Families Herts Nov-Dec 2012

FREE Issue No. 47 Nov/Dec 2012

Have a sparkling Christmas Win panto tickets!

Christmas What's On

Where to see Santa Your Gift Guide

The Herts magazine with the information young families want

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From your Editor…

In this issue:

Hello What goes around comes around and yet again Christmas has, almost, come around!

Christmas is a time for ‘goodwill to all’ and in that vein our ‘Alternative Christmas’ article gives ideas if you want to donate some of your time to helping others.

‘Food’ and ‘presents’ are two aspects of Christmas that can cause stress. Our Gift guide has some suggestions that have been carefully selected from the many press releases that come our way at this time of year. Worth a look if you are after something a little bit different.

What’s On has as many seasonal events and activities as could be crammed in so you shouldn’t be stuck for festive things to do. Our listings can also be found online where you will also find a comprehensive list of community firework displays that are being held all around Hertfordshire. Go to www.familiesherts.co.uk and click on the ‘What’s On’ button.

Finally, you must turn to our Christmas Competitions pages. We’ve got six super competitions with great prizes to be won. All our competitions can be entered online at www.familiesherts.co.uk by clicking the ‘Competitions’ button.

Wishing all of our readers a wonderful festive season and we’ll be back bright and early in 2013!

Education - Supporting Your Left Handed Child: 6 Alternative Christmas: 9 Christmas Competitions: 10 Christmas Gift Guide: 12 Christmas What’s On: 14 Front cover image: © Anna Dudko | Dreamstime.com

Shelley Where are we? Baldock, Bishops Stortford, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC. Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, schools, activity groups, selected shops, surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Get in touch to request copies for your venue.

News & Views: 3

Don’t miss a copy. Families Herts by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email for a subscription form.

Families Herts, PO Box 434, Pinner, HA5 9AH Tel/Fax: 020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesherts.co.uk

Copy deadline for Jan/Feb: 5th Dec

News & Views Wear a Hat for Brain Tumour Research on 28th March Join the fun on March 28th and help fund the fight against brain tumours.

‘Wear a Hat Day’ is a fun way of increasing awareness and getting people raising money for an often overlooked form of cancer.

It’s a day every year that we ask people to wear a hat to raise awareness and funds for vital research into brain tumours. A day when we encourage people to make donations in order to wear a hat to school, at work, at social events or even at home.

From sponsored silences to charity runs and school bake sales, educational facilities around the country are being encouraged to raise money in any way they can. Sue Farrington-

Smith, Director of Brain Tumour Research, comments: “Brain tumour research receives less than 1% of national cancer research spending in the UK yet this deadly disease kills more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer so please get involved on March 28th 2013”.

To register your interest call 01296 733011 or go to www.braintumourresearch.org.

There’s plenty of time to think about your head gear before the 28th March but in the meantime, as Christmas approaches, you can help BTR by buying their charity Christmas cards which can be purchased at www.braintumourresearch.org.

Say you saw it in

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News & Views

Schoolchildren across the country will be taking part in the biggest survey of birdlife in UK schools this winter.

With more than 2,000 schools taking part each year in the RSPB’s Big Schools’ Birdwatch, the survey has helped to track bird populations in schools for the last decade.

The activity encourages children and their teachers to discover and learn about the birds that share their school environment.

Over 110,000 birds were counted in last year’s survey and since its launch in 2002, more than 70 different species have been recorded in school grounds, ranging from starlings and house sparrows to kestrels.

Faye Strange, RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch project manager, said: “The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a brilliant way of getting young people interested in nature and excited about what they can see through the classroom window.

Stop the bullies

Is your school ready?

Blue Tit courtesy

of Ray Kenned y rsp

b-images.com

The RSPB has also introduced the Little Schools’ Birdwatch, especially designed for 5s and under and the Really Big Schools’ Birdwatch for 11-14 year olds.

No birdwatching expertise is necessary for teachers, helpers or children and the RSPB has produced a free schools pack containing everything a teacher will need.

For more information and to get hold of a free Big Schools’ Birdwatch teachers’ pack, visit the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/ schoolswatch or ring 0300 456 8340.

The hotline number will be operational 1 November until 1 February 2013.

ption o d a t u o b a k in h T

Find out more about Anti-Bullying Week, which takes place 19th-23rd November this year with the theme ‘We’re better without bullying’. See www.antibullyingweek.co.uk for details of anti-bullying resources, workshops and roadshows, as well as the Anti-Bullying Week competition where you can win £100’s worth of prizes for you and your school.

Photo by Andy Hickson

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This autumn Ofsted has issued new guidelines in regards to e-safety provisions in schools. From now on Ofsted will be concerned about how each school protects and educates its staff and students in their use of technology, plus ensuring there is support in place should any issues arise.

E-safety is constantly changing but by empowering both students and teachers with enough know-how to identify online risks, we can make sure children, even at an early age, can protect themselves from abuse, cyberbullying and other internet threats throughout their school life and into adulthood.

Image courtesy of xlibber at flickr.com

Every child deserves a family, and this 5th-11th November sees the annual National Adoption Week. Since its launch in 1997, National Adoption Week has been reaching people across the UK wanting to know more about adoption. National Adoption Week is important in reminding people about the backgrounds of the children waiting for adoption and the difference adoption can make to a child’s life. It also attracts people wanting to find out about their own adoption or about a child they put up for adoption.

Find out more at www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk.

Little Flock Montessori Give your child a head start at Little Flock Montessori Nursery School with specially trained teachers. The Montessori teaching method allows chidren to develop at their own pace using a range of specially designed pieces of equipment to aid development. For example a child of two will enjoy all aspects of practical life. This includes, transferring and pouring activities along with dressing frames and polishing shoes.

As your child becomes more confident with each activity they gradually move onto more complex ones, for example, phonetic word

building and mathematical sums. Little Flock Montessori Nursery School is brand new with beautiful equipment including a sand pit, dressing up clothes, a home corner, arts and crafts and small world play as well as a full range of Montessori equipment.

We have the use of a large, spacious hall for physical activities if the weather doesn’t permit us to play in the garden. (The hall is also available to hire for children’s parties.)

We like to go on outings to local farms, a pantomine at Christmas time and fruit picking in the summer.

To arrange a visit or to book your child’s free two week taster sessions call Heidi Nixon on 01438 940770

Foodbank Opens in Watford Watford’s neediest citizens have been given a helping hand with the opening of the area’s first foodbank.

The initiative involves local charities and is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks (www.trusselltrust.org). It provides emergency food packages for people struggling to feed themselves, and it is expected that parcels will be distributed to local families in crisis. People are referred, using a voucher system, by professionals and charities such as Citizen’s Advice Bureau, health visitors and Children’s Centres.

The foodbank centre at Leavesden Green Community Centre already has a good stock of non-perishable food thanks to collections outside supermarkets, and donations from churches and schools.

The next major hurdle for the Foodbank is to find a new warehouse as the temporary one they are using at the moment closes in February. Steve Bolton made a plea for help saying, “If anyone knows somewhere locally where we can store the food, I would love to hear from them”.

To find out more, visit watford.foodbank.org.uk

Say you saw it in

Image courtesy of Assoc . British Foods

Other Hertfordshire Foodbanks are: Dacorum, 01442 250969 Welwyn Hatfield, 07707 377443 Foodbanks in the pipeline are Letchworth, Broxbourne, Borehamwood and Ricksmansworth.

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Education

Useful Resources

Supporting Your Left Handed Child

www.any thinglef t-handed.co.uk for guidance sheets for parents and teachers plus a range of left handed equipment. www.lefthandedchildren.org a goo d website with some top tips for parents wanting to support their left handed child.

By Sarah Butters

Mirror Writing

1 in 10 children are left handed, but many fail to get the support they need in the early years of their education. Experts say teachers aren’t given the proper training and schools don’t have the right resources. Sarah Butters is mum to a left handed daughter. She takes a look at some of the most common problems faced by lefthanders and some tips for helping them out.

I remember being hugely concerned when I discovered that my daughter had completed a Reception assignment using mirror writing.

She had begun her words on the right hand side of the page and written from right to left.

It’s common in left handed children and when you think about it, it makes sense. If they are sat next to a right hander, they are simply mirroring their work. Encourage them to start on the left hand side of the page by placing a coloured star in the margin as a reminder.

Messy Handwriting If you have a child who is left handed, chances are they haven’t been taught to write. Most are simply allowed to use their left hand. As the right handed parent of a left handed child I admit to having that same attitude. I now know that I was completely wrong.

Left-handers push the pen across the page, whereas their right handed friends will pull.

This can lead to smudging and untidy work which in turn leads to anxiety on the part of the child. At an early stage a left handed child should be encouraged to master the correct handwriting position and paper placement to avoid problems as the writing assignments increase.

The paper should be rotated to 45 degrees with the hand and wrist below the writing.

Any pen needs to be held in a strong 3 point grip. In Early Years this can be supported with a triangular bodied pencil or a moulded grip around a regular pencil. If your child can get into good habits from the start of their school life, they will avoid problems when they graduate to a fountain pen and longer writing assignments.

Hook Grip Some left-handers use a hooked grip to avoid the problem of smudging, and angle the pen in the same way a right-hander would. This causes more problems than it solves. The hook grip becomes more uncomfortable the more you write. It leads to a tight grip and aching hands which leads to messy handwriting. The wrist should always be below the writing line.

If your child is developing a hook grip, consider

Computers introducing a sloped surface to resolve the problem.

Elbow Collision At some point your child will have to share a desk and if they’re left handed this can be a problem.

“I always end up banging elbows” explains my 9 year old daughter. “That makes my writing messy.”

You child should always be placed at the left hand side of a shared desk or next to another left hander. This gives them plenty of space to get their paper positioned correctly and avoid knocking elbows with a right handed neighbour.

White Boards They’re a teacher’s best friend but a lefthanders worst nightmare. White boards and chalk boards are a great learning tool in the modern classroom - pupils can get rid of mistakes easily without using endless pieces of paper. However, if you’re left handed you can end up erasing as you write. Good grip and placement of the board gives left-handers half a chance. If, however, your child isn’t completing white board work quickly or neatly enough, it may not be their fault.

You Can Make a Difference Keith Milsom campaigns for better support of left handed children in our schools and offers some advice about what to expect from your child’s school.

"Talk to your child’s teacher to make sure they know that he/she is left-handed and may need assistance and advice. Ask your child’s teacher exactly what support they’re going to give so you can be confident they understand. If you’re concerned, refer them to the teacher guidance sheets available from www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk. The school should have left-handed scissors available and pens that will help left-handers write in the correct style.

If children are left to their own devices it is very unlikely they will find writing and cutting easy. As well as the practical difficulties they may be slower than the rest of the class and so lose confidence. Left-handers can end up underperforming at school and having difficulty with written exams as a result of a lack of informed guidance at an early stage. It is important parents keep the pressure on schools to support their left handed children.”

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Most computers are set up with the mouse on the right hand side of the keyboard. This gives left handed children an automatic disadvantage because they either need to move the mouse or attempt or use their right hand. Don’t presume the teacher knows your child is left handed. Be sure to let all the staff that work with your child know they are left handed and will need a different workstation set up.

The ‘Right’ Equipment Many left handed children learn the basics with the wrong equipment. Give a left handed child some right handed scissors and they’ll find the blade is upside down and so they can’t see the line they are cutting. It means the child has less control and think of themselves as messy. This can be a real problem in the Early Years. Check your school has left handed scissors to offer your child.

Ambidextrous scissors don’t exist - trust me!

As they progress to writing, shiny barreled pens are to be avoided. Make sure whatever pen you choose has a good grip so it’s easy to hold even when hands get hot and tired. Pencil grips, left handed fountain pens (available from www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk ) and Yoropen ballpoints make life a lot easier. (www.yoropen.com)

Lack of Understanding As a right hander, I never appreciated the challenges faced by my daughter. Until she mastered left handed writing, she was labeled untidy in her written work and lost enthusiasm for putting pen to paper. It wasn’t until I began researching this piece that I realised how much of her attitude is linked to the hand she writes with. The bad news is she’s had a more challenging time than her right handed pals. The good news is she’s in good company. Barack Obama and Bill Gates are both lefties as was Leonardo Da Vinci that’s not a bad club to be in!

Say you saw it in

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Education

Calling all nurseries ‌ To fill your places be seen in our Jan/Feb Nursery Feature.

To advertise call 020 8428 6384 or email editor@familiesherts.co.uk 8

Alternative Christmas

Alternative Christmas

By Joanna Parry

There are many reasons why some of us find Christmas difficult, whether it be the loss of a family member, loneliness or the memories associated with the season. With the shops shut and attractions closed, you can feel like a prisoner in your own home with only endless episodes of East Enders for company. But whether you want to escape the festivities or are looking for a different way to spend Christmas this year, there are plenty of alternatives out there.

Selling Christmas merchandise Cards and gifts are great sources of income for charities but they usually need extra help selling them. Volunteer at your local charity shop or offer to sell to friends and family.

Alternatively, contact Card Aid, a charity that produces Christmas cards for about 300 different charities. Throughout the UK there are around 30 Card Aid shops needing help over the festive period.

Collecting for Christmas

Image courtesy of Age NI - www.ageuk.org.uk

Get active and busy!

Contact your favourite charity and offer to help with Christmas collections. You only need spare a few hours and there are no necessary skills to take part – just enthusiasm!

Help a lonely neighbour

“A friend of mine who was single one year volunteered to help at one of the Crisis at Christmas lunch centres,” says Robina. “While we all admired her altruism, she said it was the best thing she’d ever done - rather than moping at home alone, she was helping other people, and came away appreciating what she did have, rather than what she didn’t.” While some charities shut up shop for the Christmas period, others, particularly those supporting the homeless, elderly or sick, are extremely busy, and are looking for people with a range of skills and backgrounds to do a whole host of different things this Christmas.

There are many charities across the country working towards a community where neighbours look out for each other. They need your help this Christmas - invite a lonely neighbour for lunch, help with transporting them to local services or do a few jobs around their house to make their lives easier.

Help out at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Many shelters are set up especially for Christmas so they need extra volunteers to help give out clothing, look after luggage and perform cleaning and kitchen duties. Many also provide services such as hairdressing, dentistry and medical services so they need volunteers with these skills too. They even need musicians, magicians and entertainers!

Crisis is one of the biggest homeless charities and over Christmas will need up to 8,000 volunteers nationwide.

Radio Lollipop provides entertainment and comfort for children in hospitals, which is especially important over Christmas. If you’re enthusiastic, positive and outgoing why not try this?

Manning a helpline Helplines such as Samaritans and ChildLine can be a real lifeline at Christmas but they require volunteers to keep them running. Most involve a training programme before you start so get in contact as early as possible.

Donate food FareShare is a national charity promoting the message ‘No good food should be wasted’.

Donate food at your nearest location or help with distribution and delivery.

Be a DJ

Animal lover?

Crisis at Christmas not only provides support to homeless people but their dogs too. Dogs suffer equally from a life on the streets so if you’re an animal lover this could be for you.

Get loads more ideas to inspire you this Christmas at: crisis.org.uk samaritans.org/volunteer-us childline.org.uk charityshops.org.uk cardaid.co.uk fareshare.org.uk radiolollipop.org salvationarmy.org.uk christianaid.org.uk volunteering.org.uk timebank.org.uk/christmas-volunteering do-it.org.uk For a comprehensive contact list of local charities go to www.hertsdirect.org then click on the ‘A to Z’ link (in top right hand corner of your screen), hover your cursor over ‘C’ and then click on the ‘Charities’ link.

Keep it local.

There are lots of organisations that need help. Charities such as Age Concern or the Alzheimer’s Society often require befrienders in their local centres, you can coordinate carol singing for Christian Aid, and the Salvation Army is very active at this time of year. For local opportunities visit www.do-it.org

Say you saw it in

Image courtesy of ‘danpea’ Flickr.com

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Christmas Competition Win a Family Ticket* to see

Beauty and the Beast at The Radlett Centre This exciting show has something for everyone, combining a popular classic fairytale with all the traditional fun of a magical Christmas pantomime. With fantastic music, comedy, sparkling costumes and amazing scenery, this production of Beauty and the Beast has fun and laughter, colourful characters, (including a dame, a fairy, a beautiful heroine, and a beast) and loads of audience participation.

The story centres on Beauty, a young, carefree girl, and a handsome Prince, who is cursed by the wicked Fairy Frostbite. She turns him into a beast and the spell can only be broken when somebody loves him just as he is. Dame Dotty with her lazy son, Louis, cause laughter

and mayhem everywhere but when Beauty’s father picks a single red rose as a present for his daughter - the magic begins!

Beauty and the Beast runs from 8th – 31st December. Book early to get the best seats for this Christmas treat for all the family. For more information call 01923-859291 or go to www.radlettcentre.co.uk. *The prize is a family ticket for any 4.30pm performance. A family ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children.

To enter go to www.familiesherts.co.uk Closing date: 26th November

Win a family ticket to see

Everyone’s favourite monster is back for Christmas!

A smash hit musical adaptation of the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of The Gruffalo. Meet a wheeler-dealer Fox, an eccentric old Owl, and a party-mad Snake.

Mouse can scare these hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined…?

Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3+ and their grown-ups.

The Gruffalo runs from 8th December – 6th January. Tickets: £12.50 Family ticket: £44 admits four.

Illustrations © Axel Scheffler 1999, published by Macmillan Children’s books.

For more details call 020 8369 5454 or visit www.artsdepot.co.uk Enter at www.familiesherts.co.uk to win 1 of 2 Family Tickets to see The Gruffalo at the Arts Depot, North Finchley, N12 0GA. Each family ticket admits four people and will be valid for performances scheduled from 27th December – 5th January.

Closing date: 23rd November

Win a £200 Shopping Spree in time for Christmas!

New clothes make any occasion extra special.

The Polarn O. Pyret Christmas collection for newborn to age 12 years is now in stores and online. As always, the clothes are geared towards children not just looking good, but feeling comfortable too.

Cosy cotton PJs that will last until next Christmas Eve, a new party dress that can handle spills, or an extra cute outfit for Christmas Day. Enjoy the occasion PO.P style whatever you are planning for the holidays.

FREE! Gift wrapping is always available at Polarn O. Pyret stores.

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For your chances to win enter your details at www. polarnopyret.co.uk/win by 10th of December. Terms and conditions apply. Winner will be notified via email on 11th December.

Your nearest stores are: Westfield White City, Westfield London, House of Fraser Oxford Street, King Edward Court Windsor, Brent Cross Shopping Centre

WIN a Family Ticket to see

On Saturday 8th December at 2.30pm Hertford Theatre celebrates Christmas this year with the hilarious adventures of Dick Whittington and his Cat. With a love of the 80’s at its heart, this brilliant production is bursting with laughter, dancing and plenty of your favourite 80’s tunes; not to mention a dollop of big hair, big phones and big shoulder pads!

So why not hitch a ride with Dick and his all-dancing cat Tommy, as they travel from Hertford to seek their fortune in London. Join them for the panto-adventure-of-a-lifetime as they grapple with King Rat, set sail on the high seas and flee the clutches of the Madagascan Empress to return to London, triumphant!

Dick Whittington and His Cat will be a wonderful Christmas treat for all ages; so don’t miss out, turn up the ghetto-blaster today!

The panto is suitable for children of 3+ and runs for 2 hours with a 15 minute interval.

For more details call 01992 531500 or go to www.hertfordtheatre.com To enter go to www.familiesherts.co.uk. Closing date: 23rd November

Win a copy of ‘FOSTER’ – A feel good Christmas DVD Award-winning actress Toni Collette (‘Little Miss Sunshine’; ‘Sixth Sense’) stars alongside Ioan Gruffudd (‘Horrible Bosses’; ‘Fantastic Four’) in the feel-good modern day fairy-tale ‘Foster’ which is released on DVD on November 5th.

The movie is expected to be one of the best selling Christmas DVDs. When Zooey and Alec Morrison, foster 7 year old Eli things don’t work out as expected.

Eli is no ordinary child, there seems to be something magical about this boy. When his foster parents' relationship appears to be on the brink of collapse Eli offers sensible suggestions on how they might be able to re-kindle their feelings for each other. Certificate: ‘PG ’. RRP: £12.99. There are 5 DVDs to be won.

To enter go to www.familiesherts.co.uk. Closing date: 30th November

Win 1 of 4 copies of Over 50 interactive, eye-watering illusions that will boggle your mind!

Optical Illusions will fascinate young and old alike. The illusions start on the front cover, which transforms the circles into a 3D volcano shape and continues with a variety of illusions where straight edges will begin to look wavy and shapes seemingly change colour. Optical Illusions will get you lifting flaps, turning tabs and using your “Decoder” to find out the truth behind the illusion. There are two amazing, interactive pop-ups, plus explanations of the latest theories as to how the illusions fool us all.

An astonishing, mind-bending book that will make the whole family go “wow”. Age: 7+, RRP: £15.99.

For a chance to win go to www.familiesherts.co.uk.

Closing date: 30th November

Say you saw it in

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Christmas Gift Guide

Families’ Favourites We’ve sifted through masses of press releases and here it is: our own selection of toys for Christmas 2012. This year we’ve chosen toys we’d buy ourselves, either because they offer great play value, develop creativity or physical play or because they are made of reusable material. With a recession on, choosing toys that will last enough to be handed down is a wise move too. Most toys can be ordered from your local toyshops, who will offer advice too if you are not sure about what to buy.

Alphabet Zoo ABC House Blocks

Solar Mechanics

Play, stack, tower and build with the Alphabet Zoo ABC House Blocks. Toddlers will develop their motor skills while creating buildings complete with roofs, windows and doors, before turning the pieces upside down to nest within one another. Made of high quality wood and non toxic paint. Age: 12 mths+. RRP £28.00 from www.bibsandstuff.com

Experiment with green energy using solar cells to build a mini robot, cooling fan and more, from the Science Museum. Age: Age 8+ £17 from www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk

BigJigs Village Shop This brightly coloured shop has a bright yellow counter and shelves that have been decorated with pictures of the kind of products you would expect to see in a village store. It also comes with a clock on the sign so you can display opening hours! Educational yet fun, this is a permanent favourite with children from WoodenToyShop.co.uk Age: 3+. £97.95 (groceries and accessories additional).

Kiddimoto Award winning Kiddimoto help children develop their skills of balance and coordination and make a seamless transition to a pedal bike without the use of stabilisers. Wide variety of designs and can be personalised! Ages: 2-6yrs. Available from www.kiddimoto.co.uk £59.99

Wobble Deck

Darcey ‘Ballerina’ doll.

Removable thin knit ballet style cardigan, lycra leotard and satin tutu with mesh underskirt.

Wire integrated in arms and legs mean Darcey can hold various ballet positions. Removable ballet shoes and pink satin pyjamas and slippers for bedtime. £35 From Silver Cross

Exciting electronic, balance board features four games, tipped to become the latest craze up and down the country. Test skill, memory and agility with hilarious challenges. www.worldsapart.com for stockists. Age: 5+.

RRP £24.99

Give a garden that recycles as it grows!

A keyhole garden allows an African family to grow 3 meals a day. The design, which looks like a keyhole from above, incorporates a central basket where composted waste is put and water from the kitchen is poured. Just £12 will provide training in how to build a Keyhole Garden for one family.www.sendacow.org.uk 12

Stable Yard Music Stable Yard Music is a music shop, music school and recording studio located within the beautiful grounds of Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. Having opened in November 2011 they sell a wide variety of musical instruments, accessories, sheet music and music themed gifts. As well as the obvious, Stable Yard Music also stock some more interesting and quirky products like the Mimobot collectors USB sticks, Limited edition Skull Candy headphones, and custom designed ukuleles by a local artist.

The music school offers tuition on guitar, piano and drums from just £12 per lesson – They teach from age 7 and up in groups of similar age and ability. They even have adult groups!

Gift vouchers are available from the store for instruments, music lessons and recording studio time.

Stable Yard at Hatfield House. Free entry and parking year round with a wide selection of boutique shops.

For more information call 01707 264 868 or visit www.stableyardmusic.co.uk.

Top Choice Makedo – for those who enjoy the Christmas packaging!

Every parent knows that feeling, when you’ve spent a fortune on the latest high-tech toy only to find your children much more engrossed playing with the packaging.

Makedo’s brilliant idea is to help those kids make better use of the packaging!

It supplies a Safe-saw for cutting and punching through materials safely, Re-clips and Lock-hinges for connecting – the child’s creativity and instinct for building things from boxes, cardboard boxes and wrappings then takes over from there. Check out the website for videos and photos of inspiring creations made by people from around the world. Winner of three of the most prestigious International Design Awards.

From £7.99 SRP from www.marbeltoys.co.uk

Doodle Daysack

A selection of gifts at Stable Yard Music

Comes complete with a special Doodle Pad that can be used for drawing, painting or even playing games.

Once your child has finished their masterpiece, the pad can be displayed proudly in the daysack’s clear, front pocket. www.littlelife.co.uk for stockists. Age: 4+ RRP: £19.99

Say you saw it in

Make your own!

I know, you are too busy ... but spending the afternoon making a batch of jam or chutney instead of trekking round the shops can be very satisfying and it’s not as hard as you think. I love to receive hand-made gifts (especially edible ones!). If you are a novice there is limitless advice on the net and Youtube probably has an instructional video for just about any craft you can think of.

- Make your own jam or chutney (I think chutney is easier than jam). Designing and printing bespoke labels is fun too. Lakeland (www.lakeland.co.uk) have lots of jam making paraphernalia they even sell tinned prepared fruit which saves on all that chopping.

- Make your own raw chocolate from scratch, no cooking involved, just mixing ingredients.

Try it once and you'll be hooked. See our recipe on Familiesonline/rawchocolate - Frame a beautiful child’s drawing/painting for a relative - Make your own Christmas decorations and Christmas cards.

- Turn your family photos into a collage, calendar, place mat etc. Many options available online or Snappy Snaps.

- Paint your own pottery (mug, plate, dish, teapot etc) at your local pottery café. Or, you can buy glazed white pottery that you paint at home with permanent porcelain paint and bake it on in the oven. (www.hobbycraft.com) - Dig out that candle making kit your children never used. It is really easy and results do look good.

- Knitters will have fun making rattles, jumpers, scarves, dolls etc.

- Try a craft kit: they allow you to learn the techniques of a craft by creating a finished item from the supplied components. Many kits available are for mums too, including mosaic, soap making, jewellery, knitting, paint your own cup, mobiles for baby, bath bombs and more. Free delivery for all orders over £30 with www.makeitnow.co.uk. www.hobbycraft. com have a wide choice of kits.

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Christmas What's On PANTO & THEATRE FUN THE ALBAN ARENA Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk Panto: Aladdin 14 Dec-6 Jan Don’t miss this fun-packed family pantomime with comedy, singing, dancing, stunning sets, dazzling costumes, and a top-quality West End cast!

THE ARK THEATRE Thrift Farm Lane, Borehamwood, WD6 1TS 020 8238 7288, www.thearktheatre.co.uk Miki 5 Dec – 4.30pm 6, 7, & 8 Dec – 11am & 2pm The Ark’s Christmas family show. A young girl, a polar bear and a penguin embark on a wintery adventure.

ARTS DEPOT North Finchley, N12 0GA. 020 8369 5454, www.artsdepot.co.uk

The Gruffalo Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood.

Tickets: £12.50, Family ticket: £44 admits four.

BARN THEATRE Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6ST, 01707 324300 The Wind in the Willows 21-24, 26-31 Dec – 2.30pm & 8pm Toad is in prison while his beloved home, Toad Hall, is overrun by the wicked weasels.

Tickets £10 BROXBOURNE CIVIC HALL High Street, Hoddesden, EN11 8BE 01992 441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk How Lion became King of Tinga Tinga Land 4 Nov – 2pm Tickets £10; Family of 4 £36, Groups of 10+ £8.50 Shakespeare for Schools 8 Nov – 7pm Tickets £8; concs £6, Groups 20+ £5.50 High School Rocks!

23 Nov – 6pm Tickets £12.50; Family of 4 £40 Christmas Fayre 25 Nov – 11am-3.30pm Adults £1.50; concs 70p Panto: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 14 Dec-5 Jan Staring singing sensation Denise Nolan as the Wicked Queen and X Factor’s John Wilding as Prince Valiant Tickets from £12.50 ERIC MORECAMBE THEATRE Harpenden Public Halls Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PD 01582 767525 Panto: Dick Whittington 15-22 Dec – times vary This is a laughter-packed fun-filled family panto - with a live band, sumptious scenery, gorgeous costumes and plenty of audience participation.

Tickets from £10

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GORDON CRAIG THEATRE Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, Herts SG1 1LZ 08700 131030 Panto: The Adventures of Robin Hood 1 Dec-27 Jan Robin Hood and his Merry Men wind up the wicked Sheriff and battle to rescue Maid Marion … without laddering their tights!

HAWTHORNE THEATRE Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6BX 01707 357117, www.welhat.gov.uk/campuswest Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk Join Jack as he climbs the beanstalk and his adventures begin.

12 Dec-1 Jan HERTFORD THEATRE The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS 01992 531500, www.eastherts.gov.uk Arty Bus 1 Nov The vintage 1950’s ‘Arty Bus’ will take passengers to 4 attractions, where they can enjoy arts crafts and music workshops, see exhibitions and eat lunch at ‘Rhodes’ whilst being entertained by actors along the way.

Cost £15; concs £9 Panto: Dick Whittington and His Cat 7 Dec-1 Jan Hitch a ride with Dick and his cat Tommy, as they travel from Hertford to seek their fortune in London.

Tickets £15; concs £13, family £49 LETCHWORTH ARTS CENTRE 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City, Herts SG6 3EW, 01462 670788 Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom 23 Dec – 12 & 3pm Poor Rapunzel, spending her life in a tower.

Tickets £8, child £5, Under-2s free THE MARKET THEATRE Sun Street, Hitchin, SG5 1AE 01462 433553, www.markettheatre.co.uk The Royal Storyteller 24 Nov – 2pm Tickets £5

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Christmas What's On Panto: Puss in Boots 8-29 Dec Tickets £9 THE OLD TOWN HALL THEATRE High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE 01442 228091, www. oldtownhall.co.uk The Selfish Crocodile 10 Nov – 11am & 2.30pm By the banks of the river lived a selfish crocodile, when he got a toothache only brave little mouse coul help. Ages 3-7 Tickets £6.25, concs £4.25 Babar the Little Elephant 24 Nov – 2.30pm Babar escapes from a hunter and goes to live with the Old Lady in the town.

Tickets £6.25, concs £4.25 Baba Yaga 8 Dec – 2.30pm Baba Yaga is a witch with bad hearing and bony legs… When a passing Princess needs help some rabble rousing ensues. Ages 3-7.

Tickets £6.25, concs £4.25 Christmas Mosaic Workshop 15 Dec – 10am-12.30pm & 2-4.30pm Make a mosaic Christmas decoration. Ages: 7+ £15 plus £5 for materials payable on the day Film Monster In Paris (U) 17 Nov – 11am Tickets £2.50 Arthur Christmas (U) 15 Dec – 11am A family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero, Arthur, with an urgent mission.

Tickets £2.50 THE RADLETT CENTRE 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL, 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk The Snail and the Whale 11 Nov – 1 & 3pm A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale.

Ages 4+ Tickets £9.50 Panto: Beauty and the Beast 8-31 Dec This heart-warming version of this classic fairytale with dazzling music, costumes and scenery is full of fun, laughter.and lots of audience participation.

RHODES ARTS COMPLEX South Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3JG, 01279 651746 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk Panto: Cinderella 15 Dec- 5 Jan – 6-9pm The panto with mice, pumpkins,

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glass slippers – and two hilarious ugly sisters.

Tickets £14.95, concs £12.95, family £50 THE SANDPIT THEATRE SANDRINGHAM SCHOOL The Ridgeway, St.Albans, AL4 9NX 01727 370067 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Panto: Peter Pan (Top Hat Stage School) 6-9 Dec A family panto by Andy Musgrove. Starring the students from Top Hat Stage School, aged 4-17 years.

TRESTLE ARTS BASE Russet Drive, St Albans AL4 0JQ 01727 850950 www.trestle.org.uk It Needs Horses/ Home for Broken Turns 3 Nov – 7.30pm The story of a woman who has run away to the circus and doesn’t know where to run next.

Ages: 9+ Tickets £12, concs £10 The Mysterious Vanishment of Pobby and Dingan 4 Nov – 2.30pm How will Ashmol find Poppy and Dingan – they are invisible?

Ages 9+ Tickets £10, concs £8, Family £32 The Reluctant Dragon 21, 22 & 23 Dec – 11am, 2pm & 4.30pm A boy who meets a dragon who is not your average fire-breathing monster. Ages: 4+ Tickets £11; concs £9, family £36 WATFORD PALACE THEATRE 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JZ 01923 225671 01923 235455 www.watfordtheatre.co.uk Watership Down 2 Nov – 7.30pm 3 Nov – 2pm & 7.30pm A group of young rabbits have to find a new home.

Tickets £8, children £5 Panto: Mother Goose 7 - 29 Dec Mother Goose discovers that real happiness doesn’t come from riches or beauty.

THE WESTON AUDITORIUM De Havilland Campus, Univ. of Hertfordshire Hatfield, AL10 9AB 01707 281127 www.herts.ac.uk/uharts The Nutcracker and the Mouse King 4 Nov – 2pm & 4.30pm This is the perfect way to begin the countdown to Christmas. An unforgettable introduction for children to live classical music.

Ages 4+

Admission: £12 adults, £6 children Cracking Craft Fit For A King! (workshop) 4 Nov – 1pm & 3.30pm Make yourself a nutty solider and golden crown with a magical mousy twist! Limited places.

Book early.

Admission: £3.50 per child CLAYTIME 18 Nov – 11am Come to a place where the earth’s natural material meets with children’s imaginations: a world of fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters.

Interactive theatre at its most engaging this show is made with and for 3 to 6 year olds.

Admission: £8, child £6 The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) + workshop 1 Dec – 11am Scrooge meets the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future before he opens his heart to the meaning of Christmas.

Preceded by a workshop.

Admission: £2.50 per child (accompanying adults go free) Workshop: Muppet Puppet 1 Dec – 10am Make a Muppet and bring it to life with a Christmas carol singalong! Ages 5+ Admission: £3.50 per child Rapunzel and The Tower of Doom 16 Dec – 11am It’s bad enough having a bad hair day but pity poor Rapunzel spending her life in a tower with some strange woman using her locks as a step ladder! Ages: 4+ Admission: £8, child £6 WYLLYOTTS CENTRE Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN 01707 645005 www.wyllyottscentre.co.uk Film: Brave 3 Nov – 10.30am £2 3 Nov – 12.30pm (3D) £6.50, child £5.50 Paranorman 17 Nov – 10.30am £2 17 Nov – 12.30pm (3D) £6.50, child £5.50 Theatre: The Nutcracker 25 Nov – 2 & 5pm This is a breathtaking ballet with beautiful costumes and a mesmerising score.

Tickets £16, child £12

How to Catch a Star 1 Dec – 11.30am & 1.30pm Every night he watched stars from his bedroom window and wished he had one of his own.

One day, he decided he would try to catch a star... but first he had to think of a plan. A new show with music, puppetry and storytelling. Ages 3-7.

Tickets £5 Panto: Cinderella 15 Dec-6 Jan Poor Cinderella is left at home when her ugly sisters go to the Ball. With the help of her magical Fairy Godmother, the most exciting night of her life is about to begin.

PLACES TO GO HEARTWOOD FOREST Sandridge. AL3 6JE www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ heartwood Tree Planting Help the forest grow. Hot food and drink will be available to buy all day. Dress warmly (wellies, waterproofs and layers). Trees and spades provided or take your own spade.

18 Nov – 10am-3pm Building Communities on Mitzvah Day 16 Dec – 10am-3pm Christmas themed day with a visit from Santa HERTFORD MUSEUM 18 Bull Plain, Hertford, Herts, SG14 1DT 01992 582686 www.hertfordmuseum.org Toddler Tuesdays at Hertford Museum: Teddies 20 Nov – 10.30-11.30am Christmas Sparklers 11 Dec – 10.30-11.30am Take part in themed crafty activities, play with toys and share a story! Ages: 2-4. £1.50 – including tea, coffee and squash for all – please book in advance.

Stay and Play Saturdays 3 Nov, 1 Dec & 5 Jan – 10.30am-3.30pm Play with traditional wooden toys, make something crafty and read a book.

Free entry, just drop in A History of Christmas: past, present and future 17 Nov-5 Jan - Tues-Sats: 10am-5pm Find out where some well loved Christmas traditions come from.

Free entry

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Christmas What's On A Christmas Celebration 23 Nov – 5-8pm Mulled wine and mince pies, festive activities and carols.

FREE, drop in, donations welcome.

A Festive Knit and Natter 5 Dec – 10.30am-12.30pm For experienced and beginners.

Bring your knitting along and get some help from Ann Hudson (creator of the St Albans Cathedral Knitivity).

Refreshments available and toys for children to play with.

FREE, drop in, donations welcome.

Christmas Model Railway Day 8 Dec – 10.30am-3.30pm A festive family day with all your favourite railway layouts.

FREE, drop in, donations welcome Winter festivals: family activities 3 Jan – 10.30am-3.30pm Crafty activities inspired by winter festivals; old and new. £1.50 per child, just drop in.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AT TRING The Walter Rothschild Building, Akeman Street, Tring, Herts, HP3 6AP 020 7942 6171 www.nhm.ac.uk/tring Apple Pressing and Juice Tasting 1 Nov – 10.15am-3.30pm Press apples from local orchards and find out about Hertfordshire’s Orchard Initiative as part of the annual Tring Apple Fayre.

Free Sticky Skeletons 1 Nov – 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 11.45am, 2pm & 2.30pm Take a closer look at a real bat skeleton and use sticks to make your own to take home. Suitable for all ages.

Tickets £1.50 Cassowary Craft 2 Nov – 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 11.45am, 2pm & 2.30pm Make cassowary finger puppets and find out about these flightless birds. Ages: All Tickets £1.50 Messy Play for under 5s: Autumn Leaf Crowns 15 Nov – 10.15am & 2pm Tickets £1.50 Polar Bear Christmas Cards 11 Dec – 10.15am & 2pm Make your own great white bear card.

Tickets £1.50

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CHRISTMAS FAIRS AND CAROLS BRITISH SCHOOLS MUSEUM 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9TS 01462 420144 www.hitchinbritishschools.org.uk Dancing for Fun 1 Nov – 10am-12pm Come and enjoy Maypole Dancing & English Country Dancing for children 6+ and Singing Games for younger ones.

Cost £3 to include light refreshments.

Victorian Christmas Fair 1 Dec – 10am-3pm Stalls, food, fun & Christmas cheer. Buy all your Christmas gifts and stocking fillers.

BROXBOURNE CIVIC HALL High Street, Hoddesden, EN11 8BE 01992 441931 Annual Christmas Fayre 25 Nov – 11am-3.30pm Visit Father Christmas in his grotto.

Entry: £1.50 CAPEL’S CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL Capel Manor Gardens, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, EN1 4RQ www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk 1-2 Dec – 10am-4pm Santa will be in his grotto in the Victorian themed Manor House, carol singing, children’s entertainment with magic shows, face painting and tractor rides.

Normal admission fees apply, see website for details.

CATHEDRAL & ABBEY CHURCH OF ST ALBAN Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Herts AB1 1BY 01727 890256 www.stalbanscathedral.org The Christingle Service 9 Dec – 3pm Children and adults love this enjoyable service, which ends in candlelight.

Carols on the Hour 22 Dec – 11am-4pm A 30 minute service – enough time to sing some uplifting carols with the Cathedral choirs and get a taste of Christmas in this beautiful Cathedral.

Crib Service 24 Dec – 3pm A very lively service for children and young families lasting no more than an hour.

COMBINED CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SALE Court House, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4

10 & 24 Nov – 9.30am-3pm Choose from a wide and tempting selection of Charity Christmas Cards, wrapping paper and gifts.

CRABTREE JUNIOR SCHOOL Harpenden Christmas Fayre 8 Dec – 11am-2pm Santa’s Grotto and stalls with toys, books, chocolate fountain, cakes, raffles and tombola.

Admission: £1 for adults; children of secondary school age 50p (primary school children and preschoolers free) HARPENDEN CIRCLE CHRISTMAS GIFT & CRAFT FAIR Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PL 01582 762880 23 & 24 Nov – 9.30am-4.30pm A wide range of crafts and gifts ideal for Christmas presents.

HATFIELD HOUSE Hatfield, Herts AL9 5NQ 01707 287010 www.hatfield-house.co.uk For enquiries: 01707 262632 Christmas Market 10 Nov HERTFORD CASTLE Hertford, SG14 1QD 01992 584322 www.hertford.gov.uk Carols at The Castle 15 Dec – 5-6pm Carol singing in the grounds of Hertford Castle.

HITCHIN CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Holy Saviour Church, Radcliffe Rd, SG5 1QG 8 & 9 Dec - 12noon - 6pm.

Enjoy a magical display of decorated trees, and vote for your favourite!

Lunches (including kid's boxes), teas and drinks available. Live music throughout the weekend.

Admission £3, accompanied children free.

KNEBWORTH HOUSE Knebworth Park, SG3 6PY 01438 812661 www.knebworthhouse.com Christmas Crafts and Country Gifts 16-18 Nov – 10am-4pm Adult £5, Child £3 Sunday Lunch with Santa 16 & 23 Dec – 12pm A delicious two course festive lunch in the 16th Century barns.

Plus a visit from Santa with gifts for all the children. Booking essential.

Adults £22.50, Children (3-13) £9.50

MARFORD HALL Marford Road, Wheathampstead St Helen's and St Peter's Churches Christmas Fair 24 Nov – 11am-1.45pm Father Christmas and Grotto with Christmas gift stalls.

Refreshment.

ST HELEN'S CHURCH Wheathampstead Christingle Service 9 Dec – 3.30pm & 5pm Crib Service 24 Dec – 3pm & 4.15pm Suitable for young children SAUNCEY WOOD SCHOOL Pickford Hill, Harpenden AL5 5HL 01582 621514 www.saunceywood.herts.sch.uk Christmas Craft Fair 24 Nov – 12-3pm Mug-painting, fingerprint jewellery, many stalls selling handmade items. Craft sessions for children; make Christmas baubles and decorate cookies.

Plus raffle, tombola, face painting and cake stalls.

WELWYN ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL London Road, Welwyn Christmas Fair 1 Dec – 1pm-4pm Santa's Grotto, raffle, tombola, toys, refreshments and more!

WHERE’S SANTA? ASHRIDGE ESTATE Visitor Centre HP4 1LT 01442 851227 Ashridge Christmas Trail 15 Nov-16 Dec – 10am-4pm Join the Christmas Trail around Meadley’s Meadow. Learn how the Ashridge wildlife spends Christmas. £2 Visit Father Christmas 8 & 9 Dec Visit Father Christmas at Ashridge. Each 45 minute session includes a visit with Father Christmas, a Christmas craft making session and a gift!

THECENTRE:MK Milton Keynes www.thecentremk.com Land of Enchanted Dreams 16 Nov-31 Dec With a team of Elves to help him, Santa Claus will give a special gift to every child that visits him in his grotto in Fairy Tale Castle.

Plus lots more.

GULLIVER’S AT CHRISTMAS Livingstone Drive, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DT 01908 609001 www.gulliversfun.co.uk Santa’s Grotto 1-24 Dec See the website for a full description of all the Christmas related activities, including times and prices.

pick their own present. Join in with the Nativity story, hop on the Festive Wood Ride, enter the Elves House, see the reindeer plus Fun Fair Rides, undercover JCB Young Drivers Zone, Woolly Jumpers indoor play barn and Reindeer Hunt with prize for every child.

LEIGHTON BUZZARD STEAM RAILWAY Pages Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4TN 01525 373888 www.buzzrail.co.uk Santa Specials 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22 & 23 Dec – times vary Enjoy a 25 minute ride in a decorated steam train. Then walk through the Magic Tunnel to meet Santa, with a present for each child.

Tickets: Adult £8, Child (2 – 15) £8.50, Under 2’s £4 New Year Cheer 29 & 30 Dec – times vary A 25 minute ride in a festively decorated steam train plus hot punch and mince pies in the station buffet.

Tickets: Adults £6.50, Children (2-15) £3.50, Under 2s FREE.

ICE RINKS & WINTER ATTRACTIONS

MEAD OPEN FARM Standbridge Road, Billington, Nr. Leighton Buzzard 01525 852954 www.meadopenfarm.co.uk SantaLand 24 Nov-23 Dec Meet Santa in his grotto and receive a Golden Ticket to exchange for a gift in his Toy Shop. Ride the Lapland Express, walk through Winter Wonderland and follow the Reindeer Competition Trail.

SANTA TO YOUR DOOR Party entertainer, Adam Ant, will bring Christmas to life for your children. When Santa arrives he will chat to your children about their favourite things, eat a mince pie and deliver all those fabulous presents you’ve spent ages wrapping.

Call the Adam Ant party hotline on 0208 959 1045 for more details or go to adamantsparties.co.uk WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans 0870 129 9718 www.willowsfarmvillage.com Santa’s Spectacular Grotto and Festive Farm Fun 21 Nov- 24 Dec – 10am- 5.30pm Visit Santa in his Grotto and receive a golden key to enter his toy shop where children can

HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND 0871 620 7064, www. hydeparkwinterwonderland.com 23 Nov – 6 Jan 10am-10pm daily IIce Rink, Giant Observation Wheel, Zippo’s Circus. Free entry. Tokens for rides and attractions can be purchased on the day. Booking recommended for Ice Rink and Wheel. Closed Christmas Day. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD 0844 847 1576, 020 7942 5000 www.nhmskating.com 2 Nov-6 Jan – 10am-10pm (11pm Thurs-Sat) The NHM will be transformed into a magical setting with 76,000 Christmas lights in the trees surrounding the Ice Rink.

Ticket: Adults £11.50/£13.50, children (under 12) £8/£9, family £31/£36.

SOMERSET HOUSE Strand, London WC2 1LA www.somersethouse.org.uk Or call Ticketmaster 0844 847 1520 16 Nov- 6 Jan Prices from £7.50-£15.

Magical Ice Rink 21 Nov – 24 Dec Included with entry to Willows Farm during Santa’s Spectacular Grotto. Get your skates on to experience our synthetic ice rink for all the fun without the cold and wet. Contact venue for prices.

PARTIES

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON BROXBOURNE & HODDESDON CARNIVAL OF LIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon 8 Dec – 1-6pm The procession starts at 4pm and finishes in the High Street around 5pm with fireworks at 5.30pm alongside fair ground rides for the family. Entertainment from local dance/theatre groups and choirs plus craft/charity stalls gifts for Christmas.

Free to visitors

Fun with Decopatch

Creative parties for ages 4 & over.

Decorate and take home fab keepsake.

All materials supplied.

Call Jennifer: 0770 3118 002 www.funwithdecopatch.co.uk

HARPENDEN CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL Harpenden Town Centre 01582 768278 25 Nov – from 12pm Farmers Market, Lights Switch on, charity stalls, Santa's Grotto, fairground rides and more.

The event is free apart from stalls and fairground rides that require payment.

HARPENDEN Batford 9 Dec Southdown Shopping Area 30 Nov – from 6pm Live Music, fairground rides, Christmas Fair and more. Suitable for all the family.

These events are free apart from stalls and fairground rides that require payment.

TOWER OF LONDON ICE RINK 0844 412 4636 www.toweroflondonicerink.com 17 Nov-6 Jan - 10am-10pm The Tower Ice Rink returns by popular demand. Prices include skate rental.

Tickets: Adults £11/£13, Children (under 16) £8.50/£9, Family £34/£36

HERTFORD CHRISTMAS GALA Town Centre 23 Nov – 3.30-7.30pm (lights at 6.30pm) An evening of entertainment, Christmas Street Market, and much more in the town centre.

THE VAN HAGE REAL ICE RINK 10 Van Hage, Pepper Hill, Great Amwell, Nr Ware, SG12 9RP 01920 870811 www.skatevanhage.co.uk Check website for times and prices.

ST ALBANS St Peter’s St 18 Nov – 5.30pm Street entertainment, fun and games.

Free.

WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans 0870 129 9718 www.willowsfarmvillage.com

SMALL ADS

TUTORING

LONDON COLNEY Chester Gibbons Green 30 Nov – from 5.30pm

WHEATHAMPSTEAD 29 Nov – 6pm Family fun with a fairground, Santa and carol singing.

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Christmas What's On

Printed by Warners Midlands Plc, Bourne, Lincs., PE10 9PH. Copyright Families Herts 2012. Any original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Herts is part of a group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license. 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 or for any consequences.