Families Oxfordshire Issue 44 July - August 2011

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FR EE

Oxfordshire

Issue 44 • July - August 2011 • www.familiesox.co.uk

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news & views

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JULY / AUGUST 2011

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FAMILIES JULY / AUGUST 2011

MINI sponsors big new youth arts festival

In this issue: News & Views Holidays Summer camps Childcare Books Learning Summer days out What’s on Competition

3-5 6-9 10 12-13 14 15 16-17 18-19 20

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A brand new festival for young people, Mesh – Oxford International Youth Arts Festival, will be taking place this summer thanks to the support of MINI Plant Oxford. (see What’s On page 18) The festival, organised by Pegasus, its youth theatre members and partner The North Wall Arts Centre, will take place in the last two weeks of July and feature around 100 young people from Oxford with almost another 100 from Europe and beyond. Visiting groups come from twinned cities Leiden (Holland), Grenoble (France) and Perm (Russia) as well as from Bonn (Germany), Sisak (Croatia) and Gaza (Palestine).

The programme involving all the young participants will include street theatre, a costume parade and performances at Pegasus and The North Wall from each of the groups and a finale at the Oxford Town Hall. The participants will also take part in a platform debate. www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150

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Editor: Felice Vermeulen Contact: editor@familiesox.co.uk Next issue September / October 2011: Back to school Copy deadline 05 August 2011.

To advertise in Families Oxfordshire: Call 01235 206657 or email editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk Circulation: We distribute free copies in hundreds of schools and nurseries throughout Oxfordshire. If your school, nursery or parent group would like copies of Families Oxfrdshire let us know and we’ll sort things out.

Copyright: Families Oxfordshire July 2011 Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner's own risk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care in preparing this magazine but publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Families Group: Families Oxfordshire is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Families Readers’ Panel We contact members of the Panel from time to time to ask their opinion and/or recommendations on a range of subjects from parenting to products and services.

The information is used anonymously in this magazine only. In return, members are entered into a draw for a book token from Mostly Books in Abingdon.

To join email: editor@familiesox.co.uk

Contented Childcare now in Oxfordshire Contented Childcare is a new, high quality nanny agency run independently by fully qualified Chiltern Trained Nanny Aimee Lay. Aimee says: "The aim of Contented Childcare is to provide an outstanding personal and professional service. We offer service with a personal approach. We visit the family at home and then tailor the service to the particular childcare need of each individual family.

We then design a detailed Nanny Handbook for the chosen nanny. All our nannies are highly vetted and all references & qualifications checked thoroughly. Contented Childcare only looks at nannies that are qualified, have extensive childcare experience and most importantly have a passion for caring for children.” www.contentedchildcare.co.uk 01235 850436

Splashing success for Waterbabies Water Babies has once again been crowned Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity in the prestigious national What’s On 4 Junior awards, which are nominated and voted for by parents.

“We’re just overwhelmed by the amazing response of all our clients in voting for us,” says local mum Saz Sunthareswaran, who runs the Waterbabies classes across Oxfordshire.

“To have won this national award – again – totally reflects on the dedication of the whole team.”

Water Babies’ uniquely structured programme, designed to make the most of babies’ natural affinity with water, teaches water confidence and safety techniques from birth. With progressive training, babies can be taught potentially life saving skills such as turning onto their backs or, following a sudden submersion, swimming to the nearest solid object. www.waterbabies.co.uk 01869 325 499

COMPETITION WINNERS BUSHCRAFT - 3 DAY RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMP Gemma Guthrie-James, Thame Vera Lyon, Abingdon Bushcraft – day experience James Lockhart, Oxford Lynn Gorton, Finstock Miamoo travel set Harriet Turner, Abingdon Nicky Farmer, Little Milton Rachel White, Wantage River Cottage book Jessica Maude, Watlington Lynsey Blackmore, Freeland Danielle Sones, Bampton CONGRATULATIONS! JULY / AUGUST 2011

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news & views Lifeline for ChildLine

Cycletta

Volunteer counsellors at ChildLine South West have launched a campaign to save the Exeter base, which is under threat of closure. Many children in the South West are dependant on the service. Closure may have devastating effects on some of them.

Commenting on the campaign, ChildLine South West volunteer counsellor Amanda Parsons, said: “We are working with local organisations and other supporters to find a viable alternative way of providing the same service – reducing the overheads and unlocking new funding – so that the NSPCC can make the savings they need without losing some of the 98 best volunteer counsellors in the UK and 10 permanent staff and the valuable fundraising generated in the region as a result of having a local base.

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 and to inspire more women to take up cycling. Two events are scheduled in 2011; Cycletta North on October 2, at Tatton Park near Manchester and Cycletta South on September 11, at Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire.

The 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. www.cycletta.co.uk

Campaign manager James Barisic said: “We want to hear from any individuals or organisations who can help keep this vital service open in Exeter for the benefit of children everywhere.”

WitneyBUG is a Bicycle Users’ Group that was founded in 2008 to represent and work for people cycling in Witney. WitneyBUG is an active member of cyclenation, the UK federation of cycle campaign groups ans wholly reliant on the support of its membership. contact@witneybug.org.uk

Offers of support can be sent to clsw.volunteers@gmail.com or www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/saveclsw

Phoenix rises to claim hearts award Phoenix Trading, the UK’s leading direct sales greetings card company, were the winners of this year’s ‘COMPANY WITH HEART' Award at the Direct Selling Association’s (DSA) annual conference. This is a completely new DSA award and it was to be presented to a member company who has: "Gone the Extra Mile through their philanthropic activities, charitable impact and community engagement".

Since 1995 Phoenix Trading have raised more than £1 million for a range of charities large and small including over £35,000 in May this year for Children’s Hospices UK. Tess Brooker, local independent Phoenix Trader based in Oxfordshire said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all our customers who have supported our charitable events and purchased our charity cards (including our Christmas cards) over the past 15 years. You have all contributed to Phoenix winning this prestigious award.” www.phoenix-trading.eu/web/tessbrooker 01993 200809

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To learn more about cycle training and find local instructors, go to: www.ctc.org.uk The Cyclist's Touring Club (CTC) is Britains national cycling organisation with over 65,000 members and affiliate members. For information more specific to Oxfordshire and a handy guide on how to maintain your bike visit www.oxonctc.org.uk 0844 736 8450 Isis Cyclists CTC (Cyclists’ Touring Club)is an informal member group of the CTC, which runs short bike rides in Oxford for women. http://isiscyclistsctc.wordpress.com Bikeability is ‘cycling proficiency’ for the 21st century, designed to give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on today’s roads. www.bikeability.org.uk Cyclox is the Cycling Campaign for Oxford. It works with councils to get the best deal for cyclists, and promotes cycling to the public,

to show how cycling is quick, fun, cheap, healthy and convenient. Cyclox provides cycle training and organises summer cycle rides. www.cyclox.org 07792 375423

Sustrans is the sustainable transport charity responsible for developing the National Cycle Network. Routes in Oxford are shown on the National Cycle Network map, which is available from newsagents and bookshops or direct from Sustrans. www.sustrans.org.uk 0117 926 8893 Mobile bicycle repair shop Back on Trax is Oxford's longest established mobile cycle repair company. www.backontrax.co.uk 07919 44 54 64 (Monday – Friday) 0777 332 5552 (Tuesday-Saturday)

Paternity leave helps equal parenting In response to the Government’s proposals to extend paternity leave and introduce shared parental leave, Rob Williams, Chief Executive of the Fatherhood Institute, said: “For the first time, couples who want to share their parenting more equally will be able to work within the leave system rather than against it. Having a specified period of parental leave which can be shared means parents can decide for themselves what is best for the child – and minimise disruption in their workplace. And with 4 weeks of paid leave now allocated to the father on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis, there will be much more incentive - and it will be more financially viable - for fathers to take this time off to spend with their child.

year of life. We also know that shared parenting leads to stronger and more durable couple relationships and also reduces the gap between future earnings of mothers and fathers. And there is a wealth of research that shows additional paternity leave is helpful to employers; boosting productivity and performance and often enabling mothers to take shorter maternity leave.” www.fatherhoodinstitute.org 0845 634 1328

“Evidence shows that children do better when fathers take time off work in their first JULY / AUGUST 2011

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FAMILIES JULY / AUGUST 2011

Wildlife walkabout in Letcombe Valley The Letcombe Valley community nature reserve, near Wantage, has a new path and kissing gates courtesy of a grant from the Big Lottery Fund Awards For All. During a recent wildlife discovery day children were able to enjoy the reserve by making bird boxes, taking part in minisafaris to find insects, birds and wild flowers and listen to stories about wildlife from award winning story teller Peter Hearn.

“It was great to see so many people having fun at our open day,” said Helen d’Ayala, manager of the nature reserve and Community Wildlife Officer with the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust. The wildlife discovery continues this summer with a Bat Walk and Night-flying Moths Survey event on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August. www.bbowt.org.uk

There are 30 stick on labels which are ideal for stationery, lunchboxes and sports equipment, 10 shoe labels, 30 “Easytapes” that are simply ironed onto all sorts of fabric, a personalised shoe bag and a bag tag which is great for naming sports bags, school bags or instrument cases.

We have 5 Easy2Name Off to School sets to give away, each set is worth £17.90. To enter email: editor@familiesox.co.uk or send a postcard quoting Easy2Name to Families Oxfordshire, P.O Box 167 Wantage OX12 8ZJ . The closing date is Wednesday August 17.

Don’t forget to include your name, full address and telephone number. Please state clearly the name of your child and whether you require the shoe bag in red or blue.

In addition, every Families reader can get 10% off by entering ‘Families Oxfordshire’ when placing an order online or by telephone. www.easy2name.com 01635 298326 Winners agree to the possibility of their name being published in the September-October 2011 issue of Families Oxfordshire and on the Families website. No correspondence will be entered into.

Entries open to Oxfordshire residents only. Your details will not be used for any purpose other than this draw.

Photo Wendy Tobitt, BBOWT

Win Easy2name labels Ensuring that children come home each day with exactly what they went to school with is a problem all parents will appreciate. So to make life easier, Easy2name have created an Off to School set containing all the labels you will need to label every item of clothing and equipment. The set comes complete with a personalised shoe bag that is also suitable for swimming or spare clothes.

From First to Last – Magdalen waves farewell to its first J1s Eleven years ago, Magdalen College School opened its doors to its first seven-year-olds, welcoming them into the newly formed J1 (year 3). This summer sees those first boys taking their A-levels and moving on to begin the next stages of their lives. Their teacher Elizabeth Stapleton, still the teacher who looks after the littlest boys when they join MCS, looks back at what it was J1 like for these boys.

Back then they wrote: “My new class is excellent. Everything we do together is really good fun… Our new classroom is completely new; our teacher is new, the pupils are new... We have a new tv in our classroom... J1 is cool!”

Staff too were enthusiastic, in spite of some initial trepidation. Back in 2000 they wrote: “Your ‘little chaps’ have found the key to open the hearts of so many staff and visitors… They will maybe realise when they are older what a responsibility it was to have been the very first J1s in the history of Magdalen College Junior School.”

On a final visit back to their very first classroom, the boys found things were surprisingly familiar. One remembered reading “The Lion Book” – Michael Morpurgo’s Butterfly Lion, a classic still

enjoyed by J1s today. When asked for their fondest memories of J1, they remembered being allowed to watch England play Brazil on television, dressing up for book day, making a wooden truck in DT (a tradition that continues and is as loved now as it was then). Meeting the Queen in Oriel Square was a highlight. Yet almost as much excitement was generated by the memory of kicking a football that (accidentally) broke the Master’s bedroom window, and being covered for by the gap year student!

Of the original seventeen, twelve boys have been right through the school. A-levels loom and, grades permitting, two are destined for Oxford, four for Cambridge, two for Durham, one for UCL, one for Brighton, one for Queen Mary’s, London, and one for St Andrews. www.mcsoxford.org 01865 242191

How Can I Help You? Ever thought of owning your own business - one that's professional, simple, hugely rewarding and fun?

Are you ambitious, self-motivated and enjoy helping others?

This could be for you!

The catch?Hard work & determination!

The rewards? The chance to build your own successful home-based business with an income for life.

To find out more please call

Michele Poynter on 01865 882405 JULY / AUGUST 2011

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HOLIDAYS ELEVEN SIMPLE BUT FABULOUS

The sun is out and the school holidays are almost here. What are you going to do – ideally without spending a fortune – in the lovely, long summer ahead? Joanna Moorhead shares her top ideas.

1. 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 jetsamcollecting 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.

2. Stargaze!

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

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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.

3. 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 postmarkers, and the rugs and picnics for lunch.

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

4. 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-your-own 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 pickyour-own farms across the UK; to find some in your area, see www.pickyourownfarms.org.uk

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HOLIDAYS US THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER 5. 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

6. Plant veggies You don’t need any more space than a window-box, or a tiny space in your garden, 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.

9. Borrow a dog

11. Go cycling

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, 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.

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. Row a boat Everyone has a park with a boating lake or a river 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.

8. Go fishing

10. Build a den

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

Den-building courses abound (see www.forestry.gov.uk or google them), 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.

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HOLIDAYS

Summer SORTED!

If Joanna Moorhead’s eleven ideas on page 6 & 7 weren’t enough, don’t despair. Here’s a local holiday guide, filled with ideas for days out, camps, workshops and other activities.

Make your choice and snap up those last remaining spaces quickly!

Leckford Place, the 11-16 section of d’Overbroecks College in Oxford, is offering four creative and fun holiday courses designed for children between 8 and 14. Mark Olejni, Head at Leckford Place says: “Above all, we want participants to have a great time – but also to learn a lot in the process.

And the idea is that, after a week packed with creative pursuits of many kinds, they will leave fired up with enthusiasm, impatient to do more.”

The singing, art, drama or jewellery making courses are available from 15 - 18 August.

Each course will culminate in an event, be it a performance or an exhibition, to which family and friends are warmly invited.

Contact Anne Brooks to book your space 01865 302620 www.doverbroecks.com

MAD Academy is pleased to announce special classes this summer holiday at Wyevale Garden Centre, Bicester. Each class will have a special theme and will be a fantastic combination of high energy, fun games, activities and of course lots of music and dancing. The classes will be held on Monday 25 July, 1 August and 8 August. Wyevale Garden Centre is a great place to take children. It has an indoor and outdoor soft play area plus a large restaurant with children’s meals and plenty of parking.

To book your Mad Academy class call Sophie on 01869 369502 www.madacademy.com

Pony Care Fun at Wendlebury Gate Stables Hazel Offord from Wendlebury Gate Stables near Bicester offers Pony Care Fun Days, new learning experiences around ponies in a safe and fun environment. Children aged four to 12 can spend a day learning the basics of pony care. Sally Godden, Headteacher at St Leonard’s Primary School took a group of children and was enthusiastic about the benefits of the experience. The children were thrilled by the hands-on contact with the ponies and admired the cute crop of new foals.

Also available are one to one riding lessons on a wide range of experienced horses and ponies. All ages and abilities are catered for. www.wgstables.co.uk 01869 320665

HALF PRICE HIGH ROPES TICKETS High Ropes’ new tree-top forest adventure is the first of its kind in Oxfordshire. Visitors get a bird’s eye view of the woodland near Abingdon as they climb, balance, zip and crawl through the trees.

There are wooden bridges, balance beams, tunnels, Tarzan swings, zip slides and a 42ft parachute drop.

The course has different levels of difficulty, ensuring there is something for everyone. Spectators are welcome to see their friends and loved ones monkeying around in the trees. Participants need to be 10 years+, over 140cm and be supervised by an adult. www.highropesoxford.com 01865 727378 or 0799 9579830

High Ropes are offering all Families Oxfordshire readers HALF PRICE HIGH ROPES TICKETS at weekends throughout the summer holidays (8 Jul – 3 Sep 2011).

The offer applies to recreational high ropes only. Terms and conditions apply. Please use promo code FAMILYOXF01 when booking online.

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HOLIDAYS The Pottery Place The Pottery Place in Witney is the original paint your own pottery, mosaic and craft studio, perfect for a family day out. You can get crafty and creative in their studio with a choice of painting, mosaics and Decopatch. Friendly staff is on hand to give advice and refreshments are served.

Craft workshops are run every weekday morning during the school holidays, from 25 July until 26 August.

There’s also a mobile studio that can be brought out to any venue or summer event. www.thepotteryplace.co.uk 01993 704234

Ice cool animals in August Whenever you visit, there are always lots of new things to see and do at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens. Recent newborns to be admired include zebra foal Rodney and three female baby camels, as well as two new arrivals, giraffes Icarus and J. Children can follow a trail to help them learn about the animals. A climb in the tree house in the adventure playground is not to be missed and all the family can take a leisurely ride on the ever popular railway around the park.

There’s a full diary of special events right up to the end of December.

If you decide to visit the park on Wednesdays in August, you’ll be able to see the keepers feed some animals ice pops!

(Animal friendly ones with lots of yummy things hidden inside.)

Stagecoach Summer Holiday Workshops Stagecoach branches in Oxford, Banbury and Abingdon are offering all year round quality training for four to eighteen yearolds in the disciplines of dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Skills learnt by Stagecoach students don't disappear when the curtain falls - they are skills for life.

Stagecoach's first Oxford centre opened in 1991 and the school has grown ever since. Weekly sessions now take place at five centres in Oxford, based in North Oxford (Summertown) and Headington.

All 2011 summer holiday workshops will be held in The Theatre at Headington.

After a successful summer term, Principal Maya Sprigg and her teams in Oxford are now looking forward to the summer holiday workshops.

For children age 8 - 18, there is ‘Churchill’s Children’, a show based on evacuees to the Oxford area during the blitz, and a colourful version of ‘Arabian Nights’ for juniors, age 4 - 9.

Call Maya Sprigg on 01869 2786000 or email oxford@stagecoach.co.uk.

In Abingdon, Julia Howson is offering Footloose and Cinderella Rockerfella workshops.

Abingdon@stagecoach.co.uk 0845 113 0320 Melissa Allen in Banbury will run Allsorts workshops.

Banbury@stagecoach.co.uk 01869 249318

Photo Monty Smith

Don’t forget to bring a picnic and chill out in the park along with the 250 different species of animals, insects and birds. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 01993 823006

Summer Music Jamborees Salt Box Music Company have a programme of activities throughout Oxfordshire with music classes for children throughout the summer holidays, Salt Box Music founder Michelle Keating says: “the popular Salt Box Music Jamboree is larger than our weekly group sessions and is open to babies and children up to 8 years of age, keeping the whole family entertained.” The 45 minute music class includes songs, global percussion, musical games, props & puppets & music from around the world for everyone to get their feet tapping to.

The Jamborees cost £4.50 for the first child and £2.50 per sibling.

Booking is essential.

Salt Box Music also hold weekly classes throughout Oxfordshire. www.saltboxmusic.co.uk 01993 704207

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SUMMER CAMPS HOLIDAY CAMPS IN OXFORDSHIRE THE BUSHCRAFT COMPANY

CAMP ENERGY

SUPERCAMPS

What

What

What

Bushcraft camps for kids are a great way for them to engage with the natural world, to interact with different people and make new friends, and to experiment with all sorts of new skills and ideas.

There is something for everyone at The Bushcraft Company, where traditional wilderness survival meets high-octane adventure sports, for the ultimate Summer Camp experience. Days are packed with activities, from camp craft, fresh water swimming, shelter building, orienteering, wilderness cooking to mountain biking and archery.

A typical day at Camp Energy includes a variety of fun activities in extensive grounds, arts and crafts in the on-site facilities or trips to places of local interest.

On offer are a host of Fun and Sporty Activities, Creative Design, Day Trips, Specialist Activity Weeks.

Super Camps offers a variety of holiday camps and courses at excellent venues across England. The mix of camps and courses available at each venue depends on the facilities and space that each site offers.

Where

When

Residential summer camps at Cornbury Park near Charlbury.

Each week from 11 July – 26 August (excluding weekends)

Super Camps Multi-Activity Day Camps for children aged 4-14 are running during the summer holidays at Cranford House School (Moulsford), Headington School (Headington), Oxford High School (Summertown) and Radley College (Nr. Abingdon). There are 40+ sports arts and crafts ativities on offer from Motor Quads and Climbing to Friendship Bracelets and Clay Modeling.

See Supercamps’ web site for additional RAW, Sports and Passion For...special camps

When

For who

When

Fun bunch 4-7; Action Gang 8-10; Academy 11-13

First camps start on 11 July and run until 26 August (dates vary from site to site).

Contact

For who

Camp Energy, Prama House, 267 Banbury Road, Summertown Oxford OX2 7HT. 01865 339339 info@campenergy.com www.campenergy.com

Multi-Activity Day 4-14.

RAW Adventure Camps 8-14 RAW Extreme 11-16 Mad About Sports Coaching Weeks 8-14 A Passion For... Holiday Workshops 6-16

Each week from 25 July to 26 August and you can choose from five day or three day camps.

For who Children aged 7-12 and 12-15

Contact The Stable Block, Cornbury Park, Charlbury OX7 3EH, 01608 811380 info@thebushcraftcompany.com www.thebushcraftcompany.com

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Where Camp Energy is held at of Summer Fields School based right in the heart of Oxford.

Comprising of 70 acres of parkland, inhouse bushcraft site, 9 hole golf course, climbing wall, outdoor pool and flume, as well as the River Cherwell for all the water sports. A second location is St Hugh's, conveniently situated off the A420 between Oxford and Swindon.

Where

Contact Super Camps Park House, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RS 01235 832222 info@supercamps.co.uk www.supercamps.co.uk

JULY / AUGUST 2011

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MORE NEWS Independant resilience

by Joanna Parry According to the Independent Schools Council (ISC), the number of children in private education fell this year, dropping for the second year in a row, as fees rose.

Information from the ISC shows the average parent will pay £13,179 in annual fees this year which is a 4.6 per cent increase on last year. With the economic climate and the Coalition’s cuts already forcing families to tighten their belts, affording private education is becoming a challenge.

Although, while the economy has forced some private schools to shut and boarding schools are looking more and more to

foreign pupils to fill their numbers, private school pupils fell by only 786 this year.

School leaders are insisting that the figures actually show a positive result for the private sector in the face of enormous pressure on family incomes. “ISC independent schools are showing remarkable resilience against a difficult economic background, reflecting the high quality of education that our schools offer to parents and the value for money that this represents,” says David Lyscm, ISC chief executive. He continued to say that the average fee rise was the second lowest since 1994 and showed that independent schools were "very sensitive to the needs of parents and doing everything they can to keep fees to a minimum".

Your child in a mobile classroom? by Joanna Moorhead Up to 72,000 families across the UK will fail to get their first choice of primary school this September, according to predictions.

The disappointment is likely to be greatest in areas where there is most pressure for school places. There, around a fifth of pupils are unlikely to get a reception class place at their first choice school. A rise in birth rates has contributed to the current pressure on places and 70 per cent of councils are now planning to install mobile classrooms in playgrounds, or to erect new buildings, to cope with the shortfall. http://tinyurl.com/choosingschool

Changes to SEN by Joanna Moorhead Under new government proposals special educational needs statements will be replaced with a ‘health and care’ plan and parents will be given a personal budget to spend on implementing it. The aim is to give parents more power. The new plans are being piloted from September 2011, and will be introduced nationally next year. http://tinyurl.com/5vv339f SCHOOLS’ OPEN DAYS ABINGDON PREPARATORY SCHOOL

15 October Open Morning 09.30am-12pm 01865 391570 www.abingdon.org.uk/prep

Create fashion By Joanna Parry Whether you are a complete beginner or a talented dress-maker, iFashionDesign offers workshops for young designers which are fun, friendly and fashion-filled. With afterschool, bespoke and holiday workshops they provide young fashion designers with a space to get creative – have fun, socialise and learn new skills such as designing and making clothes, creating textiles and prints, figure drawing, recycling and customising, sewing techniques and arts and crafts with a fashionable twist. Their workshops for 8 – 14 years are perfect for budding designers to have fun and get creative with clothes, bags, hair-bands, accessories and jewellery. Now the company are offering a business

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opportunity for mums across the country - in a climate of fewer jobs and frequent redundancies more people are looking to franchising and Claire Gray, who set up iFashionDesign says that those interested in a franchising opportunity do not need a background in fashion or business as the company offers comprehensive training, plus all the materials and support needed to set up and run your own business. “We were confident that our unique workshops would appeal to young people,” says Claire. “Our mission is to inspire young people, get them making friends and fill them with confidence.” To learn more about this franchise opportunity and become a part of the iFashionDesign team visit www.ifashiondesign.co.uk/franchising

COKETHORPE SCHOOL

8 October Open Morning 9.30am-12pm 01367 240618 www.ferndaleschool.co.uk D’OVERBROECK’S COLLECGE LECKFORD PLACE

27 September Open Evening 5.30pm-8pm 01865 302620 www.leckfordplace.com MANOR PREPARATORY SCHOOL

8 October Open Morning 10am-12.30pm 01235 858458 www.manorprep.org MAGDALEN COLLEGE SCHOOL

24 September Open Morning 9.30-12pm Open Afternoons available by appointment 01865 242191 www.mcsoxford.org OUR LADY’S ABINGDON 15 Oct Open Morning 10am-1pm 01235 524658 www.olab.org.uk RYE ST. ANTONY 21 September Open Day 01865 762802 www.ryestantony.co.uk

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DANCE CHILDCARE Your Options for Holiday Childcare Community playschemes

Community play schemes (which tend to be run by local councils or voluntary organisations) are sometimes held for two week periods in the summer holidays in community centres, schools or village halls.

They provide morning and afternoon sessions and cater for children 5 - 12 years.

There is usually a nominal charge to cover costs.

Childminders and day nurseries Some childminders and day nurseries will offer places during school holidays, depending on whether they have free spaces.

A

rranging suitable childcare during the school holidays can be a huge challenge for working parents. Many families get a hand from grandparents and other relatives, but if you do not have the luxury of family close by then we can help you explore the different options for holiday childcare and activities.

Good quality childcare can provide your children with fun and new experiences during school holidays, with opportunities to make new friends, stay fit and healthy and maybe even learn a new skill at the same time.

Holiday plays chemes/clubs Holiday play schemes offer organised play and activities for school aged children during the school holidays, at affordable prices.

Activities on offer are designed to stimulate and educate children, and include sports, outdoor and indoor games, arts, crafts and drama, swimming and day trips.

These clubs can be offered as part of a school's extended services, or run by private or voluntary organisations. Based on school premises, or in youth clubs, village halls, community centres or sports/leisure centres, they usually open five days a week during school holidays, and offer childcare for children aged 5 to 11. Though some do also cater for older children. On average, holiday plays chemes cost £20.00 per day, but this varies.

Childminders offer childcare in their own home, and usually work from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm but many are flexible. They will charge anything between £2.50 and £7.50 an hour depending on location. Your local Family Information Service (FIS) can give you a list of childminders with places available. 0800 096 0296 http://tinyurl.com/childcarefinder Day nurseries care for children and babies from three or four months old up to school age. They tend to cost from £150 to £200 per week, again depending on location.

Nannies and home-based carers Nannies are employed by parents to look after children in the family home either on a live-in or live-out basis. They should either be qualified childcare professionals or should have at least two years’ experience of caring for children. They can look after children of any age, and their hours are usually flexible. Nannies' fees will start at

Our Sep/Oct issue will contain our indispensable guide to

clubs & classes and schools’ open days!

To be included call 01235 206657 or email editor@familiesox.co.uk Copy deadline 5 August

Get ready for school!

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around £6.00 per hour, but this tends to vary greatly. You will also have to pay your nanny's tax and National Insurance contributions.

To cut costs, you might also want to consider a nanny share. Not only will this cut the costs by nearly half it will also provide a playmate for your child. You can only operate a nanny share with one other family. If a nanny takes on children from three families or more they would have to be registered as a childminder.

Holiday camps A number of organisations offer adventure and holiday camps for children. Some of these are residential, while others are simply day camps. Activities offered include sport, arts and crafts or camping trips.

The British Activity Holiday Association is the trade association for providers of activity holidays and courses in the UK. Member centres have all agreed to abide by the BAHA Code of Practice and are committed to high standards of safety, value for money and customer service. www.baha.org.uk

Regulation If a childcare setting caters for children younger than eight years old or opens for more than two hours a day on more than five days a year, they need to be registered with Ofsted. All registered providers offering childcare will have been issued a certificate from Ofsted providing details of the number of children, age range and qualifications of the staff or provider.

Anyone who works with children and young people will also have had to have had a police check (CRB check). If you recruit childcare direct, for instance employ an au pair or nanny from a website which offers CV listings, such as Best Bear, then it is always recommended that you ensure references are thoroughly checked.

Provided by Best Bear www.bestbear.co.uk

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Sun safe Shade Protect children by providing areas of shade, under trees, umbrellas or canopies.

Babies should be kept out of the direct sun.

Cover up When outdoors, protect their skin with loose fitting clothes, and a wide brimmed hat that shades their face, neck and ears.

Sunglasses Buy good quality, wraparound sunglasses for children, as soon as they can wear them.

Hats Encourage children to wear hats with brims, especially if they are not wearing sunglasses. The wider the brim, the more skin will be shaded from the sun.

Sunscreen Use at least a factor 30 sunscreen and choose a broad spectrum brand that has a four or five star rating. Apply to areas that cannot be protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands.

Choose sunscreens that are formulated for children’s and babies' skin. These products are less likely to contain alcohol or fragrances that might irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. Apply sunscreen generously and regularly. Sunscreen can easily be washed, rubbed or sweated off – so reapply often throughout the day.

Good habits Read stories and sing songs about sun safety to teach children to look after their skin.

Don't forget nursery!

Give children a hat to wear, cover their exposed skin and provide sunscreen for the nursery staff to apply.

Provided by Kids Unlimited Nurseries www.kidsunlimited.co.uk

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BOOKS Reading and summer activities: the bane of parents everywhere as the Summer holidays loom large.

Here are some suggestions, from Mostly Books’ Mark Thornton, for all ages to help mums and dads wean their children (occasionally) from the games consoles. www.mostly-books.co.uk Pull-back Busy Car Book Fiona Watt ISBN: 978-0794530716 This is a fantastic book for pre-schoolers that children can interact with and enjoy again and again. Follow the car on its journey to the seaside, through town, the countryside and along a motorway, and see all the sights along the way. As well as exciting pictures and lots of things to spot there is a real pull-back car that allows children to engage with the delightful story. With four different embedded tracks throughout the book, children can watch the car run round them on its journey. A perfect gift to engage and entertain young children.

A Small Free Kiss in the Dark Glenda Millard ISBN: 978-1848770270 From the sparkling opening pages, this novel for teens is both action packed and sensitively written. The survival skills of Skip and Billy mean they become strong and adept at living in a changing world. A great exploration of how individuals who don't fit in can be excellent in extraordinary situations. It's a tough and stark read in places, short, but it will not only have you turning the pages but will stay with you for a long time.

The Queen Must Die K.A.S Quinn ISBN 978-1848870529 When 21st century New Yorker Katie falls asleep under her bed whilst reading letters from Queen Victoria's children, she doesn’t expect to wake up to a young girl accusing her of being an assassin. Katie quickly has to adapt to unexpectedly traveling through time and stay hidden whilst her two new friends - Princess Anne and the Doctor’s son James - try to help her find a way back home. But soon she realises she must help them too because the Queen's life is in danger. A great mystery and adventure story (with a slight supernatural twist) and the first in a trilogy, so look forward to more!

Stanley's Stick John Hegley & Neal Layton ISBN: 978-0340988183 In the hands of any small boy a stick can be picked up anywhere and suddenly becomes anything from a rocket to a wand. This is the basis for the wonderfully imaginative 'Stanley's Stick', which is a collaborative picture book from poet John Hegley and illustrator Neal Layton.

Perfect for small boys with imaginative minds - aren't they all!

The Deeping Secrets Victor Watson ISBN: 978-1846471186 This is a classic children's mystery adventure, set in a quiet rural village in Norfolk against a backdrop of the Second World War. When the local railway is bombed there's talk of spies in their midst and Molly is upset that her carefree Easter holidays with her friends might be spoilt. More interested in buried treasure than spies, the group of friends embark on midnight picnics in their barn to plan their adventures, only to find events taking an unexpected and intriguing turn. Charming, fun and realistically imagined, 'The Deeping Secrets' is perfect for children 9+ who like adventure stories.

Do you say ‘SSSS’ or ‘SUH’ for snake?

“One does not 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?

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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.

By Tami Reis-Frankfort

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 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! www.phonicbooks.co.uk

Tami Reis-Frankfort is Reading Specialist and Director of Phonic Books

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LEARNING EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES

by Alison Dornan

V

ery few people in the UK seem to know that September 26, is the European Day of languages. What could be the reason, when the rest of Europe actively celebrates it?

Is it a touch of xenophobia? Or is there a little seed of fear deep within our subconscious, associated with our 11 year old self sitting in the back of French class wondering what on earth future perfect and past participles are, let alone what we are going to say if the teacher asks us a question?

Thankfully, many primary schools in England are now introducing basic French to our children from the age of 7. This is considerably earlier than when we were at school, but is it early enough?

In Norway, Malta and Luxembourg children start learning a second language from the first year of primary school, and in parts of Belgium and Spain they start at the age of three. In the Netherlands there are even government funded bilingual schools teaching simultaneously in Dutch and English.

“The best thing of all would be to start learning a second language at kindergarten” says Professor Rohde at the University of Cologne. Professor Rohde and other researchers have found that children at kindergarten learn a second language the same way that they have learned their mother tongue; without any inhibitions, unconsciously and as part of everyday situations, making the whole process fun.

Whilst a few nursery schools in the UK are starting to introduce some second language lessons, the benefits of learning a second

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language at home in everyday situations are substantially higher. Even if your second language vocabulary is limited to a few words and your accent is noticeably English, “it is your enthusiasm that counts” say experts like Carey Myles. Learning a language together is a fantastic opportunity for both parent & child, and is a great bonding experience as a child will imitate not just the words that they hear but also the attitude of the adult.

As an adult there are some very simple and free ways to refresh your memory without having to hit the dictionary and text books.

Listening to foreign radio stations via Digital Radio or Internet Radio is a fantastic start.

Even if you don’t understand a single word initially, simply hearing it in the background for a few weeks will allow the language to start to break into your subconscious. You will start to pick up the odd word and then gradually whole sentences, and with many of the songs being played in English you will get frequent breaks.

utilise the principle of subliminal absorption which allows you to map the words across the two languages both consciously and subconsciously without the need for a dictionary.

A fabulous idea for young children is to get them a foreign language teddy bear. There doesn’t need to be anything special about the teddy, although a culturally relevant one is a nice extra dimension. The key is that the child believes that the teddy can only speak the other language.

Provided the adult introduces the teddy bear in this context and involves it in all the language activities and games that they play together, then the child will eventually start talking to their teddy in that language, believing that the teddy cannot understand English.

The main thing to keep in mind is that parents don’t really teach children to speak any more than they teach them to walk or smile. A child will develop the foundations of a second language if they are simply given exposure, encouragement, and motivation.

For activities with your children, books, flash cards and nursery rhymes are fantastic. Children in particular love flash cards, they are a great way of making learning fun and many games can be derived around them. Dual language books and flash cards are considered better than ones just in the second language as they

Author Alison O’Dornan is the founder of Diglot Books, specialists in dual language books and flash cards for pre-school children. www.diglotbooks.com 01494 853933 See also the official site for the European Day of Languages http://edl.ecml.at

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SUMMER DAYS OUT MAKE THE MOST OF FESTIVALS

a survival guide for families

There are loads of festivals all over the country to choose from these days, ranging from tiny to humongous, with each of them offering something a bit different. Here Romany from Festival Kidz (www.festivalkidz.co.uk) shares her tips for not only surviving a festival, but also making it a really enjoyable and memorable experience.

Packing essentials Ideally, everything you take should be compact and multi-purpose. If you have a ton of stuff (as most families will) then you’ll be pleased to know that most festivals offer a wheelbarrow or trolley hire service.

Ear defenders - good quality ear defenders for kids are an absolute must. Children’s ears are very sensitive and exposure to loud music at festivals can cause permanent damage.

First aid – plasters for blisters, some paracetamol (for you and the kids), hay fever tablets if needed, any regular meds, something for upset stomachs and maybe even hangovers (well, nobody expects you to be a saint!).

Toiletries – you may be planning to forgo showers for the whole weekend, but you’ll still need toothpaste and lots of WET WIPES, which are terrible for landfill so please buy biodegradable where possible. For showers you’ll need a towel, shampoo and soap – try showering early afternoon to avoid the queues.

Loo roll – Festival toilets always seem to run out. For little ones a travel potty is a really good idea. You may also want to bring your own personal toilet such as the brilliant Boginabag (which conveniently doubles as a camping stool).

Lights – A torch is useful, as is a lantern for the tent. Good glowsticks are great for helping you keep an eye on your kids once dark falls and also double as a lantern in your tent or for loo trips.

Travel games – something that your child can play with while you catch a band will come in handy. It depends how old your child is, but the Usborne dry-wipe activity cards are great. Choose something small that they can do on the picnic blanket.

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Food and snacks – Festival food is very expensive over a whole weekend and it’s often a bit exotic for little tastebuds, so why not freeze some easy meals in advance and use them to keep your coolbox cold, reheating them to eat once they start to thaw? You can do the same with pints of milk so it stays fresh all weekend. Fresh pasta cooks in a couple of minutes so is very useful, too. Plenty of tasty snacks like avocados, bananas and breadsticks help to counter the ice-cream demands!

Transport – Festival sites are large and little legs will get tired so make sure you bring a buggy, wagon, carrier or hipseat.

Weather wear – Waterproofs and wellies, sun hats and sunscreen, warm jumpers and t-shirts… British weather is so unpredictable. Dressing in appropriate clothes for the weather will improve your enjoyment of the festival no end.

Shmangle – This is a multi-purpose fleece blanket with waterproof outer and a hood.

You can use it as a picnic blanket, wrap it around like a cape or use it as an extra layer over your sleeping bag – brilliant!

Why not try something new?

Festivals are an opportunity to let routines slip for a few days, lose inhibitions and go where the mood takes you. You will never see everything you planned to, but chances are you’ll see many unexpected equally amazing things if you slow down and let the festival pace carry you along. Try your hand at the great range of workshops offered and you never know, you may even discover some hidden talents!

Looking for inspiration about where to go?

In the next column you’ll find a few local ones to get you started.

Towersey, 25–19 August Local Towersey Festival runs for four days in August at the village of Towersey, near Thame. You can camp and get in the festival spirit, or take advantage of day tickets and choose what you really must see. As well as adult bands and shows there’s lots going on specifically for kids – including crafts, story telling, performance, dancing and workshops, as well as evening shows just for families. But that’s not all – there’s also a market with over 100 different stalls selling everything from garden herbs and handmade soaps to jewellery and clothing; food stands; a real ale festival; face painters; a climbing wall and much much more.

01629 827016 www.towerseyfestival.com

Harvest, 9–10 September Harvest (Kingham, Oxfordshire) is a festival that champions the best of British food and music. This year the line-up includes current radio favourite Eliza Doolittle and big names from the world of food such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Tommi Miers.

The festival will be hosting the British Street Food Awards and a Daylesford Cookery School alongside a variety of bands, DJs, culinary masterclasses and gardening workshops. And there’s plenty for the family with shows from Charlie and Lola, and Fantastic Mr Fox, kids’ cookery classes and craft workshops. The Boutique Babysitting service will also be there, if you want to leave your kids for a bit under supervision.

There are three main camping areas or you stay in a luxury yurt, teepee or bell tent, and enjoy extras such as breakfast in bed and butler service.

Day tickets are also available.

0207 292 7121 www.alexjamespresentsharvest.com

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EMBRACE THE NATION’S LATEST HOLIDAY TREND and enjoy summer ‘daycations’ with the National Trust

N

ew research by the National Trust has identified the South East as being the top ‘daycation’ hot spot in the UK. The term ‘daycation’ has been coined by the Trust following research that revealed a new trend in the way people are using their holiday time.

Traditionally, many Brits have taken a twoweek annual holiday. However, high prices, the stress of travelling and the inability to switch off from work means that, over the past five years, 15% less people in the South East are doing this, with 46% not planning a fortnight’s break this year.

Instead, they are opting for multiple days out with family and friends, with over a quarter of those polled hoping to take at least ten single days off, or ‘daycations’.

The physical and psychological benefits of daycations have also been revealed by the research, showing that they reduce stress, improve wellbeing, help to bond family relationships and strengthen social networks.

Many National Trust sites in the South East appeal to visitors who want to escape the pressures of working life, and the inspiring destinations give them plenty of choice, from the grandeur of magnificent country houses, to more intimate homes which can transport visitors to an otherwise long-lost era.

Fragrant country gardens, meadows and woodland are ideal places in which to wander and relax, and most properties are not far from motorways. All of them offer a range of activities and attractions throughout the summer.

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Why not indulge in a daycation or two to some of the beautiful destinations below?

Basildon Park, nr Reading: this magnificent 18th-century country house is a star of the Big Screen, and its intriguing exhibition takes a look ‘behind the scenes’ at the filming of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’. Enjoy guided tours of the house (Mondays, and 11am to 12pm on other days) and discover more about the amazing couple who restored the mansion from dereliction in the 1950s; don’t forget to peep into the Conservation Room to see conservators in action as they clean and repair precious items. In the authentic 1950s kitchen, you can often see cookery demonstrations and food tastings taking place.

Outside, way marked trails takes visitors on picturesque walks through the gardens and into the surrounding parkland and ancient woods, whilst in the garden younger visitors can ‘camp out’ in the Hazel Hideout and play with giant games. Every Friday, guided walks reveal more about Basildon Park’s hidden nature, whilst the Basildon Bingo quiz encourages children to investigate the grounds’ wildlife.

This summer, Basildon Park pulls out all the stops with its Fabulous Fifties programme, featuring an exhibition of glamorous gowns, talks by fashion curators*, and a weekly children’s summer craft school (Wednesdays from 27 July to 24 August). On 23 July*, Ratty, Mole, Toad and Badger take centre stage in a production of ‘The Wind in the Willows’, preceded by a children’s acting workshop.

Basildon Park, Lower Basildon Reading, RG8 9NR 0118 984 3040

Greys Court, nr Henley: soak up the atmosphere of this intimate family home and find out about its role at the heart of the nation’s W.I. movement. A colourful family guide containing simple craft and recipe projects is on offer to younger visitors, who can also enjoy baking and jam-making demonstrations in the kitchen.

Outside, the gardens reveal sumptuous scent and colour from roses and lavender.

The pretty walled kitchen garden is brimming with fruit and veg, much of which is for sale daily. Families can explore the Medieval ruins, wildflower meadow, orchard and woodlands following selfguided trails.

Children are invited to design and plant up their own ‘Secret Garden’ with the garden team on 10 August*, whilst ‘Get Your Wellies On’ leads them beyond the boundaries of the gardens, to discover how food finds its way from the estate onto our plates (24 August*).

A packed summer programme includes special evening tours of the house (8 and 22 July*), and sparkling nights of music and comedy from outdoor theatre productions, as well as Greys Court’s popular Music & Moonlight event – the chance to dress up, picnic and enjoy live entertainment (30 July*).

Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys Henley-on-Thames RG9 4PG 01494 755564 *Ticketed events, to be booked in advance.

Normal admission charges apply for entry to the properties listed above. www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

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WHAT’S ON .

CORNERSTONE ARTS CENTRE

MILL ARTS CENTRE (CONTD.)

25 Station Road Didcot OX11 7NE 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 15 Jul 7.30pm & 16 Jul 2.30pm – 7.30pm

Spiceball Park Banbury OX16 5QE 01295 252050 www.themillartscentre.co.uk 3 Aug 2pm BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Multi-Story Theatre Company. An old woman who claims to be a princess and a reluctant security guard use music, song, puppetry and projection to play out the traditional tale of Beauty & the Beast. Nothing is quite as it seems in this lively and inventive version.

Ages 4 – 9 & their families 10 Aug 2pm EAST O’ THE SUN WEST O’ THE MOON

VOYAGE OF DREAMS Watch 100-strong cast of dancers from dance and drama training centre, Dance Connection, as they set sail on a voyage through the world of dance.

17 Jul 12 noon – u 5s 1.30pm – 5-8 year olds

CUSHION CONCERT FOR LITTLE ONES - TUBA Aha! This time Mister Mark features the tuba – the lowest pitched of all brass instruments, making a deep, rich sound when you put your lips to it and BUZZ! Take an adult and a cushion.

KENTON THEATRE New Street Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BP 01491 575698 www.kentontheatre.co.uk 15 Jul – 17 Jul HENRY’S ARABIAN NIGHTS! In days of old when Knights were bold - princesses tried not to get their heads chopped off! It all happens in the Tudor court, where a bored and slightly spoiled King Henry will be entertained by traditional stories (from Arabian Nights) by each of his wives. Who will have her head chopped off and who will be Queen Supreme?

Family-friendly musical comedy.

MILL ARTS CENTRE Spiceball Park Banbury OX16 5QE 01295 252050 www.themillartscentre.co.uk 26 Jul 2pm ROBIN HOOD by Garlic Theatre Company Watch this merry mix up in the forest involving glove puppets, false teeth and a frying pan. Why is Robin Hood wearing girls’ clothes and what is lurking behind the trees? Is it the Sheriff of Nottingham or the big bad wolf? Two classic tales are interwoven in a fast and funny show. Ages 4 - 8 & their families 28 Jul 2pm RAT TAT TAT BY JACTITO THEATRE COMPANY It's Chinese New Year and the Emperor is throwing a party for all the animals with a big surprise for the first to arrive. All are invited: Dragon, Dog, Tiger, and Pig to mention a few - it's a race to the Palace. But who will take 'Rat-A-Tat-Tat the little Rat - she doesn't know the way? Ages 4 - 8 & their families 2 Aug 2pm MAGNIFICENT FLYING MACHINE

by Garlic Theatre Company Have you ever dreamed of having wings? Follow the wacky adventures of Proffessor Bix Horn as he flies by the seat of his pants and tries to build a flying machine out of the most unlikely things. Ages 4-8 & their families

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BY MULTI-STORY THEATRE COMPANY In this traditional Norwegian tale, a white bear comes knocking at the cottage door and the daughter of the house agrees to join him in his icy palace. The girl discovers that the bear is in fact a handsome Prince. But she has broken a spell and the Prince is whisked away.

All her powers are needed to save him from the Troll Castle. Ages 4 – 9 & their families 12 Aug 2pm MOON MAGIC BY MAGIC CARPET THEATRE The Mill becomes a space shuttle, the audience are the passengers, on a thrill packed trip to the moon. Everyone's help is needed to get back to earth. Ages 5-11 & their families

NEW THEATRE George Street, OX1 2AG 0844 847 1585 www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk 18 – 23 Jul GREASE Dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and get ready for the most fun-filled, high octane rock ‘n’ roll party of the year! It’s the original high-school musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including ‘You’re The One That I Want’, ‘Grease Is The Word’, ‘Summer Nights’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’, ‘Sandy’, ‘Greased Lightnin’ and many more.

18 - 20 Aug GUYS AND DOLLS JR. Following the huge success of last year’s Stage Experience production of Fame, the New Theatre’s summer youth theatre project returns with a production of Guys and Dolls Jr. Hugely successful open auditions were held in March, resulting in a cast and crew of over 150 local children. This promises to be another great opportunity to see the wealth of talent that Oxfordshire has to offer, live on the New Theatre stage.

OXFORD PLAYHOUSE & BT STUDIO 11-12 Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2LW 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 16 Jul 11am, 2pm & 4pm LITTLE RED ROBIN HOOD Why is Robin Hood wearing girls’ clothes and what is lurking behind the trees? Is it the Sheriff of Nottingham or the big bad wolf? Watch this merry mix up in the forest involving glove puppets, false teeth and a frying pan. Two classic tales are interwoven in a fast and funny family show with generous helpings of slapstick, clowning and musical delights.Ages 4+ 30 & 31 Jul 11am & 2pm

OXFORD PLAYHOUSE & BT STUDIO (CONTD.) 6 Aug 12 noon & 3pm TRAVELS WITH GRANDDAD Meet Granddad, eccentric traveller and storyteller extraordinaire. Enter his battered Bedouin tent to hear magical tales of adventures in real and imaginary worlds. Sound, light, objects and exquisite puppets create a classic performance, enthralling and delighting the whole family. Ages 3+ 19 -31 Jul AS YOU LIKE IT Performed on an Elizabethan-style stage, a troupe of travelling players breathes new life into this firm favourite among Shakespeare's comedies. Celebrating the incomparable delights of love, As You Like It runs the glorious gamut of pastoral romance: cross-dressing and love-notes; poetry and brilliant conversation; gentle satire, slapstick and passion. Venue: Old Schools Quadrangle, Bodleian Library 30 Aug 7pm & 31 Aug 11am & 4pm MR STINK Chloe doesn’t like school very much. She isn’t as cool as the other kids. No iPhone, no DS Mr Stink and no friends. Then she meets Mr Stink – the local tramp. Yes, he smells a bit but he’s the only person who’s ever been nice to her…but is there more to him than meets the nose? Ages 7+ 2 Sep 10.30am & 1pm & 3 Sep 10.30am, 1pm & 4pm

& Chloe

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR & OTHER ERIC CARLE FAVOURITES Watch your favourite storybooks come to life on stage. The tales of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-up Chameleon, are beautifully retold in a glowing stage adaptation with puppetry.

Ages 2+

PEGASUS THEATRE Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RE 01865 812150 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 20 – 30 Jul MESH – OXFORD INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL MESH Festival is a new biannual international youth arts festival, which will be hosted, curated and run by young people for young people.

21 Jul 4.30pm & 8.30pm MESH – AFTER GILGAMESH

by Pegasus Youth Theatre Companies (Oxford, UK) Verse drama with dance and song, featuring ancient gods, barbers and weavers alongside the soldiers, citizens and generals in the last Iraq war. War, leaders, life and death, what has changed in 4,000 years?

29 Jul 4.30pm MESH – FREE STREET THEATRE & PARADE 140 young performers from the UK, Europe and beyond are taking to the streets with street theatre and a costumed parade through Oxford City Centre.

Venue: Oxford Castle, Bonn Square, and from Cornmarket to Oxford Town Hall.

29 Jul 7pm MESH – THE VISIT (FINALE) by all MESH groups. Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit is a tragi-comic play about a town suffering grinding poverty. Its citizens and mayor are corrupted by the wealth of a former resident who returns to wreak revenge for an injustice done in the past. Venue: Town Hall.

THE THEATRE

THE DUST MAN

2 Spring Street Chipping Norton OX7 5NL 01608 642350 www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk

The Dustman lives on the other side of the mirror where cats talk and everything floats. This is the place where dreams come from. At bed-time he comes out, takes you by the hand and you fly off together in the wind. Go through the invisible mirror and become part of your own dreams. See the flying coat, the swimming fish and learn how the night got put into a saucepan.

Ages 5+

16 Jul 11am MR MARK'S CHILDREN'S CONCERTS: THE CLARINET Join pianist Mr Mark who will explore a new and different musical instrument explaining its working in an informal, fun filled concert. Mr Mark encourages children to participate and to use their minds, hands and voices. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Age 6 and under.

23 Jul 11am TOM THUMB by Lyngo Theatre Company ‘Here I am!’ Tom stays one tiny step ahead of everyone to save his brothers from mum, dad and the monster.

With feathery spinning birds, a scary ogre head, flying fiery houses and a portable forest, this originally Italian show, performed entirely on a kitchen table, is a wee wonder. Ages 6+

We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate and up-to-date. However, please call venues to confirm.

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WHAT’S ON JULY

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29 Jul–26 Aug 2pm - 2.20pm 9 Jul ALICE’S DAY AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN ASHMOLEAN FRIDAY MINI TOURS 20-minute tours OXFORD Oxford celebrates Alice in Wonderland with a led by Ashmolean Education Volunteers on Fridays. spectacular day of events.

Ages 3+. Free, no booking necessary. www.storymuseum.org.uk/alice Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 10 Jul and 11 Sep 2.30pm - 5pm AFTERNOON TEAS 01865 278000 AND CAKES served by Friends Of Ewelme School. See 30 Jul 10.30am -12.30pm the oldest school building in the county to be in use as a BABY AND CHILDEN’S MARKET state primary.

Corn Exchange Faringdon Burrows Hill, OX10 6HU www.ewelme.oxon.sch.uk www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk 01491 839240 07800 568040 10 Jul every half hour from 2pm - 5pm 30 & 31 Jul ENHANCED STEAMDAYS MAPPING WONDERLAND by Broad gauge Fire Fly locomotive operating Underconstruction Theatre. Take a journey Travelling Post Office demonstrations through Wonderland and help a mysterous Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, OX11 7NJ character discover her past. Promenade www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk performance, departing from Radcliffe 01235 817200 Square in front of Vaults and Gardens café.

31 Jul 7.30pm OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY Mapping Wonderland Tours also run on 16,17, 23, 24, 30 & 31 Jul. YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT The end of www.underconstructiontheatre.com tour concert by the top Oxfordshire’s student orchestra.

13 Jul – 17 Jul 11am – 5pm THE RIVER PROJECT Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford

by Art Jericho. An exhibition of a huge flowing river www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/music 01865 740000 made of nearly 100 segments created in seven primary AUGUST schools that all feed into The Cherwell School in North 1 Aug 10am - 4pm TO BE OR NOT TO BE A fun theatre Oxford. www.artjericho.com workshop taking old classic plays and stories and 16 Jul – 4 Sep RRM FUNTIME AT RIVER AND making them hip, modern and relevant. Ages 8-12yrs ROWING MUSEUM Explore Thames wildlife in a gallery The Mill Arts Centre, Spiceball Park Banbury OX16 5QE full of fun and interactive things to do. Ages 12 and www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 under. Take an adult. River and Rowing Museum Henley on Thames, www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415605 1 - 5 Aug SUMMER VILLAGE Taster workshops.

18 – 23 Jul HENLEY FRINGE at Henley on Thames A week of fun for 6-12 year olds. Pegasus Theatre, www.henleyfringe.org Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RE www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 20 Jul – 23 Jul PETER PAN by The Blewbury Players 2 Aug – 7 Aug 12 noon – 4pm FAMILY ACTIVITY WEEK Orchard Dene Garden Theatre, Blewbury www.blewburyplayers.com 01235 515144 Explore, discover and play. Free family activities.

Modern Art Oxford www.modernartoxford.org.uk 22 - 24 Jul 9am – 5pm CLA GAME FAIR 01865 813800 Blenheim Palace www.blenheimpalace.com 3 Aug 1am - 3pm 01993 811325 www.gamefair.co.uk PLAYDAY 2011 BICESTER ACTIVITY DAY 23 Jul – 12 Aug SUMMERSCREEN FILM FESTIVAL Garth Park, Launton Road, Bicester The 8th Summerscreen film festival is all about inspiring Oxfordshire Play Association young people through film. www.oxonplay.org.uk www.ofvm.org/summerscreen 01865 792732 01865 779474 23 Jul 1pm – 4pm FOREST PICNIC AFTERNOON 3 Aug 10.15am & 2pm, An afternoon dedicated to stories, games, activities and K’NEX LIGHTHOUSES music themed around forests of the World.

Build a working lighthouse University of Oxford Botanic Garden Rose Lane OX1 4AZ out of K’nex. Ages 8+ www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 Science Oxford Live 25 – 29 Jul SUMMER DANCIN’: CONTEMPORARY www.scienceoxfordlive.com DANCE SUMMER RESIDENCY The ultimate dance 01865 810000 experience for young people in Oxford by Tac-au-Tac 4 Aug 10am - 3pm PLAYDAY Dance Theatre.

2011 WEST OXFORDSHIRE Town Hall Oxford www.dancinoxford.co.uk Playday at The Leys 01865 252820 Recreation Ground Witney 25 – 29 Jul 10am – 3pm daily SUMMER CLUMPS CLUB Oxfordshire Play Association Outdoor adventures and play every day. Shelter building, www.oxonplay.org.uk wild art, drama and games for children aged 8 – 12 yrs.

01865 779474 Earth Trust Centre Little Wittenham 4 Aug 12 noon – 4pm www.earthtrust.org.uk 01865 407792 MEET CONSUTA Enjoy a 25 Jul – 5 Sep 10am – 5pm short trip on a restored QUEST GEOCACHING TRAILS Outdoor GPS treasureworking steam launch used hunt. Express Quest is a trail for beginners, Puzzle Quest as an umpire boat for Henley is an intermediate trail, suitable for older children.

Regatta during Victorian The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum times. www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 River and Rowing Museum 26 Jul, 11,15 & 31 Aug 10am – 3pm Henley on Thames HILL END FAMILY FUN DAYS www.rrm.co.uk The Hill End Centre, Eynsham Road, Farmoor 01491 415605 Oxford OX2 9NJ hill.end@oxfordshire.gov.uk 4 Aug 6pm PINOCCHIO – 01865 863510 27 Jul 11am – 3pm PLAY DAY 2011 at Banbury People’s Park Oxfordshire Play Association www.oxonplay.org.uk 01865 779474 27 Jul 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm TEDDY’S TENT Can you help Teddy find the right materials to make his tent and sleeping bag? Ages 4-7 Science Oxford Live www.scienceoxfordlive.com 01865 810000 28 Jul 10.30am- 11am TOM TOTS – WASHDAY Enjoy songs, stories and poems all about washday.

Ages 5 and under The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock www.tomocc.org.uk 01993 811456

AUGUST 10 Aug 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm INVENTING ISOBEL Our friend Isobel is a great inventor, or so she thinks.

Ages 4-7. Science Oxford Live www.scienceoxfordlive.com 01865 810000 16 Aug 10.30am - 11.30am THE ORANGE HAT CIRCUS ADVENTURE Enjoy the summer holiday with Peggoty the Hen. Ages 6 months - 5 years.

The Theatre Chipping Norton 2 Spring Street Chipping Norton OX7 5NL www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350 22 – 26 Aug 10am – 3pm STOP MOTION SUMMER SCHOOL Make your own stop motion animation film with sound and music. Ages 9 – 15.

St Margaret’s Institute, Oxford www.stopmogo.com 01865 559882 24 Aug 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm SPY SCHOOL Join a Top Secret Spy school and crack codes. Ages 7+ Science Oxford Live www.scienceoxfordlive.com 01865 810000 25 Aug 1pm – 4pm CONCEAL & REVEAL ORIGAMI Ages 8 – 12 Booking essential.

Modern Art Oxford www.modernartoxford.org.uk 01865 813800 27 – 29 Aug 11am – 6pm FOODIES FESTIVAL A great day out for all the family, with cooking classes for budding young chefs.

South Parks, Oxford www.foodiesfestival.com 27 - 29 Aug ENHANCED STEAMDAYS Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, OX11 7NJ www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 01235 817200

SEPTEMBER 11 – 17 Sep WANTAGE BETJEMAN FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE www.wantagebetjeman.com The Wantage Betjeman Festival celebrates the literary and cultural heritage of Wantage. The week includes several children’s events such as a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on the first day and a screening of Gnomeo and Juliet.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE IN THE GARDEN

Waterperry Gardens 01844 339254 www.waterperrygardens.co.uk 5 – 7 Aug from 11am

JOUSTING TOURNAMENT Gallant Knights and their mighty steeds will meet at Blenheim Palace to battle for glory in a spectacular jousting tournament.

Blenheim Palace www.blenheimpalace.com 01993 811325

Send your diary dates for September - October by Wednesday 17 August 2011 to editor@familiesox.co.uk

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TWO FAB COMPETITIONS WIN FAMILY TICKETS to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar Families Oxfordshire has teamed up with the Playhouse to give readers a chance to win a set of family tickets for The Very Hungry Caterpillar & other Eric Carle favourites at the Playhouse in Oxford on Friday 2 September 2011.* Here’s your chance to see your favourite storybooks come to life on stage. The tales of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-up Chameleon by award-winning children’s book illustrator and writer Eric Carle, are beautifully retold in this glowing stage adaptation with puppetry.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the wonderful adventures of a very tiny and very hungry caterpillar that progresses through an amazing variety of foods.

High up in the beautiful sky, Little Cloud slips away from the rest and transforms itself into various shapes of the things it sees – a sheep, an airplane, a shark and more.

The Mixed-Up Chameleon is bored with its life – sitting about predictably changing colour all day. So it decides to embark on an adventurous trip to the zoo, wishing it could be more like the other animals. www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305

To enter, just answer this question: Who wrote the Hungry Caterpillar?

Closing date is: Friday 5 August 2011 Send your entry to: editor@familiesox.co.uk or to: Families Oxfordshire, PLAYHOUSE Competition, PO Box 167, Wantage, OX12 8ZJ. Include your name, address and telephone number Terms & Conditions PRIZE: Family tickets (4 tickets, max 2 adults) for the 1pm performance on Friday 2 Sep) Your details will not be used for any purpose other than this competition. Winners agree to the possibility of their name being published in the September/October 2011 issue of Families Oxfordshire and on the Families website. No correspondence will be entered into. Entries open to Oxfordshire residents only.

WIN FAMILY TICKETS for a great day out at Cotswold Wildlife Park There’s always lots to see and do at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, where recent newborns include zebra foal Rodney, three female baby camels, as well as two new arrivals, giraffes Icarus and J. You’re never too old to enjoy the animals and gardens, so why not ask Grandma and Grandpa to come along as well?

Hop on for a ride on the railway around the park, climb into the tree house in the adventure playground and follow the A-Z trail of Amazing Animals.

You’ll be extra lucky if you decide to visit on Wednesdays in August, as that’s when the keepers will be feeding some animals ice pops!

(Animal friendly ones with lots of yummy things hidden inside.)

Don’t forget to bring a picnic and chill out in the park amongst the amazing 250 different species of animals, insects and birds. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 01993 823006

To enter, just answer this question: What are the names of the two new giraffes at Cotswold Wildlife Park?

Closing date is: Friday 5 August 2011 Send your entry to: editor@familiesox.co.uk or to: Families Oxfordshire, CWP Competition, PO Box 167, Wantage, OX12 8ZJ. Include your name, address and telephone number Terms & Conditions PRIZE: Family tickets (4 tickets, max 2 adults) Your details will not be used for any purpose other than this competition. Winners agree to the possibility of their name being published in the September/October 2011 issue of Families Oxfordshire and on the Families website. No correspondence will be entered into. Entries open to Oxfordshire residents only.

Copyright Families Oxfordshire July 2011. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner's own risk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Oxfordshire is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. We take care in preparing this magazine but publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

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JULY / AUGUST 2011