Families Oxfordshire Issue 43 May - June 2011

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Issue 43 • May - June 2011 • www.familiesox.co.uk

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news & views Excellence from Start to Finish Abingdon School and Abingdon Prep School received the highest accolade for the outstanding education they provide. The ringing endorsement follows an inspection, this spring, by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and praises the academic standards, extra-curricular activities and pastoral care from Reception to the Sixth Form.

In this issue: News & Views Parties Books School Gardens Bump & Baby Early Years Ideas for summer What’s on Competition

3-5 6-9 10 11 12-14 15 16-17 18-19 20

WIN WIN

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Editor: Felice Vermeulen Contact: editor@familiesox.co.uk Next issue July / August 2011: Summer Holiday Copy deadline 03 June 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 May 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

The inspectors reported that, “the pupils’ achievement and progress throughout the school is outstanding” and “pupils’ attainment in public examinations and the progress they make are excellent, and this is matched by outstanding achievement in extra-curricular activities.”

from this independent body is worthy praise indeed for the excellent standards of teaching, learning and care that are all part of the exceptional education that Abingdon offers. My colleagues, and the pupils at Abingdon and Abingdon Prep, thoroughly deserve this acknowledgment of their talent, enthusiasm and hard work.”

Next Open Morning is October 15 at the Prep School and October 1, at the Senior School. www.abingdon.org.uk 01865 391570

Speaking about the findings, Abingdon’s Head, Felicity Lusk, said, “ISI is responsible for inspecting standards in the UK’s leading independent schools. Such an endorsement

All the fun at the Fayre in Hailey 21 May is the day of Hailey Primary School Fayre. It’s a Fayre with a difference.

There’s home-made food, innovative crafts, pottery painting, willow crafting, lucky dip, hoopla, fantastic funfair rides and the bouncy slide for the energetic! You can also dabble at the tombola, guess the price of

Creative talent at OLA Creative talent across the board at the Our Lady’s Abingdon (OLA) Junior School continues to flourish with many of the children regularly participating in informal concerts with the Senior School, as well as various productions for Junior School parents.

In 2010, as part of the 150th anniversary of OLA, the Juniors performed “Romeo and Juliet” in The Unicorn theatre in Abingdon.

This production was a highlight of the year for the pupils in Years 4 – 6, who all took part in one way or another. Also James French, a pupil in Year 4 has been training at

antiques or spin the wheel for a hamper.

AND there is even a classic car show!

Food will be freshly prepared on site in big "paella" style pans and for dessert, the Cotswold Ice Cream Company are bringing ice cream! You’ll also find delicious homemade cakes, cream teas, and a beer wagon and bar. Funds raised at the Fayre will be used to support activities for the children at the school through Friends of Hailey School. www.hailey.oxon.sch.uk 01993 703802 the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden since September 2010 and was one of only four boys to be selected for a role as one of the hedgehogs - in the world premiere Royal Ballet School production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

OLA is taking part in the Oxfordshire Artweeks, between 9 and 12 May. A private viewing is being held on Monday 9 May, ring for details.

Talented James

www.olab.org.uk 01235 524658

COMPETITION WINNERS NIRVANA SPA Evening Spa Experience for Two Mrs Pernille Brandt, Toot Baldon

Goodies Celestial Spa Authentic Range Ms Bridget Spurgeon, West Hendred Ms Debbie Cottrell, Chadlington BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY CENTRE Day Out with Thomas Ms Jeannine Bäker-Wilson, Harwell Ms Anne Dickens, Forest Hill

Steaming Day or Special Event Day family ticket Harry Weston (age 4), Witney CONGRATULATIONS!

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news & views “Foodie” news from Willow Cottage Nurseries Willow Cottage Nurseries in Eynsham and Farmoor are proud of the high quality childcare they offer to parents. Providing nutritious food to their charges is also high on the agenda. Fun-food activities are promoted with the help of Mr Willow, the mascot bear chef. The activities include early cookery and food handling skills.

Mr Willow’s menus are nutritionally balanced and meticulously planned to meet the developmental needs of growing children. Willow Cottage meals are made from scratch and include fresh fruit and vegetables, regular oily-fish, traditionally farmed meat, and vegetarian options.

Recipes are low in salt and sugar and use the right kind of fats. They make nearly all their own bread cakes and biscuits and the chickens that roam around on site supply the free range eggs.

All recipes, menus and educational food resources are available as downloads from www.nurseryfood.com. And soon fun food play packs will be available for parents to take home too. www.willow-cottage.com

Old Station Nursery children design garden It’s all go on the outdoor play front at The Old Station Nursery in Faringdon. The children are taking part in designing the new growing areas in the garden as part of ‘The British Telecom Schools Garden Growing Together Scheme’.

They will plant a selection of plants, including summer fruits, vegetables and salad items with the help of a volunteer from BT. Over the summer many of the pre-school children will move up to start school, which means that there will be some spaces for 3 and 4 years, including the free Early Years Entitlement of 15 hours per week. Spaces are limited so call soon to find out more. www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk 01367 243800

Cooking fun at Willow Cottage Nurseries

New computers at Kidsunlimited Kidsunlimited Day Nurseries, is continuing to develop its pre-school education by installing a new range of computers across its 57 sites. The child friendly software on the RM One computers was thoroughly put to the test by excited and eager pre-school children.

The new computers are available at any time of the day for the children to use. Their multicoloured keyboard, which has been designed for alphabet recognition and petite mouse to help hand and eye coordination, made them an instant success.

“Previous computers weren’t built for pre-school use” commented IT Manager Kevin Preece “The new RM One computer aimed at pre-school children is designed to withstand every learning environment and staff feel confident that they can encourage all children to use it”.

Kevin continued: “Feedback from the nurseries has been 100 per cent positive. The introduction of the computer with its new software is a fantastic support to children’s learning and eases the transition from nursery to school, as there are similarities in equipment used in both settings.”

Kidsunlimited hope that the success of the RM One computers will enable additional technologies to be added to their pre-school settings including interactive white boards. www.kidsunlimited.co.uk 0845 365 2988

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?

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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

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FAMILIES MAY / JUNE 2011

Zoom to Racing Challenge Ever wanted to drive a racing car? Here’s a way that’s unique and it’s suitable for ages 7 and up. Racing Challenge racing car simulators come to your birthday venue. There are two options Super 4 is for 12 drivers and Super 8 for up to 24 drivers. Eight drivers can race each other at the same time. What is appealing about this racing challenge is that you are racing each other and not a computer. A good idea for birthday parties, and also for father’s day.

Racing Challenge host the whole event from start to finish.

So you can literally hand the kids (and Dad!) over to them and they’ll look after them. They’ll take care of driver’s passes, party ware and the winner’s medal. Can you beat The Stig’s lap time set last year on Racing Challenge? www.racing-challenge.com 01993 845428

Pottery, Decopatch and Mosiacs The Pottery Place in Witney is one of the best the paint-your-own pottery and craft studios around – and the perfect fun environment to have your child’s next birthday party! You will have a dedicated party staff member to run the party in the fully equipped studio and your budding artists can choose from a variety of activities: Traditional Pottery Painting - a choice of pottery that is glazed and fired and ready for you in a few days, Funky Decopatch - the new cover-everything paper craft, and Classic Mosaics – use tiles, jewels and nuggets to make coasters and mirrors. They’ll even supply the drinks. All you have to do is bring the food.

If you would rather the party came to you, the mobile studio can visit your choice of venue. Same fun choice of activities with added convenience! www.thepotteryplace.co.uk 01993 704234

Lasergaming – no pain, no bruises Most parents look for a party that will get children excited and involved without any hassle. With so much available to them these days some kids have sophisticated expectations.

Lasergaming Oxford have come up with the answer. Their Junior Commando parties are the ultimate in adventure; challenging but fun. There is no paint or projectiles, no pain or bruises and that means no masks, protective clothing or goggles. It is safe and suitable for everyone over the age of 8. Set in an old military woodland near Abingdon, the 50-acre site has multiple playing zones, an armored personnel carrier and old out buildings to play in.

The junior commando party is a structured two hour session; including briefing and laser gun issue and includes multiple games. In the last 15 minutes of the session, each player will receive a quarter pound burger and squash and mum usually brings the birthday cake. www.outdoorlaser.com 01865 727378 MAY / JUNE 2011

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PARTIES

e it m a p r y t s ’ t I

by Alice Millea

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hildren’s parties are a challenge. I have been to some fantastic ones with my daughter and some rather less successful ones, where she spent the whole time crying. Thankfully, those days are over and most of the time she declares that parties are ‘great fun’. In a quest to identify what makes a party ‘great fun’, for my own future reference, I thought about the parties we’d been to. What elements did the good ones have that the others didn’t?

I came up with these thoughts:

SPACE Space is a wonderful thing for children. It’s like pushing a magic button: introduce a dozen or so under fives to an empty room or a field, and off they go. No further adult

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input required. One party we went to was held in a particularly capacious village hall.

The children, on seeing the vast empty room, just ran. And continued running around randomly until herded together by a fleet of parents. I’m sure they would have carried on for the duration of the party otherwise. If you’ve enough space, be it indoor (at home or at soft-play centres which are great for the same reasons) or outside, you’re onto a winner.

ENTERTAINMENT In the unlikely event that the running around ceases, you need to bring on the entertainment. Children’s entertainers are great at managing the chaos and taking the pressure off beleaguered parents.

Alternatively, there are DIY games. The staples of my childhood remain ever-popular: musical chairs, musical statues - I’ve seen them all played by four-year olds with a seriousness that defies explanation.

Woe betide the parent who doesn’t treat them with the same seriousness: they are not to be undertaken lightly.

You need the skill of a diplomat to make sure that Pass the Parcel passes without incident.

PARTY FOOD Party food is another essential element, but one which is a minefield. Please the children with the traditional fat/sugar/salt fest and risk incurring the disapproval of the parents; or, represent all the food groups in appropriate measure and have a room full of less-than-delighted children wondering where the crisps are. The best parties we have been to have tried to please everyone and offered a good mix of good and bad.

Not that I was indulging…..

IMAGINATION The most important element, in my opinion, is imagination. A little imagination and a willingness to do things your own way can make a party very special. An example: last autumn we went to an outdoor party held in a big public park. We commandeered a picnic table and stayed there all afternoon. In fact it was nearly dark by the time we left. Our host had, of course, thought of this, as well as everything else. Not only did we have running around but we had games involving the fallen leaves, a fantastic picnic, plus sparklers for the children as the light began to fade. This received the ultimate accolade from my daughter: “really great fun”.

I don’t think that parties need vast quantities of money spent on them; they just need the right venue, some entertainment, food that won’t offend too many people, and a bit of blue-sky thinking (albeit with sparklers). Now, I just have to try and put the theory into practice….

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Let’s party madly!

Outer Space & parties too

Partying with Saltbox

Organising children’s parties can be a daunting prospect. A room full of energetic, excited, expectant children all waiting to be entertained – it’s enough to make the most proficient parent nervous!

This term, Perform children in Oxfordshire will not just be having fun acting, singing and dancing each week, they’ll also be exploring OUTER SPACE. Rocketing into a star-studded galaxy, the junior astronauts

The popular children’s music class specialists, Salt Box Music Co are now firmly established as party specialists who provide entertaining, interactive fun music sessions at children’s birthday parties!

will travel to meet the Sparkly Spaceman, learn the Zero Gravity Groove and even meet the Man in the Moon! What’s more, they’ll enjoy themselves so much that they won’t notice how much they are improving their communication, concentration and co-ordination skills at the same time. Perform’s Principal Lucy Quick says “As well as being educational, we have some amazing improvisations, songs, and role play all about Outer Space.”

Perform also do parties. Party Leaders arrive in costume as the character of the chosen theme whether that's a mermaid, pirate, superhero, cheerleader or popstar.

With thrilling music and imaginative storytelling, they'll take your child on a journey into their favourite fantasy land. www.perform.org.uk 0845 400 1276

Specialist Salt Box party leaders now also deliver these fun sessions at Nursery parties, Toddler Group parties, Christenings, Corporate parties, music festivals etc! Using popular Salt Box activities, music and games, children are entertained in an interactive fun musical environment, with puppets, props, bubbles, and the popular Salt Box world percussion.

But now you can take the stress out of party time. Why not allow MAD Academy to bring their enthusiasm, energy and expertise to your party, leaving you free to enjoy the special day with your child?

Parties are all about singing, dancing and having fun, and that’s what the MAD Academy does best. MAD Academy specialise in providing high energy music and movement classes for preschool children. The party leader comes equipped with everything needed to ensure a fun packed party, including sound system, music, instruments, prizes and games, as well as tons of MAD Academy energy!

So if you want a party with MAD magic you know who to call. www.madacademy.com 01869 369502

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If you want a small intimate birthday party at home for your one year old or a party in a hall for 30 six year olds with parachute play– Salt Box Music will adapt the party to your requirements. Music Sessions can be half an hour, three quarters of an hour or one hour long. Salt Box can also provide fun party invitations at no extra cost too! www.saltboxmusic.co.uk 01993 704207

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PARTIES

Bright ideas for It’s Families to the rescue - we’ve put on our party hats to ensure your

by Robina Cowan ‘do’ is one they’ll talk about, until at least next year...

Before you start It’s worth bearing in mind the differing needs, interests and numbers of particular age groups. Don’t feel the party has to last all afternoon - around two hours is enough, before everyone gets tired and emotional (not least the host parents). As a guide:

One and two year-olds aren’t yet ready for a big affair. Most parents opt for a family get-together or a not too big buffet with a handful of friends with similar aged children. Enjoy it while you can - it’s a doddle to organise and sociable for the

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adults (it has been known for babies to sleep right through while the grown ups catch up over nibbles).

Three year-olds need planned activities. Name badge them on arrival then capture their imagination with simple ‘circle time’ singing and clapping games, or ‘dancing’ (i.e. jumping up and down to music). Balloons burst and it can all end in tears. Hang them high as decorations rather than introducing them as playthings. The ideal guestlist for this age is around 8-12 children in a venue where they feel familiar - usually your home (sorry about that!).

Four to six year-olds enjoy joining in with traditional party games, such as Simon Says, Musical Bumps, Pass the Parcel, What’s the Time Mr Wolf, and Musical Lions (a favourite with parents, as the children have to be quiet, and still!).

Allow space and time too for simply zipping around for a burst of unstructured play (which is where you’ll be thankful you blew up all those balloons). Plenty of engaging games and giggles keep things rolling, and if you’re hiring help, puppeteers, musicmakers or storytellers are a good bet. A maximum of 20 guests is about right.

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or birthdays Seven to nine year-olds are ready

Take them out: venues

for more concentration and involvement in the party entertainment. Most are now old enough and skilled enough for arts and crafts (making their own goodie bag filler at the same time, which is jolly handy).

Alternatively, dancing, circus skills, drama or a team treasure hunt are good ways of harnessing energy - if you fail to plan they’re likely to fall back on that old favourite - “who can scream the loudest?”

It might feel less imaginative than an organised bunfight at yours, but do you really have the time, energy and creativity to decorate your house as a fairy or superhero den, then clear it all up four hours later? Thought not. Happily there are plenty of places where all you have to do is pay the per-head charge and the guests will be entertained and fed, leaving you to return to your quiet, tidy house afterwards.

Try child-friendly restaurants, bowling alleys, go-karting, indoor playcentres, sports clubs, the zoo, a pottery painting studio or cinema.

TIP: Book well ahead. There are only so many party groups venues can accommodate at any given time - you don’t want to be scratching around at the last minute and end up having to book ‘second best’.

Ages 10+ and this worldly-wise lot is unlikely to want Mummy and Daddy embarrassing them by donning a paper hat and insisting on joining in (save it for when they’re reaching their teens - it’ll be SO much more fun for you). They’ll be wanting to do something special, such as bowling, karting, a mini disco in the living room, or a Glee style drama and singing workshop.

Alternatively, a good bet is a jaw-dropping magic show, particularly when they can ‘help’. Hopefully too, by this age they won’t harangue the magician with “I know how you did that”, as I overheard recently.

Planning your party Crowd control: entertainers Bubbles, puppets, drama, music, ‘make’ party or magician? A good entertainer will bring your party to life and keep the children enthralled while you enjoy the fun from a safe distance. While there are parents who think nothing of timetabling two hours of games, entertaining Other People’s Children is not a breeze, which is where expert help is well worth the investment.

TIP: Children’s entertainers generally have vast experience and contacts which you can tap into. Ask them about local venues for hire, a realistic timetable and suitable prizes as well as the entertainment itself. Find out their preferred age group, and the maximum number of children they will cope with - too many and you’ll not get the best out of them. Write down everything you’ve agreed together so there is no doubt on the day.

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This space can be

yours from as little as £48 per issue.

No VAT editor@familiesox.co.uk

01235 206657

Themed parties A great idea when your child has a particular interest, themes can be explored in many different ways. How about a drama, musical, circus or magic party, a sports party; or get crafty making bags, jewellery or cookies, or print t-shirts to match the theme.

TIP: Take the theme throughout the party print off related pictures from the web as wall decorations, ask the guests to dress up with a prize for the best home-made hat.

Top tips It’s all in the timing: For little children, 11am-1pm or 12-2pm are best. Most of them have been up since six and they’re past their best by the afternoon. For older children a lunchtime slot or mid afternoon start will work.

Liaise with parents whose children have birthdays around the same time. If you both book the same day for a party, the guest list will be tricky. Joining forces is a much better idea - you can share the costs and the hassle.

Keep the food simple and don’t over cater. Most children are too excited to have a big appetite. Limit the junk food and remember some children may be vegetarian or have a food intolerance.

Sleepovers come midnight, you’ll be regretting it... Planning ahead is KEY. Read our ‘been there, done that’ parent’s guide: go to www.familiesonline.co.uk and type ‘successful sleepovers’ into the search box.

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BOOKS As the Summer Holidays loom, here is Mostly Books’ Mark Thornton’s pick of the new books to help lure the kids off of the computer games over the holidays!

First up for pre-schoolers is Pip

and

Posy by Alex Scheffler (Nosy Crow, ISBN 978-0857630049) featuring two delightful toddler characters for ages 2+. The simple text and bold colours are perfect first story books. Pip and Posy are best friends and have lots of fun together and this story is all about little accidents. But they can happen to anyone, can’t they, so there is lots of reassurance and hugs afterwards and next time, Pip makes sure he uses his potty all by himself…

The Usborne Cookbook for Boys (Usborne ISBN 978-1409532293) is an absolutely fabulous first cookbook for children, written with boys in mind, from complete beginners to budding chefs. With over 40 exciting recipes to try out, it’s not all about baking cakes! The delicious recipes vary from lunch wraps to pasta dishes and main meals with recipes for sauces, fish pies and lamb curry. With simple step-by-step guides and yummy pictures that will have your mouth watering and make you eager to try them out, this book is instructive, fun to use and tells you just what you need to know to make food you really want to eat. 7+

Jordan Stryker – Cyber Terror (Usborne, ISBN 978-1409509776) is the next book in the thrilling adventures of bionic agent Jordan Stryker by Malcolm Rose. After Ben survived a shipwrecked boat full of explosives he was taken in by a secret government organization called Unit Red. Their team of scientists and engineers repaired his damaged body and Jordan Stryker is born.

Bionic agent Jordan Stryker now returns with a new mission – to uncover the truth behind the planes that keep falling from the sky with no warning and no explanation. He needs all his cunning to track down his deadly foes. This is as gripping and as fast paced a thriller as ‘Bionic Agent’ was, with bombs and hidden digital underworlds, and lets not forget Jordan’s xray vision and super strength. Would appeal to Alex Ryder and Cherub fans, 10+.

Labradoodle On The Loose

by T M Alexander (Piccadilly, ISBN 9781848121331) is the third in the Tribe series that follows a group of ten year-old friends who call themselves 'The Tribers'. A picnic in the park looks to be a fun day out together - even more so when they get Bee's labradoodle to pull them husky-style around the park on a skateboard. But when Doodle goes missing and the police suddenly arrive, chaos looks set to break loose. As usual, it’s nonstop for Tribe as everyday events turn into funny misadventures.

With a character for everyone to relate to and demonstrating the fun of friendship (and the trouble it can sometimes accidentally get you into) these stories are great for children 8+.

I-spy with my little eye

by Edward Gibbs (Templar, ISBN 978-1848771970) is a great book take on the I-spy game, with die-cut holes so little ones can spy the various creatures through the pages and also involves a guessing game about colours.

Each page includes a helpful factual clue about the animal to help children with their guesses. Beautifully illustrated to engage little readers, this is a fabulous interactive and fun book to read with young children.

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees (Bloomsbury, ISBN 9780747597346 ) is a continuation of the story of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’, but told by Violetta, daughter of Viola and Lord Orsin, who gives a behind-the-scenes account of not-so happy marriages and jealous brothers that lead to rivalries and hatred. She watches as her home country of Illyria is attacked by Venetian pirates, helped from traitors within. Captured and taken prisoner, Violetta soon escapes and becomes a travelling performer - but she is determined to go back and rescue her country. A Shakespearean-style adventure, complete with fools, romance, betrayal, madmen, dukes and Will Shakespeare himself having a hand in how it all plays out. 13+

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SCHOOL GARDENS HOW TO PLANT A SCHOOL GARDEN rocket launching pad, a pasture for horses and a swimming pool. Get them to paint signs for the garden and label the beds; the more child-centered your garden is, the more they will be enthusiastic and excited.

TIP Whatever you do, don’t be stopped by lack of knowledge – within a group of parents and teachers there will be someone with a basic understanding of horticulture or gardening and if there are any landscape architects lurking out there, get them involved!

School gardens are a great way on which to build community and a fantastic means of encouraging your children to learn and for parents to get involved. They are springing up everywhere, with each as different as the next. Good luck with yours.

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chool gardens may be as small as raised boxes on the ground or planters on a rooftop or as large as an unused playing field turned into a mini-farm with chickens, goats and sheep. The common denominator of all school gardens is that it can be used as an outdoor classroom: children can chart the growth of plants or watch as a bee pollinates a flower.

A school garden can be many things – a place of study, an opportunity for new experiences, an outdoor classroom or an oasis of calm. It can be an opportunity to teach children about our complex and fascinating eco system, provide on-site “field trip” opportunities for students even in the most resource-deficient schools, and it can help children learn about food and

Planning a school garden A school garden can be planted anywhere – at the edge of the playground, behind the climbing frame or around the football goal.

Once you’ve chosen your spot, it’s probably an idea to throw all notions of aesthetic perfection away - rows of carrots will be imperfect, wheelbarrows will tip up and dirt will fly everywhere.

Don’t forget to get the children involved: they can draw or describe what would be their perfect school garden – would it be a place to play or read, with fruit to pick? In addition to wanting a frog pond and plants for butterflies, they may ask to include a

Families readers can order 'How to Grow a School Garden' for the special price of £12.99 (rrp £17.99), plus free p&p in the UK mainland. To order, contact Timber Press: 020 7372 1703 sales@timberpress.co.uk, quoting offer code FM411.

Offer ends 31 August 2011.

An outdoor classroom or an oasis of calm nutrition by planting edible crops or about the local habitat by planting native plants.

The present generation of school children is largely disconnected from agriculture and nutrition and in many cases from the natural world, and a school garden can teach them to care about ecology and environmental issues.

It’s no wonder that school gardens are becoming popular again. The old adage “get your hands in the dirt” is literally what kids do in a school garden and once they are engaged in this simple act, worlds are opened up.

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DANCE BUMP & BABY Fertility problems in women and men can have both medical and hormonal reasons.

Some couples, though, are told all is well physically, even after extensive tests. Perhaps the state of your mind can also affect the physical working of the body? Jeanette Wallis, a reflexologist and NLP practitioner practicing in Wimbledon who has been working with couples who have fertility problems for twenty years, definitely believes it can.

Struggling with secondary fertility?

She sees many couples who have had secondary fertility disappointment; couples who conceived their first born without problems and planned an age gap of about two years before trying for a second child, but have no luck conceiving again.

They have no known medical reasons for not being successful. Jeanette calls them ‘the silent voices’: “Why silent? Because all the mums they meet from their pre-natal classes are all having their second children. They are obviously happy for them, but are also holding resentful feelings and are not able to express them. Possibly their relationship with their partner is suffering with the stress of the disappointing situation. People are constantly asking: ‘When are you going to have another one?’”

The mind works with the body Jeanette believes the mind does affect the physical working of the body and tries to give couples a way to change the way they think, thereby instigating a subtle physical shift in the body so that they can achieve a pregnancy naturally.

Reflexology, according to Jeanette, is an effective treatment in that respect. Reflexology uses the reflex points in the feet that determine the physical imbalances in the body.

By working on these points, a reflexologist can kick-start the body into working more efficiently.

It assists in pinpointing where the imbalances are and corrects them.

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“Patients usually notice a difference after one treatment”, Jeanette finds. “The feedback I get is very positive. Women become more aware of ovulation, more aware of their natural cycle – generally they just begin to feel more in control of their body rather than feeling their body is constantly letting them down.”

Jeanette is also an NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) practitioner. She helps people to change the way they think and see things and believes this can help women with fertility issues too. “I rarely see anyone who is laid back about getting pregnant. I had one patient who insisted she was OK about having had many miscarriages. After five minutes, she spent the rest of the hour crying. I realise there are often medical reasons why people miscarry but she really believed that her body would always let her down, as it constantly did. In her case, changing that belief seemed to have a dramatic effect. I am happy to say she is fine now and has a healthy baby boy.”

Each person is unique and individual in their thinking, and in their physical conditions too.

Often women will tell Jeanette about their birth experiences. Again, most women first-time round encounter difficulties, long labour times, intervention, or poor after-care; sometimes their babies needed extra care or they suffered with post-natal depression. Jeanette believes strongly that there is a connection to the trauma of their first birth and the fact they can’t conceive again: in some way their experiences might be holding their body back.

Enjoy life and relax “Most are just not having fun. Bringing up a child is not easy and most couples just don’t give enough time to each other, time for being intimate is pressured. I sometimes ask how often they have sex and I am sure you can guess that it isn’t that often. I do believe that once you start to feel physically and emotionally better, you are more able to see the bigger picture. The changes my patients encounter definitely make the difference that is needed to help towards a happy outcome. How many times do you read about couples who, after many attempts at IVF or who finally adopt a child, suddenly fall pregnant naturally? There has to be something in the way the mind works.”

As food for thought, Jeanette tells the story of one client who was trying to conceive her second child. She was progressing very well with the treatment until her husband’s sperm test came back. It was a very poor result. Instead of dealing with the bad news directly, Jeanette started asking questions about the new house they were moving into and which room they had planned for the new baby. The client was shocked at her avoidance of the matter, but described the house anyway. As the client was leaving, Jeanette told her: “You only need one good sperm and you never know – getting pregnant can be just good luck in some cases”. She conceived that cycle.

Jeanette Wallis, Back on Track Osteopathic Clinic www.wallishealth.co.uk 07973 779853 or 0208 545 0965

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Birth Partners: Doula Or Don’t Ya?

by Karen Abi-Karam

The birth of your baby is one of the most intimate and precious times of your life. So why would you add a virtual stranger to the mix as an additional birth partner or ‘doula’?

Wouldn’t travelling to a far away land seem less daunting if you had the support of a guide who’d been there before? Wouldn’t stepping into the unknown feel more comfortable if you had someone’s hand to hold? Wouldn’t listening to a foreign language be more informative if it was interpreted by a translator?

What Does a Doula Do?

Choosing a Doula

Maternity services across the country are becoming more and more overstretched; it is not unusual for women to see a different midwife for each antenatal check and in most cases midwives are attending to more than one labouring woman at any one time. Add to this the distinct possibility of shift changes part way through your labour bringing a new face and personality and you have a pregnancy and birth full of strangers.

Of course each doula will work differently, each bringing a different set of experiences, training and philosophy with her. However, what unites every doula registered with Doula UK - the non-profit association of doulas in the UK - is the dedication to enable a woman to have the most satisfying and empowered time that she can during pregnancy, birth and the early days as a new mum. This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience. By handpicking a doula you know someone will be there as support for you and your partner from the first contraction through to after the baby is born.

By having a doula to support your labour and birth you will have the continuous empowering presence of a nurturing guide, a comforter and often a translator.

Sometimes there’s a lot more ’doing’ involved – massage, meditation and suggestions for positions to labour in, to name a few.

However, just having that reassuring presence with you, from the onset of labour until you are settled with your new arrival, can go a long way to allaying many of the concerns that women have: ‘I don’t know who the midwife on duty will be’, ‘how will my partner drive me to the birth centre/hospital while I’m having contractions in the back seat’, ‘what if I panic’, ‘what if he panics’, ...

For many couples, the decision to hire a doula comes from the desire to create a more nurturing and natural environment for their birth.

Karen is a holistic doula and a member of Doula UK.

LOCAL DOULAS Callie Fontain 07765773008 www.secondnurture.co.uk Doula providing valuable information, physical and emotional support needed leading up to the birth and beyond, delivered in a warm, sensitive and caring way.

Eleanor Fowler 01844 290384, 07796627312 www.birth-doula.co.uk Mum of 3 offering birth support and post natal support, including multiples, disabled parents and children, premature babies, over night stays and everything in between.

Saira and Zac

Win a MIAMOO Travel set Saira Khan, the BBC presenter who lives in Oxford, has launched Miamoo, a range of baby/toddler skincare products which have been formulated with highly effective natural ingredients to moisturise and nourish delicate and sensitive skin.

Families Oxfordshire are giving away three Miamoo travel sets - handy packs that you can't leave home without. It's great to pop into your handbag or nursery bag. The 30ml size allows you to take them onto the plane as part of your hand luggage. It's also perfect for mummy-to-be hospital bag and contains everything for mummy and baby's first few days in hospital. www.miamoo.co.uk Email: editor@familiesox.co.uk or send a postcard quoting MIAMOO to Families Oxfordshire, P.O Box 167 Wantage OX12 8ZJ .

The closing date is Friday 17 June Don’t forget to include your name, full address and telephone number.

Winners agree to the possibility of their name being published in the July-August 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.

The statistics back this up, a survey of over 700 births undertaken in the UK in 2008 (Goedkoop V MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, vol 19, no 2, June 2009) gave the following results:

45 per cent had natural births (no induction, medicated pain relief, augmentation or instrumental delivery) 15 per cent had caesarean sections, (25 per cent national average) 20 per cent had epidurals, (over 30 per cent national average) 70 per cent had successful vaginal births after caesarean 23 per cent laboured in a birth pool 19 per cent had a homebirth without transfer to hospital (2.3 per cent national average) 86 per cent breastfed at birth, (76 per cent national average) 88 per cent of women supported by a postnatal doula were still breastfeeding at six weeks, (21 per cent national average).

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BUMP & BABY WHEN MUMS BECOME FRIENDS Planning your

T

he NCT supports over 65,000 parents each year through courses led by trained antenatal teachers. These classes cover a range of topics, from the impact a new baby can have upon a couple’s relationship to information about the birth.

But ask a handful of parents what they got out of antenatal classes, and many will say a key benefit for them was not only the breathing techniques for labour or the preparation for the first days with a new baby – but the friends they made along the way.

Ann Little, who attended classes in Oxford while expecting her daughter in May 2010, says: “I’m originally from Australia, so NCT wasn’t something I was aware of, but I heard about the classes from a friend and thought it would be a good way to meet other parents in our area.

“There were eight couples in our classes, and it turned out five of the other mumsto-be had moved to Oxford from overseas, so we had something in common right away.

“The classes covered everything we needed to know, and I found the information about the different decisions my partner Ron and I needed to make about the birth particularly helpful. It helped me to feel a bit more in control.”

After their final class, one of the other mums-to-be in the group organised a trip to the pub.

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Ann says: “We must have been quite a sight – eight heavily-pregnant women waddling into the bar to order our lemonades, while our other halves nursed their pints.

“The girls started meeting up at cafes twice a week, to share our experiences of the last few weeks of pregnancy and gossip about which of us would be next to give birth.

“Once our babies arrived, those coffees turned into weekly trips to the swimming pool and baby massage sessions. We even approached our local ambulance service and arranged for them to give us a first aid session.

“Gradually, my ‘mum friends’ became some of my best mates.

It’s great to have people at the same stage to bounce ideas or worries off.

We have the odd get-together with our partners too, like barbecues or walks in the park. It’s a special group, and I feel very lucky that we met when we did.”

For Jan Jackson, the friendships with fellow parents she met through NCT antenatal classes have truly stood the test of time.

She says: “Our eldest children are 32, and the youngest are 23. As a first generation of young mums having babies away from our families, the NCT antenatal and postnatal community was a lifesaver. We’ve done all sorts of things as a group, including producing a recipe book. We still meet up every month and are now attending the weddings of those children.”

NCT 0300 330 0770 www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/course-finder

pregnancy Despite government initiatives, up to 40 per cent of pregnancies in the UK are unplanned. Yet, planning a pregnancy is advisable for all women. For example, folic acid is used to help reduce the risk of spina bifida. However, a baby’s spine is formed very early, when most women do not even realise they are pregnant. Therefore it is important to start taking folic acid well before the pregnancy test is positive.

It is even more important to plan your pregnancy if you have a medical condition, for example high blood pressure, are on long term medication, or have had complications in pregnancy before.

Dr Lucy Mackillop is an obstetric physician working at the Women’s Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. She is passionate about obstetric medicine and campaigns for better recognition of the importance of prepregnancy advice for women with medical conditions: "People underestimate the stress that pregnancy places on the body.

For women with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy can worsen the condition and potentially affect the health of the baby. Understanding this, optimising health prior to pregnancy and careful monitoring during pregnancy is vital to provide the best chances of a successful, happy pregnancy." www.planapregnancy.co.uk 01865 851165

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EARLY YEARS Images of children courtesy www.tasteforlifenursery.com

MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES

Dr Catherine Dendy, feeding specialist and clinical psychologist, is bringing her knowledge and experience of feeding toddlers and young children to BBC Radio Oxford as a regular contributor.

Catherine’s first programme with BBC Radio Oxford in April, featured Lucy Thomas, founder of Mange Tout. Both experts answered questions from listeners about children’s feeding problems in general. The programme was enlivened by interactive fruit and vegetable fun on air, with games used to encourage small children to try fruit and vegetables without asking them to eat, try or taste anything! Catherine and Lucy are both committed to helping small children make healthy food choices, and to be able to manage a balanced meal when they eventually start school.

Lucy and Catherine also talked about their appearance on “Fast Food Baby” a BBC 3 production shown at Easter. On the programme they helped a family wean their toddler off a diet of junk food and onto the healthier choices.

They will also be bringing their expertise to Oxford on Saturday June 18, running a 3 hour Food Forum at Cutteslowe Park, Oxford. Parents and pre-school children can

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Catherine Dendy experience a Mange Tout class in the first hour. Mange Tout classes are interactive fun food classes for children aged 1-4 years, with their parents. Classes are designed to help parents tackle the tricky pre school years when children can enter into selective and fussy eating phases. This will be followed by a chance for parents to hear Lucy and Catherine speak about their work, and join in an informal Q & A session.

Catherine would like to offer one reader of Families Oxfordshire the opportunity to attend free of charge in return for hands on help with refreshments and organisation on the day. Do call her if you’re interested and feel you can offer 3 hours of help.

For bookings call 0208 6722400.

Places are limited to 25.

River Cottage cook book up for grabs Cooking separate meals for every member of the family demands time and energy. And yet most parents think that’s how it should be because their children are too young to eat “grown-up” food. In the River Cottage Cookbook Nikki Duffy disproves the theory. The book includes hassle-free, tasty meals that the whole family can eat, whatever their age.

She also includes non-judgemental advice on hotly-debated topics such as breast feeding versus bottled milk, when to wean babies onto solid food, and how to ensure that your children have a balanced diet.

Families are giving away copies of the River Cottage Cook Book. To be in with a chance of getting your hands on one send an email to: editor@familiesox.co.uk or send a postcard quoting COOKBOOK to Families Oxfordshire, P.O Box 167 Wantage OX12 8ZJ .The closing date is Friday 17 June Don’t forget to include your name, full address and telephone number.

Winners agree to the possibility of their name being published in the July-August 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.

Catherine Dendy worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital for some years in the Feeding Team.

After this she successfully ran Mange Tout classes in Oxford, when her own children were toddlers.

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IDEAS FOR SUMMER Save the Silver Star The Silver Star Stroll is a sponsored walk celebrating 40 years of the Silver Star Unit at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. The unit helps expectant mums through more complicated pregnancies. This gentle walk through the beautiful Oxford University Parks with a picnic and entertainment is a perfect day out for all the family and will help raise vital funds to support mothers and their unborn babies from across Oxfordshire and beyond.

The walk will start on 22 May at 1.30pm from

On April 3, students from the Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools in Oxford took part in a huge charity spectacular at the New Theatre, Oxford. All 353 students, aged between 5 – 18 took to the stage in a modern day version of Cinderella, to raise money for the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe and ‘InterAct’, a Stagecoach Foundation Charity. The result was a resounding success both on stage and for the fund raising, as over £10,000 was raised for the charities.

Maya Sprigg says: “It was a fun and challenging way to raise money for such good causes and a small army of volunteers helped backstage with costumes and entertainment for the children

Children get crafty ahead of Oxfordshire Artweeks Youngsters across the county are preparing to take part in Artweeks this spring. Twenty of the county’s schools are preparing their exhibitions, and several child artists are even hosting their own. Children at West Kidlington Primary School are exploring the history of science through art, including topics ‘The Victorians' and 'Keen to be Green', working with Helen Jacobs, a visual and textile artist and Lizzy McBain, a story teller and theatre director. Their work will be exhibited at an open day during Artweeks.

In the city centre, award-winning Lucien Ohanian, age 12, will be showing local and abstract photography and in Kennington,

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when they were not on stage. For many, it was their first time on such a large stage, playing to such a large audience. It’s been a fantastic, if exhausting experience for us all.

But there is no rest for Stagecoach as they look forward to the Summer shows, this year tackling the school edition of the macabre thriller ‘Sweeney Todd’. Interest has been intense and all the places are already full. 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. The students will also be featured in the Spellbound tour at the New Theatre and at festivals throughout Oxfordshire.

Images Monty Smith

Stagecoach Theatre Arts record fundraising

the Keble Road gate entrance to the Parks.

Silver Star mum Sam says: “I have two very personal reasons for wanting to support the Silver Star Unit. They saved my life and the lives of my three children, George, Isabelle and Alfie. Sadly in 2009, during the summer of closures, a very close friend of mine lost her baby as the midwives were so over worked and the consultants were too busy.”

The event’s secondary aim is to raise the profile of the maternity services in Oxfordshire. www.silverstaroxford.org 01865 221718

www.stagecoach.co.uk 01869 278600

Anthony White, also 12, will exhibit artwork inspired by British heritage, Russian soulhunting & music.

Esther Browning, Executive Director of Artweeks says “Children will be surprised to find bold sculptures in beautiful Oxfordshire locations, delighted by vibrant and colourful illustrations and photographs, and intrigued by magical 2D and 3D art created from every material imaginable. We hope they’ll enjoy having the chance to talk to the makers, to hear how they started out and why they work the way they do, even to have a try, and then go home and have a go at creating something wonderful themselves.”

Artweeks, which runs from 7th-30th May this year, is keen to open up the festival to

younger visitors and there are more events for children than ever before. From April onwards, venues will be offering Artweeks activities and workshops, including modelling figures inspired by Greek and Roman art, discovering the secrets of Leonardo da Vinci’s Renaissance art, and meeting famous children’s author-illustrators Tony Ross and David McKee at the first ever Blackwell’s Festival of Illustration.

Hundreds of artists will open their doors and welcome visitors to see their recent work and work in progress. The exhibitions are largely in homes and halls where children are welcomed, so it’s an easy way for families to see vibrant art locally. www.artweeks.org

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Hosting French students for this summer

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Creative fun for kids at Blenheim Palace Visit Blenheim Palace over the late May Bank Holiday (28 – 30 May) and your children will enjoy a fun filled creative experience to remember at Art, Design & A Taste of Summer.

The Kids Kitchen Academy will inspire young cooks with healthy recipes to try, smoothie bikes, sushi and hands on entertainment with the chefs. Have a go at creative activities with workshops in decopatch, pottery painting, clay modelling and mosaic making. Or try papermaking, costume designing and stone carving with the experts.

Have you ever considered hosting a language student in your home for a few weeks? This is a great chance for you (and your family!) to make friends, broaden your horizons and also earn some money.

The students aged 14 – 17 years come from France and spend most of their time with their host family, taking part in normal daily life and hence learning about English traditions & culture and improving their language skills. Full board must be provided and a minimum of two leisure activities offered. Families are paid £300 for each 2-week stay during July and August. Teaching families where one member can tutor the student in the English are paid £500.

This will be the third year that French students will be coming to Oxfordshire from all over France. They will be staying with local families and learning about their way of life whilst improving their English.

Designer makers from all over the U.K. will be exhibiting quality British art and craft and the Great Taste markets will showcase speciality artisan produced food and drink.

With outdoor art and craft displays, demonstrations, workshops and activities this event inspires everyone to get creative!

the unforgettable lake views. Or take the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens and enjoy adventure playgrounds, a giant maze and the Butterfly House.

Don’t miss a visit to a magnificent Palace with a difference and a great family day out. www.livingcrafts.co.uk

Relax and enjoy a Pimms and delicious ice cream while the steel and jazz bands play.

The beautiful parkland at Blenheim Palace is waiting to be explored with formal gardens, Water Terraces, fragrant Rose Gardens and

Squash your way to fitness Sue Wright, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and former World No. 3, and her team of top coaching staff coach young people to excel at squash at the Park Sports Centre in Wheatley. “Squash is a great way to keep fit and I hope to find new squash stars of the future,” says Sue. Sue’s Squash Academy offer Taster, Feeder and Development squads for those starting

and for those looking for a little bit more she offers the Full Academy Squad.

The Academy will also be running camps and one day sessions for all abilities in the holidays and the dates for the summer squash camps will be announced very soon.

Having previously had the Academy at full capacity with over 40 young players and National and International Tour players as part of the squads, Sue is now looking forward again to giving young people from the age of 6 the opportunity to try a new sport.

07770 980435 www.swsquashacademy.co.uk

Last year Lea was so impressed by her Fish and Chips that she phoned her mother straight away to say the English food was “much better than expected”.

Antoine loved Oxford to such an extent that he wants to study here; he is returning this year.

Host families and teachers have been impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the students and many of them are looking forward to welcoming them again this year.

Interested and would like to find out more?

Ring Barbara on 01993 779 889 or email mitresend@live.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON .

CORNERSTONE ARTS CENTRE

MILL ARTS CENTRE

NORTH WALL ARTS CENTRE

25 Station Road Didcot OX11 7NE 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 22 May 12 noon – U5s; 1.30pm CUSHION CONCERTS

10 May 10.30am & 1.30pm A VICTORIAN MIKADO Set in a brightly coloured Japan of 1885, ‘The Mikado’ is the most popular of the Victorian operetta creations by Mr W S Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, and in this vibrant and fast moving new version it’s given the full ‘Krazy Kat’ treatment featuring Sullivan’s Music, Masks, Puppets, Dance, Song and of course fully integrated sign language. Ages 7-11 1 Jun 2pm STIG OF THE DUMP Clive King's wonderful story of Barney and his Neolithic friend Stig has been a firm favourite with children and adults since it was first published in the early sixties.

Barney and Stig's many adventures in and around the chalk pit, near his grandfather's house, culminate in a fascinating journey back in time to the days when there were only Stigs and stone circles. Ages 5-11 3 Jun 11am & 2pm ELMER Elmer was patchwork. He was yellow and orange and red and pink and purple and blue and green and black and white. But, he was not elephant-coloured. One night Elmer couldn’t sleep for thinking, and the think that he was thinking was that he was tired of being different. So, off he set in search of the elephantcoloured berry bush. And this is where our story begins... Ages 3 - 7 18 Jun 2pm THE DRAGON'S DAUGHTER A magical tale of adventure and friendship that will appeal to the child within everyone! With bewitching music and beautiful hand- carved puppets this is a funny and moving story about a brave little boy and a scared little dragon, who grow to become the very best of friends. Ages 3-7 year olds

South Parade Summertown OX2 7NN 01865 319 450 www.thenorthwall.com

FOR LITTLE ONES: PERCUSSION Listen to professional musician Mister Mark tap, shake, rattle and ting all different kinds of percussive instruments. Take a cushion, your adult chaperone and get up and wiggle if you like. Ages 5-8 29 May 2pm THE OWL AND THE PUSSY CAT Follow Owl and Pussy Cat on their nonsense adventure adapted from Edward Lear's classic poem. They set out on the high seas with only some honey, money and a runcible spoon to help them find their way. On their journey they meet the piggy wig, the turkey who lives on the hill and the strangest looking tree you ever will see! Ages 3-8 7 Jul 7.30pm DIDCOT GIRL'S SCHOOL SUMMER SHOW Back for their annual celebration of talent, Didcot Girls' School present an evening of musical entertainment.

KENTON THEATRE New Street Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BP 01491 575698 www.kentontheatre.co.uk 26 Jun, 3pm & 7pm BUGSY MALONE The children of Mo Cleaver’s Dance and Drama School present this much-loved musical. The action takes place in New York during the Prohibition Era and charts the rise of Bugsy Malone, a penniless boxing promoter. The story follows two half-witted street gangs led by Dandy Dan and Fat Sam, the charming Blousey Brown and her rival Tallulah, with the twist that all the characters are played by children. Tickets call 07702 648713 15 Jul – 17 Jul HENRY’S ARABIAN NIGHTS! It all happens in the Tudor court, where a bored and slightly spoilt King Henry will be entertained by traditional stories (from the Arabian Nights) by each of his wives.

NEW THEATRE & OFS STUDIO George Street, OX1 2AG 0870 606 3500 www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk 2 Jun FIREMAN SAM: PONTYPANDY ROCKS Join Fireman Sam, and all his friends, as Pontypandy hosts its first ever music festival!

Station Officer Steel's has booked a surprise guest star to perform at the festival, it's a big secret. With so much to plan and prepare Norman Price and Mandy Flood are told to stay out of mischief but naughty Norman is determined to find out who the secret superstar guest will be... at any cost. Today will be Sam's busiest day. He's called on to save a festival that will rock Pontypandy.

7 – 11 Jun HORRIBLE

HISTORIES: THE AWFUL EGYPTIANS AND THE RUTHLESS ROMANS From the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt.

Alternatively, find out about evil Roman Emperors, gruesome gladiators, and learn why there’s no place like Rome! We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!

So it’s time to prepare yourselves for the return of Horrible Histories live on stage!

18 – 23 Jul GREASE Starring Danny Bayne (Grease Is The Word winner), Carina Gillespie (Sandy in the West End production) and with Robin Cousins as Teen Angel

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28 May 2pm & 5.30pm LOOKING FOR YOGHURT Norang lives in a big city and has lost her friend - a stray cat called Yoghurt - who has disappeared into a dangerous building site just as the sun is setting. Should she give up on her friend or take her chances and follow the cat into a forbidden world full of monsters and machines? The show is a unique collaboration between performers and artists from the UK, Japan and Korea, bringing their cultures, skills and languages together.

Ages 6+ 10 Jun 11am & 2pm DRAW ME A BIRD A young bird loves the songs of a Paris street musician so much that when all the others fly away for the winter she stays behind. Cold, hungry and lonely, how will she survive? With poems by Jacques Prévert, an original score – fusing birdsong with French folk music – and dance moves that take flight. An uplifting tale of friendship and survival.

OXFORD PLAYHOUSE & BT STUDIO 11-12 Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2LW 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 13 May BIG HOWARD LITTLE HOWARD Bursting out of the TV set and onto the stage, this unique family show features sing-a-long songs, innovative 3D animation and hilarious interactive standup to keep all ages entertained. Little Howard will be causing plenty of mischief as he appears on screen to talk to the audience and annoy Big Howard.

PEGASUS THEATRE Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RE 01865 812150 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 12 Jun 1.30pm & 6.30pm MOON LADDER The Old moon is fading. Elisha goes to find the next moon and put it safely in its place within the sky. But moons are hard to find, and like to hide. This is a magical, intimate, lyrical journey of self-discovery and imagination: told through a solo performance of visual/dance theatre with music, animation and a huge, silk bedspread. Ages 6+ 18 June 1.30pm & 6.30pm THE NIGHT PIRATES When dark shadows come stealing down Tom’s bedroom walls he thinks it might be monsters or ogres or trolls. He peeps out the window and sees Girl Pirates, stealing the front of his house! Tom joins the Girl Pirates on their daring adventure to an island where Captain Patch and his really rough, tough grown-up pirates are guarding their treasure. Puppets, songs and ballet dancing pirates combine in this delightful adaptation of the much-loved picture book. Ages 3+ 23 - 25 Jun 8pm WIZARD OF OZ Frank Baum’s famous story starts with a tornado carrying the young Dorothy away from home and family to a world of challenges and adventure.

26 Jun PEGASUS FUNDAY SUNDAY Pegasus is launching a day of activities and performances for children under 12 with resident company of performers. Take part in a session before the show or just see the show. Children must be accompanied by an adult. One adult may accompany up to 2 children. ACTIVITIES 10.30am and 1.30pm ; SHOW 11.30am and 2.30pm

THE THEATRE 2 Spring Street Chipping Norton OX7 5NL 01608 642350 www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 17 May 7.45pm THE ETHICS OF PROGRESS This warm and witty performance explains superposition, quantum entanglement and teleportation, and explores the ethical impacts that this extraordinary technology will have. Funny, thoughtful and very accessible.

21 May 11am MR MARK’S CHILDREN’S CONCERTS: TRUMPET Concert specially devised for the under 6’s.

Mr Mark creates a relaxed atmosphere, and welcomes participation from the children encouraging them to use their minds, hands and voices.

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 MAY 7 - 30 MAY OXFORDSHIRE ARTWEEKS See also page 16 and www.artweeks.org 14 May 2pm-4pm CRAZY KALEIDOSCOPES Make a crazy kaleidoscope. Age 6+.

Museum of the History of Science www.mhs.ox.ac.uk 01865 277280 20 -22 May WOOD FESTIVAL Eco- and family-friendly festival.

Braziers Park, near Wallingford www.thisistruck.com 21 May BLACKWELL’S FESTIVAL OF ILLUSTRATION Free activities with acclaimed children’s illustrators Tony Ross and David McKee. Blackwell Bookshop 01865 333623 26 May 4.30am DAWN CHORUS WILD WALK AND

BREAKFAST Waterperry Gardens, Near Wheatley, OX33 1JZ www.waterperrygardens.co.uk 01844 339254 26 May, 2pm–4pm PLAY AT PRINTING Drop-Ins for Under-5s Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 278000 28 May - 30 May daily 10am-6pm ART, DESIGN AND

A TASTE OF SUMMER Blenheim Palace 01993 811325 www.blenheimpalace.com See also page 17 and www.livingcrafts.co.uk 28 May 2-4pm DRAWING WITH LEONARDO Museum of the History of Science www.mhs.ox.ac.uk 01865 277280 29 May 2.45pm THOMAS BODLEY'S FAMILY TOUR See the Divinity School and library, where Harry Potter was filmed.

Bodleian Library www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk 01865 277224 30 May – 3 Jun 9am - 3.30/5pm SECRET GARDEN

HOLIDAY CLUB Amber and Alex Ogg www.kidsbornfree.co.uk 07979 415971 31 May – 03 Jun 11am – 12 noon FAMILY GROUP

SESSIONS Bate Collection of Musical Instruments www.bate.ox.ac.uk 01865 286261 31 May 10.30am - 12.30pm SEW, SEW, SEW YOUR BOAT Ages 7-11 River and Rowing Museum Henley on Thames www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415605 31 May 10am - 12.30pm ART WORKSHOPS: MAY

HALF TERM ACTIVITY The Theatre Chipping Norton www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350 Paul Sandilands will be holding workshops which coincide with his second exhibition, devoted to The Theatre. Ages 10-15

JUNE 1 Jun 1pm- 4 pm BLOOMIN' HALF TERM Botanic Garden www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 1 Jun 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm MOVING MONSTERS WORKSHOP Ages 5 + 2 Jun 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm THE FLIGHT SHOW Ages 8+ Science Oxford Live www.scienceoxfordlive.com 01865 810000 2-4 Jun 1pm-4pm BOOK BONANZA The Pitt Rivers Museum www.prm.ox.ac.uk 01865 270927 2 Jun 10am - 12pm for 5-7 years; 1pm - 3pm for 7-11 years ARTBURST WILD RUMPUS – THE NIGHT MAX

WORE HIS WOLF SUIT 2 Jun 10.30am - 4pm MR TOAD'S JOLLY BIG ARTY PARTY River and Rowing Museum Henley on Thames www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415605 3 Jun 11am - 4pm BEAT THIS! THE ART OF MAKING MUSIC. Ages 10+ The Theatre Chipping Norton www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350 4 Jun 7pm TWILIGHT WALK www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/walkhenley 01628 532423.

5 Jun 2.45pm THOMAS BODLEY'S FAMILY TOUR Bodleian Library www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk 01865 277224 11 Jun 11am MR MARK'S CHILDREN'S CONCERTS: PERCUSSION specially devised for the under 6’s.

The Theatre Chipping Norton www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350 12 Jun 10am - 4pm OPEN FARM SUNDAY AT

NORTHMOOR TRUST 01865 407792 www.northmoortrust.co.uk 12 Jun 11am-4pm WANTAGE CHILDREN'S DAY Memorial Park Wantage www.wantagechildrensday.com 01235 764444 12 Jun from 12noon CHADLINGTON MIDSUMMER

FAYRE The Stocks Chadlington 01608 676417 19 Jun FATHERS’ DAY. Free admission for every father accompanied by a paying child – young or old.

Oxford Bus Museum 01993 883617 www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk 19 Jun Happy Fathers Day! Snakes and Ladders www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk 01235 522 227 Snakes and Ladders Abingdon are rewarding all Dads who visit with their children with a free tea or coffee.

Get your voucher at on at www.facebook.com/SnakesandLaddersAbingdon from 1 June.

JUNE 23 Jun, 2–4pm CRAZY ABOUT COLOUR Drop-Ins for Under-5s Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 278000 Have fun experimenting with colour – mixing paint, making tissue-paper windows and more.

23 – 27 Jun WAR AND PEACE AT THE CIRCUS Tackley Green Village www.giffordscircus.com 0845 459 7469 25 Jun 12noon–4pm EYEBALLS AND OTHER THINGS Ages 9+ Museum of the History of Science www.mhs.ox.ac.uk 01865 277280 25 Jul 1pm - 4pm BUG SAFARI Oxford University Museum of Natural History www.oum.ox.ac.uk 01865 272 950 25 & 26 Jun 11am - 4pm MR ALEXANDER’S

TRAVELLING SHOW Oxford Castle 01865 268 400 www.oxfordcastle.com 25 & 26 Jun from 10am MAD ABOUT WADDESDON www.madaboutwaddesdon.com 01296 653226 26 Jun from 10.30 PEGASUS FUNDAY SUNDAY Pegasus Theatre www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 30 Jun – 4 Jul WAR AND PEACE AT THE CIRCUS IN

STADHAMPTON www.giffordscircus.com 0845 459 7469

SCHOOLS’ OPEN DAYS OUR LADY’S ABINGDON 9-12 May Art Weeks Open Day 9am -4pm 01235 524658 www.olab.org.uk FERNDALE PREPARATORY SCHOOL 26 May Open Morning 9am – 3.45pm 01367 240618 www.ferndaleschool.co.uk LECKFORD PLACE 9 June Open Evening 6-8pm 01865 302620 www.leckfordplace.com RYE ST. ANTONY 21 September Open Day 01865 762802 www.ryestantony.co.uk ABINGDON SCHOOL 1 October Open Morning 01235 521563 www.abingdon.org.uk ABINGDON PREPARATORY SCHOOL 15 October Open Morning 01865 391570 www.abingdon.org.uk/prep

Send your diary dates for July - August by Friday 17 June 2011 to editor@familiesox.co.uk

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competition WIN a 3 day residential at The Bushcraft Company’s spectacular Summer Camp

T

he Bushcraft Company is dedicated to getting children into the wild and letting them experience the great outdoors in ways they never have before. They have managed to capture the essence of adventure.

There is something for everyone at The Bushcraft Company, where traditional wilderness survival meets high-octane adventure sports.

This year they’re gearing up for a riotous summer of fun, when the place will be positively buzzing, as swarms of children storm the gates to set up home for a week in the magical forest at Cornbury Park.

Summer 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. It’s an exciting experience for your child, and an opportunity to draw out hidden talents, bolster self-confidence, and spark a sense of independence.

To enter, just answer this question: Where is The Bushcraft Company’s Oxfordshire centre?

Closing date is: 17 June 2011

Up for grabs are 2 places on one of The Bushcraft Company’s 3 day residential Summer Camps for anyone between the ages of 7 and 15! and a 2 places for a one day camp experience .

The Bushcraft Company 01608 811 380

Terms: The camps are only available in August and a signed consent form by the Parent/Guardian is required in order for the child to attend.

Send your entry by e-mail to: editor@familiesox.co.uk, or by post to: Families Oxfordshire, Bushcraft Competition, PO Box 167, Wantage, OX12 8ZJ. Include your name, address and telephone number 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 July/August 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 May 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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MAY / JUNE 2011