December 10am to noon and 1-3pm.Visit Santa in his magical grotto at Black Park Country Park. While you're here, why not have a magical carriage ride, or pick up a trail guide to find Santa's escaped reindeer - charges apply.

Cost: £5 per child. No booking required. Call 01753 511060 or email: countryparks@buckscc.gov.uk for information. …at CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM, Chalfont St Giles on 5 and 6 December. See Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a gift, take part in Christmas crafts, hear songs and music. 11am to 4pm. Grotto £3.

01494 871117; www.coam.org.uk/whats-on/events/traditional-christmas/ …during breakfast at WINDSOR ROYAL SHOPPING CENTRE. Dates to be confirmed but usually runs every weekend in December before Christmas. Have breakfast with Father Christmas at the Cafe Rouge, Windsor Royal Station. Booking (essential) opens early November. www.windsorroyalshopping.co.uk

parade and Father Christmas on a sleigh with a marching band and other Christmas characters. Leaves from the Advance Gate of Windsor Castle at 2pm and ends at the Jubilee Monument behind Daniel department store where you can meet Santa. www.windsor.gov.uk …at the CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY, Chinnor, Oxon, every weekend from 5 December to 20 December.

Enjoy a magical trip on the rails with Santa, gift for every child, booking required. Trains at 10.15 & 11.30am, 1, 2.15 & 3.30pm. 01844 353535. www.chinnorrailway.co.uk …at MIZENS RAILWAY, Knaphill, Surrey, Every Sun from 6 December to 20 December 10.30am-3.30pm. Booking essential. www.mizens-santa.org.uk.

…at PAINHSILL PARK’S CRYSTAL GROTTO, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, from 5 to 24 December.

Each child will receive a small gift. www.painshill.co.uk/father-christmas-in-the-crystal-grotto/

...at BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY CENTRE, Quainton, From 19 and 20 December. See Santa, get a gift! Trains depart at 10.25 & 11.15am, 12.10, 1.05, 2.20, 3.15 and 4.05pm. www.bucksrailcentre.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Windsor Montessori School Established in1980 The 1st Montessori School in Berkshire AMI Registered Outstanding Ofsted Report

“Where children learn how to learn”

• Infant Programme: 6 - 18 months • Pre –Primary: 3 - 5 years

• Toddler Programme: 18 months - 3 years • Primary class: 5 - 9 years

Our mission is to foster a love of learning. We support children to be the principles of Montessori philosophy.

Staffed by highly qualified and experienced AMI teachers, our school is located swimming classes.

We also have an infant, toddler and parent session, as well as offering some and to support the child’s development in the home.

Sessions we offer for preschool are: • Standard day: 9.15 to 3.30pm • Extended hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm • Morning session: 9.15am to 12.45pm (lunch club to 1.30pm) •

pre-primary children from 3 years to 5 years) Romney Lock Road, Home Park, Windsor SL4 6HX Telephone: School: 01753 868399 Office: 01344 844592 Email: For Infant, toddler and pre-primary class: menik@windsor-montessori.com For Primary class: ann@windsormontesssorischool.co.uk

www.windsormontessorischool.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

19

What’s On

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

The Gruffalo is at the Theatre Royal Windsor from November 3 to 7

The Nutcracker is at the Theatre Royal Windsor from November 10 to 14

Victorian Street Fayre fun in Sunninghill on November 15 (date tbc)

NOVEMBER

354400. Find out what a candle needs to keep burning, which creatures create their own light as well as the chance to marvel at the tornado of fire. Experiments not to be done at home! Suitable for age 5+. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutweekendandholid ayshows Tuesday November 3 to Saturday 7 THE GRUFFALO Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, SL4 1PS, 01753 853 888. Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood. Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3+ and their grown-ups. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk From Wednesday November 4 TOY LIBRARY Highview, 6 North Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1PL. The toy sharing initiative invites all accompanied children each Wednesday from 10am-noon, and on the first Sunday of each month from 3-5pm. www.rbwm.gov.uk Saturday November 7 BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS Formosa Meadow, Mill Lane, Cookham, SL6 9TE. Gates open from 5.30pm, bonfire lighting is at 6pm, fireworks start at 7pm. www.cookhamscouts.org.uk Saturday November 7 FIREWORK NIGHT CELEBRATION Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, SL7 1GJ, 01628 496 860. Celebrate Bonfire Night in the stunning surroundings of the hotel with fireworks

over the lake, live music and food and drink. From 6.30pm.

Advance booking essential: www.cpmarlow.co.uk/whats-on Saturday November 7 FIREWORK DISPLAY WITH MUSIC Laurel Park, Marefield, Lower Early RG6 3DZ. Gates open 6pm; fireworks 7pm. Adult £7, under 14s £5. Profits to charity. woodleyandearleylions-public.sharepoint.com Saturday November 7 FIREWORKS 2015 Beaconsfield Cricket Club, Wilton Park, HP9 2XD. Hog Roast, Chinese and Indian food, mulled wine, children’s rides. Gates open at 6pm.

Saturday November 7 ‘MAGIC IN THE SKY’ Stone Meadow, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4QA. Gates open 5.45pm, bonfire lighting ceremony to music 6.15pm, fireworks 7pm. www.chalfont-fireworks.org.uk Saturday November 7 BONFIRE SPECTACULAR at Upton Court Park, Slough. 60-foot real bonfire, fireworks, food and a massive fun fair. www.slough.gov.uk Saturday November 7 THE WAR OF THE WORLDS FIREWORKS Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, SL4 5JJ, 01753 498400. Open-air music, alien invasion and fireworks meet at The War of the Worlds. Call 01753 498400 or book online windsor-racecourse.co.uk

Every weekend in November CRAZY ENTERTAINERS at Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common, HP10 0LX, 01628 520 188. Enjoy the madness and Mayhem of Odds Farm Park’s Crazy Entertainers! All included in entry. Plus giant playbarn and plenty of cute furry friends. www.oddsfarm.co.uk Every Saturday during Term Time BUSY BUTTONS Creative Studio offer various creative courses at Upton House School, St.Leonard’s Road, Windsor. 07952 418212. Courses include: ‘BE ARTY’ club. Art & illustration for 5 - 8 year olds. 10:30-11:30am.

‘BEHIND THE SCENES’ Animation and design course for 6 - 12 year olds. 1- 3pm. ‘LEARN SPANISH THE CREATIVE WAY’ for 3- 6 year olds, 12:10-12:50pm.

‘SEW ARTY’ club. Sewing and textiles for 6 year olds to adults.10:15- 11:30am, 1:15-2:30pm. Also available Term Time, Wednesdays, 10-11:30am and Thursday, 4-5pm, 5:30-6:45pm and 7-8:30pm. Childcare Vouchers accepted, discounts available. www.busybuttons.org Weekends and School Holidays until 3 January FIRE AND LIGHT SHOW The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW, 01344

Ice Skating and Family Festive Fun at 28 Nov - 3 Jan

windsoronice.com Alexandra Gardens SL4 5HZ MILY Festive Family Fun and Activities FESTIVE FAD FUN AN NS Indoor & Outdoor real Ice Rink ATTRACTIO

R

EA L Bavarian Ice Bar and Grill ICE Coffee and Festive food & drink INDOOR & OUTDOOR Function room for private parties Meet Santa • Santa’s Giant Chair & Christmas Sleigh Santa’s postbox • Penguin Hire IONAL ALL WEATHER FAMILY ATTRACTION! TRADIT & DRINKS FOOD

L OFFERS SPECIAvis it

m windsoronice.co

Open daily 10am - 9pm

Enquiries contact Royal Windsor Information Centre on 01753 743915 or Email clare@windsoronice.com @windsoricerink

facebook.com/windsoricerink

For more info visit www.windsoronice.com

20

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Compiled by Siobhan Newman Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

What’s On

Blood Brothers at Theatre Royal Windsor, November 16-28

The Artisan Fair takes place at Norden Farm on November 21

ADS Santa fun run at Dorney Lake, November 29

Tuesday November 10 to Saturday 14 THE NUTCRACKER Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, SL4 1PS, 01753 853 888. Set to Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, the traditional tale of The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara and her enchanted nutcracker doll. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Tuesday November 10 and Wednesday 11 TODDLER DAYS – PRINCES AND PRINCESSES The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW, 01344 354400. Activities include art and craft, play dough, face or hand painting and storytelling. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre Saturday November 14 and Sunday 15 PEPPA PIG’S BIG SURPRISE Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, 01494 512000. Peppa, George and their friends are back in a brand new live stage show. wycombeswan.co.uk Saturday November 14 ACTIVITY CLUBS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Forest Bridge School, Chiltern Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1XA. Meet other parents and be creative with your children. Activities range from Lego to movies to Sing, Sign and Arts sessions. From 1pm to 3 or 4pm. Every other Sat to Dec 19. www.standoutforautism.com Saturday November 14 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Windsor Town Centre, Date tbc. Children's lantern procession through the streets

followed by entertainment in front of the castle. Check website for details: www.windsor.gov.uk Saturday November 14 NCT NEARLY NEW SALE Windsor Leisure Centre, Stovell Road, SL4 5JB, 01753 778577. Bag a bargain with clothes, toys and baby equipment. Entry £1. 11.30am-1pm. No buggies. www.nct.org.uk/branches/events/nearly-new-sales Saturday November 14 THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW FIREWORK DISPLAY, London. Dozens of colourful floats and performers parade from Bank to Aldwych. Festivities culminate in a huge fireworks display. lordmayorsshow.london Saturday November 14 to Sunday 15 WINDSOR CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, SL4 5JJ, 01753 498400. A creative, affordable cultural and fun-filled art event. Advance tickets available see www.windsorcontemporaryartfair.co.uk Sunday November 15 SUNDAY STORIES Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997.

Led by Julie Loison. Interactive storytelling in the magical story den at 11am, followed by Sunday lunch. Suitable for ages 2-6 years. norden.farm/events/sunday-stories-at-the-farm Sunday November 15 TRUE OR FALSE WALK Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE, 01753 647358. Entertaining 2 hour walk for all the family. Discover some of the less well known history and

stories of the Beeches and work out if the rangers are telling the truth or pulling your leg! Booking required. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Sunday November 15 VICTORIAN STREET FAYRE (date tbc) Sunninghill, Upper Village Road, SL5 7AQ.Various stalls offering everything from Christmas cards, gifts and festive decorations, food, games. Check website for details. sunninghillandascotparishcouncil.co.uk Tuesday November 17 to Saturday 28 BLOOD BROTHERS Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, SL4 1PS, 01753 863444. The legendary musical tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Tuesday November 17 to Saturday 21 LORD OF THE FLIES Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, 01494 512000. After a group of schoolboys survive a catastrophic plane crash, a desert island adventure turns dark. William Golding’s 20th century classic explodes onto the stage. wycombeswan.co.uk Thursday November 19 CAROLS ON THE CAUSEWAY AND LIGHTS SWITCH ON Marlow Town Centre. Singing around the Town Christmas Tree on the Causeway from 6.30pm. Listen to carols, enjoy warm drinks and food & celebrity lights switch on. www.marlowtowncouncil.org.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

21

What’s On

22

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

Christmas at Windsor Castle display runs from December 1

Cinderella is at the Theatre Royal Windsor from December 2 to January 10

Traditional festivities at the Chiltern Open Air Museum on December 5-6

Thursday November 19 ETON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH On Eton town centre, Jubilee Square, Eton, SL3 9NP. Lights switch on at 6.30pm. Carol recital followed by a parade. www.etontowncouncil.org.uk Thursday November 19 SLOUGH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON, Slough town centre, High Street, Slough, SL1 1LN Performances and entertainment from 3.30pm, lights on at about 6pm. Check website for details. www.slough.gov.uk Friday November 20 to Sunday 22 CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, SL4 5JJ, 01753 498400. Ultimate festive shopping experience with unusual gifts, decorations and food. www.windsorchristmasgiftfair.co.uk Friday November 20 and Saturday 21 RACING WITH CHRISTMAS FAIR Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX, 0844 346 3000. Enjoy Christmas shopping at the Country Living Christmas Shopping Fair in the Grandstand in between races. www.ascot.co.uk Saturday November 21 ARTISAN FAIR Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997.

Pick up a unique Christmas gift from local sellers showcasing hand-made wares. 11am-4pm. norden.farm/events November 21 & 22 & Daily from November 28 to December 24 THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS At Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Common, HP10 0LX, 01628 520 188. Meet Father Christmas in his cosy Grotto and visit the Elves’ Teddy-Tastic Workshop. Combined with plenty of Christmas Lambs to meet and Crazy Entertainers to see, there’s stacks of Festive Fun! www.oddsfarm.co.uk.

Saturday November 21 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE Firestation Arts Centre, St Leonard’s Road, Windsor, SL4 3BL, 01753 866865. 1pm. £2.50 children, £5 adults. www.firestationartscentre.com Sunday November 22, November 29 and December 6 LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOPS Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. Weave and decorate willow to create lanterns inspired by the animal world. £3 per person. Suitable for all ages. Lanterns created at these workshops will be illuminated at Norden Farm’s annual Lantern Parade on Saturday 12 December from outside Maidenhead Town Hall. Also, workshops in Maidenhead Town Centre, Saturday November 22 and 28, 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday December 12, 11am - 2pm.www.norden.farm

Sunday November 22 MARLOW CHRISTMAS MARKET Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, SL7 1GJ, 01628 496 860. Festive stalls selling stunning and well-crafted gifts, original decorations and sumptuous food. 11am-4pm. Free admission. www.cpmarlow.co.uk/whats-on Saturday November 28 COMMUNITY MARKET Liston Hall, Chapel Street , Marlow, SL7 1DD, 01628 472558. Indoor market specialising in local foods and crafts, organised by Transition Town Marlow. Includes children's area at some sessions. 9.30am-1pm. www.marlowcommunitymarket.com Saturday November 28 COOKHAM CHRISTMAS FAYRE Moor Hall, Cookham, SL6 9QH, 01628 427244.

Shop till you drop at this 'fun for all the family' event, then enjoy the food and beverages on sale catered by Moor Hall Events Team. 11am-4pm. www.cookhamfayre.co.uk Saturday November 28 MAIDENHEAD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON & CHRISTMAS MARKET Maidenhead Town Centre.

Maidenhead's annual lights switch on and spectacular fireworks display. www.enjoymaidenhead.com Saturday November 28 GLORIUMPTIOUS PRE-CHRISTMAS EVENT Roald Dahl Museum High Street, Great Missenden, HP16 0AL, 01494 892192.

Museum open for free, stories & crafts. 3-8pm. www.roalddahl.com/museum/whats-on/ Saturday November 28 to Sunday January 3 WINDSOR ON ICE Alexandra Gardens, Windsor, SL4 3HY, 01753 743915. Covered main rink with an outside ice skating track so skaters can still enjoy the fantastic views. A real ice bar and some attractions are also under cover. www.windsoronice.com Saturday November 28 BRAYWICK COURT SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAIR at Christadelphian Hall, 10 York Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1SF. 1pm-4pm.

From November 28 to December 20 (weekends) ELF WORKSHOPS The Savill Garden Wick Lane, Englefield Green, TW20 0UU. Join the busy elves from LaplandUK as they prepare for Christmas, learning special rhymes and songs. The elves will help children write a letter to Father Christmas, which they can post in the Woodland Glade post-box. Workshops last 30 minutes and cost £7.50, to book call 01784 485 400; windsorgreatpark.co.uk Sunday November 29 'ADS' SANTA FUN RUN Dorney Lake, Off Court Lane, Dorney, SL4 6QP.

5k Run (walk, wheel or jog) round Dorney Lake to raise money for Alzheimers Dementia Support. www.alzheimersdementiasupport.co.uk Sunday November 29 WOKINGHAM WINTER CARNIVAL, Berkshire, RG40 1AS. Fun fair rides, over 100 food, craft and charity stalls and non-stop free entertainment including Santa's Grotto, a magic show, Punch & Judy, comedy jugglers, clowns and other special entertainers. www.wintercarnival.org.uk Sunday November 29 DUCKPOND MARKET Black Park, Black Park Road, Slough, Bucks, SL3 6DS, 01753 511060. Artisan Market on the last Sunday of every month. 10am-4pm. www.buckscc.gov.uk/events/country-park-events/black-park/ Sunday November 29 CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE RIDES Black Park, (as above). Take a magical carriage ride through the wintery Avenues of Black Park. Or visit Santa in his Grotto, charges apply. 10am to 3pm Cost: £3 per person per ride. No booking required.

From November 29 to December 20 REINDEER TRAIL Black Park, (as above). Come and help Santa find all his reindeer in time for Christmas. Pick up your trail guide from Santa's Grotto – there's a prize if you can find them all! £4 per trail guide. 10am-3pm.

Sunday November 29 TEDDY BEAR CONCERT St John's Church, Manor Farm Lane, Egham, TW20 9HL, 01784 430964. Bring your teddy friend and enjoy the wonderful Kings Chamber Orchestra perform a special programme for children. 3pm. Adult concert at 7pm.

Tickets 01784 43064. www.stjohnsegham.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

DECEMBER From December 1 to December 31 MAGICAL WINTER SPRITE TRAIL The Savill Garden Wick Lane, Engle-field Green, TW20 0UU, 01784 485 400. Fun family trail will lead you around parts of the park and you will be rewarded with a bag of chocolate coins. £3.50 per trail sheet (parking charges apply). windsorgreatpark.co.uk From 1 December to December 23 CHRISTMAS STORY READING The Savill Garden, (as above) Every weekday morning for the very young at 10.30 and 11.30am in The Gallery Coffee Bar (Parents and Grandparents welcome). Write a letter to Father Christmas, or make your own Christmas card in the Arts and Crafts area. windsorgreatpark.co.uk From Tuesday December 1 CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE Windsor Castle, Windsor, SL4 1NJ, 020 7766 7304. The State Apartments will be transformed with festive decorations and a spectacular six-metre Nordman Fir Christmas tree from Windsor Great Park. www.royalcollection.org.uk From December 1 to December 22 T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Hughenden Manor, Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755573.

See Hughenden in all its splendour via a walk, plus children’s trail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Wednesday December 2 FESTIVE WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS at Runnymede National Trust, Runnymede Estate Office, North Lodge, Old Windsor, SL4 2JL. Booking essential 0844 249 189, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Wednesday December 2 WEST WYCOMBE VILLAGE FESTIVE FAYRE West Wycombe Park, HP14 3AE, 01494 513569. Santa's Grotto, late night shopping, food, craft stalls, kids’ games and more. 5-9pm www.nationaltrust.org.uk Thursday December 3 BURNHAM SWITCH ON AND CHRISTMAS FAIR Burnham High Street, SL1 7HR, 01628 550380. Burnham Lions organise the switch on of the festive lights followed by a Christmas Fair from 5pm. www.burnhamlions.org.uk/events.html

Compiled by Siobhan Newman Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

Father Christmas at Cliveden

What’s On

pic by John Millar

One Snowy Night is at Norden Farm, Maidenhead, from

Sunninghill 's wheelbarrow race is on January 1

Thursday December 3 to Sunday 6 CHRISTMAS FAIR IN THE PAVILION Ascot Racecourse, High Street, SL5 7JX, 0844 346 3000. Indoor festive fair featuring 145 exclusive companies you won’t find on the high street. www.ukgrandsales.co.uk Saturday December 5 to Sunday 20 (weekends) TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TRAIL Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069. Meet Father Christmas and follow his fun-packed festive activity trail to find some early stocking fillers. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Saturday December 5 ART ON THE STREET Maidenhead High Street. Over 100 stands of fine art, prints and photography being sold direct from the artist, to a backdrop of fantastic entertainment - music, performances, free workshops, activities and street food. www.artonthestreet.org.uk Saturday December 5 REINDEER PARADE Windsor Town Centre. Date tbc. See live reindeer and Father Christmas on a sleigh with a marching band and other Christmas characters. For details visit www.windsor.gov.uk Saturday December 5 to January 3. FESTIVE TRAIL Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE, 01753 647358. Self-guided wintery adventure through Burnham Beeches. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk Saturday December 5 BRIGIDINE SCHOOL WINDSOR’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FAYRE Brigidine School Windsor, Queensmead,Kings Road, Windsor, SL4 2AX. The fayre will officially be opened by Queen ELSA! Santa is in attendance to hand out gifts and we've lots of wonderful stalls selling arts and crafts and fun for the kids too! 10am-1pm. www.brigidine.org.uk Saturday December 5 THE 33RD ANNUAL AWBS CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE Founders Hall, Royal Holloway University, Egham, TW20 0EX. Enjoy stalls selling art, crafts, food, decorations, jewellery and more!

Santa will be putting in an appearance and taking requests.

All proceeds are donated to local Berkshire and Surrey charities. 10am-4pm Saturday December 5 FABULOUS CHRISTMAS BAZAAR St Mary's Pre-school, St Mary's Church Hall, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3PJ, 01628 478820. Jam-packed festive fun for the family with tombola, raffle, silent auction, Santa's Grotto, toy stall, crafts, games, cakes and more. 12-3pm. www.stmaryspreschool.info Saturday December 5 and Sunday 6 A FESTIVE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB, 01494 871117. Special winter opening, See Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a gift, take part in Christmas crafts, hear songs and music. 11am-4pm.

Grotto £3. www.coam.org.uk Saturday December 5 and Sunday 6 VICTORIAN MARKET Hughenden Manor, Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755573. Traditional market and hand-made gifts. 11am-3pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Sunday December 6 CHRISTMAS BAZAAR White Waltham CE Academy, Waltham Road, White Waltham, Berkshire, SL6 3SG, 01628 822533. Father Christmas, games room, tombola, raffles, cakes, refreshments and a wide range of stallholders. 1-4pm. www.whitewalthamschool.co.uk Sunday December 6 CHRISTMAS FAIR St Cuthbert's CP School, Bagshot Road, Englefield Green, TW20 0RY, 01784 477270. Find fantastic food, entertainment and stalls galore at the fair. Santa's grotto and plenty of games.

Sunday December 6 COOKHAM CHRISTMAS STREET FAYRE Cookham Village Centre. Afternoon of festive fun with stalls, Christmas goodies, food market.

Free parking. www.cookham.com

Sunday December 6 SANTA DASH Higginson Park, Marlow, SL7 2AE, 01494 421 821. Marlow's 11th Santa Fun Run. The sight of more than 2,000 Santa’s is quite something. All entrants get a Santa suit. www.santasfunrun.org Monday December 7 and Tuesday 8 WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. £35 per person. Booking essential 01628 605069. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Wednesday December 9 CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS, 01753 853 888. Top classical musicians are joined by soprano Jill Washington, who sings tunes from Handel’s Messiah to White Christmas, The 12 Days of Christmas and Walking in the Air. 8pm. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Thursday December 10 and Friday 11 TODDLER DAYS The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW, 01344 354400. Christmas themed Activities. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre Friday December 11 CAROLS ON THE HILL Windsor Town Centre, W8 7AS Date tbc. An evening of carols in front of the beautiful castle. For details visit: www.windsor.gov.uk Saturday December 12 CHRISTMAS CONCERT Holy Trinity Church, Church Gate, Cookham, SL6 9SP. by Cantorum Choir. www.holytrinitycookham.org.uk Saturday December 12 ‘THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS’ – COMMUNITY LANTERN PARADE Maidenhead Town Centre. Norden Farm's annual lantern parade assembles outside the Town Hall at 4.30pm and departs at 5pm. norden.farm Saturday December 12 FAMILY CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. Led by The Chocolate Factory. Have fun creating your very own chocolate bar and lollipop! 1-2pm, £15 per person. norden.farm/ Saturday December 12 REINDEER AND REINDEER RACING, Maidenhead Town Centre. Santa and his reindeer will be visiting the town and Maidenhead Bridge Rotary will be running (toy) Reindeer Racing in the shopping centre. www.enjoymaidenhead.com Sunday December 13 CAROL SINGING Hughenden Manor, Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755573. 11am -3pm / £6. Also runs December 20. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Tuesday December 15 FESTIVO St George's Chapel Windsor, The Cloisters , Windsor Castle , Windsor, SL4 1NJ. The Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, will be joined by musicians from The Band of the Household Cavalry in a concert of sacred and secular seasonal music. 7.30pm. www.stgeorges-windsor.org/ Wednesday December 16 THE NUTCRACKER LIVE SCREENING Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. A live screening from the Royal Opera House 7.15pm. (Encore screening Sunday 20 at 6pm) norden.farm/events Wednesday December 16 CHRISTMAS LUNCH IN THE ORANGERY at Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA. Includes 3 courses plus bucks fizz. Also runs on December 17, 22 and 23. 1pm. £29.50 per person.

Pre-booking essential on 01628 661406. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Wednesday December 16 WREATH MAKING Maidenhead and Cookham Commons NT, Pinkneys Green, Pinkneys Drive, Maidenhead, SL6 6QD. £22.

Booking Essential 0844 249 1895 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/maidenhead-and-cookham-com mons

Friday December 18 and Saturday 19 CHRISTMAS RACING Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX, 0844 346 3000.

Saturday is a family day including a visit from Father Christmas, carol singing, mince pies and more. www.ascot.co.uk Saturday December 19 and Sunday 20 CHRISTMAS SKATING, FAIR AND REINDEER Absolutely Ice, Slough Ice Arena, Montem Lane, Slough, SL1 2QG, 01753 894810. Skate for just £2.50 per person (Including skate hire) Visit Christmas stalls around the rink and enjoy fun, festive activities for the whole family! www.absolutely-ice.co.uk Saturday December 19 COME AS YOUR SELF & LEAVE AS AN ELF! Maidenhead Town Centre, St Ives Rd, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF. Follow the trail around the town centre to become an Elf for the day complete with elf ears, hat, bells and rosy cheeks! www.enjoymaidenhead.com Saturday December 19 RISE OF THE GUARDIANS Firestation Arts Centre, St Leonard’s Road, Windsor, SL4 3BL, 01753 866865. Join Jack Frost on the magical film adventure. 1pm. Adult £5, child £2.50. www.firestationartscentre.com Sunday December 20 FAMILY CAROLS Eton College, Slough Road, Eton, SL4 6DW. 01753 671000. By the Windsor and Eton Choral Society held at Eton College's School Hall. 2.45pm. Free for under 12s. www.w-ecs.org.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

JANUARY 2016 Friday January 1 SUNNINGHILL FANCY DRESS WHEELBARROW RACE! Sunninghill, Upper Village Road, Sunninghill, SL5 7AQ. Annual wheelbarrow race. visit www.rotaryascot.org From January 3 THE SLIME SHOW The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW, 01344 354400. Why are slugs and snails so slimy?

Can you really cut, bounce or stretch slime? Suitable for ages 3 years old and over who can sit down for half an hour. Shows run at weekends and during school holidays. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutweekendandholi dayshows

Children come first at Community run Preschool in Maidenhead • • • • • • •

Daily sessions 9.15am-1pm with lunch Large outside space Social snack time High staff to child ratio Links to local schools Regular woodland visits Early years Foundation Stage Curriculum followed • Ofsted registered For more information or to arrange a visit please call 07855 572336 or visit www.little-fishes-preschool.co.uk

Little Fishes Preschool Furze Platt War memorial Hall 75 Furze Platt Road Maidenhead SL6 7NG

Registered charity no: 1070343

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

23

GYMTOTS! PRE-SCHOOL GYMNASTICS

FUN + SAFE + CHALLENGING

Classes for Children walking to 3 years plus.

Enjoy participating with your child in our safe indoor environment with its exciting up-to-date play equipment, based within the Altwood School, Maidenhead. Every day at 10am from Wednesday to Saturday. Our programme has been developed through more than 31 years’ experience with young children and their parents. Gymtots will enable your child to gain confidence by expanding their physical ability, coordination and social skills, with your involvement and under the guidance of our experienced staff. Our advanced class for 3 to 4 years plus, without parent participation, on Wednesdays at 3pm, is more structured and builds upon the earlier classes.

Telephone

07 957 223 124 for details

Learn to swim the eZee way in just 4 weeks

Classes in Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley & Charvil Call Emma on 07935 248749 or email emma.hester@madacademy.com Classes in Windsor, Ascot, Sunningdale & Farnham Royal Call Kate on 01753 830162 or email: kate.lawrence@madacademy.com

-children and adults private one to one swimming -all ages and abilities -crash courses T: 01344 885675 M: 07766 258279 E: info@ezeeswim.co.uk www.ezeeswim.co.uk

Blossom Ballet For a FREE taster class

or for further information please contact Lucy:

07813084283 lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

Blossom Ballet

For Little Kickers & Little Rugby classes in Maidenhead, Bourne End, Henley, Marlow & Stokenchurch. Call 01628 526 584 or email bevans@littlekickers.co.uk.

For Little Kickers classes at Ascot, Slough, Windsor and Stoke Poges call 07412 166 686 or email sleslie@littlekickers.co.uk Call for Birthday Party entertainment information

is about having lots of fun and making new friends.

Classes throughout the week, including weekends, in Windsor, Bray and Maidenhead.

24

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Competitions and Offers with WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO SEE ONE SNOWY NIGHT AT NORDEN FARM Norden Farm’s popular family show One Snowy Night is back by demand this Christmas! The show is based on the Percy the Park Keeper books by Nick Butterworth and runs from 24 November – 27 December.

Tickets from £11.

Percy the park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. One winter night Percy finds his little friends shivering on the doorstep – they need more than food and he must find a way to help them… Ideal for ages 3+ years, this is a snuggly, heart-warming story, with songs to sing along to and furry friends to meet.

To find out more go to www.nordenfarm.org To win a family ticket to this great show go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.*

R

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF THE NEW CHILDREN’S ALBUM BY ANDY DAY, AS SEEN ON CBEEBIES We have 10 copies of Who Invited this Lot?, the new children’s album from Andy Day, star of the CBeebies show, Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures.

Featuring rapping robots, footballing dinosaurs, pirates and ninja pigs, the album is performed by Andy and his band, Andy and the Odd Socks.

Comic influences such as Spike Milligan are mixed with storytelling classics like Jackanory which play out through a broad range of musical styles …all finished off with a large dollop of tongue in cheek.

The whole family will love it!

The album costs £7.99 and is available from Andy’s website, www.andyday.tv

*Closing date for competition entries is December 4 2015

To win this signed album go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.* *Closing date for competition entries is December 4 2015

Centre for the Arts Maidenhead

WIN A BIG BUNDLE OF CHRISTMAS TOYS FROM GALT Families has teamed up with Galt Toys to give one lucky winner a huge bundle of toys and games, perfect for putting under your Christmas tree!

Babies and toddlers are not interested in passing trends, fashion colours or the latest gadget. They need well designed and reliable toys which don't disappoint during play and encourage their gradual discovery of themselves, others and the surrounding world. The Ambi® Toys range satisfies these needs and is a continuing source of learning and fun. Exactly what a good toy is meant to be!

The lucky competition winner will receive an Ambi Ted and Tess Pram String, the iconic Ambi Bird and Fish bath toys, plus the new Ambi Activity Case, all designed by world renowned British toy designer, Patrick Rylands.

There’s also something for older children in the Galt giveaway bundle, which includes fun Dino Wind Ups, Robo Modelling and an Art Jar for creative kids, plus a Tiny Trike for those who like to be on the go. We’ve also included a marvellous Mega Marble Run, ideal for keeping little ones entertained on Christmas Day. To see the full range of toys go to www.galttoys.com To win this amazing prize go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.* *Closing date for competition entries is December 4 2015

Telephone: 01628 627 586

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

25

Family Health

COUGHS AND SNEEZES- HOW TO COPE WITH WINTER WOES

W

By Sally J. Hall

There are over 200 cold viruses, so it’s no wonder our children seem to come down with a cold almost every five minutes.

e don’t know what causes the “Common Cold” but the symptoms are runny nose, sore throat, temperature and a general feeling of poor health. When do you let nature run its course, and when do you call the doctor?

For very small children, a blocked nose stops him being able to breathe and can interfere with breastfeeding.

Clear nostrils with a soft cloth soaked in sterile saline solution or use a nasal aspirator.

Relieve symptoms with a decongestant rub or use a few drops of a decongestant spray or eucalyptus oil on a tissue near your baby as he sleeps. A vaporiser or humidifier can help too.

Sleep may be affected by a cough, so encourage naps during the day.

For a slight fever, use infant paracetamol or ibuprofen; read the instructions and use the right amount for your child’s age. Never use a cough and cold remedy with children under six years old.

Make sure that your child continues to get plenty of fluids but try to avoid lots of sugary drinks and cordials, as you’ll have tooth decay to cope with later on!

If your child is under three months, checking symptoms with your doctor, as small children can become very ill quickly. If your child is floppy and unresponsive or very fussy, call the doctor or go straight to the hospital.

Seek medical advice if you think it’s not a cold. Flu can be serious in young children. Croup, a viral illness that causes a bark-like cough can be swiftly treated with steroids, and whooping cough, a bacterial infection, needs antibiotics If you are concerned that your child may have meningitis, you must go to the hospital at once. If in doubt, get to A&E – the staff will be only too happy to be able to set your mind at rest.

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System Do you feel like the whole family is constantly ill and as one illness goes, another one comes along? Try these natural methods to boost your family’s immune system

Eva Winter Osteopath BSc (Hons), DPO • Providing safe and effective hands-on treatment for adults, children and babies • Vitality Osteopaths, 1st Floor 36 West Street, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2NB

For more information T: 01494 482028 M: 07776 448700 E: evaosteopathy@gmail.com W: evawinter.co.uk Registered with the General Osteopathic Council, British Osteopathic Association and Alumni for Paediatric Osteopathy

26

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Get enough sleep Sound obvious but the body repairs itself while we sleep. So make sure kids get plenty of rest when they are ill.

No Smoke Passive smoking can make cough, asthma and chest infections worse. It makes kids prone to bronchitis and pneumonia and they can also get middle ear infections. If you haven’t stopped yet, do it now!

Eat A Rainbow Different coloured foods offer different vitamins and minerals, so try to make sure that you offer a rainbow of fruit and veg each day.

Supplement If you find it difficult to get the kids to eat enough fruit and veg, make sure they get a good vitamin supplement that is appropriate to their age. Also consider a pro-biotic, as a liquid or in yoghurt.

In The Sun The sun’s rays cause our bodies to make vitamin D, so get them out as much as possible. Even if the sun’s weak, it’s working!

Foods That Boost The System Certain foods are proven to help with immunity. Garlic is an antimicrobial product and some mushrooms like shiitake and maitake can give us a boost too. Ginseng is also good for fighting infections and Echinacea can help protect from colds.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Get Baking

These delicious shortbread stars will look great on the tree – but we suspect they won’t be there long! This is such a simple recipe, with only three ingredients and it is quick and easy to make but shortbread is always a favourite.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE TREE DECORATIONS Time needed: About half an hour, including baking time Ingredients • Plain flour, 200g • Cool butter, 100g • Caster sugar, 50g • Writing icing, white, green, red (great for drawing lines and shapes) • Decorations in silver, red, green, gold or white You will need: • Large bowl • Sieve • Flat baking trays • Star cookie cutters (or other festive shapes) • Clean pencil • Silver, gold, white, green or red ribbon R

BOOK NOW for advertising in our January/February 2016 Issue Due out January 4 email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Method: With your child, measure the flour and then let your little one spoon the flour into the sieve, held above the bowl. Sift the flour.

Add the sugar Add the butter, cut into cubes.

With clean hands, show your child how to rub the butter into the flour. Keep rubbing then kneading and it should come together into a ball.

Without over-working the dough, roll it out on a flat surface, dusted with flour.

Using the cookie cutters, help your child stamp out star shapes and place them on the baking tray. Use the blunt end of the clean pencil to make a hole at the top of one of the points for the ribbon.

Bake at 320F/160C/Gas 6 for 12-15 minutes until golden. When cool, decorate with writing icing and any other decorations you like, such as sugar balls.

Hang on the tree!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

27

Ed’s Reading Room

Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere!

I’m Ed and here is my Winter book selection for you to enjoy. Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free book review website for primary children in homes and schools. See these reviews, download the specially written reading activities for these books and buy the books online at www.EdontheWeb.com. Have fun reading!

FOR AGES 7 YEARS PLUS

FOR AGES 5-7 YEARS Dirty Bertie: Aliens!

by Alan MacDonald & David Roberts (Stripes £4.99)

Pugs of the Frozen North

by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre (Oxford £8.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Bertie’s back – with three of his latest adventures. Bertie is fascinated by the idea of seeing comets, shooting stars and, most of all, aliens. How would you react if two aliens arrived at your front door? When Eugene suggests an exciting day birdwatching, Bertie can’t think of anything more boring – but then he wouldn’t mind spotting a hawk. Bertie has to think up ideas for making his school report a bit more acceptable but perhaps Bertie’s idea of improving his report won’t fool his parents.

ED SAYS: ‘Shen has had to abandon ship when winter suddenly arrives – the first True Winter for a long time. He is all on his own except for the dogs – 66 pugs! Luckily he meets Sika who wants to take part in the race to the North Pole to see the Snowfather.With her grandfather’s sled and Shen’s 66 pugs they set off for the frozen north.

They know they will face stiff competition but will they be able to deal with the Kraken and a pack of hungry yetis?

‘This comic character is very popular with boys and girls alike.With super illustrations throughout, this book is great for newly confident readers or for reading together.’

‘This madcap adventure is fun from start to finish.The action-packed story is full of wonderful descriptions of the wintery setting, complemented by amazing illustrations.’

The Adventures of Miss Petitfour

by Anne Michaels (Bloomsbury £10.99)

A Boy Called Christmas

by Matt Haig (Canongate £12.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Miss Petitfour’s life is full of fun and adventures.

She loves baking – and eating – little cakes and she also loves her adorable cat companions. Above all she loves to fly, which she does most days, on a tablecloth with each cat’s tail wrapped round another. She might choose to fly this way or that but sometimes she flies whichever way the wind takes her. Her expeditions may start out in an ordinary way such as with a trip to a jumble sale or they may be to prepare birthday treats for one of her feline friends.

ED SAYS: ‘Nikolas is an 11 year old boy living with his father in Finland. He was born on Christmas Day but there are never many celebrations as life is difficult.When Nikolas’ father leaves for the Far North, things become even harder and Nikolas decides he must leave to try and find his father. He believes in happiness and also believes that nothing is impossible. He needs all the optimism in the world as, although he has some amazing adventures and makes some wonderful friends, he has many problems to overcome.

‘This is an absolutely delightful, heartwarming book with beautiful illustrations and, thanks to Miss Petitfour, a child’s vocabulary will be broadened by the magic of words!’

‘If you ever wondered what the true story of Father Christmas was, this is the book for you! Brilliantly written, it is very entertaining and is sure to delight readers both young and old.’

Ed’s Reading Room is at www.EdontheWeb.com, a DTI award-winning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating. See Maggie’s latest ebooks at www.WalkWalk.co.uk.

You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at maggiehumphreys@aol.com.

Wednesday 25th November 2015

28

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Bumps ‘n’ Babes 10 COMMON MISTAKES THAT ARE STOPPING YOUR BABY SLEEPING

Lack of sleep can cause many parents to reach breaking point. Here are some tips from The Sleep Nanny® to help you get your baby in to the slumber zone.

1. Going to bed too late is likely to cause your baby to have a much harder time settling to sleep. When we miss our optimal sleep window our brains release hormones to wake us up. Get your little one down to bed at a consistent time every evening. Most babies and children up to age six do well with a bedtime somewhere between 6-8 p.m.

2. Feeding to sleep is hard to avoid, particularly when they are breastfed. If your baby falls asleep on a feed, she will require the same help to get back to sleep whenever she wakes.Your aim is to get your baby into the cot before she falls asleep so that she settles herself knowingly and can do this again if she wakes up and doesn’t need anything.

3. Over feeding or attempting to ‘tank your baby up’ before bedtime is not good practice and could actually cause digestive problems. Babies sometimes cluster feed or feed more in the early evening as a natural way to prepare them for a longer stretch of sleep, but follow your baby and do not try to force additional milk or thicken the milk to fill him up.

4. Intermittent reinforcement is one of the most common mistakes we make as

Telephone: 01628 627 586

parents. This is when we allow something only some of the time. For example, you bring your baby into your bed if it is after 5 a.m. but not before then.Your baby cannot tell the time and does not understand your rationale. All she understands is that this outcome is possible, so will hold out for it, as she knows there is a chance of getting to go into your bed. Decide what your rulebook says and then stick to it.

5. Lack of routine often means lack of rhythm and signals to prepare your baby for sleep time. Babies and young children thrive on routine and rhythm so it is important to introduce this early on. With a bedtime routine follow the same steps in the same order every night, so your baby knows what to expect.

6. Stimulation in your child’s bedroom will prevent him from sleeping well so remove all electronic devices and screens, only using low wattage warm-coloured lighting like a night light. Babies should not have mobiles hanging over the cot because these are visually stimulating rather than settling.

7. Not napping enough can cause overtiredness, which causes early rising and difficulty settling. Make sure your child has

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

adequate naptime in the day according to his age.

8. A dummy can often be the reason for waking in the night. If your child is over six months of age and wakes frequently for a dummy, start thinking about getting rid of it as it may be hindering sleep more than it is helping.

9. Putting your toddler into a big bed too soon can bring you months of disturbed nights and putting him back to bed. The cognitive ability to understand the concept of ‘staying in bed’ does not come about until they are around two and a half years old. Try to keep the cot up to age three if you can.

10. Time to calm down from the day’s activities will really help your little one.

Turn off the television 1-2 hours before you start the bedtime routine.

The Sleep Nanny System™ by Lucy Shrimpton is out now, available from Amazon, priced £8.99. sleepnanny.co.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

29

Mums Who Mean Business Maidenhead mum, Sara Berloth, has had a sweet success with her confectionary business, bringing her Candy Cart and scrumptious creations to lots of local events over the past year.

ting on hos terno w N o r Af

ula reg event Tea

Book during your visit and save up to £260.00

30

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Who you are and where do you live?

My name is Sara Berloth, I’m 40 years old, and live in Cox Green, Maidenhead with my partner Neil and my 3.5-year-old Oscar.

Why you set up the business/ why have you changed career?

I set Sweet Things By Sara up in 2014. I originally started making sweet cones and sweet trees as a hobby and as gifts, then moved onto doing a couple of fairs for my little boy’s nursery. Before I knew it, by the power of recommendations and Facebook, I was getting in requests from other people, so I decided to bite the bullet and launched my business.

At the time I was working three days a week so it was sometimes a challenge to fit it all in, but my passion for craft and design and a love of all things sweet made it the perfect venture for me. My small business has expanded and I now make and sell to order handmade bespoke sweet products, including the original sweet cones, cubes and bags but also now smashing cakes, giant cookies, sweet trees, taster trays, sweet jars, pick and mix and more (if you want it and it’s sweet then I can do it!).

I pride myself on providing my customers with the perfect gifts for any occasion and I tailor my products for weddings, children’s parties, baby showers, anniversaries, christenings or just for people to have a weekend treat!

I also hire out a gorgeous candy cart for events and celebrations, provide sweet table hire and bulk purchase of sweets for corporate events or weddings etc.

I was made redundant earlier this year so have decided to grab the opportunity with both hands and work on my business full time, I love that I can fit this around my son’s school, I can do drop off and pick up and can get to every sports day and event without having to feel the guilt that us Mums do for taking time off work for these things or even worse the guilt of having to miss the events.

I love working on something that I am passionate about and that I am proud of and I love the variety and the fact that I never quite know what I will be doing next. I also work alongside some other small businesses, I do a lot of work with Polly Put The Kettle who provides amazing personalised ceramics which I then fill with sweet treats and am in current conversations with a couple of other local businesses including Word Your Day who provide stunning light up letters and link in with my candy cart hire for events so watch this space there will be more coming for Christmas.

What did you use to do?

I worked at Three for 13 years, I was working part-time for the past two and a half years (since having my son) as the Customer Experience Manager for Telesales Operations.

It was an amazing place to work and the people there were fab!

What are your plans for the future?

I recently worked with Sainsbury’s to provide gifts for over 250 employees at an awards ceremony so I am now looking to branch out more into the corporate world. I’m also looking to team up with some other small businesses, there are some fabulous small business owners in the area who I will be contacting in the near future with some ideas of how we can work together. I’m always looking for new opportunities and never say no to any challenge.

I pride myself on my high standards and the part of my job that I love the most is working with and meeting my lovely customers to make sure that they get a product that is personal to them every time, giving them the best experience, so for me its doing more of the same and continuing to grow the business with new exciting and yummy products and services.

Oh and not forgetting Halloween and Christmas (the busiest season for a sweet business). I have some amazing goodies that are now available to order …

On top of the sweet business I am just starting up a new business SOS (Simply Organised by Sara). Its a Virtual Assistant service which helps my clients spend more of their time doing what they love and need to do and less on the things that tie them up and keep them from building their businesses (expenses, emails, diary management etc).

Lets face it we could all do with an extra few hours in the day and that is what I give them.

I work either virtually from my own home or from their offices. It’s in the very early stages at the moment so maybe I can come back in the New Year to tell you more about it.

Starting up Sweet Things by Sara has given me the opportunity to make some fabulous contacts and out of that some great friends.

For anyone that is considering setting up on their own, if they have the passion and drive they should do it. www.facebook.com/sweetthingsbysara

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Classifieds www.candlebyparties.co.uk

Fab Candle-Making Parties for Girls!

Find out more and receive a FREE candle-making kit by visiting:

bit.ly/candle-making-party Or call us on: 01628 947224

Having taught Performing Arts for many years, Leah Mills decided to open Razzamataz performing arts school in Marlow this year.

Who you are and where do you live?

I’m Leah Mills, Principal of Razzamataz Marlow. I have one child and live near Marlow.

Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career?

I have always worked in Performing Arts education and when I heard about Razzamataz I was keen to bring it to Marlow. It is a different type of part-time performing arts school for boys and girls aged 4-18, which teaches musical theatre, pop singing, commercial dance and drama.

Razzamataz offers its students the opportunity to perform at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End, to be involved in regular performances in the local area, to work with professionals from various areas of the performing arts, to take part in a range of workshops and to support the local community. Razzamataz also has its own charity, the Future Fund, which raises money to support students wishing to further their performing arts education.

Razzamataz Marlow is a fun and safe place for young people to come and develop a wealth of skills that they will draw upon throughout life. I believe strongly that the benefits of an activity like this go far beyond the obvious health benefits of physical activity, our students are learning to work as a team, believe in themselves, work towards a goal, experience new opportunities, meet new people and develop ambition and a desire to achieve.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

What did you use to do?

I have a MA in Music Education and have taught Music for over a decade.

What are your plans for the future?

Razzamataz Marlow opened in September and our plans are to grow the school and our Razz family over the coming year. Our teachers are excited to be working with the students and have some wonderful sessions lined up.

We have a number of performance opportunities booked including the Marlow Chamber Late Night Shopping Event on 3rd December, the Henley Living Advent Calendar 2015, a Children in Need fundraiser and our own Christmas Showcase.

If you see us out and about, come and see what our performers have been working on this term. We are also looking to start Razz Tots classes next year for 2 and 3 year olds. If you would like to get in touch, please email us at marlow@razzamataz.co.uk.

walkiesNwhiskers

Professional Tuition:

Provided by a qualified and dedicated tutor.

Choose from: 11 plus Verbal/ Non-Verbal Reasoning, Common Entrance Exam, GCSE, Sciences and much more.

Tel: 01628 637008 or 07887 936484

Doudouclass Maidenhead Chinese School Mandarin classes for adults and children from 3.5 years old onwards EVERY SAT 1:30pm to 2:30pm Old Vic house, St Mary's Church SL61YY

Email:doudouclass@gmail.com

Call: 07979105918 Or: 07538820819 www.Doudouclass.co.uk

MM Popcorn and Hotdog Hire

Providing dog walking & pet sitting service in Ascot & surrounding areas.

• Dog Walking • Dog Sitting • Dog Minding • Cat Sitting Fully insured, CRB checked & pet first aid trained.

Tel: 07799 666811 Amanda@walkiesNwhiskers.com www.walkiesNwhiskers.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015

Local service offering commercial popcorn and Hotdog machines to hire

Great for all occasions!

Weddings, Christenings, School fetes, Community events, Anniversaries, Celebrations, BBQ’s, Children’s Parties, Sports events and Galas with staff or machine only options available For further information please call us on

07415 746 196 / 07743 218393

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

31