Free ®
July/August 2011 issue 77
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YES, YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL! Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career. If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle,
Clothes by Belle & Boo www.belleandboo.com
please call Diana Page 01235 533 362
Stagecoach Theatre Arts The original, largest and still the best network of performing arts schools in the world.
Call your local Stagecoach to enrol Chertsey Hinchley Wood Hounslow Kingston & Surbiton New Malden Richmond
0845 265 7081 01932 254333 0845 078 0804 020 88737140 020 85407791 020 8332 6741
www.stagecoach.co.uk
Staines Twickenham Walton-on-Thames Weybridge
0845 0556356 020 8224 6905 01932 254333 01932 254333
NOW! T C A ! CE N A !D SING
www.familiesglasgow.co.uk Celebrate summer with our 10th anniversary issue
London’s original decorating studio
Approved football training for kids aged 18 months to 7 years
Kingston 020 8286 6038 Richmond 020 3092 1313 PIRATES AND PRINCESSES 25TH JULY - 2ND SEPT Studio full of ideas to make decorating fun & easy Competitions and a free gift for those that dress the part
Weybridge 01932 847439
735 Fulham Road SW6 5UL - tel: 020 7736 2157 322 Richmond Road TW1 2DU - tel: 020 8744 3000 www.pottery-cafe.com
124 Pottery Cafe Jul11.indd 1
www.littlekickers.co.uk
Where learning’s a ball 15/06/2011 340 Little21:41 Kickers May11.indd LK Kingston Families Ad.indd 1
23/04/2011 09:40 4/12/09 14:47:05
11+ Tuition Tiffin KINGSTON SURBITON EALING NEW MALDEN HESTON
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www.examberry.com Families upon Thames delivered to your door Please send me the next 6/12 copies of Families upon Thames. I enclose a cheque for ÂŁ9.30/ÂŁ18 made out to Families upon Thames.
Find us online:
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everyoneactive.com
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NAME................................................................................................................................................. ADDRESS........................................................................................................................................... .........................................................................POSTCODE...............................................................
I AM A NANNY/PARENT WHERE I HEARD ABOUT FuT..................................................................................................... Please send completed form plus cheque to: FAMILIES UPON THAMES, 263 Hersham Road, Hersham, Surrey KT12 5PZ, issue 77
• Improve your child’s swimming BEFORE the holidays • With our award winning swimming lessons • Learn from 5 months old • Join today, new spaces available!
*When your children are enrolled in swimming lessons get an extra 25% off your Everyone Active membership. Available at selected centres.
Spelthorne Leisure Centre 01784 493493 Sunbury Leisure Centre 01932 772287 2
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
*
Everyone Active manages these facilities in partnership with Spelthorne Borough Council EOA2191
Feel better for it
July-August 2011
contents
Welcome to 6
Our cover pic features a super summery dress from the new range from Belle & Boo, a great brand which just never stops innovating. Their adorable new collection is full of ageless charm and those quirky details we recognise and love them for. See the full range at www.belleandboo.com
10th
our anniversary issue
news and views
10 healthy summer
It’s a summer to celebrate this year at Families upon Thames because this is the tenth anniversary issue since our re-launch in summer 2001. Our July/August 2001 issue was mainly black and white, had just 16 pages but I can still remember the wild excitement of seeing those boxes of magazines coming off the printer’s lorry and rushing to get them out. Over the years we have changed design more often than we probably should, tweaked editorial content over and over in response to reader feedback, launched a presence online and built up a great list of loyal advertisers. As we looked through our records, we found a significant a number who have been with us for all 60 issues ... you know who you are! Thanks so much to them and to all our readers. Please keep telling us what you want from Families upon Thames and look out for more changes in the next 10 years.
11
recommended reads
12
can we protect childhood?
14 summer on a budget 16 Thames river treats 19 family festivals 20 what’s on
FRANCES LOATES, editor t: 01932 254584 e: editor@familiesuponthames.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames t for a 1 Hampton Couror y slice of hist
@FamiliesuponT
186 Fun with Music v2 A
2/13/04
Fun With Music! In Central Richmond
Music Classes for 1-5 Year Olds For more information, call:
020-8332-2275
July-August 2011
9:
Sima’s parties are structured energetic fun action-packed & set to music Sima’s Action Kids parties for under 6’s Sima’s Dance parties for under 11’s Sima’s Disco-bop & karaoke parties for under 11’s contact Sima on 07956993439 or visit
www.simasactionkids.com
You name it We label it!
Lunchboxes • Water Bottles Books • Uniforms • Footwear
T: 01635 298326 www.easy2name.com
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
3
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As an SAP Consultant you will be responsible for engaging stakeholders on complex business issues and implementing effective solutions.
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As a Project Manager you will be responsible for leading a team to deliver high impact end-to-end SAP projects.
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Make a difference, become a role model OPPORTUNITIES in a progressive Part-time opportunities organisation. in IT Consulting
CONTACT US Join our network, be inspired, get headhunted. Register with us online at www.capabilityjane.com or call us on 0845 604 1916.
Our client is an inspirational, thoughtleading organisation committed to enabling genuine part-time and flexible career opportunities at a senior level.
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Capability Jane is a hybrid executive search/organisational consultancy. We source high calibre talent for flexible and part-time roles, and help organisations attract diverse candidates and implement flexible working.
You will be joining a supportive organisation with a highly collaborative and people-focused culture where flexible working is openly promoted and recognised.
0225_Families 180x130_col.indd 1
14/6/11 08:57:17
‘The biggest family event this summer!’
No g bookin fees!
Tickets from on ly £10!
In the Night Garden characters and logo © Ragdoll Worldwide Limited 2007. In the Night Garden is a trade mark of Ragdoll Worldwide Limited. Produced by Ragdoll Limited. Licensed by BBC Worldwide Limited.
The Independent
15 JULY – 10 SEPTEMBER 2011 For full details of all family-friendly Proms events this summer, visit bbc.co.uk/proms
PROMS PLUS FAMILY
Bring your family to selected concerts for the fantastic price of just £5 a seat and join us for a free family-friendly workshop beforehand. 19 July (Prom 6), 3 August (Prom 26), 11 August (Prom 37), 15 August (Prom 42), 24 August (Prom 53). Full details of concerts are available at bbc.co.uk/proms
HUMAN PLANET IN THE PARK 23 JULY, 1.00PM - 5.00PM Come and join us for a free day for all the family in Kensington Gardens. Live performances by international musicians featured in the Human Planet Prom.
HORRIBLE HISTORIES, 30 JULY, 11.00AM Your chance to see and hear the cast perform popular songs from CBBC’s hit television series Horrible Histories. This event is free but ticketed. Booking opens for this concert on Friday 8 July.
30 Jul - 13 Aug London, Richmond Old Deer Park
bbc.co.uk/proms 0845 401 5040*
Call 0844 581 1242
or book online at www.NightGardenLive.com
Royal Albert Hall (Door 12, 9.00am–9.00pm daily) To apply for £5 tickets call 0845 401 5040* from Monday 13 June and quote ‘Proms Plus’.
A spectacular new experience in our amazing showdome! 4
The world’s greatest classical music festival
*Calls cost up to 5p/min from a BT landline (min connection fee of 11.8p may apply). Call from mobiles and other networks may cost considerably more. All calls will be recorded and may be monitored for training and quality-control purposes.
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames Music_Teacher_130x87.indd 1
The BBC Proms are broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, with live and ‘listen again’ options at bbc.co.uk/proms and selected concerts are broadcast on BBC TV.
July-August 2011 14/06/2011 16:43
news and views... childcare
splashy fun with everyone active
www.forsanityssake.com For Sanity's Sake is a community website for bumps, babies and pre-schoolers with a Daily Calendar of Activities and Events for your Local Area Sign up for free to find out what's going on, plus discounts, reviews and inspiring ideas
If you are looking for ways to spend more time with your family and have fun keeping active this summer, then look no further than Spelthorne and Sunbury Leisure Centre swimming pools where Everyone Active are running supervised fun sessions for all the family. Family swim sessions with rafts, games, floats, toys and ball are brilliant and crazy inflatables, waves and flumes add even more to the excitement. Or use poolside workout cards for a structured water workout. These involve anything from kick boards to paddles. Both adults and children will get a real workout
in the water with the help of swim fitness cards. Many pools also offer fantastic water awareness courses, rookie lifeguarding and fun activities including Octopush and water polo. Next time you are near your local swimming pool, call in to find out what is on offer and get the whole family active in the water during the holidays.
flipside dance show
FOOTIE TOTS
An introduction to the world of fitness and football for children ages 2 1/2 to 5 years
FOOTIE WIZARDS
For children ages 5 to 8 years ALL CLASSES HELD INDOORS - FOOTBALL PARTIES AVAILABLE Call Andy for info and bookings on
07931 707720
Flipside Dance’s recent end of year show ‘Carnival Remix’ started as Mr Carnival (Kier Hylands) entered the stage on stilts, followed by a loud series of fireworks. The show continued in contrast with dolly ballerinas, little lollypop and candy floss girls and a revolving Pointe carousel dance. The audience was led through a magical, mystical world to a final Moulin Rouge spectacular. Involving students aged from 5 to 18. The show contained diverse dance, from lyrical to tap, jazz to hip hop. It was directed and choreographed by Deborah Rich. For how to join Flipside, visit www.flipsidedance.co.uk or call Deborah Rich on 07759 502508.
andy@footie-tots.co.uk
WWW.UKASPIRE.COM
07949 794117 ukaspire1@gmail.com
dance, , break cs, e c n a d mnasti street gym, gy street eading cheerl Sessions in Surrey and Middlesex Opportunity to perform and display Affordable, fun and friendly. Experienced teachers, coaches, specialist equipment
770 Hollie Anderson A July11.indd 1
11/06/2011 12:30
a day on the farm
Bocketts Farm Park is open for Summer Family Fun from 25th July to 4th September. New this summer there’s the Bocketts Animal Passport Trail. Find the animals around the farm to collect the various stamps and complete your passport. Daily activities include animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides, pony rides, gold panning and their famous pig racing. Bocketts Farm is at Young Street, Fetcham, KT22 9BS. www.bockettsfarm.co.uk
half price swimming Seriously FUN Swimming Schools are offering HALF PRICE Five Day Intensive Courses during the Summer Holidays at Riverbourne Health Club, Chertsey. The price is only £30 per child (normally £60). The courses cater for beginners to Advanced levels - children aged 3 to 12 years. Book online at www.seriouslyfun.com or call 0844 35 11 461
Dressing up chest A favourite holiday game which provides hours of fun but often bought costumes can be poorly made and don’t last long. Dressing up Chest is a new online shop, based locally, which supplies high-quality, hand-made dressing up clothes and dance/stage costumes for children. Check out www.dressingupchest.co.uk 6
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
July-August 2011
10th
our anniversary issue
competitions competitions competitions competitions WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR FAMILY FUN DAY AT ASCOT RACECOURSE Take the family to Ascot Racecourse on 24th July for their Family Day where the children can meet some of their favourite tv characters. Peppa Pig & George, Ben & Holly from their Little Kingdom and Scooby Doo will all be on hand to entertain the children and Fireman Sam will be there with his fireman friends in a real fire engine! Throughout the day head down to the Plaza Lawns where there’s fun to be had on the fairground rides and have a magical animal painted on your face, all for FREE. Parents are entertained too with some spectacular racing on the track. We have one family ticket to give away to the first entrant drawn out of a hat on Friday 15th July. To enter into the prize draw, just go to our website at www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/ upon-thames and click on the Competitions tab, top left. To get money off adult tickets, Ascot are also offering Families upon Thames readers £7 off adult tickets for all Family Racedays in 2011. The tickets must be booked in advance. To claim the discount, call 0870 727 1234 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or visit www.ascot.co.uk 24/7 quoting FAMILIESUT. A maximum of 9 tickets per order. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
win
win
WIN A SUPER EASY2NAME OFF TO SCHOOL SET We have 5 Easy2Name Off to School sets to give away this summer. Each set is worth £17.90 and contains 30 waterproof stickers, 30 iron on name tapes, 1 set of shoe covers, 1 bag tag and 1 shoe bag. To enter the draw simply go to our website at www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/ upon-thames and click on the Competitions tab, top left. Please state clearly the name of your child and whether you require the shoe bag in red or blue. Closing date Friday 26th August. In addition every reader can get 10% off by entering Families when requested when placing an order. The full Easy2Name range can be seen at www.easy2name.com
Keeping children entertained and active during the holidays can be a real challenge, that’s why Families upon Thames is pleased to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a free week at a Fit for Sport Active Kids Camp. Every day the kids will experience a wide range of activities including a taste of different sports, games, keep fit activities, arts and crafts as well as healthy lifestyle education. The camps cater for children aged three to twelve and will be running from 25th July to 2nd September 2011. Typically, camps run Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 4.30pm and some run extended days from 8.30am until 5.30pm. Fit For Sport Active Kids Camps have all met OFSTED regulations and activity leaders hold nationally recognised qualifications. Visit www.fitforsport.co.uk for more details and to find your nearest camp. To be entered into the Fit for Sport prize draw, just go to our website at www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames and answer the following question: NAME THREE ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE AT A FIT FOR SPORT CAMP Don’t worry, if you aren’t one of the lucky winners then you can still receive a 10% discount at a Fit For Sport summer camp by calling 0845 456 3233 and quoting Families upon Thames. Hurry - entries must reach us by 14th July and a winner will be notified by email. Terms and conditions No cash alternatives apply. The prize has to be redeemed by 2nd September 2011. Some summer camp activities may incur extra charges. Fit For Sport conditions apply.
Music classes for babies and young children! ®
Bocketts Farm Park 24 July - 4 Sept
SUMMER FUN AT THE FARM
Action songs and rhymes Music and movement Fun with percussion Musical games
Since 1993 thousands of children across the UK have grown up with Monkey Music. Our unique teaching curriculum was written by classically trained musicians, To book your complimentary class, call and introduces music to very young children in a way they Kingston and Surbiton: 0208 224 3971. can easily understand and enjoy. Banstead and Claygate: 01932 223309. Rock ‘n’ roll - from 3 months Weybridge, Cobham and Molesey: 0208 Heigh ho – from 12 months 224 0096. Richmond, Twickenham and Jiggety jig – 2 & 3 year olds Teddington: 0208 847 4031 Ding dong – 3 & 4 year olds
Our
Sizzling Summer Activities include:
time of music Nur turing a life
monkeymusic.com July-August 2011
win
WIN A FREE WEEK AT A FIT FOR SPORT ACTIVE KIDS CAMP THIS SUMMER
Winner of the Best National Pre School Activity Award.
› NEW! The Bocketts Animal Passport Trail
Enjoy a great day
› Panning for Gold
Save
up to
out!
Plus animal handling, pig racing, pony rides and tractor rides every day.
£5
on a family visit!
www.bockettsfarm.co.uk
✃
SPECIAL
OFFER
£1 off full price farm entry per person
(max 5 people) valid from 1st July - 28th August 2011. Only with this voucher.
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
7
10th
our anniversary issue
news and views... summer fun at The little gym
have a ‘daycation’ with the national Trust Osterley Park and House is running a series of free nature- and wildlifethemed Wild Child activities in the Park this summer. Every week covers a new subject, with visits from Osterley’s very own ‘bug man’ who will help children investigate some of the parkland’s more elusive residents. Discover more about Osterley’s mysterious and ancient trees, the fluttering creatures that live in the wildflower meadow, and enjoy a bird safari using binoculars. Wild Child days run on: 28th July, 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August, 12 noon to 4pm. Every Thursday during the school holidays (28th July, 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August) children can delve into Osterley’s Craft Cart, which is packed with an assortment of outdoor trails and free activities (1 to 4pm), whilst Discovery Days investigate a different historical theme every month, using craft activities or storytelling (31st July and 28th August, 12 noon to 4pm). At Ham House, hands-on activities for children will teach them more about Ham’s exciting and exotic sea-faring past, and the Sunday Art Cart offers a wide variety of family activities, focusing on creative crafts based on the house and garden such as making a mini historic cabinet, or producing a family tree. In the garden, ‘added extras’ to seek out this summer include a brand new garden trail and a huge garden toy box brimming with building blocks and racket games. Claremont Gardens in Esher will be running nine Wild Child Days from 30th July to 7th August. with a range of trails and craft activities for children throughout the week. The trails will be available daily. Craft activities will be in the in the Thatched Cottage from Monday to Friday, 11am to 1pm. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk for further information on all the events and activities mentioned. For more events at local, National Trust properties, see pages 20 to 22.
8
The Little Gym runs fun (fully Ofsted approved) summer camps for children of all ages. They run camps for Mums and Dads and their little ones (10 months to 3 years) who want take part in 2 hours of fun activities while making some new friends. Based around gymnastics, there are camps for the older ones too, with 3 hours of fun. Try a themed Adventure Camp (for 3 to 6 year olds) where, through physical activities and arts and crafts, they grow new skills and confidence. For the older children (5 to 12 years) there are Gymnastic Camps where they can develop existing gymnastic skills or learn to do their first cartwheel. All this is taught by experienced and friendly instructors in colourful, air-conditioned centres. The Little Gym continues with all regular weekly classes, so please contact them to find what activity suits you best. Dates are 25th July to 1st September Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm (please call for more information). Camps are either 2 hours or 3 hours. Classes are 45 to 60 minutes. The Little Gym Hampton and Teddington, 94 to 102 High Street, Hampton Hill, TW12 1NY. 020 8977 0099 Suitable age groups: 10 to 36 months / 3
to 6 years / 5 to 12 years £20 to £38 per camp session (please call for more information). Classes vary.
play in style at ragamuffins Ragamuffins Play Café in Sandown Golf Club, Esher offers a beautiful and relaxing haven for parents, as well as exciting and adventurous fun for children aged 0 to 4 years. Ex-nanny Nicola (who is opening Ragamuffins along with her sister Jo) told us, ‘we are planning a very pretty and safe environment where mothers and carers can really relax’. The premises will be deep cleaned regularly and no expense has been spared to keep children safe. ‘Not only will Ragamuffins offer fantastic play facilities, but we also offer drop in music classes on Mondays and Fridays, parties and merchandise’, she told us. Charges are toddlers, £3.95, crawlers, £2.95, siblings, £2.50. There is no time limit on play, so you can spend the whole day there if you wish. Opening times are Monday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm, closed for parties on Sundays. For more details, check www.ragamuffinsplay.co.uk
scoobits
Clare Hartnell, from East Sheen was so fed up with losing her children’s expensive scooters that she designed and launched a toy product called ‘Scoobits’. There is nothing on the market like this and we think they are really useful, funky and very collectable. Scoobits is an accessory for kids’ scooters and bikes for 3 to 8 year olds, a bit like Jibbitz are for ‘Crocs’. It’s made from silicone and there are 9 characters that strap onto the scooter or bike pole. John Lewis stock them and they are also selling in 35 small independents across the country, including Stitchery in Thames Ditton. www.scoobits.com
local mums choose best picnic spot A local survey has revealed Marble Hill Park is most popular picnic spot in the borough of Richmond. The survey was organised by local community website For Sanity’s Sake. Marble Hill Park won the top spot, with Bushy Park’s Woodland Gardens coming a close second. Kew Gardens was in third place. WHAT THEY SAID ‘Marble hill just has it all! Sun, shade, loos, food, swings and safety! I could spend all day, every day there and not get bored! Oh and it is always clean!’ ‘The Woodland Gardens in Bushy Park is
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
like something out of a Disney cartoon. Bambi would be happy living here with the rabbits, squirrels, ducks and geese.’ Kew Gardens is …’A great beautiful space, lots of grass for the little one to run around on and chase pigeons. The play area is well looked after and clean. There are great cafes if you want to sit down and the scenery is just breathtaking. a lovely place to go.’ ‘We particularly love the Isabella Plantation (in Richmond Park) for its amazing flowers, duck ponds, and the variety of plants, shrubs, trees, etc that make it like an enchanted woodland.’ July-August 2011
10th
1 The 5 day ‘Glee-full’ Summer Holiday Workshop for is ages 6 to 18 years and will run from 10am to 4pm, Wednesday 27th to Sunday 31st July. Inspired by the hit tv show, students will rehearse songs, dances and scenes and on the final day perform a show for parents. This year, joining the creative team, is a Guest Musical Director who is a BAFTA Award-winning Composer and Producer. You don’t even need to be a Stagecoach student to take part in this special week of fun, just call the numbers below. 2 Stagecoach Chertsey has been running for 9 years and in September 2011 will be opening a new morning school. The Saturday morning school will be available for Early Stages (for ages 4 to 6) and Stages 1, 2 and 3 (for ages 6 to 18) in the Main School. Coached by experienced and gifted teachers, all of whom have worked professionally in their chosen discipline, students are taught in small groups of 15 and they quickly develop their potential, increase in confidence and learn skills for life, not just performance. 3 Harding Associates Independent Inspection reported in February this year, ‘Stagecoach Chertsey has an inspirational ethos. An Outstanding School. The Principal enables the teachers to promote creativity and deliver very high quality lessons. Students thrive in this happy school and positive environment.’ Find out more at 0845 265 7081 or 0772 517 6102, email chertsey@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/chertsey Lots more summer playschemes on page 22.
a Mum’s magical venture Maxine is a Shepperton mum who, with the help of her 5 year old daughter as ‘chief consultant’, good friend and business partner, has recently launched a website for little girls aged 3 to 7 called www.magicbelles.com The site is intended to be a safe, special and magical place that parents can share with their daughters and is based around six magical, musical, fairy-like characters called the Magic Belles. It features colouring-in (online and printable), a magic music game, a section about the special wonders of life, and information about all of the characters. More content coming to the site later this year includes ecards, a downloadable party pack and crafty makes, interactive stories and more. There is a blog on the site where they post up artwork by users. Maxine told us, ‘Feedback so far has been wonderful - from girls and parents alike, and the site has been described as “awesome and wholesome”, which delighted us’.
sTop press: Tiger in the west end - see page 11 for details.
Three reasons to be gleeful at stagecoach chertsey
our anniversary issue
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July-August 2011 63066-05_87x130.indd 1
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames 08/06/2011 16:13
9
spectacular summer sizzling summer
Beat those summer ailments dr arlT, consultant paediatrician at Richmond Practice has some advice on dealing with those seasonal ailments.
10
● Try avoiding exposure to the sun between 12 noon and 3pm. ● Apply waterproof sun screen protection factor 20 and above. ● Remember ears, face, feet and neck. ● Do not use creams/sprays which contain alcohol or perfume which dries the skin. ● Dress your child with breathable and UV-impermeable clothing/sunglasses. ● Stay in the shade where possible. ● Also take care when the sky is clouded – exposure of UV radiation is still 80%. ● Consult a doctor if your child’s skin is very red and looks severely burnt. When suffering from sunstroke, the body temperature must be lowered immediately. Move to a cool area and remove clothing to let the perspiration come through all of the skin pores. A cool bath really helps to lower the temperature, but the victim of sunstroke should never be wrapped in cold cloths or towels. This only serves to keep the heat inside the body. Drinking cold water will also help. Most children become dehydrated because of diarrhoea or vomiting caused by a viral infection. Help a dehydrated child by giving plenty of fluids while the child is ill. Suitable fluid replacements for children younger than two years are designed to replace liquids, sugar and electrolytes. You can buy these products at most supermarkets or chemists or you can make your own oral rehydration fluid by following this recipe: 1/2 teaspoon table salt 1/2 teaspoon potassium chloride (lite salt) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 4 tablespoons sugar, all dissolved in 1 litre of water Children older than two years may be given flat soda (soft drinks that are opened then shaken to lose their fizz) or water-based soups. Give a few sips every few minutes. Although it may seem that your child is vomiting it all back, usually an adequate amount of fluid is kept down.
extra
If you’re taking your family abroad, take special care where the climate is hot and moist. Always give malaria prevention tablets to children of all ages when in areas that pose a risk of infection. The doses for children are different from those for adults, so always check with your doctor or pharmacist before leaving home. If your child suffers from a chronic illness you should make sure that you have enough medication with you. You should also enquire about local emergency treatment possibilities at your destination. Please ask your paediatrician for a certificate that describes the precise nature of your child’s illness. This will make any necessary treatment abroad both quicker and easier. In case of an acute illness, such as measles or chickenpox, you should postpone your holiday. At the very least, do not travel without having consulted your doctor or paediatrician. They can also issue you a certificate for your travel insurance.
Your essential summer first aid kit 3 Bite and sting cream 3 Insect repellent 3 Tweezers 3 Paracetamol or Ibuprofen 3 Clean dressing and plasters 3 High factor sunscreen 3 Calamine lotion 3 After-sun cream 3 Rehydration solution (Dioralyte) 3 Antiseptic cream and solution 3 Waterproof plasters 3 Gauze pads 3 Antihistamines (for over-twos) and travel
cushion in case of travel sickness
For more information, visit www.richmondpractice.co.uk or call 020 8940 5009 to arrange an appointment with Dr Arlt.
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
July-August 2011
Sleeveless tank top from Stellina Baby www.stellinababy.com
Children and young people are generally more at risk than adults, especially when travelling. Treating the problem quickly and correctly can prevent a ruined holiday. Superficial insect bites and stings should be washed, dried and covered with a plaster. Dress serious bite wounds and apply pressure. Lift and hold the injured area above the heart. Remove a visible sting with tweezers but don’t burst the poison sac. Apply a cold compress for 10 minutes, add bite/sting cream. Ibuprofen or Paracetamol can be given. If stung in the mouth, reduce swelling by providing an ice cube to suck or cold water to drink. Call an ambulance if there are breathing troubles. When heat rashes appear, wash the affected area with a gentle soap. Next, rinse the area with water and gently pat dry with a towel. Washing several times a day and especially after exercise, prolonged walking, or heat exposure is recommended. Remain in a cool environment and allow for adequate ventilation of the skin. Take cool showers or baths. With swimmer’s ear, always avoid any further trauma to the ear. Do not attempt to remove visible debris or drainage from the ear. Warmth from a heating pad may provide some relief. Fold a towel in half and place it between the heating pad and the ear. Limit the use of the heating pad to short periods. The folded towel should help prevent accidental burning of the ear if the heating pad is too hot. If the person is not allergic to these, try over-thecounter pain medicines such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Ear drops used for treatment of the condition must be obtained with a prescription from a doctor. Sunburn should be treated by bathing the affected area with cool water or by use of a cold compress. Apply calamine lotion and administer an analgesic such as Paracetamol. If the area is blistered keep it dry and cover any burned areas, since they can easily become infected. If you have a baby, be aware of any possible direct sun exposure. Make sure you also have adequate (and safe) food and drinks available. An infant’s skin and eyes require sun protection as they lack the ability to self-protect. Children under the age of ten are also very vulnerable to UV radiation and consequently skin damage. Protect your family in the following ways:
parenting
Family reads Two must-read books for all families which celebrate the insights a very special girl gives to her little brother and the rest of us.
July-August 2011
Her illustrations are full of those gorgeous details which keep you on the page long after you have read the text and will have you going right back to the beginning time after time. Yet despite her upbeat message, never do these books fall into the trap of sentimentalising disability or trivialising the problems Clemmie and the family face. Rebecca admits that the first year of brain-damaged Clemmie’s life was ‘hellish’ and ‘yes, the recurrent media coverage around lack of social care and respite need to be talked about’, she has resolved to use her books to encourage us all not just to ‘tolerate these kids but to celebrate them’. The stories are written to be enjoyed by all of us, not just affected families seeking common ground. Rebecca’s aim is simultaneously ambitions and shameful in that it still needs to be spelt out.
! VE GE LISTA ON
TheTiger Who Came to Tea a musical play by DAVID WOOD
“a modern classic” The Independent
Wed 6 Jul - Sun 4 Sep
0844 412 4663 Vaudeville Theatre
ILLUSTRATIONS COPYRIGHT © KERR-KNEALE PRODUCTIONS LTD 1968
What are you and your family reading this summer? Tell us your favourite books and we’ll recommend them to other readers in a future issue. editor@familiesuponthames.co.uk
This summer if you see a profoundly disabled child while you’re out and about try to avoid a pitying smile or a stare. Try to take the lead from your children who, you will probably find, are perfectly matter-of-fact. ‘Adults don’t know how to deal with it’, says author Rebecca Elliot who uses her experiences with disabled daughter Clemmie and son Toby to portray a positive image in two of her children’s books, Just Because and Sometimes. In both her motherly love and pride shine through the pages, along with her gentle message of acceptance. With the sparsest of writing styles, Rebecca communicates all the love, joy and sharing that she witnesses between her children, whether they are hanging out in the garden together, embarking on a make-believe adventure into space (in Just Because) or facing their fears when Clemmie is in hospital (in Sometimes).
‘I hope my daughter’s character shows that you don’t have to do anything – to walk or talk or dance or sing – to achieve anything, to be utterly perfect and to be loved’, Rebecca says. Whereas an onlooker may see Clemmie’s problems as unfortunate, throughout the narrative Toby just sees his sister as a perfect princess who is never mean. As they go on their adventures together, Clemmie’s disabilities never hold them back. For Toby, Clemmie is the most fantastic companion. He only sees the positives – her marvellous hair, her sophisticated wheelchair and her easygoing nature. Rebecca believes that we somehow ‘learn’ all the awkwardness and fear she witnesses from adults. ‘Children can see it. They are free from prejudice and have a natural curiosity and acceptance of all things different. This morning, out walking with Clemmie, other children smiled at us, said to their friends, “Did you see that girl?” One girl asked to hold her hand.’ Perhaps as adults we have all been conditioned by the emphasis our culture places on achievement, especially in the education system, and lost some of our empathy along the way? As Rebecca remarks in an interview with The Independent, ‘In this cynical, meritocratic world we have become fixated with milestone-reaching, SATs testing and parental one-upmanship. We are also taught that success and achievement are the things that give us our worth, that possessions and measurable accomplishments bring us happiness’. People with disabilities prove that you don’t have to be able to do much to be inspirational, loved and wonderful.
extra
Just Because and Sometimes by Rebecca Elliott, Lion Hudson, both £5.99 Scope’s In The Picture campaign encourages children’s writers and illustrators to include more disabled children in their work www.childreninthepicture.org.uk NEW this summer from Rebecca Elliot Zoo Girl, Lion Hudson, £5.99
Children’s classes aged33totosenior senior levels Children’s classesfrom from aged levels Adult tapclasses classes Adultballet ballet and and tap all levelsofofexperience experience catered forfor - - all- levels catered Based in Kingston
Ballet Tap & Modern Jazz Street Dance Adult Dance Free Trial Lesson Sibling Discounts Musical theatre workshops Regular Exams 100% pass rate For more information contact:
www.thetigerwhocametotealive.com www.nimaxtheatres.com
Carol Winter Dip LCD, RAD Teaching Dip, AISTD (Dip), CDE 020 8241 8496 danceforce@blueyonder.co.uk
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames 152 Danceforce Jul11.indd 1
11
11/06/2011 13:01
parenting
Stop them
wrecking
We welcome a new book full of practical ways to protect girls (and boys) from and prepare them for adulthood. A recent survey found that one in 10 of our children’s teachers believe that celebrity culture ‘is perverting children’s aspirations and encouraging a generation to believe you can be successful without hard work’. As Tanith Carey says in her recent book Where Has My Little Girl Gone? ‘Our generation has seen the rise of reality TV stars, WAGs and manufactured girl bands who have collectively sent the message that you can be rich and famous without talent. Pretty and pushy is all you need.’ The campaign running by Mumsnet against shops selling padded bras for 7 years olds and t-shirts with tacky slogans such as ‘WAG in Waiting’ and numerous articles in the media led the government to commission an independent review to address parents’ concerns about the pressures on children to grow up too quickly from Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of The Mother’s Union. In June he published his report with the following recommendations. 3 A website for parents to complain about anything they find unacceptable. 3 Age restrictions on music videos. 3 Covering up sexualised images on the front pages of magazines and newspapers. 3 Making it easier for parents to block adult and age-restricted material from the internet. 3 Retailers to offer age-appropriate clothes for children. 3 Restricting outdoor adverts containing sexualised imagery where large numbers of children are likely to see them. 3 Giving greater weight to the views of parents in the regulation of pre-watershed tv. 3 Banning the employment of children under 16 as brand ambassadors and in peer-to-peer marketing, and improving parents’ awareness of advertising and marketing techniques aimed at children. Welcome news, but this is the fifth government commissioned report on this subject in just three years so parents should by
no means feel absolved of any responsibility in this issue. It’s all very well for us to share our despair at the school gate but as Tanith Carey said on a recent Woman’s Hour interview on BBC Radio 4, ‘the first responsibility belongs to parents’. Her book is so welcome because it not only examines the extet of what we are up against here but also points to actions parents can take in their day-to-day lives to challenge the rise and rise of raunch culture. Here’s a very small selection of the advice on offer – most of it applicable to your sons as well as your daughters.
self esteem and body image
3 Don’t make children the butt of our jokes. Pink babygrows with messages like ‘I only date rock stars’ may seem innocuous but are effectively mocking the innocence of childhood. If you see clothes like this for sale, write a letter of complaint to the company’s headquarters. 3 Do you judge other women by their looks in front of your children? If you make a disparaging remark about a woman’s weight in front of your daughter, she may believe you will judge her on that basis.
peer pressure
3 Help your daughter to stand up for herself by not letting bullies push her around. Work out a script that helps her confront the other girl and look for a way to smooth over any unpleasantness. 3 With Facebook, do remind your children that friends on Facebook are not the same as real friends. Urge them to only accept friends if they know them and not when they have a friend in common.
brands
3 Never buy into the hype around brands. You can have fun with this by comparing some supermarket labels with brands. Together you will find that they tend to be the same product, differing only in hype and price at the tills. 3 Don’t start your children on collecting items linked to a movie franchise. In doing this you are buying into an endless product range – instead encourage some creative play around the film which has captured their imagination using props you have made yourselves.
looking good
3 Why make your children a walking advert for a brand? Avoid designer labels from the start – young children don’t know the difference unless you make this an issue. 3 Never express guilt after eating food. All food is fine in moderation and not something to feel guilty about.
The media
3 Tv may be more regulated than the internet, but don’t fall into the trap of letting it ‘babysit’ your children. Use whatever strategies work best in your house but above all, don’t have the box on all day long. 3 Check your own phone use around your children. Never use the phone when you are at the table or spending time with them - those texts and messages can always wait.
The world they live in, the pressures they face “TheY all have labels for TheMselves according To whaT TheY look like – There’s The spoTTY ones, The geekY ones, The faT ones, The preTTY ones. iT’s Much More defined Than iT was in MY daY.” Joanna, MoTher, ThirTY-nine.
“as a Teacher, i have coMe across girls in MY class who look aT colleen rooneY and have said, ‘oh, i’d JusT love her lifesTYle’ – and TheY reallY Mean iT” louise, Teacher, TwenTY nine.
“There is a definiTe uniforM in our group. we all have To have long sTraighT hair and a fringe swepT over To one side, shorT deniM skirTs, or Jeggings and ugg booTs. You’d have To be preTTY daring To sTep ouTside ThaT.” abigail, ThirTeen.
“whenever i open a MagaZine, i feel faTTer, uglier, and More depressed. buT aT The saMe TiMe, i can’T sTop MYself picking TheM up.” MiriaM, siXTeen.
‘we are alwaYs TrYing To Take Thin picTures of ourselves To puT on facebook. iT’s iMporTanT To have a reallY good profile picTure To geT More friends’ Joanna, fourTeen. The above comments all from interviews conducted in Tanith Carey’s book Were Has My Little Girl Gone? 12
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
July-August 2011
childhood
spectacular parenting summer
Toys
3 Buy your children dolls which are children too, ie without cleavage and exaggerated waists and bottoms. 3 If you play with your children there is less need for expensive and complicated toys. When they grow up they will remember fun games together and not the branded game being plugged on tv.
Music
3 Turn off the soundtrack – avoid video channels and the accompanying rude lyrics and sexual posturing. 3 Offer better pop role models in the form of strong, independent women performers who are all about the music such as Kate Nash and Adele.
Why it matters As soon as you engage in this debate, parent after parent will come back with the old ‘twas ever thus’ argument. As one grandmother said, ‘I was young in the 1960s, what we wore and got up to as young girls then was as bad as anything that goes on now’. Sadly, the stakes have got higher since then. Advances in technology mean that our children’s exposure to inappropriate images through the internet, gadgets, phones, etc mean that our children stumble across sex in a way that would have been impossible in our youth. It’s not about being prudish and old fashioned, it’s about equipping our daughters and sons with a healthy self image defined by their talents, passions, interests and strength, not as sex objects.
extra
The fightback begins ‘You don’t have to be a prude to believe that little girls should not be told that their value exists in appealing the opposite sex; nor that it’s sad for girls – and boys – to grow up confusing a porn-inspired pastiche of female sexuality with the real thing’, Kate Williams, The Guardian. ‘Opinionated women are scrutinized, not celebrated in the media and that needs to change’, Kate Nash, singer songwriter in a BBC interview ‘I don’t make music for ears, not eyes.’ Singer Adele, interview with Rolling Stone, April 2011 ‘At last, we are getting real debate about the appalling level to which the sexualisation of children – and young girls in particular – has infiltrated UK society.’ Dr Helen Wright, president of the Girls’ Schools Association ‘Why does everything look as if it has been filmed in Stringfellows?’ Viv Groskop, Red Magazine, June 2011 ‘We need to have that conversation about what is acceptable and what is the norm’, Sarah Teather, Children’s Minister, in a BBC interview December 2010
Where Has My Little Girl Gone by Tanith Carey, Lion Hudson, £7.99 For more about Tanith Carey’s work, see www.tanithcarey.com Pink Stinks Challenging the ‘culture of pink’ which invades girls lives www.pinkstinks.co.uk Cool to be Me is a site for girls and boys which inspires them to follow their dreams by highlighting great role models www.cooltobe.me New Moon Girls is an online community and magazine where girls create and share poetry, artwork, videos, and more. All his occurs in a fully moderated, educational environment designed to build self-esteem and positive body image www.newmoon.com Mumsnet Let Girls Be Girls Campaign www.mumsnet.com/campaigns/let-girls-be-girls
July-August 2011
Hats off to Debenhams who are backing the Mumnsnet Let Girls Be Girls Campaign. www.debenhams.co.uk
“Young girls are having such a nightmare about their appearance – and feel so bad about themselves that when some random bloke posts a Facebook comment saying: ‘You’re gorgeous’, or ‘You’re hot’, you feel flattered.” Issy, Facebook user, twenty three.
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
13
sizzling summer
Help yourselves to summer We hunt out some great value ways to have even more fun this summer. Theme parks, playschemes, workshops, the summer holidays can be an expensive time for parents and it’s even tougher this year for most of us as family budgets are squeezed. Here are our ideas for less expensive activities – some of them won’t even cost you a penny.
Reading matters
Most of us aim to get our children reading over the during the break from school but local libraries have made the prospect so much more exciting with the Circus Stars scheme. Research has proved that the Summer Reading Challenge helps to prevent the summer holiday dip in reading motivation and attainment with a fun, achievable challenge. Children aged 4 to 11 are invited to go along to their local library and join in the fun of Circus Stars, this year’s circus-themed Summer Reading Challenge. They can read whatever books they like – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, even audio books - and there are stickers, a bookmark, a wristband and other incentives to collect as they read. Children who read 6 books to complete all three stages of their circus challenge will be awarded a special medal and a certificate. Libraries will be organising special circus-themed events, activities and competitions throughout the summer holidays too, and in Surrey there will be a county-wide poetry competition for budding young writers. Circus Stars start on Monday 4th July in Richmond libraries and in Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Kingston libraries on Saturday 9th July – and it’s absolutely free! At the time of going to press, special events which incur a small charge were being organised in various libraries. Here are some finalised details: 2nd AUGUST, Circus Stars Storytelling Workshop, Chertsey Library, Guildford Street, Chertsey, KT16 9BE, 2.30 to 3.30pm. An interactive workshop in which children will be helped to create their very own circus story, guided by storyteller Neville Floyd. For ages 4 to 8, cost £3 per child. Places must be booked in advance. Contact Chertsey Library, 0300 200 1001. 5th AUGUST, Circus Stars Storytelling Workshop, Weybridge Library, Church Street, Weybridge KT13 8DE, 2.30 to 3.30pm. Details as above. For ages 4 to 8, cost £3 per child. Places must be booked in advance. Contact Weybridge Library, 0300 200 1001. 9th AUGUST, Circus Skills Workshop, Cobham Library, Cedar Road, Cobham KT11 2AE, 10.30 to 11.30am. An opportunity to try your hand
at plate spinning, juggling, diabolo and many other circus skills with Julian the Juggler. For ages 7 to 11. Cost £4 per child. Tickets must be bought in advance. Contact Cobham Library, 0300 200 1001. 9th AUGUST, Circus Skills Workshop, Hersham Library, Molesey Road, Hersham KT12 4RF, 2.30 to 3.30pm. Details as above. Cost £4 per child. Tickets must be bought in advance. Contact Hersham Library, 0300 200 1001. For more information about Circus Stars in Surrey libraries, pop into your local library, go to www.surreycc.gov.uk/kidstuff or phone 0300 200 1001. Lots more at www.circus-stars.org.uk KEep the reading habit going Don’t feel guilty about reading yourself, whether it’s a book, a newspaper or a magazine. You are setting a great example. Create a special time every day designated to reading together. Just five minutes a day can make a massive difference, apparently!
Free events
Check pages 20 to 22 for plenty of free events in our What’s On listings. This year shopping centres such as the Bentall Centre, Kingston, The Heart in Walton, Two Rivers in Staines and The Treaty Centre in Hounslow are organising plenty of activities without a charge. See page 5 for full details of events at the Bentall Centre this summer and page 21 for the free Thumbs up it’s Thursday events, also in Kingston. Be sure to check our website at www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/ upon-thames as well as Twitter @FamiliesuponT for local family events as we hear of them.
A free guide book
If one of the family has a problem with access through temporary or permanent disability, save time on researching attractions for days out with a couple of free resources this summer. Available FREE at accessibleguide. co.uk the new Family Days Out reviews include more than 75 great venues and attractions. All are geared towards making the most of days out for all members of the family, from toddlers to teenagers and grandparents too. The new online reviews have been created by the same team that brought you the award winning Rough Guide to Accessible Britain print series – Motability and Rough Guides.
uk
www.daytona.co. 14
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
July-August 2011
sizzling summer ➾ Take advantage of Guildford Spectrum’s Voucher for a Family Fun ticket on page 23. The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain – Family Days Out can be viewed online at accessibleguide.co.uk. An easy-to-use search tool allows users to search by region, attraction type and accessibility requirements, while an interactive map ensures that finding a great day out in the UK is quick and easy. Those who want to take the information with them on a day out can print the reviews allowing them to build up their own tailored guide to the perfect family day out. The online reviews are supported by new content on the website including the brand new ‘Days Out Blog’ – a series of special guest bloggers writing about their days out experiences; new special offers to enjoy with the Accessible Guide; free downloadable wallpapers and screensavers and more information on Motability. The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain (third edition) is also available in print for FREE to Blue Badge and Disabled Persons Railcard holders. To order a FREE copy visit www.accessibleguide.co.uk or call 0800 953 7070.
look ouT for special deals
At this time of year there are plenty of discount vouchers everywhere from cereal packets to the local press. Don’t be embarrassed to use them – the money off will really make a difference! Snip them out on the paper or use the code online. See page 23 for Guildford Spectrum’s fabulous offer of a great day out for a family of four. Their Family Fun ticket is back and you can make fantastic savings on a day out together when you swim, skate and bowl. Two activity tickets are just £38 for a family of four and, with the voucher from Families Upon Thames, you can upgrade to a three-activity ticket for free. To take advantage of this great offer cut out the voucher and present it at reception when buying your tickets. You’ll save £18 in one go. Family Fun tickets also offer great value for individual adults and junior visitors wanting a day out. Whether it’s Summer Holiday fun or weekend time-out, you can benefit from great savings on your swimming, skating and bowling. Just ask about the Family Fun ticket when you book. For further information call 01483 443322, www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk See page 7 for a special voucher for Bocketts Farm Park in Fetcham. There’s £1 off full price entry per person (maximum five people). This offer runs from 1st July to 28th August. Then on page 8 there are details of how to claim £7 off adult tickets at Ascot Family Racedays. If you’re looking for reasonably priced summer courses, Seriously Fun Swimming are charging just £30 for a Five Day Holiday Crash Course at Riverbourne Health Club in Chertsey. Call 0844 3511461 or book online at www.seriouslyfun.com Another great way to save money is to subscribe to a special deals website. Like Bees is targeting local ‘sweet family deals’. By signing up you receive the deal of the day in your Inbox which you can buy and share with other families on Twitter and Facebook – what’s not to like? www.likebees.co.uk
loTs More
Museums – great for free activities and special summer workshops. Parks – for more than a quick swing. Have a picnic, take a football, organise a treasure hunt. Nature reserves – take a weekly walk and make observations as you go. Watch signs of the changes in the season as we move from high summer to early autumn. www.hounslow.info has some great downloadable nature guides as well as details of events in the borough’s open spaces. Your garden – the cheapest idea of them all – invite some friends over to stay and play at home and let their imaginations run wild. Search for ‘Stay and play garden’ at www.familiesonline.co.uk/ locations/upon-thames for more ideas, plus more events which will be uploaded there throughout the summer.
check ouT our1 whaT’s FamiliesUponThames_Barnes:Layout 02/02/2011 on 11:56secTion Page 1
pages 20 To 22 for More ideas.
An Activ multi-activity camp for 5-14 year olds
ACTIV CAMPS AT BARNES SPORTS CLUB 10%
Classes available for beginners to professionals Ages from 4 - 18, plus adults
Hip Hop/Street Jazz/Technique Contemporary/Lyrical Ballet/ Repertoire Competitions & Shows Annual Summer School Private Lessons Adult Classes
nt discoungs ibli for soo king
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Easter: 4-8 and 18-21 April Summer: 11-22 July and 22-26 August
Places fill up fast so book NOW! Phone 07896 546 067 Email info@activcamps.com or find out more at www.activcamps.com
Barnes Sports Club, Lonsdale Road, Barnes SW13 9QL July-August 2011
Exciting dance classes, from the professionals
Our professional yet friendly environment is suitablefor children of all levels and aims to nurture confidence and enthusiasm so they can have fun whilst still fulfilling their maximum potential. All teachers are fully qualified, experienced and CRB checked.
For more details visit www.flipsidedance.co.uk or call Deborah Rich via phone on 07759 502508 or email info@flipsidedance.co.uk VENUE: Downside Village Hall, Cobham
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
15
sizzling summer
20 exciting family attractions to discover on the River Thames this summer.
t r y for grea le l a G l a n 7 Natio ty activities ar
Parliament 5 Houses ofof democracy for a dose
2 Syon Park fo breath of fres r a h air
6 St James’s Park to row, row, row your boat 5
Hammersmith Ealing 4
rt for a 1 Hampton Couor y slice of hi
2
3
Wandsworth
Hampton Court
ntre Wetland Ceture 4 London tu n e v ad for a na re
1
3 Kew Garden to explore the wors ld
16
a river runs through it...
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
July-August 2011
sizzling summer
3
20 Thames barrier for the world’s largest flood barrier 14 St Paul’s Cathedral for awe-inspiring architecture
15 O ff wit h the Tower their heads at of London
3
7
6
11 Thames River Festival
8 9
10
11
17 The O2 Arena to find the Dinosaurs Unleashed Exhibition
Tower Hamlets
14
19 Royal Naval College, Greenwich for the National Maritime Museum
15 17
12
13
20
16 19 18
Southwark
Greenwich
12 Shakespeare’s Globe for a dramatic step back in time
ium 8 London Aquarater w er for life und 16 The Design Mus wicked design woreum for kshops
18 Royal Observatory Greenwich for London’s only Planetarium Thanks to Visit Britain for all images on pages 16 to 18, except:
d 10 Oxo Tower anany m s k’ n the Southba delights
9 London Eye to soar like a bird
13 HMS Belfast for a 20th century naval voyage
4 London Wetland Centre - Shelduck at London Wetland Centre, photo by Nick Cottrell 7 National Gallery - © National Gallery, London 11 Thames River Festival - Image by Barry Lewis 3 Images of objects on display at The Museum of London, found in the River Thames © Museum of London. www.museumoflondon.org.uk This River Thames image is not to scale nor to be used as a map.
Turn the page for a riverside attraction close to home and a great way to explore eastwards ➾ July-August 2011
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
17 17
sizzling summer
a river runs through it...
Close to home or eastward bound, make the most of the pleasures of Old Father Thames with your family this summer.
Our magazine title says it all really - local families are blessed with a series of world renowned attractions to enjoy every day. Most of us will be making the most of the River, its amenities and charms this summer. Here we explore one glorious local Thames-side garden and take a journey into London, highlighting what’s on offer this summer as the Thames heads towards the sea.
more information. (The entrance is through the Wyevale Garden Centre and connecting door from Syon Gardens). Tip: If you want to the place pretty much to yourselves, arrive as early as you can. Your children will be able to let off steam, play hide and seek and explore while you relax and take it all in. Gardens and Great Conservatory Adults £5, Concessions £3.50 Children £2.50, Family £11. k wsteam.co.u Syon Park, Brentford, TW8 8JF ne 9 00 /2 /6 20 r www.syonpark.co.uk Richard Lea-Hai
Syon House
close To hoMe
Tucked away along the river at Brentford, Syon Park is a great place to take the family if you long for open spaces, beautiful, fragrant, rare and exotic plants, a touch of wildlife and a pleasant place to have a snack or lunch with the children. The gardens at Syon House, laid out by Capability Brown, no less, have much of what their neighbour, the Royal Horticultural Gardens at Kew offer but on a much smaller scale and without the throngs of tourists. The meandering paths through the gardens are easy for buggies and toddlers and the route takes you through a variety of garden styles from wildflower meadow, to formal lawns and a stunning conservatory where the children will be fascinated by the grapevine, the fruit trees and the banana plants. There are geese and swans, as well as terrapins in the lake. The gardens are open daily, 10.30am to 5pm. The spacious Refectory with its large outdoor seating area is ideal for snacks, drinks and light lunches - 020 8568 0134 for 18
Events at Syon Park 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st AUGUST, Cinema under the Stars, Watch your favourite films under the stars in the gardens of Syon Park. Films being shown are: Thursday 18th August, Pulp Fiction; Friday 19th August, Shawshank Redemption; Saturday 20th August, The King’s Speech; Sunday 21st August, It’s Complicated. At 7.30pm the gardens will be open for guests to have picnics; films to start approximately 9pm; carriages at about 11pm. Prices from: adults £10, children £5 (5 to 14 years). Tickets available now from quaytickets.com via lady-in-red.co.uk/syonpark.aspx Please call 020 8560 0882 for more information.
furTher afield
Our suggestion for a great day out in the city along the river is to head to Waterloo by train, pause to enjoy some of the fun that the Southbank has to offer and then to head off to one of the local piers to get on board a riverboat. From then on the day is yours, whether you embark on a journey to the World Heritage Site of Greenwich to take in the National Maritime Museum, the beautiful park and the famous market, check out the Dinosaurs Unleashed exhibition at the O2 or stay within the city and explore places like Tate Modern, The Golden Hinde and the Design Museum. Best by boat After all, the Thames provides a stunning backdrop to many of the city’s top tourist attractions. The 2000 year old river harbours much of London’s history, as well as providing ongoing inspiration for artists, musicians and writers. See London from the river and you relax and get a different perspective on familiar landmarks see how they all link together and catch glimpses of other aspects of the city’s life. Thames Clippers operates four services on the River Thames: the scheduled commuter service (departures every 20 minutes
Three fascinating river Thames facts 3 At Teddington, The Thames’s width is 100 metres but by the time it reaches the sea, the estuary at Whitstable measures 29km across. 3 The non-tidal part of the Thames from the source to Teddington stretches for 237km (147 miles) and falls some 104.2 metres (342 feet). 3 The speed of the flow of the Thames increases the further downstream you go (towards the sea). This is because of the tributaries which join the river adding their water to it. At Kingston it is 5696 million litres/day.
www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames
from major piers), the Tate Boat from Tate Modern (Bankside Pier) to Tate Britain (Millbank Pier), The O2 Express (Waterloo Pier to QEII pier on arena event nights at The O2) and the Hilton Docklands ferry service (between Canary Wharf Pier and the Hilton Docklands). Book one-day Roamer Tickets and you can treat the boats as you would the buses or the tube and hop on and off. The commuter service stops close to London’s attractions, including the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Tower of London, Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory and The O2. There are also many other landmarks that are located within walking distance of the various river piers. Seeing these sights from the comfort of your seat on board will give you a real sense of their grandeur and character. This great geographical perspective will give you a clearer idea of which attractions you may want to visit more closely next time you go exploring.. Tip: Just because you’re heading for the city, not the beach, don’t forget to go equipped for summer weather. Take water, sun hats and sunscreen - and enjoy. For timetables, a map of the piers and suggested itineraries, check Thames Clippers www.thamesclippers.com web@thamesclippers.com 020 7001 2222
July-August 2011
sizzling summer
Let the music play
For more information check out these festival guides: efestivals.co.uk, virtualfestivals. com, festivalawards.com
andrena dookun gets you into the festival mood while frances loaTes checks out a treat coming our way this August. While some intrepid parents brave the big festivals with young children, for most of us the idea conjures up images of heaving crowds, loud music, alcohol and drugs and we wilt at the thought. But really taking off are some very different festivals around which are small, family oriented and a great place for children to be. Taking your youngsters to one of these smaller events can be a good way to give them a little slice of freedom and an experience they will never forget. Small festivals offer all the benefits that children love about camping but with a lot more thrown in: your youngsters will get the opportunity to try out some truly creative activities and engage with educational topics in an informal setting. Most of these festivals have designated toddler play areas and the smaller the event, the safer it is for them; while older children will love the opportunity to head off for forays on their own or with friends and you’ll most likely see them grow in confidence as a result. Most festivals have a family/ quiet camping area so do ask when booking and some have tents/tipis/yurts for hire if you don’t want to carry your own (be warned this will bump up the price considerably).
Top tips ‘Do your research early and
don’t leave your ticket buying until the last minute – these fabulous festivals almost always sell out so you may be sorely disappointed.’ ‘Go with friends… kids were so much easier with playmates, they had a better time, and us grown-ups were able to do relay trips to the dance tent!’ ‘Go local – to make it easy, and in case of Tornados and other festival-enhancing disasters!’
‘Go small - so you can dip in and out, and not be obliged to stay out all day, and enjoy being able to meander around different areas of the festival.’ ‘Aim for enjoying the serendipity rather than having a planned agenda of bands you want to see.’ ‘Be prepared for the unexpected (including the erratic British weather!)’ featured festival
What? Jolly Day Out When? 26th to 29th August Where? Hampton Court Green Who’s there? A full day of performances, including Imelda May, Bjorn Again and McFly Why take the kids? Jolly Day Out is a family festival and will feature a fun fair, a story tent, arts and crafts, face painting, crazy golf, pig racing and animal farms. Food and drink There will be posh nosh, summer treats, festival food plus summery drinks for all. How much? Each day Jolly Day Out tickets are £25 for 13 years and over. Tickets are totally free for 12 and under. However, you will require a ticket to gain entry so make sure you book in all your party. Each full price ticket entitles you to 2 free under 12 tickets. The doors open at 12 and the headline act will be on stage at 8pm. Find out more www.jollydayout.com All images from www.festivalkidz.com
extra
For details of more family-friendly festivals, check out the interactive Festivals Map on www.festivalkidz.com. The Festival Kidz website is packed with information about family-friendly festivals, reviews, and tips. There is also an online shop where you can find all sorts of useful bits of kit to help your festival go smoothly. July-August 2011
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what’s on
our anniversary issue
Illustrations copyright © KerrIllustratKneale ions Productions Ltd 1968 Kerr-Kneale Pcopyright © roductions Ltd 1968
shows
1st to 18th JULY, International Youth Arts Festival, Kingston, at various venues throughout the town. 200 productions and exhibitions throughout Kingston over 18 packed days and nights. Some listed here but full programme of events at www.iyafestival.org.uk 3rd and 9th JULY, Pinocchio, at The Rose Theatre, 24 to 26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL. Award winning Indefinite Articles are at the forefront of the new wave of British puppetry and its members have worked with the RSC, Improbable Theatre and Might Boosh. Geppetto uses the objects of a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father. The classic tale re-invented with puppets, shadows, illusion and live music. Tickets £5, book on 020 8547 5417. International Youth Arts Festival event, www.iyafestival.org.uk 4th JULY, Kingston Infant Music Festival, The Rose Theatre, 24 to 26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL, 11.15am and 2.30pm.. Hundreds of children from Kingston’s schools will be coming together in this musical spectacular. They will be performing a variety of songs and musical pieces under the theme of ‘Creature Songs Big and Small’. Tickets £3 to £5. Book on 020 8547 5417, www.iyafestival.org.uk 6th, 7th and 9th JULY, Monkey Theatre presents When the Bell Rings! by Adrian Preater at Riverhouse Barn, Manor Road, Walton, KT12 2PF, 7.30pm. All the kids from the orphanage have disappeared and the kids from the village are next. It’s a mystery that the villagers want to get to the bottom of and quick. An original new play which hopes to have you on the edge of your seats one minute and falling off them the next. Suitable for ages 5+. Tickets £3 and £6. Box office 01932 253354, www.riverhousebarn.co.uk 6th, 8th and 9th JULY, Monkey Theatre presents Dirk Smirk Secret Agent by Geoff Bamber at Riverhouse Barn, Manor Road, Walton, KT12 2PF, 7.30pm. When Madame Veronique, Head of the World council, arrives in London, she falls prey to a fiendish plot hatched by STINK, a criminal organisation intent upon world domination. Only one man can thwart STINK, and that man is Dirk Smirk - Secret Agent. For ages 7+. Tickets £3 and £6. Box office 01932 253354, www.riverhousebarn.co.uk 6th JULY to 4th SEPTEMBER, The Tiger Who Came to Tea at Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand, London WC2R 0NH. Live on stage and based on the picture book written and illustrated by Judith Kerr, adapted for the stage with songs and lyrics by David Wood, OBE. A stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem...expect to be surprised! For ages 3+, running time 55 minutes, book on 0844 412 4663. 7th, 8th and 9th JULY, Monkey Theatre presents Wan2tlk at Riverhouse Barn, Manor Road, Walton, KT12 2PF, 7.30pm. By Kevin Fagan with music by Tom Moss. Mercedes is fed up. Her phone is well out of date, her mum won’t buy her a new one, and her dad isn’t in contact. Then new boy Alex arrives at school, and things are looking up. But Mercedes makes a mistake, and her life gets complex. And in all this, where is her Dad? Suitable for ages 7+. Tickets £3 and £6. Box office 01932 253354, www.riverhousebarn.co.uk 9th JULY, Orange Tree Youth Theatre present Once upon a Rhyme, The Rose Theatre, 24 to 26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL, 11.45am. Everyone knows the stories of The Little Pigs, Cinderella and Snow White – well imagine these stories wrestled from the grip of the boring
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grown-ups that wrote them, and put into the hands of the children that enjoy them...and see what happens. Tickets for this event are FREE and do not require to be pre booked. www.iyafestival.org.uk 13th JULY, The Pirates of Penzance, Ham House, Ham, TW10 7RS, 7.30 to 10pm. Ham’s House’s gardens provide the perfect venue for a spot of family summer theatre, and. Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic opera follows the story of an apprentice pirate, who learns he is contracted to the pirates until his 21st birthday. Sadly, his birthday falls on 29th February – a leap year! The show is packed with laughter and memorable songs including ‘Modern Major General’ and ‘A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One’. Gates open at 6pm. Tickets £18, book on 0844 249 1895. 14th JULY, Cambridge Touring Theatre presents Wind In The Willows at Claremont Landscape Gardens, Portsmouth Road, Esher, KT10 9JG, 7pm. A merry romp through the world of the riverbank with an adaptation of ‘Wind in the Willows’. Toad is boastful and proud and obsessed with motorcars. It is the job of Ratty, Moley and Badger to keep him under control. Along the way, they learn important lessons about what it is to have friends and to be a friend. Prior to the 7pm performance, there will be a 45 minute drama workshop for children starting at 6pm where they can meet some of the riverbankers and learn songs from the show. Adult £16, child £8, National Trust Box Office, 0844 249 1895, nationaltrust@iris.co.uk 26th to 31st JULY, Mr Stink at The Rose Theatre, 24 to 26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL. David Walliams (of Little Britain fame) has written the smelliest book of all time and in this world premiere tour, the Rose will break new ground with a Scratch ‘N’ Sniff musical production bringing Mr Stink pongingly to life. Recommended for ages 7+. Book on 0871 2301552, www.rosetheatrekingston.org 30th JULY to 13th AUGUST, In The Night Garden Live Show, Old Deer Park, 187 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2AZ. In the Ninky Nonk show, Igglepiggle loses his blanket and all his friends help him find it. In the Pinky Ponk show, Makka Pakka washes everyone’s faces, until his sponge gets stuck in Upsy Daisy’s megaphone. The showdome will have baby change facilities, buggy park, plus food and drink available to purchase. Show times: 9.30am, 11.15am, 1pm, 3.15pm, 5pm. Each performance lasts for just under an hour. Ticket prices ranging from £10 to £30 each depending on date, time of show and seat location, www.nightgardenlive.com WIN 2 FAMILY TICKETS for 3rd AUGUST AT www.familiesonline.co.uk/locations/upon-thames 5th AUGUST, Roary the Racing Car at Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond, TW9 1QJ, 1 and 3.30pm. Roary, the number 1 little race car zooms into theatres for the very first time in a brand new live stage show. Book on 0844 871 7651.
fun indoors
1st to 17th JULY, Make a Mural at Jellybugs Play Cafe, The Rotunda, Kingston, KT1 1QJ, 11am to 4pm. Working with various artists, a mural will be developed and created alongside the public over the course of the International Youth Arts Festival, responding to the festival’s theme of ‘Imagination’. Book on 020 8547 5417, www.iyafestival.org.uk 9th JULY, Black Cherry Fair Open Day at Chertsey Museum, The Cedars, Windsor Street, Chertsey, KT16 8AT, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Fun and games, tea and cake supporting the town’s annual fair. www.chertseymuseum.org.uk 9th JULY, Book of Memories - Family Fun Event at Elmbridge Museum, Church Street, Weybridge KT13 8DP, 2 to 4.30pm. Elmbridge Museum has over 20 000 photographs in its collection. Make a magnificent family photograph album, using classic designs and start compiling a collection of your own summer holiday memories. Book of Memories is part of a series of free, Family Fun days held at the Elmbridge Museum on the second Saturday of each month. Children must be accompanied by an adult, 01932 843573. 23rd JULY to 10th SEPTEMBER, Doing it for the Kids at Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, Kingston, KT1 2PS. Play is in every child’s nature - it’s how they learn about the world. Good toys help children to develop and play freely, they help spark imagination and mould values. They are kind to the environment and foster a sense of fun, enjoyment and care for others. Doing it for the Kids explores the importance of play in child development, how toys help mould
July-August 2011
Please double check details of all events before leaving home as we compile these listings in early June.
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our children’s values and how they impact on the environment. The exhibition presents examples of sustainable toys and other play resources that inspire designers, educators and parents to be more critical and creative. Let this exhibition help you to be more knowledgeable, confident and creative in helping your kids to play. 020 8547 5006, email kingston.museum@rbk.kingston.gov.uk 29th JULY, For Sanity’s Sake Gym and Sing Summer Party at The Little Gym, 94 to 102 High Street, Hampton Hill, TW12 1NY, 2 to 5pm. Check www.forsanityssake.com for details 4th AUGUST, Stripy Horse books event at 3rd Floor of Bentalls, Kingston, 1 and 3pm. Jim Helmore (author) and Karen Wall (illustrator) of these popular books will be in store for a storytelling, drawing and book signing event. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.
www.theatrebugs.co
.uk
30th JULY, Mini Menagerie Day at Claremont Gardens, Portsmouth Road, Esher, KT10 9JG, from 10.30am. The Duke of Newcastle’s 1740s menagerie recreated for the 21st century with a range of exotic and domestic animals. Activities include handling and phobia sessions, snake and lizard feeding and photo opportunities. More information from the Property Office, on 01372 467806, claremont@nationaltrust.org.uk
15th AUGUST, History Stinks - Family Fun Event at Elmbridge Museum, Church Street, Weybridge KT13 8DP, 2 to 4.30pm. Towns and villages were once smelly places in the summer. Find out how people covered up these unpleasant pongs and make something nicely smelly to take home. Children must be accompanied by an adult, 01932 843573.
fun ouTdoors
2nd JULY and 19th AUGUST, Creatures of the Night at Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, TW14 8QA, 9 to 11pm. See which creatures come out after dark at Bedfont Lakes. There will be bugs, bats and moths and possibly owls. £1.50 per child /concession, £3 per adult. All under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. More info at www.bedfontlakes.co.uk 0845 456 2796. 3rd JULY, Summer Stroll at Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, TW14 8QA, 2pm. Take a leisurely stroll with local nature enthusiast John Wells and the rangers. See butterflies and wildflowers as they make the most of the summer sun. £1 per child/concession, £2 per adult. All under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. More info at www.bedfontlakes.co.uk 0845 456 2796. 9th and 10th JULY, Kingston Regatta, 9am to 7pm. 275 races from 9am to 7.30pm on both days. www.kingstonregatta.co.uk 9th and 10th JULY, New France Old England Re-enactment Camp Painshill, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JE, 10.30am to 5pm. Watch history come alive before your eyes as you discover the adventures of mid-18th century North America. Contact 01932 868113 www.painshill.co.uk 9th JULY, Black Cherry Fair, Chertsey, www.blackcherryfair.com 10th JULY, WWII: Osterley Enlists, Osterley Park, Jersey Road, Isleworth, TW7 4RB, 12 noon. The ‘Home Guard’ camp is back in action on its original training grounds. Meet the troops, enjoy talks and training demonstrations, 020 8232 5055. 12th JULY, Butterfly Walk at Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, TW14 8QA, 10.30am. Watch beautiful butterflies dance in the sun and learn about their fascinating lifecycles during this ramble with the rangers. £1 per child/concession, £2 per adult. All under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. More info at www.bedfontlakes.co.uk 0845 456 2796. 16th and 17th JULY, Little Bird Festival, Fairfield Park, Kingston, KT1, 11am to 10pm. Circus, drama, dance, art and workshops. An IYAF event to showcase some of its activities. Tickets £5 per day, available from www.kingston.gov.uk (follow Book it). 17th JULY, Richmond NCT Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party, First Richmond Scout Hut, Pest House Common, Queens Road, Richmond, TW10 6HF, 2 to 5pm. Adults £3, children £1.50, under 1s go FREE. Lots of fun for all the family. Check www.nct.org.uk/branches/richmond for more.
July-August 2011
31st JULY and 28th AUGUST, Family Discovery Days at Osterley Park, Jersey Road, Isleworth, TW7 4RB, 12 noon to 4pm. Full details for the day’s activities from 020 8232 5050, osterley@nationaltrust.org.uk 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st AUGUST, Wild on Wednesdays at Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, TW14 8QA, 10am to 12.30pm. Activities for children aged 5 years+. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times during the activities. £3 per child. On days when pond dipping is taking place, please note that on arrival you will be given a time slot for your pond dipping session. Other activities will be taking place while you wait for your time slot. 3 3rd August - Pond Dipping and Pond Painting 3 10th August - Bug Hunt and Creepy Crawly Crafts 3 17th August - Pond Dipping and Nature Quiz Trail 3 24th August - Pond Dipping and Treasure Hunt 3 31st August - Make a Ladybird House £3 per child, all under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. More info at www.bedfontlakes.co.uk 0845 456 2796. 14th AUGUST, Morris Men at Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JE, 2 to 5pm. The Thames Valley Morris Men have been entertaining audiences since 1952. Enjoy music and Morris dancing as well as having a go at learning a few steps yourself. Contact 01932 868113, www.painshill.co.uk 3rd SEPTEMBER, Fairytale Walk at Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, TW14 8QA, 12 noon to 2pm. Make your own magic wand and take an enchanted walk around the lakes and hear stories about fairies, pixies, witches and wizards. Suitable for children aged 3+ (must be accompanied by an adult). More info at www.bedfontlakes.co.uk 0845 456 2796. 4th SEPTEMBER, Kingston Carnival. Kingston Carnival is all about different communities coming together to have fun. Starting with a colourful procession along Clarence Street, there are two performance stages featuring artists both big and small - from local community performers to mass bands fresh from the previous weekend’s Notting Hill Carnival. Keep your eyes peeled for street entertainers and live street theatre. Try food from around the globe - but make sure you leave room for the traditional Carnival food - Jamaican jerk chicken.
ThursdaYs
Kingston’s most fabulous Thumbs up It’s Thursday events return this year at the Memorial Gardens, Bentalls, the Bentall Centre, Eden Walk Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Kingston Children’s Library, Kingston Museum, The Rotunda and Turk’s Launches. Here are the themes. 28th JULY, Come to the Circus 4th AUGUST, Did you know…? 11th AUGUST, It’s Alive 18th AUGUST, Go Green 20th AUGUST, Fantasy and Fairytales 1st SEPTEMBER, Got to Move Full details of all events at www.kingstonfirst.co.uk
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what’s on
parties
suMMer scheMes
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The most amazing magic, plus balloon models, games, party bags… and Harry the white rabbit!
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tuition
25th to 29th JULY, 1st to 5th and 8th to 12th AUGUST, Winning Ways Football Coaching at Strenue Sports Club, Lyndwood Road, Thames Ditton, KT7 0DN, 9.30am to 12 noon or to 3pm. For ages 31/2 to 14 years. Prices £40 per half day week (£9 per day) or £65 per full day week (£15 per day). Book on 07931 707720, email andyandlucyscates@gmail.com
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employment
25th to 29th JULY, Perform Peter Pan Workshops at The Russell Primary School, Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 7AH, 2.30 to 4.30pm and at All Saints Western Village Hall, 1 Chestnut Avenue, Esher, KT10 8JL, 10am to 12 noon and 2.30 to 4.30pm. Take a trip to Neverland with Peter Pan, Wendy, John and Michael and help rescue Tinkerbell from the dastardly Captain Hook. For ages 4 to 8 years. Watch the children as they take part in a thrilling adventure based on JM Barrie’s enchanting story of the boy who never grew up. Perform’s energetic young team of actors, 09:15musicians and dancers will be with them every step of the way to inspire and encourage. Using funky dance and quick-witted improvisation, they’ll take the children on a dazzling trip guaranteed to fire their imaginations. With colourful costumes, original songs and live music, children will enjoy a fun-packed week putting together a fantastic show what will delight family and friends. www.perform.org.uk As Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital owns the rights to Peter Pan, Perform will have collection buckets on the day of performances so parents may contribute to the work of the hospital.
1st to 6th AUGUST, Dance Fusion Summer School, Lady Eleanor Holles School, Hampton. Singing, street dance, make up, Irish dancing, 12 drama, dance tricks, musical theatre, circus skills. More at www.dancefusiontwickenham.com 1st to 19th AUGUST, Summer Explorers Camp at Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 20:321JE, 9am to 4.30pm. Each day brings a different adventure for ages 8 to 12 years. Build an eco den, go pond dipping, or go on a safari for creepy crawlies. Price £35 per day or £150 for 5 consecutive days. Advance booking required on 01932 868113, www.painshill.co.uk 8th to 12th AUGUST, Theatrebugs Summer Workshop at YMCA Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road KT2 5BH, 1.30 to 4.30pm and at The Crossway Centre, St Stephens Church, Richmond Road TW1 2PD, 9.30am to 12.30pm. For 31/2 to 5 years: The Lion Loses his Roar! Croc the Crocodile has moved into Jipidee Jungle.... he likes to snap, snap, snap at poor Squeaker the Mouse and Jinga the Jungle Fairy; luckily Leo the Lion is close at hand to help out ...
exercise
Pilates in Richmond and Twickenham Bumps, Babies, Beginners welcome 6 week course – sign up now for a FREE class
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that is until he loses his roar! Can the children come and help? Five fun filled days of acting, singing, dancing and dressing up, on day five they hit the stage. Places limited, early booking recommended, snack and drink included. Youngest sibling receives a 10% discount. £115. Contact enquiries@theatrebugs. co.uk 020 7350 2995, www.theatrebugs.co.uk 22nd to 26th AUGUST, Theratrebugs Workshop, St. Christopher’s Church, Claygate Lane, Hinchley Wood, KT10 0AQ, 9am to 12 noon and at St James Parish Centre, Church Street, Weybridge, KT13 8DE, 2 to 5pm. Details as above. Contact juliaallen@theatrebugs.co.uk 01932 765525, www.theatrebugs.co.uk 15th to 19th AUGUST, Perform Peter Pan Workshops at All Saints Western Village Hall, 1 Chestnut Avenue, Esher, KT10 8JL, 10 to 12 noon and 2.30 to 4.30pm. For full details, see listings for 25th to 29th JULY.
15th to 19th AUGUST, Disney Fun and GLEEtastic Summer Workshops at Stagecoach Hounslow, Cranford Community College, High Street, Cranford, Hounslow, TW5 9PD. Disney Fun is for children aged 4 to 6 years old and will run from 9.30am until 12.30pm, with a performance on the Friday. The performance will be based on well known stories and fairy tales from the world of Disney, especially the new Disney film ‘Tangled’. Every child will be given a part suitable to their age and ability, and they will all get their chance to shine. £95 per child and £65 for siblings. Also, Love Glee? Want to sing like Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber? Want to dance like JLS? The workshop includes classes in drama, dance and singing. Suitable for ages 6 to 18 years old, there will be something for everyone. £120 per child and £95 for siblings. Book on 0845 078 0804, hounslow@stagecoach.co.uk LOTS MORE LOCAL SUMMER PLAYSCHEMES ONLINE. SEE MORE OPTIONS ON OUR HOMEAPAGE
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fairs and MarkeTs
9th JULY, Barnes Village Fair on and around Barnes Green. FREE entry. This year’s theme is ‘Animals’. Grand Parade, live music, fairground rides, a Fancy Dress competition, Inter-Schools Quiz, clowns and theatre, 020 8878 2359. 16th JULY, St Margarets Fair, Moormead Ground. FREE entry. Dog show, 5-a-side football tournament, music, bric-a-brac, coconut shy and more, 020 8241 1042 www.stmargaretsfair.org 21st JULY, Holy Trinity CE Primary School Summer Fair, Carrington Road, Richmond, TW10 5AA, 11.30am to 3.30pm. Performances by Little Dancers and St Margarets Dance Academy, plus rocket launch show by Mother Nature Science. micro pigs, creepy crawlies, puppet show, tombolas, toy stall, face painting, book stall, plant stall, bar and bbq, teas and cakes, food stall, candy floss, bouncy castle and tea cups, games. £1 to adults, children FREE. Thanks to For sanity’s Sake, the free community website for bumps, babies, toddlers & pre-schoolers for Ham/Petersham, Kew, Richmond, Twickenham, St Margarets, Teddington and the Hamptons for their help with these listing. www.forsanityssake.com
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup & 80s concert Saturday 6th August 2011 Racing and live music including: • Jason Donovan • Kid Creole and the Coconuts • Jimmy Somerville • Paul Young • Toyah • China Crisis • Odyssey • Altered Images • Brother Beyond • Visage Tickets from £26. Kids go free. Fine dining packages from £115 (inc. admission). Advance and Group discounts available.
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03800W94_Shergar_80s_Families 130x180L.indd 1 Warners, in Lincolnshire. Copyright, Families upon Thames magazine 2011. Colour transparencies and any 14/04/2011 11:04 Families upon Thames is designedUponThames by Sarah Harmer and printed by other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor it’s agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families upon Thames is part of the Families Group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under liscense. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.