Families London SW Issue 220 Oct 12

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

October 2012

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* School feature * Half-term activities * Halloween events LILY’S KIDS KLUB

Quality Childcare & Pre-School Education in a Caring & Friendly, Stimulating Atmosphere • • • •

Ofsted registered & Qualified staff Caring for Children aged 0-5 years Full & Part-Time places available Opens 50 weeks a year

Self contained BABY UNIT. PRE-SCHOOL We also provide - BREAKFAST CLUB, AFTER-SCHOOL CLUB & HOLIDAY PLAY SCHEME

TEL: 020 8674 8678 OR 07958 346 058

Oilily www.oililyshop.com

BRIXTON HILL METHODIST CHURCH ELM PARK, SW2 2TX

131 REAR OF BRIXTON HILL ELM PARK, SW2 1AF

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is already here o n ear heaven Everyt th be in hing that o t is supposed

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SouthWest

October 2012

Contents 04-05

Local news & information

08-09

Mums know best

04-05

Oilily www.oililyshop.com

This month we are talking about: Autumn health and wellbeing

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Win fabulous prizes!

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Health Are you sitting comfortably?

All content ©Families 2012 www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Fax: 020 8696 9679 Editorial: editor@familiesmagazine.co.uk News: news@familiesmagazine.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on info: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk Next issue: November 2012 Deadline: early October

•There are now 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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We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

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Education

26-27

Make it a happy Halloween for everyone

28-31

Half term holiday listings

32-37

What’s On • • • •

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Open Days

- School news - Open Days - Choosing a tutor

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.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter FamiliesSW

Childcare Childcare in the home but whose home?

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

•Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Basingstoke, Hants

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The Alexander Technique shows you how to protect your child’s back

•“Families® South West” heads a group of magazines. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

October 2012

Competitions

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Drama Events Exhibitions & Museums Diary dates

Magazine Directory & Classified 3

News & Views Shop ‘til you drop

Fantastic new food!

A new food delivery service has just launched in SW London. Already a success in Sweden, Jessica's Recipe Bag is a wonderful idea - all you have to do is order a food bag online and it will be delivered direct to your door bursting with fresh, nutritionally balanced ingredients and recipes for you to cook at home. No more stressing about shopping or worrying about planning meals. The Bag promises exciting yet easy to follow recipes and locally sourced ingredients for you and your family. At only £74 for 4 evening meals a week, it solves the eternal questions “What’s for dinner tonight?” Quite frankly it’s a working mother's dream come true! www.jessicasrecipebag.co.uk

The new Kids Shop has just opened at The Conran Shop, Chelsea with hundreds of charming products to encourage play, touch and creativity. With funky play sheds hung with fairy lights and candy-coloured beanbags, night lights, rocking horses in every shape and size, bunk beds that look like tree houses, hand painted animal heads that double as wall lights and fantastic storage, the new store is guaranteed to appeal as much to parents as well as children! Plus, discover a range of haberdashery items from buttons to fabrics to encourage your little garment makers to get creative. Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road SW3 6RD, www.conranshop.co.uk

Say no to plastic bags… …and save the planet in style with a range of reusable and innovative bags from Australian label Apple Green Duck. A local Fulham mum has just brought the popular brand to London - from Jute Grocer bags, gym bags and wine bags to lunch totes and snack bags, they come in a range of gorgeous prints and are not only practical but also environmentally friendly. I love the lunch bag – perfect to pack a school lunch in – so swing your arm into these eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable bags and deliver a message that we can believe in: ditch the plastic and re-use your bag. Price from £3.95, available from Cissbury, Wandsworth Bridge Road SW6 and Wholefoods, Lavender Hill SW11 amongst other local suppliers. www.applegreenduck.co.uk

The photo credit is PepperPackshots.com

Photos for life

Green light for Fulham Boys Good news for SW parents as plans for a new free school in Fulham have been given the go-ahead.

Fulham Boys School (FBS) is delighted to announce that its application to open a free Church of England secondary school for boys has been approved by the Department for Education. The result of many years of campaigning by Fulham parents, FBS aims to open in September 2013 with its first intake of 120 year 7 boys, although a site has yet to be confirmed. “This is fantastic news for Fulham parents,” says Alex Wade, FBS Chair.

“There’s currently a big gap locally at secondary level for boys, and we’re delighted that the Department has bought into our vision for an outstanding education, specifically designed to raise local aspirations and bring out the best in boys.” www.fulhamboysschool.org

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Your dream images are brought to life with the unique portraiture service at Isoo - the first portrait company to combine fine art with photography, bringing you so much more than ordinary family portraits. Following an initial portrait session, the team at Isoo merge your favourite images with art, turning them into your very own piece of personalised art work. “For a number of years since starting our family we dreamt about the kind of portraits we would like to do,” says Maria. “We looked around and never found exactly what we were imagining. Until we discovered Isoo. Then our dreams came true!"

213 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen SW14 8QT, 020 7737 2781. www.isoo.co.uk Jemma & Freya with River on Jupiter

Clapham mums box themselves fit An exciting new fitness service comes to SW mums: Boxing Mummies is a unique boxing fitness class where mums can bring their kids along while they box themselves fit! A group of mums in Clapham have found an effective new way of keeping healthy and stress free by attending boxing sessions on Clapham Common. Run by local boxer and personal trainer Kat Bryson, Boxing Mummies caters especially for mums to get fighting fit. Not only is boxing one of the most effective forms of fitness training with sessions burning up to 800 calories an hour, it can also help focus the mind and provides a fantastic form of stress relief. Classes also run in Wandsworth Common and Battersea Park. www.12roundsboxing.co.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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

News

Take a stroll This autumn the National Trust launches the Great British Walk campaign. With chilly mornings, golden colour and soft sunshine (hopefully!) autumn is the perfect time to rediscover everything that is wonderful about the British countryside, and the Great British Walk brings together a season of walking-related events and activities to enjoy with family and friends, from wildlife rambles and inspirational journeys through history, to strolls and food foraging days. The programme runs until 4 November and is ideal for families, with loads of incentives to get kids outside and exploring the natural world on their doorstep. The Great British Walk highlights in and around London include Morden Hall Park and Osterley Park, Isleworth. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast

Keep smiling If you haven’t discovered the fabulous Smiley Time classes across SW London already, do check them out! The new class times are Mondays at 10am at The Althorp, 20 Bellevue Road, Wandsworth SW17 7EB, Tuesdays at 10am and 10.45am at Belle Amie, 404 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield SW18 4HP and Thursdays at 10am also at The Althorp. Smiley Time runs throughout half term and all school holidays and is also available for private parties. www.smileytime.co.uk

A Gym just for mums!

Favourite SW personal trainer Vern Hill (long known as the ‘baby’ man!) has set up a new gym catering specifically for all mums and mums-to-be. VH-PT is the first specialist gym for new and expectant mums and offers personal training, yoga, pilates and a cardiovascular studio, as well as a treatment room for much needed pampering after training. The gym also offers a children’s play area and DVD collection so having a little one in tow won’t be an excuse not to work out! VH-PT is based at its state-ofthe-art flagship studio, one minute from Wandsworth Common railway station. Unit 26, Jaggard Way, Wandsworth Common, SW12, 07967 777294, www.vh-pt.co.uk

Theatrebugs welcomes the tiny ones Well-loved drama experts Theatrebugs have just launched brand new Babybug classes for babies from birth to 2. These enchanting parent and baby sessions are brought to life with sensory props, squishy toys, cuddly puppets and engaging stories, songs and rhymes. BabyBug is the perfect platform for your little ones to explore and interact with the world around them, with bounce-along beats, songs, puppets and tummy time fun. “This is by far the best baby class I have come to!” says Oscar’s Mum from Parsons Green.

Classes include Caterpillar Club (birth to 2 years) Contact Centre, Clapham, Wednesdays at 10.0010.40am; Eat, Play, Love, Battersea on Wednesdays at 11.50am-12.30pm; and St Luke’s, Balham on Thursdays at 11.50am-12.30pm.

Cocoon Club (2 to 3.5 years) - Contact Centre on Wednesdays at 10.50-11.30am. From £7.

08009755290, enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk, theatrebugs.co.uk

New venue for kids The Antique Chair, recently opened in Lillie Road, Fulham, offers mums an ideal space to bring their little ones. With mother and baby events every week, a delicious deli full of scrumptious goodies, an outdoor space with playhouse and sand pit and child-friendly staff, the Antique Chair hosts a number of classes and sessions perfect for little ones. Don’t miss their Munchkin Music classes on Mondays or Highchair Society on Wednesdays - get-togethers for mums that will include an on-site beautician and massage therapist, Q&A sessions on baby-related subjects and workshops on everything from face painting skills to drawing. The Antique Chair, 316 Lillie Road, Fulham SW6. www.munchkinmusic.co.uk, www.highchairsociety.com

Spanish for the family Since 2010 Ole Kids have been offering fun Spanish classes for children from 6 months to 4 years, and now they are starting new classes for 4 to 7 year olds.

The classes will be based on traditional fairy tales, and should prove to be not only fun but educational too.

As runner-up in the Best New Business Award at the Hammersmith and Fulham Brilliant Business Awards 2012, they are a great place to start if you want your kids to learn Spanish. Call 07734900221, email info@olekids.com www.olekids.com

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Sing for free!

Don’t miss the new free singing workshops at Pegasus Opera Singing Academy. Using musical games and group activities to explore song writing and performance skills, children and young people will get a chance to improve their general musicianship as well as their self confidence. Workshops run every Saturday during term time 10am-12pm at The Brix, St Matthews, Brixton Hill SW2 1JF, where professional musicians and workshop leaders will help children to work towards a final performance for friends and family. www.pegopera.org

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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mums know best The page where parents share their knowledge (because raising the next generation is, you know, only the most important job in the world).

Compiled by Helena Foss

October This month we are talking about: Autumn health and wellbeing The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is upon us; the time of year when nature herself seems to relax and let out one big sigh. Aaaah! Leaves are falling, harvests are being, well, harvested, fruits are ripening and need collecting, storing, preserving and jamming and... let’s not panic but Christmas is looming on the horizon. Time to squirrel away your nuts for the winter and maybe plan a few creative, home-making family activities now the nights are drawing in.

In the not so distant past, tribes would gather around the fire in the evenings for quality family time; a place to chat, tell stories and sing together. These days, of course, we tend to gather around the impersonal glow of TV and computer screens. So, let’s look at a few alternatives to digital entertainment this October.

© wazymodo - Fotolia.com

Kitchen remedies

Tree therapy Tree hugging hippies were onto something all along. Science has measured the vibrations coming off trees and has concluded that they have a distinctly calming effect on our physiology (see Blinded by Science by Matthew Silverstone). So, go on! Let yourself get up close. Enjoy leaf kicking strolls through parks or woodland and encourage your children to collect the flame coloured leaves that delight them. Preserve the leaves by brushing on both sides with PVA glue, or sealing them in melted wax. You might want to try stringing them up to make an autumnal mobile decoration. Or fold a paper plate in half, cut out the centre and get your little ones to stick the leaves into a decorative autumn wreath. Add a bow, maybe some gold paint or glitter and hang up with a ribbon.

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I have discovered a superfood called Spirulina.

The WDDTY website says it is “currently being touted as the biggest nutritional breakthrough in the last two decades.” They add: “It's been said to boost immunity, promote heart health, combat fatigue, encourage weight loss, eliminate allergies and even protect against cancer.”

© lamax - Fotolia.com

Yes, good food can be truly medicinal. One recipe our grandmothers and great grandmothers used to stock in their winter larders is rosehip syrup, an excellent remedy for warding off winter colds. Weight for weight rosehip shells contain 20 times as much vitamin C as oranges and the syrup was widely used in the 1940s to supplement war-time diets.

Eating them raw is not advised as the hairs that cover the seeds irritate the stomach (the same little hairs that were used as itching powder by pesky kids for generations). Recipe instructions are easy to find on the Internet (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall does a good version).

A teaspoon a day really does keep the sniffles at bay. You can also make it into a cordial or drizzle over pancakes, desserts and ice cream.

Any rosehip will do, just avoid those near the road side.

Reader TIP of the month

For me, as I don't buy a lot of meat, I love the fact it is about 60% protein, I also give some to my children. I was amazed to read that it contains 300% more calcium than milk, 2300% more iron than spinach and 3900% more beta carotene than carrots. It is great for our immune system and another great bonus for our family: it removes radiation from the body.

Don't believe me? Then check it out for yourselves.

Do share what you find via FSW Facebook.

Spirulina tablets

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

mums know best Think about this: “Motherhood is the most difficult job in the world. Women everywhere must declare it so.”

Oprah

Family trees The last day of the Celtic calendar, 31 October, was known as Samhain, when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was supposed to be the thinnest. You could break with the Americanised ghoulish version of Halloween and remember some of your dearly departed family members, toasting them with their favourite tipple or home cooked meal. In indigenous Africa, people will leave a plate of food out in nature for a beloved ancestor. And during Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival (during Halloween time), trails of petals are scattered from ancestral graves to the family home and feasts are laid out for those gone before. Well, they are family!

Have a parenting tip to share?

Post your inspired ideas and stories on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/familiesSW The hottest parenting tip will win a subscription to What Doctors Don't Tell You magazine (WDDTY).

If you are unlucky enough not to win, the magazine is a 100-page glossy, available at newsagents and supermarkets, for £3.95.

Alternatively, buy a subscription at: www.wddtysubscribe.com

September 2012

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And let’s not forget medicinal potions for parents once the kids are in bed. A wild ancestor of the plum, dark purple sloe berries found on blackthorn bushes are eye-wateringly sour when eaten raw, which could well be why some inspired, long-gone ancestor invented sloe gin. To pay homage to this venerable tradition, you’ll need about half a kilo of sloes to infuse with a 750ml bottle of good, strong gin (or vodka if you prefer) and 150g of caster sugar. Thoroughly dry the sloes, prick each one and put in a sterilised jar along with the sugar and gin. Store in a dark place and shake every other day for a week, then once a week for two months. The gin will now be a beautiful deep red and should just be ready for Christmas, although it will improve and mellow with keeping.

Strain carefully before drinking.

© Monkey Business - Fotolia.com

© AGcuesta - Fotolia.com

© Sally Wallis - Fotolia.com

Mothers’ little helper

Family food therapy Yes, there is nothing like old favourite family recipes to bring the brood together. A homely Christmas idea that you can begin now is to compile a folder of the meals YOUR family love to eat – and preferably make – together. Especially recipes you have inherited. Get the children to illustrate and decorate the folder and the recipes inside (and put them in clear punch pockets). So much more thoughtful, not to mention cheaper, than a last minute desperate dash to Oxford Street. And it is something everyone can contribute to over the years.

Sending each other recipes for the file might even become a festive family tradition.

And finally...

Reasons why it is all worth it “Grandpa, why do you have such big CDs?” Lottie, aged five on spying her grandparents’ old vinyl record collection.

(Thanks to Families SW reader Claire Berridge from Balham)

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Competitions To enter these fabulous competitions, go to www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/competitions Terms and Conditions apply to all our competitions. Closing date for these competitions is 5th November 2012.

WIN a meal for four people at Jimmy's in Wimbledon (or the O2 - your choice!)

Neil Hennessy-Vass, our food reviewer says: How on earth do you possibly keep a comparatively small family of four happy? The answer to your problem is simply called Jimmy’s and here we found a warm welcome. You pay a set fee and just help yourself to as much as you like.

There are ‘live’ stations where they will cook your food to order - you really feel part of the action and can decide exactly what goes into what you eat.

Take any seven year old to watch Coriander and Garlic Naan being made in 30 seconds in a traditional tall oven - hard to improve on. We all enjoyed Chicken Tikka Kebabs freshly made before us, as well as Sushi and these were just for starters.

Win a family ticket to see The 39 Steps!

The 39 Steps is a must see! This classic British blissfully funny comedy thriller is now showing at The Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly.

Choose main courses from India, China, Thailand, Mexico, Middle East, Italian and a few modern classics. All were good and in some cases too good.

The kids thought the Ice Cream Station was also pretty cool too. Choose from any number of flavours and toppings, I wolfed down my Rum and Raisin cone. Jimmy’s is such good value, the food is of a high quality, there is a wide variety, vegetarians are not ignored and the staff delightful. I recommend a visit with your family you might just find out a thing or two about their tastes that you never knew. jimmysworldgrill.co.uk/

Win Drummond Park’s new PUMPAZING action game!

To read the full review, visit www.familiesonline.co.uk/food This game is excellent fun for anyone aged from three upwards who has oodles of energy to spare, just perfect as a lighthearted Christmas party activity… and a real giggle for the grown-ups, too!

Win a one-week stay in one of International Property Shares fractional ownership homes in southern France or in Italy!

A choice of 3 locations will be offered: Catalonia on the Sea (south of Collioures on the Spanish border), le Muguet in Provence and Casa Leone in hilltop Montelone, mid-way between Florence and Rome and near Orvieto, Italy.

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Win a copy of The Smurfs Halloween Special on DVD and a whole host of Smurfs DVDs thanks to Fabulous Films!

Settle down for a scary afternoon hiding behind the couch with your little ones with the fantastic Smurfs Halloween Special plus the entire Smurfs back catalogue including The Smurfs Complete 1st Season and 2nd Season and The Smurfs and the Magic Flute.

Win a pair of tickets to this year's Ideal Home Show at Christmas!

Running from the 14th- 18th November at London’s Earls Court, the Ideal Home Show at Christmas includes a Traditional Christmas Market, Dancing on Ice Skating Rink where all the family can enjoy a skating session, Interiors & Furnishings, Technology and Gadgets and much more.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Health

Are you sitting comfortably?

The Alexander Technique shows you how to protect your child’s back October 8th – 14th 2012 is the International Alexander Awareness Week (IAAW). During this week Alexander Technique teachers from all over the world will devise special events to bring the technique to the attention of the public. This year the theme is ‘Poised for Life’ because the focus is on children.

The Alexander Technique is not just for adults with various aches and pains.

If children and young people were taught to understand the importance of good posture and free movement, this would reduce the amount of pain suffered by them as adults and it would help them to excel in sport, music and in other areas of their lives. Visit the website of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique at www.stat.org.uk to see if there is an event in your area.

Angela East MSTAT LRAM ARAM Alexander Technique Teacher Streatham SW16 Groups and individual lessons Pupils of any age including children, expectant mothers, students eastangela@gmail.com 020 8769 4158

Safrey Academy of Performing Arts Street Dance, Ballet, Musical Theatre, African Dance.

Safrey gained 3rd Place at the Dance Classes: The British Home, Streatham, SW16.

Challenge National Finals 2012.

Ages 4-16 Our aim is to provide stimulating and exciting classes held by teachers who have all worked in the profession in theatre and TV

www.safreyarts.co.uk info@safreyarts.co.uk Free taster class & 1/2 price registration

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Childcare

Childcare in the home—but whose home?

By Sarah-Jane Butler, Director, Parental Choice

When the time constraints of a job mean that using a nursery is just not practical or when parents prefer for their children to be cared for in a home environment, then choosing between a childminder or a nanny is the next big decision.

However there are key differences so how can parents decide between the two?

A child-minder has a high level of qualifications In the past child-minders were undervalued but nowadays this is a profession with many childminders gaining high levels of qualification. They are able to provide a family approach to childcare which is difficult for a day nursery to carry out. For instance the children can go the shops and the local playgrounds and also engage in domestic activities, all of which are great opportunities for learning and language development. Children essentially can get the social interaction from playing with a few other children, often from outside their family, as well as the comforts of a home environment.

One good reason for choosing a child-minder is one of continuity. As a child gets older they may access a pre-school or maintained nursery prior to starting mainstream schooling. These are usually half day sessions and by continuing to use the services of a child-minder to offer the wrap around care, parents are ensuring that their child has continuity of care. This continuity is important for

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Parents faced with the vast range of childcare options these days have to tackle several fundamental issues when deciding upon the right childcare for their children. One of the essential questions is whether to have their children cared for in a nursery which cares for babies and young children on a large scale outside of the home environment or by a nanny or childminder who provides care for babies and children in a home setting on a much more personal basis. the relationships/attachments that a child forms with carers other than their parents. In addition to that a child-minder is often a lot cheaper than employing a full time nanny, which will make a difference to the family’s finances.

Be aware however that child-minders work from their own home and travel time will have to be built into your day to drop off and collect your children. Child-minders also have relatively fixed hours so if you are held back at work, you will need to make alternative arrangements for your children to be collected.

There are advantages to employing a nanny So if money is not a constraint but time is, the final remaining option is a nanny, either full or parttime. A nanny provides one to one care for your children alone in your own home, enabling them to benefit from plenty of attention and stimulation throughout the day. The downside to such constant one to one care however is the potential lack of social interaction with other children if opportunities to mix with other children are not incorporated into your child’s day. Just like childminders, nannies can provide a family approach which nurseries can’t.

One of the biggest advantages to employing a nanny is that your childcare is very flexible. If you work and often have to stay late at short notice,

having a nanny will mean your child is at home and in safe hands. Although employing a nanny is expensive, it becomes more cost-effective the more children that you have. An option to make it good value for money would be to have a nanny share with another family or as your children get older to divide the week between a nanny and nursery, thereby providing your children with the social interaction that they require.

An important aspect when considering using a nanny, aside from the cost, is that you will become the nanny's employer. This means you will have to take on the legal responsibilities such as providing a written contract and paying tax and national insurance. Legally, a parent will have to also make sure that they have adequate employer liability insurance.

Using either a child-minder or a nanny is a popular choice because of the special relationship that can be established between the parents and the child minder or nanny. This relationship is a very personal one and one which frequently extends beyond the child’s infancy. The child-minder or nanny can become an important part of the family and the connection between your child and their child-minder / nanny should never be underestimated.

• Sarah-Jane Butler, Parental Choice Ltd. www.parentalchoice.co.uk Helping you make the right choices for you and your family.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Bilingual education since 1996 The French Nursery School For children from 2 years old to 5 years old.

(Toddler group from 1yr) Morning or afternoon sessions available Full time sessions 9h - 15h

SW7 Queen's Gate SW1 Knightsbridge Group of international nursery schools All schools have native language teachers, excellent facilities and lovely outside playground / garden.

The Belgravia Nursery School Bilingual Nursery school French/ English.

For children 2-5 years. (Toddler group from 1yr) Part time session 9h - 12h Full time session 9h - 15h • 15h35-17h The Spanish Nursery School SW7 and SW1 The Spanish out of school club for children from 2 to 5 years old.

Toddler Group from 1 year old

The Kensington Gardens Nursery School, W2 For a brochure please call Bilingual Nursery school French/English Marie-Laurence Edmonstone For children 1-5 years old 020 7259 21 51 marie-laurence@thefrenchnurseryschool.com

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools WWW.DAWMOUSE.COM There are now two established Montessori Nursery schools in Fulham bearing the Dawmouse name. The original Dawmouse Brunswick in Haldane Road, SW6 7EU and Dawmouse St Peter’s at St Peter’s Terrace, SW6 7JS. Both schools offer a wide range of Montessori equipment and have outdoor play areas. They will offer a safe, stimulating and active environment in which children can have fun and achieve.

The broad curriculum covers all areas of the Early Learning Goals and includes science, drama, cookery and music lessons.

Project work will give the children scope for creative development as well as an increased understanding of their world.

We insist on our staff being Montessori trained teachers.

For a prospectus and a visit to view the schools please contact : www.dawmouse.com or speak with Miss Emma 020 7381 9385

THE WILLOW NURSERY 823-825 Wandsworth Road, Clapham, SW8 3JL Tel: 020 7498 0319 Est.1981 E-mail: admin@thewillownursery.co.uk Joint Heads: Caroline Henson & Virginia Bisset.

Opening hours: 8.15am to 12.15pm Sessions: Mornings only Weeks open a year: Termtime Ages: Two and half to 5 years Max no. of pupils: 40. Pupil/teacher ratio: Under 3yrs: 4:1, 3-5yrs 8:1 Curriculum: Montessori and traditional methods.

Activities: Art, craft, cooking, Spanish, gardening, home corner, ICT, messy play, computer club.

Four specialist teachers for singing, dance, gym and cooking.

Facilities: Large, bright, spacious hall and a smaller reception room.

Contact: Please contact Amanda for Prospectus and to arrange a visit.

The Willow is renowned for its creativity. Our aim is to create a stimulating, happy and fun environment so that the children love coming to school. We develop confidence and a keen interest to learn both independently and with individual attention.

www.thewillownursery.co.uk October 2012

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School feature

School News Want a hand-picked school for your child?

Every year, students and parents become immersed in the stressful and competitive environment of 11+ and 13+ entrance examinations agonising over securing a place in the most selective and popular independent senior schools in London.

Everyone in this situation needs a little uncomplicated help and advice. Although there are many and varied resources purporting to help, often the plethora and variety of sources only serves to make the process even more complicated and stressful. What was needed was a single place to go, “everything you need, all in one place.” The founders of Handpickedschools have tried to achieve just that. www.handpickedschools.com

Putney Park GCSE news Last month their Year 11 pupils received their GCSE results and they are delighted that it has been another excellent year for Putney Park. The students achieved 100% A* - C in five GCSE’s

family’s routine. There are 63 centres across the country including East Sheen, Colliers Wood, Purley, Sydenham, Ealing etc. For more information including testimonials and parents’ reviews, free activities for 5-11 year-olds and a free iPhone times table app, go to www.explore learning.co.uk

The Independent Schools Show Make sure you head off to Battersea Evolution for the Independent Schools Show on 10th or 11th November. It is a unique occasion to see over 140 schools in one go! Those from the school, perhaps the Head, certainly the Admissions staff, can talk about how their school works, what it offers and why it might be right for your child.

You’ll be amazed at how useful you’ll find this.

There are also talks to attend, this is also help you get to grips with the school maze. Register for FREE ticket on www.schoolsshow.com £10 at the door.

The 11+ maze This book guides parents through the complicated twists and turns of the process in 11 simple chronological steps.

The 11-Step Guide to the 11+ Maze is £9.99 from WHSmith, Waterstones. It can also be bought by mail order on 020 8319 2843.

Contact Vicky Barnett BA, MSc, PGCE Tel: 020 8876 2553 barnes@firstclasslearning.co.uk putney@firstclasslearning.co.uk www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

Tuesday Tutors • We coach children for state and independent school and entry tests: VR, NVR, English, Maths and interview preparation.

• We are also happy to offer Maths and English support for children in school, and Home Education.

• NEW- a dedicated Maths tutor up to A Level available for home-visits in central London Tuesday Tutors has placed many children in top state and private schools. It is advisable to contact us early, as high demand may mean that your child will be placed on our waiting list.

Experienced tutors welcome which is contrary to the national trend and puts Putney Park up with the other six outstanding schools in the borough. Another fabulous result was the 100% pass rate in English. This is against a background of falling grades across the country due to a late change in grade boundaries. Putney Park now rates as one of the foremost schools in the country - a small non-selective school achieving markedly superior grades and ‘punching well above its weight’. Congratulations must go to both the staff and the pupils for all their dedication and hard work.

Contact Anna Morgan, Registrar on 0208 788 8316

Explore Learning

.

is a network of maths and English tuition centres where 5 to 14 year-olds follow individualised, interactive programmes in a vibrant, club-like setting. Coursework is linked to the National Curriculum and tracked through progress charts, prizes and certificates. Thousands of children attend Explore, gaining confidence, enthusiasm, independence, knowledge and new skills as a result. The centres are open seven days a week and members do not have to book in advance, so you can take your child at times to suit your

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Dolphin School

Tel: 020 7735 8268

07906 312541

tuesdaytutors@hotmail.co.uk tuesdaytutors.com

Has now opened its new wing, which adjoins the existing school building on Northcote Road. The school’s founders, governors, staff and parents met in celebratory mood for the Dolphin Launch this week, welcoming fifty-five new pupils into its expanded school. In the new wing, pupils are established in their gleaming classrooms; they are vaulting over the horse in Do you know an Au Pair who would like to improve her the new hall; rehearsing in English? Milner School of English, conveniently located on the music practice rooms; The Broadway in Wimbledon, offers General English courses making new discoveries in (Elementary to Advanced) starting every Monday. Students the science room; touchenjoy quality tuition and a friendly, personal atmosphere. Our typing in the ICT room; and courses are excellent value for money. being inspired in the light and airy art room. Visits for 7 HOURS/WEEK: Monday to Thursday 1.30pm to 3.15pm. prospective parents take £55/week. place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. They 15 HOURS/WEEK: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 12.45pm. would be thrilled to show £120/week. you around as well.

0207 924 3472.

For enquiries call 020 8545 0300 or email info@milnerschool.co.uk

English Tuition for Au Pairs

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

School feature

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School feature News continued from page 16 and biscuits which made a profit of over £600 for Christian Aid. The new £16,000 playground, which has a soft surface and a trim trail, has been a huge success and allows children from Lion House School and the church’s Sunday School to climb, jump, scramble and swing on the new equipment.

020 8780 9446 office@lionhouseschool.co.uk www.lionhouseschool.co.uk

Thames Christian College The Study Preparatory School The Study Preparatory School, Wimbledon, has long been renowned for its highly creative ethos.

Not only does the school achieve exceptional academic results (eighteen scholarship offers alone this year), but the girls (aged 4-11) are encouraged to explore their creativity in all areas of school life - visual art, drama, music, creative writing and dance.

This commitment to the arts has been recognised for the second time by Arts Council, England, with an award of Artsmark Gold, the highest achievement it bestows on an educational institution for excellence in the arts. Come and see for yourself just how vibrant and creative the school is, at the forthcoming Open Morning for 811 year olds on 8th November.

Details on website - www.thestudyprep.co.uk

White House School Legacy of the Olympics

Pupils destined for great things 2012 GCSE results are better than ever with 43% of grades A*-A and 91% A*- C. With such outstanding results the futures of Thames pupils look promising with many securing places at top sixth form colleges including Alleyn’s School in Dulwich, Latymer Upper School, Tiffin Boy’s School, Tiffin Girl’s School and Graveney School.

One high achiever, Sebastian, gained 8 A*s at just 14 years. Sebastian says: “I’m thrilled with my results. Thames has always encouraged me to aim high and given me the determination and confidence to succeed. I hope to go on to Cambridge University to study Engineering after taking A-levels at Albemarle College.”

Tel: 020 7228 3933 or visit www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk

Streatham & Clapham High School Enriching individual students’ experience Their students celebrated a record number of A* grades at A Level and a 100% pass rate at A Level and at GCSE. All A Level students secured a place at their chosen university, on courses ranging from Classics and Aeronautical Engineering to Arabic.

The White House Preparatory School is pleased to announce the opportunity for sporty girls and boys from ages 6- 10 to visit the school and take part in a free one day sports camp over the half term holidays. The school is keen to continue to promote the sporting legacy of the 2012 London Olympics. To this end they are searching for talented pupils in all areas of Sport to join the school with a view to developing their sporting abilities. The school is offering a handful of scholarships of up to 50% to children who display extraordinary sporting ability. The Sports camp will be run on the 22th October from 10am - 3pm.

For more details please contact the school on 020 8674 9514.

Lion House School Lion House Nursery and Pre-Prep School are delighted that, in co-operation with Putney Methodist Church, their new Jubilee Playground has now been completed. The Jubilee Playground was officially opened by Justine Greening, MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, and doubles the outside space available for the children at break times. The opening was a huge success thanks to the hard work of Lion House parents who baked and sold an array of wonderful cakes

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The Dominie The school is built around the children. They consider the whole child in terms of their needs whilst recognising their strengths and potential.

Their aim is to secure the child’s confidence and to help them experience the joys of learning. They plan their lessons carefully and adapt their teaching sensitively to meet the requirements of each individual child. Their distinctive difference is that they are small which enables them to develop a deep understanding of each and every child.

Specialist provision is an integral part of their approach in delivering a broad and balanced curriculum. 020 7720 8783 www.thedominie.co.uk

The Chelsea Group of Children completed the second summer of building works at their new address in SW18 and now they have a proper stage in the big hall! Throughout the year they will be bringing specialist educators to their stage to present lectures and workshops on integrating therapies into the classroom and home.

Their first presentation will be on sensory integration, followed by therapeutic games to play at home, tools of engagement, and feeding the fussy eater. Contact the school to be added to the mailing list. 020 8946 8330 information@chelseachildren.com

English courses for au pairs Milner School of English is a small, friendly school conveniently located in central Wimbledon.

They specialize in teaching English to adults from all over the world. They offer 6 levels of Intensive General English (Elementary to Advanced) for 22, 15 or 7 hours/week. Courses start every Monday.

Their facilities include a student lounge with cafeteria, computer room, free WiFi and library.

Milner students can attend a free weekly Pronunciation Class and receive free membership of the Wimbledon Leisure Centre. info@milnerschool.co.uk 020 8545 0300.

Happy Bithday!

Alleyn’s Junior School

Aspiring engineers Younger pupils attended engineering courses over the summer at Southampton and Manchester Universities, all part of the school’s initiative to develop individual pupils’ experience. In support of this, SCHS is delighted to launch KINZA, an active programme of enrichment covering a diverse range of activities and interests. Please contact them on 0208 677 8400 for details of their forthcoming Open Days.

Although Alleyn’s has a magnificent lineage going back to 1619 when that most famous of Shakespearean actors, Edward Alleyn, opened its door for 12 poor scholars; the Junior School (AJS) was only founded 20 years ago and the current Junior School pupils celebrated the 20th anniversary by sharing a cake on 10th September, 2012. The Junior School offers its community an enlightened and active curriculum along with an ethos that encourages independence and confidence, and that spirit continues on in this 20th year of the school.

Telephone- 020 8557 1519 www.alleyns.org.uk juniorregistration@alleyns.org.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

School feature

Celebrating Uniqueness at The Chelsea Group of Children Special School The Hall, Waynflete Street, London SW18 3QG www.chelseagroup.co.uk

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Fleet performance

School feature

Tips for hiring a safe Private Tutor Despite the fact that one in four families in the UK employs private tutors for their children, tutoring is an unregulated “industry”. This means that unlike school-teachers, private tutors are not obliged to have a Criminal Records Bureau check or even a university degree to teach. According to Mylène Curtis, Managing Director of Fleet Tutors, “if parents choose to hire a tutor directly rather than through an agency, they face a myriad of checks they will need to understand and undertake on their own.”

A reputable and professional agency will perform these checks for the client, but what exactly are all these checks and do they really count?

• Police check: This will have “National Identification Service” at the top of the form and only discloses convictions in a local area.

This check is insufficient for working with children.

• Standard CRB disclosure: This check is performed by ‘The Criminal Records Bureau’. Applicant details are matched against those held on the Police National Computer and will identify any criminal convictions. This also checks if the person is on List 99. This check is for people who work around children, but not sufficient for people who work in direct contact with children such as tutors.

• List 99: A list of convicted sex offenders and people permanently excluded from working in schools maintained by the ‘Department for Education and Skills’.

• Enhanced CRB disclosure: This is the most thorough and comprehensive check available and is designed for people in direct contact with children such as teachers or tutors. This is the only check that queries not only the national police database and List 99 but also the local police departments, an important additional step. This check reveals any criminal convictions, allegations or cautions which make the applicant unsuitable for work with children. In the local searches, police are also asked to reveal any “additional information” which may make the tutor unsuitable for work with children, e.g. if the person is undergoing a current investigation, the “additional information” in the enhanced disclosure will reveal it to the agency but not to the tutor themselves.

• Validity of checks: A reputable company should require that CRB checks are renewed every three years.

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Parents should be aware of the administration behind hiring a selfemployed independent tutor rather than one through a reputable agency.

Reputable and established agencies will screen enhanced CRBs for additional information - a major reason why finding a tutor through an agency is a safer option to hiring an independent tutor who advertises on a local or web-based notice board directly.

How do parents ensure the agency is reputable, especially as agencies are unregulated?

1. Choose an agency which is a CRB registered body.

2. Choose an established agency/tutoring company that has an address, telephone number and staff—more than just a website.

Speak with their staff before allowing any tutor into your home.

3. Confirm that the agency requires ‘enhanced’ CRB’s of their tutors.

4. Ask whether the agency requires the tutors to have degrees in the subjects they teach and/or teaching certificates?

5. Does the agency check references?

6. Are the tutors interviewed?

7. Are the tutors qualified and experienced? Ideally, qualified tutors have a degree in the subject/s they teach (recommend ‘2:1’ minimum level) and/or teaching certificates. They should have successful experience in teaching one-to-one.

Despite all these precautions, it is important that parents resist paranoia.

Finding a qualified and experienced tutor through an established agency which can do the legwork for you by conducting these checks, is one of the best investments you can make in your child’s future.

•Fleet Tutors, CRB Registered Body 20528800006, is Britain’s leading tutoring service provider with over 5000 tutors and 35 Years experience helping students reach their potential. For information, visit www.fleet-tutors.co.uk Telephone 0845 644 5452

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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School feature

Tips on choosing an Independent School Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important early decisions you will have to make. Here are a few things to think about and consider when making your choice.

Do you want a single sex or a mixed school? Last year we featured this topic in our schools feature, to read both sides of the debate see www.familiesonline.co.uk Look at the facilities, but remember that the teachers are the most important part of a school so make sure you see lessons in progress and ask about staff turnover some movement is healthy, bringing fresh ideas: too much indicates dissatisfaction and can be disrupting.

Do you want a school that goes all the way through to GCSEs and ALevels/International Baccalaureate, or would you like your child to go to a prep school that doesn’t have a senior school?

If it does have a senior school, what percentage of children stay on?

If the school finishes at Year 6 or Year 8 then find out which schools the children go on to.

Where is the school located - remember to do the journey in the morning rush hour to see how long it takes when considering a school a bit further from home.

Does the school offer any bursaries or scholarships?

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When you visit, look at the pupils in the final year or two, as these are the product of the school. If you are shown round by a pupil, ask them lots of questions as you will often get an honest answer - such as “what one thing could the school improve?”

What extra curricular activities are offered and when - are they at lunchtime or after school?

Picture credit Start-rite shoes

Firstly, try and visit the school on a normal day as well as an open day, especially if the open day is on a Saturday and the children aren’t in class.

If you are a working parent ask about wrap around care and how flexible this is, can you book into after school care the week or day before? Do they run a holiday camp in the school holidays and what hours does it run?

What is the communication like with parents, it’s important you know who to talk to if you have a problem or concern.

Who is responsible for pastoral care?

What are the class sizes, are children streamed and at what age and in what subjects? At the top end of the school are they taught by subject specialists?

How do they treat/identify special needs children on both ends of the spectrum?

Enquire about the extra help available for children who are above or below average in a particular subject.

Has the ‘Jamie Oliver effect’ reached the lunch menu? Look for a sample if you can, and ask the current pupils what they think of the school food.

Does the school have an active PTA, and what sort of social activities does it organise?

Listen to the Head’s address if there is one and talk to him or her too. A good school will have an inspiring, enthusiastic and committed headteacher, supported by a loyal and united management team - and it will show.

Don’t be shy of asking lots of questions and trust your instincts as you know your child better than anyone else.

Remember to visit schools early, as some can get booked up and once you have chosen the best school for your child, you want to make sure you get a place!

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

School feature

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Picture credit Start-rite shoes

Open Days

•Westminster Under School •Westminster School

SW1 SW1

•Eaton Square School •Streatham & Clapham High School •Streatham & Clapham Junior School •Gems Hampshire School •Eridge House School •Fulham Pre-prep •Ecole des Petits •Sinclair House School •Ravenstone •Newton Prep •Ecole de Battersea •Dolphin School •Thames Christian College •The Dominie •White House Prep School •Hornsby House •Harrodian School •Ibstock Place School •Putney Park School •Bertrum House School •The Roche School •The Chelsea Group of Children •Donhead School •The Study Prep School •Portland Place •Ravenstone Pre-prep •Arts Educational School •Latymer Upper School •Godolphin and Latymer School •Fulham Prep •Rosemead Prep School •Alleyns Junior School •James Allen’s Girl School •Sydenham Junior School •Sydenham High School

SW1 SW2/16 SW2 SW3 SW6 SW6 SW6 SW6 SW7 SW8 SW11 SW11 SW11 SW11 SW12 SW12 SW13 SW15 SW15 SW17 SW18 SW18 SW19 SW19 W1 W2 W4 W6 W6 W14 SE 21 SE22 SE22 SE22 SE22

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7-13 B 13-18 B 6th Form G 3-13 Co-Ed 11-18 G 3-11 G 3-13 Co-Ed 2-11 Co-Ed 4-7 Co-Ed 3-6 Co-Ed 2-11 Co-Ed 2-11 Co-Ed 3-13 Co-Ed 3-10 Co-Ed 3-10 Co-Ed 11-16 Co-Ed 6-11 Co-Ed 4-11 Co-Ed 5-11 Co-Ed 4-18 Co-Ed 3-18 Co-Ed 4-16 G 4-8 B 2-7 Co-Ed 2.5-11 Co-Ed 4-11 Co-Ed 7-11 B 4-11 G 9-18 Co-Ed 1-7 Co-Ed 11-18 Co-Ed 7-18 Co-Ed 11-18 G 7-13 Co-Ed 3-11 Co-Ed 4-11 Co-Ed 11-18 G 4-11 G 11-18 G

7+/8+ entry 8/10 By appointment

7821 5788 7963 1003

By appointment 16/10 9.30-12 noon 7/11 9.30-12 noon 10/11 10-12 noon 4/12 2-3.30 pm Individual tour by appointment Individual tour by appointment By appointment By appointment By appointment By appointment 11/10 8/11 7/12 16/01 11am By appointment By appointment 6/10 10am-1pm 11/10 11am-1pm By appointment 10/11 9.30am- 11.30am.

11/10 9-10.30 am 11+ Open mor: 12 /10, 2 /11 Advance booking essential Jnr: 16/11 9.30am Snr: 8/10 9.30-12.30 pm Yr 7 11/01 Scholarship 17/01 3-6 yrs 18/01 7-11 yrs Showrounds. By appointment 11/10 9.45-11.30 21/11 9.45-11.30 or by appointment.

By appointment By appointment By appointment Tours 22/11 9.15-11 am Open Mor 5/11 10-12 noon By appointment 4/10 5-8pm for Year 7-11 entry 5/10 6-8.30pm for 6th Form.

Jnr: By appointment. 5/11 11+ entrance only. Tickets required 6/10 4.45-7pm By appointment 13/10 9am-12.30pm 15/11 9.30-11 am 8/11 1.30-3pm 20/11 1.30-3pm 13/10 9/10 8/11 12/11 6/10 11/10 9/11 13/11

7931 9469 8677 8400 8674 6912 7352 7077 7371 9009 7386 2444 7371 8350 7736 9182 7225 3131 7720 4091 7371 8350 7924 3472 7228 3933 7720 8783 8674 9514 8673 7573 8762 6321 8876 9991 8788 8316 8767 4051 8877 0823 8946 8330 8946 7000 8947 6969 7307 8700 7262 1190 8987 6666 8741 1851 8741 1936 7371 9911 8670 5865 8693 3457 8693 1181 8557 7000 8557 7000

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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Make it a happy Halloween for everyone Many parents don’t like the idea of children wandering the streets trick or treating but don’t want to be party poopers either. The solution is to hold your own traditional Halloween party: it doesn’t have to be gruesome, but do make it fun – or head out to some of the very many organised Halloween activities

Gruesome Games Even in this high-tech age, the old-fashioned Halloween games still have great appeal to children.

Leeds Castle

Haunted House A home-based party can be fun and inexpensive, just don’t make it too scary for very young or sensitive children • Keep the lights low or use red or green lightbulbs to create an eerie glow. Get the children cutting and sticking black card silhouettes to stick on the windows like spooky spiders • Creepy soundtrack. Make your own tape of spooky sounds to play sinister laughter, a dog howling and doors creaking. Just making it will be something fun to do.

•Carve a pumpkin lantern. Or light the path to your front door with paper bags filled with a little sand, for ballast, and a tea light. Cheap and surprisingly effective in the dark.

Freaky Food • Start with a Witches’ Blood Cocktail. Just mix cranberry juice, sparkling water and blackcurrant squash in a jug.

• A bit of imagination can turn simple food into a devilish delight. Make Monster Eyes by cutting boiled eggs in half, adding a raisin for the pupil and using a cocktail stick to trace ketchup ‘veins’. Witches’ Fingers can be made from chicken or fish goujons with an almond flake for the finger nail, or Bat Wings from BBQ chicken wings. Use Halloween biscuit cutters to make shapes for your sandwiches.

• Sweet treats. Green jelly mashed up with a fork works well with jelly worms and spiders sprinkled on top. Alternatively, float lychees in jelly before it sets to create a ghoulish eyeball effect. Decorate shop-bought or home-made cakes, or offer toffee apples for a more British approach.

• For a spooky table centrepiece. Fill a rubber glove with water dyed with red food colouring and freeze. Cut off the glove and display the iced hand in a bowl of cold water, where it will gradually melt.

• Apple bobbing. Just float apples in a bucket of water and retrieve them using only your teeth. For a twist, then get the children to try and retrieve hidden packets of sweets from a bowl of flour, again using their teeth. The combination of wet faces and flour can be very funny but best played outside!

• Doughnut fun. Dangle ring doughnuts on string from your washing line, or a door frame, and have a race to see who can eat theirs first.

• Zombie musical statues. Play with themed music such as Thriller, Ghostbusters, and Monster Mash.

• Revolting Recipes. Fill bowls with things like baked beans (bat droppings), jelly (monster’s brains), rice pudding (vampire's blood) or cold spaghetti (giant worms). Cover them until children close their eyes, or are blindfolded, and then let them guess what each bowl really contains by smelling and feeling the contents.

• Pin the tale on the witches’ cat. Or the wart on the witches’ nose!

• The Mummy game. Our all-time favourite. Split guests into teams, allocating one person from each to be the ‘mummy’. The rest have to race against the clock to wrap their ‘mummy’ in loo roll from head to toe, making sure they leave a gap for them to breathe. The team with the best wrapped mummy is the winner.

Bonfires Even in our London gardens we can light a fire! Invite neighbours and friends for a drink and grill a few sausages! If you are musical get that guitar out.

Nothing beats an evening around a fire. Why not spend a moment telling each other stories around the bonfire? (if too cold around the fireplace!)

Happy haunting….

For more Halloween activities in other areas see www.familiesonline.co.uk and search for Halloween. Some of our sister Families magazines have similar listings all over the country. Why not try a day out in nearby Sussex, Surrey or the Thames Valley!

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

National Motor Museum

Great Halloween events out of town chilling tour of the castle to search for hidden clues! 11am-3pm.

01580 830196 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ bodiamcastle

Audley End House and Gardens Off London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JF 27 October – 4 November.

Game Week – Watch Mrs Crocombe, Audley End’s resident cook, make the most of the hunting season with her amazing recipes. See the process of gaming, from the sky to the skillet as falconers provide you with incredible arena displays.

11am-4pm 01799 522842/0870 333 1181 english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/ properties/audley-end-houseand-gardens

The Hop Farm Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6PY 27 October – 2 November.

Halloween Fun – Put the fright into your fun with spooky story telling and ghoulish games including broomsticks and apple bobbing. 01622 872 068. www.thehopfarm.co.uk

Kent & East Sussex Railway Station Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE 29 October – 2 November.

Halloween Fun and Fright Nights – Take a spooky steam train ride, enjoy spooktacular entertainment and activities including pumpkin

Bodiam Castle Bodiam, Nr Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5UA 27 October – 4 November.

Spooky Half-term Fun – Take part in the Spooky Challenge treasure trail, leading you on a spine-

carving. Trains leave at 10.40am, 11.45am, 1.15pm and 2.45pm. As the clock strikes 6.30pm on 31 October and 2 November take a ride on the ‘Fright Night Train’ - be prepared to be frightened with a firework display and some ghostly surprises. Come in fancy dress, the scarier the better! 01580 765155 www.kesr.org.uk

Leeds Castle Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL 27 October – 2 November.

Halloween at Half Term – Mask making, spooky crafts and Halloween food, 10.30am-5pm. Plus Halloween Ghost Tours on 29, 30 and 31 October – discover the gruesome tales of the castle’s history for those brave enough. Ride the spooky themed Castle Ghost Train and keep your wits about you as you explore the Castle State rooms.

To 21 Oct. What the Butler Saw – Life above and below stairs at Leeds Castle in the 1930s. Featuring archive material and photographs, visit this bygone era of high society and the rich and famous.

01622 765400. www.leeds-castle.com

Osterley Park and House Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB 31 Oct. Walking for Health – Enjoy the views and improve your fitness levels. 9.45-11am.

020 8232 5050 nationaltrust.org.uk/osterleypark

Painshill Park Painshill, Cobham, Surrey 21 Oct. Fungi Foray – Take a stroll through Painshill looking at fungi. 11am and 2pm, £8/£5 27 October – 2 November.

Halloween Adventure – The spooky adventure starts in the Cobweb Den where you will hear tales of hobgoblins and supernatural creatures, then follow the trail around the magical landscape to hunt for ingredients to make a potion in a giant cauldron. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. 01932 868113. www.painshill.co.uk

Halloween images thanks to Poundland www.poundland.co.uk

National Motor Museum Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7ZN 27 October – 4 November. Half Term Activities – Follow the Halloween Trail, hear spooky stories, get a gruesome face painting and take a lucky dip in the witches’ cauldron. 10am – 5pm.

27 October. Fireworks Spectacular – Wear fancy dress!

01590 612345. www.beaulieuevents.co.uk The Hop Farm

October 2012

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Half term holiday activities Complied by Joanna Parry

ARTS AND CRAFTS Artyard Handmade 318 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen SW14 7JN 19 October – 2 November.

October workshops – Artyard brings a new twist to Halloween this year. Delight in creating awesome Autumn lanterns, 3D haunted houses, glittery mexican skeletons, Damien Hurst shock tanks and even make an aged Dickens book! 10am-3pm, age 5-11, bring a packed lunch and wear old clothes.

020 8878 1336, info@artyard.co.uk. www.artyard.co.uk

Fun with Fimo Clay West London 22 October, 31 October and 5 November. Craft Activity Sessions – Fun and creative, fully supervised and non-messy! 6 yrs+, 10.15am-4.15pm, £45. Bring a packed lunch and a box to put your creations in. 020 8992 3767, fimofun@tiscali.co.uk. www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk

Little Hands Design 67 Belsize Lane, NW3 5AU 22-26 October and 29 October2 November. Half Term Fun – Learn to use the sewing machine and dress to impress in your own creations – your friends won’t believe you’ve made it yourself! Two 3-hour sessions daily, 9-12pm and 14pm. £225 for the full week, or £120 for a half-day week. info@littlehandsdesign.com 07739 535684. www.littlehandsdesign.co.uk

Play With Clay Streatham & Clapham High School, 42 Abbotswood Road SW16 1AW 29 October – 2 November. Halfterm Fun – Fun and creativity with clay, ages 6+, 9.30am-3.30pm, £20 per half day including all materials and firing. 07930 413649, info@play-with-clay.com. www.play-with-clay.com

Pottery Café 735 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7736 2157

332 Richmond Road, TW1 2DU, 020 8744 3000 153 Northcote Road, SW11 6QB, 020 7223 3388 From 19 October. Colours of Autumn – The Pottery Café introduces a fantastic new pallet of seasonal paint colours, enabling you to really capture the beautiful ‘colours of autumn’ on your pottery designs. www.pottery-cafe.com

Smarty Paints Pottery Studio 85 Nightingale Lane, Balham, SW12 8NX 29 October - 2 November.

Half-term fun – Halloween pottery to paint - skulls, pumpkins, ghosts & more! Also Decopatch & Acrylic figures to take home on the day. 020 8772 8702, info@smartypaints.co.uk. www.smartypaints.co.uk

LANGUAGES Club Petit Pierrot Across SW London From 19 October. Half term fun – Take a crash course in French while having fun! Creative activities with music, theatre, cooking, sports and arts and crafts. 020 7385 5565, admincpp@btconnect.com. www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

Le Club Tricolore St Saviour's Hall, St George's Square, SW1V 3QW 30 and 31 October. Holiday Fun Activity Days – Cooking, art and craft, drama and games for children who want to improve their French while having fun. Ages 5-12, 10am-4pm.

Call Teresa on 020 7924 4649/07889 967003, info@leclubtricolore.co.uk. www.leclubtricolore.co.uk

Perform using puppets, nursery rhymes, action songs and instruments. 020 8540 1762 / 07968764301, shumi@caterpillarmusic.com. www.caterpillarmusic.com

Fancy Footwork Belleville Primary School, Belleville Road SW11 6PR 29 and 20 October. Snow Queen Half Term Workshop – A fun-filled day including a ballet class, learning a routine, mime, storytelling, art and design, before presenting a performance at the end of the day. The highlight of any young dancer’s half term! 9.30am-2.30pm, age 4-7, £120. 0845 094 1774, info@fancyfootwork.co.uk. www.fancyfootwork.co.uk

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes Dulwich, Herne Hill, Streatham 29 October – 2 November. ‘One Hit Wonder’ Workshop – Keyboard workshop for beginners to try out the keyboard and make music the Funky Monkey way. You'll be amazed how much they can learn in just one session. Age 4.5-8, 10am1.30pm, £35. 0800 107 7949, mail@funkymonkey.info. www.funkymonkey.info

Kids Club at The Exhibit The Exhibit, 12 Balham Station Road SW12 9SG 23, 25 and 30 October – Each Kids Club has a different theme, pairing a film with a dance

MUSIC AND DRAMA Caterpillar Music Battersea, Clapham, Earlsfield, Southfields and Tooting Throughout half term. Music Classes – Fun, stimulating classes

Funkey Monkey Keyboard Classes

Interior & Exterior Decoration, Floor Sanding, Murals, Staining, Varnishing, Maintenance work undertaken Email: rh_painter@yahoo.co.uk

07427 276649 020 8675 5270 Established 20 years

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Commercial or Private

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

More half term activities next page and in our What's on pages.

class by Funky Moves. Ages 5-12, £15, 1-4pm. 020 8772 6556 funkymovesdance.com / theexhibit.co.uk

for 2 days, 10% sibling discount.

Dates and times vary depending on venue. 0800 975 5290, enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk www.theatrebugs.co.uk

Perform

Theatre Tribe Academy

Fulham, Notting Hill, Kensington, Putney, Wimbledon 29-31 October. Beauty and the Beast – Work alongside an energetic team of theatre professionals combining live music, dance and improvisation into a magical miniperformance with colourful costumes and props. 3-day course, age 4-8, dates and times dependent on venue. 0845 400 4000, enquiries@perform.org.uk. www.perform.org.uk

Studio Film School 0845 533 2763, info@studiofilmschool.co.uk. www.studiofilmschool.co.uk

Theatrebugs Balham, Barnes, Battersea, Clapham, Fulham 2 days between 20 October and 3 November, depending on venue. Spooky Half Term Adventure! – Carla Cat is throwing a party but Spinny the Spider and Squeaker the Mouse are running late - they need some help to pass the pumpkin in the garden! Fun-filled spooktastic adventures with drama, music, dance and arts and crafts. Come in your favourite costume. Ages 3.5-8, £48

Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 30 October. Make-up Artist For A Day – Work with a professional make-up artist and learn the tricks of the trade in this Halloween themed session. 10.30am-3.30pm, age 7-11, £30 31 October. Halloween Shadows – Create Halloween light sculptures, lanterns and ghostly shadow puppets in a creepy craft workshop. 10am1pm, age 5-7, £25.

1 November. Play In A Day – Work with a director and create your own play in a day. 10.30am3.30pm, 7-12yrs, £30.

2 November. Too Many Penguins?

Workshop – To accompany the show. 9.45-11am, 3-4 yrs.

020 8543 4888. www.polkatheatre.com

Streatham & Clapham High School, 42 Abbotswood Road SW16 1AW 1-3 November. ‘I Heart West End’ – Rehearse and perform in a revue show of the finest West End Show tunes. Age 7-15. 020 3239 3149, contactus@theatretribe.co.uk www.theatretribe.co.uk

SPORTS Amanda’s Action Club Chiswick, Ealing, Putney, Wandsworth 22 October – 2 November depending on venue. Fun With Music – Classes over half term at various venues across SW London.

For details call 01895 623999. www.amandasactionclub.co.uk

All Star Coaching Wandsworth Common Tennis Centre, Dorlcote Road SW18 3RT 22 October – 2 November. Tennis Camps – Tennis coaching for all levels of ability. Age 5-7 – 10am1pm, £138 or 3-5pm, £108. Age 814 – 10am-3pm, £176. 020 8871 4706, wandsworthcommontennis @gmail.com. www.allstarcoaching.co.uk

Central London Golf Centre Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT 24 and 25 October. Half-term Junior Golf Activity Days – 10am-2pm, £35 per day. FREE Junior Golf taster sessions also on offer – check website for details. 020 8871 2468. www.clgc.co.uk

Chelsea FC Soccer School Battersea Park, Prince of Wales Drive SW11 4NU Chestnut Grove School, Chestnut Grove, Balham SW12 9JZ 29 October – 2 November.

London Soccer School – For boys and girls aged 3-13. Times vary according to course, from £27 for the 3 days. 020 7957 8220, londondevelopment@chelseafc.com or soccerschools@chelseafc.com. www.chelseafc.com/soccerschools

Kiddikicks Across South West London 22 October – 2 November. Halfterm Sessions – Kiddikicks (football 18m to 5 years) Kiddisports (multi-sport 18m to 5 years) and Ligasoccer (football Under 8’s) sessions run throughout halfterm. Or arrange a bespoke session (1 to 3 hours) for your player and their friends - pick your sport and they’ll provide the coach, equipment and place. 020 7937 7965, email sarah@kiddikicks.co.uk. www.kiddikicks.couk

Studio Film School Balham 29 and 30 October. Halloween Holiday Horror – Make a monster movie this half term. Learn new skills in puppetry and filmmaking and make a creepy puppet horror film to scare the living daylights out of the grown ups! 10am-4pm, ages 7–16, £120.

Ridgeway Stables

y

Day Nurs on er k Yu

For children (2-5) Full/part time vacancies * * * * * *

Bright well-resourced centre Pre-school education guaranteed Flexible hours/days Children in small groups Offers French, dance & swimming Positive emphasis on physical education * Very good OFSTED report

To view call 020 8675 Limited spaces

8838

Yukon Rd. Balham Hill Estate, Balham Hill, SW12 9DN

October 2012

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Half term holiday activities Ridgway Stables

Urban Ascent

93 Ridgway, Wimbledon Village SW19 4SU 22 October – 2 November.

Holiday Courses – Riding and taking care of ponies, age 8-16, 10am-12pm or 2-4pm. 020 8946 7400, ridgwaystables@freeuk.co.uk. www.ridgwaystables.co.uk, www.merton.gov.uk/activeplus

Unit 5 Parsons Green Depot, 33-35 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham SW6 4HH

Activ Camps Emanuel School, Battersea Rise SW11 1HS 29 October – 2 November. Multiactivity Camps – Non-stop, fun-filled and actionpacked! The best day camp in town.

Age 4-14, from £37 per day, discounts for siblings. Call 07896 546067, info@activcamps.com. www.activcamps.com

Soccer School Furzedown Recreation Ground, Ramsdale Road SW17 9BP 29 October – 2 November.

Half-term Programme A fun-filled week of football including ball skills, techniques and drills. Age 6-12, 10am-3pm, £50 per week, 10% discount for siblings. Bring a waterproof! 020 8871 7171, RPettigrew1@wandsworth.gov.uk. www.wandsworth.gov.uk

Camp Beaumont Daycamps

SW Sports Camp Clapham Common Tennis Centre, Clapham Common West Side, Wandsworth SW4 9AN 29 October – 2 November.

Half Term Camp Sports camp including football, tennis and mini-volleyball. 07802 851453, julian@tennis-teaching.com. www.tennis-teaching.com

SwimWay East Sheen, Knightsbridge, Putney, Streatham.

29 October – 2 November.

Half-term Swimming Courses One-week intensive courses to improve your child’s swimming technique. 020 8871 3972, info@swimway.co.uk. www.swimway.co.uk

Tennis4you Wimbledon Park Tennis Courts, Wimbledon Park, Home Park Road, SW19 7HR Dates TBC. Half-term Camps – Ideal holiday fun for kids, 4-16 years.

Call 020 8789 0482 / 07961170675, paul@tennis4you.co.uk / www.tennis4you.co.uk

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ALL-DAY CAMPS

Urban Ascent 29 October – 2 November. Halfterm Climbing Sessions – Climbing club for age 5+, 1.302.30pm, 3-4pm and 4.30-5.30pm. £12, or 5 sessions for price of 4. info@urbanascent.co.uk, 020 7751 0913. urbanascent.co.uk

Wimbledon Village Stables 24 a/b High Street, SW19 5DX From 17 October. Children’s Holiday Courses – Aimed at children under 10, including complete beginners. Enjoy a riding lesson every day and play fun pony games and quizzes. The 3-day courses run Wednesday to Friday 1.45-4.15pm, £170. Dress for the weather and bring a drink and snack.

020 8946 8579, admin@wvstables.com. www.wvstables.com

Blackheath, Esher 29 October – 2 November.

Half-term Camps – Try your hand at over 40 different activities from acting, archery and arts and crafts to cheerleading, circus workshops and zorbing! Age 4-16, 8.30am to 5.30pm, from £47 per day. 01263 823000. www.campbeaumont.co.uk/ daycamps .......................................................

EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED Special treat for first-time families Join The Royal Opera House for the opening performance of The Royal Ballet Season with seat prices from £5 to £20, and give your family a first-class experience for the price of a cinema ticket!

If you would like your family to experience ballet in one of the most prestigious and beautiful theatres in the world and don’t want to break the bank, why not register for the Swan Lake Welcome Performance for Families on the 6th October 2012 at 12pm, a wonderful opportunity for people who have never been to The Royal Opera

House before. Thanks to philanthropic support from Gregory and Regina Annenberg Weingarten through the Annenberg Foundation, the Royal Opera House is able to offer families who have never been here before heavily subsidised tickets for a Royal Opera or Royal Ballet performance on the main stage, a morning of free, fun activities for all ages and a reduced-price menu in our restaurant.

PLEASE NOTE: Upon initial successful registration, please click on the ‘Contact Details’ link under ‘Account’ and add your postal address.

Failing to provide your postal address could mean that you are deemed ineligible to book tickets for a Welcome Performance.

Baking mad by Battersea celebrity chef Eric Landlard Award-winning master pâtissier and owner of Battersea’s boutique café Cake Boy, Eric Lanlard, is encouraging you to get creative in the kitchen this October, as part of Concern Worldwide’s annual fundraising event, ‘Bake a Difference’.

Eric is inviting families to swap recipes, bake and then sell your goodies to raise some dough. In the developing world a child will die from hunger related causes every 12 seconds and funds raised will help the charity combat childhood malnutrition in 25 of the world’s poorest countries.

Eric, better known for his Channel 4 television show, Baking Mad, is encouraging people to reignite their passion for all things baking, to help Concern raise these vital funds: “Whether you hold your cake sale at home, at work or in the local community centre, this is a great event that everyone will enjoy, especially with delicious cakes on offer! I’ll also be sharing an inspiring new recipe for all bakers on the ‘Bake a Difference’ website at www.concern.net/bake.”

To find out more or to register your event visit Concern.net/bake, text BAKE to 81400 or call 0800 032 4001.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

More half term activities in our What's on pages.

The Netherlands National Circus show for all the family in a luxury heated Big Top, with a live orchestra.

Everyday from Thurs 25th Oct to until Sun 4th Nov on Ealing Common.

Showtimes: Thurs 25th & Fri 26th Oct: 4.45pm & 7.30pm Sat 27th Oct: 2pm.

4.45pm & 7.30pm Sun 28th Oct: 1pm & 3.30pm Mon 29th Oct - Sat 6 Nov: 2.30pm & 7pm Sun 7 Nov: 1pm & 3.30pm Prices: Adults £12 - £24.

Child £10 - £18 Box office phone 0844 4155 228 Early bookers discount available on www.netherlandscircus.eu

Enjoy half term with an exceptional circus!

After a record breaking 2011 UK tour, New World Circus is now touring a brand new edition of the Netherlands National Circus Featuring: - Nice and funny Clown ANGELO - Princess of Balance DESIRÉE - The FLYING ACES triple-level aerial daredevils Springboard acrobats the CRETZU TROUPE - Stylish elegance: CAROLINE on the swinging trapeze - DAVID ROBERT defying gravity on the rola-rola - and a full International supporting company and lots more, in a dazzling

Pottery Painting & Craft Studio Don't be Scared ! Come to paint fun Halloween pottery this

October Half Term Childrens' parties, Hen­do's & NCT groups all welcome Baby Footprints & Silver keepsake jewellery Also come & try Decopatch in our studio Open Mon­Sat 10am­6pm, Sun 11am­6pm 85 Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth SW12 8NX 020 8772 8702 www.smartypaints.co.uk

October 2012

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What’s On

Out and About Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong...

DRAMA BROADWAY THEATRE Catford SE6 4RU 020 8690 0002 broadwaytheatre.org.uk 3-28 Oct. Lord of the Flies – A plane crashes on a deserted island and the only survivors are a group of school children, with no adults and no rules. Golding's classic novel adapted into a moving play. £14.50/£8

Traditional Japanese songs, dance and origami in this delightful tale. 11am and 1pm, 3-7yrs 13 Oct. Circle of Tales – A tale from long ago, told with wood and wire puppets and music from traditional African instruments. 11am and 1pm, 4–7yrs 20 Oct. There’s a Monster in my Piano – What do you do when you hear a strange noise inside your piano? Call the Piano Doctor of course!

11am and 1pm, 4-7yrs 27-28 Oct. Cabbage Heart – When Jelly wanders into a secret, overgrown garden she finds something that changes her life forever. 27 Oct 11am and 1.30pm, 28 Oct 2pm and 2.30pm, 5-10yrs

Puppet Theatre Barge

COLOUR HOUSE THEATRE

LONDON PALLADIUM

Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way SW19 2RD 020 8542 5511/ 07944 868385 colourhousetheatre.co.uk Until 11 Nov. Robin Hood and Maid Marian – Everyone in Sherwood hates the evil Sheriff because he’s taxing the poor, but Robin Hood and his Merry Men have hatched a clever plan to stop him. Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm and 4pm, £9/£10

Argyll Street W1F 7TF 020 7492 9930 reallyuseful.com 24 Oct – 5 Jan 2013. Scrooge The Musical – Bridging the gap between 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', Bill Kenwright's family musical returns to the West End.

POLKA THEATRE 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 polkatheatre.com 29 Sep - 27 Oct. Sticks and Stones – It’s August 2011 and riots are spreading. It’s summer, it’s hot and the entire country is holding its breath. 9-13yrs, £8-£12 17 Oct – 16 Feb. Too Many Penguins? – How many penguins are too many penguins? Polar bear thinks one is more than enough, thank you very much! 1-4yrs, £8-£10

GARRICK THEATRE Charing Cross Road WC2H 0HH 0844 482 9673 nimaxtheatres.com 27 Oct – 6 Jan 2013. Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain – An entertaining adaptation of Terry Deary's children's books. 6+yrs.

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street N1 2DN 020 7226 1787 littleangeltheatre.com To 4 Nov. The Tear Thief Adapted from Carol Ann Duffy's lyrical book, this heart-warming modern fairy tale is about an invisible spirit who steals children's tears to light the moon. Wed-Thurs 10am and 1pm, Fri 1pm and 5pm, Sat-Sun 11am and 2pm, £12/£10/£5

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH Lyric Square, King Street W6 0QL 020 8741 6850 lyric.co.uk 6 Oct. Little Sunshine, Little Rainfall –

Rumpelstiltskin 30 Oct – 3 Nov. Rumpelstiltskin – Magic and mayhem are in the air as this classic fairy tale is brought to life with puppetry, live music and plenty of mischief. 11am and 1pm, 3-7yrs

NATIONAL THEATRE South Bank SE1 9PX 020 7452 3000 nationaltheatre.org.uk To 27 Oct. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – An adaptation of the touching and bleakly humorous novel by Mark Haddon. 13yrs+

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE Little Venice, Blomfield Road W9 2PF 07836 202 745 / 020 7249 6876 puppetbarge.com 27 Oct – 4 Nov. The Three Little Pigs and Captain Grimey – A double bill with songs. 3-8 yrs, 3pm, £8.50/£10

PUTNEY ARTS THEATRE Ravenna Road, Putney SW15 6AW 020 8788 6943 putneyartstheatre.org.uk 12-13 and 18-20 Oct. Foxfinder – In a near-future-England where the ‘red beast’ is a

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

Where children become independent inquisitive and motivated in this rich and vibrant learning environment.

Incorporating art, music, yoga, sport, cooking, drama and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum.

Great outdoor space! Options include Afternoon School, Lunch Club and Early Bird Club. www.345nurseryschool.co.uk 020-8870-8441 or dixonannab@aol.com Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3SA

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s On public enemy, Samuel and Judith have had a dreadful year - their struggling farm is under suspicion of vulpine interference and a ‘foxfinder’ arrives to investigate. For older teenagers, 7.45pm, £7/£10

RICHMOND THEATRE The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ 0844 871 7651 atgtickets.com/Richmond 20 Oct. Play Time! – Fun, free family arts, crafts and storytelling. 4+yrs, 10.30am-12pm 23-27 Oct. Driving Miss Daisy – The award-winning production direct from the West End - sparklingly funny and irresistibly heartwarming. £15-£29.50

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore SW7 2AP 020 7589 8212 royalalberthall.com 21 Oct. Disney Fantasia – Live In Concert – Excerpts of Walt Disney's 'Fantasia' and Disney's 'Fantasia 2000' screened with accompaniment by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

SOHO THEATRE 21 Dean Street W1D 3NE 020 7478 0100 sohotheatre.com 13 Oct. Comedy Club 4 Kids – Comedy for children, parents and anybody who likes humour without the rude words. £10 3-20 Oct. Finding Butterfly – A re-interpretation of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly in a production at Limehouse Town Hall. 12+yrs, £10-£25

TARA THEATRE ARTS 356 Garratt Lane SW18 4ES 020 8333 4457 tara-arts.com 6 Oct. Spin – Whirling, twirling, twisting tales, listen as we spin some sounds. Join word-wizards as they cook up wonderful ways to play with words. 4-7yrs, 10.30am, £9-£10 27 Oct. War Of The Buttons – George grows grapes. Bessie grows cabbages. A petty squabble grows and grows into...the war of the buttons! 3-11yrs, 10.30am and 1.30pm, £9-£10

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, Southwark SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0500 unicorntheatre.com To 16 Nov. A Winter’s Tale – A group of actors are performing The Winter’s Tale at the Unicorn. But it’s not going well. This hilarious new play turns The Winter’s Tale on its head. 7-10yrs.

To 13 Nov. Dr Korczak’s Example – Set in the final days of an orphanage in the Jewish ghetto of Warsaw where food is scarce, tempers rise and everyone wants to survive. 11-13yrs 3 Oct – 11 Nov. I, Malvolio – Twelfth Night re-examined in a brilliant one-man show. 13+yrs 9-11 Oct. Handa’s Surprise – A blend of physical performance, puppetry and song. 2-5 yrs 30 Oct – 3 Nov. The Mysterious Vanishment of Pobby and Dingan – Where do you start looking for something you

SOUTHBANK CENTRE Belvedere Road SE1 8PX 020 7960 4200 / 0844 847 9944 southbankcentre.co.uk 27 Oct – 2 Nov. Potato Needs A Bath – This light-hearted and visual show tells the tale of Potato on his birthday. 2-5 yrs, 11am and 2pm, £6£12. At Blue Room, Royal Festival Hall.

MUSEUMS, GALLERIES & EXHIBITIONS BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM Threadneedle Street EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 bankofengland.co.uk/museum 29 Oct – 2 Nov. The Big Draw – Design a prize-winning banknote. Plus, special lunchtime presentations on banknotes, 12.15pm and 1pm.

To 10 Nov. Titanic Documents – See these claims for the replacement of Bank of England notes from the relatives of victims of the disaster.

To 10 Nov. Gold and the Bank of England – An exhibition examining the part that gold has played during the Bank's long history.

CUMING MUSEUM 151 Walworth Road SE17 1RY 020 7525 2332 southwark.gov.uk/cumingmuseum 30 Oct. Tales of the Magic Lantern – Spooky stories for Halloween. 2.30-4pm, all ages To 24 Nov. Charles Dickens – A Southwark Childhood – Exploring Dickens’ experience of Southwark during 1824 when his father was a debtor in the Marshalsea Prison.

ST JAMES’ THEATRE 12 Palace Street SW1E 5JA 0844 264 2140 stjamestheatre.co.uk Until 27 Oct. Bully Boy – Sandi Toksvig directs a play tackling the moral issues of contemporary military occupation and its effect on the mental health of serving soldiers.

31 Oct - 8 Dec. Daddy Long Legs – Set in the early 1900s, Daddy Long Legs is the vivid account of a young orphan as she blossoms into a beautiful and vivacious woman.

can’t even see? One boy’s mission to save his family unites an outback mining community. 9+yrs 7 Oct. Drawabout – Venture out into the city with the Drawabout team and unleash your creativity. 12–1.30pm and 2.30-4pm, £5, all ages 7 Oct. The Big Draw – Drop into the Unicorn and explore your creative side. 12-5pm, free 19 Oct. Unicorn Mix Up – Not quite an open-mic night, part play, part gig – come and see the best of London’s young artists on stage. 13-21yrs, 6.30pm, £3

BRITISH MUSEUM

The Mysterious Vanishment of Pobby and Dingan

Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8299 britishmuseum.org To 25 Nov. Shakespeare Staging the World – Discover the world of William Shakespeare and the emerging role of London as a global city through 8 objects and performance. £12/£14, under 16s free. page 34

Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QX Capture the excitement of learning at Oaktree Nursery School. Where children become independent, inquisitive and motivated in a happy caring environment. Incorporating art, music, yoga, sport, cooking, drama and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum.

Ofsted Outstanding - Dec 2011 Please come and see us in action.

Annabel Dixon 020 8870 8441 dixonannab@aol.com www.oaktreenurseryschool.co.uk

October 2012

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What’s on 11 Oct. A Nurse At The Front – The amazing Great War diaries of Sister Edith Appleton. 3pm

Craft activities, discovery sessions and Halloween Poetry Party.

FOUNDLING MUSEUM

Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields WC2A 3PE 020 7869 6560 rcseng.ac.uk/museums 30 Oct – 1 Nov. Long in the Tooth: Object Handling Workshops – Get up close and personal with skulls and teeth from the odontological collection. 6+yrs, 11am and 2pm

40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town WC1N 1AZ 020 7841 3600 foundlingmuseum.org.uk 27-28 Oct. Clock Watching Weekend – To mark the end of British Summer Time, the Foundling is celebrating all things horological. Make your own eighteenth-century clocks and watch Martin Scorsese’s film Hugo. 3-12 yrs.

To 24 Nov. Dickens and the Foundling – Exploring the relationship between Charles Dickens and the Foundling Hospital.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM

British Museum

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY Gallery Road SE21 7AD 020 8299 8732 dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk 13, 14 and 21 Oct. Street Art Masterclass – Learn about this fascinating and complex art form at a 3-day masterclass. 10.30am-4pm, £60 To 25 Oct. Illustrate – Be inspired by the playful work of illustrators such as Eric Carle, Joseph Cornell and Picasso to create your own illustrated books. 11-14yrs, 4.30-6pm. 5 workshops for £60 7 and 28 Oct. Artplay – Make everything from bunting to block prints.

2–3.45pm 3 Nov. Animation Station – Create fantastic stop-motion computer animation on a fireworks theme. 11am-1pm, £3.

4 Nov. Travelling Lines – Take part in an art activity inspired by the ‘travelling lines’ in your own life. 11am-4pm, £6.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM 2 Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7EW 020 7620 0374 florence-nightingale.co.uk

136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 geffrye-museum.org.uk 6 Oct. Drawing Your Senses – Make a sketchbook and draw patterns inspired by touch, sound, sight and smell. 5-11 yrs, 10.30am12.30pm and 2-4pm.

21 Oct. Harvest Time Family Day – Create giant insects and listen to garden-inspired stories and a vegetable instrument orchestra!

10.30am-4pm 30 Oct – 2 Nov. Half-Term Activities – Explore national festivals from Eid to Diwali. Bake treats and make decorations.

10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm, free.

3 Nov. Fizzing Firework Decorations – Make rocket or catherine wheelinspired decorations to make your firework night go with a bang. 5-11yrs, 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm

HORNIMAN MUSEUM 100 London Rd, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 horniman.ac.uk 29 Oct – 2 Nov. Half-term Activities –

HUNTERIAN MUSEUM

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ 020 7416 5320/5321 iwm.org.uk 27 Oct – 4 Nov. A Poppy Field – Grow your own poppy from paper and wire and plant it in the Poppy Field. 11am-5pm To 1 Jan 2013. A Family in Wartime – Experience life on the Home Front through the eyes of one London family.

MUSEUM OF LONDON London Wall EC2Y 5HN 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk 7 Oct. Characters From History – Meet Mary Prince Mary Prince's fight for freedom brought her to London where her story was used to help end slavery in the 1800s. 5+yrs, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm 14 and 28 Oct. Museum Explored – Join one of the Museum's Hosts and explore the galleries through fun activities. 11.30-1.30pm, 24pm, 5+yrs 21 Oct. Punch and Judy – Join in with this popular Victorian entertainment.

1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 5+yrs 27 Oct - 4 Nov. Half-term Activities – Including Spooky Stories, Written By: Me and Meet Sir Isaac Newton.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS West India Quay E14 4AL 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands 20 Oct. London Forever – Celebrate London as a centre of global trade, industry, the arts and sport. Draw, stick and add

We do not normally like to sing our own praises but we'd like to share our good news:

Families South West is the biggest it has

EVER been!

We now print 30,000 copies just to cover the SW postcodes (we started in 1990 with 4,000 copies in SW6 and SW15). …and did you know?

There are now 40 local Families® magazines around the country!

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s on things to the animated film. 5+yrs.

27 Oct - 4 Nov. Half-term Activities – Including The Ghost Chicken of Pond Square, The Flying Machine and Transforming Objects.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT 020 7730 0717 nam.ac.uk 29 Oct – 2 Nov. Half-term Event – Find out more about the two World Wars - touch artefacts, try on uniforms and meet historical characters. 10.30am-5.30pm To March 2013. War Horse: Fact and Fiction – Exploring the history behind the War Horse novel with interactive displays, costumes and props from the Spielberg film

NATIONAL GALLERY Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN 020 7747 2894/2885 nationalgallery.org.uk 6 and 7 Oct. Drawing Attention: The Big Draw – Explore vista paintings from different points of view. 11am-3pm, all ages 28, 29 and 30 Oct. Go Draw Glow – Transform your drawings of favourite paintings into performances of glowing light.

29 Oct. Talk and Play – Explore Rubens’ painting Het Steen: talk, play, sing and create. 11.30am-1pm 30 October. Drawing Stories – Tell a story through art-making and play. 11.30am12.30pm Magic Carpet Storytelling - Sundays 10.30 and 11.30am

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF 020 8858 4422 rmg.co.uk 13 Oct. National Family Learning Festival – Join a fantastical tea party with workshops, storytelling and performances 24 Oct. The Big Draw: Come Draw with Me – Draw in the beautiful setting of the Queen’s House.

27 Oct. Saturday Space Explorers – From finding planets to predicting the phases of the moon, this workshop is a great introduction to astronomy. 5+yrs

29 Oct - 2 Nov. The Big Draw: Pencils, People and Places – Draw Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle and decorate the sails to show the journeys your family have taken.

Throughout Oct. Sky Tonight Live – A live show taking you on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky. 5+yrs Throughout Oct. Solar System, Galaxy, Universe – Explore the Solar System, Galaxy and Universe.

5+yrs Throughout Oct. Space Safari – Join Ted the teddy bear for music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar system. Under 7s Tuesdays in Oct. Play Tuesdays – Explore the museum through music, dance and stories. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm, under 5s

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE 020 7306 0055 npg.org.uk 6 Oct. Walk the Line – Explore movement and line drawing. All ages 20 and 28 Oct. Storytelling for Families – Followed by a fun art activity. 10.30am.

20 Oct – 4 Nov. Half-term Activities – Storytelling and art workshops. 3+yrs.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Cromwell Road SW7 5BD 020 7942 5000 nhm.ac.uk To 31 Oct. Wildlife Garden – With woodlands, a meadow and pond, this garden is a haven for thousands of British plants and animals.

19 Oct – 3 March. Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year – Images uniquely combining the work of young photographers and gifted amateurs with leading lights of the profession from around the globe.

SCIENCE MUSEUM Exhibition Road SW7 2DD 0870 870 4868 sciencemuseum.org.uk 17-30 Oct. Science Shows – Propel the family on an exploratory adventure into the wonderful world of science with Science Show Live. 7-11yrs, £12/£9.50, 11am and 1.30pm

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP 020 7440 4263 soaneeducation.org.uk 31 Oct and 1 Nov. Half-term Workshops – Develop a skill or explore Soane's treasures with specialist guidance. Dates/times vary, 7+yrs, whole day workshops 10.30am-3pm - £20, half days 10.30am-12.30pm or 2-4pm - £12

TATE BRITAIN Millbank SW1P 4RG 020 7887 8888 tate.org.uk/britain 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 Oct. Liminal – Engage with sculpture through touch, interaction and collaboration. All ages.

TATE MODERN Bankside SE1 9TG 020 7887 8888 tate.org.uk To 14 Oct. Edvard Munch: The Modern Eye Exhibition examining the artist’s work from the 20th century.

Under 5s Zone A new play space for under 5s.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA 020 8983 5200 museumofchildhood.org.uk 13 Oct. The Big Draw: Sizing Up – Help create a large-scale drawing of Robbie the Robot as part of The Big Draw. 11am-4pm 20 and 21 Oct. Pop-Up Circus – Enjoy gravity defying aerial dance, jugglers, music and a magical performance piece. 12-4pm 29 Oct – 2 Nov. Retro Kids – Journey back in time to the 1950s with a week of storytelling and arts and crafts. All ages.

13 Oct to 14 April 2013. Modern British Childhood – A new exhibition at the Museum exploring how childhood has transformed in Britain during the period between the London Olympic Games of 1948 and 2012.

To 28 Oct. Mascots of the Olympic Games – A display showcasing over 50 mascots from the last 44 years of summer and winter Olympic Games.

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HAPKIDO SELF DEFENCE classes available for children, teenagers and adults.

Dan Jun breathing, Kicks, punches, throws, joint-locks, tumbles, jumps and breakfalls.

NEW: Learn the way of the Samurai sword, children ages 9yrs and over Hapkido teaches: •Respect •Fitness •Discipline •Confidence •Control & sensitivity •Inner calm & peace •Defence •Strength & agility Instructor: Jon Bailie, 2nd Dan Qualified Hapkido Instructor and fully insured Classes available @ St Luke's Community Hall SW12, Broomwood Hall SW11, The Contact Centre SW4 and other venues

For all enquiries/bookings, please call on

07932 667 336 Private tuition/home visits also available

www.semokwan-hapkido.co.uk

October 2012

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What’s on VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM Cromwell Road SW7 2RL 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk 20 Oct – 4 Nov. Half-term Programme – Mini Movies – 27 and 28 Oct, a drama workshop exploring ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’.

Under 5s Movie Magic – 27 Oct – 4 Nov, screenings of classic children’s films, 2pm Make It: Costume Design – 29 Oct – 2 Nov, design a sci-fi film costume. 10.30am-12.30pm, 24pm, £5, 5-12 yrs Make It: Film Make-Up – 20 Oct, try different stage make-up techniques and create characters. 24pm, £7.50, 10-12yrs The Imagination Station – 27 Oct – 4 Nov, design a character for the Hollywood screen, 10.30am-5pm, free 20 Oct – 27 Jan 2013. Hollywood Costume – The most iconic costumes over a century of filmmaking.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION

ROBIN FARQUHAR-THOMSON Wonderful Pictures of Children

robinft.co.uk 020 7350 0312 info@robinft.co.uk

Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN 020 7563 9500 wallacecollection.org 6 Oct. Soundscapes and Landscapes – Collect musical and visual ingredients before mixing them to create your own work of musical art. 10.30am, 6+ yrs, £12 7 Oct. The Little Draw – Free art workshop, 1.30-4.30pm, all ages 20 Oct. The Big Draw: Ready, Steady, Draw! – Free art workshop, 12-4pm, all ages 30 Oct. King David’s Shield – After a morning of armour handling, design and make your own shield. 10.30am-3pm, 7+yrs, £11 31 Oct. Animal Mask Magic – Transform yourself into your favourite animal this Halloween. 10.30am and 2pm, 5+yrs, free

DAYS OUT London’s professional mobile bicycle mechanics •Bicycle servicing, repairs, sales, restoration and fleet maintenance.

•Bikes and scooters road side assistance and recovery.

We come to you anywhere in London and Greater London.

0800 0910 500 www.cycledelik.com

BATTERSEA PARK CHILDREN’S ZOO Battersea Park, Chelsea Bridge Gate SW11 4NJ 020 7924 5826 batterseaparkzoo.co.uk 27 – 31 Oct. Halloween Fun – Follow the Pumpkin Trail and use the clues to find out which animals have put out pumpkins. Plus Halloween Fun Day on 31 October: Spooky Story Time at 12pm and 2pm, Make a Trick or Treat Bag at 11am and 2pm, Spooky Face Painting at 11am and 2pm.

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN 66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS 020 7349 6453 chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 30 Oct – 1 Nov. Half-term Activities – Workshops including Animal Olympians, Art of the Garden and A Passion for Plants. Times and dates vary

CUTTY SARK Greenwich SE10 9NF 020 8312 6608 rmg.co.uk/cuttysark 6-7 Oct. Family Fun: The Big Draw – Drawing workshops, and meet the famous Captain.

7 Oct. Ahoy Captain! – Meet Cutty Sark's longest serving master, Captain Woodget. Are you ship-shape enough to join his crew? 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm 28 Oct. Witches and Warlocks –

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Discover the story of Nannie, Cutty Sark's very own witch, take part in the Wicked Witches and Warlocks dance, sing-a-long to Witches' songs, hear spooky tales and more. 11am-5pm 30 Oct. Shanty Shakers and Song Books – Make a musical instrument to shake along with a sea ditty or create your own shanty songbook.

11am-1pm, 2-4pm 29 and 31 Oct. Spooky shadows – Create your own shadow puppet inspired by the poem that gave Cutty Sark her name. 11am-1pm, 2-4pm

ELTHAM PALACE Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich SE9 5QE 020 8294 2548 / 0870 333 1181 elthampalace.org.uk 9 and 30 Oct. Art Deco Tours – 11am and 2pm, £2/£3 16 Oct. Medieval Tour – 11am and 2pm, £2/£3 28-31 Oct. Time Travellers Go…Ghosts and Ghouls – Let your little horrors scare themselves silly this Halloween with creepy crafts, spooky activities and ghost hunting galore! 11am-4pm

HAMPTON COURT PALACE Hampton Court, East Molesey. Surrey, KT8 9AU 0870 758 8080 hrp.org.uk 6-7 Oct. Live Tudor cookery – King Henry VIII’s famous Tudor kitchens are now home to food archaeologists, bringing the kitchens to life experimenting with traditional recipes fit for a king!

From 27 Oct. Henry’s Crown – A magnificent re-creation of Henry VIII’s imperial crown.

HMS BELFAST The Queen’s Walk SE1 2JH 020 7940 6300 iwm.org.uk 27 Oct – 4 Nov. What Lies Beneath – A fun archaeological drawing event examining what can be found on the Thames below the hull of HMSB. 11am–4pm, all ages Gun Turret Experience - A chance to see what fighting at sea would have really been like.

Interactive Operations Room – Imagine what it would have been like to control HMS Belfast from the Operations room, the nerve centre and brain of the entire ship.

KENSINGTON PALACE Kensington Gardens W6 4PX 0844 482 7777 hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace 27 Oct. The Big Draw – Draw inspiration from the wonderful ceilings, paintings and patterns 27 Oct - 4 Nov. Family Activities – Storytelling and crafts.

To 4 Nov. Jubilee: A View from the Crowd – This new exhibition celebrates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897, from the point of view of those who celebrated it, from duchesses to newspaper sellers.

LONDON EYE Minster Court SE1 7JB 0870 990 8881 londoneye.com 27 Oct– 4 Nov. Witch Academy – A magical school of mysticism and sorcery find the missing witches to graduate The Witch Academy. With spooky storytelling, spells and activities.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s on MORDEN HALL PARK Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD 020 8545 6850 nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park 30 October – 4 November. Half Term Activities: 28 Oct. People and Places Walk – 11am-12pm 30 Oct. 50 Things Autumn Walk – 10am-12pm 31 Oct. Tree Walk – 1-3pm 1 Nov. The Big Draw –11am-3pm 4 Nov. Drawing Lines – 11am-3pm Explorer Packs and Trails – Follow trails around the park with activities to complete.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT TOURS Houses of Parliament, Parliament Square, St Margaret Street, Westminster SW1A 0844 847 2498 parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-andtours/summeropening To 6 Oct. Take in some of the most important areas of the Palace and find out what Parliament does and how it came to be what it is today. £6/£10/£15

ROYAL OBSERVATORY GREENWICH Greenwich SE10 9NF 020 8858 4422, rmg.co.uk To Feb 2013. Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2012 Exhibition – See the spectacular winning images - from distant galaxies to our very own Milky Way, the entries reflect our enduring fascination with the night sky.

SUTTON HOUSE 2 & 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney E9 6JQ 020 8986 2264 suttonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk 7 Oct. Tour – Be transported back through London’s history. 3pm 25-28 Oct. Halloween House Week – See the haunted rooms of Sutton House, play games and dress up for Halloween. Thurs and Fri 2-4pm, Sat and Sun 12-4pm 28 Oct. Halloween House – The House of Fairytales will transform the oldest house in East London for Halloween.

12.30pm–4pm

SYON HOUSE AND GARDENS London Road, Middlesex TW8 8JG 020 8758 1888 syonpark.co.uk 14 Oct. Autumn Tree Walk – Join the Head Gardener for a walk around the gardens in all their autumn glory. 11am and 2pm 25 and 26 Oct. Is Syon House Haunted? – Join a ghostly tour, hear terrible tales of horrible history and decide for yourself!

TOWER OF LONDON Tower Hill EC3 0844 482 7799 hrp.org.uk 5 Oct. The Great London Drawing Lock-In! – Find yourself locked in the Tower in this after-

WWT WETLANDS CENTRE Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT 020 8409 4400 wwt.org.uk/visit-us/london 1, 8, 15 and 22 Oct. Pond Dipping – Hunt for the many different kinds of insects and other small animals that live in fresh waters.

21 Oct. Introduction to Birdwatching – Identify different birds and understand more about them, 9.30am–11am, £20.

27 Oct. Autumn Plant Walk – Get a close look at the botanical side of London Wetland Centre. 2.30pm 27-28 Oct. Rainforest Roadshow Meet an array of Amazon animals including snakes, giant millipedes and whip spiders.

DIARY DATES/ EVENTS ALTERNATIVE LONDON BIKE TOURS Rivington Street EC2A 3BE 07899 686235 alternativeldn.co.uk 7, 14, 21 and 28 Oct. 2- and 4-hour tours of the street art, history and culture of East London. £14/£20 includes bike and helmet hire. 13+yrs, 10.30am-12.30pm, 2-6pm BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street EC2Y 8DS 0845 120 7550 barbican.org.uk To Jan 2013 - Everything Was Moving: Photography from the 60s and 70s – Surveying photography from across the globe.

4 Oct - 28 Feb 2013. Rain Room – An astonishing new installation giving visitors the chance to experience what it’s like to control the rain.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOUSE 36 Craven Street WC2N 5NG 020 7839 2006 benjaminfranklinhouse.org 30 Oct. 18th Century Toy Workshop – Discover how Georgian children entertained themselves and make 18th-century toys such as whirligigs and button pulls. 5-11yrs, 11am and 2pm, £5 ᭏ ᭏ ᭏ ᭏ ᭏ ᭏ ᭏

• Highly Qualified Staff • Nannies • Babysitters • Housekeepers • Cleaners

BUCKINGHAM PALACE Buckingham Palace Road SW1A 1AA 020 7766 7300 royalcollection.org.uk To 7 Oct. Summer Openings – 9.45am-6pm daily, £18/£10.25, under-5s free CINEKIDS 23 The Broadway, Wimbledon hmvcurzon.com 6, 13, 20 and 27 Oct. Kids movies – The Lorax, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Despicable Me. 10.30am, £3 children, adults free FULHAM PALACE Bishops Avenue SW6 6EA 020 7610 7169 fulhampalace.org 7 Oct. The Big Draw – Use objects in their handling collection to help you draw a portrait. 2pm, all ages 14 Oct. Drop-in Afternoon – Try on period costumes and handle museum artefacts. 2pm, all ages GREAT BRITISH WALK 020 8940 1950 nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast 6,7, 27 and 28 Oct - Take a guided ramble from Richmond station to the top of Richmond Hill to see the historic view over Petersham Meadows.

Then descend to the towpath and magnificent Ham House. 11am–1pm INSTITUT FRANCAIS Children's Library, 32 Harrington Road SW7 2DT 0207 871 3515 institut-francais.org.uk 6, 13 and 20 Oct. Baby and Kids French Tales – Interactive games, songs and music in French. £5/£7, 11am, 6 and 20 Oct – 0-3yrs, 13 Oct – 3-5 yrs JUNIOR KEEPER FOR A DAY London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY 020 7722 3333 zsi.org To 2 Nov. On selected weekdays during school holidays, this gives kids the chance to experience working life at the zoo. 11-15yrs, £170 LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE Ferry Road, Teddington TW11 9NN 020 8977 7558 landmarkartscentre.org 6 and 27 Oct. Kids Art Club – –Fun workshops including drawing, painting, relief making, printing and collage. 10am-12pm, £12, 5-11yrs LONDON PROPERTY MAKEOVER Saatchi Gallery, Kings Road SW3 07964 305196 londonpropertymakeover.com 6 Oct. Interior Design Class Learn about colour theory, mixing fabrics and how to get the ‘wow’ factor. 1-4.30pm, £60 MINI MAESTRO FAMILY CONCERT St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square WC2N 4JH 020 7766 1100 smitf.org 13 Oct. Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony Bringing the classics alive with stories and movement. 4+yrs MUM2MUM MARKET Wimbledon YMCA, 200 The Broadway SW19 1RY 0776 500 4564 mum2mummarket.co.uk 6 Oct. Baby and Children's Nearly New Sale – 2-4pm, £2 NCT NEARLY NEW SALE Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh Road, 8 Putney SW15 1BL page 38

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

frain.caringhandsservices@hotmail.co.uk www.caringhandsservices.co.uk

October 2012

hours drawing event! 6.30-9pm, £25 20-28 Oct. Half-term Activities – Beat The Block – The English Civil War - with unpopular ministers and religious crisis, King Charles I is in peril from his enemies in Parliament.

Trayned Bandes - see how the soldiers garrisoned the Tower and prepared to give battle to the King and his Cavaliers. King Edward’s Living History What was it like to be a child in the middle ages?

Great War Society - 1914 and the Tower is the recruiting ground for the British Army.

To 31 Dec. Royal Beasts – For 600 years, wild and exotic beasts were held captive in the Tower. Discover why they were imprisoned and experience how they would have lived at the Royal Menagerie.

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Morning sessions plus Tuesdays 1-3pm

020 7381 3511 020 7736 8729

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07971 033320 nct.org.uk 14 Oct - 3-5pm. Babies' and children's equipment, toys and clothes.

THE PAPERED PARLOUR 7 Prescott Place, Clapham SW4 020 7627 8703 thepaperedparlour.co.uk 20 and 21 Oct. Masterclass: Contemporary Photography – Master how to get your DSLR camera off auto! Learn the basics of shooting modes, exposure and ISO, plus composition, equipment and specialist lenses.

12-5pm, £165 POP-UP EMPORIUM Balham Bowls Club, 7 Ramsden Road, Balham SW12 8QX 07870 362276 facebook.com/thepopupemporium

20 Oct. A great place to find those not-on-the-highstreet goodies.

12-6pm PROFESSOR QUANTUM’S MAGNIFICENT TIME TOUR Meet at the bus stop, 6 Northumberland Avenue WC2N 5BY 0844 318 7655 timetour.co.uk 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 Oct. Combining theatre and technical trickery with an insightful look at London's rich past, aboard the Professor's 'Incredible Time Bus'.

All ages, 2.45pm, £22 PUMP HOUSE GALLERY Battersea Park SW11 4NJ 020 8871 7572 pumphousegallery.org.uk 31 Oct – 2 Nov. Fanzine Workshop – Create your own page for the magazine.

1-5pm daily.

To 25 Nov. Beauty Is The First Test – Exploring the relationship between mathematics and craft.

SNAKES AND LADDERS SYON PARK Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8JF 020 8847 0946 snakes-and-ladders.co.uk 7 Oct. Grandparents come free! – One free adult entry with every paying child.

WARNER BROS STUDIO TOUR: THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER Warner Bros Studio, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Watford, Herts WD25 7LS 08450 840 900 wbstudiotour.co.uk To 6 March 2013. Walk through sets including the Great Hall, Dumbledore's office, Gryffindor common room and Hagrid's hut. £28/£21 WILDLIFE WATCH CLUB Wimbledon Common, Windmill Road SW19 5NR 020 8540 6154 7 Oct. Meet at the Information Centre near the Windmill. 10am-12pm, 6-14yrs, £1 registration fee and £2 per session.

WIMBLEDON WINDMILL Wimbledon Common SW19 5NR 020 8947 2825 wimbledonwindmill.org.uk / drawingonthecommon.com 6 Oct. Drawing on the Common – Enjoy free entry to the Windmill Museum and try out your drawing.

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Magazine Directory

To get your business listed here go to Familiessouthwest.co.uk/magdirectory and fill in a simple form…

CLUBS AND CLASSES •WHYOGA

01372 459 400 www.whyoga.com askvicky@whyoga.com Creative pregnancy yoga (7pm - 8pm) and all levels yoga (8pm - 9.30pm) in Balham Library and Earlsfield Library Monday and Wednesday evenings.

•Let's play in Spanish with Uppa Kids

07846 037319 www.uppakids.co.uk Chelsea-Notting Hill-Parsons GreenPutney-Wimbledon.Info@uppakids.co.uk / • FIRST AID FOR LIFE 020 8675 4036 firstaidforlife.org.uk Balham and Westminster 6 and 18 Oct. Emergency Course – Covers 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.

•THE PARENT PRACTICE 020 8673 3444 theparentpractice.com Chelsea, Clapham, Fulham, Putney, South Kensington, Wandsworth, Wimbledon 10 Oct. Bringing out the Best in Boys – 7.30-10pm at Clapham Centre, 68 Thurleigh Road SW12 8UD. £45pp, £75 per couple.

•EDDIE CATZ PUTNEY

Clapham 10 and 11 Oct. 2nd Baby Preparation Class – Discover the tricks of coping with 2 children and learn techniques to avoid jealousy, while maintaining that special relationship with your first child.

8.15pm 9 Oct. Getting Ready – 8.15pm 16 and 17 Oct. Early Days – 8.15pm and 10am 2, 19 and 23 Oct. Getting Into Your Stride – 10am, 10am and 8.15pm •Baby Massage

07843 224079 www.helenmartinrolls.co.uk Regular baby massage classes at Neal's Yard Remedies, SW11 and SW19/20. Private tuition for individuals and NCT groups.

CHILDCARE •PROBLEMS WITH YOUR KIDS?

07932 339416 Sleeping, eating, boundaries... Seeking parenting support? Contact Maya, professional Super Nanny/ troubleshooter.

Over 20yrs experience, ask for my references. Mayalazabeille13@yahoo.com

PARTIES

0845 201 1268 eddiecatz.com 1st Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street SW15 5 Oct. Smallprint Fingerprint Jewellery – Create stunning silver keepsakes with your children’s fingerprints – pendants, charms, cufflinks, keyrings and more. 10am-12.30pm, Mums and toddlers 30 Oct – 1 Nov. Creative Choreography Dance Workshop – 10am-1pm, 6-10yrs, £60 for 3 days •EDDIE CATZ WIMBLEDON 0845 201 1268 eddiecatz.com 42 Station Road SW19 2LP 12 Oct. Smallprint Fingerprint Jewellery – 2-5pm, Mums and toddlers •KUNDALINI YOGA 020 8672 4455 www.lifeelement.co.uk at ReCentre Balham Every Friday 12:00-13:30 HEALTH •MOBILE SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPIST

07711 724129 www.tsportsmassage.com Theo has 20+ years’ experience of Relaxing to Deep Tissue and Sports Massage in the comfort of your home.

Business Award Winner 2012 BABIES THE BABY CARE COMPANY 020 7228 1041 Grandison RoadSW11 thebabycarecompany.co.uk 17 Oct. Mums-to-be Social – 7pm at All About the Girl, Northcote Road, Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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

www.charlietheclown.co.uk

John:- James & Lamont

07808 732 390

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

clown pirate story-teller wizard

AMITY COMPUTER SERVICES Home and business computers repaired & managed.

Consultancy and tuition also available.

Phone Danny on

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

Building Insurance Claim?

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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

Reliable Handyman • Garden maintenance and building work (fences, patios, sheds, etc..)

• Jobs around the house (carpentry, painting, fitting furniture, etc…)

• Computer maintenance (repair, teaching) £20/hour or packages possible.

Call Brian: 0774 513 6424

TUITION

Individual Tuition Public Speaking, Elocution, Comprehension, Drama Confidence Building, Speech & Interview Technique Clare Price. LGSM, ALAM, SRD.

Fun French Lessons Tuitions for GCSE, Scholarship, A Levels and adult learners.

Qualified teacher, native speaker, 10 years experience teaching at primary and secondary levels.

CRB approved. Reference. Based in Wandsworth. 07552 609 205 elodie.tempest@hotmail.fr

(020) 7735 3156 www.speechspecialists.co.uk

MUSIC Suzuki Cello Lessons

In SW16 Children aged 4+ Quality teaching from experienced performer and qualified teacher Angela East LRAM ARAM MSTAT Some cellos for hire eastangela@gmail.com 020 8769 4158

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

Unique FREE service THEO THE MAGICIAN

We get insurers to agree to all the repairs you are entitled to and will start building works within 48 hours from insurer's authorisation.

“The Magic Circle, Equity & CRB” Fun Magic for Children & Adults Free Magic Wand & Certificate for Birthday Child 07711 724129

www.magictheo.com

020 8870 7830 www.marklester.biz

HEALTH

020 8764 0007 www.allpropertyclaims.co.uk

Ly d i e

HOLIDAYS

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

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

HOLIDAY FLAT IN PROVENCE Vaugines (Luberon), 30 min from Aix/ Marseille. In the centre of an historical village a flat on the first floor, accommodation for 2 to 5 people.

One room with double bed, and mezzanine two small beds.

Huge living room looking on to the Durance valley.

Perfect pied a terre to visit and discover this part of Provence.

Price 400 Euros/week Dep 250 Euros.

Please contact l.metge@hotmail.com Ring us 00 33 474 67 59 17 fax 00 33 474 67 50 29.

babbleparade.com Hugely popular

BESPOKE PARTIES: Fairies, Pirates, Spies, Circus, You name it!

Jam packed with fun activities!

Please phone in English to check availability…

Affordable rent!

07794 084671

October 2012

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Designed by Shirley Trimmer

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk