Families Warwickshire Issue 14 November-December 2013

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November/December 2013 Issue 14

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warwickshire www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

A Warwickshire Christmas Gifts for all ages, festive shows, where to find Santa...

We’ve got the lot!

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

www.rsc.org.uk/wendyandpeter

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Contents Competitions

Issue 14 | November/December 2013 | Families Warwickshire

In This Issue Regular Features

WIN!

A Family Pass to meet Santa at Hatton Adventure Farm

WIN!

£100 of Lands’ End Vouchers

3 News t What’s On

6 6 Getting a dog 7 Education q Christmas ideas and outings r

Go to the website to enter, for the chance to win these great prizes: www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk NB: Hatton competition closes on Sat 30 November, so hurry!

This is my favourite time of year, with the nights drawing in, the smell of bonfires in the air and Christmas around the corner. But it can make dog walking a cold, messy business. If you’re thinking of getting a dog this year, please read page 6 for a vet’s view on what you’re letting yourself in for.

We’ve also got gift ideas for all ages, and suggestions for a cultural Christmas – lots of book reviews and fantastic family theatre.

Please get in touch with your comments – you can email or call me (see contact details) or go to our Facebook page or Twitter.

Have a fantastic Christmas!

Twitter: @familieswarks www.facebook.com/ familieswarwickshire

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4 Contact details

Call: Gabrielle Starkey on 01789 764667 E: editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk Design by Caroline Smith www.carolinesmithdesign.co.uk Cover by Linda Scannell www.lindascannell.com All content © 2013 Families Warwickshire Families Warwickshire is a bi-monthly magazine for parents, covering Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Districts with 21,500 copies. Towns covered include Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, plus Studley, Alcester, Bidford, Henley-in-Arden, Wellesbourne, Welford-on-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour, Southam and lots of the smaller villages in between.

Advertise with us and reach 40,000 local parents and carers from just £30 a month!

Next issue: January/February 2014 Main features: Health Deadline: Friday 6 December Families Warwickshire is part of the Families Group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. We take every care in preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the content, nor for any consequence.

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk Tel: 01789 764667

Who? What? When? Why? Where?

Could you help spread the Dandy fun?

Dandy Development, the award winning baby and toddler class that combines baby sign, music and sensory fun, is looking for a new teacher to help spread the fun! With flexible hours in term time, full training and good rates of pay, this is a great opportunity to work around your children in a job that is stress free and enjoyable! Visit dandydevelopment. co.uk for information about the classes or send NIkki an email to nikki. sayers@hotmail.co.uk for full job details. www.dandydevelopment.co.uk

Ella’s Toy Shop open evening

News & views Want a full-time income for part-time hours?

Got young children?

Struggling to balance your job, your finances and being a parent?

Been made redundant?

Need an extra income?

Just fancy a change?

Rewarding work with real security, flexibility, work/life balance and control over your destiny –if that sounds appealing, contact us today.

You too could change your life.

Contact Stacey on 07810 820731 or Sharon on 07983 442553 for a FREE information pack or email staciecalder@live.co.uk or sharon@breakthroughgroup.net

Need some Christmas present inspiration? Come to Ella’s Toy Shop in Leamington Spa on Thurs 14 November, 6-9pm, and browse the many great ranges of toys for children aged 0-12. Tracie will be on hand to demonstrate any of the toys and games, which are all fun and educational, from great names such as Galt, Orchard Toys, BigJigs and The Green Board Game Co. www.ellastoys.com See our interview with Tracie on p10 for her top reasons to shop local this Christmas.

7.30am

Drop in to discover Stagecoach Stagecoach Leamington Spa, Warwick and Kenilworth are now offering twice-yearly Open Days (January and September), so pop along to Trinity Catholic School on Sat 11 January to find out what’s on offer. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions, the party room will be in full swing with drama-based, themed games and there will be displays and DVDs to browse through and watch.

At 11am all children and parents will be invited to register in the Theatre before taking part in 20-minute classes of singing, dance and drama. The classes are a great way of seeing what Stagecoach is like, giving a good impression of the standard of teaching and the passion the team has for the arts and education. Principal, Jacqui Dance will be on hand to welcome everyone in and each Open Day has those all important ‘special offers.’ If you’re planning a party, come along and see the party room all decorated, with a Party Host to answer all your questions. There will also be money-off vouchers for each family. You can book a place, or just turn up!

Call Jacqui on 07976 608574 for more information.

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Johnson’s Family Karate in Stratford-uponAvon, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwick, Kenilworth and Rugby

Call 07961 853552 or visit

www.johnsonskarate.co.uk 3

News & views

Who? What? When? Why? Where?

Against Bullying National Anti-Bullying Week takes place 18-22 November this year, with the theme ‘The Future is Ours: Safe, Fun and Connected.’ As always, the Anti-Bullying Week website is packed with resources for schools, parents and children, plus online workshops, practical resources and short films on how to survive bullying.

You can also join the Anti-Bullying Roadshow, which tours schools, youth clubs and parents groups throughout the UK during November.

Powerful, fun and exciting, the Roadshow includes music, science, strategies and up-to-date research and information on bullying.

Check out the website, too, for their Anti-Bullying Village for Kids and Teens – a virtual space created by young people for young people, where you can interact with others, as well as finding out about events on school bullying, violence, racism and xenophobia through workshops, young people’s conferences and exhibitions. www.antibullyingweek.co.uk

Is your child being bullied?

Bullying can happen to anyone at any age and at any time.

ChildLine is an excellent resource packed with advice and information on how to spot bullying, possible reasons of why bullying occurs and suggestions for how to stop it. If your child is being bullied ChildLine has some important tips for them: • tell a friend, parent or teacher immediately • find a way to stay safe at school – stay away from the bullies and stay in a group of friends at all times • always walk home with someone or make sure you get a lift • ask your friends to look out for you during school • never fight back • never reply to any abusive messages • never go along with what the bullies want • keep a complete record of the bullying, including texts and messages • find out about your school’s anti-bullying policy

Contact ChildLine for free support anytime on 0800 1111 or www.childline.co.uk

Get active with Coventry FC in Warwick Coventry Football Club’s outreach arm, Sky Blues in the Community, is currently running a fantastic project in Warwick’s Forbes Estate, offering free or £1 activities for all ages, from 2 to 90! For ages 6-18 activities include after-school football and multisports and a Saturday Club featuring dodgeball, archery, badminton and more. There’s a men’s 5-a-side football kickabout and women-only exercise classes featuring circuits or yoga and pilates, plus sessions for over-50s and carers with children under 5.

For more information on the Impact project, contact Kimberley Dougherty at kim.dougherty@ccfc.co.uk or call 024 7678 6313.

Crackley Hall’s Irish dancers jig to the top Ten Irish dancers from Crackley Hall School shone at the Turley Academy Class Feis on September 29 in Coventry, despite only learning during their lunch hour.

Led by their Head Girl, the Great British Irish Dancing Champion Grace McGrory, the twinkle-toed team won three first place trophies, plus a number of Trophy Dance awards. “These girls are working especially hard at this popular extracurricular activity,” said Crackley Hall Head Master, Mr Rob Duigan. “To take their skills one step further into the realms of external competition is wonderful to see.

Their trophies and medals demonstrate their obvious commitment.”

Picture shows: Grace Leigh, Mairead Kelly, Lorenza Chapman, Lara Convey, Molly McGrory, Julia Loftus, Caitlin Horan, Francesca Kelly and Grace McGrory

Fruit for thought This autumn Crowdfunder UK teams up with River Cottage to launch Fruitshare, a fruit-tastic national campaign to get schools planting fruit trees. Backed by food campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Fruitshare aims to get children planting fruit trees across the nation to provide an edible educational legacy that will last for decades.

Schools are also encouraged to reach out to their local communities and businesses to pledge to fund the trees. “I am on a mission to make the most of fruit, so what better place to start than with our kids?” asks Hugh. “If we can get them to propagate a positive relationship with fruit, it could be a love affair that lasts a lifetime. Gathering local communities and businesses to use Crowdfunder.co.uk to raise funds to get growing fruit trees is a brilliant way of demonstrating what can happen when a group of people get together to achieve something great.”

Register your school at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/fruitshare

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www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Karate master marks an impressive anniversary Congratulations to Master Tony Johnson of Johnson’s Family Karate, who this month has reached his 45th year of teaching Karate. Over the years he has inspired thousands of students and is one of Britain’s top instructors. Master Johnson said, “In the years I have been training and teaching I have found it to be fascinating as an activity. There aren’t many vocations where you can keep learning, especially with the amount of years I’ve been in Karate.” Over the 45 years, Master Johnson has earned a 6th Dan in Tang Soo Do, a 1st Dan in Taekwondo and a 5th Dan in a style of Korean weaponry. In 1993 he won the World Grand Championships in Florida, and has visited locations all over the world, including China and Korea.

He was also inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2010, where he was received by Joe Lewis, who was a student of Bruce Lee. Tony’s wife Rachel has been training and teaching for 31 years, running her huge club in Stratford-upon-Avon for 16 years. Mum of 5 Rachel is also one of the UK’s top instructors and has won top honours in Judo, Japanese Karate and Korean Tang Soo Do tournaments.

Master Johnson’s Family Karate classes run in Stratford-upon-Avon, Kenilworth, Warwick, Rugby and Bidford-on-Avon. To find out more, call 07961 853552 or see www.johnsonskarate.co.uk

Brookhurst Primary goes back in time Pupils from Brookhurst Primary School in Leamington had an educational day out in September at St John’s Museum in Warwick. Dressed in Victorian school uniform of sailor collars and pinafores, the children experienced life in a historic class room (complete with cane!) and helped out with a lot of hard work in the authentic laundry. One member of the school staff summed up a memorable day: “It was active and experimental while creating a feeling of authenticity, with expert knowledge in beautiful surroundings.”

For more information on Heritage Education sessions please see http://heritage.warwickshire.gov. uk/heritage-education/

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

The original British baby signing Programme Learn to communicate with your baby BEFORE speech by using simple gestures and reduce frustration – learn to sign through music, rhymes and fun!”

Could you foster or adopt?

Barnardo’s has issued a plea for foster carers to come forward, ahead of National Adoption Week (4-11 November). Adopting and fostering are amazing things to do, but there is a huge shortage of foster families in Warwickshire, leaving children in care for years. Marcia Briscoe from Albion Court and Coventry Fostering Service said: “We believe that every child deserves a safe, supportive and loving home. Sadly, thousands of children and young people are in care waiting to be adopted or to have a more permanent foster placement.

There’s a particular shortage of carers in Nuneaton, Bedworth and Rugby, but we’d love to hear from anyone across Coventry and Warwickshire.”

The fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, who was fostered

by Barnardo’s, said: “Being a foster carer is a life-giving profession. You will be creating the childhood memories for these children and helping to shape their futures.

Please take a moment from your day today and think about whether you could foster and, if you can, please take the first steps to finding out more.”

For further information contact Albion Court and Coventry Fostering Service on 024 76 641206 or visit www.barnardos.org.uk/fosteringandadoption The National Adoption Week website is packed with advice and support: www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk

Princethorpe heptathlete qualifies for England team Annabelle Pask, aged 16 from Napton, has qualified to represent England in the heptathlon at the forthcoming Home Countries International, to be held in Glasgow in December. The Princethorpe College Year 11 student put in a sparkling performance at the English Schools’ National Final, including three personal bests in the shot, javelin and 800 metres, to secure the bronze medal. “Coming third meant so much to me,” said Annabelle. “I can see how the training has paid off. I have work to do and am looking forward to getting into the winter conditioning.” Princethorpe Head Master Mr Ed Hester commented: “Annabelle is a remarkable Year 11 student who successfully balances training with her academic work.”

Tel: 01789 415591

www.singandsign.co.uk Email: pippajenkins@singandsign.co.uk www.facebook.com/singandsignsouthwarks

Dani’s Musical Steps

A wonderful world of music, learning and fun

Educational and inspiring music classes for babies & toddlers in Stratford and at the The Parish Centre, Studley Develop Creativity - Co-operation Listening - Communication - Language

Free trial class - book now! Tel: 01527 850024 email: daniela.hewitt@musicalsteps.co.uk

www.musicalsteps.co.uk

LIDTA

Delivering Dance for over 30 years Small classes ensuring good pupil-teacher ratio Students from 18 months to adults Qualified CRB checked teachers Performance opportunities To join the Intadance Family please call Geraldine for a free trial lesson at our Kineton studio

01926 640452 info@intadance.co.uk

www.intadance.co.uk

For the budding star in your family!

Sparkle tots performing arts and ballet classes, 2 years plus Boyz Only Street Dance class, 4 years plus Musical Theatre, Ballet Contact Natalie on 0845 017 0825 or and Street Dance classes, 4 years plus email: sparkleperformers@gmail.com

to book a free trial session.

See all the latest news online at www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk 5

Getting a dog

Clubs and Classes

A dog is for life, not just for Christmas!

We’ve all heard the slogan, but there will still be lots of families who get a new dog this Christmas. If that’s what you’re planning, there’s a checklist of things you need to consider first, says Laura Shaw of Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service in Shirley.

There are certain times in life when it suddenly seems a good idea to get a new pet. As a mother with a young family, I very much identify with the families who get a new puppy when their youngest child starts first school, not as a child replacement, but something to ‘plug the gap’. With hindsight, I don’t think it a coincidence that my own parents got a new Labrador when I went off to university and again when I when to work abroad for a while! I also, however, have great sympathy with the stressed and harassed-looking mothers who come to our surgery with new but poorly puppies – or indeed healthy but exuberant puppies.

Getting a new dog is a very exciting time, but it is so important that it is a well considered decision both in terms of timing and what sort of dog you should get. Many dogs have to be re-homed every year due to behaviour problems, either because new owners have not had time to socialise and train them properly, or because they simply did not realise how demanding, in time or money, having a dog is. However, having a dog can be very beneficial for your health and wellbeing – pet owners generally benefit from reduced stress levels and dog owners benefit from increased fitness due to the daily dog walk. Children who grow up with pets have been shown to have improved social development and are less likely to develop asthma.

If this exciting long-term relationship is entered into thoughtfully, it will almost certainly prove to be more rewarding for the owner and better for the welfare of the dog.

Here are some of the things to consider:

Time Puppies are certainly labour-intensive in the first year or so but all dogs, not just puppies, need to have time spent with them for training, exercising and keeping them company. You may have time now but what if things change? New homes, jobs, changes in relationships and children can all eat into the time that can be spent with a pet dog.

Cost The price of having a dog is not limited to the money you hand over to the breeder – the running costs are on-going. There is the cost of food. Should your pet be injured or

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become ill, veterinary facilities offer advanced high quality care, but unfortunately the costs need to be met. It is worth researching the likely cost of pet insurance in advance. Be aware that premiums and excesses tend to increase with the age of the pet, and the better the cover offered by an insurance policy (and good insurance cover becomes important when you suddenly need it most), the more costly the policy is likely to be. Routine veterinary procedures such as vaccinations, worming, flea treatments, neutering and dental costs are often not covered by insurance, so must also be considered in your ‘running costs’.

Mess Starting with the chewing puppy who has yet to grasp the concept of toilet training, through to general dog hair and muddy paws, and onwards to the geriatric old dear who may not quite smell like the proverbial daisy anymore – can you and your soft furnishings cope with it all?

What type of dog?

Do you want a crossbreed or a pedigree puppy? Due to closer breeding, pedigrees are more prone to inherited illnesses and conditions. The cost of insurance premiums for certain breeds will reflect this. When considering what breed is right for you, it is sensible to look at what the breed was ‘designed’ for. For example Border Collies are working dogs and were created to run for hours on the fells – a quick half hour walk around the block once a day just isn’t enough for such a

breed. And is it a good idea to get a large ‘guarding’ breed if you are inexperienced or have a young family?

Where from?

Be careful about where you get your puppy.

Always insist on seeing the puppy with its mother. Puppies bred in a clean home environment are most likely to be healthier and better socialised. This means they have met more people and had more positive experiences, so are less likely to develop behaviour problems in the future. Never buy a puppy from a shop, internet or the back of a van! The Kennel Club runs assurance schemes for registered breeders who adhere to certain strict guidelines regarding how they breed their dogs, under what conditions and how they go about doing their best to make sure that they are healthy.

It is a good idea to visit the puppies without the intention of taking one away, and to give yourself a ‘cooling off’ period. This will reduce the temptation to purchase a puppy because you feel sorry for it. Always go for the bigger, stronger, more playful pups, as they are less likely to have problems already. On this initial visit it is probably best to leave the kids at home. They will always be desperate to take a puppy home straight away and will be heartbroken if things go wrong. Of course you could miss the puppy phase by getting an adult rescue dog. Potentially these dogs may come with medical or behavioural issues already, but a good rescue centre will be able to help you select the appropriate dog for your family.

Getting a pet can be wonderfully enriching for any family and I can strongly recommend it, but make sure you do it thoughtfully and the experience will be all the better for it.

For more information on getting a puppy and looking after a puppy or adult dog please visit www.willows.uk.net and search for ‘puppy’.

Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, Highlands Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 4NH Tel: +44 (0) 121 712 7070 Fax: +44 (0) 121 712 7077 web: www.willows.uk.net

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Education What’s on the plate in your school dining hall?

The campaign for better food in Britain’s schools is getting yet another boost – but what else needs to be done, and how can parents help? Joanna Moorhead investigates.

It’s almost a decade since Jamie Oliver began his indefatigable campaign to revolutionise school lunches, taking TV cameras into schools and drafting in army cooks to teach the nation’s dinner ladies how to make good food on a large scale and to a tight budget.

There’s no doubt that Oliver shone a torch into a dark corner of the school larder and found it wanting, and there’s no doubt at all that he had all the right instincts about educating children about good food and healthy eating, and educating teachers and support staff about why good food and understanding its production and preparation should be part of every child’s education.

What, though, has the campaign achieved? Where has it left school food today – and what are the outstanding issues that still need to be tackled? Summer 2013 saw a government-commissioned school food review by the founders of the Leon restaurant chain – it called for a ban on packed lunches, which it says are almost always less nutritious than a cooked meal, and it called on heads to lower the prices of lunches to boost take-up. Hot on the heels of that report came an announcement that all children in Key Stage One (reception, Year One and Year Two) will get free school dinners from September 2014, whatever the family’s income level.

It’s a major step towards the really big task on the menu: getting more children to actually eat school food. Only around 38% of secondary school pupils, and 44% of primary pupils, currently take the option of school lunches, while the rest bring in their own: and that matters because a study carried out at Leeds University in 2010 found that only a paltry 1% of packed lunches meet basic dietary standards. In other words, it’s extremely challenging for parents to put together a lunchbox that’s anywhere near as healthy as the food the school provides; and though many parents believe it’s cheaper to provide their own, another study found that in fact it probably costs around £2 a lunch, a sum very similar to the cost of a school-provided lunch.

But if school food wins out against packed lunches, what’s on the dining room menu still has a way to go. Only around 25% of schools provide at least one portion of fruit and veg per pupil per day, and – despite all those years of the Oliver campaign – a shocking 50% of all secondary schools continue to offer pizzas and starchy food cooked in oil on most days – although revised food-based standards are also going to be rolled out next year.

Beyond all this, though, there’s the even trickier subject of how you actually get children to make healthy choices. Even when healthy food is offered, around a third of pupils don’t choose it.

One huge advance the Oliver campaign has brought about is the realisation among parents that they have a voice in the school dining room, and that policies on how food is sourced, how it’s prepared and what’s on offer can be shaped by their intervention. Here are some of the more imaginative and successful changes already in operation at some schools in the UK – if you like the sound of them, why not talk to staff and governors at your child’s school to see if a similar project is possible there?

School farms are in the middle of a huge revival. In 2006, there were only 60 of them in Britain; today, there are more than 100, and at least 100 more schools have plans in operation to open one. And the big boom isn’t in rural settings, it’s in urban ones; schools in the very middle of cities now have patches of land where vegetables are

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

grown and where chickens and other animals can be housed.

Some schools even send their own animals to slaughter and put meat and homemade sausages on canteen menus or sell them through school shops.

Children learn at close quarters about how food is produced; they then go on to learn how it’s prepared and cooked, and then they find out how it tastes.

If you’re interested in trying to get the ball rolling on a farm at your school, start by visiting farms at similar-sized and similarly-located schools; see www.farmgarden.org.uk, the website of the School Farms Network, for more ideas.

More schools than in the past now have cooking classes and cookery clubs, and at secondary schools cooking is on the curriculum.

If a school farm is too ambitious, growing some or all the ingredients for the cookery classes is usually possible – even using home-grown herbs helps children to make the connection between growing and eating.

Pupil visits to farms are a regular part of the school year in many areas. If your school isn’t organising trips to a farm, ask why not.

Make sure the farm trip includes informative input on how animals are reared, and how crops are grown – and what happens to the meat and vegetables once they leave the farm.

At some schools, parents and carers are invited to eat alongside children one day each term or one day each year. It’s easier to talk to your child about the food they had at school if you’ve got a sense of where they eat, what the place smells like, and what the system is for them to choose their meal.

In some schools, the dining hall is now known by a more exciting name (‘Le Bistro’, perhaps) and children eat from china plates and have virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dribble on their salad. To make food more attractive, you have to boost the quality of the whole eating experience. If your child’s school is still providing plastic lunch trays or grubby melamine plates, ask them to think about an overhaul.

Want to make your child’s lunchbox healthier?

Turn over for our top tips.

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Education So, only 1% of us gives our child a healthy lunchbox?

That’s a shocking statistic.

Nutrition expert Jenny Tschiesche – aka the Lunchbox Doctor – gives Families some advice on how to create a delicious, healthy and balanced packed lunch without breaking the bank.

At Princethorpe College we believe that every child learns in their own way and we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ approach to teaching. We help all our pupils to achieve excellent exam results and nurture their individuality and social development.

Through a wide range of extra-curricular activities: everything from sport to performance and more, we help your child become the best that they can be.

Come to our Open Morning and see for yourself how we make exceptional people out of our pupils.

There are six components to the nutritionally balanced lunchbox. These are carbohydrate, protein, calcium, vegetable, fruit and a drink. If each of these groups is represented in your child’s lunchbox then it is balanced.

Thursday 9 January 10.30am - 12.30pm 11+, 12+, 13+ and 14+ - Saturday 18 January Find us on the B4453 between Leamington and Rugby

For more information please visit www.princethorpe.co.uk or call 01926 634201

The Princethorpe Foundation Education in the Catholic tradition

Boys and Girls 11 to 18 Registered Charity Number 1087124

1. Carbohydrate

Invest in a good thermos container that can keep food warm. It means that you can be a lot more adventurous with your food. The following foods can be good served hot or cold. Make leftover risotto into balls, cover in beaten egg and breadcrumbs then gently sauté in olive oil.

Use old bread to make into croutons for soup or breadcrumbs for covering chicken or fish before baking. These nuggets or fingers work well with low sugar ketchup. Stir garlic, cream cheese and some peas or sweetcorn into warm pasta.

2. Protein

Go to the deli counter and buy the ‘cuts’ – the odd-shaped pieces that get left and are lower in cost simply because

King Henry VIII

Prep & Senior School

www.khviii.com | T: 024 7627 1111 • Superb academic results and small class sizes • Outstanding pastoral care and extra-curricular activities • Easily accessible next to Coventry Railway station • Bursaries and scholarships available Please call us to arrange a visit

Deadline for Applications for entry in September 2014 is Friday December 20th 2013

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King Henry VIII School, Warwick Road, Coventry CV3 6AQ

A leading co-educational day school, since 1545 www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk Tel: 01789 764667

Education 5. Vegetables

Frozen Mediterranean vegetables such as peppers are sweet and succulent once roasted. Add to pasta or rice for a tasty main course for lunch.

Root vegetables in season are a great basis for a quick and easy coleslaw or raw-slaw. Simple grate or use a ribbon peeler and add salad cream or vinaigrette dressing.

A large jar of black olives can go a long way. Use on pizzas, fill with cream cheese using an icing bag, serve as part of a salad or whizz into a paste with herbs and olive oil to go onto pasta. they look less perfect than other pieces.

Use beans, lentils and chickpeas as an addition to a salad, in soups or to make delicious dips (you can also sprout many beans, which are great in salads).

Rather than buy processed meat slices, cut slices from the leftover Sunday roast.

3. Calcium

Buy large pots of natural yogurt (which is full of calcium) and divide into small, reusable pots with a topping of honey, agave nectar, sugar-free jam or muesli and frozen or fresh fruit.

Budget hummus typically contains less tahini (the expensive ingredient) and more chickpeas (the cheaper ingredient) and yet is no less nutritious.

Tinned salmon or sardines both make great calcium-rich sandwich fillings.

DANCE CLASSES FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS Classes from 4 months and upwards

info@twirlingtoddlers.co.uk 07552 770774

6. Drink

Good old tap water will suffice in a water bottle that you clean out regularly using hot soapy water.

Cartons of milk provide both hydration and calcium.

If you opt for a carton of juice avoid cartons labelled as ‘fruit drink’, which contain extra sugar. Preferably go for fresh fruit juice or juice ‘from concentrate’.

Concentrate simply means that the water from the fruit was removed at source for cheaper transportation.

Calypso Kids Pre-school Music Classes for children aged 6 months - 4 years Classes are held at Townsend Hall, Sheep Street, Shipston on Stour CV36 4AE Wednesdays at 9.20am, 10.15am & 11.00am Fridays at 10.00am & 11.00am What’s in the lilly pad today? £3.50 per class when paying for a half-term block in advance or £4.50 a class to pay-as-you-play.

Discounts are available for siblings.

Book a FREE Taster Class.

Tel: 07890 399162 www.calypsokids.co.uk

For more information visit www. lunchboxdoctor.com or join the growing community at www.facebook.com/lunchboxdoctor.

Combines baby sign, music and sensory fun

4. Fruit

Nikki Sayers

Buy local and in season if possible to reduce the loss of nutrients through transporting fruit over long distances.

Use tinned fruit (in fruit juice, not syrup) alone or with natural yogurt.

Frozen fruit is a cheaper way to enjoy nutrient-rich berries and tropical fruit such as mango all year round. Add to smoothies, use in baking or enjoy with natural yogurt.

h c a o Arts c e r t e hea T g Sta The original, largest and STill the best network of part-time performing arts schools in the world.

Award winning NEW baby and toddler classes Classes held in Leamington, Barford, Burton Green and Long Lawford.

Stagecoach Leamington Spa, Warwick & Kenilworth

are holding an open day 10am to 1pm with FREE Open day workshops at 11am at Trinity Catholic School, Leamington Spa on Saturday 11th January.

Call 01789 263 464

Contact Nikki for a free trial session on 07890 241301 nikki.sayers@hotmail.co.uk

DAY N E th Jan OP

11 rday 1pm u t a S to 10am

www.stagecoach.co.uk/leamingtonspa

Nurturing and developing young peoples potential through dance, drama and singing.

For 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.

Tel: 01789 764667

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

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Christmas Christmas all wrapped up All they want for Christmas...

Ever wondered what to get a one-year-old boy now you’ve got teenagers, or your preteen god-daughter when your kids are still happy with Stickle Bricks? Here at Families we’ve got over 50 children between us, so we’ve got together to make a list of the toys that our children really loved and played with to help you get a winning present this year.

Babies

You’ve heard it before, but it’s not worth spending a lot. How about a donation to a savings account and something small like stacking cups, soft toys (Jellycat have some gorgeous ones), fabric books or a new rattle? If you want to spend a bit more, try a play gym or door bouncer, musical toys or something from VTech with lots of flashing lights and noises!

Toddlers

By now toys are getting more exciting, and sometimes quite large. One of the favourite toys for this age group is a Little Tikes Cosy Coupe – played with for years, even when they’re almost too big to get out of it! You can often get these in quite good condition secondhand, too. Just as big, and as popular, is a toy kitchen complete with plastic fruit and veg that they can cut up and serve to mum and dad for tea. The HappyLand range from ELC (www.elc.co.uk) is great for this age group – choose from a rocket set, train set, pirate ship, fairy treehouse or the very sweet Rose Cottage. And again anything musical is also sure to be popular. Or try colouring (mess free with Aqua Draw) and sticker books (Usborne First Sticker Books series, www.usbornebooksathome.co.uk for lots and lots of stickers).

Preschool girls

At this age a lot of little girls are crazy about dolls – try a soft rag doll like Bigjigs or the Manhattan range, where you can also buy outfits and accessories. Or how about a dolls’ pram or buggy? ELC has a good selection. Peppa Pig is perennially popular – choose from playsets, puzzles, books, dvds and much more. The Disney Princesses are also sure to be a hit – dolls, dressing-up sets, playsets or stationery (www.disneystore.co.uk). My Little Pony has also stood the test of time.

Preschool boys

Favourites that seem to be played with for a long time are dressing-up outfits (doctor, fireman, cowboy and pirate) and role-play kits like a doctor’s case or a workbench with lots of nails to hammer down. Thomas the Tank Engine and Brio trainsets are loved by some little boys, and it’s often easy to find them in good condition on ebay. Dinosaurs are loved by all – ELC have some plastic models of all sizes, or try www.nhmshop.co.uk/dinosaurs. Or how about some pop-up tents and tunnels for getting rid of energy? Duplo is also a good bet, choose from basic bricks or themed sets like a fire station, zoo or farm.

Girls 5–8

By now imaginative play has really kicked off – forever popular and loved by many are Sylvanians, choose from families, playsets or a vast array of houses to put them in. Lego Friends is also a good bet. Playmobil has a big range to choose from – farms, fairies, hospitals and more – you might just want to consider constructing it beforehand to avoid lots of time spent fiddling around

with small bits on Christmas Day. Craft kits are also popular with this age group, try Hama Beads, ELC for complete, easy-to-follow kits for decorating mermaids, jewellery boxes etc and Yellow Moon (www.yellowmoon. org.uk). And don’t forget Barbie and Builda-Bear (nearest stores are in the Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, and Birmingham – the Bullring and Merryhill – or visit www.buildabear.co.uk).

Boys 5–8

Lego, Lego and more Lego, in all its various forms – bricks and wheels, Lego City, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Star Wars, Lego Hero Factory – is always popular and played with for years. And Playmobil again – pirates, knights, vehicles and more to appeal to every interest. Or how about a wooden fort, garage, fire station or workbench – Pintoy make some lovely ones. Construction toys of all shapes and sizes – Geomags panels and magnets, wooden bricks and blocks – are also popular.

Or try Hot Wheels, Transformers, a marble run or Scalextric.

Perennial favourite

Everyone who has one says that a trampoline really is the best thing they’ve ever bought. Buy the biggest your garden can accommodate and make sure you’ve got a safety net. Try Just Outdoor Toys, www. justoutdoortoys.co.uk or John Lewis (www.johnlewis.co.uk).

Why shop local this Xmas?

There’s a perception that online shopping is an easy, cheaper option, but that’s not always the case. We interviewed Tracie Peacock-Quinney of Ella’s Toys in Leamington about her top reasons for shopping local this Christmas.

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Save money from the start

Honest discounts based on loyalty

“We price set at the recommended retailer price and don’t over-inflate everything. With a lot of the bigger retailers, online and on the High St, you’ll see their prices are already highly inflated as it comes up to Christmas, and come the January sales, when it’s 20% off, it’s down to where it should have been priced in the first place. People come to us and do a price comparison, and realise that we’re either the same or cheaper, because we don’t inflate the price, we keep it the same all year round.”

“Independents have more say on giving discounts. If you’re know n to be a regular, you might get a discount by asking. You can’t ask on line! Lots of independents also run loyalty schemes – for every £10 you spend at Ella’s you get a stamp on your card, and when you get 10 stamps you’ll get 10% off all the products in your next purchase.

So if you spent £50, you’d get £5 off.”

Try before you buy “Online you can’t see, you can’t feel, you can’t touch, so you don’t know the quality you’re getting. At Ella’s you can get the child to play with it, to see what they’d go for. You might

think they want a doll’s house, but actually they don’t like that – they want a castle, or a train set, so the doll’s house would be a waste of money. We can get the games out, and they can play and you can get a better idea of what they really want.”

Customer service “We build all the products, free of charge.

Kitchens, dolls houses, garages, castles, pirate ships – we build it all from scratch, so we know it’s all there, the screws are all there, and everything’s done. If we haven’t got it in stock, it will be all done within a week, if it’s here we can build it within an hour. We played Santa Claus last Christmas, and were delivering toys while children were in bed or

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk Tel: 01789 764667

Girls 9–11

While still happy to play with toys, by now girls often love something which makes them feel grown-up – try pretty slippers, little bags, jewellery, scarves, picture frames or a gift card from Claire’s Accessories.

DIY baking sets made up of fairy-cake cases, sprinkles, icing tubes, cutters, apron and a book, all put in a pretty tin, make a lovely gift. Crafts are still popular – the Klutz range is easily available and a bit more unusual. Or how about Harumika (www.harumika.eu), you dress mannequins in different outfits using bits of material and can upload the creations online. Scrap-booking is often also popular, you could include a voucher for a local class. And of course, no matter how many pens, pencils and notepads they have, stationery is always a winner!

Boys 9–11

If they’re into sports, it’s easy – kit, clothes, books, dvds on their favourite team or a moment in sporting history are all likely to go down well. Or how about a football goal, Swingball, kite, skateboards, or cool clothes to protect elbows etc. Also worth a look are Ripstyle waveboards, which come in a variety of styles and colours (www.waveboardsale.com/collections/ ripstyle-boards). If they’re musical, a drum kit or guitar (do check with the parents first). Or how about kits to make something (Letterbox have a good selection, or try www. sciencemuseum.org.uk). And if they’re into the current obsession of computer game Minecraft, Amazon has a good range of toys to complement it like a torch, collectable figures and a Lego game.

a hula hoop – you can’t be a grumpy teenager when you’re hooping and there are lots of tutorials on You Tube to learn some cool tricks. Or how about an e-reader, you could always add some of their favourite ebooks – for reluctant readers the novelty factor might just work. And if all else fails, there’s always an iTunes voucher; which leads us to Apple.

There’s no denying it an iPod, iTouch or iPad often feature on most kids’ Christmas lists.

Maybe they should come with a warning from Santa – to prevent self-destruction, only use for an x hours a day when your parents say it’s ok.

Games we all love

Orchard Toys board games like Tell the Time, Bus Stop, and Tummy Ache.

Snakes and Ladders Tiddlywinks Guess Who? Junior or adult Monopoly Connect 4 Uno Cluedo For children of about 7 or 8 and over, why not try Rummikub? It’s a little bit like Scrabble but with numbers (great for dyslexic children but not a specific SEN game).

For 10+ yrs, how about Balderdash?

You get obscure words and if you guess the real definition you get points.

Ed’s Pick: Plyt

With kids, it’s often best to hide learning within fun – it’s the spoonful of sugar that helped Mary Poppins get the medicine down. So if your child struggles with multiplication and division, like my 8-year-old son, there’s a brand new board game that can help.

Plyt is similar to Snakes and Ladders to play, but to move forward you need to be able to multiply the dice together.

Where it’s clever is in creating a level playing field for all ages – older players have to use more dice and multiply 3, 4 or 5 numbers, while youngsters cope with 2 or 3. My son loved it – and I loved the way it improved his multiplication without the need for boring times tables!

Plyt is available online at £19.99 www.plyt.co.uk

Traditional and innovative educational toys and gifts for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and children up to the age of 12 73 Clarendon Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4PN Tel: 01926 337700 e: shop@ellaystoys.com

www.ellastoys.com

Advert for ‘Families’ magazine November 2013. Actual size (118 x 70 c It might be a case ofAs clubbing PDF.

Older kids

together for a high-ticket item like a new bike, but no matter how old you are you still need something to play with on Derek Perry Christmas Day. How about something fun like

during school time, so the children would never see. That’s something you don’t get with the internet. It’s a very personal service.”

“We also offer a pick-up service for regular customers – if we don’t stock the product we will buy the product online for them and have it delivered here. And equally, if people have ordered online, they’re welcome to have it delivered here, because we’re open the majority of the time anyway, so it’s not a problem for us to collect it. We just put it out the back and wait for them to pick it up.”

Ella’s Toy Shop stocks traditional and innovative toys for babies and children up to 12 years of age. They are holding their annual 20% Off night on Thurs 14 November , 6-9pm, at their Leamington Spa and Hinckley stores.

For more information call 01926 337700 or see www.ellastoys.com/ Tel: 01789 764667

07971 456760

Anyone who grew up in Birmingham in the 1950/60s will remember the blue and yellow buses.

Now, you can buy a detailed diecast metal collector’s model, guaranteed to bring back memories.

And you can order yours in any one of over 20 local routes! What was your memorable destination?

Get one for Grandad (or Nan, or Dad, or Auntie)

A selection. OR how about the 3 or 9 to Quinton, 5 to Perry Barr, 8 Inner Circle, 37 Hall Green, 62 Rednal, 12, 18, 19, 22, 30, 40, 56, 66 etc.

Actual model about four inches long.

Adverts may vary. Or select no ads.

ORDER NOW for delivery

by Christmas. You can order through our website www.forwardmodels.net and pay by PayPal.

Call 07971 456760 to pay by card (you may have to leave your number and we will call back). Or by post to: Forward Models, Unit C11.2, Parkhall Business Centre, Martell Road, London SE21 8EN. Models are £33 each plus £3 p&p for any number bought.

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

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A cultural Christmas While the clan is all together, why not book tickets to a family show? There are lots to choose from at this time of the year, and it’s a great introduction to the theatre for children.

Pantos are ever-popular, with their highenergy mix of songs, slapstick and spectacle.

But we’re really lucky, here in Warwickshire, to have some other great options, too.

Don’t miss Wendy & Peter Pan, the latest from the team who devised the huge hit Mathilda: The Musical. Other modern classics being brought to life include Playbox’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Room on the Broom at Warwick Arts Centre and the Bear Pit’s A Christmas Carol. And young ears will be entranced with Peter & the Wolf – the perfect introduction to the orchestra.

Jack and the Beanstalk

The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry CV1 1GS. Weds 27 November 2013-Sun 5 January 2014 On their farm in Merrydale our hero Jack, his mother Dame Trott, and his brother Simon haven’t a bean to their name! Their cow, Daisy, has gone dry and worse still the village is being destroyed by the evil giant Blunderbore.

His henchman Fleshcreep has stolen the magic harp of Merrydale and kidnapped the beautiful Princess. Can Jack can save the day?

To book call 024 7655 3055 www.belgrade.co.uk/

Room on the Broom

Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry CV4 7AL. Sat 30 November-Sun 29 December A spellbinding adventure from the creators of The Gruffalo! The witch and her cat are flying We have a lovely lot of book reviews this issue, as Christmas is the perfect time to curl up with a good book – and to encourage kids away from the TV and console for a while!

Reviewed by Jan Deykin

The Tomten

By Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Harald Wiberg (Floris Books, £10.99) While everyone sleeps through the deep winter snow, the mysterious Tomten silently checks on the animals in the farm, reassuring them in a ‘silent little language’ of the summers to come. The people have only ever seen the small footprints he leaves in the snow. Adapted from a poem by Viktor Rydberg, Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren writes evocatively of long cold winters and the benevolent guardianship of the Tomten.

A lovely, feelgood picture book with traditionally styled illustrations that show the Tomten as a genial gnome-like figure. Delightful!

Families Rating: 5 out of 6

A Star to Guide Me – Illustrated Prayers for Children

Illustrated by Ruthild BuschSchumann (Floris Books, £6.99)

A Star to Guide Me is comprised of traditional and more contemporary prayers, which have been

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happily along on their broomstick when a stormy wind blows the witch’s hat, bow and wand away into the night. With the help of a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog, her belongings are retrieved. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK! – it snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? A magical, musical delight for children aged 3+.

To book call 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/

A Christmas Carol The Bear Pit, The

United Reformed Church, Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6LU. Mon 2-Sat 7 December Sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed by a series of supernatural visits on Christmas Eve in Charles Dickens’ festive tale. To book call 01789 403416 www.thebearpit.org.uk

Aladdin Royal Spa Centre, Leamington

Spa CV32 4HN. Sat 7 December 2013-Sat 4 January 2014 Come and see if Aladdin, a poor Chinese boy, can win the heart of the beautiful princess!

With a law decreeing that the princess can only marry a prince, and the evil Abanazar up to no good, it looks as though Aladdin’s dream may never come true. And he’s not the only one! Aladdin’s mum Widow Twankey, has the mixed-up Chinese laundry blues…If only Aladdin could make his fortune and then all their dreams could come true.

To book call 01926 334418 www.warwickdc.gov.uk/wdc/royalspacentre simplified to make them accessible for children and are accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Ruthild Busch-Schumann. It makes an ideal first prayer book for young hearts and minds, to be used throughout the day and at bedtime. If you are looking for a meaningful gift for that special child in your life then this is a great choice.

Families Rating: 5 out of 6 Reviewed by Shaheen Merali

Christmas Stories

By Michael Morpurgo (Egmont, £9.99)

Four beautifully told Christmas stories from Morpurgo, vividly brought to life by award-winning illustrators. Charlie loves the farm but doesn’t want Gertrude the Goose to be his Christmas lunch. Next we are plunged into the world of a desperately sad princess who needs a miracle.

Third is a poignant re-imagining of a Christmas in the first world war trenches and finally a retelling of Jesus’s birth from a young shepherd’s perspective complete with empathetic Angel Gabriel. Perfect as a gift and sure to be brought out every year to read aloud.

Families Rating: 6 out of 6

The Winter Sleepwalker and Other Stories

By Joan Aiken, illustrated by Quentin Blake (Jonathan Cape, £12.99)

Wendy & Peter Pan

RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BB. Tues 10 December 2013-Sun 2 March 2014 See box for full details.

To book call 0844 800 1110. www.rsc.org.uk/wendyandpeter

Sleeping Beauty

Priory Theatre, Rosemary Hill, Kenilworth CV8 1BN. Fri 13-Sun 29 December Traditional family pantomime by Stephen Boden. Poor Princess Belle is cursed at her christening by the wicked Fairy Carabosse.

She decrees that the Princess will prick her finger on her 18th birthday and fall asleep for 100 years. The only way the curse will be lifted is if a Prince awakes her with a kiss. Can anything be done to save the Princess from this fate? Join Nurse Knickerbocker and Jingles the Jester as they set out to defeat Carabosse and lift the curse.

To book call 01926 863334 www.priorytheatre.co.uk/

Peter & the Wolf and The Snowman

Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry CV4 7AL. Sun 15 December, 3pm A double bill of classic musical stories for children, accompanied by a live orchestra and narrated by Sanjeev Bhaskar. Peter and his animal companions are brought to life before your ears by dancing strings, quacking oboes, fluttering flutes and prowling horns in Prokofiev’s charming tale of courage and compassion. With the enchanting animated film The Snowman shown on a big screen, orchestral forces inject tingle-down-the-spine A fabulous collection of eight stories in the fairy tale tradition with modern twists and satisfying endings. We relished the nasty witch in ‘Blazing Shadows’ reaping her well-deserved fate and the treacherous village folk in ‘Furious Hill’ who would surely pay for their actions. Add in for good measure some missing mothers, metamorphosis into a snake, plenty of royalty and a sleepwalking bear and the result is a well-rounded collection of intriguing stories perfect to curl up with during the long winter evenings. A great book to share for 9 – 11 year olds.

Families Rating: 6 out of 6

Book reviews from Ed’s Reading Room FOR AGES 5-7 YEARS

Barmy Barney Barn Owl

By Ann Jungman (Troika Books £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Barn owls have lived at Hoden Farm for years, so Mr and Mrs Barn Owl are horrified to hear that their home could be sold to developers, leaving them homeless.

Time for the owlet Barney to put on his thinking cap and come up with a solution! With the help of the farmer’s daughter and the TV in the farmhouse he is soon able to come up with some ideas. But will it be all plain sailing – or flying?

‘This is a lovely story for young readers reading together or on their own. And of course I am delighted to hear about the Owl Study Centre!’

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk Tel: 01789 764667

Wendy & Peter Pan magic into ‘Walking In The Air’. The perfect way to begin the build-up to Christmas day.

To book call 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Playbox Theatre, Shelley Avenue, Warwick CV34 6LE. Mon 16 December 2013-Thurs 16 January 2014 A spectacular new production of CS Lewis’s much-loved story. Open the door, enter the wardrobe and discover a thrilling new world with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they journey through the magical land of Narnia.

To book call 01926 419555 www.playboxtheatre.com/

Mother Goose

Bridge House Theatre, Warwick School, Myton Road, Warwick CV34 6PP. Fri 20 December 2013-Weds 1 January 2014 OTFM are back again for their eleventh year at the Bridge House Theatre. Excellent choreography, great songs, comedy and slapstick and of course – the Goose! There are also some surprises from the future…

To book call 01926 776438 www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

Humpty Dumpty

Talisman Theatre, Barrow Road, Kenilworth CV8 1EG. Sat 21 December 2013-Sat 4 January 2014 Family pantomime in the Talisman tradition including fun, music, magic and spectacle.

To book call 01926 856548 www.talismantheatre.co.uk/

The Reindeer Girl

By Holly Webb (Stripes £7.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Lotta is thrilled to be going to Norway to meet her greatgrandmother for the first time. As well as the snow, Christmas and a special birthday celebration to look forward to, one of the most exciting things for Lotta is seeing the reindeer. Her favourite bedtime stories have always been those about her great-grandmother and the reindeer. Lotta can only dream of such adventures. Can her dreams come true?

‘Here is the latest wonderful book by this super author in a beautifully presented edition. It is a heartwarming story for many a cold winter’s night!’

FOR AGES 7 YEARS PLUS

Genie in a Trap

By Ciaran Murtagh (Piccadilly £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Jamie is very excited when his genie friend Balthazar invites him back to Lampville to be the guest of honour at the Genie Academy party – but things are not always what they seem! Will Jamie be able to extricate himself from this dangerous trap? And can he and his friends survive lightning bolts, a landslide and a fire-breathing dragon among other things?

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon From 10 December The Royal Shakespeare Company brings a magical adventure for all the family Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage this winter from 10 December. The company that brought you Matilda The Musical brings a spectacular new version by Ella Hickson of JM Barrie’s classic children’s story Peter Pan, with a cast including Fiona Button as Wendy, Sam Swann as Peter and BBC Holby City’s Guy Henry as the evil Captain Hook.

Winter 1909. Snow is falling across London.

Wendy Darling and her brothers sleep peacefully in their bedroom., as their parents bicker downstairs. In a sudden flurry of snow the window blows open, and into their lives tumbles a mischievous boy called Peter, shortly followed by a very fractious fairy by the name of Tink.

In the magical Peter Pan, Wendy sees not only a great adventure, but also a chance to rediscover the key to her parents’ lost happiness. With the aid of a little fairy dust she agrees to fly with Peter to Neverland. There she will give the lost boys a run for their money, defeat Captain Hook and his pirate crew, and ultimately, learns what it means to grow up.

Making her RSC debut, Fiona Button has appeared recently in Madame de Sade and An Ideal Husband in the West End as well as the BBC series Lip Service, How not to live your life and Outcasts. Fiona has also recently played Cordelia in Lucy Bailey’s production of King Lear.

Sam Swann last appeared with the RSC in David Greig’s Dunsinane. Other credits include The Kitchen at the National Theatre and TV’s Vicious.

Guy Henry returns to the RSC after ten years to play Peter’s nemesis Captain Hook. Guy, who has been appearing regularly as surgeon Henrik Hanssen in TV’s Holby City, last performed at the RSC as Parolles in Gregory Doran’s 2003 production of All’s Well that Ends Well. Charlotte Mills also returns to the RSC in the role of the fairy Tink, having previously appeared in The Winter’s Tale.

Join us this winter for a magical family adventure as we fly to Neverland…

For rehearsal photos, wordsearch and colouring in sheets, trailers, cast photos and much more visit www.rsc.org.uk/wendyandpeter Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon

By Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan £10.99)

ED SAYS: ‘There are amazing goings-on in London with Big Ben hurtling across the city like a rocket, Little Harry going missing and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang being stolen. At times of national emergencies such as these, even the Queen has to get involved. With a trip to the moon and a fiendish criminal around, there’s plenty of action in this story about the world’s most famous car.

‘This incredible story with fantastic illustrations will entertain readers young and old. Fasten your seat-belts and prepare for the fun in this magical time-travelling adventure!’

Ed’s Reading Room is part of www.edontheweb.com, a DTI award-winning website.

‘This is the latest hilarious adventure in this magical series. Boys and girls will be rolling with laughter as they devour this fantastic page-turner of a book.’

Tel: 01789 764667

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

READER OFFER! Free extra book with any order of Peter’s Railway Hits the Jackpot Peter’s Railway Hits the Jackpot

By Christopher Vine (www.petersrailway.com £11.99)

If you have a child who’s mad on any kind of engineering, this is a great series of books.

Christopher Vine is a chartered engineer with a passion for communicating how things work to children, through exciting stories and technical drawings. In the latest adventure (the sixth in the series), Peter and his grandpa are asked to extend their miniature railway across five miles of fields to the neighbouring village – but how are they going to pay for such an ambitious project?

To claim your free book, order at least one book from www.petersrailway.com, and enter FAMDEC13, plus any personal message, into the dedication box.

Christopher Vine will then add another, signed book to the order.

Offer closes on Tues 31 December.

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FAMILY WEEKEND Get ready for Christmas at Warwick Arts Centre!

Your Horse Live 2013

Stoneleigh Park, CV8 2LZ. Sat 9-Sun 10 November Show full of celebrity and expert demonstrations, extensive shopping, top advice, horses in need of rehoming and much more. www.yourhorselive.co.uk/

I Flautisti: London Recorder Quartet

Sat 9 November, 11am Royal Spa Centre, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa CV32 4HN. Family concert for ages 7+ by “The Girls Aloud of Baroque Music” (BBC Radio 3), with everyone invited to bring their own recorders. Adults £5, Children £3. For more information, call Leamington Music on 01926 776438.

Save the Children Christmas Gift and Craft Fair

The Civic Hall, Rother Street, Stratford-uponAvon CV37 Sat 9 November Free entry to Save the Children’s first Christmas fair in Stratford, showcasing 60 craft and gift stalls plus a tombola/raffle, and refreshments.

Wartime Sunday

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP. Sun 10 & 17 November, 12noon-3.30pm Free event. Learn about the Second World War through object handling and craft, with something to take home and into school!

There will be a short introductory talk at 12noon, with object handling, then go onto the make and take craft session. You could also just drop along to the making session at any point throughout the afternoon. www.theherbert.org

A Handmade Christmas

Opposite Sainsburys Local, Emscote Road, Warwick Thurs November 14 (invitationsonly event) to Sat 21 December, Thursdays 12-8pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 5pm Pop-up Christmas craft market with unique handmade gifts sold by local artists and craftspeople. Also features a creative Wednesday Workshop programme including wreath-making, cake decorating and papercrafts.

Contact Nicola Hill or Rachel Booth on info@ ahandmadechristmas.co.uk www.ahandmadechristmas.co.uk Facebook: A Handmade Christmas Twitter: @warwickcraftpop

Sat 30 November, 10am-6pm & Sun 1 Dec, 10am-4pm The Foyer, Warwick Arts Centre, The whole of Warwick Arts Centre will be given over to families to enjoy a weekend of theatre, music, art workshops, treasure hunts, films, food and plenty of surprises! Highlights include performances of Room on the Broom and Blast Off!, plus lots of added fun and music.

Alcester Nursery Christmas Fayre

Alcester Nursery, St Faith’s Rd, Alcester B49 Sat 23 November, 11am-2pm There will be a Tombola, face painting, Santa’s Grotto, bouncy castle, refreshments, lots of stalls etc... Entrance £1 for adults; children FREE.

Christmas Shopping Evening

Christmas Food Fayre

Hatton Shopping Village, Hatton Country World, Dark Lane, Hatton, Warwick CV35 8XA. Sat 16-Sun 17 November, 10am-5pm Try before you buy with a host of free festive tastings from delicious pates, wines, dips and nibbles to tasty cakes and sumptuous puddings. A perfect opportunity to buy some scrumptious Christmas food. Free admission. http://hattonworld.com/

Family Film: Private Peaceful

Cinema, Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry CV4 7AL. Sat 16 November, 1.45pm Following on from the success of War Horse comes an adaptation of another Michael Morpurgo novel, this time about two brothers who are sent to fight in the trenches in WWI. Certificate U. Richard Griffiths stars. £5 (£3). www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Theatre Hullabaloo and Theatr Iolo present Luna

Studio, Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry CV4 7AL. Sun 17 November, 2pm & 4pm An enchanting theatre experience about friendship, the moon and being brave in the dark, for 2 – 5 year olds and their families. £9.95 (£6.95). www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Meet Santa on Saturday and Sunday 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd December and on Monday 23rd December 11am - 3pm and Christmas Eve 11am - 1pm.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Lightshow

Outside Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 Fri 22 November-Thurs 19 December, 4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm, and 6pm, (launch night on 21 November with light shows at 5.45pm, 6.30pm, 7pm and 7.30pm) A spectacular 3D laser lightshow will be projected onto Shakespeare’s Birthplace, while resident acting troupe Shakespeare Aloud! will perform some of the most dramatic scenes from Shakespeare’s best loved plays. Visitors can also enjoy taking a tour of the Birthplace by candle light. www.birthplacelightshow.co.uk

Christmas Market

Coughton Court, Alcester B49 5JA. Sat 23-Sun 24 November & Fri 29 NovemberSun 1 December, 11am-5pm As the dark nights draw in, get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to Coughton Court. Enjoy the mansion dressed for a traditional Christmas, festive weekend market stalls, Coach House gift shop and Christmas lunches. For more information call Event bookings on 01789 400777 op2, or email coughtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coughton-court/

Carluccio’s, Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon Thurs 28 November Savvy shoppers can take advantage of a 10% discount on the entire seasonal range, whilst enjoying a complimentary winterwarming glass of Vino Cotto (traditional mulled wine) and Piccolo Assaggi (festive canapés). If you book a table for dinner in the restaurant and order two main courses, Carluccio’s will add a complimentary bottle of Sicani wine. www.carluccios.com

Warwick Victorian Evening

Thurs 28 November, 5-9pm Traditional fair with lantern procession, period costume, rides and stalls. BBC Coventry and Warwickshire will host the entertainment on stage in the Market Place where Father Christmas will help the Mayor of Warwick switch on the town’s Christmas lights at 7pm. www.enjoywarwick.co.uk/warwickvictorian-evening.html

Festive Falconry

Sat 30 November – Sun 1 December 11am – 4pm Join Raphael Historic Falconry as they recreate the role of royal falconers and hawkers at Christmas

Whether you’re looking for a special gift for family or friends, or just to treat yourself, come along to Studley Garden Centre.

Santa will be adding a touch of Christmas magic when he returns to Studley Garden Centre. He’ll be in his Grotto every weekend from the 7th December and on the 23rd and 24th December, and with his reindeer on 21st – 24th December.

Visits to see both Santa and his reindeer are completely free of charge, so bring along the children and they can chat to Santa about their gift list!

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The THER E’S festive season is the perfect time of year to catch up with SOMETHfriends, ING FOR so why not make a date to get together at our café?

EVERYONE AT STUDLEY GA RDEN Our Christmas Department is filled with a fantastic range of CENTRE TH IS decorations, artificial trees, lights, Lemax Houses and festive CHRISTMAS ! treats for you and your home. food

VERYONE AT 22nd, 23rd De STUDLEY G ARDE PLUS! 11am - 3pm and on CENTRE TH N pm Whetherrisyou’re looking for –1 am 11 Escape theA IS cold weather Ch tmas Eve, CHRISTM S! something different or a little and enjoy a festive aturday and Sunday between 11am and 3pm from stocking filler you’ll find it inPLUS! er and ath hot chocolate we d col the ape Esc l Christmas Eve. FrEEour sticker set food for every cookshop, and child! a festive hot homemade mincepie and enjoy gift shop. emade chocolate inand ourhom café.

If you would like to be creative this Christmas, now is a great time to make a start! There’s a dedicated craft area for creating your own Christmas cards and gifts, or why not come along to a ‘Make and Take Christmas Craft Workshop’? There are four to choose from: Beaded Snowflake Decorations, Christmas Wreaths, Christmas Napkins and Crackers and a Candle Centre Piece. For more information on these, please call Persephonie Flowers directly on 01527 852234.

Studley Garden her you’re looking forCentre, Henley Road, Mappleborough Green, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7DR Tel: 01527 852266 www.studleygardencentre.co.uk.

Escape the cold weather Studley Garden thing different or aCentre, littleHenley Road, Mappleborough Green, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7DR and enjoy a festive ng filler you’ll find it inwww.studleygardencentre.co.uk.

Tel: 01527 852266 hot chocolate and 9 - 5.30 Monday - Saturday, 10.30 - 4.30 Sunday. ookshop, Open food and Our café closes half an hour before the garden centre. homemade mincepie hop. in our café.

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Whatever you are looking for this Christmas, there’s something for everyone at Studley Garden Centre!

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mincepie in our café

Open 9 - 5.30 Monday - Saturday, 10.30 - 4.30 Sunday. Our café closes half an hour before the garden centre.

appleborough Green, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7DR

For more information please call 01527 852266 or visit www.studleygardencentre.co.uk

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk Tel: 01789 764667

Things to do and places to go in Warwickshire

Studio, Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry CV4 7AL. Sat 30 November, 12noon & 1.15pm; Sun 1 December, 12.45pm & 3pm BLAST OFF! involves some very lo-fi technological wizardry, turning ordinary everyday toys into magical superstars with the aid of a video camera, lots of laughs, silliness and live music. Suitable for ages 4+. £7.95 (£4.95). www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/

Get Ahead Ball 2013

Birmingham Metropole Hotel, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham B40 1PA. Sat 30 November, 6.30pm-2am Julian Clary headlines the annual fundraiser for Get A-Head, an independent cancer charity, helping people and their families suffering from head and neck cancer and other diseases of the head and neck.

Four course meal and night of music and comedy. For more details call 0121 371 5046 or see www.getahead.org.uk

A Victorian Christmas

Baddesley Clinton, Rising Lane, Baddesley Clinton Village, Knowle, Solihull B93 0DQ. Mon 2 December-Sun 5 January, 9am-4pm Enjoy a festive meal in our Barn Restaurant, see the house decorated for Christmas, take a stroll around the gardens and get some great gift ideas in our shop. For more information call 01564 783294 or email Baddesleyclinton@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesleyclinton/

Christmas Shopping Evening

Carluccio’s, Satchwell Ct, Leamington Spa

St Nicholas Night

Alcester High St, Alcester B49 Fri 6 December, 5.30-10.30pm Come and share Alcester’s ancient celebration of the Boy Bishop. Parade, Christmas shopping, Santa’s grotto, children’s rides, Morris men and much more.

Ending with a church service at St.Nicholas Church at 9pm.

© National Trust Images. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Kid Carpet and The Noisy Animals present Blast Off!

and Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon Thurs 5 December Savvy shoppers can take advantage of a 10% discount on the entire seasonal range, whilst enjoying a complimentary winterwarming glass of Vino Cotto (traditional mulled wine) and Piccolo Assaggi (festive canapés). If you book a table for dinner in the restaurant and order two main courses, Carluccio’s will add a complimentary bottle of Sicani wine. www.carluccios.com

Father Christmas at Charlecote

Charlecote Park, Charlecote, Near Warwick CV35 9ER. Sat 7-Sun 8, Sat 14-Sun 15 & Sat 21-Sun 22 December, 11am-3.30pm Bring your family to see Father Christmas in his grotto at Charlecote Park. £4. Cost includes a small gift. Dress warmly! Booking essential: call 01789 470 277. Normal admission charges apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park/

Count down to Christmas

A Trail of Festive Tidings

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP. Sat 7 December, 10am4pm Pick up a free trail that will take you on a festive hunt around both the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and Coventry Transport Museum. There is no need to book, just drop in anytime and join us. www.theherbert.org

Merry Making!

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP.Sat 7 December, 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm Get creative this festive season and let your imagination flow by joining us for

feeling festive

Come and join in with the merriment this Christmas season at your local National Trust properties. A whole host of festive activities awaits you at Baddesley Clinton, Charlecote Park, Coughton Court, Packwood House and Upton House and Gardens.

nationaltrust.org.uk

Santa’s Spectacular Grotto

23rd & 24th November, 30th November and 1st December, 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th and 21st to 24th December 2013

and Girls, Dear Boys tting so excited about

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Open daily 10am - 5.30pm Hatton Country World, 3 miles outside Warwick off A4177 Warwick- Solihull Road Tel: 01926 843411 www.hattonworld.com

Tel: 01789 764667

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

BOOK ONLINE AT

hattonworld.com FOR SAVINGS!

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WIN! A family ticket to meet Santa at Hatton Adventure Farm See p2

Visit http://hattonworld for more information and to book

!

Christmas is all about enjoying the company of friends and family and creating some very special memories that will last for years to come. Visit Hatton Adventure Farm and turn back the clock for some good old fashioned festive fun.

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After visiting the Farm you can then spend some time wandering through our Shopping Village where you’ll find some unusual festive gifts and can enjoy watching our traditional nativity plays with carol singing.

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And once you’ve had the excitement of the Grotto the fun can really begin with a visit to Hatton’s live reindeer (including Rodney, the baby reindeer). Dance at our children’s disco, ride the festive funfair rides, have a go at the Reindeer Hunt to win a prize, play in our huge indoor soft play and visit all of our other farm animals, and guinea pigs who are all ready for Christmas.

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Over the past couple of years Hatton has become known as one of the region’s premier Christmas destinations where families can enjoy a full day of festive activities. Starting with the main attraction, Santa’s grotto itself, where you enter an enchanting wonderland before a visit to the great man himself. If the children have been good, Santa gives them a golden key which enables them to enter his Secret Toyshop and select their very own gift off the shelves.

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Celebrate Christmas 2013 in a traditional way by visiting Hatton Adventure Farm’s Santa’s Spectacular Grotto and enjoy some Festive Farm Fun.

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time in England. For further details call 01926 852078 www.english-heritage.org. uk/daysout/properties/kenilworth-castle

What’s On

What’s On wonderful artist-led Christmas decoration workshops. Upcycled Christmas: Using unusual materials, artist Lindsey Kemp will help participants to handcraft beautiful decorations to accessorise their home.

Festive Bunting: Artist Amy Wilde will show you how to design, cut and screen print your own stencils to create unique festive paper bunting to Christmas-up your home! £7 per session or £12 for both.

Booking is essential, by calling 024 7629 4774 or at www.theherbert.org

Festive Family Fun Trail

Sat 7 – Sun 8 December 10am – 4pm We need your help to solve our festive mystery! Bring along the whole family to solve the Christmas clues and earn your tasty prize! For further details call 01926 852078 www.english-heritage.org.uk/ daysout/properties/kenilworth-castle

A Green Christmas

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington CV32 4AA. Sat 7 December, 12noon-3pm A day of fun for all the family. Make your own Christmas decorations from natural and recycled materials. Meet Santa, listen to carol singers and watch Morris dancers whilst getting in the festive spirit. Free, drop in and join in! Suitable for the whole family.

For more details, call 01926 742700.

Winter Wassail

Coughton Court, Alcester B49 5JA. Sat 7-Sun 8 December, 4.30-6pm or 7.30-9pm A magical evening, not to be missed. Join our long established, traditional Christmas Wassail. Christmas stories and carols from Birmingham Crescent Theatre, mulled wine, roaring fire and mince pies. Adult £23; Child £10. For more information call Event bookings on 01789 400777 op2, or email coughtoncourt@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coughton-court/

Gabriel’s Greetynge

St Mary’s Church, Warwick CV34 4RA. Tues 10 December , 7.30pm Celebrate Yule ancient style with fidel, harp, bells, bagpipes and voices. £20.00/£17.50/£14.50/£11.50 (£1.00). For more information call Leamington Music on 01926 776438.

Wendy & Peter Pan

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-uponAvon CV37 Tues 10 December 2013-Sun 2 March 2014 Brand new adaptation of the children’s classic, by the team behind the smash hit Mathilda: The Musical. See p13 for full details. Children go half price (T&Cs apply).

Suitable for ages 7+. Tickets range from £5£50. To book call 0844 800 1110. www.rsc.org.uk/wendyandpeter

Leamington Lantern Parade

The Parade, Leamington CV32 Thurs 12 December, 5-7.30pm Build a paper lantern in one of the free workshops around the town, then bring it and take part in this lovely new tradition.

Participants to meet at 5pm at the Pump Room Gardens, where there will be entertainment and hot drinks available.

The Parade will set off at 5.45-6pm, and end at 7pm at the Town Hall, where there will be entertainment until 7.30pm.

For more information, see www.leamingtonlanternparade.co.uk/

Christmas Weekend

Sat 14 - Sun 15 December 10am – 4pm Been good this year? Enter our festive wonderland to meet Santa, get crafty, listen to wintry tales and yuletide tunes and explore the Christmas trail. Tickets to see Father Christmas £3 which includes a small gift – limited number available on the day.

For further details call 01926 852078 www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/ properties/kenilworth-castle

Victorian Christmas

Chedham’s Yard, Church Walk, Wellesbourne CV37.

Christmas Events for Children with Autism Sat 14 December Step back in time and experience a traditional Victorian. Visitors can eat chestnuts roasted on the forge, sample Christmas-themed cakes, mulled wine/ hot apple juice and mini mince pies. In addition there will be music plus readings from Charles Dickens novels. Father Christmas will be making an appearance and handing out gifts to children, plus volunteers will be dressed in traditional costume. Visitors will also be able to make and take home traditional decorations for the Christmas tree such as pomanders.

Must be pre-booked: visit the website or call 01789 842770 on Tuesday (1pm - 4pm) & Friday (10am - 1pm). Adults £5, concessions £4, child £3 and family £12. www.chedhamsyard.org.uk/

Christmas Celebration Rock Concert and Disco

Aurora Orchestra presents Peter & The Wolf and The Snowman

Jack and the Bean Stalk Pantomime

Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre, Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry CV4 7AL. Sun 15 December, 3pm Double bill of classic musical stories for children, accompanied by a live orchestra and narrated by Sanjeev Bhaskar. £19.50, £15.50 Children/Under 26s £14.50, £11.50. www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/

Tall Stories presents Room on the Broom Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre,

Gibbet Hill Rd, Coventry CV4 7AL. Sat 30 November- Sun 29 December A spellbinding adventure from the creators of The Gruffalo, about all the animals that hitch a ride with a witch on her broom!

Suitable for ages 3+. £13 (£11), £10.50 (£9.50) for unreserved eating schools performances. www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/

Kenilworth Cricket Club, Kenilworth CV8 1FB. Sat 30 November, 7pm-12midnight Concert to raise funds to provide social opportunities for children with autism in Warwickshire. Charlie, one of the IDS play-scheme volunteers, fronts the rock band Blackwater Ridge. Staff and volunteers from the play-scheme will be attending this concert, which is aimed at young people 11+. Parents are invited to join us at this event. Adults £10; Young Person under 18 £5 (price to include hot-dog supper).

Exhall Grange School, Easter Way, Coventry CV7 9HP. Sat 14 December 2013, 2pm.

Production aimed at children under 11, lasting for 1 hour 15 minutes. Staff and volunteers who run the IDS summer play-scheme will be there, children may choose to sit with their parents/carers or join staff within their play-scheme groups.

Adults £5; Children £3.

To purchase tickets for either of these events please contact Zoe Shilton at Lancaster House. Tel: 024 76 368812 or email: zoeshilton@warwickshire.gov.uk.

Tickets are limited so please apply as soon as possible to secure your place.

Art Takeover Day

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP. Fri 3 January 2014, 10.30am & 3.30pm Start the New Year creatively by joining our free Art Takeover Day. Featuring a selection our best-loved make and take workshops from the past few years, get out of the

house and create your own works of art inspired by the Herbert’s collection. Drop in throughout the day. Activities will take place in the Covered Court area of the museum. www.theherbert.org

Maths & English tuition centre For 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities • Courses mapped to the National Curriculum.

• Adapts to the individual needs of your child.

• Convenient for families - Open 7 days a week.

• Award-winning tuition - voted Education Investor Supplementary Education Provider of the Year.

“Explore Learning members’ improvement in maths was 30% higher than that of the comparison group after controlling for gender, age, year group and special educational needs.”

Independent Efficacy Study by the Institute of Education at Reading University (2013). See www.explorelearning.co.uk/efficacy.

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are s c ild her ! h C uc pted o cce www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk VTel:a01789 764667