Families Bedfordshire Jan-Feb 2013

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Jan–Feb 2013

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Issue No.2

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Bedfordshire

Nursery feature

How to have your best holiday ever What’s on: Jan and Feb half-term!

CONTENTS

Bedfordshire EDITOR’S WELCOME

Hello again, and welcome to 2013!

I would like to wish all of our readers a very happy and healthy NewYear.

In this issue, we cover a broad range of subjects, including taking a look at nurseries and how to choose the one that is right for you. In health we feature the story of Bedford mum, Vicky Shaw whose son was diagnosed with diabetes, aged two. And we'll be offering up some thoughts on planning your holiday for the coming year. All this, plus some new year business tips, and what to do during January and February, including the half-term break!

Please do get in touch if you have any thoughts or suggestions about the magazine.

Email me at editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk, or find us on twitter @FamiliesBeds!

Best wishes,

News & Information 3

Education: News & Views 6 Book reviews 7

Nursery feature 8

Health 10 Case study: Diagnosing type 1 diabetes NewYear business tips 11

Holidays 12 How to have your best family holiday ever

What’s On: 14 in January and February Including half-term!

Judith

P.S our March/April issue will cover Easter. We will also run a childcare feature which will include nannies, au pairs, maternity nurses.

Copy deadline is Friday 8 February Available from Monday 4 March Editor: Judith Dow editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk www.FamiliesBedfordshire.co.uk Mob: 07889 894431 or phone: 01727 373929 Twitter: @FamiliesBeds Part of the Families® magazines group, established 1990. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned & operated under license. www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk Design: Cath Ranzetta

Photo credits: Cover photo © GemmaKirkhamPhotography 2013 www.gemmakirkhamphotography.co.uk; (p3) HM Revenue & Customs/flickr.com; (p4) Smart Heart © www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk; © Alex Orrow; (p5) © RSPBimages; © mickyso – Fotolia.com; (p6) © Haven 2000 Nursery and Preschool; © Ray Morris-Hill; © Sainsburys/PRshots; (p8) © MNStudio – Fotolia.com; © sdenness – Fotolia.com; (p9) © ChristArt – Fotolia.com; (p10) © Diabetes UK; (p11) © Associated British Foods plc/PRshots; (p12) © Chameleon Worldwide (two photos) Families Bedfordshire is printed by The Manson Group (01727 8484440) on paper sourced from sustainable forests and the inks used are vegetable based.

Distribution: We are printing 12,000 copies which will be distributed to selected points in Bedfordshire. For further distribution information please contact editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk.

We take every care in preparing this magazine but the publishers & distributers cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences. Any original material submitted for publication is sent at owner’s risk and neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage.

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editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

NEWS & INFORMATION FAMILIES BEDFORDSHIRE

QUIZ!

Think you know your Bedfordshire sporting and historical figures?

Test your knowledge with the following questions.

The perfect pool for all ages

No Googling allowed! Turn to page 15 for the answers.

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Name two members of the England cricket team who went to school in Bedfordshire.

(Clue: both played in the 2012 Nagpur test match in India).

Who lived at Ampthill Castle in 1533, and is commemorated by a cross in Ampthill Park?

Which famous Bedfordshire clockmaker was born in Ickwell Green near Northhill in 1639 and was buried in Westminster Abbey in 1713?

Who was born in Cardington in 1720 and became the head of the biggest brewery in London, and was later elected MP for Bedford in 1768?

Which Bedford-born athlete won the gold medal for the 100 metres in the 1924 Olympics?

(Clue: s/he featured in the film Chariots of Fire).

Which athlete, born in 1973, attended Sharnbrook Upper School?

Small classes delivered in a warm pool by highly qualified and friendly staff. Classes for babies and children aged 16 weeks through to age 11, plus our ever popular Aquanatal courses.

Intensive holiday courses and birthday pool parties.

To find out more or to book your place, visit www.polamschool.co.uk/swim t: 01234 261864

Five things you need to know about the changes to Child Benefit

by MoneyVista

1. Child Benefit is not being stopped for high earners.

Anyone receiving Child Benefit, regardless of their income, is entitled to carry on receiving it. But from 7 January 2013, high earners may have to pay a tax charge on any Child Benefit payments they or their partner receive.This applies whether they’re married or not.

2. The tax charge increases in line with your income.

For every £100 of income you or your partner have between £50,000 and £60,000, there is a tax charge of 1% of your total Child Benefit. Once your annual income is £60,000 or more, the tax charge is equal to the Child Benefit payments. It’s the higher earner who pays the tax.

3.Your income is based on your adjusted net income.

Even if you or your partner have an income of £50,000 a year or more, you may find that the tax charge doesn’t apply. This is because the tax charge is based on your adjusted net income. This is your income less any payments you make to a pension scheme, donations to charity through Gift Aid and reductions due to membership of salary sacrifice schemes (such as childcare vouchers and the cycle to work scheme).You could even consider increasing payments to your pension, for example, to bring your annual adjusted net income down.

www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

4. You can choose to keep or stop receiving Child Benefit.

If you or your partner’s adjusted net income is over £60,000, it could make sense to stop receiving Child Benefit as the tax charge will wipe out any financial gain to you and you won’t have to complete a tax return. But if you don’t know exactly how much your income will be, or you’re under the £60,000 threshold, it’s best to carry on getting it.

5. If you decide to keep Child Benefit, you’ll have to do a tax return.

If either you or your partner has an adjusted net income of £50,000 or more then the highest earner must complete a tax return, declaring the Child Benefit as income. It’s that person’s responsibility to make sure they’re registered for self-assessment by 6 October 2013 or they’ll face a penalty. They then have until 31 October 2013 to file their return with HMRC (or 31 January 2014 if filing online). www.moneyvista.com/families Bedfordshire

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NEWS & INFORMATION National Young Mathematicians of the Year awards

A team of pupils from Lincroft Middle School in Oakley, Bedford has been named runners up in the NationalYoung Mathematicians Awards.

The team of fourYear six pupils fought off tough competition from 650 teams from across the country to reach the grand finale at the University of Cambridge during December, where they were presented with their prizes by maths expert and star of Countdown, Rachel Riley.

Blow away the cobwebs at Blue Peris

Thinking about a weekend or longer away for the family this year? Would you and your kids like the chance to try lots of outdoors activities, combined with stunning scenery? Then look no further than the self-catering accommodation on offer at White Peris, part of the Blue Peris mountain centre in Snowdonia, North Wales, which has recently been refurbished. Priority is given to Bedfordshire customers as the centre is overseen by

Bedford Borough Council. It’s run by Mark Richards who has worked there for five years.

Mark says: ’Much of our passion for outdoor activities is fuelled by a lifetime spent pursuing these very activities.’ With canoeing, kayaking and rock climbing just some of the activities on offer, this is definitely one for those who love the outdoors and want to try something new. More information: www.blueperis.co.uk; tel: 01286 870 853.

The Kiosk just got more welcoming for new mums!

The Kiosk at the Park in Russell Park, Bedford has just received the Breastfeeding

The annual competition, organised by Explore Learning, which has a tuitition centre in Bedford, and the University of Cambridge’s NRICH Project, a group of qualified maths teachers who are practitioners of rich mathematics, has been running for the past six weeks where teams from primary schools across the country have been battling it out to reach the grand finale.

Alexis Humphrey from Explore Learning said: ‘We had 650 teams from primary schools enter the competition from across the UK which just shows how well our finalists have done. There were some truly remarkable scores across the board and we’re overwhelmed with how the competition has been so successful. Congratulations to the children from Lincroft Middle School; it really is a fantastic achievement to reach the final and they should be very proud.’

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Welcome Award from Bedford Borough Council through its ‘Baby Friendly’ award scheme. This gives a boost to its credentials as a must visit destination for young mums in central Bedford. Emma Garrett, co-owner, of the Kiosk, along with Nansi Rose, confirms that the aim is to make it ‘a friendly place for people to meet’. The Award ‘...gives new mums the reassurance to breastfeed [in public]’, says Emma, a mother of five, and she adds that it can be ‘daunting’. Changing facilities, wet wipes and all are available at the Kiosk, not forgetting coffee and cake. And they even run regular activities for parents and their tots.

More details on the website for February halfterm activities: www.kioskatthepark.co.uk.

Is your heart smart?

A neat idea from the Science Museum this Valentine’s Day. As love, it is said, makes your heart beat faster, so this child-friendly heart pulse monitor can help show how your heart rate is affected by activity throughout the day, including emotions. Fun and educational at the same time!

Cost: £15. www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk.

editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

NEWS & INFORMATION Big Garden Birdwatch

The RSPB’s Birdwatch is back on the week-

end of 26–27 January. The RSPB’s headquar-

Win a six-month membership of Menus4Mums

To enter, please send your name and email address by Friday 25 January 2013, to editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk.

ters at the Lodge in Sandy, are holding a

warm-up ‘bash’ to get you in the mood on

Saturday 19 January from 11–3pm.You will be able to add to the day’s bird list on the

reserve, and get useful tips on identifying

Families Bedfordshire is delighted to offer one reader a six-month membership of Menus4Mums (worth £40). Members get a new meal plan each week for dinners that the whole family will enjoy, with recipe cards and a handy shopping list broken down into supermarket aisles. The meals take advantage of supermarket special offers to keep grocery bills down. On average, members say they save about £10–15 per week using the plans.

the birds coming to the feeders. There will also be a prize for the best photograph taken on the day.

More info: www.rspb.org.uk/thelodge

or tel: 01767 680541.

National Storytelling Week

Storytelling can be found enriching lives everywhere: from nurseries and schools to support groups and theatrical performances.

The 13th Annual National Storytelling Week (www.sfs.org.uk/national-storytelling-week) takes place 26 January – 2 February 2013, encouraging all areas of the community to take part in creating and enjoying storytelling, this most ancient of communicative arts. National Storytelling week has an audience of around 17,000 people, so get involved in workshops, performances and events across the country, including Luton libraries.

More info on what’s on locally can be found at: www.lutonculture.com/luton-libraries/

Discover the Marston Vale Line!

Bedford – Bletchley by rail, the scenic route

Take the train to Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition 2013!

One of the largest exhibitions in the area with something for all the family!

For further information please contact: Stephen Sleight Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership Tel: 01234 832645 Email: stephens@bedsrcc.org.uk Visit our new website www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/marstonvalecrp Follow us on Twitter@marstonvalecrp

Saturday 16 February 2013 • 10.00am – 4.30pm Shenley Brook End School, Walbank Grove, Shenley Brook End, Milton Keynes.

Free shuttle bus service in operation from Bletchley Rail Station and Milton Keynes Central.

Entry discounts for Marston Vale Line passengers!

Simply show your valid rail ticket at the door.

ve GroupSa Ticket ts for ul Up to 4 eadof 2 (off the pric up to 4 peak) plnusfor only childre each. £1 5s go Under e. fre

Bletchley Pa rk Offer!

20% discount for Marston Vale gers on admi Line passenssion price at Bletchley www.bletchley Park. park.org.uk 01908 64 On production 0404 ticket. Offers of a valid subje to change. ct

Adults: £5 (£4.50 with valid rail ticket); Children/Concessions: £3 (£2.50 with valid rail ticket); Families 2+2: £10 (£9.00 with valid rail ticket).

Call (01908) 605417 for further information or visit www.mkmrs.org.uk

www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

Bedfordshire

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EDUCATION It's never too early to start preparing your child – and you - for school, so here are some tips.

‘Picture the scene in the playground on the first day of term; tears, clinging arms, a reluctance to leave. ‘Poor children,’ you think. No, that’s just the parents!’

‘Children usually find the transition to school easier than their parents. If your child already attends a preschool then they will have probably have already had discussions about what to expect. A good setting will read ‘Going to School’ stories with the children. They may invite school teachers to visit their setting or even arrange to take the children to the school.

It is usual for schools to hold a welcome meeting for all prospective parents in the summer term and to arrange story or play sessions for all new children.’

New Parent Pack launched

Children may encounter all sorts of digital advertising on the internet, from search engine results to adventure games, and this pack, developed primarily for parents of 6–11 year olds and backed by the Minister for Children and Families, Edward Timpson, provides tips to help parents explain the intent of online advertising to children. ‘Parents know best how to bring up their children but they expect businesses to act responsibly in supporting them to do so,’ says Timpson. ‘The Parent Information Pack is an excellent example of how the advertising and marketing industry is taking its responsibilities seriously. As a father myself, I see this as a welcome step in equipping parents with the relevant information to help them educate their children in an increasingly digital world.’

Download the free Media Smart Digital parent pack at www.mediasmart.org.uk.

Chess is back!

‘What can you do to prepare your child for school ? Does he have to know how to write his own name? Does she have to be able to do sums on her fingers? It will be a positive thing if he or she can but in terms of ‘settling in’ school readiness has much more to do with self-care skills.’

‘In the time leading up to September teach your child to put on his own coat, take off his own shoes, get dressed by himself, accept when to stop playing and listen to an adult, go to the toilet by himself and to have the confidence to separate from you. Asking your child what they think they will be doing at school will begin to prepare them for the transition.’

Chess is making a dramatic comeback in primary schools, 30 years after it all but disappeared from the state school scene. In the past two years a total of 175 schools, including those serving some of the most deprived areas of the country, have reintroduced the game to the curriculum.

Now the charity behind its revival, Chess in Schools and Communities, is optimistic the take-up will spread to 1,000 state schools within the next three years. CSC is pushing for all primary school children in the country

‘Above all remember to show how positively you feel about walking back out of the playground on that first day, even if you feel your heartstrings tugging as you do!’

Maria Riley, Manager, Haven 2000 Nursery and Preschool, Bedford to have the chance to learn how to play chess, and has already taught over 6,000 children in schools, as well as providing schools with chess sets, a chess curriculum and a weekly visit from a chess trainer. Academics are agreed the game is a major stimulant for improving pupils’ concentration and believe it can also be used in other subject areas, such as maths, to improve skills. It is easy to see why heads are keen to encourage it – a report by Chessmaster Jerry Myers on why it should be encouraged in schools says, ‘We believe it directly contributes to academic performance. Chess makes children smarter.’ www.chessinschools.co.uk

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editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

BOOK REVIEWS : ED ’S READING ROOM Ed’s Reading Room (www.edontheweb.com) is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools.

Each month, recently published books are selected as Ed’s Books of the Month for Owlets (age 5-7) and Owls (age 7+). On the website, there are fun literacy activities to accompany each book, including wordsearches, quizzes, poetry and reviews, and there are new original stories in Edtime Stories.

You are very welcome to contact Maggie Humphreys on 01753 730019 or by email at mgh@edontheweb.com about the website or about Ed on the Web Spelling Bees in schools.

Feathers in the Wind

by Sally Grindley (Bloomsbury £4.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Joe and Aesha are thrilled to be going to the Indian city of Ahmedabad with their parents – a vet and a photographer.

They will be there for the annual kite festival which is very exciting but which can be devastating for some of the birds. The children are eager to be involved but are they really putting themselves at risk when they try to help an injured bird on their own?

‘This is a fantastic adventure in the International Rescue series. It is a fast-moving story that will entertain boys and girls alike.’

For Ages 5–7 Years Genie in Trouble by Ciaran Murtagh (Piccadilly Press £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Jamie is starting another tricky spelling test at school when suddenly his genie friend Balthazar appears. There is trouble back in Lampville and Balthazar needs Jamie to return to the Genie Academy with him to help sort things out. Jamie knows he is in for a dangerous challenge but secret plots in the genie world and magic carpet races are better than a spelling test any day!

‘This is a hilarious and wacky story by this very funny writer. It is entertaining and full of energy. If you enjoy this book, look out for the other titles in the series.’

For Age 7+ Years

My Great Big Birthday Bash!

by Betty G Birney (Faber £3.99)

Granny Grabbers’ Whizz Bang World

by Charlotte Haptie (Hodder £5.99)

‘This is another super book in the Humphrey’s Tiny Tales series. The life of this adorable character provides a lot of FUN-FUN-FUN for young readers on their own or reading together.’

‘This is a very funny and warm-hearted story.

The madcap adventures and characters make for a real page-turner of a book.’

ED SAYS: ‘Humphrey loves being the classroom hamster with such a wonderful crowd of children. In this story he learns about the importance of birthdays to humans and enjoys the unsqueakable excitement that surrounds birthday parties. When he hears about plans for a surprise party, he doesn’t realise how much of a surprise it really is going to be.

www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

ED SAYS: ‘Delilah Smart’s parents are determined their daughter will excel in everything she does and to help them they send off for a childcare robot. Although at first Delilah isn’t sure what to make of the metal contraption with several long arms, soon Delilah and Granny Grabbers form a close bond. But when Delilah’s parents send off for the replacement Nanny Deluxe, is it time for Granny Grabbers to go to the scrapheap? Not without a lot of resistance!

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NURSERIES Is a nursery right for your child (and you)?

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by Joanna Moorhead

tudies show that attending nursery can increase a child’s confidence, because it involves mixing with adults, and other children, from outside the family group. It gives children social skills, and experience from an early age of an environment outside the home. The nursery ‘key worker’ scheme, under which each child is allocated a special member of staff with whom they can bond, helps provide security.

Healthy food and menus are another big plus of nursery provision: staff work hard to ensure children are given a balanced diet. And as your child gets older, play and learning opportunities will be targeted appropriately: staff are trained in what young children can do when, and will be conscious of a child’s likely interests and potential.

Nurseries work best for parents who have regular working hours, because it’s difficult or impossible for staff to deal with erratic patterns of collection and drop-off: nurseries often open early in the morning and some close late in the evening, but they are not as flexible as, say, a nanny or a childminder. On the other hand, they have the big advantage that only very, very rarely will they be closed at short notice – so they’re more reliable than one carer who may be ill or have to cope with a sudden family emergency.

They may be prohibitively expensive if you have more than one child, although many nurseries do offer a sibling reduction. But if you can fit around its opening hours, if your budget stretches to the fees, and if you like the idea of a social environment and a place with plenty of activities and trained carers, a nursery could be the place for your child and for you.

How to reduce nursery costs

The government is currently considering cutting staff-to-child ratios in nurseries as a way of reducing what many see as unsustainable prices – but the move is controversial, and organisations such as the Preschool Learning Alliance is warning such a change could risk children’s safety and well-being. Under current regulations, there must be one staff member for every three under-twos, and one for every four children aged two and three.

Most nurseries provide funded places for three and four year olds under the government Free Nursery Education scheme, which will start from the beginning of the term (1 September, 1 January, 1 April) after your child’s third birthday.

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editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

NURSERIES seem happy, relaxed, fun to be around? Do you feel comfortable talking to them? Do they seem interested in your child and his/her likes/dislikes and interests?

Ask about organised play sessions – weekly music groups, perhaps, or storytelling. Are there trips to the library, and to the park? How are these organised, and how often do they take place?

Make sure you understand what the nursery charges, how payment is made, and exactly what the fees include (for example, do they cover meals, nappies, outings). How many weeks a year is the nursery open?

How are parents involved in the nursery, and are there opportunities for parents to meet up?

Is all well when I'm not there?

Some nurseries have webcams which allow parents to see live images of their child at play from their desk at work. But while some parents welcome this idea, others are sceptical – they say they want their child’s nursery to know they trust its workers, and worry that they’ll be seen as a way of spying on care workers. Others say they like the idea of watching their child at play so much that they’d spend too much time doing it – and wouldn’t ever get any work done!

If your child is younger, check whether your employer can offer help towards your nursery costs through the childcare voucher scheme. Under this, money is taken out of your pay packet before deductions, giving you savings on tax and National Insurance – in return, you are given a voucher or e-voucher that you forward to your nursery, and the amount is deducted from your bill. So it’s a way of getting more childcare for your money – though it requires your employer’s co-operation.

How to choose the right nursery

Start your nursery search well ahead of the time when you’re actually going to need to leave your child: the more confident you are of the choices you make, the happier you’ll be when it comes to the day you have to head back to the office. Ask around so you get other parents’ views on what nurseries are like in your area. Make a shortlist of ones that might work for you (remember to take geography into account: how easy will it be for you and/or your partner to do the drop off/collect?) and don’t hesitate to ask to visit a second time.

Make sure you read the most recent Ofsted inspection report for the nurseries you are considering, and ask whether they have any awards of excellence. Be guided by your instincts when looking at a nursery: it may seem a cliché to say do the children look happy, but it is an important barometer of whether a nursery is good. Be aware of the quality of both indoor and outdoor play areas: are the spaces pleasant, bright, welcoming, and do they seem safe? Ask about meals, how the food is prepared, and what time meals are served. Are you able to provide input for your child’s food – suggestions for what s/he would like to eat, or recipes?

What kinds of snacks are provided and how often are they available?

Watch the children while they’re playing, and pay attention to how much they’re interacting with the staff. How do the staff come across – do they

www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

As your child is settling into nursery, trust your instincts about how well it’s going. You know your child better than anyone else, so if your hunch is that your child is happy and contented , that’s almost certainly the case. Remember that in the early days, he or she will probably get more tired than usual – nursery is a big change, emotionally as well as physically. Both your child and you need time to adjust to the new set-up.

Try not to drag out your goodbyes: leaving your child will be difficult, especially at first, but keeping it brief will help you both. Remember that your child may cry every day when you drop them off (and so might you!) for quite a while; this is a normal part of getting used to this big change in your lives. Cope with it by emphasising the positives: think about why you’re working (to make money and provide a better standard of living; to ensure you have an interesting life, and income, in the longer term) and how much your child will benefit from a wider social network.

Troubleshooting

Fingers crossed, you'll never have a problem with a nursery your child attends. But what happens when there IS an issue? As every working parent knows, nothing undermines your ability to work more than a nagging suspicion that your child isn’t happy, or isn’t being looked after as well as possible or even – worst scenario of all – isn’t safe.

If you have any worries at all about your child’s nursery you must resolve them, and as quickly as possible. So as soon as something strikes you as ‘not right’, talk to the nursery manager or your allocated member of staff – many niggles are simply down to a lack of communication. Explain what’s up, and the chances are you’ll never have to mention it again, and things will all be smoothed over.

But if you’re not satisfied that all is well, put your concern in writing to the nursery manager. All nurseries should have a protocol for dealing with complaints – ask to see this if it’s not spelled out in the nursery handbook.

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HEALTH Bedford mum backs campaign to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes Bedford mum, Vicky Shaw’s son Joshua now aged eight, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was aged two and she, along with her husband Jayson, are supporting Diabetes UK’s efforts to highlight the main symptoms – or 4 Ts – of type 1 diabetes: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired, Thinner. If these symptoms are not recognised early enough, children can go into Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires hospital treatment and can be fatal.

Vicky told Families Bedfordshire her story:

‘Joshua had been potty trained and dry at nights since March of that year so we were a bit surprised when he started bed wetting and also waking up wet. Initially we thought this was perhaps a ‘phase’ as he was still young and his bladder control was still developing. Our first thought was to reduce his fluid intake in the evening prior to bedtime but this had no effect and the bed wetting continued. At this stage there was no cause for concern as he appeared well in himself.’

‘The week before diagnosis the bed wetting continued and we had also noticed he was wanting to drink more during the day but again we weren’t concerned as Joshua was well in himself and full of energy as normal.’

‘Things came to a head on the Sunday – he attended a friend’s party and in the two hours he was there he drank at least six to eight large cups of water and was going to the toilet frequently. I can still recall jokingly in passing saying to my friend ‘you would almost think he had diabetes!’

Just before we left the party he had another drink and we then had a five minute drive to his grandparents’ house and by the time we got there he was demanding more to drink.’

‘When we returned home we put Joshua to bed and said goodnight to him and before I had even reached the bottom of the stairs he was calling out for a drink – we said no as we didn’t want him to wet himself and he had already drank enough. He started to shout and cry for a drink but we thought if we ignored him after a few minutes he would settle to sleep. Instead the crying, shouting and demands for a drink grew more insistent.’

Vicky phoned NHS Direct that night, and commented: ‘I always thought it was a condition you got as an adult and that there also had to be a family history. The nurse said it was not diabetes because he was well in himself, had not lost weight, and there was no family history. She advised me to let him drink as much as he wanted and to get him an appointment with my GP the next day.’

Vicky’s GP (having tested Joshua’s urine which contained large amounts of sugar) immediately referred them to the local children’s ward. She continued: ‘When we arrived on the ward they tested Joshua’s blood sugar and it was 29 (normal range is between 4–7mmls/ltr). The nurse simply told us that a doctor would come along and see us and take blood.

After a two hour wait a doctor came along and sat on the bed with us and said: ‘Obviously you’re here as your son has diabetes’. At that point I broke down in tears but we were more upset and shocked at how the news had been broken to us and the fact that our son’s life and ours had changed forever in an instant. The doctor looked a bit taken aback that nobody had officially told us.’

Vicky concludes: ‘In March 2012 we attended a meeting of all the GPs that form our PCT and we gave a presentation about the role they and their practice staff play in the early detection of diabetes – the importance of performing a simple finger prick or a urine test if a child should present with symptoms and the need for prompt referral to hospital if these tests show raised sugars. Parents should insist that such a test is performed if they they have any concerns about any of the symptoms their child is displaying.’

To contact Vicky and her Bedford Type 1 Tots-2-Teens Support Group, you can email her on vicshaw@uwclub.net or phone: 07751 158680.

More info: www.diabetes.org.uk.

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editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

NEW YEAR TIPS New Year Business Tips for 2013 Helen Lindop of BusinessPlusBaby.com, a website dedicated to helping parents grow businesses around their families, offers her tips for preparing for the New Year as a working or self-employed mum.

The start of a new year is a chance to make plans and start afresh. So don’t just meander into 2013, launch into it with gusto and purpose! Here are six ways of getting yourself prepared for the year ahead.

1. What can you learn from last year?

4. Talk to your customers

2. Focus on what’s important

Your customers can be your best source of new ideas going into the New Year. They’re also the best indicators of whether an idea will work or not, as it won’t be a success unless they are prepared to pay you for it.

Pick one simple focus, or theme, for the coming year, such as spending more time with your family or starting that business you’ve been thinking about for years. Having a focus makes it easier to say ‘no’ to the distractions that will come your way and increases your chances of success.

5. What's your biggest opportunity?

Look back over the last year. What went really well and what didn’t work at all? What were the reasons for your biggest wins and your biggest losses? How can you do more of what works in 2013? And which projects should you now drop to free up more time?

By Christmas we’re all elbow-deep in to-do lists, but it really is worth putting these to one side for a while to focus on what is important to you.

3. Find a mentor or community of likeminded people

We women tend to try to do everything ourselves! But we all need fresh ideas and a sounding board every now and then.

Try a networking group or find someone who is further along in their business or career than you are. You don’t necessarily have to pay for a coach, sometimes all it takes is having the courage to reach out to someone you admire and offer to buy them a coffee in exchange for a conversation. Talk to them about your greatest challenges, as well as what they’d do in your situation. Then build their advice into your plan for the year.

If you’re self-employed or running a business, ask your customers for feedback on your service or your products. Talk about what they like and what they don't like. Also ask them about what they’d like to see from your business in the future.

Don’t focus on your biggest problem or your biggest challenges. There will always be emergencies that need to be dealt with. Instead, focus on your biggest opportunity. Give your attention and best resources to your best opportunities.

6. Set measurable goals

You are much more likely to achieve what you want if you ‘put a number on it’. So what do you want to achieve and by which date? This works well in your business or job as well as for personal goals. So for example by 1 June you could aim to have doubled the number of sales you make a month or reduced your working hours by three per week.

Follow these steps and you'll be well prepared to tackle any challenges that 2013 throws at you.

Helen Lindop’s e-book Running a Business Around a Family: Nine Steps to Success can be downloaded for free at: businessplusbaby.com/9steps.

New Year diet!

OK, so you have resolved to eat better in the New Year.

But do you really want cold salads and juices during the bitter winds and dark evenings of January and February?

Nutritionist Penny Crowther thinks not. ‘Focus on a supportive diet to build up immunity and leave detoxing for the spring,’ she advises. Whilst nature is resting, hibernating and replenishing, so should we. ‘By all means eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily, but unless you feel constantly hot, don’t focus on raw foods in winter.’ Instead, go for warming soups, stews, roasted vegetables and protein found in lean, quality meat, oily fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.

And, of course, get out and absorb as much sunshine as you can to keep your Vitamin D levels topped up (oily fish is also a good Vitamin D source). www.nutritionistlondon.co.uk

by Helena Foss

www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

Protect yourself & your loved ones affordably Get peace of mind & enjoy life

for a friendly chat call 01923 682222

Jigsaw Independent Financial Advice Ltd 119 Oakwood Road, Bricket Wood St Albans, Herts, AL2 3QB

Bedfordshire

11

HOLIDAYS How to have your best family holiday ever: our top ten secrets

Joanna Moorhead, who has been planning her family’s holidays for the last 20 years, shares her insider tips to help you plan for a summer to remember in 2013

F

antastic family holidays don’t just happen. They’re crafted, often by hours of work from one or both parents, who spend endless amounts of time planning, plotting, budgeting and making sure safety nets are in place to stop hiccups becoming disasters.

Of course everyone loves spontaneity - but for a spontaneous decision to be possible, especially where a family with children are concerned, a framework has to be in place...and getting that framework right is the backbone of every holiday.

So how do you do it? Here are our top ten secrets.

1. Don’t cut corners.

To get the right holiday, you may have to spend a long time on research.

Don’t begrudge this time, and don’t expect the perfect holiday to fall into your lap without it: after your mortgage, your car and (if you’re paying them) your child’s school or university costs, the money you spend on your holiday is your biggest outlay. So doing the homework matters.

Start with a list of what sort of holiday you’re looking for – the location you’re after, what facilities you need close by, what sort of accommodation you need, how far it needs to be from the airport, and so on. Give yourself parameters, and then get googling. Keep a list of possible resorts/villas/hotels; whittle it down to a shortlist; and then make a decision.

Tiger reserves re-open

The Supreme Court in India has recently lifted its ban on tourism in over 40 tiger reserves, re-opening the door to tourists. The ban was put in place back in July 2012 following concerns that tourism was having a detrimental effect on the tiger population. Families Worldwide has spaces on its 11-day Taj and Tigers trip departing 14 February. Call 0845 051 4567 or visit www.familiesworldwide.co.uk

2. Don’t expect a bargain.

After two decades of planning holidays for my family (my children are aged between ten and 20), I’m sure of one thing: where school holidays are concerned, bargains are as rare as hen’s teeth. Far better to start from the premise that you’ll get what you pay for. Look for the best deal, the best quality that you can possibly afford: but if somewhere seems a lot cheaper than other places, scrutinise it very carefully indeed.

3. Space is crucial.

You know those places that say ‘sleep 4/6’ and turn out, on closer inspection, to have a pull-down bed in the sitting room? Avoid them (at full capacity) like the plague. Squeezing as many people as possible in is fine for students, less good for grown-ups. You want a bit of luxury on holiday – and space is luxurious.

4. Location, location, location.

Just as when you’re buying a house, this is your number one priority.

Some of the villas I’ve looked at for my family’s holiday this year are twice the price of others, simply because of where they are. And guess what: I can understand why. On holiday I want a great view and shops and restaurants we can walk to. If you’ve got younger children, a beach within walking distance may be your number one location priority. Know what you need, and don’t settle for less.

5. Friends matter,

so think very carefully about who to holiday with. However close you are, nothing scratches away at a friendship’s weakest points as much as sharing two weeks together. You think you know that couple, and you think you like their kids? Take it from me, you’re going to know a lot about them, and you may have totally reassessed their kids, by the flight home.

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Bedfordshire

editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

HOLIDAYS 6. Be honest about the sort of experience you want.

Holidays aren’t times to be aspirational, or eyeing up the Joneses, or following the in-crowd. They’re about being honest about how you’d really love to spend a fortnight with your family – and who cares what anyone else might think. You don’t need anyone else’s approval, or envy, for the holiday you choose: what this is about is working out what’s right for your family, and making it happen.

7. Once you’re there, alternate busy days with quiet ones.

Even if you’re a busy, boisterous, action-packed family, everyone needs some downtime. The easiest, simplest way to make sure you get both busy days and more relaxed ones is simply to alternate them. If you went to a water park yesterday, relax by the pool today. If you went fell-walking yesterday, read a book and have a cream tea today. Overloading is the enemy of a good holiday.

8. Don’t over-plan:

have ideas, but leave space to be open to what you find when you get there. It’s well worth doing some research about the area you’ll be staying in – essential, in fact – but it’s a mistake to plan every jot and comma

Where to go... north Devon

Devon is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations, and for good reason: wonderful beaches, plenty to do (even in the rain), beautiful scenery and a wide choice of where to stay. Libbear Barton, a country estate on the north side of the county, hits just the right note of luxury (beamed cottages that are beautifully laid out and furnished) and has everything on hand, from stairgates to babysitters, for the hard-pressed family. There’s an indoor pool, games room, play areas inside and out, fishing lake and woods – all on a rolling, 40-acre estate, and with the sea a half hour’s drive away. Perfect for big families or families holidaying together – the farmhouse sleeps up to 14. Prices vary, but for example Moley’s Place, sleeping eight in four bedrooms, costs around £1,700 a week in high summer. More information at www.libbearbarton.co.uk.

www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

of your stay before you even touch down. You want to explore, to discover, to be surprised, to make friends – and all these things will only happen if you’ve left the space for them to unfold. So, for as much knowledge as you’ve learned beforehand, always be flexible about what you’re going to find out, and want to do, when you actually get there.

9. Embrace change:

as your family grows up, be ready to move on to new destinations and new experiences. For three years running my family had wonderful holidays in a hilltop villa in inland, northern Mallorca. It was perfect for us: but by the third year it was obvious my older daughters needed something more: shops, places to hang out, a beach they could walk to. I was desperately unhappy about giving up the villa: but guess what? The following year I found somewhere even better.

10. Set boundaries.

It might be a holiday, but rules ensure everyone – especially the parents – get a break. If your children are younger, those rules might be about bedtime (you need some time with your partner, so letting your kids stay up all evening might not be the best move), or about time for the children to go to the crèche; if your children are older, the rules might be about sharing the washing up, or about how much contact you need to have with them through the day. But put your rules in place, because then everyone can relax and have what they came to do: have a wonderful fortnight away.

Where to go... the Alps

The Alps are much too good to save for your skiing holidays – in fact, those who’ve tried the area summer and winter often say summer is the best time to be there. For a wonderful family Alpine holiday, you’ll be hard-pressed to improve on the Chilly Powder formula – choose from a luxurious hotel or a villa, all set in a biscuittin picture-perfect location, complete with in-chalet childcare and – for the foodies – an in-chalet chef. Sports on offer include white water rafting, rock-climbing, trekking, tennis and summer tobogganing (which is one of the most fun summer sports I’ve ever tried, and kids adore it). Prices vary depending on what sort of package you’re after, but as a for-instance, Chalet des Amis (three bedrooms; sleeps up to eight) is £1,200 in the midsummer. More information at www.chillypowder.com.

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13

WHAT’S ON Please always phone before

setting out in case details have

changed since press deadline or if

we got it wrong.

Please send events to be listed to:

editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

JANUARY TOY AMNESTY RETURNS! 2–31 January Snakes and Ladders, Blackburn Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable Make room for your children’s new presents by bringing unwanted good quality toys to the Keech Hospice Care donation station at Snakes and Ladders. Everyone that donates will receive £1 off entry to Snakes and Ladders if they then go in to play.

Tel: 01582 660111 or www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk/ dunstable_centre LITTLE EXPLORER CLASSES Weekly classes throughout Jan, Feb and March on Tuesday mornings at: The Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine and on Friday mornings at: Flitton and Greenfield Village Hall Booking: Louise Platt, Creation Stations. Tel: 0844 8549178 or email: louiseplatt@thecreationstation.co.uk BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION 5 January–3 March Stockwood Discovery Centre, London, Road, Luton Free.

Tel: 01582 548600.

TODDLER TIME: TOYS Friday 11 January 10–11am and 12–1pm Wardown Park Museum, Old Bedford Road, Luton £3 per child.

Tel: 01582 546722 to book

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Bedfordshire

13 ? UNLUCKY FOR SOME Saturday 12 January from 11–11.45am Wigmore Library and from 2.15–3pm Stopsley and Marsh Farm Library Stories of good luck and misfortune.

Free family event.

TODDLER TIME: BIRDS AND BEASTS Friday 25 January from 10–11am and 12–1pm Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton £3 per child.

Tel: 01582 548600 to book.

CINDERELLA BY THE TOTTERNHOE PLAYERS Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February Totternhoe Lower School Evening performances and Sat matinee.

Tickets: £6 adults; £4 children/ concessions; £16 family Box office: 01582 603287

SCULPTURE AND DRAWING EXHIBITION: ANDREW JELLY 12 January–13 February (Closed Saturday 26 January and Sundays.) Free.

Bedford School, De Parys Avenue, Bedford

ROMEO & JULIET Friday 25 January at 8pm Bedford Theatre, Bedford School, De Parys Avenue, Bedford Suitable for aged 10 plus Tickets: £12; £10 concessions.

Tel: 01234 269519 (Box Office)

HULA ANIMAL RESCUE: NEW YEAR GET TOGETHER Sunday 13 January from 1–3.30pm Glebe Farm, Salford Road, Aspley Guise, MK17 8HZ Bazaar and book store bargains; meet rescued pets and farm animals. Fun and games for children. £2 adults; accompanied children free.

Tel: 01908 584000 www.hularescue.org

BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH Saturday 26 January from 10–11am Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton Tel: 01582 548600 to book

TODDLER TIME: VALENTINE’S DAY Friday 8 February 10am and 12 noon Wardown Park Museum, Old Bedford Road, Luton £3 per child.

Tel: 01582 546722 to book

HARRY AND THE BUCKETFUL OF DINOSAURS EVENT Saturday 19 January from 11am–12 noon Kempston Library, Halsey Road, Kempston Crafts and activities.

RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH BASH Saturday 19 January from 11am–3pm RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy Tel: 01767 680541 Join in the Big Lodge Birdwatch at The Lodge, as a warm up for the following weekend’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Prize for best photograph taken on the day.

Free – donations gratefully accepted.

NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK 26 January–2 February All Luton Libraries.

Tell stories and hear some old favourites as Luton Libraries mark National Storytelling Week at ‘Time for a Rhyme’, ‘All Join In’ and ‘Family Funtime’ sessions.

Free. Drop in.

More info: www.lutonculture.com.

FEBRUARY CHINESE NEW YEAR CRAFTS Saturday 2 February from 10–12 noon Wootton Library, Lorraine Road, Wootton CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE Saturday 2 February from 2–2.45pm Luton Central Library, St George’s Square, Luton

CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE Saturday 9 February from 11–11.45pm Wigmore Library, Wigmore Lane, Luton SWEET THINGS: PANCAKES, LOVE AND ALL THAT STICKY STUFF Saturday 9 February from 11–11.45am Wigmore Library from 2.15–3pm Stopsley Library from 2.15–3pm Marsh Farm Library HAIRSPRAY Saturday 9 February Bedford Girls’ School, Cardington Road, Bedford Tickets available from 1 February.

More info: information@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk.

editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY HALFTERM ACTIVITIES (16–24 February)

SKATING FUN Daily from 9.30am in February half-term Thurleigh Open Farm, Cross End, Thurleigh Open air skating on an artificial ice rink. Skates start from children’s size 8 through to adult’s size 13.

Entrance is all inclusive and includes skate hire. www.thurleighfarmcentre.co.uk or tel: 01234 771597 for info.

MILTON KEYNES MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Saturday 16 February from 10am–4.30pm Shenley Brook End School, Walbank Grove, Shenley Brook End, Milton Keynes.

Free shuttle bus service in operation from Milton Keynes Central and Bletchley Rail Stations.

Discounts on entry if you travel to the exhibition by rail. Simply show your valid rail ticket at the door.

More info: www.mkmrs.org.uk or Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership. Tel: 01234 832645 MR HONK AND HIS SAD TROMBONE Saturday 16 February at 2pm Luton Library Theatre, Bridge Street, Luton SWEET THINGS: PANCAKES, LOVE AND ALL THAT STICKY STUFF Saturday 16 February from 11–11.45am Leagrave Library from 2–2.45pm Luton Central Library

WILD ABOUT BOOKS 16–23 February Luton Mobile Library: all stops.

Visit the mobile Library to choose some animal books, and then help to decorate the library by bringing in your wild animal drawings, pictures and photos.

Free. Drop in.

FAMILY FUN TRAIL 16–24 February from 11am–4pm Wrest Park, Silsoe Find the hidden clues to solve the puzzle and win a yummy prize.

Adults £8.50, concessions £7.70, children £5.10, family £22.10.

English Heritage members free.

Tel: 01525 860152 FAMILY FUN Tuesday 19 February Two sessions at Flitton and Greenfield Village Hall at 9.45am and 11.00am Cost: £5 per child; £3.00 per sibling.

Suitable for 15 months to 11 years.

Booking: Louise Platt, Creation Station. Tel: 0844 8549178 or email: louiseplatt@thecreationstation.co.uk WILD THINGS ALL AROUND US Talks about our native wildlife, with mask making and other crafts.

5+ years. Free. ? AT THE FOLLOWING LUTON LIBRARIES: Monday 18 February from 11–11.45pm Wigmore Library, Wigmore Lane Monday 18 February from 2.15–3pm Stopsley Library, Hitchin Road Tuesday 19 February from 2–2.45pm Luton Central Library, St George’s Square

Tuesday 19 February from 2.15–3pm Lewsey Library, Landrace Road Wednesday 20 February from 11–11.45am Leagrave Library, Marsh Road Wednesday 20 February from 2.15–3pm Sundon Park Library, Hill Rise Wednesday 20 February from 3.30–4.15pm Bury Park Library, Bury Park Community Centre, 161 Dunstable Road

FEBRUARY CONT ’D...

OPEN WEEK 25 February–1 March Polam School, 45 Lansdowne Road, Bedford Tel: 01234 261864

ACTION DAY Thursday 28 February Bedford Modern School, Manton Lane, Bedford Tour of the school during a normal working day.

Tel: 01234 332500 or email admissions@bedmod.co.uk to book a place.

Thursday 21 February from 2.15–3pm Marsh Farm Library, Lea Manor High School, Northwell Drive DINOSAUR CRAFTS Wednesday 20 February from 3–5pm Prehistoric fun for everyone.

Wootton Library, Lorraine Road, Wootton TODDLER TIME: MINI OLYMPICS Friday 22 February 10–11am and 12–1pm Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road, Luton £2 per child.

Tel: 01582 548600 to book

Distributors Wanted...

Families Bedfordshire is looking for distributors in the Bedford area.

If you have a car, a few hours spare every two months and want to earn some extra money, please contact Judith on 01727 373929 or email editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk.

QUIZ ANSWERS!

1. Alistair Cook and Monty Panesar 2. Catherine of Aragon (1485–1536) 3. Thomas Tompion 4. Samuel Whitbread the first (1720–1796) 5. Harold Abrahams (1899–1978) 6. Paula Radcliffe

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15

Harpers

Nursery School and Baby Unit BLUNHAM ‘A Unique Learning Experience’

Full Early Years Curriculum Experienced and qualified teaching staff OFSTED rated ‘Outstanding’ Hands-on meaningful learning Home cooked healthy meals Safe, caring and happy environment Teaching and Learning for children aged 6wks-5yrs Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-6.00pm Acres of grounds for curiosity and challenge

Tel; 01767 641499 www.harpersnursery.co.uk

Bedfordshire

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