Families SE London April 2015 issue 167

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south east london

EASTER Egg hunts and holiday workshops FAMILY LIFE Are we teaching our children to misbehave?

WHAT’S ON Family workshops, shows and events

online edition

with working website links

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FR

APRIL 2015 ISSUE NO. 167

ay Call your local Stagecoach: d i l o H shops Workm Classes Dulwich 020 8949 4116

r & Te w booking no

Blackheath 020 8417 0010 Beckenham 020 8541 0833 Sydenham 020 7228 0981 Upper Norwood 020 8672 6066 www.stagecoach.co.uk

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families south east - april 2015

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WE DO LIKE April. Just as the sun starts poking tentative fingers through the clouds and the daffodils are out, we’ve an extra hour of daylight and the schools give us back our children to play with during the Easter holidays - yay! As ever, we have a cracking issue for you, bringing you the best things to do and enjoy in our favourite corner of London.

Mmm, it smells like the hot cross buns are ready to come out of the oven Happy Easter everyone.

Robina Cowan, editor

IN THIS ISSUE 3-5 Local News and Views Active fun for children; hero parents (including cake bakers); celebrating real nappies; and partying in southeast London, in May

6-7 Education News Author visits to local schools, a young wildlife photography winner, pupils take the ‘changemakers’ challenge’, and the green light for a new secondary school in East Dulwich

8-9 Easter Activities School’s out and the sun’s out - time to book a workshop and go hunting for eggs

10 Are we Teaching our Children to Misbehave?

Professor Matt Sanders on bad behaviour ‘traps’, and how small changes can make a big difference

11 The Bookseller Crow Bookseller and blogger - read Justine Crow’s fabulous book review page

12-13 What’s New Au pairs, Baby on Board stickers, trampoline safety, and the new products that caught our eye

14-18 What’s On The best family events, shows and creative workshops to fill your weekends and Easter holidays

19 Foodbanks Fifty Years On A vital service to hungry families - and how you can help locally

Front cover: Boy wears cowboy t-shirt from £5, demin

jeans from £8, both M&Co, in stores and www.mandco.com

LocalNews email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

ildren Activities for ch South London Youth Theatre “We’re so glad we found you!” That’s what students and their parents often say to Spencer James, director of South London Youth Theatre.

He told Families: “It makes us sound like we’ve been hiding, but we haven’t we’ve been offering performing arts training to students of all ages for the past five years. It’s a really special milestone for us, as we’ve gone from offering one class in 2010 to running acting, singing and dancing classes every night of the week in 2015! We always translate the skills our students are learning at our classes into full-scale theatre productions, and this year we are so excited to be producing Les Miserables School Edition for one of our Summer Workshops. We want to expose our talented students to the thrill of performing ‘live’, so it’s quite an operation booking theatres, hiring musicians, designing scenery, lighting and costumes - all to give the students performing as professional an experience as we can!”

For information on term time classes and holiday workshops, go to www.SLYT.co.uk.

Tennis comes to Forest Hill Exciting news! Tennis-4-kids is expanding its successful junior tennis programme and taking it outdoors for the summer months from April.

The sessions will be held at the Forest Hill Methodist Church in Normanton Street, after school on Fridays and on Sunday afternoons. All rackets and equipment are supplied by Tennis-4-kids, and there's a free taster for new starters.

For further details and bookings, contact Gordon on 07877 391 005, www.tennis-4-kids.com or e-mail Gordon@tennis-4-kids.com.

‘Frozen’ disco Put on your dancing shoes - there’ll be a Frozen disco from 10-11am on 10 April in Nunhead. Little Elsas, Olafs and Annas are invited to take to the dancefloor to enjoy many Frozen film favourites, dance anthems and sing-a-longs in a fully decorated, themed room. There’ll be a Freeze game (aka musical statues), and even snow.

From 11.30-12.30 it’s the turn of teeny-tinies and under 5s plus parents for a disco complete with a lively DJ playing dancefloor fillers, interactive games, competitions and prizes.

In the afternoon, 5-11 year-olds can strut their stuff with microphone action galore, while parents enjoy a drink and a chat at a safe distance away within the building.

Tickets for all are £7.50 per child, £5 for siblings and £2 for their grown ups, at The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead SE15 3BE. Book first at www.thelittlediscocompany.co.uk.

Easter issue out 1 May, deadline 10 April

Families South East PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB 020 8699 7240, www.familiesse.co.uk, editor@familiesse.co.uk © Families South East. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Families South East is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Q: Where did Humpty Dumpty put his hat?

A: Humpty dumped his hat on a wall!

Stories and art at The Nines Still in Peckham (it’s a happening place for young families these days), Nimble Kids rock up every Tuesday morning at 11am during term times, bringing drop-in interactive music, bubbles and puppet storytelling for little ones.

On Thursdays at 11am, Doodlebugs are free drawing sessions where children can let loose on the walls and floor like you’d never want them to at home, while you sit back and relax with a coffee.

The sessions take place at The Nines Peckham on Rye Lane. Find out more at www.theninespeckham.co.uk.

april 2015 - families south east

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Explore Easter workshops - for free Need a few hours childcare before and after nursery or school, or just an extra pair of hands?

Au Pairs screened for busy families to find the best candidates.

Support throughout search and placement.

Flexible, affordable childcare at home.

020 8462 6041

www.thelittleaupairagency.co.uk

School Shoes • Babies • Pre-walkers • Toddlers • Teens

On 31 March and 14 April, tuition provider Explore is offering free creative workshops for 5-14 year-olds at their centres across the country.

The workshops will focus on having fun with phonics, creative writing, number crunching and how to write using comedy.

While the sessions are free, they will be very popular so parents are asked to book first. For New Cross Gate, call on 020 7871 7110; Sydenham 020 8659 6026; and Brixton 020 3713 9722 or see www.explorelearning.co.uk.

Term-time learning is also available, with free trials for new children.

Dancing is a family business McAlpine Dance Studio is a family run school which holds classes for all ages from two years to adults. Classes take place in Longfield Hall, Camberwell throughout the week and on Saturdays.

Classes include RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap and Modern, drama classes, and Spanish dance classes for children and adults.

Louisa McAlpine teaches ballet and tap classes for adults on Friday mornings from 9.50am to 12.15pm. Whether you danced as a child or are coming to it for the first time, there’s a fun, friendly class for you! Find out more at www.mcaplinedance.com, or call 07780 907 375.

Emmanuelle Marshall CHILDREN'S SHOES Professional Measuring Service

NOW OPEN 235 Dartmouth Road Forest Hill SE26 4QY TEL: 07961 653960 Nearest stations Forest Hill and Sydenham.

Buses 197, 356, 122 and 176.

OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 12-4pm

FOLLOW US:

Junior scientists wanted Psychologists at Birkbeck at the University of London are looking to recruit 7-12 year-olds to help with research in how children ‘read’ faces.

The research includes engaging face-reading computer games, and sessions run for around two hours.

Birkbeck is in central London, and the college refund travel expenses. Participating children will receive a £10 book voucher and a Junior Scientist certificate featuring pictures of their own brain waves - how cool is that!

To find out more or offer your child’s help during the school holidays, call 020 7079 0656 or see www.bbk.ac.uk/psychology/understandingfaceperception/

emmanuellemarshall@hotmail.co.uk

10% OFF: quote 'Families magazine' (not including sale stock). Offer expires 30 June 2015

“Feel Fit on Fridays!”

ts

News for paren

Ballet for adults (09.50 - 11.10) Tap for adults (11.15 -12.15) We also have classes for all ages Monday - Saturday in RAD Ballet, Stage Clubs (ISTD Tap, Modern and Musical Theatre) Drama, Spanish Dance, Lyric Jazz/Contemporary.

Contact Louisa McAlpine Tel: 07780907375 Email: info@mcalpinedance.com Longfield Hall, 50 Knatchbull Road, London SE5 9QY

www.mcalpinedance.com

Tiny Tots age 2.5-3

Little Aces Junior Champs Grand Slammers age 3-4

age 5-7

age 8-11

fun filled tennis games and activities indoors with sponge balls and mini tennis rackets

FREE introductory session phone

07877 391005

www.tennis-4-kids.com email: gordon@tennis-4-kids.com

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families south east - april 2015

Superhero parents Spiderman, Batman and Superman are children’s favourite superheroes, according to a new poll released by Novotel hotels. However, they have steep competition from some very real heroes - more than a third of children believe their parents are superheroes.

While some of us may joke about needing to be superhuman just to get through the day, many parents admitted to encouraging the superhero status amongst their children, with a third telling their children that they have special powers. Proving that a sense of humour is powerful in itself, some parents have told their children they can see what their children are doing at all times, have truth detector powers; can see in the dark; turn invisible; and even fly!

The research was conducted by family friendly hotel chain, Novotel. Spokesman Jonathan Sheard said: “We put families at the heart of everything we do. We are delighted to hear that kids recognise that parents are superheroes, and what better way to reaffirm this than to invite them to spend more time together during the school holidays.”

At Novotel hotels in the UK children are treated to a free gift as soon as they enter and they can stay and eat breakfast for free. Most hotels also feature a dedicated kids’ corner, and families can take advantage of free Wi-Fi. For more information or to book a family getaway, visit www.novotel.com/family.

familiesse.co.uk

The O2 London 28 May - 13 Jun

Real Nappy Week 2015 Real Nappy Week takes place from 20-26 April this year, when the real nappy community celebrates everything fabulous about using cloth nappies.

Up and down the country retailers, manufacturers, cloth nappy libraries, local councils (and of course real nappy fans) will hold giveaways and events aiming to spread the word about why we love real nappies. They are a great way to save money, avoid waste to landfill and reduce your impact on global warming, plus you can save upwards of £500 by using real nappies on one baby, and even more when siblings come along. They come in a wide choice of fabrics, styles and colours, or you can even buy bespoke and personalise them!

Discover more, from nationwide events to local competitions, opportunities to meet people and get advice and a whole lot more, at www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week.

On S ale

Now!

Grazie Bella Italia!

Next time you’re planning a day out with the family, Bella Italia would be a good place to stop off to eat. The family-friendly restaurant chain has redeveloped its children’s menu after researching over seven thousand parents, carers, children and their Bella Kids Panel.

Both the menu and service have had a big revamp and now include authentic food that is more ‘adult’, menus to suit different ages of children, a variety of refillable drinks, colouring/ puzzle sheets at the table, and child-pleasing curly straws to take home.

There are 13 central London branches to choose from and more across the country.

For menus, details and bookings, click ‘Bella Kids’ at www.bellaitalia.co.uk.

Did someone say “party”?

In next month’s issue we will have a big, fun-andgames-filled party feature, along with contacts for some of the finest entertainers and suppliers in the business.

If you run children’s parties and would like to advertise in the feature to tell our lovely readers what you do, email info@familiesse.co.uk or call 020 5699 7240 before the 10 April deadline.

Look what daddy made!

The popularity of cooking shows like the Great British Bake-Off has triggered a wave of birthday cake wars between competitive parents. In a survey of 1,500 parents, almost three quarters confess they always aim to make the ‘best in class’ birthday cake for their children.

But it seems fathers have the more competitive side, as 81% of men are looking to get a gold star in birthday baking compared to two thirds of the mothers who took the survey.

Furthermore, it’s dad who feels more under pressure to bake an elaborate cake, with 62% admitting this is the case. Getting the hang of baking more recently, one in seven men believe they are ‘expert’ at baking compared to one in eight mums. And their speciality cakes are cat, dog or ‘person’ shaped bakes while mothers create cake houses, castles and palaces.

The study was commissioned by HomeSense to celebrate their Red Nose Day range of aprons, tea towels and journals.

familiesse.co.uk

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education news Sydenham High photographer wins international acclaim

Girls enjoy ‘Sweet Honey’ Enthusiastic readers at Streatham & Clapham High School were joined by pupils from four neighbouring schools for an afternoon with best-selling author Cathy Cassidy, twice winner of the prestigious ‘Queen of Teen’ award. Cathy shared stories about her childhood and writing career, when she worked both at Shout and Jackie magazines. She gave tips for planning stories and creating characters, and showed some of her illustrations. A highlight was a reading from Sweet Honey, the latest novel in the Chocolate Box Girls series. The long queue of girls waiting to have their books signed and for a chance to talk individually to the author was a testament to her many fans among the audience.

New nursery in the great outdoors Talented young Sydenham High School photographer Olivia Bertie has won international acclaim in a photographic contest with her first wildlife assignment.

Fourteen year-old Olivia’s fun photo of greedy chimps filling their mouths with apples, won her both a national and international award from National Geographic in a competition run in their Kids magazine. ‘Any more apples?’ not only took the UK ‘Weird But True’ category prize but went on to scoop the international prize in the same category as well.

Olivia was also the youngest winner in the whole competition and can now claim to be one of the best young photographers in the world, says Tim Herbert, the magazine’s editor.

The competition attracted 16,500 entries from around the world, and Olivia’s prize of a £500 professional camera and £150 worth of prints should ensure she continues to take more award-winning images.

Green light for the proposed Charter School East Dulwich The Charter School Educational Trust (The Trust) has been given the go-ahead by the Department for Education (DfE) to take the next steps to establish a new free secondary school which will serve the East Dulwich and South Camberwell communities.

The Charter School East Dulwich will be an inclusive, non-selective, non-faith, mixed school for 11-18 year-olds. It will provide an outstanding education to all pupils from the local community, regardless of their starting points. It is intended that the new school will open to its first year 7 intake in September 2016. The new school will work collaboratively with its sister school - the current Charter School which was founded in 2000 and is now recognised as one of the very best state secondary schools in the country.

Manny Amadi, MVO, chair of The Charter School East Dulwich Working Group said: “This is fantastic news for parents and pupils and the whole of the local community whose demand for a Charter School East Dulwich has been approved by the DfE. Our campaign received nearly 1500 signatures of support from local parents, many of whom advised on the vision and plans for the school. They will be absolutely delighted with this decision. The trust is extremely grateful to parents and the local community for their support and mandate for the Charter School East Dulwich. We will now turn our full attention to ensuring that we create in the Charter School East Dulwich, one of the very best non-selective, state secondary schools in the country, with ongoing community engagement and support.”

Read more at www.charter.southwark.sch.uk.

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families south east - april 2015

A new, outdoor-based nursery is set to open in southeast London, offering play and learning to 21⁄2 - 5 year-olds, along the Forest School model already popular in Sweden and other parts of Europe.

Founder and manager Tracy Paskins explains: “We believe the closer to nature children are, the happier they will be and therefore the more likely they are to learn. Free to explore nature’s riches, a child’s senses are heightened which enhances their creative and imaginative play.”

The Woodland Nursery will be the first full-time Forest School nursery in southeast London, mainly centred around Blackheath and Greenwich. It will be open for five days a week, 39 weeks per year. For more information and to explore a place for your child, go to www.thewoodlandnursery.co.uk.

www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk

Thames – passion for learning, inspiration for life our exceptional independent school for boys and girls

OPEN MORNING TUESDAY 28th APRIL 11.00-13.00 For full list of open mornings, enrolment and fee details contact 020 7228 3933 Thames Christian College, Wye Street, London SW11 2HB

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Sydenham students take the Changemakers’ Challenge Those with dim view of young people, regarding them as an apathetic, disengaged, ‘selfie’ generation would have had their opinions thoroughly shaken recently when an entire year-group at Sydenham School spent a day campaigning on behalf of causes dear to their hearts. The culmination of a six-week ‘active’ citizenship programme proved such a success that Lewisham LA has agreed to continue part-funding the £1000 scheme through the Young Mayor’s budget.

The Changemakers’ Challenge concluded half a term’s work and creativity during which Sydenham School’s Year 10 students (220 in all) designed campaigns to raise school and community-wide awareness of significant social problems, and their possible solution. This year - the eighth time the event has been run - the range of issues was especially wide-ranging; including teenage mental health, sexual harassment, racial profiling, domestic violence and the stereotyping of young people.

A key part of the day comprised an ‘expo’ that ran all afternoon in the school’s main hall with stalls, talks and widespread distribution of student-created leaflets and posters. Representatives from each group also had the opportunity to present their ideas and campaigning concerns to a selection of VIPs including Jim Dowd, Labour MP for Lewisham West and Penge.

Pupils were very positive about the programme. “Changemakers was a very good experience for me. We hope to carry on our campaign as our topic - racial profiling is very close to our hearts,” said Mebal Kisakye. “My Changemakers’ campaign gave me such an insight as to what I want to do in the future. The campaign on teenage mental health gave me the head start in my path to be a clinical psychologist,” added Gladys Athieno-Bingi.

Developing independent thinkers and learners Junior School Open Day Tuesday 5 May 9.00 am - 10.45 am Register for Open Days at www.schs.gdst.net or contact us for an individual visit

Nursery and Junior School (3-11) Wavertree Road, SW2 3SR 020 8674 6912 junior@schs.gdst.net

Reading boost for primary schools A new action plan to help improve reading standards in primary schools, including new funding for book clubs, was announced by School Reform Minister Nick Gibb to mark World Book Day. Raising reading standards in schools, so that every child has the skills necessary to succeed in life, is a key part of the government’s plan for education. One in five children still leaves primary school unable to read at a standard that will ensure they are well placed to succeed at secondary school - representing thousands of pupils who are leaving primary school underprepared.

‘Reading: the next steps’ outlines new measures, including: • a new programme to support up to 200 primary schools, where reading attainment at key stage 2 is currently low, to set up book clubs and promote library membership, to inspire thousands more pupils to develop a love of literature • urging all primary schools to arrange library membership for all their year 3 pupils (age 7 to 8) • boosting the promotion of poetry in schools by funding new resources to help primary teachers to introduce poetry recitation to their pupils at an early age, as well as funding a further year’s extension of the national poetry recitation competition, Poetry by Heart.

On World Book Day, School Reform Minister Nick Gibb said: “Nothing is more important than ensuring every child can read well. Poor reading can hold people back throughout their adult lives, preventing them from achieving their full potential.

Our plan for education is focused on ensuring all children leave primary school with a good grasp of literacy and develop a love of reading.”

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What makes us different is the difference we make...

Our strong academic record is just the starting point: from scientific exploration to personal discovery, our outstanding education goes way beyond exams.

Find out more at our Spring & Summer open events Junior: Wednesday 6 May 9.30 - 11am Senior: Thursday 7 May 9.30 - 11am Wednesday 24 June 6.30 - 8pm (including our D’Art Exhibition) 020 8557 7004 admissions@syd.gdst.net www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net 15 & 19 Westwood Hill, London, SE26 6BL

april 2015 - families south east

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Easter Activities Yippee! School’s out and the sun’s out time for some fun!

SE LONDON TENNIS CAMPS

Holiday Workshops and Daycamps FREEDOM ACADEMY EASTER WORKSHOPS 30 March - 1 April in DULWICH, 8-10 April in FOREST HILL, 020 3793 6843, info@freedomacademy.co.uk, www.freedomacademy.co.uk Sing, dance and act though the Easter break with Chicken Licken and his friends. Join a magical journey for three fun-packed half days filled with role play, music and crafts. The workshop is for 3-6 year-olds, 9am12noon each day, £60 per child, per course.

PIRATES AND PRINCESSES HOLIDAY COURSE 8-10 April in EAST DULWICH, 0845 400 1277, www.perform.org.uk Perform Drama School will be taking 4-7 year-olds on a swashbuckling royal adventure for brave pirates and fearless princesses. They will enjoy an entertaining three days with experienced workshop leaders, leading to a final performance for friends and family, complete with costumes, live music, scripts, improvisation and dance. £100 per child, sibling discounts available.

READER OFFER: Perform are offering Families readers 10% off the course cost - use the code ‘FamiliesEaster2015’ to qualify.

STAGECOACH DULWICH DRAMA WORKSHOP

30 March - 2 April and 7-10 April, SYDENHAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB, Lawrie Park Road SE26 6ET, www.southeastlondontennis.com, email chris@southeastlondontennis.com Four day group activities with professional coaches in weekly blocks.

Each session includes tennis coaching, games and other team events, with a mini tournament at the end of each week. Facilities are available for wet-weather activities if necessary. Beginners and improvers welcome. 9am-12noon for 7-10 year-olds, 1-4pm for 11-15 year-olds, £52 for all four days, one day £15. Book and pay online; or call Chris on 0773 993 6999 or Michael on 07956 995820.

THE HIVE DAYCAMPS 30 March - 10 April 2015, ELTHAM COLLEGE, 69 Marvels Lane SE12 9PH, 020 3291 3791, www.thehive-kids.com Book a week of outdoor fun on a team-building adventure which will teach children new and different skills every day. The Hive Daycamps introduce children to such skills as foraging, nature webcams, geocaching, lab-building, fire making, wildlife tracking, wild cooking, whittling, bee keeping, gardening, scripting filming, and even potion making. There are courses for ages 7-11 years, ages 9+ and 11+ on various dates - check The Hive website for full details.

SPARKS4KIDS EASTER WORKSHOP 7-10 April in DULWICH, 020 8090 1444, www.spark4kids.com Sparks4Kids holiday workshops are designed to teach games development, robotics, computer coding as well as Minecraft in a fun and engaging environment. Ages 7+. Termtime classes are also available - see website for full details.

GAMBADO ACTIVITY CAMPS 30 March - 2 April and 7-10 April, GAMBADO BECKENHAM, NatWest Sports Ground, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham BR3 1NZ, 020 8662 6910, www.gambado.com/clubs/beckenham Gambado’s Ofsted-registered holiday activity camps are run by fully qualified managers who run themed activities, with a hot lunch, snacks and drinks included. This Easter the theme will be Vikings and Horrible Histories, followed by A Rumble in the Jungle. Prices from £23 for a half day, from £35 full day, with the option to add extended hours between 8am and 6pm. Parents can pay with childcare vouchers too. Book first.

GEMS PERFORMING ARTS HOLIDAY COURSES 7-10 and 13-17 April in SYDENHAM, 07946 176 452, www.gemsperformingarts.com Learn a musical in just one week! Perform to family and friends on the Friday afternoon on stage with costumes, lights and props. Week 1 is ‘Annie & Tangled’, week 2 ‘Beauty and the Beast’. 9am - 3.30pm (extended hours 8.30 - 4.30), no experience necessary, just bring a smile. £100 with a 10% sibling discount.

7-10 April in DULWICH, 020 8949 4116, www.stagecoach.co.uk/dulwich Sign up for four fun-filled days of dance, drama and singing with a free presentation on the last day for family and friends to enjoy. The children meet for the first time on Tuesday morning and make lots of new friends.

Then there’s a full schedule of fast, furious and fun rehearsals leading to Friday when it’s showtime in the Great Hall at Alleyn’s School. This year the mini production will be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much-loved musical “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”. Students do not have to be Stagecoach regulars student to attend and no previous experience is required. All they need is enthusiasm!

KEYBOARD SUPERSTARS HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 7-10 April, VARIOUS VENUES, 0800 107 7949, www.funkymonkey.info Funky Monkey’s ‘Keyboard Superstars’ workshop is a brilliant all-round scheme and ‘taster’ four day course for 5-8 year olds. Complete beginners are taught to read, play and write notes C-A alongside learning keyboard technique and countless music-based activities including composition, artwork, singing and performance skills. Last day concert! All equipment provided. 10am-12.30pm each day, £99 per child, book first. One day workshops for 4-8 years will also be available between 30 March and 2 April, 10am-2pm £40 per child - check the website for full details. Summer term trials also booking.

INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING School holidays and termtime classes in SYDENHAM, 020 7515 1707, www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk Learn a new skill with a touch typing courses run by YES. Children find them fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently in just ten hours. Sessions can be booked to fit around other holiday commitments so children can progress at their own pace.

SUPER CAMPS 30 March - 10 April, various venues including Blackheath High School in BLACKHEATH and St Dunstan’s School in CATFORD, 01235 467300, www.supercamps.co.uk Super Camps run multi-activity, Ofsted-registered daycamps designed to offer holiday childcare to parents while appealing to children of all types and ages. Each child explores and experiences a daily schedule of different activities with others their own age, under the guidance of superbly-trained staff. The venues offer sports, outdoor and indoor games, arts and crafts activities. Ages 4-14 years, 8am-6pm, bookings available by day at £45 or £144 for four days.

FIT FOR SPORT 30 March - 10 April, various venues including DULWICH, BERMONDSEY, DOWNHAM and GIPSY HILL, 0845 456 3233, www.fitforsport.co.uk Fit for Sport’s Ofsted-registered holiday childcare activity camps are designed to engage and educate children through activity, with swimming, ballgames, active challenges and arts and crafts based on seasonal themes. Standard day 9.30am-4.30pm with extended hours available. Ages 3-12 years, bookable by half or full day, or weekly blocks - see the website for full details.

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families south east - april 2015

GAMBADO EASTER EGG HUNT

LONDON WETLAND CENTRE

Easter Egg Hunts and Days Out BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

HORNIMAN EASTER EVENTS

30 March -1 April and 7-10 April, BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Follow the trail to find the chicks and egg hidden in the museum - there is a chocolate egg for every child. Then decorate your own Easter animal finger puppet to take home. 10am-4.30pm.

30 March - 10 April, HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Free and fabulous craft activities inspired by springtime and Easter.

Different activities each day include Easter Bunny Messengers, Pecking Hens, Bee Headdresses and Leafy Plant Masks.

EASTER BUNNY MESSENGERS, 30+31 March. Make your own Easter Bunny model, then write an Easter greeting to pop inside.

CHIRPY CHICKENS, 1 April. Find out all about the museum’s chickens and their friends in an animal walk, touch some chicken taxidermy, eggs and other objects, and take part in traditional Easter egg rolling.

11am-3.30pm.

EASTER FAIR, 4+5 April. Hop around the Gardens with the Horniman Bunny, go on an Easter Egg trail, take part in craft activities, discover what’s in the arts and crafts market, visit the Farmers’ Market for seasonal produce (Saturday only), and enjoy food and drink, and more.

10.30am-4.30pm.

GAMBADO EASTER EGG HUNT 3-6 April, GAMBADO BECKENHAM, NatWest Sports Ground, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham BR3 1NZ, 020 8662 6910, www.gambado.com/clubs/beckenham Let your little ones bounce around with their free Easter Egg hunt, complete with a little surprise and the chance to win a annual membership pass. Gambado boasts one of the largest indoor play frames in greater London, plus special dodgems, a carousel and a cafe where parents can kick back. Open 9.30am-6.30pm daily, admission from £6.60 children, £2.95 adults plus a registration fee of £5.50 on your first visit.

GREENWICH MARKET GREENWICH MARKET SE10 9HZ, 020 8269 5096, www.greenwichmarketlondon.com Discover London’s only historic market set within a World Heritage site.

Surrounded by independent and boutique shops and a well established designer-maker trend means you’re sure to find something different.

Enjoy a relaxing day out with a great choice of take away food from the market and a range of cafes, restaurants, gastro pubs and wine bars within an easy stroll. The market is open 10am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays, with many market shops and pubs open all week.

EASTER CRAFT WORKSHOPS, 3 + 4 April. Decorate your own chocolate Easter Eggs, make your own Easter cards and prints - it’s all Eggsellent fun! Browse the Easter market and discover a wealth of handmade Easter treats including chocolates, cakes, biscuits and gifts.

10.30am-5pm.

BROCKWELL PARK COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES 20 April, BROCKWELL PARK, Herne Hill SE24 9BJ, 07427 685714, www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk EASTER EGG HUNT, 5 April. Hunt around the garden collecting a basket of egg tokens and swap them for a flowerpot of delicious chocolate goodies. A range of Easter themed craft activities will also be available. 10am-12noon, £3 per child until the chocolate runs out!

WILLOW BASKET WORKSHOP, 6 April. Join Clare Skilbeck to make an Easter basket using willow. This workshop is suitable for children aged 7+. £5 per child (discounts available for unwaged/ low income).

Booking essential.

EASTER WREATHS, 8 April. Make a wreath to decorate your door and welcome back the Spring. 10.30am-12.30noon, £5 per child, book first.

familiesse.co.uk

EASTER EGG HUNT AT LULLINGSTONE

IGHTAM MOTE

LONDON DUNGEON

LONDON WETLAND CENTRE

SHAUN THE SHEEP AT KEW

28 March - 12 April, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT, 020 8409 4400, www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london A group of GIANT ducks will be landing at the WWT Wetland Centre this Easter - can you find them all? Pick up an activity sheet and use all your hide-and-seek skills to find these rubbery yellow visitors. There are prizes and yummy treats to be won, as well as a certificate for taking part. Spring is a wonderful time to visit WWT London Wetland Centre as new life is bursting out all around with baby birds, bugs and buds in abundance.

Open from 9.30am, duck hunt £1 on top of admission charge.

28 March - 12 April, ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, Brentford Gate, Kew, London TW9 3AB, 020 8332 5655, www.kew.org Aardman’s much-loved, world famous sheep is starring in his first movie and is bringing a host of friends to Kew to celebrate. There will be lots of fun family activities running throughout the festival, from Welly Wanging in our Madcap Meadow to collecting stamps along Timmy’s Springtime Trail.

Baaa! There’ll be real sheep too, on a visit from Sussex.

EASTER EGG HUNT, 5 April. Explore the gardens and collect tokens to earn a Divine chocolate egg. 9.30am-12noon or until the eggs run out.

THE LONDON DUNGEON 28 March - 12 April, LONDON DUNGEON, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road SE1 7PB, 0871 423 2240, www.thedungeons.com/london Forget chocolate eggs, fondant fancies or violet creams - it’s strictly ‘violent screams’ at The London Dungeon this Easter as guests are dared to risk Death by Chocolate. Meet the deadly Miss Edmunds, a charming young lady with a poisonous nature, who is setting up her toxic sweet shop. No fluffy bunnies or cheeping chicks here - this is an Easter outing for families who like their entertainment with more strychnine than saccharine and particularly good for those with hard to please teens. Prebooking recommended.

THE LONDON EYE 6-9 April, LONDON EYE, County Hall, South Bank SE1 7BP, 0871 781 3000, www.londoneye.com Children can get busy decorating papier mache eggs, Easter animal masks, flowers or chicks. A host of arts materials and a splash of imagination will ensure the Easter creations are brought to life to be taken home and cherished as Easter keepsakes. Cost included with a child ticket to ride. In addition, from 31 March to 15 April five giant white eggs will be installed on Coca-Cola London Eye’s landscape - pick up a sticker and add your decoration.

DOWN HOUSE EASTER ADVENTURE 3-6 April, DOWN HOUSE, The Home of Charles Darwin, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent BR6 7JT, 0870 333 1181 www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse Join the Down House adventure quest, meet characters from the past and crack clues as you explore English history. Rise to the challenge and you’ll reap a chocolate reward. It’s time to get hands-on with history. 11am-5pm, admission £10.60 adults, £6.30 children, £27.60 families, English Heritage members free.

EGG HUNT AT CHARTWELL 3-6 April, CHARTWELL, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS, 01732 868381, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Follow wartime bunny rabbits along an Easter egg trail, completing clues and finding items the bunnies lost on their way. There will be a longer trail for older and more adventurous children, and a shorter buggy-friendly trail for smaller children. Activities, games and a Cadbury Egghead prize for every completed trail. 11am-4pm, £2.

EASTER EGG HUNT AT LULLINGSTONE 4-6 April, LULLINGSTONE CASTLE, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA, 01322 862114, www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk Become a plant hunter, navigate the World Garden and report on your discoveries. Everyone who successfully completes the mission will be rewarded with an Easter egg. 12 - 5pm.

STEAM UP AT KESR

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FULHAM PALACE FULHAM PALACE, Bishops Avenue, Fulham SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233, www.fulhampalace.org EASTER TRAIL, 5+6 April. Search around the museum and garden for clues that will lead you to a chocolate prize. 1-3.30pm, no booking necessary, suitable for 5-12 year olds, £2 per child.

RABBIT WARREN FAMILY DROP-IN, 8 April. Meet on the main lawn, create a paper rabbit and help museum staff recreate the bishop’s rabbit warren. 2-3.30pm, suitable for ages 2+, £2 per child.

LEEDS CASTLE 5-21 April, LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL, 01622 767866, www.leeds-castle.com Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. Grounds open 10am daily, admission to castle and grounds free for under 4s, children £16, adults £24, valid for a whole year. Book online for 10% off admission tickets.

EASTER TRAIL, 2-19 April. This Easter, spring will be in bloom and an exciting quest will take you through the estate to earn a chocolate prize. £1 per child.

EASTER FAMILY FUN, 3-6 April. Celebrate the Easter holidays with activities for the whole family from circus skills to juggling jester shows; have-a-go archery and madcap fun with court jesters.

IGHTAM MOTE EGG HUNT 4 April, IGHTAM MOTE, Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0NT, 01732 810378, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Follow a trail around the garden to claim your Cadbury’s Egghead, nestling within a moated manor house which medieval knights and courtiers to Henry VIII used to own. 11am-3.30pm, standard admission to house and gardens plus Easter trail £2.50.

STEAM UP AT KESR 3-6 April, KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY, from Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE, 01580 765 155, www.kesr.org.uk The Kent & East Sussex Railway is one of the country’s finest examples of a rural light railway. The line gently wends its way from Tenterden for ten and a half miles through unspoilt countryside on its way to the shadow of the magnificent Bodiam Castle.

Good Friday will see a celebration to mark the 75th Anniversary of locomotive No. 32678 on the line. This locomotive was 60 years old then - now 135 and still going strong! A ‘Steam in Miniature’ event will take place from Saturday to Monday when the steam locomotives will be joined by a gathering of beautiful miniature traction engines at Bodiam Station.

Departures from Tenterden every 45 minutes from 10.45am - 4pm. Adults £17, children £11.50, families £49.50.

Imagination for the Everyday Early years Drama www.theatretots.com Weekly classes in Lee, Blackheath and Hither Green Schools, nurseries and parties too! info@theatretots.com - 07801072776

LEEDS CASTLE

april 2015 - families south east

9

family life

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Are we teaching our children to misbehave?

By Professor Matt Sanders

A child’s brain is a wonderful sponge, designed to absorb information, and act according to what they’ve learned. One of the most important areas of learning for children is the family home. Of course we can teach and encourage our kids to behave in ways that’ll make life easier and happier for both children and parents. But we need to be aware that it’s a double-edged sword, and that children can also learn things we’d rather they didn’t.

Apart from the obvious problems of “do as I say, not as I do” - there’s no point telling them not to swear if you’re throwing around enough rude words to make a sailor blush - there are more subtle forces at work.

For example, are younger children learning to yell at people from watching big sister or brother do the same? If you’re stroppy after a hard day at work, in the traffic or during a disagreement with your partner, are you ‘demonstrating’ to your child how to behave when angry? Children who shout and throw temper tantrums when frustrated may have unintentionally been ‘taught’ to do this.

Sometimes we’re not aware that we’re rewarding certain behaviours in our children without meaning to. These ‘accidental’ rewards could include things like: • Reacting with a laugh the first few times your child throws a toy • Videoing them when they cry or behave badly • Regaling others with stories of your child’s latest ‘outrageous’ behaviour, within their hearing • Ignoring your young child when they’re doing the right thing, but then spending ages trying to reason with them when they misbehave (i.e. rewarding them with attention).

Smiles, laughs, and attention are all powerful social rewards. And, like adults, children are strongly affected by such rewards. They quickly learn that their behaviour has an effect on others, and if they see their actions have a ‘beneficial’ result, they’re likely to keep up that behaviour.

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families south east - april 2015

More bad behaviour ‘traps’

We moan about British kids ‘behaving badly’, but there’s a bigger issue. The hidden story is that even parents with the best of intentions might be accidentally teaching children to misbehave. How is this possible? And what can we do about it?

You screen, I screen, we all screen You could also be accidentally encouraging misbehaviour with too much ‘screen time’, for both parents and kids. If children feel they’ve been ignored when they behave, they may think the attention they get when they’re naughty is better than none at all. If we’re always too busy checking our emails or messages, talking on the phone or using the computer, kids may play up just to get us to really look and listen. Too much TV or computer time may also mean that kids miss out on the kind of social interaction that would help them learn pro-social behaviour.

It’s very easy for parents and children to become caught together in a cycle of undesirable behaviour.

For example, there’s the ‘escalation trap’. Let’s say your child asks for something, such as a biscuit just before tea, and is told “no” but just keeps asking in a louder voice. They repeat the request at an ever-increasing volume and pitch, while you’re desperately trying to explain to them that tea is nearly ready if they would only leave you alone for a few minutes! Eventually you give in, just to have some peace. In this case, your child’s been rewarded for being demanding, and you’ve been ‘rewarded’ for giving in - at least in the short term.

Or maybe your child is refusing to do something you’ve asked them to you, so you become frustrated and up the ante, raising your voice and threatening until you eventually angrily demand that your child do as you ask by the count of three, or else! Your child will probably finally get the message. Unfortunately, that message may well be that you’re only serious when you yell. So don’t be surprised if next time they wait until you yell before reacting. Before long, you get into the habit of making angry demands because you’ve learned that’s the only way to get your child’s attention.

Both child and parent end up feeling hostile and resentful, and the cycle is likely to be repeated.

Small changes can make a big difference Just being aware of how you and your child can affect each other’s behaviour is a good starting point toward reducing learned misbehaviour at home.

Ultimately, we don’t have total control over all the behavioural influences our kids will be exposed to, but by equipping ourselves with knowledge, we can better equip them with the kind of upbringing that will help them cope with whatever life throws at them.

The old cliché that kids aren’t supplied with an instruction manual may be technically true. However, things have changed remarkably over the last few decades, now that child development and parenting are areas of intense research. A reputable parenting course gives you the chance to learn evidencebased skills and strategies that can make family life easier and more rewarding, as well as helping provide your child with essential life skills.

About the author Professor Matt Sanders is the founder of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program®, based on over 30 years of ongoing research and used around the world. One of the goals of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program® is to empower parents by providing them with evidence-based knowledge, skills and strategies to handle various parenting challenges. To find out more, including how you can now do Triple P Online, go to www.triplep-parenting.uk.net/online/

familiesse.co.uk

The Bookseller Crow

is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business.

Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or point your mouse at their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles.

Ah, Easter. Comes round as quick as Christmas but is an awful lot less ghastly.

Mindyou, I used to rack my brains sourcing small but useful non-sugar spring-time related items disguised as gifts that they would enjoy hunting through the undergrowth for clutching their plastic baskets, like brightly coloured flip-flops or bunny-shaped cookie cutters, but they were usually greeted with the skunk eye - even at pre-school age, they knew that without chocolate, they were being diddled. When I was little, one hollow egg was the norm, that and a handful of googlyeyed fluffy chicks with disappointing wonky legs that didn't stand up. For a special breakfast, Dad would get out his super intoxicating advertising man's marker pens from his top pocket and draw inappropriate cartoon faces with beards and bosoms on half a dozen eggs before putting them on to boil and the water would turn a pernicious purple. Heck knows what poison was leached through those daubed shells. He may just as well have put John Player Specials into our mouths and lit them.

THINGS I WISH I'D KNOWN by Cathy Kelly, Adele Parks, Jenny Colgan, Kathy Lette, Shobna Gulati & many more... edited by Victoria Young - Icon rrp £10. With a foreword by media appointed spokesperson for anything vaguely connected with motherhood, Justine Roberts - publishers’ buttocks actually un-clench when the word “Mumsnet” is whispered in their ear - this light-hearted collection of chardonnay soaked anecdotes and tips celebrates the clumsy realisation that regardless of whether it’s over the top novelist Kathy Lette or down to earth Emma Freud, they - ergo us - are only human. Furthermore, we learn that nobody thinks your baby is cute (not even your best friend), babies always fall off the changing mat (get over it), a “balanced meal” is whatever stays on the spoon (thanks heavens for hummus) and children’s TV is a “wondrous, wondrous thing.” When they tire of the telly, park the bouncer in front of a number 4 wash. And never forget, guilt is a wasted emotion.

THE NEW PARENTS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE by Wendy Green Summersdale rrp £7.99. A handy pocket sized answer book to those unexpected questions such as how to clean teats in double quick time (everyone knows that a surreptitious parental lick of the dummy teat renders it utterly sterile, surely?) or, given that grandma insists on baby being swaddled beside the gas fire at the same time as regaling you with tales of how bairns used to sleep better outside in a pram next to the coal shed, what temperature should the nursery really be?

WHY MINDFULNESS IS BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE by David Michie - Allen & Unwin rrp £9.99. I showed this cover to my eldest and she was deeply shocked. “I can’t believe you are even considering this at such a sacred time of year,” she shuddered. “I mean, it says here - a humorous guide to mastering the technique of improving your well-being? Without chocolate? That isn’t in the least bit funny...”

WILD SWIMMING, WALKS - Wild Things Publishing Ltd rrp £14.99. Now this is my idea of a self-help manual. Written by the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association, while my own personal idea of relaxation is NOT voluntarily jumping into cold water unpaid (regular swimming teaching in the shallow end of a private school pool whose temperature is considered ‘character-building’ has rendered me utterly inured to any wet leisure activity that doesn’t take place in a nice clean hot bath), I do like an energetic walk, particularly here in London without a tedious car journey to get there. And although I’d rather snog Boris (I can’t believe I just said that) than undertake front crawl in pond weed, I’m more than happy to watch other people do it.

Especially those I love.

THE FIVE O’CLOCK APRON by Claire Thompson - Ebury rrp £20. Billed as proper food for modern families, this is a realistic cookery book that offers achievable recipes that your kids might actually eat. With unfancy names for each dish (that don’t scare the life out you) as well as do-it-yourself kitchen cupboard essentials such as ketchup and the worshipful aforementioned staple that is hummus, there’s even a formula for homemade baked beans.

DEMOLITION DAD by Phil Earle - Orion rrp £6.99. Though this was one of my father’s nicknames too (he was also known as

Captain Bodge) our diminutive protagonist’s pop knocks down things on purpose - both buildings AND people. Having been brought up on Saturday afternoon wrestling myself (Downton?

Broadchurch? Gah! ITV has sooo lost its way..) I can quite see the fascination but for Jake and his dad, it goes deeper than that. As George Biggs says: life isn’t about how you get knocked down, it’s how you get back up again.

JULIUS ZEBRA, RUMBLE WITH THE ROMANS by Gary Northfield - Walker rrp £8.99. Hmmm. The advance information sheet (that’s tradespeak for a bit of paper that comes with the review copy) suggests that this is ‘ideal for children who are studying Romans at school.’ Well I am 100% certain all children would agree with that but, just incase some Ofsted jobsworth gets shirty about a bunch of animals from a Serengeti watering hole eating porridge, dressing up as gladiators and kicking some Roman up the you-now-what, the author has included a factually feasible Gary’s Glossary at the back, plus some stuff on Roman numerals. And all the drawings are by him too.

Brilliant!

Classics Unfolded: THE SECRET GARDEN, PRIDE & PREJUDICE, ROMEO & JULIET, ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, retold in pictures by Becca Stadlander Frances Lincoln rrp £6.99. To add to the Marcia Williams’ comic strip style take on everything from Greek myths to Charles Dickens, the Manga Shakespeare series and the daft board-book Little Master & Little Miss titles, there is now a scene-by-scene fold-out approach to getting to grips with the classics, each rendered rather beautifully in a slipcase. With cast, quotes and a 30 second summary, every story is suddenly effortlessly accessible.

THOSE PESKY RABBITS by Ciara Flood - Templar rrp £6.99.

No eggs here but a good one for Easter nonetheless as this book is positively bounding with bunnies. In this story about a grizzly trying to get some peace and quiet, the simple text (some picture books don’t half go on and on - not this one) and amusing images make it an entirely bearable - see what I did there? - bedtime read.

LADYBIRD BY DESIGN by Lawrence Zeegen - Penguin rrp £20. What a page-turner. Honestly, I defy anyone to remain unmoved by this celebration of a century’s worth of words and pictures. It goes without saying, we all have our own favourite cover design (mine was Harry Wingfield’s The Party - I so badly wanted a yellow dress and matching yellow shoes, but my mum didn’t do frilly frocks or indeed colour coordination, unless it was tie-dyed) and many of us learned to read thanks to Peter and Jane, but no school project was ever completed without the help of a Ladybird Adventure from History Book - Florence’s lantern really did seem to glow, eh?

THE LONDON WEEKENDS START HERE by Tom Jones Ebury rrp £12.99. With 52 themed weekends that cover everything from the city that Betjamen knew including the tiny Euston Tap bar and a ride through ‘Metroland’, to Hidden Southbank & Bankside; taking in the Green Chain walk, tea & cakes, churchyards and pirates, art and Americans. There’s some seriously interesting suggestions for Easter that include seeking out an Easter Island head statue in the British Museum or attending the widow’s buns ceremony in Bow. Personally, I recommend you consult Countryside of Croydon section for some seasonal inspiration - no sniggering at the back, oh ye of little faith! South Norwood Country Park is a little known gem, ideal for a restorative post-Resurrection walk, and the view from the Addington Hills is stunning, as is the expanse of chalk grassland at Cross Farthing Downs, near Coulsdon.

Meanwhile, we won’t be visiting my dear dad for hot cross buns this year. The children have never quite got over the time when he bought them lots of beautifully crafted handmade chocolate eggs, only to hang them off a tree on the nearby heath in small tear-off dog poo bags as a surprise. He just simply couldn’t fathom out why his grandchildren weren’t more enthusiastic about his Easter egg hunt. Kids today eh?

No gratitude.

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk familiesse.co.uk

april 2015 - families south east

11

What’sNew Family Life An au pair in the house For working parents with children in school or at nursery, au pairs can offer much-needed wrap around childcare for a few hours before and after school. For stay at home parents with a baby or toddler, an au pair can be a sanity-saving extra pair of hands.

The Little Au Pair Agency offer friendly and personalised support as you search for the right au pair for your family as an affordable, flexible, live-in childcare option. We asked owner Emma Harrison to tell us more about having au pair in the family: • Au pairs are young adults aged 18-27 years • Receive ‘pocket money’ (from 70 per week) plus board and lodging • Help with 25-35 hours’ childcare over a five day week, plus two evenings babysitting • The length of stay depends on your family’s needs - from a few weeks during the summer school holidays, or up to 12 months for the academic year • Au pairs are not trained childcare professionals, such as a qualified nanny, so they should not be expected to have sole care for children under the age of two years.

“Think of hosting an au pair as having your niece or nephew to stay - many will be keen to join in with family activities but will also want to establish a life outside of the home, often quickly making friends through English language classes.”

With 15 years’ professional experience working in international marketing for a global blue chip financial services organisation, the pressures of juggling home and work life are something Emma knows only too well. Au pairs proved to be an invaluable childcare solution for her and her young family, and with this first-hand experience of the benefits an au pair can bring to family life, Emma now helps other busy families with their au pair search and placement.

Based in southeast London, The Little Au Pair Agency philosophy is to only work with a small number of host families to offer a friendly service tailored to your childcare needs. All applicants come with some childcare experience, and are carefully vetted by European partner agencies, including interviews, personal references, medical and police checks to find the best applicants.

To find out how an au pair can help your family with childcare at home, call Emma on 020 8462 6041 or visit www.thelittleaupairagency.co.uk.

12

‘Baby on board’ - or not?

Many new parents miss the point of ‘Baby on Board’ car stickers: “Parents aren’t supposed to be bragging about their new arrival, nor are they intended to make other road users drive more carefully around them - that’s not what ‘Baby on Board’ signs are for. They exist to show emergency services or rescuers there could be a little one in the back seat after an accident.”

That’s the important advice from a national car leasing company which has found that virtually no parent takes the sticker out when they’re not with their baby, while some leave the sign in their car years after it is no longer relevant. Flexed.co.uk spoke to one paramedic who says valuable time is often wasted looking for a baby in a car crash that

New Products

Teeny tiny T.Rex Break away from a chocolate egg for your little ones this year and instead give them their own little dinosaur egg to care for. The Triceratops, Stegasorus and T.Rex finger puppets all burst out of their shells to be looked after. At the end of the day they can go back to sleep in their egg shell. £12 each from the Natural History Museum shop, www.nhmshop.co.uk.

Bouncing into spring

Brain Factor

With children raring to get outside again it’s time to give your trampoline a vital once-over. Having wiped away the leaves and scrubbed off the bird mess, here’s how to check for safety: 1. Ensure the net surrounding the trampoline is fitted securely with no holes. Holes can weaken the overall strength if a child falls against it. If holes have appeared, it’s time to replace.

2. The springs are a key part of your trampoline but they can also be painful to fall on. Check the padding that covers the springs is still thick and protective and that there are no nasty rips.

3. Constant bouncing puts a lot of pressure on the mat and especially the holes where it attaches to the springs. Check that none of these holes are ripped, otherwise you will need to replace the mat to avoid potential injury.

4. With older trampolines, tears or weaknesses in the material can appear in the middle of the mat. It is essential that the mat be replaced as soon as possible as these can split and cause injury.

5. Trampoline enclosure pole clamps need to be rust free and tight to hold the poles and attached netting securely in place. It’s worth a quick check and tighten up any fixings that have worked loose. If you have any poles that have already started bending then these should be replaced as a bent pole is a weak pole and will almost certainly not survive strong impacts.

If you’re looking to replace or install a new garden trampoline, the new Capital In-Ground sits flush on the ground, meaning no more falling-off accidents, nor the clunky eyesore of a big bouncer dominating the lawn.

For stockists, go to www.capitalplay.co.uk

Brain Factor introduces 3-7 year-olds to the world around them through colourful pictures and hundreds of quiz questions. The unique fan design allows you to read a question and then simply slide out the next card to see the answer. Designed with guidance from teachers, each of the four colourful packs is packed with a wide range of questions which encourage conversation while supporting Early Years and Key Stage 1 goals.

Perfect to whip out on long journeys, at the table or while queuing for a bus, the complete set

families south east - april 2015

covers nifty numbers and letters, rhyming words, our world and general knowledge. For more information and stockists, see www.brain-factor.com.

familiesse.co.uk

was never there in the first place, meaning the other patients may be suffering as a consequence. Company spokesman Mark Hall said: “It could become a life-or-death situation in the event of a serious road accident - emergency services really do take these signs as gospel.”

While Flexed.co.uk supports the idea of warning emergency services that there may be a helpless child in the back of a car who is unable to undo buckles and escape from a road accident, the company urges parents to act responsibly. The advice is to get one that’s easily removed, and get into the habit of taking it out when travelling without your young ones.

Flexed.co.uk is a leading UK-based car leasing company that finds motoring deals from one month to one year, www.flexed.co.uk.

OPEN DAY May Bank Holiday Monday 6th 11am to to 2pm 4th May May2013 2015 11am Drip, drip, drop magic April showers We all know it’s going to rain - that’s why April showers have their very own name.

Holly & Beau come to the rescue with their jolly new rainwear that changes colour when it gets wet so it can still be fun out of doors. Incorporating three fun designs, the collection bursts to life with a rainbow of vibrant colour on contact with water, magically returning to its original design as it dries. Created with safety in mind, the colour-changing inks are water-based, meaning there are no harmful chemicals or metals to be found.

The rainmacs have a soft fleece lining, a hood, handy pockets for stashing treasures, and a storage bag, rrp £35. Matching umbrellas are rrp £14.99, from www.hollyandbeau.com.

An ethical brand, Holly & Beau support the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and with every product sold, more emotional and practical support is given to families who have a child with a life threatening illness, www.rainbowtrust.org.uk.

COME ALONG AND HAVE SOME FUN PLAYING TENNIS, SQUASH, RACKETBALL AND CROQUET.

s All ages and playing standards welcome s Equipment provided s Coaches and members on hand to give advice s 20% discount on membership if you join on the day s Two free tennis lessons for all children and adults s Enter our Free prize draw to win annual membership * Prize draw rules available at www.sltcc.co.uk

For more information about our Open Day visit:

Your dear little bunny There’ll always be Easter chocolate, but once your little one grows into a big, hulking, sulking teenager (hard to believe now, but it happens), it’ll be too late for a goodnight hug in a supersoft Cuddledry hooded towel.

Children will find the floppy bunny ears irresistible and will love snuggling in the warm, soft fabric before hopping into bed. It’s perfect for enticing children out of the bath and just as useful after a swim if you’re off on Easter holidays. The only problem will be catching your little bunny to take it off and get them dressed, as they hop away happy, cosy and warm.

Suitable for ages 3-6 years, £29.99 from www.cuddledry.com.

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www.nannybank.co.uk april 2015 - families south east

13

HAVEN’T STOPPED DANCING YET

ST CHRISTOPHER’S FUN WALK

GREENWICH MINI MARATHON

The Great

What’sOn

LEEDS CASTLE

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Diary Dates for Grownups TAXIDERMY IN FASHION

CRYSTAL PALACE FOOD MARKET

9 April, THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Artist Polly Morgan gives a unique behind the scenes insight into her work which is leading the taxidermy renaissance. Since 2004, Polly has been playing with and dismantling taxidermy traditions, creating eerily beautiful still lives. Polly’s work is on display as part of the new exhibits in the Natural History Gallery. Over 18s only, 7-8pm, tickets £5.

Saturdays, Haynes Lane SE19 3AP, www.crystalpalacefoodmarket.co.uk

FANCY BETTY NEARLY NEW WOMENSWEAR SALE 18 April, SALVATION ARMY HALL, 58 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE19 3AF, www.fancybetty.com Fancy Betty’s nearly new sales specialise in women’s clothing and accessories that are in excellent pre-loved condition. Think great quality second hand, think barely worn, think ‘posh’ jumble. If you love great quality clothing and want to breathe life back into pre-loved fashion or sell yours - you’ve found the right place. 11am-2pm.

Locally sourced meats, fresh fish, fruit & veg, eggs, cheese, raw milk, artisan bread, cakes and hot food, on sale in the heart of Crystal Palace.

Open 10am-3pm every Saturday, with regular events as well (check first as these are subject to change).

EASTER MAKE AND TAKE, 4 April. Make beautiful Easter-themed ceramic shapes and bunting, using acrylic paints, 10am-3pm, £3.

HAMISH’S TOY STALL, 18 April. Quality second-hand toys from a stall run by the market’s young neighbour on Haynes Lane. 11am-2pm.

THE MAN FROM STORY MOUNTAIN, 25 April. Enthralling and inspiring tales from professional storyteller Adrian Beckingham, aka The Man from Story Mountain, as seen at Glastonbury Festival, The British Museum, and on BBC. 11am, 12noon, 1pm and 2pm suggested donation: £1. http://storymountain.eu/

SYDENHAM TENNIS CLUB OPEN DAY 4 May, SYDENHAM TENNIS, SQUASH AND CROQUET CLUB, Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham SE26 6ET, 020 8778 4217, www.sydenham-tennis-squash-croquet-club.co.uk Sydenham Tennis Club will throw open their doors to visitors on Bank holiday Monday, with lots of activities for children and adults of all ages.

Have a go at squash, tennis, croquet and racketball - all equipment provided or take your own. Club coaches will be on hand to provide helpful tips and advice. You ll also have an opportunity to look round the clubs facilities, chat with friendly members, get refreshments at the bar, and take advantage of discounted membership offers. 11am-2pm, free.

DINO STORES FOR GROWN-UPS 17 April, THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5011, www.nhm.ac.uk Have you ever wondered what happens when the doors close at one of the world’s most famous natural history venues? Find out with Dino Snores for Grown Ups, one of the UK’s most extraordinary sleepovers.

Tickets £175, £160 for members.

SPANISH LUNCHES WITH CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS Saturdays and Sundays, IBERICA Restaurant, 12 Cabot Square E14 4QQ, 020 7636 8650, www.olekids.com Enjoy authentic tapas for a relaxing weekend lunch while your children take part in a free Spanish workshop with Olé Kids, filled with traditional games, books and stories.

16 May, St SWITHUN’S CHURCH HALL, St Swithun’s Road, Hither Green SE13 6QE, 0796 716 3247, www.haventstoppeddancingyet.co.uk HSDT offers 70s and 80s soul, funk and disco - for people who remember the tunes first time round and still want to party. DJs Lord Anthony and hula-hooping DJ, Da’Lynne spin the tunes, with dance line-ups to get everyone into the groove, plus free retro sweets and ice pops. 7.30-11pm, £12 on the door, or guarantee your place on the dance floor by booking first for £10

19 April, from the bandstand, ROYAL GREENWICH PARK, Charlton Way, SE10 8QY, 020 8319 9230, www.communityhospice.org.uk Hundreds of local children, aged between 5 and 16 years old, will complete their own 2.62 mile mini ‘marathon’ to raise funds for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. The event starts with a fun and energetic warm up led by the team from Greenwich Get Active, before running, walking or jogging their way around Royal Greenwich Park - enjoying the stunning views of London as they go.

All runners raising over £100 in sponsorship are automatically entered into a free prize draw with the chance to win Go Karting, a Panasonic Smart Blu-ray Disc Player with 3D and restaurant vouchers. The Hospice hopes to raise £40,000, enough to enable its doctors and nurses to provide specialist care to Hospice patients for one whole week.

Participants are invited to turn up in fancy dress. Registration is £7.50 per child and every child will receive a medal at the finish line.

10 May, BLACKHEATH COMMON SE3, www.heathforhealth.org.uk The second Heath for Health community fun run will raise funds for Cancer Research, Macmillan Nurses and the 999 club in Greenwich.

With sponsorship from Hamptons estate agents, the event will begin with a fun and dynamic dance based warm up followed by a 5km run for adults and families, and a one mile race for children. There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd places awarded to participants, who are running the event competitively and a race clock so that all entrants can work on personal bests or with the view to improve their time in future events. All runners will receive a bespoke running number and Heath for Health medal.

See the event website or Heath for Health Facebook page for updates and more information.

BANK HOLIDAY AT KENT LIFE

INTRODUCTION TO TANTRUMS 15 April and 17 June, ALL FIRED UP CERAMICS CAFE, 34 East Dulwich Road SE22 9AX, www.katrinbain.co.uk Tantrums can be one of the most stressful aspects of parenthood but they do not have to be. In this talk Dr Katrin Bain explains why children have tantrums and shares ways to prevent them. She also offers three alternative responses to the widely used 'time out' method. 1-2pm, children welcome. For information, bookings and more workshops, see Katrin's website.

Saturday

MINI MARATHON FOR YOUNG RUNNERS

HEATH FOR HEALTH

HAVEN’T STOPPED DANCING YET

Friday - Kingsdale School, SE21

LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL, 01622 767866, www.leeds-castle.com Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. Grounds open 10am daily, admission to castle and grounds free for under 4s, children £16, adults £24, valid for a whole year. For Easter specials, see page 9.

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2-4 May, KENT LIFE HERITAGE FARM PARK, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU, 01622 763936, www.kentlife.org.uk May Day celebrations include Morris dancing, May queen parade and children’s maypole dancing on the green. Join in with the daily animal feeds, visit the farmhouses in Vintage Village, take a tractor trailer ride around the site, learn about the history of Kent Life with a guided tour, or let off steam in the indoor play areas. The attraction is also a real working farm, so there are plenty of animals to see, including pigs, sheep, ducks, goats, alpacas, horses and ponies. Open 10am-4pm daily, admission £7.50 children, £9.50 adults.

Goodrich School, SE22

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families south east - april 2015

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THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM

THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM

Outdoors

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

Events and Attractions

UP AT THE 02

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM

The 02, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, 020 8463 2000, www.theo2.co.uk Climb over the 02’s iconic roof and complete a rewarding personal challenge. An explorer in your climb suit, boots and harness; clip onto the walkway, go on up and admire the view. Your climb guide will be with you every step of the way to tell you about the sights. Tickets from £26, book first.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road, London SE1, 020 7416 5000, www.iwm.org.uk IWM London has been transformed with ground-breaking First World War Galleries alongside a central atrium space with large object displays, shops and cafes. Admission free.

FIRST WORLD WAR GALLERIES. Discover the story of the war - how it started, why it continued and its global impact, through the lives of those who experienced it at the time on both the front line and the home front across Britain and its empire.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES - SPIES. Uncover the deadly world of spies in interactive exhibition aimed at families. Horrible Histories: Spies brings to life the horrible history of Second World War spies and their secret schemes, based on Terry Deary’s book. Adults £6.20, children £3.30.

OBJECT CONVERSATIONS, Sundays. In these new immersive object handling sessions, families can explore objects from our collections and they connect with iconic objects on display in our new atrium and Terraced Galleries. Feel the weight of a shrapnel piece from the First World War and come to grips with real objects from the museum’s collections. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.

CREATIVE RESPONSE, Sundays. Make a creative response to themes held within the new atrium and Terraced Galleries as a drawing, a photograph or a postcard. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.

A FAMILY IN WARTIME. Explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children and what life in London was like during the war.

A Family in Wartime is brought to life through interactive exhibits, photographs, recorded interviews with the family, archive film footage, paintings, personal documents and an intricate model of the Allpress family home.

HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, general admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium. The museum’s music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautiful green space which has the oldest nature trail in London.

PLANTASTIC, Until 1 November. Explore the wonderful world of plants on a massive scale. From giant seeds and exploding cucumbers to sun-seeking flowers and a huge crawl-through root system, Plantastic’s interactive exhibits and games bring visitors up close to all kinds of fantastic plant life revealing how plants are essential for life on Earth.

Special discovery and craft events run alongside the exhibition during school holidays. £3.85 per child, £7.15 adult, £18.15 family.

EASTER ACTIVITIES, 30 March - 10 April. See page 8 for details.

DAWN CHORUS WALK, 2 May. Join expert ornithologist David Darrell-Lambert on an early morning tour of the Horniman Gardens for International Dawn Chorus day and learn to identify the many bird songs that make up the dawn chorus. Warm up with a hot drink and pastry after the walk and see some taxidermy birds in the Horniman’s Collection. 5-7am, over 10s only, tickets £8 adults, £5 children.

ST CHRISTOPHER’S FUN WALK 17 May, from KESTON COMMON, Kent, 020 8768 4575, www.stchristophers.org.uk/funwalk or email funwalk@stchristophers.org.uk By signing up for this year’s St Christopher’s Fun Walk you’ll be able to help raise essential funds for the south London hospice. Choose from a 3, 5, 7 or 11 mile walk and join in the fun - the more, the merrier! There’ll be prizes for the best fancy dress and the most money raised, with entertainment and refreshments on the common throughout the day.

St Christopher’s cares for over 2,500 dying people each year with 750 patients being cared for in their own homes on any given day. The charity serves an ethnically and socially diverse area of London, covering Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Croydon, and Bromley, and provides education services which benefit healthcare professionals worldwide.

EASTER EGG HUNTS Easter holidays, VARIOUS VENUES The Easter bunny is visiting stately homes, museum gardens, outdoor markets and open spaces in and around southeast London, hiding eggs and little treats waiting to be discovered. For fun days out, see pages 8 and 9.

GOLDEN HINDE 1 Pickfords Wharf SE1 9DG, 020 7403 0123, www.goldenhinde.com Board the replica ship on Saturdays for a family-friendly guided tour to find out about life at sea and Sir Francis Drake’s voyage around the world. Regular fun days with costumed staff feature Tudor life at sea, filled with gruesome stories, treasure hunts, battles and hands-on activities. Open 10am-6pm, £4.50 children, £6 adults, £10 families.

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15

GAMBADO PLAYCENTRE

HMS BELFAST

DINO SNORES - NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

HMS BELFAST On the THAMES at The Queen’s Walk by Morgans Lane, Tooley Street SE1 2JH, www.iwm.org.uk Discover the exciting stories of those who served HMS Belfast; exploring the nine decks where sailors once hurried up and down its ladders, or take a look at the mess desk where her 950-strong crew ate and slept.

Open 10am-5pm, admission free for under 16s, £15.50 adults.

GUN TURRET EXPERIENCE. Immerse yourself in the Gun Turret Experience, a chance to see what fighting at sea would have really been like. Overlooking the front of the ship, or Fo’c’sle, is the forward most of HMS Belfast’s Triple Gun Turrets. Lights, audio, videos and projections will recreate the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time. Entry included in general admission price.

MoreWhat’sOn Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM, 39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6433, www.ltmuseum.co.uk Let your children’s imaginations run wild as they are transported back in time at the historical and interactive London Transport Museum. Filled with buses, trains, and taxis they can take the wheel, try their hand as a tube conductor or bump around with the other passengers in the back, as they explore the vehicles of London’s past and present. Museum open 10am-6pm Mondays to Thursdays and weekends, from 11am Fridays. Admission free for under 17s, £16 adults. Tickets are valid for 12 months’ unlimited admission.

EASTER AT LTM, 30 March - 17 April. Make a tiny puppet then create a short video (ages 6-12); meet animals from the All Aboard playzone and help them find their way across London (ages 3-6).

ALL ABOARD. In the museum’s exciting new playzone, children can get into the driver’s seat of a real bus, repair a mini Tube train and play in the ‘Lost Property’ office. They can also enjoy ‘sailing’ the Thames Nipper, serve passengers in the Nipper Cafe, fly the Emirates Air Line cable car, make driver announcements and help customers at the mini information desk using a magnetic message board, maps and clocks. Ages 0-7 years.

THE FAMILY STATION. Visit the Family Station, pick up a coin bag and choose some activities to do as you explore the museum. Whether you fold your own bus and drive it between the vehicles, design your own poster-postcards or take photos through flickr frames, there is something here for families with children of all ages. Open weekends and school holidays, suitable for families with 3-12 year-olds.

GAMBADO PLAYCENTRE NATWEST SPORTS GROUND, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1NZ, 020 8662 6910, www.gambado.com/clubs/beckenham Gambado Beckenham boasts one of the largest indoor play frames in greater London, plus special dodgems and a carousel. Children can play, learn, explore and party in a healthy, fun and safe environment while parents can kick back in the cafe bar. Open 9.30am-6.30pm daily, admission from £6.60 children, £2.95 adults plus a registration fee of £5.50 on your first visit.

UNCLE MAC - THE AMAZING MAGICIAN, 9 April. A special and magical visitor will be entertaining young visitors. Royal Tea Party ROYAL TEA PARTY, 23 April. Join the party to celebrate the imminent arrival of a new Prince or Princess in the royal family. 11am-1pm, £9, book first.

THE ART OF THE BRICK Until 12 April, OLD TRUMAN BREWERY, 91 Brick Lane E1 6QL, 020 7492 5374, www.artofthebrick.co.uk Marvel at over eighty art sculptures created from more than a million LEGO bricks, including many human figures, a T-rex skeleton, and interpretations of world famous artworks. The exhibition includes an Interactive Zone where younger (and older) visitors can explore their own creativity using the iconic bricks. US artist Nathan Sawaya’s world renowned exhibition has so far captured the imagination of over 100,000 visitors in venues across the world - catch it while you can! Open daily, admission from £8 children, £14.50 adults.

THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town WC1N 1AZ, 020 7841 3600, www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk Britain’s first home for abandoned children and London’s first public art gallery, The Foundling Museum reveals the stories of the Foundling Hospital’s founder Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and composer George Frideric Handel. It houses significant collections of eighteenth-century art, interiors, social history and music. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 11am Sundays. Admission free for under 16s, £8.25 adults.

INTRODUCTORY GALLERY. Showcasing a decade’s research into the Hospital’s archive, the introductory gallery takes visitors on an emotional journey through the history of London’s first home for children who would otherwise have been abandoned. New displays of favourite objects offer visitors greater access and depth of information, while previously unseen items shed new light on the Foundling Hospital story.

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families south east - april 2015

SIR JACOB EPSTEIN: BABIES AND BLOOMSBURY, until 10 May. The exhibition reveals how babies and children inspired modernist sculptor Jacob Epstein, and explores his unconventional family life in Bloomsbury. A very important selection of Epstein’s remarkable and moving bronzes and drawings of babies and children, including of members of his own family, are brought together for the first time.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, South Bank, London SE1, 020 7620 0347, www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Uncover the lady behind the legend through a vivid retelling of her story and a look at how modern nursing began. The museum’s unparalleled collection features highlights such as Florence’s pet little owl Athena as well as her lamp and medicine chest from the Crimean War. Engaging interactive exhibits as well as regular contemporary art exhibitions enhance the experience, visitors even use stethoscopes to hear the audio tour. Admission free for under 5s, £4.80 child, £7.80 adults, £18.60 families.

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS, Clive Steps, King Charles Street SW1A, www.iwm.org.uk The Churchill War Rooms were originally the Cabinet War Rooms, created in 1938 as underground storage areas for the Office of Works Building in Whitehall. They were soon converted to house the central core of government and to become a temporary military information centre serving the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff of the air, naval and land forces. Visitors can hear the first-hand personal accounts of those who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war. Learn what life and conditions were like underground and experiencing the authenticity and emotional resonance of walking through the corridors where Churchill made history. Open 9.30am-6pm, admission free for under 16s, £15.95 adults.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM

SCIENCE MUSEUM SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road SW7 2DD, 0870 870 4868, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Aiming to be the best place in the world for people to enjoy science, the Science Museum makes sense of the science that shapes our lives, sparking curiosity, releasing creativity and changing the future by engaging people of all generations and backgrounds in science, engineering, medicine, technology, design and enterprise. Open daily 10am-6pm except 24-26 December.

LAUNCHPAD SCIENCE SHOWS. The largest free interactive science gallery in the UK is packed with exhibits which allow visitors to launch a rocket, turn their head into a sound box and control a magnetic cloud.

Ages 8-14, free.

ENGINEER YOUR FUTURE. Put your problem-solving skills to the test and explore engineering through large-scale, high quality interactive games and digital experiences. Discover some of the fascinating stories of women and men who work in engineering today, with striking objects and an accompanying film illustrating cutting-edge engineering. Suitable for ages 11+ CRAVINGS: CAN YOUR FOOD CONTROL YOU? From the flavours you learned to love in the womb to the very next bite you take, your appetite has been shaped by food. Through personal stories, fascinating objects and cutting-edge science and technology, Cravings explores the power food has over our bodies, brains and behaviour. This new exhibition will reveal how the brain, gut brain and gut bacteria work together to control our desire for food. Visitors will be able to discover how not one but two brains affect our cravings and take part in real experiments to uncover how our senses trick our brains into wanting more.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Dinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies - discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museum open 10am-5.50pm, admission free.

ONE MILLION YEARS OF THE HUMAN STORY. What was Britain like when the first humans arrived on its shores? Travel back in time nearly one million years to uncover what life was really like for our ancient relatives. £4.50 children, £9 adults, £24 families.

DINO SNORES, 9 May. Discover what really happens at the museum when the staff and visitors have gone home. Children aged 7-11 years, from 7pm to 9.50am the following day. Tickets £60.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT, 020 7881 6606, www.nam.ac.uk The history of British land forces from 1485 to the present day, with costumes, paintings, artefacts and special displays telling the stories of men and women who served in British armies across the globe.

Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free.

ACTION ZONES. Learn about life as a Victorian soldier or World War evacuee through quizzes, games and hands-on activities.

KIDS’ ZONE. Under 8s can enjoy an exciting soft play area.

CHILDREN AT THE V&A V&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk/families During any visit, families can pick up a trail from the Information Desk and explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation.

Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open 10am5.45pm daily, admission free.

BACK-PACKS, Saturdays. Pick up a back pack and explore the museum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games.

10.30am-5pm.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum is fascinating for families with young children.

The collection includes dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography.

Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails.

There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3’s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. If it’s sunny there’s an outdoor space to enjoy a picnic. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

ST GEORGE’S DAY, 25 April. Discover the delights of English folk music and dance traditions and take part in arts & crafts. Enjoy performances by the Becontree Brass Band, Cecil Sharp House Choir and others.

11.30am -4.30pm.

AT HOME IN A DOLLS’ HOUSE, until 6 September. This exhibition reveals the fascinating stories behind some of the UK’s best-loved dolls’ houses, taking you on a journey through the history of the home, everyday lives and changing family relationships. The small stories of 12 dolls’ houses from the past 300 years will be brought to life by the characters that live or work there. Meet the residents and discover tales of marriages and parties, politics and crime.

IT’S MY PARTY. Take a look at children’s birthday parties from the perspective of both children and parents. The exhibition centrepiece is a life-sized installation telling the story of a party thrown for Wilfred, a shy resident of the museum.cover how our senses trick our brains into wanting more.

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MUSEUM OF LONDON MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, West India Quay E14, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands, and MUSEUM OF LONDON, London Wall EC2Y 5HN, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life. On Sundays, museum hosts help visitors explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities at 11am and 2pm.

SHERLOCK HOLMES, until 12 April. An exciting exhibition delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.uk Royal Museums Greenwich holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and incorporates the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the 17th-century Queen’s House, and Cutty Sark. The Museums works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people, and is also a major centre of education and research. On Saturdays and Sundays free performances and workshops entertain family visitors, while on Tuesdays preschoolers can make music and play with parents and carers. Open 10am-5pm daily.

General admission is free; some buildings, special exhibitions and events have an admission fee.

AGAINST CAPTAIN’S ORDERS, until 31 August.

A new family adventure run in conjunction with Punchdrunk Entertainment. With so much history secured in one museum: so many objects, so many stories, so many doorways to other times and other worlds, who knows who or what will turn up on this exciting journey. Exhilarating, enlightening and perhaps just a tiny bit dangerous, this is a theatrical expedition through the museum, the likes of which have never been seen before. Ages 6-12 plus parents, tickets £19.75.

THE GREAT MAP. Borrow a tablet and ‘set sail’ to explore distant lands, discovering stories of female pirates, Scott’s Antarctic expedition and more.

AHOY! Visit the museum’s new gallery where younger visitors can board a pirate ship, stoke the fire of a steamship, navigate an ice-breaker, and more, all under one roof. Under 7s, free.

MEET THE TIME TRAVELLERS, Weekends and holiday weekdays throughout June. Meet timetravelling Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne or his human computer Mary Edwards next to the Steampunk time machine in the Meridian Courtyard and find out about their life and work at Greenwich in the 18th-century. 12noon, 1, 2 and 3pm, ages 7+.

CUTTY SARK CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark The world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four levels to explore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’s wheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on board through interactive displays, props, information boards and animations. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays.

Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £7 children, £13.50 adults, from £24 families.

Bundled tickets are available with the other Royal Museum Greenwich attractions.

SHINY SEA, 2+3 May. Join a Cutty Sark artist and create a shimmering silver sea complete with ships, waves and icebergs. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm included in admission price.

BRITISH MUSEUM BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8181, www.britishmuseum.org The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. Each year nearly 6 million visitors pour through the doors to see the museum’s collection of ancient and historical artefacts including the ever-popular Egyptian mummies, or to take in the latest blockbuster exhibition. Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free, charge for some exhibitions.

DEFINING BEAUTY, until 5 July. A major exhibition on the human body in ancient Greek art, exploring the Greek experience and its preoccupation with the human form. £16.50 adults, under 16s free.

FIREPOWER - ROYAL ARTILLERY MUSEUM

Theatre, Shows and Music

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM

DISCOVER GREENWICH OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE (next to the Cutty Sark), Greenwich SE10, www.greenwichwhs.org.uk Unlock the history of Maritime Greenwich, through artefacts, artwork, film and stories of former lives to bring the past to life. A permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the College’s Tudor beginnings, through its naval past, as the Royal Hospital for Seamen and Royal Navy Staff College, right up to the present day. Special objects, including personal items from Henry VIII’s palace, as well as fascinating stories from monarchs, admirals and architects help chart the historic town’s development.

Activities for children enable families to maximise their visit to Maritime Greenwich and for children to explore and understand the history of the magnificent site.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTS GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Special workshops and quizzes inspire creativity and provide amusement for accompanied 5-11 year-olds on the first Saturday of each month and during school holidays. Places allocated 30 minutes in advance of each workshop. Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from noon Sundays.

HISTORIC ALMSHOUSE TOURS, 15 + 28 April, 2, 12 + 26 May. The restored historic almshouse has been fully restored to its original condition, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of London’s poor and elderly in former times. Tours are conducted by museum volunteers and take place at specific times each month. Adults £3, under 16s free.

GARDENS GALORE! 7-10 April. Celebrate spring in the museum gardens and delve into the activity card to create seasonal headwear, plant seeds and make beautiful baskets. 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.

ZIPPOS CIRCUS: OMG

UNICORN THEATRE UNICORN THEATRE, 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7645 0560, www.unicorntheatre.com GET UP AT THE WEEKEND. Join the Unicorn Play Club every Saturday from midday. Take part in free activities in the foyer such as rocket building, cake decorating or even Olympic musical chairs.

FIGHT NIGHT, 16 April - 3 May. Fight Night is an immersive exploration of the intricacies and traps of voting systems and democracy in the media. Ages 14+, tickets from £10.

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, 28 March - 26 April. There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; and for at least two hours the Boy loved him...

PLANETA KA, 7 May - 4 June. An explorer gradually discovers this mysterious land; its mountains, craters and caves full of surprises. Tickets £10 for one child and up to 2 adults.

HENRY THE FIFTH, 17-31 May. Kings need crowns and castles to prove themselves, and so does Henry. Henry the Fifth, that is, of England. Tickets from £10.

ZIPPOS CIRCUS: OMG 26 March - 7 April, BLACKHEATH COMMON, Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath SE3 0UA, 0871 210 2100, www.zipposcircus.co.uk London’s favourite circus returns with an all-new, jaw-dropping show. Be amazed by the world’s most dangerous circus act - the legendary Globe of Terror, with four motorcyclists of Team Lucius speeding around in a steel cage at over 60mph while the cage splits open! Plus celebrated clowns extraordinaire, dazzling aerialists, jugglers, balancers, performing horses and dogs, and much, much more, hosted as always by ringmaster and budgie-trainer Norman Barrett MBE. Tickets from £7.

SOUTHBANK SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8PX, 0844 847 9944, www.southbankcentre.co.uk INNOCENCE, 8 + 10 April. Innocence is a theatrical journey led by Scottish Dance Theatre’s dancers, with live music, songs and giggles, and animal noises by Paul Bradley. Suitable for ages 3-7, £12 adults, £6 children.

OAE TOTS, 12 April. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s always-popular events for the under sixes and their families returns to Queen Elizabeth Hall. £9 adults, £1 tots.

THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN, 15 to 19 April. Louis Pearl is the world’s leading Bubbleologist and has been delighting family audiences with his unique show for nearly 30 years. Fabulously entertaining, he explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combines comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerised. Ages 3+, £10 with family discounts.

Celebratte 25 years of our biggest fundraising event!

Join us aatt Keston Common, Kent – walking to support St Christopher’’s Hospice and St Christopher’’s Bro omley

FIREPOWER - THE ROYAL ARTILLERY MUSEUM ROYAL ARSENAL, Woolwich SE18 6ST, 020 8855 7755, www.firepower.org.uk Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich tells the powerful and dramatic story of artillery, scientific discoveries made through warfare and human stories of courage and endeavour. The ‘ground shaking’ Field of Fire audio-visual show puts you in the midst of battle as shells whizz overhead and guns roar. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays. Admission £2.50 children, £5.30 adults, £12.50 families.

EASTER HOLIDAY BOOTCAMP, 31 March - 10 April. Time to get some physical & mental training this Easter with Firepower’s Junior Gunners Boot Camp. Activities include Military style physical training, a Challenger Troop assault course, and test your knowledge of the collection. The Camo Zone will open for target practice and bungee run. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm, £4.50 plus admission per child.

TOWER BRIDGE EXHIBITION TOWER BRIDGE, Tower Bridge Road SE1 2UP, 020 7403 3761, www.towerbridge.org.uk Tower Bridge houses four unique venues; the award-winning high level Walkways, the small luxurious North Tower Lounge, the majestic Victorian Engine Rooms and the charming Bridge Master’s Dining Room. Enjoy stunning London views from over the Thames and continue to the Victorian Engine Rooms to learn about the inner workings of the most famous bridge in the World. Tower Bridge still lifts to enable large ships to pass through - check the website before your visit to add to the excitement.

There’s a free app, where you can play games and learn more about the iconic landmark before your visit. Open 10am-6pm April - September, 9.30am5.30pm October - March. Admission £3.40 children, £8 adults, family tickets from £12.50.

familiesse.co.uk

o 8.30am* and pick your walk of 3, 5, 8 or 11 miles Start from Award d ffor ds or best ffanc ancy dres e s and the most money rrais aised Entertainment ent and refr e reshments eshm on the Common mmon thro oughout ut the daayy

To register free visit www w.st stchristophers.or ers orgg.uk/funwalk ers.org Contact funwalk@stchristophers.or phers.orgg.uk or 020 8768 4575 for more inffo *Latest start time for o the 8 and 11 mile walks is middaayy and fo or the 3 and 5 mile walks is 3pm www w.st . christophers.org.uk St Christopher’s is registered charity 210667 © St Christopher’’s Group January 2015

#funwalk15 Let everyone know you’re walking for St Christopher’s... and why!

april 2015 - families south east

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THE CAT IN THE HAT - CHURCHILL THEATRE

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE

MoreWhat’sOn Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

FUNHARMONICS, 3 May. Join the London Philharmonic Orchestra on a musical adventure to the home of jazz, blues, bright lights, big cities, Hollywood and the Wild West. 12noon, tickets from £3 children, £10 adults.

THE CAT IN THE HAT 9-11 April, CHURCHILL THEATRE, High Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1HA, 0844 871 7620, www.attickets.com From the moment his tall, red and white striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.

But what will mum find when she gets home? Based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for young children aged 3+.

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE 28 May - 13 June, The 02, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, www.nightgardenlive.com This summer, the world’s only In the Night Garden Live Showdome returns to The O2 - for two weeks only. See Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka brought to life with beautiful costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music and breathtaking projections. In the Night Garden Live takes place in its own family-friendly Showdome. With just 13 rows of seats, you’ll be close to the action and everyone gets a great view!

Watch the trailer and book online at NightGardenLive.com. Tickets from £14.50.

READER OFFER: Families readers can save up to £5 with an early bird ticket until 30 April. See page 5 for your voucher code.

STORY DAYS AT THE GLOBE Sackler Studios, SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE, 21 New Globe Walk SE1 9DT, 020 7401 9919, www.shakespearesglobe.com/education Dynamic and unforgettable retellings of Shakespeare’s stories by Globe Education story tellers, suitable for the whole family. Ages 6+. 11am and 2pm start. Tickets £15 for one adult and one child.

THE FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD HALLS, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk NANA AND NUNU - THE BIG SNEEZE, 8-10 April. When Nunu gets the sneezes on his birthday, Nana must venture across snow, sky and sea to track down a magical flower with the power to stop an aardvaak’s ‘achoo’. Join the colourful characters as they journey around the world in a sixty-minute musical adventure. 10am and 2pm, tickets £11.50.

BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM, 11+12 April. From the makers of Peppa Pig comes this BAFTA award-winning live stage show. Join Ben and Holly and their friends on an exciting musical adventure through the Magical Kingdom. With actors, masks and colourful costumes, this beautiful story will delight all the family. Tickets from £13.

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE, 18+19 April. A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale.

Storytelling, live music and lots of laughs are promised in Tall Stories’ latest collaboration with Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Tickets £13.50.

FAMILY SHOWS AT THE ALBANY THE ALBANY, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4AG, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk All tickets £7 or £24 for a family unless otherwise stated.

FAMILY CIRCUS WORKSHOP, weekends until 2 May. Tumble, fly, swing and spin with your children. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Each workshop will focus on different circus skills.

18

POLKA THEATRE POLKA THEATRE, 240 Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB, 020 8543 4888, www.polkatheatre.com WHATEVER THE WEATHER, 8-19 April. Every day this quaint ornament tells us what weather to expect. When the little woman comes out it’s going to be sunny! When the little man comes out it’s going to rain! Join the loveable characters on a journey of discovery. Ages 3-6, tickets £11.50.

OPERATION MAGIC CARPET, 3 April - 24 May. Nomi wants a story of her own. She lives in London but dreams about Baghdad, where her parents are from. Why can’t London be like her family’s fantastical stories of flying carpets and shooting stars? Ages 6-11, tickets £14.50.

MY FRIEND MOLE, 24-26 April. “Mole is my best friend, he is brave and funny. Mole goes everywhere I go. No one can see him apart from me.” Birdsnest Theatre return to Polka with a gentle tale about imagination and a very special friendship, using live music and storytelling. Ages 3-6, tickets £11.50.

SHOE KANGAROO, 8-10 May. Did you ever lose a shoe that tumbled into a bird that flew? Come on a fantastical journey to the island of lost shoes with clowning, mime and beautifully crafted puppets. Ages 4-7, tickets £11.50.

MRS McMOON’S TEA PARTY, 16+17 May. Singing flowers, scrumulumptious biscuits and a Scottish jig are all just a door knock away at Mrs McMoon’s entertaining tea party. Let her take you by the hand to explore a world of daring adventures, mischief, surprise and laughter. Ages 3-6, tickets £11.50.

UP IN THE ATTIC, 23 May. Join three children on a bedtime adventure in this story about friendship and overcoming your fears. Exploring the attic of an old house they discover hidden secrets, unravel a mystery and realise there is no need to be frightened of the dark. Ages 3-6, tickets £11.50.

CASA ... HOME, 27-31 May. Casa. Home. A place where I am just who I am. A home in which to shelter, eat, have a bath, sleep. A place in which to live and share experiences. To welcome others. A home to explore, a place that changes as I change; to leave and discover everything outside it, and to go back to, every time. Performed in English, with some Italian. Ages 2-4, tickets £11.50.

Art Activities DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bank holidays. Admission free for accompanied children, £6 adults.

Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child.

RAVILIOUS, 1 April - 31 August. The first major exhibition to survey watercolours by celebrated British artist Eric Ravilious (1903-42). Well known for his iconic work for Wedgwood, Ravilious is widely considered one of the key figures in mid-20th century British design but he was also one of the finest watercolourists of the century. £12.50 adults, children free.

ARTPLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session.

Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm.

FREE FAMILY TRAIL. Ask a gallery assistant or stop by at the Gallery Friends desk for a free trail; updated frequently and available for the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soane.org Tucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the heart of London, this magical, mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane’s treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Sir John Soane (1753- 1737) was an inveterate collector, filling every nook and cranny of his beautiful home with items that fascinated him. From fossils to classical fragments from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and from contemporary paintings to architectural models, drawings and literature, he intended that after his death both his house and its extraordinary contents should be used to educate and inspire. Free drop-in activities run on the third Saturday of every month, with activities for all ages and families can take part together from 1.30-4.40pm.

SOMERSET HOUSE FAMILY EVENTS

SUNDAY FAMILY ART CLUB THE CONSERVATOIRE, 19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ, 020 8852 0234, www.conservatoire.org.uk Join the Conservatoire on the first Sunday in every month for a family art adventure. Each month there is a different themed activity and absolutely no experience is required as the sessions are led by a professional artist tutor. Pre book or just drop by, but places are limited. Max three children per family group. 10.30am-12noon, £15 per family.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE, 020 7306 0055, www.npg.org.uk The gallery features thousands of portraits of the most famous people in British history, from the 16th century to the present day.

DROP IN FAMILY SUNDAYS. On the third Sunday of every month, families are invited to drop-in with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events.

BRER RABBIT AND THE TAR BABY

THE WALLACE COLLECTION

4 April - 17 May, PUPPET THEATRE BARGE, Blomfield Road, Little Venice W9 2PF, 020 7249 6876, www.puppetbarge.com Long, long ago, the Rabbit was king of the tricksters. He was always playing tricks on the other animals, and getting the better of them, and he usually got away with it... Movingstage bring this classic African-American story to the stage, with marionettes, music and mischief.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION, Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500, www.wallacecollection.org The Wallace Collection displays wonderful works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess, in their main London townhouse. Family multi-media tours and trails bring the exhibits to life for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission free.

families south east - april 2015

BRER RABBIT AND THE TAR BABY

SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk Free family workshops run on Saturdays from 2-3.30pm. Tickets available from 1pm from the information desk. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN, 020 7747 2885, www.nationalgallery.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays to 9pm, admission free.

With over 2,300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the gallery, along with free hands-on art workshops for families at weekends and during school holidays. No need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival up to one hour before the start.

FAMILIES AT THE TATE TATE BRITAIN, Millbank SW1, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/britain Open daily 10am-5.50pm, and until 10pm the first Friday of the month.

Family trails are available daily from the Information Desks and are free for 5yrs and under. Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your ‘Post it’ box as you go. When you get home, open up the box and show your friends what you found. Or you could follow the ‘Join up’ trail: play the listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talking hands, and make your own sculptures.

Every weekend the free Art Trolley encourages children to imagine and create, make colourful collages, style a wonderful sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas.

familiesse.co.uk

and finally...

And finally...

For people on low incomes, a sudden crisis - redundancy, benefit delay or even an unexpected bill - can mean going hungry. Forced to choose between paying the rent or eating, every day, parents are going without meals in order to feed their children

Foodbanks - fifty years on

By Candida Jones It has been almost 50 years since the world’s first foodbank opened in the US, and until the global financial crisis hit in 2007 the phenomenon was relatively small scale in Britain. However since then, the number of people using foodbanks in the UK has increased by a dramatic amount.

In 2004, the Trussell Trust, the largest group coordinating UK foodbanks, ran just two foodbanks in the UK. By 2008, this had risen to 22 and by 2011 there were 100. But the past five years has seen the most startling increases. By 2014, when foodbanks were opening at the rate of two a week, there were close to 1000 across the country. They handed out 20 million meals to some 913,000 people; three times more than the previous year. Of them, 330,205 were children; a situation Trussell Trust chairman Chris Mould describes as “a national disgrace” while warning that these figures are “the tip of the iceberg”.

The Trussell Trust, which runs over 400 foodbanks, is not the only organisation running foodbanks; Fareshare and Food Cycle also manage several across the country and there are many independent foodbanks run locally, sometimes even out of mobile lorries.

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The majority, however, are hosted by churches in partnership with the wider community. They operate a ‘frontline’ model; giving out food directly to the hungry, but unlike soup kitchens, most UK foodbanks are unable to help people who come in off the street without a voucher.

How it works Foodbank vouchers can be issued by a frontline care professional such as a doctor or a social worker school’s liaison officer. In one recent case in London, a police officer even referred a shop lifter whom he had just caught stealing bread, to a local foodbank rather than arrest him, when he learnt that the offender had not eaten for four days.

Recipients can receive no more than three vouchers per ‘event’ entitling them to a maximum of three food parcels - enough for three days. There is no ceiling on the number of ‘events’ that one applicant can ask for help with.

Foodbanks rely almost entirely on donations from the public who take food to drop-off points, often located in schools and churches. As well as food, foodbanks also offer support and advice and can act as community hubs, signposting people towards help with seeking asylum, welfare advice, budgeting and debt support or drug dependency. This kind of advice can be just as important as food in helping to turn around people’s lives, according to Sue Clarke, a vicar who runs a foodbank in Wandsworth, south London.

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If you are willing to donate, the Trussell Trust website can point you to a nearby foodbank. As well as food, Sue Clarke encourages her community to donate clothes, tin openers, strong carrier bags, baby products (nappies and wipes) and what she describes as ‘dignity items’ such as toiletries, toothpaste, soap and shampoo.

Other foodbank organisers (see below) give addresses for local drop-off points, along with the donations and volunteer support they welcome.

Other than donating food, there are other ways to help out that needn’t cost a thing. Some websites offer a donation to charities - including foodbanks when you shop with them. www.easyfundraising.org.uk has 2,700 online retail partners, including John Lewis, Amazon and Ebay.

They also run www.easysearch.org.uk - a search engine which similarly donates when you use it.

Alternatively, you could hold a fundraiser for a local foodbank, do a sponsored challenge, or help out at a foodbank storage facility where donated food needs to be clearly dated, ordered and stored, or set up a food collection point at a school or local hub. Some communities hold supermarket collections when shoppers are invited to pick up an extra item or two on their shop for the Food Bank trolley left in the store.

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Keep the children enthralled during the Easter school holidays with the Leeds Castle Easter Trail. Hunt for clues around the castle grounds to win a chocolate prize!

Easter Family Fun - 3rd to 6th April

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