Families Sussex November/December 2019 (Issue 67)

IN THIS ISSUE 'Acts of Kindness' Advent Calendar Bumper Winter What's On Guide Talking about Climate Change Christmas Traditions And much more!

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Issue 67 November/December 2019 1 | Families Sussex Magazine

05/12/2014 13:59

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2 | Families Sussex Magazine

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News Desk, Features, What's On Guide

editor@familiessussex.co.uk 07411 583259 Advertising & Editorial Opportunities

Jayne Keep advertising@familiessussex.co.uk 07960 274739 Families Sussex magazine is proudly distributed to selected infant, junior and primary schools, nurseries, libraries, leisure centres and other family attractions in and around:

Haywards Heath, Horsham, Crawley, Brighton, Hove, Arundel, Petworth, Storrington, Littlehampton, Rustington, Angmering, East Preston, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Portslade, Steyning, Burgess Hill and in many other communities across West Sussex.

Deadline for our special January/February 2020 issue: Midday, 12th December 2019 © Families Sussex Magazine Limited 2019 Disclaimer: Families Sussex is published by Families Sussex Magazine Limited. Families Sussex is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Families is a registered trademark of Lifecycle Marketing Group Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Sussex magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Sussex Magazine Limited. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Sussex Magazine Limited, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing Group Limited cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

Errors and Omissions Excepted.

In this issue...

3 Could you be a Family Hero?

4 Family News and Views 7 Choosing musical instruments 8 Christmas Traditions 9 Talking Climate Change

bumper pages of events and fun activities right across Sussex

10 Finding a Flexible Job 11 Winter What's On Guide: four fscmagazine

15 Special Advent Calendar

FamSussexMag

Could your Business be a Family Hero?

Here at Families Sussex Magazine, we’re looking to work with local business owners who want to grow their reach and increase their exposure.

Could your business be a Family Hero?

Families Sussex Magazine is the fastest growing bi-monthly magazine that reaches right across Brighton and much of W Sussex. We have a distribution of over 20,000 across selected schools, libraries, cafes, supermarkets, nurseries and other family-focused venues.

And with a readership of over 35,000 parents, we are the perfect publication in which to promote your business.

We are launching a Family Heroes section in our magazine, which is all about promoting small businesses, giving them an opportunity to be featured in our special Family Heroes section, without the cost of traditional display advertising.

For just £36* per issue, your business name, logo and contact details can feature in our brand new ‘Family Heroes’ section in our popular magazine, as well as promotion on our website, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Limited space available - and going fast! Place your order before 10th December to secure your space! Email editor@familiessussex.co.uk. *Terms and Conditions apply. Cost is £36+VAT per issue, for a minimum commitment of one year (six issues).

3 | Families Sussex Magazine

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News and Views

Home from Home with Chilly Powder

Have some Reindeer Fun This December!

Last Christmas, 54 schools, nurseries, colleges and groups across Sussex and South East Hampshire took part in a Reindeer Fun challenge, raising vital funds for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

Why don’t you get involved in 2019?

This year we are inviting even more people to have some Reindeer Fun. Whether you want to Run, Cycle, Row, Ramble, or come up with your own challenge, Chestnut Tree House will provide everything you need for your Reindeer Fun event, including free reindeer antlers and red noses for everyone taking part, posters, helpful hints and sponsorship forms.

Do you prefer winter or summer in the Alps… or both?

Francesca, Paul and their three children live in Morzine in France all year round and have a good knowledge of Alpine traditions and the Morzine people.

Having adapted their chalet holiday style over the years to suit the tastes of their regular guests, they offer the perfect ski and summer holidays for either families, couples or mixed groups in relaxing luxury, with fantastic food and outstanding facilities, with unrivalled inhouse childcare facilities.

For many returning guests Chilly Powder is considered a real home from home.

Visit www.chillypowder.com for more about Chilly Powder chalets for summer and winter.

WANT TO GET YOUR BUSINESS IN FRONT OF MORE THAN 35,000 SUSSEX PARENTS? Families Sussex magazine is the perfect publication to reach parents in your target market, right across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

Families Sussex is distributed six times a year to selected nurseries, primary, infant and junior schools, libraries, leisure centres and other familyfocused venues right across our area.

With value packages from just £36 per issue, to 25% discounts available off series bookings with FREE editorial, we have the perfect package for every business and every budget.

For more details about print and digital advertising and editorial opportunities, please get in touch with Jayne Keep today by emailing: advertising@familiessussex.co.uk.

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How will your sponsorship money help?

• Chestnut Tree House currently cares for around 300 children and young people with life-shortening conditions across East Sussex, West Sussex and South East Hampshire • It costs Chestnut Tree House over £4 million each year to provide all its specialist care services • The charity receives less than 6% of its care costs from government funding • £5 pays for one minute of all Chestnut Tree House care services • £35 enables a child to experience a magical hour in Chestnut Tree House’s multisensory room with a specially-trained member of staff • £280 allows our Community Team to visit a child at home at the weekend or during the night, often necessary when a child is very poorly For more information on Reindeer Fun and how to get involved, visit www.chestnuttree-house.org.uk/reindeer-fun

Christmas Market is not to be missed!

Poppins Childrens Toys is a Haywards Heath business run by mum of two Claire Carr.

Alongside selling children's toys, Claire also organises Christmas markets and this year sets to be her biggest yet, on Dec 1st at The Triangle Leisure centre. With almost 70 stalls, cafe area, children's entertainment and craft area, along with a pre-bookable meet and greet with Santa, it is an event not to be missed. Full details can be found on www.facebook.com/poppinschildrenstoys/Entry is just £1 and part of the proceeds are being donated to Oscar's Wish Foundation, a charity for bereaved parents who have lost their children before, during or just after birth. The market will be open 11am-3pm and plenty for everyone.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea Hits the Screen this Christmas The Tiger Who Came to Tea, the classic children’s book by Judith Kerr, will come to TV this Christmas adapted as a half-hour animated film for Channel 4.

It will feature a star studded cast of voices including Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo, Tamsin Greig, David Walliams and Paul Whitehouse. The role of Sophie will be played by 7 year old Clara Ross, who will be making her TV debut.

For anyone that doesn’t know the book, it tells the tale of the tiger that shows up at young Sophie’s front door and proceeds to eat the family out of house and home, even going so far as to drink all of the water out of the taps, before declaring: “Thank you for my nice tea. I think I’d better go now,” and departing.

Chloe Tucker, Commissioning Executive, Channel 4 Drama said: “The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a timeless classic, and we hope this film will capture the same special place in every family's imagination watching it.

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Write your letter to Santa this Christmas!

All children love to receive a letter addressed to them in the post, but what could be more special than a letter from Father Christmas? Here are two ways of making this happen.

Royal Mail Letter to Santa For children to receive a FREE letter from Santa via the Royal Mail children must post their letter to Santa by Friday 6th December.

Envelopes must have either a first or second class stamp and be addressed to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. The letter must include your child’s full name and address. https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/letters-to-santa NSPCC Santa Letter Children can also receive a personalised reply from Santa via his elves at the NSPCC in exchange for a minimum £5 donation to the charity. The letter is ordered online and must be placed by Monday, 9th December. www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/make-a-donation/ letter-from-santa/

New 'Sleepy Tales' for Children The book publisher Penguin Random House has collaborated with The Children’s Sleep Charity to create collections of Sleepy Tales audiobooks designed to help children relax before bedtime.

For children ages 3 to 6 years, Ladybird Sleepy Tales and for children aged 7+, Puffin Sleepy Tales, they are stories with a difference.

Part soundscape, part descriptive narrative, they use relaxing sounds and soothing narrators’ voices to conjure calming settings and landscapes to help children feel calm and positive at the end of the day.

Each tale is 15 minutes long and has been created to be interesting enough to hold children’s attention, but not too exciting.

Sleepy Tales are designed to become part of a child’s bedtime routine, and can be listened to before or after reading a bedtime story. Children can listen on their own, or with a parent, as a way to wind down.

More info: www.penguin.co.uk/books

Experience Hever Castle after dark at Twilight Christmas evenings This Christmas Hever Castle & Gardens will be taking you on a magical journey down the rabbit hole and into the enchanting world of Alice in Wonderland.

On selected evenings you can experience the whimsical world of Alice after dark and see the stunning grounds illuminated as part of Twilight Christmas. Twilight Christmas evenings taking place on 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 23 December which offer the perfect opportunity to explore the Alice in Wonderland trail and meet interactive characters such as the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and the King and Queen of Hearts.

Be captivated by the exquisite lights in the grounds and colour washes on the Castle and enjoy the festive decorations by the warmth of log fires (extra date added this year by popular demand).

Feel the Christmas spirit with a carousel ride on the Castle forecourt or enjoy vintage fairground stalls. Visitors can also pose for a picture with a husky (suggested £2 donation towards Siberian Husky Welfare Association). Twilight Christmas evenings take place from 6pm to 9.30pm and must be pre-booked.

Complete your visit with relaxed Christmas shopping in the beautifully decorated Hever Castle shops packed with fabulous festive gift ideas and stocking fillers to delight all ages and tastes. For further information and to book visit hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on.

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Education

Choosing a Musical Instrument for your Child

By Amy Fowler

Learning a musical instrument can inspire a lifelong love for music as well as helping children through a range of artistic and academic challenges. Many parents want to ensure that their children enjoy music and engage in learning but selecting the right instrument can seem like an impossible choice.

Your first step in deciding which instrument to select for your child should be asking your child what instrument they would like to play. With so much choice, how your child feels about an instrument will depend on their personality and tastes. It sounds obvious but a child is more likely to be dedicated to progressing with a musical instrument they selected and enjoy playing, rather than one they were told to play.

Child engagement is key to future musical success and for this to be an informed decision your child will need to interact with all the possibilities. Providing exposure to a whole range of instruments and musical styles will help instrument selection.

As well as live performances, a great way to expose children to different orchestral instruments is to play them children’s pieces such as: Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf; Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens; or Benjamin Britten’s A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. By asking your child about their instrument group preference: brass, percussion, strings, you can understand the kind of sounds they prefer. This will, in turn, help inform the type of instrument you select for your child.

Trying different instruments is a great idea and music shops often employ musicians who can supervise your child to do this.

This will give your child the chance to understand how an instrument feels and sounds. A number of music hubs in the UK also provide a hire service so you can try different instruments out before you buy.

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This is a great way for children to figure out which instrument works best for them. As well as understanding your child’s preferences, another thing to consider is your child’s age. Younger children may struggle with the physicality required of woodwind or brass instruments and may be too small for instruments such as the double bass.

If your child has to struggle physically to play an instrument, even if they enjoy the sound, they will be less likely to enjoy playing that instrument. Violins are extremely popular first instruments because their physicality works well for smaller children but with so much choice, the ideal is to try a range of instruments before make a decision and a purchase.

Discover a There is a variety of instruments available and if you want to encourage your child to learn something a little different, there are a number of ‘endangered’ instruments, for which musicians are becoming quite rare.

They include the Viola and Double Bass in the string family; the French Horn and Tuba in the brass family; and the Bassoon and Oboe in the woodwind family.

There are some practicalities to think about when playing an instrument. Be aware that you will need an instrument that your child can use for regular practice.

There are ways to reduce the cost and high quality plastic versions of many brass and woodwind instruments are available with

considerably smaller price tags. As well as the financial implications of buying an instrument, there is also a range of environmental factors to consider. An acoustic piano (or even full size digital keyboard), for example, needs quite a bit of space. Pianos must also be kept away from radiators and ideally placed on a ground floor room with an even temperature. Violins grow with your child so more than one will be required if your child progresses, and harps need a large car to transport them around!

Selecting the right instrument for your child can be a daunting task but by spending a bit of time matching your child with their instrument you can help encourage a lifelong love for, and progression in, music.

Amy Fowler works for the ABRSM, the world’s leading provider of music exams and an organisation which has spent 130 years inspiring the musical achievement of young people. For more information, visit www.gb.abrsm.org

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BOARD AN BOAT ELF-POWERED ER TH FA T SI TO VI CHRISTMAS!

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familiesonline.co.uk 22/10/2019 12:52

Christmas Time

Enjoy the Best Family Christmas Traditions

By Claire Winter

What do you cherish and remember most clearly about Christmas during your own childhood? Was it the food, the carols and music, going to church, the Christmas tree?

When we look back at our childhood, we don’t remember the gifts that we were given, we recall the things we did as a family that created the most long-lasting memories.

Family Christmas traditions adhered to year after year during the festive season are an important part of childhood and are often free or don’t cost much.

Here are our eight best memory-making traditions for families to enjoy this Christmas.

Send Homemade Christmas Cards Go old school and send some homemade cards. In the modern era of e-Christmas cards, this is a traditional way to make your Christmas celebration special.

Making homemade Christmas cards can involve the whole family.

Sit down with some glitter, stencils, stickers and coloured paper. Play Christmas music to get you in the mood and your kids (and you!) will have great fun making the cards and then and giving them to friends and family.

Make an Advent Calendar Make or buy an advent calendar that can be reused each year. Instead of putting sweets or toys in it, put in a note for each day about all the different things you

love about your child. There would be a full-scale riot in my house if there weren’t a small present or treat in the calendar each day so you may want to consider adding the notes on top of a little present!

Give them a Christmas Eve Box Treat your kids to an early gift with a special box that contains festive pyjamas to wear and a Christmas film to watch.

If you want to spend less, you could include a festive book or art and craft activity so they can make a special Christmas Eve decoration for the tree.

Prepare a North Pole Christmas Breakfast An amazing way to welcome the festive season is by preparing a North Pole Christmas breakfast for your family on the first day of December. Get the kids involved designing the menu and making the decorations.

Many families combine a North Pole Christmas breakfast with the Elf on the Shelf who joins them for the meal. He then appears every morning doing something mischievous until Christmas day. I think most parents either love or loathe the Elf. I’ll let you decide!

Leave Food out for Father Christmas and his Friend Leaving food out for the man in red and his friends is another lovely tradition for Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to prepare the reindeer food out of dried oats and biodegradable glitter and have your kids scatter it in the garden on Christmas Eve.

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We also go out and gather greenery like holly and ivy from our garden to decorate the mantelpieces in our house.

Watch the Queen's Christmas Broadcast The tradition of sending out a royal Christmas message to the public started in 1932 with George V. So gather around the television with your loved ones and a glass of fizz to watch the royal Christmas message from the Queen.

Capture a Photo with the Family Many families forget to take a family photo on Christmas day. So, make time to capture a photo with your family each year in front of the Christmas tree striking the same pose. It will be interesting to document how you change each year.

You could even put the photos in a special album.

Go to a Carol Service Even if you are not generally a church goer, going to a Crib Service at your local church on Christmas Eve is a lovely thing to do with your children. Singing carols and listening to the story of the nativity is sure to put everybody in the festive mood and it’s good to take some time to remember the origins of Christmas.

Wrap Up! Enjoy the special festive memories you make with your family. Your children don’t stay little for long, and it’s great to remind them that Christmas is about being together and not just about presents and treats.

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Climate Change

Talking to our Children about Climate Change

By Valentina Giannella

Being a parent is a tough job. The trickiest part is making sure we tell our children the truth, without simultaneously causing them to be either over-anxious or delusional about the future. It applies to an extensive range of aspects in life, and climate change is a relatively new but undeniable one.

My children were 10 and 7 years old when we first started talking about the environmental challenges facing humanity.

Even as a journalist who has dealt with such topics for years, I was frankly terrified of this task. Writing an article is one thing: facing their worried questions was entirely another.

Then, a young girl showed up. Greta Thunberg was everywhere online, with her yellow raincoat and a straightforward concept: we have to DO something to save our planet, or there’s going to be trouble.

Action: that was the key. If you know that there is something you can do about a problem – even the smallest thing, anything that is within your power – you feel less hopeless. Less scared.

Here are some of the questions that children -and their parents - have been asking me about Climate Change and the answers that seem to help them.

more; use public transport or shared transportation. Show your child we can all make a difference and that if everyone does the same, the future looks more positive.

“What is Climate Change?”

– How to Answer The earth is our home, and it is nestled within a precious shelter that is called the atmosphere. Inside the atmosphere, we and other creatures can breathe and live. For nearly 200 years we have used something called fossil fuel (carbon and oil), which we burn in order to fuel our working world, in everything from factories to transportation.

Every time we burn fossil fuels, or cut down trees, the atmosphere temperature rises a tiny bit because the gas (mostly a gas called carbon dioxide) that comes from this burning becomes trapped inside the atmosphere. This means the earth cannot release the heat that it receives from the sun. This is called Global Warming.

My child gets Anxious about the Future of Humankind: What Should I Say? Talk frankly, but also help them understand the everyday actions that we can all take to tackle the main issues related to Climate Change. Action is the best cure for fear. Stop using disposable plastic; start using refillable water bottles; make sure you recycle correctly; re-use; exchange instead of buying new things; save energy; save water; walk and cycle

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As the temperature rises, the climate changes. This brings heavy rains or severe drought, diverts the sea currents and disrupts the natural habitat of many species. It also means that the sea level is rising due to the ice melting in the Poles. All of these are the main effects of Climate Change.

What Can Help Me Communicate the Key Facts to my Child?

It helps to introduce a hero character that allows children to engage their

imagination while they absorb abstract information. Greta Thunberg is a perfect medium for these concepts. Discover other children who have also made a difference – like William Kamkwamba, who inspired the book and film The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

Who is Greta Thunberg?

Greta is a child who loves to be “in the know” about what is happening to our planet. She comes from a family of scientists and artists, she has studied the facts, and she is not afraid of being in the spotlight. This combination worked well when she decided it was time to speak out and gain attention from the world about the danger we are facing and what we should be doing to avoid it.

Where can we learn more about this?

Sometimes, the news can be very challenging for children to understand because it only illuminates part of a problem. Also, some headlines can be scary. Suggest that your child come to you with their questions and look for scientific sources together. Bookshops and the internet (reliable websites such as http://www.climatekids.nasa.gov) can give a wider view. Look for sources that have been translated in a way that is understandable for younger ages.

Valentina Gianella is the author of We Are All Greta: Be Inspired to Change the World published by Laurence King and available from Amazon and good book stores.

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Family Life

Finding a Flexible Job that Works for You!

By Mandy Garner Time becomes an increasingly precious commodity once you have children. For many that means looking to reduce or re-arrange their working hours to give themselves the time they need to enjoy family life.

So what are the alternatives to the traditional full-time job? Well, these days there are many different options.

Flexible Working Requests Firstly, you could seek some form of flexibility in your existing job. It's important to be open-minded as to what that might look like, whether it could be part-time hours, some home working, flexible start and finish times, annualised hours, compressed hours (longer days but fewer of them), or a combination of several possibilities.

In order to make a formal flexible working application you will need to show you have thought through the implications of any changed working pattern on your employer and colleagues. Are there, for instance, parts of your job that could be delegated to others to enable them to get experience? Could you use the flexible working process to review your job and hone in on where you can have the most effect? If you can show that you have thought your case through carefully, weighing up your own and your employer’s needs, you are more likely to be successful.

Bear in mind that flexible working legislation currently only applies to those who have been in position for six months.

If this is not you or if you do not want to permanently change your hours - perhaps you only need some temporary flexibility - then you could ask for changes in your

working pattern on a more informal basis.

Be Creative Another way around the flexible working issue is to switch jobs or even careers.

Having children means that all your creative skills will be in play most of the time, including when it comes to your work life. You could try listing your skills and thinking broadly about any possible available job that might fit around your family’s needs. Talk to others and look into industries you may not have considered before.

Check out family-friendly websites to see who the most flexible employers are and read around about what other parents do. Sites like www.workingmums.co.uk have a regular jobs alert and case studies of working parents which can give you suggestions of where to look that you might not have thought of before.

Once you have honed sectors and types of jobs you might be interested in, you could join LinkedIn professional groups and check out company websites and social media. Thorough research is key to securing the right job for you.

If the sector you are interested in requires you to re-train, you could look into whether there is any on the job training.

Portfolio Career Another potential option is the so-called portfolio career where you juggle several part-time or freelance/self-employed jobs, creating a kind of tapestry which

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gives you flexibility around drop-off and pick-up times. You could, for instance, reduce the hours in your regular job and run a franchise or self-employed job on the side either on a permanent basis or until your self-employed work is earning enough to support you. Another advantage of the portfolio approach is that it gives you time to experiment with different work options. It could also allow you to re-train for another career while still earning.

Self-Employment You could, of course, choose to jump straight into self-employed work. If so, ensure you do your business research well. You could also consider becoming a franchisee, which means that you would have the freedom associated with running your own business with fewer of the risks of going it alone since the franchise will provide a tried and tested business model. (Opportunity to plug your own franchise here, if it happens to be for sale!)

The important thing is to be creative and to try to think out of the box about your skills. Go back to basics and rediscover what those skills are, who you are, what you like doing. A good coach can help you work your way through all the above options.

Mandy Garner is Editor of www. workingmums.co.uk where you can find more suggestions on flexible working options.

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MORE

ONLINE

What's On Guide for Sussex Families

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November/ December 2019 October – December All Day Christmas Event, Haskins Garden Centres

Multiple centres across Sussex

Visit the local Haskins Garden Centre to see the Christmas displays, take the opportunity to get a selfie and buy some incredible decorations.

Saturday 9th November Wormhole Comic-Con Worthing

Come and enjoy the Worthing Wormhole Comic-Con where there will be stage shows, there will be actor and actress guests, there are kid’s workshops that can be booked, cosplay, authors and numerous stalls. Admission charges apply. Visit www. worthing-wormhole.co.uk.

Saturday 9th November Black History Family Month Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Pavillion Gardens, BN1 1EE. 10am – 5pm

Visit the Brighton Museum at their monthly themed Free Days. You can take part in this family friendly day, there will be fun activities and workshops as well as storytelling and live music. There will also be refreshments. Activities run from 11am - 4pm. Free entry.

Saturday 9th – Sunday 10th November Festive Fair Manor Barn, Bexhill-on-Sea

Enjoy this 2 day festive fair, there will be over 20 stalls that have been handpicked and will be selling gifts and goodies for Christmas. There

is also a spot for Children to sit and write their letter to Father Christmas and there is a special post box to put them in. Free entry and there is free parking.

Sunday 17th November & Sunday 1st December

Saturday 16th November

Enjoy this family day out with tons of stalls to visit and Santa’s Grotto for the children. Visit www. ukcraftfairs.com/craft-fairlist/1/venue/field-place for more information.

The Artisan Market Place at Christmas St Mary’s Church, Worthing

Come visit this festive market where you’ll be able to get a gift that is different and shop local. There will be loads of stalls, refreshments and entertainment.

Saturday 16th November – Thursday 2nd January 2020 Christmas at the Royal Pavilion Royal Pavilion, Brighton

Join this magical festive experience, the palace will be transformed into a festive wonderland and their will also be a sleigh where you can take your own pictures.

Admission charges apply. Visit www.brightonmuseums.org.uk for more information.

Saturday 9th November Steyning Fireworks Shooting Field, Steyning

Come enjoy the fireworks at Steyning’s annual fireworks, the infamous display is set to wow the crowds! There will also be fairground rides, a DJ as well as live bands and great food and drink as well as other activities. To book tickets visit www.ticketsource. co.uk/steyningfestival/ and for more information.

Christmas Craft Fayre with Santa

Field Place Manor and Barns, Worthing. 11am-3pm.

Sunday 17th November

A SHOPFEST Christmas Affair at Leonardslee Gardens Leonardslee Gardens, RH13 6PR

Enjoy this brilliant fair where there will be handmade goods and small independent businesses that will have exhibitions, collections of Arts, crafts and other handmade goods for you to purchase. Admission to the Gardens applies. Visit www. leonardsleegarden.co.uk/ all-events-shopfest for more information.

Sunday 17th November Rockinghorse Christmas Fair Holiday Inn, Brighton BN1 2JF

Join the Rockinghorse Fair to get all of your Christmas shopping under one roof.

There will be food, fashion, gifts and gadgets. Entrance fee is a donation.

Now until April 2020 Flights of Fancy: the Wondrous World of Quentin Blake Nymans, RH17 6EB

Visit Nymans this Christmas where they will have an exhibition about the works of Sir Quentin Blake and

over Christmas there will be inspiration from ‘The Story of the Dancing Frog’ and festive pieces from the illustrations Quentin did for an edition of A Christmas Carol, as well as a trail, £1 per child. Admission charges apply. Visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/ lists/christmas-at-nymans for more info and to book.

Tuesday 19th – Sunday 24th November

Just Daydreaming Christmas Pop Up Shop, Fairy Tale Fair Christmas Colonnade House, Worthing

Returning to Colonnade House, this pop up shop will showcase around 20 makers, there is something for all ages and there are even pocket money buys. Visit www. thefairytalefair.co.uk for more information.

Wednesday 20th – Thursday 21st November Christmas Market Fair East Sussex National, Little Horsted, Uckfield, TN22 5ES

Enjoy this magical Christmas fair where there will be presents for all the family and there will be much more.

There is a small entry charge and free parking available.

Visit www.countrylifestylefairs. co.uk/esnxmasfair for more information.

Thursdays to Sundays from Thursday 21st November - Sunday 22nd December Glow Wild 2019 Wakehurst, Haywards Heath

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Come see this enchanting lantern trail set in the grounds of Wakehurst. This trail is full of surprises, being brought to life with lanterns, fire torches, projections and soundscapes.

Admission charges apply, visit www.kew.org/wakehurst/ whats-on/glow-wild-2019.

Friday 22nd November

Christmas Light Switch On & Late Night Shopping Littlehampton

Annual Christmas light switch on, bringing Christmas spirit to the town. There will be Christmas-themed activities including music and entertainment, stalls and a Santa’s Grotto with reindeers.

Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th November Christmas Market

Weald & Downland Museum

Finding the perfect gift just got easier, there will be over 150 stalls at the Market with items including arts, crafts, food, unusual gifts and much more. There will also be festive music as well as tasty seasonal treats. Admission charges apply. Visit www. wealddown.co.uk/events/ christmas-market for more information.

song and fun. Visit www. thewellingtonwailers.com for more information.

Saturday 23rd November

Christmas Fayre at Bolney Wine Estate Foxhole Lane, Haywards Heath RH17 5NB. 10am – 4pm

Come enjoy this amazing annual fayre, there will be tons to choose from including unique gifts, decorations, produce and much more.

There will also be festive bites and drinks being served.

Santa will also be making an appearance at the Grotto so make sure to visit. Visit www. bolneywineestate.com for more information.

Saturday 9th & 23rd November, Saturday 14th & 21st December, Sunday 8th, 15th & 22nd December Christmas Craft Markets Guildbourne Centre, Worthing.

10am – 3pm

Donnington House, Chichester

Enjoy the 3rd annual Christmas Community Market and fundraiser for the care home. There will be lots of ways to donate! There will be bric-a-brac, raffles, face painting, music, entertainers and festive treats. Visit www.donningtonhouse. co.uk/events-1/3rd-AnnualChristmas-CommunityMarket for more information.

Come visit the this craft market to grab some unique presents for Christmas from a variety of sellers. Admission is free.

Wednesday 27th November

Winter Fair Ardingly

Saturday 23rd November – Monday 23rd December

South of England Showground

Drusilla's Winter Wonderland

There will be 50 indoor stalls at this enjoyable fair, you will be able to find a present for anyone! It is advised that cash or cheques are brought with you, as not all of the traders are able to accept card. Admission charges apply. Visit www. friendsofsussexhospices.org. uk/ourevents/fair for more information.

Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th November Enjoy this festive day out where there will be local, independent traders from across the South of England.

Visit www.seas.org.uk/winterfair/ for more information.

Admission charges apply.

Saturday 23rd November Christmas Craft Fair Offington Park Methodist Church, Worthing. 10.30am – 4pm

There will be stalls as well as refreshments at this festive fair. There will be plenty to choose from as well as some unusual present ideas. Visit www.ukcraftfairs.com for more information.

Saturday 23rd November

Wailers at East Preston Village Christmas Fayre East Preston Conservative Hall, 12 – 5pm

Taking part in the East Preston Christmas Celebrations, the wailers will be performing as part of a show of music,

Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5QS

Visit Santa at his special grotto within Drusilla's Zoo. There will also be a husky cave where you can meet some adorable canines. There will be a giant Christmas Tree and festive food. Admission charges apply. Visit www. drusillas.co.uk for more information and to book.

Saturday 23rd November – Tuesday 24th December Christmas at Sussex Country Gardens Mark Cross, TN6 3PJ

Visit the Sussex Country Gardens to get a glimpse of Santa at his grotto. There will also be games and activities for the children to take part in. Visit www. mytunbridgewells.com/event/ sussex-country-gardenerChristmas-grotto-2019/ for more information.

Sunday 24th – Monday 25th November 3rd Annual Christmas Community Market

Christmas Gift Fair

Friends of Sussex Hospices, South of England Showground, RH17 6TL

Friday 29th November Magic at Meads Village Eastbourne, BN20 7QY

This festive night returns for another year. There will be lots for children to see and do including the Father Christmas Procession, choir, Lapland post office, food and drink and a chance to decorate their own gingerbread man. There will also be a craft market and live music from The Ship Pub. Free entry. Visit www. visiteastbourne.com for more information.

Friday 29th November Tilgate Parks Magical Christmas Tilgate Park, Crawley

Enjoy this magical event at Tilgate Park. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during December and Monday 23rd

December, winter wonderland will enchant the park. There will be numerous activities such as Santa’s Grotto and workshop, Christmas market and at various times there will be live music. Admission charges apply to the grotto and workshop. Visit www. tilgateparkchristmas.co.uk for more information and to book.

Saturday 30th November – Sunday 1st December Christmas Market

The Kennels, Goodwood

Visit this enchanting Christmas Fair. There will be festive food and drink, stunning Christmas trees and stalls bursting with gift ideas. Free entry, tickets are available online, visit www. goodwood.com/stay-dinerelax/the-kennels/eventscalendar for more information.

Saturday 30th November – Sunday 1st December Christmas Tasting Weekend Cowdray Farm Shop & Café, GU29 0AJ

Enjoy this free event where suppliers will be giving samples of festive food and drink. There will be a complementary mulled wine as well. There are gifts that can be brought in the shop as well. There will also be carol singing and a raffle.

Visit www.cowdray.co.uk/ events/Christmas-tastingweekend-2019/ for more information.

Saturday 30th November

Poppinghole Christmas Fair Poppinghole Farm Spa, Robertsbridge

Enjoy this countryside Christmas fair. There will be 30 stands with beautiful gifts

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as well as food and drink.

Visit www.ukcraftfairs.com for more information.

Saturday 30th November

Care for Veterans’ Christmas Bazaar Gifford House, Boundary Road, Worthing

Come enjoy this annual bazaar, there will be lots of family entertainment and lots of stalls selling lots of gifts as well as food and drink. There will also be real Nordmann non-drop Christmas trees for sale. Visit www.careforveterans.org.uk for more information.

Saturday 30th November – Sunday 1st December

The Sussex Christmas Craft & Design Fair Enterprise Shopping Centre, Eastbourne, BN21 1BD

Search for stocking fillers and gifts at this craft fair, there will be ceramics, textiles, glasswork, jewellery and other home accessories.

Visit www.facebook.com/ events/515939998872034/ for more information

Saturday 30th November – Sunday 1st December Midhurst Contemporary Craft Show Midhurst Rother College, Midhurst

Visit this craft show where there will be numerous gifts on sale including ceramics, glass, jewellery, wood, textiles and others.

Saturday 30th November – Tuesday 24th December Bluebell Railway Santa Specials

Sheffield Park Rail Station, TN22 3QL

Take a trip on the Bluebell Railway to Horsted Keynes station where there will be a fairground and Christmas pantry. Booking is essential.

Visit www.bluebell-railway. com for more information.

Saturday 30th November – Tuesday 24th December Tulleys Christmas

Tulleys Farm, RH10 4PE

Enjoy a visit to Tulley’s farm and meet Santa. The Santa Experience includes a Santa Sleigh Ride, decorating gingerbread, reindeer food

making, talks, reindeer flying school and much more.

Admission charges apply. Visit www.tulleyschristmas.co.uk for more info and to book.

Saturday 30th November – Tuesday 24th December Father Christmas at the Llama Park

Wych Cross, E Sussex, RH18 5JN

Visit Santa at the grotto as well as visiting the animals in the park. Entry to see the animals is free when buying grotto tickets. Visit www. online1.venpos.net/site/Show for more info and to book.

Sunday 1st – Sunday 22nd December

Horsham Christmas Markets The Carfax, Horsham, Every Thursday & Saturday 9am-4pm, Every Sunday 10am-4pm

Visit the special Christmas market where there will be festive entertainment and live music while you browse the market filled with seasonal goods, gifts, treats and food and drink. Visit www. foodrockssouth.co.uk for more information.

Wednesday 4th December - Sunday 22nd December

Christmas Afternoon Tea Leonardslee Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding

Enjoy a Christmas inspired Afternoon Tea in Leonardslee House, indulge in treats while children can indulge in decorative pastries. Bookings can be made online at www. leonardsleegardens.co.uk and prices and information can also be found there.

Thursday 5th December Christmas Starlight Trail The Novium Museum, Tower Street, Chichester

Collect a trail passport from the museum, library, Pallant House Gallery or Edes House and create your choice of star lantern. After making your lantern visit the other venues taking part in festive activities, collecting the stamps on the way. By collecting all 4 stamps you will be entered in a prize draw. £3 per participant. Visit www.thenovium.org for more information.

There will be carol singing, food and drink for all. The house will be open from 7-8pm and it will then be followed by a meal. Admission charges apply. Contact Michelham Priory on 01323 844224 for more information and to book.

Thursday 5th – Saturday 7th December Stick Man

Theatre Royal, Brighton

Enjoy the mesmerising tale of Stick Man at Theatre Royal.

This will delight children with its colourful characters and live music. Visit www. whatsonstage.com for more information and to book.

Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December Christmas Tree Festival Cuckfield

At the Grade 1 listed Parish Church of Holy Trinity there will Christmas trees decorated by local organisations for all to see. The charity being supported this year is The Alzheimer’s Society. Visit www.cuckfieldctf.org.uk for more information.

Friday 6th December – Sunday 12th January 2020 Jack & The Beanstalk

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

Thursday 5th December

Enjoy this live music, colourful, filled with fun show about Jack, his magic beans and of course the bad tempered giant at the Devonshire Park Theatre. Admission charges apply. Visit www. eastbournetheatres.co.uk for more info and to book.

Michelham Priory Road, Hailsham

Saturday 7th December

Christmas in the Courtyard

Enjoy the entrancing surroundings of Michelham Priory on this festive evening.

Petworth Christmas Event Petworth

Come see this annual

event where there will be stalls filled with all kinds of goodies, there will be lots of entertainment, there will also be a visit from Santa Claus!

Visit www.petworth-tc.gov. uk/events/ for more info.

Saturday 7th December Arundel by Candlelight 2019 Arundel High Street

Enjoy this annual event where the historic town of Arundel becomes the true spirit of Christmas on the streets.

This is a very popular event and it is free. Visit www. littlehampton.info/event/ arundel-by-candlelight-2019/ for more information.

Saturday 7th – Sunday 8th December

Christmas Craft Fair at South Downs Nurseries Hassocks

Visit this fair where there will be lots of local artists and makers showcasing their products, lots of opportunities to buy presents. Visit www. tatesofsussex.co.uk for more information.

Saturday 3rd December Christmas Fair 2019

Emmaus, Brighton & Hove

There will be lots to see and buy at this fair, there will be Christmas trees for sale, games such as lucky carrot dip and tinsel pull, there will be raffles and to bolts, music and entertainment as well as food and drink. Visit www. emmausbrighton.co.uk for more information.

Sunday 4th December Christmas Fair at Emma’s by the Sea Southwick, BN42 4AE

Come enjoy the fair where you can shop, enjoy some food and relax while being entertained. There will be lots to do including raffles and a festive garland workshop,

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there will also be a free lucky dip for the children. Visit www. emmausbrighton.co.uk for more information.

Tuesday 10th December Christmas at Saddlescombe Farm Devil’s Dyke

Visit Saddlescombe Farm for a seasonal tour of the farm, afterwards there will be mulled wine and other festive creating at the Tudor scullery beside the roaring fire.

To book email dyke.events@ nationaltrust.org.uk or for more information visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk.

Friday 13th – Sunday 22nd December Afternoon Tea at Herstmonceux Castle

back to the 1300’s. on 1st - 3rd December, the Deck the Halls event there will be a magical musical wonderland and there will be opportunities to make your own decorations using natural materials. Visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk for more information and to book.

Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th December & Friday 20th – Monday 23rd December Father Christmas at Preston Manor

Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6SD – 9.45am – 4.15pm

This years event is inspired by imps and fairies from an old Sussex fable. Meet Santa in the festive-themed house, there will be a photo parlour

and mince pies and drinks in the cafe. Charges apply. Visit www.brightonmuseums.org. uk for more information and to book.

Sunday 15th December RPO Miniatures Christmas Trombones The Hawth, Crawley

Bring in the festive season with the trombone players from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. They will be performing a variety of Christmas classics. To book or for more information visit www.rpo.co.uk.

Tuesday 17th – Wednesday 18th Dec

The Lost Toys Big Christmas Adventure, Royal

Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne Herstmonceux Castle

A family musical about three toys who create a North Pole factory. Written by a local resident this musical will bring happiness and laughter to all.

Visit www.royalhippodrome.com for more info and to book.

Thursday 26th December

Afternoon Tea at Herstmonceux Castle Fontwell Park – 10:15 gates open

Enjoy this fun day out at Fontwell Park with not only racing, there is lots for families to do alongside. Grounds will become Winter Wonderland that includes a giant snow globe and Santa’s sleigh.

Herstmonceux Castle

There are a number of ways you can visit Herstmonceux Castle at Christmas. You could have dinner, lunch with carols or afternoon tea with a castle tour. Visit www. herstmonceux-castle.com for more information and to book.

Friday 13th – Tuesday 31st December The Wizard of Oz, Brighton Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Gardner Centre Road, Brighton, BN1 9RA

Enjoy this Christmas pantomime, where the magical world of oz is brought to life and we follow the yellow brick road. Visit www. attenboroughcentre.com for more information and to book.

Friday 13th December – Tuesday 31st December Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs

Ropetackle Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-By-Sea

Visit the Ropetackle Centre this Christmas and see Snow White. Visit www. roptacklecentre.co.uk for more information and to book.

Friday 13th, Sunday 15th Tuesday 17th, Sunday 22nd and Tuesday 24th December A Christmas Carol

The Capitol, Studio, Horsham

Enjoy this staging of A Christmas Carol about Ebenezer Scrooge and his path to redemption.

Admission charges apply.

Book tickets online www. thecapitolhorsham.com.

Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd December Deck the Halls, Alfriston Clergy House Where

During December the Clergy house is decorated to show Christmas traditions dating

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23rd November 2019 to 5th January 2020 Skating from

£7.00

Cafe/Restaurant at Smith & Western

Booking/information www.crawleyicerink.co.uk info@crawleyicerink.co.uk

[01293 769940]

crawleyicerink.co.uk

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An Act of Kindness for Every Day of Advent!

– choose from below or make up your own 1. Smile at everyone you see today 2. Make cards for elderly people in your street 3. Tell someone the reasons you like them 4. Pick up litter in your street or local park 5. Clean up a mess you didn’t make 6. Wish a stranger a nice day 7. Help make dinner 8. Donate pocket money to charity 9. Compliment staff at a café or shop 10. Donate books, toys and clothes to charity 1 1. Volunteer at a festive community event

Zoe took biscuits to school

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12. Leave snacks on your doorstep for delivery people 13. Let somebody go ahead of you in the queue 14. Hug someone 15. Bake biscuits to take to school or work 16. Deliver notes to houses with great Christmas light displays 17. Pack away your things without being asked 18. Make someone laugh 19. Take canned food to your local food bank 20. Make a list of the things you’re thankful for 21. Leave a kind note where someone will find it 22. Send a Christmas card to someone overseas 23. Do a chore for someone else 24. Leave food out for Santa and his reindeer!

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Perform an a ct of kindness each day until Ch ristmas!

Pin up the c alendar and keep a daily record of yo ur family’s good deeds .

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ADVENT CALENDAR

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N

es ive ntr rr th ce a A bo n t at Sa am e 9: 30 Se ov –

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Christmas Circus

Help Rudolph Shine* Starring special guest Santa!

Meet Santa in his Grotto

23 Nov – 1 Jan

23 Nov – 24 Dec

At Squire’s Washington, RH20 3BP

At Squire’s Crawley, RH11 8PL

Come and cheer up Rudolph and make his nose shine bright again.

£6 per child* £1 from every ticket will be donated to Crawley’s local charity ‘Carers Support’

Book Online squiresgardencentres.co.uk

Visit website for full details Purchase your grotto tickets on the day at any till

*

Tickets £14 Advanced booking essential * Traditional Circus from 27 Dec

NEW CHILDREN’S DAY NURSERY The Barn, Parkfield Way, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4QX

Perfect Start Children’s Day Nurseries are delighted to announce that our Nursery at Bolnore Village, Haywards Heath is now open

and we are now accepting registrations.

Please contact us to arrange a visit.

t. 0333 772 0689

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Fully air conditioned, beautiful environment with specially designed rooms to promote the very highest standard in child development Stimulating range of Educational Programmes A dedicated ‘parent room’ where you can watch your child settle in with us on CCTV

e. info@perfectstartnurseries.co.uk

Children’s Library Wonderful spacious outdoor area in lovely surroundings All of our staff are First Aid trained All fees inclusive of nappies, meals, formula milk and wipes 5 Star food hygiene

w. www.perfectstartnurseries.co.uk

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