Families Solent East Issue 33 March-April 2011

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Issue 33 | March/April 2011

The local family magazine • www.familiessolenteast.co.uk

MAGAZINE

Family Easter with the kids

Plenty of ideas to keep you busy

Photos

Re-discover your family albums

Packed with family friendly events

Free tiont i t e p

comh a grea wit prize

PLUS: All the latest news and an extensive guide to what’s on in your local area.

Covering: Portsmouth, Southsea, Fareham, Gosport, Portchester, Waterlooville, Havant, Hayling Island, Wickham, Petersfield, Midhurst, Chichester, Isle of Wight and all the places in between.

Cover photo: An original Kodachrome colour slide circa 1964

SOLENT EAST

Families

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2 Families Solent East March/April 2011

Families Editors Letter

Welcome Editor: John Franklin e-mail: editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk Designer: Andrew Mesher e-mail: a.mesher@redbackstudios.co.uk www.redbackstudios.co.uk FAMILIES SOLENT EAST PO Box 908, Portsmouth, PO6 9DL www.familiessolenteast.co.uk Tel: 023 9232 5005 Next issue: May/June 2011 Editorial and booking deadline: Monday, 4th April 2011.

To advertise in Families Solent East: Call 023 9232 5005 or email ads@familiessolenteast.co.uk

With Spring here at last and the clocks changing to British Summer Time at the end of March, winter is really behind us.

As Easter is late this year, it takes place just as the hedgerows are filled with blossom and the parks and gardens are bursting with flowers. Of course, Easter is a great source of excitement for children and there are plenty of local activities and events during the Easter holidays.

As usual, our essential What’s On section keeps you up to date, so there’s no excuse for missing out on the daffodils, lambs and Easter Egg hunts! Whatever you choose to do, have a great Easter and we’ll see you again in our May-June issue.

Printed by Holbrooks Printers: Call 023 9233 4900, www.holbrooks.com

JOHN FRANKLIN EDITOR

Copyright: Families Solent East 2011.

Families Group: Families Solent East is part of a group established in 1990 and headed

by Families South West. All magazines in the Group are independently owned and operated under licence.

You’ll find plenty to do this Spring.

The Easter holidays would also be a good time to pull out those old photo albums and colour slides to show the kids; our Prized Photos feature encourages you to take a trip down memory lane!

FREE

MAGAZ INE

2011 Issue 33 | March/April• www.familiessolenteast.co.uk The local family magazine

Photo

Easter

Re-discover yours family album

with the kids

Packed with family friendly events

Plenty of ideas to keep you busy

circa 1964

SOLENT EAST

Familys

Kodachrome colour slide

Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at the owners’ own risk and, whilst every care is taken, neither Families Solent East nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take 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.

To keep the kids busy in between the Easter Eggs, take a look at our Kids at Easter feature.

Cover photo: An original

Data Protection: If you send us your name and address in order to receive free samples or to enter a competition offering prizes in Families Solent East, we may supply your details to the company offering the samples or prizes. If you would prefer us NOT to do so, please state this clearly on your entry.

EE

FRpetitionat re comh a g wit prize

PLUS: ALL THE LATEST NEWS

AND AN EXTENSIVE GUIDE

TO WHAT’S ON IN YOUR

LOCAL AREA.

r, Waterlooville, Havant,

Fareham, Gosport, Portcheste

Hayling Island,

places in between.

Covering: Portsmouth, Southsea, Isle of Wight and all the d, Midhurst, Chichester, Wickham, Petersfiel

Photography by John Franklin Design by Andrew Mesher

Tired of juggling family and work commitments?

Do you need balance and a flexible lifestyle?

Would a regular part time income make a difference to your quality of life?

If you are honest, ethical, hard working, self motivated and have a managerial, teaching/training, HR, sales / marketing, recruitment or self employed background or perhaps you have retired or taken a career break to raise a family then we would love to hear from you.

Call Hesione Waugh on 01329 232 084 / 07794127732 or email hesione.waugh@yahoo.co.uk Life is for living! Are you living the life you want?

Remember to say you saw these adverts in Families Solent East March/April 2011 Families Solent East 3

Families Contents

contents MARCH/APRIL 2011

05 NEWS Lots of local news and information including events and services.

07 CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION

Schools, nurseries, tutoring and more.

08 KIDS AT EASTER

Ideas and advice for a happy holiday.

09 PRIZED PHOTOS

Dust off those old family treasures.

10 WHAT’S ON Activities and events across the whole area.

15 COMPETITION

Free to enter, with a great prize!

15 CLASSIFIEDS Local products and services for you and your family.

Distributors wanted If you’d like to earn some extra money by distributing the Families Solent East magazine in the Portsmouth area we’d like to hear from you. You’ll need to know your way around and have your own transport. If interested, please email editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk or call 02392 325005 to find out more.

4 Families Solent East March/April 2011

Families News

Peppa Pig World arrives at Paultons Park!

Opening on 9th April 2011, is Peppa Pig World! Set in nearly 3 acres of fully themed fun there will be 7 new rides including Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter Flight, Peppa’s Big Balloon Ride, Grandpa’s Little Train, George’s Dinosaur Adventure and you can even ride in a ‘cloud’ around Windy Castle! Peppa Pig World will feature a huge indoor play area, Georges Spaceship Playzone and superb animated attractions.

Peppa Pig World will also be home to Daddy Pig’s Big Tummy café and Peppa’s Toy Shop, the largest (and only!) dedicated Peppa Pig shop in the World!

SOLEN

REPOT ERAST T

Family News MARWELL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Marwell Wildlife is calling all budding photographers to enter images which celebrate the variety of wildlife and capture the essence of nature. Open to professional and amateur photographers of all ages, this year’s competition has three categories to choose from plus a brand new ‘people’s choice award’. To enter visit www.marwell.org.uk/photocomp The deadline is 4 June 2011. Competition rules and details on image sizes can be found on the website. Last year’s competition received 2,500 submissions from around the UK.

Clocks SPRING FORWARD On Sunday 27th March we’ll change our clocks by adding 1 hour. This brings us into British Summer Time (BST) and lets us make more use of the light available early in the morning.

On the last Sunday of October we’ll change back again to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) by taking 1 hour off the clock.

We’ve been doing this since 1916!

THERE’S A NEW PARTY IN TOWN... pass it on!

Paultons is the theme park for families with more than 60 different rides and attractions included in the admission price, including; big rides, small rides, play areas, entertainments, a museum, a huge variety of birds and animals, all set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland, Paultons really is way too much fun for one day!

Further information: www.paultonspark.co.uk or www.peppapigworld.co.uk Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Anniversaries

Spinnaker Tower continues to be National Icon

Portsmouth’s enduring naval legacy will be highlighted in 2011 when Portsmouth Historic Dockyard celebrates 150 years of the first iron-hulled ship - HMS Warrior 1860; the 100th year of a significant Naval Museum in the Dockyard and 10 years of the family favourite interactive Action Stations.

The profile of the Spinnaker Tower continues to rise as the image of the famous landmark has been used in the latest marketing campaign for telecoms giant BT. The campaign sees the Tower proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with The London Eye, The Angel of the North, Stonehenge and the Forth Bridge in Scotland.

These historic dates will be commemorated throughout the year with a number of themed events and celebrations. The Historic Dockyard opens at 10am daily and further information can be found at www.historicdockyard.co.uk or by calling 02392 839 766.

Paul Mahy, Commercial Manager at the Spinnaker Tower, says: “Having recently celebrated our 5th Birthday it is great to see that we are now becoming established as a true national icon”.

See www.spinnakertower.co.uk or call 02392 857520 to book in advance or to find out more!

WHITE DOG GALLERY

artprinting

Jamie Oliver is coming to town! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be part of his exciting new business Jamie at Home.

We are currently seeking self-employed Managers and Consultants with or without Party Plan experience and anyone looking for extra income in 2011. Could this be you?

framing

For more details contact Jacqui on 07857 642237 or jacquimcjme@aol.com

| 8 Milvil Court, Milvil Road, Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9LY |

creating quality with style

| Tel: 02392 552255 | whitedoggallery.co.uk |

March/April 2011 Families Solent East 5

Families Contents

AT MAYVILLE WE KNOW EDUCATION ISN’T AN EXACT SCIENCE While parents and teachers are bombarded everyday with the latest research to help their children learn, we at Mayville rely on a system that has been getting results for more than a decade.

Do girls and boys learn better in different temperatures, maybe, but what we do know without a doubt is that teaching them separately in the core subjects works for pupils, parents and teachers. Year 1 teacher Helen Tudgay says, “Without stereotyping, boys and girls learn completely differently. All lessons are tailored to reflect the interests of each gender, boys are engaged in more practical activities, and small class sizes mean we can meet the individual needs of each child.” Mayville sets high standards in all areas, academic, creative, physical and social and the school prides itself on offering a broad based curriculum. While we wont be insisting girls put on another jumper or boys wear a short sleeve t-shirt we will continue to do what we do best, look at each child on their own merits, continue looking at HOW children learn and educating separately but together.

Fort Nelson

Transformation

Thanks to a grant of nearly £2m secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Fort is now being transformed into a visitor attraction fit for the 21st Century. A public appeal has been launched to raise nearly £300,000 – with contractors starting work at the Portsdown Hill site during the early summer.

The Fort will remain open throughout the construction phase to daily visitors. A vibrant events calendar will also run.

You can follow the progress of the changes on the Royal Armouries website: www.fort-nelson-hlf-development.org

Portsmouth Central Library open Portsmouth Central Library in the Guildhall Square has re-opened, with many improvements over the old library, making better use of space and making it more attractive to visit.

The children’s centre has been moved from the first floor to the ground floor, making access easier for toddlers and pushchairs.

CLIVE’S KIDS ROCK FOR CHARITY!!

Clive’s Easylearn Rock Schools are ‘rocking out’ at The Colonial Bar, in Horndean, on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd of April in aid of the Portsmouth Autism Support Network with over 80 excited young students performing rock songs from across the decades.

For information contact Mark on 02392 436122 or markts@clivesmusic.com

6 Families Solent East March/April 2011

Families Childcare & Education

Postnatal help While becoming a parent can be very exciting, many of us also find it an immense challenge. With concerns over everything from breastfeeding to broken sleep, parents often need somebody to talk to, and this spring the NCT has set up a new Postnatal Line. Staffed by qualified NCT advisors, the Postnatal Line offers support and information to new parents on everything from sleeping to feeding, establishing baby routines and body image after birth. The Helpline number 0300 330 0772 - open 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday. Calls charged at local rates. For more information go to www.nct.org.uk

2011 Census to count babies & preschool children Babies born this March will hold the honour of being among the youngest people added to the 2011 Census. These March babies will be joining communities which have used census statistics to plan and prepare for their arrival. Local authorities receive money for services like schools, health and transport, based on the number of people living in an area. It’s important then, to make sure all babies and preschool children are included on your questionnaire, so that they’re counted and can benefit from the services that are built to help them. The census is a once-a-decade event, run by the Office for National Statistics, that affects everyone in England and Wales. To find out more about the 2011 Census, go to www.census.gov.uk

Finding History

All around

The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre 56 East Street • Havant • HAMPSHIRE • PO9 1BS Box Office 02392 472700 • www.thespring.co.uk

ARCHAEOLOGY DAY

Saturday 19 March 10.30am - 3.30pm FREE EVENTS

Come and see the The Maritime Bus and lots of other free activities. Come onboard the Maritime Bus and dive into maritime archaeology. A truly hands-on experience that includes interactive computers, games and puzzles, a digital microscope and a range of fascinating artefacts (some 130,000 years old!). Explore your sunken history with friends and family, there’s something for everyone. Prepare to be amazed Plus, for the Easter break CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS Keeping Kids Busy £12.50 per day or £50 for any 5 days.

Wrap-around childcare also available.

See website for details, terms and conditions.

March/April 2011 Families Solent East 7

Families Feature

Kids at Easter

by Joanna Parry

Enjoy quality time with your kids. Whether you’re a working parent, or a full-time mum desperate to fill a long school holiday, here are a few ideas to try out with your children.

With a bit of planning and a few inspired ideas you can enjoy the Easter break, rather than finding yourself counting down the days until school starts again!

Plan the day

Invite their friends over

The holidays are a great time to bring back some of the old fashioned games and spend real time with your kids. It can be hard at first, but this is the stuff that childhood memories are made of.

Involve the kids and try writing a holiday timetable of activities such as painting and board games for the morning and playing in the garden and a small amount of TV in the afternoon.

When you’ve run out of ideas, invite your children’s friends over to play. You may think double the children means double trouble, but it’s often easier for them to have playmates around to entertain each other. It also means they will get invited back, giving you a much-needed break!

With a little thought, you can come up with dozens of fun things to do at home, from building castles out of rubbish to dens in the garden, but when you run out of ideas, here are a few more.

If you have more than one child and they are playing nicely together let them get on with it. You don’t have to be involved in everything they are doing!

• l et your hair down and release your inner-child. Roll around in the garden with your kids and make dens out of sheets and washing lines.

• i nvest in some art supplies and face paints and get creative.

•h ardboil some eggs and paint them with food colouring. When dry they’re great for egg rolling - if you haven’t got a hill, a slide will do!

•w ater painting - paint with a clean paintbrush and a pot of water outside on walls, paving slabs, fences.

It’s very effective and the sun removes the evidence!

•p ut a cloth on floor as a picnic rug and serve lunch on living room floor.

Or in the garden.

•h ome camping – hang a tablecloth over furniture, add a torch and a sleeping bag and have some fun!

•d ecorate biscuits with icing and add sprinkles or smarties.

•m ake salt dough with 3 cups of plain flour, 1 cup salt and 1 cup water.

Model it like playdough and dry out finished models in a cool oven.

Then paint and varnish.

• t reasure hunt - hide toys or sweets around the home and give your kids clues to find them. Kids like setting the hunts too.

8 Families Solent East March/April 2011

Don’t interfere

• s et up a home cinema in your living room: close the curtains, rearrange the furniture, make tickets and prepare snacks before putting on your favourite DVD. •a pple bobbing. Float an apple in a bowl of water and get your kids to try to bite it without using their hands.

If you don’t mind mess you can repeat the game with a chocolate or grape in a bowl of flour!

•h it the park and get active. Borrow the nearest friendly dog and go for a walk, or set up an obstacle course in the garden with buckets, chairs, tables, gardens rakes…anything goes really!

• t he holidays are the perfect time to clear out old toys or games and replace them with new finds from the charity shop or swap with friends.

Take the chance to reintroduce some traditional board games and toys into the mix.

•e ncourage your kids to dig a vegetable patch of their own in your garden.

If you don’t have any outside space, make a mini garden by filling a plant tray with earth and arranging small sprigs of leaves, daisies and grass over the soil. Try small pebbles for paths and foil for a pond.

Give them some jobs to do for pocket money. Children like to earn their own money and to get a bit of responsibility – they will often jump at the chance to do a chore that you have been putting off for ages.

Give them a treat Take them on a trip to a theme park, swimming pool or cinema as a special treat. Check out the What’s On section in this magazine to find out what’s happening in your area - there are always free activities and events going on during school holidays. It’s also worth taking a look at your local council website to check for events and activities.

Websites www.rspb.org.uk/youth/makeanddo www.hwt.org.uk/events.php www.allfreecrafts.com/easter http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/ holiday-seasonal-crafts/easter-crafts/ www.kidsturncentral.com/links/ esitelinks.htm

Families Feature

Prized photos

Photos are the most prized possessions

by John Franklin Time and again, surveys find that family photos are the most prized possessions.

Asked the classic question, “In a disaster, if you could only save one possession from your house what would it be?” more than 70% of us would take our family photo collection. With the advent of easy digital photography, most people are taking more photos than ever.

When it comes to sharing pictures with friends and relatives the number of options just keeps growing, with on-line photo sharing sites, email and social networking sites being popular.

The traditional photo album is still going strong and many of us have examples going back decades through our family histories.

Traditional photographic film has an extremely long life once it’s been developed and it’s quite possible to get excellent reprints from negatives and colour slides that are more than 50 years old. With the advent of computers and low-cost image scanners you can even scan negatives, colour slides and old prints at home. Once scanned into the computer you can rejuvenate old photos, restoring colour and contrast, removing blemishes and fixing creases so they can be printed freshly. If your old negatives and colour slides are dirty or contaminated with fungus, don’t despair; you can clean them with a special solution such as PEC 12 Photographic Emulsion Cleaner (available from photographic specialist retailers).

Be gentle and don’t use anything abrasive; soft cotton buds are a good option. If in doubt, practice cleaning a piece of film that’s not important before you try to clean anything you want to keep.

Remember that children love to see photos of their parents when they were kids and this is a great way to teach them about your family history. So don’t throw away those old boxes of colour slides, negatives and prints. You may have irreplaceable treasures that can be rescued and brought back to life!

Families What’s Xxxx On

What’s On | Mainland Until Thursday 31 March The Tudors - Courtly Couture Collection Portsmouth Historic Dockyard www.historicdockyard.co.uk 023 9283 9766 See costumes from the awardwinning series “THE TUDORS”, including Henry VIII’s orange and bronze war costume from the final series. In the AV Theatre, Mary Rose Museum 11am - 3pm.

TUESDAY 1 – THURSDAY 31 MARCH Skull & Crossbones Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport www.submarine-museum.co.uk 023 9251 0354 Become a pirate in this special family exhibition, learn how to speak pirate, command your boat, discover treasure, hoist your Jolly Roger and set sail for a pirate tour of the museum. Free with a valid museum ticket.

Saturday 19 March Archaeology Day Finding History All around The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, East St, Havant www.thespring.co.uk 023 9247 2700 10.30am3.30pm. FREE EVENTS. Come onboard the Maritime Bus and dive into maritime archaeology. A truly hands-on experience that includes interactive computers, games and puzzles, a digital microscope and a range of fascinating artefacts (some 130,000 years old!).

Explore your sunken history with friends and family, there’s something for everyone.

Saturday 19 March Spring Craft Market Port Solent www.portsolent.com Come along between 11am and 5pm to browse the vast array of delights our local independent traders have on display.

Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 March Young Art Hampshire Exhibition Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk 023 8089 1203 Sales will raise funds for Cancer Research UK. The Exhibition will be on display in Mr Eddy’s Restaurant between 10am and 5pm and may be visited without paying to visit the Gardens.

10 Families Solent East March/April 2011

Sunday 20 March The Exbury 10k The Exbury 10k starts and finishes in Exbury Gardens, with the return route twisting through Inchmery Lane following a course down to Lepe Country Park.

Race starts 9.30am. Usual admission prices apply to the Gardens for spectators.

Visit www.hardleyrunners.co.uk/ Exbury10k.htm Sunday 20 March Hampshire Farmers’ Market Palmerston Road Precinct, Southsea.

Sample & savour some of the finest, fresh, traditional produce of Hampshire.

Sunday 20 March Bird Watch at Farlington Marshes. Farlington Marshes, Eastern Road, Portsmouth.

Get close to the hundreds of waders and wildfowl on the marshes and lakes around high tide at Farlington Marshes.

Guides will be on hand to help you identify the birds and tell you about their behaviour. Drop in anytime during the session to improve your bird identification skills. Parking is available off the Eastern Road (A27/A2030) roundabout. Contact Jamie Marsh for further information on 01489 774429 Please note that this event will not run in wet and windy weather.

Suggested donation £1.50.

FRIDAY 25 – SUNDAY 27 MARCH The Great Spring Steam Gala The Watercress Line www.watercressline.co.uk 01962 733810 The Great Spring Steam Gala includes The King Edward 1, the most powerful passenger express locomotive ever built in Britain. A fantastic family day out with much to see and do.

Saturday 26 March NCT Nearly New sale Titchfield Community Centre, Mill St, Titchfield www.nct.org.uk/fareham 0844 243 6130 or email farehamnct_nns@yahoo.co.uk 10.00 am – 11.30 am.

Good quality second-hand clothes, equipment, toys, books & dvd’s for babies and children.

No buggies please. Entrance £1 per adult. Priority entrance to NCT members with valid membership card.

SATURDAY 26 MARCH MIDHURST FARMERS’ MARKET 8.30AM TO 1.30PM SUNDAY 27 MARCH BST BEGINS – CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS! Weekends 26 March 17 April Primrose and Camellia Walks Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk 023 8089 1203 The floor of Exbury’s woodland garden is covered with a beautiful primrose carpet during April.

A special walking trail will guide visitors to see the best displays, and also showcase Exbury’s award-winning Camellia’s.

Friday 1 April Wizard of Oz (U) in Aid of Rowans Hospice.

Kings Theatre, Southsea www.kings-southsea.com 023 9282 8282 Join us for the first ever UK sing-along screening of the classic 1939 film musical The Wizard of Oz. Join the Tin Man, the scarecrow and the Lion on their journey along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City as they help Dorothy find her way back home. So dress up and join in the fun. Tickets £10.00 FRIDAY 1 – SUNDAY 3 APRIL LA DOLCE VITA ITALIAN MARKET GUNWHARF QUAYS www.gunwharf-quays.com Friday 1 April Chichester Farmers’ market Chichester City Centre Farmers’ Market is now held in North and East Streets and trading times are 9am until 2pm. First & third Friday of the month. Farm fresh and homemade food, plants and local crafts put the fun back into shopping at the Chichester District Farmers’ Market. Support your local produce.

Sunday 3 April Mothers Day on the Watercress Line!

The Watercress Line www.watercressline.co.uk 01962 733810 Exclusive dining trains running to help mum celebrate her special day. Advance booking only.

Normal steam hauled services will also be in operation if you just fancy a gentle ride through stunning countryside (pay on the day).

Sunday 3 April Mothering Sunday Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk 023 8089 1203 See the beautiful Daffodil Meadow in full flower and board the special Exbury Mothering Sunday Train – free daffodils for all our lady visitors.

Sunday 3 April Mothers Day. Blue Reef Aquarium, Southsea. www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk Celebrate Mother’s Day and come along to Blue Reef and find out all about fishy mums! Also every mum with a full paying child gets in absolutely free!

Sunday 3 April Daffodils on Mothers Day Stansted House www.stanstedpark.co.uk 02392 412265 Daffodils on Mothers Day and preview house opening 1pm-4pm FREE for all Mums (with or without the children!) and see the drifts of daffodils at their best.

Sunday 3 April Petersfield Farmers’ Market Petersfield Market Square 10am to 2pm Thursday 7 Saturday 9 April Country Dances (comedy) www.horndeanamdram.com Horndean Amateur Theatrical Society (HATS) presents Country Dances, a comedy set in the early 1970s. A very funny rural romp!

7.30pm, Merchistoun Hall, Portsmouth Road, Horndean. £6/£5 (concessions).

Friday 8 – Monday 25 April Easter gift fair Gunwharf Quays www.gunwharf-quays.com 023 9283 6700 Looking for something a little different this Easter? Then try the Gunwharf Quays Easter Gift Fair!

SATURDAY 9 APRIL OPENING OF PEPPA PIG WORLD! PAULTONS PARK www.paultonspark.co.uk or www.peppapigworld.co.uk Saturday 9 – Tuesday 26 April Step into Spring Staunton Country Park www.hants.gov.uk/staunton 023 9245 3405 Lots of turn up and take-part Spring activities. Admission plus small charge for some activities.

See the Kids Go Free voucher in our advert in this magazine.

What’s On | Mainland SATURDAY 9 – MONDAY 25 APRIL Easter Egg-stravaganza Beaulieu www.beaulieuevents.co.uk 01590 612345 Younger visitors can join in a Hare-Brained Easter Trail. Look for the hares, find the answers to the clues and collect a sweet treat at the end of the trail. From Friday 22nd to Monday 25th April every child will receive chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny and can enjoy face-painting and Victorian games on Palace House lawn.

Sunday 10 April Vintage Car Show Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre www.amberleymuseum.co.uk A gathering of a wide range of motor cars from the earliest veterans through to 1955.

Normal Museum Admission Prices Apply.

Sunday 10 – Sunday 24 April ‘How to look good Tudor style at the Mary Rose Museum’ Portsmouth Historic Dockyard www.historicdockyard.co.uk 023 9283 9766 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm Try one of our costumes and step back in time. Free quiz for every child visiting the museum. FREE with a valid ticket and children must be accompanied by and adult.

Monday 11 – Friday 15 April Children’s Holiday workshops The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, East St, Havant www.thespring.co.uk Keeping kids busy! A wide range of workshops 10am – 3pm. £50 for any 5 days (purchased in one transaction) or £12.50 per day. See website for details or call 023 9247 2700 Monday 11 – Friday 15 April Plant Hunter tours for families Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk 023 8089 1203 Join our storyteller playing ‘George Forrest’, legendary plant explorer of the early 20th century.

Hear hair-raising tales as Forrest quests to bring back new plants and seedlings. Morning & afternoon tours. Free provisions and seeds for children! Price included in Gardens Admission.

Families What’s On

Monday 11 Friday 25 April Easter Holiday family activities Royal Marines Museum www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk Tel. 023 9281 9385.

Explore, learn and discover the Royal Marines! A hands-on programme of activities for families throughout the school holidays.

Tuesday 12 April ‘All hands on deck on board HMS Victory’ Portsmouth Historic Dockyard www.historicdockyard.co.uk 023 9283 9766 11.30am – 12.30pm What is a fid? Where would you find a holy stone? Join us for fascinating, themed objecthandling sessions on HMS Victory. FREE with a valid ticket.

All ages welcome.

TUESDAY 12 & THURSDAY 14 APRIL SPRING SPOTTERS Staunton Country Park www.hants.gov.uk/staunton 023 9245 3405 Meet the newborns, explore the Park at this beautiful time and play lots of games along the way. £4 per workshop (includes admission).

See the Kids Go Free voucher in our advert in this magazine.

Wednesday 13 April Easter Extravaganza Queen Elizabeth Country Park www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/ qecp.htm From 10:30am. Have fun this holiday making an Easter craft.

Turn up and take part.

Crafts start from £1.50. Suitable for all ages.

Tel. 02392 595040 Wednesday 13 April Easter Egg Hunt Earlybirds Pre–School and FONS (Friends of Newtown Soberton Infant School) Will hold an Easter Egg Hunt 11.30am to 3.00pm at West Walk, Hundred Acres Road, Newtown, near Wickham. £2.50 per child, participants find 10 coloured eggs around a circular walk and hand them in to receive their chocolate prize.

Refreshments + stalls. Further information from Jo Gamblin 01329 833017.

March/April 2011 Families Solent East 11

Families Xxxx

What’s On | Mainland

Wednesday 13 & Wednesday 20 April Wonderful Easter Wednesdays Children’s Activities Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton. www.wealddown.co.uk 01243 811363 Hands-on activities, crafts and games to occupy accompanied children of all ages. All activities run 11 – 4pm.

Friday 15 April Chichester Farmers’ market Chichester City Centre Farmers’ Market is now held in North and East Streets and trading times are 9am until 2pm. First & third Friday of the month. Farm fresh and homemade food, plants and local crafts put the fun back into shopping at the Chichester District Farmers’ Market. Support your local produce.

Saturday 16 – Monday 25 April Day Out With Thomas The Watercress Line www.watercressline.co.uk 01962 733810 You can travel all day behind large steam engines such as ‘Henry’ and ‘Murdoch’. ‘Daisy’ the diesel railcar will also be here; FREE activities, bouncy castle slide and miniature railway, children’s entertainment and of course, rides behind ‘Thomas’, ‘Diesel’ and ‘Toad’.

Day Out With Thomas; Adult £16; Child (2-16) £10; Family £48 Saturday 16 April – Sunday 5 June Four Seasons Artists Exhibition, Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk 023 8089 1203 A collection of top local artists are staging a delightful exhibition of paintings and sculpture in the Five Arrows Gallery. Price included within Gardens Admission price.

Saturday 16 April – Sunday 5 June The Glory of the Garden Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk 023 8089 1203 Exbury Gardens are world-famous, with 20 miles of technicolour pathways leading to an average visit time in April and May of over 5 hours, although visitors can let “the train take the strain” on a 20 min journey into the north-east corner of the Gardens, or take a chauffeur driven buggy tour to the best of the colour.

Sunday 17 April Hampshire Farmers’ Market Palmerston Road Precinct, Southsea.

Sample & savour some of the finest, fresh, traditional produce of Hampshire.

Sunday 17 April Chichester and District Model Engineers Open Day Blackberry Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7FS 2pm to 5pm.

Sunday 17 April Boatjumble Beaulieu www.beaulieuevents.co.uk 01590 612345 Largest outdoor sale of boating bits in Europe. Thousands of new and used marine and boating bargains.

12 Families Solent East March/April 2011

Monday 18 Monday 25 April Oestra Butser Ancient Farm www.butserancientfarm.co.uk Open every day for children‘s crafty activities. Decorate an egg, go on a chick hunt, or even make a floral circlet or a mask for Beltain.

Tuesday 19 April Pirate Party Milton Locks Nature Reserve Locksway Road, Portsmouth, PO4 8LB. Join Pirate Jess from Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve for some salty stories and seafaring games.

An event for families with children aged 4 to 7. For further details, please contact Pirate Jess or Shipmate Dawn on 01489 570 240 Suggested donation £2.50 per child. Please bring outdoor clothing and wellies. Booking essential. Argh!!!!

Tuesday 19 April Woolly Wonders Queen Elizabeth Country Park www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/ qecp.htm From 10:30am.

Walk over to Butser Hill to meet our new woolly arrivals. Then back to the Visitor Centre for some woolly natured arts and crafts. Suitable for all ages.

Please book in advance. £3 per child. Tel: 02392 595040.

Families What’s On

What’s On | Mainland TUESDAY 19 & THURSDAY 21 APRIL ART IN THE PARK Staunton Country Park www.hants.gov.uk/staunton 023 9245 3405 Use the colours and textures of the Park in your sculptures, drawings and other imaginative creations. Cost: £4 per workshop (includes admission). See the Kids Go Free voucher in our advert in this magazine.

FRIDAY 22 MONDAY 25 APRIL EASTER EGGSTRAVANGANZA Staunton Country Park www.hants.gov.uk/staunton 023 9245 3405 Lots to do with our Easter Trail, encounters and crafts.

Cost: Admission plus small charge for some activities.

See the Kids Go Free voucher in our advert in this magazine.

Saturday 23 Monday 25 April Easter at Exbury Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk 023 8089 1203 Easter is a wonderful time at Exbury, with rhododendrons and Azaleas coming into bloom, and the woodlands carpeted in primroses.

Special Garden trails and Easter treats for the children. Price included within Gardens Admission price.

Monday 25 April The Great Butser Egg Roll Queen Elizabeth Country Park - 10:00am.

Join in our traditional egg-rolling ceremony on the slopes of Butser Hill. Eggs to roll cost £1 from the Visitor Centre where you will also be able to decorate them. Turn up and take part. Cost: £1 per egg.

Tel. 02392 595040

Wednesday 20 April Fireman Sam – Ponty Pandy Rocks! Kings Theatre, Southsea. www.kings-southsea.com 02392 828282 1pm. The Hero next door is back, in a brand new show live on stage... Pontypandy Rocks! Join Fireman Sam, and all his friends, as Pontypandy hosts its first ever music festival! £10.00 / £11.00 / £13.00

Friday 22 – Monday 25 April Wild egg hunt Marwell Wildlife www.marwell.org.uk 01962 777407 Calling chocoholics. Join our Wild Egg Hunt to receive a chocolate egg and the chance to win a monster chocolate egg.

Look out for the Easter Bunny too…

SATURDAY 23 – MONDAY 25 APRIL Crafts at Fort Purbrook Peter Ashley Activity Centre Portsdown Hill Road, Portsmouth. www.woodlandcrafts.co.uk Tel: 01243 641 306 Up to 70 stands with crafts from the makers, designers and distributors and our 18th year at this stunning venue.

Friday 29 April The Royal Wedding

Friday 22 April Treasure Hunt In Old Portsmouth www.visitportsmouth.co.uk Tel. 023 9282 6722 A FREE treasure hunt at 2.30pm in Old Portsmouth led by Portsmouth Guiding Service. Meet the guide at The Square Tower to collect your clues! Suitable for all the family. Starts at 2.30pm

Saturday 23 April English Festival Port Solent www.portsolent.com 023 9221 0606 Come along and browse the stalls of our unique craft Market from 11am – 5pm, and enjoy our English themed entertainment, including some live battle scenes performed by Medieval Knights and much more!

Sunday 24 – Monday 25 April Easter activities Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton. www.wealddown.co.uk 01243 811363 Two days of activities and Easter celebrations, with a bonnet competition and parade on the Monday. The school holiday period is a delightful time for a visit, with spring in the air, newborn lambs, and horses at work on seasonal tasks.

Saturday 30 April Beltain Butser Ancient Farm www.butserancientfarm.co.uk Join us for our wonderful celebration of the start of Summer. Enjoy a variety of food stalls, licensed bar, bands, and much more, culminating in the burning of our spectacular Wicker Man. Although we aim to be as accurate as possible, the events listed on pages 12 and 13 are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Also, some events may have a charge that applies but is not recorded here. So please contact venues in advance to check full details.

March/April 2011 Families Solent East 13

Families Xxxx

What’s On | Isle of Wight Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 March MEET A ROCKETMAN The Needles Old Battery and New Battery www.nationaltrust.org.uk 01983 754772 12:00pm. Find out from the people who worked here about the part they played in ‘Britain’s Race for Space’.

Sunday 3 April MAKE MUM’S DAY The Needles Old Battery and New Battery www.nationaltrust.org.uk 01983 754772 Free entry and a slice of Victoria sponge for Mum when you buy a drink in the tearoom.

Sunday 3 April Mothers Day Specials IOW Steam Railway www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk 01983 882204 Give Mum a relaxing treat on Mothering Sunday and join us for a special day out. Each mum taking a steam train ride will receive a free gift of spring flowers!

Friday 22 – Monday 25 April Easter Fun & Teddy Bears Outing IOW Steam Railway www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk 01983 882204 Enjoy the Island’s blossoming countryside from the comfort of one of our steam trains! Full menu of meals and light bites in our Refreshment Rooms, and plenty to keep the youngsters occupied with an Easter Treasure Hunt, Easter colouring and crafts.

Saturday 23 – Monday 25 April Isle of Wight Spring Garden Show Robin Hill Country Park www.robin-hill.com It’s Southern England’s first gardening event of the year and one of the best Island shows you can go to! The Isle of Wight Spring Garden Show is back.... and this year it’s going to be extra special as it happens to be on Easter weekend!

14 Families Solent East March/April 2011

Sunday 24 April Easter day Event Spring Lambs Appuldurcombe Farm www.appuldurcombe.co.uk Tel.1983 852484 10am - 4pm. Our Easter event this year will be to come and see our spring lambs with a chocolate egg for each child from the Easter Bunny. No need to book. Normal entry prices apply.

Sunday 24 April EASTER EGG-CITEMENT Mottistone Manor Garden www.nationaltrust.org.uk 01983 741302 Find the clues hidden round the garden and solve the puzzle to claim your chocolate egg.

Monday 25 April EASTER EGG-CITEMENT www.nationaltrust.org.uk 01983 754772 All Tickets £1.50 (per trail sheet) The Needles Old Battery and New Battery. 10:30am. Find the clues hidden around the Old Battery then solve the puzzle to claim your chocolate egg.

Saturday 30 April 1 & 2 May IOW Steam Railway www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk 01983 882204 Our 6th Spring Beer festival features beers sourced from brewers on the Isle of Wight and from around the country. Free admission to Festival.11am till 10pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 11am till 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

To advertise in Families Solent East Please call: 023 9232 5005 or email: ads@ familiessolenteast.co.uk

Families Classifieds

FREE COMPETITION

a great

opportunity Do you have an interest in publishing?

Would you like to run your own business and work on a part-time, flexible basis? Perhaps you just fancy a career change? If so, this could be the opportunity for you’ve been looking for.

The Families group of magazines has been growing since 1990 and there are franchises stretching from the south coast of England to Edinburgh. Everyone is friendly and helpful – workshops and social events are regular features on the calendar, and tips and advice are always available.

Work when you want to. One of the best things about running the Families Solent East franchise is that the hours are 100% flexible. You’re completely free to schedule your time to suit you and your family.

Skills you’ll need. You’ll need to be confident, organised and have an eye for detail. Many Families editions are run as a partnership between couples or friends with complementary skill sets: dividing roles according to their strengths. For example, one may focus on editorial content, the other on sales, accounting and distribution.

Get in touch. For an initial discussion please register your interest by emailing John Franklin at editor@familiessolenteast. co.uk with your telephone number, address and introductory information about yourself and your background.

OINK! OINK! WIN TICKETS TO PEPPA PIG WORLD!

Win 1 of 4 Family Tickets to visit the fabulous new Peppa Pig World, only at Paultons Park. You will get the chance to explore nearly 3 acres of fully themed fun, with 7 new and exciting rides including Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter Flight, Peppa’s Big Balloon Ride, George’s Dinosaur Adventure, Grandpa’s Little Train and you can even ride in a ‘cloud’ around Windy Castle! With huge indoor and outdoor play areas, superb animated and themed attractions, a new café and the largest (and only!) dedicated Peppa Pig shop in the world. Opening on Saturday 9th April 2011, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!

To enter send your name, address and contact details to: Families Solent East, PO Box 908, Portsmouth PO6 9DL, or send an email to competitions@familiessolenteast.co.uk with ‘Peppa Pig’ as the title.

Closing date: 4th April 2011 (Family Ticket: 2 adults & 2 children under 12.)

Best of Luck!

Classifieds Business Opportunities ‘LINEN AT HOME’ NEW TO YOUR AREA Be your own boss; working when it suits you & your family; no sales targets; fantastic support. To view the gorgeous range of products, visit http://www.linenathome.co.uk/ju or host your own party and benefit from Free & 1/2 Price items. Call Julie 023 92593221 or 07503199320 for more details.

Health & wellbeing I Feel Good Weightloss Effective Products, Guidance & Support. Call Sarah or text ‘SLIMMER’ to 07773 795374.

PHOTOGRAPHERS John Franklin www.johnfranklinimages.com Relaxed family photography, event photography and fund-raising photos for pre-schools, schools, groups, clubs and organizations.

Parties

A.I.S Limousines & Party Buses www.aislimos.co.uk 023 9235 8627.

Kids parties, School Proms, Snaps Disco, etc.

Birthday Creations 023 9238 2694, birthdaycreations.co.uk Quality party supplies including wooden party bag fillers, party bags and cotton bunting.

Your Sparkly Party Tel: 02392 613559 www.yoursparklyparty.co.uk sparkles, mini-makeovers and stacks of girly fun.

TUITION

SHOPS Drayton Sweet Jar An exciting traditional sweet shop.

From the old to the new there’s something here for you! Open every day. Find us at 226 Havant Rd, Drayton, Portsmouth PO6.

Tel. 07595 629668. www.facebook.com/draytonsweetjar

March/April 2011 Families Solent East 15