Families Sussex Coast March - April 2014

FREE Pick me up

Issue 34 : March/ April 2014

Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing Lewes, Littlehampton and everywhere in between!

www.familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Photo credit- Spring Barn Farm

Come And Join The Little Stage Academy And Enjoy A Workshop With The Wonderful Justin Fletcher birdstudios.co.uk

08000 886 112

INFO@birdstudios.co.uk

The really useful magazine and website for families with children

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A Non-Profit Organisation for French-Speaking Families

French Parents and Toddlers Group French Classes in Brighton and Lewes Fun Social Events for All Ages! www.lesfranglophones.co.uk info@lesfranglophones.co.uk

editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast

Whats inside?

Hello

What’s Inside

Lucy

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How are your New Year Resolutions for all the family going from my last issue? We are just about managing most of them but getting out in nature is proving tricky with our lovely weather – especially being on the South Coast!

This is issue is packed full of great articles, advice on flexible working and opportunities, an exclusive Families interview with Frances Quinn the winner of the Great British Bake Off, local news and a great article on preparing your child for starting school and as always lots of things to do over Easter and during the months of March and April.

If you have any events or local news or to advertise in Families please email me on: editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Take care

Printed by Warners Midlands Plc www.warners.co.uk Please recycle your copy of Families Sussex Coast when you have finished with it.Copyright: Families Sussex Coast February 2014 .

Data protection: If you send us your name and address in order to receive free samples or to enter a competition, we may supply your details to the company offering the samples or prizes.

If you would prefer us NOT to do so, please state this clearly on your entry.

Disclaimer: We take care preparing this magazine but the publisher and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Families Group: Families Sussex Coast is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All magazines in the Group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Local News Exclusive Interview Baby Buys Education Balancing life and work Competitions Easter Listings What’s On

Families Sussex Coast covers: Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne, Worthing, Lewes, Burgess Hill, Hassocks,East Preston, Rustington,Littlehampton and everywhere in between.

Next Issue May / June: Advertising and editorial deadline is 7th April 2014.

You can contribute to Families Sussex Coast through advertising, editorial and our whats on pages. Contact Families Sussex Coast 01903 620257

editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Design by Sanderswhite. Contact sue@sanderswhite.co.uk

Bird studios Pre school classes take flight with Justin Fletcher visit!

A new home opens its doors in central Brighton this spring, for all parents and little ones to enjoy!

This exciting and vibrant facility hosts an eclectic mixture of daytime and evening classes. From babies music, singing and signing classes, to pensioners rocking to the Ballroom Blitz, Bird studios will be a place you can pop in for coffee, socialize while the children are entertained, stimulated and inspired, or take part in classes and events that all abilities & ages will enjoy!

Our pre-school classes are imaginative, energetic and fun!

Classes start for tots as young as 18 months, and include elements of drama, dance and movement, singing and music.

We have a mixture of theatre professionals and pre-school experts that head up our teaching faculty, who are thoroughly entertaining and fluent in Makaton signing. This is not only a great way for children to express themselves during song and prose, it also enables children with learning and early communication difficulties to feel at ease within class, benefiting theirs and your daily lives.

The most exciting news is that Justin Fletcher* is visiting Bird studios and will be holding a fun workshop where all our tots can show him how good they are at singing and signing Makaton! (* ‘Please note. Justin is appearing for one exclusive workshop session and is not part of the Bird Studios or teaching staff.’

To join our Little Stage Academy at Bird studios, or to enjoy a free taster class, please email info@birdstudios.co.uk tel: 08000 886 112

01903 620257 Sussex Coast

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Local News

New Drama Academy Opens in Worthing with a Flash Mob! Worthing shoppers were treated to an impromptu performance by talented drama students from

Ariel Drama Acadamy.

Montague Place came alive with dance, singing and acting as an Ariel flash mob left surprised shoppers, smiling and tapping their feet.

The children, aged between 5 – 19 had choreographed the piece along with their tutors to raise money for the Angus Rowland ForgetMeNot Fund. Angus died of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, aged just 14 and a half. This type of blood cancer can be very hard to treat in teenagers and Ariel has been raising funds to aid research as many of Angus’s friends and classmates attend Ariel’s original drama academy in Burgess Hill.

Worthing was selected for the fun, fundraising stunt as it is the location of Ariel’s new drama academy, which will open its doors on 22nd February at Worthing College.

Ariel’s Principal Nicci Hopson said, “It was fantastic to see the students perform with such energy and enthusiasm. People’s faces lit up and they were very generous. I am so proud of the students and we are delighted to be opening our fifth Academy in Worthing”.

Ariel has developed a reputation for providing excellent performance training for young people.

Friendly and inclusive, students receive training in drama, song and dance. Working with exceptional tutors, children can express themselves in a positive, safe and fun environment. As well as learning many theatrical skills, students benefit from improved self-confidence, learn to work as a team and build self-esteem. Regular workshops, showcases and high quality productions provide a platform for exhibiting their talents.

The next Ariel Company Theatre production will be Miss Saigon; the epic love story tells the tale of orphaned bar girl Kim who falls in love with American GI Chris, as Saigon dramatically falls around them.

Following a sell-out run in 2012, when Ariel was the first youth company to perform the show, Ariel is excited to bring back the show, this time to Horsham’s Capitol Theatre from 11th – 15th March 2014. This will be the final performance by any theatre group prior to the show’s much anticipated return to the West End.

BRIGHTON WANTS YOU! To run like a Chicken and earn that egg!

This year a genuinely fun and unique 5k event will be launched in Hove Park on Sunday 13th April and everyone is invited.

What better way to celebrate Easter this year, support some charities and earn a chocolate egg by running 5km or 500 metres dressed as a chicken! We are hoping to have 300-400 Chicken runners there on the day. editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast

Here are 5 reasons why we think you should help us make 2014 the year of the chicken runner 1) You’ll definitely earn your egg this year.

It’s not an exact science and depends on gender, age, intensity, weight, you wearing a chicken costume, but we reckon you will burn around 2 and a half times as many of the calories in your well earned finishers egg.

2) (Our favourite) You get to put your grown up, responsibility saturated, life on hold for a couple of hours. You’ll be living in the moment and running around dressed as a chicken, priceless!

3) You running around dressed as a chicken will make anyone who sees it smile. Okay it’s not World peace but it’s a good start.

4) You get to be someone who helped create an event that will hopefully go on to support lots of good causes in the future.We reckon that’s a pretty cool thing to be.

5) We will be celebrating all those Chicken Runners who are using our Chicken Run as a way of fundraising for charity by putting their names into the hat for a chance to win one of three top prizes.

For more information and to sign up to the event please visit the website http://

brightonandhovechick.wix.com/brightonchickenrun

(All entries include your chicken costume, finisher’s medal and chocolate egg) 5km Chicken Run: £16 500 metre Chick dash: £7.75

DR HILARY VISITS NEWHAVEN SCHOOL TV’s Dr. Hilary Jones, and Emma Wileman founder of the charity Haydn’s Wish, have visited Tideway’s School in Newhaven to launch their new campaign ‘It’s Best To Test’ and talk to staff about the potentially lethal links between asthma and allergies.

Emma’ son, Haydn, would have studied at Tideway’s, however; he tragically died, age 9, due to anaphylactic shock caused by the combination of asthma and an allergic reaction to peanuts. “ ‘It’s Best To Test’ is urging parents, particularly of children with asthma, to seek help for tiny changes in their child’s symptoms, from patches of eczema to the onset of hay fever, that could indicate they are at risk of developing food allergies” said Dr. Hilary.

As well as talking to staff, Dr. Hilary also spoke to children about his job and some of the experiences he has had.

Emma said, “It has been great to get in a room with school staff and discuss the issue. Allergies really can be fatal and yet finding them just takes a simple test.

If you have any concerns about your child, or family members, you should talk to your GP.” For more information on Haydn’s Wish please visit

www.haydns-wish.co.uk.

Water Babies

Water Babies has made a splash in Chailey as Vicki Stevens, who already runs classes across Sussex, has started up a new school at Chailey Heritage School on 15th February.

Water Babies is the world’s largest baby swim and the classes are designed to make the most of babies’ natural affinity with water, teaching them confidence and safety, using specialist techniques that see many swimming short distances from as young as 30 months old. Despite their gentle nature, Water Babies sessions also provide a complete physical workout. Studies have shown that participating babies have improved sleeping and eating patterns and flourish with the extra attention they receive – a definite bonus for new mums and dads.

Baby swimming lessons are a good form of gentle exercise for parents and babies and a great way for families to spend time together. Vicki is excited to be launching this new pool location and says: “Chailey Heritage School is a fantastic hydrotherapy pool, believed to be one of the largest in the county and runs at a toasty 33 degrees, perfect for your little ones. It is lovely and light and the perfect calm space for babies and toddlers to start their swimming journey. What better way to start your Saturday morning than in a giant bath having fun!”

For more information call 01273 552454 or visit www.waterbabies.co.uk.

Whale Fest 2014 Am I seeing things or was there a killer whale on the back of that truck?

Brighton & Hove will be taken over by whales and dolphins this March as the world’s largest whale festival visits the city for the third time.

As the event draws near we will quite literally be able to rub shoulders with giants, as enormous whale murals, exhibitions, gigs and other whaley activities spring up all over town!

Whale Fest takes place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March in the exhibition rooms of the Hilton Metropole Hotel. Here, thousands of people will come face to face with life-sized whales, take virtual whale watching trips indoors, and immerse themselves in 360° submarine adventures.

Guest speakers at the event include celebrity presenter Gok Wan, BBC Deadly 60’s Steve Backshall, BBC Coast’s Miranda Krestovnikoff, and the makers of BBC’s recent ‘Spy in the Pod’.

The event also features some of the world’s leading experts on whales and dolphins, including ‘The Woman Who Swims With Killer Whales’ Ingrid Visser, Sam Berg from the movie BlackFish, and actress Virginia McKenna OBE. The event launch day of Friday 14 March sees a life-sized killer whale make its way through the city before being ‘released’ back into the sea; highlighting the 50 or so killer whales currently suffering in tiny tanks where they perform ‘circus acts’ for the public in marine parks. For more information, visit

www.whale-fest.com .

Local News

Six year old pupil at West Dean Gardens wins internet prize (and bring your dog too!) worth £12,500 Children go FREE

West Dean Gardens, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 ORX ‘A fabulous, magical place with, what’s to my mind,

the finest collection of fruit trees anywhere in the country’, Toby Buckland, BBC2 Great British Garden

Revival, January 2014 West Dean Gardens is now open after its winter break and this year for the first time, gardens visitors will be able to bring their dogs (on short leads) into the grounds to enjoy the fabulous walks on offer in the parkland, grounds and Arboretum, and children will get FREE entry throughout the year (excluding events).

Early Spring is the best time to visit to see the emerging displays of snowdrops and crocuses which will set the garden ablaze until early May. Over 500,000 bulbs have been planted in recent years throughout the gardens and Arboretum, ncluding Narcissi, Scilla, Lilies, Anenome, Muscari, Allium, Chinodoxia, Fritilleria, Crocus and Cyclamen. 2014 also sees the completion of the recently restored Sunken Garden, at the eastern end of the Pergola, an intimate and sheltered area which has been planted up to provide fragrance and flowers throughout the summer months. Flowering times are Spring and Summer.

A busy line up of new garden events and activities is planned for 2014 with plenty to interest keen gardeners, garden lovers and families. Highlights include a Gardens Open Day on 30 March (Mothering Sunday), Easter Egg hunts for children in the run up to Easter, a programme of Halloween activities during October half term, extended camping at this year’s Chilli Fiesta, a weekend opening of West Dean House and a return of 2013’s successful new event Grow! Cook! Eat! Further details of events will be posted on website as they become available.

www.westdean.org.uk/gardens

for Lyndhurst First School, West Sussex Lyndhurst First School in Worthing has won five years free internet connectivity worth £12,500 Thanks to student Sydney Huntingford.

Sydney, aged 6, came top in a competition run by Exa Education, one the UK’s leading providers of internet services to schools, colleges and universities. In Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, Exa works in partnership with Sompting-based JSPC Computer Services to deliver ICT support to over 150 schools.

Visit Brighton

The city’s official destination marketing body, is currently recruiting volunteers for its City Champions scheme, similar to the one operated in London during the 2012 Olympic Games, to give visitors a personal welcome to the city.

For information about becoming a City Champion, please see:

Sydney, who’s in Year 2 and one of the youngest entrants to the competition, has also won himself the new PlayStation 4.

Exa Networks, which looks after the internet services for thousands of schools throughout the UK, ran the competition as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations. The five years free internet connectivity prize also includes Exa’s SurfProtect which filters out unsuitable content to make web-searching safer for children.

Mark Cowgill, Co-founder and Director of Exa Networks, said: “We wanted to get as many of our customers involved in our celebrations as possible and a competition that students could enter, win themselves a great prize and benefit their school too seemed like a great idea.Sydney’s design was outstanding and he is a well-deserved winner.

Judging the competition was much harder than we anticipated as the standard was very high. Students from across the country sent us such as range of entries about different topics using a variety of formats, from power point presentation to hand drawn pictures”.

www.visitbrighton.com/city-champions

Home-Start Worthing & Adur

The competition was open to any child, aged between 5 and 18, currently in full-time education at a school or college in the UK. To enter, pupils had to create a story, picture, PowerPoint, video or cartoon about either of the following: “What I think about the internet” or “The world in the next ten years”. or pupils could submit an entry about a topic of their own choice which could tie into a school project.

Sydney’s entry was a drawing entitled “Why my family loves the internet”.Diane South, Head teacher of Lyndhurst Primary said: “Very well done to Sydney and his brilliant drawing. We are absolutely delighted and so very proud of him. Internet connectivity is vital to any school so to have this prize means we can free up funds and provide other facilities and equipment for the school.”

Confidence Building Fun Try a Free Drama Class

by Sydney Huntingford

support local families with young children through times of crisis.

Families need support for many reasons: perhaps they are struggling to cope with postnatal illness, a child’s disability, family breakdown or financial worries or maybe they feel isolated and unable to connect with their local community. Whatever the reason, Home-Start Worthing and Adur provides non-judgemental practical and emotional support and helps build the family’s confidence and ability to cope. All our services are free and provided by fully trained volunteers.

If you live in their area and have at least one child under the age of five, then Home-Start can help.

For more information on the services that we provide please call 01903 236916 or email info@wahomestart.org.uk you can also visit our website at www.wahomestart.org.uk.

Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with our weekly classes for 4–12s Child development is at the heart of everything we do. So our drama, dance and singing sessions will boost your child’s confidence, improve their concentration and give them an outlet to have fun.

Call 0845 400 1281 or visit perform.org.uk for a free class at your nearest venue.

01903 620257 Sussex Coast

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Exclusive Interview image Credit Rachel Bentley, Families Pennines

by design Have you had a career break, or gone on ‘gardening leave’?

What about ‘baking leave?

Families Pennines editor, Rachel Bentley, talks to Frances Quinn - Great British Bake Off 2013 winner- about designing for Joules, being on baking leave and why she doesn’t draw a line between the two.

I am glued to the screen – just one of BBC 2’s TV audience of 9.1 million viewers for the final of 2013’s Great British Bake Off (GBBO). The judges have made their decision and Frances Quinn beats off tough competition to triumph. I am in awe of how she stood the strain and managed to keep it all together over the summer. It is one of the first things I ask when we talk.

“Yes, it was stressful – especially the judges’ comments,” famously Frances was told to be aware of ’style over substance’ during the show, “those can hit you hard.”

This is a lady with a lot of style AND substance.

A designer for top clothing brand, Joules, she is taking time out to pursue baking-oriented challenges, but the 31 year old from Market Harborough has developed her love of baking combined with design over many years.

The youngest of 5, the kitchen played a big part in family life – a space used for living and never a room to be anxious in and from a young age she would go and make a batch of flapjack – there was always a lunch box to be filled!

At Joules she used colour in design, and workmates could tell which colours she named for the ranges she designed on – they all had reference to food! She’d take bakes to work and test out themed cake designs on colleagues.

Joules asked her to include her bakes on its blog.

The company has been very supportive and she is currently on baking leave.

She is often asked will she pursue baking OR clothing design. “I don’t want to choose, I think they mesh together. I don’t want to be boxed in and hope to keep on creating in both spheres. “ And the future?“There is a book deal in the ‘piping bag’ line!! It has all been incredible.”

As we finish, I head straight for the family kitchen, hide the candy-coated-chocolate-bean cake decorations to the back of the cupboard - and begin to rethink baking with the kids!

See Frances’s website for bake ideas and see our Easter Feature for a noughts and crosses game with a baking difference!

Though she had older siblings interested in cooking and baking, Frances admits to being the keenest foodie in the family, “Even during a holiday 6 years ago, I can still recall precisely what we had for pudding!”

Just as I and many parents are concerned over sugar and additives in our children’s food, in her baking, Frances strives to use natural ingredients – lower sugar and natural colourings with few additives. She used dried fruit and vegetables to make flowers and confetti for her Wedding Cake in the GBBO final – including thinly sliced pineapple, sweet potato, beetroot, mango and rhubarb.

“I use ginger or chocolate for colouring, perhaps with a bit of gold leaf, like my owl-shaped shortbread with almonds, rather than brightly coloured, sweetie covered cakes.”

www.francesquinn.co.uk

Playing with food.

Bake or buy - Bagel Noughts and Hot Crosses.

As Easter time approaches here is a fun idea for using a seasonal bread bun!

All you need is a slate tile with noughts and crosses grid chalked on it and prepare homemade (or a couple of packs each of) bagels and hot cross buns – bagels for noughts and hot cross buns for crosses! Play using CLEAN hands and finish the game by eating the playing pieces!

Fun and Yum!

Image credit Frances Quinn

If this article has inspired you to get cooking, then here are a selection of adult cookery courses around Sussex......

Image credit Frances Quinn

Ashdown Manna Cookery School www.ashdowncookeryschool.co.uk The Cookshelf Cookery School www.thecookshelf.co.uk Beurre-Blanc Cookery School www.beurre-blanc.co.uk Crowborough Cookery School www.crowboroughcookeryschool.co.uk The Steakhouse Tapas & Grill Cookery Lessons www.findonsteakhouse.co.uk Thirteen Church Street www.thirteenshurchstreet.co.uk editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast

Beverley Glock Cookery School Ltd – also runs childrens’ cookery classes www.beverleyglock.com

and for Children.....

Cookies Kitchen www.cookieskitchen.co.uk Crafty Chefs www.craftychefs.co.uk Cooking 4 Kids www.cooking-4-kids.com

Kiddy Cook www.kiddycook.co.uk Charley’s Little Kitchen www.charleyslittlekitchen.co.uk Cookery Doodle Doo www.cookerydoodledoo.com Mess 2 Chefs www.mess2chefs.com

Baby Buys

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What does your baby really need?

By Joanna Parry

Sleeping

Having a baby is a costly business. Websites, baby manuals and personal shoppers list hundreds of products that you just have to have for your baby, from wrap-around slings to air humidifiers. It’s not unusual for new parents to spend thousands of pounds on baby gear, most of which will be gathering dust in a cupboard or winging its way onto eBay within a matter of months.But don’t panic - many products you can borrow from friends or buy second-hand. Every mum has their favourite gadget – here are some of the best products that Families mums swear by.

- Most mums tell us you don’t need to splash out on a moses basket, cot and cot-bed. Your pram is perfect for daytime naps, and at night even a tiny newborn is fine in a cot-bed – block off one end by rolling up blankets. We love the Ryeland Cot-Bed from The Little Green Sheep, and the Stokke Sleepi Convertible Nursery Bed ( pictured) which starts as a crib, becomes a cot, then a junior bed and finally either two chairs or a sofa!

Another favourite is the Alex cot-bed from John Lewis, at a tenth of the price.

A pram - Top of the list of things you’ll need is

Invest in some good blackout blinds – our favourite is the Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind from Gro Company.

a pram. However, selecting one can be like negotiating a minefield. Does it need to fit in the car, or on the bus? Do you walk a lot? Do you have a toddler, or two? If you live in a top floor flat go with a lightweight fold-up buggy, if you’re tramping across fields every day a three-wheeler might be better. Prams can cost more than a month’s mortgage, so choose carefully. Bugaboo, iCandy and Stokke are still favourites but depending on what add-ons you choose you could be saying goodbye to over £1000. We love the limited edition Liberty Quest from Maclaren,(pictured) as well as their Cath Kidston buggy, both of which cost considerably less.

Carrying

- When my firstborn came along the choice of slings was limited to Baby Bjorns and wrap-arounds that could often be hard to work out how to use!

Now, there are ring slings and pouch slings, backpacks and soft-structured carriers. Take advantage of www.slingmeet.co.uk, which organises meet-ups across the UK for mums to test-drive different slings.

Our must-buy is the Ergobaby, (pictured) it is comfortable, easy to use and can be worn as a backpac, as well as in front.

Beware though – baby slings are often voted ‘most useless’ product by parents!

Feeding

- Believe it or not, you can spend over £400 on a high chair! Everyone’s favourite is the Stokke Tripp Trapp as it ‘grows’ with your child but it comes with a price tag of over £150.

John Lewis’ East Coast highchairs are another top choice, at less than half the price. Or IKEA’s easy-clean Antilop Highchair (pictured) is a snip at £12. For a futuristic pod try Mamas and Papas’ Loop - it fits neatly under your table, looks like an office chair and costs nearly as much. Another option is to do away with the chair altogether and invest in a Lobster seat from Phil and Teds that screws onto your tabletop.

Mountain Buggy do a similar one called PodPortable.

Some top tips from Families mums that will make life with a newborn a whole lot easier!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A dimmer switch in the nursery is the single most effective thing I ever invested in. A nightlight will also do the trick.

Avoid tripping over stairgates and buy a retractable one, such as Lascal Kiddyguard A baby seat for the bathtub. They free up your hands, save your back and are cheap as chips Cot mobile If using a dummy get one with a dummy clip so it doesn’t go astray Nursing pillow such as My Brest Friend provides back support and encourages correct position for feeding Neals Yard Baby Barrier (a pricier version of Sudocrem) lasts forever and is excellent Almost everyone we know swears by Lansinoh cream if you are breastfeeding A baby nasal aspirator for blocked noses, try Chicco Physio Nasal Aspiration Kit Calpol, of course! Use a syringe instead of a spoon.

Calgel for sore gums and Infacol to prevent wind.

Homeopathy is great for babies - use a qualified practitioner and build a relationship early.

Aromatherapy is great for baby massage and burning essential oils aids sleep Vanish stain remover, and lots of it!

Top Tip

Compare products and read reviews before you buy at

www.babyworld.co.uk, www.babycentre.co.uk, www.askbaby.com, www.which.co.uk

Don’t forget you can always buy second hand, rent or borrow, not everything has to be brand new!

Good Luck!

Heather Hawthorn Angelic Reiki 07432716967 01903 620257 Sussex Coast

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Education

How to find a good school & making the most of open days Finding a good school for your child can be a fraught process - just ask any parent who’s been through it. It can be done though! Here is our guide to finding as much information as you can, and making the most of Open Days.

Where to start

Draw up a shortlist of schools within your catchment area. Include all types - community, foundation, voluntary, independent, subject specialists, faith schools and academies. You will be amazed at the differences and the similarities.

Beware of making up your mind on reputations and of past glories - delve deep into the school which may be cruising on a brilliant but outdated image, and don’t write off the reinvigorated school struggling to shrug off past troubles.

A friend admits to rather uncharitably poking fun at what had for years been known as the local ‘sink’ school. She recalls: “It took another parent to point out the possibility of other variables, and sure enough, I discovered that thanks to a relatively new head teacher, dedicated teaching and rigorous expectations of behaviour, an impressive proportion of pupils had made massive strides in their education, and furthermore the school had top-notch refurbished sports and performance arts facilities alongside a wide choice of GCSE and A’level subjects to suit all interests and abilities. So much for my scoffing - I attended the open day and was impressed!”

Welcoming faces

Attend open days and always take up opportunities to see the school in action. Keep your eyes and ears open to what is really going on in the classroom, bearing in mind that the school will certainly be making a supreme effort to impress.

Is work of all ability ranges on display? If so, this suggests the school is proud of all its students, not just the top achievers.

*Take your child along and involve them, especially when looking at secondary schools.

They will pick up a child’s-eye perspective you may miss. *Don’t judge on academic achievement alone a wealth of extra-curricular activities adds greatly to lessons. Look out for competitive and noncompetitive activities, team and individual pursuits.

Staff who take the trouble to give up lunch breaks, early evenings and weekends to help develop the life of the school beyond the chalkface are committed and ambitious for themselves and their students. *Open days usually include a head teacher’s presentation. A good head teacher makes all the difference and gives the school its sense of purpose and direction. A glowing CV of professional qualifications is only part of the picture - personal qualities count for as much if not more, and among these, authority is the most important. No amount of understanding or empathy, vision, vitality and integrity can compensate for a lack of the ability to command respect and obedience; several hundred adolescents are not controlled and organised by good ideas and intentions alone!

Does he or she know their names? Does the head teach lessons, or have more of a figurehead role?

Above all else, before you make your decision about a school, make sure you have acquainted yourself with its head.

Getting in

Once you’ve identified the ideal school on paper, there’s the hurdle of securing a place, and admissions procedures are not all the same.

State school admissions are co-ordinated by local authorities through a common application form where you list your preferences in one place, either online or on paper.

When schools are oversubscribed - places are offered according to certain criteria. There are some you can do nothing about, so be realistic

Unlock their potential with

Kumon’s maths and English study

editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast

Weighing up

Finally, make your own judgement.

An excellent school may still not be the ‘right’ school for your family. Think of the values that matter to you - is the school’s ethos in tune with the beliefs you hold dear at home?

And at the end of the day, imagine the time when your child has a problem - it will happen.

Do you feel your child be greeted rapidly with understanding and respect - and just as importantly - will you if you need to make that call? You can? Then that’s your school!

your child’s Kumon study is individualised to their needs from the outset. Once enrolled, your child will start on the programmes at a level they are comfortable with.

programmes

At your local Kumon Brighton, Hanover Study Centre, children of all ages and abilities are realising their unlimited potential. Through studying the unique maths and English study programmes, each child develops the independent learning skills and confidence required to excel academically and experience on-going success.

The Kumon programmes help early learners get off to a confident start by building key study skills such as rhythm, pace and accuracy as well as developing a daily study habit and a passion for learning. Over time, Kumon empowers the child to

and don’t waste listing a preference if you know that you are unlikely to qualify.

The criteria typically include a sibling already at the school; children in public care; an identified medical or social need; distance from school; and a defined number of places within certain ability bands to ensure intake at a range of ability levels. *When voluntary aided schools are oversubscribed, the governors use the school’s own admissions criteria to decide which children will be offered places - check the prospectus to see what they are and whether you qualify.

Grammar schools, where they still exist, select pupils by aptitude, usually an entrance exam. * Academies can set their own entry criteria, however they are still bound by the School Admissions Code. * Most independent, fee-paying schools are selective, setting entrance exams in maths and English, often reasoning as well. Those who pass are usually interviewed, along with their parents.

Many independent schools hold an allocation of places for state school applicants who meet the entry requirements. Means-tested bursaries may be available to help with the fees.

succeed on their own, giving them a sense of accomplishment that fosters further achievement.

Established for over 50 years, Kumon’s unique method of learning focuses on your child as an individual, providing them with transferable skills and the ability to learn for themselves.

Before enrolling, your child will benefit from a Free Assessment. This will determine where on the programmes they will begin and will ensure that

Kumon is the UK’s leading supplementary education provider, with over 68,000 students studying at more than 670 study centres across the UK and Ireland.

The Brighton Hanover Study Centre is located near Kemptown at The Barnard Centre, St John’s Mt, Mount Pleasant, BN2 0JP with classes taking place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, from 4pm to 6pm; and Saturdays 2 to 3 pm.

For more information, contact Instructor Kumar Suresh on 01273 900059 or email

brightonhanover@kumoncentre.co.uk

9

Helping your little

Samurai adapt to change

School transition can be stressful for children and can result in temporary unsettled behaviour. That’s because in general change pushes people outside of their comfort zone into uncharted territory.

Children may become clingy, withdrawn, naughty or defiant just to mention some possibilities. However transition may affect your children it can be helpful to remember that seemingly naughty behaviour is not the child, so try to be patient. In ancient times the young Samurai would sometimes leave the comfort and protection of their family or school to undertake a journey visiting other schools to learn from new teachers and to test themselves against other’s skills.

The Samurai called this the ‘Musha Shugyo’ which means ‘learning journey’.

All worthwhile journeys need to be planned and equipped for and we can help do that for our children by teaching them some essential skills.

Show children how to introduce

themselves and hold themselves upright with confidence, it is incredibly valuable and is a first step in helping to prevent bullying.

Talk to them about the positive qualities of the kind of friends they may like to meet and encourage them to see or develop those qualities themselves.

Tell them that knowledge is truly a treasure for life.

But above all give them the gift of self esteem early on. You can do that by encouraging them to do the little things with consistency, then reward with your positive praise. Teach them self reliance in whatever small ways you can. It’s the many little things done over again that helps all of us to grow in confidence .

Stuart Allison Is the chief instructor at the Samurai Centre in Brighton and Newhaven full time Traditional Martial arts schools with café, yoga & fitness rooms that teach these lessons for children from as young as 3 ½ If would like to enrol your child in a complimentary taster session at The Samurai Centre Brighton or Newhaven, please contact:

01273 570940 info@samuraibrighton.com

01903 620257 Sussex Coast

10

Balancing Life & Work

Job ideas for working parent Balancing family and work is one of the big issues facing parents today and finding a solution can be tricky.

We’ve looked at some of the options available to help you get the best out of your working life

Buying a franchise

Starting you own business can be overwhelming.

That’s why more people, especially women, are turning to franchises to run their own business.

Recent figures from the British Franchise Association revealed that more than 1/3 of new franchisees in 2009 were women, that’s an increase of 10% in 5 years.

Investing in a franchise can offer a level of security with many offering a robust business model with a proven track record. You should, of course do your homework and check that the franchise will deliver what it says it will. One of the largest growth areas is children’s franchises - from birthday parties to tutoring, there is something to suit everyone.

Flexible working in your current job

Did you know if you have children under 17 years old that you have a legal right to request flexible working from your employer?

If you have a job where you can work flexibly, you may well find you can work from home, work compressed hours, flexitime, during school hours or during term time only. The working families website, www.workingfamilies.org.uk has lots of useful information on how to request a flexible working arrangement and how to make it work in practice. Do bear in mind that it is the right to ‘request’ and not the right to ‘receive’. You should also bear in mind that it’s not easy to work from home with a toddler or baby in tow and some employers won’t allow this, but, providing your childcare is near your home, you’ll be saving time on commuting and you can sneak in a laundry load during a ‘tea break’.

who

£

me

?

how

?

Jobs at home

There is a wealth of opportunities if you are considering working at home. If you are a whizz around the office, enjoy administration, copy typing or proofreading then you could become a freelance virtual assistant (VA). Companies and local businesses are now outsourcing their work to VAs to help save money by cutting costs in the workplace.

More opportunities to consider include leaflet distribution, home tutoring, mystery shopping, childminding, telemarketing and direct selling.

Direct selling is a huge growth area of self employment. For a small investment, you could be on your way to starting an exciting new business.

Music with Mummy

The Starfish Group

David and Diane Cox had always been lovers of music.

When David was made redundant from his IT role during the recession of the 1990’s, he utilised his talents as a jazz musician to teach music in schools.

After 23 years in office admin, management and production at the BBC in London, I was made redundant.

...‘Music with Mummy’ in their own front room; with David on the piano accompanying Diane taking the classes.

Diane, perhaps the first ever ‘Mumtrepreneur’ explains, “We give children the freedom to learn and explore music. Little ones can get lost in big groups which iswhy we always keep the classes small.”

Now in its 24th year, ‘Music with Mummy’ has grown with people like Ann-Marie running classes all over the UK. Ann-Marie is now looking for people to help bring ‘Music with Mummy’ to the beautiful county of Sussex.

Despite its huge success, the founding principles remain which is reflected in the fact that the classes are still based on the original music and songs created by David and Diane.

Unfortunately David recently passed away while working on a composition for a new local village pantomime.

Diane completed his work and today is still doing what she loves the most, running her own classes and putting her voice to David’s music. editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast

My husband joined me in the business nearly 3 years ago and we are looking forward to being debt free in the next few years, travelling the world and having a ball!

We love working with our team who we’ve called

‘‘

The Starfish Group

‘‘

Diane already had a background in education as a primary school teacher.

Despite having rewarding roles, David and Diane passionately believed that if children were introduced to music in their pre-school years, they would not only develop an early appreciation of music but would also form stronger bonds with their parents and become more confident individuals t was this idea that inspired them to create the music education programme

I had no idea what I was going to do – starting a conventional business or retraining was going to cost money and time; and nothing else was going to earn me enough income or be flexible to fit around the family. So when a friend said “have a look at what I’m doing”, I realised it ticked all the boxes – it was part time and flexible and I started whilst I was still working, fitting it around the family too, with no risk. 8 years on I am the top business builder in the South East, have trebled my BBC salary, had numerous exciting foreign trips (including Hawaii, US and Europe), my car is paid for and I’m about to collect my first ever profit share cheque which I’m very excited about.

But more importantly it’s given me freedom, choices, flexibility and peace of mind – and private education for my son – something I could only dream of on a BBC salary.

– a group of diverse individuals who work well together and we are really enjoying working with them to help them make a difference and achieve their goals and dreams.

The best way to control your future is to create it !

11

GOODWOOD RACECOURSE

19 fabulous days of horseracing & entertainment

Opening Saturday Saturday 3 May May Festival Thursday 22 May – Saturday 24 May Charity Race Day Sunday 8 June Three Friday Nights Friday 6 June (Eve) Friday 13 June (Eve) Friday 20 June (Eve)

Glorious Goodwood Tuesday 29 July – Saturday 2 August August Bank Holiday Weekend Friday 22 August (Eve) – Sunday 24 August Autumn Racing Tuesday 2 September & Wednesday 24 September Season Finale Sunday 12 October

Tickets from £10 Free child admission (except at Three Friday Nights) Free access to playground • Live music & entertainment Wide range of bars & restaurants •

For tickets or hospitality call 01243 216610 quoting ‘Families’

www.goodwood.com

The best way to control your future is to create it !

With Pirates and Princesses a plenty,

Each Peach Childcare

celebrated its 1st Birthday in style on Tuesday 28th

The nursery was transformed by children and staff into fantasy kingdomsand pirate ships and they had a day of games, treasure hunts and fun!

Over its first year of business the nursery has gone from strength to strength and is now a popular, sought after setting within the heart of Hove. It is situated within walking distance from Hove station and is also supported by local and main line bus routes. With its light, airy and spacious rooms, as well as the child friendly garden, Each Peach Childcare offers fantastic facilities, equipment, activities and opportunities within a warm, safe and secure environment.

Take a virtual tour on our website www.eachpeachchildcare.co.uk Staff are carefully chosen to ensure the ethos of ‘quality childcare’ is at the heart of all that the nursery achieves.

Kate Peach, owner and director has created a facility to be proud of, why not come and see for yourself what makes Each Peach Childcare so special.

Feel free to call 01273 323199 if you have any further questions or queries of if you would like to come and have a look around.

01903 620257 Sussex Coast

Competitions

12

Families Sussex Coast Spring edition For your chance to win one of these are delighted to be able to offer 4 x family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) to the Sunday 16th March 3pm performance of the Russian Ice Stars new adaptation of the famous fantasy adventure

Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie.

This spectacular ice show is packed with your favourite characters including Tinkerbell, Tiger Lilly and the vengeful Captain Hook whose appetite for revenge is perfectly recreated on ice. So come with me, where dreams are born and time is never planned.

Just think of happy things and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Never Never Land!

To win a family ticket, email your answer to this question to

theatrespressoffice@eastbourne.gov.uk by the 12th March quoting

FAMILIES.

Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales), Company limited by guarantee number 08570737 (England and Wales)

2014

Who is the author of Peter Pan?

RA WEAD HAT AY

EY!..

RAISE MON & T N E V E N HOLD A

HELP US RAISE

ON £1 MILLI NEW FOR A

RESEARCH CENTRE

JOIN US

& FUND THE FIGHT! www.wearahatday.org wearahatday@braintumourresearch.org

01296 733011

TO REGISTER & DONATE!

#WearAHatDay editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast

Skibz Present Seven Style Must Haves for 2014

Skibz, the brand that brought you the original bandana dribble bib, is delighted to introduce you to their 2014 limited edition designs.

The new bibs that will be joining the immensely popular Made in Britain range include; The Elephant, Strawberries, Hearts, Grey Star, London, Football and Macaroon. One thing is for certain, the 2014 range will guarantee your tot stays stylish throughout the year.

Just like the original Skibz, the 2014 Made in Britain range is made from 100% cotton and has a beautifully soft backing, best of all it is extremely absorbent and comfortable, so your little one can wear it all day. Skibz were the first to introduce a bandana style dribble bib to the market that is as stylish as it is effective! Working like a super-absorbent bib, they look just like a little scarf, making them the ultimate accessory for today’s modern babies and toddlers!

The limited edition Skibz has a unique double layer backing system that literally draws moisture from the skin, preventing delicate skin from chaffing and keeping dribble at bay! One of the new Skibz makes the perfect present to buy the little one in your life this year and will promise to add the finishing touch to any outfit!

RRP: £10 Stockists: www.skibz.co.uk I am so happy to say that we have 2 of the gorgeous designs to give away – the Elephant and the London scarves.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is email me at editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Maternity and nursing pyjamas are just one of the gorgeous sets of maternity night wear at

Yummy Mummy Maternity.

These are a very dark blue almost black colour, with a delicate white dot pattern printed all over.

The bottoms are designed to sit under your bump, or can be pulled up and come up over your bump if you prefer, and can be drawn in to fit after you have had your baby.

Designed by Mamalicious Maternity and made from a soft stretch jersey, these are a great nightwear piece that can easily allow feeding access - simply pull aside the v neck to access the nursing panel underneath.

If your normal pyjamas are riding up,

then the longer cut top of this maternity nightwear top will keep your bump covered whilst the wider band on the PJ bottoms will not cut into your growing bump.

Ranging from size small 8-10, medium 10-12, large 12-14 or extra large 14-16. www. yummymummymaternity.co.uk rrp: £35

For your chance to win a pair of these pyjamas, please email me at editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk with your name and address and what size you would like.

Easter Listings Where’s The Egg? National Trust Easter Egg

Maybrigde Keystone Centre

Hunts near you – time for an eggsellent adventure!

Bring Cadbury magic to your family by

joining one of their Easter Egg Trails.

Follow the clues, answer the questions and follow your way to a prize just for you!

Devils Dyke

19th – 21st April Trail opens at 11am – 3pm Trail cost is £3 plus normal admission fees.Egg rolling competition on Monday 21st 10.45am – 12.00 £1 entry www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devils-dyke

Monks House

18th – 21st April Trail opens at 12.00 – 5.30pm Cost is £1.50 plus normal admission fees www.nationaltrust.org.uk/monkshouse

Alfriston Clergy House

18th – 21st April Trail opens at 10.30am – 4.30pm Cost is £1.50 plus normal admission fees www.nationaltrust.gov.uk/alfriston

Birling Gap & Seven Sisters

18th – 21st April Trail opens at 11.00am – 4.00pm Cost is £1 plus normal admission fees

www.nationaltrust.gov.uk/burling-gapand-the-seven-sisters

Sheffield Park & Gardens

18th – 21st April Trail opens at 10.30am – 4.30pm Cost is £2.50 plus normal admission fees www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffieldpark-and-garden

Petworth House

18th – 21st April Trail opens at 10.30am – 3.30pm Cost is £4 plus normal admission fees www.nationaltrust.gov.uk/petworth-house

Slindon

19th April Trail opens at 10.00am – 1.00pm Cost is £3 – no other fees

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/slindon-estate

Other Easter Attractions & Trails Knockhatch Adventure Park

18th – 21st April Easter Egg Hunts and fun over the Easter weekend Open 10.00am – 5.30pm www.knockhatch.com

Blue Bell Railway

18th – 21st April Bo Peep will be travelling on board special carriages where she will meet all children on board and present them with an Easter Gift and gingerbread biscuit and a free hot cross bun for the adults 12.15 and 2.45pm service from Sheffield Park 1.15pm – 3.45pm from East Grinstead www.bluebell-railway.com

Mayberry Garden Centres

12th – 21st April Easter Bunny Hunt - There are bunnies hidden all around the store – find them all and you could win a fantastic prize. http://www.tatesgardencentres.co.uk

Plumpton Race Course

20th – 21st April Easter Family Festival will have live music, traditional fun fair, face painting and Easter bonnet parade. www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk

Newhaven Fort

5th – 21st April Easter Quiz Trail - Join the Easter eggscitement as you follow our quiz trail around the Fort, running every day through the Easter holidays.

17th April Worthing NCT Easter Eggstravaganza A fun filled Easter themed event for all the family. Entertainment featuring the fabulous ‘Tom Foolery’, face painting, raffle, Easter egg hunt, craft stalls, fancy dress competition and much more. http://nctworthing.org.uk

Fishers Farm

5th – 21st April Easter Eggstravaganza. Spring over to Fishers this Easter holidays during the “Easter Eggstravaganza” and unwrap a delicious selection of egg-citing activities. Enjoy the family favourite – “The Easter Egg Hunt” around the farm – who knows what you could discover?!

Help find a name for the fluffy fellow in the “Name the Chick Competition” or shout and cheer at the “Shetland Grand National”, guaranteed to put a smile on your face!: www.fishersfarmpark.co.uk

West Dean Gardens

16th – 20th April Easter Egg Hunts throughout the grounds. www.westdean.org.

Wey & Arun Canal – Loxwood

18th – 21st April Special Easter cruises on the canal, with an Easter egg for all the children and refreshments for everyone. All your favourite Easter characters will be there to entertain you. www.weyandarun.co.uk

www.newhavenfort.org.uk

Arundel Castle

19th April and 21st April Normans and Crusaders. Set in 1190, Richard the Lionheart, King of England, has embarked on the Third Crusade and has called upon his subjects to set forth and join him. Arundel Castle guards the road linking the Medieval ports of Shoreham, Pagham, and Portsmouth, as well as access to the sea via the River Arun. This makes the Castle a logical mustering point for men, supplies and equipment setting out for the Continent. Set within a historical tented encampment, Raven Tor Living History Group will recreate the crafts, weapons training, and battle tactics of the period. With the Distant Trumpets Story Teller, falconry and archery demonstrations on offer to delight visitors, a weekend filled with the sights, sounds and smells of the late Norman Period, there will be plenty to entertain guests of all ages! www.arundelcastle.org

Hove Museum

7th- 17th April EXCLUDING 9th and 16th April Easter Hunt. The satin bower bird collects blue objects for his nest, it’s your job to help him and claim an Easter prize. There is also drawing, sticking, painting and making Easter card activities.

http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk

13

Ashdown Forest Llama Park

20th-21st April Fun Easter Llama Show and an Easter trail throughout the school holidays and all the children will win a prize. www.llamapark.co.uk

Chichester Ship Canal

12th – 20th April Enjoy a springtime trip down the canal and meet the elusive Easter Bunny.

A personalised present and Easter egg for the children, refreshments and fun for everyone! There are several trips departing each day. www.chichestercanal.org.uk

Michelham Priory

21st April Easter Fun Day, Circus skills workshop, trail in the gardens, face painting and arts and crafts in the barn. Check website for activity times. www.sussexpast.co.uk

Fishbourne Roman Palace

14th – 18th April Easter Surprises! Lots of activities to take part in including make a Roman sundial, spin wool into yarn and have a go at making a fluffy pom-pom chick, try Roman writing, make a paper flower or a Roman wreath to celebrate spring and play Roman games. You can also hunt for the Roamin’ Rabbits hidden around the Palace ground and solve the anagram to win a prize! www.sussexpast.co.uk

Springbarn Farm

18th – 20th April Easter Hunt on the Farm! No need to book as the hunt runs all day. Find the clues for a treat at the end, as well as all the fun on the farm. www.springbarnfarm.com

Wilderness Woods

The Garden Show at Firle Place, Lewes

18th – 20th April Easter Egg Hunts in the Churchyard’ face painting, the funfair, jester juggling, storytelling, puppet and magic shows. The Wandering Jazz Trio will wander the gardens delighting all with their evocative songs and music whilst on Saturday and Sunday Huxley Birds of Prey will thrill the crowds.

There are plenty of activities on site to keep all the family occupied.

19th 21st April Easter Bunny Hunt Calling all sharpeyed bunny hunters! Search for wooden rabbits amongst the springtime trees in the woodland warren.

The bunnies are hiding in two warrens - one for very young children & another for older brothers & sisters.

Spot as many as you can, then race back to the Barn to collect your prizes.

No need to book ahead (although we recommend booking a table for lunch in the cosy Barn)

www.wildernesswood.co.uk

www.thegardenshowonline.com

The Herstmonceaux Observatory Science Centre

18th – 21st April Easter Science Trail an alternative to an Easter Egg Hunt! Follow the sheet of science questions that will lead you around the centre and then claim your mini Easter egg if the answers are correct. www.the-observatory.org

01903 620257 Sussex Coast

14

What’s On

Mother’s Day

Theatres

Mum’s go free at Spring Barn Farm Enjoy all the fun of the farm and Mum’s go free when accompanied by another full admission paying person.

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne 12th-16th March (matinee & evening performances)This spectacular adaptation is packed with all your favourite characters including Tiger Lilly, Mr Smee and the vengeful Captain Hook whose appetite for revenge is perfectly recreated on ice.

Mother’s Day – March 30th

www.springbarnfarm.com

Mother’s Day Lunch at Michelham Priory Special Mother’s Day three-course lunches in the café, with a free potted plant for all Mums - £23.50 per adult (children’s portions/prices available on request). Price includes entrance to the house and grounds.

Call 01323 849141

www.sussexpast.co.uk

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on the

Bluebell Railway Full traditional Afternoon Tea is served on board as you steam through the beautiful Sussex Countryside.

Afternoon Tea includes Indian Tea, a selection of delicious sandwiches followed by mouth-watering cakes, tarts, scones, fruit bread and shortcake.

www.bluebell-railway.com

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at

Sheffield Park & Gardens Treat Mum to afternoon tea and all Mum’s get free entry into the gardens

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-gardens Mother’s day Lunch at

Bodium Castle Spoil your Mum with a visit to the castle including a delicious 3-course lunch in our Terrace Room beside the river. £25 per adult (including free entry to the castle for Mum) £15 per child (under 10 years) To book, call 01580 831320 / 831324

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle

Mothering Sunday Tea at Batemans Visit the beautiful home of Rudyard Kipling, deep in the Sussex countryside and treat mum to a traditional English Tea of sandwiches, scone, jam, cream and a slice of Victoria sponge cake.

Booking Essential

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ batemans

Mothering Sunday Relaxers on the Wey & Arun Canal A ‘Coffee & Danish Pastry Cruise’ will depart at 11.00am and Cream Tea Cruises will depart at 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Black tie service will enhance the treat for special Mums! The trips take 1½ hours. Tickets cost £13 for adults and £8 for children. Booking in advance is essential, email: office@weyandarun.co.uk or call 01403 752403 Open House at Weald & Downland

Open Air Museum A special spring day to welcome visitors old and new at the start of the season. Reduced entry for everyone, plus our traditional bunch of daffodils for mothers and grandmothers! www.wealddown.co.uk

Peter Pan on Ice

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk Singin’ In The Rain

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne 8th – 19th April (matinee & evening performances) Don Lockwood is a silent movie star with everything he could want - fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont.

But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk…and sing...and dance.

Can Don and the uniquely voiced Lina make the transition and will chorus girl Kathy Selden fulfil her dream of stardom and capture Don’s heart along the way? With 12,000 litres of water being used in every performance.

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk Leo

The Old Market, Hove

17th-26th April

LEO is a solo physical theatre piece that challenges our sense of gravity and reality through the clever interplay of superlative acrobatic performance and high tech video projection.

Universally appealing to adults and children alike, this is the funny, ntriguing and moving journey of a seemingly ordinary man whose world becomes physically unhinged.

www.theoldmarket.com War Horse

Connaught Theatre, Worthing 5th March – 10th April on selected dates Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, War Horse takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Filled with stirring music and songs, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness.

At its heart are astonishing life-size puppets by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.

www.worthingtheatrees.com The Tin Solider

Connaught Studio, Worthing

6th April

A boy is given a present of twelve tin soldiers on Christmas Day. One soldier is different from the rest…so begins the story of a very special toy and his extraordinary journey.

www.worthingtheatres.com Jesus Christ Superstar

Connaught Theatre, Worthing 29th April – 3rd May (matinee &

editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast

evening performances) Worthing Musial Comedy Society presents Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s legendary rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

Seen through the eyes of his betrayer, Judas, this smash-hit musical tells the story of the final days of Jesus Christ leading up to his crucifixion. Featuring well-loved classic numbers such as I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Heaven on Their Minds and Superstar, this production is a poignant must-see for Easter 2014

Events

Museums

www.the-observatory.org

www.worthingtheatres.com

Ongoing Chilled to the Bone

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery The display looks at how ice has driven our evolution, why we have survived whilst the Neanderthals perished, and what the disappearance of ice from the poles could mean for our survival.

www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk

30th March – 12th April Historic Clothing & Textiles Exhibition 12th-13th April Shepherding and Shepherd Huts Weald & Downland Open Air Museum

www.wealddown.co.uk 6th April Vintage Car Show

Amberley Museum A wonderful display of lovingly restored & maintained cars from the vintage era.

9th & 16th April Crazy Chalk Activity Day

Chalk goes crazy! From chalk drawing to hair chalking, enjoy lots of fun activities for accompanied children.

27th April Spring Industrial Trains

The first opportunity to see narrow gauge petrol, diesel, electric and steam locomotives in glorious motion.

www.amberleymuseum.co.uk 28th March Dinosaurs – for 2-5 year olds

Booth Museum Early Years sessions include art activities, a museum expedition, a story and handling some museum objects.

www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk 9th, 11th, 16th & 18th April Fossil Walks

Littlehampton Museum Become fossil hunters this April! Come along to the Museum to take part in a fossil hunt around the galleries or book a place on one of our popular annual fossil hunts on West Beach.

www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk 26th April Family Art Day

Littlehampton Museum Join local artist Jenny Staff for a free and artistic packed day for the whole family.

www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk

1st March and every Saturday Tiggles Children’s Book club

Waterstones Bookshop, North Street Every Saturday any child under 10 can drop in for free between 11-12 for story-time followed by arts and crafts sessions.

1st – 8th March National Astronomy Week

Herstmonceux Science Observatory Have a look at their website for a full list of what is going on throughout the week.

March 6th Picture time and story Time

Hove Museum Free drop in session every Thursday from 10am - 12 for 2-5 yrs old

www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk

7th – 16th March Burgess Hill Fairtrade & Freedom Festival

With music, dancing, speakers and food in various venues for an excellent cause.

www.burgesshillfreedomfestival. com 15th-16th March Whale Fest!

Brighton Hilton Metropole Opened by Gok Wan and closed by Miranda Krestovnikoff (BBC One Show), WhaleFest 2014 is a family friendly event that appeals to everyone with an enthusiasm for whales and dolphins and the marine environment.

With live performances, films, talks, comedy, exhibitions, music and inspiring activities for all ages. It attracts people from all over the world.

www.whale-fest.com

March 15th- 21st April Coombes Farm Lambing Season Come and watch the miracle of new life, tractor rides also available.

www.coombes.co.uk

March 22nd – April 22nd Spring lambing at Gaston Farm

Bring the children to see the miracle of new life! Traditional Spring lambing at Gaston Farm, Slindon includes free tractor and trailer rides out to the fields to see where the sheep live on the South Downs. The children also get the chance to hold new chicks, and maybe see a live birth.

www.gastonfarm.com 22nd-23rd March Activity Weekend

Herstmonceux Science Observatory – Family Fun Activity Weekend to celebrate National Science and Engineering week.

www.the-observatory.org

Sunday 23rd March Brighton & Hove Sports Relief Mile, The Littlehampton Harbour Park Mile The Burgess Hill Rugby Club Mile

What’s On? Dust off those trainers, pull up your Sport Relief socks and get ready to run, jog, walk or wiggle your Mile.

Grab your friends and family for what promises to be the perfect day out.

www.sportrelief.com

29th March WWF Earth House Torch Walk

Brighton Seafront Once again, millions of people from all over the world will join up and turn off their lights for one hour to raise awareness of climate change and power wastage. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

29th-30th March Chocolate Festival

Brighton Dome Corn Exchange Join us for two days of choclate-fuelled festivities. It’s the perfect place to stock up on delicious gifts and indulge your passion for all things chocolate.

29th-30th March Vegfest

The Hove Centre An amazing festival for all things vegan, with music, comedy stage, speed dating, body building and on Sunday kids cookery classes from 11-3 and of course lots of wonderful food!

www.brighton.vegfest.co.uk 5th -21st April School Holiday Programme

Herstmonceux Science Observatory – Throughout the 2 weeks there are various half-day workshops, telescope tours and a twilight special. Have a look on their website for more information on these events – booking is essential.

www.the.observatory.org

13th April MG Owner’s Club Gathering

Arundel Castle Over 150 MG cars ranging in age from the late 1920s to the modern day MGF sports models will be on display on the Lower Lawns. Over 150 MG cars ranging in age from the late 1920s to the modern day MGF sports models will be on display on the Lower Lawns in the Castle grounds, as MG Owners’ Club members showcase their very own pieces of motoring history.

www.arundelcastle.org 19th April – 11th May Eastbourne Festival

Three weeks of cultural activity around the town of Eastbourne, it is a mixture of the traditional and contemporary across the arts, featuring music, theatre, dance, comedy and visual arts.

Queens Hall High Street Well established friendly monthly market which comprises of over 30 stalls selling a unique mix of traditional crafts, high end trade stalls and clothing ranges with handbags, shabby chic home furnishings and gifts for the home, home produced produce, cupcakes, jams, chutneys, contemporary, vintage and handcrafted jewellery, fabric crafts and so much more. Set in the boutique village of Cuckfield complete with on site tearoom.

24th-28th March Arundel Craft Fair

www.eastbournfestival.co.uk

Norfolk Centre by the Castle gates Hand made goods, jewellery, cards, chutney, photocards, pictures, hand painted items, boxes etc.

Markets & Fairs

5th April Made 4 U Craft Fair

1st March and the first Saturday of every month Food & Craft Market Littlehampton High Street

8th March Belle’s Vintage & Retro Fair

Britain Unitarian Church Not only will you find fashion, accessories, makers, furniture, kitchenalia, retro home wares, toys, but also you’ll be able to grab a cupcake and a cuppa in the Pop-Up Vintage Tea Room.

www.bellesevents.co.uk 8th March NCT Nearly New Sale Charmandean Centre

5th – 6th April Civil War Days in The Keep

15th March The Emporium

www.arundelcastle.org

www.worthingemporium.co.uk

Arundel Castle Representing the besieging Parliamentarian soldiers The Wardour Garrison, being encamped in the castle grounds, will demonstrate crafts, weapons drills and costume of the 17th Century, within a tented encampment

21st March Cuckfield Crafts & Market

Central United Reformed Church, Hove A monthly event that has been set up to support local craft and other home based businesses, in and around Sussex, by providing a welcoming and affordable venue to buy and sell a wide variety of products.

www.madeforyoucraftfair.co.uk 5th-6th April Crafts @ Lancing College

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Then, why not sit, take a break and soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying some refreshments to fortify you for the rest of your day here?

www.ukcraftfairs.com

5th April Spring Fair – Celebrating Handmade!

Huntingdon Hall, Shoreham-by-Sea Selling all things handmade plus handmaking activities for kids and adults and of course a cafe with handmade food!

12th April Mind Body & Spiritual Event

Eastbourne Fishermans Club Mind Body and Spirit Event With a variety of stalls, therapists and card readers plus talks and demonstrations. The event is over two floors, refreshments available, easy parking, free entry for visitors.

21st April Beach Boutique Festival

Worthing Seafront This market is a vibrant contemporary market celebrating local craft, food and small businesses.

www.bartiesbeachboutique.co.uk

Enjoy the chance to buy top quality, hand crafted treasures, direct from the makers and designers. Perhaps take home something tempting from some of the food stands and be entertained by live craft demonstrations, “hands-on” crafts, music, children’s entertainment and so much more!

Town Centre, Worthing Every 3rd Saturday in Montague Place, Worthing, The Emporium brings you a fresh contemporary outdoor market in the town centre Once there was a farmers market now there is the emporium ...

01903 620257 Sussex Coast

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editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk Sussex Coast