Families London South West Issue 241 November 2014

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SouthWest November 2014

Christmas wrapped up!

INSIDE: Christmas Shows, Where is Santa?

Christmas Craft and Gifts and before that

8th November 10-5pm, South London Book Festival, Streatham & Clapham High School Info and bookings at

ABI CAMPBELL

photography

www.STREAM2014.co.uk

Q. What do Families and Bizzy Bitz have in common?

A. See page 27 for answer “Families® SW” – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London.

Find us online: FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Contents

November 2014

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News & info • • • •

SouthWest

Local news Clubs and activities news School news New products

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Noticeboard

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Roving reporter

04-06

Writing competition

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Why do I HAVE to do homework?

14-15

Where’s Santa?

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Volunteer this Christmas

Front cover photo, with thanks to:

ABI CAMPBELL

photography

All content ©Families 2014 www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Editorial: editor@familiesmagazine.co.uk News: news@familiesmagazine.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on info: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

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The best local toy shops

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HEALTH FEATURE • Physiotherapy, osteopathy, Children and Families Act, Salt Cave Therapy, reflexology and more • I quit sugar

Next issue: December 2014. Deadline: 1st November •“Families® South West” heads a group of magazines.

All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. There are around 40 UK local editions with a print run of more than 700,000 copies in all, in which you can advertise too. Oh, and we have a very useful website… familiesonline.co.uk

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• MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website or call us.

• Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Pewsey, Wiltshire.

• Designed by Shirley Trimmer • 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.

Gift Guide 28

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Make your own stocking

q Christmas shows j and Pantos 2014 j q What’s On

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• Theatre • Museums & Galleries • Days out • Diary dates & events • School fairs and Christmas Bazaars

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News

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Compiled by Joanna Parry

Treetop adventures!

Congratulations on 20 years for Dawmouse Dawmouse Montessori Nursery School has recently celebrated 20 years of delivering Montessori education in Fulham.

Miss Emma and her husband Keith took over the school in the Brunswick Club in September 1994, one month after getting married. Happily both business and family life have survived recessions, austerity and many changes to the early years provision.

There will be an article on 20 years of Dawmouse, and how things have changed, in our special nursery school feature in January. The Brunswick Club, 34 Haldane Rd, London SW6 7EU 020 7381 9385

Help veg scheme grow Parent and Baby Workshops Check out The Parent and Baby Coach new Parenting workshops: Baby Sleep and Routine Workshop, 6th Nov and 12th Jan 10am-12, SW11. Introduction to Weaning 28th Nov 10.30am, SW11. Expectant Parents Baby Care, 30th Nov at Baby Spa, 10am-2pm). And Daddy-to-be Workshop, for expectant fathers, learn the tricks of nappy changing, bathing and feeding as well as how to support your partner all whilst meeting other Dads. 24th Jan, SW11, 9.30am. All details and prices on the website. www.theparentandbabycoach.com 0330 6600 204

FamiliesSW

Enterprising Roehampton people needed to help a local veg box scheme expand! The Roehampton Veg Box scheme is a way for the local community to get together to make sure everyone can get access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Run by a team of local people, it works with community food enterprises to provide business advice and training. After a strong start last year the team is looking to increase in size and is seeking people with leadership skills and the ability to co-ordinate others to help steer Roehampton Veg Box into a trading position. If you would like to get involved, call Tom Carman on 01993 814 386, email tom.carman@plunkett.co.uk or find the opportunity’s webpage on the do-it.org website.

Your clambering monkeys will soon be able to get climbing as the new family-friendly treetop adventure course in Battersea Park has been granted planning permission. The Go Ape course will be suitable for children aged six and above - as well as brave mums and dads. It will be sited around the park’s adventure playground and will complement the £250,000 of play equipment installed there recently by the council. The high wire course will incorporate some of the playground’s taller trees and offer a thrilling and challenging leisure experience lasting between one and three hours. ‘This is an exciting proposal which will give people yet another good reason to visit Battersea Park,’ said planning committee chairman Cllr Sarah McDermott. ‘This has the potential to be one of the borough’s most exciting and popular leisure attractions.’

Likely entry fees not known yet, but let’s hope that all local families will be able to get the maximum benefit when the facility opens. www.goape.co.uk

Congratulations to Mini Engineers Well done to Mini Engineers, who won Merton's ‘Best New Business’ Award held by the Merton Chamber of Commerce. Only launched six months ago, the children’s Innovation and Inspiration Lab (“iLab”) offer weekly LEGO classes, holiday LEGO camps, specialised LEGO workshops and LEGO birthday parties for children ages 5 to 11 years in Wimbledon and .

Founder Kyoko Taylor said: "The feedback has been overwhelming. For a start up company, the praise we’ve had means everything to us, especially when seeing the positive impact these activities have had on the children. It was magical to see how our Mini-Engineers iLab environment can really help bring out the latent imagination of a child. Many of their builds have been so impressive that it puts me to shame."

Next workshops on 8th and 29th Nov at Imperial College London, 16th Nov and 7th December at Wimbledon Village Hall. Full details from letsbuild@mini-engineers.com or mini-engineers.com

Sports improvement

20 fabulous projects for children to make using a sewing machine

Wandsworth Council is planning to improve the sports facilities on Tooting Common, starting by replacing the all-weather sports pitch on Tooting Triangle. Under the proposals the existing artificial surface will be replaced with a new high-quality all-weather pitch, which could be used for a range of different sports. In its bid to find a partner, the council is inviting local groups, sports clubs, voluntary organisations, charities, individuals and private sector operators to express an interest in taking over the running and management of this revamped sports facility. ‘This part of Tooting Common was built on many decades ago and is not a grassed area,’ said environment spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook.

‘The existing floodlit pitch has been there for nearly 60 years, but is now tired and patchy and needs to be refurbished if it is to serve any useful community purpose in future.’

Reviewed by Jan Deykin Time to get crafty and make a few presents yourselves? They are much more personal and cost far less!

We loved the first Sewing School book and this is even better.

It should really be compulsory with every sewing machine bought, whether for a child or not! There is a comprehensive introduction to how to use a sewing machine, which is clearly and simply written for all to understand and illustrated with plenty of colour photographs. General advice on stitches, fabric and using patterns are also covered plus a section on hand sewing and what to do when mistakes are made.

There is a choice of 20 projects, which are pitched at different levels of confidence/ability and split into 4 sections: In my room, Let's go, Time to play and The great outdoors. At the back of the book is a folder of paper pattern pieces that are used as templates.

Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing by The directions are so easy to follow that many children Amie Petronis Plumley & Andria Lisle would need very little supervision, which in turn would Published by Storey, RRP £12.99 hardback, increase their confidence and sense of achievement. I'm not ISBN 978-1612120492 brilliant at sewing but my eleven year old daughter loves it and we gave it a Families rating of 6 out of 6.

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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What will you be wearing on March 27th?

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Brain tumour has featured prominently in the news recently. Families are asked to support Wear A Hat Day, a fun-filled, annual brain tumour awareness event helping support research. The organiser, Brain Tumour Research, is asking families and children and schools across the UK to save the date, 27th March 2015, and register now.

The involvement of families and school children in the campaign is poignant given that brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40. Children have lost parents, family members or even their teachers. And in many classrooms there remains a tragic reminder of a child whose life has been lost or damaged by this cruel cancer. The repercussions are felt daily; the lives of families and friends are never the same again.

Taking part is simple. Register today by visiting www.braintumourresearch.org/wearahatday. Fundraising materials including posters, leaflets, fridge magnets, pin badges, wristbands quizzes and hat making instructions will be available from the charity in early 2015.

•For further information email wearahatday@braintumourresearch.org or call the charity on 01296 733011.

And remember as a precaution, and while experts still battle amongst themselves, avoid prolonged exposure to Wifi, turn it off at night at the very least, tell your children not to carry their mobile phone on their bodies. After all it is NHS advice: “The body and nervous system are still developing into the teenage years. Therefore, as a precaution, the UK Chief Medical Officers advise that children and young people under 16 should be encouraged to use mobile phones for essential purposes only, and to keep calls short.” Of course mobiles and Wifi, as well as micro wave ovens, baby alarms and smart metres emit radiation. Inform yourselves, don’t take any risk. There is lots to read on the topic on www.wifiinschools.org.uk or www.familiesonline.co.uk/radiation

Clubs and classes Love to sing?

Et Patati Patata

Then why not join the young songwriting revolution? At Song Academy you can choose from afterschool sessions or holiday workshops, where you can develop your musicality, composition skills and creative lyric writing. Learn about the latest music styles and songwriting techniques, discover your own sound and style and be inspired to write and write and write. Plus, you get to perform with a professional band in the end of term gigs! Classes take place in Fulham, Hammersmith, Chelsea, Chiswick and Notting Hill, ages 8-16, £215 for a 10-week term. www.songacademy.co.uk

Et Patati Patata offers 100% French fun lessons led by an experienced native French primary teacher (écoles françaises). Their French immersion programme is based on a wide range of fun and creative activities in French, tailored from French programmes taught in French schools. Now teaching at Fulham Library every day after school at 4pm.

Book now for Christmas Day Camps and NEW now with drama! Fun French events once a month for children 2-9 year olds. www.etpatatipatata.com caroline@etpatatipatata.com 07966 893674

DIY your decorations Instead of heading down to the garden centre this Christmas why not learn how to make your own floral decorations? There’s nothing like the scent of real blooms to make your home that little bit more festive, and making your own can be fun to do and a great skill to learn. Take a look at the Judith Blacklock Flower School in Knightsbridge and find out how easy, inexpensive and rewarding it is to make your own Christmas floral decorations – from wreaths and table centrepieces to garlands and hanging decorations. They can teach absolutely anyone the necessary skills, no matter how un-green fingered they are. A series of one-day workshops will take place throughout December call 020 7235 6235 to find out more. www.judithblacklock.com

November 2014

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New baby massage course Mums’ favourite Lulubaby has just launched a new baby massage course for babies from 6 weeks to 6 months. Spend calming mornings bonding with your new baby, while the massage helps with your baby’s sleep, wind, colic and relaxation. It’s also a great way to meet other new parents over tea and cake! Classes are held in Fulham, £80 for a 4-week course. Price includes complimentary massage oil, handouts and a going home gift. Spaces are limited so book now on info@lulubaby.co.uk or 07710 380564. www.lulubaby.co.uk

Inclusion in these pages is always FREE: send to news@familiesmagazine.co.uk

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School news Stamp out bullying National Anti-Bullying Week takes place 17-21 November, with this year’s theme of Let’s Stop Bullying Together. The Anti-Bullying Week website is packed with resources for schools, parents and children, plus online workshops and short films on how to survive bullying. Why not take part in their Anti-Bullying Competition, too? ‘Let’s Stop Bullying Together’ is an exciting opportunity for children to get involved in Anti-Bullying Week by designing a gadget, drawing a picture, writing a story, song or poem, taking a photo, or shooting a film or documentary. Entries can be fun, entertaining, serious, creative, colourful or futuristic, so get stuck in now for the chance to win a prize of up to £300.

To accompany National Anti-Bullying Week, Actionwork is running Anti-Bullying Month throughout November, with a theme of Creatively Dealing with Bullying. The Anti-Bullying Roadshow tours the UK with a packed spectacle showcasing a variety of strategies in dealing with bullying, and highlighting ways to empowerment. Music and science, strategies and up-to-date research on bullying are all used in the workshops, plus they run Anti-Bullying Puppet Shows for younger children and creative cyberbullying workshops for older kids.

Bullying can happen to anyone at any age and at any time. National Anti-Bullying Week recommends ChildLine as an excellent resource on how to spot bullying, possible reasons of why bullying occurs and suggestions on how to stop it. ChildLine offers free support 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or www.childline.co.uk. Find out more about bullying and how to stop it, as well as everything you need to know about Anti-Bullying Week at www.antibullyingweek.co.uk Closing date for the Let’s Stop Bullying Together competition is 12 December 2014.

More school places!

Three high-flying primary schools are to admit more pupils after proposals for extra classrooms have been granted planning permission. The council is to invest in new classrooms and play areas at Allfarthing, Hillbrook and Albemarle schools to provide more pupil places and improve teaching space. The changes mean an additional 90 primary places for families in Southfields, Wandsworth, Earlsfield and Tooting from September 2015. ‘This is good news for parents who want their children to attend highachieving local schools,’ said Wandsworth’s education spokesman Cllr Kathy Tracey. ‘Expanding Hillbrook, Allfarthing and Albemarle will provide additional primary classroom places in parts of the borough where pressure on places is at its greatest.’

Meet the team Floreat Wandsworth, the new primary school being built in Earlsfield, has arranged a series of dates for local parents and families to meet the team behind the school. Interested parents are invited to come along, learn more about it and chat to the new Executive Principal, Paul Campbell, as building work progresses on the new 420-pupil academy on the site of the former Atheldene Centre in Garratt Lane, Earlsfield. The school is expected to open its doors to pupils in September 2015. The information sessions will be held in the Anchor Church Centre, 273 Garratt Lane, next to where the school is being built, on 10 November at 9am and 1 December at 6pm. www.floreat.org.uk/wandsworth

Yukon Tots & Pre-school Now open for children 6m to 5yrs Excellent baby room Free 15 hours childcare Flexibility of hours / days offered Nursery vouchers accepted Pre - school education guaranteed French, dance & educational trips.

Bright, friendly and well-resourced environment.

020 8673 3307 Yukon Road, London SW12 9DN

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Southfields school expands Another school to take in additional pupils is the popular and high achieving Sheringdale School in Southfields. The school will be able to admit an extra 30 children every year, while teaching facilities for existing pupils will be enhanced with the construction of a new two storey extension to the school building. The extension will accommodate eight new classrooms and enable a temporary classroom to be removed from the school site. The new classrooms in this Ofstedranked ‘outstanding’ primary school will allow the school roll to rise from 285 to 405 and help address growing pressure on school places in Southfields. Good news all round, we think.

Sheringdale School, Tanden Road, SW18 5TR. 020 8874 7340

Bertrum House School proudly educating happy children for 30 years This year Bertrum House School is celebrating its 30th anniversary and have a number of exciting activities planned to mark this special occasion, including a summer garden party, a children’s time capsule and a special edition newspaper.

They are a non-selective, co-educational family school, specialising in providing excellent education for young children aged 2-7 years old. If you would like to visit, please contact the School Office for further details on: 020 8767 4051, office@bertrumhouseschool.org.uk 290 Balham High Road, London SW17 7AL.

£40m facelift for Burntwood School Celebrations were held to mark the official unveiling of the new-look Burntwood School, which has been completely modernised as part of a £40m investment scheme. The school has been rebuilt almost from scratch with outdated facilities replaced with modern learning and teaching spaces. The popular girls’ school now boasts four new teaching blocks, a performing arts centre and sports hall. Its new science laboratories and prep areas will support and reinforce the school’s reputation as a centre of excellence for science and this will be underpinned by state-of-the-art IT equipment. The extra space provided by the remodelling works mean the school now has space for an additional 250 pupils, including an expanded sixth form of up to 400 students. Sounds exciting!

Burntwood Lane, London SW17 0AQ 020 8946 6201.

Work to start on new Putney primary Wandsworth Council has finally appointed a construction company to redevelop the derelict Putney Hospital site into a new local primary school. After the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators granted the ‘easement’, which allows the access to the site to be rearranged for the new school and flats, the project can now get underway. The new school, to be called Putney Oasis Academy, is expected to open its doors to local children in September 2016, and once fully occupied the school will provide 420 places.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

New products Perfect for mums’ skin A fabulous new range of skincare for mothers and babies has just arrived in the UK. Packed full of natural ingredients to soothe and care for mums and their little one's skin, TEN is a beautiful boutique range of skincare for mother and baby based on sound skincare science. We mums want to know what we’re

putting on our skin, and of course our babies’ skin, and we at Families are hugely impressed with the skincare science from TEN. Created by a mum, it has no parabens, SLES, formaldehyde, phthalates etc and uses only the finest natural ingredients, reduces risk of allergies and leaves our skin looking and feeling its best. Available at selected Boots stores across the UK, at boots.com and cleverskincare.com

Muna London

Terrified of the itching?

Prepare for your new arrival in style with this fantastic new online retailer of high quality, stylish and practical nursery furniture, pushchairs and baby products. Muna London offers a collection of hand picked products, allowing you to shop in confidence and create an exciting, safe and beautiful nursery environment in your home, appealing to your own design tastes as well as the needs of your baby. We love their gorgeous cot quilts, from £45, and wooden mobiles, from £15. www.munalondon.com

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LOVES!

Kit for the cool kids We at Families adore the new range of handmade children’s clothes from Down with the Kids.

Started by fashion and children’s wear graduate Robyn McCean in 2009, this unique range of clothing is colourful, playful and most importantly practical for ‘cool’ kids all over. Incorporating dresses, T-shirts, booties and bibs, each piece from the Down with the Kids collection is handmade by Robyn in her design studio in the Aylesbury countryside. We love their gorgeous frock dresses, from £25. www.down-with-the-kids.com

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Then why not battle those dreaded headlice with new natural tea tree product range, Teangi? Known as a natural healer and cleanser, tea tree is also a natural insect repellent, perfect for beating the little blighters. With its natural antibacterial, natural antiseptic and antifungal qualities the Teangi range is also the perfect healing solution for many irritating conditions including itchy flaky scalps, nappy rash, cuts and insect bites. The range includes Tea Tree Shampoo, Conditioner, Oil and Witch Hazel Cream, from £3.35. Available from all good retailers. To avoid infestation in the first place, the key is prevention: set yourself a regular time when you comb your children’s hair, either every Sunday night or every Friday etc.

Magical tales Spineless Classics, the company that creates stunning pieces of wall art out of the full text of books, has added some magical fairytales to its growing collection.

These come in A4 size and can be bought as a collection or separately, making them the perfect gift for book lovers. The collection now includes Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk, Snow White, The Ugly Duckling. We love them! £39.99, www.spinelessclassics.com

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Please vote for your favourite writer on Facebook.com/ FamiliesSW

Roving reporter competition

Families writing competition Here are two new entries in our writing competition. Tell us which writer would you like to read more from on Facebook.com/FamiliesSW

Wandsworth’s wacky races?

Candida Jones is a mum of 3 children (9, 7 and 5), a journalist, a photographer and a local councillor. She lives in Furzedown, Wandsworth.

Now, here’s a puzzle What started out in Beijing last month, involved 30,000 spectators, was a world first, ended in a spectacular crash and may well be coming to Battersea Park next June?

The rather surprising answer is the first all-electric motor-racing Grand Prix, known as Formula E. Although Wandsworth’s councillors voted in favour of the initial proposals at a Council meeting recently, more information was requested from the organisers - Formula E Holdings - and strong opposition has been expressed both by the Battersea Society and the Friends of Battersea Park.

Those who oppose the race argue that the whole park would have to be closed to the public for several days either side of the 2-day event and on the race days themselves. According to the chairman of the Friends of Battersea Park, Frances Radcliffe, the impact of 30,000 spectators would be incompatible with “preserving the tranquillity of the Park”. He lists the erection of ugly barriers, debris and the damage caused to trees as just some of the reasons why locals are opposing the event.

However, organisers of Formula E are keen to stress the environmental credentials of the sport. According to Alejandro Aga, CEO of Formula E Holdings, he wants to “change the perception and the image of electric cars and encourage more people to buy and use them”.

According to Andreas Arvanitakis, Secretary of CREW, Wandsworth’s low carbon group “an event like this can showcase just what electric cars are capable of, accelerating general interest in them and promoting sustainability”.

Supporters also point out that a Grand Prix in Battersea Park would be the highlight of the borough’s 2015 family entertainment calendar.

The Council is clearly drawn to the promotion of this new technology, saying it would “place Wandsworth at the forefront of promoting electric vehicles in the urban environment and support its work on improvements to air quality”.

There can be little doubt that in these times of austerity, the Council is also attracted by the large sums of money the event would generate with some estimates in excess of half a million pounds.

Formula E is a global event. If Wandsworth goes ahead it will place Battersea firmly on the global sporting map alongside other host cities including Buenos Aires, Miami and Montecarlo. Now it’s for our local politicians to decide if the plan takes off or is permanently pit-stopped.

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Spend less on entertaining children Charmaine Lawrence is a mother of two. She is an academic learning mentor in a high school in South London. She runs a social enterprise called ‘Just Be Inspired’, to motivate and inspire young people.

Every year I trail through parent magazines, school newsletters and library leaflets to find out how I am going to keep my children entertained over the six weeks summer holidays.

Each year we visit the same museums, go to the theatre, sign up to an art club for a week and spend a ridiculous amount of money on London’s brilliant but expensive tourist attractions. I however, am left penniless and exhausted.

So we decided to set ourselves a challenge. We were going to spend less.

Spend less in the summer I hear you gasp! Yes, this is what we did.

I am truly fortunate that I have chosen a career in Education as term time allows me to spend my only downtime; I actually meant to say quality time, with my two wonderful, artistic and energetic children. My husband is of course less fortunate as he arrives home to a clean house, dinner and worn out children who happily run to him and I must stress ‘sit’ to tell him about their day.

We signed up for the summer reading challenge at the library. I watched my eldest lovingly with pride as she lay down on the library cushions reading, while my two year old who only allowed me to read the first page of each book before running off to collect more.

We have also decided to scooter along the riverbank and take pictures of London’s landmarks, I do not have a scooter so I ran behind them, yet another chance to improve my fitness.

My eldest’s ultimate goal for the summer holiday was to start a flash mob in the street, I was not convinced so I asked her what her reasons were for doing it, she tilted her head sideways and replied ‘for fun, of course, mummy’. Yes of course, what was I thinking? Fun, after all it was summer.

It is safe to say the flash mob did not occur as my confidence level is definitely not at the same height as hers. However my compromise was a picnic with music playing while we danced around the blanket.

Who needs downtime when you have children? Not me, I say, as I collapse on the sofa.

So now, the question is how to spend less in the winter? Do share your ideas on www.facebook.com/FamiliesSW

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

All children to start learning a language at Primary school

Noticeboard

As of this term, teaching a language will become mandatory from Key Stage Two (ages 7 to 11). Schools will be free to choose from French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin or Ancient Greek. At Key Stage 3 the guidelines stipulate that a modern language must be taught.

Most schools already have some provision for teaching languages, but the new guidelines mean that that there will be a more uniform approach across England, with a greater focus on grammar and written language.

According to the DfES programme of study: “A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing.”

With English teenagers scoring lowest for first foreign language skills in a recent European Commission study of 16 countries, the move to starting earlier is a positive first step towards improving language skills in all key stages.

To read our appraisal of the new curriculum go to www.familiesonline.co.uk and search for ‘new curriculum’

Home from home at C hilly Powder Planning ahead for your next winter holiday? The n Chilly Powder is worth look. Francesca, Paul and a their 3 children - Ben, Elo ise & Jamie Eyre - live in Morzine in France all yea r round and have a good kno wle traditions and the Morzin dge of Alpine e people. Having adapte d their chalet holiday styl over the years to suit the e tastes of their regular gue sts, they offer the perfect ski holiday for either fam ilies, couples or mixed gro ups in relaxing luxury, with fantastic food and outstan ding facilities.

Chilly Powder have bee n operating catered cha let ski holidays since 199 The genuine ski to the doo 6. r location of their 3 luxu ry catered ski chalets wit unrivalled in-house childca h re facilities sets them apa rt from other ski chalets in Morzine, France.

All bedrooms have en-suit e bathrooms, there is an outdoor hot tub, sauna and massage room and in-house childcare is pro vided in their own crèche Their ski chalets are uni . que in Morzine for small or large groups or for individual families with chil dren or babies. With exc ellent food, friendly staff and relaxing atmosphere of their chalets make it the perfect winter holiday destination. For many retu rning guests Chilly Powder it is considered a real home from home. www.chillypowder.com

Search for local Christmas bazaars and school fairs on our What’s On online calendar!

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/ Whatson

November 2014

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Education

Why do I HAVE to do homework?

By Families South East editor Robina Cowan,

If you have a school age child, you’re probably familiar with the eye rolling and sighing response to any mention of the ‘H’ word.

© fcscafeine - Fotolia.com

Next time your child asks why he has to do homework, you’ll have the answer ready. We also have tips on how you can help.

What is homework for?

Tempting though it might be - in order to hurry up the process, it is not the chance for you to show off how much you remember from your schooldays and do it for them! Homework is set: • For children to practice, reinforce and extend work that is taught in class • To enable teachers to find out whether or not pupils have understood the lesson • To help children develop skills of independent time management • To show what children are able to produce under unaided conditions • To encourage pupils to understand that school work does not finish when the school day ends and that responsibility for working continues beyond the classroom • To develop a strong work ethic.

Should parents get involved?

The answer from experienced teachers is a resounding “yes!” One told us that “the improvement in a young child whose parent is hearing them read for 15-20 minutes a night is fairly astronomical compared to those who don’t, and the improvement carries right up to ages 7 or 8, by which time children are usually reading fluently.”

Homework diaries Most schools give out homework diaries, making it easier for parents to see what has been set, when it should be handed in, and providing a way for teachers and parents to communicate.

If your child is taking longer than the expected time to do their homework, or if you had to explain how to work out the set maths, make a note in the homework diary so the teacher knows about it.

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How to help Show an interest in your child’s work; point them in the right direction rather than telling them the answer; offer a snack and a drink while they work. Here are more tips from experts - the teachers.

• Be aware of where and how your child works best. Some children need quiet, others prefer people around them. Some want to start their homework as soon as they are home to get it out of the way; others are better after a snack and a half hour ‘chill’ • Show a positive interest and monitor what is being done. Is it too much? Too little or rushed?

Communicate with the school if you have concerns • Extend schoolwork with visits to museums and exhibitions - London offers so much that can bring subjects to life in a way no amount of books or websites can do • Ask your child if she is pleased with her homework (before leaping in to point out all the mistakes!), and offer praise where it is due - for example the work is neat, or well written, or answers the question really well • Time management is one of the hardest aspects for a child to get to grips with - but they’ll need to when it comes to sitting exams. Give your child a timer set for the duration of the homework and see how much they finish. Initially it can help if you remind your child when they are halfway through the time, and again when there are ten minutes left. This is good training and before long they will have adjusted to how much work they can produce in the allotted time • Children who have been sitting at desks for most of the day often need to let of steam after school. A run around the park on the way home can dispel restlessness before settling down to homework • Set a positive example. Other members of the family can use homework time by taking up their own studies or settling down to a focused activity (such as sorting bills/ reading the paper/ ironing) at the same time.

All work and no play?

Last September, a school in Guildford abolished all homework apart from reading and occasional projects, for children aged seven to eleven. The school was graded 'outstanding' by Ofsted and the head teacher has seen no difference in achievement. In an article published by the TES, it is suggested that the amount of homework children complete has little correlation with their level of academic success; in fact many believe homework can have a negative impact particularly in relationships between children and their parents who are trying to get them to concentrate.

Homework may be more appropriate in secondary school where it is an invaluable tool in teaching

hard work and self-discipline. Experts agree that homework should be varied and motivational technology is proving useful, with an increasing number of tasks being completed online. Children may also be given activities to complete in their local community, for example at the library - while this is learning outside school, it is not homework in its more traditional sense. Homework clubs at school have also proved successful.

As the debate continues, many schools are moving away from 'timed' homework slots and, only where appropriate, are concentrating on simple repetition and re-enforcement of skills being learnt during the day. The full article ‘All Work and No Play’ is on www.tes.co.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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The best family-friendly events We have more events and things to do for children than anyone else!

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• Children's shows throughout London • Museums and galleries suitable for families • FREE events • Days out • Indoor fun • Special events (school Open days, Christmas, Halloween, markets etc)

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing.

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

Stagecoach Schools enrolling now Battersea Fulham Merton Park & Tooting New Malden Putney Wimbledon www.stagecoach.co.uk

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020 8946 0845 202 020 8942 020 8540 0845 265 020 8946

2986 5727 3502 7791 7050 3400

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Where is Santa?

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Look no further, we know: Father Christmas told us where he’s going this year.

A landmark in the family calendar, a visit to Santa is a must. Remember he can also be seen in the many school fairs and fetes at a very affordable price. Check out our online calendar for more. www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/whatson Eddie Catz 42 Station Road SW19 2LP 8-23 December Come and join Father Christmas and his Elves this December at Wimbledon's award winning play centre Eddie Catz and be transported to a wonderful winter wonderland for a magical meeting.

Write to Santa with his Elves, make a bag of reindeer food for Rudolph, a personal visit with Santa, a photo plus a free visit to Edie Catz.

Weekday £15, weekend £20. http://santasgrotto.london/book/

Hyde Park's Santa Land 21 November – 4 January Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is the perfect setting for a magical Christmas grotto. It’s free to see Father Christmas and every child will receive a trinket and a photo memory. And no need to worry about the queue as Santa’s little elves will be on hand to entertain your kids. www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Hamleys 22-23 November and 29 November – 24 December Join Father Christmas and his lovable elves at The Finest Toy Shop in the World! Enjoy up to 1 hour with Father Christmas, hear magical stories of Christmas, sing festive songs, write your Christmas wish list and have a special chat with Father Christmas! £45 (yes!) , book in advance www.hamleys.com Santa stroking Smokey's nose! at Battersea Park Zoo

Battersea Park Zoo

Kew Gardens

Chelsea Embankment, London SW11 4NJ 020 7924 5826 6 & 7 Dec, 13 & 14 Dec and from 19 to 24 Dec inc.

Come and see Santa in his grotto. £6.50 entrance fee + £5.50 for Santa. Inc a small gift and a picture.

Bookable in advance by ringing the zoo or just turn up. Fun Christmas Stocking search throughout the zoo from 6th to 24 Dec. Prizes to win.

26 November - 3 January Visit Santa's Snowflake Grotto, decked out in snowflakes, in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, where there will also be plenty of family-friendly attractions including a Victorian carousel and vintage rides, a boutique Christmas market with foodie treats and live festive music.

020 8332 5655, www.kew.org/christmas

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WWT London Wetlands Centre Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT 6-7 December You may not see any reindeer pulling sleighs this Christmas but the London Wetland Centre has some handsome huskies ready and waiting to take younger children aged 8 and under for a spin. The dogs are also available for photo opportunities but if it's not festive enough until you've seen the man himself then head to the northern pine forest to meet Santa in his cosy grotto. £5 per child including a goody bag, cash only. 020 8409 4412, www.wwt.org.uk/london

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Harrods 7 November–24 December The entire store will become a captivating winter wonderland as it is transformed into a magical, shimmering playground, with Father Christmas in residence. Book online, tickets are free although there is a £10 administration charge that will be credited back to your account if you attend your slot. www.harrods.com/grotto

Rainforest Café

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20 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU 15 November – 24 December Who knew Father Christmas hung out in the rainforest? But there he is in his snowy grotto, where your kids will get a personalised invite from the portly one and a warm welcome from his elves, before being ushered into the grotto where they'll meet the man in person and receive a gift. www.therainforestcafe.co.uk/christmas

Kew Gardens Kew Rd, Richmond TW9 3AB 26 Nov-22 Dec Meet Santa is his Snowflake Grotto. The grotto is open 5-9pm but not open every day. Admission plus £4 (includes gift) www.kew.org

London Zoo 22 November - 24 December Come and meet Santa at ZSL London Zoo this Christmas. Full details not announced at time of going to press, check their website for details. www.zsl.org

Bentall’s Christmas Grotto 3rd Floor, Children’s World, Kingston 13 Nov, 29 Nov-24 Dec FREE or £3.95 with gift. The theme this year is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. www.bentalls.co.uk

Morden Hall Park Morden Hall Road, Morden, SM4 5JD 6/7, 13/14 Dec Visit Father Christmas and the elves in his magical grotto and receive a very special gift! £8 includes gift. Booking advised. 020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park

Ham House Ham Street, Ham TW10 7RS 6-21 Dec plus 22-23 Dec Grotto is open every Sat & Sun. Follow a trail to Santa’s grotto and receive a traditional Christmas gift. Admission plus £3.50 (includes gift) 020 8940 1950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house

Syon Park Syon Park TW8 8JF 1-21 December Enjoy a delicious breakfast or tea and meet Father Christmas. £9.99 includes meal and gift. 020 8568 0134 www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk

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Fulham Palace

Bishops Avenue SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233, 30 November, 6+7 December www.fulhampalace.org, www.eventbrite.co.uk Father Christmas will be in the beautifully decorated Tudor Great Hall, take a peak at Father Christmas's desk and see who has been included on the Naughty and Nice list. Children can also enjoy Christmas crafts while they wait. £10 per child, book first.

Santa to your Door Why don’t you arrange a visit from Santa to yoru home? He can arrive on Christmas eve, Christmas day or any other time. He will deliver your presents and chat to your children about their favourite things. He may even sing a few festive songs before he says goodbye having nibbled a mince pie, or two. Call the Santa hotline on 020 8959 1045 or email info@adamantsparties.co.uk

Look on our searchable calendar FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/whatson

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In Farms Deen City Farm 39 Windsor Ave, London SW19 2RR 020 8543 5300 Santa was not sure when he’ll be at the farm when we called, so best to ring to make sure. Special Christmas day on 13th December with activities, festivities, crafts plus a lovely little range of gifts to purchase. www.deencityfarm.co.uk

Vauxhall Farm 165 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS 020 7582 4204 We love this little piece of the countryside in central London. Go along for a fun day out and experience all the sights, sounds and smells of rural life. 7th Dec family fun day. 10.30-4pm. Festive crafts, activities and nativity fancy dress photo, where visiting children can dress up and have their photo taken in a living stable, so cute! Cost not known at going to press. vauxhallcityfarm.org

Bockett's Farm Santa's Grotto Young Street, Fetcham KT22 9BS 27 Nov-24 Dec Hop on board the Santa Express trailer for a short trip to his magical hay barn workshop where each child will meet Santa and receive a wrapped gift.

Admission plus £6.95 (includes gift).

01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Hobbledown Farm Park Adventure Horton Lane, Epsom KT19 8PT 29-30 Nov, 6-7, 12 to 24 Dec Admission plus £6.50 (includes gift) 0843 289 4979 www.hobbledown.com

Find Father Christmas on a day out Santa’s Grotto at Chessington Garden Centre Leatherhead Rd, Chessington KT9 2NG 15 Nov-24 Dec Short, animated, festive film, followed by a magical journey through a wonderland of stunning fairy tale-inspired scenes, before meeting Santa in his enchanting ice palace. £11 includes gift.

01372 725638 www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk

Painshill Park Portsmouth Road, Cobham KT11 1JE 6 to 24 Dec For a truly magical experience visit Father Christmas in the newly restored crystal Grotto at Painshill. £9 includes gift. 01932 584284 www.painshill.co.uk

Santa Special at the Watercress Line Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JG 6/7, 13/14 Dec plus 20-24 Dec See Santa on a steam train as you take a one hour round trip through the scenic Hampshire countryside. Santa visits every child at their seat with a special gift. Includes wine and mince pie for the grown-ups and soft drinks for the children.

Adult £18, Child (1-16) £18, Baby £10 includes gift and refreshments. 01962 733810 www.watercressline.co.uk

Brooklands Museum Santa on the VC10

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Brooklands Rd, Weybridge KT13 0QN 6/7, 13/14, 20/21 Dec Admission plus £5 (includes gift) Once again, Santa will be giving his reindeer a rest for a while and borrowing the VC10 aircraft so that he can meet his young fans. Booking is advised. 01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Osterley House Jersey Road, Isleworth, TW7 4RB Sat & Sun 29, 30 Nov, 6, 7, 13 & 14 Dec (11am-4pm) Enjoy Christmas activities including storytelling, trail and craft, and visit Santa in his grotto. Booking required for Grotto. Admission (reduced for Christmas) plus £5 (includes gift) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park

Whippersnappers 6-24 December The Park Keeper's Lodge, DULWICH PARK, Dulwich Village SE21 7BQ, 020 8693 1682, www.whippersnapperschristmasshow.co.uk Raise money to support their work at the Lodge delivering activities for children with disabilities.

The setting is a magical Gingerbread House, where guests are served festive refreshments before entering the Winter Wonderland. Children's tickets £18.50, adults £5 - book first.

Father Christmas is hiding in many other places, but we don’t have any room for more! However if you go to Familiesonline.co.uk you can search for more Santa listings in our London sister Families. Try also further afield— there are 40 Families® local magazines around the country bursting with Santa sightings!!

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Volunteer to be the gift this Christmas!

Volunteer for Crisis this Christmas www.crisis.org.uk

Many charities are desperate for people to lend a helping hand over Christmas. But they do need to plan ahead, so if you are thinking of volunteering this year, now’s the time to find out what’s available in your area.

TimeBank, the national volunteering charity, has launched a special guide on its website at www.timebank.org.uk/christmas-volunteering in response to all the calls it receives about volunteering opportunities each Christmas.

You could pack a shoe box full of gifts for children across the world; host an international student at your home, help out at a foodbank for hungry families or volunteer as a residential helper at respite care centres across the UK. You might have thought about helping to serve Christmas lunch at a homeless shelter but did you know that many shelters also need entertainers, medical professionals, hairdressers, therapists and dog handlers?

TimeBank is especially keen to get companies volunteering this year. It says lots of businesses are finding party budgets won’t stretch to much at Christmas, while teams are looking to do something alternative, unusual, affordable and much more fun than your average work do.

The charity’s solution is to make volunteering part of the office celebrations – getting together with your workmates for a few hours volunteering in your community, and then celebrating together at a local pub or restaurant afterwards.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of TimeBank, says: “We came up with the idea of Christmas Party Volunteering to help companies get their staff volunteering at Christmas. We can source a volunteering opportunity that suits you and your team. And whether it’s serving lunch to lonely older people or packing gifts for a homeless centre, you’ll have a great time with your colleagues and do something incredible for your community.”

Here are a few volunteering opportunities we’ve spotted on TimeBank, do check here: • Christmas Card Volunteer Administrator St. Vincent de Paul Society • New Products Volunteer Oxfam Charity Shop Wimbledon Village • Christmas Collectors and bag packers needed!

Save The Children • Local Team Leader volunteer Missing People

• Christmas Hamper Scheme In-Deep • Christmas Bucket Collection The Eve Appeal • Temporary Shop Manager Cards for Good Causes Ltd • Event Volunteer for a Christmas Fayre St John's Hospice • Volunteer Father Christmas - Morden Hall National Trust

There are myriads ways you make Christmas happen this year: Do you have elderly neighbours? They might enjoy a visit this year. A big city can be a lonely place when you are old or disabled.

• The Furzedown Project in Moyser Road, SW16 6SJ works with the older person, they always need volunteers. www.furzedownproject.org • Fulham Good Neighbours is a long-established, local charity, working towards a community where neighbours look out for each other and offer help when it’s needed. www.fulhamgoodneighbours.org • The Spires centre, South London based charity helps hundreds of homeless and disadvantaged people all year round. At Christmas they always need donations of food and small gifts for the users. www.spires.org.uk • Volunteer for the Christmas Day lunch and tea party for the elderly people of Wandsworth organised by The Rotary Club. Help is needed as bus escorts, helping in the kitchen, serving, washing up etc etc: www.rotarychristmasday.org.uk/volunteer.html And if you can’t donate time, money is always most welcome!

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery School “To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will able him to develop freely” Maria Montessori

Celebrating 20 years of excellence in Montessori teaching Come and visit one of our two Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools in Fulham and discover why we have enjoyed such a long period of success teaching children from 2yrs to 5yrs in their early years education.

To learn more about us just visit our new web site at www.dawmouse.co.uk or email miss.emma@dawmouse.com

www.dawmouse.co.uk Passionate about teaching and learning

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Tel: 020 8398 9294

FUN CHRISTMAS MUSIC WORKSHOPS (Age 5-12)

Sing, compose, improvise, read, write & perform music!

Play drum kit, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, piano, Mon 15 - Fri 19 December in Chelsea 9am-4pm

www.chelseaquavers.com

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Christmas is a coming...

Shop locally this Christmas and give more than just presents…

By Families North Wales & Shropshire Borders editor Sal Jefford.

Christmas is upon us once again, and unless you are amazingly prepared, there’s shopping to be done! The big retailers have been bombarding us for weeks, and you can rarely walk down the street or switch on the television without seeing adverts for this year’s Christmas must-haves.

Little Toy Shop at the Pottery Café

But what about the small, local, independent retailers?

The businesses, which are owned and run by local residents, often parents who are trying to feed, clothe and support their own families. Small businesses easily get ‘lost’ in the hubbub of Christmas, when really it’s a time of the year when we should be using them just as much, if not more, than usual.

Yes, the large supermarkets and online retailers can offer price savings, because they are big and they have bulk-buying power. But they don’t offer low prices to save you money, they offer them to make more profit for themselves, by offering loss leaders, or by negotiating lower prices from their suppliers, who then haggle with the manufacturers, who end up making smaller profits themselves, and sometimes even selling at a loss.

Enjoyable shopping Small businesses can excel at providing things that large retailers can’t: handmade goods and locally produced items, in-depth product knowledge and personalised advice, customer service, a friendly and enjoyable shopping experience. Small business owners often have a better knowledge of the lines they stock, for example which clothing brands ‘run large’ and which are true to size, or which shoes offer the best fit for narrow feet. Independent retailers are often happy to order in products in other colours or sizes for you, and they usually deal with any complaints or problems in a far friendlier way than bigger businesses do.

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Stronger community ties Shopping locally helps to create town centres, which are more sustainable and vibrant, meaning people feel part of the community. Local businesses are also often more willing than larger chains are to support local causes that have more meaning to them, and the area in which they live and work.

Supporting the local economy Added to all of this, when you buy local you are making an important contribution to your community’s economy. Spending money with local businesses causes a ripple-effect, as those businesses in turn spend locally, and on and on. A variety of research tells us that for every pound spent in a local shop, a high multiple goes back into the local economy, helping to improve local prosperity and create jobs.

Small Business Saturday – 6 December Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-political, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. In 2014 Small Business Saturday UK will take place on Saturday December 6th.

Happy, local shopping!

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

The best local toy shops

Chelsea Toys

Puppet Planet

53 Godfrey Street, Chelsea Green, SW3 3SX, 020 7352 1718 www.chelseatoys.co.uk Online store as well as a traditional toyshop.

Loom kits, educational and arts & craft boxes, bookends, soft toys, games and bedroom accessories.

787 Wandsworth Road SW8 3JQ 020 7627 0111 www.puppetplanet.co.uk A magical shop filled with puppets from past and present - something for everyone from kitsch to culture. Well worth a visit.

QT Toys

Fun Learning 60 Northcote Rd, London SW11 1PA 020 7924 7066 www.funlearning.co.uk Educational toys and fun learning games for children. Science and craft kits, history and geography, jigsaw puzzles, pretend play, kids brainteasers and construction toys, educational software.

Hoverfly Remote Control 31 Queenstown Road SW8 3R 020 7738 8809 www.hoverflyrc.com Helicopters, cars, buggies and boats. Cars, boats, helis and planes, quads and spares too.

Just Williams 8b Balham Hill SW12 9EA 020 3538 6798 www.justwilliamstoys.com A family run toy shop, who pride themselves in customer service and their product ranges. An Aladdin’s cave of pocket-money toys, puzzles, games and ever popular brands Lego, Brio and Warhammer

Little Toy Shop at the Pottery Cafe Fulham Studio 020 7736 2157 Battersea Studio 020 7223 3388 Christmas is a big event at the Pottery Café. Their Little Toyshops are brimming with Christmas treats from advent calendars to Santa sleigh bells, festive cookie cutters, decorations and Christmas stockings. Plus for special gifts and stocking fillers we have one of the largest selections of JELLYCAT toys in London!

EarlyBird Offer: Follow Pottery Café on Facebook or signup to the email to receive 15% offer in the first week of Nov (3-11 Nov) Own collection of their favourite toys with a focus on Fair Trade, traditional and wooden toys.

Snap Dragon 25 Bute Street, SW7 3EY, 020 7581 2804 Loads of niche products, hand crafted or traditional, as well as well-known brands such as WOW toys, Sylvanian families and Playmobil.

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Little Heroes 638 Fulham Road SW6 5RT 020 7348 7907 www.littleheroes.co.uk A trove of classic and traditional toys: From wooden castles and cuddly soft toys to fabulous costumes and creative craft kit. Educational activity games and puzzles. For 0 to 8 years.

Little Rascals Toyshop 140 Merton Road Merton SW19 1EH 020 8542 9979 www.little-rascals.co.uk A family run traditional toy shop. Perfect for presents for babies and toddlers, plus a unique selection of wooden and soft toys, puzzles, christening gifts and cards.

Marmalade 250 250 Battersea Park Road SW11 3BP www.marmalade250.com An independent toy shop with a retro theme extensive range of contemporary gifts for children, plus vintage furniture. Also a collection of well made quirky children’s and baby clothes.

90 Northcote Road, SW11 6QN, 020 7223 8637 www.qttoyslondon.com Established 1983. A great range of toys for all tastes and ages. Good for Schleich , Brio and Breyer animal ranges, there is always an unexpected solution to your present needs!

The Entertainer • 29 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1XX, 020 8946 9889 • North Mall Southside Wandsworth, SW18 4FT, 020 8812 3724 www.thetoyshop.com Anything and everything you could possibly need toys-wise. Free delivery when you spend £40.

Toystop Putney Exchange Shopping Centre Putney High Street, SW15 1TW 020 8785 9955 A large shop in this well known shoping centre.

Stocks all the big brands including Sylvanian Families, Playmobil, Lego, Meccano, Jellycat and Jellykitten and Baby Alive dolls.

Other places to shop for toys include charity shops (Fara Kids are great) and many local Gift shops.

See you in one of those brilliant shops!

Pandemonium 125 Sheen Lane, SW14 8AE, 020 8878 0866 www.pandemoniumlondon.com Bursting with traditional and top quality toys and well as unusual toys, books and music, plus an eclectic selection of games and puzzles . Click & Collect serving East Sheen, Mortlake, Barnes, Putney, Kew, Chiswick & Richmond.

Patrick's Toys and Models 107-111 Lillie Road, SW6 7SX 020 7385 9864 www.patrickstoys.co.uk Established in 1948, no less, this is one of London’s biggest and oldest toy and model shops. Great for Lego, Playmobil, Sylvanian Families, Hornby, Scalectrix and Renner skateboards, plus everything from traditional wooden toys to the latest craze.

HUGE SALE OF NEW AND SECOND-HAND SKI CLOTHES 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 11th and Wednesday November 12th 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

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Health feature All those learning skills happen at different rates depending on the the child and his environment. They overlap one another. Whilst getting very good at one stage, your baby experiments with the following one. Children progress at different rhythms.

A child’s journey to his first steps

How can you help your child on their way to walking?

By Christine Julien-Laferrière, Physiotherapist specialised in paediatrics and women’s health Watching your baby making his or her first steps is a celebrated and proud moment. From their first kicks in the crib to walking, your child has to work hard but you can help them make their way towards their independence.

As a paediatric physiotherapist, I often encounter parents who are concerned about the motor development of their child. Why does my baby cry when he is on his tummy?

She is a bottom-shuffler and will he ever crawl? Why does he sit stiffly and doesn’t move a lot? Is he a late walker?

• The first 3 months, supervised daily Tummy Time is fundamental to gain control of the head and strengthen the upper body before he can support himself sitting down.

• Give your baby plenty of time to go through each stage one after the other.

• Provide opportunity to practice in varied positions with lots of time on the floor to move, reach, touch and explore.

• Focus on movement rather than held positions. Babies like MOVING: minimise time in bouncers, car seats and Bumbo seats. Physiotherapists do not recommend the use of walkers.

• Encourage when he fails and tries again. Use everyday activities to help him. Take that extra precious time with your baby. They learn by observing and imitating you.

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s motor development, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor or a paediatric physiotherapist for an evaluation or just for advice.

Motor development follows a continuous sequential pattern. Your baby will need to acquire one stage after another before he takes his first steps. You can try them out yourselves to feel the strength, coordination and balance your baby needs before walking: Flat on your back, roll onto your side then onto your tummy and try creeping around. Then move onto all fours, you may sit for a while and then move back to all fours, kneel sitting up, hold on to a support, half kneel and stand up. You can then cruise around, stretch one arm, bend your knees to pick up a toy, come up again. When you feel ready and steady, let go and make your first steps!

•Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Sports injury clinics London SW11 020 7228 2141 battersea@physio4all.com SW5: 020 7373 0050 info@physio4all.com www.Physio4all.com

To move from one stage to the next, your little one needs to practice each step, repeating with persistence and through a process of trial and error before achieving the goal of walking. His movement skills and progression from one stage to the next one depend on all the experiences he will repeat many, many times.

Health and Safety during swimming classes When dealing with swimming lessons for all ages and abilities it is extremely important to put safety first. We asked Dan Pastor of SwimWay to explain why they make Health and Safety a major priority in the way they run their lessons.

“Although it would be more cost effective for our company to run lessons with larger groups of children, health and safety and quality of lessons is so important to us, that we keep all our lessons as private or semi-private. This allows our instructors to focus fully on each child’s safety and needs within the lessons.

•KIDS CAMPS •PERSONAL TRAINING •WOMEN’S FOOTBALL •MIXED CIRCUITS •TODDLER FIT FUN • KIDS PARTIES •PRIVATE GROUPS •POST NATAL FIT MUMS •AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS Visit www.openairfit.com for more information, to see our weekly calendar and to book onto the Kids Camps.

To discuss any training requirements or set up a private group for your friends or children just call or email.

07930 272 572 OPENAIRFITUK@GMAIL.COM

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Legal requirements dictate that instructors undergo CPR and other emergency training only once every two years. We recognised that this is incredibly insufficient. Thus we run a first aid course at the beginning of every term. That comes to three times a year instead of once every two years.

We have also brought into the SwimWay team a specialised health and safety consultant – David Perry (see swimway.co.uk for his full profile). With over 15 years’ experience in the industry, working with leisure centres and private swimming schools, as well as the STA (one of the UK governing swimming teaching bodies), David Perry brings a professional eye and mind to the health and safety concerns of our swim school.

David routinely runs the termly first aid courses. He makes regular monthly pool visits to ensure our sites are up to spec. He also meets with the site owners and SwimWay management to discuss and resolve potential issues. He is our eyes and ears for the health and safety awareness of the company, keeping us on the forefront of your children’s, and your own safety during our lessons.

•Swimway danpastor@swimway.co.uk 020 8871 3972.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Health feature Children and Families Act 2014 – Section 100 supporting pupils at school with medical conditions

By Emma Hammett of First Aid for life

Early years foundation stage framework – implications for those caring for children 0-5 The Children and Families Act has implications for anyone involved in the care of a child with any form of medical condition. The Act was passed in September 2014 and section 100 designates specific responsibility for schools to ensure that every pupil with medical needs can fully participate in all aspects of school life.

The aim of the Act ‘is to ensure that all children with medical conditions, in terms of both physical and mental health; are properly supported in school so that they can play a full and active role in school life, remain healthy and achieve their academic potential.’

This Act encompasses all pupils with medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, acute allergic conditions and anaphylaxis, sickle cell disease, cancer and any other conditions that might necessitate them missing school for medical appointments or require special consideration for the school day, activities or trips.

Teachers, parents, school nurses and pupils are required to work closer together to understand the medical condition and ensure that discreet

adaptations can be made to ensure the pupil can fully participate in all aspects of school life. Everyone needs to understand how to manage the pupil’s condition as well as what to do should a medical emergency occur.

An independent healthcare plan is usually put together which details the condition: medication required, specific requirements and considerations such as glucose testing for diabetics, warm clothing and outside PE and play for pupils with sickle cell disease, specific understanding around increased need for the toilet with some conditions and medication side effects…helping the pupil to manage absences, catch up with lessons and readily offering counselling.

The whole aim is to make life easier for everyone, without making the pupil feel awkward or different.

There are numerous fantastic organisations who have produced sample Individual Healthcare Plans that can be adapted to specific pupils –and these can be accessed here www.firstaidforlife.org.uk/childrenand-families-act-2014-implications-forschools/

Asthma Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions Picture with thanks to Department of Education

First Aid for Life regularly works with pupils, staff and parents to help everyone feel confident and competent in supporting pupils with medical needs and ensuring that everyone has a clear action plan both how to keep healthy and active and how to help in an emergency.

•020 8675 4036 www.firstaidforlife.org.uk

What is Salt Therapy?

Adrienn Szoke explains:

“Salt therapy is a 100% natural and safe therapy, which helps to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of Asthma, Eczema and many other respiratory illnesses and skin conditions.

The Salt Cave helps provide the best and most effective Salt Therapy treatment with the most advanced medical device.

We pay special attention to children, thus we offer separate rooms for them. Children are free to play and do not even realize that they are having a treatment. Children especially benefit from their own salt room, which allows them to play freely while benefiting from the treatment.

Studies suggest that 85-95% of children became symptom-free after a course of Salt Therapy, and this effect can be long term. “ Tried and tested by Helli Roberts here at Families. Let us know how you got on at Facebook.com/FamiliesSW The first session for is Free!

•020 7183 8278, 320B Earlsfield Road, London SW18 3EJ www.saltcave.co.uk

November 2014

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Health feature

Should our children be sugar free? Completely sugar free...

By Sarah Wilson, author of I Quit Sugar Kids eCookbook.

Yeah, we reckon so. Let’s start here: children aged four to eight should be consuming no more than three teaspoons of sugar a day. These are the recommendations from the American Heart Association.

Here’s the scary truth: • A glass of apple juice contains 8-10 teaspoons of sugar (the same as a can of Coke).

• The average bowl of cereal has three teaspoons of sugar.

• A slice of white toast with jam has four teaspoons of sugar.

Our children are eating 3-4 times the recommended daily intake, and that’s before they leave the breakfast table!

Why should we be concerned?

Here is what sugar does to children: • Sugar alters the palette. Studies have shown that sugar strips the body of vital nutrients, and in particular zinc. Zinc is essential in the development of taste and palate in young children.

• Sugar causes mood disorders. Children who eat diets high in refined sugar are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and mood disorders.

• Sugar makes children fat. 25 per cent of Australian children are overweight or obese.

• Sugar causes behavioural problems.

High sugar diets inhibit the body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients, resulting in the body being deficient in micronutrients. These deficiencies (particularly iron) have been linked to behavioural disorders —like ADHD in young children.

• Sugar inhibits the immune system.

Sugar destroys the functions of bacteria, fighting white blood cells and wreaking havoc for up to five hours after ingestion. It also interferes with the absorption of vitamin C, one of the essential nutrients for immune function.

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Hazlenut Ice Cream Sandwiches

• Sugar makes children aggressive.

See the box below for the hard facts.

Did you know: Sugar has more than 20 different names!

These days sugar is masked by an extensive list of tricky words including barley malt extract, sucrose, fruit concentrate, fruit puree, fruit pulp, glucose, lactose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, corn syrup, honey, malt, malt extract, maltose, rice extract, molasses, golden syrup, invert sugar, fruit pulp and fruit extract. If you see any of these names on a packet, consider leaving it on the shelf!

Soft drinks: the sticky truth Research has found the more sugary drinks a child consumes, the worse their behaviour is likely to be. Coincidence? No. A two-month study was done on five-year-olds, monitoring how many sugary drinks they had a day, as well as how their behaviour was over the same period.

• Almost half of the 3000 children involved drank one can of soft drink a day.

• Over 120 had four - or more - glasses of the toxic stuff each day.

• The link between soft drinks and aggression was cited as “strong and consistent.”

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Health feature Beware: Fruit Juice and dried fruits are not healthy options

sugar, although we tend to use about a third less. Another things to keep in mind: Stevia can be bitter if used in excess so we tend to recommend rice malt syrup for children.

Regular physical activity is vital to be fit and healthy

A “no added sugar” apple juice and a glass of coke both have 8-10 teaspoons of sugar.

A snack pack of sultanas and the same amount of jellybeans both have six teaspoons of sugar.

Other sweeteners that are okay to use in moderation are xylitol (a sugar alcohol that can be digested by our bodies) and dextrose (100% glucose). However we tend to avoid both as rice malt syrup breaks down as a complex carbohydrate thus releasing glucose into the body slowly.

By Kate Horwood, Body Edit

Whole fruit is ALWAYS better than the juiced, pureed or dried variety

The rest: Don’t touch, most have been shown to be either carcinogenic or entirely indigestible, thus causing myriad health issues. Not good for the children. Many of the fake sugars available are banned in parts of Europe, deemed unsafe.

Also stay clear of natural fructose like coconut nectar and agave. Both are equally as potent in their forms and will cause insulin spikes, which is what we’re trying to avoid.

Beware: This is not a license to go crazy on glucose

Gumballs Cookie Dough Bites

I believe the key is the instructor: he must be knowledgeable, trained in anatomy, exercise physiology, injury prevention and the monitoring of exercise, so he can provide a safe and effective workout. But beyond that, it is really what he ‘brings’ to the class/client. I am truly passionate about educating my clients, explaining the benefits of each exercise, which muscles we are working and where they should feel the movement in their body, connecting their mind with their body which in turn, actually builds the neural pathways and encourages a sense of ‘oneness’ or self-love — a state of mindfulness.

Beyond the actual movements, being passionate about the subject of general health and well-being leads to conversations on food, nutrition and alternative medicine. These topics may not be directly related to the session but it’s all part of the bigger picture. It’s about helping people improve their quality of life as best they can. When you truly care and you are passionate about health and fitness this just comes naturally…along with happy clients achieving great results!

•0794 111 5159 - info@bodyedit.com www.bodyedit.com

Even non-fructose sugars, such as glucose, are not good to eat in large quantities and will cause insulin wobbliness too, albeit in a far more manageable way. What’s more, studies at the University of Washington have found that consuming any kind of sweetener– even the ‘fake’ ones that don’t contain sugar as such – can cause a blood sugar spike and continue a sugar addiction. Just the sweet taste can trigger insulin and metabolic responses.

A note on sweeteners The good stuff • Rice malt syrup: This is a blend of maltose and glucose made from fermented, cooked rice. You can use this in place of sugar or honey in recipes, roughly in a 1:1 ratio. Some folk say it is less sweet than honey and sugar. We beg to differ and tend to put less of it in our recipes than many others would. You can find it in health food shops, some supermarkets (in the cooking section) and online and it costs about the same as honey.

• Stevia: This is a natural sweetener, derived from a leaf similar to mint and is composed of stevioside (which is 300 times sweeter than sugar) and rebaudioside (450 times sweeter than sugar). Stevia comes as a liquid or mixed with erythritol to form a granule and the latter version is readily available in many supermarkets (in the cooking section).

Remember… Less is best! Aim to decrease all sweeteners from your children’ meals so that they begin to enjoy the natural sweetness in their foods.

Look for granulated forms. When we refer to stevia in our book, we mean the granulated form. Most stevia granules can be used, as you would

November 2014

If you’d like to exercise, or realise the importance of being physically active, it is important to seek out a method that you enjoy. Many people turn to fitness classes or personal trainers to keep them motivated, but what is it that really makes an exercise class or personal training session enjoyable and effective?

For more sweet ideas for family friendly fructose-free cooking, check out Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar Kids eCookbook.

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Health feature Self help for chronic pain

By Naval Mair, Osteopathy & Wellbeing

Unremitting chronic pain exhausts our mind, our body and our motivations. Chronic pain presents in conditions like Arthritis, or other systemic conditions like Colitis or Chronic Fatigue. Sufferers who re-assess various elements of their lives and then make small adjustments in these key areas often find some relief from their unremitting chronic pain. © LoloStock - Fotolia.com

Some pointers: Could you be more physically active? Aerobic activity produces endorphins. These give you a natural high as well as being natural pain reliever. Walking up and down a pool or swimming, or perhaps a brisk walk will achieve this.

Have fun. Do things you enjoy. The Chronic pain may disable you from your favourite hobby, so spend time keeping your brain busy in a way that doesn’t focus on your pain. Comedy TV or film is often a great help.

Mindfulness. Consciously catch yourself worrying about your pain or waiting for the next pain, or complaining about it to friends or family.

Acknowledge that this worry is contributing to your chronic problem itself.

The acknowledgement will help relief.

Keep positive people in your life. Spend less time those who are negative.

Forgiveness. Forgive others. It is often difficult for some people to appreciate your Chronic pain. Chronic pain has no visual prompts like scars. Forgive yourself too. Accept that you have a problem but also that you are working on getting better.

Get some positive support. Feeling overwhelmed, you may not see a way out. Ensure you speak to your doctor or therapist. Osteopathic treatment commonly helps get patients through the dark times.

•Naval Mair Osteopathy & Wellbeing provides so much more than just the treatment for bad backs.

Whilst they have a great reputation for diagnosing and successfully treating many musculo-skeletal disorders, they help many patients with their integrated osteopathic approach to health.

Studio 5, The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, John Archer Way, London SW18 3SX. 020 8812 3733 enquiries@navalmair.com www.navalmair.com

The importance of posture

By Melinda Cotton, osteopath How often do you look at your child and think, “ That posture is not very good!” or “They are sitting so badly!”? If you consider your own posture, what do you feel about it? Is it good? bad? Could be better?

Postural tendencies develop from babyhood, and therefore ensuring a child’s posture is as good as possible will influence how they develop in their teens and through to adulthood.

Posture is not something that is fixed; it is dynamic, it changes and can always be improved. Children stand and move in ways that are natural to them and if they stand poorly it is important to discover what is making it hard for them to stand well and at ease.

Fulham Osteopaths work with babies, children and adults and it is clear to them that tensions and imbalances around the back, hips, feet and shoulders can undermine good posture. In their experience addressing these issues can have a huge effect on posture.

Have a look at the photos. The first photo was taken before an osteopathic treatment and the second just half an hour later using an approach know as “Classical Osteopathy”.

If you are concerned about your child’s posture or would like your child to have a check over, it is well worth calling Fulham Osteopaths and having a chat with Melinda Cotton, their practice principal, to see what they can do for you and your family.

Before picture

After picture

•Fulham Osteopaths, celebrating their 25th year. 020 7384 1851 www.fop.co.uk 769 Fulham Rd, SW6 5HA Tried and tested by Families SW!

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

November 2014

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      

Flexible hours Cranbr Caring for children 0-5 years childre ook nursery allows n to th Stimulating learning environment rive achiev Ofsted registered e their , develop and f u throug ll pote Ofsted rating ‘Good’ ntial h a stim ulating approp Newly renovated building riate b , age challen ut ging en Staff with Early Years home f vironment w Teacher qualifications ith a rom ho me fee  Homely feel l.  Large garden space

Open Morning Tuesday 18th November 9:30am – 11:30am 344-346 Fulham Palace Road, Fulham SW6 6HT Palace@Cranbrooknursery.co.uk | 0207 3819 523

We would love for you to come and visit

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Families Gift guide

Create the ultimate Christmas memory

The Toy Animal Company Animals have all the attributes you can ask for when it comes to nurturing our little ones, they provide the spring board for loving and learning from interaction to sounds to counting and role play. This family-run business has a great range of animal toys and the best full time toy testers and advisors, their little boys.

All topped off with a range of gorgeous, soft, touch and feel fabrics to choose from. £49.95 From 2yrs. www.thetoyanimalcompany.com

A beautiful family portrait is the ideal Christmas gift for your family and relatives. What more could grandparents want? Robbies Photographics produce beautiful family portraits that are timeless and natural, providing memories for years to come. Book a family shoot now in time for

Christmas. Shoots from £65, gift vouchers available. Also bespoke and ready-made frames.

8 Ritherdon Road, SW17 8QD 020 8767 4222 www.robbiesphotographics.com

Little Print Jewellery

Struggling to find a novel gift for your loved one?

Little Print Jewellery can assist and create a beautiful bespoke print piece for you, whether it's of your hot lips, your child or your beloved pet.

Cut off 29th November .....

07968 260 288 www.littleprintjewellery.co.uk victoria@littleprintjewellery.co.uk Check her out on Facebook and Twitter too.

Liberty Knick Knacks Victoria from Little Print Jewellery also creates a line of beautiful Liberty hair accessories, just perfect for stocking fillers! https://www.facebook.com/Libertyknickknacks

The ergoPouch sleepSuit For babies and toddlers who need to sleep on the move, ergoPouch have introduced a new, super versatile, SleepSuit and Sleep Bag. When converted to a SleepSuit, it will fit easily into a pram, car seat and even a baby carrier. It’s also the perfect choice for older babies and toddlers who like freedom of movement, allowing them to wander around on cold winter mornings. Made from 100%, pure, natural fibres inside and out. Awarded first place in the World of Moving and Travelling Baby Accessories category at the 2015 Kind+Jugend Innovation Awards.

Available in sizes 2-12 months and 12-36 months. RRP from £59.99 www.ergopouch.co.uk

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Q. What do Families magazine and Bizzy Bitz have in common?

A. Both have families in mind...

Bizzy Bitz: Tremendous developmental and educational benefits, no wonder it has won multiple awards.

Create impressive model masterpieces with the easy-to-follow instructions or let your imagination run free and build your own amazing creations. The brightly coloured, versatile pieces give endless opportunities to experiment and explore a world of creative possibilities.

Guaranteed to keep your children busy....

Boxes suitable for children from 3 11+ yrs. £5 to £50.

November 2014

The gift that lasts Instead of the filling up the toy box with more plastic toys that the children will tire of, what about a place at Jigsaw Performing Arts school.

Jigsaw provide inspiring classes for children from 3 years to 18 years. Bookings paid for in full before Christmas will be given a free t-shirt (Worth £10).

We can also send a Voucher that you can gift wrap with the t-shirt. www.jigsawarts.co.uk or call 020 8447 4530.

Personalised Puzzle Personalised presents are such a unique gift. They will also be a cherished memorabilia for generations to come. From £19.80.

Also personalised bags, stationery, stickers and much more.

Free ship code: JOY from Tinyme.co.uk *Offer ends 04.01.15.

www.bizzy-bitz.com

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Make a Christmas Stocking Make your own personalised stocking, an ideal Christmas gift or a heirloom to treasure for years to come … This is an easy project suitable for adults and children and a perfect way to boost your sewing skills.

Materials needed: • • • • •

50 x 50cm red felt 30 x 30cm green felt Christmas ribbon 70cm long Needle, embroidery thread, scissors, pins, additional decoration Download and print easy-to-use templates to help you (www.sewpretty.me.uk/mystocking)

Step 1- Marking out the shapes:

Step 2- Cutting the fabric:

Step 3-Sewing the heart:

Start by folding the red felt material in half. Mark out a “J” shaped stocking on one side of the felt. You can draw free hand shape OR download and print our template to draw around. The “J” stocking should measure around 15cm at the top and be around 35 cm in length.

The next step is to cut out all the marked shapes so that you are left with two red stocking shapes, green “top trim” shape and a green heart shape.

Take the green felt heart and one of the stocking shapes and place and pin the heart in the desired position on the stocking. Next get the needle and the thread and begin sewing the heart on the red stocking using a blanket stitch (as shown on the image below). Once you have gone all the way round make a knot on the reverse side.

Step 4-Blanket stitch the stocking:

Step 5-Creating the “top trim:”

Step 6-Putting the stocking together:

Grab the remaining “J” shaped stocking and line it up with the piece you just stitched the heart to. Then pin the two parts together to stop them from moving. Get your threaded needle and, beginning at that top, blanket stitch all around the edge. (TOP tip: If you find that you run out of thread, carefully tie a new length of embroidery thread to the old one with a small knot)

Each member of the family can do their own.

Watch everyone’s creativity blossom!

Take your green “top trim” felt and fold it in half. On the open end sew both short sides of the green strip with 1cm distance from the edge using a back stitch.

Pin the ribbon onto the trim (2-3cm from the top edge of the trim) and attach them using a back stitch to the top of the stocking (red felt). Leave the two long ends of the ribbon at the back of the stocking to make a bow.

Step 7-Optio na

l finishing tou You may wis ches: h to decora te the stock ther by add ing furing Christm as bell, butto snowflakes ns, or personaliz e it by addin to it using a g a name back stitch.

Designed by Katy Essery of Sew Pretty www.sewpretty.me.uk

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

November 2014

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Christmas Shows and Pantos 2014

©Peter Brown

arctica Battersea Arts Centre, Ant

Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill SW11 5TN bac.org.uk Antarctica A trio of performers with songs and puppets conjure an expedition to the South Pole in search of a fantastical creature - the Owlabear. Age 2-6, 10.30am and 1.30pm, £14/£9 2 December to 4 January

The Bloomsbury Theatre

15 Gordon Street WC1H 0AH www.thebloomsbury.com The Nutcracker A stunning ballet, performed by children from the West London School of Dance. This traditional tale portrays the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child, to the much-loved music of Tchaikovsky.

Perfect family entertainment.

7.30pm, £25/£15 5-7 December Peter Pan A breathtaking production of the timeless tale of the boy who never grew up. Join Peter, Wendy, John and Michael for a spectacular high-flying adventure to the magical world of Neverland and sail with Tinkerbell through the skies over London in this stunning musical interpretation. £25/£15 11-14 December The Santa Claus Science Experiment Lapland is the home of Christmas, and laps. (And lapdogs and laptops.)

After the chaos caused by a mistimed Elf & Safety inspection, more mild peril looms when Santa is arrested because his naughty/nice sensing powers are considered a threat to national security. How can Christmas happen without magic? For 6-99 year

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The Peacock Theatre

The Chelsea Theatre

olds who like science, jokes and Christmas. Which is pretty much everyone! £15/£17.50 15-21 December

The Cambridge Theatre Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street WC2H 9HU uk.matildathemusical.com Matilda The Musical Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny Throughout December

The Chelsea Theatre

7 World's End Place, Kings Road SW10 0DR www.chelseatheatre.org.uk Mr Tiger Goes Wild Mr. Tiger lived a perfectly proper life in a perfectly proper city and everything was perfectly fine . . . until the day he had a wonderfully WILD idea! Join Mr Tiger on a musical adventure full of fun and laughter as he journeys from the city to the jungle, meeting new friends and learning a few things along the way.

Age 3+, weekdays 10.30am and 1.30pm, weekends 11am & 2pm, £9 2-21 December

Churchill Theatre High Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1HA www.atgtickets.com/bromley Sleeping Beauty UK Productions returns with another highly anticipated and magical traditional pantomime. With spectacular sets and costumes,

Sleeping Beauty is fantastic seasonal fun for everyone aged 3 to 103! £15£26.50 28 November to 4 January

National Theatre Upper Ground SE1 9PX nationaltheatre.org.uk Treasure Island

It’s a dark, stormy night. The stars are out. Jim, the inn-keeper’s granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins. Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new adaptation by Bryony Lavery. From £15 3 December to 19 February

Colour House Theatre

Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Dick Whittington This Christmas, join Dick Whittington as he and his faithful sidekick, Puss, take to the streets of London in search of fortune and glory. Will the rats and mice form their own union against Dick’s clever, crafty and cunning cat? Will Dick find true love? Will we see him scale the heady heights of London’s elite, and

run for mayor of this great little town? An imaginative and vibrant take on the classic pantomime, and a must for all of the family this Christmas. Cat lovers particularly welcome! Saturdays and Sundays 2pm and 4pm, £8-£10 22 November to 25 January

The New Wimbledon Theatre

The Broadway, SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre Cinderella The Home of London Pantomime announces the return of Matthew Kelly and Matthew Rixon as the two Ugly Sisters in this year's panto. With sumptuous sets, gorgeous fairytale costumes, riotous Panto dames, real Shetland ponies, big song and dance numbers, magic and bags of audience participation, fun and laughter is guaranteed for the whole family 5 December to 11 January

The Lilian Bayliss Studio

Roseberry Avenue EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com The Little Match Girl Based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, this touching tale of a young street girl's hopes and dreams is beautifully told through dance, song and original live music. A snowy stage sets the scene for an icy cold Christmas eve, where the little match girl paces the emptying streets, trying to sell her matches.

Age 5+ 13 December to 4 January

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Christmas Shows and Pantos 2014

ker , The Nutcrac ury Theatre The Bloomsb

The Peacock Theatre

Sadler's Wells

St James Theatre

Rosebery Avenue EC1R sadlerswells.com

12 Palace Street SW1E 5JA www.stjamestheatre.co.uk The Snow Dragon Billy has everything a young goat could need – and more besides. On New Year’s Eve Billy’s parents tell him about the legendary Snow Dragon, who will bring him even more goodies during the night. But when Billy bumps into some wolves in the woods, New Year’s Day seems a long way off. Story-telling, comedy and songs create a magical, mysterious world for everyone aged 3 and up. From the company that brought you The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale.

9 December to 4 January

Photo credit Hugo Glendinning

Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com Based on the much loved book by Raymond Briggs, this is definitely a must see show and a favourite for Londoners. The Snowman has transported a generation of children and their families into the wonderful wintery world of a boy and his magical snowman. It is truly a magical show!

Family ticket £100, 4 tickets must include a child.

24 Nov- 4 Jan

The Polka Theatre

240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com Peter Pan JM Barrie’s enchanting classic takes flight in a stunning show for the whole family. Get ready for one of the greatest children’s stories ever told, bursting with original songs, puppetry, swashbuckling fun and fairy dust. Age 6+, £17.50/£11.50 21 November to 14 February

Edward Scissorhands Matthew Bourne’s magical dance production of Edward Scissorhands has carved a place in the hearts of thousands across the world since its premiere. Presenting its first major revival, Bourne takes a fresh new look at this modern fairytale. £12-£32 2 December to 11 January

The Southbank Centre

Belvedere Road SE1 8PX southbankcentre.co.uk There Was an Old Woman Oily Cart’s beautiful new show takes families on a journey through the sights, scents, textures and sounds of a multi-sensory wonderland. Families will be accompanied by a live musician and plenty of puppets as

Theatre Royal Drury Lane Catherine Street WC2B 5JF www.reallyuseful.com/theatres/theatreroyal-drury-lane Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl's deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka comes to life in a brand new West End musical directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes.

From £16.50 Throughout December

The Lilian Bayliss Studio The Little Match Girl

November 2014

The Polka Theatre

St James Theatre

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they embark on a mysterious adventure uncovering all sorts of shoes. 11am and 2pm, £7/£14 13 December to 4 January

Timber! with Cirque Alfonse The family of axe-juggling lumberjack performers from Quebec are back.

Combining circus, theatre, dance, live traditional music and the folklore of the region, the act features performances from three generations of the family, including 66-year-old grandfather Alain and three-year-old grandson Arthur. £20-£27.50 21-31 December

The Unicorn

Theatre 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Candyland Slumber Party Join the Unicorn for a festive sleepover this Christmas season.

Watch a performance of The Nutcracker and The Mouse King, meet the actors and take part in a whole host of activities onstage before you bunk down on the set for the night. A midnight snack and breakfast is included. The sleepover is suitable for children aged 8-12 and all places must be booked in advance, no grown-ups allowed this time! 5.30pm, £65 19-20 December The Nutcracker and the Mouse King It's Christmas Eve, 1805. Seven yearold Marie retrieves the sad and broken Nutcracker from under the Christmas tree and promises to look after him. But on the stroke of midnight he comes alive, and after enlisting Marie’s help in his battle with the evil Mouse King, they journey together through strange and fantastical stories until they finally arrive in a secret land made of nothing but candy. £15-£22 21 November to 4 January

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What’s On Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong...

Drama A huge quantity of Christmas events, fairs, shows and pantomimes in our online What’s On calendar.

We cover the whole of London!

The Ambassadors Theatre WC2H 9ND www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk Selfie/Private Peaceful/Macbeth The National Youth Theatre in their annual Rep Season: Selfie - a radical re-telling of the Dorian Gray story for the selfie generation; Private Peaceful, the rarely-performed ensemble version of the stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel; Macbeth – Shakespeare’s play, set in preWW1 Austria-Hungary. Times and dates vary Throughout November

Lyric Theatre

Photo credit Graeme Braidwood

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES Book now by calling 0844 482 9674 or visit www.nimaxtheatres.com

Room on the Broom. A quintessential festive treat for the whole family to enjoy. This Olivier Award-nominated production tells the story of a friendly witch, her cat and three loveable animals who take to the skies on a broom and face a fearsome dragon in this magical, musical adventure. With enchanting puppetry, original sing-a-long songs and scary fun.

From 3+. Family ticket - £62 (admits four) From 26 Nov to 11 Jan as part of a national UK tour.

The Barbican Theatre Barbican Centre, Silk Street EC2Y 8DS barbican.org.uk florschütz & döhnert - Psst! Secrets of a White Rabbit There’s a rabbit on the loose - one who can climb stairs, balance on a tightrope and even take to the skies in this music-filled fantasyland where even the simplest things become grandiose. 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm, £8 To 4 November

Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill SW11 5TN bac.org.uk Dad Dancing Meet three brave dads who dance with their daughters. Through a series of touching episodes, they explore father-child relationships with joyous contemporary choreography, humour and playful storytelling. Age 12+ To 15 November

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FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town WC1N 1AZ 020 7841 3600 www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk The Foundling Museum tells the story of the 25,000 abandoned babies and children who passed through the Foundling Hospital from 1739 to 1954.

Now, the Foundling Hospital’s collection of photographs, paintings, furniture and, most poignantly, foundling tokens pinned by mothers to their baby’s clothes, are looked after by the Foundling Museum. As foundling babies were given new names these tokens – usually everyday objects such as coins or buttons - helped ensure correct identification should a parent ever return to claim their child, and each one tells its own story.

The original Hospital building was torn down in the 1920s but the Foundling Museum still contains many elements of the original interiors, including the restored Court Room, recreations of the Committee Room and Picture Gallery and the oak staircase from the Hospital’s West Wing. The Collection also houses works by Victorian artists Emma Brownlow and Sophia Anderson, depicting everyday life at the Hospital.

Why not join one of the Museum’s family workshops during the Christmas holidays? Create tapestries, work with artists, meet authors and enjoy children’s concerts. Or visit the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, packed with books, music, coins and art works relating to the life and work of the composer George Frederic Handel. Whatever you fancy, the Foundling Museum is well worth a visit this autumn!

Christmas Carols, 6 December. 2pm and 3pm, tree.

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LOVES!

The Cambridge Theatre

Little Angel Theatre

Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street WC2H 9HU uk.matildathemusical.com Matilda The Musical Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny Throughout November

N1 2DN Littleangeltheatre.com Fantastic Mr Fox Mr Fox has three very nasty enemies, Boggis, Bunce and Bean. However, Mr. Fox is much cleverer than they are and has a cunning plan of his own. Roald Dahl’s classic tale of wit and determination is brought to life with ingenious puppets and enchanting music.

Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10am & 1pm, Fridays at 1pm & 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays 11am & 2pm, £14/£12 To 9 November

The Chelsea Theatre 7 World's End Place, Kings Road SW10 0DR www.chelseatheatre.org.uk Robin’s Winter Adventure A young boy’s incredible journey with a feathered friend. But will facing his fears turn out to be the greatest adventure of all? An uplifting tale of change, bravery and friendship told with puppetry, poetry, music and magical design, for ages 4+. 11am and 2pm, £9 16 November Aunty Ben A colourful and playful exploration of gender, family, love and happiness for ages 7+, 3pm, £10/5 23 November

The Colour House Theatre Watermill Way SW19 2RD colourhousetheatre.co.uk Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs This classic story gets the full Colour House treatment when Snow White, lost and alone in the woods, befriends 7 dwarves whilst the deranged evil Queen is in hot pursuit. Age 3+, 2pm and 4pm, £8-£10 To 9 November

National Theatre Upper Ground SE1 9PX nationaltheatre.org.uk Romeo and Juliet A modern city. A deadly feud.

And a pair of star-crossed lovers. Set against a vibrant urban backdrop, bursting full of excitement, colour, dancing and live song, a company of eight recreate the most famous love story of all time for a young audience. From £8 To 14 November

The New Wimbledon Theatre The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre MCB The Nutcracker Set to Tchaikovsky’s score and complete with stunning costumes and sumptuous sets, The Nutcracker is an unmissable festive delight for all the family. This enchanting fairytale follows Clara’s magical Christmas Eve adventures with her Nutcracker prince and his

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s On battles with the Mouse King in the beautiful Kingdom of Flowers 13-15 November

The Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com Grandad, Me...and Teddy Too Mia loves her Grandad very much. He lives far away, on the other side of the world, but now he’s coming to stay and Mia’s excitement is growing. With playful humour and original music, this charmingly observed show is a magical family treat for all generations. Ages 2–5, £11.50/£9 To 8 February

stories and ideas to colourful life through storyboarding and animation techniques. A free foyer event for holders of Flash Gordon film tickets. 11am 9 November Animate Your Movies Take a look at how animation can bring another dimension to your film, or stand alone in its own right. Professional artists, animators and animation software experts will take part in an on-stage Q&A, followed by a choice of animation workshops. At the end of the day you’ll also have the chance to network with industry experts and fellow filmmakers and animators. 1.30pm, £6 22 November

Southwark Playhouse

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com Frozen Sing-Along Sing along to Disney's smashhit animated musical Frozen in the iconic surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall. 2pm, 8.45pm 17 November

Catherine Street WC2B 5JF www.reallyuseful.com/theatres/theatre-royaldrury-lane Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl's deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka comes to life in a brand new West End musical directed

by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes. From £16.50 Throughout November

The Southbank Centre

The Unicorn Theatre

Belvedere Road SE1 8PX southbankcentre.co.uk Funday Workshop Taking inspiration from Flash Gordon’s larger-than-life characters and costumes, BFI Southbank will stir up your child’s imagination and help them create their very own heroes and villains. A team of practitioners will help bring their

147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Girls Like That The problem with 'girls like that' is that they ruin it for everyone... They give all girls a bad name. £10-£16 6-22 November

The Royal Albert Hall

November 2014

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Carmela Guida’s School of Ballet The Dance Lab 63 Upper Richmond Rd, East Putney, SW15 2RD Christ the King Roman Catholic Parish 9 Cresent Gardens, Wimbledon Park, SW19 8AJ

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Little Howard and the Magic Pencil of Life and Death Following the success of their CBBC TV show, Big Howard and the animated Little Howard bring their family comedy show to Polka, with plenty of interactive stand-up, 3D animation, songs and laughs. Age 5+, 12.30pm and 3pm, £12.50/£9 9 November

77-85 Newington Causeway SE1 6BD southwarkplayhouse.co.uk Grand Guignol 1903. Paris, Monmartre and the Theatre du Grand Guignol opens its doors to an unsuspecting public. But when a psychiatrist, obsessed with the gruesome dramas, ingratiates his way into the company and starts to unpick the author’s mind, the boundaries between theatre and truth begin to blur… 3pm and 7.30pm, from £16 To 22 November Usagi Yojimbo 17th Century Japan. A world of bandit racoons, feline ninjas and warring animal clans. A young rabbit leaves home, family and friends behind him in pursuit of one ambition: to become a great samurai warrior. 2.30pm and 7pm From 28 November

To arrange a free trial class visit:

www.carmelaguidaballet.co.uk

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What’s On Scrunch It's baby's first Christmas. There's snow on the ground and lights in the tree, then scrunch, scrunch, scrunch... footsteps on the path - who can it be? £10 for one adult and child From 9 December The Fourth Wise Man Everyone has heard of the Three Wise Men, but have you heard of Artaban, the fourth? One day Artaban, the wisest of them all, spots a beautiful new star in the sky. It's the biggest and brightest star he has ever seen, and he knows it will lead him to something special. £10£16 From 30 November

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame, a former secretary of the Bank of England.

11am–5pm 8 November FREE

The British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org Sutton Hoo and Europe AD 300–1100 A display of the British Museum’s unparalleled early medieval collections which include the famous Sutton Hoo treasure Throughout November

Young Vic

The Conservatoire

66 The Cut SE1 8LZ www.youngvic.org/whats-on/dusk Dusk It’s Dusk, the time when everything changes. Celebrate the wide, wild world around you. Nestled together in the heart of a forest, a group of creatures with furry tails are watching and waiting for someone to arrive. Ages 4-7, £10 To 29 November The Way Back Home Once there was a boy who found himself stuck on the moon - and he was not alone…A boy discovers an aeroplane in his cupboard. He does the only sensible thing and flies to the stars. But when he runs out of petrol and crash lands on the moon, he comes face to face with a stranded Martian. Will the two become friends and help each other find their ways back home? Age 5+, £10/£15 11-23 December

19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ www.conservatoire.org.uk Sunday Family Art Club Each month there is a different themed activity led by a professional artist tutor. Pre book or just drop by. 10.30am-12pm, £15 per family Every Sunday in November

Museums & Galleries A huge quantity of Christmas events, fairs, shows and pantomimes in our online What’s On calendar.

We cover the whole of London!

The Bank Of England Museum Threadneedle Street EC2R 8AH www.bankofengland.co.uk The Lord Mayor's Show Join in the celebrations for the Lord Mayor’s Show and step into the role of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad. Professional face painters will transform young visitors into the well-known characters from

The Design Museum 28 Shad Thames SE1 2YD designmuseum.org Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary Things Discover key designs that have shaped the modern world and be inspired by this fascinating exhibition of memorable objects from the Design Museum Collection. £11.85/under 12s free Women Fashion Power From Elizabeth I to Margaret Thatcher, Coco Chanel to Lady Gaga, the clothes women wear have always been a powerful form of selfexpression and part of a sophisticated visual language

The Florence Nightingale Museum 2 Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7EW www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Miss Nightingale Said An illustrated talk given by one of the museum’s curatorial team examining the incredible life and achievements of Florence Nightingale. 3.30pm, £5.80/£4.80 Every Wednesday in November

The Horniman Museum 100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Night of Light: Youth Late They’re back, bigger and brighter than ever! The Horniman Youth Panel take over the Museum for

the 5th year running with live bands, a sparkletastic Pop-up Club and an acoustic and spoken word stage. The first 250 visitors get a free Night of Light wristband. Age 14-25. No alcohol. 6.309.30pm 22 November

Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ www.iwm.org.uk Horrible Histories® - Spies Uncover the deadly world of spies at this major new interactive exhibition for families. Horrible Histories®: Spies brings the horrible history of Second World War spies and their secret schemes to life, based on Terry Deary’s book from the bestselling Horrible Histories series. £6.20/£3.30 Throughout November

The London Transport Museum Covent Garden WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Goodbye Piccadilly – from Home Front to Western Front New exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War, revealing the untold story of London’s Home Front

The Museum Of London London Wall EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk Sherlock Holmes – The Man Who Never Lived and Will Never Die An exciting new exhibition delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes To 12 April The London 2012 Cauldron A new home for the London 2012 Cauldron tells the story of this iconic symbol of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The exhibition celebrates Thomas Heatherwick’s cutting edge design and the unforgettable moment it was revealed to the world during the Olympic opening ceremony Throughout November FREE Museum Explored Join one of the Museum's hosts and explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities.

11am and 2pm Every Sunday in November FREE

The National Gallery Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN nationalgallery.org.uk

Our skilled staff prepare children aged 2­5 years for their next school and start them on a journey of life­long learning.

Incorporating art, cooking, music, sport, drama and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum. Please arrange a visit to see the learning and excitement in action. www.oaktreenurseryschool.com Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX Tel: 020 8166 5932

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

National Maritime Museum Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Diwali Celebrations Celebrate British Asian heritage and Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with a day full of colour, music and fun activities for all the family. Discover more about how trade by sea brought people, ideas and culture from Asia to Britain. 11am-4pm 8 November FREE Nelson, Navy, Nation A major new permanent gallery looks at how the Royal Navy shaped individual lives and the course of British history over the tumultuous 18th century FREE Guiding Lights: 500 Years of Trinity House and Safety at Sea Five hundred years ago, a fraternity of London mariners was given a charter by Henry VIII and became the Corporation of Trinity House, with instructions to improve the safety of navigation on the Thames. FREE

Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Lates with MasterCard Visit the Museum after hours and experience London’s most unique Friday night out. 6-10.30pm 28 November FREE Ice Rink Get your skates on at London’s most spectacular ice rink. The 950-square-metre ice rink is on the Museum’s east lawn, a setting made even more magical by a fairground carousel and 76,000 twinkling fairy lights. If you don’t fancy a skate, you can still enjoy the atmosphere with a hot chocolate, mulled wine or some festive food from the Café Bar, with its balcony overlooking the rink.

From £8 Throughout November Wildlife Photographer of the Year Combining the extraordinary work of talented professionals and gifted amateur photographers from around the globe to showcase the beauty, magnificence and diversity of life on our planet.

From £5 Throughout November

Royal Air Force Museum London Grahame Park Way NW9 5LL www.rafmuseum.org.uk Lest We Forget An opportunity for visitors to write a message of remembrance onto a hand-made poppy which they can then stick to a 'wall of remembrance'.

10am-6pm 8-9 November

Wandsworth Museum 38 West Hill SW18 1RX www.wandsworthmuseum.co.uk Ready, Steady, Play!

Led playtime and songs for tots and their parents or carers. For children aged 6 months–3 years. £3 per child, book in advance to guarantee a place.

10.15–11am, £3 Every Thursday in November

Science Museum Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD sciencemuseum.org.uk Science Night A special overnight event for 7-13 year olds featuring exciting hands-on workshops, science shows, a sleepover at the Science Museum among the amazing exhibits, followed by a tasty breakfast and a breathtaking film in their IMAX Cinema. £45 7 November

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Toy Stories A display of photographs which explores the role of toys in the lives of children around the world, reflecting the impact of the children’s backgrounds and families on their choice of toys To 14 December FREE It's My Party...

It's My Party... takes a look at children's birthday parties from the perspective of both children and parents Throughout November

The Victoria And Albert Museum SW7 2RL vam.ac.uk Wedding Dresses 1775–2014 Trace the eternal fashion of the wedding dress and discover the most romantic, glamorous and iconic dresses from the last 200 years. This magical exhibition highlights exceptional craftsmanship and brings together couture and designer-made wedding garments from key fashion designers including Charles James, Vivienne Westwood and Vera Wang. From £8 To 15 March

V&A Museum of Childhood

Days Out A huge quantity of Christmas events, fairs, shows and pantomimes in our online What’s On calendar.

We cover the whole of London!

Brixton Windmill Windmill Gardens, End of Blenheim Gardens SW2 5EU www.brixtonwindmill.org Windmill Tours Explore the windmill with one of their tour guides.

Visit the 'two mills in one' and hear the intriguing story of the Ashby family. You will see the original wind-powered machinery and find out how it was once used to make stone ground flour. Booking required Every weekend in November

Visit 345 Nursery where “The Nursery offers an exceptionally welcoming and inclusive environment” (Ofsted November 2011).

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

November 2014

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Family Sundays Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm, age 5-11 Every Sunday in November FREE

What’s On

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What’s On Cutty Sark King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Toddler Takeover! The Cutty Sark is celebrating Kids in Museums Takeover Day and the ship's 145th birthday with a fun-filled event for toddlers, babies and their grown-ups. £5 for every adult accompanied by a child aged 4 or under 21 November I Saw Three Ships...

Be inspired by Cutty Sark’s journeys around the world and create a Christmas harbour scene with ships and a shimmering sea to turn into a card or hang up at home. 11.30 and 2pm 6-7 December

HMS Belfast The Queen's Walk SE1 2JH www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast Cracking Codes Can you decipher secret messages? Come and join in this family activity; intercept messages, map hazards on our sea chart and even make up your own secret code. 11am–12.30pm and 2–4pm 15-16 November

Kensington Palace Kensington Gardens W8 4PX www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace Glorious George ll Take your place among the glitterati of court, where they play host to some of the greatest minds in the kingdom. Become a courtier for the day, indulge in gossip and gambling, listen to beautiful Georgian music, and even help Queen Caroline get dressed in the morning!

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Knights and squires prepare to do battle for the Kingdom of France. Admission fees apply Throughout November

The London Wetlands Centre Queen Elizabeth, Barnes SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk Incredible Journeys Incredible Journeys are made during migration seasons by birds big and small. But did you know that bats, eels, butterflies and even spiders migrate too? Find out more on their self-guided Incredible Journeys trail. Free with paid admission Every Saturday and Sunday 8-30 November

Out of town A huge quantity of Christmas events, fairs, shows and pantomimes in our online What’s On calendar.

We cover the whole of London!

Hever Castle & Gardens Hever, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk Christmas at the Castle Capture the spirit of Christmas with a memorable day out for all the family. Traditionally decorated Castle rooms, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees. Meet Father Christmas, enjoy relaxed Christmas shopping in the Gift Shops, and sample delicious festive food in the restaurants. As dusk falls, the gardens are magically illuminated with up-lighting and beautiful colour washes 22 November to 24 December

The Royal Observatory Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Longitude Punk’d Celebrating the creations of wacky inventors, stargazing scientists and elegant explorers of the 18th Century. The Royal Observatory Greenwich have commissioned nine UK ‘Steampunk’ artists to create new works inspired by the technical inventions that were presented to the Board of Longitude between 1714 and 1828. £16/£12 To 4 January 2015 An Evening with the Stars The popular after-dark experience at the Royal Observatory Greenwich includes a show in London’s only public planetarium and the chance to look through the gigantic Great Equatorial Telescope at what the night sky has to offer. Plus, spend some time on the Prime Meridian with a hot drink, an amazing view and astronomers on hand to answer all your space-related questions. Ages 7+, 5.25pm-7.25pm and 6.45pm-8.24pm, £16/£12 28-29 November Christmas Stars This seasonally themed show looks at what the night sky has to offer over the Christmas period and beyond. Looking at the Moon, planets, stars and constellations, the show also explores the latest ideas about what the Christmas Star might have been. 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm, £6.50/£4.50 1-23 December

The Tower Of London Tower Hill EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon Fortress Tower Welcome to the greatest fortress in the land!

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Diary dates and events A huge quantity of Christmas events, fairs, shows and pantomimes in our online What’s On calendar.

We cover the whole of London!

NCT Wimbledon & Wandsworth www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com Monday Munchkins. Every Monday in November, 10am-12pm at Elim Church, High Path, South Wimbledon Breastfeeding Drop-in. Every Thursday in November, 10am–12pm, Gooseberry Bush Café (upstairs studio) Bumps and Babes. Every Friday in November, 10.30am–12pm, Wimbledon Park Pavilion Post-natal meet up. Every Friday in November, 1.30–3.30pm at Mood Food Café, 131 Penwith Rd, Earlsfield, SW18 4PZ

Royal Opera House WC2E 9DD www.roh.org.uk Every Sunday in November. Family Sundays A regular event for families to come and explore the Royal Opera House, its artists and the world of opera and ballet. Packed full of creative and practical activities for all the family including informal performances from Royal Ballet dancers, plus interactive singing and dance activities.

12–4pm, £5 adults, £3 children

French Coffee Morning The Hop Farm Family Park Paddock Wood, Tonbridge TN12 6PY www.parkinsons.org.uk/spooky Spooky Sprint Dare to run in the Spooky Sprint – a race in the dark with only a head torch to light your way. It’s so good it’s scary! Challenge yourself to the 5K and 10K run and you’ll get a free head torch, chip timing and an exclusive breathable glow in the dark T-shirt. Bring along your little monsters to take part in their 500m family fun run too. To watch their Spooky Sprint video and to enter the event go to www.parkinsons. org.uk/spooky 15 November

Contact Teresa at info@leclubtricolore or 020 7924 4649 / 07889 967003 Every Wednesday morning in November Get together ‘between the Commons’ for coffee and to speak French for an hour. Lively discussions on a topic (articles are distributed in advance) and a great opportunity to practise your French

Leeds Castle Maidstone ME17 1PL leeds-castle.com Leeds Castle Fireworks For two nights the most incredible display of pyrotechnics will light up the sky, synchronised with moving images and glorious music. Arrive early for 'Go Wild' themed afternoon entertainment, enjoy hot food and drinks at a variety of stalls before the fireworks at 5.30pm, set to a backdrop of music inspired by animals of the world. £19/£12.50 8-9 November

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s On

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk about the history of the Palace. All ages welcome.

Free, no booking necessary, 2pm-3.30pm 30 November, 6 and 7 December. Father Christmas The Tudor Great Hall will be lit by fairy lights and a roaring fire in the grate. Knock on the door and listen for the bell, then the whole family enters the Hall for a special one-on-one meeting with Father Christmas. 10am-5pm, £10 per child

5% OFF all new client bookings! www.themobilebeautylounge.co.uk Professional, Fully Qualified & Insured Mobile Beauty therapist and Makeup artists.

We pride ourselves in bringing you the pamper you deserve, to the comfort of your own home or venue, at the best time for you.

Book your pamper now!! Call: 07427 169001 contact@themobilebeautylounge.co.uk

First Aid for Life

Wimbledon Common Nature Club Wimbledon Common 2 November and 7 December. Trees and Leafy Headdresses and Natural Seasonal Decorations Meet at the Information Centre, 10 am to 12 noon, 6-14 year olds, £1 registration and £2 per session. Contact Auriel Glanville, Club Leader, for a registration form on 020 8540 6154

Putney Embankment Art and Craft Market The Embankment, Putney (Between the Thai Square Restaurant and Thames Place) www.facebook.com/artonputneyembankment 7 December An exciting market showcasing a range of arts and crafts such as paintings, sculpture and photography, wood carvings and furniture from established and emerging artists. 10am–4pm

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses Dulwich Road SE24 0PA www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk 7, 14, 21 and 28 November. Muddy Wellies The autumn activities for pre-schoolers are back!

Make leaf pictures, large scale pavement chalking, 3D artworks using loose materials and rubber band paintings. Free, drop-in event. Donations welcome. 10.30-11.30am 23 November. Junior Dig An enjoyable family activity that will also benefit your local park, teach your children some gardening know-how and keep you all rosycheeked through the autumn months. Meet at the Community Greenhouses, 10.30am-12.30pm 30 November. Family Workshop Get in the Christmas spirit by making a traditional Christingle candle at this drop-in workshop. Free, donations welcome. 10am-12noon

Haunted Theatreland Tours Central London location walkingtours@solttma.co.uk 9, 16, 30 November and 7 December. Official London Theatre’s Haunted Walking Tour

Fulham Palace SW6 6EA fulhampalace.org 10, 17 and 24 November. The Palace Explorers For children aged 2-4. £3 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack. Booking essential, 10.30am-12pm 23 November. Museum Drop-In: Victorians Try on period costume, handle artefacts and learn

November 2014

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

Fulham /Hammersmith border

NCT Putney & Fulham

Please ring— Morning sessions plus Tuesdays 1-3pm

www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com 12 and 26 November. Fulham FC coffee morning 10am–12pm at Cafe at the Cottage, Fulham Football Club, Stevenage Road SW6 6HH. Join Debs if you’re new to the area, starting to get out with your baby or just need an excuse for a welldeserved cup of coffee 12 and 26 November. Putney new mums' group 10.30am–12.30pm at Tried and True Cafe, Upper Richmond Road SW15 6SP. Contact sophie.bartholomew@gmail.com

020 7381 3511 020 7736 8729

NCT Nearly New Sale – Wandsworth Aspire Centre, 337 Merton Rd SW18 5JU www.nct.org.uk/branches/events/nearly-new-sales 15 November Get your hands on top-quality baby and children’s clothes and equipment at bargain prices. 10.30am12pm, £2 admission

Institut Francais SW7 2DT institut-francais.org.uk 17-23 November. South Ken Kids Festival 2014 Featuring live events, drawing duos, workshops, talks, films, live music, book signings and more.

IL CIRCOLO 2014 Traditional Italian Christmas Bazaar Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road SW3 5EE info@ilcircolo.org.uk 17-18 November Shop for Italian jewelry, home décor, cashmere, leather accessories, food and so much more. In aid of Il Circolo’s projects and charitable fun. Donation £3

Dulwich Picture Gallery SE21 7AD dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk First and last Sunday of November. Family Sundays Enjoy being creative together in these drop-in Artplay sessions, making everything from bunting to block prints. 2.10pm and 3.10pm, no booking necessary, free for families with a Gallery ticket or £3 per child 18 November. Mini-Masterpieces: By Sea and Land: Boats, Travel and Movement Enjoy sensory, interactive discovery though art sessions tailored for you and your baby, followed

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Wimbledon Common Nature

Balham and Westminster firstaidforlife.org.uk 5, 14, 22 and 27 November. The Emergency Course A 3-hour course covering care of the unconscious baby and child as well as most commonly occurring injuries and illnesses such as choking, bleeding, breaks, bleeds, burns, head injury and febrile convulsions. 9.30am-12.30pm, £60/£65

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What’s On by an informal, child-friendly gallery visit. £12 per adult and child (booking essential), ages 6-18 months, 10.30am – 11.30am

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2014 Hyde Park www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com 21 November – 4 January The Magical Ice Kingdom has more breathtaking snow and ice sculptures, along with a new ice bar this year. Other popular attractions include the UK's largest Ice Rink, the Giant Observation Wheel and Zippos Circus with 2 shows, including an evening show for older thrill seekers, Cirque Berserk. Father Christmas will be in Santa Land handing out free gifts to children and there'll be even more markets stalls, bars, restaurants and thrill seeking rides

Parish of Putney Christmas Fair St. Mary’s Church, Putney Bridge SW15 www.parishofputney.com 22 November Something for everyone including games, crafts, face painting, toy and bottle tombolas, food and a raffle full of fantastic prizes! Admission to the fair is free and all are welcome. 10.30am to 1.30pm

St Faith's School Alma Road, SW18 1AE Annual Christmas Fair on 29th Nov, 2-5pm.

Stalls, a great raffle, bouncy castle, beat the keeper, fairground ride, police car, fire engine etc A chance to see this lovely successful school.

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Go Sky Rides www.goskyride.com 30 November. Richmond’s Legacy Loop Starting from Shene Sports and Fitness Centre, Richmond Park Academy Park Avenue, East Shene SW14 8RG. 9am, age 11+, 22 miles!

Christmas Fairs If you run a Christmas fair, send your details to whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk for FREE inclusion in our online Whats On calendar and in the December issue

The Chelsea Physic Garden 66 Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HS chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 29-30 November. Christmas Fair 2014 Why not come and sample the delights of their Fair within the lovely environment of the Chelsea Physic Garden, the perfect place to shop for gifts and delicious festive treats. 10am-4pm, £5, under 16s free

London Steiner School Advent Fair London Steiner School, 9 Weir Road SW12 3SE www.waldorflondon.co.uk 6 December 12-5pm. All welcome!

Green & Ethical Christmas Fayre 2014 Holy Trinity Church, Clapham Common SW4 0QZ www.greenethicalchristmas.com 6 December A traditional Christmas Fayre where all the gifts and

essentials are ethically sourced and/or environmentally friendly. Visit Father Christmas in his grotto and take a break for light lunch or a snack in the Green Cafe. Entry adults £2, children free includes access to the City Farm Nativity with animal petting and festive dressing up. 10am-4pm

All Saints' School Christmas Bazaar All Saints' School, Putney Common SW15 1HL www.allsaints.wandsworth.sch.uk 6 December Festive fun for all the family! Mulled wine, mince pies, delicious cakes, amazing hot food, tombola, children's arts and crafts stall, face painting, wreaths, gifts made in Putney, even chutney and Santa too. Everybody welcome, 12-3pm, £2 per adult and children free

NCT Kensington & Chelsea To book tickets: nct-kcchristmasparty2014.eventbrite.co.uk Christmas Party, Friday 12th of December, from 10-12 at St. Cuthbert’s Church, Philbeach Gardens, SW5.

Benjamin Franklin House 36 Craven St, WC2 5NF Bookings: education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org or call 020 7839 2013 13 December 2014, 10.30am-12noon Children’s Christmas Party, 18th century style, with crafts and treats. Sing along to festive classics, enjoy mince pies and deck the halls with a Christmas wreath to make and take home!

Suitable for 5-11 year olds. £5 per child, free for adults.

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Silly Millie the Clown Parties for 3-9 year olds Funny Magic Show, Puppet’s, Party Games, Silly Songs and Balloon Animals Call 020 7823 8329 - 07939 239397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

Public Speaking Speech & Drama, Confidence Building Wimbledon/Vauxhall.

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

SERVICES

The Unique Birthday Experience The theatre of Peter Pan, Superheroes, Fairies,Arabian Nights and more...

In your home! Unforgettable Bilingual English/French www.lydieparties.com

PAINTING & DECORATING Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE & QUOTE John:- James & Lamont

HEALTH

Age 7 upwards All levels welcome including art scholarship Cost £40 per month.

All materials provided.

Adults Workshop

Wed 7.30 -9.30 Cost £45 per month including life class Working in an artist’s studio with a qualified Art teacher For further details www.tonykane.org.uk Tony@studio-113.co.uk

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

MUSIC

THEO THE MAGICIAN “Voted one of the UK’s Favourite The Magic Circle, Equity & CRB Fun Magic for Children & Adults

07711 724129 www.magictheo.com

Maths, English, Exam Preparation Vicky Barnett BA, MSc, PGCE 020 8876 2553 www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

November 2014

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PIANO TUITION

Friendly, experienced and qualified teacher of children 6+ and adults.

Take exams or learn purely for pleasure.

Different styles covered.

Home visits possible.

Mark Lester MA, CT ABRSM

020 8870 7830 www.marklester.biz

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk