Thames Valley East Issue 66 May-June 2013

Thames Valley East May/June 2013 - Issue 66

Try before you buy!

RECRUITING NOW Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career.

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle,

please call Diana Page

01235 533362

11+ Preparation 1 to 1 Tutoring

Telephone 07535 522755 email info@eatontutors.com www.eatontutors.com

01628 660 893

KS1, KS2 and KS3 Tutoring

www.justoutdoortoys.co.uk

Checking Homework and Correcting

BIGGEST Display in the Thames Valley (just 5 mins from M4 J7) Abbey Rose Nursery, Nashdom Lane, Burnham SL1 8NJ

Individualised Courses

Online Tutoring Beginners Arabic Tutoring

We specialise in preparing pupils for common entrance examinations

Learning English as a Foreign Language Tailor Made Study Packs

The really useful magazine for parents of children between 0 and 12 Packed with information and fun things to do with the family in Maidenhead - Windsor - Marlow - Ascot - Slough - Egham

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2013

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

in this

issue 3 6 7 8 10 12 17 18 20 22 23 27 28 29 30 31

News & Info Clubs & Classes News Education News Helping your child cope with the stress of exams Nutrition in the lunchbox Summer camps and courses How to boost self asteem Swimming Special Digital Special, the touch screen generation Competitions Time Out How to garden with kids Ed's Reading Room How pilates can be beneficial during and after pregnancy Mums Who Mean Business Classifieds

web: FamiliesTVEast.co.uk tel: 01628 627586 fax: 08717 146 305 (calls cost 10p/min) e-mail: Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk editor: Claire Winter circulation: 19,000 next issue: July/Aug 2013 due out: July 1, featuring: Summer Holiday Activities copy/advertising deadline: June 7

Cover Photo: www.polarnopyret.co.uk T-shirts from £14.50, Shorts from £16.50, Skirt £22.

Hurrah! The sun has finally started to shine. With warmer months in mind, if you want to book some great courses or activities for your children during the summer holidays turn to our directory on pages 12 to 16. We also have some great competitions on page 21 and page 22, including the chance to win £150 of WOW toys and tickets to the Penn Festival.

I have come up with my own version of spring madness and have agreed to do a parachute jump with the Red Devils for Thames Hospicecare in June. It’s a great local charity that looks after people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. If you want to sponsor me you can at www.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireWinter.

I promise to update you in the next issue!

Thanks,

Wildlife trust criticises planned changes to National Curriculum

Plans by the Government to change how environmental issues are taught in state schools should be dropped according to a local wildlife trust. The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is calling on the Education Secretary Michael Gove to reinstate ‘learning about the environment’ in the National Curriculum.

Chief Executive Philippa Lyons said: “Removing caring for the environment from the National Curriculum will deprive children of the immensely valuable opportunity to learn about the natural world around them in practical and fun activities. If children don’t have connections with the living world around them, how are they going to understand and tackle the problems of climate change when they’re adults?”

The Trust looks after 80 nature reserves and runs environmental education centres at Woolley Firs, near Maidenhead; College Lake, near Aylesbury; and Sutton Courtenay near Didcot.

Steve Backshall, wildlife television presenter and President of the Trust, is passionate about encouraging children to learn about nature.

“They need to feel, experience, touch and smell the natural world; hold frogs, beetles and millipedes in their hands and feel mud squelching between their toes. This was how I was turned on to the outdoors as a kid, and all the top naturalists I know are the same.”

Find out more on the Trust’s website at www.bbowt.org.uk

Do you think having a baby will bring you closer together?

Many couples think that a baby will make their relationship stronger – but sometimes the complete opposite is true. 30% of domestic abuse starts or escalates during pregnancy and one in four women experience domestic abuse. It is rarely a oneoff incident and there is no excuse for it.

Does your partner accuse you of being fat, dislike you breastfeeding, feel jealous of your pregnancy? Does he stop you from attending health appointments- does he control the children’s benefits, criticise your parenting? These can all be types of abusive behaviour.

Domestic abuse also affects one in six men, as highlighted in Coronation Street, which is showing a real life storyline. Men often find it even harder to reach out for help, but if you are experiencing abuse there is support available from our trained male workers.

If you are experiencing abuse, it is not your fault and help is available.

Berkshire East and South Bucks Women’s Aid have specialist workers you can talk to in confidence and who can advise you on your options.

Take the first step and call us on 0800 0852654, email us at info@ebwomensaid.org.uk or visit our website www.ebwomensaid.org.uk. If you wish to speak to a male worker please ask for Alan or Ben.

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BOOK NOW for advertising in our July/Aug issue Due out July 1st Call: 01628 627586

Telephone: 01628 627 586

MAY/JUNE 2013

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News & Info Local arts festival in early May Cookham celebrates is artistic side this month, from May 8 to 19. The 2013 Festival offers something to suit most tastes and ages.

The programme has a rich mix of music, drama, comedy, art, exhibitions and talks. There is plenty too for the younger members of the family.

Advertise for as little as £60 plus VAT. Call: 01628 627586

There will be a Creative Hub on the Moor; art and craft workshops; make 2-D or 3-D props and your own models with a film and TV prop-maker. Plus you can join in pavement chalking at Station Parade, which is free.

You also get the opportunity to stroll through the Sculpture Garden in the beautiful grounds of the Odney Club. To find out more go to www.cookhamfestival.org.uk

Welcome to Base Camps!

Quality, affordable, childcare.

At only £20 per day (9:30am - 4:30pm), Base Camps offers piece of mind for parents, with their Ofsted registration and rigorous staffing procedure, and a packed day for children.

Children can experience a range of new activities and make new friends at a venue near you. With the option to extend the day from 8:00am – 6:00pm for only an additional £5, it’s convenient and value-for-money.

At Base Camps, their aim is to provide safe, stimulating holiday childcare based on team work and fun. All of their staff are over 18, CRB checked and qualified (or training to be qualified) in a relative field of teaching and coaching.

With Government guidelines recommending 60 minutes of strenuous activity a day, Base Camps can guarantee it with the Active Hour in their programme, as well as their signature team building challenges on top of the regular timetable of arts and crafts activities.

All of the Base Camps venues are within easy reach of local communities and locations including Maidenhead. Find out more at www.basecamps.org.uk

Do you need some extra help this summer?

Thames Valley East

Call: 01628 627586 to advertise now

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

The long summer holidays can be a tricky juggling act for working parents. Au pairs can be the ideal solution – they’re cost-efficient and a very flexible form of childcare. As well as providing your children with a consistent carer, they can also teach them an awareness of different cultures, and they might also pick up a few words of a different language, too. If you’re looking for an au pair but aren’t sure where to turn, Oxfordshire agency Cherish Childcare might be able to help you out. ‘We aim to make the recruitment of your au pair as easy and successful as possible,’ says owner Kat Powell. ‘We’ll help you work out what type

of au pair is best for you and your family, and will then vet the au pair to find out more about their character and suitablity.’

Au pairs are recruited from any country in Western Europe – some families choose a French au pair if their children learn French at school; while if an au pair with fluent English is desired, Dutch or German au pairs are best. Generally an au pair provides childcare and light housework for 25 hours each week in exchange for accommodation, food, £75 weekly pocket money and usually two evenings of babysitting. To find out more, contact Kat on 01235 851090 or visit www.cherishchildcare.com.

MAY/JUNE 2013

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

News & Info Kids story competition launched

JRR Tolkien ring goes on display at The Vyne?

An ancient gold ring rumoured to have inspired Tolkein to write The Hobbit has gone on display for the first time at The Vyne, near Basingstoke. The ring, which was dug up in a farmer’s field in Silchester back in the 18th century, is linked to a Roman curse tablet unearthed much later, in 1929.

Tolkein, an Oxford professor of AngloSaxon at the time, was consulted about this stone tablet which refers to the ring by name and to the fact that it was stolen.

He began working on The Hobbit just a few years later – so did his knowledge of this ancient treasure inspire ‘The One Ring’ of his books?

For many years, the large gold ring lay almost forgotten in a corner of a room at The Vyne but it has now been brought into the light and is being properly displayed alongside its incredible story in a special exhibition room, created in partnership with the Tolkien Society.

Younger visitors can study the ring up close as it revolves inside a large magnified display tube, and learn more about the curse laid on the thief who stole it.

Children can vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to whether or not it is ‘The One Ring’. There are also lots of great outdoor activities for children to do at the National Trust site. To find out more go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/vyne

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Budding young writers get their pens at the ready as this year’s National Young Writers’ Award is set to return – bigger than ever before. The competition, which is now in its fifth year, will be judged by best-selling author, Cressida Cowell, writer of the world famous How To Train Your Dragon series.

Children aged five to 14 will be invited to write a 500 word short story on this year’s theme – “Around the World”. The competition is organised by tuition provider, Explore Learning, and will be open for entries from now until Monday 3rd June. It is absolutely free to enter via www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngwriters and the winner will be presented with their prize of a trip to Disneyland Paris for their whole family – and £500 worth of books for their school – by Cressida Cowell in June.

For more information about Explore Learning and their tuition services visit www.explorelearning.co.uk

Maidenhead Mums Nominated in national children’s awards scheme Two Maidenhead mums - Liz Smale, from Hartbeeps sensory play and music sessions and Jodi O'Connor from Turtle Tots swimming programmes - have been nominated in the 'most outstanding activity leader for under 5s in the south' category in the What's On 4 2013 Junior Awards.

Hartbeeps and Turtle Tots have also both been nominated for best national pre-schooler development activity (2-5 years), best national baby and toddler development activity (newborn to 2 years), best pre/post-natal activity.

From now until 28 May 2013, parents can log onto www.whatson4littleones.co.uk/awardsvoting-2013.asp to vote for their favourite from all of the nominees which have qualified.

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Clubs and Classes News Learn Languages the creative way in Englefield Green Busy Buttons Creative Studio courses introduce your child to either French or Spanish, in a Creative Way. A kinesthetic approach with hands on art exercises, imaginative tasks, puppets and role-play encourage your child relate, repeat, memorise and learn the simple French or Spanish vocabulary that they have been exposed to.

Venue: The Village Centre, TW20 0QX. Day: Saturday. Times: 10:00 to 10:30 & 10:40 to 11:10. All-inclusive cost: £18 per child for each 4 week course. Drop in for a single session for £5.50 to try it out.

Please book in advance at contact@busybuttons.org or 07952418212. Details at www.busybuttons.org

Funky music classes to expand across the Thames Valley Hartbeeps, sensory play and music sessions for the under-5s, has seen a rise in demand for classes across Berkshire and so is launching into more locations this spring.

New sessions are planned for Stoke Poges in May and Burnham from June, with extra classes due to start in Windsor from May. This is in addition to classes which are already running in Maidenhead and the Bracknell area.

Franchise-owner Liz Smale, has also been nominated as the most outstanding activity leader for under 5s in the south for the second year running in the What's on 4 Awards.

Liz says, "This has been an amazing year for Hartbeeps, and with demand outstripping supply we are training up new teachers to take our magical music classes to other locations including Iver, Cookham and Datchet. We are very excited for the year ahead, and are very thankful to our loyal customers".

For further information, please email berkshire@hartbeeps.com or call 07985 935662.

Local tennis school inspires new and established players

The Win Tennis Programme started at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in 2006, starting out with just one player and has grown to over 300. It did not take long for the Lawn Tennis Association to award International High Performance Status (IHPC) to the Academy for the delivery and professional approach from Tots and Mini Tennis to Performance International players. Win Tennis is one of only four IHPC’s in the country.

Tennis for all is one of their key objectives, and they are passionate about providing opportunities for all ages and abilities to enjoy tennis.

The beautiful surroundings and impeccable facilities at Bisham Abbey enable them to create a fun and dynamic environment essential for inspiring young kids to learn the game.

Their term time Junior Programme caters for all: Tots Tennis (3-5 years), Mini Red (5-8 years), Mini Orange (8-9 years), Mini Green (9-11 years),Yellow (11+). Their Holiday Tennis Camps provide fun and action packed days from 9am – 4pm.

In addition Win Tennis is part of a full-time Ofsted registered Independent day and boarding school on site at Bisham Abbey. The Win Sports School provides full time education for 11-16 year olds, dovetailing full-time Tennis Training and full-time Education at KS3 & GCSE level, making this a unique model in the UK. If you are interested in trying something new or already have a passion for tennis you can get in touch by calling 01628 487775 or go to www.wintennis.com for more information.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2013

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Education News Independent School Open Days

Fleet Tutors now offers Educational Psychologist Service Currently 10% of the British population are dyslexic, but too often this is not identified at school. Many dyslexic children are very bright, but struggle to fulfil their potential in the classroom if dyslexia or other learning difficulties are not properly identified.

Despite the best efforts of our over-burdened schools, many are unable to achieve their full potential due to a lack of resources, or more worryingly, through a lack of understanding. A growing number of parents do not trust our schools when it comes to recommending strategies to help a child progress with their education once learning difficulties are identified.

Due to growing demand from parents, Fleet Tutors, a supplementary education service provider, has now extended its range of services beyond tutoring to include independent educational psychologist assessments to identify dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties.

These assessments will help parents and pupils address their difficulties within the school environment and before the child loses confidence. Assessments are conducted by a fully qualified member of the British Psychological Society, with over twenty-five years’ experience and a comprehensive understanding of various learning difficulties.

Appointments are available now at Fleet Tutor’s West London and Farnborough offices.

With thirty-five years’ experience helping students of all ages achieve their goals, Fleet Tutors operates a network of over 5000 qualified, experienced tutors across the country.

For more information on Fleet Tutors’ services, visit www.fleet-tutors.co.uk/ or call 0845 644 5452.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

ETON END PREPARATORY DAY SCHOOL, 35 Eton Road, Datchet. for Independent preparatory day school boys aged 3-7years and girls aged 3-11 11 years. OPEN MORNING Saturday 541075; May from 10.00am-12noon. 01753 www.etonend.org.

GODSTOWE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, Shrubbery Road, High ding Wycombe. Independent day and boar girls and years 3-7 aged boys for school rday aged 3- 13 years. OPEN DAY Satu 73; 11 May, 10.00am-1.00pm. 01494 5292 .org towe www.gods HERRIES SCHOOL, Dean Lane, school Cookham Dean. Co-ed preparatory N OPE . years 3-11 ry, and nurse and MORNING Wednesday 22 May .

Wednesday 26 June, 9.30am-11.00am . rg.uk ies.o .herr www 50; 01628 4833 , HIGHFIELD SCHOOL, West Road ry Maidenhead. Independent preparato N school for girls, aged 3-11years. OPE .30am DAY Wednesday 8 May, 9.30am-11 . 01628 and Friday 14 June, 9.30am-11.30am rg rep.o fieldp .high 624918; www

Planning decision deferred for Holyport College The new free school Holyport College has had its planning application deferred and the college is working towards final determination of its planning application by the legal deadline of May 8. At the first meeting in April, councillors were concerned about the impact on highways and traffic.

The co-educational boarding and day school for 11 to 19 year olds plans to open in September 2014, with admissions in year 7, year 9 and the Sixth Form. Eton College is its sole educational sponsor and pupils will be able to use some of its facilities.

The plans for the £15m new free school included building three new buildings on the former Holyport Manor site in Ascot road.

In total the school will cater for 500 pupils. www.holyportcollege.org.uk

MAY/JUNE 2013

LVS ASCOT, London Road, Ascot.

A Coeducational Day & Boarding School for 418 year olds. OPEN DAY, Junior and Senior School, Thursday May 2, 9.45a m12noon, with Heads welcome at 10am . To book please complete the online book ing form or email registrar@lvs.ascot.sch.uk .

01344 882770; www.lvs.ascot.sch.uk THE MARIST SCHOOLS, Kings Road, Sunninghill, Ascot. A Catholic Day Scho ol for girls aged 2 ½ to 18 year olds. OPE N MORNING, Early Years (Nursery), Friday 17 May, 10.15am – 11.30am. OPEN DAY, Prep School, Saturday June 8, 10.00 am 4.00pm. OPEN DAY, Senior School, Thursday 27 June, 9.15am-3.30pm.

01344 626137 (Prep) or 01344 624291 (Seni or); www.themaristschools.com.

MEADOWBROOK MONTESSOR I SCHOOL, Malt Hill, Warfield, coeducational, 18mths-12yrs. OPEN DAY Saturday 18 May, 10.00am-12noo n.

01344 890 869; www.meadowbrookmontessori.org

Please ring the school to check the Open Day or Evening is still going ahead.

Let your feet do the walking

Yes, it’s that time of year again. 2013’s Walk To School Week runs from 20 - 24 May, bringing together nearly one million schoolchildren, teachers and parents and promising to be the biggest and best yet! As part of National Walking Month, the campaign aims to teach children about the benefits of walking, with each day focussing on a different aspect of walking including safety, discovery, healthy, eco-friendly and social time. Take part in Strider’s 5-Day Walking Challenge and reinforce the benefits of walking, plus download puzzles, pledges and challenges at www.livingstreets.org.uk/

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Education Dear parents of year 5 and 6 children, This article has been written for you to share with your child as they approach their exams.

I am sure they will be looking to do their best, not only for themselves but also for you.

There’s always a considerable amount of playground ‘chat’ about these exams, especially the SATs or 11-plus, and this tends to make children more anxious than might have been the case. This article explains that getting ‘stressed’ is normal and provides some ideas to help.

HELPING YOUR CHILD COPE WITH THE STRESS OF EXAMS

S

o, I guess by now you have heard lots about the 11-plus exam and maybe you have discussed with your parents whether or not you will take this exam. Or if you are taking SATs this summer, you might have been practising at school or have heard people saying it’s important to do well so you are in the right streams at secondary school.

Some children can be worried about these exams. This might be for lots of reasons. Maybe you’re worried about messing it up, or worried that you won’t understand the questions. This is fine and quite natural.

In fact getting ‘stressed’ or anxious when you’re faced with exams, is very common.

Leading up to an exam, your body gets pumped with two substances called adrenalin and cortisol, which can actually help you focus.

This ‘stress response’ was helpful when we were cavemen and needed to run away from wild animals…

But too much stress is not healthy and has a negative impact on your body and mind.

See how you react when stressed by completing this checklist:

How do I feel when I am stressed? ! Jumpy

! Worried or afraid over little things

! Can’t sit still

! Feeling like crying

! Fast breathing

! Dry mouth

! Shaky hands

! Muscles feel tense

! Cold hands

! Upset stomach

! Heart pounding and beating fast

! Sweating

! Tight feeling in chest

! Hard time falling asleep

! Getting angry easily

! Other...

Now that you understand stress and the impact it has on you, we can look at what you can do to help yourself cope with it.

1. Look after yourself • Make sure you get lots of sleep. Stop homework or playing on computer games at least one hour before going to bed.

• Exercise helps release tension in your body and boosts your mood. Build it into your timetable each day – perhaps walking around the block, or bouncing on a trampoline.

• Your brain needs a steady stream of energy, and the right vitamins and minerals to work properly. Try and eat lots of healthy food. A good breakfast on the day of any exams is important too.

2. Use coping techniques • Talk to your parents or someone else you know well. It’s really important that you don’t suffer alone. Sharing a problem can sometimes make you feel that a burden has been lifted. Others may have experienced the same sorts of feelings.

• When you’re stressed, do some relaxing and enjoyable things. This calms your nervous system, stops the release of adrenalin and gives your body a rest. It creates ‘feel good’ chemicals in your body which help you relax. It’s especially important to do this in the evenings as this will help you sleep well.

3. Keep things in perspective • Try to challenge any panicky thoughts like ‘If I don’t pass, my world is over.’ Of course it means a lot to you and your family to do well, however, many people don’t pass exams and life will go on.

• Challenge any ‘negative’ thoughts you’re having which seem to make you stressed. Thoughts are not always true. Work out what your worrying thoughts are and then check out whether they are true or not by chatting to your parents or a friend.

Thanks for reading this article, we hope you found it useful.

Dr Lucy Russell is the lead child psychologist at Everlief Child Psychology in West Wycombe. If you feel your child would like benefit from some additional support, Everlief Child Psychology (01494 521332, www.everlief.co.uk) will be running 1.5 hour workshops over the summer months for groups of up to six children. The workshops will be led by a clinical psychologist and will focus on the topics in this article. The cost for these workshops is £25. Everlief’s website has lots of other useful information.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2013

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

MAY/JUNE 2013

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Lunchbox

Nutrition...

According to research just one per cent of lunchboxes in the UK meet the nutritional standards for school lunches.

Why is this? Well is seems our lunchboxes lack variety. In fact whole food groups are missing – most commonly vegetables and fruit, but sometimes protein too.

Conquering unhealthy lunches is key to making sure our children become healthy adults, childhood obesity is on the increase and currently 30% of all children aged two to 15 are considered obese. Local nutrition expert the Lunchbox Doctor, Jenny Tschiesche gives Families some advice on how to create a delicious, healthy and balanced lunch for your kids.

Jenny is the author of an award-winning book called ‘Not Just Sandwiches – 5 ways to improve your child’s lunchbox’ which is available on Amazon. One of the chapters of the book and the area of lunchbox preparation that she is most often asked about is preparing a healthy lunchbox on a budget.

There are six components to the nutritionally balanced lunchbox. These are carbohydrate, protein, calcium, vegetable, fruit and a drink. If each of these groups is represented in your child’s lunchbox then it is balanced.

Here are her top tips to achieving a healthy lunch without breaking the bank:

1. Carbohydrate Invest in a good thermos container that can keep food warm. It means that you can be a lot more adventurous with your food. The foods below can be good served hot or cold.

Make leftover risotto into balls, cover in beaten egg and breadcrumbs then gently sauté in olive oil.

Use old bread to make into croutons for soup or breadcrumbs for covering chicken or fish before baking. These nuggets or fingers work well with low sugar ketchup.

Stir garlic, cream cheese and some peas or sweetcorn in to warm pasta.

2. Protein Go to the deli counter and buy the ‘cuts’ the odd shaped pieces that get left and are lower in cost simply because they look less perfect than other pieces.

Tel: 01628 828258 Email: montessorischool@aol.com School Lane, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3QY We are a very well-established Montessori Nursery set in a once Victorian primary school at the heart of the picturesque village of Littlewick Green. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Use beans, lentils and chickpeas as an addition to a salad, in soups or to make delicious dips (you can also sprout many beans, which are great in salads).

Rather than buy processed meat slices, cut slices from the left over Sunday Roast.

Ages 12 months - 5 years After School & Holiday Club for children 1 to 8 years.

Operating a 43 and 48 week year Open 8am-6pm Full days or morning and afternoon sessions Covering the EYFS & Montessori curriculum Quality day care in a warm and friendly environment Football & Multi Sport coaching available for ages 3-5 Mouse Wizards (I.C.T.) for the 3-5 year olds Drama, Music & Movement Classes Free funded sessions for 3-5 year olds

MAY/JUNE 2013

At Herries, ...... every child is an individual and every child is known and loved.

Come and visit the school at one of our monthly Open Mornings or arrange an individual appointment.

See our website for full details:

www.herries.org.uk

Herries Preparatory School, Dean Lane, Cookham Dean, Berkshire SL6 9BD Tel: 01628 483350 Email: office@herries.org.uk

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Lunchbox

3. Calcium Buy large pots of natural yogurt (which is full of calcium) and divide into small reusable pots with a topping of honey, agave, sugar-free jam, muesli and frozen or fresh fruit.

Budget hummus typically contains less tahini (the expensive ingredient) and more chickpeas (the cheaper ingredient) and yet is no less nutritious.

Tinned salmon or sardines both make great calcium-rich sandwich fillings.

nutrient-rich berries and tropical fruit such as mango all year round. Add to smoothies, use in baking or enjoy with natural yogurt.

6. Drink Good old tap water will suffice in a water bottle that you clean out regularly using hot soapy water.

Cartons of milk provide both hydration and calcium.

If you opt for a carton of juice avoid cartons labelled as ‘fruit drink’. Preferably go for fresh fruit juice or juice ‘from concentrate’.

Concentrate simply means that the water from the fruit was removed at source for cheaper transportation.

4. Fruit Buy local and in season if possible to reduce the loss of nutrients through transporting fruit over long distances.

Use tinned fruit in fruit juice not syrup alone or with natural yogurt.

Frozen fruit is a cheaper way to enjoy

Telephone: 01628 627 586

5.Vegetables Frozen Mediterranean vegetables such as peppers are sweet and succulent once roasted. Add to pasta or rice for a tasty main course for lunch.

Root vegetables in season are a great basis for a quick and easy coleslaw or raw-slaw. Simple grate or use a ribbon peeler and add salad cream or vinaigrette dressing.

A large jar of black olives can go a long way. Use on pizzas, fill with cream cheese using an icing bag, serve as part of a salad or whizz into a paste with herbs and olive oil to go onto pasta.

For more information visit www.lunchboxdoctor.com or join the growing community at www.facebook.com/lunchboxdoctor.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Summer Camps & Courses

Happy Days!

The days will becoming longer and lighter in the next few months and before you know it the kids will be breaking up from school for the summer. Make sure you keep the kids entertained during the holidays by booking them a place at a camp or activity. There are great deals to be had if you book early and if you are a working parent, it’s good to know that you have childcare in place for the summer months. When you ring, please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families! *MAIDENHEAD and district* Base Camps is running affordable SUMMER DAY CAMPS for children aged 6 – 14, at Altwood School, Altwood Road, Maidenhead from 29 July to 30 August, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. From as little as £18 per day they can enjoy safe secure activities and arts and crafts with an emphasis on team building.www.basecamps.org.uk, info@basecamps.org.uk or 01235 833030 Bray Lake Watersports will be running COURSES at their centre in Monkey Island Lane, Windsor Road, Maidenhead, from July 15 – September 1. Beginner, improver and advanced (coaching) courses – windsurfing, sailing or kayaking. Times: 9.30am-5.00pm, Age: 8-15yrs. Cost; £199. Watersports Weeks – beginner, improver and advanced.

Times: 9.30-5pm. Ages: 10-15yrs. Cost: £240 per child.

Multi-Activity week - Spend five days learning a new activity each day; windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. Times: 9.30am-5.00pm. Ages:8-12 yrs, cost: £225 for five days. Early booking advisable. Sibling and group discounts available.

01628 638860. www.braylake.com Delgado SUMMER TENNIS CAMPS will be running MINICAMPS for children aged 46 and JUNIOR CAMPS for ages 7-16 at St Pirans School, Gringer Hill, and at the Magnet, Maidenhead from Monday July 22 to Monday September 6. Whether you are an absolute beginner or budding superstar, the camps will give you the opportunity to improve your tennis whilst having loads of fun. All players are given the opportunity throughout the camp to play different sports such as football, Swedish handball and rounders. All abilities welcome. Early booking and group discounts. 07818 052206; All details on www.livingtennis.co.uk Technology and fun is at the core of all FunTech SUMMER CAMPS; whether your child is seven or 16 or somewhere in between we have a camp that will fire their imagination. On our Lego NXT course they’ll learn valuable ICT and programming skills, whilst engrossed in the process of designing the ultimate robot.

Meanwhile, on the FunTyper course a series of fun and creative games will teach kids valuable touch-typing skills. All their staff are passionate about computer science, book a camp today to ensure an amazing summer learning experience for your child.

To book call 01628 621215 or email enquiry@funtech.co.uk; www.funtech.co.uk The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenheads Get Active Rangers will be running a programme of ACTIVITIES, in borough youth centres for young people aged 8 – 13 during the summer holidays. Activities include: Zumba classes, canoeing, sailing, woodland skills and more. For more information on give us a call on 01628 796744 or visit www.wamster.org.uk Go Wild Adventures will be holding EVENTS and WORKSHOPS at Braywick Nature Centre, Hibbert Road, during July and August. Booking required: 01628 777440. www.rbwm.gov.uk.

Hartbeeps will be holding music & sensory CLASSES in Maidenhead during August.

Sessions include Babybells from birth to sitting; Babybeeps from sitting to walking; and Happy House from walking to four years. For more information call Liz on 07985 935662 or email berkshire@hartbeeps.com. www.hartbeeps.com Hotshots Multi Sports Camps is running a HOLIDAY CAMP at St Piran’s School in Maidenhead during the summer. The camp is open from 8am – 6pm, 5 days a week.

Hotshots was created in 2003 by Harvey Grout who is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Education and co author of ‘Improving Teaching and Learning in Physical Education’. The camps are OFSTED registered. During a recent inspection the inspector was ‘highly

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Summer Camps & Courses impressed’ with the level of childcare provided. Book before June 21st 2013 and prices are £26 a day or £120 a week (that equates to £2.40 an hour for high quality childcare). They also have camps in Reading and Newbury. For more details please visit www.star-hotshots.co.uk or call 0845 301 0450. QUOTE TVEFamilies to get 10% off.

Offers ends June 30th 2013 Little Kickers will be running a SUMMER COURSE during the summer holidays in Maidenhead, for children aged between 3-7. A fun introduction to football. Check the website for dates and availability, www.littlekickers.co.uk or call 01628 526 584.

MAD Academy is running its ever popular SUMMER PROGRAMME of classes during August. Check the Emma & Kate’s pages on the website for the latest information, www.madacademy.com Magnet Leisure Centre and Cox Green Leisure Centre will be running a wide selection of ACTIVITIES during July and August. Please see www.rbwm.gov.uk for full information on times, prices and booking.

Messy Monets will be holding summer ARTS AND CRAFT FUN DAYS at various locations over the summer holidays. Events are aimed at children of all ages. Children will be able to take part in the Messy Monets Mural – a large mural on which every child can add their own mark as well as making their own works of art to take home.

Look out for dates and locations on our website and facebook page www.messymonets.co.uk and www.facebook.com/messymonets Norden Farm is bringing back the beach due to popular demand, there will be crafts and story telling every day. BEACH CRAFT (except Mondays), 11am12.pm, £3 per person FREE STORYTELLING, every day (except Mondays), 1.15pm-1.45pm, booking recommended. SUMMER ACTIVITY WEEKS include: Animation Club, age 8+, Tues 30 July- Thur 1 Aug, 10am-4pm (£85 or £80 adv. card); Summer Theatre week, age 10-18, Mon 5- Fri 9 Aug, (10am-4pm (6pm Fri). (£110, £95 adv. card); Summer Circus Week, age 7-13, from Mon 12- Fri 16 Aug, 10am-4pm (£115, £110 adv. card); Summer Art Week, age 8+, Mon 19 -23 Aug, 10am-4pm (£115, £110 adv. card). To find out more go to www.nordenfarm.org Stagecoach Maidenhead is running two one-week HOLIDAY THEATRE WORKSHOPS from Monday August 5 to Friday August 9 and Monday 19 August to Friday 23 August at Altwood School. Early Stages, ages 4-6: 9.30am-12.30pm. Final Show at 12.30pm. £75 per child and £35 for siblings. Main School: Ages 6-16, full days from 10am-4pm. Final Show at 4pm. Cost: £125 and £75 for siblings. 0118 942 3038; maidenhead@stagecoach.co.uk.

Teddy Tennis run COURSES for 2½-6years during the main school holidays in Maidenhead. Book a week's course or just a single lesson and enjoy a combination of music, pictures and teddy bear stories that provides a fun way to get active and learn to play tennis.0845 643 1173,www.teddytennis.com MOVIE MARTIAL ARTS SUMMER CAMP with The Samurai Fitness Group at Holy Trinity School in Cookham. An exciting summer camp teaching martial art techniques from the movies including, flips, flying kicks and throws! Safe, CRB checked, expert instructors. From 9am to 3pm, 19th - 23rd August 2012. For ages 4 to 6 and 7 to 12. £25 for 1 day, £110 for the week. For beginners or children with martial art experience. Tel: 07828 534817; www.TheSamuraiFitnessGroup.com Touch Typing, Maidenhead, Berkshire.Yvonne’s structured multi-sensory TOUCHTYPING CLASSES promote spelling, reading, concentration and self-confidence.

Computers are a part of life and using touch-typing at speed takes the pressure off handwriting and improves creativity. Students who inform their schools of their new skills are often given the opportunity to use typing in class to help them keep up with note taking and class work. Contact Yvonne Thomas on 01628 622916 or 07929528642 /email: yvonne@dttts.co.uk for dates: www.dttts.co.uk Wise Owls Club will be running at Highfield School, West Road, Maidenhead, from Monday July 16 to Friday August 31. JUNIOR CLUB for ages 3-7 (sports, play and craft activities with outings to places of fun or interest such as (Madhouse, Beale Park and the cinema). DISCOVERY CLUB for ages 7-13 (football, dancing, horseriding and tennis with outings to places such as Laser Quest, Coral Reef, fruit picking and the cinema) A healthy lunch and tea is an option for both clubs. We also have visits from fur & feathers, space planetarium and much more. Times: 9am-5pm, free extended day 8am6pm. 08445611606; www.wiseowlsclub.co.uk

LEARN TO TOUCH TYPE USING A MULTI-SENSORY READING/SPELLING PROGRAMME. Experienced specialist teacher, I am running weekly intensive summer courses and teach to individual learning styles Contact Yvonne Thomas on: 01628 622916 or 07929528642 email Yvonne@dttts.co.uk, for dates. www.dttts.co.uk

Before School, After School & Holiday clubs

Arts & crafts, sports, dance, drama, cinema, yoga, day trips... lunch & tea an option Holiday, Breakfast & After School clubs

Holiday clubs > Highfield School, Maidenhead 3-14 yrs After school club > Courthouse School 3-11yrs Oldfield School, Bray 3-11 yrs Breakfast club > Pinkneys Green Community Centre, Maidenhead 3 - 11 yrs

Summer club dates 15th July – 30th August 2013 Quality childcare from just £3 per hour

*SLOUGH* Burnham Lighthouse will be running their CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY CLUB at Burnham Grammar School, Hogfair Lane, from Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August.

Lighthouse Burnham, often described as 'possibly the best week of the summer holidays for children and volunteers alike', is run by unpaid volunteers from local churches and community for ages 4-11 Pre-registration is essential via the website www.lighthouseburnham.org.uk.. Times: 10am-3.30pm; and 10am-12.30pm for 4 year olds. Although there is no a set charge for Lighthouse we welcome donations which can be gifted aided and suggest £55 per week per child, which is the approximate cost for them to attend which we think is terrific value!. Ages 12+ (or year 7) with no upper age limit can volunteer to help – see the website for further information to see how you can volunteer for anything from a day to the whole week or with the set up or breakdown of the site the weekend before or after along with details of compulsory training, DBS/CRB checks and how to register. www.lighthouseburnham.org.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

MAY/JUNE 2013

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Summer Camps & Courses

May Holiday Club 28th - 31st May

(excluding Bank Holidays) Kings Court First School, Old Windsor

Summer Camp 2012 29th July - 30th August

St John's Beaumont, Old Windsor

Iver Environment Centre, Slough Road, Iver Heath, will be running SUMMER ACTIVITIES for ages 5-9 run during July and August. Call Debs on 01895 270730 or visit ivernature.co.uk Little Kickers will be running a SUMMER COURSE during the summer holidays in Langley, for children aged between 3-7. A fun introduction to football. Check the website for dates and availability, www.littlekickers.co.uk. Or you can email sleslie@litttlekickers.co.uk for details or call 07412 166 686.

Seriously FUN Swimming Schools will run 5 DAY INTENSIVE SWIMMING COURSES for Beginners to Stroke Improvers at Teikyo Japanese School, Wexham from Mon 29th Jul to Fri 2nd Aug and Mon 5th Aug to Fri 9th Aug for children aged 3 to 12 years. 30 minute lessons between 9.30am and 11.30am. ONLY £60 for five day course!

Book Online NOW at www.seriouslyfun.com or call 0844 35 11 461.

Teddy Tennis COURSES for 2½-6years during the main school holidays in Datchet.

Book a week's course or just a single lesson and enjoy a combination of music, pictures and teddy bear stories that provides a fun way to get active and learn to play tennis.0845 643 1173, www.teddytennis.com

THIS NEW R! YEA

om for Youth ro ting new s, exci ar ye + 10 & FUN activities s.

Friday

*WINDSOR*

Tel: 07854 078 728

email: hc_thegapclub@yahoo.co.uk

Play sessions for under-5s at the Phoenix Gymnastics Club Have fun in this fully equipped gym with your kids.

Sessions Monday: 10.30-11.30 Tuesday to Friday: 9.30 -10.30 & 11.00–12.00 Tuesday & Thursday: 1.00-2.00pm Cost just £3.50 per child (must be accompanied by adult)

Refreshments available Phoenix Gymnastics Club Unit 1, Water Oakley Farm, Maidenhead Road, Windsor Tel:01628 778881 www.phoenixgym.co.uk

Blossom Ballet SUMMER SCHOOL with workshops by the English National Ballet will be held at the Windsor Arts and Culture Centre, St Leonards Road, Windsor.

Magical Summer classes for 18 months-7 years are on Tuesday 6th - Thursday 8th August. Workshops by the English National Ballet for 5-7 years are on Friday 9th August. For further information or to reserve a place please email Miss Lucy at lucy@blossomballet.com; www.blossomballet.com Ezee Swim offers one-to-one swimming crash courses during the holidays in Windsor and the surrounding area. For more information go to. www.ezeeswim.co.uk or call 01344 885675.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenheads Get Active Rangers will be running a programme of ACTIVITIES, in borough youth centres for young people aged 8 – 13 during the summer holidays. Activities include: Zumba classes, canoeing, sailing, woodland skills and more. For more information call 01628 796744 or visit www.wamster.org.uk Hartbeeps will be holding music & sensory CLASSES in Windsor, and Bracknell during August. Sessions include Babybells from birth to sitting; Babybeeps from sitting to walking; and Happy House from walking to four years. For more information call Liz on 07985 935662 or email berkshire@hartbeeps.com. www.hartbeeps.com SUMMER HOLIDAY KIDS CLUBS at the Hands-on Art Studio: Potter's Wheel Events all day on Wedensdays for all ages, £12 per session & Pottery Camps Tues-Fri 10-11:30am, age range 4-12 years, cost £12 per session (adults half price!) £4 discount if 4 sessions booked in advance. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. See website for details: www.hands-onartadventures.co.uk; tel: 01753 206265; email: office@hands-onart.co.uk.

Little Kickers will be running a SUMMER COURSE during the summer holidays in Windsor, for children aged between 3-7. A fun introduction to football. Check the website for dates and availability, www.littlekickers.co.uk. Or you can email sleslie@litttlekickers.co.uk for details or call 07412 166 686.

Join a Perform HOLIDAY DRAMA WORKSHOP for 4-8 year olds, based on the story “Aladdin” at Clewer Youth and Community Centre, Windsor from Monday 5tht August to Friday 9th August, from 10am to 12pm each day. Join Aladdin, Jasmine and The Genie on a thrilling five day adventure. The fun-packed sessions aim to develop children's creativity, confidence and communication skills, as well as being a kaleidoscope of fun! With original songs and live music, your child will enjoy a funpacked week ending with a lively performance and colourful costumes and props that will delight family and friends. EARLY BIRD OFFER: 10% Off if you book before the end of May 2013! They also offer a 25% discount for siblings attending the same course at the same venue. Call 0845 400 1282; email enquiries@perform.org.uk; www.perform.org.uk Phoenix Gymnastics Club will be holding SUMMER SCHOOLS for over-5’s during the summer go to www.phoenixgym.co.uk for information and booking or call 01628 778 881.

The Gap Club will be running it's SUMMER CAMP at St Johns Beaumont, Priest Hill, Old Windsor from July 29th - August 30th. 29th July -2nd August – FAR FAR AWAY....; 5th August - 9th August – SHIPWRECK SURVIVAL; 12th - 16th August - SHOWBIZ AND ALL THAT JAZZ; 19th - 23rd August – SKI'S THE LIMIT; 27th - 30th August - GO

For Little Kickers & Little Rugby classes in Maidenhead, Bourne End, Henley, Marlow & Stokenchurch. Call 01628 526 584 or email bevans@littlekickers.co.uk.

For Little Kickers classes in Ascot, Langley, Windsor & Eton call 07412 166 686 or email sleslie@littlekickers.co.uk.

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Summer Camps & Courses GO GADGETS. Times: 8.30-4.30pm or 6.30pm. From 3 years upwards, book weeks or individual days. Please call 07854 078 728; www.thegapclub.com; hc_thegapclub@yahoo.co.uk Teddy Tennis run COURSES for 2½-6years during the main school holidays in Windsor. Book a week's course or just a single lesson and enjoy a combination of music, pictures and teddy bear stories that provides a fun way to get active and learn to play tennis.0845 643 1173; www.teddytennis.com Twinkle Tots Summer Ballet School 2013 presents “THE LION KING”. Monday 12th – Friday 16th August. Children help create their own show, based around the adventures of Simba and Pumbaa in Disney’s The Lion King. Performance at the end of the week for friends and family. Clewer Youth and Community Centre, Windsor. Twinkle Tots (ages 2-4), 1.30-2.30pm. £8 per day/£35 per week. Budding ballerinas (ages 4-5), 2.30-4.30pm, £14/£65 per week.

RAD Ballet (ages 6+), 2.30-4.30pm £14/£65. Call 07828 857061; email summerschool@twinkletotsdance.com; www.twinkletotsdance.com Windsor Leisure Centre will be running its FUN FACTORY HOLIDAY PROGRAMME for children aged 5-12years 8.30-5.00pm. Also, AQUAZONE HOLIDAY SWIMMING CRASH COURSES over five days, 30minutes a day, from 9-11am for children from 3 ½ years onwards. Contact the centre on 01753 778577 for details. *MARLOW & M40 CORRIDOR* Longridge, in Quarry Wood Road, Marlow, is running HOLIDAY ACTIVITY DAYS for ages 8-14 through the summer from 8.45am-5.30pm. Mainly water-based activities such as sailing, kayaking, rafting and bell boating. 01628 483252; www.longridge.org.uk Join a Perform HOLIDAY DRAMA WORKSHOP for 4-8 year olds based on the story “Aladdin” at Marlow, All Saints Hall, from Monday 5th August to Friday 9th August, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm each day. Join Aladdin,

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Jasmine and The Genie on a thrilling five day adventure .

The fun-packed sessions aim to develop children's creativity, confidence and communication skills as well as being a kaleidoscope of fun! With original songs and live music, your child will enjoy a fun-packed week ending with a lively performance and colourful costumes and props that will delight family and friends.

EARLY BIRD OFFER: 10% if you book before the end of May 2013! They also offer a 25% discount for siblings attending the same course at the same venue. Call 0845 400 1282; email enquiries@perform.org.uk; www.perform.org.uk Stagecoach High Wycombe and Marlow will be holding HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS at Wycombe High School, Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, from Mon 5 AugFri 9 Aug. EARLY TOES ACTIVITY WEEK (4-6yrs), 9.30am-12.30pm, £50 deposit, £95, sibling £75. This Summer little performers can come along and learn to sing, dance and act in our professionally led classes.

This will be a fun packed five days and an excellent taster of our Early Stages sessions.

LEARN A MUSICAL IN A WEEK (6-16yrs), 10.00am4.00pm, £50 deposit, £150, sibling £110. Students will study singing, dancing and drama with specialist teachers. Come along and make new friends, learn new skills and improve techniques. Courses also running in Henley. Call 01494 533203 or email highwycombe@stagecoach.co.uk; www.stagecoach.co.uk/highwycombeandmarlow Splat Cookery School will be running COOKERY DAYS during the summer holidays in Princes Risborough. Including: Whizz Bang Food - Children's Molecular Gastronomy on July 30; Summer Holiday Italian Day on August 7; Great British Summer Baking on August 8 and Summer Holiday French Day on September 2. To find out more go to www.splatcooking.net or call 0870 766 8290.

Super Camps will be running MULTI-ACTIVITY CAMPS (for children aged 4 to 14 years) and A PASSION FOR WORKSHOPS (for children aged 6 to 16 years) during the 2013 Summer Holidays at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow.

Built around a cloister incorporating the original 17c building to which a large number of new, specialist design and technology facilities have been added.

Camp core hours are 9am to 5pm with extended hours 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm available for a small additional charge. Tel 01235 832222 or book online www.supercamps.co.uk Win Tennis HOLIDAY CAMPS at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre: May half term (27th – 31st May) and Summer Holidays from 22nd July, Ages 3 – 16, any standard welcome and camps run Mon – Fri 8.30am – 4.30pm. www.wintennis.com or contact the Win Tennis office 01628 487775 or email rachaelcooper@wintennis.com Wycombe Sports Centre, Marlow Hill, will be running CAMP ADVENTURE for children age 6-12 during the holidays call 01494 688100 for details. www.leisurecentre.com

MAY/JUNE 2013

Blossom Ballet

For a FREE taster class or for further information please contact Lucy: 07813084283 lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

• Enrolling now for the Summer School and Autumn Term.

• Magical Summer School classes for 18months - 8 years are Tuesday 6th - Thursday 8th August.

• Workshops by the English National Ballet for 5-8 years are Friday 9th August.

Blossom Ballet

is about having lots of fun and making new friends.

Classes throughout the week, including weekends, in Windsor, Birch Hill and Maidenhead.

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Summer Camps & Courses *ASCOT and BRACKNELL district*

Amanda’s ART CLASSES for small groups aged 6-12 will be running in North Ascot during July and August. Times: 10.00am-12noon; 2.30pm-4.30pm.

Cost: £18. 01344 885 086/0796 882 4560 for further details. www.amandasart.co.uk JEMA Swim School SUMMER CRASH COURSE, Parent/Toddler/Baby & 3+ at Christchurch CofE School,Virginia Water & Dukes Covert, Bagshot. 30 min lessons each day w/c 29th July & 5th Aug contact - Chris 07702 412090 or email cshep66@hotmail.co.uk KOOSA Kids offers affordable, Ofsted approved CHILDCARE throughout the summer holidays. With over 350 activities on offer for 4-13 year olds, your child is sure to have a fun packed day with KOOSA Kids! Clubs running at Ascot Heath Juniors & Manorcroft Primary in Egham from 29 of July to 30 of August. Standard Day 10am-4pm, Extended Days from 8.15am-6pm. Fantastic low prices from £18.25, 8% discount when booking full week, 3rd child goes free. www.koosakids.co.uk 0845 0942322 info@koosakids.co.uk MAD Academy is running its ever popular SUMMER PROGRAMME of classes during August.

Check the Emma & Kate’s pages on the website for the latest information, www.madacademy.com Super Camps will be running MULTI-ACTIVITY CAMPS (for children aged 4 to 14 years), A PASSION FOR WORKSHOPS (for children aged 6 to 14 years) and RAW Adventure Courses (for children aged 7 to 14 years) during the 2013 Summer Holidays at Hurst Lodge School located off the B3020 between A329 London Road and A330. Camp core hours are 9am to 5pm with extended hours 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm available for a small additional charge. Tel 01235 832222 or book online www.supercamps.co.uk Super Camps will be running MULTI-ACTIVITY CAMPS (for children aged 4 to 14 years) during the 2013 Summer Holidays at LVS Ascot located off the A329 in Ascot, Berkshire, close to London and the neighbouring county of Surrey. A popular venue with Super Camps’ parents, the school’s facilities include extensive playing fields, tennis courts, a large sports hall, indoor swimming pool, theatre and wellequipped activity rooms. Camp core hours are 9am to 5pm with extended hours 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm available for a small additional charge. Tel 01235 832222 or book online www.supercamps.co.uk Teddy Tennis run COURSES for 2½-6years during the main school holidays in Ascot and Bracknell.

Book a week's course or just a single lesson and enjoy a combination of music, pictures and teddy bear stories that provides a fun way to get active and learn to play tennis.0845 643 1173,www.teddytennis.com

*EGHAM & BERKS-SURREY BORDERS*

Busy Buttons CREATIVE SUMMER CAMP offers an unique opportunity this summer for your child to learn, experience and be entertained while they gain skills from film and theatre industry professionals in an encounter like no other. Explore creative activities ranging from puppet-making, filmmaking, animation, costume-making, prop-making in exciting projects using, ‘The Creative Way.’ Lunch included. AGE GROUP: 6-14 years. TIMES: 9am to 5pm (extended hours on request) DATES: 29 July – 9 Aug (excluding weekends) VENUE: The Village Centre,Victoria Street, Englefield Green, TW20 0QX. Please book at contact@busybuttons.org or 07952418212. Details at www.busybuttons.org Genevieve The Gallery will be OPEN EVERY DAY during the holidays at 13 Victoria Street, Englefield Green. Select from a wide range of mugs, vases, bowls and egg cups etc. and add your own design in our workshop. Call: 01784 430516; www.genevievethegallery.co.uk Runnymede Borough Council will be running a variety of ACTIVITIES for 5 to 15 year olds during the school holidays this summer at various locations in Runnymede. Activities include playschemes, sports courses, workshops and more. Details are available from our website www.rbcyouth.co.uk or by calling 01932 425688.

Stagecoach Staines is running WORKSHOPS from 29th July - 2nd August at Thomas Knyvett College, Stanwell Rd, Ashford, Middlesex ,TW15 3DU. A LITTLE SUMMER FUN WORKSHOP for 4-7 year olds will work on a Toy Story production whilst The SUMMER FUN WORKSHOP for 7-18 years olds will have a Grease theme. The workshops will consist of a week of singing, dancing and drama culminating in a show for friends and family on the last day. No Stagecoach experience necessary. Stagecoach Staines’ shows are always a spectacle to watch with professional lighting, sound and costumes and many of their teachers have appeared in West End shows.

Course times for 7-18 years: Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.

Course times for 4-7 years: Mon-Fri, 9.45am-12.45pm.

Please call 0845-0556356 or email staines@stagecoach.co.uk or go to www.stagecoach.co.uk/staines for details or to register.

Teddy Tennis run COURSES for 2½-6 years during the main school holidays in Egham, Staines & Virginia Water. Book a week's course or just a single lesson and enjoy a combination of music, pictures and teddy bear stories that provides a fun way to get active and learn to play tennis.0845 643 1173; www.teddytennis.com Details correct at time of going to press (April 2013) but may be subject to change.

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Health

HOW TO BOOST YOUR SELF ESTEEM

By Judy Barkowiak

We all have days when we wish we felt more inspired, witty and accomplished.

On days like this everyone else seems to be cleverer, more attractive, funnier or they have whatever we feel we are lacking. Their children seem better behaved, more socially competent, brighter and so on. These are days when we need to raise our self-esteem. When we can raise our own, we are then in a great place to show our children how to raise theirs. Here’s how: 1) Do you notice in the paragraph above how many generalisations there were? When we have no self-esteem we tend to generalise. We say we ‘never’ know what to say or that ‘everyone’s’ children are better behaved, we ‘always’ get tongue tied and have ‘no’ friends. This is an example of distortion. We are distorting the situation. When you catch yourself using such a generalisation, ask yourself “Really…. never?” or “Really….everyone?” and think of a time when this just wasn’t true. Think of a time when you did do something brilliant. Find the exceptions to your generalisation and you’ll find the reality.

2) How we see ourselves and our children is very different from how others see us. Our perception is different because we are associated into the experience. We are experiencing it firsthand and are emotionally involved in it. To remove the emotion from the situation and to get a different perception, a more balanced one, do the following. Imagine you can float up above the situation and look down on it as if you were a CCTV camera. How does the situation look now?

3) As parents we tend to ‘rescue’ our children, we do far more for them than is necessary and by doing so much we deny them the opportunity to take responsibility or learn from their mistakes. We don’t even enjoy ‘rescuing’ them do we? We become resentful and feel unappreciated and our self-esteem plummets as we become the ‘victim’ in this ‘drama triangle’. We become the ‘persecutor’ and get angry with them and then they become the ‘victim’. This triangle is a low self-esteem situation at all three points. Raise your self-esteem by stepping out of it and letting your children take some responsibility for their own outcomes.

4) Whose opinion matters most to you? Low self-esteem often results from comparing ourselves with other people and believing what others say about us or imagining what they might say .“They think I’m ………………” is an example of this distortion. How can we possibly know what other people are thinking? More importantly though it is being externally referenced. We are allowing other people to decide our level of selfesteem. Instead we need to check in with our own values and beliefs. Ask yourself “and what do I think?” ask your child “what do you think?” Later in life they will need to be able to do this to protect themselves from adverse peer group pressure.

5) Your mind and body are connected. When you need to raise your self-esteem in order to tackle a situation such as speaking to your child’s teacher, here’s a quick way to do it. a. Look up and to the left and think of a time you felt great and did something amazing. b. Flick your eyes up to the right and imagine how you want to feel great now. Imagine how you want this situation resolved. What do you want to achieve? c.Take a deep breath and relax your shoulders. d. Stand tall with your feet slightly apart. e. Do not fiddle with anything or fidget. f. Speak slowly and with a low tone (from your chest rather than your throat)

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Judy Bartkowiak is an NLP Parent and Children’s Coach working from Burnham and the Cedar Clinic in Marlow. She can be contacted on 01628 660618. Her latest book Teach Yourself: Self-Esteem Workbook is published by Hodder and is available in paperback and EBook from bookshops and Amazon.

Eva Winter Osteopathy BSc (Hons), DPO

• Providing safe and effective hands-on treatment for adults, children and babies • Clinic Marlow, 11 Liston Court, High Street, Bucks For more information T: 07776448700 E: evaosteopathy@gmail.com W: evawinter.co.uk Registered with the General Osteopathic Council, British Osteopathic Association and Alumni for Paediatric Osteopathy

BODY CONTROL PILATES in Maidenhead

Wednesday day time 12.30 - 1.30, 4 Marlow Rd, Community Centre SL6 7YR Wednesday even 7.30 -8.30pm All Saints Parish Church, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, SL6 4HE Thursday drop - in pay as you go sessions 6.45 - 7.45pm 4 Marlow Rd, Community Centre, Maidenhead, SL6 7YR Saturday 11.30 - 12.30 Newlands girls school, Farm Rd, Maidenhead SL6 5JB £ 7.50 per session for group Mat and pay as you go— Classes run in blocks 6 weeks( £45) Private Pilates: 1:1 offered in the comfort of your HOME. All you need is a space and we will provide the equipment. You can also share the cost with another person or you come to us.

MAY/JUNE 2013

www.Pilateswithraj.co.uk 07963834297 info@pilateswithraj.co.uk.

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Swimming Swimming classes in Ascot and the surrounding area JEMA swim classes offer parent and baby/toddler classes, plus swimming instruction for children from three years onwards in pools in South Ascot, Bagshot and a Virginia Water summer crash course.

The parent and baby/toddler classes are run in a warm, private pool in Bagshot (A322), where they give instruction and confidence to parents and a fun experience for the little ones.

Also from the age of three they teach water confidence to children without their parents in small groups in Bagshot and in St. Mary's, South Ascot, which allows each child to progress individually. Children work through the Amateur Swimming Association badge scheme, Challenge awards and swimming a distance, up to one mile.

They also run lessons for adults who have never swum before or who want to improve their style. For more information call Chris Shepherd on 07702 412090 or email cshep66@hotmail.co.uk

Strap on a Fin and Learn to Swim!

We know how important learning to swim is for all family members. It’s a popular after school and recreational activity. SwimFin has been designed by a highly qualified, UK swimming coach who has over 30 years experience. It’s a vertical aid and suitable for children age two years and over, of all abilities.

SwimFin is proud to say that it can be used on all ages, all abilities and all four strokes and is the only aid to have ever been endorsed by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA). The company is very proud to have the backing of a leading, global swimming organisation.

So how will it help your child to swim? It works in harmony with the body because it’s worn on the back providing total freedom around the arms and legs allowing for a natural swimming position, with the fin working like a boat’s keel in the water.

Kids love SwimFin because the shark element appeals as a fun piece of kit and encourages them into the water. It appeals to parents because it makes learning to swim more of a game than a chore. Tests have proved that it can reduce the process by up to a third less time.

It’s also perfect for taking on holiday as the fin is highly visible in a busy pool or on the beach! To find out more go to www.swimfin.com

Swimming programme for mums-to-be and beyond Swimkidz UK Ltd is one of the very few swim schools in the UK offering a complete aquatic programme that starts pre-birth with their Aquabumpz classes (for mums-to-be) right through to their academy swimming sessions for children up to pre-competitive swimming.

Mums-to-be can enjoy a calming and relaxing workout with a teacher from their specially trained aquatic team. The school has teamed up with a personal trainer to ensure that their workouts are not only suitable and safe for expectant mothers but also deliver a comprehensive workout, preparing mums for the birth of their little ones.

Babies can join classes from birth, where they are taught the importance of water safety from the very first lesson. Skills are built upon with new activities introduced every week.

Trish Hare, director of Swimkidz UK Ltd. says, “Swimming is not only the perfect bonding experience for you and your little one but also provides many health benefits. Babies will move independently through the water long before they are able to crawl or walk. Swimming is therapeutic, helps to develop sound motor development and also improves the function of the skeletal muscles. Being in the water is perfect for premature babies too as it develops muscle symmetrically on both sides of the body.

“So not only will you be having a fun time in the pool, each and every move we take you through will be assisting your little one in their development, coordination and overall neurological development.”

Lessons are available locally in Reading, Maidenhead, Bagshot, Slough and Farnham Common. To find out more about call 0118 959 7874/07825 955533 or email sharky@swimkidz.co.uk; www.swimkidz.co.uk

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Swimming

WATER VERSUS LAND, WHAT IS THE RIGHT EXERCISE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU? When we think of exercise, we automatically think of the gym or heading out for a run, walk or cycle. Rarely do we think of exercising in the water, unless swimming played an important role in our childhood. However, water based exercise does not have to be all about swimming laps in the pool. Personal trainer Sarah El- Hawary, who runs Go Figure, tells Families why exercising in the water is so good for you.

W

ater has three unique properties - buoyancy, viscosity and hydrostatic pressure - which all play an important part in a water workout. On land gravity affects how much weight we can lift, how far we can stretch, how the body’s muscles are targeted and how quickly we tire during exercise. The effect of buoyancy means that we can exercise the body in more varied positions, target more muscles and increase our range of movement through our joints, thus increasing flexibility.

Something as simple as running in the water places very little stress on the joints. The effect of running on land places two and a half times your weight through your knees. For individuals who are overweight and trying to improve cardiovascular fitness, running in the water is a great alternative because it provides a low impact, stress-free environment for the body. Apart from getting to and from the changing room, individuals can exercise in a relatively private environment. Some fitness professionals have even described it as the ‘no sweat’ workout.

Don’t let this put you off, sweat does not always equal calories burned. In the pool, hydrostatic pressure placed on the body improves your its ability to process and use oxygen, which in turn improves circulation, increases muscle tone, strength and builds endurance. By improving circulation, the workload of the heart is decreased, lowering the heart rate. Typically heart rates tend to run 13 % lower during exercise in the pool, making it a great environment for people who are new to or returning to exercise - very often people quit a new exercise routine because it feels too hard.

Water provides 12 times the amount of resistance on the body compared to air, making it an ideal environment to strengthen and tone in, with or without the assistance of equipment. When exercising in water to improve strength and tone, we want to increase the drag effect on the body to increase the workload. The drag effect is the force of resistance we feel as we move through the water. On land most exercises challenge the body in one direction, in water we can use the push and pull effect to increase the amount of muscles targeted.

This is great if you are short of time or want to lose weight, because the more muscle groups you work out, the more calories you burn.

Another benefit is improving your core strength. As you move through the water several groups of muscles have to work to help stabilise the body. Especially your abdominals, back muscles and obliques, (muscle which help define your waist line), otherwise known as your core. The ‘core’ is an important group of muscles responsible for supporting and protecting the spine.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Water is often used as an environment for rehabilitation, making the most of its unique properties to aid recovery. Often when we think of water based exercise we think of the elderly or pregnant mums, but everyone can benefit from working out in water. So why not head down to your local pool today and experience firsthand the benefits of water on your body?

Go Figure offers Aqua PT sessions in the water, to find out more about the ‘no sweat’ workout call Sarah on 07938 588029 or email gofigure.sarah@gmail.com for further details.

“Sarah has introduced me to and nurtured me through, post natal circuit classes, personal training, circuit classes, training for and running a half marathon and Pilates. She makes exercise safe, fun and fit for purpose.

She spends a lot of !me making sure she understands you and your needs, limits and physical state and works to push you safely to get you to a fi"er and stronger place.” Sarah Nutbrown 2013

Go Figure offers a range of personal Training both on land and in the water, and a range of classes to suit all abili"es and lifestyles.

• Aqua PT – The No Sweat Workout!

Improve cardiovascular fitness, lose weight and tone up all in the therapeu!c environment of water.

• 1 to 1 Personal Training • Pregnancy Pilates, Postnatal Pilates and General Pilates.

Pilates is a total body condi!oning regime that works by rebuilding strength, flexibility and improving your body’s posture at any stage of life.

• Let’s Go Mummy Buggy Class

This is a buggy class focusing on exercises which will help rebuild and strengthen your body, helping you drop some of those extra baby pounds along the way.

• Pelvic Floor Course.

Learn how to ac!vate and strengthen your pelvic floor, and reduce your waist line in the process! Baby welcome For more informa!on please visit

www.gofigure.org.uk or call Sarah on: 07938 588029

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Digital Special KEEPING UP WITH THE TOUCH SCREEN GENERATION

Wendy Aldiss

PHOTOGRAPHY

By Hannah Hunter

Most parents will admit to handing a smart phone to their toddler for a moment’s peace in a traffic jam or supermarket queue. At home children have access to the Internet and games, either on their own phones, iPods and tablets, or those of their parents – there’s even an iPotty with an in-built iPad stand, for entertaining impatient toddlers.

Award-winning baby, child & family portraits

Beautiful studio barn & private meadows Marlow or your own home

Wendy Aldiss ARPS, LMPA

www.wendyaldiss.co.uk

01494 523162 email: wendy@wendyaldiss.co.uk

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Without wanting to sound all Big Brother, do we really know what they are up to when they’re using these devices? Are you sure there’s no way your 5 year-old could rack up £1,700 on in-app purchases, as Bristol boy Danny Kitchen did earlier this year? Have you installed a secure browser so that your kids can’t access unsuitable content? Do you know who they’re texting or emailing, or who’s contacting them?

If, like me, you grew up in the 80s, your ‘screen-time’ as a child would have been limited to after-school Blue Peter watching and maybe the odd half hour playing Donkey Kong on your Game and Watch. There was no Internet or Facebook to police, so our parents had control over what we were watching or playing, without any unwelcome outside influences.

Fast-forward to today, where the average UK home has five screens a child can access, including TVs, computers, tablets and phones, as well as Wi-Fi available pretty much everywhere.You can see why parents are flummoxed by how best to teach their kids to navigate this technology, when it’s available 24-7.

Clearly, the best way to make sure you know what your children are up to is to be there when they’re playing, and take an interest in what they’re looking at. This becomes less possible as your children get older, and don’t want their parents following them around like the technology police.

There are some pretty basic security steps we can follow which enable older kids to have relative freedom, in a safe virtual environment.

1. Check that Internet browsers are child safe.

The iPad doesn’t come with parental controls, so disable Safari in Restrictions and download a new safe browser (there are several available in the App Store that offer parental controls). Filter content according to a child's age or enter specific categories and URLs for personalised site blocking.

On Android devices you can have multiple users, tailoring access appropriately – in Google Play, press Menu and select Settings, then enable Content Filtering. The Ranger Pro Safe Browser app enables you to monitor and manage your children’s Internet use.

2. Keep your passwords to yourself, turn off in-app purchasing, and limit children’s access to apps.

If you are an iPad/iPhone/iPod user, keep your iTunes password safe. Then stop anyone else from using the App Store. Go to the Settings menu, tap on General, then Restrictions. Enable Restrictions and choose a PIN (not the same one used to unlock the device). Go to the Allowed Content section, and either turn In-App Purchases off completely or change the Require Password option to "Immediately" rather than "15 minutes". The PIN will ensure that only you can change these settings in the future.

In Settings you can also turn off Game Centre (which shares data with other users), and disable social media access, Bluetooth and Location Services. Remember Airplane Mode, in Settings, effectively turns Internet access off. Children can still access movies, music games and apps and it exposes them to less radiation. The World Health Organisation has raised concerns about the levels of radiation coming from mobile phones and other wireless gadgets and they recommend limiting children’s use of such devices.

The Android platform uses Sandbox Locks for younger children, which you can download to restrict access, from Toddler Lock, which makes the device show colours and shapes when tapped by chubby fingers, to apps like Flamingo Sandbox which enables you to restrict access to specific apps, lock profiles, wireless networks and system settings. App Lock is a free app that enables you to control which apps require PIN access.

With all of the security jobs done, you can let your children actually enjoy using touchscreens safely! There are so many different apps out there, from learning times tables to old fashioned platform-style games, it’s hard to work out which ones are the best. Review sites can be helpful, such as kidsbestipadapps.com, which gives you a list of apps for kids, by age.

MAY/JUNE 2013

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Here are some of Families’ favourites: Talking Tom Cat – Toddlers (and older) can’t get enough of this silly series of talking animals, 4+.

GYMTOTS! PRE-SCHOOL GYMNASTICS

FUN + SAFE + CHALLENGING

Classes for Children walking to 3 years plus.

Enjoy participating with your child in our safe indoor environment with its exciting up-to-date play equpment, based within the Altwood School, Maidenhead. Every day at 10am from Wednesday to Saturday. Our programme has been developed through more than 29 years’ experience with young children and their parents. Gymtots will enable your child to gain confidence by expanding their physical ability, coordination and social skills, with your involvement and under the guidance of our experienced staff. Our advanced class for 3 to 4 years plus, without parent participation, on Wednesdays at 3pm, is more structured and builds upon the earlier classes.

Plants vs zombies – keep the zombies from invading, 9+.

Starwalk – find names of the constellations stars, planets, satellites and galaxies by pointing your phone/tablet at the sky, 4+.

Peppa Pig apps – another big hit for toddlers, fun games which can be played by one or more players together, 4+.

Telephone

07 957 223 124 for details

Toca - all of the Toca games are fantastic fun and beautifully designed 4+.

Nighty Night – award winning app where you listen to a story and say goodnight to the farm animals, 4+.

Cinderella – interactive animation of the traditional story, from Nosy Crow, an independent children’s book and app publisher, 4+.

Their other apps include stories by authors and illustrators such as Philip Ardagh and Axel Scheffler Cut the Rope/ Feed me Oil – 2 addictive strategy games from Chillingo, 4+.

Families is giving you an amazing opportunity to win a toy bundle from WOW Toys worth £150.

All you have to do is go to www.facebook.com/familiestve like our page and enter via the competition tab at the top.You can also follow us on twitter: @familiestve, where we will also post links to the competition too.

By joining us on twitter and facebook you can get exclusive access to competitions and information that are not published in the magazine.

Delight your toddler with 3 fabulous WOW Toys construction toys, a wooden activity table and a new just launched play mat.

All of WOW’s super-cute and durable toys have a cute personality and unique character all of their own, just like your toddler!

Dudley Dump Truck is a powerful monster truck with realistic engine sounds and a motorised tipping action. He is best friends with Mix ‘n’ Fix Mike, a colourful and cheerful cement mixer with an automatic, rotating mixing drum and little Tip-it Toby is always getting into trouble with his mechanically powered and spring loaded front bucket and rattling boulder.

Many adventures can be played out on WOW’s play mat which is made from a crease-resistant and easy to clean fabric and non-slip rubber backing for added safety, dims: 150cm x 100cm. The wooden activity table is also easy to clean with a bright, colourful and durable surface making it a great host for WOW toy play or for any number of other fun activities.

All WOW Toys are designed with toddlers in mind to encourage learning through fun, discovery and play. They can be totally trusted as they are extremely safe and durable and no batteries are required for them to work, thanks to their clever designs. They are also all compatible with each other and all the figures can fit into any toy. www.wowtoys.com

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Where your little ones will blossom into independent confident learners in a wonderful environment, cared for by dedicated and qualified practitioners.

Come and meet our team and see what makes Poppies Day Nurseries different.

Bourne End Marlow Beaconsfield 01628 521522 01628 487772 01494 677116 www.poppiesdaynursery.com

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Great Competitions with WIN A PAIR OF WEEKEND TICKETS TO PENN FESTIVAL, INCLUDING CAMPING! Penn Festival is back – and this year is promising to be even bigger and better, with even more bands playing on two stages. Taking place from 19–21 July, this family friendly music festival will see some of biggest acts of the ’90s taking to the stage. Already confirmed to play are Nick Heyward, D:Ream, Dr and the Medics, Allison Limerick (remember Where Love Lives?), Black Box and Jaki Graham. As well as live bands, there’ll be lots more going on including street theatre, free creative workshops, a disco tent with guest DJ, Reggae music workshops and an artisan market with stalls selling clothes, jewellery, hammocks, art and much more. The bar and second stage will be in big top tent to offer protection from the weather. And there’s lots to keep the children happy with arts and crafts workshops, street entertainers and big balloon disco and circus and fair stalls. There’s a beer tent and an exciting selection of food stalls from restaurants in the area will guarantee you don’t go hungry. Camping is

available on site with a new quieter area family zone, complete with fairy lights.

We have three pairs of weekend tickets plus camping to give away. Go to familiestveast.co.uk/competitions to enter.

Closing date July 1.

WIN A BADGE IT! BADGE MAKER The Badge It! maker has got quick, simple, no-mess badge making all buttoned up! Make unique, high quality metal badges in seconds of your favourite pop star, footballer or pet.

The award winning design makes creativity simple as there’s no glue and no mess.You can use photos, pictures from magazines or your own drawings to make the badges you want. So get creative, and wear your badge with pride!

Find Badge It! at The Entertainer and www.bandai.co.uk. For more news visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BandaiUK and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BandaiToysUK We have five of these great toys to give away, to enter go to familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.

Closing date July 1.

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Time Out

Compiled by Trynke Casale Event times and dates to change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you set out.

Gruffalo's Child at the Wycombe Swan, May 7 and 8

Windsor Horse Show May 8 to 12

Lets Rock the Moor, Cookham Moor Saturday May18

MAY

Tuesday May 7 and Wednesday May 8. THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD by Tall Stories at the Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. Tuesday at 1.30pm and 4.30pm, Wednesday at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Following on from their success with The Gruffalo, Tall Stories return with an adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s sequel. For ages 3+. Tickets: £12 each. 01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

Wednesday May 8 to Sunday May 12. WINDSOR HORSE SHOW, in the grounds of Windsor Castle. A feast of all things equestrian and a great day out in the country, if you are interested in horses or not. Tickets: adults weekday £16, weekend - £20; children weekday – free, weekend £10, family weekend only (2+3) - £49. Box Office: 0844 581 4960; rwhs.co.uk.

Wednesday May 8 to Sunday May 19. COOKHAM FESTIVAL, busy programme of events of all kinds, including Arts for All, the People’s Shakespeare and the Let’s Rock the Moor Festival on Saturday May 18 (see separate entry).

For a full programme, visit cookham.com/cookhamfestival.

Thursday May 9. THE GIRL WITH THE IRON CLAWS at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. 7pm. Dark fairy-tale about the youngest daughter of a king who feels she doesn’t fit in. With puppetry, music and storytelling. For ages 8+. Tickets: £8.50; family of four £31. 01628 788997; nordenfarm.org.

Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11.

MAIDENHEAD STREET FOOD FESTIVAL in Kings Street, Maidenhead. Friday from 9am-10pm, Saturday from 9am-7pm. Street festival with a continental flavour, with lots of food to taste, eat and buy, live entertainment, face painting, Morris dancers, belly dancers and lots more. More info on enjoymaidenhead.com.

Saturday May 11. TVAP CHARITY WALK, starting and finishing from Thames Valley Adventure Playground, Bath Road, Taplow, Maidenhead. Choose from a 5, 10 or 15 mile walk around the area, to raise funds for the playground.

Starting times: between 9-10am for the 15 mile walk, 9-11am for the 10 mile, and 9am-12noon for the 5 mile walk. Entry: £5 per person in advance, £8 on the day. Children free. 01628 628599; email: sponsoredwalk@tvap.co.uk.

Saturday May 11. SAIL 4 FREE OPEN DAY at the Kingsmead Sailing Club, Datchet Road, Horton, near Slough.

11am-4pm. Chance to win free sailing lessons or free 2013 membership. All safety aids provided. Age 8-80. No need to book. Free. 07809610313; kingsmeadsc.org.uk.

Sunday May 12. FANTASTIC FERRARI DAY at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead. 10.30am-2.30pm.View a range of vintage and modern Ferraris and other exciting supercars as they line the Grand Avenue. Arrive early to watch and hear them arriving. 01628 605069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Sunday May 12. PANN MILL OPEN DAY at Pann Mill, The Rye, High Wycombe. 11am–5pm. Come and watch the mill grinding flour (water-level permitting).Variety of stalls and refreshments and also a guided walk: The Water Trail, around the Rye area – departs 2.30pm from Pann Mill, returning in time for tea. 01628 483597; wycombeartsfestival.org.

Thursday May 16. CHARITY GARDEN OPENING at Frogmore Garden, Windsor Park, Windsor. In support of Blind Veterans UK. Beautiful garden and lake set in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Tickets: £5.50 from http://www.blindveterans.org.uk/frogmoregarden.

Friday May 17. MUSEUMS AT NIGHT at the Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe. 6-9.30pm.

Lots of arts activities and entertainment for all the family including music, dance, refreshments and a few surprises. Free entry. A Wycombe Arts Festival event. 01494 421895; wycombe.gov.uk/museum. More info on the Museums at Night weekend (May 17-19), visit www.culture24.org.uk.

Saturday May 18. THE ENCHANTED MUSEUM, special late night opening of the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. Magical torchlight tour around the Museum. Spy the mysterious Lady and the Unicorn, watch the blacksmith at work and listen to some bedtime stories around the fire, plus craft activities.

01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Saturday May 18. MAY FAYRE at White Waltham CofE Academy, Waltham Road, White Waltham. 12noon-3pm.

Traditional school fayre. 01628 822533.

Saturday May 18. LET’S ROCK THE MOOR, the Family Friendly 80’s Festival on Cookham Moor, with Tony Hadley, Bananarama, Howard Jones, Midge Ure, Imagination and many more on the main stage, plus a second stage introducing local bands, children’s entertainers from BBC/ITV, a much bigger Circus, children’s rides (including Bumper Boats and Dodgems), new 80’s themed children’s play area, wacky stalls and much, much more. Tickets (in advance only): adults £30, children (3-12) £17, family (2+2) £80, from local outlets or book online on letsrockthemoor.com.

Saturday May 18. MARLOW MAY FAYRE in Higginson Park, Pound Lane, Marlow. 10am-5pm. Family fun day with lots of stalls, rides, games, live music by the Marlow Town Band.Viking re-enactment group the ‘Wychwood Warriors’, Punch & Judy shows. Duck Race at 3.30pm by the river. Organised by the Marlow Round Table. More info via www.marlowroundtable.co.uk.

Saturday May 18. ANNUAL MAYOR MAKING in Frogmoor, High Wycombe. 11.45am-1pm. The ancient tradition of weighing in the Mayor and his Charter Trustees, Burgesses and Officers in and out of office. Boo and cheer as their weights are cried out by the Town Crier.

Wycombe.gov.uk.

Saturday May 4 to Monday May 6. STAR WARS DAYS at Legoland Windsor, Winkfield Road, Windsor. Lots of Star Wars-themed activities take over the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. From lightsabre training to a daily costume character march, the ultimate galaxy far, far away has never felt so close. Book online via legoland.co.uk.

Sunday May 5. TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead.

11.45am. Animal-themed music concert with Bratton’s The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Chappell’s Paddington’s First Concert and works from Berio and Saint-Saens. Introduce your children to classical music! For ages 3+. Tickets: £8.50; family of four £31.

01628 788997; nordenfarm.org.

Sunday May 5 and Monday May 6. TEDDY BEAR DAYS at the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Approach, Station Road, Chinnor. Each child carrying a Teddy Bear will travel for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Plus entertainment for the children. Tickets: adults £10, children (3-15) £5, family £25. Talking Timetable: 01844 353535; chinnorrailway.co.uk.

Sunday May 5 and Monday May 6. DRESSING UP ACTIVITY at the REME Museum of Technology, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield, Reading. 11am-3.30pm. Uniforms and army kit will be made available for you to wear and explore. See what is like to be dressed as a real soldier!

Tickets: adults £5, children £4, family £15. 0118 976 3375; rememuseum.org.uk.

Sunday May 5 and Monday May 6. SPRING STEAM GALA at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury. 10.30am-5.30pm.

Includes the Vale of Aylesbury Model Engineering Society Miniature Gala. Tickets: adults £12, children £9, family £33.

01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org.

Monday May 6. WINKFIELD MAYDAY FAIR in the Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Road, Winkfield Row. Noon-4pm. Lots of stalls and activities for everyone, whatever the weather. Winkfieldrowfair.org.

Monday May 6. FAMILY FUN DAY at the Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor. Meet the Moshi Monsters. Under 18s free, with a full fee paying adult. 01753 498445; windsor-racecourse.co.uk.

Monday May 6. MAY FAYRE ON THE RYE, Holywell Mead on the Rye, High Wycombe. 11am-4pm. A day out for the family. Traditional May Fayre - entertainment, arena events, hot and cold food, teas, stalls, international stalls from Poland and the Philippines. Free admission and parking. 01628 483597; wycombeartsfestival.org.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Time Out

The Waving Cat of Japan - Norden Farm, Maidenhead Sunday May 19

Nancy Astor’s Birthday Party Sunday May19

King of the Castle, Oxford Castle Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2

Saturday May 18 to September 1. PARTY SCIENCE SHOW at the Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell. Shows at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3.15pm during school holidays and weekends. New show looking at the science behind parties: learn how to make balloon kebabs, paper chains, special party music, fun party tricks, a birthday cake with a difference and much more!

Suitable for ages 3+. Tickets: £1.85 per person, in addition to normal entry to the science exhibition. 01344 354400; bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

Sunday May 19. NANCY ASTOR’S BIRTHDAY PARTY at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead. 11am-4pm. The Water Garden will be transformed for the day with live music, colourful bunting, a traditional Punch and Judy show and a special birthday cake. Craft activities, free face painting as well as Cliveden’s giant maze and play area for the kids; meet famous characters from Cliveden’s past strolling through the grounds. Dressing up encouraged: feather boas, straw boaters, flapper dresses and flannels! Tel: 01628 605069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Sunday May 19. MAIDENHEAD DUCK DERBY AND FAMILY FUN DAY on Ray Mill Island, Boulters Lock, Maidenhead. Starting at 1pm. Stalls, treasure hunt for the children, entertainment, live music, Punch and Judy shows and of course the Duck Derby itself at 4pm. Have a flutter: tickets are just 20p per duck. Cash prizes to win.

Maidenheadlions.org.uk.

Sunday May 19. A WALK IN THE WOODS in Hemwood Dell, off Wolf Lane, Windsor. 2-3.30pm. Wildlife stroll through Hemwood Dell as part of National Walk in the Woods month. Suitable for adults and families. Paths may be unsuitable for pushchairs. Booking essential. Cost: free, or donation. 01628 777440 or email braywick@groundwork.org.uk.

Sunday May 19. THE WAVING CAT OF JAPAN by The Krazy Kat Theatre Company (Sign Language Arts) at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. 11.30am and 2pm.

Maneki Neko is a Waving Cat and bringer of good luck. Can he help sort out a wicked Sorceress, a not-so-smart Prince and three ticky tasks, all before midnight? Theatrical fantasy with trick puppets, quick changes, deft dances and lots of comic creation. For ages 3+. Tickets: £8.50; family of four £31.

01628 788997; nordenfarm.org.

Wednesday May 22 to Saturday July 13.

EXHIBITION: THE COOKHAM COLLECTION at the Maidenhead Heritage Centre, Park Street, Maidenhead.

10am-4pm (Tue-Sat). See the collection of objects from Cookham including pottery from Odney, cartoon films from Moor Hall, a model of Cookham Mill in the 19th century and lots more. 01628 780555; maidenheadheritage.org.uk.

Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2. KING OF THE CASTLE at the Oxford Castle Unlocked, Oxford Castle, Oxford. 10am-5.30pm. Family quests around the castle grounds along with themed arts and crafts and special tours, celebrating the discovery that Oxford Castle is the site where Geoffrey of Monmouth penned the famous Historia Regum Britanniae, regarded as the origin of the Legends of King Arthur. Cost: adults £9.25, children £6.95. 01865 260666; oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk.

Saturday May 25 to Saturday June 1. LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL during May half term at various locations within the Southbank Centre. Lots of events and interactive performances, walks, sing-a-longs, games and workshops suitable for children, varying from rap, ballet, fairy-tale walks and special tours for all ages. For more information, visit: southbankcentre.co.uk/londonlitfest.

Saturday May 25. BURNHAM DONKEY DERBY in Burnham Park, Burnham. From 12 noon. Free entry.

Community event organised by the Rotary Club of Burnham Beeches with donkey races and rides, stalls and entertainment. Join in with the 2nd Great Burnham Bake Off, run by The Well @ Lent Rise and enter a batch of your best cupcakes (before 11.30am, judging at 12 – see www.thewellatlentrise.org).

Saturday May 25. MAD MAPPING, drop-in sessions for the under 5s at the Surrey Heath Museum, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey. 10.30am-12noon. 'Hands on' craft activity based on the given theme, colouring in, a story and toys to play with. Also on Saturday June 18 ("Washing on the Line"). 01276 707100; surreyheath.gov.uk.

Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2. MAP MAKING, daily half term activities at Hughenden, High Wycombe. 11am-4pm. Half term fun creating your own maps and visiting the secret 1940s map-making bunker. Free, with normal admission. 01494 755573; nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden.

Sunday May 26. CHILDREN’S WILDLIFE WALK at the Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common.

Morning walk, booking required. Find out all about the wildlife that makes its home in the Burnham Beeches on this short walk with the Rangers. For ages 6+. Paths should be suitable for buggies. 01753 647358; cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnham.

Sunday May 26. PADDINGTON BEAR comes to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury. 10.30am-5.30pm. Meet Paddington Bear. Tickets: adults £12, children £9, family £33. Monday May 27: ANNUAL BUS RALLY AND VETERAN CYCLE CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN DISPLAY. Chance to have a ride on vintage buses, plus see some vintage bikes. 01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org.

Sunday May 26. FROGFEST in Frogmoor, High Wycombe. A one-day music and cultural event, part of the Wycombe Arts Festival. From noon. Free event with family activities, live music, children’s workshops, circus skills and exciting stalls for all the family to enjoy.

Wycombeartsfestival.org.

Sunday May 26 and Sunday May 27. GLADIATORS! At the the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. Roman gladiator fights!

Learn about Roman life in Britain in the 1st century AD, buy your own replica Roman weapons in the shop. Be warned, there will be a lot of (fake) blood - not for those of a sensitive disposition. 01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Monday May 27. FAMILY FUN DAY at Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor. First race: 2.15pm, last race: 5.30pm. Under 18s go free. A great day out for the whole family, with lots of free fun activities for the kids.

Admission on the day (adults): Silver Ring Enclosure - £12; Grandstand - £21; Club Enclosure - £25. 01753 498400; windsor-racecourse.co.uk.

Monday May 27 and Saturday June 1. OPEN DAYS at Longridge Activity Centre, Quarry Wood Road, Marlow. Try out some of the activities Longridge has to offer, such as

climbing, water orbing, bell boating, kayaking, canoeing, go-karting, leap of faith, etc. Activities for ages 8+ only. Book in advance, via longridge-uk.org or call 01628 483252.

Monday May 27 to Friday May 31. HALF TERM SHOWS at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. All shows at 11.30am and 2pm. Monday: Suitcase Circus. With Wobulous Discombobulous, the anarchic sock, and his friends, performing their circus tricks. For ages 4+. Tuesday: Sally and the Sunflower. Inventive re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk. For ages 3+. Wednesday: How High? Hetty loves to measure things. As she explores the world of height, she meets an extraordinary eight foot boy. For ages 4+. Thursday: Misunderstood Monsters. Professional monster catcher Saint Georgie and his faithful sidekick Squeezy are on their most dangerous mission yet. Overcome your fear of spiders, crocodiles and aliens through the power of words, music and digital game playing. For ages 4+. Friday: Star. A Gardener and a Tailor live at opposites ends of the world. They both see a bright Star in the sky at night. When the Star disappears, the Tailor and the Gardener are brought together, but will their Star ever return? For ages 2+. There will also be family films on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, all at 2pm. All tickets: £8.50 each, family of four £31. 01628 788997; nordenfarm.org.

Monday May 27 to Friday May 31. ‘BUILD IT’ AND HUNT CHALLENGE at the REME Museum of Technology, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield, Reading.

Complete this massive museum wide hunt to find our missing object. Wednesday May 29: MINI ASSAULT COURSE between 11am and 3.30pm. Survive Sir’s Mini Assault Course and water jump! A change of clothes might be needed. For ages 5-12. No need to book. 0118 9763375; rememuseum.org.uk.

Tuesday May 28. FAMILY BUSHCRAFT DAY at Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, Slough. 9.30am-1.30pm.

Learn new skills, all set in the park’s bushcraft HQ Black Pine’s Camp. With shelter building, fire lighting and survival techniques. Light ‘bushcraft style’ refreshments provided.

Maximum ratio of 1 adult : 2 children. Not suitable for under 8s. Booking essential. Cost: adults £20 adult, children £15.

01753 511060; buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks.

Tuesday May 28 to Thursday May 30. HALF TERM FAMILY EVENTS AND CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS at the River and Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley. Tuesday: On Swan Lake, craft workshop for ages 4-8 inspired by the museum’s Swan Upping exhibition.

10.30am-12.30pm. Booking required. Cost: £8.50. Wednesday: Monsters from the Deep, pond-dipping in the Marsh Meadow ponds for ages 9-13, plus craft activity. Cost: £8.50. Booking required. Family Day on Thursday: Icebergs and Icicles.

10.30am-4pm. Discover the wildlife of the North Pole with lots of fun activities. Drop in anytime. Free with admission.

01491 415600; rrm.co.uk.

Tuesday May 28 to Thursday May 30. HALF TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES at the Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe. Tuesday and Thursday: Mosaic Madness, drop-in activities for ages 4-12. Design and make a coaster with colourful glass mosaic tiles. Cost: £2.50 per child.

Sessions at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Wednesday: Bodger the Mascot and Friends, from 10.30am-12noon. Drop-in and join Bodger the Mascot for some fun and games, and photo opportunities. For ages 5+.

01494 421 895; wycombe.gov.uk/museum.

Wednesday May 29. HARRY POTTER-IN-A-DAY, a holiday theatre workshop at the Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor. From 9am onwards, 5pm presentation in the Circle Bar. Workshop based on the Harry Potter adventures, filled with games and improvisations, working towards a mini-performance at the end of the day.

For ages 5-12. Cost: £40 for the day. 01753 863444; theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk.

Wednesday May 29. WILD WEDNESDAY – ORIENTEERING at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead.

11am-3pm. How fast do you think you can complete our

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HALF TERM Friday May 24 to Sunday June 2. SPRINGTIME WOODLAND WONDERS at the Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common. Another week of springtime fun, based at the information point, for families that want to get out and about. For more info on specific activities, look online and on-site nearer the time. 01753 647358; cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnham.

Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2. SHEEP RACING at Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Common. Sheep racing’s back, with a specially built mini race track with jumps and bends, eager sheep with miniature jockeys. Odds Farm are also running ACTIVITY DAY CAMPS during May Half Term from Tuesday May 28 to Friday May 31 (and the Summer Holidays). Includes exclusive play in the Giant Indoor Playbarn before public opening hours, plus scheduled activities in the private and secure Play Room and stacks more daily activities and animal fun throughout the farm. For ages 4-12. Cost for day camps: Standard day (8.30am-5.30pm) £39; half day (8.30am-1pm or 1-5.30pm) £29; late club upgrade (5.30-6pm) £3. Discounts for members. 01628 520188; oddsfarm.co.uk.

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Time Out

Sheep Racing at Odds Farm in May and June

Facepainting May and Summer fayres

Beale Park Boat Show Friday June 7 to Sunday June 9

Wild Wednesday orienteering course? Drop-in sessions and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Ideal for children aged 4-11. Cost: £2. Self-led Spring Trails still available from the Kiosk too, till Friday May 31. Self-led Summer Trails from June 1 to end of August. 01628 605069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Wednesday May 29. WILD ONES: BEE WILD AT LARKS HILL. Meet at Larks Hill car park, off Harvest Ride, Warfield. 2-4pm. A day for all to discover more about bees.

Taste and buy local honey, roll your own beeswax candle, meet bee keepers and learn more about the lives of bees, fly around a treasure trail, make a mini-bee garden and bee puppets. Just drop in. Suitable for all ages. Cost: Crafts £3.50 for materials and local food / produce for sale. 01344 354441; bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

Thursday May 30. SCIENCE AND NATURE DAY at Herschel Park, Upton Close, Slough. 11am-4pm. A variety of activities inspired by science and nature. Bring a picnic and stay for the day (refreshments and ice cream will be available).

With lots of shows, workshops, activities, demonstrations and talks. 01753 875209 or 07771 973035; slough.gov.uk/herschelpark.

Thursday May 30 and Friday May 31. TREE CLIMBING FUN at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead.

Half-hour sessions from 10am-4.30pm. Coordinated by the Big Tree Climbing Company, have fun in the trees at Cliveden.

Explore the canopy and have a go at tree climbing, a zip wire and a rope swing! Fun for all the family. All tickets: £17.50.

Booking essential via 08442491895 or online via nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden. General inquiries: 01628 605069.

Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2.

CORONATION WEEKEND at Nuffield Place, Huntercombe, near Henley-on-Thames. 11am-4pm.

Commemorate the Queen’s coronation and try on Lord and Lady Nuffield's replica coronation robes; Coronation themed picnics available from the cafe. Free, with normal admission.

01491 641224; nationaltrust.org.uk/nuffieldplace.

Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2. RACE FOR LIFE at the Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor. 11am and 3pm starts on Saturday; 11am start on Sunday. Run, walk or dance your way through 5km, for Cancer Research UK. Entry fees: adults (16+) £14.99; ages 6-15 £10, free for under 5s and spectators. 0845 600 6050 or visit www.raceforlife.org.

Sunday June 2. THE CLIVEDEN SET LIVE! At Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead. 12-4.30pm. Mix and mingle with celebrities from the past. Ever wondered what Cliveden was like in the 1930s when Lord and Lady Astor owned the house and celebrities of the time were regular visitors? Come to Cliveden and you could ask them yourself. Free, with normal admission. 01628 550320; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden. Also on Sunday June 9 and Saturday July 6.

Wednesday June 5. REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY performs all 37 plays in 97 minutes! At the Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. 7.30pm. An irreverent, fast-paced romp through Shakespeare’s plays.

Tickets: £17. 01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

Friday June 7 to Sunday June 9. BEALE PARK BOAT SHOW at Beale Park, Lower Basildon, Pangbourne, Reading. Something for everyone: exhibitors, craft stalls, music and entertainment, displays on the lake, classic cars, free boat trips, try-a-boat, and lots more. Tickets in advance: adults £6 on Friday, £8 Saturday and Sunday, children free. On the gate: £7 and £9. 0118 9767498; bealeparkboatshow.co.uk.

Saturday June 8. ART ON THE STREET in Maidenhead Town Centre. 10am-5pm. Outdoor art gallery with Art on the Street LIVE! Events throughout the day. Over a 100 artists selling their work, free activities and workshops, entertainment, and performances. Free parking in Maidenhead all day. Maidenheadartmarket.org.

Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9. MARLOW TOWN REGATTA AND FESTIVAL in Higginson Park, Marlow. Marlow's premier sporting and social occasion.

Saturday - Marlow Town Regatta. Rowing races and riverside music, picnics on the lawn and lots of craft, trade, food and

charity stalls. Traylens Fun Fair till 6pm. Sunday - Dragon Boating Festival and Family Day, with food stalls and plenty of picnic space, right by the river with a great view of the colourful racing. Free entry. 01628 481717; marlowtownregatta.org.

Sunday June 9. ROWLEY FARM OPEN DAY, Black Park Road, Wexham, Slough. 10.30am-5pm. Rowley Farm are participating in ‘Open Farm Sunday’. Come and see the animals on the farm and learn about where your food and milk comes from. Guided tours, games and tractor and trailer rides. Parking in Black Park car park and signs will direct you to the farm. Free event. 01753 511060; buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks.

Sunday June 9. BRICKS, BODGERS AND BROOMSTICKS at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. Open day at the museum which will become a working common for the day. Free family event.Village fair atmosphere with story-tellers and wandering minstrels bringing their stories to life. For more info visit chilternsaonb.org/events or contact 01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Sunday June 9. MUSIC BY THE LAKE, in Herschel Park, Upton Close, Slough. 12noon-4pm. A live open mic acoustic music session for all. Come along and spend a Sunday afternoon relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of a Victorian park where you could perform yourself or enjoy others. Book a slot via parkedup@swipemusic.com or calling 01753 512156; slough.gov.uk/herschelpark.

Sunday June 9. GARDEN PARTY in the South Quad, Founder’s Building, Royal Holloway University, Egham.

1-5.30pm. Annual event in aid of local charities. Craft and local community stalls, children’s activities and shows, music, raffle and talks. Tours of the Picture Gallery and campus.

Cream teas and BBQ. Donation £1, children under 5 free.

01784 443004; sue.heath@rhul.ac.uk.

Sunday June 9. TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury. 10.30am-5.30pm. Take your teddy bear along for a steam ride and a picnic. Tickets: adults £12, children £9, family £33. 01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org.

Friday June 14. FISA SUMMER FETE at Iver Village Infant School. 3-6pm. The Friends of Iver Village Schools Association are organising their annual traditional summer fete again this year. For more information, contact Pippa Vinall via pippavinall@aol.com.

JUNE Saturday June 1. HOLYPORT VILLAGE FAIR, the biggest and best summer fete in the district, in Holyport, Maidenhead, starting at 2pm. Lots of new and old favourites, including over 50 stalls (Grand Draw, Refreshments, BBQ, Hog Roast, Beer Tent, Pimms Tent, Coconut Shy, Bowling, Stocks, Miss Holyport) and the Pelhams funfair. The Centre Ring wil have a maypole, dancing, martial arts and a tug-o-war, plus a novelty dog show.Volunteer helpers always welcome!

Contact: 07802 470865, 01628 636891 or e-mail to topicalsmail-fair@yahoo.co.uk , peter@janikoun .co.uk .

Exciting live music for babies and children!

Drop in anytime to our friendly singing sessions A singer and musician will lead the group in a lively session with fresh, new songs from all around the world, old favourites too!

Watch your children’s confidence and musicality grow as they join in with action songs, knee-bouncers, dances, instruments and performance songs.

Free refreshments and time to chat after each session.

Maidenhead, Marlow, Windsor Tel: 01628-671146 or 639878 Twyford Tel: 01628-825315 For further information visit www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Time Out

Bricks, Bodgers & Broomsticks, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Sunday June 9

Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom at the Wycombe Swan, June 15 and 16

Peppa Pig at Didcot Railway Centre June 22 & 23

Saturday June 15. COOKHAM VILLAGE FAIR on Cookham Moor, Cookham. 11am-4pm. Family Fun Day. Cookham.com.

Saturday June 15. BIKE BEYOND THE BEECHES, cycle ride exploring the Beeches cycle way route. Morning event. Bring your own bike, helmet, etc. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking required. 01753 647358; cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnham.

Saturday June 15 to Sunday June 16. BEN AND HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM at the Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. Saturday at 1pm and 4pm, Sunday at 11am and 2pm. From the makers of Peppa Pig on stage, Ben and Holly have fun and games helping Gaston the Ladybird clean up his messy cave. Tickets: adults £14.50, children £12.50. 01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

Sunday June 16. MAKE DAD’S DAY and take him to Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead, and enjoy the beer tasting, provided by the Rebellion Beer Company, from 12pm until 3pm (while stocks last!). 01628 605069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Sunday June 16. FREE ADMISSION for fathers on Father’s Day at The Savill Garden, Wick Lane, Englefield Green. 10am-6pm. 01784 435 544; theroyallandscape.co.uk.

Sunday June 16. TOWER TOURS ON FATHERS DAY, at Oxford Castle Unlocked, Oxford Castle, Oxford, and BBQ-grill in the Castleyard afterwards (11am-2pm).

Castle is open from 10am-5.30pm. 40-Minute guided tours with a costumed character from the castle’s history. Tickets: adults £9, children £8, full-scale tour for £10 each. 01865 260666; oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk.

Sunday June 16. 50 THINGS – CLIMB A TREE on Father’s Day at Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, near Reading.

10am-5pm. With The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. Use ropes, harness and karabiners to access the canopy of magnificent tree. Prices from £6. For more information see www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk or phone 0800 0556760. 0118 984 3040; nationaltrust.org.uk/basildonpark.

Sunday June 16. FATHER’S DAY DEN-BUILDING at Hughenden, High Wycombe. 11am-1pm. Family session to get hands-on and learn how to make a shelter in the woods.

All tickets: £5. Booking essential via 01494 755573; nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden.

Sunday June 16. RACE FOR LIFE HIGH WYCOMBE, on the Rye, High Wycombe. 11am start. Join the fight against cancer and run, walk, dance or sponsor someone at raceforlife.org. Entry fees: adults (16+) £14.99; ages 6-15 £10, free for under 5s and spectators. 0845 600 6050 or visit www.raceforlife.org.

Sunday June 16. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RALLY at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury. 10.30am-5.30pm. Watch the display of vintage commercial vehicles, plus experience all the other things the museum has to offer. Tickets: adults £12, children £9, family £33. 01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org.

Sunday June 22. SUMMER FAIR at St Peter's Combined School, Minniecroft Road, Burnham. 12.30-4.30pm.

Celebrating the school’s 50th Anniversary. Bouncy Castle and Slide, Hook a Duck, Spin the Wheel, Hanging Baskets, Cakes and Sweets, Soft Toy Tombola and lots more. Entry: £1, children free. www.stpeterscofe.co.uk.

Saturday June 22. GO WILD ABOUT NATURE at the Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.

10am-12noon. Are you wild about nature? Would you be interested in regular fun activity sessions at the Museum investigating and finding out about wildlife and nature? Come along to find out more. Cost: £4, for ages 7+. 01494 421 895; wycombe.gov.uk/museum.

Saturday June 22. FUHAAR INDIAN MARKET in Maidenhead High Street. Enjoy traditional Indian arts and crafts and vibrant colours. This year the event will be bigger and better with more entertainment and activities and a stage in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre. More info: enjoymaidenhead.com, nearer the time.

Saturday June 22. OUTDOOR THEATRE – SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead.

Arrive from 6pm for picnics. Performance starts at 7pm to 9pm. Tickets: adults £16.50, children £10. Saturday June 29: AS YOU LIKE IT. Booking essential via 0844 2491895; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Saturday June 22 and Sunday June 23. PEPPA PIG at Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot Parkway Station, Didcot.

Steam train rides on both the Main and Branch demonstration lines throughout the day. Entertainments and other events, including personal appearances by Peppa Pig & George, who will be in the picnic area at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Tickets: adults £12; children (2-15) £10; family (2+2) £39. 01235 817200; didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk.

Sunday June 23. LOVELY LADYBIRDS AND BRILLIANT BEETLES at Herschel Park, Upton Close, Slough. 2-4pm. Mid-summer bug hunt. Suitable for adults and accompanied children. Meet by the kiosk in the Heritage Park.

01753 875209 or 07771 973035; slough.gov.uk/herschelpark.

Sunday June 23. RUNNYMEDE THROUGH THE AGES AND THE MAGNA CARTA, at Runnymede, meeting at the Memorials car park, Old Windsor.

11am-12.30pm. Guided walk led by a local historian. Tickets:

adults £6, children £2. Booking essential on 0844 2491895.

01784 432891; nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede.

Sunday June 23. CLASSIC CAR AND BIKE SHOW at the Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Road, Bourne End. 9am-6pm. 7th Annual classic car & bike show with all kinds of classic British and American cars, pick-ups, hotrods, bikes and trikes on display. Refreshments, bar and stalls open all day.

Entry: adults £4, under 14s free.Visit www.justdanze.co.uk or call 07721 842142 for more info.

Sunday June 23. PARISH SUMMER PARTY at Victory Field, Sunninghill. 4-8.30pm. For all the family.

Entertainment, bbq, stalls and refreshments.

Sunninghillandascotparishcouncil.co.uk.

Friday June 28 to Sunday June 30. DAYS OUT WITH THOMAS at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury.

10.30am-5.30pm. Tickets: adults £15, children (2-15) £11, family (2+2) £44.50. Dayoutwiththomas.co.uk/bucks.

Saturday June 29. SLOUGH FESTIVAL in Upton Court Park, Slough. Fun for all the family, with a Kids Zone (fun for little ones), Urban Action (activities for teenagers and young adults), a Carnival Zone (daredevil acts, fun fair, circus fun, bungee trampoline) and a Market Zone (arts and crafts stalls). Music and dance stage with local bands and dance acts.

Entry: adults £6, children £3, family of four £15. Free parking.

More info, visit www.slough.gov.uk.

Saturday June 29 and Sunday June 30. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, summer open air show by the Windsor Theatre Guild in the grounds of New Lodge, Drift Road, Windsor. 2pm and 4pm on both days.

Suitable for children of all ages. Tickets: £6 each, or £5 per head for families of 4 or more. 0845 034 3340; wtg.org.uk.

Sunday June 30. FAMILY FUN DAY at Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor. First race: 2.20pm, last race: 5.30pm. Racing action for the adults to watch while the kids can enjoy lots of free fun activities and also meet Peppa Pig and George. Admission on the day (adults): Silver Ring Enclosure - £12; Grandstand - £21; Club Enclosure - £25.

01753 498400; windsor-racecourse.co.uk.

Sunday June 30. FISHING FOR ALL at the Lakeside, Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, Slough. 10am-3pm. Free fishing coaching sessions with professional angling coaches supplied by The Environment Agency. All bait, tackle and licences are provided by the coaches for free 20 minute sessions. Register on the day at The Environment Agency gazebo. Free event. 01753 511060; buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks.

Music with Mummy Themed, fun music classes for children aged up to 5 years in small groups Jolly Babies – specially designed for babies under one year

Specialist Baby & Toddler Swimming Classes Aqua-Natal Yoga Classes Come out of your shell and learn to swim the Turtle Tots Way!

Jackie @ Windsor: 01344 301954 Caroline @ Ascot: 01753 850772 www.musicwithmummy.co.uk

For more information call Jodi on: 07823 885328 / 01628 785236 or email: Jodi.oconnor@turtletots.com www.turtletots.com

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

How to garden with kids...

Parenting

After a long winter and a very late spring- we can finally open our doors get back in the garden again. What better time to encourage your children to explore their environment and discover the world of gardening.

I

nvolving children in gardening can be a great and fun experience for everyone regardless of age. They can really get engrossed in planting and caring for flowers – even those with shorter attention spans! Most kids can’t get enough of the anticipation and excitement of waiting for a seed to sprout or a plant to grow and find real pleasure in tending a patch of soil they can call their own. And what better way to learn about photosynthesis, by watching it happen in front of your own eyes!

Getting Started Gardening doesn’t require a huge garden or allotment; in fact, it can actually be beneficial to start out with smaller spaces such as a window box or a restricted area.

It needn’t cost a lot of money either – you don’t need to buy anything special or fancy, and if you grow your own fruit and veg then you’ll ultimately be making a saving!

Start with margarine tubs, yoghurt pots, and any other small containers you might find lying around the house. Instead of fancy trays with separate sections, you’ll find just as much use in empty egg cartons.

And what about using a water pistol instead of a watering can. Who would have thought watering the plants could be so much fun?

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Opportunity to learn There is so much for children to learn.

Explain to younger children that the seeds have popped underground and covered up to sleep, helping them understand that they need to be gentle with them and treat them with care. Make sure they know to water the seedlings regularly and then sit back and watch them grow.

Inspire their senses We all have a particular fondness for plants which stimulate our senses and children are no different; point out plants with soft leaves and bright flowers, aromatic herbs, scented flowers, grasses and leaves that rustle when blown, etc. These can be particularly beneficial for children with special needs.

Plants attract wildlife, which can be hugely exciting. Wildflowers attract bees and butterflies, and watch out for the insects. All of them have a purpose in the garden, for example hedgehogs and toads eat the slugs and snails, and worms create holes in the soil.You could build a log pile for the beetles to live in and plant wildflower seeds to attract pollen-loving insects.

Kids will eat anything they have grown themselves, just try with peas, cabbage and lettuce. Sheer pride will lend a flavour never to be forgotten. They will also realise the effort it takes to grow the fruit and veg they get on their plates at dinner!

Prepare for mess! Gardening isn’t a clean business but getting mucky is half the fun. So peel your children away from the TV and explore the garden. Once they get outside and explore, in time they will want to take care of the plants they have learned to love and really gain pleasure along the way.

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Ed’s Reading Room Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere!

I’m Ed and here is my early Summer book selection for you to enjoy. The books are all available online from Ed’s Reading Room at www.edontheweb.com.

Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools. Each month, recently published books are selected as Ed’s Books of the Month for Owlets (age 5-7) and Owls (over 7s). On the website, there are fun literacy activities to accompany each book, including wordsearches, quizzes, poetry and reviews, and there are new original stories in Edtime Stories. There are also lots of other fun online activities, complementary to the curriculum. Check out Ed’s Archive for Ed’s Books of the Month from previous months.

For Ages 5 to 7 years My Hamster is an Astronaut by Dave Lowe (Templar £5.99) ED SAYS: ‘When Ben Jinks announces that he’s going to build a rocket for the school science competition, his mega-brainy hamster is more than a little surprised. Stinky realises he will have to do most of the hard work – and be very involved in the launch! But there’s a cunning plan afoot to upset their ambitious competition entry.

Will Ben and Stinky get their rocket off the ground?

‘This is a very funny story in the fantastic Stinky and Jinks series. Laugh your socks off as Ben and Stinky aim for the stars.’

For Ages 7 years plus The Naming of Tishkin Silk by Glenda Millard (Phoenix Yard Books £5.99)

Adrenaline Rush by Allan Jones (Orion £5.99)

Penny Dreadful is a Record Breaker by Joanna Nadin (Usborne £4.99) ED SAYS: ‘Penny Dreadful is back with more of her madcap adventures. Penny’s latest brilliant ideas, with the help of her bestfriend Cosmo, are tracking down a vampire to take to school for show-and-tell, giving Grandma Overall a surprise sparkly makeover and breaking the world record for something that has never been in the record books before. However dreadful things become, Penny always seems to bounce back to look on the bright side!

ED SAYS: ‘Griffin Silk is a very unusual boy who finds the children at school rather mean.

He lives with his loving family though sadly without his mother and baby sister. Griffin holds a secret in his heart and it is only when he meets Layla and he knows he has found a true friend that he starts to deal with his secret. Will he have the courage of his mythical namesake? And will Griffin and Layla together find a way to bring peace to this young boy?

ED SAYS: ‘Zak Archer is a spy working for a secret government agency. In this latest adventure in the Codename Quicksilver series, Zak is working undercover as a stunt double for a Hollywood movie. He and his colleague Wildcat are investigating a link between the producer Elton Dean and a suspected terrorist attack. Zak is aware of the dangers surrounding him but if his cover is blown will he be able to complete his mission?

‘The three stories about these super characters are absolutely hilarious with fantastic illustrations to complement them.’

‘This is a beautifully written and extraordinary story that will move as well as entertain its readers.’

‘This brilliant story is full of action and is exciting from start to finish. It is a real pageturner of a book.’

Ed’s Reading Room is part of www.edontheweb.com, a DTI award-winning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating.You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at maggiehumphreys@aol.com about the website or about Ed on the Web Spelling Bees in schools.

Cupcake Decora"ng Par"es Making Cupcake Decora"on fun for children aged between 6 and 16 • 1 demonstrated themed cupcake • 3 free design cupcakes star!ng with piped bu"ercream swirls • 1 cupcake to eat decorated by Cakin' Faerie Each guest will receive a cer!ficate of a"endance and take home 4 vanilla cupcakes that they have decorated in a presenta!on box.

All equipment is provided and demonstrated along with a selec!on of decora!ons and sprinkles. All that Cakin' Faerie asks is that you can provide sufficient tables and chairs for all of your guests.

10 Almond Road, Burnham, Bucks SL1 8HA

Tel: 01628 543963 or 07979 807553 Email: suzanne@readmantcs.co.uk www.facebook.com/cakinfaerie

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2013

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Bumps ‘n’ Babes HOW PILATES CAN BE BENEFICIAL DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY What is Pilates?

Pilates is a form of exercise, which aims to train your body and mind to be strong, flexible and balanced.

You'll learn how to do this through a series of movements and positions taught by a qualified teacher, the movements taught raise your awareness of your body's strength and coordination. Deep breathing and relaxation is also taught, which can enhance this process.

The patterns of movement you'll learn are focused on your tummy, pelvic floor muscles and back muscles. These muscles are key to good posture, balance and strength. They also help to prevent incontinence and provide support to your back and pelvis. By strengthening these muscles, you'll develop a stable core, which enables you to lead a full and active life.

How can Pilates help during pregnancy?

Your tummy and pelvic floor muscles are put under increasing strain as your baby grows bigger.

At the same time, the hormone relaxin is making the tough tissues (ligaments) that connect your bones more pliable.Your ligaments are likely to stretch more than usual and if you overload them you may injure yourself.

During pregnancy, your tummy muscles are stretched over your growing baby and if they're weak, you may develop back or pelvic pain. Having weakened pelvic floor muscles means that they become less supportive to your bowel, bladder and uterus (womb), and move lower down into your pelvis under your baby's weight. Pilates exercises use and strengthen the deepest layer of your tummy muscles, which are necessary for stabilising your back and pelvis, without straining other joints.

During pregnancy you may find that you feel a little more clumsy, or that your balance isn't as good as usual. This is thought to be due to changes in your balance and posture. Pilates has been shown to help improve symptoms

like this and the exercises may also help you walk without swaying from side to side as your bump grows.

Many Pilates exercises are performed on your hands and knees, which is an ideal position for pregnancy. Adopting this position can take some of the strain off your back and pelvis. Towards the end of your pregnancy, it may also help to get your baby into the right position for birth.

The main benefit of Pilates is that it targets the exact muscles that can be a problem during pregnancy and after birth, in a completely safe way.

How can Pilates help after giving birth?

A woman’s body is certainly put through its paces during pregnancy and especially during the birth itself. Even once the baby has been safely delivered, your body will be rapidly readjusting itself: the uterus decreases in size and relocates itself completely within the pelvis, there will be a reduction in the extra fluids built up during pregnancy, and pronounced hormonal changes will be an inevitable part of the process of early motherhood. A gentle exercise programme, like Postnatal Pilates, that can be built up gradually is a must to allow your body to recover from the birth. Please note that women should not start formally exercising until they get the all clear from their doctor after their six-week check-up.

REFLEXOLOGY

Quote Families to get 10% off the 4 week introduction course.

Jolanta Hill MSc Registered Midwife Diploma in Complementary Therapies Visiting Reflexology Practice

• All Women Wellbeing • Preconception, pregnancy & postnatal conditions • Stress, depression, PMT, menopause

For further information: E: jholistic@outlook.com T: 0792 3523930 https://www.facebook.com/JHolistic7

Telephone: 01628 627 586

During a postnatal class the teacher will focus on strengthening and toning your weak muscles. The sessions can give you time to focus on yourself and your recovery, which then improves sleep and minimizes depression. It also tackles postural issues which may have developed during the pregnancy and prepares you for the constant lifting and carrying of a newborn.

The benefits of postnatal Pilates are: • Rehabilitation of pelvic floor, abdominal and spinal muscles • It provides an avenue for the body to regain strength • Retrains muscles to recover from extensive changes experienced during pregnancy • Provides an outlet and social activity for new mums • Prepares the body for aerobic or more high impact exercise • Helps with Rectus diastasis (abdominal separation) recovery.

Any pre and postnatal Pilates programme should be designed to suit the individual.

Every woman has a different and unique experience of pregnancy, birth and how she feels afterwards. Sessions with a qualified instructor can often help women who have experienced birth complications recover more quickly. The breathing technique used in Pilates increases oxygen and blood flow which both aid the healing process.

MOOREPilates believes that the Pilates’ philosophy serves to nourish the mind as well as improve the body. They offer classes which are small and friendly with an instructor that specialises in pre and post natal pilates. Only 6 clients per mat work session ensures that you receive the personalised attention that you need. They also offer one to one and one to two sessions. For more information visit www.moorepilates.co.uk or contact Sam Moore on 07715 182474 or email studio@moorepilates.co.uk.

MOOREPilates offers:

• 4 Week Introduction Mat Classes • Ongoing Mat Classes at beginners, intermediate and advanced levels • Pre/postnatal and Mother and Baby Classes • One-to-One Reformer Sessions • Group Reformer Sessions

Benefits of Pilates • • • •

sculpt your body improve posture and alignment look and feel better slimmer and more toned with strength and flexibility

You can find us at the West Wing Arts Centre, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY For more information call Sam Moore on 07715182474 or visit our website at www.moorepilates.co.uk

MAY/JUNE 2013

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

29

Mums Who Mean Business Still living the dream eight years on...

Normally we look at new businesses in this feature but it is with great pleasure that we get to talk to MAD Academy’s Emma Lelliot, who is celebrating eight years of teaching classes in the local area.

1. Who are you and where do you live?

My name is Emma Lelliott and I live in Wokingham with my great husband and two amazing children, Owen and Natasha.

2. Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career?

Twelve years ago when Owen was born I had my ultimate job in the City as the Assistant Treasurer of Marks & Spencer, issuing bonds and negotiating bank loans for the M&S charge card operation.

My son Owen happily went to a local nursery and I continued with my 6.20am commute to London every day. Then very soon afterwards my daughter Natasha came along and at this stage I knew that for me something was missing. Although it was great having the money, I wasn’t able to spend time with my children and experience them growing up, so I decided to change what I was doing.

3. What did you used to do?

Although I was working for M&S my life had always been surrounded with music. I played the flute and piano from a very early age, I sang with the Bucks County choir and did ballet, ballroom dancing and Scottish dancing. It is my passion! I studied Music & Classics at University but didn’t immediately enter the music world. In fact I took a job at the Property Services Agency looking after military burials and spent many hours liaising with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Maidenhead. Music still played a huge part in my life though and I was fortunate to be accepted in to the Royal Choral Society and spent nearly 15 years singing at great venues like the Albert Hall and supporting amazing stars such as Kiri te Kanawa, Willard White and Rolf Harris!

4. What inspired you to set up the business?

I have always shared my love of music with my own children –I was always singing or dancing with them. I loved watching the stimulation that it gave them. So when I met Helen from MAD Academy, through singing, I started thinking about teaching my own classes.

When M&S sold the charge card operation to HSBC, I found out my job was going and I knew that I wanted to make music my life. If my own children didn’t cringe when I sang with them, then others might enjoy it too!

I wanted to teach classes that were fun, both my children loved (and still love) dancing around and singing at the tops of their voices (but please don’t tell Owen’s mates because it’s definitely not cool to dance!!). Teaching MAD classes attracted me because they embrace this and their ethos is fun, free-spirited and very active.

So I invested all I had and launched my MAD Academy business in Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley & Charvil. It was tough as MAD Academy was entirely new to the area and it was a very new approach to music classes with babies and small children.

Eight years on my classes are bursting, my nurseries and children’s centres still employ me and my party book is always full and I love it.

I get to share music from all over the world and introduce really young children to rhythms that will help with their language skills and dance that will develop control of their body movements. All the people that come to our classes, which include babies from as young as ten weeks old and their adult carers (who are a wee bit older) love what we do and come back time after time.

I love what I do and I am very fortunate that I can work and also pick up my children after school and help with them with their homework (although that’s not so much fun).

5. What are your plans for the future?

I plan to continue teaching and growing my classes. The elements within the classes continue to evolve as scientists learn more about how moving and music helps children to learn and I am passionate about continuing to share this everyone that comes to my MAD Academy classes.

To find out more go to www.madacademy.com or call 0118 979 2695.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2013

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Classifieds Local duo sets up Children’s Shoe shop in Marlow Two local mums from Marlow Bottom with six kids between them have launched a new children’s shoe shop which has the added bonus of being able to buy dancewear, swimwear and beachwear in the shop too.

1. Who you are and where do you live?

We are Sarah Cooper and Lisa Parkinson, two local mums who both live in Marlow Bottom and know each other through our children who attend Burford School.

2. Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career?

We have a six children between us, between the ages of 3 and 11 and took career breaks to look after them. We decided that we were ready for a change of direction and a new challenge now that our children are a little older.

3. What did you used to do?

Both of us have corporate backgrounds, Sarah in buying for British Gas and within the telecommunications industry and Lisa in sales for P&G. In addition, Lisa has worked for the children’s charity ChildLine and for the parenting charity NCT. 4. What inspired you to set up the business?

We had a concept based on a ‘one stop shop’ for busy mums to avoid having to make lots of separate trips to kit out our children. Around the same time we found out that the wellloved Doogies shoe shop in Marlow was closing down. We decided to build on the success of selling children’s shoes in Marlow but build our own brand identity and incorporate our original idea. The Children’s Shoe Company was formed!

New business that lets toddlers do what they love best – getting mucky!

Firm friends have set up classes in Maidenhead and Marlow that let your children get messy and the best bit is you don’t have to clean it up.

1. Who are you and where do you live?

Our names are Paula Parrott and Helen Dees from Cookham and Marlow respectively. Paula has three boys; Ben eight, Josh five & Joe three and Helen has Amelie who is six and Fin who is eight. We've known each other since the birth of our eldest boys.

2. Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career?

We set up Mucky Monsters, a preschool arts & crafts / messy play group, as we knew it was difficult to find this kind of thing in this area for our children to go to. Any arts and crafts or messy play would have to be done at home. We've both spent many years going to the same play groups each week and many years trying to avoid messy play in our own homes, despite the constant harassment from our own children to play with Moon Sand or do finger painting!

Messy play is an excellent learning tool because of the many and varied opportunities it provides children with. Kids are active learners, they need hands on activities which involve exploring and discovering. In this way they learn to make sense of the world around them and have great fun doing so they need to make a mess more than you might think!

3. What did you used to do?

Paula - I have been a full time mum since Joe was born but before that I was a Marketing Manager for a conference, incentives and events agency in Marlow.

Helen - I am a part-time dietitian presenting corporate seminars and before that I worked in marketing and advertising.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Tuition:

5. What are your plans for the future?

Our aspiration is to make the chore of shopping for children’s shoes an enjoyable experience for both mum and child and we want to be known as ‘the’ local children’s shoe shop. We also want to build on our extra-curricular product ranges to continue to make mums’ lives easier and moreover, encourage children to keep active (we currently stock shoes and uniform for Louise Parkes School of Dance and Marlow School of Dance as well as swimwear and beachwear). Our website www.thechildrensshoecompany.co.uk is just launching so we hope to grow our business online too.

For more information visit our website or pop in to the new shop on 14 Oxford Road in Marlow.

4. What inspired you to set up the business?

We both knew that we could create a fab messy play / arts & crafts group with lots of great creative ideas plus bring to it our experience of the best bits from the many play groups we've been to over the years. We provide free Costa coffee (or tea) because we want parents to enjoy coming to our sessions too. No longer do you need to take your kids to Costa, bring them to Mucky Monsters and let them enjoy themselves whilst you enjoy your coffee!

Mucky Monsters encourages learning and creativity and changes every week to ensure that parents and children don't get bored.

Parents can interact with their children in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, where the children are encouraged to make as much mess as they like (which you don't have to clear up)! There are always 5 or 6 stations, each with different activities which means your child can move freely between them at their own pace, helping them to develop their confidence and experience new things. There is one “mucky play” station where children can participate in the kind of messy play that even the most relaxed of Mums is unlikely to allow in the house! There is also one pre-planned “themed” station every week where your child will get to make something they can take home with them such as a pirate sword, a rice maraca or a Father’s Day card.

5. What are your plans for the future?

We would just be happy to think that parents and children enjoy coming to our sessions so much that they come back time and again. We love coming up with new and fresh ideas each week so that Mucky Monsters is always exciting. We will be running holiday sessions so that older siblings can enjoy Mucky Monsters too. I know my children that are at school are dying to come along!

For more information, please go to www.muckymonsters.com

MAY/JUNE 2013

Provided by a qualified and dedicated tutor.

Choose from: 11 plus Verbal/ Non-Verbal Reasoning, Common Entrance Exam, GCSE, Sciences and much more.

Tel: 01628 637008 or 07887 936484

Candle-making parties for children and grown-ups! www.candlebynight.co.uk

Tel: 07771 851435

Mary Poppins Entertainments NOW WITH AMAZING ANIMAL PUPPETS

As seen on Paul O‘Grady Show.

For ages 3-103

Tel: 01753 663374 or 07811 084328 www.jeanpurdy.co.uK

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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