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In this issue...

ISSUE 47: JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019

11

Clubs & Classes

4 Family News Schools that ban mobile phones improve results plus Wear A Hat Day 6 Family How to beat the January blues 7 Health Pilates and body movement, healthy kids drinks and maths learning

12

Learning t or

ide

9 Book Review New year book review 11 Clubs & Classes Dance: Movement with purpose 13 Out & About The best of What’s On near you this new year

Fundamental Movement Skills

Gymnastics based program for children aged Gymnastics based program for from 18 months to five years to discover, children aged from 18 months to explore and learn fundamental movement five years to discover, explore and skills in a fun and engaging way.

See page 5 for details

Front cover: Deposit Photos © Arkusha

Editor: Mima Walia 07792 006546

editor@familieslondonkent.co.uk Design: Kevin Smith Listings Editor: Anna Blackshaw

learn fundamental movement skills in a fun and engaging way.

Families London-Kent Borders Magazine is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families London-Kent Borders are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families London-Kent Borders.

Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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www.familiesonline.co.uk JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 www.yunimoves.com

3

Family News

SCHOOLS THAT BAN MOBILE PHONES IMPROVE RESULTS S

hould children be allowed to take mobile phones to school? Opinion is divided. Some advocate a complete ban because of the potential for distraction, while others promote the use of phones as a teaching tool in the classroom.

Schools in England and Scotland have complete autonomy regarding their mobile phone policy, which has resulted in large differences in the timing of the introduction of bans.

Schools that ban pupils from carrying mobile phones show a sustained improvement in exam results, with the biggest advances coming from struggling students, according to research published by the London School of Economics.

The large-scale study found schools in Birmingham, London, Leicester and Manchester that banned mobiles enjoyed a boost in the proportion of pupils getting five good passes at GCSE, compared with schools that allowed pupils to keep their phones, even if switched off.

More info at www.lse.ac.uk

The Toxic School Run Children in the UK are being forced to breathe dangerous levels of toxic air on their way to and from school and whilst in the playground, according to new research.

bloodstream and even the brain, stunt lung and brain growth and cause long term breathing conditions, is generally higher at school than when children are at home.

A study by Unicef and Queen Mary University in London reveals that young children are absorbing a disproportionate amount of tiny black carbon particles during the school day with potentially devastating health consequences.

Unicef UK estimates that one in three children are growing up in places in the UK with unsafe levels of particulate pollution. It is calling on the government to take urgent action to protect children from toxic air before irreversible damage is done to their health and their futures.

Exposure to the these particles, which can penetrate deep into the lungs,

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More info at www.unicef.org.uk/clean-air-childhealth-air-pollution

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 www.familiesonline.co.uk

Family News

IMPROVING THE NUMBER FOUNDATIONS OF PRE-SCHOOLERS

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leading child psychologist from Kingston University has produced a series of number games for nurseries and parents which are proven to boost the confidence and ability of pre-school children in maths in just 5 weeks.

Dr Jo Van Herwegen created the games based on her research into the Approximate Number System (ANS), a mechanism used by the brain to differentiate between groups that have more or fewer items in them without counting. The ANS games are based on two foundations - estimation and matching approximate large amounts.

"The activities we've developed are fun, rather than formal lesson plans, but they're based on scientific evidence about the cornerstones of mathematical learning and how to nurture this in young children."

"It's all about the child knowing which number is larger and which is smaller, but not to the exact number" Dr Van Herwegen explained.

Her research showed that playing these specially-designed games for 10 minutes a day for 5 weeks improved young children's number foundations, the essential building blocks needed for mathematics.

This improvement was still apparent 6 months later, when the children had started formal education.

To download the free games, visit www.kingston.ac.uk/research/research-showcase/research-case-studies

WEAR A HAT DAY If you’re looking for a fun activity for the whole family, look no further than Wear A Hat Day. The annual fundraising event takes place on Friday 29th March, 2019 and the Brain Tumour Research charity needs your help to make it the biggest, boldest and hattiest EVER! There are so many ways to get involved and the little ones will have so much fun, all whilst helping an important cause.

From organising a hatty fashion show and making Easter bonnets, to hosting a bake sale and going on a hat-tastic walkabout, you can plan any type of event you fancy… just don’t forget your hat!

By taking part in Wear A Hat Day, you will be helping to raise vital funds for research into brain tumours. The disease is indiscriminate and it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Register for Wear A Hat Day and your family can help change this; simply go to www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/ wear-a-hat-day/wear-a-hat-day-registration

SPIN A TALE DURING NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK National Storytelling Week which takes place from 26 January to 2 February is a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world.

We are all immersed in stories — from conversations during which we re-tell events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows.

Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs

firstly to be a good speaker and listener.

Above all though, storytelling is fun.

Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting narratives can open doors to exciting new worlds — both real and imaginary.

National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes.

To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive, visit www.sfs.org.uk

www.familiesonline.co.uk JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019

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Family

HOW TO BEAT THE

January Blues O

nce the excitement of Christmas is over and gone, it can often feel like a real struggle for the whole family to keep things fresh and lively at the beginning of a new year. However, there are so many opportunities for you to do things together as a family - both indoors and out - that you'll soon banish the January blues!

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind‌ FAMILY BAKE-OFF Who doesn't love the Great British Bake Off? Those grey January days offer the perfect opportunity to get into the kitchen and bake up a storm.

Let younger children indulge in some messy play with their own bowl of cake mix or a piece of pastry - don't get stressed about the mess but enjoy a real opportunity to spend some creative time together in the kitchen. For older children, encourage some healthy competition by going 'full Bake off' and seeing who can produce the best cookies or cupcakes.

A FAMILY READ-IN When it's blowing a gale outside, there's no better way to spend an afternoon than snuggled up with a good book. For younger children you can encourage them to act out the story and show off your full range of funny faces and voices. For older children, take the opportunity to discuss what they're reading in some depth - talk about plot and characters and why they enjoy a particular type of book. Who knows, you may even inspire them to try writing their own story!

GET CREATIVE IN THE GARDEN Outdoor crafts are a wonderful way to liven up the garden for pennies, using materials you can find outdoors or simply lying around the house.

It's amazing how ice, berries and watercolours or food colourings can transform tap water into beautiful ice baubles to decorate the garden when set in interesting moulds. Or spread peanut butter all over the outside of an empty toilet roll holder or that piece of over crunchy toast, then roll in birdseed to create an instant feeder that the kids can hang near the kitchen or living room window. Add a bird book and they can pass a few hours identifying and logging the birds that come to visit. Just make sure they wrap up warm!

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HAVE A TECH-FREE DAY Be brave and ban iPads, smartphones and games consoles for the day.

Instead put out a pile of blank paper, pens and craft materials and see what your children can create. Boredom can be the best motivator for creativity.

FUN IN THE SNOW

younger children or a talking stick for the older members of your tribe. Talking sticks have a long history in tribal cultures as a way of allowing everyone to have their say - you can only talk when holding the stick - so, for larger families, this could be an ideal way for your kids to create something that will ensure they're heard.

CREATE ROCK PETS The best way to blow away the cobwebs during January is to take the family for a long winter walk. It's great exercise, but it's even more fun if you make your walk an excuse to collect items for some winter crafting.

Of course, snow in January isn't guaranteed, but if it does snow you have the ideal excuse to wrap up warm and organise snowman building contests and a monster snowball fight.

Kids of all ages love playing in the snow, but have you ever played tug of war?

Or tried snowball dodgeball? Once that snowman is built, try frisbeeing a hat onto his head or play a game of pin the nose on the snowman using a carrot.

And everyone can join in a simple game of tag, made a little more interesting if you're only allowed to use the footprints of the other players!

FIND A TALKING STICK Another interesting find on your walk might be a stick that transforms, with the help of some beads, feather, paint and markers into a wish stick for

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 www.familiesonline.co.uk

LOOK TO THE HEAVENS On a clear night, there's nothing better than wrapping up warm and heading outside to stargaze. Download an app and see how many constellations you can find and identify. Younger children will enjoy spotting stars and older ones can test their astronomical knowledge.

REVIVE THE ART OF DEN BUILDING For younger children, provide blankets, boxes and furniture indoors while encourage older children to get outdoors and get den building in the garden or the woods. Find out who's the Bear Grylls of the family and who can create the best fantasy castle/ spaceship/dragon's belly. Den building is for everyone, so get involved!

For more ideas on keeping the kids active visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/activities

Health

INSTRUCTOR OR TEACHER? CLIENT OR STUDENT?

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t Ismini Phillips Pilates & Body Movement Studio our philosophy is that all clients are students and we teach rather than instruct.

how to move your joints correctly will have far more lasting results that just following the moves of an “instructor”.

These two words “student” and “teacher” have such a different psychological effect on how a person perceives the classes they attend with us. If you are a student you are learning to take control of yourself and how you move, if you are a client you are almost relying on someone else to “fix” the part of you that ails you.

LearningIsmini from Phillips a teacher who guides shows you - Familys Magazine and advert AW 2710914_AW.pdf

When one thinks of a “client” in terms of physical activity, it almost implies that the client is seeking for someone to “fix” them thus absolving them of any responsibility to help themselves. So often I have seen “clients” and when I ask how they are feeling and whether they have been following their exercise programme so often the answer is no. Remember if you 29/09/2014 21:18 only attend one class a week then that’s just one hour out of 168 hours in a week, so some input from yourself is needed in order to speed up the healing process.

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Pilates and bootybarre have been shown to help many musculoskeletal issues; from back pain, to hip and knee pain. They both help with alignment – Pilates is always a good place to start if you have not done any exercise for some time as it helps you to understand your skeleton and how the muscles can move correctly (when your bones are beautifully aligned). bootybarre is a great add-on to your Pilates practice as both complement each other and bootybarre will add the cardio element that Pilates lacks. As much of the bootybarre programme is in standing and it is based on Pilates and ballet, it is particularly good for cardio, bone health, balance and flexibility.

If you would like to find out more about my classes at the Studio, High Street, Chislehurst please do not hesitate to contact me at ismini@isminiphillips.com mobile: 07711 906750. www.familiesonline.co.uk JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019

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Health

HEALTHY DRINKS WITH KIDS MEALS The Oral Health Foundation (OHF) is calling for the introduction of healthy drinks as the standard drink option served with children’s meals in restaurants, insisting that it will significantly help to improve oral health.

The call follows a pioneering law passed in California, which will see milk (and a non-dairy milk alternative) and still, sparkling or flavoured water being advertised on menus and served as primary drink choices with kids' meals in restaurants throughout the state.

According to the OHF, around one in four (24.7%) children age 5 years in the UK have tooth decay and new government data shows the number of 5 to 9 year olds admitted to hospital for tooth decay has risen for the second consecutive year.

The charity believes rolling out a similar initiative in the UK will help combat the health effects of sugary drinks and protect thousands of children from tooth decay every year.

More info at www.dentalhealth.org

Hidden Condition Affects Maths Learning Many children are suffering from an undiagnosed developmental condition which affects their ability to learn maths, according to a study from Queen’s University in Belfast A team of experts carried out research on the prevalence of Specific Learning Disorder in mathematics (SLDM), which is also known as dyscalculia and affects up to 6% of people.

A child with dyscalculia can have normal intelligence in every other way but struggle to do well in maths due a specific impairment in the brain.

The researchers studied the mathematics performance of 2,421 primary school children over a number of school years. The study showed that, in almost all cases, children who appeared to have dyscalculia are not being diagnosed, meaning that, in the view of the researchers, children with persistent, serious difficulties with mathematics, unlike children with dyslexia, do not receive specialist support.

More info at www.nuffieldfoundation.org/news

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 www.familiesonline.co.uk

Book Review

0-2 YEARS

Parrots Don’t Live in the City by Lucy Reynolds & Jenna Herman Scribbles and Doodles RRP £7.99

There’s a nice townie vibe to this breezy distraction that features a special surprise right at the end. But for now, your toddlers will relish peeking through the trees and spotting the green feathered interlopers that are pretty much ubiquitous to our civic parks. Crikey, you can add your own squawks if you like. If not, you can guarantee the real thing will.

Deep in the Forest Seek & Find Adventure By Josef Anton & Lucie Bruniellere Abrams RRP £10.99 Created by a French duo with backgrounds in televisual animation and decorative art respectively, there are over 50 animals to find in this beautiful bright and feisty big book full of flaps to lift and names to shout out in triumph. Obviously it's in English but double points if you know what an anteater is in French.

NEW YEAR BOOK REVIEWS

By Justine Crow

Most of the books featured on this time round are a little on the large size and all are most definitely sublimely illustrated, even the titles for older readers. And why not? It seems to me to be short sighted (excuse the slight pun) to ration the visual representation of storytelling - or indeed science and history - just because a child has learned to read.

Imagery on paper has a subjective permanence that we all enjoy and often it is the pictures over text that we recall from our own childhood.

Amazing Dinosaurs By Matt Sewell Anova RRP £12.99

The Glassmaker’s Daughter by Dianne Hofmeyr Frances Lincoln RRP £12.99

This clever picture book depicts the actual history of glassmaking in Venice through the tale of Daniela, an inconsolable craftsman’s daughter who spends her days staring into the dark depths of the canals in existential torment. Eschewing her father’s gift of a glass palace, her smile is finally revealed when a young man discovers the secret of making mirrors.

I found their previous title 50 States of the USA absolutely compelling and this is no less addictive for its fascinating detail presented in artful bite-sizes. Along with the more obvious candidates of New York and San Francisco, we learn that as well as the famous Kentucky Derby, Louisville hosts the oldest Shakespeare festival in America; that Memphis as well as being home to Graceland, is where Justin Timberlake was born. And that huckleberries are a real thing and they grow in Boise. So there!

9-11 YEARS

Norse Myths Tales of Odin, Thor & Loki by Kevin Crossley Holland & Jeffrey Love Walker RRP £18.99

It’s never too soon to point out to the kids that long before Tom Hiddleston stepped into a leather frock and green tights to play Marvel’s movie version of Loki, stories about him and his brother Thor as well as Odin, god of all gods, were captivating listeners as far back as Roman times, and not just from the Viking period. Imagine being a youngster a thousand years ago hearing whirling adventures of sorcery and battles from across the land, passed on by mouth to future generations. How lucky we are now to be able to take images for granted. What a page-turner!

3-5 YEARS

This authorillustrator has a knack for bringing natural history to life especially through his books about birds. Here he aims his deft brush at the pre-historic periods that produced the incredibly diverse gigantic reptiles that roamed our planet a gasquillion years ago, yet still absolutely intrigue today’s digital kids.

50 Cities of the USA by Gabrielle Balkan Wide Eyed Books RRP £20

The Gritterman by Orlando Weeks Penguin RRP £17.99

6-8 YEARS

The World of Moominvalley

by Tove Jansson Macmillan RRP £35

A super-sized price but what value for money this exquisite gift edition is, thanks to the many drawings and facts about the magical bohemia created by Finland’s most famous writer.

Once you develop a love for the Moomintrolls, Snufkin, the Snorkmaiden and Little My, it can’t be shaken off.

A softly penned graphic novel from a musician that speaks of stoicism and patience through many winters and questions the definition of loneliness through the eyes of a dignified man who knows his place in the universe. Thanks to him the traffic travels, pedestrians pass and life goes on.

Justine Crow is co-founder of the famous South London bookshop ‘Bookseller Crow on the Hill’ based in Crystal Palace. As well as being a blogger and reviewer, parent of three and qualified swimming teacher, she also co-authored The Little Book of Nits published by Bloomsbury.

www.familiesonline.co.uk JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019

9

Wellbeing Book Review

OF THE BEST S CIENTIFICALLY-BASED

PARENTING BOOKS

AN EXPE RT’S CHO ICE

By Dr Sarah Kuppen

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ew parenting books seem to pop up all the time – so much so that the choice can be a little overwhelming.

How can we know which guide will give us the answers to the questions that are most relevant to our needs, with an approach that we feel comfortable with?

I came across and read a vast selection whilst I was writing my own parenting book. I used a scienceled, evidence-based approach and while the selection of genuinely research-orientated parenting books is not particularly large, there are a few books that I would highly recommend.

Your Baby Week by Week Your Baby Week by Week by Simone Cave and Dr Caroline Fertleman was the book I used for my own children.

It was a gift to us and I have given it many times as a gift to others. The thing that’s really great is that you can dip in and out of it, as and when you like.

In those first few months when you’re really exhausted and all you want is a response to the exact question you’re looking for, this book provides specifics on questions on milk, sleep and crying time. The essentials to caring for your baby.

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How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A survival guide to life with children ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber and Julie King is part of a very popular series. Through the use of practical examples, the authors illustrate the unhelpful communication patterns parents often fall into when dealing with their kids. They also provide loads of story examples, which many parents will relate to, with examples of how to deal with them. There is something here for everyone.

The Informed Parent I really like The Informed Parent: A Science-Based Resource for Your Child’s First Four Years by Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham. It’s obvious the authors have plenty of experience communicating science to the lay reader. Not only do they present the most up-to-date knowledge on controversial topics, they also discuss this in relation to the personal choices they made when raising their own children.

Tara and Emily offer just the right amount of personal anecdote, making the review of the research evidence easy to digest and the book overall an easy read. I also like that they address in detail the thorny topic of sleep training and controlled crying.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 www.familiesonline.co.uk

The Science of Mom The Science of Mom: A ResearchBased Guide to Your Baby’s First Year

by Alice Callahan takes a clear, nicely paced approach to talking the reader through the science behind some of the most contentious parenting issues. Callaghan covers research on many of the areas parents care about most, such as feeding and sleeping.

1-2-3 Magic With 1.6m copies already sold, 1-2-3 Magic: 3 Step Discipline for Calm, Effective and Happy Parenting by Dr Thomas W. Phelan is the book on discipline and young children. Phelan believes that all discipline situations can be sorted into two categories – the behaviours you want to start (such as tidying up or getting ready for school) and those you want to stop (such as whining, fighting or anything anti-social).

While it can sometimes can feel overly controlling, this book is full of clear practical advice. Parents are certain to find something useful to add to their parenting repertoire.

Dr Sarah Kuppen is a chartered psychologist and senior lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University.

She specialises in early child development, writes a parenting blog at www.littledilemmas.com and is the author of Little Kids, Big Dilemmas: Your Parenting Problems Solved by Science.

Clubs & Classes

DANCE MOVEMENT WITH PURPOSE If your child is always prancing around the house practising their moves and can’t be dragged away from Strictly even if chocolate or ice cream are on offer, signing up for dance classes is a great way to tap into their enthusiasm for music and movement.

As well as being lots of fun, dance classes offer a host of other advantages: Cognitive Development Children strengthen their cognitive abilities and memory skills through learning and remembering choreography.

Self-awareness Through dance, children develop spatial awareness, become less clumsy and pay more attention to others sharing their space. They can feel more at home in their own skin.

Physical health Dance improves flexibility, coordination, balance, range of motion, stamina, muscle tone, strength and posture.

Socialisation Dance is a highly social activity.

In a dance class, children learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and co-operation, and make new friends.

Self-expression Children struggling with language can express their feelings and creativity with immediacy in a positive way through dance and movement.

Behaviour Dancing requires intense focus, discipline and co-ordination. This can have a calming effect and help children release pent-up energy.

Self-confidence Dance helps build self-confidence with each new routine they practice and master.

There are a wide range of dance classes available – for both boys and girls – from pre-school ballet classes to primary ballet, tap, street dance, contemporary dance, pop dance and many more.

Raising Confident Children with Perform Sara has two children, Honor (8) and James (6) who have both been attending Perform classes since they were 4 years old.

“I’ve always wanted my children to feel confident speaking in public and chatting to all sorts of people. I think these are essential life skills these days” says Sara.

Sara was drawn to Perform because of its focus on developing confidence and self-esteem in a fun way. “It’s not a pushy stage school” she explains.

“Each week, the classes focus on a topic like manners, making eye contact or introducing themselves, but this is wrapped up in a highly engaging way in the context of drama and songs.”

“Since my children started attending Perform, other parents frequently remark on their confidence and how well they speak in school assemblies. I’m really impressed with how they chat to adults in places like shops and restaurants.”

Classes at Perform are small with two teachers per class. “The teachers are professional actors with amazing energy and enthusiasm. They go out of their way to understand and engage every child” reports Sara.

Perform offers a FREE no-obligation dance or drama class.

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book.

www.familiesonline.co.uk JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019

11

Clubs & Classes

LEARNING TO RIDE

ADVENTURE WITH RESPONSIBILITY

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hildhood is full of stories, songs and roleplay games about horses so learning to ride an actual, real life horse can add an exciting new dimension to childhood!

Aside from the obvious advantages of good physical exercise in the outdoors, horse riding offers other clear benefits: DEVELOPING RESPONSIBILITY Learning to look after and ride a pony instils in a child a sense of responsibility and accountability for another 25

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y C sw ear ele 1 im s o br 9 m f h ati in ig ng g h le qu ss a on lit s y

living creature. Children looking after animals are required to interpret their non-verbal signals of comfort and discomfort and act accordingly. This experience promotes maturity and will be invaluable as a child grows up.

STRESS RELIEF Being outside will enhance your child's sense of happiness and well-being. Experienced riders talk about the freedom the sport offers and the exhilaration of riding a horse in the great outdoors.

EMPATHY Dealing with animals helps children understand that the needs of other living creatures have to be considered alongside and sometimes before their own. This enhances their ability to empathise and helps them learn that sometimes they have to put other people’s needs before their own too.

CONFIDENCE BOOST Learning to ride and care for an animal that’s twice their size can be really empowering for children.

Bookings now being taken

EASTER CRASH COURSE BROMLEY HIGH • 8- 12 APRIL 2019

Lessons at Bromley High, Bickley Park and Green Street Green Adult and Child Lessons at Green Street Green Swimming is an essential life skill - so make sure you get it right!

Visit our website: www.aquakids.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @aquakidsuk, Instagram: @aquakids.uk or connect with us on Facebook: Aquakids

Swimming Lessons that last a lifetime

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 www.familiesonline.co.uk

LIFE-LESSONS Riding is great for instilling in children an attitude that success and reward comes off the back of hard work.

Many riding schools will take children as young as age 3 but some prefer them to be at least age 5 or 6. They usually teach in small groups to ensure each pupil receives a good level of attention, but you may be able to book individual lessons too.

Out & About

Out & About T H E B EST O F W H AT ’S O N N EA R YOU

CALLING ALL SAILORS! Bring the family to Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an action-packed day out on the fastest ship of its time.

Meet characters from the ship’s past such as Captain Woodget and the ship’s cook and listen to their epic stories about life on board.

LULLINGSTONE WINTER TRAIL Lullingstone Country Park, Castle Road, Eynsford, Kent, DA4 0JF www.kent.gov.uk 03000 41 18 11

Pre-book online or drop-in between 10am and 3pm and pick up one of the trail sheets.

Explore the woods following the self-led activity trail and see what you can discover about the park. All completed trails will receive a small prize.

Until 6 January

Try and outwit the crew in our Sailors’ Challenge game, get your sea legs by taking the helm at the ship's wheel, follow a family trail or take part in regular workshops.

BOOK NOW TO SAVE 10% rmg.co.uk/cuttysark

PICTURE THIS! THE ‘REEL’ HISTORY OF YOUR LOCAL CINEMA Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road , Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ 01322 526 574 www.hallplace.org.uk

Discover the rise of Bexley’s many cinemas since the first opened in 1912, and how the changing nature of Britain through the decades threatened their survival.

You can even find out about

Bexley’s place on the silver screen. Includes original objects, archive pictures & film, and interactive areas for visitors to enjoy.

Until 24 march

2 JANUARY

SAINT PETERSBURG CLASSIC BALLET: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY & THE NUTCRACKER Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA 020 3285 6000 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet returns to Bromley in 2019 with two Tchaikovsky favourites, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

Under the expert direction of Marina Medvetskaya, this acclaimed company combines classical training and technique with the best-loved Russian ballets, accompanied by a full orchestra, to entertain audiences in breath-taking style.

4 JANUARY

PANTO - ALADDIN 2019 West Wickham Pantomime Society, Wickham Hall, Sussex Road, BR4 0JX www.westwickhampanto.org

Written by Jack Northcott, with 11 performances, 5 evening shows & 6 matinees.

Tickets cost £9 and you can book online via The Little Box Office.

Until 12 January

5 JANUARY

DR BIKE CYCLE MAINTENANCE SESSION Norman Park, Hook Farm Road, BR2 9SX road.safety@bromley.gov.uk www.bromley.gov.uk/DrBike

A fully qualified Dr Bike cycle mechanic will check your bike and fix minor faults such as brakes, chain, cables, gears and tyre pressure. Simply take your bicycle along to the Cow Shed in Norman Park.

8.30-10.30am, free.

Until 5 January

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Out & About

MINI CITY Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road , Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ 01322 526 574 www.hallplace.org.uk

A tiny town where kids can role play! A playful exhibition designed especially for children. Includes 7 ‘themed areas’ adapted to a child’s size – Hair Dressers, Flower Shop, Supermarket, Theatre, Building Site, Doctor’s Surgery & Police Station. Your kids will love using all the props and dressing up. £3 adults, £5 children (18 months to 16 years old) Until 6 January

FROM 5 JANUARY BROMLEY PARKRUN

Norman Park, Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF 0300 303 8658 www.parkrun.org.uk/bromley

Weekly free 5km timed run. Go along and join in whatever your pace! Please register before your first run.

9am

6 JANUARY

MONTHLY FARMERS MARKET Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road , Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ 01322 526 574 www.hallplace.org.uk

On the first Sunday of every month you can buy the best local produce at Hall Place. Meet the farmers and producers, try food samples and buy everything from home-grown fruit and vegetables, through to delicious cakes, breads and cheese.

10am – 2pm, Free entry.

Also 3 February

8 JANUARY

BABY AND CHILD FIRST AID FOR PARENTS The Roost Café, Chislehurst Recreation Ground, Empress Drive, Chislehurst, BR7 5DF stayingalivefirstaid@yahoo.com

For parents and grandparents.

This 2 hour course will give you the confidence to deal with medical emergencies. You will cover CPR, recovery position, bleeding, burns, febrile convulsions and much more!

10am-12pm

12 JANUARY

OUTDOOR CONTEMPORARY

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ART: WHO WAS WINSTON CHURCHILL? Chartwell - National Trust, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1PS. nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell

New original artist designed winter outdoor trail exploring the different sides of Churchill’s character. Learn more about the private man behind the public figure.

Booking not needed Free event (admission applies).

Until 24 February

14 JANUARY

ONCE UPON A TIME: COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE PLATFORM The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED 01322 220000 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Join us for an evening that celebrates stories! Local dance and theatre companies come together to share stories and explore different ways of using movement to tell their chosen tales. Once Upon A Time presents a collection of pieces that celebrate the beauty of dance and the tradition of stories.

6.30pm.

15 JANUARY STARGAZING

Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road , Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ 01322 526 574 www.hallplace.org.uk

Wrap up warm to spend an evening looking at the stars in the company of Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society Dartford. Outdoor activities are weather dependent, but don’t worry, there’s a bad weather plan filled with experiments and explanations of the cosmos!

Followed by tea and cake.

7pm. £10 adults, £8 under 16s.

Advanced booking required.

17 JANUARY

ELMER THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT SHOW Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA 020 3285 6000 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

A favourite of young people since the book was first published in 1989, this classic tale has been adapted for the stage by Suzanne Maynard

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 www.familiesonline.co.uk

Miller, with songs by Allison Leyton-Brown. The show’s subtle message that it is always best to be yourself, combined with the vibrant colour and cheeky humour of the main character, makes Elmer a great show for children of all ages.

Until 19 January

19 JANUARY

MGJ ENGINEERING WINTER STAGE RALLY Brands Hatch Circuit, Fawkham, Longfield, Kent, DA3 8NG www.brandshatch.co.uk

The 2019 racing season kick starts with the Winter Stages Rally, providing a fantastic opportunity to witness some of the best and most varied selection of rally cars at Brands Hatch. Spectators will also get to see cars run on the circuit in both directions!

27 JANUARY

GLEE CLUB CHALLENGE The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED 01322 220000 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

If singing and dancing is your thing then Don’t Stop Believin’, the search for the UK’s best Glee choir is well underway.

After a tough selection process, and a number of boot camps, tonight sees the South London Regional Final taking place. The best groups will go forward to the Grand Final at the London Palladium in 2019 where they’ll battle it out to be crowned the Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge Champions and win a share of £5,000 worth of prizes!

2FEBRUARY BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM

The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED 01322 220000 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

From the makers of Peppa Pig comes this BAFTA awardwinning television animation live on stage! Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this exciting, enchanting and magical musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter. This beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family!

Until 3 February

6 FEBRUARY HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS & AWFUL EGYPTIANS

Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA 020 3285 6000 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it’s time to prepare yourselves for two amazing shows with Horrible Histories live on stage! Using actors and ground-breaking 3D special effects, these two astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill you and your children. Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips!

Until 10 February

9 FEBRUARY

MUM2MUM NEARLY NEW SALE Ravens wood School, Oakley Road, Bromley BR2 8HP www.mum2mummarket.co.uk

Grab a bargain or sell your nearly new items.

Refreshments, cake, face painter and kids activities at every event. Free car park.

10am-12noon.

DARWIN DAY - CHARLES’ CREEPY CRITTERS Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT 01689 859119 www.english-heritage.org.uk

Get hands-on, close-up with some of the exotic animals that Darwin himself might have met on his travels and studied at Down House. Meet the likes of Snakes, Lizards, Tarantulas and Tortoises and we talk all about their fascinating abilities that shaped Darwin’s Theories of Evolution and Natural Selection.

FROM 9 FEBRUARY SNOWDROP WALK

Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever, Hever, Nr Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG. 01732 865224 www.hevercastle.co.uk

A heavenly carpet of snowdrops will provide a magical trail for visitors to follow at Hever Castle & Gardens from 9 February 2019.

Out & About

Around 70,000 snowdrop bulbs have been planted in the Gardens over the past few years including a mix of single and double snowdrops, interspersed with some unusual varieties.

12 FEBRUARY TWIRLYWOOS LIVE!

Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA 020 3285 6000 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

The Twirlywoos are setting sail around the UK to welcome young fans along for a theatrical adventure. Expect mischief, music and plenty of surprises as they share the delight of discovery. With beautifully inventive puppetry the show promises a cast full of all your favourite characters from the hit TV show.

13 FEBRUARY TOUR OF PICTURE THIS

Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road , Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ 01322 526 574 www.hallplace.org.uk

Let the curator captivate you in this tour of our latest exhibition. Discover the history of your local cinemas from bygone days and step back in time to the smoke filled haze of Saturday flicks and date night at the local pictures.

2.30pm, £4.25 per person.

Advance booking required.

16FEBRUARY HALF TERM HUNTERS Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL 01622 765400 www.leeds-castle.com

Become a junior outdoor hunter this half term and follow your challenge booklet around the grounds to hunt for clues, solve challenges and be rewarded with a chocolate prize at the end.

Until 24 February

18 FEBRUARY SWAN LAKE

The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED 01322 220000 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Moscow City Ballet returns to the Orchard Theatre with the stunning Swan Lake, presented in classic Russian style with full orchestra. The epic story of Prince Siegfried and his doomed love for Odette is magnificently brought to life in all its original splendour by Tchaikovsky’s hauntingly familiar score.

Until 20 February

DISCOVER WITH DARWIN Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT 01689 859119 www.english-heritage.org.uk

Join the man himself – Charles Darwin - and explore evolution at its birthplace as you delve

daringly into the mysteries of science. Ever wondered why giraffes have long necks? Why a penguin can’t fly? Why a monkey has a tail? Discover all this and more at Down House.

Each workshop will take approximately 40 minutes and will involve storytelling and hands-on activities of a Darwinian theme.

Until 22 February

19 FEBRUARY INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

National Trust Quebec House, Quebec Square, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1TD nationaltrust.org.uk/quebec-house

Drop in for a cup of coffee at one of the information sessions in the coach house.

Find out all about the many volunteer roles that are available.

10am-12pm.

23 FEBRUARY SPIRIT OF THE DANCE

Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA 020 3285 6000 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

The world champion dancers of Spirit of the Dance sound like a runaway express train and their precision and artistic showmanship sends shivers down your spine. This

breathtaking show delivers the powerful rhythms of Irish Dance combined with the passionate Latino rhythms of Tango, Flamenco and Red-Hot Salsa to produce a thrilling, heart-pounding production.

RSPB NATURE WALK Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road , Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ 01322 526 574 www.hallplace.org.uk

Join the Bexley RSPB group on a 90 minute nature and bird walk around the estate. 8am, followed by tea and pastries. £8 per person. Advanced booking required.

24 FEBRUARY FAMILY DAY 2019

The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED 01322 220000 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

If you go into the woods today… Bring your own blanket and teddy bear and join in the teddy bears’ picnic. With fun and games and woodland rhymes! A day of workshops for families to take part in together. Suitable for age 3 - 10 (All the family are welcome).

THE BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 26 to 28 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world.

The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden.

To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

More info at www.rspb.org.uk

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