Families Bedfordshire January-February 2017

FREE JAN / FEB 2 017

ISSUE 26

Competition prizes Nursery & under 5s issue What’s On: Feb half-term!

For Families with young children aged 0 - 12 in Bedfordshire To advertise: 01727 373929

January/February 2017

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Contents

Editor’s Welcome Hello!

A very happy new year to all our readers and their families!

Welcome to our January/ February 2017 issue where we are going to take a look at issues affecting the under 5s. We also have a great article on how to banish the January blues, plus a couple of really interesting interviews for you to read, including one with the Chocolat author Joanne Harris.

Do also enter our competition to win tickets to this year’s Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition, which is always a great day out for all the family. And, if you are looking for things to do in February half-term our guide and What’s On section will give you all the information that you need to know.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2017!

Judith P.S. Our March/April 2017 issue will include our guide to Easter what’s on, egg hunts and attractions. Plus, schools’ Spring Open Days. Copy deadline: Friday 10 February.

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News, info & competition Interview: Scout leader Nursery & under 5s feature Education news

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How to beat the January blues

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Clubs & Classes

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Interview: Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat

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What’s On

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Book reviews

Editor: Judith Dow editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk Mob: 07889 894431 or phone: 01727 373929. www.facebook.com/FamiliesBeds Twitter: @FamiliesBeds

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Photo Credits Front cover: © Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com); page 4 © Ben Hall (rspb-images.com); page 8 © Shutterstock; page 14 © Kyte Photography Families Bedfordshire is printed by The Manson Group (01727 848440) on paper sourced from sustainable forests and the inks used are vegetable based. Distribution: we are printing 15,000 copies which will be distributed to selected points in Bedfordshire. For further distribution information please contact the Editor (editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk).

Toad to the Rescue 13–17 February 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm

back in luton for 2017! stuff to do and things to see.

A festival for children in february half term. shows / storytelling / dance/ workshops / creative activities / next generation youth theatre.

for more info visit:

Free admission

The fantastic stories from ‘The Wind in the Willows’ are brought to life by our costumed storyteller in these fun and interactive sessions. No booking required.

10:00am–5:00pm Share your experience Monday to Friday.

Closed weekends and boemuseum Bank Holidays. Entrance T: 020 7601 5545 in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH

www.fullhouse.org.uk

www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Families Bedfordshire is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Bedfordshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

FebFest17_Advert[87mmx130mm].indd 1 15/12/2016 15:11

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NEWS & info

Dunstable Icknield school to receive funding for lollipopper Motor insurance specialist, Churchill Insurance will provide Dunstable Icknield Lower School with funding for a Lollipopper as a part of its campaign to improve safety on school crossings (www.Churchill.com/Lollipoppers).

The campaign, launched alongside leading parent champion PTA UK and road safety charity Brake, received nominations from over 6,000 primary schools and has pledged to ensure that more Lollipoppers are present on school crossings throughout the UK. Churchill Insurance will work closely with the school, local council and School Crossing Patrol Officers to recruit a Lollipopper and is calling for members of the local community to put themselves forward to be considered for the role.

They will have until the end of January to recruit someone.

Since UK legislation was introduced in 2000 stating that Lollipoppers were no longer a legal requirement for schools, an increasing number of Lollipoppers have been taken off the road even though 56 per cent of child pedestrian casualties in Bedfordshire occur during the school run (Road Safety Analysis Research, 2016*).

A recent survey by Churchill** highlighted the opinions of the public when it comes to the importance of Lollipoppers, with over 90 per cent of parents and children (aged 5-11) feeling safer with the presence of a Lollipopper.

A further 35 per cent of parents felt road safety at their local school had worsened in the past five years with an additional one-third (32 per cent) noting a Lollipopper had recently been removed from their local area – with no suitable replacement. *Road Safety Analysis (2016) – 225 out of 400 child pedestrian casualties occur during the school run (weekdays 8–9 am & 3–5 pm) in London (2010 – 2014). **Churchill survey based on a research sample of 2,000 (1,000 parents & 1,000 children aged 5-11, UK).

Take the Marston Vale Line (Bedford – Bletchley) to Milton Keynes Model Rail Exhibition 2017!

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a R Grea ail Tic ve kets t rate Third s for fa of 3- off for g milies!

9 ro half- adults, ups Saturday 11 February: 10 am - 4:30 pm kids price 5s g , under o fre Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Stantonbury Arts e! & Leisure, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes Free vintage Routemaster bus every 30 minutes from Milton Keynes Central Station!

Discounts on admission for Marston Vale Line passengers!

Adults: £6 (£5.50 with valid rail ticket) Children: £1 Call 01494 773759 for further information or visit www.mkmrs.org.uk/exhibitions

For further information please contact: Stephen Sleight Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership Tel: 01234 832645 E-mail: stephens@bedsrcc.org.uk Visit our award winning website! www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk

Find us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ marstonvalecrp Follow us on Twitter! @marstonvalecrp

February half-term line up!

This February half-term there are lots of things happening across Bedfordshire for you and your families to enjoy. Check our What's On guide on page 15 for a full run down. But here are some highlights that we have picked out for you.

Head over to Wrest Park, Silsoe (www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/wrest-park/) for something different and new during half-term week (Monday 13-Friday 17 February). Learn how to become a butler in a country house – it's not an every day job! Do you think you've got what it takes? Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes are immaculate and you're standing up straight. Learn about the etiquette of a country house, from dressing a table to folding a napkin.

While at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick, there is a Street Dance Workshop on offer which is suitable for 5-9 year old children on Thursday 16 February. This workshop promises to keep children active and entertained for an entire morning of dance. Learn different types of street dance, including house, popping and waving,

plus learn a routine to showcase your new skills. £12 entry and book by phoning 01525 631900 Rushmere Country Park in Heath & Reach, Leighton Buzzard is one of the venues in Bedfordshire which is playing host to the Xplorer sessions which aim to help children learn how to read maps in a fun, family activity. They're organised by Central Bedfordshire Council and all you have to do is turn up!

There's a £2 parking charge and you can find out more information about the activities at www.xplorer.org.uk, with the sessions running on Tuesday 14 and Friday 17 February from 11am-1.30pm.

The Higgins museum in Bedford are running three of their very popular craft workshops for families, on Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Friday 17 February.

Spread some love and happiness this year with their themed workshops which will take in Valentine's Day, card making and Random Act of Kindness Day – yes, it really does exist! Finally, Luton’s Full House Feb Fest arts event is back this year (11-16 February) for children and young people. Check the website www.fullhouse.org.uk for more details.

To advertise: 01727 373929

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News & info

Get sporty this year!

This year there is a great opportunity for everyone, whatever their age or ability to get into sports. With a wide variety of different clubs and classes available across Bedfordshire there really is something for everyone.

Team Beds and Luton now offer a wide range of sustainable opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in regular sport, physical activity and exercise in Bedfordshire and Luton. They mainly target teenagers and adults with learning disabilities, and they aim to develop a network of multi-sports clubs to enhance individual opportunity and improve the whole family’s well being. All of the clubs are run on a “drop in” basis and the activities vary from week to week, using different sports or fun games such as ‘Stuck in the Mud’.

All are welcome, and people are encouraged to along to see if it is right for them, with a relaxed and fun atmosphere in evidence. Visit the website at www.teambedsandluton.co.uk/nolimits to find out where these clubs run and when or email alison@teambedsandluton.co.uk for more information.

In Bedford, there is a chance to try out the new and improved facilities offered at the Robinson Pools & Fitness which re-opened at the end of last year following a £1.3m investment programme. With new facilities, including a brand new fitness suite, new studio holding over 100 classes a week, an indoor cycling studio, Café and upgraded swimming pool and changing facilities, drop in and see for yourself what’s on offer.

Big Garden Birdwatch is Back!

Families Bedfordshire magazine is for sale!

By Judith Dow

Four years after launching Families Bedfordshire magazine, the time has now come for me to move on to pastures new and put the magazine up for sale. If you’re motivated, ambitious, sales driven, enjoy building relationships, and ideally have a background in sales, marketing, PR or the media, then running your own magazine could be right for you!

Running a franchised magazine business gives you the chance to work flexibly around your children while working your own hours. Become your own boss while keeping the profits for yourself, plus you will enjoy the satisfaction of producing a high-quality local magazine.

You will get the support and advice of a Head Office team, including the Franchise Director for support and advice while retaining full control of your business. Other benefits include a full induction and training; some national sales bookings via the central sales team; access to high quality articles and features written by professional journalists and the potential to become involved in the Families Online website presence. You will also become part of a friendly and supportive community of editors! If you would like more information on this opportunity or would like to discuss further, then please contact me, Judith Dow on 01727 373929 or drop me at line at: editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk and we can have a chat!

Charity founder included in Woman's Hour Power List Helen Brook, founder of Brook - the UK’s leading sexual health and well being charity for young people - has been honoured in the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Power List 2016 for her crusade to help unmarried women in the 1960s.

This year, the world’s largest garden wildlife survey will, for the first time, take place over three days: Saturday 28, Sunday 29 and Monday 30 January.

The annual survey is part of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign, which aims to tackle the housing crisis facing the UK’s threatened wildlife.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is just one of the steps you can take to help nature near you. Wherever you live, you can help give nature a home.

As well as counting our feathered friends, the RSPB is once again asking us to log some of the other animals we see in our gardens. Grass snakes, hedgehogs, stag beetles, stoats and moles are all on the list of other wildlife the RSPB is keen to know about.

Gardens and other green spaces are invaluable for many species – providing a safe habitat and enough food and water to survive – which are likely to have a significant effect on their populations.

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2017 (www.rspb.org.uk/ birdwatch), watch the birds in your garden (or local park, or at the office!) for one hour over the weekend. Only count the birds that land in your garden, not those flying over. Let the RSPB know the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.

The Big Garden Birdwatch’s sister event, Big Schools’ Birdwatch also takes place from 4 January – 17 February 2017, more see info: www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

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The Power List celebrates seven women who have made the biggest impact on women’s lives over the past seven decades to celebrate the R4 programme's 70th birthday. Other names on the list included Margaret Thatcher (the winner), Germaine Greer, and er, Bridget Jones!

The first Brook clinic opened in 1964 with the aim of offering accessible support and contraception to unmarried women and reducing the number of illegal abortions.

Today Brook has 15 services in Bedfordshire (www.brook.org.uk/ bedfordshire) and across the UK, providing local young people under 25 with free and confidential information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, as well as testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

Emma Valentine, Operations Manager for Bedfordshire, said: “It’s because of Helen Brook’s hard work and bravery that young people in Bedfordshire today are able to access free and confidential sexual health support and services. I feel proud to be part of this legacy”.

News, info & competition

Get Quizzing And Cycling For Charity!

Win tickets to the Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition!

This February, get quizzing with Macmillan. They are running their Mammoth Quiz on Friday 24 February across the UK to help raise vital funds for people affected by cancer. They are looking for individuals, groups or businesses to host their nationwide quiz. Everything will be provided for you, including questions, answer sheets, invitation sheets and posters.

For further information and to sign-up for this event, see www.macmillan. org.uk/mammoth or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk.

On Saturday 25 February, the people at Brain Tumour Research are urging everyone to get “On Yer Bike” (www.braintumourresearch.org/ onyerbike) in aid of funding research and raising awareness of brain tumours. Gather together friends, family or work colleagues, approach a local gym or become a team leader at your nearest www.Xercise4Less. co.uk gym, the national sponsors, to take turns or pedal for the entire duration of your challenge. £2740 raises enough money to sponsor a day of research and earn your own tile on the Wall of Hope (www.braintumourresearch.org/sponsor-a-day)

Families Bedfordshire magazine has tickets for three families (2 adults & 2 children) to give away to this year's Milton Keynes Model Railway Exhibition (www.mkmrs.org.uk/exhibitions/) which will be held in Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Stantonbury Arts & Leisure, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes, MK14 6BN on Saturday 11 February from 10-4.30pm.

This year, there will be a free Routemaster bus every 30 minutes from Milton Keynes Central Station to the venue. Jump on the train at any of the 12 stations on the Marston Vale line and change at Bletchley station for frequent connecting trains to Milton Keynes Central.

There are lots of great days out available for Marston Vale Line passengers throughout the year – please visit www. marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk or call 01234 832645. Plus, entry discounts for rail passengers at the Model Railway Exhibition!

To win a ticket for your family, simply answer the question below and send it by email to editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk by Monday 30 January 2017.

Please include your name, address and phone number, along with the answer.

Feb Fest returns this February!

Luton’s Full House Feb Fest is back for 2017!

Running from 11th-16th February, this half term arts event for children and young people is jam-packed full of stuff to do and things to see in venues across Luton.

How many stations are there on the Marston Vale line? a) 12 b) 8 c) 10 Terms and conditions: 1. Only one entrant from same e-mail address or household will be accepted. 2. Under 16s must obtain parental consent before entering. 3. All decisions of Families Magazine are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

4. No prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize. 5. Only the winners’ details will be supplied to the Promoter of the competition. 6. Families Magazine is not liable for any delay or failure by the Promoter to deliver any prize or for the quality of the prize or for any loss or damage arising in connection with the competition.

Come on an adventure with The Bear, a heart-warming adaptation of a Raymond Briggs story that’s an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Show your support for TOKKO Disability Group and their show TWENTYSEVENTEEN. Be captivated by the spectacular lifts in dance performance Where The River Runs. Have your expectations of what circus can be blown away by trampoline and theatre piece Anyday!

And for those who love technology, take part in live cartoon The Adventures of Walter Lemonface, a magical mix of live animation, storytelling and music.

There will also be puppetry, dance and drama workshops for ages 4+.

Get Into London Theatre is back, and running until 10 February.

With over 50 participating productions ranging from plays and musicals to dance and opera, the scheme covers the full range of extraordinary shows on London's stages, with tickets from just £10.

Tickets from £5. For more info visit www.fullhouse.org.uk

For the full list and ticket bookings, go to www.getintolondontheatre.co.uk.

To advertise: 01727 373929

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Scout leader Interview

Interview with Gareth Huxtable, Scout Leader The image of kids spending lots of time outdoors, getting heaps of fresh air and exercise while learning life skills as they go seems quaintly nostalgic now. There is, however, a great British institution that still promotes and encourages those values, while incorporating the realities of twenty-firstcentury living, like IT skills and PR. We spoke to Gareth, a former scout and Scout Leader, about Scouting and what it can offer to today’s youngsters.

somewhere between £50 and £100. That doesn’t include things like camps, as obviously there are extra costs involved in transport, food and accommodation for trips away. The only other outlay is for the uniform, but there is no need to buy all brand-new kit. There is a thriving secondhand market in scouting gear, and the Scouting Association itself can help out for families that struggle with the costs.

First of all Gareth, how has Scouting changed in the twenty years you’ve been involved?

What’s the best thing about scouting?

The fact that a major celebrity and world-class adventurer, Bear Grylls, is now the Chief Scout, speaks volumes. His many remarkable achievements are an inspiration to the boys and girls, and he has definitely made scouting cool. We now go right the way through from age 6 to 25 and offer a huge range of activities. The uniform has been updated and is really practical, modern and comfortable for both sexes.

Tell us more about the activities It’s still based on the model of working towards Proficiency badges, which has been proven to be a great system for application and reward. There is something for everyone to work towards and achieve. We’ve got the old favourites like map reading and first aid, but also mechanics, abseiling, photography and entertaining. You name it, really. There is always a topic that will appeal. Going on from there we have the personal development awards, Chief Scout and Queen Scout that are similar to the Duke of Edinburgh awards and impressive for CVs. As well as physical challenges and new skills, these top awards require commitment to a charity, and the Queen herself does the presentation. Quite an honour!

Do you still go away on camps?

Oh yes. Camps and nights away are a big part of the scouting experience and they are open to the boys and girls of all ages. It’s a great chance for them to learn some independence and to fit in living and working alongside others. As they get older, the camps get more adventurous and we do overseas expeditions as well. This way we meet up with scouts from other countries, which is a brilliant chance to make new friends, have fun and see that they are a part of something bigger.

Does it cost a lot to become a scout?

I’d say it’s surprisingly cheap compared to a lot of other children’s activities. We have an annual subscription charge, and that varies a bit depending on where in the country you are, but the average is

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That’s a hard question! There are so many benefits. Most of all, it’s good fun. It’s also good to get kids outdoors, get them muddy, and, at the same time, they are learning behaviours and skills that are setting them up for life. It’s win-win really. They make new friends, they have adventures, and they push themselves. I think the fact that we currently have over 450,000 member’s shows that the movement is more popular than ever and is providing a lot of opportunity for young people. Membership is growing, so that proves that the scouts are enjoying themselves and that’s not bad for an organisation that’s over a hundred years old, but still meeting the needs of today’s kids.

A hundred years old?

Yes, we’ve hit our centenary year and there’s been a lot to celebrate.

We formed Cub100 to commemorate 100 years of Cub scouting and have held events all over the country. We’re actually the largest mixed youth organisation in the UK today. Not bad for a movement that was established in 1907. I think it shows we have really moved with the times and are providing a valuable outlet for our members. The transformation in the last fifteen years has been quite remarkable. That translates to thousands of kids all over the UK getting involved in masses of different activities every week. And that’s not including the camps and trips.

So it’s not all about woggles and knots anymore?

We still have a woggle but, as I said before, the uniform is very modern these days. It’s all part of the re-brand to keep us relevant in the twentyfirst century. Anyone, boy or girl, can join as a Beaver when they are six and carry right on through Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to the Scout Network for 18-25 years old. Scouting is very inclusive and I really can’t recommend it enough.

For more information about scouting and other clubs visit: www. familiesonline.co.uk/activities

Nursery feature

Bedford Borough and Luton score highly in OFSTED ratings Ofsted outcomes, as of 31 August 2016, which were reported at the end of last year have found that 95 per cent of all of Bedford Borough’s childcare is either Good or Outstanding. In addition, 24 per cent of Bedford Borough’s childcare settings are ranked as Outstanding compared to 15 per cent nationally.

While pre-schools and nurseries are also making significant impact on children and families in Luton, with 96 per cent being rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted, this is above the national average of 94 per cent and one of the highest rates in the East of England.

Prepare your child for school at Polam Use of school gym and pool

Spacious, well equipped nursery

In addition, 86 per cent of the town’s childminders and all of their nursery schools are good and outstanding, this means that Luton’s parents have a range of high quality options when considering education for their young children.

Two more nurseries in Luton have recently been judged to be ‘outstanding’ Chaul End Children’s Nursery (pictured) and Downside Pre-school.

Ofsted inspectors acknowledged that the highly positive attitudes of all staff at Chaul End Children’s Nursery and their exceptional ability to implement sustainable changes contributed to the significant improvement of the nursery. The nursery owner, Shagufta Anwar and manager, Sabah Ahmed, were highlighted by inspectors for setting exceptionally high standards and inspiring staff, who share their passion and enthusiasm for continuous development.

To view Ofsted’s data in full visit www.ofsted.gov.uk

Experienced nursery nurses

Specialist Music & PE

A home from home Nursery judged Outstanding in all areas Swimming | Music | Languages | PE See website for Open Day dates

www.polamschool.co.uk Polam School is part of the Cognita Schools Group www.cognitaschools.com

Telephone: 01234 261864 admissions@polamschool.co.uk 43-45 Lansdowne Road, Bedford MK40 2BU

Preschools – your need to know guide

By Liat Hughes-Joshi More parents than ever send their children to preschool or nursery, thanks in part to free places for three and four-year-olds, and for some two-year-olds.

How can I choose the right preschool for my child?

Preschools are about learning through play and their benefits can be significant, although there’s no obligation to sign up if you don’t think it will be right for your child.

Speak to other local parents about their experiences and read Ofsted reports for the nurseries/ preschools you’re considering. Really though, there’s no substitute for taking a proper look around, meeting staff and seeing what your own impressions are.

So what are the upsides?

How many hours a week?

Preschool is a great way to get your little one used to being separated from you or other carers. It could also help them become familiar with an environment that’s more like school and some of the routines and behaviours expected there, such as sharing, listening and taking turns.

You don’t have to use up the full entitlement of 570 hours and could send your child for fewer if you think 15 hours a week is too much for them initially. Some parents find it works well to start off with just a couple of mornings weekly and build up to more.

How much free childcare am I entitled to?

How can I get my child settled in?

All three and four-year-olds in England receive 570 hours per year of free childcare. This can be in a preschool, nursery or with a registered childminder and is normally taken as 15 hours weekly over 38 weeks. In England, from September, working parents will have up to 30 hours of childcare a week for three- and four-year-olds, with pilots now being rolled out.

Staff will be very aware that young children may need help getting used to a new place and people and so should have some sort of settling in procedure.

If you’re especially concerned, speak to them and see what their advice is – you may even be able to stay with your child during the first few visits.

To advertise: 01727 373929

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NURSERY & UNDER 5s

The little guide to little bilingual brains Dr Evelyne Mercure Infants and young children have an impressive capacity for learning languages. They are curious, very eager to communicate and their brains are designed for fast learning. Bilingual families have an interesting opportunity of making the most of these early learning capacities in teaching their children two languages from birth. There are several interesting advantages to raising bilingual children.

1- Bilingualism does not cause language delays. Bilingual children usually learn two languages at the same pace as monolingual children are learning one. For example, bilinguals say their first words and start combining words into sentences at the same age as monolinguals. Bilinguals may sometimes appear to know less words than monolinguals, but this is usually because their vocabulary is divided between two languages.

2- Learning two languages encourages children to think about languages. Young monolinguals might struggle to recognise that ‘caterpillar’ is a bigger word than ‘whale’ because they find it difficult to dissociate a word from its meaning. Bilingualism attracts children’s attention to language itself, making children more aware of the sounds, words and regularities in languages. This gives them a head start in school when learning phonics or grammar rules.

3- Bilingualism might make your child better at multi-tasking or listening to someone speaking in a noisy environment. When speaking one of their languages, bilinguals must inhibit the impulse to use words in their other language. To achieve this task, they activate parts of their brain involved in cognitive control. This extra practice at controlling their own thoughts may lead to a ‘bilingual advantage’ in certain cognitive tasks.

4- Mastering two languages will give children a better understanding of their family’s cultural background. The most unique aspects of a culture always risk getting lost in translation. For this reason, being bilingual helps children become ‘bicultural’, making them more aware of cultural differences and more likely to take part in two cultures.

Every family and every child is different. There are a million different ways of raising bilingual children and the most important is to find a way that feels right for your family. Here are a few tips that can help making these decisions for your family.

1- Maximise face-to-face communication. From the first days of life, babies love making eye contact and hearing their loved ones speak, vocalise and sing. Face-to-face communication is the motor of language

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learning and early experience is key. Making sure you talk to your baby as much as possible, and you involve your child in as much conversation as possible will lead to better abilities in one, two or more languages.

2- Have a plan. It is important to think about what ‘bilingualism’ means for your family. Would you like your child to have a basic understanding of another language? Are you hoping for your child to be fluent in two languages? Or read and write in two different languages? Make sure you provide plenty of experience for your child to achieve each of these goals.

It might be a good idea to decide on a language to be used at home. One parent may decide to use one language when addressing their child, while the other parent will use a different language. Think of the language(s) you want to use when reading to your child or singing to them. The more exposure your child will get in one language, the more fluent they are likely to become in that language.

3- Keep it fun. Your child’s motivation to learn each of their languages will make a huge difference to their achievement. A child may find it unpleasant if they feel constantly tested and criticised when speaking. The main focus should be on what is being said and not how it is being said.

4- Find role models. One way of keeping their motivation up, may be to involve people who are not fluent in your child’s dominant language. This may encourage them to use a language they are less comfortable in. It will also show them that this language is spoken by people other than mum and/ or dad. Children will also learn a lot from other children, especially older ones.

They will want to speak like them and adopt their accent and expressions.

Cousins who are not fluent in your child’s dominant language, for instance, may become excellent role models and a very good source of motivation.

Offering a bilingual environment to your child is a richness they will benefit from all their life. They may not only learn two languages, but also a new way of thinking about cultural diversity. Do not be afraid of making the most of their incredible language learning abilities!

About the author: Evelyne Mercure studied Speech & Language Pathologies, Neuroscience and Psychology. She is currently an ESRC fellow at UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, investigating the impact of language experience on infants’ brain and cognitive development. She is also the proud mum of three bilingual children.

NuRSERY FEATURE

Should you let your child use a tablet?

Making a mark in the early years

By Penny Harman and Laura Birdseye All children have the right to be provided with the best possible start to their education and parents should expect their local nurseries to create a positive, welcoming Early Years environment that is both lively and stimulating.

A newly-launched research project aims to discover the influence technology has on children’s learning, social interactions and play, from birth to 47 months and parents are invited to join in.

Dr Elena Hoicka and PhD students from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Psychology are looking to discover whether technology, such as tablets, is good for children’s development, bad, or a bit of both.

The survey asks questions about how long children use different types of technology - such as a tablet or a television the previous day. It also asks questions about how children prefer to learn, what children understand about other people, and whether and how children engage in pretend play.

Parents of children with low activities levels, such as newborns, are also invited to participate, as the researchers are interested in how technology impacts children right from the beginning. All participants will then be invited to repeat the survey six months later, which allows researchers to determine whether or not technology has had an impact.

At the end of the survey, parents will receive a summary of their child’s learning style, social understanding, and play. For every parent who completes the survey twice, six months apart, £2 will be donated to UNICEF. It only takes around 20-30 minutes to register and complete the survey. To sign up or read more, go to https://babylovesscience.com/

From a young age children observe the adults around them reading and writing and want to copy them. One of the roles of an Early Years setting is to provide various activities which support children to develop the important skill of mark making. Mark making is the first scribbles and patterns of a crayon or pencil and represents the first step in the journey towards being able to write.

All children enjoy experimenting with making marks but it’s important that the emphasis is not placed on teaching a child how to hold a pencil correctly.

Invariably a young child will not have developed the motor skills necessary to achieve the correct pencil grip. Instead, they need to be encouraged to undertake activities which will encourage the development of their gross and fine motor skills to the level required to begin to write competently. They will then develop the correct pencil grip naturally.

The more opportunity your child has to develop large and small movements in their arms, hands and fingers, the better. This will make it easier to make marks with a variety of tools.

It is important that Early Years settings constantly provide the following play activities which help develop the skills to support children with mark making: • Throwing and catching balls of different sizes and using their hands to squeeze things. This encourages children to open and close their hands one at a time.

• Fastening buttons and zips and tearing tissue paper and newspaper. This teaches children how to touch each finger with the thumb of the same hand.

• Stirring with a large spoon and rolling out play dough. This gets children used to rolling each wrist in turn.

• Threading large beads, hanging up clothes with pegs, making towers with blocks, Duplo or Lego, doing simple jigsaw puzzles, playing with castanets and using finger puppets all familiarise children with the tripod grasp that they will need to use this to hold a pencil correctly.

Coming Soon! New Day Nursery & Pre-School at Mead Open Farm Great news! In early 2017, a brand new purpose-built Day Nursery and Pre-School will be opening at Mead Open Farm near Leighton Buzzard.

Ofsted registered and caring for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, the new Nursery will be based within a selfcontained building with private garden. Children will enjoy modern facilities in a rural setting, with of course regular supervised visits to Mead Open Farm’s animals and play attractions.

The new venture will be operated in partnership with Kids Play Childcare, whose ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted recognitions across other childcare settings will set the standard for Mead Open Farm’s Day Nursery & Pre-School Opening events and tours are planned throughout February and March. To be kept informed of developments and events, visit www.meadopenfarm.co.uk or email marie@meadopenfarmdaynursery.co.uk.

Tel: 07736 881902

Mead Open Farm Day Nursery & Pre-School, Stanbridge Road, Billington, Near Leighton Buzzard LU7 9JH.

To advertise: 01727 373929

January/February 2017

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Education news

Winter Open Mornings School & Nursery Open Morning See website for details.

Polam School, Lansdowne Road, Bedford For parents looking for School or Nursery entry during 2016/17 and beyond More info: www.polamschool.co.uk Tel: 01234 261864 or email admissions@polamschool.co.uk

Church End school to seek views on creating extra lower school places Plans to create 150 extra lower school places in Marston Moretaine have moved forward after Central Bedfordshire Council gave its support for the statutory proposal for plans to expand Church End Lower School.

Open Morning Saturday 25 February St Andrews School, 78 Kimbolton Road, Bedford Tel: 01234 267272 More info: www.standrewsschoolbedford.com

It follows an initial phase of consultation carried out by the school where parents, residents and other stakeholders were asked their views on plans to expand the school’s Forest End campus. Results showed 19 of the 23 respondents in favour of the plans.

Open Morning Saturday 4 March Rushmoor School, 58-60 Shakespeare Road, Bedford More info: www.rushmoorschool.co.uk Tel: 01234 352031

A four-week statutory consultation (http://www.centralbedfordshire. gov.uk/council/public-statutory/notices.aspx) will now begin asking for more detailed feedback on the proposals to create an extra 30 places in each year group, taking Forest End from one-form entry to two-form entry.

Open Morning Wednesday 8 March, 10am Bedford Girls’ School, Cardington Road, Bedford Tel: 01234 361918 or email: admissions@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk.

More info: www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

A drop-in event will take place at the Forest End campus on Wednesday 18 January.

Following the close of the consultation and after considering all of the responses, the council will make a final decision in April. If they get the go-ahead then the extra places will be introduced on a phased basis with the first in Reception at the start of the new autumn term in 2018.

Private schools to offer 10,000 free places to children from lower-income backgrounds Private schools will offer to provide up to 10,000 free school places a year to children from low-income families in England.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) says if the government pays £5,550 per place – the cost of a place in the state system – the remainder of the cost will be covered by the schools.

The ISC was responding to pressure from the government to do more for their state school counterparts in return for charitable status, which allows for tax breaks. The scheme, which would test some children on academic ability, would be open to primary and secondary school-age children.

Take the fear out of exams in 2017 We all know that the lead up to exam season can be a daunting and stressful time for child and parent. With children encountering phonics screening checks, teacher assessments and SATs by the time they reach the end of primary school, you might wonder how best to support your child through exams - and you certainly aren’t alone! In a recent, independent study by Explore Learning, while 90% of British parents said exam results are important to their child’s future, only 1 in 4 parents felt their child’s exam performance actually reflects their true ability, and 2 in 3 parents admitted that their child has suffered from exam stress.

Although there is no magic formula for exam success, there are many ways to help children feel prepared and confident about assessments. Here are a few of our top tips: Plan ahead This is the key to kick-starting any successful exam preparation.

Blocking out periods of time to ‘cram’ for an exam might save time but it won’t assist your child’s retention of information long term. Revisiting a range of subject areas in manageable, weekly chunks can be much more beneficial to supporting memory, skills, and confidence.

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Find the right way for your child It is important to understand that everyone learns and revises in their own way.

Some children like to visualise their work so sticky notes around the house and visual representations might be useful, whereas others will respond better to you asking them questions and to explain a paragraph in their own words. Some children will switch on bright and early, while others will be ready to learn later on in the day. Find the learning style and pattern that works for your child, with their input, and create a plan to suit their individual need.

Positive thinking Finally, be sure to remain positive throughout exam preparations and praise them when you see them accomplish something great: hearing things like “brilliant reading” or “you’ve done a fantastic job explaining that method to me” will undoubtedly build their self-belief.

At Explore Learning, we’re here to support both you and your child from day one.

As well as tailored maths and English tuition from our expert staff, we run relevant workshops and parent information evenings for our families throughout the year so that everyone feels as confident as possible at home, especially when exams are around the corner!

For more advice and top tips to support your child’s exam preparation this year, and to book your free trial at your local centre, visit our website: www.explorelearning.co.uk/ blog/exam-preparation-howto-support-your-child/

Education news

Creating Confident Children

By Liat Hughes-Joshi Confidence is just as important in life – if not more so - than that brace of A grades. It’s vital to emotional well being and something most of us hope our kids will develop. But how can we instil this feeling, particularly if it doesn’t come naturally to them?

Accept your child’s starting point Not all of us are confident by nature (life would be boring that way…) and whilst we can encourage self-belief, transforming a shy child into the ‘life and soul of the party’, is rarely realistic.

Accept your child’s personality and ‘starting point’; it might be different to yours, or others’, and that’s absolutely fine.

Don’t force things Your child needs to trust you when taking on new experiences and forcing them into something they’re very uncomfortable with damages that trust.

Instead, take small steps to encourage confidence Find opportunities to stretch just a bit beyond what your son or daughter is happy doing at any one time.

Work out what their fear is Pin down their concerns – perhaps it’s that they’ll make a fool of themselves, won’t be able to find you at the end of the party, won’t be understood.

Address their concern and provide reassurance that they will be okay, that what others think doesn’t really matter and that you’re there for them.

Keep praise special Keep praise for when it’s truly warranted and focus on effort rather than just results. This way, when they do achieve something amazing, your comments will have more impact.

Find their forte If your child doesn’t do so well at school, this can erode their selfesteem. Seek opportunities for them to try activities out of school and highlight positive personality traits, such as being especially kind or a good organiser.

Step back sometimes and let them ‘have a go’ Children benefit from finding their own solutions, doing things their way sometimes and taking sensible risks. Guide and advise but try not to jump in and take over too quickly.

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including ‘New Old-fashioned Parenting’ and ‘How to Unplug Your Child’ (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).

To advertise: 01727 373929

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How to beat the January blues

How to beat the January blues Once the excitement of Christmas is over and gone, it can often feel like a real struggle for the whole family to keep things fresh and lively at the beginning of a new year. However, there are so many opportunities for you to do things together as a family - both indoors and out - that you’ll soon banish the January blues!

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind…

A family read-in When it’s blowing a gale outside, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than snuggled up with a good book. For younger children you can encourage them to act out the story and show off your full range of funny faces and voices. For older children, take the opportunity to discuss what they’re reading in some depth - talk about plot and characters and why they enjoy a particular type of book. Who knows, you may even inspire them to try writing their own story!

Family Bake-Off Who doesn’t love the Great British Bake Off? Those grey January days offer the perfect opportunity to get into the kitchen and bake up a storm. Let younger children indulge in some messy play with their own bowl of cake mix or a piece of pastry - don’t get stressed about the mess but enjoy a real opportunity to spend some creative time together in the kitchen. For older children, encourage some healthy competition by going ‘full Bake off’ and seeing who can produce the best cookies or cupcakes.

Get creative in the garden Outdoor crafts are a wonderful way to liven up the garden for pennies, using materials you can find outdoors or simply lying around the house. It’s amazing how ice, berries and watercolours or food colourings can transform tap water into

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beautiful ice baubles to decorate the garden when set in interesting moulds. Or spread peanut butter all over the outside of an empty toilet roll holder or that piece of over crunchy toast, then roll in birdseed to create an instant feeder that the kids can hang near the kitchen or living room window. Add a bird book and they can pass a few hours identifying and logging the birds that come to visit. Just make sure they wrap up warm!

Fun in the snow Of course, snow in January isn’t guaranteed, but if it does snow you have the ideal excuse to wrap up warm and organise snowman building contests and a monster snowball fight. Kids of all ages love playing in the snow, but have you ever played tug of war? Or tried snowball dodgeball? Once that snowman is built, try frisbeeing a hat onto his head or play a game of pin the nose on the snowman using a carrot. And everyone can join in a simple game of tag, made a little more interesting if you’re only allowed to use the footprints of the other players!

Create rock pets The best way to blow away the cobwebs during January is to take the family for a long winter walk. It’s great exercise, but it’s even more fun if you make your walk an excuse to collect items for some winter crafting.

Find a talking stick Another interesting find on your walk might be a stick that transforms, with

the help of some beads, feather, paint and markers into a wish stick for younger children or a talking stick for the older members of your tribe. Talking sticks have a long history in tribal cultures as a way of allowing everyone to have their say - you can only talk when holding the stick - so, for larger families, this could be an ideal way for your kids to create something that will ensure they’re heard.

Look to the heavens On a clear night, there’s nothing better than wrapping up warm and heading outside to stargaze. Download an app and see how many constellations you can find and identify. Younger children will enjoy spotting stars and older ones can test their astronomical knowledge.

Have a tech-free day Be brave and ban iPads, smartphones and games consoles for the day. Instead put out a pile of blank paper, pens and craft materials and see what your children can create. Boredom can be the best motivator for creativity.

Revive the art of den building For younger children, provide blankets, boxes and furniture indoors while encourage older children to get outdoors and get den building in the garden or the woods. Find out who’s the Bear Grylls of the family and who can create the best fantasy castle/spaceship/dragon’s belly. Den building is for everyone, so get involved!

For more ideas on keeping the kids active visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/activities

www.familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Why running may be the best sport for your child

Warm down with a walk to encourage blood to return to resting flow, then follow with gentle stretches.

By Sally J. Hall Have a look at running websites for tips on the best Pupils at a school in Stirling run a mile every day and the benefits warm-up and were seen almost immediately; kids were more energised, cool down routines. attentive, had improved concentration and better behaviour. But, could running be the sport of choice for your child?

Fringe benefits Running can also help with other sports such as football and Why is running great for kids? rugby, allowing your child to concentrate on skills and technique.

Running comes naturally to children - just look around a playground. It also forms a number of games – playing “It”, running Supporting their body races etc.

Make sure your child eats well and is well hydrated. A balanced diet with plenty of protein, fruit and vegetables will help them.

Entry level Make sure they have water frequently and avoid sugary energy You don’t need much equipment but you must invest in a good drinks. pair of running shoes, fitted by an expert. Your child’s feet are still growing and changing, so restricting them and having inadequate support can lead to injury and long-term problems.

Things to be aware of

How to get started Download a programme like Couch to 5K or Athletics 365, start with a short run and work up to longer distances. Kids can join in with the ParkRun activities and some offer a junior version, with a two kilometer distance.

• Keep it fun

Warm up and warm down Start with an injury-avoiding warm-up session: • Walk briskly for five minutes • Jog slowly, speed up gradually, then walk and shake out your legs • Skip, do high steps and skip sideways

• Nobody should run with an injury • Don’t time them • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest • Build up gradually • Encourage them to slow down when tired.

Sally is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).

To advertise: 01727 373929

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Joanne Harris INTERVIEW

Author Joanne Harris speaks to Families

by Emily Raleigh To mark National Storytelling Week, which this year runs from midnight on the morning of Saturday 28 January to midnight on the evening of Saturday 4 February, international best-selling author Joanne Harris spoke to Families about life as a writer, how storytelling has evolved through social media, and gives her advice for those with a passion for writing stories.

The success of Chocolat kick-started your career as an author - was it an easy decision to retire from teaching?

Writing is generally a job that doesn’t make a lot of money, and nearly all writers have another job. For my first three published books I was a teacher and if one of my books hadn’t been unexpectedly successful I would have stayed a teacher. When you reach a certain level of success it’s very difficult to do the two things at once, so I gave up teaching. I thought then temporarily, and it turned out to be permanent. But it could have been different.

How did it feel when you found out that Chocolat was being made into a film?

I didn’t believe it at first, because books get optioned all the time, but very rarely do they end up making films. I started to pay attention when they started filming, and when they invited me on set, when it was clear something was actually happening. By then it didn’t really have much to do with me, so I was able to enjoy it in a different way. It was very nicely done, the cast was great, the direction was great, the score was great, and they deserved the success it had.

To be a professional writer you have to write, a lot, and understand that a lot of it will be bad but practice makes you better. So start writing, and don’t worry too much about where you are heading. Also read a lot, because the more you read the more you realise how writing works and why it’s good and why it fails, and just keep improving all the time.

Have you faced any challenges when writing books, and what did you learn from them?

It’s useful to keep an open mind. There is no way you can please everyone all the time. Learn to live with criticism even if you think it is unfair and still do what you are doing. If you are absolutely convinced that your book is a masterpiece, but people read it and think it’s rubbish, then there’s probably some truth in it. However, keep believing you can do it, and learn from mistakes, acknowledge them and move on.

Do you have any new books or projects that our readers can look out for?

I’ve got an illustrated book of the Storytime stories coming out, hopefully next year, called Honeycomb. I’m also working on a sequel to The Gospel of Loki, which hopefully will come out the year after next. I’ve also got another illustrated project, which may or may not come out next year.

Do you ever meet people and think they would make a great character in a book?

Favourite childhood book(s)/ author?

I’m borrowing from people all the time. It’s part of being a writer, using the experiences you have with people and conversations; things you’ve noticed about them, and you filter them through this process. I don’t think I’ve ever actually put someone in a book, but I think we all borrow extensively from other people around us.

Favourite character you’ve created?

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

I’m usually working on more than one thing. Some have taken me 10 years to finish, some only one. Some I’ve started and then finished 5,10 or 15 years later. I tend to start things off and then quite often put them on the back burner for a bit, work on something else and then go back. Sometimes I just need to let it lie, do some research, or work out a plot construction.

You’re very active on social media, do you think this new digital age we’re living has changed the way people tell stories?

I think it’s had an impact on the whole of the book business in a lot of ways, some good, some bad. What it has done is given us more access to each other and provides a much more interactive side to telling stories. I tell my #Storytime stories on Twitter, and you really feel as if you’re talking to people, because it’s a very conversational medium, which is its charm.

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It’s National Storytelling Week in January, what advice would you give to children or adults if they have a passion for writing and want to take it to the next level?

January/February 2017

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Ray Bradbury - Something Wicked This Way Comes.

The villain in Gentlemen and Players.

Favourite book/story you’ve written?

The Gospel of Loki.

Favourite writing drink?

Tea. Favourite writing food?

Toast.

The best thing about being an author?

Spending my life doing something I love, and getting it out to people who also love it.

For more information on Joanne Harris and her work, go to www.joanne-harris.co.uk

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

Please send events to be listed to: editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk.

January Winter opening dates at the John Bunyan Museum

The Museum will be open every Saturday, 14, 21, 28 January, Saturday 4 and 11 February from 10am-3pm.

From Tuesday 14 February the Museum will be open Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm.

John Bunyan Museum, Mill Street, Bedford. More info: www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/ museum Volunteer Open Day: John Bunyan Museum Saturday 21 January, 10.30am John Bunyan Museum, Mill Street, Bedford. If you are interested in volunteering at the John Bunyan Museum in Bedford, then come and have a tour and find out more about what is involved. More info: www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/ museum Tales from the Shed Saturday 21 January, Saturday 18 February, Saturday 25 March, Saturday 22 April, 10am & 11.30am. The Hat Factory Arts Centre, 65-67 Bute Street, Luton Vibrant and interactive theatre shows for young children aged 0-6 years.

Box office tel: 01582 878100.

Table Top Sale Saturday 21 January & Saturday 18 February, 9am12noon Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford Mk42 0SP. Entry 50p. Children free.

Refreshments available Camelot: The Panto Friday 27 January, 7.30pm & Saturday 28 January, 2pm & 7.30pm. Totternhoe Lower School, Church Road, Totternhoe, Dunstable. Watch brave Prince Arthur, Sir Laughalot and Connie Clatterbottom save the beautiful Guinevere from the clutches of the evil Morgan le Fay, Valerin the Vicious and his Mum! £7 for adults, £5 for concessions, family tickets: £20. Box office: 01582 603287.

Quiz night Friday 27 January, 7.30pm Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP. Tickets £6.50 includes fish & chip supper, bar and raffle. Tickets from 01234 965497.

February Cirque Enchantment Thursday 2 February, 7.30pm Grove Theatre, Court Drive, Dunstable. Concert style cirque production features stunning choreography, breath-taking vocals and entrancing circus performers, all to an eclectic musical soundtrack of pop, rock and classical! More info: www.grovetheatre.co.uk Little Meerkat’s Big Panic Friday 3 February, 10.30am & 1.30pm. The Hat Factory Arts Centre, 65-68 Bute Street, Luton.

Little Meerkat falls asleep and wakes to discover her family is missing. Can wise monkey and a kind elephant help to find them for. Suitable for early years children. Box office tel: 01582 878100.

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Tuesday 7-Wednesday 8 February. Milton Keynes Theatre. Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this exciting, enchanting and magical musical adventure.. More info: www. atgtickets.com/venues/ milton-keynes-theatre/ MK Model Railway Exhibition Saturday 11 February, 10am – 4.30pm Stantonbury Leisure Centre, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes. MK14 6BN. Free Routemaster bus every 30 minutes from Milton Keynes Central Station to the venue.

Jump on the train at any of the 12 stations on the Marston Vale line and change at Bletchley station for frequent connecting trains to Milton Keynes Central.

More info: www.mkmrs.org. uk/exhibitions/ or www. marstonvalecommunityrail. org.uk or call 01234 832645.

Stargazing Event Saturday 11 February, 6-9pm Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable £10.50 per person, book tel: 0844 2491895 Planetarium Saturday 11- Monday 13 February, various times.

Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade Road, Dunstable. Explore the universe in a stunning indoor

planetarium for ages 4 plus. 30 min presentation slots. £3 each, book tel: 0844 2491895 Butler School Monday 13-Friday 17 February, 11am-3pm. Wrest Park, Silsoe. Learn how to be the butler of a country house. More info: www.english-heritage.org. uk/visit/places/wrest-park/ Safer Half Term Tuesday 14-Saturday 18 February, 11am-3pm. Luton Libraries – various. To mark Safer Internet Day, find out about the free services you can access with your library card. Activities include the chance to meet Cubetto, a robot a 3 year old can programme.

Craft workshops Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 February (tbc) Jordans Mill, Holme Mill, Langford Road, Broom. Half-term craft activity workshops. More info: www.jordansmill.com Jurassic Adventures Tuesday 14 February, 5pm Grove Theatre, Court Drive, Dunstable. Family show for ages 3 plus. More info: www.grovetheatre.co.uk A Winter Tale - Kids’ Outdoor Activity Tuesday 14 February, 10am to 3pm Marston Vale Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine £4 per child. Booking and parental supervision essential. To book, call 01234 767037 or email info@marstonvale.org Xplorer sessions Tuesday 14 & Friday 17 February, 11am-1.30pm Rushmere Country Park, Linslade Road, Heath & Reach, Leighton Buzzard. Help children learn how to read maps. More info: www.xplorer.org.uk Bookmarks for your bestie Tuesday 14 February. The Higgins, Castle Lane, Bedford Half-term crafts to celebrate Valentine’s Day! More info: www. thehigginsbedford.org.uk/ Crafted with care Wednesday 15 February The Higgins, Castle Lane, Bedford.

Half-term crafts – show someone you care by making them a unique card. More info: www. thehigginsbedford.org.uk/

Badgers in a Box - Kids’ Craft Sessions Thursday 16 February, 10am to 3pm Marston Vale Forest Centre, Station Road, Marston Moretaine. Indoor craft session. £3 per child. Booking and parental supervision essential. To book, call 01234 767037 or email info@marstonvale.org Potions, posies and poems Thursday 16 February, two sessions at 10.30am and 1.30pm for 1 hours 30 mins each. John Bunyan Museum, Mill Street, Bedford. Making, creating and participating - making things, history and quizzes, with the Bedford Chronicle team. £3 per head. More info: www. bunyanmeeting.co.uk/ museum/ Streetdance Workshop Thursday 16 February, 9am - 12 noon. The Rufus Centre, Flitwick. Suitable for 5-9 year olds. £12 entry. This workshop promises to keep children active and entertained for an entire morning of dance. Book via 01525 631900 Big-hearted boxes Friday 17 February The Higgins, Castle Lane, Bedford.

Half-term crafts – decorate a box of smiles. More info: www. thehigginsbedford.org.uk/ Blunham Book Sale Saturday 18 February, 10am3pm Blunham Parish Church, Blunham MK44 3NQ. Browse and buy second hand giant book sale.

Selection of second hand/nearly new books, Home made cakes, teas and coffees, home made soup and a raffle. All proceeds to Blunham Church Fabric Fund.

Stuntfest Saturday 18 February, gates open 10.30am Santa Pod, Airfield Road, Podington, Wellingborough. Awesome stunts and displays for all the family.

More info: www.stuntfest.co.uk Shuttleworth Scale Model Exhibition Sunday 19 February Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Aerodrome, nr Biggleswade. Annual modelling competition with competitions, stands, clubs and societies, now in its 8th year. More info: www.shuttleworth.org

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January/February 2017

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BOOK REVIEWS

Book Reviews

By Ed’s Reading Room

( www.EdontheWeb.com)

Let your child experience the wonder of a good read with the latest book launches for all ages

5-7 YEARS Dotty Detective: The Paw Print Puzzle by Clara Vulliamy (HarperCollins £5.99)

Marge in Charge by Isla Fisher (Piccadilly Press £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Dot, her best friend Beans and Dot’s dog McClusky are ready for their

latest tricky case but their detective work must remain top secret. Strange noises at night are enough to convince them that something spooky is happening but, as all super sleuths know, they must get proof and for this they need a genius plan.

It’s just as well the intrepid trio love solving puzzles.

‘This exciting book is full of humour and suspense. The story and illustrations will keep young readers and would-be detectives entertained and intrigued.’

ED SAYS: ‘Jemima and Jake are not looking forward to meeting their new baby sitter. When they see a tiny lady with a woolly hat they are definitely not thrilled but the moment their parents leave Marge takes off her hat revealing multicoloured hair – and a multi-coloured personality! They are enthralled when she tells them she is a duchess, she was brought up in a royal palace and has ten pets.

Great fun ensues and the children can’t wait for the next time Marge is in charge!

‘There are three hilarious stories in this super new series with heart-warming characters. The stories are enhanced by the great illustrations.’

7 YEARS + The Royal Rabbits of London by Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore (Simon & Schuster £10.99)

The Thornthwaite Betrayal by Gareth P Jones (Piccadilly Press £6.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Shylo the young rabbit dreams of adventures. He wishes that instead of being the smallest and quietest of his family he could be the cleverest and most courageous. When the opportunity arises for Shylo to go on a quest to enter the world of the royal rabbits of London and help them to defend the Queen, will he be able to summon up the courage he thinks he lacks? Can the smallest ever be the biggest in the field of heroics?

ED SAYS: ‘Peace reigns at last between the twins Lorelli and Ovid in the remains

‘This is a charming story that is beautifully written. It is action-packed and full of fun and is sure to delight young readers.’

AWARD-WINNING TUITION

FOR FEARLESS LEARNERS Our maths and English tutors have one goal: to unlock a love of learning. We’ll prepare an individualised, inspiring programme to help them achieve their version of amazing.

Explore fearless learning for your child by calling 030 3003 4006 to find your nearest centre and book a free trial.

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of the burnt-out Thornthwaite Manor, but for how long? When strange goingson begin to happen including some near-fatalities they wonder who is behind such dreadful deeds. They are not trying to harm each other so they wonder who exactly is behind the Thornthwaite betrayal? There are a few suspects!

‘This is an exciting page-turner of a book by this super author. With its intriguing characters this fantastic mystery will grip its readers from start to finish.’