Families Solent West Magazine

Issue 47: July/ August 2015

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SOLENT WEST

Your 2015 guide to Family days out and events this summer

Cover image Š M&Co

Clubs & classes Nature's classroom and learning outdoors Local information and events for parents with 0 - 12 year olds in Hampshire

July/ August 2015

Call us on 07789882467 to advertise your business with us

Try it, Learn it, Love it… at Calshot Make the most of your summer at Calshot Activities Centre. Contact us for our latest brochure – it’s packed with exciting ideas for fun and adventure on your doorstep.

Climbing • Watersports • Snowsports Cycling • Archery • Caving Mountaineering and more

Book your adventure today: www.calshot.com 023 8089 2077

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Solent West Magazine Editors: Rebecca Carr & Heather Bainbridge Rebecca 07789 882467 editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk Heather 07554 880140 heather@familiessolentwest.co.uk

In this issue....

Advertising: Claire Clarricoates ads@familiessolentwest.co.uk Next issue: September/ October 2015 Booking deadline: 31 July 2015 40,000 readers per issue Printed by Bishops www.familiessolentwest.co.uk

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News & views

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Nature's classroom

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Clubs & classes - are our children busy enough?

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Family summer guide 2015

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What's on during July & August

Do you wish to advertise your business to over 40,000 parents in Hampshire?

BOOK NOW to be included in our education and back to school issue out 2 September. Call 07789 882467 or email ads@familiessolentwest.co.uk UKfamilies3.pdf 1 1-6-2015 22:33:37

© Families Solent West 2015

Disclaimer: Families Solent West Magazine is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Solent West Magazine are fully protected by copyright and non of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. 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 consequence

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News & views

News &Views The New Forest Tour is the perfect way to escape the car this summer Embark on an open top safari where you can enjoy grandstand views of the New Forest National Park, wandering ponies, picturesque villages, famous attractions and magical landscapes.

The Green Route covers the south and east of the New Forest – calling at Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Lymington, Beaulieu National Motor Museum and Exbury Gardens. The Red Route runs around the north and west of the New Forest – calling at Burley, Ringwood, Fordingbridge, Sandy Balls Holiday Centre, Cadnam, Ashurst and Lyndhurst. The Blue Route takes you to the south and west of the New Forest – calling at Lymington, Keyhaven, Milford-on-Sea, Barton-on-Sea, Burley and Brockenhurst.

All three routes run daily from 27 June - 13 September, you can hop on and hop off wherever you like and switch between routes – all on the same ticket. You can pay onboard or book online in advance and save time.

So sit back, relax and enjoy a magical day on your New Forest safari. For full details showcasing all the tour has to offer and discounts at participating attractions, please visit the website: www.thenewforesttour.info

Bigger, bolder, hattier! Wear A Hat Day with Brain Tumour Research Together we are funding the fight and, thanks to more of you than ever, Wear A Hat Day 2015 was the biggest and hattiest yet.

Brain Tumour Research is greatly indebted to the hundreds of schools and families from up and down the land who have taken part in their flagship fundraising campaign. For many of you, Brain Tumour Research is a cause that could not be closer to your hearts as you and those around you have been touched by this devastating disease.

They salute the efforts which have taken place in classrooms where young people, teachers, assistants, admin staff and parents have helped their pupils to bake cakes, make and find hats and in so doing discover they can have fun whilst supporting an important cause. Brain Tumour Research would love to have your company again next year. Register now at www.wearahatday.org

Can you deliver for Families?

Families Solent West Magazine is looking for a distributor to join our team to cover the New Forest and Totton area. If you have a few hours to spare every two months and would like to earn some extra money, please contact Rebecca on 0778988 2467 or Heather on 07554 880140, email: editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk.

A position is available to start from our September issue.

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Solent West Magazine

Summer time dine at WestQuay This summer, Southampton foodies will be treated to a season full of tasty treats and mouthwatering meals at WestQuay shopping centre.

Kicking off on 25 July, the SummerDine event will give shoppers amazing offers and discounts from some of the centre's 25 restaurants, bars, cafes and food kiosks. With dining options from around the world, from delicious burgers at Handmade Burger Co to japanese noodle bar-inspired cuisine at Wagamama and with all time classic Tortilla bringing the best tacos and burritos around to WestQuay, there's definitely something for everyone's appetite.

Visitors can enjoy the tasty savings on offer all summer long, by downloading and registering the new PLUS app or by collecting an offer booklet from the information desk. The free to download app will notify users of the latest promotions and offers, which can then be redeemed from the selected retailers. Visit the website for more information: www.west-quay.co.uk

Sparsholt College’s taste of Hampshire A celebration of the region’s finest food and drink will see ‘Hampshire’ as the dish of the day at Sparsholt College’s Taste of Hampshire on Saturday 4 July 2015. Food and drink is about tasting, cooking and appreciating and this event will have the very best of the County’s produce for visitors to sample and experience and demonstrations from seven leading chefs to inspire. If you enjoy eating out locally then expect to see some of Hampshire’s finest chefs in the Demo Kitchen including Andy MacKenzie and Olly Rouse (Lainston House), Damian Brown (Chesil Rectory), Luke Matthews (Chewton Glen), James Golding (The Pig), Phil Yeomans (Marwell Hotel) and Mark Price (River Canteen).

The event is run as part of the Hampshire Food Festival in conjunction with Hampshire Fare. Tickets can be purchased online at sparsholt.ac.uk

Cut out obesity Over 30,000 people have signed a petition by the British Heart Foundation to ban junk food adverts before the 9pm watershed, as new statistics show that the majority of UK parents believe stopping children being exposed to junk food adverts will help prevent obesity.

Around 30% of children in the UK are overweight or obese, increasing their risk of being overweight as an adult and developing coronary heart disease in later life. Yet loopholes in the UK regulatory system mean that junk food adverts which are banned during children’s programming can still be shown during family programming, such as X-Factor, when children’s TV viewing peaks.

‘By protecting young people against the sophisticated marketing techniques of junk food advertisers we can help tackle the obesity crisis which threatens the heart health of future generations,’ said Mike Hobday, Director of Policy at the British Heart Foundation. ‘We urge the UK Government to heed the public’s clear call and take immediate action.’

Contact Jacqueline McMillan on 020 7554 0173 or email mcmillanj@bhf.org.uk for more information. www.familiessolentwest.co.uk

News & views

Stagecoach Southampton and Eastleigh are celebrating their 20th anniversary with three spectacular charity summer galas

2015 Summer Reading Challenge: inspiring children to read and set a Guinness World Records title Libraries across the UK are getting ready to encourage young readers to explore some of the astonishing real-life achievements and world records as featured in the Guinness World Records Books Organsied by The Reading Agency charity and the public library network, the annual Summer Reading Challenge, aimed at 411 year olds and their families is simple and fun. Children are encouraged to read six or more library books of their choice during the summer holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate, or medal for every child who completes the Challenge.

Every year there is a new theme and this year the Summer Reading Challenge has teamed up with Guinness World Records to establish a “Record Breakers” themed Challenge. Record Breakers brings together fact and fiction, challenging young readers to explore astonishing real-life achievements and world records.

As part of this year’s Challenge, children, parents, carers, young volunteers, teachers, much-loved children’s authors and important figures in communities around the UK will be asked to make a pledge to help us set a new Guinness World Records™ title for the Most Pledges Received for a Reading Campaign! Public libraries are collecting pledges across the UK between Friday 10 and Monday 13 July –check with your local library to find out when you can submit your pledge. The official launch date of the Summer Reading Challenge in England is Saturday 11 July.

On 4 & 5 July, 300 students will be performing at Thornden Hall, Chandler's Ford, in aid of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. All money raised will go towards supporting their invaluable work in Kenya, rescuing and rehabilitating traumatised elephant orphans, all of whom are victims of the current poaching epidemic. Call 01962 771024 for more details.

Camp in, camp out, camp all about Summer holidays are a perfect time for kids to get creative and build a shelter or den. Whether it’s a sheet between two clothes-airers, tablecloth over the back of the sofa or a rug over a rope between two trees, it’s a great way to encourage kids to work together and get inventive in creating a fun space to play. In fine weather why not sleep out in your den and experience the sights and sounds of night-time.

Are you interested in a real camping experience? Girlguiding have a number of campsites across the country with on-site facilities including adventurous activities.

Visit: www.girlguiding.org.uk/activitycentres for more details.

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Outdoor learning

Nature's classroom As parents we know that children are happy in the outdoors, and once even the most hardened of city-dwellers have got used to the damp and mud, they revel in unstructured time spent in the natural world. This applies not only to small children, but older ones too – contact with nature is known to impact positively on teenage anxiety and depression.

Outdoor play can develop children’s understanding of risk, as well as testing their emotional and physical strength. Learning how high they can climb or how brave they can be, teaches them about themselves as well as how they relate to the environment. Contact with nature has even been shown to increase creativity and language development.

Children’s activity levels automatically go up when they are outdoors. As childhood obesity has a direct link with inactivity, outdoor learning could be a key to tackling this growing problem.

Despite this, many of todays children are missing out. According to Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts: “Children in 2015 are spending half as much time outdoors as they were a generation ago and it can not be unrelated that one in ten children suffer from depression. Society is starting to realise the risks that this separation from our natural environment poses to our children’s health and happiness.”

So what can you do as a parent to increase your kids’ contact with nature?

Here we explore some of the options: Forest schools

Inspired by Danish ‘open air life’ nurseries, the first UK Forest School was started in Somerset in 1993, at Bridgewater College.

Since then the movement has spread across the UK, with many Local Authorities employing trained Forest Schools practitioners to deliver a woodland learning experience each week, usually to primary-aged children and nurseries.

Leading charity, The Forest School Association, lists the principles governing the sessions. Small groups of children are taken

By Hannah Hunter issues around nature and the natural environment.

© Helen Walsh

Supporting learning difficulties with outdoor learning

At The Sheiling Ringwood, an independent school, college and children’s home for students with severe and complex disabilities and learning difficulties, learning outside the classroom is an integral part of the curriculum. into woodland or other natural environment, “to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.”

Children are encouraged to explore their environments, taking supported risks, and the learning is child-centred rather than teacherled.

Little Owls Pre-School at Itchen Valley is an exclusively outdoor Forest School Kindergarten at Itchen Valley Country Park providing early years education to children aged 2 years 9 months through to 5 years.

Their ethos is to encourage the development of confidence and self-esteem as well as fostering a connection between children and the natural world, promoting happy and healthy children. Children spend all session outdoors although indoor space is available should they feel the need to be inside.

Sessions are available Monday to Friday term time only and they accept childcare vouchers and the Early Years Funding. For more information email kim.peters@eastleigh.gov.uk

Clubs and classes

If you’re not lucky enough to live close to a forest school, there are after-school clubs and classes that can support children’s learning outdoors. Little Owls Pre-School offer many classes including woodland stories, art and crafts as well as park trails which families can take part in for a small charge.

Many schools have nature or gardening clubs, often run by parent volunteers. Tried-andtested outdoor organizations, the Scouts and Girl Guides, offer a range of activities and camps. The less traditional Woodcraft Folk, (woodcraft.org.uk) focus on developing children’s connection with activities exploring

Based on a stunning sustainable 50 acre site close to both the New Forest and Dorset coastline, students are actively engaged in ‘estate work’ and their educational programme includes green woodwork, small animal husbandry and kitchen garden work. The setting is surrounded by areas of open green and woodland alike, students benefit from both the practical and holistic benefits of an outdoor curriculum, providing a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment.

Family nature days

As well as providing accessible venues for school and group outings, the Wildlife Trusts run activities across the UK just for families and children, organised by local groups, ranging from ‘nature tots’ toddler groups to family pond-dipping days. Visit their website to find local information wildlifetrusts.org Go to the Forestry Commission website at www.forestry.gov.uk, to find your nearest woodlands. They have a free app with maps and local information on camping, trails and activities. At many of their forest centres you can buy a pack that will take you on a ‘Superworm’ kids trail, which includes activities and challenges for younger children.

You can pledge some ‘wild time’ with your children by signing up to The Wild Network – an organisation dedicated to reconnecting children with nature, at projectwildthing.com.

They have a calendar of different events, and lots of fun activity ideas that will get you and your kids outdoors. The film that inspired the organization is available to watch online, it’s an interesting take on how to ‘re-brand’ nature to appeal to the younger generation, who they claim are suffering from ‘nature-deficit disorder’.

FOREST SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN

Itchen Valley Country Park ol for An outdoor pre-schoing term nn ru s 3 & 4 year old 3.00pm time only 8.30am to Registered

Contact Kim.peters@eastleigh.gov.uk

www.eastleigh.gov.uk/littleowls 6

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Education

Taking Special Needs Education outside the classroom

By Rosie White, The Sheiling Ringwood

Learning outside the classroom is fast becoming a curriculum focus, no more so than for those working in Special Educational Needs. The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the national voice for learning outside, believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom and champion that a positive view of the world and high motivation are the keys to positive behaviour. Research evidence shows that learning outside the classroom can have a powerfully motivating effect on young people and a beneficial impact on behaviour (Source LOtC 2015).

For students with severe and complex disabilities and learning difficulties, learning outside the classroom is an integral part of the curriculum. This is based on the belief that building a student’s confidence and skills in different environments aids both the development of functional independence and empowers every child and young person to find meaning and purpose in life.

Educational programmes include green woodwork, small animal husbandry and kitchen garden work, as well as recreational trips and cultural visits within the local community. These activities increase opportunities for social interaction and develop independence which will in turn raise attainment for these students, who may otherwise have limited opportunities to feel a part of the community.

This approach to teaching and supporting students with special educational needs is considered best practice, where a provision makes use of their natural surroundings to provide a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment, placing an outdoor curriculum at the core of their ethos, values and teaching.

July/ August 2015

Sophia's House a therapy and assessment centre for children with special needs Sophia’s House Clinic is a therapy clinic that was set up to provide high quality therapy treatments for children with special needs. Based in Bursledon, Hampshire they offer a happy and relaxed environment for children and parents, to help your child to reach their full potential. The highly qualified therapists can provide a wide range of treatments for children with special needs such as Global Developmental Delay, Learning Difficulties, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Down Syndrome and many more.

Alexandra Loskot, the owner explains “Sophia’s House was set up because my daughter Sophia was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay and Autism at two years old. At that time she had very restricted movement and no means of communication. She could only receive limited treatment from the NHS so we decided to go abroad for intensive therapies.

In total we spent nine months abroad, where Sophia received ten hours a week of physiotherapy and speech therapy.

During this time her progress was substantial, Sophia started to walk and her communication and social interaction was greatly improved.”

Sophia’s House offers a wide range of therapies such as Vojita, Sensory Integration, NDT Bobath, Speech and Language Therapy and many more.

For more information please contact Sophia's House Call 02380 405 823 Email: enquiries@sophias-house.co.uk www.sophias-house.co.uk

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Clubs & Classes

What, why, where?

Clubs and classes - are our children busy enough?

Good point, but busy doing what? If they’re plugged into your iPad, picking fights with their siblings or glued glazed-eyed to the TV, then you all need inspiration. Which is where we come in.

When to start

Babies love to get out and about. Music groups are a great start - you may be surprised how much your little one gets out of it. Even tiny babies can grab a rattle and feel the rhythm.

Older babies and toddlers love joining in with hand actions and songs. Singing nursery rhymes helps to develop language, memory and rhythm skills - a useful first step on the road to reading. Mini sports sessions are perfect for crawlers and toddlers who love to explore, climb, jump and roll; all essential skills to physical development and coordination.

When you get home they’re ready for quieter pursuits like a story... or a welcome nap.

From two and a half you might consider a language mother and toddler group. There is a window of opportunity from now until four or five years old when a child’s brain is programmed for language acquisition. Many French clubs offer pre-school sessions where arts, crafts and general play are carried out in French. The children soak it up effortlessly without needing a translation.

Reception and Key Stage 1 children often find the school day quite tiring and some parents hold off clubs at this stage. Others cope well and enjoy gymnastics, dance, yoga and swimming - it depends on the child so this is no time to feel competitive if Duncan is already renowned as a tennis club junior.

From Year 3 onwards the club scene kicks in bigtime. They’re old enough to follow instructions and can cope with being left by parents. Also by this stage you’re likely to have a good idea of which interest will suit your child; be it musical, sporty, dramatic or art based.

As children head through their primary school years, interests tend to become more specific: sports turn into a place in a junior football or netball team; music classes lead to instrument tuition and a place in the school orchestra.

For children in single sex schools, clubs can be a useful way of meeting boys or girls who share a common interest.

DANCE Dance is a great form of exercise and a natural instinct - witness the small child jiggling around to a catchy rhythm. Dance promotes spacial awareness, poise and correct body alignment, accepting the body and being comfortable in it, along with social skills and acquiring a sense of commitment and determination in order to achieve progress.

There are many dance styles to choose from, from the timeless ballet to contemporary dance, jazz and tap, and an increase in the cool routines seen in pop videos.

Try: DM Dance Centre Southampton 02380 554 192 www.dmdancecentre.co.uk DM Dance Centre's children's classes run on Saturday mornings. They offer a wide range of different dance styles including, ballroom, latin, musical theatre, pop, street and freestyle. They also offer the children the opportunity to take medal exams with the International Dance Teachers Association as well as joining in regular competitions, displays and shows. This summer DM Dance Centre are running their very successful summer school which is a week of dance workshops followed by a performance at the end. Contact Hayley for more details.

SPORT AND FITNESS Levels of obesity in children continue to be a cause for concern. As a population, we’re all eating too much processed, fatty and sugary food, and not exercising enough. Children are being kept indoors where they are exposed to an incessant stream of TV ads for tempting junk foods.

The easiest way to make sure your child is getting enough exercise activity is to walk to school where possible, and include at least one physical activity as an out of school interest. Playing sport doesn’t just improve physical health - a study by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority found that the adrenaline boost to pupils’ brains from games helps them concentrate on lessons, so reading

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Clubs & Classes and writing skills receive a boost too.

Try:

Try:

Chuckle Chunes 07947 568 488 I www.chucklechunes.co.uk Classes for baby and toddlers

Virgin Active 02380 360360 I www.virginactive.co.uk Variety of kids sport activities in their Club V, ages 4+ Planet Sport 0845 658 9800 I www.planetsport.co.uk Provide professional coaching programmes to all young sports enthusiasts.

Goals Soccer Centre 02380 510666 I www.goalsfootball.co.uk Kids coaching for 5 years+ MUSIC Zoltan Kodaly, who established some of the most respected principles of music education, believed that a 14 year-old would be about three years ahead of his peers in every subject if he had received intensive musical training.

As a group activity, music encourages teamwork, co-operation and respect for others.

Music is also believed to help spiritually and emotionally by developing the ability to communicate, and bringing a sense of wellbeing and ‘wholeness’.

If your child is keen on music but the only thing you play is CDs, don’t worry - there are plenty of qualified, keen professionals out there.

What your child needs from you is interest, support and encouragement.

Rock out Music School 0845 680 4685 I www.rockoutschool.com 7yrs + classes in Alresford, Alton, Chandler’s Ford.

PERFORMING ARTS For most students, drama classes lead naturally from the dressing up role-play games they’ve enjoyed at home.

At an all-round theatre school they’ll come away with singing, dancing and acting skills.

It introduces them to music beyond the standard chart scene, and teaches them to express themselves in other ways than just shouting. Some find they ‘have a voice’ and go on to join a choir or take up an instrument.

They may be invited to get involved with charity performances or semi-professional engagements like TV and radio appearances.

Drama classes really help children to come across well at interviews for schools, universities and colleges and in later life with job interviews and making presentations.

Try: Perform 0845 400 1304 I www.perform.org.uk Classes available in Romsey, Southampton, Winchester and Lymington.

Pauline Quirke Academy 0845 673 2022 www.pqacademy.com Drama classes in Eastleigh for ages 4+ Stagecoach Fareham & Hedge End, 02380 465006 Southampton & Eastliegh, 01962 771024 Winchester & Totton, 01794 390 601 At Stagecoach we teach children and teenagers how to sing, dance and act, not only to perform on stage and beyond, but more importantly to perform better in life.

For almost 25 years our drama academy & musical theatre classes have seen young people gain confidence, stretch themselves, and build essential life skills.

Suitable for all abilities, Stagecoach offers the chance for children and young people to pursue a career in the arts or simply just to learn some new skills to share with friends and family.

LANGUAGES Many Londoners are bi-lingual or even multi-lingual, and learning a new language helps children to appreciate other cultures.

Children’s classes are designed to be fun, typically using songs, games and puzzle sheets to build vocabulary and improve accents.

Most schools do not introduce foreign language tuition until children reach secondary school; yet learning a foreign language from

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Clubs & classes an earlier age is much easier. Young children are very receptive to new sounds and learn without inhibition or the self-consciousness that afflicts many Brits as soon as we venture abroad.

which is a real shame because, as well as developing self-expression and imagination, these skills complement and assist literacy and numeracy skills by providing a balanced and creative outlet.

Try: Marco Languages 02380 773390 I www.marcolanguages.co.uk Saturday French club for ages 2 - 5 years.

Try: Mini Monet Southampton City Art Gallery 02380834536 I www.southampton.gov.uk Saturday morning art club for 1 – 6 years.

Little Funky Art Club

07809 209442 www.littlefunkyart.com

“I promise that I will do my best...”

Brownies, Cubs, Guides and Scouts meet weekly to take part in a range of activities, games, badge awards and trips. Activities are wide and varied, promoting self confidence, tolerance, teamwork and leadership skills, tailored by age. Beaver scouts are 6-8 yearolds, cub scouts 8-10; scouts over 10 to 14.

Rainbows are 5-7 year-old girls, brownies 7-10, and guides 10-14.

0800 169 5901 I www.girlguiding.org.uk 0845 300 1818 I www.scouts.org.uk

1 – 4 years art and craft fun

Advertise your business with us in our next clubs and classes feature (September issue) and reach over 40,000 parents in West Hampshire every two months. Advertise from as little as £62

SCHOOL SUPPORT Thousands of children receive out of school tuition to help if they are falling behind in class, or to boost skills and confidence for the selective school entrance exams which loom at the end of this term.

ARTS AND CRAFTS If you are not artistically inclined yourself, or never seem to have time to sit down and help your children recreate Blue Peter masterpieces at home, why not leave it to the experts? You won’t have to clear up the fallout on the kitchen table and floor afterwards, and your child can proudly present you with the results as a gift to treasure.

Art and some form of crafts are on the school curriculum, but are an easy target for cutbacks and certainly in a lot of schools they do not get much emphasis. Many children do not appreciate the most basic art techniques,

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If your child needs more support than you can offer yourself, and you’ve exhausted the school’s additional resources, it may be worth looking into, there’s no stigma attached to simply wanting to help your child reach his or her potential.

Contact us today to be included in the next issue

Try: Fleet Tutors 0845 644 5452 www.fleet-tutors.co.uk Expert home, private tuition across all education levels

Tudor House & Garden

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SeaCity Museum

Find all of our fantastic workshops for all ages at

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www.familiessolentwest.co.uk 05/06/2015 12:40

Parenting

Dad’s in charge New rules have completely changed the way parents can take time off after having a baby. Just a few years ago, dads could only take a fortnight off to spend with their newborn. While 2011 saw the introduction of increased paternity leave, it was only available when mums went back to work.

But new Shared Parental Leave regulations give eligible parents across the UK flexibility to juggle childcare between them. After a compulsory two weeks off for the mother, parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave in the baby’s first year (or the first year of adoption). The law applies to same sex couples and those bringing up a child together, even if it’s from a previous relationship.

Taking it in turns How you split the leave is up to you. It will depend on who earns more, who feels their career will be least affected by taking time off, and who wants to be at home. Significantly, for the first time, dads can take the year off while mums return to work.

The leave can be taken in blocks (up to three each) so you can alternate time off if one of you has a particularly busy time at work before resuming parental leave. It’s a big advantage if you don’t want to be away from work for too long.

Some dads might want to return to work in the early months when mums are breastfeeding. Once babies start on solids, it can be easier for dads to be fully hands-on so they might want to take time off then, either in one go or in several blocks.

Sharing the load One big advantage is that parents can be off at the same time.

Many mums need their partner’s support in those first magical, exhausting, bewildering weeks and can dread their partner going back to work after a fortnight. In these cases, a few more weeks

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with both of you at home could help enormously.

Having time off together can benefit families with older children while everyone is getting used to a new member of the family. It means one parent can focus on them and make sure they don’t feel left out. This can also be important in the school holidays when day trips with a newborn are tricky.

Can you afford it?

Finances will play an important part in the decision. While you can share up to 50 weeks, only 37 are paid. You will receive £139.58 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Journalist Judy Yorke has written for many titles including the Daily Mirror, Closer and Woman. She trains businesses and individuals in writing skills and is an editor, copywriter and journalism tutor. She lives in Brighton with husband Adrian and sons, Kit, 10, and Rory, eight.

Call us on 07789882467 to advertise your28/04/2015 business 14:36 with us

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Summer activities

Your guide to summer 2015 Beaulieu Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN

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01590 612345 Open daily 10am - 6pm Adults £24, child £12, under 5’s are free, family £64. dvanced tickets are available at a discounted rate.

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Camp Bestival Lulworth Castle, Dorset

0844 888 4410 Day tickets: Adults £65, 15-17years £37.50, 11-14 years £30, 5 - 10 years £15, under 4's are free but a ticket is requied.

30 July - 2 August Winner of best family festival. Camp Bestival has an avalanche of activities for children of all ages throughout the event including; The Cat in the Hat live, Dick v's Dom Gold Wild in the Ring, Mr Tumble, Spot the Gruffalo, kids garden, bouncy castle, toddler area plus a great music line up. Visit: campbestivel.net for all the details you need.

Summer Activities 18 July – 31 August Over 800 years of history will come to life at Beaulieu this summer with their history programme including characters from the past, vetran and vintage vehicles, a Victorian house party, games and much more.

Marwell Zoo Colden Common, SO21 1JH

02380 683790 Between 10.30am - 4pm £1.75 per trail

01962 777407 Open daily 10am - 6pm Adults £19, Child (3-16yrs) £15, (0 -2yrs) free, Family (2+2) £63.

Advanced tickets are available at a discounted rate.

Summer Trail 23 July - 4 September Join our fact-filled Summer Holiday special trail! Entry includes a pencil and a prize.

Wild Explorers 23 July – 21 August Embark on Marwell’s new explorer trail and take part in various activities happening in and around the zoo.

Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, Southampton

Open DAILY

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02380 834536 Open daily 10am – 5pm Adults £6.50, child (5 – 16 years) £4.50, under 5’s Free, family £19.

Special exhibitions may incur additional charges.

Dinosaur Encounter 18 July – 27 September Discover more about dinosaurs and marine reptiles with this fascinating exhibition tour led by a palaentologist.

Have a go at uncovering fossils in their mini dig pit or see how your foot compares to a real dinosaur footprint.

Dino Encounter is part of Dino Fest 2015, a Hampshire-wide celebration of prehistoric beasts.

Jungle Jeans Southampton SO15 1GZ

02380 638120 Open daily Mon - Sat 9.30am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm Go Wild at Jungle Jeans soft play centre in Southampton.

One Child Free with One Paying Adult* *ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERT. CANNOT BE USED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. VALID UNTIL 31.08.15

Get hands-on with our full schedule of fun activities which run throughout the day. Meet friendly farm animals.

Plenty of indoor and outdoor play areas.

Farm produce shop and gift shop.

Off A35 • Ashurst • New Forest Tel. 023 8029 2837

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SeaCity Museum Havelock Road, Southampton SO14 7FY

For event details & much more click onto: www.longdownfarm.co.uk

A whole summer of events for Children

See our website for full details!

01962 873603

hants.gov.uk/wdc www.familiessolentwest.co.uk

Summer activities

Bursledon Brickworks Museum 148 Swanwick Lane, SO31 7HB

SS Sheildhall Berth 110, Dock Gate 4, Southampton SO14 3QN

Paultons Park Ower, Romsey, SO51 6AL

0844 357 2329

Southampton's heritage steamship - is celebrating her 60th anniversary this year. The Shieldhall is a seagoing time capsule, and on all her cruises passengers are invited to enter the impressive engine room with its original steam engines hard at work, and onto the Bridge to meet the captain and his team. There is a special logbook to follow around the ship for children. Informative commentaries are given on board, pointing out the sights and sounds of Southampton Water, The Docks and The Solent.

For more info on cruises, which depart from and return to Southampton Eastern Docks, visit: www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk

02380 814442 Open daily 10am – 5.30pm Family from £81.50. Advanced tickets are available at a discounted rate online.

Meet Mummy and Daddy Pig Summer Holidays* Brand new appearances from Mummy and Daddy Pig, as they join us for some fantastic family fun over Summer greeting guests at Peppa Pig World. Look out for Peppa, George, Suzie Sheep and Zoe Zebra too! *Subject to weather conditions.

Please see their website for details.

01489 576248 Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11am – 4pm Adults £5, child £3, family £12 Enjoy the history of brick making. Find out how they were made and how the Brickworks at Bursledon are geared up to make 20 million bricks per year.

Music at the Brickworks 19th July A day of live music. If the weather is summery we will all be outside but we have plenty of space inside as well. Why not come along and let the world drift by.

Footprints from the past Summer Holidays This summer, visit the museum for some investigative archaeology and find out who used to live here….and who still does.

In partnership with

Home of Thomas & FriendsTM toys

Join Thomas & FriendsTM at a heritage Railway near you.

Experience a ride on a real steam engine and take part in Thomas-themed activities.

MID HANTS RAILWAY ‘WATERCRESS LINE’ Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG

8TH - 16TH 2015

www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk

Day Out With ThomasTM Thomas the Tank EngineTM. Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry. © 2015 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. © 2015 HIT Entertainment Limited.

July/ August 2015

Call us on 07789882467 to advertise your business with us

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Summer activities

Gambado Eastleigh Swan Leisure Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5SF

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02380 018336 Open daily, Mon - Thurs 9.30am - 5pm, Friday, Sat & Sun 9.30am 6.30pm 1 - 3 years £6.95, 4 - 12 years £7.95, Adult £1.25

The Mid Hants Railway The Railway Station, New Alresford, Hampshire. SO24 9JG 01962 733810

8 - 16 August Day out with Thomas

Thomas and Friends return to the Watercress Line for more family fun this summer. Shake hands with the Fat Controller, meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, take part in Thomas themed activities and ride the big steams trains all day! Free Thomas sticker and certificate for every child! Free activities, bouncy slide, tea cup ride, children’s entertainer and Thomas tattoos! Rides with Thomas, Toad and Diesel! It’s a great value family day out, not to be missed!

Royal Victoria Country Park Netley Abbey, Southampton, SO31 5DQ 02380 455157 Adults £15, child £5, family £35.

Advanced tickets are available.

1 August Vicky Park Family Festival Join the Royal Victoria Country Park from 2pm – 10:30pm for a family friendly music and entertainment extravagansa at. There will be lots to do and see for all ages. Overnight camping is also be available for both the Friday and Saturday night but must be pre-booked and spaces are limited.

Winchester Science Centre Telegraph Way, SO21 1HZ

Hands-on, interactive, science and technology centre - and the largest standalone planetarium in the UK! A great family day out and ideal school open 7 days a week.

Events @ The Brickworks

Summer Holidays Footprints From The Past Sundays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 11.00 – 4.00

Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum Check out our website for details of all our events

Activities for children of all ages A: Bursledon Brickworks. Swanwick Lane, SO31 7HB T: 01489 576248 W: www.bursledonbrickworks.org.uk E: admin@bursledonbrickworks.org.uk

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Exbury Gardens & Railway Summer Lane, Exbury SO45 1AZ 02380 891203 Open daily 10am – 4.30pm Adults £11, Child £2.75, under 3’s are free. The Railway is extra £4 adults, Family £16.

Make their day a Day Out With Thomas and book your tickets online at in advance at www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk to get your free gift or simply pay on the day.

01962 863791 Open daily: 10am - 5pm Adults £10, child (3 - 16) £7, child (0-2) free

The centre boasts one of the largest play frames on the south coast along with a climbing wall and teacups ride all included in the entry price. For toddlers there is a fabulous sensory soft play area available.

Winchester Discovery Centre Jewry Street, SO23 8SB 01962 873603 £8 per person Event opening: 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

15 August Dinosaur Day To accompany their exhibitions Dinosaurs in your Garden and Dinosaurium and as part of DinoFest join Winchester Discovery Centre for a monster day of Dinosaur fun.

A 360 degree interactive dinosaur show in a planetarium setting featuring the award winning film ‘Dinosaurs at Dusk’ followed by a hands on fossil workshop. You will see the origins of flight, experience the thrill of paragliding over the countryside, feel what it's like to soar like a falcon, and travel back in time to meet the flying pterosaurs.

There are over 20 miles of pathways, three woods and parkland to explore, and surprises lying await behind every corner. Summer is a favourite time for families to picnic in the Gardens. Children should keep their eyes peeled for all manner of wildlife – in addition to fish and herons they might expect to see pheasant, squirrels, dragonflies and butterflies in the summer, a range of birdlife including tree crawlers and kingfishers, and possibly New Forest deer. In the Gardens children can discover plants that existed before dinosaurs roamed the earth; plants dinosaurs liked to eat; a Chinese Coffin Tree and even the Devil’s Walking Stick!

Manor Farm Country Park Pylands Lane, Bursledon, Southampton SO31 1BH 01489 787055 Open daily 10am - 5pm Adult £7, Senior (60+) £6 Child £4.50, under 3s are free Throughout August Summer Fun on the Farm

A summer of activities for children including farmhouse arts and crafts, Victorian School lessons and get to know our animals on our guided Farm Walk or Meet the Animals sessions. Where will the Farm Trail take you? On weekdays Pony Magic will be offering pony rides and there will be face painting in the afternoons (small extra charge for both).

www.familiessolentwest.co.uk

Summer activities

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Victory Gate, Portsmouth PO1 3LJ

02392 839766 Open daily: please visit their website Entry prices vary but save 20% by booking in advance online Throughout the summer holidays Family activities

A visit to the Dockyard takes you on a journey through time, allowing you to step onboard historic ships and understand the Royal Navy, past, present and future.

Discover why the ships built and harboured at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard led the way in terms of technology and innovation and how they changed the world.

Explore the Mary Rose Museum, HMS Victory, Action Stations, HMS Warrior 1860 plus close by is the Royal Marines Museum, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and HMS Alliance.

Tudor House & Garden Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2AD

Cheese & Chilli Festival Winchester & Christchurch

www.cheeseandchillifestival.com Adults £5, children are free

02380 834242 Open Tues – Fri 10am – 3pm, Sat & Sun 10am – 5pm. Closed on Monday’s Adults £4.75, Child £3.75, under 5’s free. Family £13.50

11 & 12 July - Christchurch 8 & 9 August - Winchester

The tasty festivals promise to be a funfilled day out for the whole family. The festival market will provide an array of quality local and regional cheeses, chillibased food and products from all over the world and a selection of high quality food stalls to taste and buy from.

For the CAMRA lovers there will be Real Ale Festival taking place throughout the weekend, showcasing various local producers, featuring a wide selection of award-winning real ales, cider, wine and lager.

There will be chilli eating competitions, rides, face painting and balloon modelling, circus skills, magic shows and Punch & Judy.

Southampton’s most important historic building, Tudor House reveals over 800 years of history in one fascinating location at the heart of the Old Town.

The timber-framed building facing St Michael’s Square was built in the late 15th Century, with King John’s Palace, an adjacent Norman house accessible from Tudor House Garden, dating back a further 300 years. Tudor House gives a unique and atmospheric insight into the lives and times of both its residents through the years, and of Southampton itself. It appeals to visitors of all ages and interests, who find the family-friendly activities, interactive technology and fascinating displays a winning combination

Two adventure playgrounds!

The New Forest Tractor Club

One acre of adventure playground fun!

Open all year round Café and Gift Shop Nature Trail ur Visit oite webs

023 8029 2408

Tropical Butterf ly House open Ea ster to September

• 4 species of Otter • 12 species of Owls • Deer • Lynx • European Wolves • Bison • Wild Boar • Wallaby • Foxes • Polecats • Scottish wildcat

Deerleap Lane, Near Ashurst, Southampton, SO40 4UH

www.newforestwildlifepark.co.uk

July/ August 2015

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Summer activities I am a British Toggenburg cross Old English kid goat.

Please name me!

Countryside Education Trust Home Farm, Palace Lane, Beaulieu

WestQuay Shopping Centre Southampton, SO15 1QF

01590 612401 Open 10am–4pm £4 adults & £2 children

02380 336828 Open daily 9am - 8pm, dining open until 9pm Summer Holidays Summer family fun at WestQuay

he summer break is the perfect opportunity to spend some time with your family and WestQuay has something to keep kids, mums and dads entertained.

Bring along your little ones on 29th July and say hello to Peppa Pig. The much loved Peppa is coming to WestQuay to give special summer storytime sessions and to see Southampton's young adventurers!

Free tickets will be available to book online soon and a limited number of free tickets will also be available in centre, on the day.

Before or after the storytime session, why not explore everything else that WestQuay has to offer? Have a meal that everyone will enjoy at firm favourites Pizza Express or handmade burger, or make your kids style setters and treat them to a new summer wardrobe from Gap Kids or River Island, WestQuay is the perfect destination for all your holiday shopping!

Don't forget to say you saw these adverts in

11 & 12 July Countryside on Show

With the New Forest Vintage Tractor and Engine Club. Bring your own scarecrow, or make one on the day, and win a prize!

There will be tractor demonstrations, home farm cafe, crafts, animals, music and much, much more!

**Win** a family ticket to the Countryside on Show open weekend and the chance to name their new Kid Goat!

Families Solent West Magazine has teamed up with The Countryside Education Trust in Beaulieu to name their gorgeous female kid goat. Just send your suggestion for a name by email to admin@cet.org.uk or call 01590 612405 and leave a message.

Entries will be pulled out of a hat at the and the winning name will be announced at the open weekend.

To win a family ticket to the show worth £12.

Go to our website to enter. www.familiessolentwest.co.uk/competitions Enter by 5pm on 9th July. The winner will be notified by email. Only one entry per household.

Longdown Activity Farm Deerleap Lane, Ashurst SO40 7EH 02380 292837

Open daily 10 am - 5pm Adult - £9, Senior £7.50 Child (3-14 years) £8, Family (2 + 2) £30 Summer Holidays Summer Fun at the Farm

There is always fun to be had at the Farm throughout the year, but especially during the summer. There is a full schedule of daily hands-on animal activities such as bottle-feeding goat kids and the small animal encounter, as well as lots of fabulous indoor and outdoor play areas, so whatever the weather there’s always something to do. Children’s favourites, pony riding* and the bumpy tractor ride (ground conditions permitting) will run throughout the school holidays. *Extra charge and under 7s only.

Longdown Activity Farm is an official stop on the New Forest Bus Tour (red route). There is a 20% discount off Longdown Activity Farm admission with valid Tour Bus tickets (cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount) throughout July and August.

SOLENT WEST MAGAZINE

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Christchurch 11th & 12th July Bournemouth Sports Club

Winchester 8th & 9th August North Walls, Devils Island

A great family event designed to celebrate all things cheese and chilli whilst being a fun family day out Food market with over 60 traders

FREE magic show

FREE stunt show

Ale festival & live music

Family activities

FREE Punch & Judy show

Chilli eating competition

Chilli chuckin’ challenge

Children’s rides

Demonstrations and much more

www.cheeseandchillifestival.com 16

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www.familiessolentwest.co.uk

What's on Before setting out please check details with the venue in case they have changed since we have gone to print ..and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families Solent West Magazine! Visit our website www.familiessolentwest.co.uk/whats-on for an updated list of local events.

4 July

11 July

Sparsholt College A celebration of the region’s finest food and drink will see ‘Hampshire’ as the dish of the day at Sparsholt College’s Taste of Hampshire. The event is run as part of the Hampshire Food Festival in conjunction with Hampshire Fare. Tickets can be purchased online: sparsholt.ac.uk

Southampton City Art Gallery

Taste of Hampshire

4 – 5 July

150th Anniversary of Alice in Wonderland Manor Farm Country Park Celebrating the publication of Alice in Wonderland with activities and a trail around the farm. Why not visit our ‘dressing up’ corner and have your photo taken as a character from the book? Activities will be weekends only but the trail will be available during the week.

10 July ‘Brew at the Zoo’ Marwell Zoo

Colden Common, SO21 1JH Join us in historic grade 1 listed Marwell Hall for a fabulous traditional afternoon tea. There is a special afternoon tea box for kids. Tea’s are at 12:30pm and 3pm. Booking is essential call 0844 7364215.

Mini Monets Club (Age 1-6) 11am-12noon / £6 / Pre-book only Join artist Barbara TouatiEvans in responding to the Art Gallery’s latest shows. You’ll get to experiment with creative processes and we provide a squash drink for each child!

23 July – 1 September

24 July

The Spinnaker Tower

Tudor House & Garden

10.30am-12.30pm £7.50 / Pre-book Jo Bressloff will lead you in exploring the Art Gallery’s exhibitions, inspiring you and giving you the opportunity to use a host of different materials and artistic methods.

Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TT Adult: £9.50 Concession: £8.50, Child: £7.50, Family: £29 Join Spinnaker Tower this summer season as they kick off their ‘Year of the Sail’ with a variety of sailing-themed activities to celebrate the City’s maritime heritage and to coincide with one of the biggest events in the sailing calendar, the America’s Cup World Series, which will be hosted on Southsea seafront for the first time from 23 - 26 July.

10am- 12noon or 1pm-3pm £4 / Pre-book Join us for an exciting animal themed story and art workshop.

Use different printing techniques and other materials to create your own collage.

18 & 19 July

23 July - 31 August

18 July

The Young Ones (Age 7-12) Southampton City Art Gallery

Bee & Honey Weekend Manor Farm Country Park

10am – 5pm Get close to the amazing world of the beehive, try your hand at rolling a beeswax candle and taste delicious local honey with Fareham & District Bee Keepers Association.

Year of the Sail: Sailing into the Summer

Family Activity Area

On board HMS Warrior 1860, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

10.30am – 4.30pm Once the lower deck mess and schoolroom for young officers, Warrior’s Gun Room is now somewhere you can bring your young “sailors” for R&R. Enjoy themed art and craft activities, costumed role play as sailors swabbing the decks and colouring and quiz sheets.

Animal Prints – Family Workshop (Age 2-6)

Sat 25 July

Docks Morning Excursion SS Shieldhall

11am - 1pm Adults £18 Children free (up to 6 per adult) Hear about the history of Southampton Docks with an expert commentary.

Berth 48, Eastern Docks, Southampton SO14 3QN (Entrance via Dock Gate 4)

25 & 26 July Summer Fete

Manor Farm Country Park

10am – 5pm Join the Manor Farm team for a weekend of summer fun with traditional games, activities and stalls such as a coconut shy, ‘splat the rat’ and lots more.

Foxlease Outdoor Activity Centre Birthday parties and day trips

Kayaking Canoeing High ropes Tunnels Climbing Archery Crate challenge

Zip wire Abseiling Fencing… …and many more!

Overnights and holidays

Camping and self-catering facilities available

Foxlease

Registered charity number 306016.

July/ August 2015

023 8028 2638 foxlease@girlguiding.org.uk www.foxlease.org.uk

Call us on 07789882467 to advertise your business with us

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What's on

25 July

West Brambles Excursion SS Shieldhall

4pm - 7pm Adults £26 Children £10 Sail to witness the departure of four cruise ships from Southampton Docks, including the Queen Elizabeth and Explorer of the Seas.

Berth 48, Eastern Docks, Southampton SO14 3QN (Entrance via Dock Gate 4)

25 July - 30 August Crafty Commandos

At the Royal Marines Museum

11am – 4pm Become a mini-marine explorer by making your own compass to navigate your way through hostile jungle or create your own snake and discover how many you can spot in the museum. Suitable for all ages. Free with a museum ticket

27 July

29 July

31 July

SeaCity Musuem

SeaCity Museum

10.30am-12noon or 1-2.30pm £5 / Pre-book Learn about different types of dinosaurs and then design your own – it can be scary, colourful, large or small! You will then create a sculpture of your creature to take home.

10.30am- 12.30noon or 1.303.30pm. £6 /Pre-book Get modelling and create a fantastic T-Rex head that you can wear and scare your friends.

Itchen Valley Country Park

Designosaur Family Workshop (Age 3+)

28 July - 30 July

Ocean Explorers: Deep Sea Challenge Royal Navy Submarine Museum

11am – 5pm Have you got what it takes to be a submariner? We’ll put your through your paces with a set of fun challenges. Free with a valid Museum ticket Don't forget to say you saw these adverts in

25 July – 30 August Hunt the Mice Trail

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

Can you find the mice hiding in the museum galleries? Pick up a trail sheet at the front desk and take part in this self-guided activity.

Available everyday throughout the summer holidays. Free with a valid Museum ticket.

27 July

Summer Art School (Age 8-13) Southampton City Art Gallery

10am-1pm / £15 / Pre-book Our weekly art school will include sessions that cover: drawing, painting and collage responses to Dan Holdsworth’s exhibition, as well as our permanent collection shows.

SOLENT WEST MAGAZINE

29 July

‘Tastings at Marwell Zoo Gift Shop’ Marwell Zoo

11am – 4pm ‘Tastings at Marwell Zoo Gift Shop’ – As part of the Hampshire Food Festival, produced by Hampshire Fare, we invite you to a tasting at our gift shop. You'll try: delectable Chocolate from New Forest Chocolates, Sumptuous juices from Hill Farm Juice and Zingy chutneys from Hampshire Jam & Chutney Company. Plus there are special offers on the day. Normal zoo entry applies.

Do-you-think-he-saurus (Age 4+)

29 July

Sock Puppets Itchen Valley Country Park

Any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Making sock puppets, craft session. £2.

29 July

Personalised Beach Towels (Age 8-15) Tudor House Museum

10.30am-3pm £15 / Pre-book Design and print summer themed shapes, finish it off with tassels and beads. Some basic sewing skills needed. Just bring your lunch and a plain towel with you.

30 July

Little Foresters’ Woodland Stories: “Bog Baby” Itchen Valley Country Park

10.30am - 12noon. Cost £4 per child. Booking is essential call 023 8068 3790 Storytime, a campfire and some fun in the woods. For children aged 2 – 5 years with parents

30 July

Toddler Time (Age 18mths4yrs) Dino Explorers SeaCity Museum

10.30-11.30am / £3.50 Pre-book Calling all active toddlers! Join us for a story and rhymes, discover museum objects and be miniexplorers around the museum.

Little Foresters’ Woodland Stories: “Bog Baby” 10.30am to 12.00noon. Cost £4 per child. Booking is essential call 023 8068 3790 Storytime, a campfire and some fun in the woods. For children aged 2 – 5 years with parents.

31 July

Spinning Saxons (Age 5-11) Tudor House

10.30am-12noon or 1-2.30pm £4.50 / Pre-book Find out about the life of the Anglo-Saxons. Visit our new exhibition, handle real artefacts and get hands-on by trying spinning, carding, weaving and felt making.

Throughout August

Hamble Heritage Month

Visit four of the fascinating heritage sites in the Hamble Valley during August, get a stamp from each site and enter a fantastic free draw. The sites are: Manor Farm & Country Park, Royal Victoria Country Park, Bursledon Windmill and Bursledon Brickworks.

Saturday 1 August

Vicky Park

Royal Victoria Country Park

2pm – 10:30pm A fantastic music-filled day out for the whole family! Bring a blanket and chill out in the sunshine whilst listening to live music from local bands. There will also be food and activities. Why not make a weekend of it by camping overnight? Tickets available from www.hants.gov.uk/shop or call 023 8045 5157 to book.

Featured venue

A summer adventure at Calshot Activities Centre Try it, learn it, love it!

We promise a summer of adrenalin fuelled fun and action that your children will never forget. From climbing, sailing and archery to snowboarding, kayaking, cycling and more, we have so much on offer we guarantee to keep your young ones entertained through the long summer holidays.

Our incredibly popular Action Adventure Days are a great way to get involved in a new activity or practice one you already know and love. For a more immersive experience over several days we offer Action Adventure Holidays, which can be taken up as a residential or non-residential visit. Whatever you decide, we recommend booking early as our courses fill up very quickly.

At Calshot we conform to the strict guidelines laid down by all the major sporting governing bodies and all our centre staff are highly trained and experienced to instruct and supervise groups. For a fantastic mix of excitement, challenge and fun and the chance to learn new skills and meet new friends, come to Calshot Activities Centre.

Find out more about our thrilling day and residential activities by contacting us today 023 8089 2077 l www.calshot.com 18

Solent West Magazine

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What's on

20 August

26 August

Leafy Owls

Itchen Valley Country Park

Drop in any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. £2 per owl.

Come and make a cute leafy owl.

20 August

Time Travellers History Club (Age 8-13) The Blistering Blitz Tudor House & Garden

3, 10, 17 & 24 August

Summer Art School (Age 8-13) Southampton Art Gallery

10am-1pm / £15 / Pre-book Our weekly art school will include sessions that cover: drawing, painting and collage responses to Dan Holdsworth’s exhibition, as well as our permanent collection shows.

5 August

13 August

Time Travellers History Club (Age 8-13) Rampaging Romans Tudor House & Garden

10.30am-3pm £15 each session / Pre-book Bring a packed lunch and a torch!

Have a-go Hypocaust, create your own Roman shield, try dress up in Togas, and much more. Dress for mess!

Dinosaur Scrapbooking (Age 4-11)

11 August

SeaCity Museum

Tudor House & Garden

10am-12noon OR 1-3pm / £5 / Pre-book Have fun learning about dinosaurs, before creating your own scrapbooks to take home using instant printers and craft materials. Please bring a digital camera with a removable SD card.

10am-12noon or 1-3pm £5 / Pre-Book Discover the fairies in our garden, listen to a fairy story and then create one to take home with you!

Fancy dress is encouraged!

6 August

Time Travellers History Club (Age 8-13) Stinky Saxons & Vicious Vikings Tudor House & Garden

10.30am-3pm / £15 each session / Pre-book / Please bring a packed lunch and a torch!

6 August

Cressheads Itchen Valley Country Park

Drop in any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Cost £1.50 per cresshead. Make a funny face with live growing hair!

12 August

Butterfly clothes pegs Itchen Valley Country Park

Drop in any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Cost £1.50 per butterfly peg. Come and make a beautiful butterfly clip.

13 August

Little Foresters’ Woodland Stories: Itchen Valley Country Park

10.30am to 12.00noon. £4 per child. Booking is essential call 023 8068 3790. Storytime, a campfire and some fun in the woods. For children aged 2 – 5 years.

July/ August 2015

Summer Fairies (Ages 2+)

14 August

Little Foresters’ Woodland Stories: “Guess what I found in Dragon Wood” Itchen Valley Country Park

10.30am - 12.00noon. £4 per child. Booking is essential call 023 8068 3790 Storytime, a campfire and some fun in the woods. For children aged 2 – 5 years with parents

15 August

Aviation History Docks Cruise SS Shieldhall

4pm - 7pm Adults £26 Children £10 Learn about the improtant role Southampton Water played in the history of aviation!

Berth 48, Eastern Docks, Southampton SO14 3QN (Entrance via Dock Gate 4)

16 August

Fastnet Race Cruise SS Shieldhall

10.30am - 4pm Adults £42 Children £10 Cruise to watch the start of the Rolex Fastnet Race. RORC expects a fleet of 340 boats for the 90th anniversary of the Race!

Berth 48, Eastern Docks, Southampton SO14 3QN (Entrance via Dock Gate 4)

Nature Activity Day in the Country Park Manor Farm Country Park

12 – 3pm Lots of hands-on activities led by our Ranger Team, including mini-beast hunts, leaf printing and crafts using natural materials.

Free event.

26 August

10.30am-3pm £15 each session / Pre-book Please bring a packed lunch and a torch! Activities will include designing our own egg parachutes and visiting some of Southampton’s air raid shelters!

Clay leaf plaques

22 August

27 August

Mini Monets Club (Age 1-6) Southampton City Art Gallery

11am-12noon £6 / Pre-book Join artist Barbara TouatiEvans in responding to the Art Gallery’s latest shows. You’ll get to experiment with creative processes and we provide a squash drink for each child!

25 August

Itchen Valley Country Park

Drop in any time between 10.30 am and 12.30pm. £2 per plaque.

Come and make a beautiful clay plaque/coaster with a lovely leaf design.

Little Foresters’ Woodland Stories: “Cave Baby” Itchen Valley Country Park

10.30am to 12.00noon. Cost £4.00 per child. Booking is essential call 023 8068 3790 Join us for a story, a campfire and some fun in the woods. For children aged 2 – 5 years with parents

5 September

Woodland Activity Day Itchen Valley Country Park

9.30am to 3.30pm. £20 per child.

Booking is essential call 023 8068 3790 A day of activities in the woods for 6 – 11 year olds with dens, campfires and much more.

25 August

Jurassic Jaws (Age 8-13) SeaCity Musuem

10.30am-3pm £20 Pre-book Enjoy getting messy and make your own terrifying dinosaur jaw bone, complete with Jurassic sized gnashers.

Merchant Navy Day Excursion SS Shieldhall

3pm - 6pm Adults £26 Children £10 Remembering the lives of Merchant Seamen lost at sea, the cruise will include a service and wreath laying.

Berth 48, Eastern Docks, Southampton SO14 3QN (Entrance via Dock Gate 4)

26 August

Forest School Art Day Itchen Valley Country Park

10am - 2pm. £12 per child including hot dog lunch. Booking is essential call 023 8068 3790.

An outdoor session for 8 - 12 year olds. The wild art session is aimed at children with a keen interest in art and learning how to use different media, either sculpting, painting PLEASE EXCUSE THE UNUSUAL APPROACH! A successful international company, operating in the or drawing. Lunch of hot Health and Nutrition Industry, is looking for opendogs cooked over the minded, positive people to work part-time or full-time, campfire is included. from home, without compromising your current career or commitments. If you work in the Health and Fitness Industry, or have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or feel you would like a balanced and flexible lifestyle then we would like to hear from you.

Call Hesione on 07794127732 hesione.waugh@yahoo.co.uk

Call us on 07789882467 to advertise your business with us

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10 AMAZING ATTRACTIONS ONE BIG DAY OUT INCLUDING:

HMS M33 THEY WERE IN THE THICK OF IT GET TO THE HEART OF IT!

book online today and save 20% at historicdockyard.co.uk

Solent West Magazine

www.familiessolentwest.co.uk