Families Surrey East Mar/Apr 2016

EE FR March-April 2016

familiessurreyeast.co.uk

What’s on for 0-12 year olds in March and April Covering Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Leatherhead, Caterham, Godstone, Warlingham, Tadworth, Horley, Oxted and Lingfield

Easter Special

10 pages of egg hunts, days out and craft ideas

TIME TO TAKE THE STAGE Acting, singing and dance classes for 4 to 18 year olds.

Find out more and start your child’s journey today at Stagecoach Coulsdon, Leatherhead, Redhill, Dorking & Reigate stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon 0345 078 0805 coulsdon@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/leatherhead 020 8394 2244 leatherhead@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/redhill 020 8686 0141 redhill@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/dorking 0800 007 5482 dorking@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/reigate 0800 007 5482 reigate@stagecoach.co.uk

ISSUE 51 MAR-APR 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Hi there – Spring has landed! I hope you’re enjoying the lighter evenings, Spring flowers and (slightly) warmer weather. This issue has been a pleasure to put together - it feels like everyone has come out of hibernation and is raring to get outdoors and enjoy all the fab activities available in this area. The highlight of the Spring is Easter, so pages 8-12 are packed full of great places to hunt for eggs, to visit in the hols and craft ideas for those indoor days. If, like me, you’re waiting to find out your child’s school place in April, there are tips on page 14 about how to prepare them. If you’ve got sleep issues with your toddler, then check out Jen Fox’s advice on page 6 – my 3 yr old is proof that they work (most of the time!). We have an inspiring article on page 16 about Wild Learning, which will make you want to set your kids free in the woods without worrying.

Page 2 News Page 6

Babies & Toddlers

Page 8

Easter Feature

Page 13 Sports Relief Page 14 Education Page 16 Nature Notes Page 18 Club News Page 19 What’s On

listings Page 24 Networking

Mummies profile

Families Surrey East is part of the national network of Families magazines.

See familiessurreyeast.co.uk for more features & competitions.

NEXT ISSUE – May-June 2016, out 4th May. Send your news and upcoming events by 8th April for FREE INCLUSION. PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS and reach families throughout East Surrey with DISPLAY ADS or ask about our CLASSIFIED LISTINGS for £20 (perfect for small businesses) and WED ADS. AD BOOKING AND COPY DEADLINE FOR MAY-JUNE 2016 is 8TH APRIL. Please send ad artwork by 15th April.

For advertising and editorial enquiries, call the Editor on 07769 222347 or email: editor@ familiessurreyeast.co.uk Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.

There’s extra pages of What’s On this month too, due to the number of great Easter events happening, and some great comps to enter on page 23 for Marwell Zoo, British Wildlife Centre and Supercars. Do enter – someone’s got to win!

22,500 copies of FAMILIES SURREY EAST are distributed free of charge to schools, nurseries, playgroups, clubs & classes, NCT groups, baby clinics, good children’s shops, libraries, theatres & sports centres.

Hannah Grogan, Editor

Families® Surrey East is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor any consequence.

editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk

Inspiring tuition - free trial session!

Explore Learning centres provide Maths and English tuition for 5-14 yr olds of all abilities. The centres are open 7 days a week, meaning Explore can fit into busy family life. As Explore members, children work with tutors who are great educational role

Distributed to venues in Leatherhead and Dorking, Reigate and Redhill, Godstone, Oxted and Lingfield, Warlingham and Caterham and down to Horley and the Surrey/Sussex border in the south. To obtain copies for your venue call 07769 222347 or email editor@familiessurreyeast. co.uk. Families Surrey East, 37 Springcopse Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7HH Tel: 07769 222347 Web: familiessurreyeast.co.uk Design: Andrews Design & Marketing, The Studio, 29A Bell St, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7AD Tel: 01737 224340 Email: phil.andrews1@btinternet.com Print: Warwick Printing Company Limited, Leamington Spa, Warks CV31 1QD Tel: 01926 883355

models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. Each child has an individualised learning programme, and all Explore courses map to the National Curriculum in England and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.

Find out how your child can benefit from Explore Learning membership today. Book your free trial at www.explorelearning.co.uk.

2 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

News Monkey Music Franchise Opportunity

The Children’s Trust Recruit

If you are looking for a business opportunity that lets you to work around your family then Monkey Music could be what you are searching for!

Monkey Music offer an original 4-stage progressive music curricula, and classes are enjoyed by over 12,000 babies and young children up and down the country each week. They are looking for new franchisees to bring their unique music class experience to more families around the UK, so if you are passionate about music; looking to work flexible hours; motivated to run your own business; and value an early music education, then give them a call!

Monkey Music are full members of the British Franchise Association and have an award-winning and proven franchise business model that has been established across the UK for over 22 years. As a responsible franchisor, they continue to provide ongoing training and support to a network of nearly 50 franchises. Why not join the team? Contact Hannah today to find out more on 01582 766464 or email jointheteam@monkeymusic.co.uk

New Café for Earlswood Lakes The popular family and dog walking spot Earlswood Lakes has got a new catering contractor, who hopes to bring a new café to the lakes in 2016. An application for a log cabin-style café and new loos will be submitted to Reigate & Banstead BC, as a joint venture between Reigate on Ice

Earlswood Lakes_

rspb.org.uk

organisers, Matthews Organisation, and local cocktail bar owners Joules.

Their proposal also includes a plan to reintroduce pedalos and rowing boats to the top lake in time for the Easter holidays.

The lakes and commons, bordering Woodhatch, Mead Vale, Redhill and Earlswood are a haven for wildlife and Roe deer, rabbits and foxes can often be spotted. There was outcry last year when the council removed trees around the New Pond on Woodhatch Road, leaving the area bare and exposed to the elements.

The clearance was to stop blockages to the dam and remove potentially damaging tree roots. You might be surprised to discover Earlswood Common was home to Victorian author George Elliott and also mentioned in Charles Dickens’ articles.

It was previously the site of Reigate Workhouse and the lakes used to be used as bathing ponds. Bit chilly!

You might have driven past the sign on Tadworth roundabout and wondered what The Children’s Trust actually does. Well, the charity is the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury. It provides expert rehabilitation, education, therapy and care at its national specialist centre based in Tadworth. Over 40,000 children across the UK are left with a brain injury each year after an accident or illness.

At the charity’s specialist centre, tailor-made rehabilitation programmes are provided for children with acquired brain injury, to help them make the best recovery possible. The individual programmes incorporate lots of different therapies, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy – and music therapy. Online support and community services are also provided for families across the UK. The centre is also home to The Children’s Trust’s residential school, which provides education for children with profound multiple learning difficulties.

They are currently having a big recruitment drive for nurses, care assistants and housekeepers to work in Tadworth, as well as shop assistants for their charity shops in Surrey. If you’re interested in working for this invaluable organisation, visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Autism Awareness Week Around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. Together with their families they make up around 2.8 million people whose lives are touched by autism every single day. Autism Awareness Week takes place from 2nd-8th April, with lots of activities planned around the UK to support this great charity. A Night Walk for Autism will take place in London on Sat 2nd April, with 5km-15km routes, and the London musical Wicked will be hosting a specially adapted Autism-Friendly performance on Sat 14th May. For more info about what’s happening in Surrey, visit autism.org.uk

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 3

News Wear a Hat Day Brain Tumour Research is holding their annual Wear a Hat Day on Thurs 24th March to highlight the lack of awareness of this life changing disease.

Unbelieveably, just 1% of the national cancer funding is spent on brain cancer research – and it is the biggest cancer killer of children in the UK. Celebs including Sarah Beenie, singer John Newman and actress Sheila Hancock are ambassadors for the charity. Visit braintumourresearch.org to find out how you can support this vital cause, and look pretty jaunty at the same time!

Need a Furniture Fix? Have you got a furniture idea in mind, but just can’t quite find it on the high street? Local craftsman Karl Crosby, owner of The Pallet Company, creates bespoke furniture from reclaimed materials, mainly old pallets and floorboards. His great designs include anything from desks to storage trunks, shelving to kitchen tables – all made to your exact specification. He also runs the Reigate Craft Fair at Reigate Park Church every few months, showcasing his carpentry alongside lots of other local artists and crafters. For the next event visit facebook.com/Reigateartsandcraftsfayre

Breck’s Silent Disco You might have seen the disturbing documentary Murder Games on BBC One recently, about the sad case of Breck Bednar, the 14-year old boy from Caterham who was murdered in 2014 by someone he met online.

In his memory, his family has set up The Breck Foundation to raise awareness of online safety, helping parents and youngsters to be aware that the friends you make on-line are not like your ‘real’ friends. They offer lots of advice and ideas about safe use of the internet, and organise some great fundraisers. The Black Light Silent Disco is coming up on Sat 12th March at Caterham School. Aimed at adults, and youngsters aged 17+ (Breck would have been 17 this year), a £18 ticket will get you headphone hire, 3 channels of great music and a complimentary drink.

Get your UV togs on, gather your mates and support this great event. Visit Breckfoundation.org

Our weekend supercar extravaganza

The estate agency with a difference

is celebrating its

10th Anniversary!

The event has something for the whole family with attractions and rides for children and adults, including passenger Supercar rides around the famous ‘Top Gear’ track – from just £30!

2nd - 3rd July 2016 Charity registration number 288018

Dunsfold Park, Nr Guildford, Surrey

See our 5 star Google reviews

SAT NAV postcode GU6 8HY

Opening hours 9.00am to 4.30pm For more information about all our attractions, go to

www.thesupercarevent.com Book at www.seetickets.com/tour/the-supercar-event-2016 Supported by

Sponsored by

t. 01737 303099

www.halliwellmarks.co.uk

4 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

News Eating Out with Kids this Easter If you haven’t visited The Station pub in pretty South Nutfield yet, then Easter hols is the perfect time to pay them a visit.

grub, as well as a good selection of kid’s dishes for £5.95, including pud.

The Station also has a Pizza Barn, making it perfect for kids parties, and also hosts weddings, christenings and charity fundraisers.

There’s plenty of room for buggies and disabled access, and kids can razz around the garden, while you sit back and enjoy a nice pint!

Run by husband and wife team Keiron and Jeanette, the family (and dog!) friendly pub is really set-up for children. With a background as a teacher, Jeanette even runs a Wednesday morning toddler group from the venue where littlies can enjoy craft activities, and explore the sandpit, climbing frames and bouncy castle.

The Station, The Avenue, South Nutfield RH1 5RY. Tel: 01737 823223 thestationpubsouthnutfield.co.uk

The menu includes pan-Asian and British pub

New Manor House Playgroup Manor House School, in Bookham, launched its ‘Music and Movement’ Toddler Group on 25th February.

The sessions take place every Thurs morning during term-time, from 9.30-10.45am. The informal group welcomes parents, grandparents and carers with children from 0- 5 years old (boys and girls) and includes a play session with music and craft activities plus story-time. Perfect for making new friends whilst enjoying some coffee and cake in the lovely, purpose-built facilities.

Epsom

Cost is £3.00 per visit. Please contact Jayne Roy the Nursery Manager on 01372 457077 for more info.

Overnight stays for Dads Scrapped East Surrey Hospital has made the decision to stop partners staying overnight on the Burstow maternity ward.

After a trial period, over 600 women responded to two surveys and the majority of them said they would have more privacy and dignity on the ward if partners did not stay overnight. Michelle Cudjoe, head of midwifery and divisional chief nurse for woman and child health at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Our midwifery team use the feedback they receive from patients to help them shape and develop the excellent care they provide…The decision to stop overnight stays by partners was made in response to this feedback and to meet the best needs of the patients.’ The hospital will be reviewing the visiting hours again in six month’s time.

21 West Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7RL 01372 877863 Sue Richards: srichards@shapesdaynursery.co.uk www.shapesdaynursery.co.uk

Bocketts Farm Park 25th Mar - 10th Apr 2016

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA FANTASTIC FAMILY FUN THIS SPRING!

OVER

300 B

WE’RE LAMBING

Hundreds of baby lambs due

AB LAMBYS DU

Meet the Shepherd

Animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides, pig racing and pony rides daily!

NE USE TREEHOERS W O T or adventure Outdo en end of play op rch!

Ma

www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

SPECIAL

OFFER

activity toys for all your outdoor fun

W

PLUS

#

NORTHPARKFARM.CO.UK

E

Easter Trail with Chocolate treats

TOP BRAND NAMES ON DISPLAY AND IN STOCK

D AR AW WI NN ING !

Try before you buy • Nationwide delivery • Assembly service

£1 OFF full price farm entry per person* Valid from 1st - 24th March 2016.

Only with this voucher (*maximum 5 people).

Climbing Frames • Swings • Slides • Trampolines Table Tennis • Playhouses • Ride-on Cars Tractors • Go-Karts • Sandpits Paddling Pools • Sledges • Goals Basketball • Netball

FM

www.northparkfarm.co.uk Tel: 01273 833643 North Park Farm, Church Lane, Albourne, West Sussex BN6 9BY

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 5

Babies & Toddlers

Peace at Last!

A good night’s sleep is something that seems to elude many of us once children come along. If you’re struggling to create a good bedtime routine for your little ones, then accredited sleep trainer Jen Fox might be able to help.

Here are her top 10 tips to a better night’s sleep.

IGet enough sleep. It might sound IPrepare your toddler. Toddlers don’t Iobvious, but making sure your toddler is Ilike surprises! Let them know bedtime is 1 3 getting the sleep that they need is important approaching by giving them 10 and 5-minute to ensure that their energy and attention levels are at their best. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 14-15 hours for infants (upto 11 months) and 12-14 hours for toddlers (1-3 yrs). Daytime sleep is just as important as nighttime sleep - well spaced and timed naps are essential for success.

IPrepare the environment. The look Iand feel of your toddler’s bedroom 2 contributes significantly to good sleeping.

Make sure their bedrooms are cool, dark and relaxed with toys tidied away. An ambient temperature of 18c is perfect. Fit blackout blinds if necessary, if your toddler is scared of the dark use a night-light. Restrict the use of TV, ipads and phones an hour before bed.

warnings so they know what to expect next.

Setting a kitchen timer or an alarm can help them understand when the time is up. Their bedroom should be a place they feel happy and secure, so create a positive environment by playing together there in the daytime. Put photos of family in their room and tell them you’re always with them – it’s like leaving a piece of you behind for them.

IHave a routine. A regular and calm Ibedtime routine helps toddlers to unwind 7 and prepare for sleep. An ideal routine lasts

much about what happens in it. It’s helpful to give them simple choices - for example, would you like to skip or hop up to the bath?

Would you like to wear your pink or purple pj’s tonight? It’s helpful to offer two simple choices and avoid open-ended questions like, would you like to have a bath now which will probably generate a “No” answer!

IDaytime naps. Wind down time is even Imore important for your toddler’s 8 mind and body to prepare for daytime

ISimple choices. Your toddler is Ibecoming more independent – and 4 during their day they don’t get to choose

IIntroduce a Comforter. Wear the Icomforter next to your skin before giving it to your 5 toddler so it picks up your scent. Encourage Local 2-hour First Aid Classes for babies and children covering: • Choking • Burns • Febrile seizures • Bumps and Breaks • Meningitis Awareness Private classes also available Call Sian on 07984 810 847

www.earlyfirstaid.com

sibling or friend, or helped tidy up. Let them know how happy you are when they sleep well. Reward them after a good nap or in the morning with a big smile and hug.

your toddler to hold it when you’re reading books and having milk before bed. Leaving the comforter with your toddler to take to sleep will help create a feeling of security and positivity.

IPositive praise. Don’t underestimate the Ipower of positive praise and rewarding 6 behaviour. Always put your child to bed on a

no longer than 1 hour, follows the same order so your toddler knows what’s coming next and is consistently applied. For example, a routine of a bath, brushing teeth, massage, putting on PJ’s, a drink of warm milk and story time before bed. Try and use the same simple statement for example, ‘sleepytime now’, or the same song as you put them to bed as it helps them to understand what’s expected.

sleep. Expecting them to go from playing one minute to settling themselves to sleep the next is unrealistic. Give them sufficient time to calm and prepare for sleep. It will be helpful for your toddler if you apply the same routine as evenings – the only difference is you won’t be bathing them.

IPromote independence. When the Ibedtime routine is finished, encourage 9 your toddler to self-settle independently so

that they don’t rely on you feeding, rocking or cuddling them to sleep. How they fall asleep is key: whatever they rely on to fall asleep at bedtime, they will expect the same when they enter light sleep throughout the night.

10

positive note, so when you’ve finished reading IBe realistic. We all wake several times a your bedtime story tell them how happy you Inight as we transition through our sleep were with something 9they did that day.

ForPagecycles.

55x70_laura_Layout 27/05/2015 10:03 1 It is perfectly normal for your toddler to example, when they shared their toy with a wake too. However, the key to good sleeping

For classes of pure MADness, join MAD Academy Babies from 3 months action songs and sensory stimulation Walkers to 2 years music, movement and motor development 2 to 4 years dance, musicality and beat competency Birthday Classes in Dorking Reigate Parties & Redhill Too! Call Laura on 01293 200707 or email: laura.wandrag@madacademy.com

madacademy.com Music And Dance and a whole lot of fun!

6 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

is to help them learn how to settle themselves back to sleep without having to wake you for help. There are effective techniques to help you encourage your toddler to self-soothe without the need to use controlled crying. If you need advice and effective gentle sleep solutions to help achieve this, it’s helpful to speak to an accredited sleep consultant.

Healthy sleep habits can improve every element of our lives and it is no different for our toddlers. By consistently following a good naptime routine you will help your toddler to unwind effectively and fall asleep independently.

Jennifer Fox is an accredited sleep trainer and breastfeeding consultant. For further information, visit her website at jenfox.co.uk or give her a call on 07595 465503.

Babies & Toddlers New Principals for Monkey Music Leatherhead & Dorking

Monkey Music Leatherhead and Dorking are delighted to introduce new Principals Emma Playle and Tina Parsons, who will continue to provide first class pre-school music classes in the local area. Emma has taught Monkey Music for the past couple of years and previously attended as a parent with her daughter. She is also an accomplished West End performer! Tina has a background in Occupational Therapy and rehabilitation management. She also attends class with her son.

Nappy Mondays at Dorking Halls A record number of babies and their adults attended Dorking Halls’ first babies’ film screening of 2016 in Feb. 32 adults brought their mini film buffs to a special screening of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens – with some babies even dressed in Star Wars baby grows!

NEW! Music and Movement Toddler Group Every Thursday morning in our Nursery during term time - 9.30am to 10.45am.

Nappy Mondays take place once a month on a Monday at 10.30am. The environment is made calmer for babies, with the film’s volume reduced and the cinema slightly lighter. Thyra from Dorking, who came with her husband and 4m old daughter Jemima, said: “The screenings are brilliant because your baby can cry and you can feed and you don’t feel self-conscious.” To find out more visit dorkinghalls.co.uk

Baby Milestones

The UK’s No.1 pregnancy, baby and toddler magazine ‘Mother & Baby’ have just published Baby Milestones – packed full of expert advice and reassurance gained from 60 years experience in the baby business.

It covers everything from bonding to teething, to weaning and support networks, and we have got one copy to give away.

Please email editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk by March 31st with your name and address. Winner chosen at random.

Tina and Emma have been close friends for many years and are excited to be working together on this new venture, delivering the Monkey Music tried and tested curriculum to lots of ‘Little Monkeys’ within the local community. To book a complimentary class please call 0208 432 0811 or visit monkeymusic.co.uk

For girls and boys up to 5 years old. £3 per session.

Refreshments and cake included.

For more information, please contact Mary Fowell Manor House School, Manor House Lane, Bookham, Surrey KT23 4EN Telephone01372 457077 mfowell@manorhouseschool.org www.manorhouseschool.org

High quality care and

A66909 Manor House Families March-April Issue P2.indd 1

12/02/2016 14:54

education for children aged 3 months to 5 years

READER OFFER: Copies of Mother & Baby: Baby Milestones (Hamlyn, RRP £12.99) available to Families Surrey East readers at £9.00 + free UK P&P. To order, please call 01903 828503 quoting Baby/HAM47. Offer subject to availability, please allow 7 days for delivery.

sdgsdfgsdg Places now available

Everything you‘d expect in a nursery, and more Come and visit our fabulous Dorking nursery

Active Learning House, Moores Road, Dorking, RH4 2BG call: 0333 920 6592 email: alcdorking@brighthorizons.com

Inspiring

Healthy

Innovative

Unique programme of art, drama, music, science, literacy and IT with dedicated teaching specialists

Specialist sports coaching, organic cafe, adventure playgrounds, holistic education

Purpose designed activity studios, sensory room, baby sleep room secure webcams

A fresh approach to nursery education

www.activelearningchildcare.co.uk

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 7

Easter

Easter Egg Hunts Cracking Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts return to the National Trust

The National Trust and our fave chocolate brand Cadbury’s are once again joining forces to bring chocolate-flavoured fun to the Easter holidays in Surrey.

This year, families are invited to join a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt and unleash their inner explorer. Adventurous hunts are taking place across Surrey including searches for missing egg baskets, bunnies and the all-important eggs themselves, as well as nature themed trails and countryside rambles.

With the National Trust you can explore spring woodlands, rolling countryside, historic houses and enchanting gardens, making the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts a fun family day out in surroundings that are second to none. What’s more, everyone will be rewarded with a delicious Cadbury chocolate treat at the end of each completed hunt, and every single Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will help support special places looked after by the National Trust for future generations to explore.

To join in with the fun and find out more about a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt near you, visit easter.cadbury.co.uk or property websites at nationaltrust.org

Here’s where to find those tasty eggs near you!

NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES Box Hill Nr Dorking.

Tel: 01372 220644. Fri 25th-Mon 28th March, 10am-2pm. Box Hill is a great place for an outdoor adventure. Fly a kite, ride a bike, roll down the hill. Imagination is your only limitation. £3 per trail

Leith Hill Place Dorking.

Tel: 01306 711685. Fri 25th-Mon 28th March, 11am-4pm. Bunny loves music and he was singing to himself as he hopped around the grounds of Leith Hill Place, leaving clues for you to follow. Can you work them out, play a tune and claim your chocolate prize? Leith Hill Place was once the childhood home of one of England’s greatest composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams. £3 per trail Polesden Lacey Great Bookham, near Dorking.

Tel: 01372 452048. Fri 25th March – Sun 10th April, 11am-3pm. Mrs Greville, Polesden Lacey’s vivacious Edwardian hostess, is entertaining in the formal gardens amongst the daffodils, but something keeps eating her picnic! There are five suspects, but who has eaten Easter? Follow the trail and solve the mystery. £3 per trail Claremont Landscape Garden Esher. Tel: 01372

467806. Fri 25th & Sat 26th March, 10.30am-4pm. Easter egg hunt around the beautiful 18th century landscape garden. Run around the grassy amphitheatre and discover the grotto and serpentine lake. Easter bonnet comp and parade on Saturday at 3pm with prizes for the best bonnets. £3 per trail

Morden Hall Park

London, SM3. Tel: 020 8545 6850.

Fri 25th & Mon 28th March, 10am-5pm. Dodge the daffodils, scurry across the White Bridge, weave along the winding avenue in search of clues to find a yummy chocolate prize. £4 per trail.

8 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

Hatchlands Park East

Clandon, Guildford. Tel: 01483 222482. Fri 25th-Mon 28th March, 11am-4pm. Situated on the edge of the beautiful Surrey Hills, Hatchlands Park is the perfect spot for a family adventure this spring. Run around in the children’s natural adventure area, discover more about nature on the Sylvanian Families Nature Trail and explore our 400 acres of wood and parkland. £3 per trail

River Wey Navigations and Dapdune Wharf

Guildford. Tel: 01483 561389. Fri 25th – Mon 28th April, 11am4.30pm. Follow the clues all the way to the island and back for your very own chocolate treat.

Take a boat trip while the skipper tells stories about the places you pass. £3 per trail

Winkworth Arboretum

Godalming. Tel: 01483 208936 Sun 27th & Mon 28th March, 10.30am-4pm. Easter egg trail plus special activities for children. With over 1000 different types of shrubs and trees, many of them rare, Winkworth Arboretum always has something new to discover. The most impressive displays are in Spring, with magnolias, bluebells and azalias. £3 per trail

Chartwell Westerham.

Tel: 01732 868381. Fri 25th- Sun 10th April, 11am-4pm. Discover Easter characters from the 1920s era as they take you on a good old-fashioned adventure around Chartwell. The Easter Egg Hunt will wind through natural play areas and finish with a delicious Cadbury chocolate treat. £2 per trail.

Easter Emmetts Garden

Sevenoaks. Tel: 01732 751509.

Fri 25th March- Mon 28th March, 11am-4pm. Run rabbit run!

Meet bunny and his friends as they race each other around the garden and wild play area. Look for clues to help bunny’s friends around obstacles and puzzles along the way. £2 per trail.

Sissinghurst Castle

Cranbrook Tel: 01580 710701.

See Vita Sackville-West’s (author and original owner of Sissinghurst) book of fairy stories on display and join the hunt around the grounds to walk through your favourite nursery rhymes. £2.50 per trail.

Easter Fun Priory Pre-Prep

Baby Animals Galore Hog’stacle Course Chick Hunt* FREE Crafts Face Painting* Spinning Demos Chick’hay Bales Meet Bubbles the Bunny & Shelley the Sheep

More Easter Egg Hunts

Hever Castle

Lindt Gold Bunny Trail at Hever Castle

Edenbridge. Tel 01732 865224.

March 25th - April 10th. For some magical family moments this Easter, hop through Hever Castle Gardens on the trail of the Lindt Gold Bunny to win a chocolaty treat. Family entertainment throughout the Easter holidays designed to put a spring in everyone’s step (see What’s On for details).

Dorking Museum

Dorking. Tel: 01306 876591.

Sat 19th March. Follow the clues around the museum and claim your prize at the end (suitable for families with children up to age 10). No need to book – just drop in anytime from 2pm to 3.30pm

www.godstonefarm.co.uk *additional fees apply

Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at RHS Wisley Gardens

Woking. Tel: 0845 260 9000.

March 25th - April 10th. Follow the clues to lead you to a delicious treat. Bring your family along and join in with arts & craft sessions every day throughout the Easter holidays (see What’s On for details).

Painshill Landscape Garden Cobham. Tel: 01932

868113. Sun 27th & Mon 28th March. Go on a big adventure around the magical landscape garden looking for hidden egg shaped clues which will lead you to a final chocolate treat. 10am4pm. Standard admission.

Chiddingstone Castle

Edenbridge. Tel: 01892 870347.

Fri 25th March. Enjoy the amazing daffodil spectacular and take part in the Easter Chick Hunt. Families are invited to search for Easter chicks hiding amongst the museum’s exhibitions, which can be exchanged for chocs. Free with castle admission.

RHS Wisley Gardens

Memorial Park Redhill

EASTER FAMILY FUN

Royal British Legion and East Surrey YMCA join forces for an Easter egg hunt in Memorial Park. March 26th: details tbc.

MARCH 19 – APRIL 10

Find the Magic. Find the Lindt Gold Bunny.

Gatton Park Reigate.

Tel: 01737 649068. 28th March.

Explore Gatton’s grounds and hunt for Easter treats. Entry £4 per adult; kids free. £1 per trail.

1-5pm.

he vercastle.co.uk

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 9 HEV-Easter-Lindt-QP-87x130-AW.indd 1

12/02/2016 14:53

Easter

Get Crafty this Easter

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo Easter Brekkie (Age 4+) Make these special eggcups to decorate your festive breakfast table. Requires some cooking, so get an adult to help.

What you’ll need: Empty eggbox / Scissors / Red & yellow card or felt / Glue / Googly eyes / Feathers / Eggs / Pan

What to do: ● Carefully cut out a cup from an egg box keeping the central egg divider. ● Using red card or felt cut out a mini

cocks comb, and glue it onto the head. ● Using a little scrap of red paper cut

out a mini heart shape to form the wattle. ● A mini folded over yellow triangle

will make the beak.

● If you have googly eyes to

hand use these otherwise draw on your eyes.

Toddler Sense

● Feathers added to the

sides using tape give your cockerel the finishing touch. ● Boil your egg for 3.5 mins-

4 mins for soft boiled or between 7-10 for hard boiled ● Pop the toast in and start

your Easter weekend with your very own handmade eggcups.

Squiggle, Dot & Squeeze create personalized craft boxes for kids, delivered direct to you door. Visit squiggledotandsqueeze.co.uk to find out more.

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo Easter Brekkie

Easy Easter Chick (Age 1+)

This cheep cheep (!) activity is great for little ones as they are able to do it mainly independently and express their creativity.

What you’ll need: Paper Plate /

Yellow tissue paper (cut into squares 2cm x 2cm) / Glue Stick / Orange Card / Googly eyes (or paint / drawn on) / Scissors

What to do: ● Stick and cover the paper

plate with the yellow tissue paper squares (don’t worry about it all sticking down it looks great feathery)

● Grown ups we need your

Easy Easter Chick

STAGE KINGS THEATRE AND DRAMA SCHOOL

help here! Draw round your child’s hand on the orange card and cut out

Building confidence to make the world your stage!

Join us for these fun filled sessions at Chinthurst School, Tadworth Stage Kings Theatre and Drama School provides fun-filled training in theatre and performing arts for children aged 3-12yrs. Our aim is to stretch young imaginations, build their confidence, nurture and develop young potential, and most of all, to have lots of fun!

Every Saturday during term time: 5-12 yrs, fun-filled 2 hour session with drama, dance & singing.

Stage King ‘Minis’ 3-4 yrs olds, 90 minutes of theatre fun with drama, dance & singing.

Contact us now!

% 07513 95 63 73

stagekings@yahoo.com

www.stage-kings.co.uk

10 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

● Stick the hands on the side of the

plate to create the chicks wings ● Cut two strips of the orange card

about 15cm x 3cm for your wiggly legs. Fold both strips back and forth to create a concertina effect. ● Let your child draw and cut out two

feet from the orange card and stick these to the legs. ● Stick on the googly eyes and cut out

and stick on a beak.

Monkey Bean runs drop-in classes at the Caterham Arms, Caterham on Wednesday & Thursdays during term time. Visit monkey-bean.com for more info and ideas.

Marbled Easter Bunting (Age 2+)

This activity is a great intro to marbling, brilliant for learning about colour-mixing and for developing fine motor skills.

Grab an apron, cover your work area, have a tray ready for your finished art and let your little ones get creative!

What you’ll need: Paper or card / Shaving foam / Poster paint (a few colours) / Tray or baking tin / Brush or clean stick

● Lift off the paper and use an

old piece of card to scrape off the excess foam. ● Leave to dry and then cut the

paper into egg shapes.

What to do:

● Thread with string and you’ve

● Spray foam onto the tray

got some beautiful Easter bunting.

and then add the paint. ● Use a brush to make

patterns in the foam before laying the paper carefully on top and pushing down gently.

Dinky Doodlers run classes at the Colman Redland Centre in Reigate every Friday during term time. Call 07984 757613 or visit dinkydoodlers.co.uk to book.

Easter Bouncy Bunny (Age 1+) Create this great Easter character and have fun decorating your home with lots of bunnies or putting on puppet shows!

What you’ll need: Craft foam / Googly eyes / Pompoms / PVA glue /

CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY SCHOOL FOR AGES 11 TO 18

Scissors / Felt tip pen/ Glitter / Card or paper / An adult to help you

What to do: ● Start by making your Bunny

head – draw the shape outline including your ears and cut out your craft foam. Cut out two smaller ear shapes from different coloured paper to be the inside of Bunny’s ears. Add your googly eyes, two large pompoms for his cheeks and two small rectangles of paper for his teeth

OPEN MORNINGS

(10.15am for 10.30am start)

Wednesday 16th March Thursday 21st April

● Bunny body, arms and feet –

cut out oval shapes of coloured paper for the belly and feet, and long shapes for arms. Cut two long strips of paper and fold into a concertina to create his long bouncy legs.

Call us on 01737 761945 Email info@dunottarschool.com Visit www.dunottarschool.com

The Difference is Dunottar

● Decorate his body as you like

with pens, glitter, sparkles – whatever you fancy! ● Pop him on a piece of string or gift ribbon to make him hop about Dunottar School, High Trees Road, Reigate, RH2 7EL

The Creation Station run classes at the Colman Redland Centre in Reigate and Nutfield Memorial Hall in Nutfield every Tuesday and Wednesday during term time. Call 01737 731169 or visit thecreationstation.co.uk to book.

Reigate Dorking Horsham Copthorne Horley East Grinstead

J7642 - Dunottar School - Advert Redesign - Families Surrey East - 87mm x 130mm_V2.indd 014/02/2016 14:52

FREE TRIAL CLASS 07783138348

jo@inspireacademyofdance.co.uk

Marbled Easter Bunting

CRYSTAL PALACE Football Club

FOUNDATION One Club. One Community.

Registered Charity No. 1125878

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 11

Easter The Great Outdoors This time of year in synonymous with new life – from frolicking lambs, to fluffy chicks, cute bunnies and beautiful spring blooms. Here are few ideas of where to see all that wonderful wildlife near you. See What’s On Guide on pages 19-23 for more farm fun at Bocketts, Godstone, Tulleys and Fisher's Farms.

Best Tennis offer tennis lessons

at Leatherhead Leisure Centre for all ages and abilities.

Group Lessons: Everyone welcome to a frEE, no obligation taster lesson. Lessons for Juniors start from 3 yrs. There are also a wide range of adult courses for all standards.

Private Lessons: Private one-to-one lessons are available £35 per lesson, £5 per additional player.

For information or to book your free Trial call 07595 946116. View courses at www.besttennis.co.uk

Easter Bunny Cruises on the Wey & Arun Canal Loxwood RH14 0RD Take a trip on the beautiful Wey & Arun Canal on one of the special Easter-themed boat rides, cruising the idyllic Loxwood Link section of the canal on the Surrey/West Sussex border. Adults can unwind, enjoy some refreshments and take in the beautiful scenery, while children receive a chocolate gift from the Easter Bunny. Booking in advance is advisable. Trips are taking place daily from on Fri 25thMon 28th March 2016 at 11am, 12pm and 2pm. Price is £10 per person. Trips depart from the Canal Centre behind the Onslow Arms in Loxwood. Tel: 01403 752403.

Hobbledown Farm Park

Epsom KT19 8PT

Visit the mysterical Hobbledown – a place of mythical characters, fantastical indoor and outdoor play villages and exciting wildlife.

Discover the crystalite mine, get crafty in the yurt or watch the cheeky meerkats in action. As well as the usual amazing play equipment at Hobbledown, there will be an Easter-themed puppet show ‘Skibblers vs Hobblers’. Over the Easter weekend itself there will be Rumpletump's (Hobbledown’s Dragon) Easter Egg Hunt and themed games like ‘Catch a Bunnies Tail’, as well as Easter-based arts and crafts in the Creation Station. For ticket prices call: 0843 289 4979

British Wildlife Centre New Chapel, Lingfield, RH7 6LF

This wonderful centre is home to over 40 native wildlife species and does some wonderful conservation work. On Sun 27th March, kids can enjoy the thrill of the hunt on the Easter Trail, searching for eggs hidden amongst the animals. Could they be in the Copse with the red squirrels, or on the banks of the otter ponds?

Perhaps there's one secreted amongst the tiny harvest mice or being guarded by the snowy owl? If children spot them all they'll win a small chocolate treat. All entries will go into a prize draw to win Family Tickets.

Adult £11.50; kids £8.50 (under 3s free). Open 10-5pm Tel: 01342 834658.

BOCKETTS FARM PARK, LEATHERHEAD AND DORKING AREAS T: 020 8432 0811 E: leatherhead.dorking@monkeymusic.co.uk SOUTH CROYDON AND CATERHAM AREAS T: 0203 251 1061 E: southcroydon.caterham@monkeymusic.co.uk

12 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

Sports Relief Sports Relief Weekend 18th-20th March It’s that time of year again, to get your skates/boots/cossie on and get involved in one of the brilliant sporting events taking place in East Surrey to raise money for Sports Relief.

Last year volunteers in the South East raised and donated more than £988k, helping to fund more than 30 projects in the region. Sporting celebs including Jo Brand and Greg James have already done their bit by walking across the Pennines and completing 5 triathlons in 5 days, and now it’s your turn.

You can sign up to do the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile (choosing 1, 3 or 6 miles) or a Swimathon (1-5km) at loads of local venues, or take on the a 25 or 50-mile Cycle challenge at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Not feeling sporty? Then why not buy your Sports Relief merchandise from Sainsbury’s and wear your support instead!

For more info visit sportsrelief.com

Swimathons on 18th-20th March Donyngs Redhill 01737 764 732 Horley Leisure Centre 01293 784075 Tadworth Leisure Centre 01737 361933 Rainbow Centre Epsom 01372 727277 better.org.uk/centre_locator Leatherhead Leisure Centre 01372 377674 fusion-lifestyle.com Dorking Sports Centre 01306 870180 Peopleforplacesleisure.org K2 Crawley 01293 585300 Freedom-leisure.co.uk Fitness Express Kingswood 01737 376003 Fitnessexpress.co.uk Hawthorns School Bletchingley 01883 743377 Hawthorns.com/sports-centre

Runs on 20th March Run Reigate Mile Run Horley Mile Run Godalming Mile Sportsrelief.com/events

Get Messy for Money!

Mud Run at Godstone Farm

On 19th & 20th March you can slip, slide, scramble and climb your way through oozy mud to raise money for Sports Relief. Suitable for kids aged 4-9 years old and costs just £3 per child, with all money being donated to Sports Relief. Remember to bring your change of clothes! Visit godstonefarm.co.uk to book your time slot.

Redhill & Reigate Artistic Roller Skating Club

We’re now on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/candcdanceschool

SKATING PARTIES / FUN SESSIONS

Principals: Miss C Walford CDE - AISTD (Dip) Miss C Taylor (Dip Dance Performers Course) Accredited by Council for Dance Education & Training in UK

Sundays 11.30am-1.25pm at Reigate College Sports Hall, Rushworth Road

Free Trial Class!

LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH:

ROLLER DISCOS 6-8pm for all ages

at Hawthorns School, Bletchingley For more details please call Barry on

01293 776266 bbridger@lineone.net

Tel:

01737 763391

Email:

misswalford@aol.com

Ballet, Modern, Street & Funky Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Mother & Toddler, Mini Movers, Drama, Tread the Boards (Drama, Singing and Dancing)

& Adult classes.

Classes held in Nutfield, near Redhill.

www.candcdanceschool.co.uk

THE UK’S NO.1

FROM

£30 PER DAY

HOLIDAY FUN! MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM TO 6PM

WITH ACTIVITIES FOR AGES 4 - 14

01235 467300 • WWW.SUPERCAMPS.CO.UK

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 13

Education

Starting School

On April 18th you’ll be finding out which school your child has been allocated to start their Reception year. I hope you get one of your preferred choices (Ed: I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed too!). Either way, it is a big step for you and your child and it’s normal to feel a little apprehensive about this change. It only seems like yesterday they were taking their first steps, and now they’re entering the education system. If you’re worried that your child’s not ready, there’s a lot you can do to prepare them for the Reception class. Jill Lance from All About Parenting gives us her top tips: ■ Visit group activities to help your child adjust to new groups of people, such as the local library story time, music sessions or tumble time. This will encourage a willingness to try new things and to co-operate with others.

■ Children often find the first step of letting go and saying goodbye a challenge. Practice this, perhaps with a special squeeze or message that will last the day.

■ Increase independence when dressing and undressing, changing shoes, using the toilet, small changes at first so that over time the whole task is not such a big challenge ■ Rather than setting out to ‘teach’ numbers and letters, let an awareness of them become part of each day. Talk about counting, size, shape and colours. Help to develop an understanding of ‘more’, ‘less’, ‘same’ and ‘different’.

■ Reading to your child every day will encourage a love of books and in time a love of words. Tell stories from pictures and listen when your child does the same.

■ Support large muscle development by encouraging your child to run, walk and play outside.

‘LOVE GOD, LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR’

■ Small muscles develop through playing with puzzles, construction toys, painting, colouring. In time control of small muscles lead to holding a pencil and writing.

■ Learning to finish a task, with help at first, will lead to greater independence.

■ Help with family chores and follow a simple instruction, for example, helping to put shopping away, preparing the table for a family meal.

■ Art activities will help your child develop eye hand coordination they will need later on to write. Using paint, glue, scissors, glitter, paper, card and imagination, the possibilities are endless.

■ Paper for scribbling, Childre a variety of crayons n often step of find the and marker pens, letting first go and goodby an individual white saying e a cha llenge. this, pe board. Accept all Pra rh efforts, resist the squeez aps with a sp ctice ecial e or me temptation to ssage t last the hat will day. ‘tweak’ the offering, drawings and writing emerging at this stage.

It is not ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

"

"

■ If your activities are informal, your child will learn without knowing s/he's being taught. The learning your child does in reception will be based on play, so these activities will prepare them well.

Call Jill for more parenting advice Tel: 07713 097790.

An outstanding independent school for girls & boys aged 2-13 years in Bletchingley, Surrey

OPEN MORNINGS

Sat 12th March & Sat 14th May 9.00 - 10.30am

ASPIRING...

Boarding in a top Surrey school for less than £4,700 per term.  Boarding and Flexi Boarding for boys

and girls aged 7-18

Becoming a Hawthornian means…

 Excellent academic results  Huge range of sports and activities  Situated in 260 acres of Surrey parkland

…a happy child with the best start to his or her educational journey

Admissions 01883 743048

www.hawthorns.com @RAASchoolGatton

14 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

Gatton Park, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0TD Tel: 01737 649000 admissions@gatton-park.org.uk www.raa-school.co.uk

Iceland northern lights © RTH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com

Education 11+ Exam Prep Reigate mum and private tutor Emma Glover is taking on new pupils who need some extra support with Maths and English, or require specific tuition for 11+ exams for local schools, such as Reigate Grammar and Caterham. Emma, who used to be a primary school teacher, also has experience of coaching children to pass the entrance exams for Kings College School in London. Her first year of tuition in Reigate has seen all of her pupils successfully passing their 11+ exams. Please call 07791 175166 to chat to Emma about your child’s needs.

New Heads for Local Schools It’s a case of new term, new heads for some of the area’s schools, including Manor House School for girls in Bookham and Royal Alexandra & Albert School in Reigate. Manor House welcomes Ms Tracey Fantham, who has been Head Teacher at Blenheim High School in Epsom for 5 years and has a background in PE and Psychology. Mr Mark Dixon, currently Deputy Head of Bancroft’s School in Essex, joins Alexandra & Albert boarding school. Mr Dixon has recently been announced as one of six teachers commended for their “outstanding practice as teachers of physics in secondary schools” by the Institute of Physics.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OPEN MORNINGS Spring & Summer Term 2016 for prospective parents.

Some open events require advance booking, so please call the school to check.

Bramley School Walton on the Hill KT20 7ST Girls, 3-11 yrs. Call 01737 812004 or visit bramleyschool.co.uk 5th March, 10am Downsend School Pre-Preps Leatherhead, Ashtead and Epsom. Boys and girls, 2-6 yrs. Call 01372 372311 or visit downsend.co.uk 7th May, 2pm Downsend Prep School Leatherhead KT22 8TJ Boys and girls, 6-13 yrs. Call 01372 372311 or visit downsend.co.uk 6th May, 9.30am

Enterprise Challenge for Young Entrepreneurs

The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge is the UK’s largest schools enterprise competition which aims to teach students in KS3 and KS4 how they can take skills and knowledge from the schoolroom into a business environment. Supported by big names such as Lord Sugar, the Challenge addresses the deficit in work-relatable skills that are preventing young people from getting ahead in industry. By taking exciting challenges, devised by real businesses, into schools, the initiative aims to showcase how classroom education can be applied to outside industry.

2016’s KS3 challenge will be set by Inspiring Learning, with students tasked with designing a new attraction for their outdoor Dearne Valley activity centre in Yorkshire. If you’d like your school to be involved visit nationalenterprisechallenge.co.uk

MATHS & ENGLISH

Professional tuition with individually tailored lesson plans to help your child succeed.

Book a free assessment

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Maths & English Tuition Qualified Teachers FREE Assessment Individual Learning Plan 80 Minute Lessons

Reigate and Redhill 01737 479055

www.kipmcgrath-reigate-redhill.co.uk | reigateredhill@kip-mcgrath.com

Educating for Confidence from Nursery to Sixth Form

Dunottar School Reigate, RH2 7EL Boys and girls, 11-18yrs. Call: 01737 761945 or visit dunottarschool.com 16th March & 21st April, 10.15am Farlington School Horsham, West Sussex RH12 3PN Girls 3-18yrs. Day and boarding. Call: 01403 282573 or visit farlingtonschool.net 21st April, 9.15am The Hawthorns School Bletchingley, RH1 4QJ Boys and girls, 2-13 yrs. Call 01883 743048 or visit hawthorns.com Please call for dates Manor House School & Nursery, Bookham, nr Leatherhead KT23 4EN Day School for Girls 2-16 yrs. Call Mrs Fowell on 01372 457077 or visit manorhouseschool.org 26th April Redehall Preparatory School Smallfield, Horley RH6 9QA Boys and girls, 3-11 yrs. Call for details on 01342 842987 or visit redehall.surrey.sch.uk Please call for dates Priory Prep School Banstead SM7 2AJ Boys 2-13 yrs. Call 01737 366942 or visit prioryprep.co.uk Pop-in morning - 18th March, 9-11am Royal Alexandra & Albert School Reigate RH2 0TD Boys and girls, 7-18 yrs. Call 01737 649000 or visit raa-school.co.uk 12th March, 9am Full listings for independent schools can be found at www.familiessurreyeast.co.uk

Registered Charity number: 307048

“Farlington in Action” Thursday 21st April at 9.15am

An opportunity to enjoy a tour of the school and to meet the Head and key staff. To register your interest, please contact our Registrar, Mrs Sue Apps, on 01403 282 573 or visit our website:

www.farlingtonschool.net Independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 18 with a co-educational Nursery

Farlington School | Horsham | West Sussex | RH12 3PN

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 15

Education Notes Nature

Take it Outside

By Jon MIllington

Once upon a time, when I was a child - and probably when you were too - we took it for granted that once our parents thought we were old enough and confident enough to manage we would play outside by ourselves or with our friends. We would frequently leave the house after breakfast with no more parental notice than a kiss on the cheek and an instruction to ‘be back by…’. It was understood that we would range through the neighbourhood freely, and find our way back home once we were tired or hungry (usually both).

If this sounds like a fairy story today then that’s not just because I started with ‘Once upon a time’. For most children in the UK today, there has been a huge decrease over the past thirty years in access to outdoor areas near their homes. I don’t just mean woods and fields (though I do also mean woods and fields) but also streets and urban areas. One survey concluded that since 1980, the range that adults consider children should be permitted to navigate unsupervised has decreased by 70%. Today, just 21% of children regularly play outside, compared with 71% of their parents.

Increasingly children’s independent mobility is restricted by traffic and parental fear, which in turn leads them to spend much of their time indoors or at organised activities.

and being allowed to play at least partly unsupervised, vastly improves children’s well being, allowing them to learn about themselves and their relationship with the world around them. Outdoor play helps children manage risk, interact with other people and develops strength and health.

They also, and this is the most important part, have huge amounts of fun.

If you want to get started with Wild Play, it’s easy and free. At first you may want to stay

The lack of opportunity to play out and range has a huge impact on children’s health and wellbeing – both mentally and physically and on their resourcefulness and resilience. The National Trust’s Natural Childhood Report, reported that:

with your children, but try not to get too involved with your child's play - let them decide what to do and how to play, that’s crucial.

Invite a few local children and their parents to join you when you feel confident, and let them play in the garden while you're in the house. If they can play between neighbouring gardens that’s even better, but remember that your job is to supply snacks and drinks, and to keep out of the way! It's a good idea to set boundaries of where they can and cannot go and remind them of road safety. Leave your door ajar so that you can hear them and check on them from time to time, but don’t interfere!

Farther afield, why not go on a walk to explore your local area – fields and woods are natural places to wild play. You may have woods or green spaces nearby that you don’t know about, so go an adventure as a family and see what you can find. When you’re there you can try den building, wild hide and seek, or animal spotting, and chances are your children will spot lots of places they’ll want to revisit later without you, so don’t forget to take some time out and let them play by themselves – they are the experts after all.

• 'On average, Britain’s children watch more than 17 hours of television a week: that’s almost two-and-a-half hours per day, every single day of the year.'

• 'British children also spend more than 20 hours a week online.'

• 'Around three in ten children in England aged between 2 and 15 are either overweight or obese.'

• 'One in ten children aged between 5 and 16 have a clinically diagnosed mental health disorder.'

Wild Play However, there is something we can all do. It’s not complicated, doesn’t require much, or even any, equipment, and doesn’t need to cost any money at all. Research into children’s lifestyles consistently and overwhelmingly shows that being outdoors, especially in wild places,

Buy garden tickets at rhs.org.uk/wisley and save 10% RHS Members go free.

RHS Registered Charity Number: 222879 / SC038262

16 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

#LindtGoldBunny

Jon Millington is a Director of Wild Learning, a Wild Play and Forest School organisation running Forest School programmes for schools and nurseries, and Wild Play holiday clubs in woods across the Southeast. wild-learning.net

Education

Forest School Training

Minibeasts and Microscopes

Forest schools are growing in East Surrey with many schools and clubs adopting some of the philosophies and teaching part of their curriculum in the wild.

Is your child into creepy crawlies? Join the Surrey Wildlife Trust on Thurs 7th April from 10am-1pm at Nower Wood, Leatherhead to search for minibeasts in the ponds and amongst the beautiful spring wildflowers There’ll be lots of hands-on activities and kids can put their catches under the video microscope to learn more up-close.

Booking is essential and costs £6 per person. Email NowerWood@surreywt.org. uk or call 01372 379509 for more info.

Space Scarecrows

Toddler Trails & Tales

The Royal Horticultural Society is searching for pre-schools and primary schools in Surrey to design space-themed scarecrows for a cosmic display at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July. Shortlisted schools will be asked to build their scarecrow designs, which will be judged at the show. To enter, schools must register with the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, and be in year six or below. Pupils are challenged to use plants and recycled materials to create their space scarecrows, taking inspiration from all things space - from Mars exploration to British astronaut Tim Peake’s Principia mission. Deadline for entries is 18 March 2016, visit schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk.

The hugely popular story, walk and craft sessions continue at Gatton Park into the Summer months, with some great stories coming up. For £5 a session (£7 during school hols), toddlers can enjoy a tale, activity walk around Gatton’s grounds and related craft session. Two sessions are held every Friday at 10am & 1.30pm. Look out for Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs, Night Monkey, Day Monkey (a fave in the Ed’s household!) and the more traditional Jack and the Beanstalk coming up.

You can pre-book at gattonpark.org.uk

If you are a teacher or care worker who is interested in finding out more about how forest schools work, then the Surrey Wildlife Trust are running a taster session on Mon 21st March in Leatherhead.

This is a chance for you to have a go at some of the activities that illustrate how forest schools work and to ask some experienced leaders and trainers about how you might make programmes work for you in your nursery, school or youth club.

For more info call 01372 379523. Course costs £24.

Surrey Wildlife Trust

GO WILD

THIS EASTER

Wild Learning holiday clubs Ages 5-11, 10.00am–4.00pm* “The first words out of my daughter’s mouth were ‘best day ever, can I go again tomorrow?’ Brilliant.” ● ● ● ●

Mini beasts ● Rope bridges ● Den building Firelighting ● Treasure hunts ● Storytelling Woodland crafts ● Mini beasts ● Survival skills Wild art ● Tracking and trailing

Book online at wild-learning.net

tired, dirty, happy children *times and prices vary by site

Farnham, Esher, Guildford, Wimbledon, Sheen, Great Bookham, Godalming and now in Reigate Spr HT_halfpage_ad.indd 1

10/2/16 11:24:13 Families Surrey East March-April 2016 17

Club News CLUB NEWS

Twinkle Toes!

Busylizzy family club has now launched Saturday morning dance classes at Holmesdale Community Infant School, Reigate as part of their packed schedule of children’s activities. Twinkle Ballet is a formal class that helps toddlers develop essential motor skills, such as balance and coordination. Hip Hop Tots is a high-energy class, teaching kids rhythmical expression and style. Both are perfect for 2-4 year olds.

Busylizzy has been expanding steadily since launching in Jan 2015 and are now open six days per week, 50 weeks a year!

Busylizzyreigate.co.uk

New Dances Classes

From the Summer term, Reigate School of Ballet will launch new classes - including a short-course Musical Theatre group and Street & Hip Hop classes taken by brand new teacher Freya Sands. Freya is also part of the street girl group Boadicea who got to the finals of Sky One's Got to Dance. She is currently on tour with popular dance group Diversity. They’re also starting Boogie Guys ‘n Gals for pre-schoolers and an adult Beginners Ballet for grown-ups. Classes take place in Reigate and Dorking, so please call 01737 247795 for info.

Volunteer for Brownies

Have you put your child’s name down for Brownies yet? If you have, chances are you’ve discovered that most clubs have huge waiting lists and are unable to cope with the demand. The 3rd Reigate Brownies is one such club, and really needs people to help at meetings and also to look after admin and accounts. The pack has 30 brownies, ranging in age from 7-10 and have an exciting and varied programme.

Since Sept 2015 they’ve been horse riding, hosted a tea party, and completed the road safety badge. Units all over East Surrey need volunteers to keep going, so if you’re interested please register at girlguiding.org.uk/get_involved/ volunteer

Girls Attack this Easter Is your daughter keen on Netball or Rounders? Girls Attack are holding a holiday camp in Oxted from 4-6th April for 6-14 yr olds. Any ability can join and learn some new skills to improve their game.

Get some girl power and Attack!

Tel: 07896 902371.

Go Wild!

Wild Learning holiday club is launching this Easter in Reigate. Already operating in Guildford and Dorking, they will now meet at Earlswood Common during the holidays.

To book visit wild-learning.net

Do you dream of being your own boss?

Our proven franchise business model has been established across the UK for over 20 years. It is for highly motivated, business minded people looking for a career that fits around family life, who share a passion for music and the value of an early music education.

To find out more T 01582 766464 or E jointheteam@monkeymusic.co.uk Facebook / MonkeyMusic

A family-friendly career opportunity! www.monkeymusicfranchise.co.uk

18 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

If you’d like to advertise with Families and reach more than 40,000 readers in the local area, please call 07769 222347

What's On

What’s on?

PERFORMANCES

The Moscow State Circus The Hawth Theatre Hawth

Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ hawth.co.uk The most famous circus on earth returns to the UK with its latest production Zhelaniy. 7th March. Adults £26.50; kids £22.50.

Alice in Wonderland The Barn Theatre 25

Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, RH8 0AA barntheatreoxted.co.uk The Young Oxted Players present Alice in Wonderland on 11th & 12th March. Age 5+yrs.

Tickets £9

The Wizard of Oz Dorking Halls Reigate

Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG dorkinghalls.co.uk Easter pantomime starring Bobby Davro as Scarecrow and Dani Harmer (CBBC's Tracy Beaker and Strictly) as Dorothy.

25th March. Adults £19; kids £17.

The Railway Children Film Screening Dorking Halls Dorking,

RH41SG dorkinghalls.co.uk Screening of the York Theatre Royal's stage adaptation. 28th March. Adult £17; kids £12.

The Witches The Rose Theatre Kingston

Upon Thames, KT1 1HL rosetheatrekingston.org Roald Dahl’s scariest book is brought to life. Age 7+. 29th March-10th April. Tickets £8-£24.

Wizard of Oz Fairfield Halls Croydon, CR9

1DG fairfield.co.uk Starring Sooty, Sweep and Soo with Richard Cadell from The Sooty Show! 30th & 31st March.

Adults £19; kids £17.50.

Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ hawth.co.uk Terrific tales are woven together with live music and puppetry from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved titles. Age 3+. 28th April. Tickets £11.50; Family £40.

Beauty and the Beast Fairfield Halls Croydon, CR9

1DG fairfield.co.uk Starring Keith Chegwin and Basil Brush. 1st & 2nd April.

Adults £18.50; kids £15.50.

The Railway Children The Harlequin Theatre

Warwick Quadrant, Redhill, RH1 1NN harlequintheatre.co.uk Image Musical Theatre returns with adaptation of E Nesbit’s classic. 5th April. Tickets from £9.

Bugsy Malone The Courtyard Theatre

Hazelwood Lane, Chipstead, CR5 3QU chipsteadplayers.org Chipstead Players Youth Theatre presents a tale of turf wars between prohibition-era gangs in Chicago. 12th-16th April. Tickets from £8.

Boogie Monsters Concerts Nutfield Village Hall

Mid Street, Nutfeld, RH1 4JJ boogiemonsters.co.uk Family rock & pop concerts with live band. For kids 0-7yrs.

10.30am Acoustic concert; 2pm Rock concert. 24th April. Adults £6; kids £6.

British Wildlife Centre Over 40 different native wild animal species l l l l l l l

Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales The Hawth Theatre Hawth

Free-range red squirrels Deer park Badger sett Otter ponds Owl display Fox families Wildcats & more

Open at weekends & during school hols

Easter hol open: Fri 25 March - Sun 10 April

Easter Holiday Events Craft Activities Monday – Friday throughout the Easter holiday 11am - 3pm, prices from £1.50 henfold Birds of Prey

Sunday 27 March (Easter Sunday) 11am until 3pm with a main display at 12.30pm. Free of charge.

Creation Station Workshops

Tuesday 29 March Fun Activities For All Ages!

11am and 2pm, £7.50 per child / Accompanying adults free.

Teddy Bears Fancy Dress Disco Wednesday 30 March 11am & 2pm, £7.50 per child / Accompanying adults free.

Tropical Rainforest Roadshow Thursday 31

Reader Competition in this issue!

1 child FREE with this advert - save £8.50

Valid to Sun 1 May 2016 with one full paying adult - No cash alternative One voucher per party - No photocopies - Not to be used with other offers (FSE 03-16)

March 11am & 2pm, £7.50 per child / Accompanying adults free.

henfold Birds of Prey

Friday 1 April 11am until 3pm with a main display at 12.30pm.

Free of charge.

Punch & Judy

Monday 4 April Traditional Family Fun 10.30am / 12noon / 2pm. Free of charge.

Creation Station Workshops

Tuesday 5 April Fun Activities For All Ages! 11am and 2pm, £7.50 per child / Accompanying adults free.

Teddy Bears Fancy Dress Disco Wednesday 6 April 11am & 2pm, £7.50 per child / Accompanying adults free.

Tropical Rainforest Roadshow Thursday

7 April11am & 2pm, £7.50 per child / Accompanying adults free.

henfold Birds of Prey Friday 8 April

11am until 3pm with a main display at 12.30pm.

Free of charge.

Denbies Wine Estate . London Rd . Dorking . Surrey Rh5 6AA T: 01306 876616 I Reservations online at: www.denbies.co.uk

We’re on the A22, Newchapel, nr Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF

01342 834658 www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 19

What's On Guide OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Mud Run for Sports Relief Godstone Farm Godstone,

RH9 8LX godstonefarm.co.uk Godstone's Mud Run course for Sports Relief. Don't forget a change of clothes! Ages 4-9yrs.

19th & 20th March. £3

Cadbury's Easter Egg Hunts Polesden Lacey Great Bookham, RH5 6BD nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey 25th March-10th April, 11am-3pm. £3 per trail Box Hill Tadworth, KT20 7LB nationaltrust.org.uk/boxhill 25th-28th March, 10am-2pm. £3 per trail Leith Hill Place Nr Coldharbour Village, RH5 6LY nationaltrust. org.uk/leith-hill-place 25th-28th March, 11am-4pm. £3 per trail Chartwell House & Gardens Westerham, TN16 1PS nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell 25th March-10th April, 11am4pm. £2 per trail

Easter Bunny Cruises Wey & Arun Canal Trust

Loxwood, Billingshurst, RH14 0RD weyandarun.co.uk Take a trip on the Wey & Arun Canal on one of the special Easter-themed boat rides.

25th-28th March, 11am, 12pm & 2pm. £10 per person.

Lindt Gold Bunny Trails Hever Castle & Gardens

Nr Edenbridge, TN8 7NG hevercastle.co.uk Family activities from March 19thApril 10th, incl Easter bonnet craft workshops and parades.

Chocolate Trail from March 25th. Adults £16.50; kids £9.30.

RHS Wisley Gardens

GU23 6QB rhs.org.uk Arts & craft sessions all Easter holidays, incl music, storytelling and outdoor activities. 25th March-10th April, 10am-4.30pm.

Adults £14.50; children £7.25

Easter Egg hunt Chiddingstone Castle

Edenbridge, TN8 7AD chiddingstonecastle.org.uk Enjoy the daffodils and take part in the Easter Chick Hunt.

25th March. Adults £9; kids £4

All clothes can be recycled Find out how at recycleforsurrey.org.uk

20 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

Easter Eggstravaganza Bocketts Farm Leatherhead, KT22 9BS bockettsfarm.co.uk

Loads going on this holiday at Bocketts, including 300 new-born lambs and an Easter trail. Try animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides and pig racing! New outdoor play area Treehouse Towers opens at the end of March. 25th March-10th April, 10am-5.30pm. Adults £9.20; kids £9.95.

Easter Fun at Godstone Farm Godstone Farm RH9 8LX

godstonefarm.co.uk Baby animals galore at the New Arrivals Lounge, chick hunt (Easter trail), face painting, demos and craft sessions. 10% disc when you book online in advance. 25th March-10th April. Adults £8.40; kids £8.40 (under 2s £3.20).

Easter Eggstavaganza Fishers Farm Wisborough

Green, RH14 0EG fishersfarm.co.uk Visit the magic ‘chocolate-laying hens’ for a free Cadburys Créme Egg to take home from the egg hunt. Daily bottle feeding in the Animal Encounters Barn. 25th March-10th April. £13.75-£15.75.

Easter Fun at Hobbledown Farm Epsom, KT19 8PT hobbledown.co.uk Easter-themed puppet show ‘Skibblers vs Hobblers’. Easter Egg Hunt and themed games.

25th-28th March.

Easter Fun at Tulleys Nr. Crawley, RH10 4PE tulleysfarm.co.uk Egg Spotting Wagon Ride, the Egg & Bunny Hunt, trampolines, giant slides & duck racing. 25th March-1stApril, 10am-5pm. Adults £7; kids £12

Birds of Prey Denbies Wine Estate

London Road, Dorking RH5 6AA denbies.couk Talk and displays from these spectacular birds.

March 27th, 11am-3pm; display at 12.30pm. 2yrs+.

What's On Guide Marwell Zoo Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JY marwell.org.uk

The Children's Trust Easter Fayre Tadworth Court

Tadworth, KT20 5RU thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Take part in the Wild Egg Hunt, meet the Easter Bunny & collect your free choc egg (25-28th Mar).

The Big Bird Bonanza continues throughout the holidays (29th Mar-10th Apr). Newest and biggest ever exhibit, Wild Explorers, is also open, home to rhinos, zebra & onyx. 10am-5pm, Adults £15; kids £11.50

Easter trips on Bluebell Railway Sheffield Park Station

nr Uckfield, TN22 3QL bluebell-railway.com Little Bo Peep will be greeting all children with an Easter Gift.

Various times, see website for details. 25th-28th March. Adults £22; Children £11.

Easter Egg Hunt British Wildlife Centre

Lingfield RH7 6LF britishwildlifecentre.co.uk Kids can enjoy the thrill of the hunt, searching for eggs hidden amongst the animals. Successful spotters win a small chocolate treat. 27th March, 10am-5pm.

Adult £11; kids £8 (under 3s free).

Easter Egg Hunt Gatton Park Reigate, RH2 0TD gattonpark.com

Explore Gatton's grounds, collecting Easter treats as you go. 28th March, 1-5pm. £4 per adult.

Local charity hold annual fayre, with Easter egg hunt, go karts, fairground rides, farm animals and market. Music from Surrey Hills Radio. 26th March, 124pm. Adults £3.

Normans & Crusaders Arundel Castle & Gardens Arundel, BN18 9AB arundelcastle.org

Discover the lives of the 12th Century Normans. Combat, weaponry & armour, crafts displays, falconry & storytelling.

26th-28th March, 10am-5pm.

Tickets from £9.

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 21

What's On Guide Birds of Prey Denbies Wine Estate

Dorking, RH5 6AA denbies.co.uk Favourite birds back again to delight you, with a flying display at 12.30pm. 1st & 8th April, 11am-3pm. Free.

Life in a Medieval Castle Arundel Castle & Gardens Arundel, BN18 9AB

arundelcastle.org Weapons, clothing, combat demonstrations and crafts from the 11th to the 15th century.

2nd-3rd April, 10am-5pm.

Tickets from £9

Birds of Prey RHS Wisley Gardens,

Woking, GU23 6QB rhs.org.uk/wisley See these magnificent birds up close, with agility displays at 11am and 2pm. 9th-10th April.

Adults £14.50; kids £7.25

Discovery Family Fun Day Lingfield Park Racecourse

Lingfield, RH7 6PQ lingfieldpark.co.uk Family fun and shire horse race. Book in advance for best prices. April 9th. Gates 11.25am; first race 1.25pm. Adults £18; kids free

#TeamElsie Rainbow Run Queen's Park Caterham,CR3

5RB shootingstarchase.org.uk 2km and 5km family fun run to raise money for Shooting Star Chase Children's Hospice.

Includes face painting, bake sale and toy stalls. 10th April, 10am. Adults £10; kids £5

National Open Gardens Day RHS Wisley Gardens

Woking, GU23 6QB rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Free event inviting everybody to visit the nation's beautiful landscaped and natural gardens. 15th April.

Family Farm Day Claremont Landscape Gardens Esher, KT10 9JG

nationaltrust.org.uk Meet the animals from Mill Cottage Farm Experience. 16th April, 10.30am-4pm. Standard entry.

Birds of Prey at Painshill Painshill Park Portsmouth

Road, Cobham, KT11 1JE painshill.co.uk Watch fantastic flying displays and discover more about owls, hawks and falcons. 24th April, 2-4pm.

Adults £8; kids £4.50.

Open Farm Event Saddlescombe Farm

Nr Brighton, BN45 7DE nationaltrust.org.uk Discover ancient downland farm and see demos of traditional work. New born lambs; great homemade cakes & cuppas. 24th April, 10.30am-4pm. Adults £5; kids £2.

INDOOR FUN Easter Egg Hunt Dorking Museum

Dorking, RH4 1BS dorkingmuseum.org.uk Follow the clues around the museum and claim your prize at the end (for kids upto 10yrs).

19th March, 2pm-3.30pm.

Adults £2; kids £1.

Silent Disco Caterham School Caterham CR3 6YA

breckfoundation.org The Black Light Silent Disco for adults & youngsters 17+. Raising funds for the Breck Foundation.

12th March, ticket £18.

RSPCA Easter Fayre South Godstone, RH9 8JB rspca.org.uk Support the RSPCA in South Godstone and help raise fund for animal charity. Cakes, stalls, games and more. Easter egg hunt (£3).

Tours of the centre £1. 20th March, 11am-4pm.

Creation Station Craft Sessions Denbies Wine Estate Dorking, RH5 6AA

denbies.co.uk Family craft workshops run by Creation Station. 29th March & 5th April, 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child.

Youth Theatre Mask Masterclass The Hawth Theatre Crawley, RH10 6YZ hawth.co.uk Learn the art of full mask performance in 2-day workshop. Ages 11-18yrs. 29th30th March, 10.30am-3.30-pm. £30 per course.

Junk Modelling Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TD gattonpark.com Create a princesses castle or knight's fortress from recycled material. 30th March, 10am & 1.30pm. £7 per child.

Shakespeare Easter Activities Surrey History Centre Woking GU21 6ND

surreycc.gov.uk Mark the 400th anniversary of the bard’s death with free family drop-in activities. 30th March-9th April, see website for times.

22 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

Teddy Bear’s Fancy Dress Disco Denbies Wine Estate Dorking RH5 6AA

denbies.co.uk Fun packed traditional disco & children’s games. Refreshments included.

Fancy dress welcome. 30th March & 6th April. 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child

Lantern Making workshop Gatton Park Reigate, RH2

0TD gattonpark.com 4-hour workshop for kids to make a lantern using willow and tissue paper. Age 8+, bring packed lunch. 31st March, 10am-2pm. £10 per child.

Punch & Judy Denbies Wine Estate

Dorking, RH5 6AA denbies.co.uk Free traditional entertainment! 4th April, 10.30am, 12noon & 2pm.

Tropical Rainforest Road Show Denbies Wine Estate Dorking RH5

6AA denbies.co.uk Learn about reptiles & insects from all over the globe. 31st March & 7th April, 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child.

Mad Hatter's Tea Party Hurst Green Methodist Church Hurst Green, RH8 OHG Join in the fun at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, in aid of Forget-Me-Not charity. Fancy dress competition. faceprinting and tea party. April 1st, 11.50am. Adults £5; kids £2.50

Natural Art workshop Gatton Park Reigate

RH2 0TD gattonpark.com Create your own pictures using natural materials. 6th April, 10am-12pm. £7 per child.

Family Event: Museum Paintings Dorking Museum Dorking, RH4 1BS

dorkingmuseum.org.uk Come and look at local paintings and photographs. Try your hand at drawing your own picture of Dorking. 2pm-3.30pm, 16th April. Adults £2; kids £1.

Family Film Night at Fishers Farm Wisborough Green, RH14 0EG fisherfarmpark.co.uk Wear your Pyjamas to the Fishers Flicks. Live showing of a popular family film (tbc), with popcorn & hot chocolate. 16th April. £5 per person.

NEARLY NEW & JUMBLE SALES Bumps2Babies Nearly New Sales Pre-loved toys, clothes & baby equipment, refreshments available. 12th March, 10am12pm. £1 entry.

Banstead Community Hall Park Road, Banstead, SM7 3AJ. bumps2babiessales.com Tel: 07539 218988

St Matthew's Church

Station Road, Redhill, RH1 1DL. 30th April, 2-4pm. £1 entry.

Woldingham Village Jumble Sale Woldingham Village Hall Caterham, CR3 7EU

woldingham.com Returning by popular demand!

If you've got jumble to donate, this can be left at the Village Hall on the day of the sale between 9.30am-11am.

16th April, 2pm. £1 entry

Mum2mumMarket Nearly New Sale St Marks Church Hall

Reigate RH2 ODA mum2mummarket.co.uk Award winning pop-up baby and children's market. Top quality preloved baby and children's goods aged 0-6. 16th April, 11am-1pm.

NCT Dorking Sale North Holmwood Village Hall North Holmwood, RH5

4JP. nns.dorking@nct.org.uk Baby & children's clothes from newborn-10yrs. Toys, books and equipment (incl pushchairs, cots & highchairs).

May 7th, 10am.

What's On Guide HOLIDAY CLUB PROVIDERS

Classifieds

Vanessa Hypnotherapist Clairvoyant Medium & Spiritual Healer

Please contact clubs directly for booking info and reservations.

Wild Learning Tel: 01483 424400

wild-learning.co.uk Outdoor day activities and camps in Reigate, Dorking, Godalming and Guildford. 10.15am-4pm. Ages 5-12yrs. £38.50 per day.

07977 117979 vanessa-harris.co.uk info@vanessa-harris.co.uk

Tandridge Trust Oxted & Caterham

Tel: 01883 716717 tandridgetrust.co.uk Arts, drama & sports courses from 2-12yrs. From £6.

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO

EzeeSport Holiday Clubs Leatherhead Leisure Centre, KT22 9BL Tel: 07862 220857 ezeesport.com Call for Easter timetable.

A visit to Marwell Zoo, near Winchester in Hampshire, is a chance to get close to the wonders of the natural world and play a big part in helping to save them.

Supercamps Tel: 01235 467300

supercamps.co.uk. Sutton & South Croydon.

Ages 4-14yrs. £45 per day or £180 per week.

Their newest and biggest ever exhibit, Wild Explorers, is open now - home to rhinos, zebra and oryx. We have a family ticket to giveaway for you to enjoy Marwell Zoo this summer.

Visit familiessurreyeast.co.uk to enter.

Closing date 30th April.

Best Tennis Leatherhead. Tel: 07595 946116

besttennis.co.uk Tennis coaching and school holiday camps. From 3yrs.

Girls Attack! Oxted. Tel: 07896 902371 Easter sports camps for girls age 6-14.

Fit for Sport Dorking Sports Centre

T&Cs: One only entry per household. No cash alternative. Ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children.

RH4 1SW. Tel: 0845 456 3233 fitforsport.co.uk Activity camps for age 4-12yrs; from £32 a day.

Sports Focus UK Reigate & Tadworth.

Tel: 0844 318 1700 sportsfocusuk.com Multi activity and football camps for 4-11yr olds. From £15 for half-day.

To advertise for only £20 please email editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk

Fitness Pilates Classes at St Lawrence Church Hall, Effingham. Friday morning 9-10am.

Contact Jane on Jane.ewer@btinternet. com or 07503 462890 for more details.

Gardening In need of weeding, pruning, planting or tidying? General gardening advice? Contact 07970 406637. MrsTrimTrowel@Gmail.com

Parties Independent Stella & Dot Stylist.

Exclusively designed jewellery and accessories, parties available at home or office. Contact Stephanie Skinner on 07720 758062 or email styliststephcs@gmail.com

Tutors Primary Tuition Maths & English including 11+. Experienced Reigate tutor. Excellent pass rates. Emma Glover BA (Hons), PGCE. 07791 175166 emmaglovertuition@outlook.com

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO

Mega Days at Hawthorns

Hawthorns School, Blethingley RH1 4QJ Tel: 01883 743377 hawthorns.com Ages 3-12yrs. 9am-4pm £31 per day.

Action House St Paul’s School, Dorking

RH4 2HS. Tel: 07984 405484 action-house.co.uk 5-11yrs. 9am-5pm £22.15. Half day £14.

Tilgate Park Wild Woodies

Saturday 2nd July 2016

We have a set of tickets to give away, courtesy of The Children’s Trust. Family tickets are for 2 adults & 2 children under 16.

Cars & helicopters, mini tanks, Diggerland, Inflatables, kids areas, demos, driving and more! Visit familiessurreyeast.co.uk to enter. Closing date 30th April.

Tel: 07771 375254. 30th March & 6th April, 10am-3pm. Ages 6-11 yrs; £21 per session.

YMCA ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk

Redhill & Banstead: Clubs for 4-12yrs.

10am-4pm £18/ 8.30am-6pm £27.

Tel: 01737 779979 & 01737 362058

Parties ®

T&Cs: One only entry per household. No cash alternative. Ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children.

Quote FAMILIES for 10% Off

British Wildlife Centre

08450 504 509

Pip's Competition Here are close-ups of two animals.

Can you name them?

Your chance to win an annual family membership to the British Wildlife Centre worth £130 plus Pip the Squirrel DVD/book and more. One winner will be drawn at random.

Visit familiessurreyeast.co.uk to enter. Closing date 30th April 2016.

T&Cs: One only entry per household. No cash alternative.

Membership is for 2 adults & 2 children.

www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 23

Networking Mummies Profile: Emma Marks Co-founder of Halliwell Marks Estate Agents Tell us a bit about you: I was brought up in Buckland, Surrey, and went to school in Reigate. I am a Speech and Language Therapist by background and before starting our family business, I worked for the NHS as the Clinical Lead for Neuro Disability in Camden. Following a 10-year stint living in West London I moved back down to Reigate about 7 years ago.

Following the birth of my second daughter Sophia (now 3 years old, Bethany is 5) I was keen for a change in career.

What do you do now? My brother Richard Halliwell and I founded Halliwell Marks in November 2013. Halliwell Marks is a family estate agency based in Reigate, offering services in Reigate and surrounding areas in Surrey. We founded the company on a principle of wanting to make a real difference in a sector that, let’s face it, has an awful reputation! Our ethos is all about trust and genuinely putting the customer first, always. Last year we got shortlisted for the best estate agency in the South East, which was an incredible honour and great feedback from all the clients we’ve helped.

What motivated you to become selfemployed? There were many things that motivated me to change my

career direction so drastically and become selfemployed. Whilst gaining financial independence was important to me, the main motivation was to have more time and greater flexibility for my family.

Why did you join Networking Mummies?

Networking Mummies fulfils two roles for me. It offers relevant support and helps members find ways to manage all the challenges that occur when combining a busy family life alongside a business.

Secondly, part of my role within Halliwell Marks is to network, so from a direct business point of view, the people who attend the meetings are all potentially in need of the service that we provide. I have made many useful contacts as well as gained clients from the meetings.

How does it help local working parents?

The group helps by providing a forum to share experiences and discuss any concerns with others who are in a similar situation. It also offers a platform to promote your business with fellow members. The level of support from other members can be invaluable.

Advice for parents considering starting their own business: I think that the main challenge in running your own business is that you are never truly “off work”. However, I have not missed a single nativity play or school assembly since, so the advantages are enormous. One key bit of advice I would like to share is that you can’t really rely on getting work done with your children around, perhaps the odd email but anything more can be a real challenge!

For more info about Networking Mummies, please visit networkingmummies.com Contact Halliwell Marks at halliwellmarks.co.uk Tel: 01737 303099

Award-winning tuition maths & English ages 5 -14

New skills Confidence Enthusiasm

Free trial session - book today!

Crawley

01293 853 446

www.explorelearning.co.uk 24 Families Surrey East March-April 2016

Families Surrey East March-April 2016 24