Families Chiltern November/December 2022

Welcome

The festive season is just round the corner and it’s not too soon to start planning.

To help get your family off to a festive start, we have compiled a guide to Christmas, which covers days out, shows, lights and grottos. Have a read of our interview with Vernon Kay who tells us all about his favourite local places, his first panto role and why he will never do Strictly!

At this time of year, you may also be choosing your child’s first school, worrying about conflict in the playground or musing on your child’s future education. This issue gives you some helpful tips to consider.

Enjoy,

Call for Santas big and small to take to the streets

Dust off your best Christmas jumper, collect your Santa hat and join the Santa Dash on Sunday 11th December 2022 to raise money for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. Whether ‘yule’ choose to run, walk, jog or scoot the 2.5km or 5km circular route, kick off the festive period in style while earning that second mince pie.

By taking part in Santa Dash, you will be helping support local patients and their families across Buckinghamshire and its borders – delivering dedicated, specialist hospice care when they need it most, every day of the year.

Santa Dash will start at 10.30am from Buckinghamshire New University in Aylesbury. Register at 9am, entry costs £15 for adults, £10 child and includes a Santa hat, mince pie and Santa Dash medal on completion of the course. You can register for the event online at: < fnhospice.org.uk/events/santa-dashes and tickets will also be available on the day.

‘20s plenty’ - Let’s make the roads safer for our kids

Wales will become the first nation in the world to adopt a 20mph default speed limit on

streets, including around schools, and the new legislation will come into effect in September 2023.

The ‘20’s Plenty’ campaign to reduce speed limits around schools is gaining traction. Last year Northern Ireland legislated part-time speed limits for 103 schools at 90 sites. The lower speed limit was put in place as it significantly reduces the risk of serious injury if a child were to be hit by a vehicle. In March 2020, TFL introduced a 20mph speed limit on all its roads within the central London congestion charging zone.

The rest of the UK could adopt a similar approach – especially as the increase in near-silent electric vehicles (EVs) could cause danger to pedestrians and cyclists unaware of their presence.

Residents in Milton Keynes launched a petition in August for a 20mph speed limit throughout their estate and presented it to their council. The residents of Fishermead say this ‘reduction would make it considerably safer for children who are walking to school or to the park’.

The theme of this year’s Road Safety Week, the UK’s biggest annual road safety campaign, is ‘Safe Roads for All’ and will take place between 14 and 20 November. The 2022 campaign will raise awareness of key areas of road safety, including safe vehicles and speeds, the recent update to the Highway Code and the new hierarchy of road users, plus the importance of inclusivity to keep us all safe on the roads, no matter who we are or how we travel.

To sign up to Road Safety Week, register on their website: roadsafetyweek.org.uk

Bring joy to a vulnerable child this Christmas

Christmas won’t be magical for every child. It can be a difficult time of year for children in care who may be spending their first festive season away from their family; for households facing economic hardship, buying presents will once again put additional pressure on parents. Reading brings children profound and wideranging benefits that can have a lifelong impact on their lives, positively affecting their health, wellbeing and academic and social development. Just one book can brighten a vulnerable child’s Christmas.

Last year sixteen thousand books were given to children in need and the BookTrust is aiming to match this figure in 2022, giving recipients access to the world of imagination, creativity and possibilities that books can provide. A £10 donation to BookTrust will help fund a surprise book gift for a vulnerable child and support BookTrust’s work. Find out more and donate at: booktrust.org.uk/xmas

Christmas in the Park

A new event, Christmas in the Park, is being held in Higginson Park in Marlow from 9th to 21st December, a dazzling new light trail experience and festive celebration by the creators of Pub in the Park.

Highlights include: an illuminating light trail, Mistletoe Market, Winter Village, Elves Workshop and a number of additional ticketed events taking place on selected dates including classic Christmas movies, indoor pop-up cinema, family pantomimes & feasting experiences. Book tickets at: christmasintheparkuk.com

There are so many great Christmas events on our doorstep this year, including the largest Grotto in the UK where you can meet The Snowman™ at centre:MK. For a full guide to Festive Family Fun including where to meet Santa, Christmas fairs, shopping, lights and much more, see page 8 and ‘What’s On’ from page 28.

Letter from Santa

Baby equipment rental marketplace launches

Two school friends have launched the baby equipment rental and exchange marketplace, Hay-De, to cut the cost of becoming a parent. The launch is especially timely, coming during the cost-of-living crisis.

Parents can rent everything they need for their baby or toddler, rather than buy it from new, saving an estimated 75% off the cost of toys, pregnancy aids and nursery essentials. The service will also help make parenting more sustainable by allowing parents to trade in items they no longer need in exchange for other equipment.

Millions of new, perfectly good toys are thrown away every year as children grow out of them or lose interest. All items listed on the sit undergo a thorough cleaning and inspection before being delivered to customers across the UK.

Visit: hay-de.co.uk for more information.

All children love to receive a letter addressed to them in the post. And what could be more special than a letter from Santa? Here are two ways of making this happen.

Royal Mail Letter to Santa

For children to receive a FREE letter from Santa via the Royal Mail, children must post their letter to Santa in an envelope with either a first or second class stamp and addressed to: Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. The letter must include your child’s full name and address. The deadline for posting the letter to Santa is Friday 9th December. < royalmail.com/christmas/letters-to-santa

NSPCC Santa Letter

Children can also receive a personalised reply from Santa via his elves at the NSPCC in exchange for a donation to the charity. You can order a letter online by 8th December at the latest to ensure it arrives in time.

< letterfromsanta.nspcc.org.uk

Find your fearless

Interview with

Vernon Kay

TV and radio presenter, Vernon Kay, met with us to discuss his role as Dandini in Wycombe Swan’s Cinderella, his love of Christmas and his family life in Bucks. He was more lovely than we ever imagined –why he’s not playing the role of Prince Charming, we have no idea!

Have you seen this magazine before?

I have definitely seen it around, it’s good for when you’re looking for activities in the holidays, when you think ‘where can we go, what can we do.’ We’ve been to Odds Farm too many times!

What made you want to do panto? The kids really. We’re regular panto visitors to this theatre and the one in Aylesbury, we go every year. At the end of every panto, I kind of think, ‘oh one day I might like to do that!’ When the kids overheard a conversation with me and Tess discussing whether we could take time out the diary to do it, because Strictly’s on at the same time, the girls were like, ‘Dad you’ve gotta do it, you’ve got to do it, you’ve definitely got to do it!’ I was like, ‘okay, fair enough.’

What’s it like to be part of your first panto? How are you preparing for the role?

Oh, it’s a new experience for me! I’m excited and I think it makes it more special that I’m in a theatre I’m familiar with and it makes it more comfortable that it’s only going to take me 15minutes to get here. I’ve been watching a lot of panto on YouTube, especially the role that I’m playing, Dandini, to see how different people have played it.

What was it about the character of Dandini that appealed to you? I think Dandini is one of those clumsy helpers and his role is to make sure that the Prince is comfortable, but also have a lot of fun with everything that’s going on. Basically, Dandini is old school Tinder –he’s finding a partner for the prince. He’s a wingman, I guess you could say!

Are any surprises planned? Can’t say! Haha.. that’s a big YES if I can’t say it!

What’s your advice to kids who are wanting a career in presenting? Ohh, good question! I would say watch lots of telly and ask your parents who the greats were from back in the day. Bruce Forsyth, Morecambe and Wise, all the old school. All the game show hosts, Des O’Connor, who was a local,

Max Bygraves, great entertainer! And then really focus on being yourself, that’s the key really.

Is this a first step into acting? I’ve done cameo roles on Extras and Hollyoaks and a few other bits and pieces, but this is the first time ever that I’m ‘treading the boards.’

What do you most like about living in Bucks?

I like the fact that all my mates from Manchester can’t come around and watch football on a Sunday afternoon and I can watch football in peace and quiet! I’ve got a great friend and family network here. I think the beauty of it is you get a bit of everything, you’ve got that kind of urban experience in that it is close to London, yet you’ve got the wealth of open spaces that I think is so important and essential in this digital world that we’re living. Just walking the dog to go and spy on Chequers, we’ve got loads of great places to visit!

What are your favourite local places? Back in the day, it used to be Odds Farm. But these days, it’s walking, cinemas, that kind of stuff.

The Hellfire caves on Halloween, love that! I’ve got very nervous in there a few times. We’re always at the Eden Centre and training for triathalons around the Chilterns. We like going up to what we call the ‘top the world,’ the monument that looks down on Chequers. Yes, Coombe Hill. Black Park’s a big favourite. We like driving randomly past Pinewood Studios in case we see Chewbacca, but we never do!

Favourite restaurant?

I’m going to say, this is a bit of a name drop, Tom Kerridge is a good friend of mine, so The Hand and Flowers.

Best pub? We like the Royal Standard of England, allegedly it’s the oldest pub in the country although there are five that say the same.

Who is the most excited in your house about Christmas? ME! 100% me! I would have Christmas every Saturday afternoon. I love the tradition of it, I love what it stands for, I love Christmas!

Tell us about your usual Christmas?

Dodgy jumpers, returning presents cause they don’t fit, trying to make an excuse that you do like the present but it’s awful! The usual things... friends and family around the house, my brother comes over from Dubai, lots of food, lots of drink, sitting around the telly watching a movie.

Would you consider being a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing?

Never been asked! There was a really interesting conversation we had earlier and she was saying, ‘I guess there’s a conflict of interest.’ And I’ve never really thought of it like that. Because I get to see everything. I see all the rehearsals, the bios and I’ve seen all of this week’s dances. Do you know what I mean?

What are your plans next year?

More of the same, lots of This morning, lots of Radio 2, more Formula E – we’ve got new cars, rules, new tracks, so that’s exciting!

Don’t miss Vernon on stage in Cinderella 9th to 31st December < Wycombeswan.co.uk

Our guideto Festive Family Funthis season

By Katie Taylor

Meet The Snowman at the largest Grotto in the UK Fun for children and adults alike, the interactive Santa’s grotto with The Snowman™ at centre:mk, Milton Keynes, is the biggest grotto in the UK. The experience is brought to life by actors playing the part of The Snowman™ and the little boy. Visitors will experience the enchanting story of The Snowman™ who came to life, before meeting Santa himself. The much loved nostalgic story, along with the famous musical score of ‘Walking in the air’ will delight all visitors, whilst children will also be able to decorate their own Snowman biscuits. Ticket prices are from £13.75 for children and £5.50 for adults. Pre-book your tickets at: centremk.com

Christmas lights switch on and more in Chesham Town Centre on Friday 25th November. Visit market and food stalls, take a fairground ride, be entertained by live music and meet Father Christmas. In Princes Risborough on Saturday 26th November, enjoy an afternoon of festive cheer from 3-6pm. On Wednesday

14th December, Beaconsfeld host their Festival of Lights from 6pm and it will include stalls, food and drink, live entertainment, lantern parade, meet with Santa and more.

Christmas at Discover Bucks Museum Get in the festive mood at Discover Bucks Museum with lots of great Christmassy events to suit everyone. Kickstart the season with the Christmas Craft Market on 26th November, followed by two special Charles Dickens performances. First is the Magic of Dickens on 3rd December, a show about his life and his interest in magic. Then on 9th December A Christmas Carol –an outstanding one-man performance of Dickens’ classic tale of Scrooge told in the author’s own words. Christmas through the Ages on 10th December is a fantastic family event. Have fun discovering what Christmas was like in the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian eras with lots of games, crafts and carols and of course mince pies! For more information, charges and to book, please visit: discoverbucksmuseum.org

Christmas Shopping Head to one of many festive fairs this year. Queens Park Arts Centre in Aylesbury hold their Artisan Craft Fair on Saturday 12th November, visit queensparkarts.com for details. Peterley Manor Farm in Prestwood host their annual Christmas Market from 17th to 20th November with boutique gift stalls, live music and street food. Pre-book at: peterleymanorfarm.co.uk Stokenchurch Primary School and The Pace Centre in Aylesbury present their Christmas fairs on Saturday 19th November. Waddesdon Manor hold their annual Christmas fair from Monday 21st November until Sunday

18th December, pre-book at waddesdon. org.uk. Wrights Meadow Centre in High Wycombe are holding a craft fayre on Sunday 27th November, details at: wrightsmeadowcentre.co.uk

Feel Festive at Missenden Abbey

On Saturday 3 December, come and see Santa in his Grotto and treat the little ones to a magical brunch. Children can write their Christmas list, have a festive photo with Santa in his Grotto and receive an early Christmas gift. An enjoyable experience for the whole family. On Sunday 4th December, head to their Christmas fair in aid of Roald Dahl’s Children’s Charity, meet Santa, his reindeers, enjoy craft & gift stalls. Pre-book at: missendenabbey.co.uk

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Odds Farm Park

Visitors can walk through the sparkling enchanted woodland as they head to meet Father Christmas in his Grotto. Families

Structured and fun swimming lessons in Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Buckingham, Wendover

Weston Turville

Quote: 'Families' for a

taster class

© National TrustChris Lacey

can then head to ‘Cuddle Creation’ in the Elves’ workshop, where children can make their own soft toy bear, complete with a birth certificate – all at no extra cost. Children will also be able to make their own wildlife-friendly reindeer food to scatter on Christmas Eve. Christmas isn’t complete without a good show and Odds has a festive line-up including Elf Academy, Tree by Twinklelight and the acapella penguins. Book tickets at: oddsfarm.co.uk

Santa’s Winter Woodland at Amersham Field Centre. Christmas magic for all the family. Santa and his elves are visiting Amersham Field Centre to train a new generation of Elf Helpers. Explore the Enchanted Woodland, learn important Elf Skills, make a Christmas decoration in the Elf workshop and help find Santa’s missing code for the sleigh. Meet Santa in his grotto and receive your Elf School graduation certificate, Elf hat and gift. Dates: Saturday 10th, Wednesday 14th, Friday 16th & Sunday 18th December. Book at: field-studies-council.org/families

Meet Father Christmas at Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November. Begin at Princes Risborough with Santa’s Elves to welcome everyone on board. Travel to see Father Christmas at his Workshop and Grotto at his North Pole Station for photos, refreshments and a present. On weekends throughout December until 22nd. Book your boarding passes at: chinnorailway.co.uk

A vintage Christmas Grotto at Bletchley Park

On selected dates between Saturday 26th November and Thursday 23rd December, have a festive chat with Father Christmas in his unique grotto and receive a special gift. Some of Father Christmas’ elves have snuck away from the North Pole to get up to mischief around Bletchley Park. Can you spot them and solve some puzzles to help return them safely home? Relaxed sessions for children with additional needs are available on selected dates. Book online at: bletchleypark.org.uk

Farmer Christmas at Hogshaw Farm and Wildlife Park

The Farmer Christmas experience returns to Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park from 26th November to 24th December. Join a magical walk through a wintery wonderland, where elves play, reindeer relax and Santa can be found on-board his big red tractor.

As you journey through Farmer Christmas Land you’ll enjoy festive crafts and animal encounters before making a Christmas wish and meeting the big man himself.

With full access to the farm included in your ticket, there’s plenty of opportunity let off some steam and experience what farm life in the festive season is all about. Tickets can be booked at: hogshaw farm.co.uk

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Vintage Christmas at Bletchley Park

It’s Panto season – oh yes it is!

We have many fantastic pantomimes to choose from this year. Here are our top picks…

Step into a fairy-tale world of magical castles, bewitched spinning wheels and an enchanted sleep that only true love's kiss can break. The Elgiva is looking forward to welcoming you to Sleeping Beauty on Saturday 3 rd to 31 st December, a hilarious family panto suitable for all ages starring CITV favourite Chris Edgerley.

The Elgiva’s professional pantomime is filled with spectacular special effects, fabulous songs and oodles of slapstick – plus plenty of fun-filled audience participation! Experience a spellbinding love story that lasts one hundred and eighteen years – plus an interval and a part where everyone lobs toilet rolls about and generally causes mayhem. Book tickets at: elgiva.com

Prepare for a magical trip to the land of Oz as the Queens Park Pantomime returns with a show full of iconic characters, sing-a-long songs and riotous

slapstick. Join G the Good Witch and Dorothy Gale as the take on Elma the Wicked Witch of the West with help of the mighty and powerful Wizard of Oz. Tickets £8-13, show runs 9th to 31 st December. Book at: queensparkarts.com

Poor Cinders works night and day but dreams of a very different life and with an invitation to the royal ball it looks as if her wish may be granted. Will her Wicked Stepsisters succeed in ruining Cinderella’s dreams of happiness or will her Fairy Godmother and loyal friend Buttons be able to thwart their devilish plans? Starring TV and Radio’s Vernon Kay making his stage debut as Dandini you won’t want to miss Cinderella at Wycombe Swan from Friday 9th to Saturday 31 st December. Book tickets at: wycombeswan.co.uk

The devilishly good Davood Ghadami will be the evil Abanazar in Aladdin this Christmas at Aylesbury Waterside

Theatre. Expect fun by the lamp-load, stunning costumes, sensational song and dance numbers and an adventure full of memories to treasure. Rub the magic lamp and book your tickets now if you haven’t already! From Friday 2nd December until Monday 2nd January. Book tickets at: atgticket.com/Aylesbury

Family Tickets to Cinderella

Starring TV and Radio icon, Vernon Kay, making his stage debut as Dandini!

Alongside Vernon is hilarious impressionist and Britain’s Got Talent Finalist Jon Clegg as Buttons, as well as a cast of hugely talented performers. Come and join us for everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale, Cinderella, this Christmas!

Poor Cinders works night and day but dreams of a very different life and with an invitation to the royal ball it looks as if her wish may be granted. Will her Wicked Stepsisters succeed in ruining Cinderella’s dreams of happiness or will her Fairy Godmother and loyal friend Buttons be able to thwart their devilish plans? Pop on your glad-rags and join us at the ball to find out!

COMPETITION: For your chance to win 4 x tickets to Cinderella at Wycombe Swan Theatre,* simply tell us which vegetable does the Fairy Godmother turn into Cinderella’s

a) Brussel Sprout b) Pumpkin c) Cabbage

Email your

town by 2nd

Christmas

Festive family city breaks

It’s the MOST wonderful time … of the year! It sure is! And what better way to experience Christmas with little ones than on a city break?

Vicky Bradley from Tested by Tots have identified some of the most familyfriendly UK cities in which to experience the full magic of Christmas.

Glasgow holds all the festive fairs that you would expect from a city but it also offers a range of theatre and entertainment for little ones. From a variety of pantos to children’s classic concerts such as ‘The Night Before Christmas’, there is plenty to keep you entertained.

< bit.ly/glasgownightbeforexmas

Kidderminster

Travel by Santa Trains from Kidderminster to Arley to see your favourite characters in pantomime.

< svr.co.uk/events/santatrains22

Twenty minutes away, Bodenham Arboretum’s live nativity play is superb.

< bodenhamarboretum.co.uk

Nottingham

Nottingham’s festive markets offer something for everyone, from retro style to a sparkling Winter Wonderland! Trinity Square is a city highlight and last year it contained a specially constructed Christmas village which offered visitors the chance to relax with hot chocolates in a number of igloo-style domes. A unique experience!

<nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk

Durham

A beautiful, picturesque city that truly embraces the spirit of Christmas. Alongside its regular markets, the city holds an annual Christmas Festival. This year’s Festival will run from 2 to 4 December. In addition, Durham will be full of festive music, storytelling, Carols in the Cathedral, a children’s Lantern Procession and much more.

< durhammarkets.co.uk

Belfast

Norwich

Perhaps not the first destination that comes to mind when you think about Christmas but Norwich has lots of festive charm, including the most anticipated Christmas attraction in the UK - The Tunnel of Light! As one of the largest of its kind in Europe, the Tunnel of Light consists of more than fifty seven thousand LED bulbs and over five and a half miles of cabling!

< visitnorwich.co.uk

Cardiff

Why not celebrate Christmas with a trip to a festive castle? Cardiff Castle has a fantastic Christmas festival with incredible shows such as: Santa’s Wish, Castellana and The Nutcracker, all performed in the round. Plus, there’s the usual spectacular Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland.

< cardiffcastle.com

Tested by Tots checks out and recommends only products and services that are genuinely child-friendly. For hints and tips on holidaying with children, including holiday packing checklists, go to < testedbytots.com

Belfast

This city goes BIG when it comes to Christmas with light shows, displays, markets and a Georgian experience. The kids won’t believe their eyes!

< visitbelfast.com

Winchester

Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is widely recognised across Europe and is inspired by German Christmas markets. The Cathedral is at the heart of the city’s festivities, lighting up in celebration with Christmas services and other festive activities that carry on into the New Year.

< visitwinchester.co.uk

Exeter

Exeter city comes alive this time of year with an ice rink and Winter Wonderland plus the usual carol concerts and pantomimes. Drive twenty minutes and you’ll also find Pennywell Farm which boasts one of the best live nativity and Christmas experiences in Devon.

< pennywellfarm.co.uk

< visitexeter.com

Glasgow

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

Norwich

Cardiff

Glasgow

Session timings apply and we close between sessions to sanitise

By

Barekind Bamboo Socks

These jolly Bamboo socks are great stocking fillers that save endangered animals too. Bright and colourful, they will brighten up your children’s feet, while 10% of the profits are donated to help save the animal on the sock. £7.50.

< barekind.co.uk

Eco

Christmas GIFT GUIDE

Spread a bit of festive joy by being good both to your family and the planet this year. These gorgeous gifts for kids and adults will make everyone’s day without costing the earth.

Elf Letters

We’re all for an advent calendar that encourages children to read! This one has daily, personalised Elf letters directly from a North Pole Elf. Read the stories every day to find out what happens in the North Pole as Santa and the elves get ready for Christmas. £25.99.

< elfforchristmas.co.uk

Nature Curious Subscription Boxes

Buttercup’s Nature Curious activity subscription boxes encourage children to explore the British wildlife on our doorsteps. Their eco-packaged worksheets and nature prints with augmented reality are designed and printed in the UK. £20 per month with bonus access to an online community.

< buttercuplearning.com

Families has an annual subscription to give away! Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go

Kabode Alphabet Children’s Bedding

This gorgeous natural children’s bedding from Kabode is designed to inspire big dreams. The Alphabet collection makes it fun for your child to learn their ABCs and the playful design is decorated with colourful letters. Made from 100% certified organic cotton. £44.95.

< kabode.co.uk

Play Kits Subscription Boxes

The Play Kits imaginative subscription boxes help parents make the most of playtime and support pre-school brain development. Created with leading child development experts, these are built to last and are made with sustainable wood, organic cotton, non-toxic paint and babysafe plastics. From £80.

< lovevery.co.uk

Bake at Home Gingerbread People

Cake or Death’s Bake At Home Gingerbread People make the perfect gift for little bakers. Delivered through your letterbox, each kit comes complete with delicious ready-made gingerbread dough, a cutter and recipe card. £15.

< cakeordeath.co.uk

Choosing the right primary school

If your child turns four this academic year, they’ll be starting Reception next September and now’s the time to make their primary school application. Exciting times!

Your child’s primary school and its community becomes a large part of your family’s life, so feeling happy about the choice is very important. So how do you go about knowing which will be a good fit for you and your child?

Gabrielle Nash has some great advice for you.

The catchment area

School catchment area is a key admission criterion for schools. This is generally based on the furthest distance that a pupil was admitted to the school the previous year but boundaries can be extended or shrink, according to the variables of each intake year. For example, one year there may be a larger cohort of siblings or looked-after children taking priority or it may be a year with a high birth rate, so the map alone does not guarantee your top choice.

You can check each school’s catchment area through your local authority to establish whether you’re likely to fall within it. Think carefully before aiming for a school for which you’re not in the catchment area. You don’t want to waste one of your choices.

Consider your working week. If you’re commuting to work, how will you do that after school drop-off? Is there a train or bus nearby or space to park your car?

A good fit

Every school is organised and managed differently, so you’ll need to do some research to see what each school offers and what matters most to you. When you’re shortlisting schools, it’s important to visit to get a feel for each one. Go armed with lists of questions and an open mind.

Each school will have its own personality but so does your child. Are they loud or reserved? Smaller schools with just one-form entry might suit a quieter child. If your child has any special educational needs, you’ll want to know the school caters well for them.

Extras

What wrap-around care does the school offer? If it doesn’t suit your needs, are there sufficient alternative options? Find out which secondary schools pupils go on to and see how that impacts on your thought process. For example, if a high proportion of the pupils go to the best local secondary school, then that’s a plus.

Known for its bespoke, nurturing style and brilliant academic results, Gateway School is a non-selective co-educational independent school for children aged 2-11. We would love to show you all that Gateway School can offer you and your family. Call Helen on 01494 867806 or visit gatewayschool-bucks.co.uk to book a visit.

1

Great

Buckinghamshire, HP16

Top Tips:

While an Ofsted report is important, do not solely base your decision on it. Inspectors give ratings in their report: outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate. The Ofsted report will also give feedback on how different groups of children fare and the school’s strengths and weaknesses.

Reach out to school parents on social media to get a range of opinions. See how they align with yours. Go through the application procedure on your local authority’s website so you’re fully aware of the process.

Faith schools are an attractive option in many areas but it’s likely you’ll need to complete an additional form outlining your family’s religious practices.

When you are allocated your child’s school place in the spring, you can consider appealing the decision if you’re unhappy with the outcome. There are no guarantees the position will change though.

If you have a summer-born child, you may be able to defer their school start. You’ll need to approach your local authority.

Looking for a school to bring out the very best in your child?

Educating for the future

By Louise Livingston

Astonishingly, over two thirds of children joining primary school this September will end up in jobs that don’t yet exist! Think back thirty years - there were no social media managers or Bitcoin traders.

Children are often asked what they want to be when they grow up. From farmers to flight attendants, astronauts to doctors, the answers are always a mix of familiar careers. But today’s workplace is rapidly changing. As Richard Riley, former Secretary of Education, said: ‘We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.’

It’s a challenge and mainstream education will be required to adjust. Is an education system that focuses mainly on teaching children academic subjects outdated? Focusing on tests and exam results will not deliver for a future which will need creative, flexible problem-solvers who can collaborate.

The visionary educational pioneer, Maria Montessori, recognised this when she wrote, ‘Education must no longer be mostly imparting knowledge but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities.’

In Montessori education, children are guided by a teacher trained in child observation and development. Classrooms provide open-ended, hands-on activities where children choose tasks appropriate to their stage of development.

With activities so targeted to each child’s needs and interests, children are engaged and motivated to concentrate, persevere and develop self-discipline. In addition, the activities are designed to encourage children to think flexibly and come up with creative solutions. In the early years, this may simply be how to unbuckle their shoes or share a snack. Later, it may be an exploration of the Jurassic period or a novel approach to solving quadratic equations.

Mixed-age classes with children aged up to three years apart is another key feature of Montessori education. Younger children learn from older role models and older children benefit from the experience too. In this mini community, children share resources, put things away ready for someone else after they have used them and help each other. This fosters social collaboration and builds emotional intelligence.

Louise Livingston has over thirty years’ experience in education and a background in educational neuroscience. She is Head of Training at the Maria Montessori Institute (mariamontessori.org), which offers Montessori teacher training, online short courses and the Maria Montessori School for ages 2 to 12 in London.

A new approach at home

Supporting your child’s development with a Montessori approach doesn’t require expensive equipment. It’s all about changing your mindset.

For example, instead of automatically doing things for your children, you can encourage them to do things themselves as much as possible and support them only as and when they need it. Depending on your child’s age, these things could include getting dressed, pouring a glass of water or helping to prepare vegetables for dinner.

When they try to do things for themselves, children find their own way. If they ask ‘how do you do that?’ turn that question on its head and ask ‘how do you think it should be done?’

Montessori is about optimising human capacity rather than filling children with facts that can usually be accessed with a few taps on a device. It’s so well-suited to preparing for future jobs because it recognises that with the right encouragement, children are motivated, curious, flexible and creative.

Education Why should my child aim for university?

Your child is probably still at primary school, or may not even have started school yet but, at some point during their education, the question of whether or not they will go to university will doubtless come up.

Deciding whether to go to university or not depends on the career your child wants to pursue but not every student that embarks upon a university course is dead set on a specific career.

The good news is that all university courses equip students with transferable skills that benefit their careers. Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh believes that whatever the course, a university education will equip your child with these skills.

Here they explore why the key skills learnt at university can make a student more employable.

Teamwork

Group projects undertaken at university are valuable because teamwork is an essential skill that’s required in almost any job you can think of. Even if your child pursues a career that involves a lot of individual work, like becoming an author or photographer, they will still need teamwork skills.

Through team activities at university, students learn how to work with a variety of other people. In our lives and careers, many of us might have experienced group work with someone who does not pull their weight or someone who wants total control. Knowing how to deal with these issues professionally will be vital for your child’s future career. They will also gain valuable experience in supporting others, as well as collaborating with other people to come up with new ideas.

Planning and organisation skills

Alongside time management, the ability to plan out their workload and organise tasks and events will be useful for your child in any number of employment roles. If they choose to undertake a degree that is very practical, they will have a lot of opportunities to hone these skills in scenarios that will present themselves in the world of work. If they are considering a more theory-based degree, they will learn

how to plan tasks that require a lot of work hours, like their dissertation. Outside of their studies, there are other opportunities to hone these skills at university too, like volunteering. Student Volunteering Week, which usually happens during February, gives students an amazing opportunity to take part in organised volunteering projects.

That’s why, these days, employers consider transferable skills to be a priority when evaluating potential candidates for positions. According to Barclays, three quarters of employers prioritise these above or equal to technical skills when recruiting new employees.One of the key benefits of university is the transferable skills it delivers; these can make a young person more employable, whichever degree they have studied. In fact, transferable skills are key to your child’s future at work.

Leadership

From lectures and group projects to practical work and extra-curricular activities, the learning methods of university help students learn some of the key elements of leadership. For instance, your child might assume the leadership role in a group project, which will help build critical delegation skills.

Some courses lend themselves particularly to the development of leadership skills and even teach them as part of the curriculum, like a business management degree. Students learn about different areas of business and explore specific pathways including accounting, marketing, finance and economics.

Their ability to problem-solve, be creative, resilient and adaptable and willing to lead, will contribute massively to any job in any industry.

Resolving playground conflict

By Zuzu Jordan

Playground conflicts can shape a child’s experience at school. When we show children how to manage them, they are learning vital life lessons about getting on with other people.

Conflict vs bullying

Conflicts in the playground can flare up and be forgotten from one day to the next.

As parents, we can’t swoop in and save our children from uncomfortable or even painful situations while they are at school. However, we can equip them with their own skills to use when teachers are not immediately available to intervene. Using well-chosen words can change the course of a conflict and help equip children to deal with future ones.

Of course, it’s important to understand where conflict ends and bullying begins: bullying involves a repeated, intentional act to hurt someone; it can take many forms. All schools must have an anti-bullying policy should bullying occur.

Take action when conflict occurs, explain to your child that ‘hotting up’ a conflict makes a disagreement worse and ‘cooling down’ makes it better; we can help children realise they have the power to influence and resolve situations. Start by listing which behaviours can hot up a conflict, such as shouting, name-calling, invading personal space, accusing, lying and being physical. Then list the behaviours that can cool down a conflict: admitting to what you did wrong, saying sorry, saying what you would like to happen, using a calm voice and avoiding words such as ‘always’ and ‘never’ which can make someone feel defensive.

Active listening is a fundamental skill in resolving conflicts. Help your children practise by asking them to listen and repeat instructions back and paraphrase what you have said. Encourage them to ask questions so they learn how to develop healthy dialogues.

Older children may have more complex conflicts involving social media. These require a slightly different approach. Childline (childline.org.uk) and UNICEF (unicef.org.uk) offer solid support and advice for those who are experiencing issues online.

Dealing with conflict provides an opportunity for growth, emotionally, socially and intellectually. By continuing to observe and give children a safe space to talk about any conflicts they have, we are providing useful safeguards against potential bullying scenarios.

Zuzu Jordan is a Mastery for Maths specialist who has taught primary aged children for sixteen years and is interested in early years and home learning. For free homework and home learning resources, find the Instagram page: edumate_uk.

What are peer listeners?

Some schools have implemented programmes where selected children are trained to listen to and support their peers. This particularly helps those who find it easier to open up to someone their own age who they can relate to. Often called peer listeners or playground buddies, the trainees are available to help with tricky situations that may arise in the playground.

Part of the training involves knowing when to recognise problems that are ‘too big’ and require adult support; for example issues that arise at home.

Peer listeners are taught the importance of confidentiality and empathy Training also includes how to ask open-ended questions which encourages others to talk and demonstrates the value of getting problems off one’s chest.

These skills are crucial in life. Often both parties benefit from the interaction as the listener develops leadership skills whilst their peer gets to offload their concerns.

Giving children a chance to become a peer listener takes children one step closer to becoming a responsible citizen.

Anti-bullying Week: 14th to 19th November 2022

A strong team across the board and in depth. Technically strong with very fast response times. They are friendly, approachable

provide

practical advice.

Clubs, Classes & Activities

Are you looking for a new activity for your children to try? Or perhaps they have a keen interest in music, sport or performing? Whatever their hobbies, we have a great choice of local clubs and classes to suit everyone throughout the Chilterns.

When you call, please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families Chiltern magazine.

Berkhamsted Gymnastics

Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club have spaces available in their fun, recreational gymnastics classes throughout the week for children aged 5+ with fully qualified British Gymnastics coaches. They have a purpose built facility and are looking forward to welcoming your child. E: membership@ berkhamstedgymnastics.co.uk < berkhamstedgymnastics.co.uk

Tiska Karate

At TISKA Karate, children and adults alike learn the essentials of etiquette, respect, self discipline, self awareness, confidence, fitness, and self-defence.

Photograph of their youngest Black belt, 8 year old Tyler Yamamoto. Contact: office@tiska.com for further details of your 1 month free trial.

Monkey Music

Monkey Music

Acting classes with West End actors and TV professionals. Musical theatre and dance classes also on Saturdays. Act, dance and sing in separate classes for pre-school, infants, juniors and teens across all disciplines. Celebrating 100% pass rate in LAMDA and IDTA examinations year-on-year. ☎ 01494 876487

< trapdoordrama.com

Step To It Academy

Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4–18 year olds.

Classes in: Amersham, call: 07887 500788 Aylesbury: 01525 790795 Beaconsfield: 07305 300912 Berkhamsted: 07956 945181 High Wycombe: 01494 533203. Marlow: 07539 753718. Thame: 07376 361495.

< stagecoach.co.uk

Water Babies

Confidence in the pool at an early age assists with lifelong confidence in and out of the pool. Instructors teach baby how to swim both above and below the water through a series of gently progressive, baby-led classes. Classes are available for 0–6-year-olds across Buckinghamshire ☎ 01295 709221

E: chasetheball@waterbabies.co.uk

Award-winning Music classes, 3m-5yrs. Amersham, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross E: amersham@monkeymusic.co.uk ☎ 01494 716861

Aylesbury, Aston Clinton, Haddenham, High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Tring, & Wendover. E: aylesbury@ monkeymusic.co.uk ☎ 01494 819138 Berkhamsted, Chesham, Hemel & Rickmansworth. E: berkhamsted.rickmansworth@ monkeymusic.co.uk ☎ 01753 889481 < monkeymusic.co.uk

Code Ninjas

Kids will have a blast building video games and developing coding skills on a proven curriculum. Learn at your own pace on a flexible schedule! Start anytime in the year. Drop-in at your convenience during weeknight and weekend hours. Venues in: Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

T: 01494 623125 < codeninjas.co.uk

A place where shy children blossom and outgoing children sparkle. They give their students the opportunity to grow and express themselves through weekly dance and drama classes, stage shows and exams. Sign up for a free trial today and see how Step to It can benefit your child. ☎ 07743 065766

< steptoit.co.uk

If you’d like a listing for your club, class or activity in our directory, please contact us today. Call: 01296 586586

Email: editor@familieschiltern.com

Trapdoor Performing Arts

A

Classes

Classes

Classes

n g s a

Teaching young children about time

Teaching young children about time

By Tanith Carey

If you’re the parent of a young child, you’re likely to be hearing the words: ‘When’s Santa coming?’ more times than you can count in the weeks running up to Christmas. And when your little ones are never satisfied with your answer, no matter how many times you repeat it, it’s easy to feel a little frustrated.

So, at moments like these, it may help to consider how time looks from your child’s point of view, at each stage of their development.

For example, a toddler only really understands what they can touch or feel. Their first understanding of the concept of time is based on knowing that things – like getting up and having breakfast, lunch, dinner, bath time and story time, happen at roughly the same time every day.

For now, they live in the moment. They can’t touch minutes or hours. So, when you say an event they are looking forward to will happen in ‘ten minutes,’ this is still too abstract a concept for them to fully understand. All they know is that there are some experiences which make them feel happy.

But because they want a visit from grandma or a trip to the zoo NOW, that’s when they think it should happen, which is why they keep on asking.

It will take a few years of life experience and more brain wiring, along with some thoughtful guidance from adults, for youngsters to appreciate an event doesn’t happen instantly because they want it to.

By around the age of 4 or 5, children are starting to grasp that time passes in a predictable way in the same units of seconds, minutes and hours, for everyone. Kids of this age also have enough experience of the world to relate activities to different times of year. So, they may understand that Christmas happens when it’s cold in winter, while Halloween takes place when the leaves fall off the trees in autumn.

Gradually, as a child’s memory improves, they can refer to events that have occurred as happening ‘last week’ or ‘next

week,’ even though they still may not get these descriptions quite right. A child of this age who says ‘yesterday’ may be talking about an event that happened last week or even a month ago. Even so, children of this age can start to look forward to events, like birthdays, several months in advance.

At around age 6, children can start to understand how time is represented on a clock face. This is partly since children’s frontal lobes are now more efficiently wired up to the rest of their brains, so they are able to view the world in a more logical way. This allows them a better grasp of what numbers can symbolise, while their working memory now allows them to hold numerical ideas in their heads.

This higher order thinking also allows them to plan more for the future and remember more, so they are now better able to understand the broader concepts of the past, present and future, though you will still get plenty of questions like: ‘Are we there yet?’ if they are on the way to somewhere exciting.

As your child grows, taking a little time to explain the sequences of events, adding in lots of time words like ‘seconds,’ ‘minutes’ and ‘hours’ and applying them accurately, will not only help them make sense of their world but will also make it feel safer and more predictable.

For more insights into how the world looks at every stage for your child, read What’s My Child Thinking: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents by Tanith Carey and clinical psychologies Dr Angharad Rudkin, published by DK and available from: bookshop.org

Book Club

Books are always top of our Christmas list and with it’s quirky humour and loveable character, Einstein the Penguin is right up there. Rachel Bailey talks to author Iona Rangeley about the challenges of having a non-verbal main character and what inspired her love of writing from an early age.

What first inspired you to be a writer? Is there a book or character that you wish you’d written?

It sounds a bit clichéd, but I have honestly wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I have lots of family members who love writing, particularly my parents, so I think as a child it just seemed as obvious a thing to do with your time as watching TV or walking the dog, and luckily, I never grew out of it. There are so many brilliant children’s books out there and there are a great deal I wish I could have written. I think Lauren Child’s Clarice Bean is a great character: I still remember the impact her books had on me when I read them at school and suddenly felt like the fact I stared out of the window all the time made me the coolest person ever.

You wrote your first book whilst studying for your English degree. That’s pretty impressive. Did the idea come to you fully formed or did you just know you wanted to write children’s books?

Not many people know this, but the first children’s book I wrote at university actually wasn’t Einstein the Penguin. I started writing a series of very surreal poems about a little girl going on adventures with her teddy bear, which I only

shared with my friends, then eventually combined into a book and sent to my now agent. But it wasn’t quite ready, so I came up with Einstein the Penguin in my third year. It definitely wasn’t fully formed yet, the original plot is quite different from the plot as it ended up.

Having a main character that doesn’t speak, lends itself perfectly to the idea of a detective mystery, but I’m sure it’s not without its own challenges. How do you get around that?

I think all the challenges it creates can just as easily be turned into advantages. For example, it’s fun coming up with new ways for a character to communicate, and I think it adds to the drama. And of course, most of the story is seen through Imogen and Arthur’s eyes, so their voices can help clarify things where it’s needed.

In a previous life I worked for Egmont books who originally published the Mr Gum series that were David Tazzyman’s first foray into the world of children’s books. How is it working with him as an illustrator?

I was a huge Mr Gum fan as a child! My friend’s mum read us You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum! at a sleepover in Year 4, and we must have bought the next four or five books over the next couple of years as they came out. I always read them in about two days. I also originally wrote to my agent because I knew she was Andy Stanton’s agent, so working with David Tazzyman was always going to be exciting. And his illustrations have definitely lived up to expectations!

The first Einstein book is the perfect cosy winter read. How are you planning to spend your Christmas this year?

My Christmas plans this year are the very opposite of cosy winter reads, I’m actually going to be with my family in New Zealand. I’ve never been abroad at Christmas before. Normally I would be in our freezing house in Norfolk wearing very warm socks, but this year I’m giving a warm Christmas a go!

Einstein the Penguin – the case of the fishy detective is available now in hardback priced £12.99.

Instagram & Twitter @IonaRangeley

Make Christmas banana penguin pops

Here’s a really fun Christmas activity to do with your little ones! These penguin pops not only taste delicious, they are also super simple to create. With just a hand full of ingredients, these banana penguins will impress and entertain the kids!

You will need:

1

2 lolly sticks

75g milk chocolate

4 candy eyes

orange Smarties

in half)

Baking paper

1

Step 1

Start by melting your chocolate in the microwave for around 2 mins. Stirring occasionally.

5

Step 5

Cut the Smarties in half.

Step 2

Peel your banana and cut in half.

Step 3

Slide the lolly stick into the flat part of the banana.

andCutout keep"

andCutout keep"

Step 6

Place your dipped banana on a plate lined with baking paper. Add your candy eyes just below and in between the eyes, add half a Smartie to make a nose.

Step

Use two more halves of Smarties to make two feet!

Place in a cold refrigerator for around 30 mins to set. Enjoy!

Step 4

Take your warm melted chocolate and dip your bananas in it, coating the back fully. Coat the top of the banana to a third of the way down and upwards from the tip for around 1cm, leaving space to add the feet.

Neha Gandesha is a mum from North West London who shares her colourful kid-friendly meals and snack recipes on her Instagram page

@Squashedpickle.

What’s

November

Saturday 12 November

ARTISAN CRAFT FAIR

Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury.

The ever-popular Queens Park craft fair returns with beautiful art and craft from the very best local artists and makers. A perfect opportunity to pick up a bespoke Christmas gift or festive treat-toself. The event also includes craft activities and storytelling for children. 10am-4pm, £2, child free. Queensparkarts.com

Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 November

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Peterley Manor Farm, Prestwood. Boutique gift stalls, live music and street food. Book online: Peterleymanorfarm.co.uk

Friday 18 to Saturday 24 December

SANTA’S GROTTO WITH THE SNOWMAN centre:mk, Milton Keynes. Fun for children and adults alike, the interactive. Santa’s grotto with The Snowman™ is the biggest grotto in the UK. Ticket prices are from £13.75 for children, (including a gift) and £5.50 for adults. Book online at: centre:mk.com

Saturday 19 November

CHRISTMAS FAIR

Stokenchurch Primary School. Meet Santa in his Grotto, stalls with beautiful gifts, refreshments and carols. Stallfinder.com

CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Beaconsfield School. Christmas food and refreshments, Christmas gifts,

local handcrafted Artisan products. 10am-4pm, £1 entry. Facebook.com/BeaconsfieldSchoolPTFA

PACE GIFT FAIR

Buckinghamshire College, Aylesbury. A beautiful selection of gifts from some fabulous local businesses including Christmas decorations, jewellery, food, homeware, skincare and more. 11am-3pm, entry: £3. Thepacecentre.org

Sunday 20 November

CHRISTMAS ON THE COBBLES

Aylesbury Town Centre. Arts, crafts, games and activities, fun fair rides, singers, special performers and a snowball arena from 1pm. Dazzling light parade with LED drummers at 5.30pm followed by festive light switch on at 6pm. Aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk

Monday 21 November to 2 January

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe. Look out for twilight openings, plus music and interactive performances on Saturdays, including the sounds of 12 drummers drumming. Storytelling mid-week for pre-schoolers, and for older children at weekends and Christmas crafts. Nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden

CHRISTMAS AT WADDESDON

Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury. Magical lights, gardens aglow and Christmas displays in the house. The Christmas Fair (until 18 December) returns with all the sights, smells and tastes of Christmas with selected stalls in charming wooden chalets, surrounded by Christmas trees. The Winter Light Trail sees the garden spectacularly lit up with colourful interactive light installations. Winter Light continues until 22 January. Waddesdon.org.uk

Compiled by Katie Taylor

Friday 25 November to 2 January 23

ASHRIDGE HOUSE: ILLUMINATED Berkhamsted. Immersive light art installations. Booking required: ashridgehouse.org.uk

Friday 25 November to 24 December

A WILD CHRISTMAS Beale Park, nr Reading. Visit Santa in his grotto and feed the reindeer. Bealepark.org.uk

Friday 25 November

CHRISTMAS IN CHESHAM High Street, Chesham. Market and food stalls, fairground rides, live music, meet Father Christmas and light switch on. 6pm-9pm.Chesham.gov.uk

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November

SANTA STEAM SPECIALS

Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway. Travel to see Father Christmas at his North Pole Station grotto for photos and a present! Also 3,4,10,11,17,18,21,22 Dec. Pre-book at: Chinnorrailway.co.uk

THE PANTO EXPRESS Bucks Railway Museum, Quainton. Also 3,4,10,11,16 & 18 December. Pre-booking essential at: Bucksrailcentre.org

Saturday 26 November to 22 December

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS GROTTO Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Vintage Grotto, Elf Trail. Selected dates. Booking required at: Bletchleypark.org.uk

26 November to 24 December

FARMER CHRISTMAS

Hogshaw Farm and Wildlife Park Visit Santa’s Grotto in the magical Christmas forest, meet the reindeer, decorate biscuits, make magical reindeer food, visit the animals and the new Christmas market. Hogshawfarm.co.uk

Saturday 26 November

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON High Street, Princes Risborough. An afternoon of festive cheer! 3pm-6pm. Princesrisboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk

Sunday 27 November

CRAFT FAYRE

Wrights Meadow Centre, High Wycombe. Stalls, mulled wine and mince pies, free. 10.30am-2.30pm. Wrightsmeadowcentre.co.uk

DAILY

DAILY

FREE FREE

December

Friday 2 December to 2 January

ALADDIN

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street. The devilishly good Davood Ghadami will be the evil Abanazar in Aladdin this Christmas at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. Expect fun by the lamp-load, stunning costumes, sensational song and dance numbers, and an adventure full of memories to treasure. Rub the magic lamp and book your tickets now if you haven’t already!

Tickets from £13 (plus no booking fee)

Group rates available 0844 871 7615* (fees apply to call).

Atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

Friday 2 December

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT

High Street, Old Amersham, 5pm-11pm. Amersham-tc.gov.uk

Saturday 3 to Saturday 24 December

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Odds Farm Park, nr High Wycombe. Walk through the sparkling enchanted woodland, meet Father Christmas in his Grotto, make reindeer food and meet Mother Christmas for creative Christmas crafts. Shows, Christmas animals and much more! Oddsfarm.co.uk

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December

CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Find out how Christmas was celebrated in the past and see the Museum’s historic buildings decorated for Christmas. Children’s craft activities & small festive market. Coam.org.uk

Saturday 3 December

BRUNCH WITH SANTA

Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden. Come

Santa in his grotto and treat the

a magical brunch at Missenden Abbey. Children can write their Christmas list, have a festive photo with Santa in his grotto and receive an early Christmas gift. An enjoyable experience for the whole family. Booking required. Missendenabbey.co.uk

CHRISTMAS FAIR

Dr Challoner’s Grammar School. 11am-3pm, drop-in, free. Stallfinder.com

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Sycamore Road, Amersham 10am-5pm, free. Amersham-tc.gov.uk

Saturday 3 December (Cont’)

CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP

Lindengate, Wendover.

Also 4, 7,8,9 &10 Dec. Booking required, £65, includes refreshments.Lindengate.org.uk

LIGHT UP A LIFE

Elgiva Theatre, Chesham

Come together with your community to remember and celebrate the lives of your loved ones. Drop in 10.30-2.30 to dedicate and decorate a star in-memory of your loved ones in a relaxed family-friendly environment. Full details can be found at: Stfrancis.org.uk/lightupalife

MAGIC OF DICKENS

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. A show about the life of Charles Dickens and his interest in magic. For more information and to book visit: Discoverbucksmuseum.org

WINTER WONDERLAND

Lee Common School, nr Great Missenden. Disco, reindeer, hot food, kids activities and meet Santa. 12pm-3pm, drop-in, free. Leecommon.org

Saturday 3 December to 31 December

SLEEPING BEAUTY

The Elgiva Theatre, Chesham.

The Elgiva’s pantomime is filled with spectacular special effects, fabulous songs and oodles of slapstick – plus plenty of fun-filled audience participation! See website for times and to book: Elgiva.com

Sunday 4 December

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden. Help raise money for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. You can enjoy a range of craft and gift stalls, see Santa in his grotto, meet the reindeers, 11am-3pm, adults £4, child £2. Book online at: Missendenabbey.co.uk

Missenden Abbey

Missenden Bucks,

Winter Light Trail at Waddesdon Manor

Friday 9 December

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury.

An outstanding one-man performance of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Scrooge told in the author’s own words. For information and to book visit: Discoverbucksmuseum.org

Friday 9 to 31 December

CINDERELLA

Wycombe Swan Theatre, High Wycombe. Poor Cinders works night and day but dreams of a different life and with an invitation to the Royal ball it looks as if her wish may be granted. Will her Wicked Stepsisters success in ruining Cinderella’s dreams of happiness or will her Fairy Godmother and local friend Buttons be able to thwart their devilish plans? Starring TV and Radio’s Vernon Kay making his stage debut as Dandini you won’t want to miss Cinderella at the Wycombe Swan theatre. Booking required at: Wycombeswan.co.uk

THE WIZARD OF OZ

Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury. Prepare for a magical trip to the land of Oz, as the Queens Park pantomime returns with a show full of iconic characters, sing-a-long songs, and riotous slapstick. Join Glinda the Good Witch and Dorothy Gale as they take on Elma the Wicked Witch of the West, with the help of the mighty and powerful Wizard of Oz.

Tickets: £8-£13 (discounts available) Pre-book your tickets at: Queensparkarts.com

Friday 9 to 21 December

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

Higginson Park, Marlow. An illuminating light trail, Mistletoe Market, Winter Village, Elves Workshop & a number of additional ticketed events taking place on selected dates including: classic Christmas movies – indoor pop-up cinema, family pantomimes & feasting experiences. Book online: Christmasintheparkuk.com

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December

SANTA WEEKEND

Bekonscot Model Village, Beaconsfield. Visit Santa in his Grotto at Bekonscot, booking required. See website for times and to book: Bekonscot.co.uk

Saturday 10 December

CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE AGES

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Have fun discovering what Christmas was like in the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian eras with lots of games, crafts and carols and, of course, mince pies! For more information and to book visit: Discoverbucksmuseum.org

SANTA’S WINTER WOODLAND

Amersham Field Centre, Mop End Lane. Santa and his elves are visiting Amersham Field Centre to train a new generation of Elf Helpers. Explore the Enchanted Woodland, learn important Elf skills, make a Christmas decoration in the Elf workshop and help find Santa’s missing code for the sleigh. Meet Santa in his grotto and receive your Elf School graduation certificate, Elf hat & gift. This event is also on: 14, 16 & 18 December. Adult £6, child £12, book online. Field-studies-council.org/families

Sunday 11 December

BABY BROADWAY

Oak Room, Wycombe Swan. Sing and dance to well-known songs from hit shows such as Mary Poppins, Singin’ in the Rain, Mamma Mia and more. 0-8yrs, booking required. Wycombeswan.co.uk

CAROLFEST

St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury. 6pm.Aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk

CHILDREN’S XMAS PARTY

Wrights Meadow Centre, High Wycombe. Children’s Xmas Party with Dave the Disco and a visit from Santa. Wrightsmeadowcentre.co.uk

Sunday 11 Dec (Cont’)

SANTA DASH

Buckinghamshire New University, Aylesbury. Walk, jog or scoot the 2.5km or 5km circular route, kick off the festive period in style while Register at 9am, race starts 10.30am, entry £15 for adults, £10 child and includes a Santa hat, commemorative Santa Dash medal and mince pie. Register on the day or pre-register at: Fnhospice.org.uk

Wednesday 14 to Saturday 24 December

SANTA’S MAGICAL GIFT

Norma Bragg Studio, Aylesbury. A heart-warming festive story that includes audience participation, energetic comedy routines and a present for every child from Santa. Age 3+ Booking required at: Atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Wednesday 14 December

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Beaconsfield, High Street. Lantern parade, stalls, live entertainment, meet Santa & more. Free, from 6pm. Beaconsfieldfestivaloflights.co.uk

Thursday 15 December

SLEEP SEMINAR

Jak & Liza, 10 The Broadway, Penn Road, Beaconsfield.

8-9.30pm, booking required, £30. To book, email: jay@sleep-likeababy.co.uk

Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 December

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Gerrards Cross Community Association. 11am & 3pm, booking required, adult £15, child £10 plus booking fee. Ticketsource.co.uk/gxca

26 January to Saturday 28 January

DEMON DENTIST

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. David Walliams Demon Dentist live on stage! Book online at: Atgtickets.com/aylesbury