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IN THIS ISSUE Create your own family Christmas tradition! Interview - Meet the real-life Willie Wonka
Parenting Is your child being bullied?
What’s on Things to do in Gloucestershire right up to Christmas!
Issue 53 November/December 2019 familiesonline.co.uk
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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON 23rd November 3-7pm Local music and dance acts Savanna Lee Pantomime stars Meet the two Winter Princesses and snowman Guaranteed snow! Father Christmas will switch on the lights at 6:30pm approx
MEET THE WINTER PRINCESSES, PRINCE, ELF & SNOWMAN Fun and games at various Brewery Quarter venues
30th November st & 1 Decemeber
CHRISTMAS ARTS & CRAFTS MARKETS 23rd-24th November 13th-15th December th nd & 20 -22 December (QT OQTG KPHQTOCVKQP QP URGEKÆ“ E VKOKPIU XKUKV 2
T H E B R E W E R Y Q U A R T E R . C O . U K
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ISSUE 53
Gloucestershire
Editorial Katie Azam 07921 338894 editor@familiesgloucestershire.co.uk Design 45 Degrees Design & Print Next issue January / February 2020. For New Year health, parenting tips and much more… To Advertise with us... and reach over 50,000 parents in the region contact Katie Azam on: 07921 338894 or email editor@familiesgloucestershire.co.uk …endless ideas for families of young children in: Gloucester – Cheltenham – Tewkesbury Forest of Dean – Painswick – Stroud Cirencester – Tetbury And all other surrounding towns and villages throughout Gloucestershire.
In this issue 4 NEWS Measles – 1 in 7 not protected Record low in SIDS
6 EDUCATION Encouraging a growth mindset
9 PARENTING Is your child being bullied? Ditch the night-time nappies!
10 SEASONAL Have a Green Christmas this year. Create the best family Christmas traditions.
12 CLASSES, CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Trying a new musical instrument?
14 WHAT’S ON Your guide to what’s happening in Gloucestershire
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Families Gloucestershire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Gloucestershire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Gloucestershire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. familiesonline.co.uk
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News & Views
Keep Cheltenham warm This year Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) has launched #keepcheltwarm off the back of last year’s successful Christmas Appeal. Staff at CBH, Cheltenham branches of Travis Perkins, Tesco and John Lewis will all be collecting new and used children’s coats for us to distribute via their own support services and partners at Cornerstone Centre, Elim Church, CCP, Emmaus, Family Space and P3. A few years ago when participating in the CCP Hamper Scamper scheme, CBH had a request from a child who simply wanted a coat for Christmas. Further research showed that there are children and adults in
the local community who do not own and cannot afford a coat – so #keepcheltwarm was born to meet the demand. CBH wants to collect new and unwanted coats and give them to those in need within the communities in and around Cheltenham. Any coats left over will be given to charities that support homelessness, refugees, children living in poverty and people fleeing domestic violence. Please help to make this a successful campaign and truly help those in our communities who are struggling this winter.
Record Low Sudden Infant Deaths Sudden infant deaths, the syndrome in which otherwise seemingly healthy babies die unexpectedly before their first birthday, has dropped to its lowest level on record, according to a report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Measles: One in Seven 5 Year Olds Not Protected One in seven 5 year olds may not be protected against potentially life threatening measles, Public Health England (PHE) has warned. PHE has revealed that about 30,000 children may have started primary school with no protection against measles, mumps and rubella, while 90,000 may have had only the first of the two vaccines necessary for protection. There were 230 cases of measles in England in the first quarter of 2019, many linked to visiting European countries during holiday periods. As a result of these outbreaks, the UK has now lost its measles-free status, just three years after the virus was eliminated. PHE is urging all parents to check their child’s Red Book to make sure there is a record of two MMR doses and the 4-in-1 booster vaccine. If not, parents should contact their GP practice to arrange any further vaccinations. More info: www.nhs.uk/NHS vaccinations and when to have them 4
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Records of what used to be called ‘cot death’ began in 2004, when the rate was 0.5 deaths per 1,000 births (i.e. one in 2,000 infants). The 2017 figure is 0.27 per 1,000 births – more like one in 4,000 – meaning the figure has almost halved since the records began. The ONS said the fall in unexplained deaths may be due to factors such as fewer expectant mothers smoking and more awareness of safer sleeping practices. The term ‘cot death’ is no longer used, due to the suggestion that sudden infant death can only happen when a baby is in its cot. The term now used is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. More info: www.ons.gov.uk
News & Views
The Tiger Who Came to Tea Hits the Screen this Christmas The Tiger Who Came to Tea is coming to our TV screens this Christmas, adapted as a half-hour animated film for Channel 4. It will feature a star-studded cast of voices including Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo, Tamsin Greig, David Walliams and Paul Whitehouse. The role of Sophie will be played by 7-year-old Clara Ross, who will be making her TV debut.
What is The Tiger Who Came to Tea about? Made by Lupus Films, and following on from their previous C4 animations
‘The Snowman and The Snowdog’ and ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, the animated special is an adaptation of Judith Kerr’s book of the same name. The book follows a young girl, Sophie, and her Mummy, who are waiting for daddy to return home when they receive a rather unexpected guest, Tiger — who then proceeds to ransack the kitchen cupboards… “I absolutely adored Judith Kerr & I am pleased & proud she wanted me to narrate her classic ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ in a new animated
film for @Channel4,” David Walliams tweeted. The animated TV special will also feature a brand new track, Hey Tiger! which was penned by composer David Arnold and Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black, and will be sung by Robbie Williams. Chloe Tucker, Commissioning Executive, Channel 4 Drama said: “The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a timeless classic, and we hope this film will capture the same special place in every family’s imagination watching it.
Letter from Santa Children love to receive a letter addressed to them in the post, but what could be more special than a letter from Santa? Here are two ways of making this happen…
Royal Mail Letter to Santa
NSPCC Santa Letter
For children to receive a free letter from Santa via the Royal Mail children must post their letter to Santa by Friday 6 December.
Children can also receive a personalised reply from Santa via his is elves at the NSPCC in exchange forr a minimum £5 donation to the charity. ty. The letter is ordered online and must ust be placed by Monday 9 December..
Envelopes must have either a first or second class stamp and be addressed to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. The letter must include your child’s full name and address. https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/letters-to-santa familiesonline.co.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk/what-youcan-do/make-a-donation/ letter-from-santa/ 5
Education
Encouraging a Growth Mindset in your Child Children are like sponges, aren’t they? They soak up every new thing, whether it’s a new word or the latest trend. But are they learning new things in the right way? You may not have given it much thought, but the way we speak to our children can have a huge impact on how they learn. If you’re new to the phrase ‘growth mindset,’ don’t be put off. This simple concept could help both you and your child. Developed by Carol Dweck, an American Professor of Psychology, the ‘growth mindset’ ethos has become increasingly popular in schools globally. Dweck believed that by changing their ‘mindset’ anyone (children included) could increase their abilities and improve their intelligence solely through dedication and hard work. Many of us battle with a ‘fixed mindset.’ For example, the belief that if we aren’t naturally good at languages, that won’t change and therefore we shouldn’t try to learn them. But by shifting to a ‘growth mindset,’ we can actually motivate ourselves to succeed. In the last 10 years more and more schools have embraced the theory of growth mindset into their teaching ethos, not placing so much focus on the natural gifts children have but instead focussing on the work they put in. Integral to growth mindset is the understanding that making mistakes is okay. It’s natural to encounter challenges and make mistakes when learning so many new things. However, failure can sometimes dent a child’s confidence. By embracing mistakes and failures, teachers can give children the reassurance that it’s okay to struggle, rather than the idea that mistakes and failings are wrong. Growth mindset means praising a child for effort and not natural talent. Teachers can adjust how they give feedback to motivate a child to continue to work hard. If a child does an impressive painting, instead of praising the child’s natural talent, the teacher can instead praise the effort, process and commitment put into creating that painting. A child that is praised solely for their natural ability may not believe that to be attainable again, so may not try. Yet a child who gets noticed for the effort they put in will feel able to repeat that success. 6
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Tom m Dobson, an education expert at Leeds eeds Beckett University says the growth wth mindset ethos places the onus on pupils to take control of their own learning rning and development. “Rather than the teacher telling children what they have e achieved and what they now need to achieve, pupils can become aware of what their own steps for progress are.” Growth mindset can be used at home too. There’s a tendency in modern parenting towards over- praising children, to protect them and their precious self-esteem. While it is important to be positive, the growth mindset theory suggests that instead of heaping praise at every opportunity, we should rephrase the praise to encourage development. Encourage your child to talk about the struggles they encountered today. Getting them to understand that it’s okay to find a task or activity tricky is central to having a growth mindset, because that’s how we learn. We exercise our bodies but what about our brains? Encourage your children to see their brain as a muscle that needs exercising; the more they use it
the stronger it becomes. Refer to the different things they learn as light bulbs; each time they learn a new skill, they turn on a new lightbulb. Each time they practice it, the light bulb gets bigger and brighter. All of which contribute to a stronger brain. When your child one is struggling with something, whether it’s a physical or mental task, try to motivate them to not give up. The mantra “try, try and try again” really can have incredible results. Not only does this develop their growth mindset but it also builds resilience, something so vital for the grown-up world. Don’t forget though, this isn’t just for your children. If you’re facing a challenge whether at home or work, try applying some of these principles to it. You might surprise yourself whilst setting a great example to your kids at the same time!
By Gabrielle Nash For more parenting tips and advice, read Gabrielle’s blog @londonishmum
Education
3 Reasons to sit a KSOL 11+ Mock Exam The 11+ CEM entrance exam is less than a year away! Ensure that your child is familiar with not only the format and content of the paper, but also the atmosphere of these events. Our expert tutors share 3 important reasons why your child should sit a KSOL 11+ mock exam: 1 – Exam environment. As most Year 5 children will not have experienced formal exams, getting your child accustomed to the 11+ exam format will provide an air of familiarity and comfort on the real day. 2 – Identify areas for improvement. KSOL mock exams gradually increase in difficulty throughout the year. This gives you the added benefit of finding out exactly where your child sits with their 11+ preparation at each pivotal stage. Receive a breakdown of your child’s performance within individual subject areas and also a group ranking in relation to others. 3 – Practice makes perfect! A child who has had plenty of practice with the unique format of the 11+ exam and its style of questions will feel much more reassured and confident on the big day. KSOL have over 16 years of Award-Winning experience in preparing children for the 11plus. Contact us on 0121 733 6558 or visit: ksol.co.uk for more information on our 2020 CEM 11+ Mock Exams in Gloucester.
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(Age 2-5 years)
EarlyYears
OPEN MORNING Tuesday 19th November 2019 9.15 -10.00am or 10.45 -11.30am
DC
DEAN CLOSE
CHELTENHAM
PRE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Tel: 01242 258079 Email: squirrels@deanclose.org.uk www.deanclose.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk
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Education
Talking to Children about Climate Change By Valentina Giannella Being a parent is a tough job. The trickiest part is making sure we tell our children the truth, without simultaneously causing them to be either over-anxious or delusional about the future. It applies to an extensive range of aspects in life, and climate change is a relatively new but undeniable one. My children were 10 and 7 years old when we first started talking about the environmental challenges facing humanity. Even as a journalist who has dealt with such topics for years, I was frankly terrified of this task. Writing an article is one thing: facing their worried questions was entirely another. Then, a young girl showed up. Greta Thunberg was everywhere online, with her yellow raincoat and a straightforward concept: we have to DO something to save our planet, or there’s going to be trouble. Action: that was the key. If you know that there is something you can do about a problem – even the smallest thing, anything that is within your power – you feel less hopeless. Less scared. Here are some of the questions that children -and their parents - have been asking me about Climate Change and the answers that seem to help them.
My child gets Anxious about the Future of Humankind: What Should I Say?
What Can Help Me Communicate the Key Facts to my Child?
Talk frankly, but also help them understand the everyday actions that we can all take to tackle the main issues related to Climate Change. Action is the best cure for fear. Stop using disposable plastic; start using re-fillable water bottles; make sure you recycle correctly; re-use; exchange instead of buying new things; save energy; save water; walk and cycle more; use public transport or shared transportation. Show your child we can all make a difference and that if everyone does the same, the future looks more positive.
It helps to introduce a hero character that allows children to engage their imagination while they absorb abstract information. Greta Thunberg is a perfect medium for these concepts. Discover other children who have also made a difference – like William Kamkwamba, who inspired the book and film The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.
“What is Climate Change?” – How to Answer The earth is our home, and it is nestled within a precious shelter that is called the atmosphere. Inside the atmosphere, we and other creatures can breathe and live. For nearly 200 years we have used something called fossil fuel (carbon and oil), which we burn in order to fuel our working world, in everything from factories to transportation. Every time we burn fossil fuels, or cut down trees, the atmosphere temperature rises a tiny bit because the gas (mostly a gas called carbon dioxide) that comes from this burning becomes trapped inside the atmosphere. This means the earth cannot release the heat that it receives from the sun. This is called Global Warming. As the temperature rises, the climate changes. This brings heavy rains or severe drought, diverts the sea currents and disrupts the natural habitat of many species. It also means that the sea level is rising due to the ice melting in the Poles. All of these are the main effects of Climate Change.
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Who is Greta Thunberg? Greta is a child who loves to be “in the know” about what is happening to our planet. She comes from a family of scientists and artists, she has studied the facts, and she is not afraid of being in the spotlight. This combination worked well when she decided it was time to speak out and gain attention from the world about the danger we are facing and what we should be doing to avoid it.
Where Can We Learn More About This? Sometimes, the news can be challenging for children to understand because it only illuminates part of a problem. Also, some headlines can be scary. Suggest that your child come to you with their questions and look for scientific sources together. Bookshops and the internet (reliable websites such as http://www.climatekids.nasa.gov) can give a wider view. Look for sources that have been translated in a way that is understandable for younger ages. Valentina Gianella is the author of We Are All Greta: Be Inspired to Change the World published by Laurence King and available from Amazon and good book stores.
Education
Is your Child Being Bullied? Anti-Bullying Week runs from 11 to 15 November this year. It’s a good time to ask yourself whether, as a parent, you are alert to the possibilities of your child being involved in a bullying incident. He or she could be acting as a bully, being bullied or even upset because they have seen others behaving badly but what are the signs that this might be happening?
Frequent Headaches and Stomach Aches These are signs of stress and/or anxiety both of which are commonly linked with bullying. If your child often complains of headaches or stomach aches this could be the first warning sign, especially if these are happening in the mornings before leaving for school. Create a non-confrontational space to ask questions in which you can hopefully discuss the root of the problem.
Crying or Intense Emotional Reactions If your child breaks into tears or shows a more emotional reaction than usual when being asked about their day, this could also be a sign of bullying. Try to avoid ambushing your child and offer comfort with open-ended questions to find out what is going on.
Lack of Eating If your child or teen comes home from
school without having lunch, or don’t seem to have an appetite for dinner, this may be a sign that they are involved in bullying. It may mean that they feel uncomfortable eating in the dinner hall where a bully might be, or even that they are so worried that their appetite is affected.
Torn Clothing and Physical Marks This is the most obvious sign of bullying. Calmly ask open-ended questions. If you become aware that your child is being bullied, witnessing bullying or even bullying themselves, it’s important to take this up with your child’s school. All schools are legally required to have an Anti-Bullying policy.
How to Prevent Bullying Help Children Understand Talk to your children about what bullying is, how to act safely and ask for help if they’re being bullied.
Communication Talk to your kids frequently, listen to them, find out who they’re friends with and try to pick up on any changes in their mood and in the way that they communicate.
Be a Good Role Model Try to avoid any confrontational behaviour in front of your child; this
By Toby Buckley includes things like road rage. Research tells us that children look to parents and caregivers for help on tough decisions Because of this, it’s recommended that you spend 30 minutes every day discussing your child’s day. You might want to chat over dinner or before your child goes to sleep at night. Useful questions might be: “What was one good thing that happened today? Anything bad happen? Who are you friends with?” By doing this daily you should be able to pick up changes in your child’s behaviour or activities. For more information about bullying, check out Need2Know’s Essential Guide to Bullying at www. need2knowbooks.co.uk/product/theessential-guide-to-bullying with tips on how parents can prevent bullying, as well as providing tips on how to help a bullied child boost low self-esteem.
Use N2K25OFF for a 25% discount at checkout.
Mindfulness is big news right now... So we’ve asked Chloe Banyard from The Isbourn to give us a few tips on how to support children in managing their stress and anxiety and even deal with depression by bringing a touch of mindfulness into the home: Ask your child to clap their hands three times very hard! Then ask them to close their eyes and notice the tingling sensations in their hands and fingers. Ask them to notice the sensations in their thumbs, small fingers, palm and to be aware how the sensation changes until it goes away. It’s a fun exercise to get everyone to be in the here and now observing something happening in the body. Mindful listening – as a parent it’s very important to take the time to fully listen to what your child is saying. Often we listen to the first few words and then spend the rest of the time thinking what to say or how to solve the problem and miss what’s being said. Don’t judge and don’t get distracted with thoughts to formulate a response. It’s very powerful for a child to feel they are really being heard and they will copy your example. Walks in nature are a great way for a family to bond and unwind. Take a few minutes to purposefully stop talking/ walking and be silent and still. Take in the sights and sounds and the feel of the earth beneath your feet. You can turn it into a game by asking them what they can hear, smell, feel see. For more help and advice, visit the Isbourn open day on the 18th January. familiesonline.co.uk
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Seasonal
Have A Green Christmas Christmas is a magical time of year for children, and of course for parents too! Children often start thinking about Christmas way before the Big Day with such excitement and anticipation. Given there has been so much information in the news recently about helping to save our planet, now is an excellent time to think carefully about what presents to give and to challenge ourselves to have a ‘green’ Christmas, doing our bit to help the environment. This year I will be encouraging the children at Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School to make presents rather than buy them, as part of my ‘Challenge of the Holidays’ - and I am looking forward to hearing all about how they get on.
The act of making presents helps children to really think about a gift and to become fully engaged with the giving process. A home-made gift is guaranteed to be a winner with family and friends as they appreciate and treasure a gift they know a child has invested time and energy in. It is also a wonderful way to include educational and craft activities in the preparation of this exciting advent period, bringing the family together as well as keeping children occupied and of course, learning! For example, children love cooking and baking and there are many excellent recipes that they can help with, creating delicious edible presents like Christmas biscuits and cakes, mince pies and other sweet treats. Many families relish the excitement and togetherness that cooking brings and it is also an ideal time to practise some practical Maths! Children can help weigh out (and probably sample!) the ingredients, in metric of course. They can also practise telling the time and counting the minutes whilst their creations are in the oven. Christmas also presents the perfect opportunity for a wealth of craft activities which help a child explore their creativity and develop their fine motor skills. There are so many wonderful ideas that will bring Christmas alive, many of which do not cost the earth. They can make beeswax candles or a decorated candle holder using a jam jar, salt dough decorations for the tree, Christmas wreaths, tissue paper stained-glass window decorations… the list is endless! It is even possible to make home-made wrapping paper by sponge painting on brown paper. Finally, do not forget that the labelling of these lovely presents is a great way to hone spelling and writing skills; or if your child is not yet able to write their name independently, they can at least feel part of the process by adding a picture instead. Let’s help protect our environment and at the same time make Christmas a time of learning and fun! Be inspired and encourage your family to enjoy an educational Christmas as well as having a wonderful season of joy and peace. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Dr Carolyn Shelley Headmistress, Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School
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Seasonal
The Best Christmas Family Traditions
By Claire Winter
What do you cherish and remember most clearly about Christmas during your own childhood? Was it the food, the carols and music, going to church, decorating the Christmas tree? When we look back at our childhood, we don’t remember the gifts that we were given, we recall the things we did as a family that created the most long-lasting memories. Family Christmas traditions adhered to year after year during the festive season are an important part of childhood and are often free or don’t cost much. Here are our eight best memorymaking traditions for families to enjoy this Christmas.
Make an Advent Calendar Make or buy an advent calendar that can be reused each year. Instead of putting sweets or toys in it, put in a note for each day about all the different things you love about your child. You may want to add a little present or wrapped sweetie with the note – Celebrations or Heroes work well here!
Give them a Christmas Eve Box Treat your kids to an early gift with a special box containing festive pyjamas to wear and a Christmas film to watch. If you want to spend less, you could include a festive book or art and craft activity so they can make a special Christmas Eve decoration for the tree. Some families put in hot chocolate, marshmallows and the Radio Times– with a highlighter pen!
Prepare a North Pole Christmas Breakfast A fun way to welcome the festive season is by preparing a North Pole Christmas breakfast for your family on the first day of December. Get the kids involved in designing the menu and making the decorations. Many families combine a North Pole familiesonline.co.uk
Christmas breakfast with the Elf on the Shelf who joins them for the meal. He then appears every morning doing something mischievous until Christmas day. I think most parents either love or loathe the Elf… I’ll let you decide!
Leave food out for Father Christmas and his Friends Leaving food out for the man in red and his friends is another lovely tradition for the 24th. Don’t forget to prepare some ‘wildlife friendly’ reindeer food (the RSPCA have recipes on their website) and have your kids scatter it in the garden on Christmas Eve.
Watch the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast The tradition of sending out a royal Christmas message to the public started in 1932 with George V. So, if you like the tradition, gather around the television with your loved ones and a glass of fizz to watch the royal Christmas message from the Queen.
It will be interesting to document how you change each year. You could even put the photos in a special album.
Go to a Carol Service Going to a Crib Service at your local church on Christmas Eve can be a really lovely thing to do with your childrensinging carols together and listening to the story of the nativity.
Wrap Up Enjoy the special festive memories you make with your family. Put on some Christmas tunes and build a gingerbread house together (you can pick up an inexpensive kit from most supermarkets); play board games; make a snowman if the weather permits; or just snuggle up with some classic Christmas TV. Your children don’t stay little for long, and it’s great to remind them that Christmas is about being together and not just about presents.
Don’t Forget to Capture a Photo with Your Family Many families forget to take a family photo on Christmas day. So, why not make time to capture a picture with your family each year in front of the Christmas tree striking the same pose?
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Interview
Meet the Real-Life
Willie Wonka! Willie Harcourt-Cooze is an entrepreneur who may have the best job in the world, running his own chocolate making company, here in the UK. He became well known after starring in Channel 4’s fly-on-the-wall documentary Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory. Claire Winter talks to him about his life as a chocolate aficionado.
You found fame on the Channel 4 programme Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory. Where did your love of chocolate begin? On a cocoa farm in Venezuela, I was given pure cacao to drink, just like the hot chocolate I make today with my 100% cylinders. This hot chocolate energised me and lifted my mood so much that right there and then I decided that it should be made available to everyone. Unlike coffee, cacao gives a slow release of energy that also releases endorphins. There is no slump, such as the one you get when drinking coffee or eating sugar. It’s purely natural, and this is also the reason I only use 100% natural ingredients in my chocolate. I believe all nutrition should come from nature. Of course, it also tastes much better.
You have lived in lots of different countries with your family, what is your favourite place? My dream of making the world’s best chocolate was born on Hacienda El Tesoro, high in the Cloud Forest in Venezuela, where I farmed cacao for over a decade. This is my favourite place in the world, and it always feels like I’m coming home when I return.
What is the most important thing that you have learnt being a chocolate entrepreneur? Creating chocolate is an everlasting adventure, and I have learned a lot of things along the way. The one thing that resonates though is to never compromise on the quality of 12
Families Gloucestershire
ingredients as the finest ingredients make the best flavours. Everything I use in my chocolate is 100% natural, and I source the best flavours from around the world.
I know you are passionate about using pure ingredients in the chocolate you make. Why is it better to use quality ingredients? People have lost touch with what chocolate really is. It has lost its taste and become sugary, fatty confectionary. Cacao is actually packed full of vitamins and minerals. The ancient South American peoples drank it in religious ceremonies and called it the Food of the Gods. Only now, is research showing us a little of what this ancient civilisation saw in it. It has high levels of flavonoids, which can protect your heart, and it makes your body produce serotonin and feel-good endorphins too.
Can you cheer us all up and tell us the health benefits of eating chocolate (in moderation)? Research has identified that the high level of flavonoids in chocolate can lower blood pressure and protect your arteries. It even stimulates your body to produce serotonin, the brain’s natural anti-depressant, and feelgood endorphins typically created by exercising. To get these benefits however, you need to be eating good dark chocolate. The higher the percentage of cocoa solids in the chocolate, the better it is for you.
Do you have a favourite family meal that you cook for your family? The children are all at different stages in their food journey due to being different ages. However, they all agree that they love Empanadas from South America. They can choose their own fillings according to their taste. One may have black beans, another with white cheese. They’ve been known to choose octopus as a filling too; they’re always a hit!
How do you work around the demands of family life? It’s difficult, when you have a passion, to work around family life and compromises have to be made. When one area takes over, work or family, the other area suffers. It’s impossible to put 100% into both 100% of the time, and I must admit I have found it difficult to juggle.
What projects are you working on at the moment? We’re about to launch our ultimate hot chocolate, which is the first of its kind in the world. I used to make it just for friends and family and sell the surplus in my online shop. It has recently won an IndyBest award for taste and now we’re introducing it to shops. Keep an eye out for the magical package design! This is new and unique as it’s not industrial. It has nothing nasty in it, just two ingredients, the finest single estate cacao and natural raw cane sugar from Barbados; it tastes divine. It’s 100% natural, frothy and creamy, and beautiful with cow’s milk or vegan milks. Until the new package is launched, you can buy it in our online shop at: www.williescacao.com
Clubs & Classes
Choosing a Musical Instrument for your Child By Amy Fowler Learning a musical instrument can inspire a lifelong love for music as well as helping children through a range of artistic and academic challenges. Many parents want to ensure that their children enjoy music and engage in learning but selecting the right instrument can seem like an impossible choice. Your first step in deciding which instrument to select for your child should be asking your child what instrument they would like to play. With so much choice, how your child feels about an instrument will depend on their personality and tastes. It sounds obvious but a child is more likely to be dedicated to progressing with a musical instrument they selected and enjoy playing, rather than one they were told to play. Child engagement is key to future musical success and for this to be an informed decision your child will need to interact with all the possibilities. Providing exposure to a whole range of instruments and musical styles will help instrument selection. As well as live performances, a great way to expose children to different orchestral instruments is to play them children’s pieces such as: Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf; Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens; or Benjamin Britten’s A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. By asking your child about their instrument group preference: brass, percussion, strings, you can understand the kind of sounds they prefer. This will, in turn, help inform the type of instrument you select for your child.
Trying different instruments is a great idea and music shops often employ musicians who can supervise your child to do this. This will give your child the chance to understand how an instrument feels and sounds. A number of music hubs in the UK also provide a hire service so you can try different instruments out before you buy. This is a great way for children to figure out which instrument works best for them. As well as understanding your child’s preferences, another thing to consider is your child’s age. Younger children may struggle with the physicality required of woodwind or brass instruments and may be too small for instruments such as the double bass. If your child has to struggle physically to play an instrument, even if they enjoy the sound, they will be less likely to enjoy playing that instrument. Violins are extremely popular first instruments because their physicality works well for smaller children but with so much choice, the ideal is to try a range of instruments before make a decision and a purchase. There is a variety of instruments available and if you want to encourage your child to learn something a little different, there are a number of ‘endangered’ instruments, for which musicians are becoming quite rare. They include the Viola and Double Bass in the string family; the French Horn and Tuba in the brass family; and the Bassoon and Oboe in the woodwind family.
There are some practicalities to think about when playing an instrument. Be aware that you will need an instrument that your child can use for regular practice. There are ways to reduce the cost and high quality plastic versions of many brass and woodwind instruments are available with considerably smaller price tags. As well as the financial implications of buying an instrument, there is also a range of environmental factors to consider. An acoustic piano (or even full size digital keyboard), for example, needs quite a bit of space. Pianos must also be kept away from radiators and ideally placed on a ground floor room with an even temperature. Violins grow with your child so more than one will be required if your child progresses, and harps need a large car to transport them around! Selecting the right instrument for your child can be a daunting task but by spending a bit of time matching your child with their instrument you can help encourage a lifelong love for, and progression in, music.
Amy Fowler works for the ABRSM, the world’s leading provider of music exams and an organisation which has spent 130 years inspiring the musical achievement of young people. For more information, visit www.gb.abrsm.org
Local Kumon centres develop Cheltenham students into confident, independent learners. The Cheltenham area is well resourced with no less than three Kumon maths and English study centres in Charlton Kings, Bishops Cleeve and Warden Hill serving the local community! Studying with Kumon enables children to build solid foundations in maths and English and helps them to become more confident in their work; this confidence enables them to go on and make giant leaps in their learning. Rather than offering conventional maths and English tuition, the Kumon Instructors set themselves apart by guiding their students through work that is set at just the right level for them, familiesonline.co.uk
keeping them engaged and making progress. They support and encourage students to work out answers by themselves, helping them to become self-sufficient, successful learners for the future. By studying little and often through daily worksheets and twice weekly study centre visits, the students steadily increase ability and fluency, building their skills in small, manageable steps. They improve their focus, concentration skills and develop an increased attention span. Kumon encourages students to take on new challenges for themselves and
believe that all children deserve a worldclass education and a chance to build a successful future filled with unlimited possibilities. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kumon Cheltenham, Charlton Kings and Bishops Cleeve study centre Instructor Caroline Liggett on 01242 527526 or visit kumon.co.uk /cheltenham-chorlton-kings or /cheltenham-bishops-cleeve. For Kumon Cheltenham, Warden Hill study centre, contact Instructor Freda Wilson on 01242 582603 or visit kumon.co.uk/cheltenham-warden-hill. 13
What’s W hat’ss On? On? NOVEMBER 2 & 3 NOVEMBER
17TH NOVEMBER
BATSFORD ARBORETUM CHRISTMAS NEEDLE FELTING WORKSHOP Create your own felt Christmas animals. 10am-4pm (cost attached) For more info visit www.batsarb.co.uk
GLOUCESTER CHRISTMAS LIGHTS & LANTERN PROCESSION Gloucester City Centre Commencing in Eastgate Street, and processing through the city centre to ďŹ nish off with a service at Gloucester Cathedral. (Free event) Starting at 4.30pm
14-24TH NOVEMBER GLOUCESTER QUAYS VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET A chance to get in the Christmas Spirit and pick up a unique gift. From 10am – 6pm Gloucester Quays. www.gloucesterquays.co.uk
19 &24 NOVEMBER A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL 6.30pm start. For more info, please visit; www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
22 & 23 NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS CRAFTS @ NEW BREWERY ARTS Create Christmas gifts and decorations 10am – 4pm New Brewery arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester. www.newbreweryarts.org.uk
14TH NOVEMBER – 5TH JANUARY GLOUCESTER DOCKS THE ICE RINK @ GLOUCESTER DOCKS Give Torvill & Dean a run for their money – Great Family fun! Gloucester Quays. www.gloucesterquays.co.uk
23RD NOVEMBER THE BREWERY QUARTER’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON The Theme is ‘let it Snow’ 3pm-7pm The Brewery Quarter, High Street, Cheltenham,
16TH NOVEMBER CHELTENHAM ARTS & CRAFTS MARKET Packed full of unique gifts and treats 9am-5pm, The Promenade Cheltenham
23RD & 24TH NOVEMBER
24TH NOVEMBER
THE BREWERY QUARTER CHRISTMAS MARKET All day event, plus various other days in December. For more info please visit www.thebreweryquarter.co.uk
TEWKESBURY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS The Christmas lights switch on will also host a Christmas market and entertainment. 12pm – 6pm (Lights switch on at 5pm) High Street, Tewksbury
23RD NOVEMBER CHELTENHAM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Three Ghosts The Ghosts of Christmas will start from different locations across the town centre at 4.30pmand will meet Father Christmas at 5.30pm to switch on the lights at the Prominade. For more info, visit www.visitcheltenham.com (free event)
24TH NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS FAIR @ CHELTENHAM COLLEGE Visit the school for this exclusive shopping event 10am- 4pm, Cheltenham College main reception Bath Road, Cheltenham. 01242 265694 (Entry cost)
24TH NOVEMBER THE ROSES CHOIR @ THE ROSES THEATRE Get in the Christmas spirit with beautiful traditional singing 2pm (Entry cost) The. Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury www.rosestheatre.org
29TH NOVEMBER NAILSWORTH NOEL DAY Enjoy all that is Christmas Nailsworth Town Centre
29TH NOVEMBER PAINSWICK GOODWILL EVENING 5.30pm-9pm Painswick Town Centre
24TH NOVEMBER
29TH NOVEMBER – 1ST DECEMBER
THE SUFFOLKS CHRISTMAS MARKET. Running from Great Norwood Street to Montpellier Terrace. 11am-5pm The Suffolks, Cheltenham GL50 2AB
CHRISTMAS FAIR @ NEWARK PARK With a Christmas trail and festive treats. 11am-4pm. Newark Park, Wotton-under-edge. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ newarkpark
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Open: Sat 10-10pm, Sun 10-7pm & Mon-Fri 11-9pm
(Please check availability prior to you visit)
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Families Gloucestershire
Tel: 01452 311211 www.jdrkarting.co.uk Unit 5, Madleaze Industrial Estate, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL1 5SG Just 5 minutes walk from Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet!
New Petrol Cadet Karts 9-12yr olds
What’s On? PANTO Cinderella @ The Everyman Theatre 29th – 12th January Tweedy is back for the hugely popular family panto. Box office: 01242 572573 www.everymantheatre.org.uk
29TH NOVEMBER – 24TH DECEMBER ARCHIE & THE UNICORN @ CLEARWELL CAVES Meet Father Christmas and follow the story of Archie underground For more info, visit www. clearwellcaves.com
1ST – 21ST DECEMBER
21ST – 22ND DECEMBER
CIRENCESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET The Market Place, Cirencester
CHELTENHAM. ARTS AND CRAFTS CHRISTMAS MARKET Your last chance to grab a unique gift 9am-5pm The Prominade, Cheltenham
3RD DECEMBER WINCHCOMBE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Christmas begins in Winchcombe 5pm-8pm Winchcombe Town Centre PANTO Pinocchio @ Gloucester Guildhall 5th December – 4th January The hugely popular festive fun returns to Gloucester. For more information, please visit www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk
23RD DECEMBER STORIES WITH SANTA @ CORINIUM MUSEUM 10am & 12.30pm (Entry Costs) Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester www.coriniummuseum.org
23RD DECEMBER
STROUD GOODWILL EVENING The theme this year is WILD! 4pm-9pm Stroud Town Centre
THE SNOWMAN AND PETER AND THE WOLF A magical Christmas Treat for the whole family. Join the Mozart Symphony Orchestra for their famous Christmas Show. Cheltenham Town Hall Imperial Square, Cheltenham, www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
30TH NOVEMBER
6TH DECEMBER TETBURY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Christmas begins in Tetbury 6pm Tetbury Market Place, Tetbury
24TH DECEMBER
MORETON-IN-THE MARCH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND MARKET Christmas begins in Moreton. 9am-6pm High Street, Moreton-in-the March
30TH NOVEMBER CIRENCESTER ADVENT FESTIVAL MARKET & LIGHTS SWITCH ON With Live music & Fireworks 11am – 7pm, lights switch on at 7pm Market Place, Cirencester
6TH DECEMBER
7TH DECEMBER 30TH NOVEMBER COLEFORD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Christmas begins in Coleford From 1pm Coleford Clock tower, Coleford
30TH NOVEMBER (Various other dates up to Xmas) SANTA SPECIALS @ GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE RAILWAY Festive train journeys with top quality presents for children. From 9.50am Please visit www.gwrsr.com
30TH NOVEMBER – THE END OF DECEMBER SPECTACLE OF LIGHT @ SUDELEY CASTLE Experience the night-time magic of Sudeley Castle with the theme of Peter Pan. Visit www.spectacleoflight.co.uk or www.sudeleycastle.co.uk for Tickets and info
SONGS OF CELEBRATION – A Christmas concert @ Gloucester Cathedral
11AM-12NOON GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL, College Green, Gloucester www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
CHRISTMAS EVE @ GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL A magnificent Christmas Eve service. 3pm Family Crib service, 5.45pm Carol service. www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
PANTO ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES @ THE BACON THEATRE. Escape the winter chill! Sail to sunnier climates and search for hidden treasure with ROBINSON CRUSOE and the PIRATES, courtesy of Promenade Productions. Traditional family pantomime at The Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham from 16th – 19th January Thursday and Friday performances 7.00pm, Saturday midday and 4.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm. Tickets from £11.00 from Showcase 01242 224144 or online www.bacon theatre.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE: Events, dates and times may be subject to change. Please check with the venue before visiting.
8TH DECEMBER PITTVILLE PARK ELF HUNT Let the fun commence with those cheeky elves! It’s all about the Elf on this festive fun day. 11am-4pm Pittville Park, Cheltenham
Tewkesbury’s wkes ury s Traditional Tr Familyy P Pantomime Pa Pan ant a nttto n om mim i
10TH DECEMBER COPPELIA ROH LIVE A Christmas dancing extravaganza for the whole family Booking recommended Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester. www.coriniummuseum.org
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14TH DECEMBER PANTO Aladdin @ The Roses Theatre 30th November – 4th January The hugely popular festive fun returns to Tewkesbury. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury Box office: 01684 295074 www.rosestheatre.org
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS CAROLS & MARKET @GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL 10am- 4pm www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
14TH DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY STEAM TRAIN @ GWR Led by the Cheltenham Silver Band departs @Toddington station @ 7PM www.gwsr.com
1ST DECEMBER
17TH DECEMBER
ADVENT CAROL SERVICE @ GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL Candlelit service in a magnificent setting 6pm, Gloucester Cathedral
THE NUTCRACKER ROH LIVE The Royal Opera House live ballet performance. Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester www.coriniummuseum.org
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Gloucestershire
30 November – 30 December 2019 “A Wonderful Experience For All Ages!”
BOOK IN ADVANCE
Save Over
15%
SudeleyCastle.co.uk/Spectacle Book in advance online, by phone on 01242 705 555 or in person at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Archie and the Unicorn 29th Nov - 24th Dec See Father Christmas underground, choose a present and then follow Archie on his enchanting adventure. As you walk through the caves, the magical story unfolds.
To book or for more info visit
clearwellcaves.co.uk