Back to OctoberHalloweenSchoolHalfTerm Gloucestershire FREETake Me Home IN THIS ISSUE Issue 70 September/October 2022 familiesonline.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Gloucestershire 3 Front Cover Gloucestershireclairewestawayphotography.co.uk@clairewestawayphotographyFamily&Newborn Lifestyle Photographer Welcome to the September/October issue of Families Magazine Gloucestershire. This issue has some fabulous articles and features as well as our essential ‘What’s On’ listings so that you can find out what’s going on in Gloucestershire and just beyond during the October Half Term. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more offers and competitions!@familiesglos_magazine @familiesglosmag www.familiesonline.co.ukeditor@familiesgloucestershire.co.uk Welcome We have all five books in the wonderful Pages & Co. series to give away! For a chance to win, simply read our interview with the author on page 9 and answer this question! What is the name of Anna’s new book? A. The Treehouse B. The Treehouse Library C. The Library Email the answer editor@familiestveast.co.uktoby 28 Oct. WIN!
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Gloucestershire4 RecommendsFamilies Spago Westonbirt& Meet Your Local Class KickersLittle Top5 AutumnWalks What’sOn OctTermHalf ColumnsAdvice October Clock Change Financial Advice Education & School New Term UnderstandingTroublesPhonics Fun SpiderCrafts CONTENTS Halloween Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof. Classes We provide 1-1 and small group 11+ coaching for children in years 4 and 5. Our carefully designed course supports children in all aspects of the CEM test. All coaches are fully qualified teachers who use traditional teaching methods and games to support learning and ensure your child thrives. Online learning hub Pupils have access to our unique online hub. This is designed to build confidence and increase speed in mathematical and English skills. Mock Exams Booking for mock exams is now open! Places are limited and fill very quickly. After each exam a full question analysis is received by parents. This shows your child’s strengths and areas for development. Allowing you to fill gaps effectively in preparation for the September exam. Revision and Intensive Preparation Courses Booking is now open for our Easter and Summer courses. These two and three day courses are specifically designed to ensure children are fully prepared for the September exam. Providing knowledge, tips and revision techniques. Is your child sitting the Gloucestershire Grammar School Entrance Examination? WHAT OUR PARENTS SAY My son was so happy to receive his marks. Your sessions supported and encouraged him. Without you he would never have achieved such a high score. Thank you! For more information visit www.11pluscoachinggloucestershire.co.uk Or email coach@11pluscoachinggloucestershire.co.uk “ Magazine Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go Enter the Action Heroes universe!*whilestockslastStylesmayvaryT&CsapplyGet your FREE mini-figure set NOW* Mix & match body parts & worldsthemedbuildandCollectexpressionsfacialchange
Gladiators Come to the
Days From
On the 13th of September, celebrate Roald Dahl Day by dressing up as your favourite character from one of Roald’s stories and head to roalddahl. com for lots of fun activities, puzzles and quizzes. Roald Dahl DayOn the 22nd October the Corinium Museum in Cirencester will be opening a spectacular new calledexhibition‘Gladiators – A Cemetery of Secrets’. The touring exhibition features the skeletal remains of six men that were part of eighty burials unearthed in York in 2004 from a Roman age cemetery. The evidence of trauma to the remains opens the question of whether these men were soldiers, criminals, slaves or in deed gladiators and the exhibition allows visitors to learn more about Roman life and the mystery surrounding these men’s lives. There will also be entertaining Gladiator Combat Reenactments by re-enactment group Legio Secunda Augusta taking place during the half term. Booking suggested.
LocalCoriniumInstagram
Familiesonline.co.uk
and
Star Publishes Toddler Recipe Book Gloucestershire based Instagram star Grace Mortimer, known for her social media handle of My First Meals had her first book of the same name published over the summer by Harper Collins. The Gloucestershire based mum has over 150k followers on instagram for her quick and healthy meal, snack and dessert ideas for toddlers made from 5 ingredients or less. Highlights include her crispy cauliflower bites, mustardy gnocci bake and berry jellies. Heritage Open 9-18 September Blackfriars Priory, Brockworth Court, Gloucester Cathedral, Hillfield Gardens, Jet Age Museum, SULA Lighsthip Dyrham
hundreds of historic sites across England allow free access and tours to celebrate our history and culture. Some of the amazing locations across Gloucestershire taking part are
Park. www.heritageopendays.org.uk www.LittleKickers.co.uk#MoreThanJustFootballContact details: BOOK YOUR FIRST CLASS NOW! Contact Jonathan Phillips Email: jphillips@littlekickers.co.uk Call: 07759 547957 Or visit: www.LittleKickers.co.uk NEWS Starlight Hike Sign up to the Sue Ryder Starlight Hike in Cheltenham and walk 10k under the stars to celebrate the memory of your loved one on Saturday 15th October. See website for details. Peter Pan at Stroud Arts Festival This year Stroud Arts Festival have a wonderful musical production of Peter Pan, with lyrics by Pam Ayres and music by award-winning composer Louis Mander. It will also be narrated by Classical FM’s Zeb Soanes. The show premieres on Saturday 22nd October from 6.30pm at the Sub Rooms and tickets can be pruchased at www.thesubrooms.co.uk.
Liat Hughes Joshi is a journalist and author who specialises in writing about parenting and family life.
New
My child is grumpy after school. It’s common to greet your child at the school gate expecting to catch up on news of their day and instead being faced with a grouchy monster. Even if this wasn’t happening in the summer term last year, your daughter or son might be finding the new school year more tiring for whatever reason, or they could be hungrier due to a growth spurt. So first up, check these basics. If they’re getting tired, look to adjust their bedtime, if possible. A giveaway here is if the grouchiness tends to happen towards the end of the week. If it’s hunger, give them a snack for the journey home if you can.
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Gloucestershire6
Should neither of these be the cause, the grouchies could be down to something they’re finding difficult to handle or upsetting at school and they’re deflecting their stress or anger onto you. Spend some time trying to tease out what might be going on. Are they having issues with friends or being bullied perhaps? Talk to their teacher to find out if they’re aware of any problems too.
by Liat Joshi-Hughes
TeethingTermTroublesTheautumntermhasbegunandyourchildhasstartedorreturnedtoschool.WhatkindofchallengesmightoccuroverthenextfewmonthswhileyourchildcopeswiththechangesthatSeptemberbroughtwithit?Andhowshouldyoudealwiththem?Mychildishavingtroublemakingfriends. Perhaps they’re in a different class or their closest friend has left the school and they’re struggling to adjust and find a new bestie or gang. Regardless, there are a couple of things you can do to boost your child’s friendships. Firstly, of course, talk to your child’s teacher and ask if there’s anyone they think your son or daughter might particularly gel with. Next up, invite them over for a playdate or arrange to meet them and their parent in the park. My child can’t manage this year’s curriculum. Primary school learning is much more of a double act these days, a partnership between parents and teachers. Again, go and have a chat with the teacher to try and understand your child’s level and find out what you can do to support your little one’s reading, writing or maths at home.
With each move up a year at primary school, come new privileges but also new expectations of behaviour. So, perhaps in Reception, children were not expected to sit still for very long but now they’ve moved to Year 1, they have to stay still and listen more. As ever, do catch up with their teacher to find out what they can do to support your child with the change but also look at practicing at home.
My child is struggling to behave appropriately.
Top Tips Practise recognising the sounds. Help children to spot when two or three letters work together to make one sound e.g ‘ai’ in ‘rain’ and ‘igh’ in ‘light’. Your child will be taught Phonics in a specific way at school so ask them to teach you. It’s a great way for them to test their understanding. Read, read, read! is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.
By being read to, children hear new words, learn the flow of language and develop their understanding of
Blending can be the key.
EDUCATION -eetbee ree squeen treet
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Gloucestershire 7 SUMMER FUN
For anyone who has a child due to start school, here are some tips to get you closer to full admittance of the phonics club!
Phonics is one of those things that feels like a secret club - some people understand it and to others it’s gobbledegook!
Understanding
Once children have learned the separate sounds, they then have to ‘blend’ them together to make the full word. For example, they hear or read ‘c’, ‘a’, ‘t’ and need to put the sounds together to make ‘cat.’ This skill can be a real stumbling block for children because they are working so hard to recognise the sounds that they can’t put them together easily.
Oral blending is the skill to practise here. Oral blending means hearing separate sounds and putting them together without reading the letters too. It’s really helpful to practise lots of oral blending with your children from as young as the age of 2. For example, say separate sounds, a bit like a robot, and get your child to blend them together to make the word. You can do this in sentences e.g. put on your ‘c’, ‘oa’, ‘t’ or let’s go to the ‘p’, ‘ar’, ‘k’. Make it playful and use the approach in games. For instance, try I spy with whole words split up.
Read, read, read! If the thought of supporting your child with phonics fills you with dread, never fear! There is one simple thing you can do which will help them beyond your expectations: reading! Reading to and with your child is the single most impactful thing you can do to help their reading, writing and language skills to develop.
Ph-on-ics by Emma Lewry. What is phonics? Phonics is a way of teaching children to read and later write. It is based on the fact that letters and groups of letters make sounds and when we put those sounds together they make words. English is a tricky language and sometimes the same letters make different sounds.
For example, ‘i’ can sound short as in ‘fish’ or have a longer sound like ‘eye’ in ‘find’. There are different groups of letters that make sounds: a digraph is two letters that go together to make one sound e.g. ‘ch’ in ‘chop’. A trigraph is three letters together making one sound e.g. ‘ear’ in ‘near’. As children develop their knowledge, they build up and put together all of the sounds they recognise in order to read and write.
With all the different roles you have, you must be a very busy woman! If you ever have any downtime, how do you like to spend it?
As you might expect, I read a lot! But I also love going to the theatre, especially immersive theatre, when you get to interact with characters and sets. I’m also learning bookbinding at the moment, how to make my own books from scratch and I’m really enjoying that!
Anne of Green Gables is one of my all time favourite books, and introducing young readers to her has been one of the greatest joys of being published! I think that I’d have to pick her – she’s such an incredible, timeless creation. She’s so kind and funny and has so many big feelings. Lyra from Northern Lights was also a big influence on me when I was growing up in the way that she stands up for what’s right even when it’s difficult and dangerous.
With the nights drawing in again, autumn has us all reaching for a good book and here at Families we have the perfect suggestion for an adventure series. Rachel Bailey speaks to Anna James, whose 5th book in her Pages & Co. series, ‘The Treehouse Library’, publishes this month.
FEATURES AN INTERVIEW WITH...
I love that you bring familiar characters from classic children’s novels into your books. I have very fond memories of reading Anne of Green Gables as a child! Do you have a favourite book/character that has inspired you?
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Gloucestershire8
A bookwanderer is a reader who can travel inside of books, and that’s what my series is all about. My heroine Tilly discovers she is a bookwanderer when she is eleven and she travels inside books including Alice in Wonderland and Anne of Green Gables, and she realises perhaps there’s some family secrets all tied up with the secret magical community of bookwanderers!
As a self-confessed bookworm, living in a bookshop is still my dream! Did you spend lots of time in bookshops as a child? What advice would you give parents trying to encourage a love of reading in their children? Mine too! I actually probably spent more time in libraries than bookshops as a child, as it was the best way to keep up with how much I read without bankrupting my parents! But I was a regular visitor to Waterstones in Newcastle, and the local indie bookshop in Melrose that I’d visit with my Grandad. For parents I would say one of the most important things is sharing your love of reading – making sure your children see you reading for pleasure, and talk about what you enjoy with them and ask them what they think. Also really encourage them to take the time to find the books they love, it’s okay if they don’t finish every book if they don’t like it!
Anna James.
As someone with a history of ‘booky’ jobs, have you always wanted to write your own books?
The honest answer is no! I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing, and I knew I wanted a job that was to do with that, but I wasn’t sure exactly what was the right fit for me. I’ve been a librarian, a books journalist, and a literary scout and I really enjoyed them all. It was only when I had the idea for Pages & Co that I seriously started thinking about being a novelist!
What is a Bookwanderer?
ActivityTrail
Explore a unique collection of world class, contemporary sculpture, both permanent and temporary, within the Forest of Dean. Children will love following the trail to discover the next exciting sculpture as well as trying to catch a glimpse of the wild boar playing in the fallen leaves. They also have an amazing play area. Free Entry. Batsford is loved just as much for its decked cafe and playground area as it is for its beautiful collection of trees. Enjoy views of impressive Batsford Park, a gurgling waterfall and the charming Dairy Cottage that looks like it has come straight out of a fairytale. Children will love the seasonal trail hunts and the prize awarded for completing them. Look out for the vivid fiery red Acers in autumn. Under 4’s Free. Cirencester Park’s famous Broad Avenue is lined with giant Horse Chestnut trees that turn a wonderful goldenorange in the autumn. Children will love hunting for the hundreds of Conkers that drop here. Grab a barista coffee from the Beano in the Park coffee cart. Free Entry.
ActivityTrail ActivityTrail Always
During the autumn you can expect to enjoy spectacular views of golden trees reflected in Mallards Pike Lake. Children will love the Gruffalo Orienteering activity and bringing their bike for the Family Cycle Trail. Enjoy the view from waterside Mallards Cafe and if you’re feeling really adventurous, Go Ape is nearby. Free Entry.
for parking prices and changes
1. Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury.
Ranked one of the best autumn walks in the whole of the UK, Westonbirt features over 2,500 different species of tree, many of which will turn beautiful shades of red and gold in autumn. Kids will love their fun activity trails, the tree top walkway, wooden Gruffalo sculptures and exciting playgrounds. Under 5’s Free.
AUTUMNWALKS
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Gloucestershire 9 FEATURES Top5
The time of year will soon be upon us when the world turns red and gold, so Families has prepared a list of some of our favourite au tumn walks in Gloucestershire.
4. Batsford Arboretum, Batsford.
2. Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Coleford. Mallards Pike, courtesy Foresty England Forest of Dean Svulpture Trail, courtesy Foresty England check websites before going to opening times or dog walking policies.
3. Mallards Pike, Lydney.
5. Cirencester Park, Cirencester.
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Gloucestershire10
FAMILIES
There are so many reasons to become a member of Westonbirt Arboretum. With an annual membership you gain free entry to enjoy every beautiful season and bring up to four of your children or grandchildren aged 18 and under for free. There are fascinating guided walks to discover the different species and hidden gems of the arboretum and fun, seasonal activities like orienteering and character trails that kids will love. Children will also love the woodland adventure play areas while adults may wish to go for a jog along the running trails.
Westonbirt MembershipsArboretum
Spago has a super cool and stylish interior and is situated close to the river on Gloucester Docks so it has a fun holiday feel that is popular with both tourists and locals alike. Every last Friday of the month they have live music and they often hold events like Wine Tasting, so keep an eye on their website or social media! for event listings! @friendsofwestonbirtfowa.org.uk/join Spago Single £40 pa Joint £78 pa
spagogloucester.co.uk@spago_gloucester
1A PROVENDER BAKERS QUAY, GLOUCESTER, GL1 5BQ.
Other fantastic benefits include early bird booking for events like Enchanted Christmas and Forest Live Concerts, 10% off at the Westonbirt Shop and the Westonbirt Magazine straight into your inbox. You’ll even get discounts with local partners like Cotswold Outdoor and Go Ape, plus discounts for adults at selected partner gardens, including Batsford Arboretum. And of course, you gain the knowledge that through your membership you are supporting the conservation of trees for future generations. Oh and the membership cards are biodegradable! What’s not to love about a Westonbirt Membership!
FRRecommends
From Farm Parks and Museums to Ice Cream Parlours and Shops, Families shares its favourite recommendations across Gloucestershire and just beyond! GL8TETBURY,8QS.
Spago is one of the hidden gems of Gloucester! Opened during the pandemic in 2020 Spago is already thriving and popular for its lively and friendly atmosphere. Their menu features a European style breakfast and all day sweet and savoury crepes. During lunchtime and the evening there is a delicious range of tapas and salads to choose from.
Highlights of Spago’s menu include Gambas –pan fried prawns with garlic, parsley and chilli and chorizo cooked with red onion and red wine. Children will absolutely love their Nutella Crepes with strawberries! Spago are passionate about using high quality ingredients and every meal is always freshly made to order. They also offer Gluten free crepes made from Buckwheat Flour so that nobody has to miss out on these delicious treats!
mag!digitalourfunMoreinSignupatfamiliesmag.co.uk/go Jan/Feb 2022 familiesonline.co.uk IN THIS ISSUE FamilyHealthActivitiesEducationfood FREE TAKEMEHOME FREE!IT’S Magazine Turn to page 15 for 10% off food bill voucher at Spago on a Wednesday or Thursday! CLUBS & CLASSES
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Gloucestershire 11 MEET YOUR LOCAL CLASS...
Little Kickers Gloucestershire class interests Little Kickers Fun football classes for boys girls aged 18 months – 8 years, Little Kickers is all having and selfWithconfidence!agentle
Gloucestershire has so many wonderful kid’s clubs and classes. This issue’s club spotlight features Little Kickers, an indoor football club where building children’s confidence in themselves is the name of the game!
Children are allowed to develop at their own pace, giving them a positive experience of sport and being in a class Followingenvironment.thepandemic when many young children missed out on those first experiences of socialising and taking part in group activities, Little Kickers is passionate about helping children develop the confidence to make friends and join in with others voluntarily. Their classes are perfect for supporting those young children with their self esteem and encouraging them to come out of their shell.
at heart, then
and
a good time
that has your child’s very best
is the ideal one for you.
If you are looking for a children’s
building your
Little 07759jphillips@littlekickers.co.uklittlekickers.co.ukGloucestershireKickers547957
about
Little Kickers have multiple classes for different ages in Cheltenham and Gloucester during the week and at weekends. See their website for class times and locations.
‘play not push’ ethos, children are encouraged to join in and learn football skills, but at the end of the day, these classes are all about making friends and enjoying yourself.
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Gloucestershire12 children, Sunday lie-ins are probably a thing of the past, and the prospect of the clocks changing may fill you with dread. If that’s you, don’t worry, because I’ve got a plan to help keep your family ontrack this
OctoberAutumn. Clock change, what will you do? I always like to think you have two options. You can do nothing, or do something. You can just wait it out until eventually everyone is back in tune with the clock, or you can make preparations to help your family transition when the clock goes back a hour. Here is an effective four-night plan to prepare for when the clocks go back on Sunday, 30th October. Start making a small change on Wednesday 26th October by delaying starting your children’s evening routine by 15 minutes. Then, add another 15 minute delay the following night, and each subsequent night. By Saturday night, you will be ready for the clock change and their usual bedtime will return on Sunday.
Michelle Cyril - The Family Sleep Specialist. @cotswold.sleep.nannywww.familysleepspecialist.co.uk
ADVICE
Michelle is a Certified Advanced Paediatric Sleep Specialist and helps people of all ages with multiple sleep issues. If there is any flexibility to your family’s morning routine, it can help to wake your children 15 minutes later too. Perhaps you can take advantage of this year’s clock change coming at the end of the school half term, when there may be less pressure to get everyone out of the door for school. If your children are younger and still nap during the day, then you can also adjust their nap times from Wednesday too. You can ask other care givers, for example grandparents, childminder or nursery, if they can support you with this on days when your children are not with you. If, after the clock change, your child is struggling with waking up on the dark Autumn mornings, it can be really helpful to:
1. Stick to a consistent wake up time 7 days a week. This is a great way to keep their body clock on track. 2. Turn on the lights. Keep your home light and bright, especially in the mornings to stop any sleep hormones that are still hanging around and get their body clocks ticking for the day.
Uncovering the wider benefits of financialResearchadviceshows that sound financial advice boosts confidence and emotional wellbeing. Financial advice is more important than ever. Not only have changes in pensions and financial regulation placed more responsibility for planning retirement income into the hands of individuals, but the coronavirus pandemic has also reminded us all that unforeseen events can rock the foundations of what we had thought was a stable financial footing.
However,www.irongate.co.ukplanning.rhian.evans@sjpp.co.ukitremainsclearthatidentifying long-term goals and establishing a financial structure to achieve them results in greater emotional wellbeing. Closing the ‘advice gap’ is a vital next step in giving that peace of mind to all. So, the ILC is calling on government, the industry and the Financial Conduct Authority to work together to remedy the situation by highlighting both the nonfinancial as well as the financial benefits of advice, and reassuring individuals that advice will be tailored specifically to their goals. A financial adviser can help with your own financial planning.
1 Peace of mind: Understanding the non-financial value of financial advice, ILC, 2020 Rhian Evans - Financial Advisor, Irongate Rhian’s advice covers all areas of Wealth Management including but not limited to financial protection, regular savings for adults and children, retirement planning and inheritance tax
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Gloucestershire 13
ADVICE
The ILC has undertaken research that shows financial advice could be an important factor in promoting mental health and wellbeing. Its report “Peace of mind: Understanding the non-financial value of financial advice” finds that non-financial benefits may be at least as important as the more easily visible financial ones in achieving Participantsthis1.inthe study who had taken financial advice reported that they felt less worried about their future, enjoying the peace of mind that comes from knowing that proper preparation has been made for their later years – and that included those who were already in retirement. They felt more confident that they would achieve their long-term goals and, through their interactions with an adviser, felt more financially literate and able to understand how those goals would be achieved – and more empowered to make complex financial decisions for themselves. Being in control of their financial future in these ways left them feeling reassured and less worried than they would otherwise have been. But despite these benefits, there remains a significant ‘advice gap’, with very few people taking advice. This stems partly from a lack of awareness of the benefits of seeking advice and of how and where to find it. Among those who haven’t taken financial advice, some – especially women – were worried that doing so would actually result in a loss of control, and that decisions would be taken out of their hands, but the experience of the advised participants showed this to be an unfounded fear. Would you like to feature your business in our next issue? Contact us at editor@familiesgloucestershire.co.uk for
more information
Details: Recommended latest arrival 12 for best value.
Details:
trail of life-size animal sculptures made
£ Book Online for the best rates.
Nature Tots Outdoor nature discovery for Preschoolers. Robinswood Hill Country Park, Gloucester, GL4 6SX. 4 Aug to 30 Nov 10:00am - 11:30am. £3 book online.
ASpookyardwholehostof Halloween activities including spooky shows, a maize maze, corn cannon, tractor rides, bouncy pillows and great food options. Over Farm, Gloucester, GL2 8DB. Autumn half term opens 09.30am.
throughout
Cattle Country Pumpkin Patch
A spooky, fun-filled, after dark trail for all the family this half term - with new installations!
to be accompanied by an adult. £
8, 14-16, 21-23,
7
£ Included in adission price. Cheltenham Literatre Festival A
Tip: Watch out for a new nighttime pyo for 2022! Sculpture Safari a safari from flowers, grasses and plants around the castle grounds including elephants, rhinos and orangutans. Castle, Winchcombe, GL54 5LP . Mar 07 - Oct 30 10am-5pm. 10 scattered Cheltenham. Gardens, Cheltenham. Oct - 16 Oct. favourite abandoned Gloucester, GL1 1PU. 28-31 Oct and 4-5 Nov From 6pm. 12A 15’s Paid
Halloween Howl Scarily fun activities like broomstick racing, slime making, spooky skittles and witches workshop! All Things Wild, Evesham, WR11 7QZ. Thurs 20 Oct to Frid 4 Nov 10am-5pm. £ Included in adission price.
Sudeley
Details: Timed Entry, Last entry 9.30pm. £ Paid entry, online booking required. Eek! PumpingWeekcarving, spooky arts and crafts, interactive trail and canoe scarefari. Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, GL2 7BT. Sat 22 Oct - Mon 31 Oct 9.30am – 5.30pm.
day programme of ticketed events, free family activities and fringe events
OCTOBER HALF TERM
Encounter
entry, booking online.
Deatils: Last entry 4.30pm. £ Free with admission, booking suggested.
Home-grown pumpkins and gourds to pick as well as pumpkin carving and decorating. Cattle Country, Berkeley GL13 9EW. Frid 7 Oct to Sun 30 Oct 10am-4pm.
PYO Pumpkins Pick a pumpkin and get that all important autumnal family photo amongst the crops. Over Farm, Gloucester, GL2 8DB. Oct Half Term & Weekends 10am - 5pm. £ Paid entry, book online for the best rates.
£ Paid entry, online booking required. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER Frightmare Festival Gloucester’s
Halloween Party: Frid 28th 2.30-4.30pm Halloween at Blenheim
Sudeley
rated, any under
Details: Last entry 3pm. £ Paid entry, online booking suggested.
immersive Halloween event aimed at making people scream, laugh and cry -this year takes place in an
Montpellier
WHAT’S ON
Blenheim Palace, OX20 1UL. Frid 21 Oct to Mon 31 Oct from 17.45pm.
city building. Brunswick Road,
Ghoul School This interactive, self-led audio extravaganza will teach your young thrill seekers all they need to know to become perfect little monsters. Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, GL13 9BQ. Sun 23 Oct to Sat 29 Oct 11.00pm-5pm. Details: Last entry 4pm. £1 plus admission price. Oct Half Term at DCH Spooktacular family fun to enjoy scary trails, creepy crafts and pumpkin carving. Explore a ghoulish cottage where witches may invite you in for a cup of witches brew. Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, GL14 2UB. Mon 24 Oct to Sun 28 11am-3pm. £ Included in admission price. The Haunted Castle See witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls in a range of interactive experiences, from casting spells and defending the castle in special Halloween schools, to spooktacular performances and games. Warwick Castle, Warwick, CV34 6AH. Sat 22 - Mon 31 Oct 10am-5pm. £ Booking online suggested. Shriek Week Let your imagination fly away with a special Halloween themed ‘Myths & Legends’ day out. Birdland Park & Gardens, Bourton, GL54 2AY. Sat 22 Oct – Sun 30 Oct 10am-5pm. £ Included in admission price. Castle After Dark Discover haunted spirits and spine-tingling frights as an evening of live music, captivating entertainment, quirky roaming characters, delicious street food and thrilling attractions takes you on a journey through some of the castle’s most terrifying history. Warwick Castle, Warwick, CV34 6AH. 22-23, 28-31 Oct From 6pm. Details: Recommended age 10+ £ Booking online suggested. Gladiators - A Cemetery of Secrets Discover the lives of Gladiators in this exciting new exhibition and watch live gladiator combat renactments during half term. Corinium Museum, Cirencester, GL7 2BX. Sat 22 Oct to Sun 23 Apr 2023. £ Included in admission price, booking suggested. Reanactments: 25th-27th October Creative Explorers - Halloween Craft ArtistClubled Halloween holiday craft club for 5 to10 year olds. It’ll be a packed day of crafty fun with a spooky Halloween twist. The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, GL50 3JT. Wed 26 Oct 10am to 3pm. £ Paid entry, online booking. Autumn Festival Live music, wild food, storytelling, leaf crafts and more. Robinswood Hill Country Park, GL4 6SX. Tues 25 Oct 11:00am - 3:00pm. £ Free to attend, some activities may carry a charge. Night At The Musum: Halloween Party! Two witching hours of activities, crafts and games in The Wilson Kitchen and Foyle. Dressing up welcome with a spooky treat included. The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, GL50 3JT. Sat 29 Oct 4-6pm. £ Paid entry, online booking. sawTellthemyouithere a food bill on aWednesday or Thursday! 10% Off with this voucher! CUT OUT AND PRESENT TO SPAGO Spago, 1A Provender, Bakers Quay Gloucester GL1 05BQ 1452 676469 www spagogloucester co ukEnds 31.12.22
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Gloucestershire16 It’s easy and fun to create your own decorations for Halloween! So get crafty with the kids. You’ll be able to gather what you need from around your home and from your recycling bin and paint, create and decorate to make your own family of spiders in no time. Your child will love developing new skills as they explore painting and sticking. And, under your supervision, they will develop fine motor skills as they practise with scissors. You will Instructions:need:Step4: Once you have all eight legs, fold each leg in half to bend. Step 1: First paint the cardboard tubes black. Step 2: Allow the black paint to dry thoroughly. Once dry, give the spider eyes so it can see! Step 3: To make the legs, start by cutting five slits about one centimetre apart on each side of the tube just over halfway up. The slits will make four spider legs on each side of the tube. There will be a spare piece of tube on each side which you will need to cut out. ü Paint brush ü Scissors ü Black paint ü Wiggly eyes ü Cardboard tubes Make spiders for Halloween! Cutoutandkeep Watch out! Your spider is carefulcomplete…..nowitdoesn’trunoff!
