Families Surrey East May/June 2019

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Surrey East

RECRUITING NOW

IN THIS ISSUE

Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside and without compromising family commitments or current career.

Stay safe in the water

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle

What’s on in May & June

please call Katie Bridge 07909 681884

Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 16 year-olds COULSDON 0345 078 0805 stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon

OXTED 01883 708158 stagecoach.co.uk/oxted

DORKING & REIGATE 0800 007 5482 stagecoach.co.uk/dorking stagecoach.co.uk/reigate

REDHILL 0208 6860141 stagecoach.co.uk/redhill

LEATHERHEAD 0208 394 2244 stagecoach.co.uk/leatherhead

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

Issue 70 May/June 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families Surrey East

Family Gardening Festival

25 May – 2 June

Get growing this May half-term.

Activities vary daily Buy garden tickets at rhs.org.uk/wisley and save 10% RHS Members go free.

Your visit supports our work as a charity RHS Registered Charity Number: 222879 / SC038262

DATES

July & August 2019 LOCATION

St John’s School, Leatherhead (KT22)

COURSES

— Junior Inventor (NEW) — Creative Digital Design — Teen Coding with Python — Video Game Design & MORE!

BUILD+ _CODE CREATE_ UK’S #1 TECH CAMP FOR 9-17 YEAR OLDS

£25 OFF* Promo Code FAMILIES25

Childcare vouchers accepted.

Scholarships available.

Book now at fire-tech.com *T&Cs apply

2 Families Surrey East

familiesonline.co.uk

Welcome to issue 70

Surrey East Editor Tamar Pearson editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk Design Rebecca Carr Printer Print Mates 21,000 copies printed 42,000 readers per issue Next issue July/August Booking deadline 3 June Cover Image Depositphotos

This issue is packed with great ideas for you to have hours of family fun. In support of drowning prevention week 2019, we have a top tis water safety feature, keeping children safe in the water this Summer, and our What’s On has 100’s of ideas for things to do across May and June.

Remember to like our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/familiessurreyeast/, where we keep you posted on all the fun things happening around you and a week by week basis.

Happy reading.

Tamar xx

It’s Official! Our Readers Prefer Families Magazine to the Internet!

Last year, we conducted a survey across the UK asking readers to tell us what they find useful about our magazine and how likely they would be to respond to advertising in it.

We were delighted to receive almost 500 responses! From the wonderful feedback you gave us, more than 70% of our readers said they were highly likely to respond to advertising in our magazine or had already done so. That’s fabulous news for our advertisers and for our readers, because it means we can carry on making the magazine better and better!

A whopping 79% of readers told us that they use the magazine to research ideas for local family activities or classes and clubs for children and an equally impressive 74% said they use it to plan family life.

In this issue 4. News & views 6. Education news 7. School open day directory 8. Stay safe in the water 9. Swimming clubs & classes directory 10. How to help children make friends 11. What’ on in May & June Families Surrey East is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Surrey East are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Surrey East. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Surrey East; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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Many of you also told us that you find easier to plan family activities and entertainment using Families Magazine than using the internet! You told us that using the internet to research and plan can be time consuming and confusing, involving lots of trawling online for useful information.

A common complaint seems to be the “endless trawling” that digital research involves.

A typical response came from a reader in Kenley who says ,‘’I find Families magazine useful as it gives me lots of information on events and services that help me to entertain my children. It is quite hard to find information like this on the web that specifically tailors events to your area and categorises them this well. It also is an interesting read with topics I can relate to. I’d be very likely to respond to ads in the magazine’’ Readers also told us that they really value having a physical magazine in their hands in which all the information relevant to family life has already been collated and is presented to them in an easy-to-digest format.

A typical response came from a reader in Manchester who says: “In this time of social media it is great to have a magazine you can pick up and physically flick through rather than having to fight through hundreds of e-mails and pop up adverts for individual offers.”

Another reader says: “With the Families® magazine, all the information is right there, in a simple to understand, calendar format, which is perfect! I can then successfully plan our summer break.”

We were also really happy that large numbers of you reported that Families Magazine makes your lives easier and less stressful and saves you time.

Thank you to everyone that volunteered their comments.

If you are interested in taking part in one of our Reader Forums, please email info@familiesmagazine.co.uk with your name, phone number and post code. *Readers names have not been quoted for privacy reasons.

Families Surrey East 3

News & Views Busylizzy classes have arrived in Caterham and there is a lot to get excited about

Go Wild this June with Surrey Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trusts’ annual nature challenge is back for its 5th year and it’s wilder than ever!

Surrey Wildlife Trust is inviting everyone in Surrey to join in and pledge to experience nature every day during June. From a Sunday walk in a beautiful nature reserve, to building a bug hotel or simply relaxing in gardens, there are hundreds of ways to get involved.

If people start looking out for nature regularly, they are more likely to care about and protect it. Whatever their age, wherever they live, everyone can make nature part of their life.

Charlotte Magowan, SWT’s marketing manager, said: “We love seeing so many people making a space for nature in their everyday lives. Whether it’s cloud spotting in your garden or feeding the birds, it’s easy to join in.

Busylizzy provide fitness classes for mums before and after having baby, and what’s more, you can bring your baby along with the comfort that there is a dedicated class assistant to keep an extra pair of eyes on your little one(s) – yes siblings are welcome too! Wrapped up in the monthly membership is access to baby classes, fitness classes, coffee mornings, and discounted events. Everything is booked via an app and minimum membership is only 3 months so no annual tie in.

Try it for two weeks and if you don’t like it just cancel and pay for any classes used. Your first class is free so give it a try and head to the website www.busylizzycaterham.co.uk and click on Try a Class.

Ready to sign up? Use code FAMILIES70 for 70% off the joining fee!

Explore Badger’s Basecamp, a brand new den building area at Claremont Landscape Garden Taking inspiration from a badger’s den, this hidden woodland area features tunnels and hidey holes built from sustainable wood, creating a wonderful play area that is especially designed for older children. There are tunnels to explore, a wooden badger to meet and a large open area for den building. Children will love interacting with this new structure, using it to inspire their play and fuel their imagination. Bringing children to play at Claremont will encourage them to get moving, running, jumping and climbing their way around. Moving regularly has been shown to have both emotional and physical benefits, all the more reason for people of all ages to join in with the play. More info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey

You’ll also feel happier and healthier, because it’s proven that time spent outdoors is great for mind and body. So, go on – help wildlife and help yourself by joining thousands of others on this amazing 30 Days Wild adventure!”

Hever Castle and Gardens has done it again, this time claiming the Best Family Day Out award

For a FREE 30 Days Wild pack, visit www. wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild.

More Protection for Mums Returning to Work New parents returning to work could receive greater protection from redundancy under new government proposals. The government is proposing that mothers returning to work from maternity leave will be protected from redundancy for a minimum of six months.

Hever Castle & Gardens was described as one of the “finest gardens in the UK” by South East in Bloom judges in 2018.

Shortly after winning the best castle in the East, they were also awarded Best Family Day Out at the UK Heritage Awards.’

Young visitors to Hever Castle can explore the Tudor Towers adventure playground with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets, or the under 7s can enjoy the natural play area, Acorn Dell with its 2 metre high living willow structure, a giant sandpit, a mound with tunnels to clamber in and a climbing frame. Along with the traditional Yew Maze, unique to Hever Castle is the Water Maze where families try and avoid getting wet while attempting to get to the middle.

More info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

The announcement followed research which found that one in nine women had been fired or made redundant when they returned to work after having a child, or were treated so badly they felt forced out of their job. It is also considering giving the same protection to parents returning from adoption or shared parental leave.

Does your child need help with Maths?

"I can already see her confidence growing in just one month" Get a FREE trial pack today

MathsClubByPost.co.uk 4 Families Surrey East

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News & Views Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-12s Perform is a unique children’s drama school which has an emphasis on child development. Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s potential. Run by energetic and inspiring actorteachers, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Coordination, and Concentration.

The curriculum ensures plenty of fun, using a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, music downloads and videos allowing the magic to continue at home.

Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class today. Venues across East Surrey.

Family Fun with National Children’s Gardening Week This summer, why not get involved in National Children’s Gardening week? Happening from 25 May to 2 June, this weeklong event sees garden centres around the country providing activities and resources that offer parents a great opportunity to get children outside enjoying nature, plants and wildlife.

Gardening can play a huge part in a child’s health and wellbeing with over 1.5 million children gardening at school in the UK. As well as simply good outdoor fun, school gardening has been shown to have many benefits to health and wellbeing. These include being more physically active and feeling happier and more connected with the natural world.

There are many ways to get involved with National Children’s Gardening Week from DIY activities at home to attending an event at a garden centre. Visit www.childrensgardeningweek. co.uk for DIY project ideas and details of local events.

Families are in for a treat as Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens opens to the public Described as ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’, Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in Horsham, has opened their door to the public once again. Closed to the public since 2010, the 240 acre estate has attracted major public interest to see the outstanding displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells, collected from all over the world from the early 1800s.

Set in a steep-sided valley, the estate offers visitors a rare combination of lakes, woodlands and parkland walks to enjoy. For a perfect day out, you can also visit the Pulham rock garden built in 1890, see the rare colony of wallabies and catch sight of the deer roaming free, and visit the Dolls House Museum museum which features the local village and its community in the Edwardian era, to 1/12 scale.

More info at www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk.

Get Your Garden Buzzing this Summer Join Hozelock’s Plant a Pot campaign. By pledging to plant a beefriendly plant you can be part of a mission to help save Britain’s bees. Bees are disappearing at an alarming rate and having no bees would mean virtually no flowers, no gardens and very little food. By planting a container with bee-friendly plants, bulbs or seeds, and keeping it watered and healthy throughout the foraging season, you can have a huge impact on the availability of bee food throughout the year.

What’s more, if you visit www.plantapot.info and pledge to plant a pot you can be in the running to win £5,000 of prizes as well as monthly gift vouchers.

The Gift of Music Participation in musical activities is a great way to help boost a wide range of skills in children.Traditional nursery rhymes are important when singing with a young child as they use repetition and actions to inspire coordination, balance and speech development.

Wherever possible ensure that exposure to music is also accompanied with movement. Children can express themselves through movement long before they can verbalise. Movement to music has also been shown to help a child express feelings and moods as they learn to interpret the music that they hear. Some people believe that exposing a child to music will increase their intelligence. What musical activities and singing can do is to help develop language, self-confidence, creativity and social skills.

Jo Jingles is the UK’s largest provider of music, singing and movement classes for babies and young children. Classes are age specific and free trials available.

For details on Jo Jingles classes in the Epsom & Leatherhead areas: Call Viv on 07751 438943, Email: vivhjj@hotmail.com. www.jojingles.com/epsom2leatherhead. Jo Jingles Classes in Sutton & Banstead areas: Call Lorraine on 07376 381617, Email: Lorraine.jojingles@yahoo.co.uk

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Help your child overcome maths anxiety Brain scans show that a quarter of the population suffer from Maths anxiety, responding to sums in the same way that arachnaphobes respond to spiders.

If your child panics over Maths lessons and homework, helping them now will prevent problems in the future. There are lots of ways to include Maths learning in every day tasks without it becoming a big issue.

Find gentle ways to practise Maths. Start with things that are easy for your child until they have developed more resilience. Try Maths Club by Post for some fun puzzles and games, selected for your child’s ability and confidence level. Last, but most importantly – don’t look for mistakes – that’s the teacher’s job, just give them lots and lots of praise.

Try Maths Club by Post for free at mathsclubbypost.co.uk

Families Surrey East 5

Education news

Five Tips for De-Stressing Getting to School Children don’t understand time in the same way as adults. This can make school mornings a stressful time of day for parents.

Here are five tips to that may help make things a little easier.

Tip One: The Crucial 10 Minutes Why not get up 10 minutes earlier? This will give you a chance to grab a cup of tea or coffee, have a shower and get dressed in less of a rush than usual.

Being up 10 minutes earlier also gives you a fair chance of making sure both you and your children are ready 10 minutes before you have to leave. This will give you time to gather your thoughts and make sure you have everything. No more rushing out of the door and rushing back to pick up forgotten items!

Tip Two: The Night Before The night before, do everything that can be done to prepare for the morning. Lay out the school uniform, make pack lunches, sort snacks, check all homework and sports kit are where they should be.

Make showers/baths and hair washes part of the night time routine, rather than obstacles to overcome in the morning.

Tip Three: Have a Checklist Either write an actual checklist for your child’s school morning routine, or just verbally repeat the jobs they are expected to do until they remember them. A checklist could include: eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth and hair, packing lunch and water bottle, putting on shoes and coat.

It’s good to have a plan of their weekly school routine somewhere handy too so that you know when school library books are due back, which day is swimming or games and so on.

Tip Four: Provide a Pay Off Give kids an incentive so that if they finish their school morning routine early they are rewarded with some time for television, reading or something they would like to do before school.

Tip Five: Use Devices Set reminders on your phone for special tasks such as remembering to give your child signed permission slips or leaving early for a school club.

Think about an alarm for children who struggle to wake up. Set a timer for tasks such as 15 minutes to eat breakfast or 5 minutes for showering, so that you can keep your children on schedule.

Stephen Fry lends his voice to a new Edtech app series where young learners play with history’s greatest minds ‘Einstein on Time’ is the first in a children’s educational app series – “Human Heroes” - centred on history’s greatest minds. From the philosophers of ancient Greece, to the giants of science, renowned artists, composers, mathematicians, authors and architects – these inspirational characters are brought back to life in a futuristic theatrical setting to perform a captivating live-show experience covering their life and their famous discoveries.

In addition to the educational value of the subjects covered in each individual app, the series aims to develop a deep-lasting bond between the user and these intellectual champions so that they become life-long role models for children.

Created by edtech startup KalamTech and in collaboration with education experts, the app blends computer generated animations, latest gamification techniques and interactive storytelling to bring a fresh kind of learning experience to the next generation.

More info at www.humanheroes.co.uk 6 Families Surrey East

Walk to School Week 2019 Thousands of children across the UK will celebrate the benefits of walking during national Walk to School Week from 20 to 24 May. Families will be encouraged to walk to school for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps: from healthier and happier children, to fewer cars outside the school gates. Walking to school is an easy way for children to fit more activity into their day whilst also helping them to develop vital road safety skills.

As awareness grows of the dangers of air pollution on our health, walking to school is a positive action people can take to help clean up our air. Special Walk to School Week classroom packs are available for school pupils containing wallcharts, stickers, diaries and fun walking journey activities. For more about Walk to School Week, visit www. livingstreets.org.uk/wtsw

Parent school holiday fines at record level The number of fines issued to parents in England for taking children on term time holidays has risen to record levels, according to figures from the Department of Education (DfE).

Penalty notices for unauthorised absences rose to 260,000 in 2017-18, an increase of 110,000 compared with the previous year. Unauthorised family holiday absence was the most common reason for attendance fines, the DfE said.

In September 2013 the government changed the law so head teachers could only grant a leave of absence to pupils during term time in exceptional circumstances such as funerals. Councils can require parents to pay £60 each per child taken out of school without permission. This rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days, and after 28 days parents can be prosecuted.

Cars should not be allowed to idle with engines on when parked near schools, a report has proposed Public Health England has recommended local authorities “consider a range of interventions” to protect children from the harmful impacts of air pollution. The report says air pollution was the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK. Air pollution is linked to up to 36,000 premature deaths in the UK each year and more than 2,000 schools and nurseries are near to roads with damaging levels of motor emissions.

This report has been followed by a survey of teachers by YouGov which found that nearly two-thirds would support a ban on cars outside school gates during school drop off and pick up times.

More than half (59%) of the teachers surveyed want the Government to take urgent action to improve air quality near schools.

Like Families Surrey East on Facebook and keep up to date with all the latest news and events happening in the local area.

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Education news

Independent Schools Open Day Directory Open events require advance booking, please call the school to check.

Aberdour School Burgh Heath, KT20 6AJ www.aberdourschool.co.uk Open Day - Friday 10 May, 9.30am-12 noon

Lingfield College Lingfield RH7 6PH www.lingfieldcollege.co.uk Open Day - Saturday 16 March, 10am-1pm

Banstead Prep Banstead, SM7 3RA www.bansteadprep.com Open Day - Friday 7 June, 9.15am, 10am Caterham School Caterham CR3 6YA www.caterhamschool.co.uk Open Day – Wednesday 19 June, 9.30am Open Day – Wednesday 26 June, 9.30am Chinthurst School Tadworth KT20 5AP www.chinthurstschool.co.uk Open Day – Thursday 9 May, 10.30am City of London Freeman’s Ashstead Park KT21 1ET www.freemens.org/openevents Whole school Open Evening – Wednesday 8 May, 6.45pm -8.45pm Croydon High School Croydon, CR2 8YB www.croydonhigh.gdst.net Senior School Open Evening – Wednesday 15 May Senior School Year 5 Taster – Wednesday 12 June Downsend School (Pre/Preps), Leatherhead, Ashtead and Epsom www.downsend.co.uk Prep School Open Morning – Saturday 11 May, 9.15am-12 noon Pre-Prep Schools Open Afternoon Saturday 11 May, 2pm-4pm Dunottar School Reigate RH2 7EL www.dunottarschool.com Open Day – Thursday 27 June, 10.15am The Hawthorns School Bletchingley, RH1 4QJ www.hawthorns.com Open Day – Friday 3 May, 9am Open Day – Friday 7 June, 9am

Lingfield College Lingfield RH7 6PH www.lingfieldcollege.co.uk Nursery & Reception Working Open Morning Thur 23 May Year 5 Lingfield Experience Day Friday 14 June Year 7 Lingfield Experience Day Monday 24 June Manor House School and Nursery Bookham, KT23 4EN www.manorhouseschool.org Open Day – Thursday 9 May, 9.30am Moor House Hurst Green, Oxted, RH8 9AQ www.moorhouseschool.co.uk Open Day - Wednesday 22 May, 9.45am-12.45pm Oakhyrst Grange Caterham CR3 6AF www.oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk Open Morning – Friday 7 June, 10am-12noon Reigate St Mary’s Chart Lane, Reigate RH2 7RN www.reigatestmarys.org Open Day - Wednesday 22 May, 10.30am-12 noon Royal Alexandra and Albert School Reigate RH2 0TD www.raa-school.co.uk Open Day - Saturday 18 May, 9am-10.30am St John’s Leatherhead, KT22 8SP www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk Open Day - Wednesday 12 June Warlingham Park School Warlingham CR6 9PB. www.warlinghamparkschool.com Open Day - Friday 10 May, 9.30am

Book early and don’t miss a week of summer holiday fun Stagecoach Performing Arts offers summer holiday theatre workshops which are an amazing opportunity to put on a show in a week! Students age 4 - 18 will sing, dance and act their way through fun-filled classes, and work towards a big stage production at the end of the workshop.

There are no hidden costs, and costumes will be provided. The performance is FREE to all friends and family.

Places are limited so don’t delay - enrol with the deposit only today.

Check your local Stagecoach school location using your postcode at: www.stagecoach.co.uk.

First Climate Change Teachers to be taught in the UK Teachers across the country have the opportunity to become the first climate change teachers accredited by the UN. This one of a kind climate change education programme will use innovative learning technology so teachers can learn at home or on the go. The aim is to make sure teachers can help protect the climate by educating their students with the latest data and information on climate change, sustainability, and the green economy.

Education provider YPO sponsors this FREE, global education programme. All you have to do is sign up to Harwood Education’s UN CC: Learn Teacher Academy. The course, which takes just 8 hours to complete explores the science that supports the existence and effects of Climate Change on children, cities, human health, and gender.

If you work in a school or want to get your child’s school involved go to www.unccteacheracademy.com to find out more.

Learning Life-Saving Skills to Become Compulsory Beginning in 2020, all state schools in England will be required to teach “lifesaving skills” under new plans for health education announced by the Government.

According to draft guidelines released by the Department of Education, primary school children are set to learn basic first aid, as well as steps they can take to protect and support the health and wellbeing of others, including calling emergency services. Children age 5 years will learn basic first aid and children as young as 11 years will be shown CPR at school. ‘’Learning the basic skills of first aid and techniques like CPR will give young people the confidence to know that they can step in to help someone else in need and in the most extreme cases - it could potentially save a life” announced Education Secretary, Damian Hinds.

More info visit: www.gov.uk/government/news

Wondering about robots? These kids are building them In the world-class Imperial College London, Cory, a 13-year-old boy, is on his third Python course at Fire Tech. He says “I used to think coding was bland and boring, but one-day robots will control the stock market and I want to learn how to code them now.”

They’re at Fire Tech, a tech camp for 9-17-year-olds, led by Jill Hodges and her team. Fire Tech has now delivered over 12,000 tech learning experiences to young people in the UK, Australia, and the Middle East.

But what are they doing to solve the gender gap in STEM careers?

Their founder and CEO, Jill Hodges, said: “As the head of Fire Tech, I see how much girls enjoy tech and coding when they come to our classes. We have one of the highest girl participation rates around. But I also know that we get a lot of calls from girls or their mums who are concerned about being the sole girl in a class.

We don’t think tech needs to go “pink” to attract girls, but we do think that more girls will feel excited about coming to a course where they know they’ll meet women studying STEAM subjects, and build their projects alongside like-minded young women. That’s why this year we launched some All-Girls classes that allow young women to work together to problem solve, create, communicate, and build a community of tech-enabled young women.”

More info at www.firetechcamp.com

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Surrey East 7

Save lives and support Drowning Prevention Week With the weather getting warmer, and summer holiday’s fast approaching, Families would like to bring awareness to the annual Drowning Prevention Week Campaign, will take place between the 14-24 June 2019.

Created by the Royal Life Saving Society UK, (RLSS UK) the campaign aims to reduce the number of drowning and non-fatal drowning incidences that occur in the UK every year, by showing people how to be safe and have fun near water. The campaign encourages schools, clubs, leisure centres and communities, to promote water safety education through events, lessons, games and activities, in a bid to make people more aware of the dangers of water.

Supporting Drowning Prevention Week will help scores of children to learn about water safety. It could even save a child’s life. To help raise funds to raise awareness of Drowning Prevention Ween please visit: www.rlss.org.uk/donate/support-our-drowningprevention-efforts/5/credit-card

Stay safe in and around water According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK, on average more than 400 people drown in the UK each year, of which nearly 60 of these are children and young people.

It is believed, however, that the majority of drownings are preventable and here are some important water safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

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On holiday: More UK children drown in pools abroad than in the UK.

At home: Did you know that it is possible to drown in as little as 2cm of water?

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Always use fences, self-closing gates and locks to prevent access to pools of water

Inland water sites: More people drown in rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes and ponds than in the sea.

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Securely cover all water storage tanks and drains

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Swim at lifeguarded inland water sites

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When around water, stay away from the edge – at least 22% of people who drown fall in by accident

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Lakes and rivers remain cold all year – don’t be misled by warmer shallow water at the edge

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Always wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket for activities on or near water

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Empty padding pools and buckets after use and turn paddling pools upside down once empty

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Always supervise bathtime and empty the bath as soon as possible after use

8 Families Surrey East

Never drink alcohol before entering the water

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Check the safety arrangements when researching your holiday

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Check if the local pool or beach is lifeguarded

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Check the safest places to swim and read the signs

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Find out what local warning flags and signs mean

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Swim with the children in your care unless you are certain they can swim on their own

Check out your local Freedom Leisure’s Swim School programme, including Learn to Swim, Personal Survival and Rescue Skills at www.freedom-leisure.co.uk.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Swim School Directory

Choosing the Right Swimming Lessons for your Child

By Andrew Campbell Whilst swimming should be fun for children, your little ones are learning vital lifesaving skills, so it’s important to make sure they are getting the right provision.

Here are some key things to look for when choosing a swim school: Progression: Children need to have the opportunity to progress with their swimming as they improve. A good school will provide the facility for your child to swim right through from infant to competitive standard.

Check Teachers are Qualified: In England there are two major bodies which award swimming teaching qualifications, the ASA and the STA.(In Scotland teachers must hold a UKCC qualification).

Group Size: It’s generally accepted that smaller is better. Swim England recommends no more than 12 learners to one teacher during a lesson.

Often good swimming lessons are run with two teachers, one in the pool and one out of the pool.

Knowledgeable Teachers: A swimming qualification is the bare minimum required of a teacher. A truly excellent teacher is trained and knowledgeable in a number of areas, ranging from swimming and diving to water games.

Organised and Professional: A good teacher keeps regular records of his/her classes and has a plan for what needs to be achieved over a session, as well as during a term or season. They know how to set goals for individual classes based on different abilities and ages, and they know what exercises and drills they need to implement to achieve their goals.

Motivational and Creative: Teaching swimming has to be more than just verbally giving out instructions to learners and managing a crowd.

It’s about motivating children and caring about the feedback that children provide during lessons. Every activity in the lesson should be fun, purposeful and should be used to help the children work towards achieving a goal.

Fun and Games: A good swimming lesson will take a games-based approach. If it is not enjoyable your child is less likely to learn.

Water Skills and Awareness: Teachers should ensure that your child is developing water skills such as buoyancy, and that they are feeling confident moving in the water. They should also stress the need to understand swimming as a fitness activity.

More Information about Good Swimming Lessons Most lessons last around 30 minutes and children should be as active as possible throughout this time.

Swimming strokes should be introduced gradually once your child has acquired basic skills such as learning appropriate leg actions and breathing techniques.

Under no circumstances should teachers force children into activities.

They need to understand why they are doing something in order to be motivated to do it. familiesonline.co.uk

Aquatots 020 8688 6488 info@aquatots.com www.aquatots.com Pools in Couldon,Worcester Park ,South Croydon, Croydon Central, Purely, Selsdon, Selhurst, Mordem, Epsom, Caterham, Chipstead, Horley, Oxted, Reigate and Tadworth.

Aquatots have been teaching children to swim for 21 years in fun, family friendly, progressive levels, creating fantastic memories for thousands of families!

Introducing lifesaving skills from day 1 to help children become confident, happy & safe in water. Underwater photographs included and snorkelling and water scooters for our older children. Suitable from 10 weeks old to approx 8 years.

AB Swim School Ltd 07411122103 www.facebook.com/pg/ ABswimschool Pools in Morden and Reigate Swimming lessons for children AMES UK Swim School 079 8035 0753 Pools in Caterham www.ames-sport-club.com Baby/Toddler and parent classes, group lessons, 1 to 1 lessons and stroke clinics.

Aqua Babies 07766 242572 Pools in Dorking www.aquababiesglobal.com Baby/Toddler and parent classes Colin Bull Swimming 01372 739600 www.colin-bull-swimminglessons.co.uk Pools in Epsom and Leatherhead Parent and child classes, children’s classes, adults’ classes and 1 to 1 lessons.

Great Waves Swimming Academy 020 8644 4982 www.greatwaves.co.uk

Freedom Leisure’s Junior Learn to Swim Pathway Tandridge Leisure Centre Hoskins Rd, Oxted RH8 9HT 01883 716717 de Stafford Sports Centre Burntwood Lane, Caterham CR3 5YX 01883 716717 www.freedom-leisure.co.uk The Junior Learn to Swim Pathway maintains a focus on fun and games to help children develop the skills they need to become competent swimmers.

Moving on to the Learn to Swim Framework where they learn basic swimming and water skills through to more advanced techniques in the Aquatic Skills Framework.

Pools in Croydon, Couldson, Purely, Kenley and Oxted Baby and parent classes, group lessons, 2 to 1 and 1 to 1 lessons.

Little Fishes Swim School 07834 737 211 www.little-fishes-swim.co.uk Pools in Oxted Parent and Baby, Parent and Toddler, Children and 1 to 1 lessons.

Surrey Swim School 01737 211160 www.surreyswimschool.co.uk Pools in Banstead, Leatherhead and Dorking Baby/Toddler and parent classes and children’s lessons.

SwimWell Swim School 01424 852 935 www.swimwelluk.com Pools in Warlingham and Purley Children, adults and advanced swimming lessons.

TinyFins Swim School 020 8289 7185 / 07757 689303 www.tinyfins.co.uk Pools in South Croydon Baby Swimming Water Babies 01293 279229 www.waterbabies.co.uk Pools in Croydon and throughout East Surrey.

Baby/Toddler and parent classes

Don’t forget to say you saw these open days listed in

Surrey East

Families Surrey East 9

How to Help your Children Make Friends Linda Blair’s Top Tips for Parents 55% of parents say they are anxious about making new adult friends and it’s therefore not surprising that some children are also not sure how to go about this. It’s useful to help them understand that the easiest way to make a friend is to BE a friend. Psychologist Linda Blair has some useful tips for children and parents.

Tips for Children Offer to Help If you think another child isn’t sure about whether to join in with what you’re doing, invite them to do just that. Everyone likes to feel included.

Sharing is Caring When you’re with your friends, offer to share your toys, so you can all play together.

Taking Turns Make sure everyone you’re with gets to have a turn at whatever you’re all doing.

They’ll know that you are a kind person.

Let’s Pretend Knowing how other people are feeling will help you understand what makes them tick. If your school has a drama club, join it, and ask to be in the school play too, so you can learn how different characters feel and behave. At home, ask your family to play ‘let’s pretend’ games with you.

Linda Blair says: “To make friends children must be able to consider life from other people’s points of view so they can appreciate and react to what others want to do and enjoy.

“Although young children show they’re capable of appreciating other viewpoints, they don’t normally apply this skill until they’re about 5 years old.

“This is why it’s important to start introducing them to this skill at a young age. Once they can understand empathy it will feel like second nature to them to behave in those adaptive ways.”

As a parent, you can help your child to make new friends. Families® Magazine suggests: Starting a Conversation Some children may want a parent’s help

to start a conversation. Working with your child to think of a few things they can say like “I like your lunch box’ or “What games do you like?” can help your child feel more comfortable about starting to talk to a potential new friend.

Joining In Encourage your child to watch what other children are playing and think about what they can do to fit in. Suggest they try joining the game by doing something that’s relevant to it Eg if children are playing at running a library, volunteer to be somebody who wants to borrow a book. Stress that it’s important not to be negative about the game or try to change it and if the others don’t want them to join in right then, to try again another day.

Linda Blair’s tips for parents are: Do as I Do During the early years, parents are their child’s best role models. Try to show your children how to make friends by setting a good example - giving the people around you your full attention and listening fully

whenever your child, your partner or other key people around you want to tell you something. Show you’re concerned about how other people are feeling and thank others when they do things you appreciate.

Read Stories about Sharing and Making Friends Talk about them afterwards. Start reading these stories as early as possible, even before you think your child can understand them! Whenever you see an opportunity, ask your child how a character could be feeling - and ask how they know.

Make a Head Start Before your child starts a new school year, find out if you can who else will be in their class. Then invite one of those children over to play with your child during the summer holidays. That way, once school starts, your child already has a friend from the start of term. This in turn will reduce their anxiety when they go into class on that first day.

Visit www.lindablair.co.uk For more from Linda Blair.

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What’s on

Your essential guide to family events this May & June We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print.

Every Thu (TTO), 10am-12noon Nower Wood, Leatherhead, Every Fri, (TTO), 10am-12noon Newlands Corner, Guildford, Wild Tots www.surreywildlifetrust.org Wild Tots provides a wonderful opportunity for your little ones to experience and learn from nature.

Sessions include arts and crafts, games, exploration, mud kitchens, mini beasts and so more. Suitable for 2-5year olds accompanied by an adult. BE. Every Mon to 8 July, 11am & 1.30pm. Every Tue to 9 July, 10am, 11am & 1.30pm.

Box Hill Bugs Box Hill, Tadworth KT20 7LF www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill Box Hill bugs is an outdoor toddler & per-school group where we go outside whatever the weather! BE. Every Mon, 1pm-3pm and Fri 10.30am-12.30pm (excl bank holidays) Carshalton Community Allotment Drop-In sessions Carshalton SM5 2PW www.ecolocal.org.uk Join on our community allotment and even take some produce home.

Every Sun, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Sunday stories Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3AE Join in for a fun-filled session of stories from around the world and learn about the fascinating relationship between people and plants. Located in the Davies Exploration House behind the Temperate House.

Sat 4 May - Mon 6 May. May Day Festival Hever Caste and Gardens, Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk Hever’s May Day Festival incorporates traditional celebrations to welcome the summer, from the mythical Green Man of folklore and Jack-in-the-Green plus Maypole dancing on the Castle forecourt.

Sat 4 May, 10.30am–4pm Family farm day Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Come to Claremont for a family-friendly farm experience. Say hello to cute lambs, rabbits and piglets.

Sat 4 May, Gates open at 12.30pm Circus and Family Fun Day St Peter & St Paul Infant School, Caterham CR3 5BN www.pta-events.co.uk/stpeterstpaul The Circus is coming to Chaldon! Come and watch The Greatest Show at either 1pm or 2:45pm. Alongside our travelling circus (which is animal free) we will have lots of other fun & entertainment to keep the family amused.

Sat 4 May, 8.30am - 5pm Auto Italia - Italian Car Day Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com One of the biggest events of the year at Brooklands celebrating the UK’s obsession with all things Italian.

This will be Auto Italia’s 34th Spring Gathering - the UK’s first and finest all-Italian car event.

Fri 10 May and Fri 7 June Astronights Science Museum, South Kensington SW7 2DD Nearest Tube is South Kensington.

Piccadilly, District & Circle Lines www.sciencemuseum.org.uk A special overnight event for 7-11 year-olds, featuring exciting handson workshops, science shows, and a sleepover at the Science Museum among the amazing exhibits.Popular event, book quickly!

Sat 11 May, 10.30am-12.30pm Wild Families at Newlands Corner Newlands Corner, Guildford www.surreywildlifetrust.org Bring out your family’s wild side! Join us for games, crafts and activities to engage with nature. Fun for all the family! Booking essential, please book a place for each person attending the event. Parking charges apply. Booking essential: £5 per person, babes in arms go free.

FANTASTIC FAMILY FUN THIS SPRING!

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Half Term Fun with Hever Castle and Gardens Kent TN8 7NG 01732 865224 www.hevercastle.co.uk

Explore the historic Castle and grounds of the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, where children can go wild in the Tudor Towers or Acorn Dell play areas. Edwardian Life, 25 May - 2 June. Meet costumed characters from the Edwardian era and play traditional games of the period.

Hever’s Home Front, 22 + 23 June. Discover what life and work was like during the Second World War.

Prepare to be amazed at Bocketts the May Half Term Young Street, Fetcham KT22 9BS 01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Try your hand at plate spinning, juggling, diablo and more in Circus Skills Workshops and exciting Circus Shows running all week. Plus, watch the magnificent Birds of Prey flying displays (Tues – Fri only) and join the fun in the Bubble Disco taking place daily. Don’t miss the brand new ‘Animal Discovery Barn’, a huge undercover barn with an opportunity to meet, feed and learn all about the farm animals. With a full programme of activities you can be sure of a great day out, whatever the weather!

Wildlife Discovery Week at Godstone Farm Godstone Farm 01883 742546 www.godstonefarm.co.uk

We’re off on safari during half term! Grab your field notebook, binoculars and magnifying glass and join the big bug hunt! With mini beast handling throughout the day, make your own bird feeders, plus all the usual wholesome farm fun this is a real adventure.

The weather is on the up and our outdoor adventure playground is the perfect place for young explorers.

Godstone Farm is in beautiful countryside, with stunning views and nature & wildlife all around. The perfect place for exploring and discovering!

Gatton Country Fair Rocky Lane, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 0TD www.gattonpark.com

Set in the beautiful grounds of Gatton Park, the Gatton Country Fair is the perfect day out for all the family. See animal displays including birds of prey and working Newfoundland dogs as well as stalls showcasing country crafts and local wildlife organisations. Bring your dog along for the chance to win in the fun dog show. Enjoy a locally brewed pint of beer and lunch from the pizza oven or choose from a range of other food and drink stalls.

There will also be live music, tractor rides and a children’s fairground.

The fair takes place on the first Sunday in July and is sited on the Victorian parterre with stunning views of the park; visitors are also invited to explore the wider parkland and gardens. Adult entry is £7, children go free. Card/cash payments accepted at the entrance. Sun 7 July, 12noon-5pm.

www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

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Families Surrey East 11

Sat 11 May, 10am – 4pm Lord Ashcombe’s Minerals – the gentlemen collectors and the advance of science Dorking Museum & Heritage Centre, Dorking RH4 1BS www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk The exhibition showcases the history of and examples from Lord Ashcombe’s stunning mineral collection.

Sun 11 May & 8 June, 9am – 1pm Wallington Farms Market Old Town Hall and Library Gardens in Woodcote Road SM6 0NB www.ecolocal.org.uk Local Farmers’ Market with around 28 local producers stalls every month, offering a range of meat, fish, cheeses and seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Sat 11 May, 1pm – 2.30pm The 1919 Epsom riot, the attack on Epsom Police Station and the death of Sergeant Thomas Green Bourne Hall Museum Kids Club, Ewell KT17 1UF www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk See how events boiled over out of hand during an incident in a local pub, which led to the infamous riot of 1919, the attack on Epsom Police Station and the death of Sergeant Thomas Green.

Sat 11 & Sun 12 May Transport Film Festival Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Travel all day on Steam and Diesel trains and enjoy classic and original short transport films being shown at venues at each of the three main stations, including an opportunity to visit the Vintage Mobile Cinema bus.

Sun 12 May Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival St Paul’s Church, Bedford Street WC2E 9ED. www.alternativearts.co.uk Join in with the celebrations of Mr Punch’s 357th birthday as Punch and Judy Professors and puppeteers from all over the country gather to perform throughout the day.

Sun 12 May, 9.30am - 5pm Emergency Services Day Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Every conceivable vehicle and pieces of apparatus used in the emergency services will grace the Museum site in an impressive line-up of display vehicles. Fireman Sam™ will be making personal appearances on-site at intervals throughout the day.

14 May, meet at 8.15pm Bat Walk RHS Garden Wisley,Woking GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Discover the secret world of bats on an evening walk at RHS Garden Wisley.

Wed 15 May, 11am – 3pm Epsom and Ewell Employment Fair Rainbow Leisure Centre, Epsom KT17 1BN www.facebook.com/ EpsomandEwellEmploymentFair/ Come along to this free event for face to face meetings with local employers, all of whom are recruiting in the local area. Free.

Fri 17 May, 2pm-4.30pm Schools Awareness Day Children’s Trust, Tadworth KT20 5RU www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk This is our opportunity to showcase The Children’s Trust and to inform and educate you on the work the Children’s Trust does.

Sat 18 May Cheam Charter Fair and Whitehall Craft Fair Whitehall Historic House, Cheam SM3 8QD www.sutton.gov.uk Come and celebrate the Charter Fair at one of the oldest houses in the Village.

We will have lots of exciting things taking place all day with craft stalls and entertainment.

Sat 18 May Opening of the Giant Children’s Garden at Kew Kew Gardens, Richmond TW9 3AE www.kew.org Children will be able to play and explore as they wind their way through a landscape filled with over 100 mature trees, discovering hidden treasures and adventure, and developing their love of nature, plants and the outdoors along the way.

Sat 18 May, 10am - 9pm Brooklands Vintage Festival Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Join us at Brooklands Museum as we turn back the clock to celebrate the Music, Fashion, Style and Dancing of the 40s, 50s & 60s.

Sun 19 May, 8am – 9.45am Spring Motoring Breakfast Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Join us for our second Sunday morning

Wings & Wheels, the two day aviation and motoring show Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey www.wingsandwheels.net

Enjoy 5 hours of thrilling aviation displays which include the Red Arrows, BBMF and Chinook Helicopter, it also includes a Wheels Zone of supercars and classic and vintage favourites performing exciting demonstrations.

Visit the Zones for military vehicles and re-enactors, emergency services demonstrations, car displays, music and dancing, go-karting, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets, static aircraft, fairground, over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts and a craft marquee. There’s something for all the family the whole weekend! Tickets start from £24. Booking hotline 0871 230 5572 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).

15th & 16th June.

Family Gardening Festival

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley This May half term the whole family can get hands-on with garden activities and crafts at RHS Garden Wisley’s fun-packed Family Gardening Festival.

Come on an adventure through the Pinetum with Laura Wall’s loveable character Goose, or unwind in the forest bathing and floral mandala sessions. Stir your senses in the mini sensory gardens and let your little one’s imagination grow in the mud kitchen.

With a range of wildlife, flower power and ‘plot to plate’ activities there is sure to be something for everyone at Wisley this half term from 25 May - 2 June.

It’s Cowpie Time!

Blue Anchor Farm, Blindley Heath, Lingfield RH7 6JL www. cowpie.co.uk Hurry! Book your advance tickets online for Cowpie 2019 and get £2 off the standard entry price for seniors, adults and children. A family ticket in advance will give you a saving of £8.

As in previous years, Cowpie will be at Blue Anchor Farm, Blindley Heath.

This year’s show on Sunday 12 May is a celebration of 40 years of Cowpie, there is a great choice of attractions throughout the day, the two top acts in the Main Ring are Jamie Squibb’s Freestyle Motorcycle Stunt Show and Sussex Yeomanry re-enacting warfare skills from Napoleonic times to WW1.

There are many other exciting attractions to enjoy: The Sheep Show; farm livestock marquee; YFC competitions; vintage & modern tractors & farm machinery; craft & food stalls.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Denbies Wine Estate, London Rd, Dorking RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk Join us at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking for a magical production of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” performed by Cat’s Grin Children’s Theatre Company on 30th May. Hold tight for rolling heads, rocketing sneezes, skimming plates and darting jam tarts. Suitable for 4-11 year olds. Denbies looks forward to welcoming you!

12 Families Surrey East

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What’s on Breakfast meeting of 2019. This is your chance to meet with like-minded vintage and classic vehicle enthusiasts, have breakfast and admire the cars and motorbikes on show.

Sun 19 May, 2pm – 4pm Wildflower Walk Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve, Epsom KT19 8PL www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk A chance to learn the names and recognise the springtime wildflowers in Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve.No booking required. £5 per adult, £2.50 per child (16 yrs or under) Sat 25 May-Sun 16 June Wild Surrey Art & Photography Competition Exhibition Guildford House Gallery on Guildford High Street www.surreywildlifetrust.org Featuring the best submissions and winning entries from our Wild Surrey Art & Photography Competition. Free.

MAY HALF TERM Half-term Pirate Trail Hatchlands Park, East Clandon GU4 7RT www.nationaltrust.org.uk Enjoy a trail through the parkland at Hatchlands and see if you can discover the treasure! NAA. Survive the Wild Woods Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Get stuck in to some serious bushcraft activities and learn how to survive in the wild woods. NAA and £3 per child.

Plant Explorers!

Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Investigate Claremont’s very special plants and become a Plant Explorer on this fun filled children’s trail. NAA plus £1 per trail Plant Explorer crafts, Tue 28–Fri 31 May 11am–1pm. Come and make a craft that sparks your curiosity for the natural world. NAA plus £1.50 per craft

Find out about famous US leaders of the twentieth century. £1 per trail.

Spend your May Half Term at the Horniman Horniman Museum and Gardens, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Enjoy A World of Stories, Family Art Fun, Pond Dipping, The Great British Bee Count, Mini-beast Safari and Horniman Explorers. Times, dates and ages vary. Most activities are free.

May Half Term Activities at Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace Discover how Henry VIII and his six wives made the palace their home in the newly-conserved Tudor State Apartments.

May Half Term Activities at Kensington Palace Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens W8 4PX www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace Explore the world of Princess, later Queen Victoria’s imagination this half term and create a Victorian puppet theatre.

Make a Monster!

Riverhill House, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0RR www.riverhillgardens.co.uk Create new friends for the Yeti.

Half Term Family Fun Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com On weekdays during Half Term, the popular car rides will be operating from 11am-1pm and from 2-4pm.

Family Gardening Festival RHS Garden Wisley,Woking GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley This May half term the whole family can get hands-on this May half-term with garden activities and crafts at RHS Garden Wisley’s fun-packed Family Gardening Festival.

Half-term trail at Winkworth Arboretum Godalming GU8 4AD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Get some fresh air as you explore the Arboretum with our family trail this half term. NAA plus £1 per trail.

May half-term fun at Wakehurst Wakehurst Botanical Gardens, Ardingly RH17 6TN www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on Join in the family fun with fungi-themed activities and a caterpillar workshop.

Twentieth Century American Presidents Trail Runeymede, Windsor TW20 0YU www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sat 25 May, 10am - 5pm BOSS Cars Variety Show Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN

www.brooklandsmuseum.com Boss cars UK is one of the biggest car event clubs in the UK. They are taking over the Museum for the day with a display of stunning cars.

Sat 25 May – Sun 2 Jun, 10.30am - 6pm How Did They Get There Penshurst Place & Gardens, Tonbridge TN11 8DG www.penshurstplace.com We’ll be celebrating the history of great travel, with a collection of hidden travel treasures for you to find in the Formal Gardens!

Sat 25 May – Mon 27 May 15th Century Raiders Arundel Castle, BN18 9AB www.arundelcastle.org Raven Tor Living History Group, with live Artillery & Combat.

Sat 25 – Sun 26 May, 10am – 5pm Kew Science Festival at Wakehurst Wakehurst Botanical Gardens, Ardingly RH17 6TN www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on Join our scientists for fun-filled experiments, activities and more.

Sat 25 – Sun 26 May, 10.30am Bushcraft Bank Holiday Penshurst Place & Gardens, Tonbridge TN11 8DG www.penshurstplace.com Whether it be how to cook campfire meals scrumptious enough to give the tin of beans a shove, how to whittle and build your own equipment, or even the best knots to use, the experts at Camp Wilderness will show you how!

Mon 27 May, 1pm - 4pm Fairytale Treasure Hunt Gatton Park, Reigate RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.com Discover fairytale characters around the park and hunt for treasure.

Mon 27 May – Fri 31 May, 10am– 4pm May Madness Runneymede, Windsor TW20 0YU www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymedeand-ankerwycke Adventurous trails and creative craft activities for all ages. Charges depend on activity: see website for details Mon 27 May Surrey S.M.E Open Day SAT NAV enter Mill Lane, Leatherhead www.ssme.co.uk Join Surrey S.M.E for their open day and enjoy rides on their steam & electric trains.

Mon 27 May– Fri 31 May, 2–3pm The Big Bug Hunt Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Become a Polesden bug hunter this May half term, hunting, tracking and examining the bodacious bugs in our ancient woodland. NAA plus £1 per child.

Mon 27 and 31 May, 10am, 11am & 12noon Teddy Bear’s Train Ride & Storytelling!

Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk Bring your favourite Teddy for a vineyard train ride and storytelling Warm clothing recommended.

Tue 28 May, 11.30am & 2.30pm Tropical Creepy Crawly Roadshow Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk Meet Snakes, Lizards, Mini-Beasts, Frogs for an inspiring Animal Encounter.

28 May, 10am-1pm Wildlife Photography Course WWT London Wetland Centre Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk Discover how to take great shots of wildlife under the guidance of expert wildlife photographer Iain Green. This course is suitable for beginners. Ages 8+. Admission fee plus £20.50. Prebook Thu 28- Fri 29 May Out Of This World Royal Observatory Greenwich www.rmg.co.uk Take a family trip to the Moon with a planetarium show, interactive quiz and immersive virtual reality activity.

Age 7+, £6.

Tue 28 May, 10am-12pm & 1-3pm Forest Fun (2+yrs) Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.com Explore Cedar Wood, make woodland crafts and enjoy a snack around the fire.

Wed 29 & Fri 31 May, 10am -11.30am & 1.30pm -3pm Trails and Tales (2-4yrs) Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.com Enjoy the story of ‘Tyrannosaurus Drip’ and go for a walk around the park to bring it to life. Return to create artwork linked to the story.

Wildlife Discovery Week 25th May - 2nd June '19

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Families Surrey East 13

Wed 29 May, 11am-3pm Henfold Birds of Prey Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk See birds of prey fly and preform amazing overhead tricks - free of charge Wed 29 - Fri 31 May, 10am-12.45pm Marvellous May-time myths!

Morden Hall Park, Morden SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Follow the awards winner storyteller, Olivia Armstrong, as she brings the park to life with seasonal folktales! £5 Child -£2.50 Adult. Book online.

Thu 30 May Holiday to Space Royal Observatory Greenwich www.rmg.co.uk Travel across the Solar System and help Space Ted plan for a holiday on another planet. Age 4-7, £6.

30 May Living History Day Arundel Castle, BN18 9AB www.arundelcastle.org Set on the Lower Lawn. Meet historical characters, who will bring the past to life.

Thu 30 May, 10pm -11.30am or 1.30pm - 3pm Junk Modelling: Space Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.com Build a space station or rocket to fly to the moon! (4-7yrs).

Thu 30 May, 2pm - 3.30pm Phoenix of Persia British Library www.bl.uk/learning Celebrate the launch of stunning new picture book The Phoenix of Persia with a spellbinding family storytelling event from author Sally Pomme Clayton. Age 6+, from £7.

Fri 31 May & Sat 1 Jun, 10am-4pm Morden Hall Park BioBlitz Morden Hall Park, Morden SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Come and get involved in a race against time to find all the wildlife. Free

on board their tractor and even help with some of their jobs.NAA.

Fri 31 May, 8pm-9.30pm BioBlitz Late - Amphibians Morden Hall Park, Morden SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Help with our BioBlitz count as we look for amphibians from the wetland boardwalk. Free. BE. 7+.

Sat 1 - Sun 2 June, 11am-4pm Guildford Goes Wild Guildford High Street WWWsurreywildlifetrust.org/wildat60 Join us on Guildford High Street to celebrate all that is wild in Surrey in our 60th year! Take inspiration from our wildlife garden displays & gardening experts. Get up close to wildlife, take part in fun wildlife themed activities and trails and much, much more! Free.

Sat 1 June, 8.30pm-10pm BioBlitz Late - Bats and moths Morden Hall Park, Morden SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk How many moths and bats will you see to add to our BioBlitz species total?

Free. BE.

Every Sun in Jun, Jul & Aug Lazy Jazz Sundays Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Grab a deckchair and soak up the summer sun to the sound of live jazz from the South Terrace. NAA.

Sat 1 June, 6pm - 7pm The Great British Dog Walk Ightham Mote Sevenoaks TN15 0NT www.nationaltrust.org.uk Enjoy a fun-filled sponsored walk with your furry friend. All money raised will help train hearing dogs.

Thu 6 June - 18 July, 10.30am Teddy Bears’ Picnics Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Pre-school toddlers: Bring your favourite teddy to enjoy a story and (pretend) picnic. Booking essential: call 01372 452048. Normal admission applies.

Sat 1 June, 9am-5pm The Super Car Event Goodwood Motor Circuit West Sussex PO18 0PH www.thesupercarevent.com 150 supercars will descend onto the Goodwood Motor Circuit including the Lamborghini Aventador S, Ferrari 488 and the McLaren 675 LT, with proceeds from the day raising money for The Children’s Trust charity, helping children with brain injury.

Sat 1 Jun, 11.30am – 1pm Meet Polesden’s Rangers Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Our rangers are the superheroes of the woodland. Have fun exploring some of the tools and machinery they use, climb

Fri 7, Sat 8 & Sun 9 June, film at 9.30pm Luna Cinema Morden Hall Park, Morden SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Join us for an exciting movie experience in the park. Bring along a blanket and settle down amongst the trees for an evening of film under the stars. £15.50 Adult - £10.50 Child. BE. Sat 8 June, 12noon-4pm 30th Anniversary Celebration Garden Party Sutton Ecology Centre, Carshalton SM5 3NY www.sncv.org.uk Come and help celebrate Sutton

Ecology Centre’s 30th Birthday! Fun for all the family, music, refreshments, games, craft, nature discovery. Free.

Sat 8 June, 10.30am-12.30pm Wild Families at Newlands Corner Newlands Corner, Guildford www.surreywildlifetrust.org Join us for games, crafts and activities to engage with nature. Fun for all the family! Booking essential. Parking charges apply. BE: £5 per person, babes in arms go Free.

Sun 9 June Surrey S.M.E Open Day SAT NAV enter Mill Lane, Leatherhead www.ssme.co.uk Join Surrey S.M.E and enjoy rides on our steam & electric trains.

Sun 9 June NCT Teddy Bears Picnic - The Circus Nonsuch Park, Cheam (Dog Free Area, Ewell Road entrance) www.nct.org.uk/events/sutton-epsomnct-branch-teddy-bears-picnic-0 Stalls, games, fairground, music, races, Bezerkaz Circus skills workshop and more. Bring your picnic and teddies.

Suitable for all ages.

Mon 10 June – Sun 21 July, 10am–5pm Polesden Lacey Rose Festival Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Our annual Rose Festival celebrates this beautiful flower in the gardens, throughout the house, café and gift shop. Prepare to be tickled pink, white and yellow by the gorgeous blooms on show. NAA. From 12 June Zip Now London Archbishops Park, SE1 7LE www.zip-now.co/london2019 Zip Now London, the biggest and

DENBIES CHILDRENS

SUMMER HALF TERM EVENTS 27-31 MAY 2019 Monday 27 May

Teddy Bear’s Train Ride & Storytelling!*

10am, 11am & 12noon Bring your favourite Teddy for a vineyard train ride and storytelling £7.50 per child which includes a chocolate treat £3.50 per adult which includes a hot drink *Taking place on the outdoor Vineyard Train, warm clothing recommended

Tuesday 28 May

Tropical Creepy Crawly Roadshow

11:30am & 2:30pm Meet Snakes, Lizards, Mini-Beasts, Frogs for an inspiring Animal Encounter. £7.50 per child | Accompanying adults free of charge

Wednesday 29 May

Henfold Birds of Prey

See birds of prey fly and perform amazing overhead tricks! 11am-3pm Free of charge

Thursday 30 May

Cat’s Grin Children’s Theatre presents

‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’

11am & 2pm Watch an incredible live performance of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland £7.50 per child Accompanying adults free of charge

Friday 31 May

Teddy Bear’s Train Ride & Storytelling!*

10am, 11am & 12noon Bring your favourite Teddy for a vineyard train ride and storytelling £7.50 per child which includes a chocolate treat £3.50 per adult which includes a hot drink *Taking place on the outdoor Vineyard Train, warm clothing recommended

Denbies Wine Estate Ltd London Road Dorking RH5 6AA T. 01306 876616 www.denbies.co.uk

14 Families Surrey East 2144-Edwardian-Life-2019-87x130-Famalies-AW.indd 1

familiesonline.co.uk 09/04/2019 17:37

fastest city centre zip wire, is returning to the Southbank for its third summer season.Open daily, ages 8+, minimum height 3ft 11ins, tickets from £25.

Mid June Mayfield Lavender Farm opens for the summer Banstead SM7 3JA www.mayfieldlavender.com The 25 acre lavender field with café and shop opens from June to midSeptember, 7 days per week from 9am to 6 pm (this may vary at the start or end of the season).

Sat 15 June, 11am-3.30pm Bay Pond Open Day Bay Pond, Godstone www.surreywildlifetrust.org/wildat60 Celebrate Surrey Wildlife Trusts’ 60th Birthday wlth great family activites at their open day.. Take part in minibeast hunts, pond dipping, wild crafts, face painting and more!

Sat 15 June, 10am–4pm Magna Carta 804 Anniversary Celebration Runneymede, Windsor TW20 0YU www.nationaltrust.org.uk Celebrate the anniversary of this symbolic event with tours and a children’s activity stall.

Sat 15 –Sun 16 June, 10am – 5pm The Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Organised in association with the VSCC we invite you to come and enjoy two-day extravaganza that features Motoring Competitions, the Test Hill Challenge, great food, music and entertainment for the whole family.

Sat 16 & 23 Jun, from 2pm Pop-up Shakespeare Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Enjoy scenes from beloved Shakespeare plays enacted throughout the gardens.NAA. Sat 22 – Sun 23 June, 11am- 5pm Carshalton Artists Open Studios All over Carshalton www.carshaltonartists.com/caos18trail An easy to follow trail that showcases local arts, heritage and businesses.

Free inclusive demonstrations and workshops for children and adults.

Sat 22 -Sun 23 June Mustering for War Arundel Castle, BN18 9AB www.arundelcastle.org The Knights, Men-at-Arms and Archers of Raven Tor Living History Group will meet in a 12th Century Tournament.

Sun 23 June, 12 noon–4pm Claremont’s Summer Garden Party Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Escape the hubbub to find simple pleasures and entertaining delights at Claremont’s Garden Party.

aquatic invertebrates, identifying them and assessing the overall water quality.

Ages 12+, admission plus £2.50.

Sun 23 June, 10am – 5pm London Bus Museum Summer Gathering Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com London Bus Museum’s summer event returns in 2019 with live entertainment, extensive bus displays, including rarely-seen early examples, and smaller displays of taxis, commercials & emergency vehicles.

Sat 29 June, 6pm – 8pm Outdoor theatre: ‘Old Herbaceous’ Leith Hill Place, Dorking RH5 6LY www.nationaltrust.org.uk An acute and sometimes hilarious observation of relationships between the classes in a simpler age.

Sun 23 June, 2pm – 4pm Dragonflies and Butterflies Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve, Stew Pond Car Park, www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk A beginners guide to identifying butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.

Meet at Stew Ponds car park off Christchurch Road (B280). No booking required. £5 per adult, £2.50 per child (16 yrs or under).

Sun 23 June On the Buses – The LBM Collection London Bus Museum, Weybridge, SatNav KT13 0SL www.londonbusmuseum.com The museum holds the largest collection of working historic London buses in the world and this unique event brings almost all of the museum’s vehicles together in one place.

Tue 25 – Sun 30 June Hever in Bloom Hever Caste and Gardens, TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk Experience the quintessential English Rose Garden at the height of its summer beauty with guided tours of the award-winning Gardens.

Sat 29 –Sun 30 June & Sat 6 – Sun 7 July, 2.30pm Open air theatre: Love’s Labour’s Lost Polesden Lacey, Dorking RH5 6BB www.nationaltrust.org.uk What could be better than a love story? Well, how about 5 love stories?

Bring your deckchairs and join us for an afternoon of Edwardian fun with this Shakespeare favourite. B - 01306 881717, Adults £12, under 16s free.

Sat 29 - Sun 30 June Games with your Grandparents Whitehall Historic House, Cheam SM3 8QD www.sutton.gov.uk A weekend of traditional board games and jigsaws for all the family. Come and rediscover some favourite games and have fun together. Free.

Sat 29 June, from 11am Citizen Science Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk Try freshwater surveying - dipping for

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Sun 30 June, 10am – 5pm The Brooklands Motorcycle Show Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Join us as we celebrate a staggering legacy of motorcycling at Brooklands matched with the best of today’s bikes and super-machines.

FATHERS DAY EVENTS Fri 14 - Sat 15 June, 4pm-6pm (Fri) 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm (Sat) Father & child woodland campfire Morden Hall Park, Morden SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Celebrate father’s day with woodland crafts and cooking on an open fire. £15 Adult - £10 Child (8+). BE. Sat 15 June - Sun 16 June Father’s Day at the Castle Hever Caste and Gardens, TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk Say thank you to dad this Father’s Day and spoil him with a memorable day out and supercar display.

Sat 15 – Sun 16 June, 11am - 5pm A Weekend for Dad Penshurst Place & Gardens, Tonbridge TN11 8DG www.penshurstplace.com Enjoy card making and crafts on the 15th June. On the 16th we’ll be opening up our BBQ for an extravaganza to be enjoyed in the early summer sun!

Sun 16 June Dad’s Bacon Butty Brunch The Wey & Arun Canal Trust departs from the wharf beside on the B2133, RH14 0RD www.weyarun.org.uk On Father’s Day, treat your Dad to a canal trip whilst enjoying a tasty bacon butty washed down with tea or coffee.

The 90 minute trips depart at 9.45am and 12noon.

Sun 16 June, 10am -3pm Father’s Day at the Mote Ightham Mote Sevenoaks TN15 0NT www.nationaltrust.org.uk A fun day for all the family including games, beer tasting and fishing in the moat.

Sun 16 June, 10am-4pm Father’s Day Hatchlands Park, East Clandon GU4 7RT www.nationaltrust.org.uk Let dad show off his skills and have a go at making a mini-raft. Free entry

for dads when accompanied by their children.

Sun 16 June, 12.30pm -2.30pm Jazz for Dads Riverhill House, Kent TN15 0RR www.riverhillgardens.co.uk Explore the gardens and then bring a rug or chair and a picnic and settle down to enjoy the music. Free tea for Dads in the café.

THEATRE Harlequin Theatre, Redhill RH1 1NN www.harlequintheatre.co.uk Thu 23 May Reigate & Redhill Music and Drama Festival Concert The Festival Concert is the culmination of two weeks of professionally adjudicated festival classes for children and adults who enjoy learning and performing music and drama.

Fri 31 May Exciting Science!

This brand new, exciting & educational show will amaze & astound all ages. 4+ Dorking Halls, RH5 1SG www.dorkinghalls.co.uk Tue 14 May In The Night Garden Join Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends at In the Night Garden Live for a brand new show on their first ever UK theatre tour in 2019!

Sat 18 May The Sooty Show A spectacular treat for the whole family including a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show!

The Hawth, Crawley, RH10 6YZ www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk Wed 15 - Sat 18 May Shrek the Musical Based on the Oscar-winning animation, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Awardwinning fairy tale adventure that brings all of the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage.

Sun 9 June The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show Eric’s well-known books captivated readers with his iconic colourful hand-painted tissue paper collage illustrations and distinctively simple stories, introducing generations of children to a brighter world of reading.

Tue 2 - Wed 3 July Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this exciting, enchanting and magical musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter. This beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family!

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We’re on the A22, Newchapel, nr Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF

01342 834658 www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk Families Surrey East 15

Shopping

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Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June 2019

The Belfry Shopping Centre in the heart of Redhill with a great mix of stores all under one roof.

Love keeping up to date with the Belfry? Follow us on social media!

WHSmith Waterstones Clarks Toy Barnhaus Boots Superdrug Claire’s H.Samuel New Look Card Factory Dorothy Perkins Game JD Vision Express The Works PLUS MANY MORE

Farewell 15th Show 5 Hour Airshow & 2 Hour Motoring Show Military Zone - Retail Village - Evening Entertainment - Free Parking TICKET HOTLINE: 0871 230 5572 www.wingsandwheels.net

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Outstanding activity day camps for 4 to 14 year olds during the school holidays!

MEET NEW FRIENDS OVER 40 ACTIVITIES FRESH AIR FUN 16 Families Surrey East

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