Families Manchester Issue 28 July Aug 2011

Edition 28 • July/August 2011

FREE

The local magazine for families with children 0-12 years www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

® MANCH E S T E R

In this issue >Bring on Summer – 11 pages of great ideas for things to do and places to visit >Local news >Competitions, giveaways and offers

Covering: Altrincham, Trafford, Salford, Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Didsbury, Stockport, Cheadle, Bramhall, and surrounding areas.

Locally speaking

Inclusion in our locally speaking section is always FREE get in touch: editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk

And it’s goodbye from her…

Welcome Hello! And welcome to the new look Families Manchester – hope you like it.

We’re delighted to be the new editors, having taken over from Helen who’s done a great job over the last four years (see her farewell message opposite), but has decided to hand over the reins so she can spend more time with her family.

Putting together this issue’s Summertime special (see page 14) really brought home to us just how much Greater Manchester has to offer for families – and not all of it exorbitantly priced either. And while it seems like every year we live in hope that THIS year will be the long, hot summer to remember, we’re determined to get out there and enjoy some of the amazing attractions that are on our doorstep, no matter what the weather.

A fond farewell from the former editor Dear readers, you may have noticed that I’ve gone and I hope it didn’t come as too much of a shock! It was after very long deliberation that I decided to let ‘my baby’ go, but I wasn’t going to pass the baton over to just anyone. Jayne and Caryl have been doing a sterling job with Families

Local girls reach the summit

We’ve got some simple ideas for you to keep the kids entertained, as well as a pretty comprehensive list of local attractions, summer camps, suggestions for some great days out AND a full list of what’s on over the summer in the area too.

All in all, a real bumper edition that we hope will see you survive the next two months and reach September relatively sane and ready to face the new school year!

Try to grab some “me-time” if you can – and happy holidays!

Caryl Hall

Jayne Keep

In this issue 02: 04: 06: 08:

Locally speaking News Education Parents’ place

Next issue: September/October 2011.

Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families Manchester are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Greater Manchester. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Manchester, PO Box 581, Macclesfield, SK10 9FN Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesmanchester.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiesmanchester.co.uk Events, diary dates, out & about: events@familiesmanchester.co.uk Cover photograph by: teneight, Fence House, 84 Buxton Road, Macclesfield SK10 1JS. Tel: 01625 500 488 www.teneightstudios.co.uk

12: Health & fitness 14: Summertime special 22: What’s on

Design: Through Creative, The Old School, Byron Street, Macclesfield SK11 7QA. Tel: 01625 500 939 www.throughcreative.com Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk Families Manchester is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributors can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences.

2 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Cheshire, so I’m sure I have left you in very safe hands.

After four very enjoyable but busy years I finally decided to throw in the towel to spend more time with the kids while they are still so little. I’ve had a fantastic time building up Families Manchester and have always had great feedback from you the readers – so thank you for that. I hope I managed to help you on the tricky road to parenthood in a small way and I’m sure that Jayne and Caryl will continue to do so. I would also like to thank my loyal advertisers, many of whom have been with me from the start. I’m sure I’ll be back in some new guise in the future, but for now it’s all pickling and baking for me (if the little blighters will let me).

Helen Ash xx.

Rebecca (Bex) Fox and her good friend Rebecca (Becs) O’Neil, both from Manchester, have just reached new heights – and made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro (the highest point on the African continent). The aim of their achievement was to raise awareness for Whizz-Kids, as well to raise money towards a new motorised wheelchair for Bex’s 10 year old cousin Jed. The girls thrive on a challenge, and were looking for a ‘once in a lifetime’ activity that would test them both physically and mentally. Becs says: “After meeting Jed, I could think of no better person to be doing this for. He is a

really special, intelligent boy and knowing that we are helping in a small way to raise money for his independence is great... it was his little face that got us to the summit! Jed is an ambassador for Whizz-Kidz, and we wanted to recognise the great support they have given to Jed and his family.”

Whizz-Kidz provides disabled children and young people with vital mobility equipment, opportunities to meet and have fun, and training to help them gain skills and look forward to a bright future.

Their wheelchair skills training programme, for young wheelchair users up to the age of 18, is just one of the ways they offer sustained support to young disabled people on their life journey. It is open to both Whizz-Kidz beneficiaries and those that received their equipment from elsewhere.

There are an estimated 70,000 disabled children in the UK who are waiting for the right wheelchair. To find out more about this charity and to see how you can help raise funds, visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk. If you’d like to contribute to Jed’s wheelchair fund, please visit www.justgiving.com/jedhunter.

Mother’s Instinct Returns to Manchester Last year, Families Cheshire & Manchester were proud to sponsor a fabulous new shopping event – Mother’s Instinct Baby & Toddler Show.

Now the show returns for its second year and we are set to join them again.

Please do pop down to say hi; we are at The Waterside Hotel in Didsbury (M20 5WZ) on Sunday 11th September from 12 noon until 5pm. Entry is free and

open to all. There will be stalls from retailers and from providers such as nurseries, clubs/classes and much more. With special offers and competitions running on some of the stalls, plus entertainment and displays for both the children and the parents it is certainly worth popping in.

We hope to see you there!

Locally speaking Calling all Mountain’s, Snowdon’s And Everest’s Everyone knows about Fred Flintstone, Barney Rubble and all the other inhabitants of Bedrock, but Awesome Walls Climbing Centre is now searching for the next generation of ‘rock’ stars.

They want to hear from any kids under the age of 14 with suitably climbing inspired surnames. Maybe you are a Mountain, Everest, Rock, Peak or Summit – Awesome Walls wants to hear from you.

All entrants will then be put into a draw

to win a free children’s birthday party at the Awesome Walls Climbing Centre at Liverpool, Stockport or Stoke-on-Trent for them and up to 20 of their friends.

Awesome Walls Birthday Parties give the kids a chance to learn something new and burn off energy while they are having fun. At Liverpool and Stockport, they can try out the lower bouldering walls before advancing to the huge walls that stretch up to 17.5 metres. Awesome Walls Stoke is

The Baby Show comes to town

Puddle Ducks now in Greater Manchester

The Baby Show heads to Manchester Central this September (2 – 4) to offer must-have products, free expert advice and an unrivalled shopping experience for parents and parents-to-be.

With the best deals and fantastic giveaways, The Baby Show with Prima Baby and Fisher-Price has every area covered to ensure a great, stress-free day out that can save you and your family a fortune. With an unrivalled range and breadth of products to choose from The Baby Show offers new and expectant parents the chance to try before they buy ensuring peace of mind. One lucky family will also walk away with £1000 worth of goodies from Fisher-Price.

World-leading experts such as breastfeeding specialist Clare Byam-Cook, nutrition expert Annabel Karmel and the British Red Cross will be on hand to offer complementary sessions giving out professional advice and tips. Next will be offering maternity wear consultations to ensure all mummies stay yummy before, during and after pregnancy.

There will also be a number of free facilities which include the Pampers Changing Room, the Tommee Tippee Feeding Area and the firm favourite amongst babies and toddlers, the FisherPrice Crèche. Plus, there is The Emma’s Diary Shopping Drop Off, Collect by Car and Home Delivery Service so heavy bags don’t need to be carried around The Show.

Head to www.thebabyshow.co.uk for all the latest news, information and exhibitor list.

England’s largest bouldering centre with over 900 square metres of bouldering to keep everyone entertained. The friendly and fully qualified instructors, who are all CRB checked, are on hand to teach techniques and make sure everyone is getting involved.

The winner of the competition and their friends will all receive a certificate at the end of the party to take home and show off their bravery at conquering the walls and proving their head for heights.

Plus, Awesome Walls will decorate the party room for the lucky winner and supply a birthday cake so everyone can celebrate after their climbing session.

To enter the competition, just email awesomewalls@fidopr.co.uk with your full name, age and contact details. The winner will be selected at the end of July 2011. Proof of all names will need to be provided to claim the prize.

Puddle Ducks Greater Manchester is delighted to announce the launch of their fabulous swimming classes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

Baby swimmers love swimming for life!

Puddle Ducks is a fun and friendly swimming programme offering unique baby swimming, toddler swimming and child swimming classes across the UK. Babies and children can join their swimming classes at any age from birth; developing from water babies to confident swimmers without even realising they are learning to swim.

By engaging each child’s abilities and natural affinity with water, Puddle Ducks offer simple steps to a lifetime love of swimming. Children learn lifesaving, swimming and underwater skills and are often able to swim 10 metres or more before they start school.

For more details about their classes, please ring 07411 944566, e-mail greatermanchester@puddleducks.com or visit www.puddleducks.com. See page 1p for a special offer for Families Manchester readers.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 3

News Oops!

The last issue of Families Manchester mentioned that you could hire Land of Play in Trafford Park exclusively for your child’s party for £100. This is incorrect; the price is dependent on numbers attending and the party package required.

Please call them for more information on 0161 872 9434. www.landofplay.co.uk

Baby changing with style and versatility

The Babymule Baby Changing Bag is a cleverly designed product that rolls three bags into one.

Local mum Claire Fuller created it out of frustration for the limitations she found in other bags on the market. The Babymule converts from messenger bag to backpack or clips onto the buggy handles. With six separate pockets there is a home for everything. Editor Jayne Keep tested it out.

“Logan and I found life on the go much easier thanks to the well thought out design.

The front pocket with insulated bottle warmer is in a perfect place; Logan wants his milk,

I unzip and there it is. No searching while he cries – simple. The padded changing mat and bag for dirties is behind another zip, all separate from other belongings, feeds etc.

The main body of the bag with a 180 degree zip opens wide so I could easily find what I was looking for. With a zipped and a netted pocket belongings were easily organised and kept safe. There’s also a carry bag for nappies and wipes so trips to the toilet mean I can just lift out that section and not have to take the whole bag. This very clever little bag is also a cool bag so can still be used long after the nappy phase is over. Love it! Then there’s my favourite pocket, the little section near the strap just for my keys (I always seem to spend so much of my time routing through bags for them!). Overall a very attractive, easy to use bag that is useful for life with kids not just babies. Highly recommended.”

For more information visit www.babymule.co.uk.

SPECIAL FAMILIES MANCHESTER OFFER Get £5 off your Babymule order when you quote families online at www.babymule.co.uk. This offer is available until 31 August.

Fire Rescue Rory lands in town

Award winning British toy company WOW Toys has just launched Fire Rescue Rory, a trigger-powered Fire Rescue Helicopter with a magnetic pick-up feature! Squeeze his trigger to activate his friction powered rotor, and drop off the magnetic stretcher with the injured boy figure with a simple click of the search light. With no need for batteries, the fun never runs out!

When he flew in to the Families office for a visit, the kids were delighted to meet him. With many other toys in the WOW collection already in the toy box he was

4 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

right at home. Lily (aged five) soon had him paired up with the Robin’s Medical Rescue set (an ambulance complete with paramedic and patients) for a full-on emergency situation. Isabella (aged two) was highly amused by the magnetic pick up and trigger action rotor. Then Logan (aged one) was clearly attracted to the sounds and the colours and was quite safe to have a little play despite being under the recommended age as the toy is so tough with no little fiddly pieces.

Suitable for ages 18 months and over, Rory is exclusive to Argos and sells for £14.99. WOW Toys are collectible as they can mixed and matched to build fun worlds – find out more at www.wowtoys.com.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN We’ve got 5 Fire Rescue Rory’s up for grabs. Simply log on to www.familiesmanchester.co.uk and enter now! The competition closes on Sunday 31 July.

News Oxo Tot’s feeding set – tested by the team Little Logan (aged one) and Isabella (aged two) put OXO Tot’s new four piece feeding set to the test.

The set includes a cleverly designed fork & spoon set with generous curved handles with soft, non-slip grips which made it easy for the children to hold and ensured that the cutlery didn’t fall off the plate or bowl when resting between bites. The very clever little flat spot on the handles stopped the set from rolling off the highchair or table (although it didn’t prevent Logan from throwing them on the floor a few times!).

The deep spoon head made it easy to scoop, while the fork tines, which have no sharp edges, effectively pierce food without mum fearing for someone’s eye!

The versatile training plate brings together two products in one; Logan used it with the brightly coloured removable top ring to help him keep his food on his plate, then with Isabella the ring was removed to make the plate more grown up and flatter. The plate is also weighted for extra stability and the non-slip base

Leading baby and childrenswear brand now online in the UK! Polarn O.Pyret of Sweden already has 15 outlets in the UK and Ireland, but now they’re online too. Offering smart, functional, bright, playful and durable clothes, over 30% of the range is organic. The brand prides itself on providing unisex colours and patterns that can be handed down easily from child to child.

helps to keep it firmly in place (once again, apart from some throwing incidents, which the sturdy plate withstood very well!)

Completing the feeding set, the large bowl (360ml) features high-sided straight walls to help little hands scoop from it, guiding food directly onto a fork or spoon.

Again the stable, non-slip base prevents tips and spills. The bowl also includes a lid that snaps on to keep leftovers fresh and at their best (very useful for Isabella who tends to have leftovers at most meals).

This feeding set gets a big thumbs up from the kids and mum. Well thought out designs that do make a difference.

RRP £15.32. Available from John Lewis, Bentalls and Amazon.co.uk. Visit www.oxo-uk.com for further details.

SPECIAL FAMILIES MANCHESTER OFFER Get 10% off your order PLUS free packaging and postage when you quote FMMAN11 online at www.polarnopyret.co.uk

Terrific toys for summer entertainment Chorlton’s traditional toy shop Monkey Puzzle Toys, has some great toy ideas for summer. How about: Wooden Sandpit with built in seats (£95)

Please Mr Postman, look and see….

Children love to receive their own letters in the post. They also enjoy cutting, colouring, sticking and gluing.

The Little Letter Company has combined these two concepts to produce “Little Letters” – crafts packs that are posted to 3 – 5 year olds each week. For less than the price of a comic, children receive a pack containing everything they need to make a complete craft activity, plus having the

excitement of receiving a brightly coloured envelope in the post addressed to them!

Where possible, the packs also include ideas of how the theme of the craft can be extended into further activities during the week. The service provides a cost effective alternative to the overflowing craft box that lurks in many of our homes yet never quite seems to have the things you need, though arguably, the real value lies in the fact that you don’t have to rack your brain for an idea of what to make.

Subscriptions start at as little as £1.75 per week, and trial packages are available.

Gift subscriptions can also be purchased, which make for a unique gift that lasts well beyond the child’s actual birthday. Details at www.littlelettercompany.co.uk.

Museum of Mystery

What happened to the dinosaurs? Why do animals and plants need each other?

The Museum of Mystery, a new interactive web resource aimed at students

aged 7-16, can help children (and their parents or teachers) find the answers.

The website has been created by The Manchester Museum and web development company iflourish and accompanies the Museum’s new Living Worlds gallery which explores the connections between all living things and shows how we can shape the future by the choices we make.

Go to www.museumofmystery.org.uk to see more.

Without a doubt, the most popular piece of play equipment enjoyed by all young children is a sandpit. At 1.2m (4ft) square, this sandpit is big enough to share, but small enough not to take over the garden. The built-in cover folds open to provide two simple bench seats, removing the need for a separate lid or cover. Includes geo-textile underlay.

Aerobie 10 Sprint Ring (£9.99)

So much more than a Frisbee, the Aerobie 10 Sprint Ring is designed to be played by all ages. It’s renowned as the best disc on the market . The ring’s soft rubber edge makes it comfortable to catch and its unique aerodynamic design makes it great for throwers of all skill levels – it’s easily thrown twice as far as any regular disc! It is perfect for ages 5+ and being such a slim design, takes up no space in a suitcase or just leave in the boot of a car ready for action.

Water Bouncer! (£2.99)

Easier than skimming a stone by far, the Water Bouncer can thrown, skimmed and caught! Squishy, and slightly smaller than a tennis ball, it adds great fun to any trip to the beach or pool and even will bounce between paddling pools – we know – we’ve tried it!

And for those on their travels: There are lots of suggestions for great travel toys on the website (www.monkeypuzzletoys.com), however, a favourite of customers is Are We There Yet? (£7.99).

It’s a great “I spy” game with cards and points for different levels of spotting – and comes in a neat metal carry case.

Will definitely help to make those long journeys fun.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 5

Education Stop the back to school nerves – top tips to prepare mums for the big day!

Oxford University Press has found that more than 3 in 4 mums (78%) of pre-school children are ‘anxious’ about their child starting school and nearly 9 in 10 (88%) mums questioned said their child’s emotional happiness – confidence, ability to make friends easily and enjoyment of school – is their greatest concern.

Ruth Coppard, leading child and educational psychologist, comments: “What’s clear from the findings is that mums equate their child’s confidence to an ability to settle in. You can’t teach your child confidence, but there are many simple steps parents can take to build familiarity in order to prepare their children for school life.”

To help mums feel more excited about this next milestone, the publisher has got together with Ruth Coppard, to create early stage literacy activities to try out over the summer months, to help calm their own nerves, improve confidence and prepare for their little one’s next big step in September.

Left to right Encourage any writing to go from left to right and when you read together use your finger to trace under the words from left to right.

Rock-a-bye Re-visit popular nursery rhymes. Rhyming skills are thought to underpin reading, so encouraging your child to remember the ‘missing’ word from the end of a line, will help to develop this.

Finger fun!

If your child wants to write letters, make sure the letters are formed correctly – left to right, top to bottom. Writing with a finger in sand or on the carpet – something with texture – is a good way to help your child to learn the shapes.

Number knowledge Encourage counting while baking together.

For example 3 eggs, 4 spoons of sugar etc, counting out items when laying the table, seeing how many strawberries can fit in a bowl, sharing raisins. The important thing is counting 1 to 10. Count steps and railings, numbers on houses, red cars, even grannies on the bus!

Story time Get into a daily habit of reading to your child. Sit together and enjoy a book. Praise the telling of the story, not the detailed accuracy. The emphasis is on enjoying books and being comfortable with them.

Available to mums on the high street, the Read with Biff, Chip and Kipper series will introduce children to characters that they will go on to experience in school.

Knowing these characters will help to provide a feeling of security for the child as they enter the school room and encourage more confidence in reading with their new teacher.

The survey and tips were commissioned to re-launch Read with Biff, Chip and Kipper.

WIN WIN WIN One of 5 Back to School labelling sets

6 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Precise Pronunciation

By Tami Reis-Frankfort, Reading Specialist and Director of Phonic Books Do you say ‘SSSS’ or ‘SUH’ for snake?

“You don’t say ‘suh’ Mummy! Miss Kay says it should be ‘SSSSS’. We must say it properly.” Another parent stands corrected.

This conversation is taking place all over the UK. Children are learning to read with Synthetic Phonics and learning a new way of saying the letter sounds. Whether learning through Jolly Phonics, Letters and Sounds (the DFE programme), or other phonic programmes, a whole new generation is growing up on ‘mmmm’ and ‘nnnnn’ and ‘ssssss’. Children are learning ‘pure sounds’ or ‘precise pronunciation’.

This may leave parents somewhat bewildered as they were not taught to read in this way.

It is a fact: saying separate sounds in words does not come naturally to us.

But in any classroom today you will hear a funny ‘robot talk’: ‘c’ ‘a’ ‘t’ for cat and ‘d’ ‘o’ ‘g’ for dog etc.

So why are teachers insisting on teaching the ‘precise pronunciation’ of the sounds of the alphabet? Why is this important?

In Synthetic Phonics the letters on the page prompt sounds which are then pushed or ‘blended’ together. In order to recognise a word when you are ‘blending’ sounds together, you need to hear them as they appear in the word.

Take the word ‘mat’: the sounds in the word are not ‘muh’ ‘a’ ‘tuh’. If you push the sounds ‘mu’ ‘a’ ‘tuh’ together – you get ‘muhatuh’ (not ‘mat’). The sounds in the words are ‘mmmm’ ‘aaaa’ ‘t’. We need to say the sounds precisely to recognise the word ‘mat’.

The reverse process happens when children are taught to spell. First they need to ‘segment’ (isolate) the sounds

in the word and write letters that represent those sounds.

Again, if they pronounce them inaccurately they are likely to misspell them.

A classic example is when a child spells the word ‘jumper’ as ‘jump’. If they pronounce the letter ‘p’ as ‘puh’ they may think they don’t need to add the ‘er’ at the end of the word.

So precise pronunciation is at the very core of Synthetic Phonics.

How can parents get to learn precise pronunciation?

Where can they hear these new sounds? The best place to look this up is on You Tube. Search ‘Sounds of the English Phonic Code’ and you will be able to hear me say the sounds. This video clip is specifically designed to help parents practice the sounds that children are taught in school. Visit www.phonicbooks.co.uk where you can download a free chart with the corresponding spellings for the sounds.

You will also see books that your children can read independently and successfully when learning to read with Synthetic Phonics.

The best time to do it would be when the kids are in bed – then you won’t have them looking over your shoulder correcting you!

Advertise in Families Manchester Call Jayne on: 01625 801801 or email advertising@familiesmanchester.co.uk

We may only be about to start the summer holidays, but before we know it, it’ll be time to get labelling! Easy2Name’s huge variety of Clothes labels (stick on, iron one or sew on), Shoe labels and Bag Tags take the hassle out of labelling and are proven to work in the toughest situations.

We’ve got 5 Back to School sets to be given away to Families Manchester

readers. Simply go to our website www.familiesmanchester.co.uk and enter now! The competition closes on Sunday 31 July.

If you’re not one of our winners, you can still get 10% off your order – simply enter Families as your Promotional Code when placing your order online at www.easy2name.com.

Parents’ place Mums in business There’s no doubt that being a mother is exciting, fulfilling and rewarding (yes, as well as tiring!). But with so many of us having no choice but to work as well as being supermum, and faced with the often restrictive and inflexible corporate working conditions, it’s not surprising that the number of ‘mumpreneurs’ is growing. It’s tough, it’s daunting, but it’s definitely do-able! Meet two mums who are “do their own thing” – simply by developing a germ of an idea and following their own passions.

Bryony Pearce Writer

Tell us a bit about yourself. I live in Bollington with my two children (Maisie 5 and Riley 2), my husband, Andy and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. We moved here from London about seven years ago when we decided we’d rather raise children outside the city and we’re very pleased we did because it’s given us a fantastic quality of life.

I went to Cambridge University, worked in Market Research for about five years then, when we moved up here, I went freelance. I worked from home as a freelance researcher for about two years and it was then with the ability to set my own hours, that I took the opportunity to take my writing more seriously.

What is your business? I am a full time Mum and a writer. My first book, Angel’s Fury, has just been published with Egmont.

How did you get started? I’ve been scribbling down stories and ideas for as long as I can remember (the earliest one I can clearly recall is about a fifty pence piece who wanted to become a pirate – I was six or seven at the time). After university

I stopped writing, when I decided that I had to become practical and make money, but then I felt so stultified I signed up for a short story writing course with the London School of Journalism. Windrunner’s Daughter (the first full length novel I attempted) was originally a short story I came up with for that class – and I won a competition (Undiscovered Voices) with it. That got me an agent and I wrote Angel’s Fury while I was pregnant with Riley.

What does the future hold for the business? I’m currently doing publicity events for Angel’s Fury (school visits, festivals, book signings). I’ve written another novel, The Society, a sort of modern ghost story which I’m hoping will get picked up once Angel’s Fury has proven itself. I’m about fifteen chapters into a total rewrite of Windrunner’s Daughter (I will get that novel right if it kills me) and about six chapters into a book about the end of the world as we know it. I’ve got any number of stories inside me. It’s just finding the time to get them all from fingertip to laptop.

What is the best bit about what you do? I love writing. I love seeing the story develop and having those eureka moments when I think of something really exciting to put in the book. I also love the fact that I can fit my work around my children. I’m still a full time Mum and that’s hugely important to me. When I visited my daughter’s school I asked Maisie to tell her

classmates about my job... and she informed them that I did washing up, cooking and laundry! Hopefully when she gets older the writing will seem more important to her and she’ll be proud of me too.

Any bad bits? The publishing industry is very difficult to break into and years of rejections can be a bit soul destroying.

You just have to keep your self-belief and determination. I’ve had to learn patience too; the waiting part is hard. You can send a Manuscript and not hear back for months.

On a more practical note, it can be frustrating when you feel like you’re writing really well, you’re in the flow... and the baby wakes up and you can’t get back to it for two days. But on the whole there aren’t many bad bits in what I do. I’m extremely lucky.

How do you fit work around family life? Luckily from 11 months Maisie was a fairly reliable sleeper so I would set my alarm for 5:45am, get up and do two hours writing before she woke up. Riley is a much less reliable sleeper (he had lactose and dairy intolerance and silent reflux) and has literally just started to sleep through on a semi-regular basis so the idea of getting up at 5am to fit two hours writing in before the school run is not one I’m on board with just yet. I usually get an hour or so while he has his lunchtime nap, or in the evening after both kids have gone to bed.

What advice would you give to other mums looking to work for themselves?

Being able to set your own hours and be your own boss is fantastic. But you have to love what you are planning to do because chances are you’ll have to work hard and late. What I do isn’t nine to five. After a day chasing the kids around then I have to sit and write. Luckily writing is something I’d choose to do over and above most other things – so if you’re looking to work for yourself, I’d say make sure it’s something you really love – then working till midnight will seem just as fun as watching Buffy re-runs.

Angel’s Fury

By Bryony Pearce Published by Egmont Press ISBN: 978 1 4052 5135 8 RRP: £6.99 I’m not normally a fan of “fantasy” stories, but I found Angel’s Fury absolutely captivating. It combines mythology, fantasy and real-life and tells the story of Cassie, a young teenager plagued by visions of a young Holocaust victim every time she sleeps. When Cassie’s sent away for treatment, she meets other children like herself, and comes to realise that she is an old soul from a past life. Teenagers will easily identify with the bullying and victimisation themes that are dealt with here, yet it’s an easy and compelling read. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Caryl Hall

Annabel Beattie Owner – Banana Lane

Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m a 35 year old mother to Freddie aged eight and Matilda aged five. I’m married to Ed and live in Tytherington, Cheshire. I was born and brought up in Cheshire. After studying in Oxford and working in London I returned to my roots in 2000. A couple of years later I married Ed and we started our family.

What is your business? Banana Lane is a quality baby and kids brand currently offering cool and funky clothing that stands out from the normal high street labels. It’s

based online – www.bananalane.co.uk – and its whole ethos is about finding new and exciting ideas that offer something distinctive and funky to wear.

How did you get started? I met Paul through my husband’s marketing agency and noticed that he was always doodling funky characters.

I said to him one day that children would love the characters and that he should do something with them. After an underwhelming online shopping experience trying to buy a gift for my godson I decided that there was a gap in the market for funky, original clothing and I approached Paul to design some t-shirts for me – Banana Lane was born!

What does the future hold for the business? Currently the site offers quality clothing and we’ll be adding to the range over the coming months. However, the longer term aim is to add a range of products, including toys, gifts, shoes, bedding and other items while still retaining the unique and funky spirit.

8 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

What is the best bit about what you do?

Every day is different. I know it’s a cliché but it’s true! I never knew how much was involved in designing something from scratch – the sourcing of the items, the choice of colours, sizes, characters – the list is endless. But it has been an amazing journey and I have really enjoyed every second.

Any bad bits? It’s time consuming finding suppliers that are able to deliver the correct goods and making sure that the quality of the items that I put on the website are of a high enough standard. I am a true believer in ‘quality not quantity’ and know that my approach will pay dividends in the long run not just for me but more importantly for my customers.

How do you fit work around family life?

Juggling is a skill that all mothers have to learn to survive – I just have a few extra balls to try and keep up in the air! Luckily my kids are at an age where they can do a lot of things for themselves and it helps

that this kind of business can be worked on anytime of the day. Of course the continued support of my husband is priceless – we make a good team.

What advice would you give to other mums looking to work for themselves? If it’s something that you are really interested in and passionate about then give it a go. But be realistic – do your research thoroughly and be honest with yourself regarding the amount of time you’ll need to give up. Be prepared to put in a lot of hard work as owning your own business is not all glitz and glamour. But from my experience it’s well worth the effort.

Check out the funky range on www.bananalane.co.uk.

Parents’ place Looking to develop your Personal Style?

Study in Style is a comprehensive Image Consultant Complete Foundation Course that’s ideal for Mums wanting a family-friendly way to return to work.

It’s a flexible, affordable, distance learning package that brings a new career as an Image Consultant, Personal Stylist or Personal Shopper closer to thousands of women across the UK. The course is priced at £2,400 (payment plan available) with separate modules offered from just £450.

Because the modular DVD-based course can be studied at your own pace in your own time, it’s ideal for Mums at home looking for training that will fit around

their busy family life. Course modules include: Personal Shopping; Women’s Style Analysis; Men’s Style Analysis; Colour Analysis; Makeup Application; and Presentation Skills. It also includes a total of 12 month’s free mentoring from image industry expert Gail Morgan.

Karen Cross, 42, is a recent graduate. “I found it a tactile, flexible and interactive course and am delighted that I’m working with new clients already. I set up Style Your Image and I’ve been doing clients properly since Christmas 2010 and am really seeing growing demand for my unique service.”

Designed to provide all the information and equipment you need to start your own business as an Image Consultant, Fashion Advisor, Personal Stylist or Personal Shopper, the Study in Style course is accredited and audited by The Federation of Image Consultants (TFIC). All training content, equipment and materials are audited by TFIC and the course meets the standards set by the TFIC/City & Guilds of London, Masters Award in Image Consultancy.

Gail Morgan, creator of Study in Style says: “This course has been designed for women who are interested in clothes and fashion but who don’t necessarily want to become fashionistas! Our face to face courses are very popular but we had numerous requests for a home study course. I knew that using just books and photographs wouldn’t be enough, so I transferred the training experience into DVD and created this distance learning programme, so that wherever you are, you will have the opportunity to run

your own style business. Following your training you will have the knowledge and appreciate the importance of tact and empathy necessary to help your clients find clothes that suit them, their lifestyle, personality and budget. You will be able to start your own business, doing a fun, interesting job that gives you the flexibility to work around your family commitments.” For more details visit www.studyinstyletraining.com.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN To win a one-to-one remote image and coaching session worth £200 with image industry expert Gail Morgan, just go to the competition section on our website – www.familiesmanchester.co.uk – and answer the following question: “Who is the Study in Style training course accredited by?” The competition closes 31 July.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 9

Parents’ place A dad’s point of view Bruce Sallan recently celebrated his 100th “A dad’s point of view” column on www.superdads.co.uk – no nonsense advice for parents.

I find it hard to believe but this is my one hundredth “A Dad’s Point-of-View” column.

How best to celebrate this milestone?

I’d like to look back at the previous 99 and choose ten strong ideas among them and briefly share them with you.

1. There’s no such thing as quality time.

I learned early on in my parenting that the often-quoted notion of “Quality Time” was bunk. The only thing that matters to our children is “Quantity Time” since the only time they will open up is when they are good and ready. You can’t schedule time with your children the way you might with a business appointment and the moments that will surprise you the most are when you least expect it. There is no such thing as quality time, only quantity time.

2. Gratitude About five years ago, I survived a car crash that should have left me dead or worse. A man I greatly respect, Dennis Prager, has often said that the single most important ingredient to happiness is gratitude. That accident reinforced, very dramatically, his

words to me. Too often we are living our lives waiting for that something we think will make us happy rather than counting the blessings right in front of us.

3. My kids aren’t me, in spite of sharing the same DNA I learned a valuable lesson about parenting before I became a parent, when I was a Big Brother to a little girl. We shared nothing in common. I learned to bond with her in spite of our differences and found that experience to be the best prep course for parenting my own two boys, who also turned out to not fully share my interests. Too many parents think that just because their children share their DNA (which of course is not the case in adoption) that their children should share their same interests. All this does is set a pattern of hurt and disappointment for both child and parent. Don’t do this. Support what your child is interested in rather than push him or her to do what you want them to do.

4. Words that hurt, words that heal The power of words can be as harmful as the power of a fist. With the advent of modern technology, we’ve seen the damage that a simple text can do to a middle school child when something hurtful is spread around about him or her. And, like a leaf blown in the wind, it can’t be retrieved. It is incumbent upon us as parents to teach our children to watch what we say, what we write, and what we text and to model good behaviour in this regard and not gossip and not disparage others with casual disregard.

5. Best friend or best parent The job of being a parent is not being our children’s best friend, yet too many parents confuse the two and try to be their children’s buddy. To achieve this buddy status, they forego

Flexible working opportunities Capability Jane is absolutely committed to making flexible working work – a refreshing approach for those of us that have had a career break to have children.

Whether you’re ready to find a job or simply need to gain clarity on your next move, they can help you make that important first step towards returning to work. Their experienced team of recruitment specialists will contact you with roles that best utilise your skills and experience, and for those who lack the confidence to take the next step or need further clarification on which direction to go in, they have developed a number of back to work programmes and tools specifically aimed at experienced professional women returning to work after a career break.

Register with them online at www.capabilityjane.com or call them on 0845 604 1916 for more information.

10 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

being their best parent. That may mean not being strict, not holding high standards, or relaxing them when their children pout or throw a tantrum. Being the best parent you can be may sometimes mean your son or daughter doesn’t like you at a given moment.

So what. Being liked isn’t your job. Being their best dad or mom is!

6. Do women need men?

A popular feminist slogan of the 1960’s and 1970’s went something like: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”

“We’ve come a long way, baby” is another slogan, I believe, from a cigarette that was marketed to women during the same general era. More bunk. Women need men just as much as men need women. It was foolish to think otherwise back in the hippie days and it’s foolish to think so now. The fact that women now can earn as much and can do what men can do just levels the playing field but doesn’t change our inherent natures.

7. A story of giving One of the blessings of my writing and radio show is meeting people from all over the world. I met a group of children from a girl’s school in Ghana, Africa, through my “A Dad’s Point-of-View” Facebook page. My family began sending them books and soon my readers and radio show listeners were also sending them books, toys, and other things.

We all learned the blessings of giving and charity and how when we give, we get so much more than we ever could expect.

8. There are no perfect friends My mother taught me this basic lesson and I kept on forgetting it as I kept on wanting my friends to be perfect. Just like me. Ha! I also saw how my own boys got into spats with their friends over silly and unrealistic

expectations of their friends. My mom always said that if you wanted perfect friends you wouldn’t have any.

9. The family dinner I read somewhere that the children from families that share meals together suffer fewer problems than those that don’t. The family dinner is essential glue for my family and something that belongs as a ritual in every family. As our children grow older and their friendships and extracurricular activities intrude more and more upon their lives, it is easier to allow the family dinner to drift away. We parents must insist on having a family dinner at least once a week, period.

10. Walk a mile in my shoes Empathy is a simple but very important word. How often do we pass a homeless person without a thought or glance? Or hear a friend’s problem and promptly forget about it? Until you really do as the song says and walk a mile in someone’s shoes, you can’t really know what he or she may be going through. Too often we are caught up in our own problems, big or small, to pay attention to someone else’s problems, which I suggest, are usually bigger than ours. A little reflection upon someone else is a good thing to do now and then. It is good for your soul.

I hope these short reflections from these columns give you some pause to consider the blessings in your lives, maybe to think what you might do to help a friend or neighbour, or to simply hug a loved one and offer a kind word or thought. For me, it’s on to the next hundred.

Article courtesy of www.superdads.co.uk. Superdads, helping men everywhere make the transition into fatherhood and beyond!!

Parents’ place Be your own boss Today, nearly two-thirds of mums are in work and statistics show that on average, working mums spend more time on childcare each day than working dads.

It is not surprising then, that flexible working is a top priority for most parents. With that in mind, many women are considering starting their own business and more and more are discovering the advantages franchising has to offer.

For Verity Graham, Co-director of Jabberjacks Franchising Ltd, that was exactly the case when she and her

business partner Jackie Johnstone became Franchise Owners of Jabberjacks Leicestershire, a children’s party and pre-school class business.

Verity explains “There are few flexible and rewarding careers out there for mums, particularly those that offer part time hours that fit around family life but for us franchising offered two key benefits, firstly we were buying into a business with a proven track record and secondly we got the flexibility we needed to get a work life balance.”

Now owners of Jabberjacks Franchising Ltd, they are offering others

the same opportunity. Jabberjacks now has franchises operating around the UK with six in the North West area and they are busy looking for other likeminded people to join the Jabberjacks family. Franchising offers security and independence of self-employment, so is ideal for busy mums considering a route into business.

Jackie Johnstone comments: “Many mums find they suffer from a lack of confidence after leaving the job market for so long but that isn’t necessary. You have to take a deep breath and go for it.”

Mediation for divorcing couples

Lost child?

Mediation has become the first-tier approach to sorting out disputes between divorcing couples, under new measures that came into force in England and Wales this spring.

Ministers hope the measures will dramatically reduce the burden of divorcing couples on already-overworked family courts, and also that they will reduce the emotional and financial cost for couples who are splitting up – many who do end up in court say later that

Have you ever been at a crowded event and lost your child?

We all know how easily this can happen, and it is exactly what occurred when mum Donna Newman’s son Bradley wandered off at a local music festival. As a consequence, Donna was inspired to launch new child safety initiative Please Call Mum to help reunite lost children with parents. Please Call Mum is a range of temporary tattoo transfers that can be personalised with a mobile number and applied easily to a child’s forearm.

their battle wasn’t worth putting themselves through, and that mediation would have been a better way. Under the new rules, any couple wanting to use the courts will have to undergo a compulsory mediation session costing up to £140 – and only if mediation is found to be unworkable will they be allowed to proceed to court. www.nfm.org.uk.

Franchising helps to support that confidence building and learning curve because it provides a tried and tested business model with full training and ongoing support from your franchisor, as well as support from other franchise owners that have already made the transition.

Franchising can be like a security blanket, although it is important to realise that it isn’t handholding all the way; you are running your own business and you need to put in the work.

For more information please visit www.jabberjacks.co.uk or call 01509 413873.

So, for an extra level of reassurance when you’re out and about, or to let people know if your child has an allergy or other medical condition, it’s worth a look. Transfers cost £6.50 for a sheet of 12 from www.pleasecallmum.com and you can choose from designs such as princesses, submarines and racing cars.

Please Call Mum are offering the first 100 Families readers free transfer tattoos – just use the promotional code FMAG11 on their website.

Advertise in Families Manchester Call Jayne on: 01625 801801 or email advertising@familiesmanchester.co.uk

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 11

Health & fitness Feeling the pressure to shape up?

With celebrity mothers such as Rachel Stevens and Rachel Zoe frequently being photographed looking back to their pre-pregnancy shape just weeks after child birth, the UK’s leading discount website conducted a study with over 1,400 mothers in a bid to discover their attitudes towards losing their baby weight.

The study, conducted by www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, initially asked the respondents if they wanted to lose the weight that they had gained during their pregnancy, to which the majority, 84%, admitted that they did want to.

Mothers taking part were asked, ‘Do you feel pressured by celebrity mothers who have lost their baby weight quickly to do the same?’ More than a third, 34%, of the mothers asked said that they did feel pressured.

24% of the mothers polled admitted that before labour they thought that it would take them ‘6 weeks’ to lose the

additional weight that they would gain, whilst 9% had predicted during the early stages of their pregnancy that it would take them just ‘two weeks’ to lose the weight that they would put on during their pregnancy.

Mark Pearson, Chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, said: “As a nation, we are almost obsessed with keeping an eye on the celebrities we admire, particularly when it comes to their appearance. Most female celebs have released a diet and exercise regime or some kind of ‘secret’ that they have that keeps them in shape, and subsequently it isn’t that surprising that some mothers are feeling pressured to shift the weight they gained as soon as possible. The things that the ‘in shape’ celebrities don’t tell us is the amount that they spend on personal trainers and chefs that specialise in ‘healthy living’; not to mention the fact that many have a lot more spare time to work on losing weight. It isn’t fair for women to pressure themselves into keeping up with celebrities as they have completely different lifestyles. New mothers should only focus on their new baby and keeping themselves healthy, as losing weight gradually, if needed at all, is always the best way to do it.”

Maddi from Newborn Fitness (www.fitnessandbeyond.co.uk) talks us through a few options for getting out of control pants and back into skinny jeans. As Pre & Post Natal Exercise Consultants, her company has helped thousands of women achieve this.

Personal Training Personal Training is an option for people who may want to get back into shape in private and with the personal attention and aftercare of a trainer in a one to one setting. The benefits of this are that you

can have sessions completely tailored to suit your specific needs, requirements and goals and these can be held wherever you choose, whether at home, outside or in a private studio. Another great thing about this option is that, as a new mum you can work sessions around feeding, sleeping and other activities which may impact upon your available time but which you would rather not rearrange or stop. The number of sessions is dependent upon budget and the beauty of personal training is that you will be given separate work to do at home and have a full range of support outside of sessions. There will also be no need for equipment as everything you need will be brought to your door to make sessions effective, fun and worry free, all you need do is simply be there with a smile and a willingness to work!!

Post Natal Exercise Classes These are a very popular choice and usually have 2 options, indoor and outdoor sessions.

The beauty of the post natal exercise class is that the sessions can be designed around the needs and requirements of the post natal body and the demands of being a new mum but without the cost of a one to one Trainer and whilst having fun getting fit with other new mums. Benefits of classes are endless; you get programmes to help meet your needs, all equipment will be provided during sessions and proper teaching points given to help you exercise on your own safely at home; there is no need for separate childcare as baby comes along; you get committed to a programme taking care of yourself (usually 5 – 6 week bookings at a time) and you get to meet other mums going through exactly the same process at the same time!

Gyms You may want to head down to your local gym. This can be a great option but it is important that you speak to a post natal

PackIt from TrendyKid. Promotes healthy eating.

New from TrendyKid is PackIt, a freezable and reusable gel lined food and drink storage bag that offers a healthy alternative to keeping food and drinks chilled and fresh for up to 10 hours.

Compact and extremely versatile the PackIt folds neatly to store in the freezer until ready to fill and go. It’s perfect for school, work, holidays, sporting events, festivals, concerts, days out, camping and just about any other reason for taking

a packed lunch or a snack. It can even be used for babies’ bottles.

PackIt needs no ice packs or ice to keep the contents cool, and has a capacity of 6.5 litres.

Made from non toxic and PVC and lead free materials PackIt is kind to the environment as well as totally safe to use by any family member.

PackIt makes it easy to pack more varied and healthier meals, ensuring that anything perishable is kept suitably

12 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

chilled, meaning that leftovers can go back in the fridge, reducing waste and saving money.

PackIt is available from TrendyKid (www.trendykid.co.uk) or Amazon. RRP £14.99

specialist from within the gym or hire the services of someone externally who can advise on and monitor the activity you do at the gym but remotely (i.e. someone who will consult with you in a one to one setting and then devise programmes and schedules for you to do independently whilst at the gym).

Maria, personal trainer and coowner of Glo Family in Cheadle says: “Shaping-up after pregnancy and birth is a slow process and patience is required.

You will need a six week check and a chat with your doctor to make sure you are ok to begin some gentle exercise. Joints and ligaments will still be relaxed, particularly if you are breast feeding, and you need to take things slowly. Always look for a specialist in post-natal exercise to start your training with, getting the right advice is really important. Not only will starting exercise again make you feel more confident, it will help you stay strong and fit enough to cope with the rigours of motherhood. ” Glo Family offers some great ways to shape up with specialist trainers: Postnatal workout (Mondays 10.30) includes an all over body workout which is safe and effective. The class is led by an highly experienced Postnatal Personal Trainer. On Tuesdays, Postnatal Pilates (Tuesdays 1 – 2 pm) with Physiotherapist Kath Taylor works on strengthening those core muscles and regaining your pre-baby shape and tone. You can bring babies to both classes. Hatha Yoga (Tuesdays 7.30) is another gentle form of exercise which will help your body recuperate and strengthen. For more information visit www.glofamily.com.

Health & fitness Game, set and match in miniature

As tennis fever hits the country following Wimbledon, the good news is that there are lots of opportunities to play tennis with Tennis Tykes, the unique tennis play and skills programme for boys and girls from 2 years upwards in the Cheshire and South Manchester area.

But why play tennis and what are the benefits for your child? The USTA (US Tennis Association) recently engaged the services of a top scientist (Jack L.

Groppel, PhD) who looked at the facts and confirmed that tennis really is the healthiest activity that people can participate in and “a sport for life.” He states that many sports can promote your well-being but that tennis is the best in ensuring great physical, emotional and mental well-being. Tennis players scored higher in vigour, optimism and self-esteem than other athletes (Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern Connecticut State University).

Scientists at the University of Illnois also showed that playing tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking and that it may therefore generate new connections between nerves in the brain thus promoting a lifetime of continuing development of the brain. All this, in addition to the obvious physical benefits, with studies on calorific expenditure going so far as to show that

competitive tennis burns more calories than aerobics or cycling.

Caroline Buncall, founder of Tennis Tykes, has seen the positive effects tennis has had on the physical and emotional development of young children through her sessions. The children who come to the weekly sessions start from preschool age and as young as 2 years old and she also runs classes at a number of high quality nursery schools.

“We initially look to develop simple ball skills and introduce mini rackets with the children hitting sponge balls over low mini nets. The children find it great fun and we discuss colours and numbers to aid their educational development.

The classes develop children’s basic co-ordination skills, gross and fine motor control, agility and balance and at the same time also promote social interaction, develop confidence and language and

listening skills as they participate with their peers. Personal achievement is also rewarded and we build on the skills achieved each week with stickers and charts for every child and suggestions for ball practise to try at home.

Andy Murray started playing tennis at the age of 3 with his Mum, Judy, so why not give your child the chance to enjoy the same, great lifelong sport. They may or may not be the next Andy Murray, but the science is clear that playing tennis can only positively benefit your child in a large number of ways.

Tennis Tykes classes take place in Bramhall, Didsbury, Hale, Knutsford and Wilmslow. For further information and to book your FREE TASTER LESSON, please log onto www.tennistykes.co.uk or contact Caroline on 07843 342662 / caroline.buncall@tennistykes.co.uk.

Women on wheels for fitness and fun Survey exposes Manchester’s workers as too weary to be work-perfect

Olympic Gold medallist Victoria Pendleton will be taking part in Cycletta, sponsored by Sky Ride, a unique series of women-only, mass participation events, created for women to cycle for fitness and fun in the perfect environment and to inspire more women to take up cycling.

Two events are scheduled in 2011; Cycletta North on 2nd October at Tatton Park near Manchester and Cycletta South on the 11th September at Whipsnade Zoo, Beds near London. Thousands of women are expected to take part, inspired by the opportunity to cycle alongside Victoria and take on a new sporting challenge.

Cycletta events will take place on a 40km course, a distance specifically designed to provide a fitness challenge, while remaining fun, achievable and accessible. Cyclists of all abilities will be tackling the challenge, from committed

enthusiasts looking for a blast on traffic free roads, to women who are eager to regain their confidence back in the saddle.

The Cycletta experience will begin from registration, with regular training tips, equipment and nutrition advice, including personal anecdotes of support from the current Olympic gold medallist.

Victoria said: “Cycling has been my passion since I was a child. Through the Cycletta series I want to inspire women to join me and cycle; as a hobby, a sport, a way to get fit and healthy. Whatever the reasoning, cycling can improve your life.

I hope Cycletta will bring women together as they take on their own cycling challenge.”

Victoria is joined by a dynamic group of Cycletta ambassadors including celebrity Mothers Gabby Logan, and Gail Emms as well as Miranda Hart and Clare Balding who will do their part to encourage and motivate women to take up cycling. Join Victoria and others by visiting www.cycletta.co.uk.

Nearly a third of workers in Manchester have admitted to making silly slip-ups at work, a survey of 3,000 people by Pharmaton® Vitality Capsules has revealed... the reason? They feel completely and utterly shattered!

Job security, parenting problems and money troubles are just some of the reasons Manchester residents are feeling tired on a daily basis. Not only are mistakes being made but a huge 36% cancel fun-filled nights out seemingly in favour of their beds and almost 7% even admit to falling asleep at their desks! Furthermore, nearly a quarter of stressed city workers are not sleeping well even when their heads hit the pillow leading to 25% feeling tired or mentally exhausted at least twice a week.

Lack of exercise and a poor diet are not helping with energy slumps with workers regularly drinking caffeine (38%) and eating sugary foods such as chocolate (42 %) to try and combat fatigue.

Pharmaton® Vitality Capsules spokesperson Louise White said: “When

you’re tired it’s easy to see how mistakes occur. Taking a supplement such as Pharmaton® Vitality Capsules can help to relieve periods of exhaustion and improve physical capacity, when taken daily for 28 days or more.

Pharmaton® Vitality Capsules are more than just a supplement – they are a unique blend of vitamins, minerals and Ginseng clinically proven to relieve periods of exhaustion by sustaining energy levels throughout the day. After hearing these claims, editor Jayne quickly offered to try them out, surviving on early starts (5am with the little ones!!) and hectic days (kids, work, house, animals etc, etc) a bit of help was needed. Jayne said “I do feel a little sharper after taking the capsules for a few weeks. I feel as if I am getting more done in a day and I am no longer ready to flake out by about 7pm (more like 9.30pm now!). There is no ‘buzzy’ feeling as if I need to rush about and be busy, the difference is subtle but certainly there. I am also aware that my eating habits aren’t great through the day until I am cooking for the whole gang in the evening so I think the boost of vitamins that I might be missing is a real bonus.”

They are available in packs of 30, 60 or 100, priced from £9.18 and are stocked in chemists, superstores and health shops. Visit www.pharmaton.co.uk for further information.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 13

Summertime special ©GERAS

Fourteen simple but fabulous things to do this summer The sun is out, the school holidays are almost here. What are you going to do – ideally without spending a fortune – in the lovely, long (we hope!) summer ahead? Joanna Moorhead shares her top ideas for how to enjoy the days – and lay down some happy memories.

1. Visit a pick-your-own farm

“That was the best day of my life,” says my daughter Miranda, 12, of our trip a couple of summers ago to a pick-yourown farm. She loved everything about it: choosing which farm to go to beforehand, looking online at what would be in season on our visit, running around picking strawberries when we got there, and making jam and puddings with her fruit when we got home afterwards. There are more than 600 pick-your-own farms across the UK; to find some in your area, see www.pickyourownfarms.org.uk

2. Organise a street party If you enjoyed your Royal Wedding street party – or if you looked on enviously at other people’s parties – why not throw one this summer? It’s a lovely way to spend a summer evening – and if you don’t want to go to the hassle of getting the council to close the road, and you’re lucky enough to have a park or green space nearby, you could always hold it there instead. Simply drop invitations through your neighbours’ doors, and organise a planning meeting.

3. Plant a veggie grow-bag You don’t need any more space than a window-box, or a tiny space in your yard, for a veggie grow-bag – and your kids will love deciding what to plant, sowing the seeds, remembering to water them and then charting their progress from seedling to stomach. Potatoes are an ideal starter veg if you’re new to growing.

14 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

4. Pitch a tent in the garden

5. Stargaze!

Whether your family are regular campers or not, there’s nothing to beat the excitement of a tent pitched in the garden. If you don’t have your own, borrow one from a friend who camps – not too big, ideally, and not too difficult to assemble. Once it’s up, encourage the children to decorate it with all they need for a long, lazy day in the garden – cushions, blankets, books, iPods. And of course, lunch and tea can be picnics under canvas!

Choose a night when the sky is very clear, and there’s no moon. Before you go out, look online or at a book about the constellations, and choose a shape to look for that should be visible at the time of year, and in the area you’re facing (check these before you go). Look out for the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius. If you’re an amateur at stargazing, start with a (relatively) easy constellation to spot, such as the Big Dipper. It might take a while to work things out, but stick with it – and once you’ve identified a constellation, you’ll always find it easy to spot. Always magical.

Summertime special 6. Go cycling

Dust off your helmet, pump up your tyres, and head for a spin through a local park, along a canal bank, or along a cycle track. If you’re not sure what routes are available in your area, check out www.sustrans.org.uk.

Or, if you really don’t have any old bikes hanging around that you can crank back into service, why not investigate the possibility of hiring them for a day (or even a week) and exploring your neighbourhood in a whole new way? And if your kids are tiny, invest in a baby seat – my children loved nothing more, as toddlers, than the chance to ride across the common singing nursery rhymes on the front of my bike.

7. Build a den Den-building courses abound (see www.forestry.gov.uk), and taking your kids on a course can give them ideas for dens for the entire summer. But you don’t need a tutor: den-building is as natural as breathing to most kids. Look for spaces that are especially conducive to dens – woods, of course, are ideal. If you’re confined to the garden, find some props to get them started – a huge cardboard box is perfect. If you’ve not got one to hand, try asking a local builder or large store whether they have any packaging you could have.

8. Go wild swimming...

...or even, if your kids are tiny, wild paddling? Nothing beats the fresh, cool, vibrant feel of wild water on your face or even just between your toes. Some of my happiest summer days as a mother have been spent picnicking, and paddling, and even swimming in the streams and brooks around where my parents lived in west Yorkshire. For ideas of where to go to find wild water near you, see www.wildswimming.co.uk. If you’re an abject townie who really can’t get to somewhere with a stream or river, make do with a lido instead – www.lidos.org.uk.

9. Try sand sculpture

Sand sculpting is bigger than ever before – each summer, the papers groan with photographs of wonderfully-crafted figures, buildings and entire kingdoms on beaches near and far. But it doesn’t have to be a professional art – why not take your children on a beach day out with sculpture in mind? Start with a flotsam and jetsam-collecting session, since this will add plenty of fuel to your ideas, and then set off. If you’re being competitive, give everyone a time limit for the creation of their masterpieces.

10. Organise a rounders match Everyone loves a rounders match (or you can make it cricket). Simply phone a few other families, identify your park or space for the match, choose your day, and pitch up with the bats and balls, the post-markers, and the rugs and picnics for lunch.

Make sure the teams are wellbalanced in terms of age, ability etc, and play hard! It’s a wonderfully bonding experience.

11. Row a boat

Everyone has a park with a boating lake somewhere within striking distance, so why not throw caution to the wind and try out the boats? Make sure the kids wear life jackets (which should be available from the hire attendant), and take it in turns to row (so what if you end up going round and round? It’s all part of the fun.).

12. Go fishing Kids love fishing! If you know an adult who enjoys fishing, get your child to chat with them – or go to visit the local riverbank or lake where people fish, and let your child ask the fishing folk questions. If your child seems keen, this might be a good time to invest in a fishing kit – but if you’d like to try it out without a big outlay, or your kids are young, go for a dipping net. And remember that, if you and your child take up ‘proper’ fishing, you’ll need a licence from the Environment Agency (www.environment-agency.gov.uk).

Summer Festivals

13. Borrow a dog

You might own a dog already, of course, in which case just skip this idea and go take him or her out for a walk instead! But if you’re not a dog-owner, and if you have a child or children, chances are that a dog would be a welcome guest – so why not invite one over, for the day or even for the weekend? We regularly foster two dogs, Rocco and George, while their owners are away: my children love the chance to take them for walks and to bath them and feed them. It’s all the fun without the ties – and without enthusiasm ever waning. To find your dog, just ask around: dog-owners need breaks too.

14. Fly your kite The sun is out, the sky is blue. There’s a breeze fluttering: and what could be more fun than watching your child’s kite playing on the gentle wind? Kites don’t always fly first time, of course – they take practice.

But most homes have at least one kite forgotten in a cupboard – or you can make your own, using dowelling and paper and glue. If you’re really keen, there are even professionals who’ll give you kite-flying lessons in windy spots across the country – see www.kitevibe.com.

On your bike Sunday 7 Aug Sky Ride Manchester Sky Ride is coming back to Manchester!

It’s a unique opportunity to ride your bike through Manchester’s streets without a car in sight. It’s free and easy to register and anyone can get involved, no matter how wobbly you might be on a bike.

In 2010, more than 20,000 people took part in Sky Ride Manchester. This year they’re expecting even more riders to join in. The route is entirely open and optional, so you can come and go as you please and ride for as long as you choose.

Ride past Manchester’s World renowned landmarks and enjoy the entertainment planned throughout the day.

Sky Ride Manchester will remind you that getting on a bike is about more than just getting to your destination. It’s about relishing the journey, the place you’re in, and the people you’re with. Find out more and register for free at www.goskyride.com/manchester.

Thurs 7 – Sun 10 July Stockton Heath Festival – Stockton Heath Four days of live music, comedy, theatre, family entertainment & more. There’s something for everyone. Look out for “The Fantastic Mr Fox”, an open air film show, dance and gymnastic displays, puppet shows, a dog display an arts & crafts market and a farmer’s market. www.stocktonheathfestival.co.uk.

Thurs 30 June – Sun 17 July Manchester International Festival This Festival of new and original work returns for the 3rd time, taking place across the city in a range of established venues including the Palace Theatre, The Bridgewater Hall, the Opera House, The Lowry, Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth Art Gallery. Head over to MediaCity UK for The Crash of The Elysium – A Live Dr Who adventure for children aged 6-12, and Music Boxes – a musical playground for children aged 6 months to 7 years. From jamming with fantastical musical instruments to opera for the undertwo’s; from making your own pop video to learning how to play the ukulele, Music Boxes will be 14 days of FREE musical magic Sat 2 – Sun 17 (closed Mondays). Find out more at www.mif.co.uk.

Thurs 4 – Sun 7 Aug The Family Friendly Film Club Weekender An exciting range of film screenings taking place at cultural venues across the North West, providing fun for all the family! Full details not available at the time of going to press, but keep an eye on www.goseethis.com/filmclub for further information and updates on screening times and locations.

Fri 16 Sep to Sun 18 Sep Ramsbottom Festival – Ramsbottom Cricket Club Put it in your diary now - this 3 day boutique music festival in the picturesque town of Ramsbottom, just half an hour from Manchester city centre, promises to be an excellent weekend destination for families. With some great music on offer from bands such as The Waterboys, The Animals and Badly Drawn Boy as well as some tasty local food and drinks and loads of fun entertainment for the kids, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better way to spend the weekend. For more information: www.ramsbottomfestival.com.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 15

Summertime special Summer Camps & Clubs Glo Family’s Holiday Diary There’s lots going on down at Glo Family in Cheadle to help keep the children entertained over the Summer holidays.

French Holiday Club with La Jolie Ronde Age 3 – 11 10.30 – 12.30 (£5 deposit to reserve place) Wed 6, 13, 20 & 27 July Wed 17, 24 & 31 August Little Superstars unique fun multi sports for little ones Age 21 months to 5 years Tues 2 August 9.45 – 12.30, Mon 15 August 13.30 – 16.15 Thurs 25th August 9.45 – 12.30 Holiday clubs Age 3 – 5 years £10 a session 2½ hour clubs running 2 – 3 times weekly throughout the holidays. Leave your little ones in the care of Tiny NVQ registered staff to be entertained with sports and craft activities. For details of days and times, contact info@glofamily.com or 0844 800 7380. www.glofamily.com.

Brand new summer camp for Manchester families!

This summer, for the first time, Super Camps will be bringing their fantastic summer camp programme to William Hulme’s Grammar School in Manchester!

Their Multi-Activity Camps for children aged 4-14 offer a fantastic range of over 40 activities (sports, arts & crafts) so the school holidays need never be boring again! If your children want a summer holiday that’s full to the brim with action, adventure and fun, book them into Super Camps today! Camp dates are 25th July 19th August and can be booked by the day or by the week.

Camps run Monday-Friday, 9.20am - 4.30pm and they also offer FREE extended hours (8am – 6pm) so drop-off and collection is convenient for parents. The venue is located just off the Princess Road so will be a great option for commuters and local families. All Super Camps camps are Ofsted registered so parents can rest assured their little ones are in safe hands; this also means that childcare vouchers can be used to pay for your booking. Standard prices are £34 per day, £154 per week see their website for details of discounts available! For more information or to book, see www.supercamps.co.uk or call 01235 832222.

Razzamataz Summer School 2011

One of Manchester’s funkiest theatre schools, from the network that's been on “Dragon’s Den”, is now open for summer school bookings. Open to ages 4-16, Razzamataz Summer School is a week of acting, singing, dance (including street dance), prop-making and costuming, finishing in a performance for parents on the final day. This year’s theme is space travel and the future. “We take a fresh and invigorating approach to summer school, which the students really enjoy, and our prices are affordable.” says Rhonwen McCormack, Razzamataz Manchester South principal.

The Summer School takes place at Chorlton High School, Nell Lane, Chorlton M21 7SL from Mon 8 – Fri 12 August. Places are limited, so book now! Call 0161 225 3990 or email manchestersouth@razzamataz.co.uk. www.razzamataz.co.uk.

Enjoy-a-Ball Summer Camps

These action packed 4-hour camps for children aged 4 – 8 offer fun games, in and outdoor activities and arts & crafts to take home. This year they’ll be running at: Chorlton C of E Primary School, Vicars Road M21 9JA 9am – 1pm Mon 25 – Fri 29 July Mon 1 – Fri 5 August St Michael’s Church Hall, St Michael’s Avenue, Bramhall SK7 2PG 9am – 1pm Mon 8 – Thurs 11 August Sessions cost £19.50, with discounts available for early booking and siblings.

Places are limited, so early booking is advised. To receive a booking form, email ‘summer camp booking form’ to sam.hinckley@hotmail.com. Or for more information call Sam on 07973 88 67 83. www.enjoy-a-ball.com.

16 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Give your kids some Sunshine this summer

This summer, your child could become part of the north-west’s best dance studio, learn dance skills and routines from trained industry professionals, whilst making friends and keeping fit!

Sunshine Studios represent the region’s most successful and credible dance studio. Over the past 6 years, Sunshine has grown and helped the local community explore their talent and reach their dance potential, with appearances from their very own dance troupes at local festivals and national competitions.

Sunshine have a variety of dance classes, from ballet, tap and jazz to street, hip-hop and break dance! As well as this, they offer hip-hop summer camps, open to street dancers all over the globe and taught by world class professional dancers.

This summer, Sunshine are giving the younger dancers the chance to reach their potential and gain professional dance skills at their Under 12’s hip-hop summer school 2011!

Dancers from the X-factor and America’s best dance crew, to choreographers who have danced with Justin Bieber represent the level of expertise available.

At £70 for the week, your kids are

getting fitness and modern dance skills they can use to reach their dancing potential, or even just show off to their friends! So keep your kids entertained this Summer with Sunshine Dance Studios!

Find out more about this experience call 0161 248 6814 or visit the Sunshine Studios website for more details www.sunshine-studios.co.uk.

Stagecoach Summer School If you’d like your child to experience one of the best weeks of their life, then why not try the Holiday Workshop at Salford or Didsbury Stagecoach. From the moment they arrive they will enjoy an action packed week of singing dancing and drama and be involved in the creation of a unique show at the end of the week.

They start the first day with fun and games to allow everyone to get to know each other and very quickly start to put together songs and dances which are going to be part of the final production.

This year, their workshop for 8 to 18 year olds is based on the popular television series Glee. Younger children aged 4 to 7 have a shorter workshop – just half a day each day and they will be working towards a performance of the eternally popular story of Peter Pan. Over the twelve years that their holiday workshops have taken place, children have had such a good time they haven’t wanted it to end! If you would like your child to take part then call principal Anne Boardman on 0161 789 1349. www.stagecoach.co.uk/didsbury or www.stagecoach.co.uk/salford.

Summertime special More ideas for holiday clubs and camps: Kings Camps Ages 4 – 17 Mon 1 – Fri 12 Aug at Bridgewater School Wed 20 July – Fri 19 Aug at Cheadle Hulme School Activity camps or individual days with a great range of sports, activities, games and crafts. www.kingscamps.org or call 0845 643 5272.

Mad Science Camps Mon 1 – Fri 5 Aug / Mon 15 – Fri 19 Aug at Navigation Primary School, Altrincham Children design, build and test a multitude of science projects and take at least one project home every day.

9.30am – 3.30pm £35 per day, £140 per week (10% sibling discount) www.madscience.org/locations /northwest or call 01772 628 844.

Activate Sport Ages 5 – 12 Mon 25 – Fri 29 July (Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy) at Stockport Grammar School Mon 25 – Fri 29 July (Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy) at Bury Grammar School Tues 2 – Thurs 4 Aug 2011 (International Netball Roadshow) / Mon 8 – Fri 12 Aug (Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy) at Bolton School www.activatesport.co.uk 0115 973 1676.

Council Run Holiday Camps Try your local council for holiday camps in your area: Bolton: www.bolton.gov.uk / 01204 333333.

Bury: www.bury.gov.uk / 0161 253 5000.

Rochdale: www.rochdale.gov.uk / 01706 924404.

Salford: www.salford.gov.uk / 0161 794 4711.

Stockport: www.stockport.gov.uk / 0808 800 0606.

Manchester: www.manchester.gov.uk / 0161 234 5000.

The Lowry Theatre Summer School (The Studio) – Summer Divas Mon 1 – Fri 5 August, Age 8-16 An exciting adventure for summer school 2011; using Andy Warhol as an inspiration, work to create a new generation of media divas! Research, record, plan and design a new pool of divas taking inspiration from music, sports and the arts. Use the media, print and digital technology to launch 10 participants into their 15 minutes of fame.

10am – 5pm. £85 (£60 Salford residents)

Family Friendly Holiday Planning Planning a holiday that will suit the whole family’s needs can be difficult at the best of times, but planning for someone with learning disabilities adds extra considerations.

Will the accommodation cater for their physical needs?

Is there a hoist in the bathroom, for example? Is the environment safe and enclosed? Are there sensory issues that may be a problem, like a noisy disco or a brightly-lit restaurant? Do you want a holiday that caters for the whole family or are you trying to encourage independence?

Netbuddy (www.netbuddy.org.uk) has launched an interactive holiday info pack, full of useful tips and information on holidays for people with learning disabilities, both in the UK and abroad. The pack includes information about many different types of holiday accommodation, to suit varying budgets, tastes and requirements.

More than just a listing, Netbuddy’s info pack is designed to be completely interactive, inviting people to add their own tips and recommendations. The pack also includes tips and ideas on planning for a holiday that have been contributed by family carers.

If you’re looking for a family holiday that’s been recommended by other parents, try out these online directories: Recommended family holidays: www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com Away with the kids: www.awaywiththekids.co.uk Tots to travel: www.totstotravel.co.uk Child friendly: www.childfriendly.co.uk Baby-friendly boltholes: www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk Take the family: www.takethefamily.com Baby and Family Holidays: www.babyandfamilyholiday.com

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 17

Summertime special Summer Swimming Making sure your child is safe around water is important at any time, but even more so during the summer. Two local swimming schools tell us more about their classes and holiday clubs.

Summer Holidays but swimmingly…

Puddle Ducks Baby, Toddler and Pre-school swimming classes Puddle Ducks Greater Manchester’s fantastic baby, toddler and pre-school swimming classes are running during the summer holidays so you don’t have to wait until school starts to enjoy teaching your child to swim, be safe and have fun in the water.

Engaging a child’s natural ability and affinity with water, Puddle Ducks swimmers develop confidence in water in a natural way.

In baby swimming classes, infants enjoy freedom of movement, relaxation and bonding, while in the toddler classes, children gain confidence and water safety skills. In all Puddle Ducks swimming classes a child learns to swim without armbands and with grace and efficiency. Puddle Ducks teachers love the fun they have teaching babies and children to swim in a safe and friendly environment. Many of their Puddle Ducks are able to swim at least 10m unaided by the time they start school... and all of them love swimming for life.

Children can join Puddle Ducks at any age from birth with classes specific to age and ability. Each class is a carefully balanced set of activities including group and individual work, swimming, submersion, floating, songs and games.

Swimming is one of the most amazing experiences you can share with your little one – it’s a wonderful way to bond, helping you both feel relaxed and confident in the water. Babies can be taken swimming from birth and Puddle Ducks welcomes babies into their classes from as young as a few weeks. They love the freedom, massage and gentle exercise that the water offers.

Why wait for the start of the school term to bring your little one swimming?

Puddle Ducks classes are held at Momentum Leisure (Wilmslow Road, Manchester), Gorton Education Village (Cedar Mount School) and Esporta Denton and classes are available during the week and at weekends. Their summer holiday classes will be running for a four week term during August at Momentum Leisure on Saturday mornings. For more information call 07411 944566 or email greatermanchester@puddleducks.com.

Further details can also be found at www.puddleducks.com.

Get them swimming this summer Looking for a swim course for your children this Summer? Swimabout is offering intensive week long courses in their ‘Swim Academy’.

The club aims to get children active and motivated by teaching them new aquatic skills such as rescue, lifesaving and first

18 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

aid whilst also developing swimming ability.

ASA swimming badges and certificates can be achieved through the courses. Swim Academy will run from 1st – 5th August in Handforth & Holmes Chapel.

Simon Gustafson, founder of Swimabout, says: “Having worked for many companies over the years I felt restricted as to what I could do for the children because of the limitations of the company I had been working for and its course content. Being restricted as to what I could teach and not being able to deliver high standard of expertise frustrated me immensely as I knew I could personally give a lot more encouragement and satisfaction to not only the child but the watching parent. The syllabus that I have developed focuses heavily on enjoyment of innovative swim practices – as I have seen from experience the success rate of completing any task will increase simply by having a smile on their faces. So the goal of each and every lesson is to motivate and push the children as far as they can go with maximum amount of fun in equal measure.

The child will never be aware that it’s being developed as all they know is that they are having fun but in reality I’m manipulating specificity within the child…”

Simon’s style of teaching really stands out from some of the other swim schools around as he views arm bands as swimming prevention rather than teaching aids. Simon says: “Think how nappies restrict movement in the legs and how over the years they have been steadily reduced in size to allow more movement. From the ages of one to four the human brain acts as a sponge, soaking up all information it can to digest and use for itself, learning speech, movement, recognition, understanding… then you plonk some arm bands on a child and ask them to swim! You are basically telling the developing brain – ‘Don’t move!’ I believe this to be harmful.”

He added “But this is only true for the teaching of swimming, arm bands are an effective life support and should still be used where or when the situation requires.”

Swimabout also run a regular Swim School with weekly term time lessons at various venues on weekdays and weekends. ASA swimming badges and certificates can be achieved through the term. Class sizes are kept small so the teacher can focus on individuals and really instil confidence and build on skills. Or if you are looking for something even more intense, or focused on a particular issue then private sessions can be booked.

For more details about the Swimabout way call Simon on 07515 252708 or visit www.swimabout.net.

Summertime special Stay sun safe with a UV Angel Slapping on the suncream can be a battle especially when children don’t understand why it’s necessary. But Families has discovered a fun range of sun jewellery from Yorkshire based UV Angel.

These great products, made from sun sensitive beads, change colour to let you know that the UV you’re being exposed to could be damaging your skin.

“The idea came after a good friend developed skin cancer,” says Angela Thompson from UV Angel. “When the beads change colour, it makes you think. It reminds you that there’s UV out there and you need to protect yourself.”

There’s a wide range of UV Angel products to choose from including bag tags, key rings, necklaces and bracelets. There’s a fun range for children, as well as a more contemporary range for mums. The darker

the beads go, the more UV there is and they act as a great way to prompt not just sun cream application, but also conversation about the dangers of the sun.

“Kids cook quickly so it’s a parent’s responsibility to protect them,” says Angela.

“If you have a bead on your bag or your body and you see it change colour, ask do the kids need more cream? Do we need to get out of the sun?”

Take a look at the full range of UV Angel products at www.uv-angel.com. Prices start at £2.50.

Before

After

Jump into summer…

Enjoy greater peace of mind on your family holiday this summer with new Puddle Jumpers, an innovative swimming aid from water-recreation equipment expert Sevylor®.

Perfect for keeping little swimmers safe both in the pool and at the beach, Puddle Jumpers guarantee fun and safety in the water, whilst the range of bright colours and fun designs mean your kids will love wearing them!

Ultracomfortable for your child to wear, Puddle Jumpers feature a no-chaff, soft fabric cover that allows for natural movement and greater freedom, meaning children can swim and explore with maximum confidence. Quick and stress-free for parents, your child can be strapped in safely in seconds thanks to the single adjustable buckle at the rear – no more struggling with an unhappy child at the water’s edge.

To find out more about Puddle Jumpers visit www.amazon.co.uk.

Safety from the sun, for children on the move

Perfect when you’re out and about in the Spring or Summer months, award-winning ProtectiShade® is quick and simple to move from car seat to pushchair and back again, so your child stays shaded from the sun wherever you are.

ProtectiShade is the only 360o sunshade that gives children UPF 50+ protection when travelling in the buggy AND in the car.

Plus it’s the only 3-in-1-sunshade that fits child car seats from Group 0 right through to Group 2. Buy it for your newborn and you’ll still be using it on the school run!

Truly flexible, ProtectiShade protects from sunlight and glare whilst still allowing good visibility and ventilation. It adapts easily to provide front and side shade and there’s a neat pocket with a detachable drop-down mesh layer that provides 360o shade as and when it’s needed.

For local stockists call 01823 323363 or visit www.protectishade.com. RRP £39.99.

Do you know what’s in your children’s ice lolly?

The perfect accompaniment to a hot day is a deliciously juicy ice lolly, but if parents knew the truth about what lurks beneath the colourful packaging, they may think twice about giving them to their children.

One of the UK’s best-selling ice lollies which accounts for 48% of the kids’ category sales, claims to be ‘made with real fruit juice and no artificial colours... a burst of fruit refreshment.’ In reality, fruit juice only makes up for 8% of the ingredients; the rest is sugary flavoured water with stabiliser, beta carotene and curcumin, used to create the orange colour. Around half of the recommended daily amount of sugar for an adult woman is contained in just one lolly.

The best way to ensure children are eating

healthy ice lollies is by either making them yourself with pressed fruit and ice lolly moulds or finding a trustworthy brand.

Yummy Lollies! and Real Fruit Frenzy! ice lollies contain nothing but 100% tonguetingling real fruit. Free from additives, colours and preservatives the lollies help children ‘lick their way to 5 a day’ in a fun way. With less than 38 calories per lolly and less than 60 calories per tube they’re good for mums and dads too.

Yummy Lollies! and Real Fruit Frenzy! are available nationwide in health food shops, cafés and delis. Yummy Lollies! are also available at selected Waitrose stores (priced at £3.99 for a multipack of 6). www.yummylollies.com / www.realfruitfrenzy.com.

PUDDLE DUCKS SUMMER HOLIDAY OFFER FOR FAMILIES MANCHESTER READERS

Receive a 10% discount for classes in July and August at Momentum Leisure, Esporta Denton or Gorton Education Village – please quote FA11S when booking in with the office.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 19

Summertime special More great days out Runway Visitor Park

If you’re looking for a great day out…here’s the perfect destination!

Situated between Hale Barns and Wilmslow is the Runway Visitor Park (formally known as the Aviation Viewing Park) and home to the flagship aircraft of the Concorde fleet – where you can watch aircraft arrive and depart from just feet away!

Concorde was introduced onto the park in 2003, and now sits in a purpose build hanger which is also home to Ringways Restaurant and Caterers.

A family orientated restaurant, Ringways is comfortable, stylish and modern yet relaxed. It boasts panoramic views of both Concorde and runways from its 100 seater restaurant with designated coffee area, a separated take-away facility positioned opposite the children’s play area and an ice cream hut for those rare but hot British summer days.

With a delicious menu of great value meals there is a wide variety of food for all tastes and budgets to choose from.

From quick snacks such a paninis and sandwiches to 3 course lunches for those with a bigger appetite, there’s something for everyone (including a children’s menu).

There are many other attractions including 3 other aircraft on the park for you to climb aboard and explore (some admission charges apply). In addition to Concorde, there is a Monarch DC-10 fuselage, Avro RJX and the Nimrod

aircraft dubbed the ‘Spy plane’. There’s also plenty of car parking space, 3 ‘viewing mounds’ complete with static binoculars and benches for relaxing.

You can visit the aviation shop for a souvenir or let the children loose in the newly opened play area or on the bouncy castle (available on fair weather weekends only). Baby changing facilities are available.

Car parking charges apply at £3 per hour (up to a max of £12) but entrance is free for pedestrians! The number 200 Styal Route bus service operates to and from the park via the airport terminals.

The Runway Visitor Park is the perfect place to see the new Emirate A380 double-decker aircraft with a daily route from Manchester to Dubai. You can expect to see that arrive around 12.15pm and depart 1.45pm.

Ringways is also a perfect unique and impressive event space, sure to ‘wow’ guests. It’s ideal for birthday and anniversary celebrations, awards evenings, school balls or any special celebration. Their experienced and dedicated Event Co-ordinator Clare Bright is based on-site and pleased to work with anyone wanting help to plan and coordinate their event.

The Aviation & Transport Fayre is being held at Runway Visitor Park on Sat 9 & Sun 10 July. See tasmanchester.co.uk/TAS_Fair.html for more information.

20 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Get up close and personal with beautiful birds of prey

Simply Falconry is a new family run company providing a wide range of opportunities to get involved with a variety of different owls, falcons and hawks.

Over the summer of months they offer lots of way for you and your family to get up close and personal with their birds; including birthday parties, hawk walks, hunting days, meet the birds and family encounters.

They are often found out and about over the summer months providing displays at a number of fairs and fetes, most recently at Alderley Edge Carnival where Fidgit, the Barn Owl attracted lots of attention as she was only six weeks old and looked like a large ball of soft white fluff! The local Rainbows will shortly enjoy meeting Otis, the Tropical Screech Owl – he is only about 20cm tall!

They have deliberately chosen not to be a centre but to provide a flexible mobile operation allowing them to bring their birds out to you or to meet you at a pre agreed location. As a result they are able to tailor all their activities to meet your own special requirements and can offer you the choice of how you would like to spend your time with the birds.

Their aim is to provide everyone with a truly special experience that will stay with them forever! Visit www.simplyfalconry.co.uk or call 07979 238832 for more information.

The place to meet and eat – and play The transformation is complete and all are welcome at Bean & Brush Family Art Café, open daily on Hayfield Street in Sale, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and beyond.

Find a table, sofa or tucked away booth, with freshly made food from the best ingredients Cheshire has to offer plus delectable drinks from coffees and teas to continental lager, wines and locally brewed bottled Bitters.

Discover their craft studio - this is where the fun really begins, with an amazing selection of bisque ready to paint and Decopatch (painting with paper). The fun continues with adult art classes and children’s parties. Ask about their Biscuit Club every Sunday morning and each weekday morning during school holidays where children can immerse themselves in a wide variety of craft events from T-shirt designing, mosaics, clay modelling and painting.

Call in and see them or contact them on 0161 973 2140 or www.beanandbrush.co.uk for more information.

Library Reading Challenge This summer, let your children join the greatest show on Earth by joining Circus Stars at their local library! This year’s Summary Reading Challenge aims to get children to read six books from their library during the summer holidays.

It’s great fun for kids and doesn’t cost a penny to join. Just head to your local library at the beginning of the holidays to enrol and receive a membership card or pack. The Summer Reading Challenge is designed for children of all ages and reading abilities. They can read any books they like – fact books, stories, joke books, picture books – it’s up to them. Audio books count too! As long as you’re borrowing them from the library, they all count.

Everybody who completes the Challenge gets a certificate, and there may be other rewards from your library, too. Just ask them when you join up. www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

Summertime special More great days out The great outdoors: Aerial Extreme, Trafford Centre www.aerialextreme.co.uk Bruntwood Park www.stockport.gov.uk Chorlton Water Park www.merseyvalley.org.uk Clifton Country Park www.salford.gov.uk/cliftoncountry Daisy Nook Country Park www.oldhamparks.co.uk Debdale Park www.manchester.gov.uk Etherow Country Park www.stockport.gov.uk Heaton Park www.heatonpark.org.uk Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens www.manchester.gov.uk Go Ape, Delamere Forest www.goape.co.uk Hollingworh Lake Country Park www.rochdale.gov.uk Jumbles Country Park www.bolton.org.uk/jumbles.html Moses Gate Country Park www.bolton.gov.uk Moss Bank Park www.bolton.org.uk/mossbank.html Philips Park www.philipspark.org.uk Platt Fields Park www.plattfields.org Reddish Vale Country Park www.reddishvale.moonfruit.com Sale Water Park www.merseyvalley.org.uk Vernon Park www.stockport.gov.uk Wythenshawe Park www.manchester.gov.uk Walk on the wild side: Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port www.blueplanetaquarium.co.uk Chester Zoo, Chester www.chesterzoo.org

Knowsley Safari Park www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk Blackpool Zoo www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk The Chestnut Centre www.chestnutcentre.co.uk Theme parks: Gulliver’s World, Warrington www.gulliversfun.co.uk Alton Tower, Stoke-on-Trent www.altontowers.com Camelot Theme Park, Chorley www.camelotthemepark.co.uk Blackpool Pleasure Beach www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com Farms: Reddish Vale Farm www.reddishvalefarm.co.uk Smithills Open Farm, Bolton www.smithillsopenfarm.co.uk Wythenshawe Park Community Farm www.manchester.gov.uk/ wythenshawepark Red House Farm, Dunham Massey www.redhousefarm.co.uk Heaton Park Animal Centre www.heatonpark.org.uk Cronkshaw Fold Farm, Helmshore www.cronkshaw.co.uk Tatton Park Farm, Knutsford www.tattonpark.org.uk Museums, Galleries, History Museum of Science & Industry www.mosi.org.uk People’s History Museum www.phm.org.uk Manchester Art Gallery www.manchestergalleries.org Imperial War Museum North www.iwm.org.uk The Lowry www.thelowry.com Manchester Museum www.museum.manchester.ac.uk The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth

Museum of Transport www.gmts.co.uk Staircase House, Stockport www.staircasehouse.org.uk Hat Works, Stockport www.hatworks.org.uk Salford Museum and Art Gallery www.salford.gov.uk/museums Stockport Air Raid Shelters www.airraidshelters.org.uk Touchstones, Rochdale www.rochdale.gov.uk Quarry Bank Mill, Style / Lyme Park, Disley / Dunham Massey, Altrincham www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bramall Hall www.bramallhall.org.uk Indoor play centres: Anchor’s Away Play, Wythenshawe www.anchorsawayplay.co.uk Antz in your Pantz, Timperley www.antzinyourpantz.co.uk Curly Whirleez, Bolton www.curlywhirleez.co.uk Kiddie Chaos, Denton www.kiddiechaos.co.uk Head over Heels, Chorlton www.headoverheelsplay.co.uk Kiddly Beanz, Failsworth www.kiddlybeanz.com Land of Play, Trafford Park www.landofplay.co.uk Mischief Makers, Rochdale www.mischiefmakersltd.co.uk Run of the Mill, Stockport www.runofthemill.co.uk Zoom Play Centre, Stockport www.zoomplaycentre.co.uk Indoor Adventure: Airkix, Trafford Park www.airkix.com Awesome Walls, Stockport www.awesomewalls.co.uk Chill Factore www.chillfactore.com Gulliver’s World Splash Zone www.gulliversfun.co.uk

Silver Blades Ice Rink, Altrincham www.altrinchamicedome.co.uk Manchester Climbing Centre www.manchesterclimbingcentre.com Get creative: Legoland Discovery Centre, Trafford Park www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk Brookside Pottery, Poynton www.brooksidepottery.com Pottery Corner, Chorlton www.potsareforpainting.co.uk The Pottery Studio, Bolton www.thepotterystudio.co.uk Bean & Brush Café, Sale www.beanandbrush.co.uk Railways: MOSI steam train www.mosi.org.uk East Lancashire Railway www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway, Chester www.gpmr.co.uk Churnet Valley Railway, Cheddleton www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk Brookside Garden Centre, Poynton www.brooksidegardencentre.com Dragon Miniature Railway, Marple www.freewebs.com/dragonrailway Haigh Miniature Railway, Wigan www.miniaturerailwayworld.co.uk/ Haigh.html Moss Bank Park Miniature Railway, Bolton www.bolton.org.uk/mossbank.html Springfield Park, Rochdale www.rsmee.com Walton Park Trains, Sale www.waltonparktrains.co.uk Waterworks: Trafford Water Sports Centre www.thedeckersgroup.com Salford Watersports Centre www.salford.gov.uk Hyde Leisure Pool www.tamesidesportstrust.com/ hyde_pool_index.asp

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 21

What’s on Activities Daily during July Bramall Hall (closed Monday) Children’s Quiz 1pm – 4pm (1pm – 3pm Sat & Sun) Age 4+ (must be accompanied) Free event.

Normal admission charge applies

Fri 1 July – Sat 8 Oct Chester Zoo Dinosaurs at Large!

Normal admission prices apply

Every Saturday in July Bury Art Gallery & Museum Art Activities 2pm – 3.30pm, Age 4-12 £2 per child. Places limited.

These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go to include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiesmanchester.co.uk

Fri 15 – Sun 17 July

Mon 25 – Sat 30 July

Mon 1 Aug

Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) (also Sat 24 & Sun 31 July) Young Correspondents 1pm – 4pm, Age 5+, Free, drop in

Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) Chocks Away 1pm – 4pm, Age 5+, Free, drop in

Imperial War Museum North (also Fri 5, Fri 12, Thurs 18, Mon 22 & Mon 29 Aug) Animals Aboard 11.30am, Free, drop in

Tues 26 July

Mon 1 – Sat 6 Aug

People’s History Museum The Little People’s History Museum – Mr Ordinary’s Prize 11am – 12pm, Under 5s, £1 per child Booking advised

Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) Stubby – Star of the Trenches 1pm – 4pm, Age 5+, Free, drop in

Sat 16 July Imperial War Museum North (also Wed 20 & Sat 30 July) What Nancy Did Next 11.30am, Age 4-10, Free, drop in Manchester Museum Alternative life drawing class with Dr Sketchy 1pm – 2pm, All ages, Free, drop in The John Rylands Library, Deansgate Here Be Dragons Tour Age 5-12, Booking essential

Bijou Club M3 7NJ Baby Loves Disco 2pm – 5pm £8 per person (non walking babies free)

Mon 4 – Fri 15 July Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester LEGO® Racers events Normal admission prices apply

Fri 8 July Manchester Art Gallery Mini art Club 10.15am – 11.15am / 11.30am – 12.30am Age 0-5, Free, drop in

Sat 9 July Manchester Museum Froglife 11am – 4pm, All ages

Sat 9 & Sun 10 July Manchester Art Gallery Imagine Weekends 12pm – 4pm, Free, drop in Manchester Airport Runway Visitor Park Aviation & Transport Fair Gulliver’s World Peppa Pig 10.30am – 5pm Normal admission prices apply Dunham Massey Teddy Bear’s Picnic 12pm – 4pm, Free event Normal admission charges apply

Fri 15 July Imperial War Museum North (also Tues 19 & Tues 26 July) Animals Aboard 11.30am, Free, drop in

Bury Art Gallery & Museum Young Creatives – Summer Fun 10.30am – 12pm, Age 4-12, £2 per child Places limited

Wed 27 July Sat 16 & Sun 17 July

Sun 3 July

Tues 2 Aug Tues 26 & Thurs 28 July

Manchester Museum The Ancients 11am – 4pm, All ages, Free, drop in

People’s History Museum Poster Power 1.30pm – 3.30pm, All ages, Free, drop in

Fri 29 July Sat 16 – Sun 31 July Worsley Worsley Festival

Manchester Museum Frogs 11am – 12pm, Under 5s, £1 per child.

Book from 22 July

Sun 17 July Imperial War Museum North (also Thurs 21, Sun 24, Thurs 28 & Sun 31 July) Animals and War 11.30am, Age 4-10, Free, drop in

Daily during school holidays Manchester Museum In Touch / Play + Learn / Blackwells Family Backpacks 11am – 3pm, All ages, Free, drop in

Mon 18 – Sun 23 July Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) Take Off 1pm – 4pm, Age 5+, Free, drop in

Manchester Museum Discovery Centre All ages, Free, drop in

Every Saturday in August Bury Art Gallery & Museum Art Activities 2pm – 3.30pm, Age 4-12, £2 per child.

Places limited

Sat 23 July – Sun 4 Sept People’s History Museum Busy bees summer craft table 10am – 5pm, All ages, Free, drop in

Sun 24 July The John Rylands Library, Deansgate Dragons Day Age 5-12, Booking essential

Mon 25 July – Fri 26 Aug Manchester Museum Summer holidays: The Museum Allotment 11am – 4pm, All ages

22 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Tues 2 & Thurs 4 Aug Bury Art Gallery & Museum Young Creatives – Summer Fun 10.30am – 12pm, Age 4-12 £2 per child. No booking necessary but places are limited

Wed 3 Aug Every Saturday & Sunday during August

Sat 23 July Imperial War Museum North (also Wed 27 July) Billy’s War 11.30am, Age 4-10, Free, drop in

Imperial War Museum North (also Sat 6, Tues 16, Fri 19, Tues 23 Aug) What Nancy Did Next 11.30am, Age 4-10, Free, drop in People’s History Museum Living History performance: Strike A Light! – A Matchgirl’s Story 1.30pm – 2pm, 7+, Free, drop in Manchester Art Gallery (also Thurs 4, Tues 9, Thurs 11, Tues 16, Thurs 18, Tues 23 & Thurs 25 Aug) Far, Far Away 1pm – 3pm (sign in from 12.30pm) Under 5s, Free, drop in

Every Wed & Sat in Aug Imperial War Museum North What a performance: War Correspondent 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm Free, drop in

Manchester Art Gallery (also Fri 5, Wed 10, Fri 12, Wed 17, Fri 19, Wed 24 & Fri 26 Aug) Far, Far Away 1pm – 3pm (sign in from 12.30pm) Age 6-11, Free, drop in People’s History Museum Protest pots 1.30pm – 3.30pm, All ages, £2, drop in

Thurs 4 Aug Imperial War Museum North (also Mon 8, Thurs 11, Mon 15, Thurs 25, Sun 21 & Sun 28 Aug) Oskar’s Journey 11.30am, Age 4-10, Free, drop in

Thurs 4 – Sun 7 Aug Every Wed in Aug Imperial War Museum North (also Sun 7, Sun 14, Sat 20 & Sat 27 Aug) Animals and War 11.30am, Age 4-10, Free, drop in Bramall Hall Summer Papercraft Workshops 1.30pm – 3.30pm All ages (must be accompanied) £2 per child, drop in

Manchester Museum Family Friendly Film Club Weekender

Fri 5 Aug Lyme Park Picture This…

12pm – 4.30pm, Free event Normal admission charges apply

Visit www.familiesmanchester.co.uk for more information on these listings.

What’s on

Sat 6 Aug

Sun 7 Aug

Mon 8 – Sat 13 Aug

Tues 9 & Thurs 11 Aug

Manchester Museum Big Saturday: the Museum Allotment All ages Chester Zoo Elephant & Dinosaur Evening & BBQ Adults £34.95, Children (<16) £24.95 Manchester Art Gallery Family Art Club Age 6-11, Free, drop in

The Kingsway Lower School, Cheadle Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12.30pm

Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) Open Studio: A Chance for Peace 1pm – 4pm, Age 5+, Free, drop in

Bury Art Gallery & Museum Young Creatives – Summer Fun 10.30am – 12pm, Age 4-12, £2 per child Places limited £2 per child, Places are limited

Sat 6 & Sun 7 Aug

Mon 8 – Fri 12 Aug

East Lancashire Railway Day out with Thomas Adults £14, Children £7 (3-15 years of age), Family (2 Adults & 3 Children) £35.

Under 3s FREE

Quarry Bank Mill Design-a-day 11am – 5pm, Free event Normal admission charges apply

Sun 7 – Sun 28 Aug Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) Young Correspondents 1pm – 4pm, Age 5+, Free, drop in

Win a family ticket to see Mr Stink at The Lowry!

fabulously smelly, scratch and sniff production at The Lowry from Tues 2 to Sun 14 August. It’s a funny and thought provoking tale suitable for children aged 7+ and their families.

David Walliams, star of Little Britain, has written the smelliest book of all time – Mr Stink – which is being brought to life on stage for the first time in a

If you would like to win a family ticket to see this brilliant adaptation on Tues 2 August at 7pm, simply go to our website www.familiesmanchester.co.uk to

WIN WIN WIN

Tues 9 Aug Lyme Park Butterflies at Lyme 1pm -3pm, Free event Normal admission charges apply Bramall Hall Draw Attention – Caricature Workshop with Peter Richardson 2pm – 3.30pm, Age 8-13, £3 Booking essential Imperial War Museum North (also Sat 13, Fri 26, Tues 30 Aug) Billy’s War 11.30am, Age 4-10, Free, drop in

Wed 10 Aug People’s History Museum Banner attack!

1.30pm – 3.30pm, All ages, Free, drop in

Wed 10 – Fri 12 Aug Bramall Hall Bramall Hall’s Got Talent 10am – 3pm, Age 11-16, £30 Booking essential

enter by answering the following question: What date does Mr Stink open at The Lowry?

Entries close Friday 22 July.

Mr Stink is at The Lowry from Tue 2 to Sun 14 August. You can find out more about the show and book tickets at www.thelowry.com/family or call 0843 208 6007.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 23

What’s on Thurs 11 Aug

Sat 13 & Sun 14 Aug

Tues 16 & Thurs 18 Aug

Tues 23 & Thurs 25 Aug

Bramall Hall How the Hall was built 1pm – 4pm, All ages, Free, drop in

Manchester Art Gallery Imagine Weekends 12pm – 4pm, Free, drop in Far, Far Away Build an imaginary world 1pm – 3pm (sign in from 12.30pm) Free, drop in

Bury Art Gallery & Museum Young Creatives – Summer Fun 10.30am – 12pm, Age 4-12 £2 per child. Places are limited

Bury Art Gallery & Museum Young Creatives – Summer Fun 10.30am – 12pm, Age 4-12 £2 per child. Places are limited.

Wed 17 Aug

Wed 24 Aug

People’s History Museum Print a bag 1.30pm – 3.30pm, All ages, £2, drop in

People’s History Museum Build a banner 1.30pm – 3.30pm, All ages, £1, drop in

Thurs 18 Aug

Fri 26 Aug

Bramall Hall Rag Rugs & Looms 2pm – 3.30pm, Age 8-13 £3 Booking essential

Lyme Park Jammy Dodgers 1pm – 3pm, Children £5 Normal admission charges apply Manchester Museum Magic Carpet 11am – 12pm, Under 5s, £1 per child.

Book from 19 Aug.

Fri 12 Aug Manchester Art Gallery Mini art Club 10.15am – 11.15am / 11.30am – 12.30am Age 0-5, Free, drop in The John Rylands Library, Deansgate Here Be Dragons Tour Age 5-12, Booking essential

Mon 15 – Fri 19 Aug Quarry Bank Mill Eco Explorers 11am – 5pm, Free event Normal admission charges apply

Sat 13 – Sun 28 Aug Rochdale Canal Rochdale Canal Festival (including Horse Boating)

Mon 15 – Sat 20 Aug Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) The Adventures of Able Seaman Wally Tobin 1pm – 4pm, Free, drop in

Fri 19 Aug Lyme Park Keeping up Appearances at Lyme 12pm – 4.30pm, Free event Normal admission charges apply.

Sat 20 & Sun 21 Aug Manchester Art Gallery Far, Far Away Build an imaginary world 1pm – 3pm (sign in from 12.30pm) Free, drop in

Tues 23 Aug Lyme Park Arty Party 1pm – 3pm, All ages, Free event Normal admission charges apply.

People’s History Museum The Little People’s History Museum – Beeing Special 11am – 12pm, Under 5s, £1 per child Booking advised

Tues 30 Aug Bury Art Gallery & Museum Young Creatives – Summer Fun 10.30am – 12pm, Age 4-12, £2 per child.

Places are limited

Wed 31 Aug People’s History Museum Funky Felt Flowers 1.30pm & 2.30pm, Age 5+, £2 Booking advised

Contact information: Aviation & Transport Fair: tasmanchester.co.uk/TAS_Fair.html Baby Loves Disco: www.babylovesdisco.co.uk Bramall Hall: 0161 485 3708 / www.bramallhall.org.uk Bury Art Gallery & Museum: 0161 253 5878 / www.bury.gov.uk/events Chester Zoo: www.chesterzoo.org East Lancashire Railway: 0161 764 7790 / www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk Gulliver’s World: 01925 444888 / www.gulliversfun.co.uk Imperial War Museum North: 0161 836 4000 / www.iwm.org.uk Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop: 07748 601248 / www.kidscarbootandswapshop.co.uk Legoland Discovery Centre: 0871 222 2662 / www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk Lyme Park: 01663 762023 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Manchester Art Gallery: 0161 235 888 / www.manchestergalleries.org People’s History Museum: 0161 838 9190 / www.phm.org.uk Quarry Bank Mill: 01625 445896 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk The Manchester Museum: 0161 275 2648 / www.manchester.ac.uk/museum Worsley Festival: www.worsley.org.uk

For a guide to what’s on at theatres in your area, go to www.familiesmanchester.co.uk 24 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk