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IN THIS ISSUE

School news, open days, reader offers, after school activities, weekend activities, babies and toddlers, theatre and much more...

Issue 289 September 2019familiesonline.co.uk

Enjoy great Reader Offers

Moreton Place Beauty & Wellbeing

Founded by mother and daughter, Angela and Rachael Burnett, Moreton Place Beauty & Wellbeing is a boutique beauty salon with exquisite design and a team committed to providing a service of excellence, where “customers are placed first, foremost and above all”.

The salon features a nail bar, four treatment rooms and a relaxing facial garden exclusively open for the spring/summer months. Specialising in facial treatments they work with the following skincare brands: Natura Bissé, Environ, CACI, Germaine de Capuccini, Odacité and Dermalogica. Their experienced therapists also deliver massage, waxing, tinting, threading, nail and lash treatments in luxurious and peaceful rooms.

Although Moreton Place is only a 4 minute walk away from Pimlico tube station, you will be surprised to find the moment you walk through the door you feel as though you are miles away from London. 40 Moreton Street, London, SW1V 2PB www.moretonplace.co.uk

* Not to be used in conjunction with any other discount or promotional offer.

French traditional madeleines with a touch of ooh la la!

We all know Biscuiteers and love Maitre Choux, new on the baking scene is

BISOU les madeleines: they aim to revolutionise the humble madeleine by recreating it in various exciting flavours. “Our aim is to offer high-quality products (we only use natural ingredients in our recipes) with great design. Our regular and mini madeleines are perfect for any occasion.” In addition to sweet madeleines, they offer a collection of savoury mini madeleines that are the

20% off any online orders with code FAMILIES Valid until 31/12/19

Exclusive offer for Families readers: 25% off * any treatment on your first visit

perfect finger food for your parties. We love their madeleine towers for special celebrations—they are simply stunning and quite different! Admire the range on www.bisoulesmadeleines.com and start savouring.

Authentic and healthy Napolitan cuisine in a child-friendly environment

“We went to Donna Margherita after spending the morning in the Battersea Art Centre, opposite in Lavender Hill: it is perfectly located! The music and the decoration takes you directly to an Italian Piazza eating al fresco, the genuine taste of Italian homemade food. We had the degustation menu with Bruschetta Napolitana, Fritturina, organic bread, Ravioli, Pappardelle, Spaghetti and the best Zuppa ever with mussels, squid, prawns, langoustines and clams with cherries and bread.

The adults loved absolutely everything! The winning dish for our 2 and 4 years old daughters were the pizzas with bear and bunny shapes and the torta caprese for desert. They only use the best organic ingredients with gluten free pasta and and can adapt everything to a smaller portions or combinations for kids and for adults.” 183 Lavender Hill SW11 5TE Book now on 020 7228 2660 www.donnamargherita.co.uk

MG Hypnosis

A real find, you won’t be disappointed. Reviewed by Noemí García, one of Families roving mums

A one hour hypnotherapy session for £75, normally £155 for first visit (excluding weight loss and smoking cessation) for children, teens or adults*

Hypnotherapy is a treatment that uses Hypnosis to alter the way you feel and think and to change aspects of your life, which need improving. Hypnosis is a perfectly natural condition, which we experience every day of our lives, like daydreaming. Under hypnosis, we are capable of making significant changes to our thinking patterns and unlocking unlimited potential to improve and transform our lives. Common conditions treated: stress reduction, exam anxiety, phobias, habits, relaxation, confidence boosting, and motivation. *Valid until end October.

See www.mghypnosis.co.uk for more information, or call with questions on 07931 547414.

6 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

School Open Days

The school where your child will spend most of their teen years will have a huge influence on their development and character. Your choices are important—which is where Open Days come in. Take your son or daughter with you; they will see things through a different set of eyes, and their opinion matters.

Not all open day dates were available when we went to press: check the websites of the schools you're interested in for more information and where necessary, to book first.

Shrewsbury House Prep children in the library

SW1

Westminster, 7-18y, B. 6th form B&G. 020 7963 1000 www.westminster.org.uk Burdett-Coutts & Townshend CE Primary, 3-11y, B&G. Open mornings in Sept, Oct & Nov. 020 7828 6790 www.burdettcoutts.co.uk Grey Coat Hospital, 1-18y G. Open events by ticket from website. 0207 969 1998 www.gch.org.uk More House, 11-18y, G. Open evening 7/11, book via website. 020 7235 2855 www.morehouse.org.uk Knightsbridge, 3-16y, B&G. Tours on Tues & Weds at 9am. 020 7590 9006 www.knightsbridgeschool.com Eaton Square, 2-18y, B&G. 020 7931 9469 www.eatonsquareschool.com

SW3

Hampshire, 3-13y, B&G. Open 17/9 at 9am. 020 7352 7077 www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, 3- 11y, B&G. Open days and visits call: 020 7589 2438 www.stjosephs.rbkc.sch.uk Hill House, 4-13y, B&G. Tours of school essential. 020 7584 1331 www.hillhouseschool.co.uk

SW4

Eaton House, 4+y, B&G. Book a visit on www.eatonhouseschools.com Lark Hall Primary, 4-11y, B&G. Open morn every Wed from 11/9 at 9am, eves 25/9, 30/10, 27/11 at 5pm. 020 7622 3820 www.larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk

Parkgate House, 2.5-11y, B&G. Open 5/10 at 9.30am 0207 350 2461 www.parkgateschool.co.uk

SW6

Parson’s Green Prep, 4-11y, B&G. Open 5/10 Book on: 020 7610 8085 www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk Sinclair House, 2-11y, B&G. Open 3/10 at 10am. 020 7736 9182 www.sinclairhouseschool.com Fulham Pre-Prep, Prep & Senior, 4-18y B&G. Open various dates. 020 7471 4217. www.fulham.school L’Ecole des Petits, 3-6y, B&G. Visits are by appointment only. 020 7371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk

SW7

Prince’s Gardens Prep, 3-11y, B&G. Launch event: 23/9 at 10am www.princesgardensprep.co.uk/family St Philip’s Catholic Prep, 7-13y B. Open 12/10 at 10am after booking or individual appt via: 020 7373 3944 www.stpschool.co.uk Queen’s Gate, 4-18y, G. Visits all year. 0207 594 4982 www.queensgate.org.uk

SW8

Newton Prep, 3-13y, B&G. Open Day 12/10 9.30am, or tours with the Head on selected Fridays in term-time, 9-10.30am, by appointment only. 020 7720 4091 www.newtonprepschool.co.uk

SW10

Redcliffe 3-11y, B&G. Tours Tuesdays and Thursdays in

termtime. Booking required. 020 7352 9247 www.redcliffeschool.com

SW11

Christ Church CE Primary, 3-11y, B&G. By appointment: 2/10, 13/11, 4/12, 8/1 at 9.30am 020 7228 2812 www.christchurchbattersea.co.uk Dominie, 6-12y, B&G. Tours by appointment. Find out more about their specialist teaching for dyslexic and dyspraxic children. 020 7720 8783 www.thedominie.co.uk Dolphin, 2.5-11y. B&G. Open Mornings Thursday by appointment. 020 7924 3472 www.dolphinschool.org.uk L’ecole de Battersea, 3-11, B&G. Visits by appointment 020 7371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk Thames Christian, 11-16y, B&G. Open mornings 24/9, 28/9 and 9/10. 020 7228 3933 www.thameschristianschool.org.uk

SW12

Northwood, 4-13y, B&G. Open day 11/10 9am-2pm 020 8696 8788 www.northwoodschools.com

• Broomwood Hall Lower, 4-7y, B&G. 020 8682 8820

• Broomwood Hall, Upper, 8-13y, G. 020 8682 8810

• Northcote Lodge, 8-13y, B. 020 8682 8888 Hornsby House, Recep -11y, Open 17/10 at 9am. 020 8673 7573 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk White House, 6m-11y B&G. Open 12/10 at 9.30am www.whitehouseschool.com

Ravenstone Primary, Recep-11y, B&G. Book first. 020 8673 0594 www.ravenstoneschool.co.uk London Steiner, 3-14y, B&G. Contact school to visit. 020 8772 3504 londonsteinerschool.org

SW13

Harrodian, 4-18y. B&G. To visit contact: 020 8762 6321 www.harrodian.com

SW14

Tower House Prep, 4-13y, B. Tours of the school: 020 8876 3323 www.thsboys.org.uk

SW15

Alton, 3-11y, B&G. Open 9.30am first Tuesday of each month, termtimes. 020 8876 8482 www.altonschool.org.uk Falcons - Peregrines Nursery, Nur- 11y. Open 28/9 at 10am www.falconsgirls.co.uk Ibstock Place, 4-18, B&G. Visits via bookings on:020 8876 9991 / 020 8392 5803 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Putney High, 4-18y, G. Open for visits: Junior 020 8788 6523; Senior: 020 8788 4886 www.putneyhigh.gdst.net Hurlingham, 2-11y, B&G. Online registration and arrange a visit 020 8874 7186 www.hurlinghamschool.co.uk Granard Primary, 3-11y, B&G. Open at 9.15am on 18/9, 4/10, 20/11, 3/12, 9/1. 020 8788 3606 www.granardprimary.co.uk

16 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

Puppet Theatre Barge - The Insect Circus

Wimbledon Guild Waggy Walk 28th September

Farmageddon at the BFI

THEATRE

LAST CHANCE TO SEE All these shows end on 8th September

Lyric Theatre

Shaftesbury Ave, W1 www.gruffalolive.com The Gruffalo Show reviewed by Families Roving Mum Melissa

Reynolds: “Julia Donaldson’s

beloved book is back inIt’s a theatrical form, and it’s a

must-see for deep, dark wood of fun! any Gruffalo While the costumes,

fan! especially that purple-horned

Gruffalo are great, it’s the audience interaction that makes the show. My son gleefully roared along with everyone else pretending to be the fearsome Gruffalo and laughed along at funnier parts.”

London Palladium

Josephthemusical.com Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat With Jason Donavon as Pharaoh! All ages.

Vaudeville Theatre www.nimaxtheatres.com The Worst Witch, by Jill Murphy. Most suitable for Ages 7+. From £20

Puppet Theatre Barge

TW10 6UT www.puppetbarge.com Until 6 Oct The Insect Circus The strange and beautiful world of the Insect Circus. Beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies, demonstrate their dexterity with great skill and humour. Presented using marionettes, the show breathes new life into the traditional techniques used in Victorian trick marionettes. A show without words. 3+, from £9

Unicorn Theatre

47 Tooley St, London SE1 2HZ 18 Sept-27 Oct Anansi The Spider In celebration of Black History Month, these classic West African and Caribbean tales about the spider hoaxster are brought vividly to life here in Artistic Director Justin Audibert’s newest production for the Unicorn. 3-7yrs from £10

Troubadour White City Theatre

Book via nationaltheatre.org.uk

A brand new state-of-the-art venue in West London

020 7452 3000 or at the Troubadour Theatre Box Office: 0844 815 4866 peterpanonstage.com

Until 27 October Peter Pan Bursting with magic,mischief, music and make-believe, this wondrously inventive Peter Pan is a funny and moving version of a much-loved story. This is a National Theatre production suitable for all ages, from £18.

Colour House Theatre

Watermill Way, Colliers Wood, SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Until 10 November Robin Hood and Maid Marian This action-packed musical is a real treat for boys and girls, with lots of laughs and giggles for all ages to enjoy along the way. Saturday and Sunday 12pm and 3pm £12/£10

Lyric Theatre

29 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho Box office: 0330 333 4812 www.nimaxtheatres.com 29 November - 5 Jan 2020 Oi Frog & Friends! Packed with music, songs, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at! This is the highly anticipated stage show which brings together Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling and award-winning picture books Oi Frog!, Oi Dog! and Oi Cat! published by the Hachette Children’s Group, into one action-packed musical production. 3+ from £15.50, family ticket £66

Hannigan. With its Tony ® awardwinning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it! ‘LAVISH ESCAPISM’ (The Daily Telegraph) ‘AN ALL-SINGING ALL-DANCING TRIUMPH’ (OK! Magazine) 2yrs+ from £13.

IDEAS FOR THE WEEKEND

booking fees. It includes a wide variety of London musicals, plays, comedies and children’s shows.

Battersea Arts Centre

Lavender Hill www.bac.org.uk Every Saturday Cracked Light Heritage trail: the mysterious letter Can you unlock the past and solve the mystery of what messages the great and good of Battersea might have for us? Keep your eyes and ears open in this interactive trail around Battersea Arts Centre to experience the rich that this building holds, dating back to when it was used as Battersea Town Hall. 6-11. Duration: 90 mins 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm. New community garden will open on Town Hall Road this autumn, watch this space.

Book ahead for these popular shows!

New Wimbledon Theatre

ATGtickets.com/Wimbledon 0844 8717646 1-3 November How the Grinch Stole Christmas Join in the Christmas spirit which the show critics have called 'A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults'. Featuring the hit songs You’re A Mean One, Mr Grinch and Welcome Christmas, The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heartwarming and hilarious musical. 4+ from £13. 11-16 November Annie This ‘glorious revival’ (The Times) stars Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph as the tyrannical Miss

BFI films for families www.bfi.org.uk/families 22 September Shaun The Sheep funday workshop Bring your little ones along for some baaaaarmy fun, arts and crafts and learn to animate your own adventures. Also in the foyer: The Wind In The Willows. Every Saturday until 12 October BFI Learn About... Suitable for all home-educated children and their parents. An inclusive place where curriculum subjects can be explored creatively using film and media. Each month offers a different subject area to be explored, using your newlyacquired filmmaking skills. £12 Saturdays in September Saturday Film Clubs 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. These clubs are

58 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

Free Wandsworth Festival Roadshow 7th September

Annie, New Wimbledon Theatre

Walk & fun day for Trinity Hospice 22nd September

Royal Museums Greenwich www.rmg.co.uk September The Moon Exhibition Visit the UK's biggest exhibition dedicated to Earth's celestial neighbour. The NMM exhibition features over 180 artefacts, artworks and interactive moments, charting the cultural and scientific story of our relationship with the Moon. £5.85 children, £9 adults. The Great Explorer An interactive game for families. Borrow a tablet device and set sail across The Great Map to explore distant lands and discover treasures from all around the world. Where will you visit and

what will you find? 11am-4pm, free. Character encounters Saturdays. Join an exciting performance and journey bringing maritime history to life. 12noon, 1, 2 and 3pm.The Foundling Museum

40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk Britain's first home for abandoned children and London's first public art gallery reveals the stories of the Foundling Hospital's founder Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and composer George Frideric Handel. Admission free for under 16s, from £10 adults.

The Horninam Museum

Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk The museum's music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. Within 16 acres of beautiful green space with the oldest nature trail in London, an animal corner, a butterfly house, and a Farmers' Market every Saturday morning. Free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium. Until 27 October Brick Wonders Discover amazing wonders from around the world made entirely from LEGO bricks. Build your imagination at the interactive play areas, £5 children, £9 adults, £20 families.

Tower of London www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london 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.

Underbelly Festival Southbank

SE1 8XX www.underbellyfestival.com A wealth of comedy, music and family performances burst to life at this year's Underbelly Festival at the Southbank. See the full line up on the festival website. 8-29 September The Showstopper’s Kids Show If your children could create their very own dream musical show, where would they start? From their imaginations straight onto the stage - the Showstoppers bring their ideas to life. Ages 6+, from £14.50 15 September Basil Brush’s Fun Family Show Britain's most loveable fox takes you on a journey of laughs, storytelling and song in show for all the family specially written for the live stage and packed with fun and excitement. Ages 4+, from £10.25 21 & 22 September The Lovely Bug Hall There is making and dancing and puppets of all shapes and sizes. Set to an original soundtrack by the composer Tom Ashbourne this is a unique and magical show which is designed to be ASC friendly. Ages 4-104, from £10.50

V&A Museum of Childhood

Bethnal Green E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum houses dolls, dolls' houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography. Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails. There's dressing-up, role play and an under 3s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. Free

ART ACTIVTIES

Tate Britain www.tate.org.uk Dates in September Under Fives Explore the Gallery. Experiment with a range of materials while discovering exciting routes and journeys through the galleries alongside other families.

V & A Museum www.vam.ac.uk/families

Throughout September Family Activities Pick up a family trail from the Information Desk and 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. FreeNational Portrait Gallery www.npg.org.uk Every third Sunday of the month Drop In Family Sundays. Drop-in with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events. Free

The National Gallery www.nationalgallery.org.uk Every Sunday Magic carpet storytelling Fly away on the magic carpet, which comes to land in front of a different painting every Sunday. At 10.30, 11.30 and 12.30. 2-5 free

Tate Modern www.tate.org.uk Throughout September Family Friendly Art Activities A range of free arty and crafty workshops, see website for details. Free

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