Families London SW Nov-Dec 2018 issue 281

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Christmas shows, Pantos, Where is Santa, Carol services, Free Activities and more...

Issue 281 November/December 2018

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contents

Forestry Commission Crown Copyright

November/December 2018 Issue 281

Try the new Forestry Commission activity trails in a wood this winter, which are based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s magical children’s picture book. Trails and free downloadable activity sheets are available from www.forestryengland.uk/zog

South West • Families London South West is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. • The contents of Families London South West are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families London South West.

• Designed and Printed by Ridgeway Press, Wilts.

28-29 Our Gift Guide 31 Buy your Christmas tree

8-9

Local news

10

Families Top Five activities this month

15

Ten free activities to do in November and December

17

What’s going on at Puppet Planet in Wandsworth

18

School Open days

20-21

Where is Santa?

22-23

Local Christmas shows and pantomimes

25-27

December holiday activities Swimming, tennis, balls skills, touch typing, arts, music, dance, drama, languages etc

34-36 Parties Feature • The best Indoor birthday parties • Classic party games are still winning

38-39

Talking to your child about the loss of a loved one

40-46 What’s On • Diary dates • Ice rinks • Christmas Carols • Christmas fairs • Competitions • Drama • Museums and galleries • Babies and toddlers

• Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families SW, our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

• Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 editorial: editor@FamiliesSW.co.uk News: news@FamiliesSW.co.uk Adverts/Artwork: adverts@FamiliesSW.co.uk events/Diary Dates/What’s on: whatson@FamiliesSW.co.uk Next issue: January/February 2019 ISSN 1354-9553. All contents ©Families SW 2018.

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Advertise in our next issue. Contact us on 020 8696 9680 November/December 2018 • Families South West 7

News

“God hungers for our songs.”

Marius Schneider, Dept. of Music Univ.

Cologne, Germany What world do we want our children to live in? What world are we creating? By taking one step at a time, we can implement sustainable, harmonious principles in our daily lives: when we are mindful and caring, when we create beauty, write poetry, make art or when we sing. You’ll find so many people in this issue who do just that, you are all wonderful.

A very harmonious Christmas everyone!

Could you fulfil a young person’s Christmas wish?

Dinner on demand If you are familiar with the concept of receiving recipe and ingredients boxes but wished for something simpler, with fewer fiddly steps and—yes you read it right—that you can order by 4pm for a same day delivery, then give Indy Market a go.

the UK who are looking for foster families to provide loving and supportive homes. Are you that person they need? A career as a foster carer is incredibly rewarding for so many reasons, it’s an amazing career that involves changing lives for a living. Could you become a foster carer and join the community of individuals and families who change lives for a living?

• For more information on how to get started, call 020 8778 9669 for an informal chat or visit www.fosteringsupportgroup.com

Should you Green the Grid in your community?

The Green the Grid project is run by local residents and is part of the Southfields Grid Residents Association. They organise community planting days, provide practical gardening advice and raise awareness of the benefits of a greener environment. Through increasing planting in their area Green the Grid aims to encourage wildlife, improve air quality and reduce flooding risk, as well as increase people’s wellbeing and sense of community.

Thanks to a grant from Wandsworth Borough Council’s Grant Fund, residents were offered free planting bundles to plant around tree bases in the street. The project gained considerable support from local residents in the planting days held in June and October, as well as tending to their front gardens.

What about taking a leaf from this group and start your own? www.frontgardenfriendly.uk

Isabelle J Photography

Launched locally only recently, unsurprisingly orders are flying out to meet the needs of busy families wanting to prepare fresh meals without the hassle of shopping or too much prep. Our order arrived barely a few hours after we ordered it, ingredients were super fresh and it took next to no time to get dinner on the table, enabling us to put our feet up after the inevitable rushed deadline! Sure to become a great success. www.indymarket.co

Christmas is a time where families across the UK take time away from their busy schedule to appreciate the value of family. For many, family is the pillar of strength that gets us through life’s toughest moments.

Unfortunately for others, there is no such comfort, because there is no such family.

Fostering Support Group exists to give children and young people supportive families to guide and support them through their toughest moments, so that they too, can thrive in life.

There are many children and young people in

8 Families South West • November/December 2018

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Coding super popular with children Well done to MAMA.codes who have launched their award-winning code clubs for 3-8 year olds in Streatham along with Clapham, Balham, Tooting and with classes launching soon in Barnes, Surbiton and Kingston.

MAMA.codes believes in teaching coding as a language, through storytelling, rhyme and song, putting fun and creativity at the heart.

“We teach children at the age they are most receptive to learning language patterns and parents are often amazed by the swift progress they can make at our code clubs and holiday workshops!” mama.codes.streatham@gmail.com

No one should go hungry this Christmas Please remember to make donations to your local Foodbank. Drop non-perishable items in participating supermarkets or go online to find the nearest drop points like churches and halls. Encourage children to go without, in order to give to another local child? Big or small, every gift you give helps transform lives. www.trusselltrust.org

Music therapy In-Deep is a registered charity that offers free music therapy sessions once a month to children with special needs and disabilities.

The sessions are run by a qualified, experienced music therapist with trained, checked volunteers to support children. These are held at Millbank Academy, Erasmus St, SW1 every second Saturday in the month with group 1 age 3-10 at 11.30-12.20 and group 2 age 11-16 at 1pm-2pm. Children have a fun time singing fun songs, playing games etc.

This has been shown to improve communication, interaction and social skills. All are welcome. emma.chapman@indeep.org.uk www.in-deep.org.uk

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Well done Work and Play Scrapstore Work And Play Scrapstore is a reuse charity, which promotes artful re-use of donated surplus/waste materials. For nearly thirty years they have operated as a broker supplying clean and re-useable materials otherwise destined for incineration, landfill or long-term storage to a wide range of groups such as schools, charities, community groups, arts organisations, students and families. They recently had a

makeover and enjoyed a fantastically successful year.

Congratulations.

• Open Tuesday 11.30am-8pm and Thursdays 11am-5pm. You need to be a member to join and you must make an appointment to come by phoning 020 8682 4216. Based at 13 Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0DA http://workandplayscrapstore.org.u k/home

November/December 2018 • Families South West 9

Families Top five activities in November and December Here is our pick of the best five things to do for the whole family this Christmas… peter pan Richmond Theatre TW9 1QJ www.atgtickets.com/venues/rich mond-theatre 8 December – 6 January Take a fairy tale flight to Neverland this Christmas in the

swashbuckling family adventure Peter Pan. Join their high-flying hero as he transports the Darlings on an adventure they will never forget, filled with evil pirates, a very hungry crocodile and the meanest man in Neverland, Captain Hook.

Sail with Santa 020 77 400 400 www.citycruises.com Sail with Santa cruises run on Saturday & Sunday 1,2, 8, 9, 15,16 December and daily from 19–23 December.

What about this for something a little unusual: This year why don’t you book a cruise on the Thames and meet Santa as he swaps his sleigh for a boat? The fun starts

from the moment you set off from Tower Pier, and leave the impressive Tower of London behind you, heading off on a great adventure.

Santa will welcome children and grown ups with festive treats and tell a Christmas story (or two).

Children can get into colouring, while the adults take in spectacular riverside views.

Aladdin

Snow White

New Wimbledon Theatre SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledontheatre

London Palladium W1F 7LA www.snowwhitepalladium.com 8 December – 13 January Dawn French stars alongside returning London Palladium pantomime royalty Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot, joined

by Strictly Come Dancing’s Vincent and Flavia in Snow White, London’s must-see panto.

Tickets are going fast - don’t miss out!

8 December – 6 January Paul Merton leads the cast in this year’s highflying pantomime as Widow Twankey, joined by Magician Pete Firman who will be on hand to spread a little magic over SW19 and help Aladdin overcome the evil Abanazar. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Aladdin features laugh-outloud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.

Return to elm House Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill SW11 5TN www.bac.org.uk 1 – 30 Dec A long time ago, on the very spot where Battersea Arts Centre now stands, a brave woman lived in Elm House. As the years ticked by, her inspiring story was long forgotten until now... Featuring magical trails, ingenious installations and original music, this heart-warming new show rediscovers a long lost past based on the fascinating story of Jeanie Nassau Senior, a social pioneer and Britain’s first female civil servant. For 6+.

10 Families South West • November/December 2018

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 11

Southfields call 020 8870 8300 email southfields@numberworks.com

Battersea call 020 7223 1882 email battersea@numberworks.com www.numberworksnwoods.com/uk

11 PLUS TUITION

Mrs Jones EDUCATION

Y4 & Y5 COURSES 2018 & 2019

11 Plus Foundation – Year 4 (one year)

Limited Space

11 Plus Preparation – Year 5 (one year and 16 months) 11 Plus Mock Exam Only – Year 4 & Year 5 Highly Experienced Graduate Teachers EXCELLENT RESULTS

Call us to book your child’s place

0208 390 6076 South West London

11 PLUS MOCK EXAMS State Grammar and Private Schools Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Cloze Procedure and Exam Technique

Both the Year 4 Foundation and Year 5 Preparation Courses above include weekly tuition classes and monthly mock exams.

Year 4 and Year 5 NOW BOOKING courses starting in January 2019

www.11plustuition.co.uk 12 Families South West • November/December 2018

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 13

The Willow Nursery 55 Grafton Square, Clapham Old Town, London, SW4 0DE 0207 498 0319 www.thewillownursery.co.uk | admin@thewillownursery.co.uk

Established for over 30 years, a family run, traditional nursery school with a unique ethos and fabulous premises.

Term time only. For 2 ½ to 5 year olds.

OPEN DAYS 2018 OPEN EVENING (5.30pm) Tuesday 4th December OPEN MORNING (8.30am) Wednesday 31st October

Wednesday 5th December th Wednesday 5 December

Smedley Street, London, SW4 6PH T: 020 7622 3820 E: admin@larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk www.larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk

14 Families South West • November/December 2018

“Since 2014, Lark Hall children have achieved higher standards than children of the same age and ability in other schools” Department for Education value added measure of progress (ages 7-11)

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Ten FREE activities to do in November and December

11.30 and 12.30pm, for under 5’s. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

7. Pick up a family trail at the V & A Museum Throughout November and December, explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out, plus regular activities and workshops for ages 7-12.

8. Listen to art become alive at the National Portrait Gallery Drop-in with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events. Family Sundays are 17 Nov and 15 December.

1. Sing your heart out Take the family on an atmospheric, candle lit carol service. Choose from our selection on our what’s on pages.

2. Go wreath-spotting Go on a trip down a few streets near you: how many can you spot? Which ones look the best? Which one will you draw or attempt to do yourself?

3. Do some drawing at The Wallace Collection Join the Little Draw, a free drop-in drawing workshop for all ages and abilities. Meet artist Grace Holliday and use specialist drawing, handling and surface design techniques to respond to the stimulating forms and colour palettes. All ages, 1.30pm–4.30pm. Suitable for all the family. No need to book. 4th November and 2nd December

4. Watch a free film Watch the film Scrooge at the Wallace

Collection. This is believed by many to be the best screen version of the much loved yuletide tale by Dickens, with the ever-versatile Alastair Sim impeccable as the miser who comes to see the error of his ways through the promptings of the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. 8 December, 2pm.

5. Do some Christmas craft There are free drop-in activities for all ages at Sir John Soane’s Museum—one of our favourite little museums. This is the historic house, museum and library of the distinguished 19th century architect Sir John Soane. At Soane’s request, the house has been left untouched since his death – almost 180 years ago. A delight. 1.30-4.40pm. 19 Nov and 15 Dec.

6. Fly away on a magic storytelling carpet Fly away on the magic carpet as it comes to land in front of a different painting each day.

Every Sunday at The National Gallery families can enjoy and learn about art together, 10,30,

9. Get into drama at the V&A There is lots happening at the V&A for young children!

Families can enjoy free activities and events at the Museum every day. At weekends, join in with Pop-up Performances on Saturdays and making activities on Sundays. During the school holidays there are additional events to inspire families and to get involved. The everchanging programme is designed for all ages and encourages play and learning through the diverse V&A collection and temporary exhibitions.

10. Touch arctic seal and reindeer skin Touch intricately tooled Tuareg metalwork, discover a digital coral reef at your feet, smell aromatic herbs used by Bhutanese ritual healers in the Himalayas, listen to epic First Nations’ stories from the Pacific Northwest Coast, and even play in a Lagos market stall in the newly opened World Gallery of the Horniman Museum World.

Photo: The National Gallery, London

Photo: Andrew Lee

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 15

ST MARK’S Church of England Primary School

A school where children develop the passion to learn, the skills and knowledge to achieve and the confidence to take Christian values into our diverse society.

School Tours Mondays and Fridays at 9.15am until December 2018.

Harleyford Road, Kennington, London, SE11 5SL TEL: 0207 7351467 email: admin@stmarkscofe.lambeth.sch.uk Website: www.stmarkscofeprimarylambeth.co.uk

16 Families South West • November/December 2018

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Surprising going-ons at Puppet Planet Puppet Planet is a delightful shop in Wandsworth, a realm of the imagination where you can take a journey from your head to your heart. So are we surprised to find Life Coaching in a puppet shop? Not at all.

Life coaching with puppets “I want to hire a coach—does your lifecoach have seatbelts?” was one of the first enquiries Lesley Butler received when she started her Life Coaching practice, having got her Diploma back in 2006. She’d already qualified as a Reiki Master practitioner and trainer in 2003 and was committed to using her skills and talents to enable herself and others to achieve their full potential. Lesley is confident that all problems can be turned into benefits—after all, she managed to transform a hoarding habit into an established world-renowned puppet shop!

Make up your own mind In her life coaching sessions, she might integrate storytelling, puppetry, or Reiki/Emotional Freedom Technique, mask, clown: Lesley provides Playshops as well as Workshops. Or how about making an Alter Ego puppet?

A member of Equity, Clowns International and The Punch & Judy Fellowship, Lesley enjoys being an Entertainer, seeing the role as a wonderful way of transmitting knowledge and insights with empathy and humour. Her passion for empowering individuals to find their voice led her in the early 90s to work on ‘Open Space’ at the BBC, a series dedicated to giving prime screen time to people who felt misrepresented or under-represented by mainstream media. Lesley has two children who have done a pretty good job of bringing her up. She continues to improve, learning from her own mistakes, cherishing a friend’s advice: “Life is about learning to make your mistakes deliberate.” This certainly applies to developing resilience, and also provides lots of material for Lesley’s puppet shows. inspiring growth, embracing change Lesley has experience of navigating life’s ups and downs, and has had the privilege of being able to translate this into leading therapeutic creative workshops for excluded teenagers, as well as for people with special needs and their carers. Lesley says: “I like to encourage people to be self-contained, aiming to express themselves rather than impress others”. She might encourage you to try compartmentalising some areas of your life by creating a Storybox in order to put yourself in the picture and gain a new perspective. An exhibited Artist, Lesley sees objects as crystallised ideas and facilitates creativity.

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In the early 80s she participated in Fluxus ‘happenings’ in Germany, and met Josef Beuys, who believed that: “Everyone’s an Artist.” For Lesley, the definition of Art is as a catalyst which makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts. Even in relationships there may be ‘transactions’ but no real connection. Respect and celebrating differences is key to harmony.

Recipe for your own success Self-esteem is a key ingredient in happiness.

Try this: take some paper and write down your good qualities (invite others to add their positive views of you too), place them in a jam jar and pick one everyday to read, you will nourish yourself with these kind words.

Moving beyond blame and shame is liberating—an emotional detox. Having fun is definitely on the menu—a Puppet Planet party might be a great idea! Fun can help put us in a good frame of mind so that we are receptive to alternatives (it even boosts your immune system!)

Lesley’s approach to positive transformation is to provide a framework to evaluate your values and goals, tools to develop skills, and encouragement to hold you accountable for implementing them.

Watch this interesting 2 minute film about Lesley: ‘Treasure the connection’: https://youtu.be/Co92rZkoP3g.

Lesley offers puppet parties to schools and individuals. Treat yourself to a life coaching session or a course. Gift vouchers and online options also available. 20% discount for your first booking when you quote ‘Families Magazine’ on 07900 975 276 or at www.puppetplanet.co.uk/lifecoaching puppet planet shop is at 787 Wandsworth Rd, London SW8 3JQ 020 7627 0111 https://puppetplanet.co.uk Visit and see what tickles your fancy for Christmas or birthday presents.

November/December 2018 • Families South West 17

Schools Open Days Nov/DeC 2018 SW1 eaton House Belgravia pre-prep 3-8 Boys Open Evening 6/11 7-9pm 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com Burdett-Coutts Ce primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11 and 6/12 at 9.15-9.45am 020 7828 6790 www.burdettcoutts.co.uk

SW3 St Joseph’s Catholic primary School 4-11 CoEd Reception Open Day 7/11 at 6pm 020 7589 2438 www.stjosephs.rbkc.sch.uk

SW4 eaton House The Manor 8-13 Boys Open House 7/11, 28/11 and 5/12 at 9am 020 7924 6000 www.eatonhouseschools.com Allen edwards primary 4-11 Co-Ed Open Days 14/11 and 27/11 at 5pm, booking required 020 7622 3985 www.allenedwards.co.uk Lark Hall primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Evening 4/12 at 5.30pm, Open Morning 5/12 at 8.30am 020 7622 3820 www.larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk

SW6 Fulham prep School 4-13 Co-Ed Pre-Prep Open Morning 29/11 at 9.15am, 10.15am and 11.15am, call to book a place and time slot 020 7471 4217, Prep School tours by appointment only 020 7386 2444 www.fulhamprep.co.uk L’ecole Des petits 3-6 Co-Ed School visits are held on Thursday mornings 8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12 and 13/12 at 10am. Visits are by appointment only 0207 371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk All Saints Cofe primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Days 7/11 and 5/12 at 9.30am 020 7736 2803 www.allsaintsce.lbhf.sch.uk

SW7 Queen’s Gate School 4-18 Girls Senior School Open Evening 6/11 from 5.35pm, Junior School At-Home Receptions 6/11 and 15/11 at 9.15am 020 7589 3587 www.queensgate.org.uk St Nicholas prep School 3-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 17/1/19 9.30-11am 020 7225 1277 www.stnicholasprep.co.uk

SW10 Redcliffe School 3-11 Co-Ed Open Day 2/11 at 9am, places must be reserved, plus tours Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout November 9.30am booking required 020 7352 9247 www.redcliffeschool.com 18 Families South West • November/December 2018

. . . e t a d Up

SW11

SW18

L’ecole De Battersea 3-11 Co-Ed School visits are held on Friday mornings 9/11, 16/11, 23/11, 30/11, 7/12 and 14/12 at 10am, by appointment only 0207 371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk Thames Christian School 11-16 Co-Ed Open Morning 6/11 11am-1pm 020 7228 3933 www.thameschristianschool.org.uk Shaftesbury park primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Show rounds on Tuesday mornings in November through to 15/1/19. Individual tours of the school can be booked on Friday mornings during term time 020 7228 3652 shaftesburypark.wandsworth.sch.uk Christ Church Cofe primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Days 14/11 1.30-3pm and 7/1/19 10.30am-12pm, by appointment only 020 7228 2812 www.christchurchwandsworth.sch.uk Belleville primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Tours of the school 6/12, 10/1 and 31/1/19 020 7228 6727 www.belleville-school.org.uk

The Roche School 2.5-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 14/11 9.30-11.30am call to make an appointment on 020 8877 0823 www.therocheschool.co.uk St Michael’s Cofe primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings by appointment only on 5/11, 12/11, 19/11 and 26/11 at 9.30am 020 8874 7786 www.stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk St Faith’s primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 7/11 and 22/11 at 9am 020 8874 2653 www.stfaiths.wandsworth.sch.uk St Anne’s Cofe primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Days 6/11 and 4/12 at 9.30am and 2pm 020 8874 1863 www.stanneswandsworth.co.uk

SW12 London Steiner School 3.5-14 Co-Ed Open Day 3/11 at 10am-12.30pm 020 8772 3504 londonsteinerschool.org St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College 16-18 CoEd Open Day 12/11 10am-2.30pm 020 8772 6072 www.sfx.ac.uk

SW14 Tower House prep School 4-13 Boys Open Morning 25/1/19, or tours of the school by appointment 020 8876 3323 www.thsboys.org.uk

SW15 ibstock place School 3-18 Co-Ed The Prep School Open Mornings 14/11 and 30/1/19 at 9.30am, booking required 020 8876 9991 / 020 8392 5803 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Granard primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 7/11 and 4/12 at 9.15am, call to book a place 020 8788 3606 www.granardprimary.co.uk Mosaic Jewish primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 10/1/19 at 9.30am 07973 137002 www.mjps.org.uk

SW19 Wimbledon Common prep (also known as Squirrels) 4-7 Boys Open Morning 23/1/19 9.1510.45am, bookings are open now 020 8946 1001 www.wimbledoncommonprep.co.uk Holy Trinity primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Reception Open Morning 16/11 10am-12pm 020 8542 1591 www.holytrinity.merton.sch.uk Albemarle primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Day 15/11 at 11am 020 8788 3170 www.albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk our Lady Queen of Heaven primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Afternoon 14/11 at 1pm, by registration only, plus monthly tours for Reception and Nursery can be booked through the school 020 8788 7420 www.ourladyqueenofheaven.wandsworth.sch.uk

W6 Ravenscourt park prep School W6 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 15/11 and 17/1/19 9am, booking necessary 020 8846 9153 www.rpps.co.uk

SE22 Alleyn’s School 4-18 Co-Ed 11+ and 13+ Open Event 7/11 2pm 020 8557 1500 www.alleyns.org.uk

SE26 Sydenham High School 4-18 Girls Prep School Taster Days 7/11 (4+ Entry), 8/11 (7+ Entry), 13/11 (10+ Entry), Senior School Open Mornings 6/11 and 22/11 9.30-11am 020 8557 7000 www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

SW16 Streatham and Clapham High School 11-18 Girls Prep School Open Morning 6/11 10am-12pm, Senior School Open Morning 7/11 9.15-11.30am, limited places, register online 020 8677 8400 www.schs.gdst.net

Call to book your place now!

Please check the date has not been changed or cancelled before setting out.

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 19

The Chistmas issue

Where is Santa?...

Not very far at all … if you know where to look!

Photo: Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

Battersea park Zoo

Kew Gardens Winter Trail

Visit the zoo and say hello to Santa. Bookable in advance. Plus, join in the fun Christmas Stocking search and other Christmas activities throughout the zoo from 1 to 24 December.

Usual child entrance fee £7.50 + £6.50 = £14.00 1-2, 8-9 and 14-24 December. www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk

Now in its sixth year, the 2018 winter trail will be bigger than ever before, with over a million twinkling pea-lights and thousands of laser beams. Walk under welcoming arches into a world festooned with seasonal cheer and wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in Christmas colour. Santa and his elves will be in the North Pole village, plus favourite vintage rides, Christmas gifts and traditional festive fare. 22 November - 5 January. www.kew.org/christmas

An hour long experience!

Royal Albert Hall

www.royalalberthall.com In this hour long interactive experience, little helpers journey through spaces within the historic Royal Albert Hall and meet a range of enchanting characters from the North Pole, including toy soldiers, fairies, workshop elves, toymakers, and of course, the real Father Christmas. £36.70. 22 November - 22 December.

eddie Catz putney, Wimbledon and Earlsfield Get into the Christmas spirit and meet Santa Claus in his Grotto at Eddie Catz. Book a time slot, includes a photo. www.eddiecatz.com Fulham palace Bishops Avenue SW6 6EA Knock on the Tudor Great Hall door and listen for the bell before the whole family enters for a special one-on-one meeting with Father Christmas, who gives each child a small gift.

Plus, join in wreath-making and other Christmas workshops. £11 per child, booking essential. 1, 2, 7 and 9 December. www.fulhampalace.org 20 Families South West • November/December 2018

Morden Hall park

Santa to your door www.adamantsparties.co.uk Arrange a magical visit from Santa on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any other time. He will deliver your presents and chat to your children about their favourite things. He may even sing a few festive songs before he says goodbye having nibbled a mince pie, or two.

Call the Santa hotline 020 8959 1045/ 07969 121094 or email info@adamantsparties.co.uk

Morden Hall Road SM4 5JD Go for a long walk in the park then meet Father Christmas at Morden Hall Park's Stableyard.

Meet Father Christmas and his elves in his cosy enchanted grotto. 24 and 25 November, 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 December. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park

WWT London Wetlands Centre Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT Head over to their northern pine forest; Father Christmas will welcome families in his cosy grotto among the trees (tickets to see Santa must be pre-booked). Plus, the elves are a little behind schedule this year so Father Christmas needs some extra helpers to make enough presents in time for Christmas. Create festive decorations and small gifts to take home. Plus donkey rides and sleigh rides! 8-9 and 15-16 December. www.wwt.org.uk/london

Bocketts Farm

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Meet Santa in the country!

Living Farm nativity Kent Life Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU www.kentlife.org.uk On the 9 December take a journey through the grounds of Kent Life to discover the nativity story scenes and join in the traditional Christmas Carolling. Children are encouraged to dress up so they can be part of the nativity. 3pm start, included in admission cost; under 3s free, adults £6.95, families £21.95.

Also meet Santa and his reindeer 1+2, 8+9, 15+16 and 20-24 December. Jump on board the Land Train driven by the head elf and hear some Christmas tales. Visit cuddle corner, try your hand at gingerbread decorating and take a trip to pot-painting studio. Book a slot with Santa in his magical grotto before taking home a special gift. Grown-ups can also enjoy a cheeky mince pie and sampling of cider.

Tickets include all day access to Kent Life.

Adults £7.95, children £12.95, families £34.95.

Bocketts Farm

Meet Santa at RHS Garden Wisley

Bocketts Farm

A fabulous garden so close to home: Have a sing-along and a story with the man himself and receive a small gift.

Young Street, Fetcham KT22 9BS www.bockettsfarm.co.uk to buy your tickets in advance.

On selected dates you can also decorate delicious gingerbread to take home. You can book online right up to the day before.

Children will love to hop on board the Santa Express to his magical and traditional hay barn workshop. Meet Father Christmas and receive a gift. Meet the baby lambs, complete the fun Christmas trail and get creative in the festive craft corner. Plus, experience a ‘white Christmas’ in the giant snow globe and enjoy endless amounts of indoor play.

From 22nd November to 24th December.

From 28 November - 23 December. View full activity details on the website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/whatson/Santa-at-Wisley

Shhh… Santa is also hiding in these places: Duke of York Square Grotto Duke of York Square, King's Road SW3 4LY Book at www.dukeofyorksquare.com Hyde park's Santa Land New Santa Land with a brand new 45m long Ice Slide! hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/santaland

Photo: RHS Garden Wisley ©

Museum of London 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN 020 7814 5502 Take a stroll through a twinkling Victorian Walk, transformed with festive decorations and the sound of carols in the distance. £10 when booked in advance (includes gift). www.museumoflondon.org.uk

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Christmas in Leicester Square www.christmasinleicestersquare.com Leicester Square transforms the centre of bustling London into a wintery wonderland including traditional Christmas markets with hand-crafted goods and delicious food and drinks. Santa's grotto (book first) plus fantastic shows in the beautiful surrounds of a traditional 1920s 'spiegeltent'.

November/December 2018 • Families South West 21

Christmas Shows and Local theatres This year why not stay local? We are spoilt for choice for the most excellent shows and pantos locally and they are much cheaper too!

Robin Hood Putney Arts Theatre Ravenna Road SW15 6AW www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk 13-22 December. Fairy Godmother has had another makeover and is ready once again to use her magic to put the world to rights. This year she’s in Nottingham where an evil sheriff is supporting the rich, taxing the poor and threatening to build a wall.

The Selfish Giant Omnibus Theatre SW4 0QW www.omnibus-clapham.org 28 November – 24 December (excluding 3,10,17 December).

Grinter the giant lives happily alone in her cold house, surrounded by her snowy gardens, enclosed by her high, frost-covered walls.

Outside the world has changed.

There is very little green left. One day, the children – tired of hard roads and grey rooftops – climb through a gap in the giant’s wall changing the course of the children’s and Grinter’s lives forever.

Colour House Theatre www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk SW19 2RD A tiny theatre that is perfect for little ones. every Saturday and Sunday to 11 November. The Wizard of oz.

24 November – 27 January. Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack is in big trouble when he comes home with a pocket full of magic beans instead of gold in return for his cow, Daisy. Furious, Jack’s Mum throws the worthless beans into the garden, but overnight the tallest bean stalk you’ve ever seen grows into the clouds…

Aladdin 8 December -6 January. Boyband and television star Lee Ryan will be the handsome hero Aladdin in this year’s wish-filled, must-see SW19 pantomime. Paul Merton will lead the cast as Widow Twankey, joined

by Magician Pete Firman who will be on hand to spread a little magic over SW19 and help Aladdin overcome the evil Abanazar. New Wimbledon theatre Director Nick Parr said: “We are delighted Lee Ryan completes the cast as our hero Aladdin, we are now ready to take a magic carpet ride to the best show in Merton this Christmas!”

This year’s pantomine has been chosen as one of our top 5 this month, see page 10.

Return to elm House Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill SW11 5TN www.bac.org.uk 1–30 December. A new immersive adventure for children and families, age 6+. A long time ago, on the very spot where Battersea Arts Centre now stands, a brave woman known for her generosity, wisdom and care, lived in Elm House. But as the years have ticked by, her inspiring story has been long forgotten. Until now...

Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure.

12-24 December. (In the Studio) 2-8 years. The adventure takes place at Santa’s HQ in the North Pole, The Reindeer Sat Nav is programmed and the toys are piled high on the sleigh, then... chaos strikes! Rudolph is missing and the Elves are misbehaving... will Santa ever deliver the presents to all the boys and girls? Santa needs your help, and in return the children will get to meet him after the show and even receive a present.

Join Dorothy over the rainbow in Oz, as you travel with her along the Yellow Brick Road, all the way to the Emerald City. With the Wicked Witch of the West hot on her trail, Dorothy will need all the help she can get from her new found friends. 2pm and 4pm, from £10.

New Wimbledon Theatre SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre

22 Families South West • November/December 2018

Tin pan Annie family Christmas Show St Barnabas Church Clapham Common Northside www.tinpanannie.co.uk Saturday 15th December. Tin Pan Annie and her amazing 5 piece band rock out all the best family favourites from Rudolph to Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree whilst giant dancing snowmen, snowflakes, reindeer and elves boogie and bop with the children.

All profits donated to the amazing Honeypot Children's Charity who are the only UK charity providing respite breaks and on-going outreach support for young carers aged 5-12 years old. Tickets for the 3 shows at 11am, 2.30pm and 4pm can be bought in Tin Pan Annie Music classes or via her website.

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas Lyric Hammersmith W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 21 November - 30 December.

Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. polka Theatre SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com A fabulous children’s theatre right in our patch!

9 Nov - 17 Feb. The Wind in the Willows. When Mole abandons spring cleaning for the delights of the riverbank, he has no idea of the adventures that lie ahead. With Toad’s obsession for all things fast causing chaos (poop, poop!), it falls upon his friends Ratty, Mole and wise old Badger to save him.

10-11 November. The Frog and the princess. A poignant re-telling of the Brothers Grimm tale that will entertain and delight family audiences. This exquisitely manipulated and humorous puppetry performance explores the meeting of cultures and what happens when a Princess deems a Frog unworthy of being her friend, just because of what he is.

14-18 November. Snow White, Rose Red, Bear Brown. Snow White and Rose Red – sisters, twins, best friends – have lived in the forest since they were babes in the wood.

Not as worldly wise as their Mother would have liked, they are nonetheless, kind, caring and sometimes a little over enthusiastic in their deeds!

29 November – 17 February. in the Winter Wood. When Pig and Goat discover they’re being fattened up for a winter feast, they decide to run away to find a little house in the winter woods, where they can live happily together.

Along their journey they meet Goose, Hare and Cockerel, who offer their special skills to help build their new home.

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Pantomines

West end productions (and theatres further afield)

Matilda The Musical Cambridge Theatre WC2H 9HU uk.matildathemusical.com Throughout November and December

Photo: Tall Stories 2017

A Christmas Carol Museum of London EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk To 28 December Nativity!

Eventim Apollo W6 9QH www.eventimapollo.com 19-31 December Stick Man Leicester Square Theatre WC2H 7BX www.leicestersquaretheatre.com To 6 January The Nutcracker London Coliseum WC2N 4ES www.londoncoliseum.org 13-30 December New Wimbledon Theatre

Room on the We love Broom Live this one!

Lyric Theatre WC2H 8DP www.tallstories.org.uk/room-onthe-broom 23 November – 13 January Mr Rabbit meets Brer Santa Puppet Theatre Barge Blomfield Road (opposite 35) W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 1-31 December

The Nutcracker Royal Opera House WC2E 9DD ww.roh.org.uk 3 December – 15 January Disney on ice Dream Big The O2 Arena Peninsula Square SE10 0DX www.disneyonice.com 26 December – 6 January pullman’s Grimm Tales The Unicorn Theatre SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 13 November – 6 January Awful Auntie Bloomsbury Theatre WC1H 0AH www.thebloomsbury.com 12 December – 6 January A Christmas Carol Arts Theatre Great Newport Street WC2 artstheatrewestend.co.uk 8 December – 12 January A Christmas Carol The Old Vic SE1 8NB www.oldvictheatre.com 27 November – 19 January Rumplestiltskin.

Queen Elizabeth Hall SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 13 December – 6 January The Snowman Peacock Theatre WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com / www.peacocktheatre.com A classic, must-see Christmas show!

22 November – 6 January

The Frog and the Princess

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 23

Cricket parties

Bespoke clothing for schools and clubs

Term time courses in Wimbledon and Wandsworth

10% discount on all kit and equipment using the code CD10OFF

Also Holiday courses.

1:1 Coaching Equipment manufacturer

info@cricketdynamics.co.uk

Follow us @cricketdynamics

07946 559 572

www.cricketdynamics.co.uk

Like us /cricketdynamics

24 Families South West • November/December 2018

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Christmas holiday activities listing We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

The London Wetland Centre: Sat 8 December - Sun 9 December We are so lucky to have the WWT on our doorstep: make the most of it—enjoy some festive Christmas fun—lots of activities for the whole family to enjoy! Hop aboard for a husky sleigh ride, take a ride on a donkey or create festive gifts and decorations in our elves workshop.

Visit the cosy grotto and receive a gift from Santa (tickets available to purchase online.)

Arts & Crafts Dove Studios 105 Dovehouse Street, Chelsea SW3 6JZ 020 7352 6668 / 07775 682094 www.dove-studios.com 11-13 December Christmas Arts & Crafts Workshop Fun arts and crafts for all, 4.306pm, £90.

Be creative. Get inspired. Make Christmas your own with personalised gifts for your friends and family. They will teach you how to create quality, trendy and traditional crafts that everyone will love for Christmas. Make your Christmas meaningful and memorable. Don't miss out,

eddie Catz Putney, Wimbledon and Earlsfield First Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street SW15 1SF 42 Station Road SW19 2LP 279 Magdalen Road SW18 3NZ

Et Patati Patata Theatre

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0203 4755268 eddiecatz.com Throughout Christmas holidays Holiday Activities Across the 3 branches in SW London – Putney, Earlsfield and Wimbledon Colliers Wood – there will be plenty of holiday camps, creative workshops and parties to choose from. See www.eddiecatz.com for more information and to book online.

Prices usually include lunch and a free play at the venue, plus Eddie Catz appears in all venues twice a day to meet and greet the children.

Kids en Cuisine Venues across SW London 020 3015 2966 www.kidsencuisine.com 17-21 December Cookery Camp Bring your Mini Chefs aged 4-8 to join a week of cooking classes in a family and Christmassy atmosphere. A different menu every day focuses on healthy food, £25 per child or £115 if you book for the week using the code families18.

15 December Christmas Party at Cuckoo Hibou Fun Christmas party at this Parsons Green venue, £15 per child.

11 and 18 December Cookery Workshop Make homemade crumble at Whole Foods, Kensington or Whole Foods Fulham, 4.30pm, £15 per child, dates vary depending on venue.

16 December Christmas Party at As Nature Intended Have lots of fun at this Marble Arch venue, £15 per child.

Photo: Yellowbird Education

Little House of Science Imperial College, Kensington SW7 2AZ 0800 092 1062, info@littlehouseofscience.com www.littlehouseofscience.com 10-14 December Christmas Holiday Camps Forensic Christmas Adventure Join a captivating scientific journey where children will discover a variety of interesting facts from Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Observe, explore, ask questions and analyse DNA, bones and fingerprints, physical and chemical changes, property of materials, and chromatography. Daily MondayFriday, 9.30-3.30 (9.00am early sign-in), 4-11 years, drop-off.

17-21 December and 2-4 January Arctic and Antarctic Science Labs Learn about North and South Poles and their ecosystems. Discovery the mysterious past of Antarctica and how the climate change affected it. Explore various food chains and various adaptations of the Arctic and Antarctic Animals.

2-4 January Innuit Day Become an Innuit for a day and design engineering solutions to survive in the cold.

What is carbon and its role in the greenhouse effect and how can we help to stop the global warming?

Monday-Friday, 9.30-3.30 (9.00am early sign-in), 4-11 years, drop-off.

paint pots St Mary The Boltons, The Boltons SW10 9TB www.paintpotshouse.com 17-21 December Paint Pots Festive Fun Arts, crafts, music, games and other seasonal activities for ages 3-6 years, 9.30am-12.30pm, £45, 9.30am-3.30pm, £65. Led by fully qualified Nursery School and Creative Classes teachers.

Developing skills Naomi Martin Touch Typing Sinclair House School, 59 Fulham High Street SW6 3JJ 07949 204553, www.nmtouchtyping.co.uk Throughout Christmas Holidays Touch Typing Courses Touch typing courses for children aged 7-18, classes are 90 minutes long, mixed age and ability. Sibling discounts available, 9.30-11am or 11.30am-1pm, £250 for the week.

Allsorts Drama

November/December 2018 • Families South West 25

SW4, SW6, SW12, W4 020 7731 0695 / 07790 912318 www.yellowbirdeducation.com 17-21 December Creative Writing Workshops Includes 3-day English Exam Booster Workshop for 7+, 8+, 11+, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Workshops, Intensive Handwriting Workshops, 4-day Creative Writing Workshop, Interview Skills for 7+, 8+ and 11+, and 2-day Comprehension Preparation for 7+, 8+ and 11+.

London Wetland Centre

Yellowbird education

Holiday computer coding workshops 020 8090 1444 www.spark4kids.com Spark4kids runs computer coding workshops that introduce children to computer coding in a fun, engaging environment. Available are courses on Minecraft Modding, Roblox Coding, Unity/C#, Robotics, Games Design, Micro:Bit, Python, HTML/CSS and JavaScript for ages 5-7, 8-12 and 13-16 years.

Absolute beginners to advanced all welcome. Call or visit our website for more details.

Role Models Day Courses Finton House SW17 7HL 020 3637 7107 www.rolemodels.me, info@rolemodels.me 17-20 December Leadership & Creative Problem Solving Courses Better life skills, better results. Role Models are running Leadership & Creative Problem Solving Courses for ages 8-11 this December. They focus on the key ‘soft’ skills required to thrive at school, at home and in life ahead.

Cost is £395.

Music & Drama

polka Theatre

Upbeat Music

240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com 2-4 January Christmas Holiday Workshops A range of exciting holiday workshops for budding actors, directors, designers and costume makers, including Winter Tales, Trouble On The Riverbank and Mask Fun With Ratty, Toad and Badger!

Age 2 upwards, dates, times and ages vary depending on workshop.

Thomas’s Academy, Parsons Green SW6 4LY 07816 901396 www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk 19-21 December Christmas Holiday Course Pop and rock fun at Upbeat Camps – sing, dance, play in a band, record your tracks and then perform them.

Courses always end with a performance and CD presentation.

Age 5-14, sibling discounts and ‘introduce a friend offers’ available, 10am-4pm.

All Star Tennis

Dantastic Across SW London including Southfields Library, Sindbads Raynes Park and Corfield Centre, Streatham 07460 222003 www.dantasticproductions.com/cl asses Dates in Christmas Holidays Baby and Toddler Classes Action packed, interactive musical adventure classes aimed to inspire, educate, build confidence and improve fitness. Expecting plenty of singing, dancing, puppets, instruments and sensory activities.

Drop in for only £8 (£5 siblings), dates vary depending on venue.

Allsorts drama More House School SW1 Notting Hill Prep School W11 020 8969 3249 www.allsortsdrama.com Drama Workshops Popular and fun drama workshops for ages 4-6 and 711, dates vary depending on venue. The perfect way to keep your child entertained and stimulated in a creative and structured way.

Stagecoach Battersea Northcote Lodge, Bolingbroke Grove SW11 6EL 07956 288928 www.stagecoach.co.uk/battersea 17-18 December Christmas Holiday Performing Arts Camp Join Stagecoach Battersea for 2 fabulous days of seasonal performing arts fun! Featuring songs from The Greatest Showman, Nativity and Elf and many many more. 9.30am12.30pm for 4-6 year olds, £60 or 10am-4pm for 7-15 year olds, £80.

26 Families South West • November/December 2018

Sport Leaders Gardens SW15 1LS King Georges Park SW18 2GJ Wandsworth Common SW18 3RT Tooting Common SW17 8JU 020 8871 4706 www.allstartennis.co.uk/holidaycamps 17-21 December and 4-5 January Christmas Holiday Tennis Camps Get into the festive spirit on court and join the award winning All Star team for their Christmas holiday camps for players of all levels. All Star Tennis award winning camps are renowned for their fun and creative approach to learning tennis. Packed with games, drills, tennis technique, match preparation, fun tournaments, trick shots, prizes and team games. 5-7 years, 10am-1pm, 8-12 years, 10am-3pm.

Battersea Sports Centre Battersea Sports Centre, Hope Street, SW11 2DA 020 8871 8529 www.enablelc.org 27-28 December Christmas Holiday Activities Take part in a range of sports for all ages and abilities. 10am-3pm, sibling discount available.

Chelsea FC Soccer School Venues across SW London 020 7957 8220 londondevelopment@chelseafc.co m / soccerschools@chelseafc.com www.chelseafc.com/foundation /

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Christmas Holiday Activities

Spark4Kids www.chelseasoccerschools.co.uk Throughout Christmas Holidays London Soccer School For boys and girls aged 4-13. All abilities welcome, times vary according to course, from £30.

12.30pm and 2-5pm (19-21 only).

Skill Thrill, age 6-12, 2-5pm on 20 Dec. There are also drop in classes available. Spaces are limited so book in advance.

SwimWay Fulham FC Foundation Venues in Fulham 0870 442 5432, holidaycourses@fulhamfc.com www.fulhamsoccerschools.com Throughout Christmas Holidays Holiday Courses Soccer schools run every day, 9am to 3pm. Play tons of football, learn new skills and make lots of new friends.

Taking place at Fulham FC’s Training Ground in Motspur Park, Bishops Park in Fulham, Dundonald Rec in Wimbledon and other venues across South West London.

Prices start from £21 per day, with discounts for booking the whole week. 3-14 years.

Little Gym Smugglers Way SW18 1DB 020 8874 6567, wandsworth_fulham@thelittlegym.eu www.wandsworthfulham.thelittlegym.eu

19-22 December Christmas Holiday Gym Camps Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join these popular classes for children of all ages. The programme focuses on building new skills and developing confidence while the kids have loads of fun. Age 3-8, 9.30am-

kids en cuisine

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Balham, East Sheen, Putney, Kensington, Kew Gardens and Wimbledon 020 8871 3972, info@swimway.co.uk www.swimway.co.uk Throughout Christmas Holidays Swimming Courses Intensive courses to improve your child’s swimming technique, on a private or semi-private basis. Courses run for half an hour each day, book early to avoid disappointment. Age 3-9, dates and times dependent on venue.

S W Swimming School Emanuel School SW11 1HS Burntwood School, Tooting SW17 0AQ 0208 767 2723, operations@swswimschool.co.uk www.swswimschool.co.uk Dates in Christmas Holidays Intensive Courses A 4- or 5-day intensive splash courses where children swim everyday with same instructor. All lessons are 30 minutes each day, running between 9am-12pm Monday to Friday.

Youngstars Multi-Sports and Activity Camp Balham, Clapham, Parsons Green, Putney and Wimbledon 07749 343116, info@youngstars.co.uk www.young-stars.co.uk 2-4 January Christmas Holiday Camps Plenty of fun, games and excitement whilst kids are introduced to all aspects of sports in an all inclusive and non-competitive environment.

3-12 years, times and prices vary.

November/December 2018 • Families South West 27

This year’s must-have Every year, desperate parents exhaust themselves searching high and low for the most wanted toys on their child’s Christmas list. To avoid last minute panic and possible disappointment, the key is to do your research and start shopping early.

To help you get prepared, we’ve put together a guide to Families top ten favourite Christmas toys for 2018.

Dino Fingerling (£16.99) www.argos.co.uk Age: 6+ This year WowWee Toys' popular Fingerlings are all about dinosaurs (or mythical unicorns, if you fancy something a little less fierce). The dinos respond to motion and sound and are bound to be a massive hit.

LeGo Harry potter Hogwarts Set (£89.99) www.amazon.co.uk Age: 9-15 Lego and Harry Potter in the same box, what’s not to love? If you've got a wizard-mad child at home, this 878-piece set will allow them to recreate the magic of Hogwarts.

This lovely set has lots of detail that will give Harry Potter fans hours of fun.

Chow Crown Game (£24.99) www.argos.co.uk Age: 5+ A silly game for the whole family. The hat plays music, and while the beats are going, the crown spins round, and the wearer has to eat as many of the food items attached to the forks as possible. A game that’s most fun when hunger looms, you are in charge of loading the food items on to the forks. You can choose tasty treats like marshmallows and strawberries or items that might not be so palatable! Great fun for parties and sleepovers too.

pie Face Cannon (£26.99) www.amazon.co.uk Age: 5+ Pie Face continues to make the Christmas list year after year, and 2018 looks to be no different. This year you can buy a Pie Face Cannon. The cannon fires a pie every time, and it’s up to the contestant to use the red hand to stop getting “pied”. A great game to play after Christmas dinner! Pies away!

28 Families South West • November/December 2018

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Christmas toy guide The poopsie Unicorn Surprise, £49.99 www.amazon.co.uk Age: 3+ Mums and dads across the country will be delighted to find this defecating unicorn on Christmas lists! The Poopsie Unicorn Surprise is a ‘cute’ toy that poops out glittery slime when you feed it special unicorn food. While I can hear parents visibly groaning, this is sure to be a hit with unicorn-lovers everywhere.

Plus if you are worried about getting unicorn glitter poo all over your carpet on Christmas day, never fear, the toy comes with its own potty!

Densters (£19.99) www.firebox.com Age: 3+ All children love building a den! This great kit allows kids to set up their own hideaway in minutes. The set contains flexible toy monsters so you can create a magical den from everyday household items. It’s a great way to get your kids off a gadget!

Ani-Mate Mini Movie Maker Kit (£14.99) www.findmeagift.co.uk Age: 8+ Create quirky little movies with your own phone and this ingenious Mini Movie Maker Kit. It includes modelling clay, modelling tools and googly eyes to make your own kooky characters, and backdrops so kids can create their own film.

This is a great present or stocking filler for a budding animator or storyteller.

vTech Kiddizoom Smart Watch (£44.99) www.amazon.co.uk Age: 4+ This cool watch features a camera for photo and video taking, 3D style digital and analogue clock faces and eight great games. It also has a motion sensor for a pedometer so they can measure their steps. The watch also has a calculator, calendar, alarm, stopwatch and voice recorder. Plus the option to download more apps and games!

Gravitrax (£48.29) www.amazon.co.uk Age: 8+ A cool game that encourages kids to boost their STEM skills. Use your imagination to build superb tracks and set the Gravity Spheres rolling! The game combines physics, architecture, and engineering, to engage and improve young minds. You can also buy additional packs to extend the system. A great buy for kids that love building, marble runs and Lego.

My Rebounder Mini Rebounding Trampoline, £89.99 www.myrebounder.co.uk Age 4+ Classic fun, these rebounders (small trampolines) will keep kids active all year round and can be used inside and out. They help improve strength, balance, coordination and general fitness. They can also be folded, so they won’t take up too much room.

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 29

30 Families South West • November/December 2018

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Christmas isn't Christmas until you've chosen your tree Pines & Needles experts (wearing kilts) will be on hand to give advice at their stores in Battersea, Barnes & Wimbledon Park from the 24th Nov. It’s a great family day out and they even have a local delivery service (for an extra cost). Stores are re-stocked every morning with freshly cut trees and delivered straight from their plantations. You won't get fresher, fuller or more fabulous trees anywhere else!

USe CoDe : FeSTive18 to get your free gift with purchase More details of opening dates and times: https://www.pinesandneedles.com/pages/realchristmas-tree-stores-london

Santa chocolate cakes

. . . e p i c e R Thanks to www.kidsencuisine.com

Step-by-step method: Mix the chocolate with the butter in a pan until you get the mixture melted. Then, pour the milk and stir.

In the bowl, whisk the egg with the sugar until the mixture becomes smooth. Pour the flour in 3 times and whisk hard when you add the chocolate batter.

Add the baking powder, mix and pour the batter in muffin moulds for 15 min at 220 degrees or 200 degrees if you have a fan oven.

Photo: Kids en cuisine

Let the muffins cool down. Then, add some whipped cream on the top of the muffin, a strawberry and here we are! Santa is ready!.

ingredients: • 60g flour • 1 egg • 50g butter • 50g sugar • 40g chocolate 150ml milk • 1ts baking powder

Tips...

• Cut the strawberry at the bottom to get it flat and use an edible pencil to draw Santa’s eyes.

• If you want to make your own whipped cream, pour a pot of crème fraiche in a bowl and whisk with sugar.

The music exam with songs they’ll love to sing Do your children love to sing? Are they fans of musical films and shows?

The new ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre exams offer a great new goal to work towards.

All ABRSM exams provide a clear pathway for learning with reliable and consistent marking from expert examiners. They support motivation, encourage progress and celebrate achievement. They’ve now launched Singing for Musical Theatre exams, initially for Grades 1 to 3 but with more grades coming in 2019.

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The exams focus on performing and musical understanding, so candidates sing three songs and do some short musical tests. At these early grades, they have chosen songs that are suitable for developing voices, as well as being age-appropriate in content. Of course, in the end it’s all about the music and the syllabus is packed with fantastic songs – from Gershwin to Sondheim, the West End to Disney.

Why not talk to your child’s music teacher about these new exams? Or find out more at www.abrsm.org/sfmt

November/December 2018 • Families South West 31

32 Families South West • November/December 2018

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Calling all baby Scientists!

Help us discover how babies learn!

Calling all infants from birth to 18 months to take part in fun studies at the Birkbeck Babylab in central London. We provide a black cab if you live within 5 miles of Birkbeck, or we refund any travel expenses.

020 7631 6258 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 33

Indoor birthday parties

Photo: Gambado

We’ve teamed up with Gambado to compile this guide of the best themes for indoor birthday parties. Make your child’s next birthday party unforgettable with one of these fabulous themes!

Adam Ants parties Adam Ants offers amazing parties at affordable prices.

Adam Ants and his talented team make sure their parties are non stop fun. With something for all ages: magic, balloon modelling, puppets, music, dancing, games, face painting.

They also offer amazing disco/sports parties or the ever popular a Build a Bear party.

You can hire tables and chairs/bouncy castles/soft play and ball ponds. Why not invite your favourite character to the party from Mickey Mouse to Pepper Pig and many more?

020 8959 1045 / 07969 121094 info@adamantsparties.co.uk www.adamantsparties.co.uk

princess parties

Laser Tag parties

Everyone wants to feel like a princess for at least one day, and what better day than your birthday!

Ask your little one’s guests to come in their finest gowns and dressing up outfits to get in the mood. One of our favourites is Elsa and the Frozen cast, but there’s also Mulan (not strictly a princess but we love her story), Beauty and the Beast, and Princess Jasmine from Aladdin.

Look out for recycled or biodegradable paper plates, and a cloth tablecloth and napkins that matches your prince and princess theme – a quick Google and you’ll find plenty of options—and decorate with matching colours and drapes around the room.

Bring on the glamour with activities like tiara & crown decorating for some messy play and a treasure box full of gorgeous gowns and jackets for dress up time.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to host your party at home—you can choose to throw your birthday bash at Gambado with their princess package and mascot visits.

Forget the PAINball experience, why not try Laser Tag! Laser Tag is a game, a bit like “tag” or “hide and seek” where players generally run around, trying to “tag” and “find” each other. The game has evolved to new levels with the introduction of the infrared beams of light sometimes called “lasers”—and children love them! With state of the art, safety certified gaming guns, and a safe but realistic arena, Gambado is the perfect place to go for a Laser Tag Party. They also have foam dart parties for the younger players. You can also hire

34 Families South West • November/December 2018

a specialist company to provide all the facilities in a venue of your own choosing if you prefer a DIY option.

Cricket parties Why not go for an alternative to a football party and have a cricket party with CricketDynamics.co.uk?

Their cricket parties are tailored for any ability, with a chance to enjoy fun cricket games/drills, lots of laughter and of course a game of cricket. All equipment is provided, the coaches are experienced in working with children and will make your child’s party entertaining and exciting. They can also assist and

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guide you in finding a suitable local venue depending on the number of children attending the party.

outer Space party 3…2…1…Take Off! Entertain your future astronauts with an outer space themed party. Get creative with decorations—make paint paper lanterns and hang them up to look like planets—use scrunched up tin foil to create the ring around the planet, cover the table with black plastic table cloth and sprinkle it with blue and silver confetti stars and create paper rocket cut outs with poster board and scrapbook paper.

party with the Tiger!

Want to know more about Gambado’s indoor kids party venues and their themes for birthday

parties? You can choose from their ever popular Make a bear workshop, or their fabulous Tiger Party and Tiger Tots party package where Gambado the Tiger himself is a guest. Visit their kids party blog for lots more party ideas—and you can use their current promo code to grab yourself a discount – quote PF28 when you book. Gambado Chelsea is at 7 Station Court, Townmead Rd, Fulham, London SW6 2PY www.gambado.com

More indoor party ideas...

• Rock Climbing with Vauxhall Climbing, the Climbing Hangar or Clip n’Climb both in Fulham.

• Take them to the Polka Theatre, they do parties • Trampoline with Flip Out, Wandsworth • Cook pizza or afternoon tea with kidsencuisine.com • Let them sing and dance with BlueberryPlaysongs.co.uk • Bring in the professionals with REAL magic with www.peterpinnerentertainments.co.uk • Lavish parties with the most unusual party themes with Twizzle.co.uk

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 35

Classic party games are the best Forget researching the latest games for your child’s next birthday. Despite the fact that we live in a digital age, the simple truth is that children crave the classics. Here a few party games that are still enormously popular.

The chocolate game The children sit in a circle and take turns to throw a dice. If they get a six they put on a hat, scarf and gloves then attempt to eat a wrapped bar of chocolate with a knife and fork. Meanwhile the other children keep on throwing the dice. When the next person throws a six, they get their turn.

Sleeping lions Children lie down on the floor as still and as quietly as possible

pretending to be ‘sleeping lions’. A judge roams the room and any child that moves is ‘out’ and the winner is the last child ‘asleep’.

Kim’s game Lay a tray with a mix of objects from toy figures to random items like sticky tape or a spoon. Cover the tray with a tea towel. Allow the children a minute to look at the tray before covering it back up when they write down everything they can remember from the tray.

The one who remembers the most items is the winner.

Doughnut challenge Hang ring doughnuts on strings.

Children must attempt to eat as much of the doughnut as they can without it falling off the string—the challenge is that no hands are allowed! pass the parcel You can’t have a party without pass the parcel! Almost despite age,

children still love to sit in a circle, pass that parcel around and rip off the paper when it’s their turn. A small chocolate treat for everyone is enough to get them excited plus the anticipation of a bigger “present” for the winner. Party etiquette demands that the final present is won by a guest, so try to make sure the winner isn’t your child!

Have fun!

Silly Millie the Clown Parties for 3-9 year olds

Funny Magic Show, Puppet’s, Party Games, Silly Songs and Balloon Animals Call 020 7823 8329 - 07939 239397

www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

PARTIES! Wonderfully fun musical parties for your under-5’s! Guitar-accompanied songs with actions, joining in, jumping and dancing, instruments, puppet and parachute!

The perfect party for little ones.

Call 020 8677 6871 info@blueberryplaysongs.co.uk www.blueberryplaysongs.co.uk

The Children’s Entertainer Fun & Games, Mini Disco, Magic, Juggling, Puppet Shows 07961 355269

www.mrbooboo.co.uk Recommended by the Evening Standard

36 Families South West • November/December 2018

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Great for small Christmas parties

Perfect for Baby Showers, Gender Reveal and Bridal Showers

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 37

Talking to your child about the Loss of a loved one

By Lianna Champ

The grief of children is as real as the grief of adults. When a grandparent or close family member dies, a child’s view of the world and their sense of security are threatened and all that is familiar changes, especially if they had a special bond with that person. For children, relationships with grandparents, aunts and uncles can be magical.

Use straightforward language Sometimes in an attempt to protect them from the harsh reality of death, we may distort the facts to soften the truth. This can inadvertently create a mystery around death which forces children to use their imagination to fill the gaps. By using straightforward language to explain what ‘dead’ means we are teaching children a truth—that people can die when they are old, if their bodies stop working properly or if there has been an accident. In the case of suicide, it is alright to admit that we don’t always know why someone has died.

The way we teach our children to cope with their losses in childhood sets a pattern for the rest of their lives. We can teach them to embrace all life experiences and to process their emotional

38 Families South West • November/December 2018

responses—good, bad, happy or sad—as they arise. Life is not an endless series of happy moments and it is always interspersed with traumas. By accepting and experiencing all life events as they occur our children learn to process them practically as they arise, deal with them and move forward.

Children learn their coping mechanisms from us Children may not always hear what adults are saying but they will always watch what they do. It is important that parents and carers keep their behaviour and routines as normal and familiar as possible and give children their full attention and time. This will ensure they feel safe. Let your children know that you are still there for them even though you may feel like folding. You are still a parent and have that responsibility.

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You are also teaching them a very important emotional tool - how to grieve. Create a safe space where they can talk about how they feel.

You go first and if you cry, talk through your tears. Explain that what you feel may be different to what they feel. Each loss experience is as unique to us as our own fingerprint. Don’t offer an opinion on your child’s words, but be open and accepting in your body language. Feedback words to show you understand, but don’t interrupt their flow. Don’t try and analyse their feelings and don’t compare how you are feeling.

Comparisons minimise the importance of their expressions and can affect their self-esteem and confidence and create imaginary failings where there are none. it is vital that we are honest If the death is expected, children have the opportunity to express their love, say things that are important to them and share everything that needs sharing.

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Experiencing grief together brings us closer to our loved ones and is all part of the cycle of life. Children have a natural curiosity and may ask lots of questions. Let them.

They will ask as much or as little as they need to know. Give them simple and factual answers—tell them the truth. Listen to their words, reassure them and be ready with a hug if they need one. Don’t try to change how they feel.

Encourage them to talk through their tears—emotion is contained in words and speaking them helps to unravel their confusion. All children, no matter what age, must be allowed to talk and share unconditionally.

Programming children with incorrect information about how to deal with loss can create negative coping mechanisms. They need to learn that it is okay to talk about the person who has died even if it makes them sad. When we are happy we want to share our happiness. It is the same when we are sad—both emotions need equal expression.

Memory is how we hold on to the things we love Sometimes young children don’t understand that death is permanent and creating a scrapbook can give them the opportunity to say, ‘We can’t see grandma or grandad because she/he has died, but we can look at their photographs and see them in this way.’ Choosing photographs together to make a scrap book and drawing pictures can evoke lovely conversations and memories.

Choose a beautiful memory box for cherished items. Have a memory hour where your child thinks of their favourite memories of their grandparent or loved relative. Our memories are the fruits on the tree of grief.

Lianna Champ has over 40 years’ experience in bereavement and grief recovery. Her new book How to Grieve Like a Champ is available on Amazon, priced £9.99.

For more info, visit www.champfunerals.com

November/December 2018 • Families South West 39

What’s on Nov/Dec 2018

if you only do one thing this month…

Dick Whittington

Go and see a classic Pantomine!

At the Lyric Hammersmith W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 17 November – 6 January Expect the usual mix of live music, crazy characters, awesome adventure, singing, dancing, villainous baddies and heroic goodies with a little bit of feline flavour chucked in for good measure. The Lyric Hammersmith never disappoints when it comes to panto season!

Diary Dates ...

Babyccino Kids’ The ShopUp Chelsea Old Town Hall, London, SW3 5EE www.babyccinokids.com/theshopup @babyccinokids

A weekend of activities, workshops and gifts E&A Wates 82-84 Mitcham Lane SW16 6NR 24 & 25 November Don’t miss this unique event in Streatham. Meet award winning author and illustrator Frann

Preston-Gannon; discover E&A Wates’ new stunning collection of children’s fabrics, cushions and rugs and wall stickers. A weekend of storytelling, book signing, learn to draw bugs and more. See advert page 3. Book to avoid disappointment.

2 & 3 December (Sunday 11pm6pm, Monday 10am- 5pm) Babyccino Kids is one of the hottest yummy mummy websites, full of fun information in a stylish, lifestyle magazine, along with an independent brand shopping portal. Bringing the online shopping experience to life, The ShopUp event shows off a selection of independent boutiques. This year's ShopUp event will be the 6th annual shopping pop-up in Chelsea, after successful events in London, NY and LA. Filling the historic Chelsea Old Town Hall with charming shops and interesting brands, this is one-stop-Christmas shopping at its best. Over 40 independent boutiques will be present, along with fun for the whole family: face painting, arts & crafts, yummy snacks and, of course, a visit from Father Christmas. A day out that the entire family can enjoy. Free entry

BFI W1T 1LN www.bfi.org.uk/families Saturdays 3 November – 8 December Saturday Film Clubs. These Saturday film clubs are a must for any child who loves film and wants to have fun! Topics cover everything from animation and adverts, to sci-fi and special effects. The clubs are hugely popular so book early. Mini

40 Families South West • November/December 2018

Filmmakers for ages 8-11, 10.30 – 12.30, £85 per child; Young Filmmakers for ages 12-15, 24.30pm, £95 per child.

The Wallace Collection W1U 3BN www.wallacecollection.org 23 November Takeover Day. A celebration of children and young people’s contributions to museums, galleries, arts organisations, archives and heritage sites. The Young Curators from St Vincent’s Primary School will take charge of the Collection’s front of house and guiding duties for the day - let them greet you and bring you on an interactive tour at 1pm.

15 December Get Cracking! Join the Education team this festive season and make your own Christmas crackers inspired by the Wallace Collection.

Free, drop-in, 11am–1pm.

8 December Free Film Screening: Scrooge.

Believed by many to be the best screen version of the much loved yuletide tale by Dickens, with the ever-versatile Alastair Sim impeccable as the miser who comes to see the error of his ways through the promptings of the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. 2pm.

Mum2mum Market Ricards Lodge High School, Wimbledon and other venues across SW London www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 10 and 17 November Come along and buy all kinds of nearly new toys, clothes, books,

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strollers, car seats, feeding accessories, baby equipment and so much more. Or if you fancy a quick clear out, why not book a stall? Admission £2 on the door, children free. Visit the Mum2mum Market website to get 2 for 1 admission. 2-4pm.

Lost in a Book: Literature Festival The Queen’s House SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house 16-18 November Royal Museums Greenwich hosts its very first literature festival and the theme is ‘adventure’. Join them for a weekend packed with talks, performances and workshops including real-life adventurers, authors, screenwriters, animators and much more. The festival will not only include chronicles of action and derring-do but will remind audiences of the many ‘adventurous’ ways in which stories can be shared. Free, all ages.

Fulham Palace Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org 30 November and 1 December Christmas Wreath Making. Get festive at Fulham Palace and have a go at making your own Christmas

wreath with Jo Sherren of F. Bombe, a contemporary floristry business with ethical sourcing at its heart.

9 December Christmas Pantomime – Beauty and the Beast. Banished to the castle by a wicked enchantress, the Prince is cursed to remain a hideous beast forever. Could Belle be the one to break the spell on the Beast? 11am and 1pm.

Lapland UK Nr Ascot, Berkshire www.laplanduk.co.uk 17 November - 24 December An original adaptation of the Father Christmas story and the secret world of the elves brought to life through a 4-hour immersive experience of unprecedented scale and quality. From £49.

Yoga Forever Hamilton House, 211 Balham High Road SW17 7BQ www.yoga-forever.com 18 November Join in a fun afternoon of yoga to raise money for Heads Together, a charity that offers support to people with mental health issues by giving them practical tools to help them and their families. £50 per person.

Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason Photo: © David Jensen

ICE RINKS Here are a few of our favourites!

Tower of London

Somerset House

EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london 23 November – 6 January Skate in the shadow of the Tower and the Thames.

From £12.50.

Strand WC2R 1LA www.somersethouse.org.uk 14 November – 13 January The perfect destination for festive gatherings with skating, music and delicious food. The everpopular Skate School and Polar Bear Club return this season, offering sessions with National Ice Skating Association instructors for visitors of any experience.

Natural History Museum SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk To 6 January

Winterville

Hampton Court Palace

Clapham Common 15 Nov-23 Dec 600 metres square and constructed from real ice.

Open Tues to Sun. Child £9.50.

KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourt Palace 23 November – 6 January Tickets from £12.50, family tickets from £42.00

Christmas at Kew Gardens

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November/December 2018 • Families South West 41

What’s On South Ken Kids Festival

ZSL London Zoo

Institut Français, 17 Queensberry Place SW7 2DT southkenkidsfestival.co.uk 19- 25 Nov Your favourite festival is back with an exciting line-up of authors and illustrators including Christelle Dabos, Victor Dixen, Ronan Badel, Axel Scheffler and Quentin Blake.

NW1 4RY www.zsl.org 22 November – 1 January Christmas at the Zoo. Get ready for stunning seasonal sparkle as Christmas comes to ZSL London Zoo like never before. Discover their historic site and iconic buildings as a one-mile illuminated pathway winds its way through the Zoo in a magical after-dark experience. With the animals tucked up in bed, explore the trail where fairytale meets fantasy and larger-than-life, illuminated wild animal sculptures rise high into the night sky. From £10.50.

Father Christmas And Paddington Bear's First Concert Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace SW1X 9DQ www.cadoganhall.com 21 December Join Sir Trevor McDonald and the Mozart Symphony Orchestra Wow, this for this magical Christmas looks like a treat for all the family. Sir Trevor will narrate the tale great of how Paddington comes concert! to London as a stowaway and ends up conducting the Mozart Symphony Orchestra!

Following the interval there will be a screening of Raymond Briggs' classic film Father Christmas, with a live soundtrack provided by the Mozart Symphony Orchestra.

Christmas at Kew Kew Gardens, Richmond www.kew.org/christmas 22 November – 5 January This Christmas, Kew Gardens will once again transform into a magical after dark explosion of festive colour, as visitors embark on an illuminated trail inspired by the Gardens themselves. Now a firm favourite in the London festive calendar, this year’s trail will offer an utterly new experience of art, light and sound from a roster of incredible international artists.

Audition for Youth Music Theatre UK www.youthmusictheatreuk.org/ auditons 26 January - 23 February 2019 Aged 11-21 and have a flair for performance and theatre making?

This is your opportunity to make your dreams of being on stage a reality. Audition across London and star in YMT’s stunning season of new music theatre. Regardless of experience! Just go for it!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS Fulham Palace

Christmas Festival

Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org 2 December Carols by Candlelight. Join the Friends of Fulham Palace in our Tudor Courtyard for an afternoon of carol singing.

3.30pm-5pm.

9 December Family Christmas Carol Concert.

Held in their Victorian Chapel, this concert features the Fulham Children’s Choir leading favourite Christmas songs that both young and old will enjoy.

3pm-4pm.

Royal Albert Hall SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com 1-31 December The iconic Royal Albert Hall resounds with seasonal cheer, as music, carols, dance and songs fill the grand hall in the countdown to Christmas

Yuletide Comfort & Joy St Stephen’s Church, Rochester Row, SW1P 1LE 13 December A local Christmas Community Event in support of St Andrew’s Youth Club.

An evening of entertainment and fellowship for families and friends- featuring both readings and Christmas hymns, carols and songs of diverse natures; recollections from a Chelsea Pensioner and experiences told by a St Andrew’s Club member.

From 7.00pm.

Christmas Carols St Martin-in-the-Fields WC2N 4JJ www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org 1-31 December Christmas carols and concerts in the atmospheric church offering opera music, choral recitals, popular Christmas carols and more.

42 Families South West • November/December 2018

Christmas at Sea Cutty Sark www.rmg.co.uk/christmas-seamerry-opera 16 December This Christmas, come to a seafaring extravaganza with Merry Opera for a concert under the gleaming copper hull of Cutty Sark. Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Gilbert & Sullivan, sea shanties and a reading of Robert Louis Stevenson's much loved poem Christmas at Sea which is 150 years old this year. 7pm.

Christmas Carols Trafalgar Square www.london.gov.uk 10-21 December Stand beneath the famous Christmas tree and listen to one of many choirs performing in the run-up to Christmas. Wrap up warm and hum along to the likes of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Deck the Halls, and Away in a Manger, as the carols are sung with festive fervour by choirs from around the country.

Tower of London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-oflondon 8 December Carols by Candlelight.

Performances at 6pm and 8pm, £20.

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CHRISTMAS FAIRS The annual Gift of Sight Fair

Craft Fair and Christmas Tree Festival

Chelsea Old Town Hall www.stjohneyehospital.org 5th December It’s the perfect way to do your Christmas shopping before the end of term – with a special focus on bespoke designed and made products, including beautiful jewellery, quality homewares, fashion accessories, charming children’s clothes, gourmet food and wine. Bring a friend: there will be proper coffee and a pop-up cafe from gorgeous caterers Peardrop London. Come and join the Christmas fun knowing that 10% of everything you spend goes to charity St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. From 12 noon until 6pm.

Ticket £5 on the door or buy online.

Trinity Church, Mansel Road SW19 4AA www.ccf.trinitywimbledon.org 8 December. A wonderful craft fair and Christmas Tree festival with carols and seasonal refreshments.

COMPETITION TIME !

Wandsworth Friends Christmas Fair St Lukes Church Ramsden Road, London, SW12 8RQ 13 November 6.30-9.30pm and 14 November 8.30am-3.30pm Stalls for fantastic presents. Silent Auction, Lucky Dip and other activities. Last year's fair raised more than £30,000 - enough to sponsor a Trinity nurse for 6 months. Preview evening 13 November with glass of wine and nibbles.

WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR A CHRISTMAS SHOW

Try your luck to win a family treat this winter. We have three competitions this month, you are welcome to enter them all!

Pear Tree Café Battersea Park SW11 www.peartreecafe.co.uk/christmasfair 1-2 and 8-9 December Christmas Fair. The second annual Pear Tree Café Christmas Fair will see the marquee turned into a Winter Wonderland attracting people from far and wide, with a whole host of stalls perfect for all your Christmas shopping. There are fairy lights, Christmas trees, carol singers, mulled wine, raclette and a touch of Christmas sparkle!

Horniman Christmas Market Horniman Museum and Gardens SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk 30 November, 1 and 2 December Join them for some festive Christmas shopping as the Museum is filled with stalls and products by independent sellers, local designers and makers.

Join them on Friday evening for a special late night opening with mulled wine and music. Free entry.

Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre Hampton Court Palace KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/Hampton CourtPalace 7 – 9 December The palace’s historic courtyards are set to be filled with over 50 stalls featuring mince pies, mulled wine and a host of treats guaranteed to set mouths watering.Included in palace admission.

Winter Market Southbank Centre SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk From 9 November Expect seasonal goodies, sparkling lights, mulled wine and that festive feeling. Top traders from around the world bring to the riverside an array of handmade festive goodies and delicious street food. Each trader brings their unique spin to the feast, with stalls offering Asian, Indian and Greek cuisines, traditional winter favourites like raclette and bratwurst, and sweet treats including waffles and pancakes.

Chelsea Christmas Gift Fair Chelsea Old Town Hall SW3 chelseachristmasgiftfair.com Dates in December TBC The annual Chelsea Christmas Gift Fair returns to give Londoners some unique choice for their Christmas shopping. With an emphasis on high quality, unique products, this year will have the best group of exhibitors in its history. On offer are gifts in categories such as Fashion, Accessories, Jewellery, Homeware, Childrenswear, Beauty and of course Food.

Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre On our doorstep and with Paul Merton leading the cast, this year’s high-flying pantomime is a must-see. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Aladdin features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. This panto is a treat your whole family will treasure!

Win a family ticket (4 tickets) valid 11th December only.

Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure at Time & Leisure Studio, Wimbledon Visit Santa’s HQ in the North Pole.

Rudolph is missing and the Elves are misbehaving. Santa needs your help, and in return the children will get to meet him after the show and even receive a present. Don’t forget to bring your camera. For all children ages 2+ Win a family ticket (4 tickets) valid 12th–24th December

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Room on the Broom Live at the Lyric Theatre Join the witch and her friends on their mission to defeat the dragon in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of Room on the Broom, the classic picture book

by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Win a family ticket (four tickets, minimum one adult) valid 2-13 January 2019. Prize is subject to availability. No cash alternative, travel and accommodation not included. Room on the Broom © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2001 – Macmillan Children’s Books.

Winners will be picked out of all entries received by us on 30th November.

To apply please simply like the relevant post(s) on Families SW’s Facebook and Instagram pages or email the words ‘FSWcompetition’ to editor@FamiliesSW.co.uk with your choice of show.

November/December 2018 • Families South West 43

MUSEUMS, GALLERIES AND DAYS OUT

What’s On

Kensington Palace

British Library NW1 2DB www.bl.uk/events 24-25 November Tabby McTat. A stage adaption of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler classic for all the family, from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Tabby McTat is a cat with the loudest of meee-ews and a best friend with a guitar.

Together they sing their favourite songs delighting the crowds, until one day Fred disappears.

25 November Feline Fables and Folktales. Join storyteller Olivia Armstrong to listen, invent, write and perform stories in this playful family workshop. Listen to cat folktales from around the world that show the different sides to these most mysterious of creatures – from the

heroic and magical, to the downright naughty, you will meet them all! Free, drop in, age 5-11.

Christmas Glow RHS Garden Wisley Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB 1 Dec – 2 January (except 24 and 25 Dec.) Enjoy the atmosphere of the festive season with the Jigantics light installation around the garden which blooms with magical giant illuminated flowers. Also, don’t miss the stunning Glasshouse display. The Glow event starts at 4pm. Timeslots for the Christmas Glow event must be booked in advance online.

Cutty Sark SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark Throughout November and

December Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2017. This exhibition displays the spectacular winning images from 2017’s competition in the Observatory’s Astronomy Centre. From distant galaxies to our very own Milky Way and neighbouring planets, the entries reflect our enduring fascination with the night sky. Free.

21 November Kids in Museums: Toddler Takeover Day. The day’s activities are designed and led by children from a local school, who will present themed arts, crafts, storytelling and play for our youngest visitors and their carers. Age 4 and under.

Florence Nightingale Museum SE1 7EW www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Throughout November and December Spanish Flu: Nursing during history’s deadliest pandemic. This special exhibition explores the devastating impact of the Spanish flu pandemic 100 years ago, and the role of both professional nurses in military field hospitals and ordinary women at home, in caring for victims.

Foundling Museum 40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 1 December Rags to Riches. Inspired by the symbolism found in the portraits in their exhibition Ladies of Quality & Distinction, use block-printing techniques to turn recycled fabrics into elegant decorative textiles that 44 Families South West • November/December 2018

could be used to dress an influential woman. Led by artist Isobel Manning. Age 5+.

16 December Christmas Elf Ears. Inspired by their family concert A Musical Fairy Tale, make a pair of Christmas elf ears to dance in and take home. Age 5+.

Hampton Court Palace KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPal ace Throughout November and December The Magic Garden. Discover something new around every twist and turn in an immersive world populated by mythical beasts, including a 25m dragon! Take the family to become Tudor Knights, besiege the battlements, storm the Tiltyard Towers and explore a mysterious secret grotto. Included in palace admission.

Throughout November and December Tudor Kitchens. Last summer saw a complete re-imagining of the famous Tudor kitchens, transporting visitors back to a time when they were the beating heart of life at Hampton Court Palace.

New displays feature interactive technology and sensory experiences, so for the first time ever visitors are able to see, smell and touch their way through the process of preparing a meal fit for a king.

6 January Family Ghost Tour. Join a State Apartment Warder for an early evening walking tour where the history of the palace really does come creepily to life! Along the

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See more events in our online What’s on calendar

way participants will discover the stories of ghostly apparitions, paranormal activity and all manner of spooky happenings from over 500 years of the palace’s history.

1 December – 6 January Christmas Present, Christmas Past.

Visitors will be transported back to 1906, where the grace-and-favour community are preparing for Christmas at the palace.

Horniman Museum and Gardens SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Throughout November and December World Gallery. The Horniman’s exciting new gallery, displaying over 3,000 extraordinary objects from around the globe. Free entry.

24 November Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave.

From 12-2pm and 3-5pm, from £8.

8 December Family Sleepover at the Horniman.

From 7pm–10am, £50 per person.

15-16 December The Snow Queen Storytelling.

Enjoy a storytelling performance of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale of The Snow Queen. In this seasonal fairy tale meet Gerda, Kal and the Snow Queen on a wintry journey to Lapland.

Kensington Palace W8 4PX hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace 1 December – 1 January Christmas at the Palace. Includes Victorian Christmas, Meet Victoria and Albert, Create a Victorian Christmas Decoration and Create a

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Victorian Christmas Card, all included in Palace admission.

Dates vary.

London Transport Museum WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Throughout November and December Future Engineers Gallery. Families, young people and ‘big kids’ can get hands-on and have fun exploring the fascinating world of transport engineering in the new Future Engineers gallery, which opens to the public as a permanent display.

Test your skills, solve transport conundrums faced by modern day engineers, and enjoy a series of interactive exhibits.

Museum of London EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk Sundays in November and December Museum Explored. Explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities. 11am and 2pm. Plus, join a fun and engaging tour of the museum’s galleries, especially for families. Age 5+, 2-2.30pm.

Sundays in November and December Hands-on history. Hear incredible London stories as you touch and hold real museum objects. Age 5+, 2-4pm.

What’s On Discover the elite training and extreme skills needed to make the cut as this exhibition explores the operations our Special Forces have undertaken around the world over the past 70 years. A wonderful new exhibition at this completely refurbished museum, perfect for all ages and especially for families with curious youngsters. From £4.

To 3 March Call in the Cavalry. From flamboyant uniforms to fast horses, this exhibition looks at the shared heritage between the Hungarian and British hussars. During the 19th century, 12 British Army regiments were retitled or created as hussars, adopting traditions established by the Hungarian hussars of the 17th century. Learn about the traditions they have developed, and the many famous cavalry charges they have taken part in.

3 and 10 November Poppy-Making Family Crafts. Mark the centenary of the end of the First World War by learning about, and making, your own Remembrance poppy. Join a dropin family craft sessions for 3D, paper and sequin poppy-making to take home or leave in their Remembrance Garden.

17 November Remembrance Poetry Writing Workshop. Join a family-friendly poetry writing workshop.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jo Young and Isabel Palmer, the museum’s two poets-in-residence, will guide you through writing your own piece of poetry inspired by the First World War. 22 November Kids in Museums Takeover Day. A multitude of creative activities for the under-5s, their families and carers. These storytelling, craft and rhyme-time sessions are inspired by animals of the First World War.

National Maritime Museum SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Saturdays in November and December Character Encounters. Join an exciting performance and journey bringing maritime history to life.

12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, age 6+.

Natural History Museum SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Throughout November and December (continued on page 46)

National Army Museum SW3 4HT www.nam.ac.uk To 18 November Special Forces: In the Shadows.

November/December 2018 • Families South West 45

BABIES AND TODDLERS

What’s On Whales Beneath the Surface. A major new exhibition exploring the extraordinary life of whales.

To 6 January In The Dark. Explore the extraordinary diversity of animals that survive and thrive in worlds without light. From the dead of night, to the darkest caves and into the deepest oceans, you may be surprised by the undiscovered life in the dark. From fish to foxes, bats to boas, visitors will get up close to a huge variety of creatures specially selected from the Museum’s worldleading Collection, each with their own story to tell. From £7.50, children go free.

To 30 December The Wider Earth. For the first time in its history, the Natural History Museum creates a 357-seat traditional performance theatre to host the European premiere of the award-winning Darwin drama, The Wider Earth. Featuring a cast of seven, and 30 hand-made puppets representing the exotic wildlife Darwin encountered, this is an ingenious coming-of-age story celebrating the incredible complexity of our planet and Darwin’s adventurous spirit as he faced perilous environments and unknown dangers on his bold voyage.

Royal Observatory Greenwich SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory 9, 10, 23 and 24 November An Evening with the Stars. The popular after dark experience at the Royal Observatory Greenwich includes a show in London’s only public planetarium and the chance to look through the gigantic Great Equatorial Telescope at what the night sky has to offer. Plus, spend some time on the Greenwich Meridian with a hot drink, an amazing view and astronomers on hand to answer all your spacerelated questions. Age 7+.

Weekends in November Young Astronomers Workshop. A programme of weekend family workshops - participate in a varied range of activities related to space science and space exploration, from the International Space Station to the latest discoveries about the Solar System and the wider universe. Age 5+

Science Museum SW7 2DD Sciencemuseum.org.uk Throughout November and December The Sun: Living with Our Star. The sun, its beauty and power have inspired us since the dawn of civilization. Set at the centre of our

solar system, its brilliant light shapes our sense of time, our health and our environment. This is the story of humanity’s ever-changing relationship with our nearest star.

Tower of London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Throughout November and December Armoury in Action. A family friendly exhibition revealing the fascinating story of arms and the armoury at the Tower. From shooting arrows and assembling firearms to brandishing swords, a thousand years of history at the Tower is brought to life in this exciting, hands-on experience.

Selected Sundays 4 November – 7 April Twilight Tours. Join the Tower’s Yeoman Warders as they lead exclusive tours of the Tower after dark. Take in world famous sights, such as Traitors’ Gate, the scaffold site and the Bloody Tower, and be appalled and amazed by tales of prisoners and past residents, of royal gossip and of the secrets kept within these ancient walls.

V&A Museum of Childhood E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Throughout November and December Dream On. An exploration of dreams, the unconscious and an imaginary world between sleep and wakefulness.

Throughout November and December Century of the Child, Nordic Design for Children 1900 to Today. The 20th century’s most iconic and influential Nordic designs for children, from BRIO to LEGO, Marimekko and the Moomins have been brought together for the first time in this stunning new exhibition at the wonderful Museum of Childhood. Explore the influences which have helped forge Nordic design and examine how children have inspired some of the century’s most progressive designs, architecture and literature.

Throughout November and December A Pirate’s Life for Me. Enter an imaginary swashbuckling world of adventure and exploration from a moody coastal inn to a tropical treasure island in search of sparkling riches. This is the V&A Museum of Childhood's first major exhibition to focus on fictional pirates and their influence in popular culture, featuring key loans from the V&A collections, including toys, games, books, real pirate coins and treasures spanning over 300 years.

46 Families South West • November/December 2018

NCT Bumps and Babies Group Riverside Pub, St George’s Wharf SW8 2LE every Tuesday in November and December Come along at 2.30pm to meet up with other pregnant people or people with babies - completely free and nice drinks available.

Contact Caroline Flint 07973 657 642, email caroline.midwife@gmail.com

The Graveney and Meadow SW17 9NA www.graveneyandmeadow.com Wednesdays in November and December Kids’ and toddlers’ arts and craft classes. See website for details.

Thursdays in November and December Pram Chorus. Child friendly daytime choir, 10am, £7 per adult, see website for times.

Fridays in october Rhythm n’ Babies. Music classes for babies and their carers with instruments. 9.30am, £5.

BYOB Comedy Clapham, East Dulwich, Teddington, Putney, Tooting www.byobcomedy.com Dates in November and December Bring Your Own Baby Comedy. A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy and you get to bring your own baby! They provide toys, baby changing, buggy parking, bottle warmers and more, so that baby is happy and you can relax and enjoy top comedy stars from the circuit and TV.

Unicorn Theatre SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Saturdays in November and December Up Club. Join the Unicorn Play Club most Saturdays for free drop-in activities from portrait painting and potato printing to giant rocket making and more.

12noon - 2pm.

Sing world songs, folk songs, gospel and more. A warm welcome awaits all singing abilities. Contact southlondonsingingmamas@gma il.com, tel 07947 609780.

National Maritime Museum SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Tuesdays in November and December Play Tuesdays. Embark on a museum adventure that includes trails, arty workshops, songs and stories. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm.

Do-Re-Mi Babies Concerts Barnes, Chelsea, Fulham, Wandsworth www.doremibabies.co.uk Dates throughout November and December Inspirational and fun classical concerts. Babies and toddlers are welcome to crawl, dance, sing, cry, nappy change and more, so you can relax and enjoy some wonderful music. £10 per adult, children free, tickets online or on the door. Dates vary depending on venue.

Morden Hall Park SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk every Monday in November and December Little Explorers. Bring your little ones to enjoy crafts, outdoor activities, songs and stories. Little Explorers is a fun activity session for children aged 2-5, 10am, £2 per child, £1 siblings.

Fulham Palace SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org Mondays and Tuesdays in November and December The Palace Explorers. Join the Palace Explorers, weekly parent/carer and toddler sessions for children aged 2-4. £4 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack, booking essential.

9.30am-10.30am.

Singing Mamas Choir South London Liberal Synagogue, Streatham / The Half Moon (Workshop Room), Herne Hill www.singingmamaschoir.com Tuesdays and Wednesdays in November and December, depending on venue A Community of Choirs for Women, with or without children.

Tara Arts SW18 www.tara-arts.com Throughout November and December Children’s Classes. A range of children's classes, parent and baby shows, Froggy's Famous Fanclub, Baby Broadway and Bring Your Own Baby Comedy.

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