Families London East May June 2011

www.familieseast.co.uk

Issue 61 May/June 2011

FREE !

East

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SUMMER AUPAIRS

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Fun, Active, Creative childcare During the school holidays Live in up to 3 months 25-40 hours, £60-90 per week Call us 0203 538 5125

The FREE pick-me-up for busy young families in East London

Competition & Offers

Lollibop Festival Regents Park 5-7th August 2011

11am-7pm

A magical land of fun for the under 10’s. Our action packed programme will include: ZingZillas, Charlie & Lola, Horrible Histories, Roald Dahl museum, Itsy Bitsy Strictly, Babyoke, Lollipolympics, Baby Loves Disco, CBeebies presenters Cerrie Burnell, Alex Winters, Sid Stone and Planet Ajay, Little Angel puppet theatre, Science Museum live, fairy/wizard school and even a gorilla enclosure....+ much more!

Over 50% of all activities are under cover!

“Shangri-La for the attentiondeficient primary schooler” The Observer

Early Bird Advance On the day

Single £19 £23 £30

One fee and then everything is free!

EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE www.lollibopfestival.com Family (4) £69 £80 £108

Family (6) £102 £120 £160

Group £17pp £20pp £27pp

Contact us: Families East Magazine P.O. Box 2358, Ilford, Essex IG1 8BD

East

Tel: 07766 705655 www.familiesonline.co.uk Email: editor@familieseast.co.uk Printed by Bishops. Tel: 02392 334900 Designed by: www.samanthabrannan1.moonfruit.com Front Cover: ©Trupti Patel www.kushdigital.com Winners of last issue’s “Belgique – Afternoon Tea for Two” competition: Safia Talati, IG1; Ruth Conway, IG10; Angela Smith-Hughes, E17 Winners of last issue’s “Colchester Zoo – Family Ticket” competition: Sally Oskis, RM12

Win a free FAMILY ticket to Lollibop!

“Tell us the name of a museum that will appear at LollIbop”.

Email answers to: info@lollibopfestival.com stating Greenparentcomp in the subject line.

“Kiddikicks” – as soon as you can walk you can play football!

Kiddikicks is a cool, London based football club for children aged under 5. They offer 3 levels starting with Nippers from walking age to 2.5 years, progressing to Runners from 2.5 - 3.5 years and finally Racers from 3.5 up to 5 years. Each session, taken by FA qualified, CRB checked coach, provides a perfect mixture of age-specific football drills and energyburning physical fun.

Kiddikicks passionately believes that enjoying structured football fun as soon as you can walk is the best way to develop a love for playing the greatest game on earth! They also care about parents and carers by actively

encouraging you to participate with your child. This way you won’t miss seeing your child develop and they enjoy the positive attention received.

Kiddikicks are offering all Families East readers an exclusive sign-up offer for their Hackney Kiddikicks with Free membership worth £19 plus a 4-week taster term for just £33. This taster term offer starts 14th May taking place at London Fields Fitness Studio, 379/380 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PN if rainy or London Fields Park if sunny.

Visit the website at www.Kiddikicks.co.uk, call 020 7937 7965 or email: sarah@kiddikicks.co.uk to reserve your child’s place.

Copyright and Disclaimer: 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 consequences. Any original material submitted for publication is sent at owner’s own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families® nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families® is one of a group of magazines established in 1990. It is a Families® franchise independently owned and operated under licence by Lesley Bishop.

Local News

Blast off to a star studded galaxy This term, Perform children in East London will not just be having fun acting, singing and dancing each week, they’ll be exploring OUTER SPACE. Rocketing into a star-studded galaxy, the junior astronauts will travel to meet the Sparkly Spaceman, learn the Zero Gravity Groove and even meet

the Man in the Moon!

What’s more, they’ll enjoy themselves so much that they won’t notice how much they are improving their communication, concentration and coordination skills at the same time.

Perform’s Principal Lucy Quick says “As well as being educational, we have some amazing improvisations, songs, and role play all about

Local school gets in the spirit of 2012 Olympic Games Pupils at Christchurch Primary School in Ilford were recently given the challenge to design their own version of an Olympic mascot for the 2012 Games using the themes of Britain, London, and their school.

The winning entry was drawn

by Sakeena Ahmed (Class 5H). Her mascot’s name is BenVille, a mixture of Big Ben and Mandeville one of the official mascots for the 2012 games. It is based on British Olympic athletes from the past and future, with the swimming cap of Rebecca Adlington, double gold medallist at the Beijing games; the

face of Big Ben and the 2012 official logo; the body of Phillips Idowu, British triple jumper who won a silver medal at Beijing; a boxing glove from Amir Khan, silver medallist at Athens 2004; a basketball based on Luol Deng, a key member of the GB basketball team; and the legs of Stephanie Allen a 2012 hopeful in Taekwondo.

Its different colour skin reflects how multicultural children and staff are at Christchurch Primary School and how different religions and races all compete together in the Olympics.

Outer Space. The terms will be fun packed and exhilarating, and a must for any young explorer who wants to learn about the planets and have amazing fun at the same time”.

Any interested 4-8 year old can try out the classes by attending a Free Trial Session.

Classes Run on Thursdays in Brentwood and Wanstead, Saturdays in Chigwell, Tuesdays in Loughton and Wednesdays in Epping. Call 0845 400 1271 for more information.

Lee Valley White Water Centre – Open for Business The only brand new London 2012 venue that people can use and enjoy before the Games start was opened to the public on Good Friday 22 April. This new world class venue for white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking gives thrill seekers a once in a lifetime opportunity to raft the same rapids that will host five exciting days of intense Canoe Slalom competition during the London 2012 Games.

With tickets starting at just £49 (on sale now at www.gowhitewater.co.uk or

call 08456 770 606) people are already vying to be among the first to experience adrenalin pumping rafting and canoeing at the newest and best centre of its type anywhere in the world. The Lee Valley White Water Centre is located on the northern edge of London, ten minutes from the M25 and 25 minutes by train from central London. So get your tickets now!

Well done Sakeena!

50 Babies Wanted 50 Babies Wanted Kush photography is offering FREE portrait shoots of your baby.

Valued at £175.00, your will be photographed in your home.shoots We Kush photography isbaby offering FREE portrait of need cute babies between one week and eight months to photograph. If you have a cute baby call Kush now on 07980 012 432. your baby in your home. We need cute babies between one week and eight months to photograph.

This package is usually £175.00. If you have a cute baby call Kush on 07980 012 432.

Kushnow Digital Photography Strictly limited to the first 50 babies.

Creating little memories

07980 012 432 info@kushdigital.com www.kushdigital.com

www.familieseast.co.uk

May/June 2011 Families East | 3

Wome

in Business F

or many women the idea of running your own business appears to be a great opportunity for you to be your own boss, do something that you are committed to and interested in, and gain a perfect work-life balance around family life.

As someone in this position, I am keen to support other women who are making this goal a reality for themselves.

If the idea of running your own business seems your ideal scenario always remember that the reality involves lots of hard work, you need to

Trupti Patel is a local photographer who specialises in capturing family life.

As parents we always have our own memories of our little ones growing up, safely locked up in our minds, but our children can’t remember anything about those special times. Through a series of ‘real world’ photo shoots, over the course of a year, Trupti captures the extraordinary moments that make you and your family utterly unique and assembles those images into a beautiful coffee table book. Hide the book away and it’ll make the most amazing surprise 18th birthday present! It will almost certainly become a valued heirloom that your children will pass on to their children.

For more information visit www.kushdigital.com or call Trupti on 07980 012432

be 100% commited and the buck stops with you.

However, working hard and being adaptable is how most women operate and these skills are vital to making a success of any business!

I have selected a few local women who run their own businesses and from this you will see what a diverse range of opportunities are available. Maybe they will inspire you but they certainly they offer a great selection of goods and services that should interest you.

The Editor

Andrea Hardy is the

Stella Fehmi is the

Regional Director for the City and West Essex area for the Athena Network. Athena is the International Premier Networking Organisation for Women.

Athena constantly deliver new initiatives with the help of their members, they have created a networking winning formula relevant to today’s continually changing business environment.

From monthly lunchtime meetings to online support, from workshops to training sessions they assist members in creating complimentary allegiances and connecting with likeminded women to help them grow in their business and personal development. Athena is great for building a network of people around you who you trust, know and respect. It’s a great way to generate contacts and develop your business.

So would you like to be part of this exciting and fast growing network? If you are an entrepreneurial mum and if you want an opportunity to create easy relationships please contact Stella Fehmi via email at stella.fehmi@ theathenanetwork.com to find out where your nearest group is!

4 | Families East March/April 2011

Managing Director of Catering Support Consultancy Services, responsible for the day to day operations of school catering services to nurseries, secondary, primary and special schools in Hackney and surrounding boroughs.

They offer a service which ensures that every child is provided with a tasty, healthy balanced meal.

The company was established in 2002 and the Consultants Team have more than 23 years of experience in the school catering industry.

Services include developing menus, marketing, project management, recruitment, training, one-to-one coaching for chefs, cooks, cook supervisor and site managers, nutritional support, service development, quality assurance, sourcing quality local suppliers, completing risk assessments and monitoring food safety and health and safety procedures.

Catering Occasion provide a function service which caters for all special events, such as parties, conferences, christenings, summer balls, school fetes, themed events, BBQs, funerals and can supply staff, equipment, decoration and entertainment. They also do small deliveries for small parties. They specialise in a range of regional food including traditional, west indian, turkish, indian, french and Italian. Buffets start at £6.50 per head.

Tel : 07985110762 Web : www.cateringoccasion.com

Hannake Kluge

is Centre Director for Kip McGrath Education Centres in Hornchurch and Loughton.

Hannake, a fully qualified teacher, and her staff provide a friendly, personal and professional tutoring service for local children.

Hannake offers effective teaching and learning using a mixture of computer programmes, audio activities, work books, and exam papers and students are encouraged to reach their full potential in English & Maths, reading, spelling and comprehension. Students who experience difficulty with their school work or just want to do better benefit hugely from the Kip McGrath tutoring method.

Hannake is passionate about supporting and developing each child and points out that that tutoring actually results in less pressure for a child, particularly in the run up to exams or when moving from primary to secondary school. Each student is motivated by his or her own success which builds their confidence and improves results.

Sessions are offered on a flexible basis ; after school and on Saturday mornings, courses during the summer are also available.

Tel : 0208 508 2090 or 01708 471 687 Web : www.kipmcgrath.co.uk

www.familieseast.co.uk

Violet Reid

is the woman behind the company Shea Mooti.

Shea Mooti offers skin care products for mothers-to-be and their precious little bundles that contain no artificial ingredients and are prepared using only pure, botanical oils and butters handpicked for their quality and beneficial skin care properties.

Violet was inspired to create these products as her first-born suffered from dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin. Prescriptions for creams and shampoos only offered a temporary relief and using other ‘organic and natural’ labelled baby skincare products only exacerbated the condition. This inspired her to create a solution using Shea butter ethically sourced directly from AfriKids’ Daughters, a multi-cooperative in rural northern Ghana.

Looking to the future she plans to develop her home-selling network, expand into more retail outlets both large and small and grow Shea Mooti’s organic, ethical, skincare range, aiming to continue the special journey travelled by a mother and her baby.

Shea Mooti products are available from the following retailers: Bababoom, 265 High Rd, Loughton, Essex (0203 174 0418) Knock Down Ginger Children’s Boutique, 3 Gwynne House, High St, Wanstead E11 1QH (020 8530 7646) Essence of Beauty, 2-3 Hainault Building High Rd, Leyton, E10 6RT (0208 518 7784) Tel : 07572 454432 Web : www.sheamooti.co.uk, www.onegoodmarket.com, www.nappyvalley.co.uk

Lisa Symons is the woman

behind Abbey Antiques, based in Romford. Lisa has won multiple local business awards in recent years recognising the level and quality of the customer care she provides and her business skills.

With over 8 generations of family commitment in the business Abbey Antiques specialise in manufacturing and restoring high quality furniture also providing a full service from repairs of modern/antique wood surfaces, polishing, stripping/sanding by hand, inlaying, table top leather lining, reveneering, gilding, glazing. From antique through to modern wooden furniture they can strip, re-spray, polish, wax and bring your furniture back to life. They also manufacture bespoke furniture, therefore there are no standard ranges or sizes that demonstrates the versatile nature of their design capability.

Abbey Antiques has been handed down from family generation to generation and Lisa looks forward to her children following in her footsteps.

Lisa believes that a fundamental part of running Abbey Antiques is having the support of a good workforce/team and also working with family its 24/7 so we are all passionate about the work we do and service we provide - we are all striving towards the same goal.

Abbey Antiques’ clients include Sainsburys Head Office, The Savoy, Simpsons on The Strand, Browns Hotel, The London Marriot and The Royal Airforce Club. No job is too small or too big - from a broken chair leg or a scratched table to a fully fitted library or kitchen/wardrobe.

Tel : 01708 741135 Web : www.abbeyantiques.net/

local designer no job too small

Stand out from the crowd . . .

Graphic Design Service.

Agency style design without agency prices.

Call Sam on 07877 226452 or email sbgdesign22@googlemail.com www.familieseast.co.uk

competitive prices

brochures catalogues

website design

wedding invitations

cv’s leaflets posters

adverts magazines logos & branding business stationery

photo retouching

or anything you can think of . . .

March/April 2011 Families East | 5

Baby Products

Catering Occasion Corporate & Private Parties Special Events s Office Lunches Funerals s Weddings

Here is a selection of baby products that have caught our attention recently.

Menus To Suit All Taste And Budgets Buffets & Sit Down Meals Free delivery in East London.

Call us now T: 0208 524 2926 M: 07985110762 W: www.cateringoccasion.com 22 Alpha Road Chingford E4 6TB Available to provide catering within M25

MUMMYS ONLINE www.mummysonlinebabyshop.com.

SMARTIPANTS Brand new to the UK is Smartipants™ offering a simple, easy to care for and cost effective approach to washable nappies. These nappies are better for the environment, save money and protect your babies delicate skin, and ‘one size fits all’. They are fully adjustable to fit your baby, from newborn to toddler. There is no mess involved with a self-removing absorbent insert that stays snugly in place until it comes out in the wash. The special lining inside the nappy not only absorbs and traps moisture to keep the bottom dry, it also repels solids - so there is no need for rinsing or soaking. Prices start at £11.45 each, see www.smartipants.eu for a list of retailers.

STELLINI’S BABY SPRING/SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION The inspiration behind the collection is drawn from the bright wrappers of Italian sweets and each garment is named after an Italian candy or chocolate. With their fabulous array of candy colours these 100% cashmere dresses and playsuits are a certified fashion and comfort essential. Every inch of these contemporary designs have been lovingly designed and skilfully produced. The images speak for themselves!! Have a look at www.stellinababy.com/

6 | Families East May/June 2011

www.familieseast.co.uk

Local News 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA www.richmix.org.uk

MAY Wiggly Jigglers!

Creative Movement for Babies and Toddlers (for under 2’s) In partnership with Little Oaks Children’s Centre Mon 9 & 23 May Mon 13 & 27 June 1pm-3pm / Venue 2 £3 per child (families registered with Little Oaks Children’s Centre attend FREE) Children are full of life and leave us in no doubt that they need to move, and that we need plenty of energy to keep up with them. At these creative movement sessions they will get the space, the freedom and the time to move in ways that support their development, and that stimulate their imaginations.These sessions are led by Jasmine Pasch, movement practitioner.

StoryCraft Workshops with Apples & Snakes Mon 16 May / Mon 20 June 1.30pm-2.30pm / Venue 2 / £2 per child Our StoryCraft Workshops are engaging, interactive and fun and will fire your child’s imagination. Led by a different storyteller of poet every month the sessions are aimed at mums, dads and carers with children aged 2 to 5, and encourage families to enjoy stories together in an active and fun way. Using puppets and percussion instruments, stories are animated and involved actions, singing and discussion. All sessions feature a hands-on craft activity. Group bookings from nurseries and children’s centres welcome.

Kids’ Cine Time Enjoy a collection of films for all the family every Saturday and Sunday at 12pm* Tickets are £1.50 per person and the film programme can be found on our website : www. richmix.org.uk * Films start at 11am on Kids’ Film Fun Workshop days.

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Kids’ Film Fun Workshops Sun 15 May / Sun 12 June 1.30pm – 3pm / Venue 2 / £4 per child / £5.50 including Kids’ Cine Time screening Kids’ Film Fun Holiday Workshops Wed 1 June / Thu 2 June / 1pm – 4pm / Venue 2 / £6 per child / £7.50 including Kids’ Cine Time screening Extend the fun after a visit to Kids’ Cine Time by joining our hugely popular film-making workshops where children have the opportunity to make their own short animated films. Sessions include experimenting with editing, learning about stopmotion animation, sound effects and more. For

children 5-12. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult during the workshop.

Draw Me a Bird

By Peut-être Theatre For children aged 4 to 7 Sat 28 May / 11am / 2pm / Venue 1 / £5 per person* A new play inspired by the poetry of Jacques Prévert.

Peut-être Theatre returns to Rich Mix with their new show – a dance-music theatre piece about a little bird who loves the songs of a Paris street musician so much that when the other birds fly away for winter she stays behind. This heart-warming story fuses poetry with bird song, French folk music and an exciting, physical language.

JUNE Three Billy Goats Gruff and Other Furry Tails

By Theatre of Widdershins For children aged 3 to 9 Sat 18 June / 11am / 2pm / Venue 1 / £5 per person* Our Storyteller is on the run from those threeheaded monsters. Are you really sure what happened to the wolf and those three little pigs?

What about Goldilocks? And as for the three Billy Goats Gruff, how did they really deal with that troll? All is revealed in this beautiful puppetry show that is full of fun, laughter and an exciting gypsy soundtrack. * Tower Hamlets residents pay £4 – Just show your Tower Hamlets Idea Store or Tower Hamlets Library membership card and some form of identification when purchasing tickets at the Box Office.

Are you a local business woman?

Would you like to meet other like-minded local business women at informal coffee mornings or monthly meetings to exchange ideas and build a network of people around you who you trust, know and respect?

Join Athena as it’s a great way to generate contacts and develop your business.

If you are an entrepreneurial mum and you want an opportunity to create easy relationships please contact Stella Fehmi via email at stella.fehmi@theathenanetwork.com to find out where your nearest group is!

May/June 2011 Families East | 7

Baby Special

From newborn to walking: an amazing first year with Baby Sensory Baby Sensory classes have been taking East London by storm for the past 18 months with over 600 babies already feeling the benefits from the programme.

Babies as young as two weeks old can enjoy the vast array of sensory activities on offer, Nicola Archibald, leader of Baby Sensory in Redbridge looks here at why baby development classes have such an essential part to play in the first year of a baby’s life.

B

abies have an amazing capacity to learn, and Baby Sensory classes offer an ideal setting for a world of exploration, discovery and play! By their first birthday, a baby’s brain has doubled in size and the foundations for walking and communicating are in place.

Baby Sensory was created by Dr Lin Day in 2006 with classes designed and developed exclusively for babies where every opportunity is given for sensory exploration and development.

Where dangling fish become a focus for visual tracking, bubbles help with depth perception and fabrics for touch. Space blankets make a wonderful multi-sensory aid, fibre optic stars strengthen eye muscles and musical instruments help with co-ordination and dexterity.

Each week there is a different theme to be explored every week with activities such as ‘Jungle Jitters’, ‘Beach Party’, ‘Space Adventure’ and ‘Baby Pirates’.

Special weekend classes allow partners, grandparents and extended family members to get involved too.

Nicola Archibald started running Baby Sensory classes after taking her own son to the programme in 2009 “I couldn’t believe the progress my son made each week. I loved the fact that each class was themed, there was always something new to do and new ideas to take away for play at home too”.

8 | Families East May/June 2011

There are so many activities that can aid learning and development in the first year of life and Baby Sensory activities are accompanied by developmental theory to understand at what stage a baby is functioning. This helps parents understand what to expect from their babies and how best to facilitate their play and learning.

For more details of Baby Sensory classes in East London and to book a free taster session contact Nicola on 07834170485 or email redbridge@ babysensory.co.uk Further details can also be found on www.babysensory.com

www.familieseast.co.uk

There are so many things that new parents can do to help their baby learn and develop. Nicola suggests a few essentials that really make a difference: 1. TUMMY TIME. 5 minutes of ‘Tummy Time’ 2 or 3 times a day can help head shape and brain development and leads onto crawling, an important milestone.

2. CRAWLING. Crawling stimulates left and right brain development, improves overall health and their immune systems and helps eyes work together (crucial for later reading). Activities such as play tunnels and interesting toys placed just out of reach will encourage older babies to crawl.

3. LANGUAGE. Talking to babies during daily routine activities is essential. Responding to any sounds that babies make with praise and encouragement helps them understand the art of conversation. Read and reread picture and story books that focus on sounds and rhymes. Making animal sounds is a winner - babies love them!

4. GAMES. Time-honoured games such as ‘Pat-a-cake’, ‘Peek-a-boo’ and ‘Pop goes the weasel’ are lovely ways to stimulate smiles and giggles. Research shows that having fun improves social skills and leads to a love of sports and games in later life.

5. TEXTURES. Mouthing and touching objects are fundamental ways in which babies learn about weight, taste, smell and temperature. Introduce your baby to different textures such as citrus fruits, fabrics and everyday objects such as purses and bags.

6. EXERCISE. This is vital to keep babies healthy and to develop muscles in preparation for sitting, crawling and walking. Babies love rowing and cycling exercises and being massaged from head to toe especially just after a bath or nappy change when arms and legs are unrestricted by clothing. Exercise can also relieve stress and tension in the joints during growth spurts.

7. IDEAS FOR PLAY. Simple homemade toys are often more effective than bought toys. Try filling a tissue box with ribbons or fabric to tempt investigation; or put your hand inside a sock to make a talking puppet.

Baby Exercise – not just a fad

By Joanne Parry In recent years, new mums have found that there has been an explosion of classes for babies, from baby massage to music, signing to singing, and gymnastics to yoga.

Many of these classes are valuable both for baby’s development as well as a way of meeting other mums, but recently research has been undertaken that pushes the importance of some of these classes to the fore. This research indicates that exercise in infancy may be vital in maintaining a child’s lifelong health. This may seem like a fad, but concerned parents are flocking to exercise classes that cater for children of all ages, even those too young to crawl.

We take a closer a look at this to better understanding this trend and see what options are available for you and your baby.

www.familieseast.co.uk

The Science According to some paediatric experts, parents who use prams, playpens, car seats and bouncing chairs for hours at a time may be delaying both their child’s physical and mental development. “The need for even the very young to be physically active is something parents often don’t understand,” says Jane Clark of the University of Maryland, USA. “The earlier infants and toddlers get exposure to daily movement and exercise, the better the likelihood of healthy development in later life.” In fact, regular exercise in the very young encourages their brains to develop pathways and connections to their muscles. This can help them to see physical activity as easy and enjoyable so making it a life-long habit that helps prevent obesity and other weightrelated conditions. The lesson learned – keep your baby active and it can set them up for a healthier life.

May/June 2011 Families East | 9

Out & About Competitions

THEATRE & CONCERTS BARBICAN

Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS 020 7638 8891 www.barbican.org.uk LSO Discovery Family Concert: Sound Detectives Sat 28 May 11am, 2.30pm, 7yrs+ £8/£4 Join presenter Paul Rissmann and the LSO to uncover hidden tunes, spot instruments in disguise and decipher musical clues. There will be lots of variation that will enhance your appreciation of classical music Pre-concert workshops 10am –12.30pm £5 per person Get those creative juices flowing ready for the afternoon’s performance in exciting workshops based on the Family Concert ‘Sound Detectives’. You will get the chance to compose music alongside members of the LSO, as well as making your own props to take into the concert. Open to Family Concert bookers only

Family Film Club

Discover a world of film together with your family every Saturday morning at the Barbican. Membership is free, and you can join via the website

BLOOMSBURY THEATRE

15 Gordon Street, WC1H 0AH 0207 388 8822 www.thebloomsbury.com Fame the Musical Tue 10 – Sat 14 May 8pm (3.30pm Sat) Fame the Musical will give you an evening to “remember forever” in Make Believe’s new production based on the 1980’s film. Thousands of UK actors, musicians and dancers auditioned for the star roles, many of who have gone on to showcase their talents in TV, Theatre and Film

BROADWAY THEATRE

Broadway, Barking IG11 7LS 020 8507 5607 www.thebroadwaybarking.com Fireman Sam Live Pontypandy Rocks!

Sat 7 May 1pm, 3pm £12/£10 Family £40 The hero next door is back, in a brand new show live on stage...Pontypandy Rocks! Join Fireman Sam, and all his friends, as Pontypandy hosts its first ever music festival!

From Here to There Thu 19 May 10.30am, 12.30pm £5 18 months – 4yrs Once there were two children, one just loved to build things, up… up… up… the other loved to knock things down Bang! Clang!

Thu 19 May 10.30am, 12.30pm £5 A show that’s all about bridges!

Bridges that get built and knocked down, bridges you can climb over and crawl under. Using rhythm and vocal play, shoe boxes, card and the world of the imagination, two quite independent individuals discover ways to play together and reach each

other. Performances are followed by a ‘freeplay’ session giving the children an opportunity to explore some of the materials and build their own bridges!

Way Back Home Thu 16 Jun 10.30am, 1.30pm £5 Once there was a boy who, one day, found himself stuck on the moon. He is frightened, lost and alone, until a passing Martian lands there too. Who is the strange alien? Can they really be friends? And how will they find their Way Back Home???

Meet, Greet, Sing and Play Road Show Sat 11 Jun 11am 2pm £10/£8 family £32 Join CBeebies I Can Cook’s Katy Ashworth for an afternoon of simple fun and play. Learn the raisin face, explore the magic suitcase, join in with the story making and help do some giant makebelieve baking! Packed with lots of fun it’s a fantastic giggle-filled way to spend an hour of your day! Just don’t forget to bring your imagination

GREENWICH THEATRE

Croom’s Hill, SE10 8ES 020 8858 7755 www.greenwichtheatre.org The Tiger That Came To Tea Sat 14 May 1.30pm 3.30pm Sun 15 May 11am 1.30pm £11/£8.50 3yrs + The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea.

Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! For the first time ever, this much loved tale of a tiger is brought vividly to life on stage in a show packed with oodles of magic, sing a long songs and clumsy chaos Not So Grimm Fairy Tales Sun 29 May 1pm Mon 30 May 11am 2pm £11/£8.50 4yrs + A play with music for the whole family.

All your favourite Grimm characters – Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Tom Thumb, a handful of princesses, a whirlwind of witches and one weally, weally wicked wolf – are all brought to life in this energetic, colourful, laugh-aminute show, with music, surprises and a touch of magic

KENNETH MOORE THEATRE

Oakfield Rd, Ilford IG1 1BT 0208 553 4466 www.kmtheatre.co.uk Aladdin Thu 2 Jun 1pm, 3.30pm £8/£6 A light hearted pantomime for all the family – including a host of the most colourful ‘half life size’ puppet creations in a fast moving fantasy show. A great half term treat

QUEEN’S THEATRE

52 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 01708 443333 www.queens-theatre.co.uk Fireman Sam Live Pontypandy Rocks!

Sat 29 May 4pm, 6.30pm Sun 30 May 10.30am 1.30pm £11.50 3-7yrs Station Officer Steele has booked a

10 | Families East May/June 2011

Your guide to the best entertainment and local events London has to offer.

To list an event contact editor@familieseast.co.uk surprise guest star to perform at the festival; it’s a big secret. With so much to plan and prepare Norman Price and Mandy Flood are told to stay out of mischief but Naughty Norman is determined to find out who the secret superstar!

SOUTHBANK CENTRE Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 0844 875 0073 www.southbankcentre.co.uk Family Gamelan Taster Sessions Sat 11 Jun 3pm Sun 12 Jun 11am 2pm Sat 25 Jun 3pm £8/£4 booking fee £1.75 6yrs+. Join in and experience the beautiful Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra at Southbank Centre. Fun for all the family! Each session lasts for 2 hours. Please note an adult must accompany children under the age of 13 STRATFORD CIRCUS Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX 0844 357 2625 www.stratford-circus.com Parent/Carer and Baby Creative Dance Fri 6 May to Fri 15 Jul 10am £50 per term or £6 drop in Creative Club Sat 7 May – Sat 16 Jul 9.30am 2-4yrs with adult 10.30am 5-8yrs £55 for ten classes Capoeira is back this term due to popular demand! This Brazilian art form is a vibrant mix of dance, live music, acrobatics and martial arts: 2-4 year olds and their parent/carers will have fun together making music and learning new moves; 5-8 year olds will build up their skills and sequences over the 10 weeks and perform to parents at the end of term!

Everyone will develop their flexibility, coordination, sense of rhythm and have lots of fun with new friends!

Planet of the Beetlebuns Fri 6 May & Sat 7 May £6 Family £18 2-5yrs. Fri: 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 2pm Sat: 9.30am (Under 2’s special show), 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.15pm, 4.30pm. The Beetlebuns are extremely shy creatures but they are great fun and full of surprises. Let them show you their planet full of weird and wonderful things where crazy machines turn and magical trees blossom The Chalk Giants Sat 4 Jun 3pm £6 5yrs+ The Chalk Giants retells the tales of Jack the Giant Killer…but from the giant’s perspective. This show explores the myths and legends surrounding giants, from the chalk giants carved into the English landscape, to the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. With a great narrative, the production uses a remarkable range of storytelling techniques; the performers mix chalk drawings, live film projection, shadow puppets, poetry and song to create an absorbing and magical piece of theatre

UNICORN THEATRE

147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com See website for show times as these vary each day One Little Word Wed 18 – Sun 22 May £11/£9 Family £32 3yrs+ We meet two characters who play together – exploring a new space, new objects, dressing up and taking turns but struggles arises when one of them wants to be the Captain of the ship.

One Little Word is especially created for young children and contains only one spoken word!

Lost and Found Wed 25 – Sun 29 May £11/£9 Family £32 3yrs+. This is a heart-warming, touching tale about the friendship between a young boy and a penguin.

When a confused, sad bird arrives at the door, the boy assumes that he is lost and decides to help the penguin find his way home - even if that means rowing all the way to the South Pole

EVENTS THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE

Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 020 7928 3535 www.bfi.org.uk The Disney 50 £6.75/£9.50, family £20 Some of the world’s most celebrated family films of all time are showing on the big screen throughout 2011 Lady and the Tramp Sat 7 May 12.50pm & Mon 9 May 6.20pm Sleeping Beauty Fri 13 May 6.30pm Sat 14 May 2pm One Hundred and One Dalmatians Tue 17 May 6.20pm & Sat 21 May 1.30pm The Sword in the Stone Sat 28 May 1pm & Mon 30 May 3pm

THE CENTRE OF THE CELL

Blizard Building 4 Newark St, Whitechapel, E1 2AT 020 7882 2562 www.centreofthecell.org Suitable for 8yrs+ check website for full details This fascinating science education centre is sited in a working bio-medical research lab. Once inside you will gather around a central ‘nucleus’ for a powerful audiovisual display which introduces cells. The nucleus opens to reveal touch-table games, you can try your hand at virtual experiments, heat extensive burns and have your cells counted. You can also get to see real body parts and diagnose cancer using high-power microscopes Pod show and ‘Making Science Beautiful’ workshop Sat 7th May - This workshop will show you the beauty of the microscopic world that is hidden to the naked eye. If you enjoy science, art of just getting creative you will love this workshop

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Competitions Out & About COVENT GARDEN PUPPET FESTIVAL AND MAY FAIR

Sun 8 May starts 10.30am – all day The Covent Garden puppet festival is an annual event celebrating the art of puppetry and the origins of Punch and Judy LONDON GREEN FAIR REGENTS PARK Sat 4 & Sun 5 Jun 12 noon – 7pm Free The London Green Fair promises a weekend of free entertainment for all ages. Expect world music, ethical fashion shows and a huge children’s play area NATIONAL FAMILY WEEK Mon 30 May – Sun 5 Jun A week of activities, events, money saving offers and competitions aimed at the whole family. A large outdoor event taking place on London’s Clapham Common (29/30 May). This initiative celebrates the diversity of the modern day family, championing the benefits of quality family time and encouraging a healthier and more active approach to family life. To find an event near you, check out the website www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 0844 875 0073 www.southbankcentre.co.uk Festival of Britain with Mastercard Until 4 Sept This event celebrates the 60th

Barkingside Chingford Dagenham East Ham Goodmayes

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anniversary of Festival of Britain with a four-month festival of British culture and creativity. Experience performances, new outdoor environments, talks, events, concerts and gigs by some of Britain’s leading artists and thinkers

GALLERIES NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE 020 7306 0055 www.npg.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, Thu & Fri 10am-9pm Family Events: Meet in the Ondaatje Wing Main Hall Storytelling for Families Sat 21 May 10.30am & 1.30pm 3yrs+ Bring the Gallery’s portraits to life in this exciting storytelling sessions followed by a fun art activity Family Art Workshop Sat 21 May 11.30am & 2.30pm 5yrs+ Free Explore portraits in the Collection, followed by an art activity in this enjoyable family session. Ticket required and available one hour before the event Whitsun Holiday Activities Mon 30 May - Fri 3 Jun Every Weekday 11.30am & 2.30pm A week of workshops and activities inspired by the “Only connect” display

SOMERSET HOUSE

Strand, WC2 1LA 020 78454600 www.somerset.org.uk

020 8503 9272 020 8524 7417 020 8599 8090 020 8472 0465 020 8598 9922

Saturday Free Family Workshops 2pm free 6-12yrs (tickets available from 1pm on the day from the info desk in the Seamen’s Hall - allocated on a first come, first served basis) Think Ink! Sat 14 May Create pen and ink drawings as artists of the past have done Play and Display Sat 21 May Design a spectacular sculptural centrepiece for an open-air courtyard complete with water features London Underground Sat 28 May Explore the hidden London beneath our feet; tunnels, rivers and ruined palaces, and add to a giant 3-D map of those secret spaces Holidays Drops-In 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm Suitable for families with children of all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. If the workshop is full, families are welcome to wait until spaces become available, and the activity lasts about half an hour

TATE BRITAIN

Millbank, SW1P 4RG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/britain Open: daily 10am-5.50pm until 10pm the first Friday of the month Musical Pictures: Free Family Music Workshops with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Sat 11 June 2011 10am 11am 12.15pm 3-10yrs

Hackney Hornchurch Loughton South Woodford Walthamstow

A series of music workshops for children with their mums, dads and carers. Join musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and use music, songs and sounds to explore the artworks in the gallery Family Trails Available daily from the Information Desks free for 5yrs and under Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your POST IT! box as you go. When you get home, open up the box and show your friends what you found. Or play the listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talking hands… and make your own sculptures Art Trolley, Rotunda Every Weekend Free for all ages Kids are encouraged to imagine and create; they can make colourful collage, style a wonderful sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas TATE MODERN Bankside, SE1 9TG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/modern Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm Fri & Sat 10am-10pm Under 5s Zone Level 5 Concourse, free This is a new play space for under 5’s and their families. The Under 5s Zone invites children on a creative, physical and sensory exploration of themes inspired by Cubist artworks Children Multimedia Guide Daily from the Information Desks on

020 7241 3339 01708 471687 020 8508 2090 020 8530 3773 020 8223 1205

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Out & About Levels 3 £4.50 5yrs+ Keep youngsters captivated and animate artworks through music, video clips and entertaining games – a sensory experience for all the family to enjoy Weekend Sessions Every weekend 11-4pm Level 3 Concourse, free, 5yrs+ With the help of a friendly Start Team, stimulate your weekend with games, map-making or clue-matching Tate Modern Family Resources Available daily from the Info Desks on Levels 1 and 2 free for all ages Pick up a free families resource and set off to explore the Galleries with paperbased activities that will help you look, enjoy and learn about art

Bookable sessions, plus drop-in workshops and a free family trail are available on the day Drawing Workshops Most Saturdays in term-time, Creative Studio, 11.30am-1pm, £10 per session (book min 4 consecutive sessions) Suitable for ages 10-16 yrs Calling all young artists! Take part in our new drawing workshops with experienced artists. All materials provided. Book through the Prince’s Drawing School - 0203 326 2090 or email youngartists@ princesdrawingschool.org.uk

MUSEUMS

THE NATIONAL GALLERY

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN 020 7747 2885 www.nationalgallery.org.uk Open: daily 10am–6pm, Fri 10am– 9pm, free Museum at Night at the National Gallery Fri 13 May 5-9pm “Museum at Night” is a national Campaign for late-opening across the UK, and takes place 13-15 May. The initiative seeks to attract people into Museums and galleries who don’t usually visit. It coincides with the Europe-wide celebration “La Nuit des Musées”. Join us for a night of Renaissance revelry! Discover Northern Renaissance artist Jan Gossaert, draw from life model, go on tour or enjoy renaissance music by candlelight – plus families can take part in a magical storytelling session Family Event: Mystery Magic Stories Fri 13 May 6-7pm Meet at the Sainsbury Wing information Desk. Come dressed in your favourite costume – or even pyjamas - as performance storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton delights and thrills with the magic and mystery of Renaissance paintings Carpet Storytelling 10.30am & 11.30am every Sunday 2-5yrs Fly away on the magic carpet, which comes to land in front of a different painting each Sunday Studio Sundays 11am & 2pm 5-11yrs alternate Sundays Hands-on workshops that start in the Gallery and are followed by a studio session Trails and Audio Tours Families can print it out from www. nationalgallery.org.uk/families or pick one up at Information Desks

WHITECHAPEL GALLERY

77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX 020 7522 7888 www.whitechapelgallery.org Family Day: Paul Graham Sat 14 May 12 noon Join the artist collective Junto: Projects to explore the Gallery with your family and document the world around you inspired by Paul Graham. Then show your work at the Whitechapel Gallery.

Bank of England

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

Entrance in Bartholomew Street, off Threadneedle St, EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Open: Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, free The Museum tells the story of the Bank, from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Among the exhibits are Roman and modern gold bars (visitors are invited to lift a genuine gold bar), the country’s oldest paper money, pikes and muskets once used to defend the Bank and many other objects. Interactive displays give visitors the opportunity to explore the intricate, changing designs and evolving security features contained within banknotes.

Going Decimal Until Fri 8 July A new display to mark the 40th anniversary of the day on which Britain switched from a centuries-old monetary system of pounds, shillings and pence to a currency in which the pound was divided into one hundred units Museums at Night Fri 13 May 5.30pm-9pm A rare opportunity for an evening visit to the Bank. Alongside the Museum displays, there will be special presentations on banknotes in the Museum cinema and Bank staff will answer questions about gold Characters of Note Mon 31 May – Sat 3 Jun 10.15am, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm, 4.15pm A children’s drawing workshop in which a professional artist will show the basic techniques for sketching faces, using historical characters which have featured on Bank of England banknotes. Prizes to be won in a quiz about past and present banknote characters

BRITISH MUSEUM

Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8000/8299 www.britishmuseum.org Open: daily 10am-5.30pm, free Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World

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Until Sun 3 Jul £10/£8 under 16 free A unique opportunity to see an exceptional collection of over 200 objects which show how ancient Afghanistan was at the heart of a cultural crossroads.

CHURCHILL MUSEUM AND CABINET WAR ROOMS

Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQ 020 7930 6961 www.iwm.org.uk/churchill Open: 9.30am-6pm. £12.80/£15.95, under 16s free Out of the Box Sat 14 & Sun 15 May Drop in 11am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm An engaging drop-in session where all visitors to the Churchill War Rooms can examine replica objects that have become unique symbols of Churchill, the most famous of British wartime leaders Come and delve into this grownup dressing up box, containing iconic Churchill replica items such as hats, coats and cigars. Take a step further in Churchill’s footsteps by handling the objects and even trying on the clothes.

Interpreters will be on hand to help visitors learn more about the collections and direct them towards original items on display, for example Churchill’s own Siren Suit which can be found in the ‘daily routine’ area of the Museum.

DESIGN MUSEUM

Shad Thames, SE1 2YD 020 7940 8787 www.designmuseum.org Get Creative! Workshops What are Sunday afternoons for if not to get creative? Budding designers age 5 to 11 are invited to join our team of designers at our Design and Make workshops in the Museum’s child friendly, stunning riverside studio. With a rich variety of monthly themes there is something to satisfy everyone, be they aspiring architect or future fashionista Design Museum Family Day Bring the whole family along on Sunday 26 June for an exciting day of activities and fun with workshops, exhibition trails, games and competitions

GEFFRYE MUSEUM

136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm5pm free At Home in Japan: Beyond the Minimal House Tue 22 Mar - Sun 29 Aug In the West the Japanese house has reached iconic status in its architecture, decoration and style but is this neat, carefully constructed version of Japanese life in fact a myth?

Saturday Workshops 10.30am-2pm, 5-11 yrs free spaces allocated on a first come basis 30 mins before Little Lunchboxes Sat 7 May Personalise your own lunch box

Fantastic Fans Sat 4 Jun Decorate a fan Japanese-style to keep you cool Quizzes, activity packs and audio guides are available during holidays every Saturday and Sunday afternoon

HORNIMAN MUSEUM

100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 www.horniman.ac.uk Open: daily 10.30am-5.30pm, free Busy Bees Every Wed until 29 Jun 10.30am, 11.15am & 12 noon Fun sessions for under 5s and their carers wanting to discover the museum.

Creative play, enchanting stories from around the world, museum objects and simple craft activities, changing every week. Tickets available at 10.30am and 11.30am

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ 020 7416 5320/5321 www.iwm.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, free Once Upon a Wartime: Classic War Stories for Children Until Sun 30 Oct £3.95 to £5.95, family £12.50 The exhibition delves into the pages of well-loved books, bringing five stories of war dramatically to life through objects, photographs and films Women War Artists Until 31 Dec free Focusing on work by women war artists from the first World War to the Kosovo conflict as eyewitnesses, participants, commentators and as officially commissioned recorders

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB 020 7565 7299 www.ltmuseum.co.uk Open: Sat-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri 11am6pm, £6/£8/£10 Admission to the museum and family activities are free to accompanied children under 16 Please check website for details

MUSEUM OF LONDON

150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN 020 7001 9844 www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, free See website for full details of regular groups held at Museum of London for “Mini Moles” (6 months – walking) and Little Moles (walkers – 5 yrs) Edible History Mon 2 May 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm min age 5yrs free advance booking required Choose your picture wisely, make it your own by adding a personal touch, then turn it into a delicious cupcake A Miniature House Sun 22 May 12.30pm-2pm and 2.30pm-4pm 5yrs free We will look closely at the amazing 18th century doll’s house that belonged to the Blackett family. Make a copy to recreate your own home

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Out & About Great Fire Objects Sat 28 May 12.30pm & and 2.30pm 5yrs free Discover the stories behind some of the objects that survived the Great Fire of London

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS

West India Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 4AL 020 7001 9844 www.museumindocklands.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, £5 annual adult pass, kids free See website for full details of regular groups held at Museum of London Docklands for “Mini Mudlarks” (6 months – walking) and Little Mudlarks (walkers – 5 yrs) Objects from English folklore Mon 2 May 12 noon free min age 5yrs Join some of our archaeologists to handle some objects connected with English folklore and superstition.

Champion of the Sweeps Mon 2 May 12.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm free min age 5yrs Join us to hear the legend of Elizabeth Montagu whose young son was allegedly kidnapped for his fine clothes.

Years later, she found him working as a chimney sweep and every May Day after that held a feast for all the young chimney sweeps of London May Day on the Docks Mon 2 May 11am free Join us to celebrate May Day in traditional style. Choose from a range of craft, storytelling and object handling activities. Help to make a Jack in the Green, join in with our craft activities, listen to stories and take part in our procession Make a Jack in the Green Mon 2 May 11.30am 1.30pm free min 4 yrs Help us make a ‘Jack in the Green’, a traditional May Day custom. Join in the procession and take home a leaf for good luck Folklore at Sea Mon 2 May 12.30pm 2.30pm free min 5yrs Sailors believed that the figurehead of a ship was its eyes and would ward off evil marauding spirits. Find out about the symbols used and create your own figurehead design. Learn about other customs and superstitions connected with the sea Sailor’s 1000 stories and Puppet Making Sat 7 May 12.30pm 2.30pm free min 5yrs. Join us for a fun story and turn your favourite character into a puppet to take home with you The Docks of the Romans Sat 14 May 12.30pm & 2.30pm min age 4yrs free Create figures, animals, buildings and ship to add to a model of a Roman Docks scene Queen Rat and the Rat Kings Sat 21 May 12.30pm 2.30pm min 5 yrs free Learn about the great stink and the legend of Queen Rat. Make a quick stop-animation of scurrying rats for a performance in the afternoon

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How to be a Pirate Sat 28 May 12.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm min age 4yrs free Join this interactive drama performance to help our bungling buccaneer learn how to become a proper pirate Digger Mon 30 May 11am 12 noon 2pm free 2-5yrs Come and meet Digger, an archaeologist and find out about the treasures that could be under your feet in this fun, interactive storytelling session

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM and THE QUEEN’S HOUSE

Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF 020 8858 4422 www.nmm.ac.uk Open: daily 10am-5pm, free Play Tuesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 May 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm, & 2pm free under 5 yrs Young children can have fun with their families as they explore the Museum through making music, dance and drama Explore Saturdays 7, 14, 21, 28 May 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm free 6 yrs+ Meet a character from the past and take part in an exciting performance that will bring maritime history to life Discover Sundays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May 11.30am & 2pm, all ages free Be inspired by our maritime past and explore your personal connections to the sea Treasure Map Mon 30 May Wed 1 Jun Fri 3 Jun 11.30am 2pm free Hunt through the galleries looking for hidden pirate treasure, and make a secret map showing where to find the loot in the Museum Pirate Ship Mon 30 May – Fri 3 Jun 11.30am 2pm free Make a pirate ship for you and your family to sail to Treasure Island

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD 020 7938 9123, Info 020 7942 5000 www.nhm.ac.uk Open: Mon-Sat 10am–5.50pm, Sun 11am-5.50pm free Events for Families - check the full listing on www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on Here are some highlights: Age of the Dinosaur Until 4 Sept Dinosaurs make a dramatic return in this summer blockbuster exhibition.

Combining stunning imagery with amazing specimens and interactives, “Age of the Dinosaur” will take visitors on a journey through millions of years to life on Earth with the gargantuan reptiles Sensational Butterflies Until 25 September Experience the sensory world of butterflies, explore the five different sensory zones of sight, smell, taste hearing and touch in this new exhibition, come face to face with live butterflies in the beautiful butterfly house and learn more about the surprising life they lead

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Out & About Hands-On Nature: Dinosaurs Sat, Sun and School hols 2pm-5pm free Visit the handling trolley in “Lasting Impressions” and take a closer look at some interesting specimens with the help of science educators Daily Family Activities Mon- Fri 11am- 5pm Younger visitors can pick up an Explorer backpack and take a mini adventure around the Museum. Don’t miss the Dippy floor puzzle, perfect for under 8’s.

Complete the puzzle of the 26-metre long “diplodocus” and you’ll get a funky Dippy sticker!

Investigate Centre Mon-Fri term time 11am–5pm free Encourages children to look closely at real objects using the many tools provided to find out more and become a scientist for the day

SCIENCE MUSEUM

Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD 0870 870 4868 www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, free (charges for special exhibitions, IMAX cinema and simulator rides) Launchpad Science Shows Daily free 8 yrs + Launch a rocket, turn your head into a sound box, control a magnetic cloud and play with 50 more brand new interactive exhibits demonstrating light, sound, electricity and magnetism and more amazing physics phenomena Fly Zone Visit the brand new Fly Zone simulator area where you take control in 360-degree flight simulators or fly with the red arrows in our sensational 3D motion effects theatre Atmosphere: Exploring Climate Change This exhibition transforms the second floor of the Wellcome Wing in the Museum making it the destination to explore the science of climate change includes a 700 year-old Antarctic ice core Steam Dream – Interactive storytelling Sat 7, 14, 21 Sun 8 15 22 May 11.30am 1.30pm free 7yrs and under Get your gear turning, as we find out how steam makes things move and discover the man who made the steam dream come true Spaced Out – Interactive Tour Sat 14, 21 Sun 8, 15, 22 May 3.30pm free 5yrs+ Discover roaring rockets, amazing astronauts, smelly space poo, and much more

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP 020 7405 2107 www.soane.org Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, free Holiday Activities for Children Whole or half day workshops 10.30am2pm £18/£10 7yrs+ Booking essential - contact the Administrator on 020 7440 4263 or administrator@soane.org.uk The Treasure of the Pharaohs Wed 1 Jun (whole day) Inspired by the treasures of Egypt, make

a magic amulet, headdress or jewelled collar of your very own All Cathedrals Great and Small Thu 2 Jun (whole day) See the extraordinary models of some of the greatest Cathedrals before making your own model from a mixture of materials Paint a Pot - Ancient Greek style Fri 3 Jun (2 x half days) Discover some of the amazing ancient Greek myths, from glorious gods to terrible monsters, painted on ancient Greek pots. Use Sir John Soane’s magnificent collection to inspire you and paint your own pot to take home

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA 020 8983 5200 www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Open: daily 10am-5.45pm, free

NEW EXHIBITION: From the Tiger Who Came To Tea to Mog and Pink Rabbit Sat 28 May – Sun 4 Sept A retrospective of children’s author and illustrator Judith Kerr, featuring original illustrations from The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mog and Pink Rabbit

THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN 020 7563 9500/ 9551 www.wallacecollection.org Open:10am-5pm, free Family Activities: Children must be accompanied by an adult Brilliant Bookmaking Fri 3 Jun 10.30am 2pm free drop-in workshop booking essential Make your own special book, create and collect crafty things to go in it, inspired by the famous collectors of the past Fighting Fit! National Family Week Armour Handling Workshop Wed 1 Jun 10.30am & 2pm 7yrs+ £7 Feel what it’s like to wear armour and find out how heavy, flexible and protective it really is Pop Up Feast! National Family Week Drawing and 3D Workshop Thu 2 Jun 10.30am-3.30pm (lunch unsupervised) 12.30pm-1.30pm £14 9-12yrs Be inspired by our extraordinary painted banquet scenes to make your very own 2D/3D meal Daily: Family Multimedia Tour with interactive games (small fee) Free Armour Handling Find out what a brigandine is and how heavy a bulletproof breastplate really was.

Family Trials Themed family trails available from the information desk at the Front Entrance.

PLACES OF INTEREST DISCOVER

383-387 High Street, Stratford, E15 4QZ 020 8536 5555 www.discover.org.uk Open: daily Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm, £4.50, family £16 Please check website for details

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Pirates Weekend Sat 7 & Sun 8 May, 11.30am & 2.30pm Watch a shadow puppet show of The Night Pirates then make you own eye patch and sword The Tiger That Came To Tea Sat 14 & Sun 15 May, 11.30am & 2.30pm Listen to this classic story in our Story Glade in the garden (inside if wet!)

Kipper is 21 Sat 21 & Sun 22 May, 11.30am & 2.30pm Listen to great tales about him and celebrate his 21st birthday

WELCOME TO MONSTERVILLE

Sat 28 May 2011 - March 2012 Play, smell and taste the mankiest monster exhibition ever this summer!

Sat 28 May, 11.30am - Mini Monsters - story time for babies and toddlers in our Story Glade in the garden 12 - 12.45pm - Illustrator Ed Vere will be delighting the audience with live drawing 1pm - 1.45pm - Sarah McIntyre reads from her absolutely disgusting book Morris the Mankiest Monster and other creations 2.30pm - Monsterville makers Ed Vere, Sarah McIntyre and Neal Layton draw to decide who’s the most despicable champion monster creator of all time 3.30pm - Neal Layton shows us his sketchbooks and amazing monsters Sun 29 May, 11.30am - Mini Monsters (see above) 11.30 & 2.30pm - Morris the Mankiest Monster - The most revolting picture book ever! Our Story Builders present a book full of earwax, snot and goo.

EVERY DAY DURING HALF TERM: All day: Create your own jar of terrible goo to take home with you.

11.30am - Mini Monsters (see above) 12.30 & 3.30pm - Monstrous Trail Mon 30 May & Thu 2 June, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm Sun 5 June, 11.30am & 2.30pm - Morris the Mankiest Monster (see above) Tues 31 May & Fri 3 June, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm - Gruffalo Shadow Puppet Show *Voted by you as the best Monster Book* Wed 1 June & Sat 4 June, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm - Not now Bernard by David McKee Bernard’s parents are so busy doing their own thing, that a monster can eat Bernard’s dinner, break his toys, and even eat Bernard, without being noticed!

Sat 11 June, 2.30pm Stanley’s Stick with John Hegley – The hugely popular poet/author joins us at Discover for the first time Sun 12 June, 11.30am & 2.30pm Emily Browne and The Thing by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton - The perfect story about the monster that lurks under the bed Sat 18 & Sun 19 June, Part of Father’s Story Week - Celebrate Father’s Story

Week 11.30am & 2.30pm – Just Like My Dad by David Melling - A little lion cub can’t wait to grow up and do everything just like his dad 1pm - My Dad by Anthony Browne Sat 25 & Sun 26 June, 11.30am & 2.30pm Not Now Bernard by David McKee (see above)

EPPING FOREST

Visitor Centre, High Beech, IG10 4AE 0208 508 0028 Take a Peak: Baby Birds Sat 7 May 1pm-4pm free Watch our baby Blue Tits in their nesting box, weather and birds permitting! Learn more with our ‘bird-themed’ craft activity Half-Term Family Learning Event Insects: Butterflies & Moths Mon 30 May 1pm-4pm free A variety of butterflies and moths can be found in Epping Forest in late Spring and early Summer. Find out which ones prefer which habitats and why. Take part in a butterfly themed making activity High Beach Family Walk Tue 31 May 1pm-4pm Booking essential 020 8502 8500 Half-Term Family Learning Event Insects: Ladybirds Wed 1 Jun at The Temple, Wanstead free drop in There are lots of different types of Ladybird native to this area but new ones are starting to live here too.

Discover how to identify some of them and enjoy a Ladybird-themed ‘making’ activity

HMS BELFAST

Morgan’s Lane, Tooley St, SE1 2JH 020 7403 6246 www.iwm.org.uk Open: 10am-6pm, £12.95, under 16s free Interactive Operations Room From Fri 1 April HMS Belfast could once be controlled from the Operations Room, the nerve centre and brain of the entire ship.

Visitors can now imagine exactly what this would have been like as the Operations Room is updated with exciting interactive facilities Ship’s Conversations Sat 28 May – Sun 5 June Drop in 11am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm A look at navy slang and the origin of popular phrases that link to life at sea and the importance of the navy

KENSINGTON PALACE

Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX 0844 482 7777 www.hrp.org.uk The Enchanted Palace Until June 2012 £6.25/£12.50 family £34 A unique multisensory exhibition, combining fashion (Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest and many more) performance and dazzling spectacle to reveal Kensington’s magnificent state apartments in a magical new light

KEW GARDENS

Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AB 020 8332 5655 www.kew.org Open 9.30am-5.30pm (until March 26) with weekends close an hour later,

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Out & About £11.90/£13.90, children under 17 free Botanical Play A brand new play area “PLANTastic Play” to celebrate International Year of Biodiversity. This new area will encourage children to learn about the importance of plants whilst they play in a fun and interactive environment. From the heat of the Brazilian rainforest to the cool of the alpine region, and from the soaring heights of America’s redwoods to Rwanda’s tiny but perfectly formed water lily, a trip to Kew will bring visitors climates and regions from around the world without having to venture even as far as the airport!

LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

08456 770600 www.leevalleypark.org.uk Please check website for full details of location for all activities listed Waterworks Fun Day Wed 4 May 10am – 3pm free fun for all the family Take part in a whole array of fun activities at this unique wildlife haven containing one of the largest bird hides in London. On site over 322 species of plants, 25 species of breeding birds and a quarter of all British butterflies have been recorded King George Sailing Club Open Days Sat 14 May from 10am suitable for everyone free Come and try some of the exciting water sports on offer at this special open day. For more information visit www.kgsc.org.uk or www.leevalleypark.org Lee Valley Open (Ice Skating) Sun 29 - Mon 30 May, 9am–5pm suitable for everyone free National competitors are invited to take part in this skating competition.

Contact maryhunt48@btinternet.com.

Spectators welcome Pony Club Show (Lee Valley Riding Centre, Lea Bridge Rd, E10 7QL) Mon 30 May 10am – 5pm suitable for everyone free Join us at our annual show for Lee Valley customers and Pony Club members. Events will include showing, show jumping and mounted games Family Adventure Challenge Tue 31 May 10am – 1pm suitable for all the family £10 per team of two, booking required It’s time for parents and children to team up for our canoeing, cycling and orienteering adventure challenge.

Booking is essential as spaces are limited Star Track (Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Meridian Way, Edmonton, N9 OAR) Tue 31 May - Fri 3 Jun (timings tbc) aimed at children under 12 booking required Children aged 8-12 yrs can learn a range of skills needed for all the different types of athletics events, from hurdles to high jump. To book 020 8344 7230

RICH MIX

35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA 020 7403 6246 Box Office 020 7613 7498

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www.richmix.org.uk Kids’ Film Fun Workshops Sun 15 May & Sun 12 Jun 1.30pm3pm Venue 2 £4/£5.50 including Kids’ Cine Time screening 5-12yrs Extend the fun after a visit to Kids’ Cine Time by joining their hugely popular filmmaking workshops where children have the opportunity to make their own short animated films Kids’ Cine Time Enjoy a collection of films for all the family every Saturday and Sunday at 11am. Tickets are £1.50 per person StoryCraft Workshops with Apples & Snakes Mon 16 May & Mon 20 Jun 1.30pm– 2.30pm £2 StoryCraft Workshops are engaging, interactive and fun and will fire your child’s imagination. Led by a different storyteller or poet every month the sessions are aimed at mums, dads and carers with children aged 2 to 5. Using puppets and percussion instruments, stories are animated and involve actions, singing and discussion. All sessions feature a hands-on craft activity Wiggly Jigglers!

Mon 9 & 23 May 1pm–3pm £3 under 2yrs These creative movement sessions give young children the freedom and the time to move in ways that support their development and stimulates their imagination Draw Me a Bird Sat 28 May 11am 2pm Venue 1 £5 A dance-music theatre piece for children and their grown-ups about a little bird in a big city Three Billy Goats Gruff and Other Furry Tails Sat 18 Jun 11am 2pm Venue 1 £5 Our Storyteller is on the run from those three-headed monsters, trying to bring you the most fantastic tales from the Magic Land of Three

RSPB RAINHAM MARSHES

01708 899840 Open: daily Sun 1 Nov-Wed 31 Mar open 9.30am-4.30pm, 1 Apr-31 Oct open 9.30am-5pm Unique wetland reserve with innovative visitor centre, shop, café, wildlife garden, and children’s adventure play area - boardwalks throughout for wheelchair and pushchair access Entrance charges: Free to RSPB members and residents of Havering & Thurrock. Non-members: £2.50 adult, £1 child, £7 family (2 adults and up to 4 children). Some events may incur additional charges Kids Bird Watching Club Sat 21 May & 11 Jun 10am. Members £2.50 Non-members £5 Are you a budding birdwatcher?

Then why not join us on these special days held once a month? Explore the reserve through the seasons, watching and learning about the birds that visit and live here. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book

Insect Afternoon Sat 21 May & 11 Jun 1pm-4pm RSPB member: £4.00, Wildlife explorer member: £1.50. adult non-member: £5.00, child non- member: £2.00. This does not include reserve entry fees Do you like your beetles, grasshopperss, bugs and flies? Fancy getting up close and personal with the smaller critters on the marsh? A guided walk with our buggy experts will help you to identify what is out there at this time of the year. Booking essential 15 spaces only

SHAKESPEARE GLOBE THEATRE New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT 020 7902 1400 Bookings: 020 7401 9919/020 7087 7398 www.shakespeares-globe.org Open: daily 10am-5pm, £6.50/£8.50/£10.50, family £28

who took care of Royal business behind the mighty Tower walls, from 1100 to the present day, in a new permanent exhibition opening on the white Tower’s top floor Fit For a King - Daily Discover 500 years of spectacular arms and armour worn by kings and royal princes Royal Beasts From Sat 28 May For the first time visitors can experience the sights, sounds and smells of the animals that were once kept there as part of the royal menagerie .

REDBRIDGE COUNCIL

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH

Royal Observatory, Blackheath Ave, Greenwich, SE10 8XJ 020 8858 4422 www.nmm.ac.uk Open: daily 10am-5pm, free Saturday Space Explorers Sat 28 May 2pm 2.30pm 3pm 3.30pm 4pm free 5yrs+ These free family workshop focus on meteorites, with the chance to handle real space rocks and find out what we can learn from them Space Safari May 2011 11am (weekends & hol weekends) 12.45pm 1.45pm Mondays (during term time) £6.50/£4.50 Family £17.50 7 yrs and under Join Ted, the teddy bear, for live music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar system looking for the Great Bear in the sky Meet the Neighbours May 2011 5 yrs + Earth travels around the sun with seven other planets, hundreds of moons and millions of asteroids. Meet our neighbours in space in this new live planetarium show narrated by a Royal Observatory astronomer

TOWER OF LONDON

Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk Open: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am6pm, £9.50/£14.50/£17 family £47, under 5s free Buy in advance on 0870 756 7070 Power House Discover the stories and personalities behind the major organisations of state,

Laughter is a great stress buster.

In today’s fast paced and demanding world, not many things make us laugh.

Stress related illnesses are one of the most common reasons patients visit their doctor and an increasing reason for absenteeism in the workplace. Children laugh easily, it is said they laugh up to 400 times a day whilst adults only laugh between 12 and 15 times. Laughter improves circulation, exercises the diaphragm, heart and lungs and provides an aerobic workout for mind body and spirit.

Join us at our Laughter & Relaxation

Visit Redbridge Council’s website – www.redbridge.gov.uk - to download the “Do More with Kids” brochure which has a extensive listing of activities available across the borough suitable for all age groups.

MARKETS COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET

Columbia Road, E2 http://columbiaroad.info Open: Sundays 8am-3pm Nearest Underground Station: Old Street, Bethnal Green Flower Market selling plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and accessories for the garden

OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET

105a Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6BG www.visitspitalfields.com Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sun 9am5pm. Nearest Underground Station: Liverpool Street, Aldgate East Fashion, clothes, antiques, art, records, books

LEADENHALL MARKET

Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR 020 7621 0709 www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm Nearest Underground Station: Bank, Monument, Fine food and clothing

BROADWAY MARKET

E8 4PH www.broadwaymarket.co.uk Open: Saturdays 9am-5pm Nearest Underground Station: Hackney Central. Diverse range of shops and restaurants

sessions on the first Wednesday and third Tuesday of each month between 7.15pm and 8.30pm in Buckhurst Hill, Essex. The easily learned techniques can be used on a day-to-day basis. The sessions consist of gentle stretching, yogic breathing, and laughter exercises and end with a relaxation.

For more information www.laughterworkout.co.uk or telephone contact 0208 508 2134

May/June 2011 Families East | 15

Events Competitions

Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2011 24 June – 2 July 2011

street theatre in Historic Maritime Greenwich: amongst the highlights Until 150 years ago, when it was closed are Punch and Judy with life-sized down for being too unruly, Greenwich puppet actors, an outdoor aquarium, Fair was the largest and most uproarious gravity defying circus, a scientific gathering of outdoor entertainment in the exploration of what lies underneath a country. Described by Charles Dickens in park and a surprising tropical paradise. his collection of London scenes Sketches In addition, this year the Festival will

by Boz, the activities included sideshows, present its strongest theatre programme dancing booths, travelling menageries yet, including: • An and melodramas which boasted 3 murders and a “A thrilling showcase of acclaimed production ghost in 25 minutes. high octane performing of Samuel Beckett’s Greenwich+Docklands Act Without Words II by arts that use International Festival Company SJ coming architectural landmarks from last year’s Ulster (GDIF) will bring the Greenwich Fair back to Bank Dublin Theatre as their backdrop” life 2011 style - complete Festival. • The premiere THE SUNDAY TIMES with gravity-defying of All that is Solid performances evoking the hazardous Melts into Air, a poetic exploration of urban nineteenth century tradition of hill-rolling regeneration from Tangled Feet, directed in Greenwich Park. The 21st century

by Kat Joyce and Nathan Curry (Little Greenwich Fair will assemble a huge Platoons at The Bush). • A new version of showcase of British and international Ted Hughes’ children’s story The Iron Man

adapted by Paul Sirrett, directed by Jenny Sealey of Graeae Theatre Company, with an iron giant as tall as a double-decker bus.

Dancing City, the Festival’s much-loved annual programme of contemporary outdoor dance returns to Canary Wharf with some entrancing and ingenious performances, including: • Spanish dancers overhead on a transparent stage (audience will be on recliners beneath). • Live abstract painting combined with Deaf Men Dancing’s slick, suited quartet.

• Australian hip hop encounters with stiltwalking from Stalker. • A haunting outdoor duet from English National Ballet. • An overworked washing machine making a

choreographed appearance in Heart Wash The Festival’s finale in Woolwich welcomes the return, by popular request, of the outstanding Compagnie Off, one of the world’s leading street theatre companies, with their outdoor spectacle Les Girafes.

Described as an animal operetta, Les Girafes features a herd of life-sized bright red giraffes, a team of zoo keepers, a ringmaster and an opera diva, accompanied by pyrotechnic effects and music, bringing this year’s Festival to a stunning climax.

Full details of performances and listings information to be announced. For further information and images please contact Sharon Kean – 020 7354 3574 / 07973

843133 sharon@keanlanyon.com

Spring-a-long to the next E17 Designers Market The next event from E17 Designers is a spring market on Friday 13 May, 7-10pm, at the Asian Centre in Walthamstow.

Come along and see what this creative group of designermakers, artists and crafts people have all been working at during the long winter: check out their fresh and invigorating, handmade products that offer you their usual great mix of styles, designs and prices. Wander along Orford Road, do a little shopping and enjoy a meal or drink at the great local pubs and restaurants – make it a date! Listen to the The Stowicks, a local ceilidh band. Entry £1 includes a drink and the chance to win E17 Designer goody bags!

Asian Centre, 18a Orford Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9LN

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16 | Families East May/June 2011

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