Families London SW Issue 211 Oct 2011 by Families Magazine

October 2011

Issue No. 210 ISSN 1354-9553 Est. 1990

21 t. Es

s! ar ye

SouthWest FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk SCHOOLS

FEATURE • Local Open Days • October half term activities

Cover picture credit Matalan

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Families SW – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London

Little Rascals Your local traditional toy shop for ages 0-6 Soft and wooden toys from brands including:

•Jellycat, •BigJigs, •John Crane, •Wheelybugs, •ShooShoos, •Grobags©, •Greeting Cards, and more! Visit our enticing shop at 140 Merton Road South Wimbledon SW19 1EH 020 8542 9979 Open Tues to Sat 9-5.30 (Between Polka Theatre and South Wimbledon Tube)

'Come & paint in our garden! Fun pottery painting for all ages' Capture your Baby’s Footprints forever Parties for Birthday, Hen, Office & any get together Personalise Gifts, Commissions, Gift Vouchers Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm 85 Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth SW12 8NX 020 8772 8702 www.smartypaints.co.uk

October 2011

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Contents 04-05

Local news & information

06-07

Community Spirit

OCTOBER 2011

Families takes a look at the green and ethical events and issues that are shaping where we live

Either Register on www.familiessouthwest.co.uk (Make sure you tick Receive latest updates)

or send username and email address to events@familiessouthwest.co.uk

10-11

We CAN heal our children, part I

The Brilliant Bakers

4-6

Natural health remedies

12-13

SouthWest Families® South West

All content ©Families 2011

www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Fax: 020 8696 9679 Editorial: editor@familiesmagazine.co.uk News: news@familiesmagazine.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk Personal ads: personalads@familiesmagazine.co.uk Events, diary dates, whats on info: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

Next issue: November 2011 Deadline: early October • “Families® South West” heads a group of magazines. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. • There are over 36 UK local editions with a print run of more than 600,000 copies in all, in which you can advertise too. Oh, and we have a big website… familiesonline.co.uk • MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website or call. • Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Tadley, Hants 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. Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources — meaning trees which are felled are continuously replaced. Inks are soya-based, which can be re-cycled.

Picture credit to Matalan

Find us on Facebook and Twitter Families SW London

October 2011

Mother’s guilt “Our biggest mothering mistake really, is believing we shouldn’t be making any.“

Health and wellbeing

Community Spirit

06-07

Ancient healing system to help women’s insomnia

Products Reviewed The latest must haves, the latest innovative products

How to carve a pumkin and recipes

19-21

Half term activities

Smarty Paints

19-21

Sports, Arts and crafts, music and drama, ideas for a day out

22-31

White House School

22-31

London Eye

32-37

SCHOOLS FEATURE

• Round up of school news • Co-ed, mixed or Diamond?

32- 37

What’s On • Theatres, exhibitions, • Events, • Galleries, • Diary dates and much more

local news

compiled by Joanna Parry

Inclusion in these pages is always FREE

Shopping with a difference No more traipsing around the shops getting sore feet or turning up to parties wearing the same dress as somebody else! Discover one of the best-kept fashion secrets of South West London - Boutique@Home is the brainchild of fashionista Natasha Coote, a perfect oasis in the heart of Fulham where you can shop styles sourced from designers all over the globe. Stylist Natasha welcomes celebrities, businesswomen and, most importantly, mums to her elegant home where you can shop in privacy with Natasha’s undivided attention as your personal stylist. The mother of 2 small sons, Natasha understands the needs of busy London mums, and at Boutique At Home she offers easy access to new styles, while her knowledge of her clients means that no two customers will ever look the same. “Natasha is my godsend!” says Tiffany of Fulham. “She knows exactly what looks good on you and which parts to accentuate. All her clothes are straight off the catwalk and surprisingly inexpensive.” Explore and experiment in complete confidence at www.boutiqueathome.co.uk

Learn to read

Something scrummy

Check out Reading Eggs - a revolutionary product designed to get children reading by combining the best elements of online and book learning. The program has been running in Australia for 3 years and has now been adapted for the UK market, specifically incorporating synthetic phonics. With Reading Eggs, children from age 3 to 7 or older children struggling with reading will enjoy a huge variety of reading lessons, activities and games. “Parents are often keen to get involved in their child’s learning but can find it difficult to know how to help,” says Sara Leman, Blake Publishing’s literacy expert. “Reading Eggs is designed to reward children for their efforts thereby maintaining the motivation to learn. It also allows children to learn at their own pace in a safe, familiar environment. The games are great fun and children love the stickers and e-toys they collect as their learning progresses. There’s never been anything quite like it.” www.readingeggs.co.uk Four week FREE trial for Families

An exciting new concept in cakes is coming to an area near you. Local South London bakers The Brilliant Bakers do a fabulous range of hand-made, personalised and utterly fabulous cakes, delivered straight to your door. Their cakes are original and fun and are certain to get your guests talking, so if you’re planning a child’s birthday party, christening, girly tea or even a Halloween party, look no further. They also have a gluten free range of cakes in development. www.thebrilliantbakers.co.uk

readers - free access code when registering: UKF22LSB

Get Cooking

Be Savvy

A fantastic new cookery school has just opened in Clapham Old Town as part of On’s Patisserie on North Street Mews. The On Cookery School runs classes for children designed to inform, entertain and delight 914 year olds, with each session teaching the children to cook one main course and dessert confidently and sensibly. The two and a half hour sessions with Chef Ben Harris, of Locatelli, Zilli and Gino D'Campo heritage, gives children a thorough introduction to Italian cooking and provides them with good basic skills in the kitchen - how to chop and wash food, how to cook it and, most importantly, how to eat it! Prices for the classes are £30 plus £5 for lunch. To find out about availability of classes, call 07971 568 671, email cookery@oncafe.co.uk or go to www.oncafe.co.uk

Welcome the launch of Savvy Mummys, a new site bringing daily deals to local Mummies. For savings on all things Mummy related, Savvy Mummys offers the chance to save up to 90% on a range of items and services including baby clothes, childcare, toys, holidays, fitness, kid’s activities, dining and beauty. The deal negotiators are Savvy Mummys themselves and, based in South West London, they know what local Mums are interested in and source the deals accordingly. www.savvymummys.co.uk features a different offer every day with savings on such wellknown companies as Eddie Catz, Little French Bears, Tin Pan Annie, Crumpet and Just Williams.

Pretty little one A local mum has launched a website offering a gorgeous range of clothing for women and girls, with fabrics that are soft, natural and comfortable to wear. The key pieces are classically cool and fun, such as Liberty print blouses that are great worn over jeans or baby-cord shorts, and soft lambswool knit dresses with patch pockets perfect with tights. Hats and stripy scarves provide essential winter accessories. Beautifully made clothing that is sure to last. www.kempandco-london.com

MUST WATCH: new video about WIFI in schools: check out FamiliesOnline.co.uk /radiation

Toys are… Just Williams Looking for the biggest selling toy for 2011 (believe it or not they are Lego Minifigures) or the latest crazy hitting the playgrounds like Bumpeez, Morbs, Heros or Moshi Monsters (over half of all UK children aged 6-12 years-old are reported to own a Moshi Monster!)? Just Williams has them all. This new shop is the perfect place for pocket money toys, birthday presents, greeting cards, art and crafts, games, puzzles, scooters to the latest must have’s. You will always find something new whatever the age from newborns to 12years. Limited parking at front of store. Open: Monday – Saturday: 9:30am – 6pm and Sun: 10:30am – 4:30pm. 8b Balham Hill, SW12 9EA 020 3538 6798 www.justwilliamstoys.com

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October 2011

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local news

Shop with the owl This autumn, get your nursery furniture, accessories and baby gifts from www.thelittleblueowl.co.uk. The owner of the site, a local Wandsworth mum, has sourced a range of furniture, beautiful accessories and baby gifts to make decorating your nursery or finding the perfect baby gift a wonderful experience. With many products designed or made by Mums, especially local ones, you can be sure that you are supporting local businesses too. This autumn, readers of Families magazine are offered 10% off their first order by entering discount code FO10 at the checkout. www.thelittleblueowl.co.uk

Hooray 10-16 Oct is National Chocolate Week! But did you know? Raw Cacao Bean is the most widely consumed nut in the world that, paradoxically, nobody ‘eats’. It is massively processed, heated, cooked, roasted … and by the time it reaches us, all of its extraordinary properties have simply vanished into smoke! Raw Cacao is the most chemically complex food in the world: over 1,200 constituants of flavour alone! (the next highest is “royal gelly” with 300 to 400 constituents…) This is the highest anti-oxidant food in the world. The cacao bean is the number one in Vitamin C out of any other nuts or beans. It is also the highest natural source of magnesium, as well as chromium and iron and extremely high in zinc, copper and manganese. Some of the most deficient minerals in our world. So this year go raw!

Get ready for school Two mothers from Clapham have launched a series of exciting new classes for pre-school children. To get the most out of their first year, evidence shows that children who are ‘School Ready’ do better than others. SchoolReady is a new and exciting weekly class for preschoolers aged 3-4, in the Clapham area, which will supplement your child's nursery experience and specifically targets the skills they need for school, preparing them both socially and physically. The classes will run from April 2012 for children starting school in September 2012 but this autumn they are looking for children to experience free pilot classes of SchoolReady, with participants in the pilot scheme offered 25% off the price of the full course once it launches in April 2012. Contact Nicolette@schoolready.co.uk or Elizabeth@schoolready.co.uk for further information.

Help the Hospice A nursery with a difference Baby Room, operators of children’s day nurseries and pre-school classes in Battersea, Balham and Clapham, have launched new venture VegTown. The nursery chain already home-cooks all the food served to their children and now are introducing their healthy meals to the rest of us through a range of activities and stories for young children encouraging them to eat vegetables. VegTown meals are fast and nutritious and are available from Delicious Deli, 38 Replingham Road, Southfields, at £2.29 – choose from pasta Bolognese, ham and pea mash, cottage pie and more. Download stories featuring the vegetable characters at www.vegtown.co.uk

October 2011

Trinity Hospice’s fashion and lifestyle boutique, located near the railway station on Putney High Street, is undertaking a big volunteer recruitment drive this autumn. “We’re looking for energetic, motivated and enthusiastic people with a passion for fashion and retail,” said Stefan Karas, Retail Manager for Trinity Hospice. “We’d love to hear from people with excellent communications skills and an eye for style and a few hours a week can really make a difference to Trinity’s patients and their families. The funds from our shops go directly to help us deliver our amazing home and inpatient services, while volunteering with us means you will gain new skills in retailing, visual merchandising, stock management and pricing.” Pop into their shop at 147 Putney High Street or contact Anne-Marie Zaritsky on 020 787 1042 or volunteering@trinityhospice.org.uk. www.trinityhospice.org.uk

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Party with Great Ormond Street Following last year’s success, Gambado Chelsea will be hosting another children’s party on Thursday 6th October to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. From 9am to 2pm, your little ones will be treated to theatre shows and activity classes, party food and drinks, and will get the chance to meet their favourite entertainment characters. It promises to be a fun-filled day at the ultimate family play centre and all proceeds will go towards two new operating theatres to help children with complex neurological and craniofacial conditions at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Call 020 7239 3116 to buy tickets. £40 for one adult and one child, £10 for each additional adult or child. Under ones free. For more information visit www.gosh.org

Keep them healthy Check out new website www.dizkis.co.uk, which encourages children and families to be healthy and eat well. With thousands of printable games and puzzles to help children to learn and keep active and an exciting Cookery Corner where you can download a selection of delicious homemade recipes, it’s worth a look.

4Children A new government-funded website has been launched for parents of the under 5s. 4Children is a national charity all about children and families, and their website has everything you need to know for the different stages of your child’s life, from finding a midwife and preparing for the birth of your baby to finding schools and childcare. From children’s centres to outof-school clubs, from childcare to play provision and parenting support to support for young people, 4Children is at the forefront of delivery and supporting innovative children’s services, ensuring that all children and families get the support they need in their community. www.4children.org.uk

Community spirit Compiled by Samantha Chippindale Pic credit: Charlotte Holinshead

Super sewer

A bit of heaven

The debate rumbles on…

A church garden in Clapham is looking for Friends to help it groww

Credit: RSPB/Nigel Blake

Eden at St Pauls is just that – a heavenly spot for families to garden in, meet in and just sit in. The independently funded garden is a Green Pennant award holder, in recognition of its imaginative local projects, and is one of the RHS’s top 500 free gardens to visit in the UK. Eden runs the Caterpillar Club for green-fingered children and family gardening days on the first Saturday of every month, as well as a community composting scheme that makes the most of household green waste. All this happens thanks to the Friends of Eden, who are keen to recruit members in order to sustain their work.

Pic credit: Charlotte Holinshead

Thames Water is still proposing to devastate the vibrant, mixed community of South Fulham with the main drilling site for their super sewer. www.fulhamrats.org asks, would you put one of the largest, long-lasting and dirtiest construction sites in London’s history 400 meters from nearly 1,000 family homes? Or just 1,500 meters from more than 15,000 homes? www.fulhamrats.org feels that the sewer may have its merits, but residents' views on works access points and venting columns among other things need to be taken into account, and so far there has been no warning, analysis or consultation. If you want your say on the super sewer go to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-thestink/.

Their family Harvest/Autumn event on October 19th, 5.30–7.30pm, with marshmallow toasting and live music, is the perfect time to become a Friend, just £10 per year. Call 020 7622 2128 or visit www.stpaulssw4.org

Bird table for one? The RSPB has some tasty ideas for the bird table

Robin and Goldfinch on bird feeder

Autumn might be synonymous with hips and berries, but our bird population still needs help finding enough food. The RSPB encourages us to do our bit with the annual Feed the Birds Day on October 29th. “We’re asking people to create a calorie-rich feast for birds, supplementing their standard diet with ‘fast food’ such as mild grated cheese, rice or bacon rinds,” says the RSPB’s Tim Webb. For recipes for your bird-table restaurant, visit www.rspb.org.uk/feedthebirds

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October 2011

Community spirit

Urban buzz Bring honeybees to an urban space near you Beekeeping is no longer the preserve of those with large gardens. Thanks to the canny designers at Omlet, creators of the fox-proof Eglu hen house, rooftops and small back gardens even in the heart of the city are now an option for budding apiarists. The Beehaus, which resembles a coolbox on legs, can provide warm and secure accommodation for around 60,000 bees. As bees fly up to three miles from their hive, there will always be a wide range of flowers in parks and private gardens for them to visit, which gives the honey they produce a richly varied flavour. Omlet provides full support and advice on placing a Beehaus, and contacts for beekeeping courses. A Beehaus cost from £495; bees cost around £80–£150. Visit www.omlet.co.uk. Check out The Hive Shop in Battersea, 93 Northcote Road, who also do have beehives to sell and can help with beekeeping, bee keeping courses etc. www.thehivehoneyshop.co.uk

Beehaus – beekeeper on a roof

Get physical!

Breaking the silence

Gardening and creepy crawlies for children

Brighten the lives of those living alone near you - become a CSV for a day

Chelsea Physic Garden is a magical four-acre plot cloistered behind high brick walls a few minutes from King’s Road in Chelsea. It was founded in 1673 as the Apothecaries Garden, a place in which to learn about medicinal plants, and its educational role continues to this day. This month, the younger horticulturist can join Beginner’s Gardening, October 26th. Seven-year-olds and over can spend the day learning how to plant seeds, take cuttings and grow plants in containers. For four-year-olds and up, there is Creepy Crawling day, October 27th, introducing a hissing cockroach, a giant millipede and Mr Jelly Belly the tree frog. Days cost £5.50 per head (parents/carers must attend) and are bookable in advance on 020 7349 6453 or by emailing education@chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

Picture credit: Charlie Hopkinson

Pond dipping

October 2011

One third of the population lives alone, with many, especially the elderly and single parents, suffering from a sense of isolation. Research suggests that 70% of us don’t even know our neighbour’s names. October 29th is everyone’s chance to become a Community Service Volunteer (CSV) for a day – and hopefully longer. Home and hospital visits are one way of helping; others include starting regular book readings, coffee mornings, even spending an hour spent with an elderly person getting them started on the Internet. As Simon Tiller of CSV comments, “Volunteering is empowering, inspiring and can make you feel more confident – it’s also a lot of fun.” The 29th will be the UK’s biggest volunteering day, but events take place from October 22nd until November 6th. To get involved, visit www.csv.org.uk/difference

Walk once a week (WoW) October is International Walk to School week, over 40 countries worldwide participate every year. Walk once a Week is the largest national walk to school programme. Having parents and children pounding the street contribute towards safer neighbourhoods, as everyone looks out for each other and generally is aware of what is going on on the way. And of course it is a great way to get the children to exercise! To join WoW take a look at www.walktoschool.org.uk Schools can order resources to run WoW directly from the site or perhaps your local authorities can order them on behalf of the school.

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

速

October 2011

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

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We CAN heal our children

Part 1: Natural health By Helena Foss

Although we all value our free NHS healthcare, not every childhood ailment requires a visit to the doctor. According to natural health experts, you would be surprised at how many cheap, nutritious and natural medicines you can find and make within your own kitchen. Add a homeopathic first aid kit and you will be empowered to treat your children safely and effectively throughout the winter months – and beyond.

Boils There is an effective natural remedy for boils, often a sign of low immunity, which most kitchens have plentiful supplies of. Bake an onion in the oven, cut in half and allow to cool slightly. Test the temperature on yourself (it needs to be warm) then tape over the affected area. The heat and pungency of the baked onion has real ‘pulling power’ and can, if repeated over time, draw up deep infection. Herbalist Jill Davies (from organic herb specialists Herbs Hands Healing: www.herbs-hands-healing.co.uk), has seen this work with a subcutaneous boil that hospitalised a friend of hers with blood poisoning. The team of doctors could not guarantee that surgery would remove the deep infection and so she was sent home to try the onion remedy. According to Jill, “it worked like a volcano!”

‘A’ is for accidents and ‘A’ is for Arnica, the number one homeopathic bruise remedy. “Arnica is a shock remedy,” explains Balham homeopath Olga Lawrence Jones. “It works on both localised physical shock, such as an injury, bringing down swelling and bruising, and also on the mental and emotional state of shock.” If the accident is serious and the person is in a state of both fear and shock, then Olga recommends giving Aconite. (Many homeopathic remedies work on both the physical and mentalemotional symptoms combined.) The ‘queen’ of Bach Flower remedies, Rescue Remedy is always useful to have on hand to soothe frayed nerves and alleviate tearfulness. Lavender essential oil, a great all rounder to have at home, can be used neat on scrapes as an anti-sceptic. If you suspect nerve damage, say, if you have crushed a finger in a door and are getting shooting pains, then the homeopathic choice is Hypericum, which is also useful for cuts, to prevent infection. A dose of Calendula afterwards will seal the cut up quickly and minimise scarring. Learn more about homeopathic family first aid on one of Olga’s regular courses. Tel: 07887 551502

Invest in the highest grade of Manuka honey that you can afford (UMF – Unique Manuka Factor – 10 or above) and dab neat onto cold sores. In its native New Zealand, Manuka’s potent anti-bacterial properties make it the traditional treatment of choice for wound infections and for boosting the immune system.

Coughs

Colds A great tonic for when you can feel a cold coming on is an infusion of elderflowers (purchase dried from health food shops or collect fresh when in season) with fresh ginger and lemon juice. Echinacea is a well known herbal tonic for colds (buy mail order from www.herbs-handshealing.co.uk). Ask for child dosage advice and dilute with honey. Eucalyptus essential oil drops

Cold Sores

on a pillow at night will help decongest bunged up noses. Try adding a few drops to a massage oil and rubbing into the chest and also the soles of the feet, which will stimulate the body’s reflex points. If you or your child have a generally strong constitution, then you could try the traditional home cure of a hot foot bath with mustard powder added. This will heat up the body and help sweat out a cold. “Essential oils are anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antifungal,” explains Jill Davies. “In Victorian times, a few drops in a bowl of hot water would clear the air in a sick room. We now know that the oils attack viral and bacterial microbes in the air and eucalyptus oil even contains ozone. It is particularly fascinating to note that lavender essential oil packers in 18th Century France, reputedly never contracted TB.” Aromatherapist mums at www.speciallittleproducts.com have come up with some ingenious aromatherapy blends for children, including Snuffles, a fresh, vibrant aroma that lifts the spirits as well as clearing the nostrils. A few drops on a hanky, so Special Little Products say, should restore children back to their usual bouncy selves. (They also offer aroma-reflexology kits to help with colic and sleep, available in Boots.)

Coughs come in different guises. To help expectorate mucus up and out of the system, give warming foods like roasted garlic and onion soup. To calm a dry, hacking cough with little mucus or sweating, raw fruits and juices are a better tonic. Both kinds, however, will benefit from a liquid food concentrate you can make at home. In a food processor, whizz up equal parts of onion, chilli, garlic and fresh horseradish (cover mouth and nose for this, horseradish is very pungent!), then cover with organic apple cider vinegar and leave for a month (stirring occasionally). Sieve and discard the leftover vegetable matter. Half a teaspoon of the vinegar with honey can be given to children several times a day, to warm through and keep damp off the lungs. (Or buy from www.herbs-handshealing.co.uk) © Martiniee - Fotolia.com

Accidents, Bruises, Bumps, Cuts and Scrapes

Growing Pains Growing pains can affect children of all ages and is, according to naturopathy, the body’s cry for extra calcium and magnesium to help growth spurts (these minerals also have a calming effect on muscles and nerves). Shop bought or homemade carrot juice will help. Try boosting your child’s

October 2011

Picture credit: www.physio4all.com We can also learn how to massage effectively, do Reiki or even healing. This is immensely empowering and so simple to do at home. There are many types of courses available. intake of root and green leafy vegetables too. Seeds like sunflower and pumpkin and also nuts, particularly almonds, are good sources. The same principles apply to teething, another form of ‘growing pains’. Tissue salts can help both, available from chemists and health food stores.

Fever According to the popular homeopathic author Miranda Castro, it is important to remember that fever is the mechanism by which your child’s body fights infection. However, children with fevers need careful nursing so that they do not become too hot, nor too cold. Simply sponging a child down and giving fluids works for bringing down a fever, but professional advice must always be sought if you are concerned or if it goes over 104 degrees (39.3C). “The Calpol of the homeopathic world would be Belladonna,” says Olga Lawrence Jones, “but each child is different, so check with a qualified and insured homeopath.” Pulsatilla is another popular homeopathic remedy for fever which works for some ear infections too. Although homeopathy has been under much scrutiny recently, it remains a popular choice for home-based family healthcare. “The more you use it, the more you discover what works for you and your family,” Olga adds. Invest in a good reference book such as ‘The Complete Homeopathy Handbook’ by Miranda Castro. Olga is happy to take questions about specific remedies. Email: olga@olgalawrencejones.co.uk

fresh or dried elderberries to make your own supply. Wash the berries and then cover in vegetable glycerine (available from chemists) and leave for two weeks. Push through a sieve or colander (it will be thick and gooey, so persist) and keep in the fridge. Take diluted with the same amount of water, a teaspoon at a time.

Warts and verrucas Both warts and verrucas are contagious virally induced skin growths. Jill Davies advises a threepronged attack of anti-viral essential oils. Use one a week for three weeks. Lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus work well, as do thyme and rosemary. Dab on neat twice a day using a cotton bud to ensure none touches the surrounding skin. “As a rule, lavender is the one essential oil that can be safely used neat on skin,” explains Jill, “except in the case of warts and verrucas, as the skin is so hard.” Natural health and herbal remedies, courtesy of Herbs Hands Healing, who offer free herbal advice. Tel: 0845 345 3727. www.herbs-handshealing.co.uk All remedies have been checked as suitable for children. However, this article is intended as a general guide only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers are advised to always consult a licensed health professional.

travelmatters For the family holiday, flights or even a short break * Your local travel agent

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Further Information

Immune System A healthy immune system can be the best way to nip coughs, colds and flu in the bud. According to nutritionist Penny Crowther, the key nutrients to boost are Vitamins C, D and Zinc. Vitamin D is made by exposure to sunshine and is absorbed through both plant and animal foods; oily fish (like mackerel, herring, salmon) and liver are good sources. Cottage cheese and eggs contain a smaller amount, as do sunflower seeds, leafy greens, avocado and carrot. The richest sources of Zinc are lamb and seafood, whilst vegetarians can choose from pecan nuts, oats, rye, dried split peas and ground pumpkin seeds. Common sources of Vitamin C include oranges, lemons, peppers, cabbage, peas, grapefruit and tomatoes. The traditional winter tonic, elderberry syrup, is packed with Vitamin C and you can use

October 2011

• ‘The Kitchen Pharmacy’ by Rose Elliot and Carlo de Paoli is available on Amazon • Olga Lawrence Jones, Homeopath. Tel: 07887 551502 • Special Little Products for reflexology and aromatherapy kits: www.speciallittleproducts.com • Penny Crowther, Nutritionist. Tel: 07761 768754. www.nutritionistlondon.co.uk • Residential antenatal course - where parents learn the healing art of Reiki as well, the next step of hynobirthing, 16-18 December 2011. An effective way to bond with your baby before birth, relax, help reduce pain in childbirth and speed recovery after. Rosemary Pharo and Melanie Hoffstead, peter.pharo@btinternet.com

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Parenting

Mothers’ guilt By Helena Foss

Nothing prepares you for first time motherhood does it? There is a life BC (before child/children), and an utterly different kind of existence afterwards; one where you are never top priority anymore, where your life revolves around others’ scheduled needs: nap times, school times, meal times, milk times, bath times, bed times. Yes, you are now in service to the next generation. For the rest of your life, you will probably find something about your children to worry about, no matter what age they are. The word ‘mother’, it has been said, is not just a noun. It is a verb.

Fake it till you make it There is this crazy assumption that when motherhood hits, we will somehow, intuitively know what to do; it will all just flow naturally. The reality, I think, goes more like this: we hit the ground running, muddle through and do the best we can. And it is, as they say, just one thing after another. Once we have the routine and sleeping through the night thing nailed, then we have the joys of encouraging them to eat healthily, along with the Herculean challenges of boundary setting. After the umpteenth request to ‘please, do NOT leave your rollerskates at the bottom of the stairs,’ or ‘no, it is not OK to chew on your baby brother’s ear,’ is it any wonder we start sounding like our own frustrated parents when we yell: ‘If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times... Why don’t you LISTEN??’ Or the classic one that makes me shudder when I imagine my neighbours overhearing it: ‘JUST PUT YOUR F***ING SHOES ON!’ Ooops. Swearing at child. Guilty as charged Your Honour. But can I claim mitigating circumstances? My son practices selective deafness, I was stressed out and we were horribly, horribly late. Sigh. There goes another few quid in the ‘therapy for when he is older’.

Angels in training Mothers aren’t supposed to shout or be cross or tear their hair out or cry and scream with frustration, are we? Especially not in supermarkets. We’re supposed to be sweet and kind and giving and patient and perfect with angelic supplies of unconditional love. We’re not supposed to park them in front of CBeebies for the morning and go back to bed nursing a hangover. No. We must provide educational activities, bake cakes, rustle up fancy dress costumes out of remnants in the recycling box, present a clean and tidy house, organise schooling, lay proper meals on the table and, often, hold down a job and even a marriage too.

But we can’t and we don’t. And we feel guilty about it. The best advice I ever heard about mothering went something like this: ‘Look, you have to accept that you are going to get it wrong. You are going to make mistakes. Everyone does. It is the only way you learn. So the best thing you can do is just resolve to love your children as much as you possibly can.’ My rules are that I always apologise for my appalling behaviour and then tell my son I love him. Our biggest mothering mistake really, is believing we shouldn’t be making any. I have a little sign in my kitchen that reads: ‘mothers are angels in training’. Feeling guilty is how we punish ourselves for not reaching impossibly high standards. I don’t know any mother who thinks she ticks all the ‘perfect mother’ boxes. And you know what? Maybe we are right. Maybe, we weren’t even designed to meet every single one of our children’s needs.

Tribal Heart There is an African saying that goes: ‘It takes a whole village to raise a baby.’ In her book ‘The Spirit of Intimacy’, Sobonfu Some, a woman from the Dagara tribe of West Africa, says that it is also true that it takes a whole village to keep parents sane. In fact, it was not until she was nearly six years old that she understood that she came out of one particular woman’s womb, that she did not biologically ‘belong’ to all of the women in her village who breastfed and cared for her. We would do well to remember that one-to-one parenting is a pretty recent evolution in our species. Back in the day there would be aunties, sisters, cousins, neighbours and grandmothers all on hand for mass childcare duties. Sobonfu insists that if a child has a problem that their parents can’t sort out, he or she needs to have other adults to turn to. If nothing else, there is a much better chance the child will actually listen to sage advice.

“Our biggest mothering mistake really, is believing we shouldn’t be making any. “

Let’s face it: children just don’t like having to listen to their parents. (I mean, did you? I certainly didn’t. Dammit, of course my son doesn’t want to listen to me!)

Hang up your halo Motherhood,’ Oprah once said, ‘is the hardest job in the world. Women everywhere must declare it so.’ In my opinion, it is also the most undervalued, the most rewarding and the most important job in the world too. Hey, we’re at the coalface of building the foundations – the veritable bedrock – of society here. Let’s hang up our halos and, through example, teach our children that we are all on a lifelong learning curve, that we are all lovable despite our imperfections. That, in itself, is a great education. •Helena Foss is a hypnotherapist who writes about all things holistic and spiritual. See: www.Helenafoss.co.uk

To read How to choose a school or other education articles go on www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

October 2011

Back at school

School matters By Elisabeth Dolton

So you have been through the dilemma of choosing the school, the application was accepted, your child’s place allocated, uniform bought and named, and they are now settling into their new school. Your job is done...or maybe not. Now it’s time to start thinking about how to monitor your child and the school’s progress. Are the teachers doing their best for your child? Did you choose the right school? But how do we keep an eye on things, simply and easily, without needing to join the PTA? Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you as parent will make for your child,

However, school is not just about learning and passing exams. There are a whole range of good things about being at school like building a good group of friends, exploring new activities, learning to get on with people of all backgrounds, going on school trips, so it is important to monitor other factors. The ethos and culture of a school will tell Do keep in mind that even the best teachers and students have bad moments, so allow yourself enough time to get a fair picture of what's going on in the classroom you a lot about what it is trying to achieve. Consider the learning environment - do they post artwork on the walls, have carpet in the classrooms, provide easy access to a books? Check out the school’s own development and performance targets. These are all good indicators on how the school is progressing.

Basic facts for every school • Number of applications • Number of pupils • Test & exam results • Attendance levels • Ofsted & Independent school reports • Reported incidents of poor behaviour • Number of exclusions imposed

Of course the best way to check that the school is right for your child is to ask the people who work there. Regular meetings with teachers are an effective way to monitor your child's progress. Ask for information on your child's performance, results and overall observations. These will all give you a sense of whether or not the school is delivering its best for your child.

therefore getting a clear and accurate sense of day-to-day life at the school is imperative. Unfortunately, it's often easier to get information about a car or household appliance than a school, so an easy first step is to look at published information, readily available about every school. Once a year, look at these figures for your school, and see what’s changed. If an area has worsened, ask your child’s teacher why, and what is being done about it? Your aim here is check that the school is aware of these issues, and has good steps to tackle them. Seek evidence that what is planned is being put into place, and, more importantly, that these actions are making a difference to the education of the pupils.

Finally, the most important thing to ask is does my son/daughter appear to be content at school? If the answer is yes, then they are likely to be learning which is pretty good. Ask them about their day – what did you do in Maths today? Be specific in what you ask them and vary your topic, PE the next time, English the next. Ask your children to show you their school work, check out their marks and teacher comments. You will be able to gauge a lot about what level they are at. Ask teachers to show you examples of successful work, compare it to your child's work, and listen to their comments about where your child can improve. If necessary, make a plan with the teacher on how you can work together to help those improvements.

October 2011

Picture credit: F&F at Tesco

Make sure you have chosen the right school for your child, with these simple ways to monitor the progress of the school and your child

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

As a parent, you play an important role in your child's academic achievement. By taking steps to monitor the school and track progress helps you know the school is the right one for your child, and helps your child get the best out of this amazing time.

Off the shelf reports Inspection of schools The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulate and inspect all local authority schools and independent schools that are not members of the Associations of the Independent Schools Council. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and School Inspection Service (SIS) inspect schools who are members of the Associations of the Independent Schools Council. The Bridge Schools Inspectorate inspects schools belonging to the Christian Schools' Trust and the Association of Muslim Schools throughout England. All publish their reports on their websites. Relevant websites www.ofsted.gov.uk www.schoolinspectionservice.co.uk www.ISI.net www.bridgeschoolsinspectorate.co.uk

Health and wellbeing

Ancient healing system to help women’s insomnia By Ruth Reffell BSc, LicAc, MBAcC

With the constant ball juggling women do, insomnia is the last we need! Check out whether this might be a solution: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, insomnia is caused a disturbance of the spirits of the Heart or the Liver. At night, the ‘Shen’ (Heart Spirit) returns to its home in the Heart to rest. If the Heart is healthy and the Blood abundant, the Shen is well-rooted and sleep will be sound and refreshing. If the heart is agitated and the Blood deficient, the Shen cannot rest in its home and sleep will be disturbed.

Treatment is tailored to the individual, so no two patients wll be treated in the same way. Similarly, if the Liver spirit (‘Ethereal Soul’) is able to settle in it’s home in the Liver, sleep is deep, replenishing and without too many dreams. According to the Chinese physician Tang Zong Hai, “At night during sleep the Ethereal Soul returns; if the Ethereal Soul is not peaceful there are a lot of dreams” Disturbances of the Shen and Ethereal Soul are extremely common in modern Western patients whose lives are often subject to significant stress and overload. Insomnia is common amongst menopausal and post-menopausal due to a depletion in the ‘Yin’ substances in the body.

So what is insomnia?

Case Study

The term insomnia encompasses several different problems, including inability to fall asleep easily, restless and dream-disturbed sleep, waking during the night and waking too early in the morning. A general consensus from population-based studies suggests that approximately 30% of adults report one or more of the symptoms of insomnia. Whilst the occasional night of disturbed sleep is unlikely to have a significant impact on daytime functioning, chronic sleep disturbance has huge implications for quality of life, work productivity and mental health. Chinese Medicine identifies the root cause of insomnia by diagnosing specific “patterns of disharmony” using tongue and pulse examination, detailed questioning and observation. There are several different patterns which may cause insomnia and it is common for several patterns to coexist. Treatment is tailored to the individual, so no two patients wll be treated in the same way. Specific acupuncture points are selected to correct the ‘disharmony’ and so help the patient to sleep. Because acupuncture works to rebalance the whole system, patients frequently find that other problems diminish or resolve at the same time. A course of six to ten treatments is usually required to see lasting benefits. Patients may also be required to make some simple lifestyle changes to support the treatment.

Jane, aged 48, came for treatment of insomnia, which had gradually worsened over three years to the point where she was waking ‘up to twenty times a night’. By the fourth treatment this had reduced to two or three times, and by the eighth she was ‘mostly sleeping through’, only occasionally waking once for a short time. Needless to say, her mood, energy and general enjoyment of life improved such that she ‘felt like a different person.’

Ruth Reffell

•http://www.essential-acupuncture.co.uk/ Landford Road, Putney SW15 07817791530 ruth@essential-acupuncture.co.uk

Street Jazz, Tap Musical Theatre

Tots Dance Parties

South West London’s street jazz experts, offering classes in a range of commercial dance styles for tots, kids, teens and adults. BE.Inspired!

BE.There: Classes held in Wandsworth and Clapham area

07545 697352 www.bedance.co.uk

becca@bedance.co.uk October 2011

Products reviewed By Joanna Parry

Drink and ride Scooting can be thirsty work, but now there’s no need to carry around bottles of water with you. With the new bottle holder from www.microscooters.co.uk your child can have a drink with them all the time. We all know it’s important children have enough fluids when they’re playing outside, especially in the summer, and now with this holder you need never worry again. Made

Swag bag If you’re a stylish mum, check out the gorgeous new bags from www.rubizu.com Established by sisters Roba and Azza El-Farouki, Rubizu fills a gap in the market for high quality, fashionable changing bags. Supremely stylish and also functional, the bags are perfect for the style-conscious Mum of today. My favourite is the stunning L’Envelope bag in camel, £386 from Blossom Mother and Child, 164 Walton Street SW3 or 69 Marlebone High Street, W1U.

Say hello to yoomi …and goodbye to searching for a café to heat your baby’s bottle when you’re out and about! Make feeding time easy with the bottle and warmer in one from yoomi, which warms your baby's feed to the natural temperature of breast milk in just 60 seconds. It’s also great for those nighttime feeds – no more stumbling down to the kitchen in the middle of the night. Created by a mum and dad,

Farah and Jim, Yoomi can be charged up to 100 times, is BPA free and has a clever anti-colic teat that makes it perfect for combination feeding or for transitioning your baby from breast to bottle. With a unique device that warms the milk as it flows through specially designed channels, the yoomi has been nominated as one of the top British inventions of the last decade. Yoomi costs £23.50 from www.yoomi.com, www.johnlewis.com, www.mothercare.com, www.boots.com or www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk.

A few of my favourite things… Why not check out the latest must-haves for your child’s bedroom and indulge in some beautiful children’s cushions from www.jessicagraham.com These fantastic cushions are the perfect way to inject some colour into your home and, with vibrant designs inspired by an early childhood spent in Asia, the cushions have won local girl Jessica ‘Best New Children’s Product’ at the Top Drawer exhibition in London’s Olympia. You can also pick up some fabulous personalised notebooks, prints, towels, blankets, washbags and gift sets, all in her signature style. www.jessicagraham.com

from neoprene and with a clip that fits neatly on to a scooter, they are designed to keep a bottle cool whilst the drawstring top keeps it in place. £9.99 from www.micro-scooters.co.uk. A great idea!

For your scooter Swim like a little monkey

A new craze is coming to a playground near you! No more losing expensive scooters with Scoobits, the first ever collectable scooter accessory. Scoobits are a unique range of cute, colourful characters that kids can strap onto to their scooters, making them stand out from the crowd. As Jibbitz are for Crocs, Scoobits are for scooters. Choose from 9 different characters including a monster, shark, bunny and bee, and there are more designs coming out all the time. Scoobits are not just for scooters - children can “scoobit” their bike, trike, or school bag, all for just £3.99 each – perfect for pocket money purchases and party bags. Give your kid’s scooter a little personality with these fabulous soft and squidgy designs from www.johnlewis.com, www.amazon.co.uk or www.micro-scooters.co.uk, or locate your local stockist at www.scoobits.com. The brainchild of East Sheen mum, Clare Hartnell,

A Yorkshire mum has made the journey to entrepreneur with the launch of MonkeySwimmers, a new innovation in armbands. An alternative to bulky, inflatable armbands, MonkeySwimmers are a delightful and fun way to introduce your toddler to water. These light and slim foam floats have removable layers that can be peeled away as your child gains confidence and they come complete with a storybook to read to your tot that will encourage them to see swimming as an exciting new experience. The pack also includes a progress chart to encourage your little monkeys to enjoy swimming, and has beaten off the opposition to become one of two finalists in the Baby Product Association’s awards.

Scoobits are available in Huttons in Putney, Battersea and Richmond as well as Pandemonium in Sheen Lane and Play Inside Outside in East Sheen.

MonkeySwimmers are suitable for ages 1-6 and cost £19.99 including the armbands, storybook and progress chart from www.monkeys-inc.com, John Lewis or Amazon.

October 2011

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

Large hall for long-term rental St Stephen’s Church Centre, Weir Road, Clapham Park, SW12 0NU has large hall for long-term rental commencing January 2012. Monday to Friday mornings with extensions to 3.30pm Mondays and Thursdays term time. •Private entrance, •enclosed garden, •storage, •shared kitchenette and •exclusive use of children’s toilet facilities. Perfect home for a nursery or pre-school children’s activities. Contact Clare or Rebecca on 020 8675 5086; office@stwss.org.uk

October 2011

Halloween Recipe Pumpkin Cookie Once you have scooped out all the pumpkin flesh - don’t waste it! Here’s a great recipe for Pumpkin Cookies from Crafty Chef’s new Cookbook for children with allergies.

Ingredients • 250g (7oz) plain flour or gluten free flour • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda • 21/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/4 teaspoon of salt • 190g caster sugar • 110g (4oz) butter or dairy free margarine • 90g (3 1/2 oz) maple syrup • 180g (6oz) cooked and pureed pumpkin

Get Cooking 1. Preheat oven to 190 C/375 F/Gas Mark 5. 2. Cream together sugar and butter or dairy free margarine. Beat in maple syrup, vanilla and pumpkin puree. 3. Add flour, cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, salt. 4. Drop onto baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes.

From Cookbook for children with allergies. It’s available from www.craftychefs.co.uk for £7.95. by Nicola Mundy

October 2011

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

Half-term activities

Smarty Paints

SPORTS Battersea Sports Centre Hope Street, SW11 2DA 24-28 October

Kids Camp – Enjoy a variety of sports, fun and games, arts and crafts, dance, trampolining, martial arts and much more. £9 per day or £40 per week paid in advance, 10am-3pm, registration from 9.30am. Ages 7 – 13 years old. For further details call 020 8871 8529 or 020 7228 0632. bsc@wandsworth.gov.uk Chelsea FC Soccer School Battersea Park, Barnes, Balham 24-28 October.

London Soccer School – For boys and girls aged 3-15 (Mini Kickers ages 3-5, Soccer Schools 515, Goalkeeping 8-15). From £17 per day, 10% discount if you book online. Call 020 7957 8220, londondevelopment@chelseafc.com, www.chelseafc.com/soccerschools Kiddikicks Across South West London 24-28 October

Half-term sessions – Kiddikicks (football 18m to 5 years) Kiddisports (multi-sport 18m to 5 years) and Ligasoccer (football Under 8’s) sessions run throughout halfterm. Or arrange a bespoke session

Upbeat music

(1 to 3 hours) for your player and their friends: pick your sport and they’ll provide the coach, equipment and place. Call 020 7937 7965, email sarah@kiddikicks.co.uk, www.kiddikicks.co.uk Wandsworth Leisure Wandsworth 24-28 October Holiday Fun programme – Swimming, multisport, trampolining, archery, dance and more for children aged 3-13 years of age. Enrolments will open on Monday 3rd October and will run each weekday from 9:30am until 2pm. Make sure you get in early as spaces fill up fast! Download a brochure at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/holidayfun or phone 020 8871 6756. Wimbledon Village Stables 24 a/b High Street, SW19 5DX 19-21 October and 26-28 October Children’s Holiday Courses – Aimed at children under the age of 10, including complete beginners. The 3-day courses run from Wednesday to Friday on both weeks, 1.45-4.15pm. £170. To book call 020 8946 8579. www.wvstables.com

Arty play at Dulwich picture gallery

ARTS AND CRAFTS Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD Sunday 30 October The Big Draw – Draw with a broom or colour with a comb – try your hand at using new contraptions to draw with. Make your mark at this family drop-in workshop, 11am-4pm. £3 per child. Friday 28 October. Puppet Making Family drop-in workshop to coincide with the performance of Thumbelina. Come along to see the show and make your own puppet to take home. 11.20am–12.20pm and 1.20pm–3.30pm. £3 per child. Friday 28 October. Thumbelina – The Banyan Theatre Company presents Norwich Puppet Theatre’s Thumbelina. 10.30am–11.15am and 12.30pm–1.15pm. Tickets £8 adult, £6 child. 020 8299 8732, l.mckie@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Eddie Catz Putney, 68-70 Putney High Street, SW15 Wimbledon, 42 Station Road, Merton, SW19 Drop off holiday camps – Choose from theme-based workshops Crazy Science, Princess

Crazy science at Eddie Catz

Camp, Pre-Teen Beauty Camp, Halloween Cookery with Cookie Crumbles, Street Dance and more! 4-11 year olds. End the week with the Eddie Catz family Halloween parties in Putney on 28 October and Wimbledon on 29 October. Spookishly spectacular (but not too scary!) Places are limited and sell out quickly. Call 0845 201 1268, www.eddiecatz.com Fun with Fimo Clay West London Tuesday 25, Monday 31 October and Monday 7 November Craft activity sessions – Pumpkin pixies, glowing ghosts and trick or treat buckets! Creative clay modelling sessions for 6 years and over, fully supervised and non-messy. 10am-4pm, £45. Bring a packed lunch and a box to put your creations in. Call Clare McKnight on 020 8992 3767, fimofun@tiscali.co.uk, www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk Little Hands Design 67 Belsize Lane, NW3 24-28 October Clothes Making and Design Give your kids the chance to experiment with fashion ideas and learn the tricks of the trade. There are two 3-hour sessions each day, 912pm and 1-4pm. £225 for the full week, or £120 for half days. Email

October 2011

Dates of Fireworks will be included in our FREE Whatson newsletter. See page 8 how to receive it.

Kiddikicks

info@littlehandsdesign.com or call Astrid Jacoby on 07739 535684. www.littlehandsdesign.co.uk Pottery Café

Wimbledon Village Stables

Smarty Paints Pottery Studio 85 Nightingale Lane, Balham SW12 Half term week Don’t be scared! – Paint life size pumpkins and skulls for Halloween – lots of pottery painting fun! £6 studio fee plus the cost of the pottery. Call 020 8772 8702, www.smartypaints.co.uk

MUSIC AND DRAMA Now on Northcote Road too! • 735 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7736 2157 • 322 Richmond Road, TW1 2DU, 020 8744 3000 • NEW! 153 Northcote Road, SW11 6QB, 020 7223 3388 24-28 October The Enchanted Forest – Make your own ‘enchanted’ pottery designs – add leaves, acorns, toadstools, woodland fairies, unicorns and lanterns to add a magical mystical touch. Prices start from £6.95 per pottery item plus a studio fee of £5.99 per person which covers all materials, glazing and firing. www.pottery-cafe.com

October 2011

Funky Moves Belleville Primary School, Belleville Road, Wandsworth SW11 6PR 24-27 October Half term course – Improve co-ordination, confidence and fitness and have tons of fun! 9.30am-12.30pm daily, ages 5-15. £85. Call to book 07810 431101 or email alice@funkymovesdance.com, www.funkymovesdance.com Theatrebugs Balham, Barnes, Clapham, East Dulwich, Fulham, Kingston, Putney, Twickenham 25-28 October depending on venue. Two-day adventures – Fun filled spooktastic adventures packed with drama, music, dance

Half-term activities

Syon House

and arts and crafts. Nothing too spooky- suitable for 3.5-8 year olds. A ghoulish snack and drink included. Two day course: £48, 10% sibling discount. Bring your favourite costume - the Bugs will dress up too! Call 0800 975 5290, enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk, www.theatrebugs.co.uk Upbeat Music Chelsea and Fulham 24-26 October Half-term course – Sing, dance, play the drums and electric guitar, record a CD and join in the end of course performance. 10-4pm each day. 5-12 yrs. Call 07816 901396, email upbeatmusic@btinternet.com, www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk

IDEAS FOR A DAY OUT Battersea Park Children’s Zoo Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ 22-31 October Spooky fun Pumpkin trail, slippery snakes and making trick or treat bags (drop in sessions 11-1pm and 2-3.30pm), plus Halloween Fun Day and spooky face painting.

Theatrebugs

For details call 020 7924 5826, www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Painshill Park Painshill, Cobham, Surrey 24-30 October Halloween adventures – Carve a pumpkin lantern and follow the storyteller along a spooky path. 2-hour Halloween adventure, starts 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. Advance booking required. For children 2-11, come dressed in a scary costume. Under 5s £3, child 5-11 £6.85, 12-16 years £3.85 (not pumpkin carving), adults £6.60. To book call 01932 868113, www.painshill.co.uk Syon House Syon Park, London Road, Brentford TW8 8JF 26 and 27 October Is Syon House Haunted? Hear the terrible tales of horrible history and decide for yourself. Children’s tours will be at 2.30pm and 4pm (come along in fancy dress!) tickets £6 per child, maximum one accompanying adult per child and house admission costs apply for adults. Adult tours start at 6.30pm and 8pm, tickets cost £18 each. Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Contact 020 8560 0882, info@syonpark.co.uk, www.syonpark.co.uk Listings constantly updated online

Bilingual education since 1996 The French Nursery School For children from 2 years old to 5 years old. (Toddler group from 1yr) Morning or afternoon sessions available Full time sessions 9h - 15h

SW7 Queen's Gate SW1 Knightsbridge Group of international nursery schools

The Belgravia Nursery School Bilingual Nursery school French/ English. For children 2-5 years. (Toddler group from 1yr) Part time session 9h - 12h Full time session 9h - 15h • 15h35-17h

All schools have native language teachers, excellent facilities and lovely outside The Spanish Nursery School playground / garden.

SW7 and SW1 The Spanish out of school club for children For a brochure please call from 2 to 5 years old. Marie-Laurence Edmonstone Toddler Group from 1 year old 020 7259 21 51 marie-laurence@thefrenchnurseryschool.com

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools WWW.DAWMOUSE.COM There are now two established Montessori Nursery schools in Fulham bearing the Dawmouse name. The original Dawmouse Brunswick in Haldane Road, SW6 7EU and Dawmouse St Peter’s at St Peter’s Terrace, SW6 7JS. Both schools offer a wide range of Montessori equipment and have outdoor play areas. They will offer a safe, stimulating and active environment in which children can have fun and achieve. The broad curriculum covers all areas of the Early Learning Goals and includes science, drama, cookery and music lessons. Project work will give the children scope for creative development as well as an increased understanding of their world. We insist on our staff being Montessori trained teachers. For a prospectus and a visit to view the schools please contact : www.dawmouse.com or speak with Miss Emma 020 7381 9385

October 2011

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

速

Schools feature

Round up of school news and information Compiled by Amanda Butterworth and Joanna Moorhead

Creative Curriculum Days Junior pupils at Streatham & Clapham High School began the new term with two exciting Creative Curriculum days. Year 3 girls ventured in to the world of Explorers, dressed accordingly and complete with binoculars, accompanied by sounds of the rainforest. Meanwhile, Years 1&2 attended school dressed in ‘cool’ or ‘warm’ colours as part of their day investigating all aspects of Fire and Ice. enquiry@shj.gdst.net or call 020 8674 6912 www.schs.gdst.net

Hands-on science There were hands-on activities and demonstrations for the whole family (including some impressive pyrotechnics) at Newton Prep's Science Open House last term. The science department organised the event to make the most of the school's state-of-the-art laboratories, and to

Newton Prep's Science Open House

Independent schools If they could afford it, over half of the UK's parents would choose to 'go private' with their children's schooling, citing the promise of smaller class sizes, higher academic expectations and better exam grades. And not without reason: while just 7% of children are educated in independent schools (10% in London), 30% of this summer's A* A' level grades were awarded to independent school pupils. Do explore your options and visit the schools if you are interested, as scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available.

Swat up on the finest schools in the country in the relaxed, neutral setting of the Independent Schools Show There was a time when choosing a school for your child was simply a matter of sending them to the school you attended yourself. These days, education is a more nuanced business and parents need a helping hand when navigating their way around these life-changing choices. The Independent Schools Show enables parents to find out all they need to know about the best schools in the country, but without having to traipse around visiting each and every one in person. They can question a team of experts on education-related issues, from nursery education to the International Baccalaureate, via bursaries and scholarships. One of the highlights of the show is the Education Theatre, where guest speakers will include Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, talking about the school’s wide range of bursaries and scholarships,

and Ben Thomas, head of the Thomas’s group of prep schools, who will offer insights into choosing the perfect secondary school. For more information and to register for your free tickets, please visit schoolsshow.com INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SHOW BATTERSEA EVOLUTION (Saturday 5 November 10am - 5pm or Sunday 6 November 11am - 4.30pm) Chelsea Bridge Entrance, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ.

Great exam results Streatham & Clapham High School pupils celebrated excellent A-level and GCSE results achieving the best A2 results to date, with 88.4% gaining grades A*-B and 92.2% receiving grades A*-B at GCSE. Over 25% of GCSE students achieved an impressive ten or more subjects at grades A*-A. www.schs.gdst.net or call 0208 677 8400

show everyone just how exciting, practical and fun science can be. Parents and pupils visiting the school in Battersea had the chance to try their hand at everything from circuit-making to chemical reactions. admin@newtonprep.co.uk 149 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4BX www.newtonprepschool.co.uk

State school sixth formers defy the odds at SFX Students at Wandsworth's only sixth form college at St Francis Xavier in Balham were celebrating on A level results day as the vast majority of the 500+SFX students secured their places at university. With a whopping 99% pass rate and a clutch of new A* grades the borough can be proud of its young people and move on from depression of the events earlier this summer. Wahidur Rahman was the star of the show, winning his place to study Natural Sciences at Magdalene Cambridge after scoring 3 A* grades out of his 4 A level passes. Elizabeth Lancaster, SFX Student Council President Kanayo Dike Oduah and Rosa Williams joined the borough's other A level superstars at a special reception at Wandsworth Town Hall on the Friday after results day to confirm that the young people of Wandsworth are in fine form as they prepare to take over as tomorrow's leaders. St Francis Xavier Principal Stella Flannery paid tribute to the contribution made by parents: "I would like to thank all the parents of our students for their strong support in enabling our young learners to develop the right attitude to benefit from their studies. The results are there for all to see and I congratulate the students, parents and staff of SFX on their fine achievements this year" www.sfx.ac.uk

October 2011

Cont. page 26

Junior pupils at Streatham & Clapham High School - Explorers

Schools feature

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October 2011

Starting school? Tips to make it easy See www.familiesSouthWest.co.uk

Schools feature From page 24

Outstanding We are delighted that The Roche School and Nursery School at Fulham and East Putney have both recently been judged Outstanding by Ofsted. Headmaster James Roache commented after the visit: “At eighteen years of age I was struck on visiting a friend’s house to observe how members of his family on stating their points of view would be given a proper hearing irrespective of the extent to which the others agreed with them. That seemed and still seems to me an essential mark of civilised behaviour. Indeed it would help our children’s education if we talked and listened to each other more fully and freely.” Dr James Roche Call 020 8877 0823. www.therocheschool.co.uk

New art room

The White House School and Woodentops Kindergarten Skipathon in aid of the British Heart Foundation

Skipathon for the British Heart Foundation The White House School and Woodentops Kindergarten has begun the new academic year with a mammoth Skipathon in aid of the British Heart Foundation. This is the first of many charitable and fun activities that the children will take part in throughout the year. In addition to our existing Sports coaching team the girls at the White House School now have their own dedicated Sports coach who is promoting new sports such as Volleyball and Lacrosse in addition to Netball. Maths will also be great fun this term as the School is holding a Puzzle Challenge Day. Call 020 8674 9514. office@whitehouseschool.com

Junctions and Junctures

curriculum, the room will house creative cocurricular activities including observational drawing, animation and sewing clubs. juniorschool@alleyns.org.uk or call 020 8557 1519

This year, Dolphin School’s annual theme is JUNCTIONS AND JUNCTURES: “We all have to slow down at junctions and pause for thought, so we shall be encouraging children to think strategically and creatively in their academic work, and to explain their reasons for turning right or left as they make choices (be they moral, practical or intellectual). Junctions join one thing to another, and we shall be

looking at different connections – how things hold together – whether in the natural world on our residential trip to a huge Edwardian house on the Norfolk Broads or in the human body or in electric circuits or artistic design. Most of all, we shall be enjoying deepening our connections with each other.“ Call 020 7924 3472. admissions@dolphinschool.org.uk

New Principal Bertrum House School is a flourishing, independent, non-selective Nursery and Pre-Prep School for 2 to 7 year olds. The school was established more than 25 years ago, and concentrates on the first five formative years of education. The children are nurtured in a safe and bright environment and achieve excellent academic results as well as developing high levels of social and emotional confidence. Staff, parents and children all play a vital role in our strong school community. Welcome to the new Principal Miss Kirsty Pirrie, who looks forward to meeting new parents as leader of the school’s committed and experienced teaching team. Call 020 8767 4051. www.bertrumhouseschool.co.uk

Cont. page 29

Children at Alleyn’s Junior School love opportunities to express themselves creatively and the recently completed new art block with its glass wall draws visitors to it and forms a delightful and welcoming view for children and parents as they come through the playground at the beginning of a school day. The complex, which houses an art studio and a kiln room to go with a new potters’ wheel, is already filling up with colourful artwork of all kinds. As well as a full art and design

October 2011

School feature Always double check before setting off

School Open Days •

Westminster Under School

SW1P

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SW1P SW2 SW2/16

11-18 G

SW3 SW6

3-13 Co-Ed 4-7

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Westminster School Streatham and Clapham Junior School Streatham and Clapham High School Gems Hampshire School Fulham Pre Prep School Ravenstone Prep School & Nursery The Dominie Thames Christian College Dolphin School St Francis Xavier White House School Hornsby House School The Harrodian School

7-13B 11+ entry 13-18B Girls in Sixth Form 3-11 G

SW7 SW11 SW11 SW11 SW12 SW12 SW12 SW13

2.9 -11 6-13 C0-Ed 11-16 Co-Ed 4-11 Co-Ed 16-18 Co-Ed 2-11 Co-Ed 4-11 Co-Ed 4-18

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Ibstock Place School

SW15

3-18 Junior School: Senior School:

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Lion House School

SW15

3-8 Co-Ed

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Bertrum House School The Roche School The Study Blackheath High School GDST St Dunstan's College

SW17 SW18 SW19 SE3

2.5-7 Co-Ed 2.5-11 Co-Ed 4-11 G juniors seniors Juniors Seniors senior school

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SE6

Colfe's School pre-prep and prep Dulwich College

SE12

Rosemead Prep School Pre-Prep James Allen's Girls' School JAPS pre-prep prep department Alleyn’s School

SE21 SE27 SE22 SE21 SE22 SE22

Sydenham High School GDST Harrow School The John Lyon School Heathfield School

SE26

SE21

HA1 3HP HA2 0HN HA5 1NB

year 7 years 3-6

Senior department

Junior school Senior school Senior school Junior school 13-18B 11-18B 3-18G

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Northwood College HA6 2YE GSA Independent Day School GSA IPS

3-18G

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Merchant Taylors School HA6 2HT ACS Hillingdon International School Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls

11-18B UB10 0BE WD6 3AF WD6 3BT

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Eton College

13-18B

October 2011

SL4 6DW

5-18B 4-18G

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

7+/8+ entry 8 Oct 1 Oct By appointment By appointment Nov 5 10.00-12.00 Dec 6 2.00-3.30 Oct 5 and Nov 8 10.00-12.00 By appointment By appointment

020 7821 5788 020 7963 1003 020 8674 6912 020 8677 8400 020 7352 7077 020 7371 9911

By appointment 020 7225 3131 By appointment 020 7720 8783 Oct 1 10.00-13.00 020 7228 3933 Tues+Thurs by appt. 020 7924 3472 Nov 12 10.00-2.30 020 8772 6000 Nov 12 9.30-11.30 020 8674 9514 Oct 6 9-10.30 020 8673 7573 11+ Open morning: 12 Oct, 2 Nov Advance booking essential 020 8762 6321 16 Nov 9.30am 8 Oct 9.30am-12.30pm 020 8876 9991 Call in advance Oct 8 020 8780 9446 Call to register Thurs by appointment 020 8767 4051 Oct 13 and Nov 17 020 8877 0823 Nov 10 9.30-12.00 020 8947 6969 8 + 13 Oct, 8 + 16 Nov 020 8852 1537 020 8853 2929 3 Nov. 1 Oct and 5 Nov 020 8516 7022 020 8852 2283 020 8463 8240 1 Oct 020 8299 9263 8 Oct 020 8299 8432 15 Oct. Prep 020 8670 5865 1 Oct 020 8693 1181 1 Oct, 020 8693 3465 020 8693 0374 3 and 15 Nov 020 8557 1519 8 Oct 8 + 9 Nov 020 8557 1500 4 & 13 Oct 15 & 24 Nov 11 Oct, 10 Nov. 020 8557 7000 5 Nov, 26 Nov 020 8872 8007 8 Oct 10am-1pm 020 8872 8443 Open Day: 1 Oct 10am-12.30pm Open Evening: 11 Oct 6.30-8pm. Open morning: 3 and 15 Nov 10.30am-12 noon. Pre-booking not required. 020 8868 2346 15 Oct 9.30am-12.45pm (last tour 12pm) 18 Oct Open Day(school at work, 9.30am and 2.15pm) 19 Oct 6pm for Sixth Form Book ahead 01923 825446 Tours by appointment 01923 845514 4-18 By appointment 01895 259771 1 Oct 1-4pm 020 8266 1700 Junior School: 1 Oct 10am-12.30pm Senior School: 1 Oct 2-5pm, 6 Oct 6- 8.30pm, Senior school 020 8266 2302 (Junior School and Sixth form entry) 020 8266 2338 (age 11+) By appointment 01753 671000

School feature For Open days in South East London please visit www.familiesse.co.uk For Open Days in West London please visit www.familieswest.co.uk For other areas in London or elsewhere in the country visit www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk and choose the location of your choice. (Did you know? There are 36 Families magazines around the country!)

The Dominie The Dominie is an independent co-educational school, which specialises in providing education for children with dyslexia and dyspraxia. We welcome children from the age of 6 to 12. The maximum number of children at The Dominie is 32. The school is built around the children. We consider the whole child in terms of their needs, whilst recognising their strengths and potential. Our aim is to secure the child's confidence and help them to re-discover the joys of learning. "The school makes outstanding provision for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of its pupils. This is a small, 'family' community where each individual is respected and embraced as part of the school." Ofsted 55 Warriner Gardens, London SW1 4DX Tel: 020 7720 8783 info@thedominie.co.uk www.thedominie.co.uk

White House School & Woodentops Kindergarten Tel: 020 8674 9514 Email: office@whitehouseschool.com www.whitehouseschool.com 24 Thornton Road SW12 0LF

SEN specialist teacher. Part-time position available This position is for 3 - 4 hours a week, mornings only, during term time. The post is to provide one to one support for pupils who have been assessed by the school or by an Educational Psychologist’s reports to require extra help with literacy skills. Some of the pupils involved require support as they are bi or tri-lingual. Our pupils are delightful and friendly and the school received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report in May 2011. The successful applicant will be required to provide an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. Please apply in writing or email to Mrs Mary McCahery, SENCO.

October 2011

School feature From page 26

Student costs up The monthly cost of being a student has risen by £42.56 over the last year, according to analysis by Family Investments, a children's savings provider. It says monthly living costs for students a year ago were an average of £752 compared with £795 today. From autumn next year, university tuition fees are set to rise from around £3000 to around £9000 a year for many courses, adding to the financial concerns of students and their parents.

More kids being tutored Increasing numbers of parents are turning to private tutors to help their children through exams, according to new research. A survey of 2,700 11 to 16-year-olds by the educational charity the Sutton Trust found that almost a quarter have received some form of private tuition, compared with 18 per cent four years ago. "Private tuition appears to be booming despite the recession," said Sir Peter Lampl, Sutton Trust chairman.

Junior ISAs launch From November parents and grandparents will be able to deposit up to £3,600 a year for their children in new Junior ISAs. The ISAs replace Child Trust Funds which were withdrawn as part of the government's austerity measures. Junior ISAs are intended to provide youngsters with a nest-egg towards university costs, or a car or flat deposit, when they reach 18 - they're not allowed to delve into the funds until then. For more information see http://www.taxfreejuniorisa.co.uk/

Children need turning on to 2012 Olympic gold medallist Christine Ohurogu says young people are "not really interested" in the London 2012 Games, and that more must be done to encourage them. The 400-metre champion, who grew up less than a mile from the Olympic site, says it's hard to sell the Olympics story unless you've experienced it - but she believes more imaginative ways must be found to persuade youngsters to feel part of the excitement in the build-up to next year.

Study girls with their AELTC racquets

All England Club and Study Preparatory School make a racket! The Study Preparatory School, Wimbledon, was among three other schools in the locale to have been given by the All England Club a number of vintage wooden tennis rackets to decorate and transform into unique works of art as part of the Club’s 125th Championships celebrations this summer. The Study, an Artsmark Gold school, and long renowned for its academic success and creative ethos, produced some astounding pieces of art including the use of sculpture, tapestry, quilting, papier mache and collage which transformed the rackets into unique and eye-catching artworks. The completed works went on display both at the Club’s Grounds during The Championships, and at selected venues around Wimbledon Village. www.thestudyprep.co.uk

Labels for Schools The cream of the retail industry gathered at The Savoy on Wednesday 14th September 2011 to recognise and celebrate the achievements of retail’s highest flyers and to announce: Entrepreneur of the Year Winner: Ann-Maree Morrison, Director of Labels4Kids Ltd

Stamp of Approval Thames Christian College has maintained its high standard in Art this year with 40% of GCSE grades A* and 60% A*-A. Two pupils achieved 100% - Beth Greeves in Graphics, in which she designed Olympic stamps in a mock commercial brief for Royal Mail and Shannon Bills (age 16) who attained 100% in her Fine Art GCSE. Beth Greeves (age 16) comments: “It would be fantastic if Royal Mail used my stamp design, just like winning a gold medal!” Dave Adkins, Deputy Head and Head of Art at Thames Christian College comments: “Art is a subject often neglected in an overcrowded curriculum. Talented pupils like Beth demonstrate why it shouldn't be sidelined.” www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk or call 020 7228 3933 Many of this year’s GCSE students will be studying triple science and maths alongside Art. Thames pupils will also have the opportunity to take part in a ‘Scratch’ Club run by Diane Gorea of Google where they will be given the opportunity to learn fundamental programming concepts in a creative and fun environment. They will also learn how to build their own piece of cyberspace, developing a mobile version of the school website and new Smartphone apps for iPhone and /or Android app.

October 2011

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

Like many great business ideas, Labels4Kids was born from personal need when AnnMaree, the mother of 3 young boys, grew tired of her boys coming home from school with other children’s clothes. Labels4Kids produces vinyl waterproof labels, iron on, stick on and sew on labels for children’s school clothing and general items. The judges were impressed with how Ann Maree has created a dedicated following of supporters from across the globe through an active social-media strategy and online forum for parents and families on her award winning website www.labels4kids.com Many congratulations Ann-Maree!

School feature

Single-sex, co-ed, or Diamond? The debate about the relative merits of single-sex education and co-education continues, as hotly as ever. No one school is going to be right for every child. But if you have chosen to educate your child in an independent school, you have the choice of a single-sex school, a mixed school or one of a new brand of schools that are popping up across the country that might just mix the best of both worlds.

Co-educational schools There are so many factors to consider when choosing a school, from academic achievement to extra-curricular activities to the facilities the school has to offer. Indeed, selecting a school for your child can be one of the most important decisions of your, and their, lives. Young people behave differently when in single-sex and mixed company, and from this stems the different character and atmospheres that you find in single-sex and coeducational schools. There are clear advantages of both approaches and some children will simply thrive more in a single-sex school. However, it is also true that others will thrive more in a mixed school. Boys and girls of school age might be complete opposites, but in a co-educational school this can often work well. They think differently, develop differently and learn in different ways but it is also the case that no two girls or two boys mature at the same rate or learn in the same way, so an individual approach to learning has to be taken on board either way. In a good coeducational school teachers will be aware of the natural differences between girls and boys and they will use a range of ways to help students reach their full potential. It is not necessarily true that girls learn things through traditional methods of teaching while boys need more practical and physical instruction. A co-ed school will use a range of approaches, with such wide-angle teaching proving to be successful with both boys and girls. On top of this, in a co-educational school both sexes learn to negotiate and debate through communication with each other, giving them an advantage for the future. A huge part of education is about preparing students for life, and life contains both sexes!

Tuesday Tutors

Single sex schools

• We coach children for state and independent school and entry tests: VR, NVR, English, Maths and interview preparation. • We are also happy to offer Maths and English support for children in school, and Home Education. • NEW- a dedicated Maths tutor up to A Level available for home-visits in central London Tuesday Tutors has placed many children in top state and private schools. It is advisable to contact us early, as high demand may mean that your child will be placed on our waiting list.

Experienced tutors welcome Tel: 020 7735 8268

07906 312541

tuesdaytutors@hotmail.co.uk tuesdaytutors.com

Many parents believe that single-sex teaching on the other hand provides greater focus for their child, as well as allowing them the freedom to grow up at their own rate. Studies have shown that boys’ and girls’ brains are organised differently, and teachers in single-sex schools

recognise and work with the way that boys and girls learn best, adapting their approach to suit the needs of their pupils. The advantage of single-sex education is that both boys and girls can develop at their own pace without the social pressure that the opposite sex can sometimes impose on them. They also have more opportunity to study subjects that might be considered too feminine for boys (art, music, drama), or too masculine for girls (science, maths). Finally, a Government-backed review in 2007 recommended that the sexes should be taught differently to get better results, and highlighted that gender stereotyping was actually weaker in the single-sex sector.

Diamond schools A Diamond school can be an innovative solution to this conundrum. ‘Diamond School’ is a term that applies to a type of independent school that combines both single-sex and co-educational teaching in the same organisation. Typically, boys and girls are taught together until the age of 11, then separately from 11-16 (in some schools they are taught separately from age 8), before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form. Diamond schools are often the product of the merger of a boys' and a girls' school, thus it is usual that girls and boys can be taught separately on different sites. It is a common feature that boys and girls combine outside the classroom for some co-curricular activities, such as choirs, orchestras and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. A Diamond school can be the perfect answer if you have children of different sexes in your family, or if you believe in single-sex education but don’t want your child to be entirely separated from the opposite gender. It can provide all of the social and family benefits of co-education (coming together for the school play, consistency for the family and the same holiday dates!) while maintaining the merits of single-sex teaching. Currently there are only a small number of Diamond schools in Britain but they are meeting a need for families and are flourishing. No doubt more will be springing up soon!

Good school grub London’s school food is on the path to a healthy future this autumn, with new figures showing that half of all London boroughs are now serving healthy, ethical and environmentally sustainable meals. Schools enrolled with the Food for Life Partnership (FFLP) promote a whole-school approach, which aims to transform food culture and connect children with the environment and source of their food. Schools are encouraged to grow their own food and teach pupils to cook for themselves. In Richmond a local campaigning group, School Food Matters, worked to get schools signed up to the FFLP scheme, at the same time making savings of up to 40p per meal. The FFLP, supported by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, has published evidence showing that by ditching junk food from the menu and taking part in the scheme, schools can not only have improved results and behaviour but also reduce obesity. www.foodforlife.org.uk

October 2011

School feature

October 2011

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

速

What’s on

NEW: What’s on Newsletter - See ad page 8

Compiled by Sophie M-C. Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong...

EMERGENCY CARE This includes the care of an unconscious baby or child, mouth-to-mouth, chest compressions, choking and the recovery position. Tue 11 Oct. 7.30pm-9.30pm. TREETOPS NURSERY in Fulham Wed 12 Oct. 10am-12noon. THE POTTERY CAFÉ in Fulham

DIARY DATES EVENTS FOR CHILDREN WILDLIFE WATCH CLUB -WIMBLEDON COMMON. Meet on the first Sunday of each month at the information Centre, Wimbledon Common, near the Windmill. 10am12pm. 8-14yrs. £1 registration fee and £2 per session. 020 8540 6154 6 Nov. LICHENS AND FUNGI FORAY.

October 1st and throughout the month: THE BIG BOOK SWAP. Swap books for charity: Bowel Cancer UK is asking people across the country to get together with their friends and families, dig out their favourite books and take part in the Big Book Swap to raise funds and awareness of the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

OASIS CHILDREN’S VENTURE Larkhall Lane, London SW4 6SP (5mns walk from Stockwell Tube) 020 7498 2329 or naturegarden@oasisplay.org.uk UNDER 5s NATURE PLAYGROUND Friday 10.30am12noon during term time. Games, singing, building, exploring and play. All in a safe and natural setting. Each week has a theme: growing, minibeasts, habitat, recycling..Sessions run in all weather – indoor area available when wet. Parent supervision required. No need to book. Donation much appreciated. £1 per child. THE BEE’S KNEES AT BATTERSEA ART CENTRE Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5TN 020 7223 2223 www.bac.org.uk Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. A MAGICAL INDOOR GARDEN CAFÉ for parents and under 5s filled with free activities and games. Sit and relax over lunch or tea & cake while your children explore and discover. Free. Babies facilities. Available to hire for birthday parties. Eddie Catz PUTNEY 68-70 Putney High Street, London SW15 1SF 0845 2011268, www.eddiecatz.com Playframe, Toddler & Baby area, Café, free WiFi, classes for under 5’s, Holiday Camps, free video games 9.30am-6.30pm Mon-Sat & 10am-6.30pm Sun. Eddie Catz WIMBLEDON 42 Station Road, Merton SW19 2LP 0845 2011268, www.eddiecatz.com Playframe, toddler playframe & play area, indoor multisports pitch, Disco, Café, free WiFi, holiday camps, video games, kiddie rides 9.30am-6.00pm Mon-Sun. SMILEY TIME NURSERY RHYMES & STORY TIME THE BOWLER, 20 Bellevue Road Wandsworth Common, London SW17 07540 990133 www.smileytime.co.uk Mondays & Thursdays 10am. £5 per child (sibling discount £3), drop-in sessions. Babies to under 5s. ST LUKE’S CHURCH, Strathmore Road, London SW19. Tuesday’s at 9.30pm ST BARNABAS CHURCH, Lavenham Road, London SW18. Tuesday’s at 10.30am. CRAFTY PINT WORKSHOPS Tooting Tram & Social, Mitcham Road, near Tooting Broadway, London SW17. First Sat of the month. 07792 776218. Bkg: www.craftypint.co.uk or Gillian@craftypint.co.uk Sat 5 Nov. 2pm-5pm. Upcycled Jewellery. Suitable for 10yrs+ with an adult. £15 all materials and tutorials included.

THINGS TO DO EN FAMILLE ARTIST OPEN HOUSE 1-2 & 8-9 Oct.11am - 6pm. Artists across Wandsworth borough open their studios to the public in the Wandsworth Artists Open House 2011. Photographers, painters, potters, sculptors, textiles and print makers are among the 102 artists taking part. There is also an additional art trail for Balham, Furzedown and Tooting artists. For more info follow Twitter @WAOH2011 or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170489469688 212&ref=ts "

ACCIDENT AND ILLNESSES (First Aid Training) covers the treatment of common illnesses and accidents with easyto-use assessments methods. Tue 18 Oct. 7pm-9.30pm. TREETOPS NURSERY in Fulham Wed 19 Oct. 10am-12noon.. THE POTTERY CAFÉ in Fulham THE RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION 3rd-9th Oct RAMBLERS WOODLAND WALKING FESTIVAL http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/events/Festivals/woodlan dwalks From family-friendly forest adventures to autumnal woodland strolls, come and discover hidden woodland wonders, learn about your native trees and celebrate your local forests. The aim of the festival is to encourage as many people as possible to experience the wonders of walking through woodland and highlight the Ramblers campaign to save our woodland walks, following plans to sell off England's Public Forest Estate. FRIENDS OF TOOTING COMMON WALK www.friendsoftootingcommon.org.uk Meet at the Staff Yard at 8.30am. 16 Oct. BIRD WALKS Free guided walk led by Peter white, the Bird recorder for the commons. Walks last up to 4hrs. Bring binoculars if you can. Please, no dogs or very young children.

PALACE ART FAIR Fulham Palace, Bishops Avenue, London SW6 6EA www.palaceartfair.co.uk 7-9 Oct. Fri 12noon-8.30pm, Sat 11am-5.30pm & Sun 11am-5.30pm. £6 on the door, children under 14 free. Organised by the team behind the highly successful “Brighton Art Fair”, the fair will showcase around 100 contemporary artists and groups working across all media exhibiting and selling their work directly to the public. VENN STREET MARKET Clapham Common, London SW4 www.vennstreetmarket.co.uk This much loved market aims to encourage flower, plant and food production, better reflect the seasonal nature of food and plants, reduce produce mileage and packaging and support the local economy. Saturdays 10am-5pm: FRESH FOOD MARKET. Sundays 12pm-5pm: FOOD, GARDEN PLANTS &CRAFTS. Following much local support from residents and visitors to the market, Venn Street Market is to become a WEEKLY food market from Sat 1 and Sun 2 Oct! Throughout October, the market will also celebrating Apple Day with apple bobbing and Halloween with pumpkin faces and turning them into scary lanterns.

EVENTS FOR ADULTS FIRST AID COURSES With Emma Hammett, Qualified Nurse, First Aid Trainer and local Mum. HSE and Qualsafe approved. Over 20 years of healthcare and teaching experience 020 8675 4036 emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk or www.firstaidforlife.org.uk Weekday courses are in Balham and weekend in Westminster. PEDIATRIC COURSES FULFILLING OFSTED CRITERIA Fri 7 Oct, Sat 8 Oct, Thurs 20 Oct. EMERGENCY COURSES/FIRST AID FOR BABIES Thu 8 Sep, Sat 17 Sep and Fri 23 Sep. Courses in small groups, certificates awarded on the day. Saturday courses available. Numerous dates and courses available and Emma, Jess or Piers will teach at your house too. Contact Emma or visit the website. R.E.D.I Training 1 U2 Cooper House, 2 Michael Road, London SW6 2AD 020 7348 7117 www.redi-training.co.uk

visit www.familiessouthwest.co.uk

17 Oct MUMPRENEURS Networking Club meeting, great to promote your own business! Details from dawng@agoodgossip.co.uk www.agoodgossip.co.uk 22 Oct, 10 – 4pm, FREE event. GOOSEBERRY BUSH – Positive Health Day. 115 Kingston Road, SW19 1LT 020 8543 8720 angela@gooseberrybushcentres.com Always thought about trying a different class or therapy? Taster classes in yoga/pilates/antenatal yoga/postnatal pilates and meet our friendly, professional teachers. 2 Nov SINGLE PARENTS GROUP first meet 020 8772 0463. 8 and 9 November. Huge sale of new and secondhand ski clothes for adults and children, big reductions on last year's stock plus this year's new collection. 9am7.30pm. 22 Northbourne Road, SW4. skiderouge.com 020 7720 4871 libbyderouge@hotmail.co.uk

DRAMA POLKA THEATRE 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com MAIN THEATRE To 29 Oct ‘I HAVE A DREAM...’ By Levi David Addai A time travelling adventure involving the daughter of Martin Luther Kings speech, his daughter Yolanda King and her travels with schoolboy Raheem. (Part of “Black History Month”) Sat 8 Oct 2pm. AFTER SHOW TALK Sat 15 Oct 2pm. BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE 19 Oct-18 Feb 2012. THE UGLY DUCKLING This brand new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale promises to be a playful and tender production, brought to life with delightful music, movement and puppetry. Special performances for 1-5yrs, please check the website. OCTOBER HALF-TERM WORKSHOPS Wed 26 Oct 10.30am-3.30pm BEHIND THE SCENES: OPEN WARDROBE WORKSHOP. Try on costumes, wigs and masks, create your own character and devise a

October 2011

Please send info to our editor to be considered: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk (inclusion is free)

What’s on

RICHMOND THEATRE

Polka Theatre@ Credit: Charlotte Cooke

The Green, Richmond, TW9 1QJ. 0844 871 7651, www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond Mon 10-Sat 15 Oct. SEASON’S GREETINGS Take one frustrated wife, add a seductive stranger, two eccentric uncles and a mechanical monkey, and watch the hilarity unfold in this explosive festive treat. Christmas will never be the same again! £16/£31. Wed 19-Sat 22 Oct. LA TRAVIATA & MADAME BUTTERFLY Two classic’s of Opera repertoire. La Traviata: Wed and Thu eves 7.30pm, Madame Butterfly: Fri and Sat eves 7.30pm. £21/£37.

play to perform to family and friends. 6-9yrs. £25. Fri 28 Oct 10.30am-3.30pm. BEHIND THE SCENES: “I HAVE A DREAM” SCRIPT WRITER’S WORKSHOP. A chance to meet Levi David Addai and explore how old photographs, events and real people from the past can inspire you to write your own play. 7-11yrs. £25. Thu 27 Oct. UGLY DUCKLING’S BIRDS OF A FEATHER WORKSHOP 9.45am-11am (3-4yrs) and 11.30am-12.45pm (4-5yrs) Make wings, masks and bird feeders in this drama and craft workshop. £15. Sat 29 Oct. HIP HOP JAM 10.30am-2pm. Learn some new moves in this dance session. 7-11yrs. £15. For CREATIVE EXPLORERS COURSES please check the website for a full schedule.

UNICORN THEATRE

October 2011

356 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4ES 020 8333 4457 www.tara-arts.com Sat 8 Oct. PAPER PEOPLE 10.30am, 12noon & 1.30pm. An interactive performance aimed at young people. Newspaper sellers use their stand and a stack of newspapers to bring to life a variety of people and landscapes hidden within the stories from the pages. Puppets, characters and environments emerge like live and evolving animations. 4yrs+ and their family. £6.60/£7.50 Sat 15 Oct. LOOK TO THE SKY 7.30pm A group of young people are forced to confront the very thing that scares them most. Themselves, the mysterious and complicated culture of inner-city youth is exploded in this gripping new play. With raw poetic language and contemporary soundtracks. 13yrs+. £7.50/£11.50. Mon 10-Sat 22 Oct. GREATER LUNA 7.30pm. The long running Off Broadway hit features eight actors creating the entire population of tuna – men, women, children and animals – in a tour de farce of quick-change artistry, changing costumes and characterizations. £7.50/£11.50. Sat 22 Oct. PATRICK MONAGHAN IN STORIES AND FAIRYTALES OF TRAVELS FOR KIDS WHO DANCE LIKE CAMELS. 1.30pm. An energy packed and fun-filled, brand family show – a colourful mish-mash of stand –up, story-telling, music and movement! 4yrs+ and their families. £7.50/£8.50

ALRA PRODUCTIONS Alra Theatre, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building (On the northern edge of Wandsworth Common), John Archer Way, London SW18 3SX. 020 8870 6475, www.alra.co.uk Wed 26-Fri 28 Oct 7.30pm and Sat 29 Oct 3pm. THE ASH GIRL by Timberlake Wertenbaker, directed by Titania Krimpas. She’s Cinderella, but not as we know her! This is a drama school production.

THE LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0OL 0871 22 117 20 www.lyric.co.uk 6 Oct-5 Nov. SAVED Originally banned for its

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

Warm loving environment for 2+ to 5 year olds Montessori-qualified staff International atmosphere Light and airy premises Private sunny patio Fulham /Hammersmith border

Cont. pg 34

147 Tooley Street, Southwark, London SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com To 30 Oct. BILLY THE KID From the hit novel by Michael Morpugo. A heart-warming story of football, war and dreams 8yrs+ £8 to £19, family £34/£54. 4-8 Oct. UNDER A FOREIGN SKY Inspired by the global economic crisis, the play asks what happens to young migrants when they arrive in a new country and try to make new lives for themselves. 13 yrs+. £9/£11, family £32. 18-23 Oct. CALL MR ROBINSON A rollercoaster journey through the life of the famous actor, singer and civil rights campaigner. 12yrs+. £9/£11, family £32. 25-30 Oct. VIDEK’S SHIRT An interactive storytelling piece for 2-5 year olds involving puppetry, song and live music and lots and lots of joining in. £6/£8, family £24.

TARA Studio

Please ring— Morning sessions plus Tuesdays 1-3pm

020 7381 3511 020 7736 8729

What’s on from page 33

NEW: What’s on Newsletter - See ad page 8

EVENTS

BATTERSEA PARK CHILDREN’S ZOO Battersea Park, Chelsea Bridge Gate, London SW11 020 7924 5826 www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Daily from 10am. Usual child entrance fee £6 with activities. HALLOWEEN HALF-TERM EVENTS 22-31 Oct. PUMPKIN TRAIL Purchase a quiz sheet upon entry and use the clues to find which animals have put out pumpkins! £1

Colour House Theatre: Alice in Wonderland revolutionary ferocity and ground-breaking vision, Edward Bond’s SAVED is revived by Lyric Artistic Director Sean Holmes. Edward Bond’s uncompromising vision of working class South London caused uproar with the debut production of SAVED in 1965; shocking audiences and critics alike; it did however prove to be massively influential and was fundamental in the abolishment of stage censorship. 14yrs+.

THE COLOUR HOUSE THEATRE Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way, SW19 2RD 020 8767 8886 www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Sat & Sun 2pm & 4pm both days. ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Alice disappears down that famous rabbit hole again for some truly mad adventures in the strange and magical world of Wonderland. The show promises to be a true classic for the whole family to enjoy! 3yrs+. £7/£9

Battersea Zoo Tue 25 Oct. SLIPPERY SNAKE DAY Create a spooky snake picture and meet a real snake. Drop-in sessions 11am-1pm & 2pm-3.30pm Thurs 27 Oct MAKE A TRICK OR TREAT BAG Drop in sessions 11am-1pm & 2pm-3.30pm. Sat 29 Oct. HALLOWEEN FUN DAY: Spooky Face-Painting: £2.50 Guess what’s in the Spooky Box £1 Spooky Colouring in Picture Free, 11am-1pm & 2pm3.30pm.

WWT WETLAND CENTRE

Little Venice, Blomfield Road, London W9 2PF 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com 22 -28 Oct. Daily at 3pm. Double Bill: THE THREE PIGS AND THE WOLF and CAPTAIN GRIMEY The Three Pigs is a lively show that breathes new life into these wellknown characters. Captain Grimey is the dirtiest, most miserable, one legged sea captain in the world. It is not until the golden Dolphin befriends him that he becomes Captain Shiney and finds true happiness. 2 to 7yrs. £8.50/£10.

Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT. 020 8409 4400. www.wwt.org.uk Daily 9.30am - 5pm £4.95/ £8.95, under 4s free, family £25. A spectacular 105 acre wetland landscape of lagoons, lakes and ponds offers a safe haven for hundreds of wild bird species, dragonflies, bats and amphibians. Sat 22–Sun 23 Oct. BATS AND SPIDERS WEEKEND When you’ll meet Bats and Spiders close up and learn more about these fascinating animals you’ll see a totally different side to them. There will also be a spider talk and walk on which you’ll get to see some common British species and learn how to identify them.

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

LONDON EYE

The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG 0844 871 7646 www.ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon Tue 11-Sat 22 Oct. THE SOUND OF MUSIC The lavish and critically acclaimed production comes direct from the London Palladium and tells the uplifting true story of the von Trapp family’s flight across the mountains; working its magic once again, for young and old alike £16 to £41.50. Kids go half price Mon-Thu on top price tickets. 14 Oct 7.30pm. Signed performance. Tue 1 – Sat 5 Nov. THE JUNGLE BOOK If you’re looking for a magnificent experience for all the family, don’t miss this acclaimed production of Kipling’s timeless story! Adults £12/£16, children £9/£13, family £40.

Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB. Book online at www.londoneye.com to receive 10% off. HALLOWEEN IN A CAPSULE!

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

CAMBRIDGE THEATRE Earlham Street, London WC2H 9HU 0844 412 4652/0844 800 1110 www.matildathemusical.com 18 Oct-12 Feb 2012. MATILDA THE MUSICAL The Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere of Roald Dahl’s magical story about a girl with extraordinary powers. £20 to £59.50.

Witches London Eye Sat 22–Mon 31 Oct (inclusive) 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm (each experience lasts 30mns) STORYTELLING CAPSULE AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS TO PURCHASE. Willamina has forgotten how to be wicked! Are the children of London Town brave

visit www.familiessouthwest.co.uk for What's On

October 2011

Please send info to our editor to be considered: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk (inclusion is free)

Children will learn new techniques of painting, drawing, decoupage and collage to create their own masterpiece. £7, 7yrs+ Fri 28 Oct. HALLOW’EEN PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT: DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES 10.30am12.15pm or 2.3.45pm. Free, drop-in workshop. Children must be with an adult and all ages are encouraged to take part. Inspired by the Collection as well as dreams and nightmares, you will combine make-up, mask making, lighting and acting to create weird and wonderful version of yourself. Daily: - FAMILY MULTIMEDIA TOUR with interactive games. Small fee. - FREE ARMOUR HANDLING Daily. Find out what a brigandine is and how heavy a bullet-proof breastplate really was. - FAMILY TRIALS Themed family trails available from the information desk at the front Entrance

TOWER OF LONDON Tower Hill, London EC3 Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-5.30pm 0844 482 7799 www.hrp.org.uk £10.45/£17.05/£19.80, family £55, under 5 free. Events included in adm. Until 31 Oct THE MENAGERIE 1250-1850 Be introduced to the wonders of nature, the bizarre, the incredible and the frankly unbelievable, as the ‘raries’ and the ‘Curiosities’ of the Tower throughout the ages are revealed as you’ve never seen them before! The true stories of the royal beasts in the style of a 19th century ‘Raree Show’. Until 31 Oct A SOLDIER’S EXPERIENCE (Weekend and Bank Holidays, excl 1-2 Oct) Sergeant Gowing of the Royal Fusiliers describes his recent experiences in the Crimean War. Live costume interpreters bring the history of the Tower to life. Power House (in partnership with the Royal Armouries) Discover the stories and personalities behind the major organisations of state, who took care of Royal business behind the mighty Tower walls, from 1100 to the present day, in a new permanent exhibition on the White Tower’s top floor.

EXHIBITIONS & MUSEUMS NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

October 2011

1.30pm. Discover how eye adaptations in animals such a snake, iguanas and chameleons allow individuals to escape and locate prey. 7yrs+ EVENTS FOR FAMILIES: check the full listing on www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on

SCIENCE MUSEUM Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Open 10am-6pm. Info & bkg 0870 870 4868. Adm is free but charges apply to some special exhibitions, IMAX cinema and simulator rides ATMOSPHERE: EXPLORING CLIMATE CHANGE “The” destination to explore the science of climate change. Free FLY ZONE With simulator area where you take control in 360 degree flight simulators or fly with the red arrows in a sensational 3D motion effects theatre. Charges apply. LAUNCHPAD SCIENCE SHOWS Launch a rocket, turn your head into a sound box, control a magnetic cloud and play with 50 more brand new interactive exhibits demonstrating light, sound, electricity and magnetism and more amazing physics phenomena. Free. 8-14yrs. Until 13 Nov. PROTOMODEL British Artist Conrad Shawcross has created a series of five small –scale artworks dispersed throughout the “Mathematics” gallery. This exhibition opens up a playful, questioning dialogue exploring how model-making, natural processes, cultural practices and historical circumstances all play their part in mathematical thinking.

HUGE SALE OF NEW AND SECOND-HAND SKI CLOTHES

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HT 020 7730 0717 www.nam.ac.uk Daily 10am-5.30pm. Free EXHIBITIONS DRAW YOUR WEAPONS - THE ART OF "COMMANDO" COMICS. A colourful and dynamic exhibition exploring the history of the war comic from its initial conception and subject matter to its continuing popularity. Free From 22 Oct. WAR HORSE: FACT & FICTION A new major exhibition exploring the true history behind the hugely popular “War Horse” novel by Michael Morpugo. Free. HALF TERM SPECIAL 22-30 Oct. HORSE SOLDIERS Join cavalry soldiers from the Boer War and the Second World War and find out more about the lives of horse soldiers. Get up close to Cavalry objects from the Museum’s handling Collection and take part in creative activities. ACTIONS ZONES – VICTORIAN SOLDIERS ACTION ZONE Quizzes, games and hands-on activities help you learn about life as a Victorian Soldier and the part they played in the shaping of Britain’s Empire. Free, in “Changing the World Gallery”. KID’S ZONE Daily 10.10am-5.15pm. This new children’s play area explores aspects of army life from camping to clothing and includes a dedicated soft play space for babies, plus art and crafts, dressing-up costumes, books, interactive toys and panels. Adm charge applies. www.nam.ac.uk/kids

FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN SKISUITS, JACKETS, SALOPETTES, GLOVES, SNOWBOOTS, GOGGLES, HELMETS, ETC. BIG REDUCTIONS ON LAST YEAR'S STOCK PLUS THIS YEAR’S NEW COLLECTION Tuesday November 8th and Wednesday November 9th 9.00am-7.30pm At 22 Northbourne Road, Clapham, SW4 7DJ

www.skiderouge.com Any enquiries ring Libby de Rougemont on

020 7720 4871/07939 051220 libbyderouge@hotmail.co.uk Do come and bring friends

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM LONDON Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ 10am-6pm 020 7416 5320/5321 www.iwm.org.uk EXHIBITIONS ONCE UPON A WARTIME: CLASSIC WAR STORIES FOR CHILDREN The exhibition delves into the pages of well-loved books, bringing five stories of war dramatically to life. Behind the scenes of the stories, see what inspired the authors to write their books, and find out about the historical context of each story through objects, photographs and films. £3.95 to £5.95, family £12.50. To 26 Feb 2012 MEMORY REMAINS: 9/11 ARTEFACTS AT HANGAR 17 by Francesc Torres Following the devastation of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York, the recovery effort began and the 16acre site underwent the careful and lengthy process of being cleared. A small group of architects and curators slowly began to fill the empty shell of Hangar 17 at JFK International Airport with debris and material cleared from

...cont page 36

Cromwell Road, London SW7 020 7938 9123. Info: MonFri 020 7942 5000. Sat & Sun 020 7942 5011 www.nhm.ac.uk Mon-Sat: 10am – 5.50pm Sun 11am-5.50pm. Free. EXHIBITIONS 21 Oct-11 Mar 2012 VEOLIA ENVIRONMENT WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 10am5.50pm. Revealing nature photography in its purest form, this exhibition of more than 100 images uniquely combines the work of talented photographers and gifted amateurs with leading lights of the profession from around the globe. Interactive stations provide insight into what the judges, scientists and the photographers think about each photograph, while encouraging visitors to participate and not just vote for their favorite, but also join the debate surrounding the hot topics of conservation and green issues. £4.50/£9, family £24, ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES Sats, Suns and School Hol 2pm-5pm HANDS-ON NATURE: DINAUSAURS. Visit the handling trolley in “Lasting Impressions” and take a closer look at some interesting specimens with the help of science educators. Free. Mon-Fri in term time. 11am-5pm. DAILY FAMILY ACTIVITES. Free. Younger visitors can pick up an Explorer backpack and take a mini adventure around the Museum. Don’t miss the Dippy floor puzzle, perfect for under 8’s. Complete the puzzle of the 26-metre long “diplodocus” and you’ll get a funky Dippy sticker! 8 & 26 Oct. ANIMAL VISION : CAN YOU REALLY SEE EVERYTHING? 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm &

What’s on

visit www.familiessouthwest.co.uk for What's On

from page 35

What’s on enough to help her read the Wicked Witch’s spell and reinstate her powers? Walk up price: Adult 21, child £11.50, family (2 adults & 2 children under 16) available online.

ORLEANS HOUSE GALLERY Riverside, Twickenham, TW 1 3GJ 020 8487 5258 HALF TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES: Bkg essential. Call 020 8831 6000 or www.richmond.gov.uk/arts Thurs 25 Oct. HALF DAY FELT MAKING WORKSHOP 5-8yrs 10am12noon and 8s-11yrs 2pm-4pm. £10. Wed 26 Oct THE MAGIC OF MOVEMENT and Thurs 27 Oct FLAPS AND FOLDS Coach house Club for 6-9 yrs. 10am-3pm. £25. Bring a packed lunch. Wed 26 Oct THE MAGIC OF MOVEMENT and Thurs 27 Oct FLAPS AND FOLDS CH2 for 9-14yrs. 10am-3pm. £25. Bring a packed lunch. FAMILY ACTIVITIES Every Friday. SEASAW 10.30am-12.30pm. £4 per child, no bkg required, children must be accompanied by an adult. Learn, play and explore together in our multi-sensory sessions designed to encourage creativity, curiosity and develop skills in communication, co-ordination and social interaction. Sun 6 Nov. SUNDAY AFTERNOON ART Free dropin workshop for families, 2pm-3.30pm. 4yrs+ Children must be accompanied by an adult. No bkg required.

NEW: Get our What’s On Newsletter by email — See ad page 8. It’s free and gives you the latest for SW London.

KEW GARDENS Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB 020 8332 5655 www.kew.org 9.30am-6pm £11.90/£13.90, free for children under 17 (with an adult) A LANDSCAPE OF COLOUR: KEW GARDENS IN AUTUMN As the trees shed their summer growth, one of Kew’s most popular attractions – the 18 meter high Xstrata Treetop Walkway – opens up stunning views across the Gardens and the city’s skyline. INTRODUCTION TO KEW Free, daily 11am and 1.30pm (throughout the year) The walk lasts for one hour and is a great way to discover Kew’s seasonal highlights and to learn about our history, plants and science. MELLOW FRUITFULNESS Free, daily at 12pm until the 30th Nov. The tour lasts for 1 hour and celebrates all that is Autumnal – from ripening fruits and seeds to vibrant foliage. (Register 15mns before the tour at the Guide’s Information Desk inside Victoria Gate Plaza. TREE IDENTIFICATION TOUR £5, bkg essential. Weds & Saturdays at 1pm from the 1st to the 29th Oct and lasts 90mns. To book call 020 8332 5604 or email tours@kew.org<mailto:tours@kew.org

NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES HAM HOUSE Ham Street, Ham, Richmond upon Thames TW10 7RS 020 8940 1950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE 020 7306 0055, www.npg.org.uk/events Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun 10am-6pm. Late opening Thu, Fri 10am-9pm. FAMILY EVENTS: Meet in the Ondaatje Wing Main Hall 8 Oct. ANIMATE – THE BIG DRAW 1pm-4pm. Dropin event. Explore drawing and animation with children’s illustrator and film maker Leigh Hodginkson. All the family will have the chance to make their drawings come to life, there will be a special screening of animations at the end of the afternoon. 3yrs+ Sat 15 Oct. STORYTELLING FOR FAMILIES 10.30am or 1.30pm An exciting story-telling session followed by a fun art activity. 3yrs+ Sat 15 Oct. FAMILY ART WORKSHOP 11.30am or 2.30pm. Explore portraits in the Collection, followed by an art activity. 5yrs+ Mon 24-Fri 28 Oct. CHASING TALES 11.30am or 2.30pm A WEEK OF HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES for families inspired by the “Chasing Mirrors” display. Weekdays only. 5yrs+ and their carers. Mon 24-Fri 28 Oct. TOUR AND DRAW 11am or 1.30pm. Tour and Draw sessions exploring the Collection. Weekdays only. 3yrs+ and their carers.

MORDEN PARK HALL South West London between Wimbledon and Sutton, London SM4 5JD 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Thurs 27 Oct. FAMILY ACTIVITIES: THE BIG DRAW (at the Snuff Mill )11am-3pm. Help us produce a piece of artwork which will be display in our newly renovated Stable Yard. No bkg. 3yrs+. £1.50, family £4. OSTERLEY PARK Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB 020 8232 5050 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 29 & 30 Oct. PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 12noon-4pm. Family activities include pumpkin carving and tasting, talks and plenty of games, culminating in the telling of the “Great Pumpkin Story” Come dressed up and get a trick or treat. Free upon normal adm charge. 30 Oct. FAMILY DISCOVERY DAYS 12noon-4pm Hands-on art and craft activities or storytelling for a creative fun day in the house and Garden. Free upon normal adm charge.

CINE LUMIERE/ INSTITUT FRANCAIS 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT 020 7073 1350 www.institut-francais.org.uk CINE-KIDS Sat 8 Oct. LES DOUZE TRAVAUX D’ASTERIX 11.30am. £5. Sat 22 Oct. THE BEST OF THIS YEAR’S “OPEN RUSSIAN FESTIVAL OF ANIMATED FILMS” 11.30am. £5. FAMILY CONCERTS Fun and interactive. Sat 15 Oct. BADKE QUARTET 10.45am. £5/£7 AU THEATRE THIS SUNDAY This series is perfect for primary school children who want to progress further with French language and culture. Sun 16 Oct. JACKIE AND THE GIANT 3pm. £8/£10 BABY FRENCH TALES With games, songs and music, professional storyteller and librarians will make the babies familiarise themselves with French language and their parents with age and level-appropriate books. 12 Nov. LE ROYAUME DE LA FORET 11am. Adapted from “Le petit Chaperon rouge” by Perrault. £5/£7

THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Halloween National Trust 24- 27 Oct. FAMILY GHOST TOURS Enjoy spinechilling family fun on one hour guided tours with spooky stories. Come in fancy dress. 11.30am-12.30pm, adults £8.50, children £6.50. Bkg essential: 0844 249 1895

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500/ 9551 www.wallacecollection.org 10am-5pm. Free. EVENTS FOR FAMILIES Sat 22 Oct. THE BIG DRAW: READY, STEADY DRAW! Free, drop-in workshop. Inspired by the Collection, your team will go head to head on drawing challenges set by the museum. All abilities and age are welcome. More info: www.drawingpower.org.uk Mon 24 Oct. TICK TOCK: MAKE A CLOCK 10.30am12.30pm or 2pm-3pm Create your own 3D timepiece artwork from sumptuous materials including embossing foil and gold tissue. £7, 7yrs+ Tue 25 Oct. AUTUMN HARVEST: DRAWING, PAINTING AND COLLAGE WORKSHOP 10.30am12.30pm or 2pm-4pm.

October 2011

Please send info to our editor to be considered: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk (inclusion is free)

What’s on

the site, transforming it into a storehouse of memories. Artist Francesc Torres, commissioned by the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, was granted access to explore inside the hangar and produced an extensive series of photographs reflecting on the emotional power of what remained after 9/11 HALF TERM FAMILY ACTIVITIES 22-30 Oct WAR HORSE: MAKING A SCENE 11am11.45am, 12-12.45pm, 2pm-2.45pm, 3pm-3.45pm. Design and make your own shadow puppets, depicting key scenes from the story of War Horse. Free drop-in. 6yrs+.

MUSEUM OF LONDON

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Daily 10am-5.45pm. Free. EXHIBITIONS To 26 Feb 2012. THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES. This exhibition explores the darker side of traditional fairy tales. The gallery has been transformed into a creepy forest, an installation based on the Brothers Grimm tale Fundevogel made with the help of local schoolchildren. 8 Oct-4 Mar 2012. MAGIC WORLDS The exhibition will delve into the captivating world of magic, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the imaginary and fantastical realms of witches, wizards, fairies, elves, dragons, magicians and illusionists. On display will be costumes, tricks, paintings, ceramics, beautifully illustrated books and posters, games optical toys and dramatic puppets. Free. HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES Mon 24-Fri 28 Oct. MAGIC AND MAKE BELIEVE 11am-4pm A week of arts & crafts, performance and storytelling. Marvel at walkabout magicians, watch shadow puppet storytelling based on Julia Donaldson’s “the Magic Paintbrush” (10.30am, 11.15am and 12noon), take a prizewinning trail and make a magician’s hat (2pm-4pm) Dropin, all ages. Mon 24-Fri 28 Oct. SIMPLY MAGIC WITH DAVID WEEKS 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm. A week of spellbinding shows led celebrity magician. There are three 45mns shows to choose from, tailored to children age 6 and under (11.30am) or age 7+ (1.30pm & 3pm) £3. Bkg taken from Mon 10 Oct. Tue 25 Oct. FAMILY FILM WORKSHOP: DADS IN DEMAND Dads! Come and create a stop motion animation film with the kids for a chance to see your name in lights at the national film premiere in London. Run by Campaign for Learning. Bkg taken from Tue 11 Oct. 3-14 yrs.

HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MUSEUM Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX 020 7930 3070 www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES Mon 24 Oct-Sat 29 Oct. CRAFT ACTIVITIES based on the history of the household Cavalry. 11.30am (45mns). Children free with fee paying adult. Small charge for material. Bkg recommended. DETECTIVE TRAIL all week around the Museum and certificates for completed trails. Tue 25 Oct. STORYTELLING 2.15pm. 3-8yrs.

Household Cavalry Museum

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free. 24-28 Oct. THE BIG DRAW – DESIGNS ON YOUR MONEY 10am-4.30pm. Visitors learn about the sophisticated security features contained within banknotes, before designing their own secure notes. Event includes a competition with prizes to be won.

DESIGN MUSEUM Shad Thames, City of London SE1 2YD 020 7403 6933 www.designmuseum.org Workshops are suitable for children 5-11yrs. Children must be accompanied by an adult. £4 for children, £8.50 for accompanying adults, price includes entry to exhibitions. Sun 23 Oct. FAMILY DRAWING TOUR 2.30pm. This half hour tour begins with a general introduction to the museum and exhibition and then invites you to discover the iconic objects in the museum collection. Material provided. 7yrs+. Free. Bkg essential. Mon 24 Oct-Wed 26 Oct. GET INTO…DESIGN. 3 DAY HALF-TERM COURSE FOR 12-16YRS 10.30am-3.30pm each day. £125. This course aims to offer participants a chance to work with industry professionals to develop their interest in design and will culminate in a final celebration and display of work for family and friends to attend. Booking: 020 7940 8782 or learning@designmuseum.org The MUSEUM OF LONDON and MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS Please visit the websites for full details of children activities. www.museumoflondon.org.uk and www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands

London Wall, EC2Y 5HN 020 7001 9844. Open daily 10am-6pm Sun 16 Oct. MUSEUM EXPLORED 11.30am-1.30pm & 2pm-4pm. Join one of the Museum hosts and explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities. 5yrs and the whole family. HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES lots and lots! Here some highlights, check the website for full schedule: Sat 22 Oct. FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND SHADOW 12.30pm-2pm & 2.30pm-4pm. Explore the story behind the Hindu Festival of Light and make a shadow puppet to take home. 5yrs+. Free Tue 25 Oct. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME 12.30pm2pm & 2.30pm -4pm. Explore how homes and clothes have changed since the 1960s. Put yourself in a picture and design your own 1960s inspired outfit. 5yrs+. Free. Fri 28 Oct. PARTY FIT FOR A QUEEN 1 pm-1.30pm, 2pm-2.30pm, 3pm-3.30pm. With our storyteller, join the festivities and street parties put on in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. 5yrs+. Free. Sun 30 Oct. LET’S DANCE 11.30am-1.30pm & 2pm4pm. Get dancing with one of the Museum’s hosts and get into the grooves in the 1960’s. 5yrs+. Free.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS West India Quay, E14 4AL 020 7001 9844. Open daily 10am-6pm. EXHIBITION To 30 Oct. PIRATES: THE CAPTAIN KIDD STORY From cannons and hidden treasure maps to female pirates and gibbet cages, the exhibition will explore the myths and mysteries surrounding common perceptions of pirates. 17th and 8th century English society will also be explored, looking at gruesome ritual executions and the greed and manipulation of the infamous East India Company. HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES lots and lots! Here some highlights, check the website for full schedule: Sat 22 Oct. PIRATE TREASURE 12.30pm-1.30pm & 2.30pm 3.30pm. Find out about different types of pirate treasure. Design and make a giant coin to take away and paint at home. 5yrs+. Free. Wed 26 Oct. MAKE A HAT 12.30pm-1.30pm & 2.30pm-3.30pm. Make a tricorn hat like a pirate would wear. 4yrs+. Free. Fri 28 Oct. ALL ABOARD! 12.30pm-1.30pm & 2.30pm-3.30pm. We need your help to finish our ship. Make a sail, mast or something we need on board. 4yrs+. Free. Sun 30 Oct. A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME 12.30pm-1pm, 2.30pm-3pm & 3.30pm-4pm. Meet our pirate and learn the truth about life in the old port of London and on the high seas. 7yrs+. Free.

Information for What’s On send to whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

Visit 345 Nursery where “The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding” (Ofsted 2008). Children become independent inquisitive and motivated in this rich and vibrant learning environment. Great outdoor space! Options include Afternoon School, Lunch Club and Early Bird Club. www.345nurseryschool.co.uk Please contact us on 020-8870-8441 or dixonannab@aol.com Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3SA

October 2011

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The Unique Birthday Experience

C h i l d r e n’ s Pa r t i e s 0207 622 2540

The theatre of Peter Peter Pan, Pan, Superheroes, Fairies,Arabian Fairies,Arabian Nights and more... In your home! Unforgettable Bilingual English/French English/French www.lydieparties.com

babbleparade.com Hugely popular

BESPOKE PARTIES: Fairies, Pirates, Spies, Circus, You name it! Jam packed with fun activities!

07794 084671

ALL THE PERSONAL ADS ARE ONLINE If you have unwanted baby goods, prams, or clothes sell them to other families locally. Please log on to www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/personalads If you are looking for childcare or offering your services as an au pair, nanny or housekeeper go to www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/childcareads It is FREE! To appear here email to: personalads@familiesmagazine.co.uk

HOUSEKEEPING/CHILDCARE • Ofsted Registered Childminder in Southfields Wandsworth has vacancies for 0 -10 year olds. I am a qualified teacher experienced in Special Needs with full CRB check, first aid certificate and very good resources to ensure your little ones have a varied and full access to the early years curriculum. Please call Terrie on 07882 357 585 for further information. • Responsible, energetic and fun nanny looking for 2 or 3 days a week and evening baby-sitting. Five years of experience in looking after children. Extensive background in working with newborn, pre-school and primary school children. Registered as a self-employed nanny for over 4 years. CONTACT ANETA on 07891 197 693 • Fun, experienced Nanny is looking for work one or two days a week or half days. Please call 020 8665 2752 • Spanish woman, 34 years old, looking for a job as a nanny, babysitter or cleaner in Southfields,

Wimbledon or Wandsworth, thank you. If you are interested please call Cristina on 07440 577 471

free car park. Full service historysee further details at fletcherzingaro.blogspot.com £11,500 ONO

• I'm looking for a part-time, liveout position. I am a very responsible and organised person. I love children and like work for children. I'm happy to take children to the park, school or activities. I can also do babysitting. Experience with good references. If you are interested please call Kasia 07825 776 049

• Nintendo DS games + Harry Potter DVD game (boxed/as new/instructions) for sale: Narnia 7+, Pokemon Diamond Version 3+, Ben 10 Protector of Earth 7+ (£8 each); Harry Potter DVD Interactive game, (PG), played via your DVD control (£5). Please call 020 8769 6400

• Are you looking for part-time or full-time housekeeping with 5 years working experience? I'm a responsible, trustworthy and energetic person with excellent references! Please call 07795 975 436 FOR SALE • Want to enjoy the river and escape London at weekends? A family-friendly speed boat with great outdoor space and a 240 horsepower engine. Diesel-powered and suitable for sharing by two families. No licence required. Convenient, central mooring with

• Phillips Avent Express Electric Steriliser, holds 6 bottles, in original box £15; Baby Sling, royal blue £10 /www.slingeasy.co.uk; Shade a babe, fits any buggy, UPF 50+ sun visor with glare shield & insect screen, in original packing £10; Jungle Play Nest from Mothercare, £10; Maclaren Travel Bag single buggy £10. All in excellent condition, pick up SW18. Call Georgie on 07958 222 665 • FREE TV! Sony 25" CRT TV with remote control & stand. Good working order. Free. Pick up only. Please call Richard on 07595 218 663

• Ski suit - black trousers and black & white jacket suitable for boy or girl aged 4-6 £20. Ski suit - black trousers and lilac jacket suitable for girl aged 3-8 £20. Snow boots (pinkish) size 11-12 £8. Snow boots (grey & pink) size 13-1 £8. Black velvet riding hat size 51 (ages 4-7) £20, black jodhpurs age 4-6 £8. Wet suit (black & pink) age 5-7 £10. Putney. Call Alison 07940 894 793. • 'Met Billy' brand bike helmet, size 52-57 cms, high visibility bright colours (lizard pattern), inner cushion pads/adjustable inner ring (£5). Boden fleece-lined, camouflage anorak with non-detachable hood, pale blue coloured fleece lining, 1112 yrs, as new, hardly worn (£18 ONO); Peter Storm black, waterproof trousers, size XS adult (short length), bought (cost £35) and worn once a few months ago (£18 ONO). Skins brand sport layer top (adult small), black/yellow, excellent condition with Canterbury brand sport layer shorts, black; both for £25. Please call 020 8769 6400

October 2011

Classified ads HEALTH

TUITION

Russian and French.

Counsellor/Psychotherapist

All levels and ages. Plus cultural and business tuition.

Family/Couples/Individuals Fathers’ Group Over 10 years’ extensive experience including: Addiction, Anger/Rage, Bereavement, Depression, Relationships Problems, Crime/Trauma Christopher Clow UKRCP, BACP (Accred), 07791 833 279 / 020 7585 1399 c.clow@yahoo.com swlondontherapy.co.uk

020 8675 2592

Home and business computers repaired & managed. Consultancy and tuition also available. Phone Danny on

Handyman

Successful 11+ results Working with families in Kensington Cambridge graduate, References available. Contact: Paula Vanninen 07754-059854

Reliable, skilled and tidy General home maintenance, including: • Carpentry and painting • Garden clearance and fencing • Flatpack assembly and fitted kitchens Please call Nigel Fletcher for further details or free quotation. 07988 983273

PIANO TUITION

John:- James & Lamont

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

PLUMBER

020 8870 7830 www.marklester.biz

FLUTE LESSONS

SPEECH SPECIALISTS Individual Tuition Public Speaking, Confidence Building, Interview Technique, Speech & Drama

Piano Lessons for adults De-stressing, relaxing & No Pressure

Clare Price. LGSM, ALAM, SRD.

Ex-Royal Ballet School accompanist. Ex-music school professor. Balham area

(020) 7735 3156

five@cathles.freeserve.co.uk

SW8 & SW19 Studios

BATHROOM, TOILET, RADIATORS, WASHING-MACHINES REPAIR LEAKING PIPE, TAP CALL MARK 07851 260371

Different styles covered. Home visits possible. Mark Lester MA, CT ABRSM

IN YOUR HOME Experienced teacher & musician Please call Maria 07742 519743 www.marianikiforos.co.uk

PAINTING & DECORATING Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE & QUOTE

Friendly, experienced and qualified teacher of children 6+ and adults. Take exams or learn purely for pleasure.

Come all the family and learn Spanish with Pedro. Group and individual lessons. Call Pedro on 07956 699963

adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk

AMITY COMPUTER SERVICES

Excellent Maths Tutor

Piano Lessons for Children MINOO

07812 828744 www.minoomohebbi.com

8944 0681 or 07961 428 596 E-mail: acs@amitygrove.com

HOLIDAYS

PAINTERS & DECORATORS General Building Maintenance

2 cottages in Cornwall - including sports facilities and indoor & outdoor pools.

Please phone for details 01483 282471 or e-mail nancyshafee@tiscali.co.uk.

BUILDING AND HANDYMAN SERVICE Painting, decorating, carpentry, plastering. Fit lights, switch, sockets. Change a lock, hang blinds, picture. Assemble furniture, putting up shelves. CALL MARK 07834 069943 JAMES ALLEN CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS Est. 25 years

020 8741 4242 Prompt reliable seven day service for deep down cleaning, removing dust, mites, dirt & stains

October 2011

Cots, highchairs etc can be arranged too!

Traditional Cornish cottage in beautiful village of St Tudy, north Cornwall.

Learn to massage your child Massage is relaxing and brings loving closeness. Learn simple techniques in your own home or your friend's. Hands-on parent and child workshop by qualified massage therapist and aromatherapist. Call Lorraine on 079101 14153

To advertise call 020 8696 9680

www.familiesmagazine.co.uk

"The perfect painters" Family-friendly painters, decorators, plasterers, household jobs… Call Tony for a reasonable quote. 07930 348095

020 8696 9680 Fax: 020 8696 9679

Reliable Handyman • Garden maintenance and building work (fences, patios, sheds, etc..) • Jobs around the house (carpentry, painting, fitting furniture, etc…) • Computer maintenance (repair, teaching) £20/hour or packages possible. Call Brian: 0774 513 6424

with years of experience, NVQ qualification in cleaning. Very Honest person of great integrity, physically and mentally fit to deliver a consistently high quality of services. 07908 813802

MUSIC

Professional home cleaner

SERVICES

Experienced teacher of

Fifteen minutes from stunning sandy beaches of Polzeath, Trebarwith, Rock etc. Surfing, sailing & masses to do for all the family. Reasonable rent; cottage has 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, sitting/dining room, kitchen, parking, garden. Near pub & shop. Enquiries: susanconnolly@aol.com.

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To advertise call 020 8696 9680 ÂŠFamilies Magazine

October 2011