Families Fife,Perth & Kinross March-April 2015 issue 30

EE FR

Inco rporating Perth & Kinross

the really useful magazine and website for families in the fife region Issue 30 • Mar/Apr 2015

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Also including:

Chick out our Easter activities feature

What’s on, reviews, local news and updates

Lots to do in and around Fife

Pick up your copy in…

Dunfermline  Glenrothes  Kirkcaldy  Perth  Kinross  Cupar  St Andrews or a village in between

Contents

Inco rporating Perth & Kinross

holiday fun

in April

For details of Easter events ON across all our museums, libraries and theatres check out www.onfife.com Across our 4 theatres Fri 3 – Fri 17 April I £5.50/£4.50 Suitable for age 0 – 8 years.

Check online for more info.

Puppet Animation Festival

3

Welcome to Families Fife

5

Who, What, Where, When With our local mum columnist Sharon looking at online council transactions

6

Childcare choices Could you become a host family?

8

All sorts of fun this Easter What to do and where to do it in the holidays

11

Birth, Baby and Beyond The benefits of skin to skin for baby and getting your back back after pregnancy

12

Clubs news and updates

13 Reviews High tech and low tech reviews 14

Out and About Covering everything we know about what’s on locally this Easter

Contact us

Editor: Susan Kirkwood, editor@familiesfife.co.uk Tel: 01383 735938 or 07734 289 143

The Festival offers children and their families opportunities to be transported to magical worlds of make-believe.

Funbox Pirates and Princesses

Design: White Creative www.whitecreativecompany.co.uk Circulation: 13,000 copies printed. Distributed free of charge throughout Fife, Perth and Kinross by kind permission of Fife Libraries, Fife Leisure Centres, antenatal clinics, health visitors, surgeries, community use schools, Theatres in Fife and Perth, places of historic interest, local attractions, selected shops and playgroups and play centres.

Print: J Thomson. Due care was taken to source print and other services required to produce this magazine from within the local area.

Carnegie Hall Sun 19 April 11am £9/£8 I Age 3 – 7

NEXT ISSUE: May-June 2015 Birthdays & Parties Booking deadline: 03 April 2015. Out 04 May 2015

Adam Smith Theatre I Fri 10 – Sun 12 April Fri 2pm; Sat 11am & 2pm; Sun 12 noon & 3pm All tickets £12/Family (4) £44

Join Anya, Kevin and Gary (formerly of The Singing Kettle) for a new adventure, and come dressed as a pirate or princess!

Blunderbus Children'sTheatre

Hugless Douglas

A delightful new show with an irresistible blend of music, puppetry and high energy storytelling.

01592 583302

01592 611101

01383 602302

01592 583303

Fife Cultural Trust Company Number: SC415704. Scottish Charity Number: SCO43442

2 | Families Fife Issue 30

Families Fife© is a part of a larger group of magazines headed by Families SW London©. All franchised magazines are independently owned and operated under license. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences. Any 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.

www.familiesfife.co.uk

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Open studios

W

elcome to the MarchApril 2015 edition of Families Fife, Perth and Kinross. Who would have thought 5 years ago that I’d still be here today, celebrating my 30th issue? That probably makes Families my longest career to date…I always say that it helps if you get on with your boss. Those of you who have the fortune to have read the past 30 issues (come on, there must be at least one of you) will know that I am datelexic – a considerable handicap in one involved in the publishing business. Thus I can’t really understand why it’s our birthday now despite the first issue coming out in May 2009. Answers on an email please…

Interestingly, it’s also the Families group’s anniversary too though they’ve been at this for 25 years now. So it’s backslapping all round with quite a bit of air kissing thrown in too (our founder and guiding light Pascale Gravell is French you zee).

Enough self love. Its time to delve into Easter. With all that is going on locally, you’ll be lucky to find time to eat a chocolate egg… Yeah right!

Happy Easter et bon anniversaire a nous. 

O

ver 70 artists, designers and makers are inviting you to visit their workspaces during Open Studios North Fife over the holiday weekend on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th of May 2015. Some are artists who work full time and supply international markets, others are recent graduates just finding their place in the art or craft world. A few are semi-retired and have come back to professional art practice after years in other employment, many combine their artistic practice with running workshops or other paid activities so that they can pursue their passion and a large number are people who have huge experience of what they do.

We hope you enjoy visiting lots of us!

This is a unique chance to meet the people behind the artwork that you adore.

Buy, commission or just have a great day out!

Open Studios North Fife is one of very few such events which is focused on artists who practice

in the area opening their work spaces rather than borrowing or hiring exhibition venues. We know that half the fun is seeing the interesting spaces in which art is created! You’ll find clusters of studios only minutes apart and single studios in more rural locations worth going to for the views as well as the work on show!

In celebration of our 10th anniversary all Open Studios participants have been invited to take part in adapting, decorating, embellishing and adding to a basic wooden shed! We invite you to visit this project which is sited at Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse (outside Cupar, close to Ceres), to see the results!

Colourful, intriguing, quirky, bizarre, thought provoking - who knows what the shed might look like by the first weekend in May?  Visit www.openstudiosfife.co.uk or pick up a free brochure in shops & public venues around Fife.

Susan Kirkwood, Editor www.familiesfife.co.uk

Issue 30 Families Fife | 3

News: Who, What, Where, When …

March: Make do and mend month

T

his year Greener Kirkcaldy are making March a ‘Make Do and Mend Month’. We all have material and old clothes at home so why not upcycle them? The Saturday events listed below are based on traditional and creative ways to re-use, repair and and breathe new life into old clothes. We are sharing the skills we have to transform our clothing and unwanted items into something we’ll love again” All these events are free so why don’t you get along to Greener Kirkcaldy’s High Street Hub shop to make March your make do and mend month? ÊSaturday Ê 7th March 2015 10am – 4pm: Seed Swap ÊDrop-in Ê to swap seeds, pots and growing tips. ÊSaturday Ê 14th March 11am 12:30pm and 2pm – 3:30pm: ÊSewing Ê skills Repair Workshops ÊBring Ê along a neglected item of clothing, learn how repair it or give it a new lease of life. Contact Greener Kirkcaldy to book your place. ÊSaturday Ê 21st March 11am – 12:30pm and 2pm - 3:30pm: Upcycled Garments Workshops ÊUp-cycling Ê workshop to transform old clothes and rags into something stunning! Contact Greener Kirkcaldy to book your place. ÊSaturday Ê 28th March 10am – 4pm: Vintage Tea Party and Book Swap Celebrate the end of ‘Make Do and Mend Month ‘by joining in a Vintage Tea Party! Drop in to swap books and stories in this family-friendly event. 

Wild about Scotland bus

P

upils in primary schools across Fife were able to experience a series of interactive Scottish wildlife lessons in January thanks to a specially designed doubledecker education bus currently touring Scotland.

The ‘Wild about Scotland’ bus visited Kelty, Collydean and Strathallan Primary schools as part of a wider campaign being brought to all of Scotland’s 32 local councils over the next 12 months.

The programme has been developed by the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland (RZSS) and has been made possible through a partnership between Clydesdale Bank

COSy KingdOm Stay warm, Save mOney Our Cosy Kingdom energy advice service can help you and your family keep warm and save money, with tailored home energy advice.

Our service is free and we can help with: • • •

Understanding energy tariffs & bills.

Practical ways to keep your home cosy.

Checking that you’re getting the benefits & grants you are entitled to.

To book a home energy advice visit: Phone Greener Kirkcaldy on 01592 858548 e-mail info@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk or pop into our High Street Hub 254a High Street, Kirkcaldy Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. www.greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk greenerkirkcaldy @greenerkdy

4 | Families Fife Issue 30

and RZSS to support the charity in its conservation goals across Scotland.

P4 to P7 pupils from the schools got to get their hands dirty in a variety of interactive and fun lessons which focused on Scottish native species, their habitats and environments. Lessons were delivered by a dedicated discovery and learning team from RZSS. Chris West, CEO of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: “Conservation through education is one of the founding principles behind the Society and remains one of our key goals to this day.

The customised double-decker has been transformed from a Stagecoach passenger bus into a fully functional and interactive mobile classroom with capacity to accommodate up to 26 children at once.

Areas of focus for the project are minibeasts, the plight of the Highland Tiger or the Scottish wildcat as we know it and looking at what pupils can do to preserve the species. They are also interested in beavers and whether these should be reintroduced back into Scotland and the effect this sort of action can have on an ecosystem.  To find out if the bus will be visiting your local primary school, please visit: www.cbonline.co.uk/wildaboutscotlannd ÊÊ Above: Pupils at Collydean experience the ‘Wild about Scotland’ bus. From left to right; Cooper Duncan, Angel Taylor, Alex Watt, Demi Morris, Jack Davidson, Ethan Hardie

www.familiesfife.co.uk

It’s a Wonderful Fife Local Kirkcaldy mum Sharon Gilfillan is back. With her ear permanently to the ground, Sharon is here to highlight local issues and share her views on our common concerns. This month Sharon looks into the council’s proposal for Online transactions.

Can an online system save us?

F

inally, Fife Council is considering making our lives easier? From a mum who failed 3 attempts trying to pay number 1 child’s cello bill via the automated telephone service – apparently I lack the ability to increase a 6 figure reference into the required 16 digit code.

I only succeeded by pretending not to have a * key on my phone and waiting to be connected to a real person who kindly took my payment.

Will the proposed “Online School Transactions and Out of School Care” service take care of my failings? I know it is only at “engagement” process but we all know how quickly Fife Council moves to implementation after an engagement survey. I completed the survey online and eagerly await the findings on 19th February. If we don’t need it or won’t use it there is no point Fife Council spending time and money implementing it. Thinking ahead though, never again will you need to worry about he lost reminder for After School Club payment or scraping around

to find £1.75 ‘cos Dad ate all the packed lunch snacks the evening before! There is even suggestion that not only can you pay for school meals, (P4-P7) but that you can also select your dates in advance and meal options. The service would also be available for Secondary School – which is great, especially for the children who have difficulties having to deal with the payment system and making decisions. Parents can help organise with their child in advance, taking away their worry or embarrassment during the lunchtime rush.

Ordering and paying for uniforms may be another option. No more day before the schools go back panic shopping. I do think Fife Council would need to offer competitive prices and explain where any profits from sales would be redirected to; would it go direct to the individual school or an external retailer supplying the uniforms?

Reporting absences would be quicker via a direct text or email rather than having to remember to phone in and wait until the school office is free. Booking

After School/Breakfast Clubs and paying at the same time would be so much easier rather than having to remember everything and getting the opportunity to go into the school during school hours to pay for them. It also affords the school the opportunity to be fully prepared with numbers attending.

Will this online Schools Transactions work effectively? I am not the biggest fan of technology but it does sound good. I hope before implementing a system like this, Fife Council must ensure the site is financially backed with sufficient IT support and is secure. Of course there will be teething problems, I’m sure some children will receive their friend’s school dinner choice a couple of times but if this helps manage the financial pressures on schools, reducing waste and help elevate concerns for our children, then absolutely we should be engaging.

Most importantly the system needs simple to use and fit for purpose – to make all our lives easier. 

Would you host an international student?

H

osting is a great fun way to keep in touch with what’s happening at your nearby boarding school, and to learn more about other cultures.

Your first step to hosting is to contact Academic Families and discuss expectations and discover if hosting is for you. As a host family in Scotland, you will need to have sound family values, a sense of fun and adventure as well as a spare

www.familiesfife.co.uk

bedroom for the student to use when visiting. Most students are between 13 and 18 years old and return home for longer mid terms and holidays. They might come for one, two or more years and most go on to a UK university. Usually students only visit their host family for one or two weekends each term but of course hosts can visit their student at school, invite them for Sunday lunch

and cheer them on at a school event. Younger students like to have quite active visits but older students prefer to study and have a quiet visit.

Academic Families takes full responsibility for the students, organising their travel arrangements, and sorting out any problems that may arise so hosts are never on their own – in fact they simply have all the fun getting to know an interesting

young person and including them in their family. Academic Families undertakes PVG disclosure checks on all adults in the home, organises all the arrangements and then hosts receive expenses for the stay so won’t be out of pocket.  Academic Famiiles is based in Edinburgh and matches students and hosts to ensure happy families.

See our ad on page 3

Issue 30 Families Fife | 5

Education and Childcare A cultural lesson for your family at the breakfast table?

T

he UK remains one of the most popular destinations for International Students in search of a prestigious, reputable education at a UK Boarding School. Foreign students continue to flock to the UK to achieve their goals and expand their horizons. Here they are presented with the unique opportunity to develop life skills that will aid them in their future working life and in relationships; shaping their personality and determining who they become.

Bright World Guardianships is a long established Guardianship organisation, charged with offering care to international students whose parents are not living here.

These brave and bright scholars who come to UK boarding schools do so alone, leaving their parents back home. All boarding schools close for short school holidays and during these times it is the goodwill of our trusted host families that we as guardians call upon.

my child’s school has been such a rewarding Although the Host Family role is a paid experience. We love providing a home one and does provide a valuable extra from home when they can’t return to their income, it is much more than this. Hosting a families and half terms. It has given lots of young international student can make their As recommended by fun and cultural experience for us all and is entire experience in the UK a happy one. If uniform going one that we will remember always.” you welcome Kids’ a student into your homeastray? they BUY OF THE DAY Bright World Host Family will actually look forward to Within the cosmopolitan, culturally diverse exeats and half terms and ...You needtheir overall experience world in which we live, contact such as this is invaluable and can only aid your children and impression of the UK in their future life and work; where cultural will be enhanced.

Your The easy one-snap understanding is especially key. Think of it children will also benefit way to label clothing! as a geography and culture lesson at your from this exposure, simply breakfast table. by sharing their PUSH—CLICK— home for SNAPPED ON!  a week or so. During this For more information on becoming a host Brought to you by Say It Personally Ltd time they will learn about family for Bright World Guardianships, Call: (0844) 5611994 new cultures and will have the please contact Lindsay Gayler, Host Family Keep tabsand oncountries their clothes... www.snappytags.co.uk opportunity to interact with a young person Recrutiment Manager lindsay@brightworld. from a completely different culture and co.uk. Alternatively you can visit our website background. and complete our online host family enquiry “Hosting an international student from form www.brightworld.co.uk As recommended by

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Fife’s Leading Children’s Nursery

‘I could not be happier with the staff and service provided.

Charlotte loves nursery and can’t wait to get there.’

Miss Broderick, Mum to Charlotte, 2 years old, Duloch, Dunfermline

OPEN FROM 7AM 1 Innova Way, Rosyth, KY11 2US Tel: 01383 419319 Email: laura@bbnursery.co.uk www.bbnursery.co.uk

6 | Families Fife Issue 30

Let us take good care of your little rascal

Our staff are committed to providing the highest quality child care and education in a safe, cosy, child centred and enabling environment.

• Open 51 weeks per year • Monday - Friday 8am-6pm • Saturday 8am-1pm • Caring for children from 6 weeks of age • Nursery, Crèche and Afterschool

www.rascalscowdenbeath.co.uk

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Nursery News Lauriston children are looking forward to hosting

our Mother’s Day breakfast again this year. We will be welcoming all the nursery mummies in for a yummy healthy breakfast and giving them the opportunity to see some of the activities that the children get up to.

We are also ‘egg-cited’ for an ‘eggcellent’ up and coming Easter. There will be Easter bonnet competitions, egg rolling and lots of fun art and craft activities. 

Fostering Relations is an

independent, not-for-profit fostering agency based in Dalgety Bay. We provide quality, supported, stable, family placements for children and young people.

We are committed to helping children and young people who have experienced abuse, disruption and trauma in their lives. We also aim to provide the best service to our carers through support and training and to value the enormous contribution they make to the lives of children who cannot live with their own family.

As part of our ongoing campaign to provide safer homes for Looked after Children, we have been trying to raise the profile of fostering across Central Scotland. As such Fostering Relations was recently involved

Snappy Tags take the pain out of clothes labelling

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abelling clothes is such a chore, and so time consuming. Not any more! Snappy Tag TM is the one-click way to label clothing and other items quickly and securely. No more sewing in labels or taking time ironing on adhesive tags that come off in the wash. Snappy Tags is similar to a small button and is very simple to use. The tags come laser-etched with the name you need and will stay securely fastened. So you always know that your child’s clothing will be kept safe– just like your little one. 

For more information and to buy Snappy Tags visit www.snappytags.co.uk

in a month long campaign called Fostering February designed to highlight the shortage of foster carers throughout the country and to dispel some of the myths around fostering.

This year’s Fostering February roadshow made its way through Scotland on the 4th and 5th of February visiting locations throughout Fife and Edinburgh. We also made an impact by visiting local shops such as Asda and Tesco and sharing their support on Facebook and Twitter.

Fostering is a highly rewarding role and we look for carers from all walks of life to help provide safe, secure homes for our children.

You do not have to have any specific qualifications to apply. All we ask is that you have a spare room, are committed to the well- being of the children you look after and have a desire to learn.

In return we offer you 24 hour support from our highly skilled Social Workers, on- going training and development and a generous weekly fee. We consider foster carers to be co-workers who have a right to be supported, trained and remunerated appropriately and valued accordingly.  If you are interested in becoming a foster carer with Fostering Relations or would just like more information, please visit our website or call our Carer Recruitment Officer on 01383 828 245

Boost your child’s confidence Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to build your child’s confidence and inspire a passion for learning.

Contact your local Instructor for a free assessment.

Glenrothes Study Centre Lesley Shaw 01383 822 814 Classes on Monday and Thursday 3.15pm - 5.15pm

St Andrews Study Centre Christine Proudfoot 0131 618 2315

Classes on Tuesday and Thursday 3.30pm - 5.30pm and Saturday 9.15am - 11.15am

kumon.co.uk

A TR

ADIT ION OF ILY V ALU ES

FAM

Could you foster a child?

Fostering Relations is your local fostering agency based in Dalgety Bay We are looking for carers who are patient, kind and understanding.

At Fostering Relations we are committed to working alongside our carers to ensure the best for the children who are placed with us.

If you are interested in applying for this highly rewarding role, please contact us today.

Tel: 01383 828 245 Website: www.fosteringrelations.org.uk

Text: Foster17 to 88020 with your full name

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Issue 30 Families Fife | 7

Easter special

All sorts of Easter fun around Fife T

here really is no shortage of things to do round here in the coming weeks of the Easter holiday. This year, just to make things simple, the local councils in Fife and Perth and even Edinburgh seem to have colluded not only to celebrate Easter during Easter (yay!), but they’ve also all decided to set the holidays from 3rd to the 19th [or 20th] of April. This novel approach should ensure that we can all visit each other, get grandparents who dare to live in the neighbouring council to childmind, attend Easter themed events both near and far without having to worry about who is and who isn’t celebrating. A triumph of planning – well done all round council diary planners. As is our wont, we’ve compiled lots of Easter events so you can get planning you days out for Easter now. Don’t forget to also check the What’s on Section on p1415 for an even more exhaustive round up of local events and diary dates.

Active fun

ÊTime Ê to Spring into action!

A popular scheme which makes it more affordable to get kids active during school holidays is once again on offer this Easter.

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust – the region’s leading provider of sports and leisure facilities – will continue to deliver its Quid-aKid programme offering juniors aged 17 and under the chance to swim and play racquet sports for just £1 during the Easter school holidays.

The Quid-a-Kid scheme is available in the Trust’s facilities across the region and is part of the organisation’s drive to get more young people active more of the time.

As well as Quid-a-Kid, there will be range of great activities on offer from 3rd to 19th April in leisure centres across the region.

Programmes include, swim and gymnastics camps, football coaching, fitness classes and racquet sports to name just a few great ways to keep kids active this Easter holidays.

Swimming is not only great fun, but it’s a great way for the whole family to get active.

The Trust has some great parent and child

swimming classes on offer as well as the full range of Scottish Swimming accredited classes for all ages which are well worth joining.

No matter which area of Fife you are in, the Trust has lots going on – for example, East Sands Leisure Centre has a great gymnastics club for kids as well as junior and adult triathlon training, Carnegie Leisure Centre in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre both have soft play areas for active fun and Levenmouth Swimming Pool is all about splashing out with its wave machine, aqua flumes and much more.

And don’t forget, Quid-a-Kid Weekends is available all year around giving the same great deal to juniors.

Parents can also benefit from discounted prices on racquet sport fun – so there’s no excuse not to get active and have fun together!

For full details on Fife Sports and Leisure Trust’s Easter holiday activities, visit www.fifeleisure.org.uk

Arty antics

ÊEaster Ê Holiday fun for kids at the Kirkcaldy Galleries • 3 April-17 April Drop in anytime during the Easter holidays and try out some seasonal activities at the Art Cart, or follow the Easter Trail through the galleries.

ÊThe Ê Ceramic Café, Dunfermline This is a great place to unwind in the holidays.

Catch up with friends while the children get creative making Easter themed ceramic gifts.

Or get there earlier to steer children in the

“Discover how THEY would have survived…and YOU wouldn’t!”

“With over 110 species and around 40 displays, a day out at St Andrews Aquarium is full of surprises!”

The Scores, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9AS Tel: 01334 474786

Troywood, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8QH Tel: 01333 310301

www.standrewsaquarium.co.uk 8 | Families Fife Issue 30 Aqua Families Ad Feb15.indd 1

06/02/2015Bunker 16:13Families Advert Feb15.indd 1

WWW.SECRETBUNKER.CO.UK www.familiesfife.co.uk

06/02/2015 11:11

pitches, one on top of the other so there is plenty of exploring to do! Come and discover how Scotland would have been governed from the depths of Fife and how they would have survived a nuclear attack from the most deadly bombs!

National Trust for Scotland

Aquatic Adventures

direction of thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts such as plant pots, mugs and plates which they can personalise – just for you!

Elgin Industrial Estate, KY12 7SN. Tel 01383 840640.

Clandestine capers

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Fresh air frolics

ÊChildren’s Ê Forest School Club, Fife Monday 13th to Friday 17th April Kingsbarns, nr Crail Build confidence, initiative, responsibility, learn forest skills with real tools, play games, watch wildlife and more. Come and have fun.

Age 6 to 13yrs. 10:00am - 4:00pm. £125 for 5 days. Fully insured, disclosed qualified experienced Forest School leader.

Booking essential. Contact: chris.childe_education@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: (01337) 830621, Mob: (07587) 893190.

✃

ÊSecret Ê Bunker, Troywood, St Andrews “The Cold War isn’t thawing”. While Nixon’s chilling words are possibly as relevant to the world today, as they were fifty years ago, a visit to Scotland’s Secret Bunker allows visitors to experience the reality of what life could have been like if the worst had actually happened during the Cold War era.

Scotland’s Secret Bunker, a Cold War nuclear command centre, celebrated its 20th Anniversary last year. Originally built by the Ministry of Defence (and kept hidden by the few locals in the know) in the early 1950s as an RAF Operations Room, was secretly set up as the regional headquarters for Scotland in the event of a nuclear attack and would have housed up to 300 personnel tasked with operation command of the country should the worst have happened.

Hidden beneath an innocent Scottish farmhouse lies Scotland’s Secret Bunker and 40 years of secrets. We invite you to take the journey down the 450 foot tunnel and through the 3-tonne blast doors to discover the secrets of the bunker, which lies 100 feet underground and is the size of two football

ÊÊ Deep Sea World, North Queensferry A fearless Easter Bunny is taking the plunge at Deep Sea World, Scotland’s national aquarium, over the Easter holiday weekend (starting April 3rd) – in search of shark eggs!

The diving bunny – complete with floppy ears and basket – is exploring the depths of the North Queensferry aquarium’s 4.5 million litre Underwater Safari for shark and ray eggcases as well as helping out with fish feeds.

Young visitors will also be able to take part in a fun Easter Egg Hunt around the aquarium, there is an Easter ‘Grotto’ with a selection of children’s activities on offer, as well as face painting, and additional talks and feeding demonstrations.

The Diving Bunny is just the first of the Easter Fun Frolics planned at Deep Sea World. They are also hosting their famous Mermaid event with previews on the evening of Thursday 9th April followed by Mermaid dives throughout the weekend of the 11th and 12th April with special photo opportunities at the rock pool with the real life mermaid herself!!

Find Deep Sea World on facebook for regular updates on all things water creatures, sharks and fishy fun events!

ÊSt Ê Andrews Aquarium, The Scores, St Andrews Step through the doors and be transported into an underwater world of adventure and discovery. Come face to face with some of the most beautiful, fascinating and dangerous creatures of the watery worlds. From British sharks to spiders, lobsters to lionfish, poison dart frogs to piranhas, loveable seals... and not to forget the family of fabulous meerkats.

After the departure of Sheila the Black Tip Reef Shark, St Andrews Aquarium have completely redesigned and installed a Great British Shark & Ray tank, showcasing the most incredible species from our very own shores. In addition to this the cold water area has had a complete face-lift with redesigned tanks and new signage installed and the reception area has been transformed into a more welcoming and exciting space.

St Andrews Aquarium will be unveiling a brand new clown fish tank, where visitors will be able to crawl inside the tank giving them the feeling of being in the water with the fish…you are sure to have no trouble finding Nemo as this tank will be full of these beautiful fish.

Remember you can get up close and personal with the daily interactive demonstrations which include penguin feeding at 2pm, seal feeding at 12pm and 3pm, and Reptile and Spider Handling at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

ANNUAL PASSES FROM

£34.50 See website for further details

Find us at North Queensferry, Fife KY11 1JR. t. 01383 411880 By the Forth Rail Bridge, just 20 minutes from Edinburgh

Drop In And Sea Us - Open Daily From 10am

SAV5E0 £9.

1 FREE CHILD WITH THIS VOUCHER

1 Free child (worth £9.50) when accompanied by 1 full paying adult.Voucher not valid with family/e-tickets or any other promotion. Terms and conditions apply. Photocopies will not be accepted. Offer valid until 30/06/2015.

CODE: FIFE

www.deepseaworld.com Issue 30 Families Fife | 9

Easter special ÊSt Ê Andrews Botanic Garden Easter Sunday 5th April sees the launch of the Gruffalo Trail at St Andrews Botanic Garden.

See advert for details.

St Andrews Botanic Garden, Canongate, St Andrews KY16 8RT www.st-andrews-botanic.org

ÊNational Ê Trust Easter Egg Trails For the eighth year running, Cadbury are supporting the National Trust for Scotland to bring you the 2015 Easter Egg trails - a great day out for all the family! There will be trails at 50 Trust places across Scotland, so start your adventure today by finding out where your nearest Cadbury Easter Egg Trail is and get the date in your diary! On the day, we will inspire your child’s inner adventurer and transform them into an Eggsplorer! They’ll follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and be rewarded with a delicious Cadbury Egghead.

Culross Palace, Fife, KY12 8JH Tel 0844 493 2189 Fri 3 - Mon 6 Apr, 12-4pm Usual entry plus £1 per trail.

Falkland Palace, Falkland, Fife, KY15 7BU Tel 0844 493 2186 Sat 4 – Mon 6 Apr, 11am-4.30m (12-4.30pm Sun) Usual garden entry prices apply plus £1 per trail.

Hill of Tarvit Mansion, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5PBTel 0844 493 2185 Sat 4 – Mon 6 Apr, 11am-4pm £2.50 per trail.

Kellie Castle & Garden, Pittenweem, Fife, KY10 2RFTel 0844 439 2184 Fri 3 – Mon 6 Apr, 12-4pm £2.50 per trail.

ÊAdventure Ê Golf Island Dunfermline Monday 2nd March– Sunday 15th of March: Anyone quoting “Families Fife” will be able to play the second course, either Treasure Island or Pirates Cover for only an additional £1 with the purchase of a general admission.

For more information please visit www.adventure-golf-island.com

ÊEaster Ê Themed Treasure Hunt!

Thursday 26th March– Sunday April 5th: Anyone quoting “Families Fife” will be able to play the second course, either Treasure Island or Pirates Cover for only an additional £1 with the purchase of a general admission. With this event, kids will be able to take part in a Easter themed treasure hunt on the Pirates Cove course which comes complete with prizes!  For more information please visit www.adventure-golf-island.com

Psst....Gruffalo Hunt

Come along for the launch of our Gruffalo Trail. Follow the trail and find all the characters. Visit the Glass Class for Gruffalo arts, crafts and activities. Bring a picnic and relax in the garden. Suitable for all ages.

Wheelchair friendly route. Free activities with entry fee adults - £5 Children free.

St Andrews Botanic Garden www.st-andrews-botanic.org Education Officer 0773 952 1612

10 | Families Fife Issue 30

Puppet Animation Festival

This year’s Puppet Animation Festival is set to be one of the best yet!

O

n at Carnegie Hall we have The Worm – An Underground Adventure, where we join Wilma and William as they discover a family of musical worms and their colourful world. If you love paintings then check out Laing & the Magic Paintbrush. Interested in the tale of a hero and an evil prince? Then Jabberwocky is for you!

At the Adam Smith Theatre you can laugh, clap and bring the circus to life in Celeste’s Circus. If you like enchanting fairy tales then don’t miss Little Princess Goldtree, complete with princesses, evil stepmothers and a magical trout!

On at Lochelly Centre we have a lively re-telling of Red Riding Hood, which mixes puppetry and music. There’s also the chance to join a funny and mischievous group of woodland friends as they share their grand adventures in Twitawoo.

Rothes Halls hosts a range of fantastic shows like 3 Bears, a fabulous retelling of the classic children’s tale. You can also watch Frank Stein at as he creates a real live puppet that is destined to change the world in Little Frankenstein. Did you ever lose a

shoe? Come on a fantastical journey to the island of lost shoes in Shoe Kangaroo & the Big Bad Boot. Based on the award winning book, Pitschi, The Kitten with Dreams tells the story of a young cat that dreams of being something or somewhere else.

Get ready for exciting children shows!

Setting sail on a new adventure, Anya, Kevin and Gary are back with Funbox! The funbox has everything to sing songs and have adventures, but it won’t open! Join the gang and a bunch of new characters on their escapades.

Building on the success of BabyO and SensoryO, Scottish Opera’s new show KidO is full of fun for 3 to 4 year olds. Encouraging make-believe, KidO shows how a dose of imagination can make anything extraordinary!

Hugless Douglass is a huggable, loveable young bear who wakes up one morning needing a hug. He searches to find the perfect hug but discovers all he needs is a bear hug from his Mum. Full of heart-warming music and storytelling that little cubs will love!  All tickets available at www.onfife.com and by calling or visiting any ON at Fife box office.

 Call Susan on

07734 289 143 to advertise here

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Clubs and classes

Botanic bounty T

here are lots of exciting new things for families at St Andrews Botanic Garden this year. In addition to the launch of our Gruffalo Trail, we are building a rustic summerhouse which

come to Junior Hortus our gardening club for children aged 5 to 12. Nature lovers can attend the Wild Things wildlife watch group for children aged 7 to 12. For family visits the Hug a Tree

ÊÊ WELL DONE TO THE PUPILS OF HOG! -Ed

Kilts for kids!

D

ÊÊ Junior Hortus Club December 2014

will be used as an outdoor classroom and a wet weather area (open Easter Sunday) and a bird-hide treehouse (open June). Budding gardeners can

Trail is available all year round and there are activity backpacks available when the gatehouse is open. If it is raining, you can go on the Glasshouse Trail and find exotic plants from around the world. Spot the animals hiding in the jungle and desert. There are holiday clubs for children during the Spring, Summer and Autumn breaks. Botanic Birthday parties can be booked in the Glass Class all year around. Events, classes and workshops are held all year. See website for details. Or just come along and relax, bring a picnic and find a peaceful spot. The Garden is an oasis of wildlife and beauty with free parking 5 minutes from the centre of town. 

rama students love to promote themselves – but they are also delighted to promote the work of other groups and in February the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy celebrated the work of the charity Children 1st by holding a Kilts for Kids day. Decked out in tartan, they created a catwalk, a hair salon, a firework display and a children’s party – all colourful, bright - and in aid of Children 1st. Parents and friends were invited to donate to the charity, to buy tartan badges, and to guess the name of the very tartanny teddy bear. Our students paraded, persuaded, cajoled and convinced – and raised over £100 towards helping disadvantaged children. 

St Andrews Botanic Garden, Canongate, St Andrews KY16 8RT

Join us at the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy Classes in speech, drama and self confidence throughout Fife www.helenogradyeastcentralscotland.co.uk

01382 330052

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Issue 30 Families Fife | 11

Birth, Baby & Beyond

Skin to Skin O

Back on track

ver the past few months within the maternity services of NHS Fife “I understand that a lot of ladies are staff have been actively promoting itback & Bumps programmes are unique anxious about exercising whilst pregnant parent/baby relationship building and because they are physiotherapist led, and are unsure of how to get back on track nurturing. This has been done through giving women the confidence they are post natally. I became a Fitback & Bumps Antenatal classes and one to one receiving sound advice. Programmes run instructor because I recognised there is a discussions with midwives. With the over 4 sessions. Each session consists of a need for education as well as exercise to support of the UNICEF Baby Friendly short discussion followed by gym ball and provide mothers to be with the Initiative, antenatal women will informed confidence to have an now be receiving the ‘Building a NHS active pregnancy.”

Happy Baby ‘ booklet at around Annabelle also appreciates it 22 weeks pregnant. This booklet can feel like a far reaching gap for focuses on relationships in the postnatal women between having early days. Raising awareness their baby and regaining control of early parental interaction from over their pelvic floor, tummy pre birth and beyond has Touch muscles and returning to main been noted to enhance g ing in lk stream classes or exercise. “ parent /baby bonding. g a n i T Sing talking The antenatal programme is Carrying out ‘Skin to suitable after your 12 week scan Skin’ cuddling has been Talkin Strokin Strokin g g g and covers understanding the common practice at birth g changes your body goes through; for the past ten years. in Stroking Sing LOOK O the importance of posture; Skin to skin is known for this boUT ok! talking Touching safe and effective exercise in to calm parent and touching Talking pregnancy; the pelvic floor; baby as well as initially physical preparation for labour regulating baby’s heart Singing ching u Stroking and a practical taster session rate and temperature. There is now o Stroki T of relaxation. The postnatal evidence to show that periods of ng programme is suitable after ‘skin to skin’ daily in the first few Singing Touching your 6 week check and beyond. months of life, can enhance baby’s singin g Stroking It is never too late to work on growth, brain development and Talking things! It provides you with the feelings of love and security. information and tools to regain A recent quality improvement your flat tummy and fitness after project was undertaken within pregnancy, addressing abdominal the maternity ward at the muscle separation and developing Victoria Hospital to promote the pelvic floor muscles to reduce and encourage the practice It’s never too early to begin a incidence of incontinence. of daily episodes of ‘Skin to relationship with your baby Delivered either 1:1/ in small Skin’ in the postnatal period. groups of friends in your home Feedback from parents proved or in a venue. Full physiotherapy to very positive. It was noted musculoskeletal assessments also by the parents that not only did provided.  baby appear to be more contented mat based exercises targeting the muscles but mums also felt less stressed and weakened through pregnancy.

Annabelle Di Salvo is a musculoskeletal helped them bond with their babies.  Annabelle explained her reasons for physiotherapist specialising in back and pelvic providing Fitback & Bumps programmes; pain and runs Fitback & Bumps programmes.

To u

ch i

ng

F

It’s full of facts about how and healthy in to keep you and your baby happy the first days and weeks.

Available soon from your midw ife.

nicola@nbphotos.co.uk

SINGING

The Jack & Jill Market

Where Smart Mums Sell & Save

Baby & Kids Online Market

FitBack & Bumps

Scotland’s quality nearly-new baby & kids’ market is now also ONLINE. Create or browse FREE listings:

Ante and Post Natal educational exercise programmes All sessions run by experienced and chartered physiotherapist Annabelle Di Salvo Groups in a venue or 1:1/with friends at home

buggies, clothes, toys, games, equipment.

Live Markets Resume in Fife, Perth and across Scotland in Feb 2015

12 | Families Fife Issue 30

Email or telephone for more details or visit www.fitbackandbumps.co.uk or follow Annabelle on Facebook under fitbackandbumpsdunfermline.

Book A Sta ll

Tel: 07877 452632 Email: info@backfitphysio.co.uk Web: www.fitbackandbumps.co.uk www.facebook.com/fitbackandbumpsdunfermline

 Call Susan on

07734 289 143 to advertise here www.familiesfife.co.uk

Reviews

High tech nature

Toca Nature By Susan Kirkwood

I

t’s not often that you will catch me reviewing an app. But in the case of Toca Nature I simply must in order to give credit where credit is due.

We got sent this app to review, being broadly part of the publishing world. I set my kids onto the task of downloading and figuring out how to then work the downloaded app, and hey presto, they were playing away happily with it for ages with the ensuing sound track of awes and ahs that little girls produce, usually when observing small animals.

What strikes me, as a parent about this app though is just how attractive the graphics are and how…delightful the concepts are.

You start in creation mode and look at the world from a bird’s eye perspective. Then you can go on to make and paint different kinds of trees. There is an axe to cut down trees and a mountain tool to make – yes make mountains – how cool. Every tool then has an associated animal and if you paint lots of trees say, then you may get a fox family moving in. The animals need food and you get to find out what food each animal likes to eat. It’s a great app and one that you can tell was inspired by the Swedish designer’s love of nature.

Here’s what the girls had to say about Toca Nature Toca Boca People ÊToca Ê Nature is great because it seems so real and you feed the animals food. The first time me and my sister played it we fought over the iPad for hours. My sister likes it because every time you make a pond you get more beavers. I love all the animals and love exploring the world. The fun bit is collecting food for the animals.

Yours sincerely, Amy Kirkwood P.s. This is 100% true and my star rating is 5 stars but if it could be 1000000 then that’s what I’d make it.

High Praise indeed!  You can purchase the app here: http://bit.ly/ TocaNature or www.tocaboca.com Toca Boca digital toys are available to download from the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon

www.familiesfife.co.uk

Low tech nature

The Enchanted Forest An Inky Quest Colouring Book

By Susan Kirkwood ohanna Basford’s colouring book is the follow up to her bestselling Secret Garden book, also a colouring book, the aim of both of which is to encourage adults to colour-in as a form of relaxation.

Now any self respecting mother, father or grandparent who’s had to perform this task recently, either by way of example or simply to ‘help’ the child colour large areas or get through a page, will appreciate the secret pleasure of this simple pastime. But it has to be said, that the subject matter – usually anything from dwarves to red riding hoods or worst princesses of yesteryear with dreary frocks that lets it down. And all this usually on abysmal cheap, grey paper.

Not so Johanna’s offering. Here we find the most intricate

J

and delicate drawings usually in collage form leaping from the white page. The detail in her illustrations is simply immense and you feel as if you could look at a single drawing for hours without seeing everything. Again Johanna is inspired by a natural childhood and the time that she spent outdoors in the woodlands near her grandparent’s house on the Isle of Arran. This book is definitely worthy of shelf space in any creative family’s home.  Published by Lawrence King Enchanted Forest An Inky Quest & Colouring Book is on sale from Spring 2015.

RRP £9.95

Issue 30 Families Fife | 13

Out and About march & April 2015 1 March-15 March Snowdrop Festival, Cambo Estate, Kingbarns Thousands of snowdrops carpet the woodlands – National Collection of over 350 different Snowdrops – Feed the Piglets – Story telling – Environmental Sculptures – Art / Craft

www.camboestate.com/events-list/ 3 March-8 August Art Lab Methil Heritage Centre Art workshops. Open Tuesday-Thursday 11am4.30pm, Saturday 1pm-4.30pm

3 March Whatever The Weather Carnegie Hall Dunfermline M6 Theatre Company’s imaginative new production for the very young is set in the charming world of a traditional Alpine weather house. 1.30pm £6.50 (conc. £4.50)

01383 602302 6 March “Crash Bang Wallop”, Carnegie Hall Dunfermline www.onfife.com/whats-on/detail/children’sclassic-concerts-present-“crash-bang-wallop” World-class percussion whizz kids Owen and Olly, twice-voted best music act at the Edinburgh Fringe, now in Fife for a high-energy family concert. for ages 4-12. 7pm £7.00 (conc. £5.00)

01383 602302 7 March Perth Farmers Market King Edward Street, King Edward Street, Perth, Perthshire, PH1 5UT . 10am - 2pm

www.perthfarmersmarket.co.uk St Andrews Farmers Market Argyle St Car Park St Andrews, KY16 9BX

www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk/st-andrewsfarmers-market.html Up to 30 stallholders attending each month, there is a wide choice of produce on show. 9am - 1pm Crafts Workshop Day, Loch Leven Full & Half Day Craft Workshops including Felting, Flower Arranging, Woodscroll & Basic Woodcrafts, Acrylic Painting, Basic Sewing, Printmaking, Fused Glass and Children’s Craft Workshops including Mother’s Day Cards and Spring Crafts.

Booking required. Further info - Gerry McGregor at the Campus on 01577 867119 / GMcGregor@ pkc.gov.uk or Campus Reception on 01577 867200. Small charge in advance for workshops.

Community Campus, Muirs, Kinross KY13 8FQ.

8 March Stars in Jars, St Andrews 11.30am to 12.30pm Poetry Show for Young People & Families £3/£2 : family ticket £5 Byre Theatre, Abbey Street Chrissie Gittins Join us for a fantastically entertaining session with the acclaimed writer for children, Chrissie Gittins.

14 | Families Fife Issue 30

10 & 11 March Shipwright Science After School Workshop Duloch Library Dunfermline Hands-on science and a boat building challenge!

Best for children aged 8 -12, this event is free but should be pre-booked through Duloch Library.

4-5.30pm. 01383 602208

14 March British Science Week at Earthship Fife Visitor Centre, Kinghorn Free children’s energy workshop and tour of the Earthship. 12-4pm. 01592 891 884 Dunfermline Farmers Market Glen Gates, Bridge Street, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 8AQ. Buy direct from the producers. 9am - 1pm Antiques, Vintage, Retro and Collectors Fair.

Loch Leven

ÊNational Ê Trust Easter Egg Trails For the eighth year running, Cadbury are supporting the National Trust for Scotland to bring you the 2015 Easter Egg trails - a great day out for all the family! There will be trails at 50 Trust places across Scotland, so start your adventure today by finding out where your nearest Cadbury Easter Egg Trail is and get the date in your diary!

On the day, we will inspire your child’s inner adventurer and transform them into an Eggsplorer! They’ll follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and be rewarded with a delicious Cadbury Egghead.

Culross Palace, Fife, KY12 8JH Tel 0844 493 2189 Fri 3 - Mon 6 Apr, 124pm Usual entry plus £1 per trail Falkland Palace, Falkland, Fife, KY15 7BU Tel 0844 493 2186 Sat 4 – Mon 6 Apr, 11am-4.30m (12-4.30pm Sun) Usual garden entry prices apply plus £1 per trail Hill of Tarvit Mansion, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5PBTel 0844 493 2185 Sat 4 – Mon 6 Apr, 11am-4pm £2.50 per trail Kellie Castle & Garden, Pittenweem, Fife, KY10 2RFTel 0844 439 2184 Fri 3 – Mon 6 Apr, 12-4pm £2.50 per trail Admission will be from 9.30am – 4.00pm Entry £1 per person. For exhibitors contact: Angus on 07944 416565. Loch Leven Community Campus, Muirs, Kinross KY13 8FQ

14 March & 15 March Free Family Weekend Duloch Library Dunfermline Meet a WW1 soldier, handle original artefacts, climb onboard our mobile museum, and try your hands at crafts from pincushions to periscopes!

All the family is welcome, just pop in and dive into the past. Saturday 11am-2pm Sunday 12.30 - 3.30pm

01383 602208 15 March Make it for mum Cluny Clays Kirkcaldy Design & Paint your own Flower pot, decorate a

card or make some flowers. 1-3pm £11 per child Age 4-9 years

To book: call 01592 720374 www.clunyclays.co.uk 21 March Caro Bridges, Earthship Fife Visitor Centre, Kinghorn If you have an instrument, bring it along or just come and sing. Booking preferred. 2-4pm Cupar Farmers Market, Crossgate Buy direct from the producers. 9am - 1pm

www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk/cupar-farmersmarket.html 28 March Spring Craft Fair There will be 45 Craft Stalls and childrens activities and entertainment. Refreshments will be available. So come along and browse the many stalls, pick up a unique gift or treat yourself, all whilst supporting your local community.

See Facebook page http://facebook.com/ lochlevencommunitycampusevents or contact Gerry McGregor at the Campus on 01577 867119 / 867200 or GMcGregor@pkc.gov.uk. Loch Leven Community Campus, Muirs, Kinross KY13 8FQ. Kirkcaldy Farmers Market, The Town Square, Kirkcaldy 9am - 1pm

www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk/kirkcaldy-farmersmarket.htm 29 March Messy Church, Pathhead Church, Kirkcaldy Crafts, songs, food & more. Messy Church is for everyone, whatever your age. We provide a fun and informal environment where you and your children can learn about Jesus in a practical way.

Messy Church is free and takes place once a month for a time of creativity, worship and food.

2pm Pathhead Parish Church, Harriet Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 2AG

www.facebook.com/PathheadParishChurch 3 April to 17 April Easter Holiday Fun for Kids Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery Drop in anytime during the Easter holidays and try out some seasonal activities at the Art Cart, or follow the Easter Trail through the galleries.

01592 583213 3 April Little Frankenstein The Rothes Halls A gentle horror for little horrors! 10.30 £6.50 (conc. £4.50). 01592 611101

4 April Funky Birds Workshop Methil Heritage Centre Create some funky and magical birds with artist Sophie McKay Knight. Owls and swans will especially feature in this fun, creative, hands-on workshop. Please wear old clothes. Places must be booked in advance 2-3.30pm £3/2.50

01334 659339 Jack & Jill Market The Vine Conference Centre, Dunfermline 40 stalls and a large item gallery full of quality

www.familiesfife.co.uk

familiesfife.co.uk/whatson nearly-new items for your 0-9 year olds! All items at bargain low prices. PLEASE NOTE Markets in 2015 are bi-monthly next market being Sat. 6th June 2015. 10.30am - 1.00pm Adults £1.50 Kids FREE

www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk Perth Farmers Market King Edward Street, King Edward Street, Perth, Perthshire, PH1 5UT. 10am - 2pm

to see some real worms in a specially designed wormery. £6.50 (conc. £4.50). Tel 01383 602302

10 April to 12 April Funbox - Pirates And Princesses Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy Get ready to find those keys, unlock the box and release the fun.

Tel 01592 583302

Channel 5’s hugely popular children’s TV strand Milkshake! - brand new stage show Milkshake!

1pm £12 - Adult, £10 - Child, £42 – Family

01383 740384 Puppet Animation Festival - Twitawoo The Lochgelly Centre Funny and mischievous, they share their advertures and invite you to help them look after their home. £6.50 (conc. £4.50). 01592 583303

www.perthfarmersmarket.co.uk

17 April

St Andrews Farmers Market St Andrews is a busy market with up to 30 stallholders 9am – 1pm Argyle St Car Park St Andrews, KY16 9BX

Celeste’s Circus, Perth Concert Hall Norie-Miller Studio, Perth Concert Hall A first trip for wee ones to experience the magic of the big top. Designed for babies and young children. 11am £5; £3; family ticket for 4 (max 2 adults) £14

www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk/st-andrewsfarmers-market.html 4 April & 5 April Scottish Opera Kido The Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly Scottish Opera’s new show for 3-4 year olds and their carers is fast paced and full of fun. Features a mix of live singing, opera and specially written music. £6.50 (conc. £4.50). 01592 583303

5 April Easter Sunday Festivities Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze Featuring the Cairnie Easter Bunny and our annual Egg Hunt and live baby chics in our egg incubator and our usual “Eggcellent” Easter goodies on the menu.

3 Bears Rothes Halls, Glenrothes Porridge, porridge, porridge. You know the story …but not this version! £6.50 (conc. £4.50)

Tel: 01592 611101. www.cairniefruitfarm.co.uk 8 April Fruity Flowery Fun Workshop Methil Heritage Centre Still life and nature painting. Come along and enjoy creating fruit, flowers and plants in a variety of media with artist Sophie McKay Knight.

Please wear old clothes. Advanced booking.

11.30am-1pm £3/£2.50. 01334 659339 Liang & The Magic Paintbrush Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline Liang dreams of being a painter but is too poor to buy himself a paintbrush. £6.50 (conc. £4.50)

Tel: 01383 602302 Celeste’s Circus Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy Roll up, roll up! Come join the circus! Cheeky dogs play ball, a hippo does the high-wire Warning: You may enjoy this show as much as your child! 0-5 10.30 & 1.30. 01592 583302

9 April Adorn Me! St Andrews Museum Join us for a family-friendly drawing event.

Decorate our paper giant with jewellery inspired by the archaeology on display, and then make some adornments to take home. Booking essential 1.30-2.30pm and 3-4pm. 01334 659380 The Worm - An Underground Adventure, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline After the performance, the audience are invited

www.familiesfife.co.uk

18 April

10 April Jabberwocky - The Folding Theatre Puppet Co Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline Will Quentin survive his quest? Will the evil prince marry Cynthia? Or will the fearsome Jabberwock eat the whole kingdom? 10:30 £12.00 (conc. £8.00 - £9.00). 01383 602302

11 April Buried Bling! St Andrews Museum Have you ever wanted to be an archaeologist?

Have a peek into their world with this handson session where you will learn the skills that archaeologists use in the field. Booking essential 2-3pm. 01334 659380 Dunfermline Farmers Market Glen Gates, Bridge . Buy direct from the producers. 9am - 1pm

12 April Puppet Animation Festival - Pitschi, The Kitten With Dreams The Rothes Halls Glenrothes Based on author and illustrator Hans Fischer’s award-winning picture book, Pitschi. £6.50 (conc. £4.50). Tel: 01592 611101

14 April Puppet Animation Festival - Red Riding Hood The Lochgelly Centre A delight for all ages. 10.30am £6.50 (conc. £4.50)

01592 583303 16 April Little Princess Goldtree Perth Concert Hall Hand-carved puppets, striking shadow silhouettes and traditional story-telling, with an original soundtrack. 11am £5; £3; family ticket for 4 (max 2 adults) £14

www.horsecross.co.uk Milkshake! Live ‘Party Party’ Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline

Caro Bridges, Earthship Fife Visitor Centre, Kinghorn Informal and fun music sessions – everyone is welcome, including complete beginners and children. If you have an instrument, bring it along or just come and sing.

Booking preferred. 2-4pm Cupar Farmers Market, Crossgate Buy direct from the producers. 9am - 1pm

www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk/cupar-farmersmarket Family Object Handling St Andrews Museum An opportunity to get to grips with some archaeological objects and think about what we can learn from the items that people leave behind. Drop in anytime. 01334 659380 Antiques, Vintage, Retro and Collectors Fair, Kinross 9.30am – 4.00pm with entry fee of £1 per person.

Exhibitors contact: Angus on 07944 416565.

Loch Leven Community Campus, Muirs, Kinross KY13 8FQ.

19 April Hugless Douglas Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline Based on the book by David Melling. Little Cubs aged 3 – 7 will love this heartwarming tale, but grown-up bears will have lots of fun, too. 11am £9.00 (conc. £8.00)

25 April Kirkcaldy Farmers MarketlLocal produce straight from the producers. 9am - 1pm Town Square, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 1XW

www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk/kirkcaldy-farmersmarket

Keep up to date with what’s on locally facebook/familiesfife Whilst every care has been taken to compile the Out and About section with accuracy, please remember to check with the venue before making plans to avoid any disappointment as Families magazine is put together weeks in advance of actual publication.

Issue 30 Families Fife | 15

want to make a difference? then become a host family for Bright World we are looking for families to offer a welcoming home to “My children benefit our students in their from the cultural experience short holidays of hosting as well as providing a valuable extra income to my family.�

Tracey Welding

Bright World Host Family

enquire online at

www.brightworld.co.uk

email: lindsay@brightworld.co.uk 16 | Families Fife Issue 30

www.familiesfife.co.uk