Families Upon Avon Nov-Dec 2012

Issue 29 November/December 2012 www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

upon Avon

FR EE

What's On Guide Things to do for all the family

Local News The latest from your region

Christmas Gift Guide

Guitar Lessons Experienced Mobile Tutor • All ages and abilities welcome • CRB checked • Reasonable rates

Aquababies 10% discount for readers

Mr Petros Margaris Tel: 01225 819740 Mob: 07504382715

The FREE Magazine for families in Bath & North East Somerset, North & West Wiltshire

What’s Inside?

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Local News and Information

5

Education

6

Christmas Gift Guide

8

Excessive Sugar by Elizabeth Dolton

9

Celebrating individuality at Miles House Day Nursery

9

Clubs and classes

10

The ultimate me-time by Helena Foss

11

The Alexander Technique

12

Book Review

12

What’s On

Next Issue: January/February 2013 – Issue 30.

Copy Deadline: 10th December 2012.

Distribution: 1st Week of January 2013 13,500 copies of Families upon Avon are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Bath and North East Somerset, North and West Wiltshire.

If you would like some free copies for your organisation please let us know.

Editor’s letter...

Welcome to our Christmas issue!

Even though it is starting to get a little chilly outside Christmas always gives me such a lovely warm fuzzy feeling from the dazzling lights, the smell of cinnamon and silly Christmas songs to the crackling fires and warm hot chocolate!

I am looking forward to shopping at the Christmas markets again this year where you can support local businesses selling hand-crafted gifts and food. The What’s On guide will help you find a local Christmas market and give you plenty more ideas to enjoy the festive season including ice-skating, carol singing and where to find Father Chrismas. Please also visit our website www.familiesuponavon.co.uk which is regularly updated.

Also, in this issue our Christmas Gift Guide (pages 6 &7) has ideas from local businesses both online and in the High Street. And don’t forget to enter our great competition to win a £200 Shopping Spree with POLARN O. PYRET in time for Christmas!

Enjoy Christmas this year it doesn’t really matter if little things don’t go to plan on the big day, children grow up so quickly and having a day full of laughter and fun is so much more important than a charcoaled turkey!

A big thank you to all the Families upon Avon advertisers and distributors who all made Families upon Avon possible in 2012.

Happy Christmas to you all.

Sharon Hamilton, Editor

email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk Designed and Printed by: Ridgeway Press Ltd. 01256 300420. © Families upon Avon November 2012.

@Familiesuponavo

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Disclaimer: Any original materials submitted for publication are sent at the owner’s own risk; whilst every care is taken neither Families upon Avon nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Families Group: Families upon Avon is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West (London). All magazines in the Group are independently owned and operated under licence..

JOIN TED’S TEAM FOR CANCER CARE With the date for this year’s Bath Half Marathon set for Sunday 3rd March 2013, The Forever Friends Appeal are excited to announce the release of their charity places and that the RUH Cancer Care Campaign has been selected by race organisers as the 2013 Bath Half Marathon Featured Appeal. Silver Bond places are now open and people are invited to sign up and run to raise funds towards the building of a pioneering new Cancer Centre for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The Appeal is now a few months into the second phase of the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, with the task of raising £5 million over the next 4 years to go towards building a pioneering new Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital.

The RUH treats over 2000 new cancer patients every year and every day the disease indiscriminately alters people’s lives. By choosing to become a ‘Ted’s Team’ runner you will be helping to improve the services and environment available to these patients and their families.

People who are keen to sign up will need to pay an initial silver bond donation of £35 and pledge to raise a further minimum sponsorship of £175.

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, so be sure to get your entry in as soon as possible.

To sign up with your Ted’s Team place today, call the events team on 01225 825823, or visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/Bath_Half.htm. For more information on the Bath Half Marathon, visit the website www.bathhalf.co.uk

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BATH’S NEW FESTIVE ICE RINK OPENS FOR BOOKINGS It’s nearly time to put your skates on for some truly magical festive fun.

Bath’s new attraction, which is located in Royal Victoria Park in central Bath, will open daily from 10am until 9pm starting Friday 23 November until Sunday 6 January with onehour sessions costing from just £7 per person including top quality skate hire. Gift vouchers are also available for purchase.

Bath on Ice will be an exciting addition to the city’s Christmas attractions with opportunities for people of all ages to get into the festive spirit and take to the ice.

Group bookings, Christmas parties and student discounts are all available. Bob skates are provided for little ones as well as Penguin skate aids and ice stewards. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Tiny tot sessions will run at the start of weekday mornings in the build up to the Christmas holidays.

There is an indoor skate changing area, indoor and outdoor viewing areas, if you don’t fancy taking to the ice. Festive ringside refreshments will also be available including hot chocolate and melted marsh mallows, roasted chestnuts and plenty of other heart-warming scrumptious treats.

For further details and to book online visit www.bathonice.com

Visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk for lots more news, features and local info.

visitbath.co.uk ⓒ Bath Tourism Plus / Colin Hawkins

The biggest Christmas shopping event in the south west… Bath Christmas Market

Bath Christmas Lights Switch-On 13 November Bath has announced that Matt Baker and Alex Jones will be switching on the city’s Christmas Lights live on The One Show, broadcast live from Bath on Tuesday 13th November as part of this year’s One Show Rickshaw Challenge in aid of BBC Children in Need.

A team of young rickshaw riders, led by Matt will be passing through the World Heritage City of Bath where he will be welcomed by 5000 enthusiastic supporters cheering him on. The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge for Children in Need will chart a route from Llandudno to London’s BBC Television Centre - a total of 411miles in eight days.

The event, organised by the Bath Business Improvement District (BID), is staged on the city’s most famous shopping street, Milsom Street. A glittering evening of local talent builds up to the big moment, when the sparkling lights are lit to give an extra magical dusting to the beautiful Georgian architecture Bath is renowned for. www.bathbid.co.uk

Our lucky front cover winners were the Feasby Family who enjoyed a Christmas photo shoot with Oscar and Rose Photography at the Rudloe Hall Hotel.

Rudloe Hall is set in 14 acres of beautiful mature grounds, formal lawns, 9 hole practice golf course, wooded areas and stunning views across the Box Valley towards Bath. Rudloe Hall offer a superb venue for weddings, private parties, corporate events, charity events and much more.

The hotel offers original character & charm with 12 unique bedrooms in the main house, restaurant, bar, function rooms & cozy lounge.

The newer Treetops building has 28 modern contemporary executive double bedrooms & suites all with under floor heating & Juliette balconies. Rudloe Hall prides itself in providing a welcoming atmosphere & friendly staff to cater for your individual requirements. For further information please visit: www.rudloehall-hotel.co.uk enquiries@rudloehall-hotel.co.uk or contact: 01225 810555.

22 November – 9 December The centrepiece of Bath at Christmas is the picturesque Bath Christmas Market – the biggest and most beautiful Christmas Market in the south west, which magically transforms the square and streets surrounding Bath Abbey and the famous Roman Baths into a Christmas shopper’s haven. The 18 day market is a real treasure trove with over 140 traditional wooden chalets, each offering locally made, handcrafted and unusual gifts, decorations and food items. Twinkling fairy lights, the aroma of mulled wine, the backdrop of the stunning Bath Abbey and the soft sound of carols emanating from it, create an idyllic setting and make Christmas

visitbath.co.uk ⓒ Bath Tourism Plus / Colin Hawkins

News and Info

shopping a pleasure. This year, the market is spreading its festive joy, with additional stalls in Milsom Place on the famous Milsom Street, and in Bath Street next to a Victorian carousel, in the heart of the city’s thriving shopping centre. www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

Swimcentral celebrates with a FREE swimming lesson for children

Swimcentral celebrates the opening of its first Bath swim school with a free swimming lesson for children aged between two and five years. Teaching kids to swim at an early stage leads to a positive and enjoyable association with water.

Swimcentral provides excellent tuition and fun swimming lessons where children can enjoy the water safely. Based on the Amateur Swimming Association’s National Plan for Teaching, Swimcentral swimming lessons are run by ASA qualified teachers who love to swim.

Swimming lessons are held at the Royal United Hospital in a warm water pool.

Private and group swimming lessons are available for Swimcentral customers on Saturday mornings. The warm water supports the body while you move and relaxes muscle tension, which is why it’s suitable for adult beginners and particularly children who are distracted from swimming in cold water. Lessons last for 30 minutes each and are based on a ratio of 1 swimming teacher to 6 pupils.

Kelly Abbott, an ASA qualified swimming teacher with Swimcentral said, ‘children

Want to reach over 30,000 readers an issue? Advertise in

love swimming in the warm water and they learn to swim while they play. The classes are lively and the kids really enjoy the games. Swimming is a skill for life and a very sociable activity - all the family can join in!’

Water safety is an important lesson, particularly for young children.

Swimcentral aims to encourage children to become confident in the water and be aware of the dangers associated with it.

Swimcentral is a family-friendly swim school. Swimming lessons run during term time and family members are welcome to view from the poolside during the lesson.

To book a free swimming lesson or for more information, please visit the Swimcentral website: www.swimcentral.org.uk

upon Avon

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED FOR THE BATH AREA! Do you own a car and have a couple of days spare every other month?

We are looking for local people to distribute the Families upon Avon magazine.

If you are interested then please contact us: Email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk or use the contact form on www.familiesuponavon.co.uk • • • • •

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News and Info Christmas Crackers!

Tinkerbell 13 month old female short haired tortoiseshell cat, child friendly and spayed.

Tinkerbell had a rough start to life since she was found as a stray and dumped in a box. Shortly after her arrival at the home she gave birth to four beautiful bouncy kittens who have now all been rehomed.

She is a very affectionate playful cat who enjoys playing hide and seek with any unsuspecting visitor. As you can see dressing up in tinsel is another of her favourite past-times... watch out Christmas tree! She can be vocal at times but that is because she is highly intelligent and likes to have conversations with you! She would ideally like a quiet home preferably with children but no other cats or dogs.

Ref: BC23515

Rosie 18 month old female chinchilla rex rabbit, very friendly and loves being picked up and cuddled.

Rosie adores sunning and grooming herself. She loves eating all kinds of vegetable peelings including green beans and apples. She would ideally suit a home with children and a garden of her very own to explore.

Ref: BR23630

Baloo 6 month old German Shepherd, child/cat/dog friendly and neutered.

Baloo is a nervous fella who has bonded quickly with his carers.

He will need plenty of on-going training and socialisation. He enjoys nothing more than running around with his doggy playmates in the paddock and eating treats.

Ref: BD23654

Bath Cats & Dogs Home has been in existence since 1937 with average annual running costs of £1.3 million.

It is completely self-funded and relies solely on the generosity of the public and local volunteers. The home always runs at full capacity; it currently looks after 120 dogs, 100 cats and 45 small furries at any one time.

The home also has further capacity to house 100 hens onsite.

This winter, Bath Cats & Dogs Home is asking the public to donate a little money by buying a Winter Care Package at a cost of £22 - £22 will buy a parcel of essential coldweather goods for one of our animals and this will cover: • Heating a kennel or pod.

• Extra blanket • Vet bedding (specialist heat-retaining material) • Metacam (medication for aching joints) • Winter coat for dogs • Extra bedding for small animals Add £3 to your donation and this will also buy an animal in our care a special Christmas present such as a squeaky toy, catnip mouse or wicker ball.

To donate call (01225) 787 334 (Monday to Friday 9am-4pm), or visit www.bcdh.org.uk/donate_today, cheques are also accepted and should be made payable to ‘Bath Cats and Dogs Home’.

To rehome or become a volunteer call (01225) 787 321 or visit www.bcdh.org.uk creation! Add a few of our musical instruments or dressing up costumes and you’ll have plenty to keep party guests entertained at minimal cost.

Refreshments are available at the library and parents/carers often stay and chat while their children play with our toys. The session finishes each week with song & story time.

New members are always welcome and we’d love you to come along, meet us and have a look at what we do.

For more information telephone Laura Payne – 07786 831179, e-mail toyboxlibrary@yahoo.com

The Toybox Toy Library We all know how difficult it can be to keep little ones entertained and interested in their toys. But the solution is here! The Toybox Toy Library have a great selection of indoor and outdoor toys available for children aged 0-4 years and is open every Tuesday during term time from 9.30 till 11.30 am. For a one-off membership fee of £5 per family you can borrow as many toys as you like for under £1 for 3 weeks at a time.

If you’re planning a party any time soon why not check out our new party range, complete with bouncy castle, bunting and parachute. We also have cake tins to help you with that all important

Brain Tumour Research – Wear A Hat Day Thursday 28th March 2013 Join the fun on March 28th and help fund the fight against brain tumours ‘Wear a Hat Day’ is a fun way of increasing awareness and getting people raising money for an often overlooked form of cancer.

It’s a day every year that we ask people to wear a hat to raise awareness and funds for vital research into brain tumours. A day when we encourage people to make donations in order to wear a hat to school, at work, at social events or even at home.

From sponsored silences to charity runs and school bake sales, educational facilities around the country are being encouraged to raise money in any way they can. Sue Farrington-Smith, Director of Brain Tumour Research, comments: “Brain tumour research receives less than 1% of national cancer research spending in the UK yet this deadly disease kills more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer so please get involved on March 28th 2013”.

Register your interest today: sarah@braintumourresearch.org

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Advertising deadline for the January/February issue, 10th December

Education

Boost their confidence with Kumon’s maths and English study programmes At your local study centre, Kumon offers individualised maths and English study programmes which are tailored to your child’s age and ability. Established for over 50 years, Kumon’s unique worksheet-based method can help your child to excel academically, develop their capacity for learning independently and boost their all-round confidence.

A new local study centre is due to open at the end of October. The Bath North Kumon Study Centre will complement the Bath South Kumon Study Centre, which has been in the area for seven years.

Before enrolling, your child will benefit from a Free Assessment. This will determine where on the programmes they will begin and will ensure that your child’s Kumon study is individualised to their needs from the outset.

Once enrolled on a Kumon programme, your child will visit the centre every week and have daily worksheets to study at home. Your child will start at a level they are comfortable with, consolidating familiar topics before moving on to something new. By working at their own pace and studying a little every day, your child will build their confidence and quickly make progress. Once they have filled in any gaps and mastered the topic, the Instructor will set unfamiliar work, challenging them to learn for themselves.

The Kumon programmes complement classroom learning, building speed and accuracy and developing abilities such as time management and problemsolving. Above all, the programmes develop confident, independent learners, ensuring each child can study by themselves.

Kumon is the UK’s leading supplementary education provider, with over 63,000 children study with Kumon at more than 650 centres across the UK and Ireland. For further information and to book a Free Assessment, contact your local study centre.

Bath North Kumon Study Centre Caroline Barry 01453 521503 Bath South Kumon Study Centre Jan Pring 01225 333696

Exciting times at Heywood Prep With a new headmaster and a programme of investment, these are exciting times for Heywood Prep.

The independent prep school and nursery for boys and girls aged 2 to 11 is located in the heart of Corsham. Guy Barrett took up the post as the new headmaster at the end of last term and spent the summer over-seeing some impressive renovations and improvements to the building and facilities.

“The responses to the improvements we have made already have been overwhelmingly positive,” says Guy. “The parents, pupils and our staff have been hugely supportive and have welcomed the investment as well as the broader changes at Heywood Prep. It is our aim to maintain the traditional elements and ethos of the school, which we know are highly valued, but to modernise the facilities and increase the opportunities that are available for our pupils,” he adds.

As one of the few truly independent prep schools in the area, Heywood Prep is well placed to assist parents in choosing the right senior school for their child. Pupils from Heywood Prep have an excellent track record in entrance and scholarship exams.

The school’s most recent inspection report, published in February this year, particularly praised the “warm, caring and stimulating environment” in the school’s Nursery and Reception classes and graded the school as “Outstanding” in every category. Discover more at heywoodprep.com

Is your school ready?

This autumn Ofsted has issued new guidelines in regards to e-safety provisions in schools.

From now on Ofsted will be concerned about how each school protects and educates its staff and students in their use of technology, plus ensuring there is support in place should any issues arise.

Although many schools might already have

The demise of the GCSE Education Secretary Michael Gove is to replace the existing GCSE exam system with new, tougher qualifications in a major overhaul of the exam system. The new English baccalaureate – the EBacc - will replace GCSEs with single, more difficult examinations in the biggest change in the system for over 25 years. The new exams are likely to do away with the existing continuous assessment modules, will reintroduce the traditional 3-hour examinations and restrict the number of top grades awarded. In fact, one of the key aims is to remove starred grades entirely and make sure that far fewer pupils win the top grades compared with the 3 in 10 pupils who currently receive As and A-stars. Teenagers will also be prevented from resitting individual modules and will have to retake the entire exam if they want to improve their grades. The government insists that these changes will end “grade inflation and dumbing down” and comes after both Coalition parties have shown themselves keen to see the introduction of more rigorous teaching and exams in key subjects, however they are not scheduled for introduction until September 2018.

existing policies in place, others will need to revise their priorities to include this immediately. E-safety is constantly changing but by empowering both students and teachers with enough know-how to identify online risks, we can make sure children, even at an early age, can protect themselves from abuse, cyberbullying and other internet threats throughout their school life and into adulthood.

To advertise, call 0117 3309640 or email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk

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Gift Guide For babies and toddler...

Small (Age: 1 – 2.5 years) Cost £49.95!

Large (Age: 2.5 – 5 years) Cost £59.95!

The distinctive shape of the Wheelybug is very user friendly. The bright designs are an instant attraction to girls and boys alike. They go backwards, forwards, sideways, and round and round. Children don’t get stuck against obstacles like some other ride on toys. Wheelybugs help promote gross motor skills and balance like no other toy.

Wheelybug bodies have a padded layer of sponge which is covered with a tough layer of polyurethane leatheroid and can be easily wiped clean. They are great to use on smooth level floors and ideal for indoors.

For details visit www.worldofimagination.co.uk

Dreading those chilly winter months ahead? Fear not.

Fun and funky clothing for kids lovingly handmade in the UK Beach Robes, Dressing Gowns and Fleece Tops Aged 9 months to 10 years!

Generously cut and built to last.

Please visit www.giggle-giggle.co.uk or phone 01761 418194 for more info

For girls...

All I want for

Pink and white weighty 100% cotton towelling robe, with front pouch pocket and side slits. Generous sizing for active movement and comfort. Price £30 Giggle Giggle offer a selection of wonderfully warm fleece tops to keep your little ones cosy in the chilly winter months. Every distinctive design is handcrafted to withstand the usual rough-andtumble – as well as the many washes that come with it – and the best part is they require little or no ironing!

Once your young explorers have finished their daytime adventures, Giggle Giggle dressing gowns are dazzling stars for the evening and make bath time a breeze for drying off and dreaming of a peaceful night’s sleep.

You can rest easy knowing Giggle Giggle clothes for boys and girls are handmade in the UK with a generous size allowing for two seasons wear and giving parents the best value for money with the quality you demand. www.giggle-giggle.co.uk Brown and White Shetland Pony. Costs £12. 10 Family and Friends Christmas cards with envelopes. Costs £4 Horseworld have a range of Christmas cards and gifts that can be purchased either at the main site or online.

Horseworld rescue, rehabilitate and re-home up to 100 abandoned, neglected and mistreated horses every year.

HorseWorld is now responsible for over 140 horses, ponies and donkeys at the Bristol site and over 300 have been re-homed throughout the South-West. www.horseworld.org.uk

For boys...

Solar System Planetarium Model.

Costs £12.99 Recommended Age 8+ Assemble and paint your own 30 cm planetarium model. Highlight your Solar System with the glow paint provided.

Charge it with any light source and turn the light off to see it glow in the dark like magic.

Recharge it, it will glow again and again.

It's out of this world!

It just snaps together (no glue required).

Other science kits available from £9.99-£14.99. www.worldofimagination.co.uk

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Baby Stella is safe from 12 months. Costs £20 . Range of furniture and accessories from £7.99

The Toy Box has established a reputation for stocking traditional toys, with a modern twist. With toys that you will remember from your childhood & toys you will never have seen before.

They have developed into a venue which enhances the local community and are now offering craft workshops for children every Saturday with extra sessions in the holidays. These are so popular with parents that adult craft sessions are also now available.

The Toy Box also host children’s birthday parties in the store with craft activities.

For further details visit: wwwthetoyboxcorshamwiltsco.uk 4M Easy-to-do Cupcake Window Mosaics cost £9.99!

Recommended for ages 7+.

Other designs available! The innovative easy-to-stick mosaic pieces will stay on most shiny surfaces like magic. Simply follow the design template provided and make a colourful mosaic picture to hang on your window. No glue is needed.

World of Imagination provides educational and traditional toys that build on children’s imagination, knowledge and creativity and a range of wooden handcrafted and painted furniture for the playroom or bedroom.

To be in with a chance of winning one of our lovely Cupcake Window Mosaics just register with us (takes less than a minute) at www.worldofimagination.co.uk

Mould and Paint Glow-in-the-dark Dinosaurs. Cost £8.99

World of Imagination also have available Mould and Paint Cupcakes and Trucks at £7.99 each Be creative! Make and paint glow-in-the-dark dinosaur magnets and badges from plaster Suitable for ages 5 and up www.worldofimagination.co.uk

Classic Pedal Car – Fire Engine. Cost £159.99 Suitable for ages 3-7 years Perfect for the young motoring enthusiast!

Handbuilt in strong steel. Includes bell, hose & ladders. Some adults assembly require.

For further details please go to www.worldofimagination.co.uk

Christmas…

Gift Guide

For the family...

Great Stocking Filler Ideas...

A family membership (children under 5 go free) at the National Trust starts from just £58 for the year.

It’s a great way to see over 300 historic houses, gardens, countryside and coastline spaces.

The membership pack will include a member’s handbook – the complete guide to all National Trust places, regional newsletters packed with details of special events at locations near you, three editions a year of the National Trust magazine and 3 months' free membership and a free gift when you pay by Direct Debit (this price is an introductory rate for the first year only and is not valid at National Trust properties and shops. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/membership

Due to popular demand Christopher Vine has published four more fantastic paperback books in the Peter’s Railway series. For any child that just can’t get enough of train stories these books are a must, full of exciting adventures, escapades on the railways, making of a real locomotive and some hair raising tales from the olden days.

These pocket size books combine entertaining adventure stories while introducing some simple technical information. A wonderful series for youngsters who have grown up loving trains and want to learn more – the perfect gift this Christmas. Go to www.petersrailway.com for more details.

Get on the right WayveBand!

Prices from £3-£9 Families upon Avon’s editor recommends these high quality made new bespoke leather wristbands designed by you on-line in just a few clicks!

Design your own personalised 100% recycled leather wristband Print a message or upload your own photos or designs

For details visit:

www.wayveband.com

I recently purchased a pink WayveBand with my daughter’s name on – she loved it! These trendy bands are made from quality, 100% recycled leather and can be pretty much whatever you want them to be. Choose from the myriad of fab colours, designs and fonts on the site, or create your own design for a totally unique statement.

Wayveband’s printing technique is so versatile, they can even print photo images on to the bands…the possibilities are endless!

Simply upload your pic, along with your other design instructions required during the ordering process…and Wayveband will do the rest!

Wayvebands not only look great, but make a stylish, fun alternative to things like party invites, and gift-bag swag…even greetings cards, as well as more obvious uses as VIP / back stage wrist passes, charity and sporting event memorabilia, and friendship bands.

Wayveband also ensure that by using off-cuts of leather, which would otherwise be discarded and inks containing only half the solvents of regular inks, they are doing their bit to preserve the planet.

For further details www.wayveband.com

FREE READER OFFER Each Families Magazine reader will get a FREE Peter's Railway book with every book purchased via the Peter's Railway website, so BUY ONE GET ONE FREE FOR ALL READERS. Please go to www.petersrailway.com and enter the online bookshop, click the book you would like to purchase and in the personalised dedication box type "FAMDEC" and any dedication you would like. We will then send your chosen book and a FREE book from the series to all readers via the website until the end of the year!!!

Offer ends 31st December 2012

Need some inspiration for stocking fillers? Soft Finger Puppets Brown Bear and Elephant. Cost £3.45 (Other Finger Puppets available) We have our unique Ready Filled Christmas Stockings or you can choose from our range of toys for both boys and girls from 39p and fill your own. e.g • Fun Inflatables • Hand and Finger Puppets • Snazaroo Face Paints and Tattoos • Themed Toys Ready Made Party Boxes and Pass the Parcels are also available for your convenience for children's birthdays.

Whether you are looking for Christmas or Birthdays, Total Party Box has everything you need, all in one place, delivered with Free Postage in the UK for orders over £50. www.totalpartybox.co.uk

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Health Excessive sugar Addictive, unwholesome and everywhere: The toxic truth about sugar in our children’s diet

By Elisabeth Dolton o you sent your child off to school this morning on a full bowl of cereal and some fresh orange juice. Thinking this is a good start to the day, you may have already given them over half their recommended daily allowance of sugar. This scenario is common across many families. Over the past 10 years the use of sugar in foods has undergone a transformation, resulting in us potentially providing a diet for our children that contains too much sugar than their bodies can cope with.

A silent revolution Essentially, the mass development of cheap, highly sweet, glucose-fructose syrup, produced from surplus corn, started in the 70’s, and was soon pumped into every conceivable food: pizza, coleslaw, meat. It provides a "just baked" sheen on bread and cakes, makes everything sweeter, and helps to keep foods moist so extends shelf life from days to years. At the same time low fat foods were being embraced by dieters, so as fat was taken out of foods, sugar replaced it to maintain taste. Unsurprisingly, sugar consumption has trebled worldwide over the last 50 years, and this purified sugar (known as ‘added’ sugar) is now an alarmingly major part of the Western diet. As a result, the amount of sugar going into our bodies has been silently revolutionised.

Unavoidable UK guidelines recommend that added sugars shouldn’t make up more than around 50g a day, equivalent to ten teaspoons of sugar for adults and nine for five to ten-yearolds. Added sugar is now found in almost all processed foods and not just obviously sweet foods - glucose-fructose syrup is found in everyday products, such as cereal, salad dressing, sausages, making it easy to send our children over the recommended limit, sometimes with just one product.

Increasing addiction Moreover, recent research has been looking into a worrying trend that the more sugar we eat, the more we want, and concluding that the addictive nature of sugar for our children is much higher than previously thought. Added sugar dulls the brain’s mechanism that tells you to stop eating, by reducing activity in the brain’s anorexigenic oxytocin system that gives the body the ‘full’ feeling. Without this, our appetite becomes insatiable, making it very easy to overeat.

The dangers “Sugar is ubiquitous, and the problem with refined sugar as opposed to natural sugar,” says Tracey Harper, Nutritional Therapist, “is that this sugar is an empty food with the goodness striped away, so when eaten it actually robs the body of vital nutrients,

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resulting in a depleted immune system.” She goes on to explain that sugar feeds bad bacteria in the gut, the gut lining becomes exposed, so toxins can enter the blood stream, causing allergens to develop and other autoimmune deficiencies.

Studies confirm this, showing that excess sugars cause a fifty-percent drop in the ability of white blood cells to fight off bacteria.

The growing problem of obesity in the UK with 31% of children now classified as overweight and the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes, once associated with old people, also points to the overconsumption of sugar in children’s daily diet. Excess sugar rots teeth and let’s not forget poor memory, low moods and depression all have been linked to the over-consumption of sugar. The recognisable 'sugar high' you get after eating sugar resulting in more energy and improved mood is temporary. After some time, the body crashes, energy levels plummet, leaving lethargy and tiredness. Further effects can include hyperactivity in children, crankiness and eczema.

So, as we scratch our heads on how to get our kids to eating less sweets and exercising more, perhaps we also need to start looking more closely at what we are putting on their plates at meal and snack times.

Check these out!!

• 1.5l bottle of Volvic Touch of Fruit Lemon and Lime – 16 ½ teaspoons of sugar • McDonald’s milkshake - 16 teaspoons • Orangina 500ml - 13 teaspoons • Tesco Pure Orange Juice Smooth, 250ml 6 teaspoons • Dolmio Bolognese sauce, 500g - 6 teaspoons • Walls soft scoop vanilla ice cream, 200ml – 4 ½ teaspoons • Serving of Kellogg’s Frosties - 4 teaspoons • Two McVities Jaffa Cakes - 3 teaspoons • Muller Light Strawberry yoghurt, 175g – 2 ½ teaspoons (Source: Dailymail.co.uk) How to spot a high sugar food?

Look for ‘Total sugars’ on the label which include natural and added sugar A food with less than 5g ‘total sugars’ per 100g is classified as low, more than 15g per 100g is high.

Reducing added sugar in your family’s diet • Remember natural sugars are good Soak apricots, whizz them in a blender, and use that to sweeten foods • Ensure every meal includes protein.

Have meat, fish, vegetable or salad with pasta or pizza, so your child is getting everything for the body to function properly • Eat from scratch. Eat real food not processed food – Porridge with a dash of honey has everything a young child needs to start off the day • Make your own pasta sauce, stuffed with lots of pureed vegetables (carrots, peppers, greens.) Make a large batch then freeze on small portions • Make smoothies using a hand blender and a jug. Add in a vegetable, e.g. avocado and strawberry. Cheaper and as good as any supermarket brand • Children eat what is there. Keep sugary snacks and junk food out of the house, instead offer oat biscuits, hummus, chopped vegetables, Whole Earth peanut butter

Further information Thanks to Tracey Harper for her contribution to the article and great tips for reducing sugar in children’s diet www.traceyharpernutrition.co.ukinfo@traceyharper nutrition.co.uk www.nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood/pages/sugars.aspx www.nhs.uk/livewell/goodfood/pages/foodlabelling.aspx www.bbc.co.uk/health www.myhealthnewsdaily.com www.telegraph.co.uk/health/dietandfitness www.nhs.uk/change4life www.hungryforchange.tv/sugar-is-a-drug Jamie Oliver’s TED Award speech

Advertising deadline for the January/February issue, 10th December

Celebrating individuality at Miles House Day Nursery

Clubs & Classes

Every child is special at the Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ Miles House Day Nursery in Bathwick Hill, Bath, where fun and laughter are essential ingredients in preparing children for mainstream schooling.

Innovative ‘learning through play’ programmes; highly trained and motivated staff, and state of the art facilities are just some of the features of the nursery which is part of the awardwinning, employee-owned Childbase Partnership group.

“We are very proud of our child-centred approach at Miles House which is reflected in our happy and confident children. All physical and learning abilities are supported; individuality is celebrated and talents are nurtured,” said Deputy Manager, Laura Bruce.

The Georgian property offers 12 large age-appropriate playrooms, carefully designed to inspire and feed imagination and provide for a variety of experiences. There is also an interactive Smart Board to support learning.

The large garden offers all-year-round secure and separate play and learning areas including an all-weather soft bike track and nature reserve where ‘bug hunters’ are armed with magnifying glasses.

Children grow, tend and harvest food in the mini allotment learning maths, science and healthy lifestyle and environmental messages along the way.

Miles House Day Nursery, Dunsford place, Bathwick Hill, Bath, BA2 6HF Tel: 01225 422228 ~ www.childbasepartnership.com

ONLINE Are you looking for a Club or Class for your child?

Then visit the Families Upon Avon LOCAL DIRECTORY Activities, Clubs and Classes - www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

@Familiesuponavo

Swimming lessons in warm water at the Royal United Hospital. Small groups and private lessons available for children aged 2-5 and adult beginners

Call Kelly: 07790 210401 www.swimcentral.org.uk

www.facebook.com/ FamiliesuponAvon

To advertise, call 0117 3309640 or email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk

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9

Lifestyle

The ultimate me-time

Mindfulness has become the buzzword in the world of health and wellbeing.

Helena Foss explores what the fuss is about and how busy mums can fit it into their day.

news that you know will change your life forever. In that instant, we are so immersed in the moment that time itself slows right down.

Now, this is the point of mindfulness practice; to be so present that time actually stretches, a little like blue tac, opening up space in your mind. No smartphone app required. Cool, huh? (Did I mention this takes practice?)

ver at Bangor University, you can do a degree in it. It is at the cutting edge of psychotherapy. Study after study shows it reduces the stress hormone cortisol (linked to everything from heart disease to cancer), alleviates headaches and anxiety; boosts the immune system; improves mental health, creativity and problem solving. In fact, with regular practice of mindfulness it is perfectly possible to rewire the brain to a more peaceful disposition, a process known as neuroplasticity.

Academics at Bangor describe mindfulness as: ‘paying attention on purpose moment to moment without judging.’ This quote comes from Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the stress reduction programme at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre, where mindfulness has been taught and studied since the 1970s. Based on Eastern meditation techniques, the Centre’s mindfulness programmes have yielded consistently successful results in all kinds of settings: from prisons and deprived inner cities to the corporate world.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the NHS approved treatment of choice for depression, works to change the negative thought loops which trigger emotional distress. Indeed, most of us identify so closely with our minds that we believe the stream of mindless chatter that forms the running commentary to our lives, is who we actually are. But if you listen closely, you will notice that a lot of it is, well, a load of old nonsense: Judgements, opinions, shoulds, what ifs and if onlys. Endless self-criticism, worrying about the future, pining over the past, arguing with someone in your head, wondering what the neighbours think of you in your most stressed out moments (come on, admit it, we all yell sometimes), picking over every last detail of that mortifying incident when your child projectile vomited all over that terribly nice shop assistant... Anything except relaxing into the moment that is happening right now and letting everything be exactly as it is.

O

Yes, but where do I find the time?

Back in May, Cross Country Rail (www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk) commissioned a poll of 1,000 parents, 62 per cent of whom described managing their home, parenting responsibilities and longer working hours as akin to ‘one big juggling act’. Three quarters of those polled said that lack of time to themselves causes arguments with their partners, whilst one in ten get only ten minutes to themselves each day. Cross Country Rail have responded by creating a time-saving Smartphone app for booking train tickets. But are super efficient gizmos really the answer to alleviating constant overwhelm?

Human doings or human beings?

Yes, women have the vote and legalised equality. But while we’re busy proving our worth to the world at large and overturning patriarchy, we are slowly but surely burning out. ‘Having it all’ has really transpired into ‘doing it all’, which is why we all need to schedule in pure nothing time on a regular basis.

This might appear unproductive. But there is great value in stopping being a ‘human doing’ and practicing the forgotten art of simply being, if only for a few moments. Most of us, at some point in our lives, have had a standstill moment in time – maybe watching an awe-inspiring sunset, looking into your newborn’s eyes for the first time, or even hearing heartbreaking

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Mindless chatter

Doing nothing changes everything The magic of mindfulness is that simply observing our thoughts without judgement (which really does take practice!) can, over time, actually change them – no effort required. Using will power to, for example, lose weight, rarely works, as any yoyo dieter will tell you. Rather than sergeant majoring yourself into a strict health regime (and beating yourself up when you give into temptation), in the long term it is more practical and effective to observe your behaviour and compassionately notice the deeper, subconscious thoughts and emotions driving the urge to overeat. The Buddhist psychotherapist Tara Brach, calls this approach ‘radical acceptance.’ Not necessarily easy, but it does work.

You see, silence can actually be deeply intelligent; doing nothing extraordinarily productive. You should try it sometime. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

nostrils, your chest rising and falling. The idea is to witness thoughts that come and go without getting caught up in them. You could see them as clouds in the sky or a newsfeed along the bottom of your internal TV screen.

Random thoughts will distract you time and time again. This is normal. ‘What can I make for dinner? Oh, my nose is itchy. I’ll never get the hang of this.’ You know the kind of thing.

Keep bringing your attention back to the breath. If emotions arise, give them space and just let them be.

Once you have the hang of it, you can make any and all mundane daily activities mindful: Whilst washing up become as present as you can to the sights, sounds and sensations of that moment. Feel how your feet touch the ground whilst walking. Just notice. Simply be.

If you have three minutes: According to Goldie Hawn’s book 10 Mindful Minutes, a recent American study found that just three minutes of mindful breathing three times per day is enough to strengthen the brain and effectively change stressful thought patterns. Again, the key is regular practice.

If you have twenty minutes: Transcendental Meditation is a popular technique that involves repeating a personalised mantra silently to yourself. To find teachers near you see: www.t-m.org.uk/ If you have forty minutes: Sometimes we are so full of tense energy that it has to be released before our minds will calm down too. The trick is to find any physical activity that you enjoy (swimming, jogging, walking through nature, dancing around the living room) and let your body take over and find its natural rhythm. This will naturally clear your mind. Then sit for a few minutes afterwards and practice mindful breathing.

If you have an hour: Try an active meditation like Osho Kundalini Meditation, which involves four equal parts of shaking, dancing and stillness (all set to specially designed music) and a final fifteen minutes of silence. It is worth trying this in a group first (check www.oshoinuk.com/places-to-meditate for one near you) or purchase the CD or MP3 download, available on Amazon, to do at home. The first half an hour moves the body, releasing stress and pent up emotions, making it much easier to sink into stillness. You will emerge a different person!

Mindfulness menu Just like learning to ride a bike, mastering the art of mindfulness takes practice. Once you have the knack, however, you will be able to call on it whenever you have a few spare minutes (on the bus, in a waiting room, while the baby is napping). Find a way that works for you: Get the knack Find some quiet time and practice sitting with a straight back, feet on the floor (cross legged if you prefer) and notice your breathing, how the air feels as it touches the insides of your

Further Reading: Radical Acceptance: Embracing your life with the heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach 10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn (with Wendy Holden)

Full Catastrophe Living: How to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation by Jon KabatZinn Helena Foss is a hypnotherapist, mum and writer: www.helenafoss.co.uk

Don't forget to visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk for more info on activities in the area.

Alexander Technique

Hellie Mulvaney MSTAT

Alexander Technique Teacher Learn to rediscover the natural poise you had as a child...

Tel: 01225 353397 helliemulvaney@blueyonder.co.uk or visit: www.helliemulvaney.co.uk

WIN a £200 Shopping Spree in time for Christmas!

New clothes make any occasion extra special.

The Polarn O. Pyret Christmas collection for newborn to age 12 years is now in stores and online. As always, the clothes are geared towards children not just looking good, but feeling comfortable too.

Cosy cotton PJ’s that will last until next Christmas Eve, a new party dress that can handle spills, or an extra cute outfit for Christmas Day. Enjoy the occasion PO.P style whatever you are planning for the holidays.

FREE! Gift wrapping is always available at Polarn O. Pyret stores.

For your chances to win enter your details at www.polarnopyret.co.uk/win by 10th of December.

Terms and conditions apply. Winner will be notified via email on 11th December.

Would you like copies of Families upon Avon to give to parents? Call 01494 673427

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11

Book Reviews A Selection of books reviewed for Families Magazine by parents...

The LEGO® Ideas Book. By Daniel Lipkowitz. Published by Dorling Kindersley Publishing Hardback.

ISBN 9781405350679 RRP. £16.99

The Advent Craft and Activity Book.

By Christel Dhom.

Published by Floris Books.

Paperback.

ISBN 9780863159121 RRP. £12.99

With over 500 models and ideas, this book is a Christmas must for all Lego fans!

It’s a visual treasury of building ideas with lots of tips and tricks to inspire your own creations. Children can quite easily build from the clear and colourful pictures – it’s a great way of re-using all those Lego bricks in the house.

The book is divided into six sections Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Town and Country (buildings and bridges); Out of This World (space ships, robots and aliens); In Days of Old (castles, dragons and catapults); A World of Adventure (pirates, Vikings and wild animals); Make and Keep (useful pieces like desk tidies, minifigure displays, picture frames and board games).

This practical and traditional book includes old-fashioned creative suggestions for each day from December 1 through to Christmas and Epiphany.

The book is inspired by German Christmas traditions, and the crafts, activities and stories all have a wonderful German flavour. Learn how to bake delicious German biscuits and Stollen, make your own advent calendars, Christmas decorations and candles, and find out more about legendary figures such as St Nicholas as well as make nativity figures.

There is a chapter for each day of the season so it can be used for counting down to Christmas and is a good resource for keeping slightly older children (6+) engaged with celebrations through the season.

Families Rating: 6 out of 6 reviewed by Louise Turner

Families Rating: 5 out of 6 reviewed by Louise Turner

The Lying Carpet

By David Lucas.

Published by Andersen Press Ltd Paperback. ISBN 9781849390170 RRP. £6.99 A girl of stone wakes, wondering aloud where she is. A voice answers, ‘rich as fur and just close by’: a carpet, claiming to have once been a tiger. She asks the carpet for information but his replies are confusing – are they real or stories?

Will she ever be able to move? This intriguing modern fairytale spins a thought provoking web of stories that draw you in and question what is true.

Black and white illustrations add to the debate by being presented as ‘figures’ as if supporting evidence. Wonderfully mesmerizing.

Families Rating: 6 out of 6 reviewed by Jan Deykin

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The Chronicles of Harris Burdick.

By Chris Van Allsburg and 14 other authors Published by Andersen Press Ltd Hardback. ISBN 9781849394086 RRP. £14.99

Mac's Christmas Star. By Margaret Forrester, illustrated by Sandra Klaassen.

Published by Floris Books.

Paperback. ISBN 9780863158421 RRP. £5.99 Who hasn’t been tempted to open a Christmas present early? Catriona didn’t mean to but, following Mac the cat into her parent’s room, couldn’t resist peeking into a box and trying on the sparkly ring she found. In the chaos of Christmas tree decorating, though, she loses it. Now what will she do?

Meanwhile, Mac has his eye on that tree… A beautifully illustrated picture book that captures the atmosphere of a real Christmas: excitement, secrets, tinsel and just a little stress! A lovely new Christmas story for younger children Families Rating: 5 out of 6 reviewed by Jan Deykin

The Story of the Snow Children. By Sibylle von Olfers.Published by Floris Books Hardback. ISBN 9780863159091 RRP. £10.99

Previously published as mysterious drawings with puzzling captions left by the enigmatic ‘Harris Burdick’, these are now the focus of fourteen intriguing short stories written by brilliant (mostly American) children’s authors. And what a treasure trove it is! A Grandma-eating dust-bunny; stretching Einstein’s theories sideways; a girl turned into a frog; caterpillars solving complex problems in physics; and children using their mutating house to dispose of a hateful stepfather.

By turns entertaining, strange, hilarious and bizarre this is enough to keep a bookworm of 9+ absorbed all through the holidays and a great gift.

This reissue of a German fairytale from 1905 is a beautiful little book with gorgeous Mabel Lucie Atwell style illustrations. It contains everything you need in a Christmas story: ice castles, fairy-children, and snowmen waiters.

In the tale Poppy is whisked away to the snow queen's palace for a feast and returns home on a sleigh pulled by polar bears. It's a simple, familiar story, but told in that rather dated fairytale language it does take time to read, and three year olds may struggle to concentrate. If so, the magical illustrations tell the story perfectly well without the text.

Families Rating: 6 out of 6 reviewed by Jan Deykin

Families Rating: 5 out of 6 reviewed by Sarah Naughton

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What’s On Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since our press deadline.

We regularly update the What's On section of our website. For further or more detailed information on the below please check our website www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

Science team take you on a variety of imaginative adventures with Ursa and Leo. Full of sounds, actions and plenty of interactive experiments, it’s perfect for engaging little ears!

LIVE SHOWS Good Vibrations 17 November – 2 December, regular shows at weekends Have you ever wondered just what sound is and how it’s made? Find out in our new family science show, all with the help of plenty of audience participation and even some dancing flames!

Party Tricks

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS AMERICAN MUSEUM IN BRITAIN Claverton Manor, Bath. BA2 7BD Tel: 01225 460503 www.americanmuseum.org Party in the Parlour Friday 23 November – Sunday 16 December, Tuesday – Sunday,12noon-4.30pm, Closed Mondays.

It’s party time at the American Museum! Join us as we celebrate the festive season and draw inspiration from the many hand-crafted decorations that festoon the hallways of Claverton Manor. Wander around our period rooms and discover how early American settlers amused themselves during the long winter months. The freezing weather in New England has frozen the local pond – the perfect excuse for an iceskating party! While in New Orleans, a young debutante prepares for her coming-out ball.

For some people, however, the cold winter months bring hardship. Members of a Shaker community spend Christmas preparing baskets of food and warm clothes that they will distribute to the needy.

Tiny guests are visiting each of the period rooms, bringing presents with them. Can you find them all?

The Christmas shops will be open throughout this period, selling a range of original Christmas gifts and decorations.

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@BRISTOL Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol. BS1 5DB 0117 909 2000 www.at-bristol.org.uk EXCITING EVENTS Family Urban Stargazing 17 November, 5pm – 7.30pm.

Head up to At-Bristol’s terrace balcony and join us for an evening of family-friendly stargazing.

Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or an extraterrestrial expert, there’ll be plenty to get involved with during this special evening. Discover your sky with Urban Stargazing! Tickets: £7.50 adults, £6.50 concessions & At-Bristol members, £5.50 children, £5.00 child members. For info and to book, call 0845 345 1245 Toddler Takeover: Colour Spectacular!

23 November Bring your littlest ones for a fun-filled day exclusively for under fives! There’s a whole spectrum of colourful activities for tiny explorers. Plus, reduced entry and family-friendly facilities ensure it’s just as enjoyable for the grown-ups too!

Live Lab: Explore Our World 6 November – 7 December (excluding Toddler Takeover Day on 23 November). Get hands-on and explore the wonders of the world around us with our Live Lab activities. Test your nerve and discover why eruptions are so hard to predict with the nail-biting volcano challenge, investigate how crystals are formed by making your own to take home, and discover how our planet is the largest recycler there is…

Santa’s Invention Workshop From 8 December Drop into Santa’s Invention Workshop and become an elf for the afternoon! Make your own light-up decorations, festive games and science-inspired stocking fillers to take home with some hands-on Christmas crafting.

Storytelling 11.30am weekends and holidays, 2.30pm Mondays during term time. Get swept up in a story as the Live

Christmas Meals at HorseWorld 5th Dec 2012 – 21st Dec 2012 Celebrate Christmas at HorseWorld with a delicious meal in our Café. 2-Courses, only £11.95 per Adult and £7.95 per Child. 3-Courses, only £15.95 per Adult and £9.95 per Child. Meals available; Weds 5 Dec – Fri 7 Dec, Weds 12 Dec – Fri 14 Dec, Mon 17 Dec – Fri 21 Dec. Pre-booking essential.

Visit Father Christmas at HorseWorld 8th Dec 2012 – 23rd Dec 2012 Treat your Children at HorseWorld this December by visiting Santa in his Grotto! Santa will be arriving during the Carol Service on Sunday 2nd December and will be squeezing HorseWorld into his busy schedule on 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd & 23rd December. Price TBC. To make this day even more special, why not visit the horses and let off steam in the play areas too! (Normal admission prices apply)

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From 8 December, regular shows at weekends and school holidays Join in with some seasonal science experiments! Light the Flaming Pudding Tornado, activate the high-tech Present Scanner, and take part in some Christmassy chemistry in the At-Bristol Studio.

Autumn night sky planetarium show Until 9 December, regular daily shows Join At-Bristol’s expert presenters in the Planetarium for a tour of the Autumn night sky. Visit Jupiter's moons, discover colliding galaxies, and pick up a few expert tips for some star-spotting of your own – all from the comfort of your seat!

Winter night sky planetarium show From 11 December, regular daily shows As the evenings draw in and the nights grow longer, it’s the perfect time for some star spotting. Discover distant galaxies and learn more about what we can see from our own back gardens with an expert-led Planetarium show – without having to brave the cold!

Little stars planetarium show Weekends 2pm Come and get star struck with At-Bristol’s speciallydesigned Planetarium show for the under fives. All tiny explorers are welcome to join us for an interactive story full of exciting sights and sounds – perfect for introducing younger adventurers to the wonders of the night sky.

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HORSEWORLD Staunton Manor Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0QL 01275 893024 www.horseworld.org.uk Carol Service & Christmas Fayre

2nd Dec 2012 Free entry all day. Get your Christmas gifts in the Craft Village, Community Singing from 2pm and service from 2.30pm ~ a lovely way to start the festive season. Meet Santa in Santa's Grotto and say Merry Christmas to the rescued animals. Disabled parking will be available near the main Visitor Centre entrance.

Craft and Gift stands are available at our Christmas Village. Tables are allocated on a first-come first-served basis and it is recommended to send your completed form along with your fee as soon as possible.

For lots more What's on events visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM Tetbury, GL8 8QS 01666 880220 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt An enchanting Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum 30 November – 23 December 2012 Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5 to 8.30pm, with the last entry to the trail at 7.15pm. A spectacular illuminated trail, crafts, gifts and festive family fun will greet visitors to the Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum this year. The one mile trail highlights the striking structures of Westonbirt’s trees as they are illuminated against the winter’s night sky. A new route is created each year to take in different specimens, paths and vistas in the tree collection. The Learning Centre will also be transformed with snow and Christmas decorations to become a wintry delight! Children can make festive crafts with Westonbirt’s learning team every evening.

The illuminated trail is accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters, which can be booked for free in advance by calling 01666 881218. Admission is adults £9, concessions £8 and children £5. Discounted entry is available for pre-booked groups over 10 people and Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum members receive half price entry on Fridays. Advance tickets can be booked online from 1 October at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-christmas.

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WWT SLIMBRIDGE Wetland Centre Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.

GL2 7BT 01453 891223 www.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge Breakfast with Father Christmas Must be pre-booked on 01453 891223 or email events.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk Sat 1/12/2012 to Sun 23/12/2012 – Saturdays and Sundays only. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and wait to see Father Christmas as he sweeps through the restaurant on his way to his cosy grotto. After meeting Santa and receiving a special gift for your child help our friendly elf spread the joy of Christmas to all creatures by taking part in a special bird feed around Swan Lake.

Event costs £18.00 for children (includes breakfast with Santa, toy and birdfeed) and £13 for adults.

There are limited spaces on this event. Christmas shopping days Sat 1/12/2012 to Sun 2/12/2012 9:30 to 17:00 Browse an array of stalls selling everything from beautiful and unusual gifts and decorations for the home to the very best in local festive produce. Free to browse stalls – Admission to centre as normal Santa's Grotto Sat 1/12/2012 to Sun 23/12/2012 – Saturdays and Sundays only.

Father Christmas is making an early visit to Slimbridge this year, come and meet him in his cosy Grotto. A gift for each child who visits him. Normal admission plus £4.00 per child includes the gift.

Wind in the Willows Play Must be pre-booked on 01453 891223 or email events.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk Sun 9/12/2012 Time 2.30pm. Cost: £8 Adults and £6 children.

Admission to the centre not included, but not needed to see the play. The Rain or Shine Theatre Company will be performing the Wind in the Willows in the Foyer of the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre.

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13

CHRISTMAS MARKETS & FAIRS Bath Christmas Market

(CHSW) 2k sponsored festive fun run!

Part of a national series of Santa Runs taking place for children’s hospices across the country – CHSW invites the people of Bath to don their Santa suits and get in the festive spirit all for a good claus by running, walking or jogging 2k. The whole family from babies in buggies to dogs are welcome to take part.

The route takes participants through the magical streets of Bath decorated in Christmas lights for that extra festive feeling. Entry is just £10.00 per adult, £5 for under 16’s and under 3’s go free. Entry includes your Santa suit, medal, mince pie and a hot drink!

It couldn’t be easier to take part; simply register online at www.chsw.org.uk/santas or call 01275 866 600.

the grounds and cloisters of Lacock Abbey and discover the punch lines to some truly awful festive jokes.

Once upon a Christmas - Christmas tree festival

visitbath.co.uk ⓒ Bath Tourism Plus / Colin Hawkins

22/11/2012 to 09/12/2012 Over 120 traditional wooden chalets are located in the Abbey Churchyard area, selling hand-crafted items of which many are made in the local area and the South West, food, drink and other unique items. The sound of choirs singing carols drifting through the market, colourful decorations brightening the streets and aromas of mulled wine and cinnamon in the air all create a magical atmosphere and will help to get you in the festive spirit!

Mums Christmas Market New Oriel Hall, Brookleaze Buildings, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6RA Saturday 17th November 10am – 1pm A Christmas shopping extravaganza is in store at Larkhall! Experience the delights of a traditional market featuring local crafts, gifts and produce – a real chance to support traders from your locality. There will also be activities for children and free goody bags for the first 100 guests.

Vintage Retro and Nostalgic Vintage Christmas Fair St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1DE 18th November, 10am – 4.30pm Over thirty stalls offering an array of products that reflect a bygone era.

Castle Coombe Christmas Gift Fayre The Village Hall, Castle Combe, Chippenham.

SN14 7HU Saturday 24th November 2.00pm - 6.00pm Entry Free - Pay & Display. A wonderfully festive event to get you into the Christmas spirit. With quality handmade and other gift stalls. A free Brownie manned childrenʼs craft activity table. Tuck into warmed mince pies with brandy butter and enjoy the local choir coming to sing at 4:30pm.

Keynsham Victorian Evening Keynsham High Street Friday 30th November 6.15 pm - 9.00 pm This ever popular event will include entertainers including Keynsham Brass Band , the 2386 Air Cadets Marching Band, Santa in his sleigh and some cute visiting donkeys, craft stalls running in the Fears Institute plus stalls and food concessionaries in the the High Street, children’s craft workshops, large fun fair rides and much more. The Christmas light switch on is scheduled for 6.50 pm. For more information visit www.keynsham-tc.gov.uk Victorian Christmas Fayre Chippenham Market Place 15th December 12pm - 5pm A number of Stalls will be selling great gift ideas.

Victorian entertainers will also be present to add to the atmosphere.

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OTHER CHRISTMAS EVENTS

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB holburne@bath.ac.uk www.holburne.org HOLBURNE EARLY YEARS WORKSHOPS Our expert-led weekly workshops, held in the Gardener’s Lodge, help parents and pre-school children to play and learn together through songs, stories, and creative activities inspired by the Museum’s collection, exhibitions and location. To book or for further information: Tel: 01225 388568 or email holburneeducation@bath.ac.uk Brilliant Babes – 0 to 9 months Tuesdays 6, 13, 20 November 1-3pm in the Gardener’s Lodge, £25 block of 3 sessions Make a sensory bag for your baby while they explore a safe and colourful environment. Meet other adults for a chat, coffee and to share new creative experiences.

Yearlings – 9 to 24 months Mondays and Tuesdays, 5 November - 18 December 10.30am-12 noon in the Gardener’s Lodge, £7.50 Have fun with sensory and creative activities, meet other children and their adults and learn new favourite songs and stories.

Toddlealongs – 2 to 5 years Fridays, 9 November - 21 December 10.30am-12 noon and 1-2.30pm in the Gardener’s Lodge, £7.50 Sing songs, watch stories come to life and get arty with a new museum-related theme every week.

HOLBURNE CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS Saturday Art Club for 5-7 year olds and 8-13 year olds 10.30am-12.30pm in the Clore Learning Space, £8 To book or for further information: Tel: 01225 388568 or email: holburne-education@bath.ac.uk A monthly workshop for aspiring young artists with the option to work towards the nationally recognised Arts Award ‘Discover’ and ‘Explore’ Awards. Expand your skills and discover new techniques, exploring the Museum’s permanent collection or temporary exhibitions with our experienced team of artists, creating something special to take home or add to your portfolio.

17 November My Favourite Things collage 8 December Christmas Boxes 12 January Birds & Bugs fabric applique

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VICTORIA ART GALLERY Bridge Street, Bath. BA2 4AT Tel. 01225 477232 www.victoriagal.org.uk Young @ Art Activities for children, ages 3-11 £3.75 per child in advance. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Book on 01225 477233.

Saturday 1 December 10.30-12.00 and 1.30-3.00pm Decorating Christmas - make decorations and cards using printing and collage

NATIONAL TRUST

Santa Claus is coming to town…

The Bath run will take place at 7pm on Thursday 6 December.

Be one of hundreds of Santas running through the streets of Bath on the Children’s Hospice South West

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LACOCK ABBEY Near Chippenham, SN15 2LG 01249 730459 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock. Normal admission fees apply, NT members and under fives FREE. Not open Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Years Day Christmas cracker –family trail.

Saturday 1 December to Monday 7 January 11am to 4pm. It’s a cracker! Find sparkly crackers in

Sunday 2 December to Sunday 6 January 11am to 3pm Well known carols, stories, poems, plays and pantos are the inspiration for this years Christmas tree festival which takes place in our beautiful Medieval cloisters.

Local community groups from Lacock and beyond are taking part. Come and choose your favourite.

Festive fun at Lacock Abbey Sunday 2 December 11am to 3pm Come and have some festive fun alongside our Christmas tree display in the beautiful cloisters. Take part in our popular "shot pud" competition, music, entertainers, children's Christmas "make and takes" and more. Plus, experience our fantastic Father Christmas’ workshop and grotto (extra charge).

Kids go free (Museum, Grounds and Cloisters ticket) if they wear a festive hat.

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PRIOR PARK LANDSCAPE GARDEN Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH 01225 833422 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priorpark

Winter trail 1 – 31 Dec (Sat & Sun only), 10am – dusk Take part in our fun winter children's trail and see the garden in its winter glory.

Bath Skyline Family muck in day 25 Nov, 10am – 1pm Come and join the countryside rangers as they look after the beautiful Bath Skyline this winter. Bring lunch for an informal picnic after. booking essential - please ring 01225 833977 Winter Skyline walk 16 Dec, 10am – 3pm Join our ranger for a refreshing winter walk and some beautiful views on the six mile Bath Skyline. Suitable footwear and clothing a must. Please bring a packed lunch. Booking essential. Please call 01225 833977.

City to Countryside Winter Walk 22 Dec, 10am – 2pm A free six mile guided walk of the Bath Skyline - the most downloaded walk on our website. The route will be weather dependent. Suitable footwear and clothing a must. Please bring a packed lunch.

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DYRHAM PARK Dyrham, nr.Bath. SN14 8ER 0117 9372501 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park

Entries in What's on are free - send details to editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk

Doynton Village Markets Sun 25 November, 11am-4pm A small selection of stallholders selling a selection of local handicrafts and home-made produce, including delicious cakes and jams.

Christmas at the Blathwayts’ Sat 1, Sun 2, Sat 8, Sun 9 Dec, 12 noon – 4pm Marvel at the Christmas tree in the Great Hall and see three other impressive rooms, all decorated for Christmas. Discover the festive children's trail inside the house. Walk through the secret servants' passage (normally closed to the public) that leads to St Peter's Church. Enjoy some seasonal refreshments in the tea room and pick up those last minute Christmas presents from the shop or the craft market. Father Christmas will also be wishing you a very merry Christmas throughout the day.

Winter warmers at Dyrham Park Sat 15 Dec & Sun 16 Dec, 10am – 4pm Take a winter walk around the park and see if you can spot the Fallow deer. Come and get your last minute Christmas presents in the shop and enjoy a nice warming drink and something from our seasonal menu in the tea room.

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STOURHEAD Stourton, Warminster, BA12 6QD www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead Christmas Market at The Studio Every day in November, 11am-5pm Individual designers stalls. For more information 01747 840747 The Christmas House Fri 30 Nov-Sun 2 Dec, 11am-3pm Fri 7 Dec-Sun 9 Dec and Fri 14-Sun 16, 11am3pm. Get into the Christmas spirit as we reveal some of the showrooms beautifully decorated for the festive season. Find out about Christmas past and present and be inspired with ideas for decorating your own home.

Last entry at 2.30pm.

Christmas Lunches 12 noon – 3pm, daily throughout Dec, except Christmas Day. Enjoy a scrumptious seasonal lunch with festive table decorations to put you in the Christmas spirit. Please call for details of our Christmas menu. Booking essential on 01747 842006 Family Christmas Crafts Sat 1Dec - Sun 2 Dec, Sat 8 Dec-Sun 9 Dec, Sat 15 Dec-Sun 16 Dec, 11am-3pm Join us for these drop in events to make something Christmassy together Christmas Market at The Studio Every day until Sun 23 Dec, 11am-5pm Celebrate and decorate. For more details 01747 840747 Santa Chase and Reindeer Run Sun 2 Dec, 10.30am and 11am Festive fresh air fun with the Ecofitness team. Fancy yourself as Rudolph? Then join the 10k Reindeer Run through the wintry Stourhead countryside. For under 16s there’s the chance to chase Santa on the 1k dash.

For more information and to download an entry form please visit www.ecofitness.co.uk Adult £8, Child £3 Meet Father Christmas Sat 8 Dec and Sun 16 Dec, 12-3pm Don't miss Father Christmas as his sleigh stops at the magical mansion with presents for all the children.

Child £5 0174841152 Christmas Craft Fair Sat 8 Dec-Sun 9 Dec, 10am-4pm Stourton Memorial Hall and Learning Centre An array of local crafts making perfect Christmas gifts or a treat for yourself! Festive mulled wine and warming mince pies will be available from the Ice Cream Parlour.

Stourhead Christmas Carol Concert Sat 15 Dec and Sun 16 Dec, 5-7pm Enjoy an evening of festive choral music and readings by local choir the Wyncantores in the stunning Picture Gallery. Adult/Child £12.50 including refreshments 0174841152

THEATRE THE EGG, THEATRE ROYAL BATH Sawclose, Bath B&NES BA1 1ET Tel 01225 448 844 or 01225 823409 www.theatreroyal.org.uk Tickets cost £7.50/ £6.50 (children and students) (unless otherwise stated) Little Angel presents THE TEAR THIEF

By Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy Thursday 8th November to Saturday 10th November Thursday & Friday at 10.30am and 1pm, Saturday at 11.30am and 3pm. Each night, in the hours between supper and bedtime the Tear Thief soundlessly steals the tears of every child who cries. But what does she do with all those tears? Age guidance: 3 years and over Theatre Alibi presents CABBAGE HEART

By Daniel Jamieson Thursday 15th November to Saturday 17th November Thursday at 1.30pm, Friday at 10.30am, Saturday 11.30am and 3pm. More than anything Jell loves drawing - on pavements, on walls, on the beach, everywhere. But a little voice inside her says she’s rubbish. Then one day she finds a secret garden full of giant ferns and strange, beautiful cabbages.

Egg favourites Theatre Alibi return with this magical new adventure featuring music, puppetry and lots of drawing and painting live on stage!

Age guidance: 5 years and over HEIDI –A GOAT’S TALE

8th December 2012 to 13th January 2013 The classic Swiss story of the irrepressible little girl with a big heart who changes the lives of everyone she meets is brought to life in this production…but with a side-splitting twist… it will be told by a herd of hysterical mountain goats! Jam-packed with live Alpine music, visual, inventive and very funny indeed, this year’s egg Christmas show promises an all-round treat for all the family. Age guidance: 6 years and over Standard prices: £16 / £10 Children & Students Golden Period (Yellow): £18 / £12 Children & Students. Preview (Pink): All Tickets £10 Schools Performances (Green): groups of 8 or morestudents £8, plus 1 free teacher for every 10 students.

alongside Dame extraordinaire CHRIS HARRIS in this year’s family pantomime.. The cast will also feature Bath’s own JON MONIE as Muddles and SEVEN SMALL ACTORS playing the roles of Snow White’s friends and protectors, when the classic fairy-story is staged for only the second time ever in the Theatre Royal’s illustrious pantomime history.

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BRISTOL HIPPODROME Saint Augustine's Parade Bristol BS1 4UZ 0844 871 3012 ALADDIN 7th December – 6th January With Genies by the lamp-load, side-splitting comedy, a selection of chart topping songs, bags of family fun, audience participation, a boo-able baddie and, just maybe, a real flying carpet! To book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

MARKETS & FAIRS LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk Tel. 07856832095 Come and grab some bargains - good quality pre-loved children’s clothes & equipment. From maternity clothes to toys, books to pushchairs, furniture to children's clothes 0-8 years and so much more. ENTRY £1 per adult, children FREE Pre-loved tables £10 Business tables £15 LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, MELKSHAM Saturday 10th November, 10am-11.30am Spencer's Sports and Social Club, Melksham For more information or to book a space please email jackie@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, BATH Saturday 10th November, 10.30am12.30am. New Oriel Hall, Larkhall, Bath. BA1 6RA. Tables sold out for this event For more information please visit www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, CHIPPENHAM Sunday 18th November, 1.30-3.00pm Beversbrook Sports Facility. Spaces to bring tables £8. For more information or to book a space please email lisa@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, MIDSOMER NORTON Sunday 25th November, 10.30am-12pm The Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2UH Business tables £15 - Sold Out For more information email sandra@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk

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THEATRE ROYAL BATH Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET Box Office: 01225 448844 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Thursday 13th December to Sunday 13th January.

The Theatre Royal Bath is delighted to announce that Olivier Award-winning theatre and television star NICHOLA McAULIFFE will take centre stage

For lots more What's on events visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

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• Educational and traditional toys that build on children’s imagination, knowledge and creativity • Wooden hand-crafted and painted furniture for the playroom or bedroom

www.worldofimagination.co.uk