Families SE London June 2015 issue 169 by Families Magazine

ESTABLISHED 1996

familiesse.co.uk

south east london

SUMMER WORKSHOPS Booking now for the school holidays WHAT’S ON Family events, workshops and shows

online edition

with working website links

Friday - Kingsdale School, SE21

Saturday

Goodrich School, SE22

BOOK A FREE TRIAL CLASS TODAY! South East London Ages 3 yrs - 19 yrs 2015 SUMMER WORKSHOPS Now Booking! 020 3793 6843 www.freedomacademy.co.uk info@freedomacademy.co.uk

JUNE 2015 ISSUE NO. 169

STRAPPY T-SHIRT or snazzy rainmac? One day we’re out snip-snipping with the secateurs, the next watching rain soaking the shrubs. (How jolly British to be talking about the weather - but it’s simply because we have so much of it usually within a 24 hour period). It must be the start of summer and hurrah it’s my birthday this month. As the goodl ole’ song goes: “June is bustin’ out all over!” Robina Cowan, editor

IN THIS ISSUE

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

ildren Activities for ch

2-3 News and Views Learning to play the piano, a theatrical summer, school holiday childcare, volunteering, and switching off our smartphones

4-5 Education News Local schools’ news; Bike to School Week, and the value of STEM subjects

6-7 Summer Workshops Book early to grab a place on this summer’s holiday daycamps and workshops

8 Mothers Mean Business Diana Powley blends children’s favourite characters, music and interests with hypnotherapy to produce tailor-made, stress-busting CDs

9 Making a First Impression The ins and outs of photographing newborns - and the importance of booking a trained, experienced photographer

10 The Bookseller Crow Bookseller and blogger - read Justine Crow’s page of new publications

11 What’s New A south London sleep centre; shorts; sleeping bags and a gift for two-phone daddies

SE22 Piano School SE22 Piano School is a private piano teaching practice in the heart of East Dulwich. Children and adults learn to play classical and jazz piano, music theory and also the harpsichord. As well as the lessons, there are plenty of opportunities to perform in masterclasses, piano festivals and school trips. The school also provides preparation for graded exams although this is entirely optional. New students can register from June for the new September term; and interested players are invited to observe a lesson and meet the team of teachers first for a taster. Email lessons@se22piano.co.uk or see www.se22piano.co.uk for more information.

Summer with SLYT South London Youth Theatre are busy gearing up to their three weeks of summer workshops, which will run throughout August in Dulwich. “Obviously the main focus here is fun, but that sense of fun is easy to achieve when capturing the excitement and energy of live theatre!” says Spencer James, director of the workshops, as well as the weekly classes that SLYT offer. He continued: “For our Junior workshops the day runs from 9.30am-4.30pm, which gives us plenty of time to put together a fantastic full length show, but also leaves a little room for plenty of drama games, and outside fun!” Any student aged between 7 and 11 years is welcome to attend the six day course, and SLYT is proud to attract boys and girls in equal measures, which always makes a big difference to the usually female dominated world of youth theatre and performing arts schools. For teenagers with a more serious passion for theatre, SLYT runs a very successful two week course: this year they will stage the legendary musical Les Miserables with a cast of over 40 teenagers. SLYT are particularly interested in hearing from boys aged 15-19 years, who might want to take up one of the few remaining lead roles this summer. For more information, see page 6, visit the website www.slyt.co.uk, or call 020 8850 0516.

12-15 What’s On Our pick of forthcoming family events, shows and creative workshops to fill your weekends with fun

Front cover: All girlswear from Next, 0844 844 8939, www.next.co.uk/girls

July-August issue out 26 June, deadline 5 June

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

families south east - june 2015

ts News for paren Cissy Wears on the move Cissy Wears is moving - to a bigger store two doors down at 210 Hither Green Lane SE13. We caught up with owner Nicola as she unpacked stock and she told us: “We are now able to offer instore a much wider range of the goods we sell online, with lots of exciting new lines including My Little Day party wares and Brio for example.” The original shop is being kept on as a warehouse and shipping facility for Cissy Wears, with the shop front hosting a pop up shop for grown ups, filled with a range of design led products for thoroughly modern mamas including A Weathered Penny jewellery (www.aweatheredpenny.co.uk), women’s clothing and shoes, beauty products, homewares, artisan chocolate and coffee. Cissy Wears is open daily to 3pm; Saturdays to 5pm, and online at www.cissywears.com.

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School holiday nannies

Chelwood Nursery School

School holidays are exciting times for children but they can be a logistical nightmare for many working parents. You might have a fortnight away booked but what then? Daycamps and workshops are great fun and a godsend but often there are still days or weeks that mean childcare problems for working parents. Like Minders’ school holiday nanny service has become more and more popular over the last few years. Nannies can be booked for a few days, weeks or months and they provide a great solution to any childcare gaps which parents are simply unable to fill themselves. Georgie Jones advised Families: “The most important thing when finding a school holiday nanny is to find a good match, someone who not only provides the best quality care for your children, but also someone who can fit into your family life, and keep your children entertained. The nanny’s first and foremost responsibility is keeping the children safe at all times. They should also be pro-active and organise fun activities to keep them entertained throughout the day, (playing sports, organising games, arts and crafts, playdates, cookery, reading and playing outside, swimming). The nanny should also do simple nanny chores, eg tidying the kid’s rooms, making the beds, preparing and serving meals for the children and generally tidying up after themselves.” Like Minders match nannies to the family’s needs and requirements, and recommend meeting the nanny beforehand to ensure that you (and your kids!) are happy with their selection. The nannies are all professional, experienced DBS checked child carers who have passed the agency’s strict screening process. Georgie continues: “If this sounds like the perfect solution to your school holiday plans then get in touch. We have lots of lovely nannies and teachers ready to keep your kids safe, happy and busy all holiday long!” See www.likeminders.co.uk or call 0844 879 7180.

“Where children and families come first” • Outstanding” Early Childhood Education at the heart of the community since 1939 an “open air” tradition with a wonderful outdoor play space • 15 hours 3-4 year old Free Entitlement • Advice about 2 year old Early Learning eligibility • National Teaching School - qualify to teach with us

T: 020 7639 2514 www.chelwood.lewisham.sch.uk

Break that habit!

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I can produce them a personalised CD... Just let me know some information such as favourite foods, colours, friends, interests. I’ll then record a CD and post it to you.

”Emma hasn‘t cried once today, not even coming out of school, which is unheard of as she is usually so tired.” Call now to order your CD. Take advantage of my Spring discount from £50 down to £35

And relax and sleep better soon!

Volunteer this year

Diana Powley based at Dulwich, London Bridge and Clapham

Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK - and it’s taking place from 1-7 June this year. Volunteering can make a real difference to your own life and the lives of those around you, whether it’s helping out at a local sports club, helping children learn to read, giving time to a local charity shop or supporting a victim of crime. There are events up and down the country during Volunteer’s Week. Find out more at www.volunteersweek.org.uk or email volunteersweek@ncvo.org.uk.

Freephone 0800 0932024

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MyFamilyClub is calling on individuals and families to put down their smartphones, tablets and computers for 24 hours on Sunday 28 June, to experience life unplugged. In the run-up to National Unplugging Day, MyFamilyClub is offering tips and advice to families who want to enjoy technology-free family time. Everyone’s invited to get involved with the campaign by sharing what they plan to do instead of using technology, entering competitions, and uploading to social media platforms using the hashtags #GoGadgetFree #Unplug2015. Read more at www.myfamilyclub.co.uk.

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Effective, safe treatment and care for you and your child, from pregnancy to early years and onwards through life.

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Adult & Children’s Entertainer Magic, Plate Spinning Balloon Modelling Interactive Games Karaoke, Mini Disco

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Handyman For all your household repairs and odd jobs. I offer a professional and courteous service

www.shaunthehandyman.co.uk 020 8249 3264 or 07913 656 502

adult and child passport photos green toiletries, homeopathy, aromatherapy friendly and free health advice

France with the Family

Free pack of eco-friendly nappies when renting a TENS machine for labour!

Justine’s family friendly house in rural Normandy is available to rent. Sleeps 6+, fully equipped, beautiful location Contact Justine@Justinecrow.co.uk thenormandienest.wordpress.com

Special offer! 12 Half Moon Lane Herne Hill SE24 9HU t: 020 7924 9344 www.fourwaypharmacy.co.uk

june 2015 - families south east

education news Head teacher for new East Dulwich school The Charter School Educational Trust (TCSET) has appointed Alex Crossman as the first head teacher for The Charter School East Dulwich, which is due to open to students in September 2016. Alex Crossman has first-hand experience of The Charter School’s vision and ethos as a member of the headship team until 2012. For the past three years, he has been vice principal of Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton, where he worked with colleagues to significantly and rapidly improve the school. Additionally, he has worked on school improvement and education policy in the independent schools sector. Manny Amadi, chair of The Charter School East Dulwich Working Party and vice chair of The Charter School Educational Trust said: “Alex stood out as understanding and as sharing our commitment to creating the best possible secondary school which will meet the needs of the young people in our diverse community, helping them to secure outstanding success, regardless of their starting points. His leadership level experience from the education sector and elsewhere, and his determination to create for our community one of the best state secondary schools in the country, were just some of the factors that put him ahead in a strong field of applicants for the role. We are grateful to all those, including the DfE, who helped us with the rigorous appointment process, and we now look forward to welcoming Alex to the role when he starts in September.” Alex Crossman will be in role full time from September 2015, a full year ahead of the arrival of the first students in September 2016. For updates, see www.charter.southwark.sch.uk.

Girls from Down Under on a Sydenham High Two Australian teenagers swapped student life ‘down under’ for the UK equivalent at Sydenham High GDST, as part of a new international educational and cultural exchange programme. Molly Stafford and Ella Boetcher, both aged 14, from St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in Perth, joined Sydenham High’s Year 10 term for just over a month. Unlike traditional exchange programmes, the girls completely integrated into Sydenham High life: wearing school uniform, going to classes and taking part in House activities. They stayed with the families of Sydenham High students Niamh O’Sullivan and Beatrice Eades, who will head to Australia in July in the second part of the exchange. There they will enjoy the lifestyle, schooling and outstanding extra-curricular opportunities offered by St Hilda’s during its winter term, as well as everything that the city of Perth and its surrounding environment have to offer. Sydenham High Headteacher Kathryn Pullen commented: “We hope that it will be the start of an expanding worldwide exchange programme for our school and for the whole GDST.” Read more at www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net.

Two-wheeled school run Bike to School Week (1-5 June 2015) is a weeklong celebration of cycling run by Sustrans, during which schools across the country hold events, activities and lessons to get pupils inspired, motivated, skilled-up and ready to cycle to school. Sustrans works with over 2,500 schools across the country to encourage pupils to walk, cycle and scoot the school run. With years of expertise Sustrans has some great advice for parents who are thinking about cycling with their children to school. Spokesman Gary Shipp said: “The number of children cycling to school alone has rapidly decreased over the past few decades, largely because parents worry about traffic danger. This that is why it is essential to teach children cycle and road safety skills at an early age to make sure they know what to do when they are cycling. Once your child is confident on their bike, getting them used to cycling on the roads will give them a sense of freedom and independence, it will also improve their confidence and fitness and it has a positive effect on the environment too.” Follow these basics to help you and your child stay safe when cycling: • Make sure your child’s bike fits and that all your bikes are safe to ride • Plan your route together in advance; it is often possible to find quieter roads and cycle paths away from the route you might choose to drive • Practise the journey at the weekend to familiarise yourself with the route when the roads are likely to be quieter • If you’re on the road with children, take up a position behind them. If there are two adults in your group, it’s a good idea to have one at the back and one in front of the children • Set a good example by following the Highway Code. • For more information, see www.sustrans.org.uk/biketoschoolweek

families south east - june 2015

National Theatre comes to the classroom This September, three acclaimed National Theatre productions will be available on demand in schools. Danny Boyle’s production of Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller; Nicholas Hytner’s productions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with Rory Kinnear, and Othello with Adrian Lester, will be free to stream on demand in every secondary school classroom in the UK. Each play is recorded in front of a live theatre audience by National Theatre Live, and comprehensive learning resources will support each play. “This new initiative underlines the National Theatre’s passionate commitment to supporting teachers and schools across the UK,” said Alice King-Farlow, Director of Learning at the NT. “In giving young people access to inspirational theatre, we aim to help schools to keep the arts as a vital part of the curriculum.” Find out more at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/schools.

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St Dunstan’s College

The value of maths and science

Co-educational Independent day school for 3 -18 year olds

More girls are studying maths and sciences than ever before and a new report shows this can benefit their earnings by as much as a third. Compiled by London Economics for the Department for Education, the landmark research shows that achieving two or more A levels in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subjects adds 7.8% to a man’s earnings, when compared to just gaining GCSE-level qualifications. But the returns for women are much higher, with earnings being boosted by 33.1%. The government has produced a comprehensive package of measures to encourage more young people to study STEM subjects. Measures include: • Training 17,500 maths and physics teachers over the next five years over and above current levels, with schemes to attract more postgraduates, researchers and career-changers, and extensive retraining for non-specialist teachers • Backing the Your Life campaign which aims to ensure that young people have the maths and science skills that the economy needs • Setting higher standards for maths and science through reforming the national curriculum and academic and vocational qualifications • Recruiting more top graduates into teaching by providing bursaries and scholarships in mathematics and the sciences of up to £25,000 • Supporting teachers with professional development programmes such as the Stimulating Physics Network and providing funding of £11 million for over 30 new maths hubs.

Saturday 20 June This morning will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and will give families the opportunity to experience St Dunstan’s College lessons! Please note that there are a limited number of spaces available at this event. To book a place, email: admissions@sdmail.org.uk

~ Senior School Open Mornings 2015 Saturday 26 September Saturday 7 November These mornings run from 9.30am to 11.30am with the Headmaster speaking at intervals Stanstead Road, London, SE6 4TY www.stdunstans.org.uk

Charity number: 312747

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

r & Te w booking no

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

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june 2015 - families south east

FREEDOM ACADEMY

Summer holiday camps and workshops TENNIS-4KIDS

The school holidays will be back before we know it, and daycamps and workshops are now booking. For even more, see our web listings on www.familiesse.co.uk, and next month’s summer magazine. FREEDOM ACADEMY ARTS SUMMER WORKSHOPS

FUNKY MONKEY KEYBOARD WORKSHOPS

27 July - 21 August, various SE LONDON venues, 020 3793 6843, www.freedomacademy.co.uk Fun-packed, week long workshops full of acting, song, dance and games for all ages from 3 to teens. For 3-6 year-olds the workshops will feature ‘Tiddler the Story Telling Fish’ and ‘The Cat in the Hat’ in half day sessions for the week. 7-16 year-olds are invited to join a week-long Pop Academy, recording songs and filming a pop video in a professional recording studio. Finally, Film School participants will write, direct and star in a short film, complete with a premier for family and friends.

27 July - 14 August, HERNE HILL, BATTERSEA and STREATHAM, 0800 107 7949, www.funkymonkey.info Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes are one day and five day workshops for beginners. They have a different theme depending on the season and are a perfect opportunity to try out the keyboard and make music the fun way. In small groups, children learn how to write and play notes C-G and try some famous tunes using electronic keyboards. It’s a wonderful, relaxed introduction to practical and theoretical music, and with the use of keyboard games, quizzes and art activities all based around music, you’ll be amazed how much they learn. See the website for full details, costs and dates.

TENNIS-4-KIDS 27-30 July, 10-13 and 17-20 August in EAST DULWICH, 3-6 August in FOREST HILL, 07877 391005, www.tennis-4-kids.com Rally round for a smashing time learning to play tennis with other children. Tennis-4-Kids run mini sessions giving children lots of fun learning basic to advanced skills. The friendly coaches run small groups for 3-11 year-olds, with all equipment provided. Term times sessions available too.

PERFORM ICE QUEEN

INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING School holidays and termtime classes in SYDENHAM, 020 7515 1707, www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk

STAGECOACH SUMMER WORKSHOP 3-7 August, ALLEYNS SCHOOL, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22, 020 8949 4116, www.stagecoach.co.uk/dulwich Join Stagecoach for five fun-filled days of drama, singing and dance with a free presentation on the last day for family and friends. No auditions are required - just a willingness to give it a go! Ages 4-7 years 9.30am 12.30pm £125 with performance at 6pm on the final day. Ages 8-16 years 10am-4pm £160 with performance at 7pm on the final day.

THE ICE QUEEN WITH PERFORM

SLYT - LE MISERABLES S

SE LONDON TENNIS CAMPS

FRENCH AND DRAMA SUMMER CLUB 27 July - 21 August, EXCHANGE THEATRE, Magdalen Street, London Bridge SE1, 020 8403 8560, www.echangetheatre.com Your child wants to act? And you want them to learn French? Why not mix it all together? Book them in an immersion week with Exchange Theatre! There’ll be acting classes in the morning, with cultural and drama related fun in the afternoon. Ages 7-16 years.

families south east - june 2015

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

CREATE A SHOW WITH NUTTY’S CHILDREN’S PARTIES 20-22 July, SOUTH LONDON SCOUT CENTRE, Grange Lane, Dulwich SE21, 0788 405 0954, www.nuttyschildrensparties.co.uk, email danny@nuttyschildrensparties.co.uk Local actor, dad and children’s party entertainer Danny Nutt is running his first ever summer holiday workshop. He promises lots of indoor and outdoor fun including drama-inspired games, music and singing, running around, rehearsals and a performance on the last day. Ages 5-8 years, 9am-3.30pm each day, £100 per child for all three days with a discount for siblings. READER OFFER: ‘Quote “Families Nutty’s Offer” when you book and you can claim a free Nutty’s Children’s parties - the Official Album on CD.

SLYT JUNIOR MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP

STRINGS CLUB

22 July - 14 August, GOOSE GREEN SCHOOL, East Dulwich SE22, www.nimblearts.co.uk

20 July - 27 August, SYDENHAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB, Lawrie Park Road SE26 6ET, www.southeastlondontennis.com, email chris@southeastlondontennis.com

10-22 August in EAST DULWICH, 020 8850 0516, www.slyt.co.uk South London Youth Theatre is thrilled to be producing the musical phenomenon ‘Les Miserables’ with a cast of 40 teenagers aged 12-19 years. Now in its 5th year, SLYT attracts students with a serious passion for theatre and acting, and many students have gone onto secure places at top London drama schools following their Summer courses and weekly classes. The 10 day Musical Theatre course (Mon-Fri then Tues - Sat) culminates in the performance of ‘Les Miserables’ at the Prissian Theatre with full costumes, lighting, scenery, and a live orchestra! The course runs from 10-6pm daily, and rehearses at St Faiths Centre on Red Post Hill. £325 per student for the 10 day course. Some places and leading roles still available for enthusiastic boys!

NUTTY’S PARTIES

NIMBLE ARTS SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB 18 days of creative summer holiday fun for 4-11 year olds! No two days will ever be the same and every day there’ll be up to four exciting creative workshops run by actors, film-makers, magicians, musicians and more. You can sign up your child for the full summer or just pick the days that most interest you. Ages 4-11 years, 10am-4pm each day with free wraparound care available from 8.30am-5pm. From £29 for a half day, with discounts for more than five days, and for siblings. The workshops are Ofsted registered and parents can pay with childcare vouchers.

27-31 July in DULWICH, 10-14 August in EAST DULWICH, 3-7 August in GREENWICH, 0845 400 1277, www.perform.org.uk/icequeen Perform is back this Summer with enchanting five-day holiday courses for 4-7 year old children. Based on the popular Ice Queen story, the children will go on an amazing adventure guaranteed to fire their imaginations. Whether they’re creating a dazzling ice palace, whooshing downhill on a reindeer sleigh or enjoying singing with a snowman, the energetic team of actors, musicians and dancers will be with them every step of the way to inspire and encourage. With colourful costumes, original songs and live music, children will enjoy a fun-packed course putting together a fantastic show that will delight family and friends. With the emphasis on having fun and developing confidence skills, a Perform course will be the talk of the holidays. Two hours per day, £153 per child for five days; sibling discounts available.

SLYT MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP: LES MISERABLES

NIMBLE ARTS

Learn a new skill with a touch typing courses run by YES. Children find them fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently in just ten hours. Sessions can be booked to fit around other holiday commitments so children can progress at their own pace.

24-29 August in EAST DULWICH, 020 8850 0516, www.slyt.co.uk South London Youth Theatre is excited to be running their second junior Musical Theatre workshop this summer. Students can expect to learn all aspects of performance, specialising in Acting, Singing, and Dancing at this action-packed experience, led by professionals from the West End and designed to expose talented children to the thrill of live theatre! The six day course (Mon-Sat) culminates in the performance of a full-scale musical at the Prissian Theatre in front of 200 guests of family and friends, with fabulous lighting, costumes and scenery that will give any budding thespian a taste of professional theatre! Ages 7-11 years, 9.30am- 4.30pm daily, £225 per child for the whole course. Early booking is advised to ensure places and roles for each child.

STRINGS CLUB HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 13 July - 24 August in HILLY FIELDS SE4, 0121 369 1950, www.thestringsclub.org The Strings Club’s award-winning playscheme brings together the very best of music provision and school holiday activity days. Each day is different and includes learn together, play together sessions filled with instruments and workshops for budding or first time string players. Ages 4-12, bookable by half or full day, or week. Childcare vouchers accepted and sibling discounts available.

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families june 2015_Layout 1 20/05/2015 15:07 Page 7

Colour your world...

with our fun packed, group keyboard tuition! Small group classes, perfect for 4-11 year old beginners Read, write & play music to first grade Term classes & holiday courses Herne Hill, East Dulwich, Forest Hill (new!), Brixton To find out more, check for new centres & book a trial:

0800 107 7949

www.funkymonkey.info Tiny Tots age 2.5-3

YES, I can touch-type

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With proper tuition children can learn to touch-type surprisingly quickly and, what’s more, enjoy the whole experience. ■ Improved speed and effectiveness in study. ■ Well presented work increases self-esteem. ■ There are particular benefits for those with dyslexia or dyspraxia.

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Imagination for the Everyday Early years Drama www.theatretots.com

Little Aces Junior Champs Grand Slammers age 3-4

age 5-7

age 8-11

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

FREE introductory session Summer holiday courses now booking phone

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www.tennis-4-kids.com email: gordon@tennis-4-kids.com SOUTH LONDON YOUTH THEATRE

Weekly classes in Lee, Blackheath and Hither Green Schools, nurseries and parties too! info@theatretots.com - 07801072776 "Participating with S.L.Y.T

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and the other members

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Are you looking for...

in her time with S.L.Y.T.

a high standard has been

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Steph's Dad

Childcare, holiday daycamps, local schools and open days, party entertainers, parenting advice, health tips, things to do, competitions or a directory of family-friendly southeast London companies?

What's On listings...

by age group, venue, days out or free events? Filter your search or use our map view to find what's up your street.

Our JAM-PACKED website has it all!

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2010 - 2015 2010 - 2015

Celebrating 5 years of youth theatre, Celebrating 5 yearsworking of youthprofessionals. theatre, taught by experienced, taught by experienced, working professionals. ACTING. SINGING. DANCING. CLASSES FOR FOR ALL AGES. ACTING. SINGING. DANCING. CLASSES ALL AGES. WEB: WWW.SLYT.CO.UK TEL: 0208 850 0516

WEB: WWW.SLYT.CO.UK TEL: 0208 850 0516

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june 2015 - families south east

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helping people quit smoking, lose weight, overcome fears and phobias, beat stress, sleep better and

enjoy a higher quality of life

Diana Powley is a Dulwich-based mother of three (now young adult) children. She runs Dune Hypnotherapy from her home, and through clinics in London Bridge and Clapham. She is also the founder of Habitbreakers, a UK-wide organisation of professional NLP/ hypnotherapists. She helps people quit smoking, lose weight, overcome fears and phobias, beat stress, sleep better and enjoy a higher quality of life. Increasingly, Diana is now also helping children who are suffering from anxiety and stress. FSE: Have you always been a hypnotherapist, or did you have a different career before? My previous career was in HR in multiple fashion retailing for what is now called Arcadia Group. For ten years I worked above Top Shop at Oxford Circus. It was an exciting, ever-changing, demanding environment to work in. We had Burtons, Top Man, Top Shop, Principles (remember them?) Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins and Harvey Nicholls. What a lineup to get staff discount in! I had my three children whilst with Arcadia; working long hours and taking work home with me in the evenings. However it all took its toll - when I had a difficult time at the birth of our third child it was time to put the family first. The transition to being full time mother was quite a challenge. Suddenly I was back home with two at school (aged 6 and 4), and a newborn. Life was very demanding in a very different way from what I was used to. Eventually things settled down. I started to make friends with at-home mothers. I joined a yoga class. We bought a cocker spaniel puppy and started walking to school. To keep my hand in, I also sold advertising for our local church magazine. Sadly, my health deteriorated and after three operations in a six week period, and a subsequent one after that, I went down with ME/CFS, which led to the breakdown of my marriage and our family life. Sadly my husband could not cope with my illness. I lived as a semi-recluse for a couple of years until the divorce came through. During this time I had some hypnotherapy which I found calming and helpful with its guided visualisations. When I eventually started to recover, a friend suggested we study hypnotherapy together and I agreed. I knew I didn’t want to go back to long hours and a stressful environment. This would enable me to work for myself and control my workload, resting when I needed to. FSE: When did you set up Habitbreakers, and what was the inspiration? We initially set up Dune Hypnotherapy in London Bridge, focussing on stop smoking. It is a very effective method and most clients don’t need to come back, although we give them a year’s back up support. We were in touch with others who were following the same system who were also having great success. We felt empowered to set up Habitbreakers to offer the same quality of service to clients across the country.

families south east - june 2015

FSE: How does your support differ when working with children rather than adults? Now I work with all issues, including my Get Slim, Stay Slim Programme, and my Alcohol Moderation Programme which are both very popular. I work with fears, phobias and stress, lack of confidence, insomnia - you name it. I work with ME/CFS sufferers to aid their recovery. This time of year is like a pressure cooker. What with SATS in May, and the upcoming GCSEs and A’Levels; many children are stressed. As a result, many parents are frustrated as to how to best help their children. For me, each person is an individual; man, woman or child. I work with them in a way that builds a connection between us, finding out what they enjoy doing as well as what exactly is troubling them. With children who are too young to come in for an appointment I ask their parents for a list of favourite things and an idea of what is troubling their child. I use what they tell me to create a personalised CD for their child to listen to as they go to sleep at night, which includes powerful messages to boost their confidence and self-esteem. I love hearing how they love their special CD; made especially for them, and how they start to sleep better, feel calmer, and generally feel better about themselves. FSE: How easy or difficult was it to start up in business? In fact I was very lucky. On our course we were given marketing tools as part of the training. I remember printing off stop smoking brochures and having my student children and their friends handing them out at train stations during their Christmas holidays ready for people’s new year resolutions. Back at home, the calls and bookings started coming in for January - it was a great way to get started. And the children enjoyed the extra cash in their pockets too! FSE: What are the benefits of working for yourself? I love working for myself. My work is quite cyclical, with peaks and troughs, and I’m happy with that. Since my ME/CFS I have appreciated what I call ‘working smart’; earning a reasonable amount without working long hours, or getting too stressed. I work from my home in Dulwich for most of the week, with a day in Clapham and a day in London Bridge. I can choose when and for how long I go on holiday. I now have a work / life balance. I can take time out to help the children, whether it’s to move house, receive parcels whilst they’re at work, and be here for them when they need me. FSE: How do you manage your work/ family balance? I enjoy the work / life balance. It means that when I have a gap between clients I can catch up on the washing, or pop to Lordship Lane to our fabulous butchers and fishmongers for food for supper. I can potter in the garden. Or connect with the children and / or their partners. They say once a parent,

always a parent. There never was a truer word! My children have left home several times, and several times have returned. They are definitely part of the boomerang generation. And each time they know we’re here for them; ready to help pick up the pieces when a relationship goes wrong, a flat falls through, or to share that day’s funny story. FSE: With so many techniques at your fingertips, you must be a very chilled parent! Do you have any tips for the rest of us when things get stressy? Stress releases cortisol into the body. And that will make the body more acidic and find the weak spots in the body. This can lead to a reduced immune system, joint problems, acid reflux, a skin condition, or headaches. Even a poor sleep pattern. So it is important to try to release the tension if you can. Resolve the issues as soon as you can. Exercise. Practise relaxing to music or meditation. Do yoga. Go for a walk. Have a massage or reiki treatment whatever works for you. One useful motto is, ‘You can’t be responsible for how others behave but you are one hundred per cent responsible for yourself.’ So look after yourself! FSE: When you have time off yourself, what do you like to do? I love to get out and do some gardening. I think all that greenery must be very calming! At this time of year it’s wonderful to walk round Dulwich Park and admire the rhododendrums and azaleas. I feel so blessed to have that park on our doorstep. I happily re-married a couple of years ago and my husband and I love walking round Sydenham Woods, Crystal Palace Park, Dulwich Village, checking out all the goodies on Northcross Road on a Saturday or Crystal Palace triangle on a Sunday. We’re thrilled to have the Picturehouse recently open up in Lordship Lane. FSE: Do you have a favourite shop / café or park in southeast London? I think it has to be Dulwich Park, with Crystal Palace Park a close second. I remember running 5km for Race for Life there soon after recovering from ME/CFS so it has a special significance for me. I managed to raise £500 for my church community and £500 for Action for ME. Favourite shop I think has to be Moxons fishmongers on Lordship Lane. We love to treat ourselves to their delicious freshly caught fish at least once a week. Favourite café has to be the one in Dulwich Park. We just love all their delicious fresh goodies whilst watching the young families having fun enjoying the park around us. FSE: How can readers find out more about what you do? My website is www.dunehypnotherapy.co.uk where you can check me out. Or call me on freephone 0800 0932024 or my mobile 0788 686 3923. You can also check out interviews with me on YouTube.

familiesse.co.uk

Making a

first impression - choosing a photographer for your newborn By Su Cowell

For more information about CobWebKnits and their products, visit www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Here are key considerations Su has discovered from trained photographers: Aim to have photos taken when the baby is less than two weeks old. And remember to get family shots that will capture everyone’s emotion and show just how little this new baby is and how precious and beautiful they are. At this age, babies are still really sleepy, more likely to curl up and don’t mind being unclothed. After this two week period their legs become outstretched, they become aware of their surroundings and may dislike having their clothes off. There are some key points that you, the parents, should bear in mind when booking a session: 1. Is the photographer properly insured? 2. Is the photographer experienced and trained in handling newborns safely? 3. Are premises and equipment safe and clean? 4. Do you like the photographer’s style? Many parents do not really think of these factors and their decisions are usually just based on price. Sadly, if you get it wrong, the baby is now over four weeks old and those precious moments have been lost. Do your research early. The best time to do this is when waiting for baby to arrive so that everything is ready and organised when baby decides it’s ready to put in an appearance. Book at around the 20 week scan and make sure the photographer pencils a couple of dates in their diary in case baby is early or late. The prospect of putting your precious newborn and possibly yourself in front of the bright lights in a photography studio might seem a bit scary but an experienced photographer should be able to put

your mind at ease by describing what happens during your photo shoot and what the environment will be like. Don’t be afraid to ask to visit the studio being there might prompt other questions too. And of course, ask to see their portfolio, specifically of newborns. The photographer should be experienced in handling a newborn and understand baby safety. Most newborn photographs are edited afterwards for baby’s safety. Babies cannot hold up their own heads and these images are created where parents are supporting the babies at all times. These photographs are merged together and parents’ hands removed from the shot. Experienced newborn photographers should know how to perform these poses safely. The studio itself should be very clean and very warm at all times. It doesn’t have to be in a commercial setting. You may have something particular in mind for some photos. As well as using a selection of colourful and original hats from CobWebKnits’ collection, the photographers Su spoke to say experienced photographers will have an extensive props cupboard that you might want to explore during your meeting. And do ask in advance because good ones will try to source something if they can and if you give them fair notice. They can be very inventive with buckets, boxes and cardboard. This would also be the time to mention any props you might want to bring along. Objects that illustrate mum or dad’s occupation or hobby: a fireman’s helmet, cricket bat or cooking utensils, for example. No photographer should rush the session and won’t finish until they feel confident they have a suitable selection of photographs. If your baby decides differently and wants to finish early or just wants a break, then they should be happy to stop the shoot and if need be, schedule another appointment so that you can return to try again. Photographers are bound to have funny stories about mishaps during a shoot when nature intervenes and a change of clothing for the snapper or parent is often required! Other parents will have their own stories too. Check out recommendations on their website and more importantly on social media too. A quick internet search will unearth dissatisfied customers and you can feel more confident of praise that has obviously been posted by others on Facebook or Twitter.

As creative director of CobWebKnits, Su Cowell uses lots of gorgeous images of newborns on her website, and she tells Families how saddened she is to hear stories from customers let down by their own photographer. Delving a little deeper Su soon discovers why: “I’ve heard sad stories of parents in tears after they have gone to non specialised photographers. They expect the lovely sleeping images which they have seen on the internet, but their chosen photographer may not have these skills and the results are disappointing. Even more worryingly, some parents have regaled horror stories of seeing their precious newborn positioned in an unsupported pose, by an untrained photographer.” (If you’re brave enough to see how NOT to do this at home, look at the toe-curling Facebook post Su sent us: http://on.fb.me/1AZWfuQ.)

Photography © Alan Wright; Jackie Webster; Cass Davies; Karen Wiltshire.

FOR STUNNING FAMILY GARDENS THAT WILL DRAW OUT KIDS* * and parents

T: 0773 300 5461 email info@barbarasamitiergardens.co.uk

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june 2015 - families south east

The Bookseller Crow

is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business. Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or point your mouse at their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles. Are we nearly there yet? A cliché perhaps but nonetheless a heartfelt one, especially when the voice whimpering like crossed legs on a sticky vinyl backseat belongs to a grown-up. More specifically, me. I am that desperate for a summer of sorts that if you were sad enough to take a sneaky peak at the search history on my laptop (it’s under the washing), you’d find that I recently devoted a whole precious hour to parasols. What an education that was. When I caught myself browsing a ‘solar powered remote control parasol with crank’ called Sahara (I know.. Lord Homebase likes to amuse himself by teasing the serfs) for the throat parching sum of two hundred and ninety-nine of your English pounds, I realised that I needed help. COOLCAMPING BRITAIN - Punk Publishing rrp £16.95. And what better way to be persuaded of the realities of the British summer than by re-visiting a favourite torture manual. Reissued and expanded, this “hand-picked selection of exceptional campsites” makes relinquishing a villa in Andalucia for a tipi on the North Norfolk coast look surprisingly attractive. Afterall, they aren’t likely to publish a book full of photos of tents hollowed by gales and children having breakfast in the car because it’s the only way they can eat without their plastic plates being blown away like frisbees, are they? But if like me you are a sucker for the sound of rabbits ruminating right beside your ear, for that dense verdancy that is uniquely characteristic of a Cumbrian field that has been persistently soaked for nine months of the year, including August, since the retreat of the last Ice Age and, for the Russian roulette hot or cold shower game, then this is the luxury version of the truth. THE WALKER'S GUIDE TO OUTDOOR CLUES & SIGNS by Tristan Gooley - Sceptre rrp £9.99. “Grey mists at dawn, the day will be warm” it says here. Which is all the incentive you need to shuck your double sleeping bag, bedsocks and Benny-from-Crossroads hat and, once up and stretched, this comprehensive guide to natural navigation will get you further than the nearest pub. Given that the chances of you locating a signal on your mobile are pretty much miniscule the moment you step off an A-road anywhere in the entire British Isles - even if you could charge your phone using Camping Gaz - a book that explains what clues to look for in the weather, which stars to follow when hiking at night (yup), a method of measuring angles using only your hands and how to choose a cafe when you finally lurch back into civilisation, has got to be worth space in the backpack. WILD RUINS by David Hamilton - Wild Things Publishing rrp £16.99. The memory still fresh of the caption beneath a recent photo of myself & the sister-in-law Caro in the crumbled archway of an ancient hilltop fortification which read “Here are some old ruins”, I am mindful that not only does the above book bear the accolade ‘BBC Countryfile Book of the Year’ but that I am fascinated by one that, along with offering 250 hidden places, 28 maps, lists and itineraries, boasts an actual introduction by the actual Tony Robinson. I can’t quite believe that once I really did cop a snog at a Blockheads concert whilst wearing green suede winkle-pinkers and a pork-pie hat. THE BEACH BOOK by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield- Frances Lincoln rrp £9.99. Following the success of The Stick Book and The Wild Weather Book, we are promised 80 activities from foraging to damming for adults and children alike that get the best out of your beach trip. Who hasn’t driven down to the coast towing dark clouds, inwardly beseeching God, any one will do, to please be kind to you whilst outwardly assuring the various children strapped in for four hours, sustained only on roadside strawberries thanks to an accident on the Dorking by-pass, that it will be worth it when we get there? THE BBQ BOOK by DJ BBQ - Penguin rrp £7.99. Fifty - it’s all numbers this month, eh? - recipes to change the way you feel about barbecuing, from Awesomeatron Lamb Loin Chops and Cherry Cola Smoked Duck to Chilli con Carnage, all delivered by a chap in a star-spangled Lycra jumpsuit. So that’s why daddy asked me to buy it. This is a book that is guaranteed to embarrass the kids. And for that alone I will go and purchase a bag of charcoal.

ON MY BEACH by Sara Gillingham - Chronicle rrp £5.99. This jolly toddler read features a crab finger puppet. OMG. THINK of the fun you could have with that! OUTDOOR OPPOSITES by Brenda Williams & Rachel Oldfield - Barefoot rrp £6.99. You’ve braved the ten mile tail back on the A303, you pitched your tent - or at the very least, moved into your yurt - and the portable barbie is spluttering under the weight of DJ BBQ’s Radonkulous Beef Ribs, but how to keep the kids amused while you snap at each other? No, the title doesn’t reflect the state of your marriage under canvas. It is a singalong bonanza encouraging physical play, participation and enjoyment. Comes with a CD, in case you lose your voice as well as the will to live. JANE FOSTER’S ABC - Templar rrp £6.99. A beautiful alphabet primer from the textile designer, no wonder this board book is something you won’t mind left lying around on the sofa. THE BOOK OF COLOURS by Sarah Dyer - Templar rrp £8.99. Gloriously different, from the first page to the last, where black and white combine and where colours depict mood and sensation. Here we even see how differently colours shine at night. WHERE DID MY CLOTHES COME FROM? by Chris Butterworth & Lucia Gaggiotti - Walker rrp £8.99. If you are asking me, from down the back of the radiator, obviously. But sadly we don’t really want our children to see the actual places where their clothes are made because if we did, their beautiful minds that are free from boring old rationale, would insist that they do not wear them. My mum regularly wheeled out the story of me not wanting to wee on her friend June’s immaculate toilet in Purley because there was a slight crack in the china - insert your equivalent toddler tantrum event here and then imagine how they’d react on seeing their t-shirt came from a sweatshop in Dhaka. However, pattern cutting, rubber tapping, cotton picking, recycling? All perfectly good subjects for little ones. HERE I AM by Patti Kim, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez Curious Fox rrp £6.99. This astonishing picture book tells the story of an arrival from another land, muted by sadness and fear in the city. Road signs and maps illegible, confusion, boredom and resentment follows. So far so familiar, yet the tale is told entirely without text. You are as condemned to confoundedness as our little boy is, wandering the streets of a big city. But thankfully, curiosity and the kindness of strangers coincides with sunshine. There are words for the happy ending - Here I am. Moving stuff. Sublime sketches. HOW TO WRITE YOUR BEST STORY EVER by Christopher Edge, illustrated by Nathan Reed - Oxford rrp £9.99. Got a budding author in the house? Bet you have. You’ll be pleased to hear - or at least, the literacy co-ordinator at their primary school will - that as well as encouraging your diminutive Dickens to go nuts and let it all out, there’s a decent emphasis on grammar too - a concrete noun is a banana, an abstract noun something that cannot be touched.. DO/ BREATHE by Michael Townsend Williams - The Do Book Company rrp £8.99. ... Like happiness. Calm your mind. Find Focus. Get stuff done. Big statements. Breathe yourself better is the mantra from an adman turned yoga teacher. Do one thing at a time, he says. Perform a 5 minute relaxation exercise, he says. Feed your mind, move more, talk less. He definitely speaks like a man who has found a good use for that big fat pension he earned subliminally flogging us cars back in the bad old days. Meanwhile, de-cluttering my mind as I go, as I’m clearly not going to be under a fringed umbrella on shimmering sands any time soon, I’m planning to embrace the British summer with all its wonderful foibles and head for a festival. All I need to do now is persuade my children they really do want to spend three days in a muddy field watching bands that were famous before they were born. I’ll tell them to live for the moment, that should do the trick.

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk 10

families south east - june 2015

familiesse.co.uk

What’sNew Glow-in-the-dark sleeping bag For the nights when an ordinary sleeping bag won’t do - this one has a scattering of glow-in-the-dark lighting bugs that radiate light after being energised by the sun, making bedtime an adventure for little ones. It also has a snag-free zip, and bundles into a lightweight stuff sack ready for sleepovers or school trips. Rrp £29.99 from www.coleman.eu.

A good night’s sleep Sleep, or a lack of, is a problem that most of us have experienced at one time or another. Over 25% of people in the UK suffer from a sleep disorder, with common symptoms including difficulty staying awake and/ or impaired daytime mental alertness, slow reactions and anxiety about sleep. London Bridge Hospital, one of the largest private hospitals in the UK, runs a Sleep Centre, which provides diagnostic tests, rapid assessment, intervention and treatment for numerous common and complex conditions. A new, accompanying website complements the work of the Centre by providing up-to-date information regarding the different types of sleep disorders, tips for better sleep and the special services provided by the specialist, multi-disciplinary team. Read more at www.londonbridgesleepcentre.co.uk.

‘Ace’ design for cloth nappy In celebration of British summertime, cloth nappy champions TotsBots have unveiled their latest special edition print. The ‘Wimblebum’ nappy is covered in strawberries, bumblebees, tennis balls and rackets, capturing the essence of Wimbledon in an instant. Available from the end of June, £10.49 - £16.99 from www.totsbots.com.

A professional and aﬀordable Nanny Agency providing Full time, Part time and Temporary Nannies in London and the south east Email: enquiries@nannybank.co.uk

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Summer shorts These are what our boy will mostly be wearing this summer. Lovely, reversible, 100% organic shorts. Red on one side, with a jaunty Breton stripe on the other - two for the price of one! £23.99 from www.tobytiger.co.uk.

Two-phone daddy In 2014, the number of mobile devices in the world outnumbered the number of humans for the first time - wow! If you have a one for work, one for home daddy in the family, this phone case could be just the thing for Father’s Day. Crafted in luxury leather, there are 18 designs priced from £45 at www.pearpeel.com

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june 2015 - families south east

DAY OF THE DAD

FATHER’S DAY AT THE SHARD

SYDENHAM ARTS FESTIVAL

What’sOn

MOVIE MAKER MISSION, selected dates from June to August. Hampton Court is turning five centuries of terrific tales into five minutes of animation. Help the team create thousands of drawings of the palace, its people and possessions. Pick up top drawing and animation tips, and take part in free themed hands-on workshops and activities: see www.moviemaker.hrp.org.uk.

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

Dairy Dates For Grownups

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

DAY OF THE DAD

TACKLING TANTRUMS

13 June, TATTERSHALL CASTLE, Victoria Embankment SW1A 2HR, www.thedadnetwork.co.uk, @thedadnetworkuk Blogging website the Dad Network has organised its first ever Day of the Dad - a pre Fathers’ Day gathering to celebrate fatherhood in all its forms, in a pub, on a boat, on the Thames. Al Ferguson, founder of The Dad Network UK said; “It’s a very simple event; we want to organise a gathering for dads to come together, meet other dads and discuss fatherhood in a relaxed environment.” 12.30-5.30pm, free but book first online.

Katrin Bain is a tantrum expert who helps families create peace at home. For workshop bookings or booklets for stress-free and enjoyable parenthood, see www.katrinbain.co.uk ANOTHER TANTRUM? 10 June. Tantrums are one of the most stressful aspects of parenthood but they do not have to be. This workshop covers why children have tantrums, how to respond, and how to stay calm. 11am-2pm in Charlton SE7. INTRODUCTION TO TANTRUMS, 17 June. Find out why children have tantrums - and ways to prevent them. Katrin offers alternative responses to the widely used ‘Time Out’ method. 1-2pm in East Dulwich SE22. STILL ANOTHER TANTRUM? 27 June. A workshops for parents of 5-7 year-olds whose tantrums seem here to stay. 1-4pm in Charlton SE7.

FATHER’S DAY AT THE SHARD 21 June, THE VIEW FROM SHARD, Joiner Street, London Bridge SE1 9QU, 0844 499 7111, www.yogasphere.eu Visit The View from The Shard this Father’s Day on a standard ticket, and Dad (or Grandad) can get in for free. Indulge his passions for architecture, history or photography with stunning panoramic views of the city for up to 40 miles. There’s beer too - Meantime Brewing Company will be offering tastes of modern craft beers with samples from their award winning range, free with standard entry, while stocks last.

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

28 June, MV ROYALTY, embark Greenwich Pier, www.haventstoppeddancingyet.co.uk Sell-out south London club night Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet! is launching its first ever Sunday afternoon disco boat party for dancing grown-ups, with all the usual HSDY shenanigans (vinyl DJs, choreographer led dance line-ups, best outfit competitions etc), plus a cruise up the Thames too. 3-6pm, tickets £25,10% of profits to Cancer Research UK.

SCIENCE MUSEUM

BUGGY RUNNERS Tuesdays and Fridays in GREENWICH PARK SE10, and Wednesdays in DULWICH PARK SE21, www.facebook.com/BuggyRunners Buggy Runners is a fitness session where your baby/ toddler comes too. The team guide new mums through all aspects of postnatal fitness and welcome all fitness levels to join in. The first class is free. Buggy Runners is part of Greenwich Runners and a recognised and supported group of Greenwich Park, Southwark Borough & Run England.

THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM

SYDENHAM ARTS FESTIVAL

HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, general admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium. The museum’s music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautiful green space which has the oldest nature trail in London. PLANTASTIC, Until 1 November. Explore the wonderful world of plants on a massive scale. From giant seeds and exploding cucumbers to sun-seeking flowers and a huge crawl-through root system, Plantastic’s interactive exhibits and games bring visitors up close to all kinds of fantastic plant life revealing how plants are essential for life on Earth. Special discovery and craft events run alongside the exhibition during school holidays. £3.85 per child, £7.15 adult, £18.15 family. PLANTASTIC GARDENS, until 1 November. Three themed gardens Anatomy of a Flower, Sunseekers and Planting for Pollinators have ‘popped up’ at the Horniman Museum and Gardens. TAXIDERMY IS DEAD, until 21 June. Artist Polly Morgan is at the forefront of the taxidermy renaissance. This temporary display of Polly’s new and recent work shows how taxidermy is not a ‘dying art’, but an evolving art form.

4-5 and 11-12 July, in and around SYDENHAM SE26 Over 100 artists, photographers, print makers, sculptors, jewellers, ceramists and more will be welcoming visitors, exhibiting their work, running workshops and offering affordable, original art for sale over two weekends. Venues from Honor Oak Park to Forest Hill and Penge include artists’ houses and studios, cafes, exhibition spaces, church halls and TNG (The New Generation) youth centre in Wells Park Road. An Artists’ Trail puts venues on the map - find it at www.sydenhamartists.co.uk.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

families south east - june 2015

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

ROCK THE BOAT - HAVEN’T STOPPED DANCING YET!

Events and Attractions

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank. Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors. Open 10am5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free.

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

CRYSTAL PALACE OVERGROUND FESTIVAL 24-28 June, in and around CRYSTAL PALACE SE19, www.crystalpalacefestival.org Crystal Palace Overground Festival is a free arts and culture festival run by a team of dedicated volunteers from the Crystal Palace Festival Group. It was launched by Upper Norwood traders in 2006 and goes from strength to strength with thousands of visitors each year. The five-day event provides a platform for the many creative and diverse people, musicians, traders and artists of Crystal Palace, and showcases the area, its people, heritage and culture and all it has to offer to visitors from across London, and beyond! For the full line up, see the festival website.

SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road SW7 2DD, 0870 870 4868, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Aiming to be the best place in the world for people to enjoy science, the Science Museum makes sense of the science that shapes our lives, sparking curiosity, releasing creativity and changing the future by engaging people of all generations and backgrounds in science, engineering, medicine, technology, design and enterprise. Open daily 10am-6pm except 24-26 December. LAUNCHPAD SCIENCE SHOWS. The largest free interactive science gallery in the UK is packed with exhibits which allow visitors to launch a rocket, turn their head into a sound box and control a magnetic cloud. Ages 8-14, free. ENGINEER YOUR FUTURE. Put your problem-solving skills to the test and explore engineering through large-scale, high quality interactive games and digital experiences. Discover some of the fascinating stories of women and men who work in engineering today, with striking objects and an accompanying film illustrating cutting-edge engineering. Suitable for ages 11+ CRAVINGS: CAN YOUR FOOD CONTROL YOU? From the flavours you learned to love in the womb to the very next bite you take, your appetite has been shaped by food. Through personal stories, fascinating objects and cutting-edge science and technology, Cravings explores the power food has over our bodies, brains and behaviour. This new exhibition will reveal how the brain, gut brain and gut bacteria work together to control our desire for food. Visitors will be able to discover how not one but two brains affect our cravings and take part in real experiments to uncover how our senses trick our brains into wanting more.

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS

HAMPTON COURT PALACE HAMPTON COURT PALACE, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU, 0844 482 7777, www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace A ticket to Hampton Court includes access to the palace, maze and gardens, an audio guide, costumed guided tours, children’s activity trails, entry to the Cumberland Art Gallery, a living Tudor world, the Young Henry VIII exhibition and much more! Open 10am-6pm Mondays to Sundays, admission £48.20 for families, less when booked online.

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

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HE HORNIMAN MUSEUM

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Dinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies - discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museum open 10am-5.50pm, admission free. ONE MILLION YEARS OF THE HUMAN STORY. What was Britain like when the first humans arrived on its shores? Travel back in time nearly one million years to uncover what life was really like for our ancient relatives. £4.50 children, £9 adults, £24 families. DINO SNORES, 13 June. Discover what really happens at the museum when the staff and visitors have gone home. Children aged 7-11 years, from 7pm to 9.50am the following day. Tickets £60.

Piano Lessons in East Dulwich

FASHION ON THE RATION, until 31 August. Explore the ways in which fashion adapted and even flourished during the Second World War, with items on display including a woman’s siren suit, the original ‘onesie’, and underwear made from RAF silk maps. Adults £10, children £5.

www.se22piano.co.uk

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT, 020 7881 6606, www.nam.ac.uk The history of British land forces from 1485 to the present day, with costumes, paintings, artefacts and special displays telling the stories of men and women who served in British armies across the globe. Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free. ACTION ZONES. Learn about life as a Victorian soldier or World War evacuee through quizzes, games and hands-on activities. KIDS’ ZONE. Under 8s can enjoy an exciting soft play area.

Olé Kids Spanish classes for children and parents Bilingual and beginners. Children learn languages through immersion and play.

V&A MUSEUM HMS BELFAST On the THAMES at The Queen’s Walk by Morgans Lane, Tooley Street SE1 2JH, www.iwm.org.uk Discover the exciting stories of those who served HMS Belfast; exploring the nine decks where sailors once hurried up and down its ladders, or take a look at the mess desk where her 950-strong crew ate and slept. Open 10am-5pm, admission £16 adults, children £8, family tickets from £28. TATTOO T-SHIRTS, 27+28 June. Impress your friends and family by designing your very own t-shirt, inspired by traditional Navy tattoos, and the sailor legend of Davy Jones’s Locker. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm. GUN TURRET EXPERIENCE. Immerse yourself in the Gun Turret Experience, a chance to see what fighting at sea would have really been like. Overlooking the front of the ship, or Fo’c’sle, is the forward most of HMS Belfast’s Triple Gun Turrets. Lights, audio, videos and projections will recreate the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time. Entry included in general admission price. THE TOURISTS, until 7 September. In 1962, at the height of the Cold War, HMS Belfast was making her last international voyage. The ship called at Trinidad exactly three months after Carnival. Artist Hew Locke imagines an alternative history with the ship arriving in time for these celebrations. By altering the ship’s normal displays he shows us the crew preparing to take part, as a fantasy narrative featuring dramatically costumed mannequins.

LONDON SEALIFE AQUARIUM SEA LIFE London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road SE1 7PB, 0871 663 1678, www.visitsealife.com/london See thousands of sea creatures in over two million litres of water, living in over 65 displays over three floors. Brave the Shark Reef Encounter, join in with public feeding sessions and watch the diving displays. There are real penguins too! Open from 10am daily, admission from £18.36 adults, £13.52 children. New for summer 2015, visitors can walk the length of the Thames in just 100 steps by entering a secret portal into the Thames Walk area, discovering the history of the river from the ‘Great Stink’ of Victorian times to today’s impressive cityscape. The zone also reveals the hidden world of hundreds of creatures and freshwater plants, swimming just feet away in the Thames.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road, London SE1, 020 7416 5000, www.iwm.org.uk IWM London has been transformed with ground-breaking First World War Galleries alongside a central atrium space with large object displays, shops and cafes. Family-friendly creative and object discovery sessions take place on Sundays. Admission free. FIRST WORLD WAR GALLERIES. Discover the story of the war - how it started, why it continued and its global impact, through the lives of those who experienced it at the time on both the front line and the home front across Britain and its empire. HORRIBLE HISTORIES - SPIES. Uncover the deadly world of spies in interactive exhibition aimed at families. Horrible Histories: Spiesbrings to life the horrible history of Second World War spies and their secret schemes, based on Terry Deary’s book. Adults £6.20, children £3.30. A FAMILY IN WARTIME. Explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children and what life in London was like during the war. A Family in Wartime is brought to life through interactive exhibits, photographs, recorded interviews with the family, archive film footage, paintings, personal documents and an intricate model of the Allpress family home.

V&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk/families Explore the museum with your children by picking up a trail from the Information Desk and using puzzles, drawing and observation. Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free. BACK-PACKS, Saturdays. Pick up a back pack and explore the museum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games. 10.30am-5pm. SHOES: PLEASURE AND PAIN, 13 June - 31 January 2016. Shoes have been developed around the world over thousands of years, with sometimes extreme results that have provided anything but practicality or comfort. Around 200 incredible pairs of shoes are on display, with examples of everything from sandals decorated in pure gold leaf from ancient Egypt, to high-end fashion creations from contemporary designers.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum is fascinating for families with young children. The collection includes dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography. Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails. There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3’s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. If it’s sunny there’s an outdoor space to enjoy a picnic. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free. THE ALICE LOOK, from 1 June. Get a whole new view of Lewis Carroll’s heroine in this display marking the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Follow Alice’s evolution from follower-offashion to trend-setter through a selection of garments, photographs, rare editions and a brand new commission by Roksanda pattern-cutter Josie Smith. AT HOME IN A DOLLS’ HOUSE, until 6 September. This exhibition reveals the fascinating stories behind some of the UK’s best-loved dolls’ houses, taking you on a journey through the history of the home, everyday lives and changing family relationships. The small stories of 12 dolls’ houses from the past 300 years will be brought to life by the characters that live or work there. Meet the residents and discover tales of marriages and parties, politics and crime. IT’S MY PARTY. Take a look at children’s birthday parties from the perspective of both children and parents. The exhibition centrepiece is a life-sized installation telling the story of a party thrown for Wilfred, a shy resident of the museum.

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We also teach music theory and prepare students for music scholarships. Home Visits available.

!Group classes across London !Spanish in Nurseries !After School Clubs !Private classes at home !Birthday parties Free weekend workshops at Iberica Canary Wharf while you eat www.ibericalondon.co.uk !Adult Spanish Classes

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Cut! (The film, not his head) Join our workshops and help create a unique Aardman Animations film to celebrate our 500 year anniversary. Get involved at moviemaker.hrp.org.uk Selected dates

June - August

Celebrate 500 years of drama Events daily throughout 2015

june 2015 - families south east

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

HMS BELFAST

HOMES OF THE HOMELESS, until 12 July. Huge numbers of Victorian Londoners made their homes in lodgings and lodging houses, renting a room or a bed in a building shared with strangers. Countless others could not afford to rent and were forced to turn to the workhouse and to shelters or slept rough in whatever shelter they could find. This exhibition explores the places the poor inhabited and brings them to life through paintings, photographs, and objects, as well as through personal stories and reports.

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

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

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.uk Royal Museums Greenwich holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and incorporates the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the 17th-century Queen’s House, and Cutty Sark. The Museums works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people, and is also a major centre of education and research. On Saturdays and Sundays free performances and workshops entertain family visitors, while on Tuesdays preschoolers can make music and play with parents and carers. Open 10am-5pm daily. General admission is free; some buildings, special exhibitions and events have an admission fee. AGAINST CAPTAIN’S ORDERS, until 31 August. A new family adventure run in conjunction with Punchdrunk Entertainment. With so much history secured in one museum: so many objects, so many stories, so many doorways to other times and other worlds, who knows who or what will turn up on this exciting journey. Exhilarating, enlightening and perhaps just a tiny bit dangerous, this is a theatrical expedition through the museum, the likes of which have never been seen before. Ages 6-12 plus parents, tickets £19.75. THE GREAT MAP. Borrow a tablet and ‘set sail’ to explore distant lands, discovering stories of female pirates, Scott’s Antarctic expedition and more. AHOY! Visit the museum’s new gallery where younger visitors can board a pirate ship, stoke the fire of a steamship, navigate an ice-breaker, and more, all under one roof. Under 7s, free.

SUMMER SOLSTICE DAY, 21 June. Celebrate the Summer Solstice with a day of events at the Royal Observatory. Look at the Sun through solar telescopes and join workshops on solar astrophotography. 1-4pm.

FIREPOWER - THE ROYAL ARTILLERY MUSEUM

CUTTY SARK CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark The world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four levels to explore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’s wheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on board through interactive displays, props, information boards and animations. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays. Open 10am5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £7 children, £13.50 adults, from £24 families. Bundled tickets are available with the other Royal Museum Greenwich attractions. HAWK TALK, 1-29 June. Join bird of prey specialist Gary Railton, and Norman the hawk on the main deck of the Cutty Sark and find out how he helps look after the ship and her rigging.

BRITISH MUSEUM BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8181, www.britishmuseum.org The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. Each year nearly 6 million visitors pour through the doors to see the museum’s collection of ancient and historical artefacts including the ever-popular Egyptian mummies, or to take in the latest block-buster exhibition. Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free, charge for some exhibitions. DEFINING BEAUTY, until 5 July. A major exhibition on the human body in ancient Greek art, exploring the Greek experience and its preoccupation with the human form. £16.50 adults, under 16s free.

OPEN GARDEN SQUARES

LEEDS CASTLE LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL, 01622 767866, www.leeds-castle.com Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. Grounds open 10am daily, admission to castle and grounds free for under 4s, children £13.50, adults £21, valid for a whole year.

families south east - june 2015

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

TOWER BRIDGE EXHIBITION TOWER BRIDGE, Tower Bridge Road SE1 2UP, 020 7403 3761, www.towerbridge.org.uk Tower Bridge houses four unique venues; the award-winning high level Walkways, the small luxurious North Tower Lounge, the majestic Victorian Engine Rooms and the charming Bridge Master’s Dining Room. Enjoy stunning London views from over the Thames and continue to the Victorian Engine Rooms to learn about the inner workings of the most famous bridge in the World. Tower Bridge still lifts to enable large ships to pass through - check the website before your visit to add to the excitement. There’s a free app, where you can play games and learn more about the iconic landmark before your visit. Open 10am-6pm April - September, 9.30am-5.30pm October - March. Admission £3.40 children, £8 adults, family tickets from £12.50.

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

The Great Outdoors 13-14 June across London, www.opensquares.org Take a peek behind the closed gates of more than 200 London gardens at the Open Garden Squares weekend. Hidden grassy gems, from the historic and traditional to the new and experimental, are opened up to the public over this weekend; including private gardens, roof gardens, community allotments, urban wildlife and ecology centres, as well as gardens belonging to historic buildings, institutions, restaurants, schools and shops. Many of the gardens provide stalls, music, entertainment, family and art activities as well as food and drink. Enter the ballot and win a chance to be one of the lucky few to visit No. 10 Downing Street! Weekend tickets £10, under 12s free.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM

LONDON SEALIFE AQUARIUM

LEEDS CASTLE

HEVER’S HOME FRONT: WARTIME BRITAIN

FIRE ENGINE RALLY

13 + 14 June, HEVER CASTLE, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG, 01732 865224, www.hevercastle.co.uk ‘Hever’s Home Front: Wartime Britain’ shows what life was like in Kent during the Second World War when the Battle of Britain was fought overhead. Look out for Home Guard re-enactors as they demonstrate training and drills using heavy weapons and sandbags. Thrill to an RAF flypast Spitfire and enjoy displays of period model aircraft including a grounded life-size Spitfire. Browse vintage stalls and visit the tea dance tent where traditional afternoon tea will be served alongside swing dance demonstrations with classes for all ages. Visitors are encouraged to come along in vintage dress and enter the spirit of the era. There’s even the opportunity to get your hair done 1940’s style! Bunting and music of the period add to the atmosphere of this nostalgic event for all the family. Gardens open 10.30am; castle opens 12 noon, exit 6pm. Admission adults £16, children £9, family ticket £42.50.

BROMLEY BEER FESTIVAL 27 June, WHITEHALL RECREATION GROUND, Southlands Road BR2 9QY, www.friendsofwhitehallrec.weebly.com Friends of Whitehall Recreation Ground host the first Bromley Beer Festival to help raise money for the park. Fun for all the family with live music, children’s entertainment, BBQ, over 20 different beers, and other refreshments. 2-8pm.

27+28 June, LULLINGSTONE CASTLE, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA, 01322 862114, www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk A spectacular showcase of fire-fighting history with fire engines and carts from the Victorian and Edwardian periods right up to the present day. Experience epic live fire displays as Fire Service Preservation Group enthusiasts demonstrate how to put out various kinds of fires. Younger visitors can get a slice of the action and learn how they operate, with the opportunity to squirt the hoses! 11am - 5pm.

UP AT THE 02 The 02, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, 020 8463 2680, www.theo2.co.uk Climb over the 02's iconic roof and enjoy the view. Clip onto the walkway, go on up and see for miles in your climb suit, boots and harness. Tickets from £28, book first.

BRITISH SUMMERTIME HYDE PARK 28 June, HYDE PARK SW1X, www.bst-hydepark.com Billed as ‘Britain’s biggest family event’ the day promises musical acts, comedy and good old fashioned family entertainment, plus award winning street food. Headliners will include boyband Union J, Cbeebies’ Justin Fletcher, Dick & Dom and Collabro, right up to teen YouTube sensations. There’ll be BMX, mountain biking and parkour, and for younger visitors, SpongeBob SquarePants, Bart & Homer Simpson, Shaun the Sheep and more. Open from 11.30am, tickets available online.

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HEVER’S HOME FRONT: WARTIME BRITAIN

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE

THE BIG WILD RUMPUS

DRAGON BABIES

WALLACE COLLECTION

Theatre, Shows and Music IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE Until 13 June, The 02, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, www.nightgardenlive.com This summer, the world’s only In the Night Garden Live Showdome returns to The O2 - for two weeks only. See Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka brought to life with beautiful costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music and breathtaking projections. In the Night Garden Live takes place in its own family-friendly Showdome. With just 13 rows of seats, you’ll be close to the action and everyone gets a great view! Watch the trailer and book online on the event website. Tickets from £14.50.

MUSIC OF THE SPHERES 13 June - 5 July, CGP LONDON, Dilston Grove, southwest corner of Southwark Park SE16 2DD, 020 7237 1230, www.cgplondon.org Music of the Spheres utilises new bioinformatics technology to encode a musical recording by the Kreutzer Quartet into DNA. The DNA has been suspended in soap solution and will be used by visual artist Charlotte Jarvis to create performances and installations filled with bubbles. The recording will fill the air, pop on visitors’ skin and literally bathe the audience in music. Open 11am-5pm.

CIRCUS GEEKS: BETA TESTING, until 21 June at Udderbelly. Three jugglers share their obsession with throwing and catching through theatre, comedy and circus skills. Funny, geeky and super smart, Beta Testing lifts the lid on life as a juggler. Ages 7+, tickets from £12.50. COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS, until 19 July at Udderbelly. Cracking stand up comedy for everyone over the age of six. High-quality acts like John Robins, Stu Goldsmith and Nish Kumar perform their usual sets without the swearing or rude bits. Ages 6+, tickets from £10. PHIL ELLIS’S FUNZ AND GAMEZ, until 21 June. Jim Elf and Bonzo the dog provide a giggle-packed hour of family fun where anything could happen. Expect prizes, laughter and plenty of Funz and Gamez to put you and the ‘kidz’ in the weekend spirit. Ages 5+, tickets £10. OUR TEACHER’S A TROLL, 7 June - 18 July. Two terrible twins with a talent for turmoil rule their school with terror and tyranny - until the arrival of a new head teacher with green scaly skin, sharp fangs and a long spiky tail. Ages 7+, tickets £12 adults, £6 children. A British Sign Language interpreted performance takes place on Saturday 20 June. BORIS AND SERGEY: ORIGINS, 20 June - 5 July. Boris and Sergey began life in a wintery city in Russia. Alone, the brothers had only each other to depend on and their brotherly bond grew strong. Hear tales from their adventures and find out how they became the nation’s favourite puppet-clown duo. Ages 4+, tickets £10.

BROMANCE, 24 June - 19 July at Udderbelly. A hilarious, bittersweet and downright jaw-dropping celebration of everything blokey. Prodigal UK circus company Barely Methodical Troupe fuse their inner frats with a dazzling tour-de-force of cutting-edge circus prowess and physical-theatre mayhem. For all ages but parental guidance recommended. Tickets from £12.50. FESTIVAL OF LOVE, 6 June - 27 September. Romance is in the air along the banks of the Thames, as the Festival of Love returns with a host of love-themed works and performances. Discover large-scale artworks, vibrant pop-ups, shows and interactive installations in and around the culture hub on the South Bank.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE, Victoria Street, London SW1E 5EA, 0844 248 5000, www.billyelliotthemusical.com Set against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot the Musical is the inspirational story of one boy’s struggle to realise his dream to dance against the odds. Featuring a timeless score by Elton John, sensational dance and a powerful story, Billy Elliot is an uplifting and spectacular theatrical experience that will stay with you forever. Tickets from £29.50, family tickets from £105.

GREENWICH THEATRE GREENWICH THEATRE, Crooms Hill, Greenwich SE10 8ES, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk KID CARPET AND THE NOISY NEIGHBOURS, 6 June. This funny and moving new show uses music, puppetry and projection to look at what it’s like to move into a new house in the city and find your place there. Are the neighbours really feeding cats to their dog? Why do they smell like lemons and cat wee? Where has Dad mislaid the children this time? Can he be un-arrested before Mum gets home? And why is that car on fire? 2pm and 5pm, tickets £13.50, children £8.50. THE LOST ROOM, until 8 June. Once every hour, two intrepid adventurers put on headphones and enter the private interactive world of The Lost Room. This unique immersive experience is suitable for ages 8-108. Catch it before it disappears! Ages 8+, tickets £11, children £8.50.

UNICORN THEATRE UNICORN THEATRE, 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7645 0560, www.unicorntheatre.com GET UP AT THE WEEKEND. Join the Unicorn Play Club every Saturday from midday. Take part in free activities in the foyer such as rocket building, cake decorating or even Olympic musical chairs. ONE LITTLE WORD, 6-21 June. Two characters play together, exploring new space, new objects, dressing up and taking turns. But there’s a bit of a struggle when one of them wants to be the only captain of the ship. This moving story of friendship, power struggles and the rich world of creative play beautifully captures children’s imaginations with original music and just ONE spoken word. Ages 3+, tickets from £10. THE BIG WILD RUMPUS, 13 June. Celebrate your love of ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ by dressing up, reading the book aloud then joining in free Crown Crafts and Monster Mess events in the foyer. 11am-1pm, free. THE ANCIENT MECHANICALS, 29 June - 4 July. Shoot down a castle with a Roman catapult, build an aqueduct to guide water to a village, try the Greek way of using the sun to burn the enemy’s ships, and learn to write your name in hieroglyphics. This hands-on exhibition that fuses science, history and invention will delight, inform and entertain in equal measure. Ages 7+, £3 per child.

SOUTHBANK SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8PX, 0844 847 9944, www.southbankcentre.co.uk GROOVE BABY: HUMAN BEAMINGS, 12 June. At Groove Baby concerts, parents and carers with babies or toddlers can hear high-quality jazz, world, groove and contemporary improvised music. The environment is relaxed and friendly, whatever your age - crying, singing, dancing and playing along are all welcome. £10 adults, children free. THE SHOWSTOPPERS’ FANTASTICAL STORY FACTORY, Sundays until 14 June. An improvised musical adventure for children, at Udderbelly. Ages 6+, tickets £10, family tickets £32. DRAGON BABIES, until 13 July on Mondays. Introduce your Dragon Babies to creative musical play through singing, movement and the beautiful sound of Gamelan percussion. Ages 3-5, 11am, tickets £5 for one adult and child. MONSKI MOUSE’S BABY DISCO DANCE HALL, until 27 September on Sundays. Why toddle when you can dance? This early childhood event lets parents and under-fives loose on the dance floor in the friendliest of discos. Under 5s and parents, tickets £8.

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Art Activities DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bank holidays. Admission free for accompanied children, £6 adults. Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child. ARTPLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session. Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm. FREE FAMILY TRAIL. Ask a gallery assistant or stop by at the Gallery Friends desk for a free trail; updated frequently and available for the permanent and temporary exhibitions. RAVILIOUS, until 31 August. The first major exhibition to focus on the watercolours of celebrated British artist Eric Ravilious (1903-42). Well known for his iconic work for Wedgwood, he was also one of the finest watercolourists of the century, with a prolific carer spanning peace and war. Tickets £12.50 adults, £7.50 concessions.

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

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

SOMERSET HOUSE SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk Saturdays are good for visiting with children, as free family workshops run from 2-3.30pm. Tickets available from 1pm from the information desk. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult. THE JAM: ABOUT THE YOUNG IDEA, 26 June - 31 August. With unprecedented access to The Jam’s archive, Somerset House curates the first comprehensive exhibition about the extraordinary band whose music immortalised life for Britain’s disenchanted youth during the late 70s and early 80s. Previously unseen material and fan memorabilia chart the trio’s journey from Sheerwater Secondary Modern in Woking to superstardom, 18 consecutive UK top 40 singles and over 14 million global album sales.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE, 020 7306 0055, www.npg.org.uk The gallery features thousands of portraits of the most famous people in British history, from the 16th century to the present day. Open 10am-6pm daily. DROP IN FAMILY SUNDAYS. On the third Sunday of every month, families are invited to drop-in with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events. SOUNDSCAPES, 8 July - 6 September. ‘Soundscapes’ invites musicians and sound artists to select a painting from the collection and compose a new piece of music or sound art in response. Immersive and site-specific, the experience encourages visitors to ‘hear’ the paintings and ‘see’ the sound.

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

THE NATIONAL GALLERY TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN, 020 7747 2885, www.nationalgallery.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays to 9pm, admission free. With over 2,300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the gallery, along with free hands-on art workshops for families at weekends and during school holidays. No need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival up to one hour before the start.

FAMILIES AT THE TATE TATE BRITAIN, Millbank SW1, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/britain Open daily 10am-5.50pm, and until 10pm the first Friday of the month. Family trails are available daily from the Information Desks and are free for 5yrs and under. Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your ‘Post it’ box as you go. When you get home, open up the box and show your friends what you found. Or you could follow the ‘Join up’ trail: play the listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talking hands, and make your own sculptures. Every weekend the free Art Trolley encourages children to imagine and create, make colourful collages, style a wonderful sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas.

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