Families upon Thames Nov-Dec 2014

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upon Thames

November/December 2014 Issue 99

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Christmas Guide and Santa’s Grottos!

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Leap into Narnia this Christmas...

Step into a fairy-tale land inhabited by mythical creatures and fantastical fauns with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Only the most intrepid of children can unlock the secrets and save Narnia from the White Witch’s spell…

This Christmas, Rose Theatre Kingston and RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey will be offering families the ultimate Narnia experience. C S Lewis’ classic story is brought to life by over 70 young actors in a thrilling new production at the Rose Theatre from 30 Nov – 4 Jan; whilst from 20 Dec – 4 Jan, RHS Garden Wisley will turn its beautiful gardens into an enchanting Story Trail.

For more information and to book: Rose Theatre Kingston Sun 30 Nov – Sun 4 Jan rosetheatrekingston.org

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey Sat 20 Dec – Sun 4 Jan (not 25 or 31 Dec) rhs.org.uk/wisley

By C S Lewis Adapted for the stage

by Theresa Heskins

Theatre performance sponsored by Wahid Samady &

11–23 December 2014 • Watermans Christmas Show

21 Nov - 14 Feb Polka Theatre presents

”Christmas just as it should be…”

Brighton Argus

A swashbuckling adventure for the whole family

By JM Barrie Adapted by Peter Glanville Music by Martin Ward

Box Office 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk Watermans 40 High Street Brentford TW8 0DS Bookings made online attract a £1 transaction booking fee Watermans is managed by Hounslow Arts Trust Ltd (No. 1164904) Registered as a charity (No. 267426) VAT No. 422352977

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Tickets: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB Presented by arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Samuel French Limited

November-December 2014

e

LINDA STONE, Editor m: 07530 283330 t: 020 8241 0423 e: editor@familiesuponthames.co.uk www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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Julia ’s M

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE CONTACT:

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Look out for our New Year issue which will be published on 5 January!

Find us and like us on Facebook Facebook.com/familiesuponthames @FamiliesuponT Now more than 5500 followers!

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Christmas fun

Christmas Animal Visit at Hatchlands Park Sunday 14th Dec, 1-3pm Call 01483 222482 for details

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November-December 2014

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FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLBEING Christmas Gifts for You and Yours A SPRINKLE OF MAGIC TO SHARE WITH YOUR CHILD

By Linda Stone, Editor Children can find it very hard to talk about their feelings with their parents and friends and this can become an issue if a child has a worry or problem.

Local parent, Leitita Green was training to be a counsellor when she met a child who was being bullied at school and was too afraid to tell anyone. Over time, the child started to leave written notes about the situation in her bedroom, which her mother thankfully found.

From there the issues were addressed.“This got me thinking about how important it is for children to have someone with whom they can share everything, without fear of the consequences” Leitita told me.

It’s not uncommon for reticent children, and complex thinkers and worriers, to share and talk with imaginary friends. Leitita remembers the magic of telling her own secrets to the fairies in the garden as a child, and she suddenly realised that she could give children a voice by bringing fairies into their homes.

The result was My Fairy Door, a gift set

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containing a fairy-sized hand-painted door which can be attached low on a wall, or high on a shelf or bookcase. Once attached, a child can sprinkle a little magic fairy dust and choose a fairy to come and live there, from a list of those looking for a home. The gift set also includes a fairy guide, a magic fairy key, lots of fairy dust and an optional Christmas or birthday card from the fairies, all packed in a golden metallic envelope.

My Fairy Door aims to make children feel special and help create happy, magical memories.“Children can share their excitement about family events, celebrations or significant moments by leaving a note or drawing for their fairy” explains Leitita.“Parents can communicate their love and encouragement by leaving little notes to their children from their fairy. Fairies are very good at encouraging children to sleep in their own beds, and helping them when they start a new school or move house!” Fairies sometimes leave small gifts for well-behaved children too, and are always there to listen to a child’s worries or concerns. They can even blow away bad

A dream for every pre-school child... ...and their parents

dreams or deliver a special letter to the Tooth Fairy!

Kate from Shepperton bought My Fairy Door for her daughter.

“It’s been fabulous for engaging Megan’s imagination” she reports “She talks to her fairy and leaves notes for her all the time and my older daughter helps her use the little key. Her fairy is a real part of the family!”

For more information and to purchase a My Fairy Door gift set (£19.99), visit www.myfairydoors.com

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GIVE YOURSELF THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GIFT By Linda Stone, Editor Imagine you are waking up on New Year’s Day 2015. Usually this is a day to dust off our dreams and make resolutions. All too frequently though our dreams are forgotten a few weeks later as the business of life takes over.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine that this year you feel different. You have bounce in your step, clarity of vision, purpose in your words and joy in your heart.

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5

PARENTING

Toys Children Love

By Linda Stone, Editor

Buying Christmas presents for kids is challenging. What is age-appropriate? What will last? What do you buy your pre-teen niece when your own kids are still playing with Stickle Bricks? Nationwide, the Editors of Families Magazines have over fifty children between us, so we’ve compiled a list of the toys that our children have really loved to help give you a few ideas for “winning presents.”

BABIES Toys are largely irrelevant for this age group so it’s not worth spending much. Go for stacking cups, soft toys (Jellycat has some gorgeous ones), fabric books or a rattle. For bigger presents, try a play gym, door bouncer or a musical toy.

Alternatively, how about a donation to a savings account?

TODDLERS One of the favourites for this age group is a Little Tikes Cosy Coupe – these are available in great condition second hand and will be played with until your kids are too big to get in and out! Toy kitchens complete with plastic fruit and veg are equally popular and kids love serving tea to mum and dad. Anything musical is a winner, as is mess-free colouring with Aquadraw or Usborne First Sticker Books (www.usbornebooksathome. co.uk)

PRE-SCHOOL Dressing up and role-play kits are perfect for this age - doctors, fireman, cowboy and pirate outfits and The Disney Princess range (www.disneystore.co.uk), as well as pop-up tents and tunnels, themed Duplo sets and dinosaurs! I can personally recommend the plastic model collections from www.nhmshop. co.uk/dinosaurs. The Peppa Pig toy range is also massive, with its play sets, puzzles, books and DVDs. By this age, some girls love dolls – try a soft rag doll like Bigjigs or the Manhattan range, for which you can also buy outfits and accessories. ELC also has a good selection of dolls’ prams and buggies. Boys may enjoy a workbench with nails to hammer down, or a Thomas the Tank Engine or Brio train set which can be bought second hand on ebay.

AGES 5-8 Lego, lego and more lego! Bricks and wheels, Lego City, Harry Potter, The Hobbit and Star Wars will all last forever. Imaginative play options such as Play Mobil, with its broad-range of themes including fairies, hospitals, farms, pirates, knights, and vehicles, work well. Sylvanians and Lego Friends are also great options.

Craft kits like Hama Beads, and complete, easy-to-follow kits for decorating mermaids and jewellery boxes from ELC are very popular. And don’t forget Barbie! Boys might prefer construction toys, Geomags panels and magnets, Hot Wheels, Transformers, Scalextric or a marble run. Anyone who has one says that a trampoline is the

A. Both have families in mind www.bizzy-bitz.com

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best thing they’ve ever bought.

Buy the biggest your garden can accommodate and make sure you’ve got a safety net.

Try Just Outdoor Toys, (www.justoutdoortoys.co.uk) or John Lewis (www.johnlewis. co.uk).

AGES 9–11 By now gender preference will have kicked in. Buy girls pretty slippers, little bags, jewellery, scarves, picture frames or a gift card from Claire’s Accessories.

DIY baking sets make a lovely gift. Crafts are still up there – scrap booking, the unusual Klutz range, or Harumika (www.harumika. eu) which gives girls the option to use material to dress mannequins in different outfits and upload their creations online. Letterbox and www.sciencemuseum.org. uk have a great selection of craft kits for boys and girls. For sports fiends, look no further than sports kit, clothes, books, and DVDs. Or how about a football goal, kite, skateboard, or cool clothes to protect elbows/ knees? Also worth a look are Ripstyle waveboards, which come in a variety of styles and colours (www.waveboardsale.com/ collections/ripstyle-boards). For a musical child, consider a drum kit or guitar. Or for those into the computer game Minecraft, Amazon has a good range of toys to complement it, like a torch, collectable figures and a Lego game.

And don’t forget – board

games are popular with all ages!

Try Orchard Toys for ages 3 to 7, Junior/Adult Monopoly, Connect 4, Uno, Cluedo and Rummikub!

Every Bookcase Should Have: Under 3s ✱ Usborne That’s Not My… series ✱ The Hungry Caterpillar ✱ Dear Zoo ✱ Spot and Maisy lift-the-flap books Pre-school ✱ Anything by Julia Donaldson ✱ The Tiger Who Came To Tea ✱ Charlie and Lola ✱ Each Peach, Pear, Plum 5 to 8 years ✱ Roald Dahl ✱ Michael Morpurgo ✱ Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree ✱ Dr Proctor’s Fart Powder ✱ The Spy Dog series 9 to 11 years ✱ Harry Potter ✱ The Hobbit ✱ Jacqueline Wilson ✱ Skulduggery Pleasant ✱ The Ingo Chronicles

November-December 2014

FESTIVE FAMILY OUTINGS VISIT SA NTA at HOBBLEDOWN T HIS CHRiSTmA S

LI T Y: SA NTA’ S AVA ILA BI Saturday Nov 29th & Sunday Nov 30th Saturday Dec 6th & Sunday Dec 7th Friday Dec 12th Saturday Dec 13th & Sunday Dec 14th Monday Dec 15th to Thursday Dec 18th Friday Dec 19th Saturday Dec 20th Sunday Dec 21st Monday Dec 22nd & Tuesday Dec 23rd Wednesday Dec 24th

11am - 4pm 11am - 4pm 3:30pm - 6:30pm 11am - 6pm 3:30pm - 5:30pm 1pm - 7pm 10:30am - 7:30pm 10:30am - 6:30pm 10am - 6:30pm 9:30am - 4pm

Tickets £6.50 on top of normal admission rates (£5.85 for Annual Passholders).

To book call 0843 289 4979. Please note we will require full payment upon booking.

Hobbledown, Horton Lane, Horton, KT19 8PT

www.hobbledown.com

10181_QuarterPgAd_FamiliesLSB.indd 1

24/09/2014 09:56

Let your kids drive in London.

Now they can drive a Tube train, climb in a bus cab and lose themselves in our exploration zone. Better still, kids go free at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden.

November-December 2014

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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FESTIVE FAMILY OUTINGS ta’ See San here

SEE THE GRUFFALO AND MEET SANTA AT CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES RESORT!

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is expecting two new visitors on its Festive Zoo Days this Christmas! The one and only Gruffalo makes an entrance as part of a NEW, festive family show - and Santa is setting up for the first time in his Chessington Grotto!

Festive Zoo Days take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 December up to and including 13/14 December and then daily between 18 December and 4 January (excluding Christmas Day). Visitors can enjoy the show, as well as a ‘meet and greet’ with The Gruffalo and a visit with Santa in his Grotto between 10am and 3pm. Kids can also follow a Gruffalo Quiz Trail around the Zoo, meeting familiar creatures from the story along the way. A visit to Santa’s Grotto costs £5 (including a gift) and pre-booking is required.

Market Square will set the Christmas scene with stalls, reindeer and a giant Christmas tree.

With over one thousand animals in the Zoo, SEA LIFE centre and Wanyama Village & Reserve, as well as animal shows, presentations and the NEW AMAZU Treetop Adventure to explore, there will be plenty to fill your schedule.

If you want to explore Chessington at a leisurely pace or fancy a change of scene over Christmas, you might consider a Father Christmas Sleepover at one of Chessington’s two themed hotels. The package includes one night at the Chessington Safari or Azteca Hotel with character breakfast, evening entertainment, use of the swimming pool and Savannah Splash area, access to Festive Zoo Days and a meeting with Santa in his Grotto.

By Olivia Malaure

For further information, see page 12 and visit www.chessington.com

ALL ABOARD THE SANTA ta’ See San here SPECIAL AT THE WATERCRESS LINE! By Olivia Malaure

Deck the Halls Osterley Park and House Saturdays & Sundays: 29 & 30 Nov, 6 & 7 Dec, and 13 & 14 Dec 12-3.30pm Create new family traditions this year at Osterley by making decorations and garlands, and help us deck the halls ready for Christmas. Father Christmas is flying in for a special visit, so pre-book your grotto ticket or enjoy storytelling in a group setting.

creating traditions

020 8232 5050 | nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley Share your Christmas traditions with us @OsterleyNT #NTChristmas

Christmas pattern inspired by wallpaper at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire.

© National Trust 2014. The National Trust is a Registered charity no. 205846.

National Trust Images/Yannick Lalardy.

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A nostalgic journey aboard the heritage steam train at the Watercress Line in Hampshire makes for a magical Christmas treat.

The line gained its popular name in the days when it transported locally grown watercress to markets in London.

But this Christmas, passengers departing from the historical Alresford station platform can share their journey with Santa, not watercress!

The station will be festively decorated and passengers can enjoy Christmas music and keep warm by the wood fire in one of the waiting areas, as they wait for the decorated train to arrive at the station, spluttering and shunting in preparation for the one hour round trip through the scenic Hampshire countryside.

Mince pies, wine, and Santa’s elves singing carols should keep adults happy, whilst their children anticipate a memorable encounter with Santa who will visit each child in their own seat, with a special gift and the chance to have their photo taken with him.

Trains depart from Alresford on a round trip to Medstead and back, or depart from Alton on a one hour round trip to Ropley and back and Santa is on board on 6/7, 13/14 December and from 20 to 24 December inclusive.

For more information, see page 12 and visit www.watercressline.co.uk November-December 2014

FESTIVE FAMILY OUTINGS WINTER DELIGHTS WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST!

ta’ See San here

By Olivia Malaure

Colder weather doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up indoors, so throw on your coats and scarves and discover the great National Trust Properties on your doorstep this winter. Wander along festive garden trails, take part in kids’ crafts, and after a bracing walk, tuck into warm mince pies, mulled wine and other seasonal treats in the cafe!

Enjoy the Claremont Christmas Trail from 13 December to 4 January (10am to 3pm) and play with traditional toys and games inside the Fairy Tale Christmas Cottage from 15 December to 4 January (10am to 3pm), nestled in secret woodland at Claremont Landscape Historic Gardens in Esher, charmingly Royal Places – Spines decorated for the festive season.

Format A5 Portrait Make a special visit to see Father Christmas in his Width Spine 25mm goody-filled Grottos at Ham Spine Height 210mm House (6/7, 13/14 20-23 December), Morden Hall Park Take a sleigh ride aroundat +40) craft and gift stalls and enjoy hot HRP Text 14pt (Tracked on 6/7, 13/14 December and Polesden Lacey on weekends roasted chestnuts, mulled wine Palace Text from21pt (Tracked Osterley Park and House in 30 November to 22 at -10) and mince pies to the sound of Isleworth on 29/30 Nov and December, where the house and live music and carols.

Icon(11am 15mm Wide (0.5pt/0.25pt) 6/7, 13/14 December grounds are magically prepared Create new family traditions to 4pm), where you can also for Christmas. Escape the cold this year at Osterley Park and enjoy Christmas storytelling. on an indoor trail of the house, House on 29/30 November, Write your letter to which includes dressing a paper 6/7, 13/14 December Father Christmas in the doll and making a crown.

(12pm-3.30pm) by making library at Polesden Lacey Revel in the festive decorations and garlands, and near Dorking on weekends atmosphere in the Victorian help Deck the Halls ready for from 30 November to 22 Stable Yard at the Morden Hall Christmas. Get creative in the December, and drop it into the Park Festive Christmas Market kitchens or see the Georgian Edwardian post box, or into the on the 6/7 and13/14 December and Victorian costumes on enchanted post box if you’re (11am-4pm). Browse local food, display. visiting Claremont Landscape Gardens!

For further information, see page 12 and 22 and visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW AT THE LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM!

By Linda Stone, Editor

Let your children’s imaginations run wild as they are transported back in time at the London Transport Museum. They can take the wheel of a bus, train or taxi, try their hands as tube conductors, or bump around with the other passengers in a carriage, as they explore London’s vehicles, past and present. This winter, families can discover the role of transport in the First World War at special exhibition, Goodbye Piccadilly.

Christmas-themed workshops will run daily from 29 December to 2 January.

At Dashing Through the Snow (ages 3 to 7), kids can join in with family-friendly

Family

Ghost tours

parachute games and follow a snowflake on its journey from the sky to the streets of London.

Older children (ages 4 to 12) can get hands-on with junk modelling and create a mini snow mobile to take home.

The museum is open from 10am to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays and weekends and 11am to 6pm Fridays.

Admission is FREE for under 16s and tickets are valid for 12 month’s unlimited admission.

For more information, see page 23 and visit www.ltmuseum.co.uk November-December 2014

Selected early evenings from November

Join us for a fun, spooky evening at Hampton Court Palace Suitable for 8–14 year olds To book, call 0844 482 7777 or visit hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

9

FESTIVE FAMILY OUTINGS

ta’ See San here

EXPERIENCE A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS AT BOCKETTS FARM! By Olivia Malaure

From 27 November to 24 December, children can hop aboard the Santa Express at Bocketts Farm and visit Santa in his magical hay barn workshop, where he will be greeting children and giving each a gift!

There’s no queuing as your appointment with Santa will be at a specific time, enabling you to enjoy the Farm, before and after.

Voted by The Guardian as one of the Top 6 places in the UK to see Santa, you can prepare for Christmas by buying your Christmas tree and wreaths at the Farm too, as well as a huge range of sledges and toboggans for snow during the festive season. Trees and wreaths go on sale on 29 November.

All the usual Farm delights will also be on offer, with animal ‘meet and greets’ and play in the large indoor heated play barn, with its giant astro slide, trampolines and pedal go karts.

ta’ See San here

A MYSTERICAL CHRISTMAS AT HOBBLEDOWN!

By Olivia Malaure

If your kids love mystery and adventure, they can enjoy a ‘mysterical’ encounter with Santa and his Elves at Santa’s Grotto at Hobbledown from 29 November to 24 December.

But, before that, on Friday 28 November, visitors can enjoy the annual Hobbledown Christmas Lights Switch On and check out the gift shop for fantastic stocking fillers.

Dressed for mess, kids can enjoy high and low ropes courses, over and underground tunnels, mazes and other adventurous playground equipment. On rainy days, a heated soft play area entertains kids for hours and is adjacent to a great café.

For more information, see page 12 and visit www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Performers dressed as characters from the Hobbledown book, written by Angela Kejovic, wander through the park entertaining children with mischievous stories and mayhem, whilst children can laugh at the cheeky antics of wallabies, chinchillas and meerkats, which are quirkily named in the language spoken in Potensia, the land in the Hobbledown book.

A winter’s day out at Hobbledown is a cracker of a Christmas treat!

For more information, see page 12 and visit www.hobbledown.com

CHRISTMAS AT HOUNSLOW URBAN FARM

SANTA SPECIALS S E E S A N TA O N A STEAM TRAIN!

Advance booking only!

Enjoy the magic of a one hour steam train ride as Santa visits you at your seat with a gift for every child.

SANTA SPECIALS 6, 7, 13, 14, 20-24 DECEMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK CLICKETY CLICK TO WWW.WATERCRESSLINE.CO.UK

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By Olivia Malaure “Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

There are plenty of creatures stirring at Hounslow Urban farm this Christmas, as the much-loved local farm in Feltham, prepares for a visit from Father Christmas!

Take a walk through a Christmas forest and meet real live Christmas animals including turkeys, Christmas lambs, baby alpaca, a donkey and a foal.

If your child has a pony on their Christmas wish list, they may have to settle for a pony ride at the Urban Farm. Three working Shetland Ponies, Ollie, Honey and Filly will gently introduce your little one to riding with the help of an experienced staff member. There’s a ‘meet and

greet’ with the pony too.

Alternatively, take your kids on a pony sleigh ride, a perfect Christmas treat for those who don’t want to venture into the saddle!

For more information, see page12 and visit www.hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk November-December 2014

FESTIVE FAMILY OUTINGS SANTA’S WONDERLAND GROTTO AND CIRQUE ta’ See San here NORMANDIE AT CHESSINGTON GARDEN CENTRE!

EXPLORE AN ILLUMINATED ta’ See San here WONDERLAND TRAIL AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE!

By Linda Stone, Editor

By Olivia Malaure

It’s official! Santa has confirmed he will be in residence at Chessington Garden Centre from 15 November until 24 December. So now would be a good time to make plans to visit his fantastic NEW Santa’s Grotto.

A visit starts with a short animated film, starring the much loved Rocket the Reindeer. Then follows a magical trip through the wonderland world of the grotto to meet Father Christmas.

The adventure starts in a room in a quiet, country house – an escape from life in wartime London. In the room is a wardrobe with a magic entrance. Just like Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan, your kids will be transported to the fantasy world of Narnia, meeting the mystical lion and other magical characters, and encountering other stunning fairy-tale inspired scenes.

Toad Hall is the next stop on the journey through this incredible world. There children meet the impulsive Mr Toad and other residents of

Toad Hall, including Ratty, Mole, Badger and the mischievous weasels.

Following an audience with the Queen of Hearts and Alice at the Mad Hatters tea party, children are transported through an icy Winter Wonderland complete with polar bear tea party and ice skating penguins and have the chance to dance along to a great, new swinging polar bear band. Their trek will conclude with a rare chance to see inside the Magical Toy Workshop of the elves, before a personal meeting with Father Christmas in his magical Ice Palace.

Whether as a first time or returning visitor, a trip to see Cirque Normandie at Chessington Garden Centre, is not only great fun for all the family, but also a chance to create special festive memories.

It’s a fantastic 60 minute show, created specifically for children up to age 10, and includes an international cast of aerialists, acrobats and jugglers. All shows are hosted in a centrally heated Big Top and performances run on selected dates from 29 November to 4 January.

History meets technology at Hampton Court Palace this Christmas as the world famous maze and formal gardens are transformed into an Illuminated Wonderland Trail for families to explore.

Beautiful, innovative and fun, this magical experience will have everyone talking about Hampton Court’s contemporary take on Christmas lights.

From 12 to 23 December, with allocated time slots between 5pm and 7pm, kids can run through the maze, chasing lights and sounds, and explore a never-ending interactive light tunnel.

Watch the spectacular finale at the iconic East Front of the

Palace in awe. Here, kids will discover that the harder they jump on a giant, interactive key pad, the brighter the Palace illuminations will shine!

Other traditional seasonal events at the Palace are also sure to warm the hearts of festive families. Family Ghost Tours continue throughout November and December; there is a series of storytelling, music and craft workshops to be enjoyed; families can start the festive season with Christmas Carol Singing with the Epsom & Ewell Silver Band, or take a turn around the Palace Ice Rink with the splendid Tudor Façade of Henry VIII’s pleasure palace forming a magnificent backdrop.

For further information, see page 22 and visit www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace

MEET SANTA & GO ON A PONY SLEIGH RIDE Enter Santas grotto & meet the man himself!

Take a walk through our Christmas Forest with real live Turkeys, Xmas Lambs, Baby Alpaca, a Donkey and Foal!

Please check our website for details.

For more information, see page 12 and 22 and for times, prices and online booking, visit www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk November-December 2014

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WHERE TO VISIT SANTA A Guide to Local Santa’s Grottos

Please check listed websites to confirm opening hours and dates.

BARNES WONDERFUL WINTER WEEKEND AT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT Grotto Open: 6-7 Dec Cost: Admission plus £5 (includes goody bag) Visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto, meet his reindeer and take a husky sleigh ride.

020 8409 4400 www.wwt.org.uk BRENTFORD BREAKFAST AND TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE GARDEN CENTRE Syon Park TW8 8JF Grotto Open: 1-21 Dec Enjoy a delicious breakfast or tea and meet Father Christmas.

Cost: £9.99 includes meal and gift 020 8568 0134 www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk CHESSINGTON SANTA’S GROTTO AT CHESSINGTON GARDEN CENTRE Leatherhead Rd, Chessington KT9 2NG Grotto Open: 15 Nov-24 Dec Cost: £11 includes gift Short, animated, festive film, followed by a magical journey through a wonderland of stunning fairy tale-inspired scenes, before meeting Santa in his enchanting ice palace.

01372 725638 www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk FESTIVE ZOO DAYS AT CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES Leatherhead Road, Chessington KT9 2NE Grotto Open: 6-8, 13-15 Dec, 18 Dec-4 Jan Cost: FREE with admission Come and explore the Zoo and SEA LIFE centre and meet the Reindeers, Willow and Drizzle. Experience a variety of animal shows and feeds throughout the day.

0871 663 4477 www.chessington.com COBHAM THE MEDICINE GARDEN SANTA’S GROTTO Downside Road, Cobham KT11 3LU Grotto Open: 18-22 Dec Cost: £8 (includes gift) Visit Santa and his elf in the magical grotto within the walls of the garden.

01932 589536 www.themedicinegarden.com SANTA’S GROTTO AT SQUIRES GARDEN CENTRE Stoke Road, Cobham KT11 3PU Grand Arrival: Santa arrives in a sleigh 29 Nov at 10am Grotto Open: Every Sat and Sun from 29 Nov-21 Dec Cost: FREE includes gift 01932 862530 www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk SANTA IN THE CRYSTAL GROTTO AT PAINSHILL PARK Portsmouth Road, Cobham KT11 1JE Grotto Open: 6 to 24 Dec Cost: £9 includes gift.

For a truly magical experience visit Father Christmas in the newly restored crystal grotto at Painshill.

01932 584284 www.painshill.co.uk EPSOM VISIT SANTA AT HOBBLEDOWN Horton Lane, Epsom KT19 8PT Grotto Open: 29-30 Nov, 6-7, 12 to 24 Dec Cost: Admission plus £6.50 (includes gift) 0843 289 4979 www.hobbledown.com

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FELTHAM VISIT SANTA AT HOUNSLOW URBAN FARM Faggs Lane, Feltham TW14 0LZ Grotto Open: TBC Cost: TBC Follow the magical Christmas trail, receive a gift from Santa and meet real live reindeers!

020 8831 9658 www.hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk HAM SANTA’S GROTTO AT HAM HOUSE Ham Street, Ham TW10 7RS Grotto Open: Every Sat & Sun from 6-21 Dec plus 22-23 Dec Cost: Admission plus £3.50 (includes gift) Follow a trail to Santa’s grotto and receive a traditional Christmas gift.

020 8940 1950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house HAMPSHIRE SANTA SPECIAL AT THE WATERCRESS LINE Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JG Open: 6/7, 13/14 Dec plus 20-24 Dec Cost: Adult £18, Child (1-16) £18, Baby £10 includes gift and refreshments.

See Santa on a steam train as you take a one hour round trip through the scenic Hampshire countryside.

Santa visits every child at their seat with a special gift. Includes wine and mince pie for the grown-ups and soft drinks for the children.

01962 733810 www.watercressline.co.uk HERSHAM SANTA’S GROTTO AT SQUIRES GARDEN CENTRE Burwood Rd, Hersham KT12 4AR Grand Arrival: Santa arrives by Routemaster Bus 30 Nov at 10am Grotto Open: Every Sat and Sun from 30 Nov-21 Dec Cost: FREE includes gift.

01932 247579 www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk ISLEWORTH BREAKFAST AND TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE GARDEN CENTRE Windmill Lane, Osterley TW7 5PR Enjoy a delicious breakfast or tea and meet Father Christmas.

Open: 1-24 Dec Cost: £9.99 includes meal and gift 0844 288 5145 www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk CHRISTMAS AT OSTERLEY Osterley House & Garden, Jersey Road, Isleworth, TW7 4RB Grotto Open: Sat & Sun 29, 30 Nov, 6, 7, 13 & 14 Dec (11am-4pm) Cost: Admission (reduced for Xmas) plus £5 (includes gift) Enjoy Christmas activities including storytelling, trail and craft, and visit Santa in his grotto. Booking required for grotto. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park KEW SANTA’S SNOWFLAKE GROTTO AT KEW GARDENS Kew Rd, Richmond TW9 3AB Grotto Open: 26 Nov-22 Dec (5-9pm) (not open every day) Cost: Admission plus £4 (includes gift) www.kew.org KINGSTON BENTALL’S CHRISTMAS GROTTO 3rd Floor, Children’s World, Kingston Grotto Open: 13 Nov, 29 Nov-24 Dec Cost: FREE or £3.95 with gift The theme this year is The Lion, the

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Witch and the Wardrobe. www.bentalls.co.uk LEATHERHEAD BOCKETT’S FARM SANTA’S GROTTO Young Street, Fetcham KT22 9BS Grotto Open: 27 Nov-24 Dec Cost: Admission plus £6.95 (includes gift) Hop on board the Santa Express trailer for a short trip to his magical hay barn workshop where each child will meet Santa and receive a wrapped gift.

01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk LONG DITTON SANTA’S GROTTO AT SQUIRES GARDEN CENTRE LONG DITTON Woodstock Lane North, Long Ditton KT6 5HN Grand Arrival: Santa arrives in unique vehicle 29 Nov at 10am Grotto Open: Every Sat and Sun from 29 Nov-21 Dec Cost: FREE includes gift.

020 8398 7170 www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk MORDEN HALL VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS AT MORDEN HALL PARK Morden Hall Road, Morden, SM4 5JD Grotto Open: 6/7, 13/14 Dec Cost: £8 includes gift Visit Father Christmas and the elves in his magical grotto and receive a very special gift! Booking advised.

020 8545 6850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hallpark NEW MALDEN SANTA’S GROTTO AT TUDOR WILLIAMS TOY DEPARTMENT, 1st Floor, High Street KT3 4BU Grotto Open: Sat 6, 13 and 20 Dec (10am-4pm) Cost: £3.95 includes gift 01932 589536 www.tudorwilliamsltd.co.uk SHEPPERTON SANTA’S MAGICAL GROTTO AT SQUIRES GARDEN CENTRE Halliford Road, Shepperton, TW17 8SG Grand Arrival: Santa arrives by Monster Truck 22 Nov at 10am Grotto Open: 22 Nov-24 Dec Cost: Child £7 includes gift, Adult £3.

Be enchanted this Christmas by this interactive live magic show, followed by a visit with Santa. Booking required.

01932 784121 www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk/boris TEDDINGTON SANTA’S GROTTO AT PLAY INSIDE OUT TOY SHOP 63 Broad St, Teddington TW11 8QZ

Sun 14 Dec (1.30-4pm) Cost: TBC Meet Santa as well as Elsa and Anna from Frozen. www.teddbiz.co.uk TWICKENHAM SANTA’S GROTTO AT SQUIRES GARDEN CENTRE TWICKENHAM Sixth Cross Road, Twickenham TW2 5PA Grand Arrival: Santa arrives by Routemaster Bus on 22 and 23 Nov at 10.30am Grotto Open: Every Sat and Sun from 22 Nov-21 Dec and 22-24 Dec Cost: FREE includes gift.

020 8977 9241 www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk SANTA IN THE OCTAGON AT ORLEANS HOUSE Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DJ Open: Sun 7 Dec Cost: £8.50 Santa returns for his annual visit to the Octagon at Orleans House Gallery.

0208 8831 6000 www.richmond.gov.uk/arts WALTON BREAKFAST AND TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE GARDEN CENTRE Seven Hills Road, Walton KT12 4DD Grotto Open: 1-24 Dec Cost: £9.99 includes meal and gift Enjoy a delicious breakfast or tea and meet Father Christmas.

0844 288 5145 www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk WEYBRIDGE BROOKLANDS MUSEUM SANTA ON THE VC10 Brooklands Rd, Weybridge KT13 0QN Open: 6/ 7, 13/14, 20/21 Dec Cost: Admission plus £5 (includes gift) Once again, Santa will be giving his reindeer a rest for a while and borrowing the VC10 aircraft so that he can meet his young fans. Booking is advised.

01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com BREAKFAST AND TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE GARDEN CENTRE Crockford Bridge Farm, New Haw Rd KT15 2BU Enjoy a delicious breakfast or tea and meet Father Christmas.

Grotto Open: 1-24 Dec Cost: £9.99 includes meal and gift 0844 288 5117 www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk

November-December 2014

LOCAL THEATRE Winter Wows at Watermans! GUIDE

By Linda Stone, Editor

Winter theatre for kids doesn’t get much better than the superb line-up on offer at Watermans in Brentford over the coming weeks. From puppetry and song to non-verbal shows, from the interactive to the intimate, there is something on offer that will suit the taste of every child.

Highlights of the season include Cake, an original, up-close-andpersonal 80 seat performance on 16 November (ages 4-9+), a musical, magical journey in Robin’s Winter Adventures (ages 4+) on 23 November, in which a young boy faces his fears, and the non-verbal show The Feather Catcher on 7 December (ages 3-6) which uses live music and beautiful projections to tell a tale of teamwork. It cleverly engages kids further with the story

by giving them the opportunity to play with the performers afterwards!

Book seats for Misunderstood Monsters (ages 4-9+) on 9 November and help Georgie and Squeezy save the earth from Aliens! It’s part of the Digital Performance Weekender at Watermans on 8/9 November which features free interactive installations and events, including a FREE drop-in Guerilla Toy Hacking Workshop. Wondering what on earth that is? Then think of those hybrid toys made from different toy parts in Toy Story.

Children will be invited to make their own hybrid toy, using toys otherwise destined for landfill and prints from a 3D printer. It will certainly be something completely different!

Watermans’ starry Christmas Show The Night Before Christmas runs from 11 to 23 December. Guaranteed to increase children’s anticipation and excitement, this Christmas show is an extra-special treat with a real ‘wow’ factor. The production is inspired by the classic poem Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, and quickly takes the young heroine on an adventure featuring some great characters including a robot, a fairy and a mouse. The adaptation, by Big Wooden Horse, is imaginative, magical and engaging, with plenty of action songs in which the audience is encouraged to join.

It celebrates that Christmas is for everyone Christmas and Theatre emphasises the importance

of putting aside differences in order to enjoy friendship, family and a happy celebration.

Photo ©Tom Sierak

Watermans’ Starry Christmas show

A WICKEDLY FUNNY FAMILY PANTOMIME

JERRY HALL

CHRIS JARVIS

AIMIE ATKINSON PHIL HOLDEN

Enjoy the fabulous Watermans’ Family Cinema Deal on offer during November and December.

One adult goes free per one paying child (£7.50) at 11am performances of The Box Trolls (Sat 1 November), Frozen Singalong (Sat 8 November), How to Train Your Dragon II (Sat 15 November), Dolphin

Tale II (Sat 22 November) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Sat 29 November). Films in December to be confirmed. So dads or mums, send your other half Christmas shopping and get the kids out of the house for a while!

For more information, see page 16 and visit www.watermans.org.uk to book.

November-December 2014

FRI 5 DEC 2014- SUN 11 JAN 2015 0844 8717651 *

atgtickets.com/richmond

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See CS Lewis’ Classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at The Rose Theatre this Christmas! By Linda Stone, Editor Christmas Theatre

From 30 November to 4 January, families are invited to enter a spectacular world of mythical creatures, sparkling spells and an epic battle between good and evil as CS Lewis’ classic story is brought to life at The Rose Theatre stage in an exhilarating new production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The Pevensie children, Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter, are evacuated from their London home to the grand old Professor’s house deep in the English countryside. Among its many rooms is one that is quite empty - except for a dusty old wardrobe.

When Lucy steps inside, little does she know that her life will change forever. Beyond the fur coats and mothballs, under the glow of a lamp post, lies the mysterious, magical land of Narnia, a land where it is always winter but never Christmas, a land enslaved by the power of the White Witch.

Lucy takes her brothers and sister on a thrilling adventure to meet the majestic lion Aslan, the loveable Mr Tumnus and his fantastical friends - and to free Narnia from the White Witch.

If you listen carefully, you will surely hear the gentle whisper “Aslan is on the move!”.

Seasoned directory and Director of Learning and OLIVIER AWARD NOMINEE

Participation at The Rose Theatre, Ciaran McConville directs Theresa Heskins’ adaptation of this timeless classic. With young actors forming part of the company and playing alongside the professional cast, it promises to be an unforgettable family treat. Ciaran explains the need to stay true to the heart of this much-loved story, whilst, at the same time, introducing a freshness to the extraordinary adventure of the imagination upon which the Pevensie children embark.“This promises to be theatre at its most involving and exhilarating” comments Ciaran.“When you leave at the end of the show, it will be like stepping back out of the wardrobe.”

An Extra-Special Christmas Treat!

Families can get the best available seats for The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and enjoy a three course meal at Zizzi in Kingston, located opposite The Rose Theatre. The meal costs just £30 per adult or £19 per child (up to 12 years) and this offer is valid for all performances. Tables must be booked in advance at 020 8174 0090.

For more information, see page 16 and visit www.rosetheatrekingston.org to book.

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WIN! COMPETITION! WIN! This is a chance to WIN a Family Ticket to see THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE at The Rose Theatre this Christmas!

Enjoy the greatest imaginary journey of all time, as you venture into the wardrobe and visit Narnia, in The Rose Theatre’s adaptation of this timeless classic

by CS Lewis.

You’ll experience mythical creatures, sparkling spells and

an epic battle between good and evil, in this exhilarating new production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – a perfect treat for all the family.

The season runs from 30 November to 4 January and the Family Ticket will be valid for any performance for which there is availability, excluding 1.30pm on 10 December, 11am on 15 and 17 December and performances between 20 and 26 December.

To Enter: Go to our website at www.familiesuponthames.co.uk and click on Competitions in the top tool bar. Then, answer the following question: Who wrote the book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?

0844 482 9674 PICCADILLY CIRCUS

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Closing Date: Sunday, 30 November Terms and Conditions Apply

November-December 2014

Soar into the Sky Christmas Theatre with Peter Pan at Polka Theatre this Christmas!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who is the Most Famous Panto Star of All? Richmond Theatre patron, model and all-round icon Jerry Hall will be bringing a touch of glamour to this year’s pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as she takes on the role of the Wicked Queen.

This fabulous festive adventure, running from 5 December to 11 January, will take families into an enchanted fairytale forest to meet all their favourite characters from the story of Snow White. Will the Wicked Queen banish Snow White once and for all, or will the handsome Prince thwart her plans with some help from the dwarfs? Who’s the fairest in the land and will good triumph over evil? With stunning sets, glittering costumes and side-splitting comedy, Snow White looks all set to follow in the footsteps of last year’s production of Peter Pan, which enjoyed record breaking sales.

Joining Jerry Hall, for this fun-filled extravaganza is Cbeebies presenter Chris Jarvis (Show Me, Show Me) in the role of Muddles, musical theatre star Aimie Atkinson (Dirty Dancing, Never Forget) and the seven lovable dwarfs, led by Phil Holden.

Continuing its commitment to broaden access to its performances, Richmond Theatre will be holding a Relaxed Performance of Snow White specially adapted for anyone with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorder, learning disability or for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment.

The performance is scheduled for 1.30pm on Friday, 9 January, perfect for both the needs of families and school groups. There will also be a BSL interpreted performance on Friday, 2 January at 7pm and an Audio Described Performance on Saturday, 10 January at 7pm.

For more information, see page 16 and visit www.atgtickets.com/richmond to book.

November-December 2014

Polka Theatre’s Christmas show is always eagerly anticipated, and this year is no exception.

JM Barrie’s enchanting tale, Peter Pan, has been mesmerizingly adapted and directed by Peter Glanville and looks destined to delight.

From 21 November to 14 February, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell take flight from the stage of Polka, whisking Wendy and her brothers off to Neverland. This is a stunning show for the whole family, bursting with original songs, puppetry, swashbuckling fun and fairy dust.

Peter Pan has been described as the greatest story ever told and director, Peter Glanville, tends to agree with this.“On one level, it’s a cracking adventure story set in a fantasy world with pirates, fairies, flying children and ticking crocodiles, but it also has particular elements that draw us in emotionally and heighten the narrative” he comments.

Peter Pan certainly makes us ask ourselves

lots of questions. Who is this strange boy who refuses to grow up? How can children survive without a mother? What is Hook afraid of?

So what does Peter Glanville think is special about the Polka production? “It’s spectacular” he responds.“We have flying puppets designed by Sue Dacre, who has worked with Jim Henson, nail-biting swordfights, mesmeric mermaids and beautiful theatrical transformations.” In addition, a top quality cast, many who have worked with The Royal Shakespeare Company bring huge emotional depth and warmth to the spectacle.“We have also set Peter Pan in the late 1950’s, so the costumes echo the fashions of the time. The production gives us a sense that the world is on the cusp of huge social change” continues Peter.

In essence, Polka has created a winter production which will have broad appeal for all the family.“It’s an emotional story, beautifully told” says Peter.

Peter Pan is suitable for ages 6+ but there are performances available for younger children. There is also an Audio Described Performance on Saturday, 6 December at 2pm, a Relaxed Performance on Saturday, 13 December at 11am and an Integrated Sign Language Performance on Saturday, 10 January at 2.30pm.

For more information see page 16. and visit www.polkatheatre.com or call 020 8543 4888 to book.

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LOCAL THEATRE LISTINGS POLKA THEATRE 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB Booking: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com GRANDAD, ME…AND TEDDY TOO UNTIL 8 FEB A heart-warming story that celebrates the special role grandparents play in young children’s lives. With playful humour and original music, this charmingly-observed show is a magical family treat for all generations.

For Ages: 2-5 THE SNOW-SPERTS SEARCH FOR SNOW UNTIL 19 DEC Join the Snow-sperts on their quest to find snow through singing, sliding and stories.

For Ages: 2-5 ANGEL 6 NOV TO 8 NOV When Bill, a young girl, returns Miriam’s shopping bag, they strike up an unexpected friendship. A funny, heart-warming story about growing up and growing old.

For Ages: 10+ LITTLE HOWARD AND THE MAGIC PENCIL OF LIFE AND DEATH 9 NOV Following the success of their CBBC TV show, Little Howard’s Big Question, human Big Howard and the animated Little Howard bring their family comedy show to Polka.

For Ages: 5+ MAISY’S BAND 16 NOV Join Maisy, everyone’s favourite mouse and storyteller Liz Fost for a morning of mousy tales, fun and song.

For Ages: 3-5 PETER PAN Christmas Theatre 21 NOV TO 14 FEB Magic soars to the sky this winter, as Peter Pan and Tinker Bell whisk Wendy and her brothers off to Neverland. For Ages: 6+

RIVERHOUSE ARTS CENTRE Manor Rd, Walton KT12 2NZ Booking: 01932 253354 www.riverhousebarn.co.uk JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Christmas Theatre SAT 15 NOV Expect lots of surprises, a gripping story and beautiful images as Jack sells his cow for five magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds.

For Ages: 3+ PUSS IN SPACE Christmas FRI 12 TO SAT 20 DEC Theatre With live music and real stars (painted on the set), count down to Christmas with the Hotbuckle crew as they blast off into the fun-filled mayhem that is Puss in Space!

For Ages: 3+ THE LYRIC THEATRE Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7ES Booking: 0844 482 9674 www.nimaxtheatres.com ROOM ON THE BROOM Wed 26 Nov to Sun 11 Jan This Olivier Award nominated production tells the story of a friendly witch, her cat and three loveable animals who take to the skies on a broom and face a fearsome dragon in this magical, musical adventure. With enchanting puppetry, original sing-a-long songs and scary fun.

THE ROSE THEATRE 24-26 High Street, Kingston KT1 1HL Booking: 020 8174 0090 www.rosetheatrekingston.org

THE LION, THE WITCH Christmas AND THE WARDROBE Theatre SUN 30 NOV TO SUN 4 JAN Step inside a spectacular world of mythical creatures, sparkling spells and an epic battle between good and evil as C S Lewis’ classic story is brought to life in this exhilarating new production.

WATERMANS 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS Booking: 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk MISUNDERSTOOD MONSTERS SUN 9 NOV Saint Georgie, a professional monster catcher and his faithful sidekick, Squeezy, are on their most dangerous mission yet. When earth is threatened by tiny Scoodlefug aliens, Georgie is forced to question who the real bad guys are and may just need the audience to come to the rescue! Pop alone to the FREE Guerilla Toy Hacking Workshop before the show! For details, see page 17.For Ages: 4-9 CAKE SUN 16 NOV A brand new, intimate object-theatre show for children and families. CAKE takes to the kitchen to tell a story of valour and bravery as fresh as lemon-scented washing-up liquid.

For Ages: 4-9 ROBIN’S WINTER ADVENTURE SUN 23 NOV An uplifting tale of change, bravery and friendship told with puppetry, poetry, music and magical design.

For Ages: 4+

AMAZING MR NOAH! SUN 30 NOV Designed as an introduction to story-telling for the very young, with puppets, toys and everyday things, this show is full of colour and imagination. Come and join the amazing Mr Noah on his voyage of adventure…

For Ages: 3-8 THE FEATHER CATCHER SUN 7 DEC This non-verbal show playfully uses live music and beautiful projection to tell this delightful tale of teamwork. Stay and play with the performers after the show!

For Ages: 3-6 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS THU 11 TO TUE 23 DEC The ideal Christmas show Christmas Theatre for young children, this is a captivating story guaranteed to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

The Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company brings magic, excitement, catchy tunes and plenty of audience participation to this dazzling production.

For Ages: 3-7 RICHMOND THEATRE The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ Booking: 0844 871 7651 www.atgtickets.com/richmond SNOW WHITE AND Christmas THE SEVEN DWARFS Theatre FRI 5 DEC TO SUN 11 JAN Jerry Hall will be bringing a touch of glamour to this year’s pantomime as she takes on the role of the Wicked Queen. Joining Hall will be Cbeebies presenter, Chris Jarvis. Join this festive adventure into an enchanted fairytale forest and meet all your favourite characters along the way.

THE VERA FLETCHER HALL 4 Embercourt Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0LQ Booking: 0844 884 8832 THE SNOW QUEEN Christmas Theatre SAT 29 NOV A family-participation musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale of the young boy captured in the ice castle.

For Ages: 5-11

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November-December 2014

WORKSHOPS AND FESTIVE ACTIVITIES Artful Treats at The Pottery Café East Twickenham

9am-6pm For Ages: All Christmas is all about family traditions and once you have kids, it’s time to start some of your own! Throughout November and December, you can paint a Christmas decoration to mark your baby’s first Christmas and then add to your collection annually. When your children are old enough, they can take over. You’ll end up with a box full of wonderful memories.

Get your kids painting and decorating speciality pottery pieces such as Santa and snowmen and creating love-filled, home-made gifts using The Pottery Café’s selection of festive sponges and decorating tools. Whilst they are painting, you can do a spot of Christmas shopping in the Pottery Café’s Little Toyshop, where you will find stocking fillers, great gifts and decorations.

From 13 November to 11 December, there will be late night painting every Thursday until 10pm, and you can even bring your own Christmas drink! info@pottery-cafe.com 020 8744 3000 visit www.pottery-cafe.com

it’s

Christmas

FREE Drop-In Guerilla Toy Hacking Workshop

9 November 1pm-3pm at Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford Children will be invited to make a hybrid toy made from different toy parts (like those in Toy Story), using toys otherwise destined for landfill and prints from a 3D printer. info@watermans.org.uk 020 8232 1019 visit www.watermans.org.uk

PK Swim School Winter Crash Course

Bridge Storytelling Adventures Christmas Adventures Workshop

15-19 December 10am-12noon it’s in Twickenham Christmas For Ages: 2 to 5 years Price: £85 per week or £25 per day drop-in.

This sparkling Christmas extravaganza returns with even more fun! Each day a popular Christmasthemed story is brought to life with a unique mix of drama, dance, song and art and craft.

Whether making Santa puppets, Rudolf masks or a cotton wool snowman collage, your child will get in the festive mood in this workshop! The final day concludes with an informal sharing and Christmas party with family and friends. Attend for the full week or individual days!

Discount: Bring a buddy/sibling and both pay only £55 for the week or £15.50 for the day!

Contact: Amanda Wright info@bridgeac.co.uk 020 3222 3085/07890 013830 www.bridgeac.com

15-19 December in Cobham For Ages: All Improve your child’s swimming skills over the Christmas period. Maximum 5 children per group. Warm, UV filtered water. info@pkswimschool.co.uk 07915 510720/07939 232731 www.pkswimschool.co.uk

Ceramics Café Kew Original Ceramics - Painted By You Studio Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-6pm Sunday 11am-6pm Closed Mon, except Bank Holidays and Half Terms www.ceramicscafe.com Tel: 020 8332 6661

1a Mortlake Terrace, Kew Green Richmond TW9 3DT

Music & more for the whole family !

Would you like to try something different?

Why not paint your own ceramics?

At Ceramica, we guarantee great fun for all!

Our services include: Children’s birthday parties Baby foot and hand print sessions Evening sessions for adults Annual membership scheme Take home packs & gift vouchers 7 The Parade, Claygate, Esher, KT10 0PD Phone: 01372 462447 Making ceramic painting easy and fun in a creative, enjoyable environment!

www.ceramica-claygate.co.uk

UKULELE

primary and pre-school lessons

SINGING

kids clubs, workshops & coaching

MOZO-ISLAND

music & art club for 5-8yr olds 88 Sheen rd, Richmond, TW9 1UF

www.ritzmusic.co.uk

Twitter: @CeramicaEsher Facebook: www.facebook.com/CeramicaClaygate

November-December 2014

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

17

classes, clubs activities

&

Giving Kids a Passion for Travel

By Linda Stone, Editor

Travel is fun, educational, enriching and inspiring and learning about other countries and cultures helps children grow into well-informed, well-rounded adults. But the cost of travel is becoming more expensive.

So how can parents instil the travel bug in their kids, without it costing the earth?

Letters from Riley is a brand new subscription service which allows kids to travel the world without leaving the comfort of their own homes!

Imagination is all that is required to join Riley the Dog on his trip around the world.

Aimed at children of around ages 5 to 10 years, Letters from Riley is a box which is posted to parents and children once a month. Each box

18

contains a pack based on a different country. Inside the pack is A Letter from Riley, with a postcard-style update on where he’s been, what he’s seen and who he’s met, as well as stickers, crafts and activities, and access to online quizzes and other content. Everything in the pack is based around the country featured that month.

After subscribing, children receive a Letters from Riley Welcome Pack which includes: ✱ A world map so they can track where Riley has been and work out where he’s going next ✱ A document folder to keep travel documents safe, just like a real holiday! ✱ A travel journal for scribbles and doodles

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

✱ Stickers to personalise their documents (and because kids love stickers!) ✱ The very first Letter from Riley, inviting them to join him on his big round-the-world adventure.

In today’s world of digital communication, receiving an actual letter is a wonderful and unusual experience for a child and travelling virtually with Riley is the next best thing to actually travelling the world!

For more information, visit www.lettersfromriley.com

November-December 2014

classes, clubs activities

&

Kicking Goals at Kiddikicks!

sport

Olivia Malaure chats with owner, Sarah Peel.

Sarah Peel is the perfect example of a person doing something she loves incredibly well, and flourishing as a result of hard work, realism and by dint of being a genuinely lovely person.

When I spoke to the mother of three about the growth of her business, Kiddikicks, which offers local football classes for kids, she was incredibly relaxed. Yet she has recently metamorphosed from a small business owner to a franchisor, with new franchises in the Kingston and Twickenham areas, as well running her own classes in the Richmond area. From humble beginnings, Kiddikicks now coaches in excess of one thousand little footballers a week, and offers one hundred classes across its franchise network.

“I have a spirited son and at 18 months old he didn’t fit the mould of other activity classes available at the time” Sarah reports.

“Nine years ago, I wanted to start the kind of class that would suit kids like him, as well

as us, as a growing family.

At the same time, I saw that football was a growing sport for females in the US, and it seemed like the right time for me to be encouraging girls to take up the sport here too.”

Jay Scanlan has been taking his two and a half year old daughter to Kiddikicks classes since she learned to walk.“It’s been incredible to observe the impact of these classes on her physical development, and the knock-on effect on her confidence” he observes.

Sarah talks passionately about the need to encourage more girls to play football and her vision for achieving this.“Kids like to play sport with their friends, and, when they reach a certain age, they naturally spend more time with friends of their own gender. So girls prefer to be playing football with other girls.

That is what we are encouraging at Kiddikicks – and it’s starting to happen!”

With many physical activity classes available locally, what is it that is special about Kiddikicks? “Well, it was created by parents of active toddlers and children FOR active toddlers and children” says Sarah.

Jay Scanlan comments “The classes have a clear structure and Kiddikicks has carefully considered how to link skills. The coaches we’ve had are gentle, clear and motivated.

They learn the kids’ names overnight and you can see they have a personal investment in the children.”

With a background in dance, television and fashion, Sarah is no stranger to challenge, but what convinced her that franchising Kiddikicks was the way to go? “The nine years we’ve been doing the job ourselves has given us the confidence that whatever problems our franchisees face, we will have dealt with them before” reports Sarah.“And

waltononthames@gymboree-uk.com

w .w h

020 3609 8007

surbiton@gymboree-uk.com

Gymboree St Margarets 020 8607 9995

stmargarets@gymboree-uk.com .u k

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November-December 2014

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Sensory Baby Play, Play & Learn, Music, Art & Parties!

2013 winner!

‘Best national pre-schooler development activity’

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Gymboree Surbiton with K on fd

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gymboree-uk.com

Classes for 5 -12 year olds starting in Weybridge & Cobham in November www.constructakids.co.uk info@constructakids.co.u

k

07968 770123

˘ Come along and join our multi-sensory sign and sing-a-long

01932 221 371

ion iat

CARPENTRY WORKSHOPS, CLASSES AND WOODWORK PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN

Signing fun for little ones!

Book a FREE trial class today!

Gymboree Walton on Thames

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For more information on Kiddikicks, visit www.kiddikicks.co.uk (Richmond, Sheen, Brentford, Chiswick), www.nwsurrey.kiddikicks.co.uk (Kingston, Weybridge and East Molesey) and www.twickenham.kiddikicks.co.uk (Hampton,Twickenham, Feltham, Teddington and Isleworth).

®

Award winning classes from newborn to 5 years

I’m still running my classes, so I’m staying very in touch. Being a franchisor is just brilliant, I get a massive buzz from seeing someone launch a franchise and watching their business grow - it’s just so exciting.”

sessions featuring nursery rhymes, action songs, games and stories ˘ Fun and friendly classes ˘ Lots of puppets, props and instruments ˘ Suitable for all babies and young children ˘ Singing Hands Songbooks, CDs and DVDs available ˘ For more information about our baby signing classes, toddler sessions or workshops for professionals, please contact us on: 020 8288 1706 www.singinghands.co.uk info@singinghands.co.uk www.facebook.com/SingingHands @singinghands As featured on BBC Cbeebies ‘Something Special’ & ‘Tikkabilla’

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

19

classes, clubs activities

& Kickstart the Festive Season with Singing Hands!

By Olivia Malaure

Come and get into the festive spirit at the Singing Hands Christmas Charity Singalong in aid of Shooting Star CHASE on Saturday, 15 November!

This annual event will be held at 11am at The Rose Theatre in Kingston and hopes to raise a record-breaking amount for the charity this year. Family members of all ages, whether experienced in sign languages or total beginners, can join in with Singing Hands’ signed Christmas songs – all are welcome!

Singing Hands will be dressing up in their silliest Christmas jumpers and other festive outfits,so dig out a jingle bell, get dressed up and join them!

For more articles and information on a wide1range of topics including health BDA Advert_v5.indd 31/05/2013 and wellbeing, parenting, food and nutrition, childcare, education, classes, clubs and activities and What’s On in the local area, visit our website at www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

FOOTIE TOTS

Welcome to the world of fitness and football for 2.5 to 5 year olds Teaching basic ball skills, scoring lots of goals and having FUN!

FOOTIE WIZARDS For children ages 5 to 8

Hampton, Teddington, Twickenham, Richmond, Feltham and Hounslow, ALL CLASSES call 07931 707720 HELD INDOORS andy@footie-tots.co.uk FOOTBALL PARTIES AVAILABLE

Esher, Molesey, Thames Ditton, Walton, Kingston and Surbiton, call 07828 629531

A travel ling advent

For more information, see page 22 and visit www.rosetheatrekingston.org or call 020 8174 0090 to book.

18:47

It’s Make Over Time for Little Hamsters

By Olivia Malaure

Things have changed down at play café, Little Hamsters in Ham, with the café having undergone a recent makeover!

It’s an exciting time for owners, Beth and Helen, who are both enjoying the new-look café.

A welcome refuge for parents with energetic small children looking for respite, the café now offers more indoor seating and eating space. There is a new menu too!“It’s been great moving into our new dining area” says Beth.“With the onset of the winter months, it’s perfect timing. As parents ourselves, both Helen and I know how

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for young explorers Give your child the travel bug from an early age.

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Explore more online at www.lettersfromriley.com

20

By Olivia Malaure

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

important it is to find a cosy, warm space to catch up with other parents, and where kids can safely play.”

Inside the cafe, there is a ball pond and soft play shapes, ideal for creating obstacle courses, as well as a dressing up corner, play kitchen, and plenty of toys and books for all ages. There is also an outdoor play area for fine-weather days.

With more indoor space, new and regular customers can look forward to continuing weekly guest visits from children’s activity providers and the introduction of new sessions such as storytelling.“We want there to be something for everyone here” says Beth, hence the regular visits from a local hairdresser. Mums can also look forward to more treats, including shellac manicures in coming weeks.

“We want Little Hamsters to be a place where mums arrive in the morning, and leave after lunch, feeling like everyone has had a great time, and without having to worry about the clearing up!” smiles Beth.

For more information, visit www.littlehamsters.co.uk November-December 2014

Christmas Lights Switch On Get in the festive spirit with your local community and enjoy Christmas parades, fairs, stalls, music, food and, of course, mulled wine and mince pies!

Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10:00 - 14:00 (Term time only) info@littlehamsters.co.uk 07432 354 274 Indoor and outdoor fun for grown ups and little ones

www.littlehamsters.co.uk

• Play space for babies and toddlers WHITTON: 23 NOV (4.45PM)

CLAYGATE: 6 DEC (4 6PM) EAST SHEEN: 6 NOV EAST TWICKENHAM: 28 NOV ESHER: 28 NOV (6PM) HAMPTON HILL: 28 NOV (4-8.30PM) KEW: 5 DEC (5-8PM) KINGSTON: 13 NOV

MOLESEY: 3 DEC (5PM) RICHMOND: 28 NOV ST MARGARETS: 28 NOV TEDDINGTON: 27 NOV THAMES DITTON: 30 NOV (3-6PM) TWICKENHAM: 21 NOV WALTON: 29 NOV (6PM)

For further Switch On details including other towns, times and more, visit www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

• Relaxing café for parents and carers • Delicious coffee, handmade cakes, snacks and light lunches • Ample free parking and Wi-Fi • Regular visiting entertainers • Warm, friendly and welcoming environment Kew & Ham Sports Association, Ham Fields, Riverside Drive, Ham, Richmond, TW10

A safe and creative environment in which your child can thrive in their experience of sport and develop a love for playing the greatest game on earth!

Check us out on

Facebook + Twitter for regular Competitions and Discount Codes

CRB checked and FA qualified coaches

@kiddikicks

Training sessions, courses and parties across London

KiddikicksHQ

BANSTEAD AND CLAYGATE E: banstead.claygate@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01932 223 309 KINGSTON AND SURBITON E: kingston.surbiton@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0208 224 3971 OXSHOTT, LEATHERHEAD AND DORKING E: leatherhead.dorking@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01483 841 303

try us for free get in touch with your local kiddikicks for details

Kiddikicks HQ

NW Surrey

Twickenham

Includes Richmond, Sheen, Brentford and Chiswick

Includes Kingston, Weybridge and East Molesey

Includes Hampton, Twickenham, Feltham, Teddington, Isleworth

020 7937 7965

020 3560 9256

0800 035 4464

www.kiddikicks.co.uk

nwsurrey.kiddikicks.co.uk

twickenham.kiddikicks.co.uk

November-December 2014

RICHMOND, TWICKENHAM AND TEDDINGTON E: kew.teddington@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0208 847 4031 WEYBRIDGE, COBHAM AND MOLESEY E: weybridge.cobham@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0208 224 0096

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

21

what’s on

EVERY WED IN NOV Site visits, artefact handling and The Winning Post, Chertsey Road, SAT 6 DEC FREE ENTRY TO PAINSHILL PARK investigation, and art and craft CHRISMAS CRAFT FAMILY FUN AT Twickenham TW2 6LS Portsmouth Road, Cobham activities.

ELMBRIDGE MUSEUM Time: 2-4pm Cost: Child £6, Adult £3 KT11 1JE Hersham Village Hall, Queens Rd 01932 565764 Under 1 Free Time: 10.30am-4pm Cost: FREE KT12 5LT www.chertseymuseum.org Children’s disco with live DJ, lights, Free entry every Wednesday in Time: 2-4.30pm Cost: £1.50 bubbles and entertainment.

SUN 16 NOV November. See the beautiful autumn Make a beautiful decoration to take 07792 182 951 www.dustydoesdisco.co.uk LUCKY DIP DISCO AT RIVERHOUSE BARN colour in the landscape garden. home.

ARTS CENTRE WEYBRIDGE HANDCRAFTED 01932 868 113 www.painshill.co.uk 01932 843573 www.elmbridge.gov.uk Manor Road, Walton KT12 2NZ CHRISTMAS MARKET EVERY SAT AND SUN IN NOV & DEC For Ages: Under 7s Time: 3-5pm KIDS RUN FREE AT MARBLE HILL PARK Christ the Prince of Peace Parish Hall, FAMILY ART ACTIVITIES AT HAM HOUSE Richmond Road, Twickenham TW1 2NL Cost: Child £6, Adult £4 Portmore Way KT13 8JD Ham Street, Ham TW10 7RS For Ages: 0-16 Time: 9am Cost: FREE Retro Disco for children and families.

Time: 11.30am-2.30pm Time: 10am-5pm Cost: FREE with Free running events for children from Booking required.

Cost: Donation on door Normal admission charity Kids Run Free, dedicated to 01932 254198 Start your Christmas in style at this Family art activities in the below-stairs inspiring healthier, happier and more www.riverhousebarn.co.uk popular local market. rooms. Create an art piece inspired by confident children.

EVERY FRI, SAT, SUN FROM 21 NOV TO WED 10 DEC your visit.

08703331181 www.kidsrunfree.co.uk TORCHLIGHT TOUR AT BROOKLAND’S 7 DEC 020 8940 1950 www.nationaltrust.org.

ENCHANTED WOODLAND AT SYON PARK 30 NOV, 6/7 DECEMBER, 13/14 DECEMBER MUSEUM uk/ham-house Brentford TW8 8JG Brooklands Road, Weybridge AND 20/21 DECEMBER THU 6 AND 13 NOV, SAT 15 NOV Time: 5-8pm Cost: Adult £7, Child £3 EDWARDIAN ADVENT AT KT13 0QN TINY EXPLORERS AT HAMPTON COURT Enjoy a magical evening as the the park POLESDEN LACEY Time: 6.30 pm Cost: Adult £15, PALACE Cost: Normal Admission for Garden plus is lit up with thousands of lights.

Child £13 (12-16yrs) East Molesey KT8 9AU £4 adults, £2 children or £10 family for 020 8560 0882 Join a special tour of the Museum as 0844 482 7777 House www.enchantedwoodland.com night falls.

For Ages: 0-3yrs Time: sessions from With sleigh rides, food tastings, yuletide 01932 857381 21 NOV TO 4 JAN 10.30am-3.30pm Cost: £6 per session choirs and bands, seasonal food, Father www.brooklandsmuseum.com ICE RINK AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE Discover the fascinating stories of Christmas. Plus see the house dressed East Molesey KT8 9AU 0844 482 7777 THU 11 DEC Hampton Court Palace through music, as a magical living advent calendar, with Time: sessions 10am to 9pm THE ROSE CHRISTMAS CONCERT movement and messy play in these 24 scenes and activities depicting the Grab your ear muffs, gloves, skates and The Rose Theatre, High St, multi-sensory workshops. countdown to Christmas. a steadying hand, and enjoy the ice in Kingston KT1 1HL Booking required.

01372 452048 glorious Tudor surroundings.

Time: 7.30pm Cost: £11-£21 below a proof of 7799 your advertisement for the230 130 0844 482 www.hrp.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org/polesden-lacey An evening of festive music and carols 02920 SAT 8 NOV featuring local community, school and www.thehamptoncourticerink.co.uk SAT AND SUN 6-7 DEC October 2014 74) of Families TVE. FAMILY issue CINEMA (No. AT WATERMANS university choirs.

WONDERFUL WINTER WEEKEND AT SAT 22 NOV 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS 020 8174 0090 www.therosetheatre.org LONDON WETLAND CENTRE FAMILY CINEMA AT WATERMANS Time: 11am Cost: £7.50 (Adult FREE) Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS 12-23 DEC FROZEN (PG) Sing-a-longIS version.

SW13 9WT CK ALL INFORMATION CORRECTTime: 11am Cost: £7.50 (Adult FREE) CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAIL AT 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk Times: 10am-4pm Cost: Normal DOLPHIN TALE 2 (U) HAMPTON COURT PALACE ates, telephone numbers and addresses. admission plus £5 for grotto visit.

SAT 15 NOV East Molesey KT8 9AU 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk FAMILY CINEMA AT WATERMANS Hop aboard for a husky sleigh ride, visit 0844 482 7777 FRI 28 NOV AND FRI 19 DEC 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS Santa in his magical grotto, meet the For Ages: All CLASSICAL BABIES CONCERT IN 11am Cost: £7.50 (Adult FREE) reindeer, including baby Rudolph and Time: 5-8pm Cost: Adults £10 TEDDINGTON need to be Time: made at this stage.

T: 01628 627586 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (PG) take a dray ride (Sun only).

Child £5 Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Rd, 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk 0208 409 4400 www.wwt.org.uk Explore Hampton Court Palace’s gardens Teddington TW11 9NN mendments will be charged for.

E: editor@familiestveast.co.uk SINGING HANDS CHRISTMAS by night, lit as you’ve never seen them Time: 11-11.45am Cost: Adults £10, SAT AND SUN 6-7 AND 13-15 DEC SINGALONG AT THE ROSE THEATRE before with an interactive light trail. babies FREE MORDEN HALL PARK FESTIVE CHRISTMAS 50 All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead, t us by return either to amend or approve your 24-26 High Street, Kingston KT1 1HL Jump on the keyboard at the end and Classical music by professional MARKET Time: 11am Cost: £8.50-£12.50 MordenSL6 Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD watch the Palace grow brighter and musicians in a comfortable and friendly t.

Berkshire, 6NA Join this lively sing-a-long featuring Cost: Normal Admission brighter! environment. Soft blankets available for festive songs and carols with Makaton Soak up the festive atmosphere in our 0844 482 7799 www.hrp.org.uk babies who can make as much noise as signing. All proceeds go the Shooting Victorian stable yard this December and they like!

13 DEC TO 3 JAN Star Children’s Hospice. browse a range of local food, craft and 07732 058705 www.classicalbabies.com CHRISTMAS TRAIL AT CLAREMONT Suitable for all ages! gift stalls.

LANDSCAPE GARDEN SAT 29 NOV 020 8174 0090 www.therosetheatre.org 020 8545 6850 Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG A MERRY TUDOR CHRISTMAS FAMILY www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hallSAT 15 NOV AND 20 DEC For Ages: 7+ Time: 10.30am-12.30pm WORKSHOP AT HAMPTON COURT YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGY CLUB AT park Cost: Adult £8, Child £4 PALACE CHERTSEY MUSEUM Follow the traditional Christmas East Molesey KT8 9AU 0844 482 7777 SAT AND SUN 6-7 AND 27 DEC 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey, KT16 8AT children’s trail around the Garden.

For Ages: 7-11yrs Time: 10.30am-1pm TUDOR COOKERY AT HAMPTON COURT For Ages: 8 to 16. Time: 01372 467806 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ & 2-4.30pm Cost: Adults £1 Child £20 PALACE 11am-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm Cost: East Molesey, KT8 9AU claremont-landscape-garden Help the palace servants prepare for £4.50 Time: 10am-6pm Cost: FREE with Normal SAT 13 DEC King Henry VIII’s extravagant Christmas admission feasts and revels, through a range of POP UP CHRISTMAS CARDS AT See the intrepid team of history chefs storytelling, music and craft workshops.

STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE prepare a feast fit for a king!

268 Waldegrave Road, 0844 482 7799 www.hrp.org.uk 0844 482 7777 Twickenham TW1 4ST EVERY SAT AND SUN FROM 29 NOV TO www.hrp.org.uk For Ages: 3+ Time: 1pm Cost: £9 14 DEC Paper cutting, colouring and collaging CHRISTMAS AT OSTERLEY HOUSE SAT AND SUN 6-8, 13-15 DEC AND 18 DEC at this fun and festive workshop.

Jersey Road, Isleworth, TW7 4RB TO 4 JAN (EX CHRISTMAS DAY) You will create special cards to take Time: 12pm-3.30pm Cost: Adult £5.10, FESTIVE ZOO DAYS AT CHESSINGTON home for family/friends.

Child £2.55 WORLD OF ADVENTURES RESORT Leatherhead Rd, Chessington 020 8744 1241 Make decorations and garlands to KT9 2NE www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk deck the halls ready for Christmas.

Cost: FREE with normal admission, but Get creative in the kitchens or see the SUN 14 DEC Santa costs £5 and must be pre-booked Georgian and Victorian costumes on MARBLING MADNESS AT Meet Santa, see The Gruffalo in a new display. Enjoy bracing winter walks, STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE festive show, browse festive market 268 Waldegrave Road, seasonal mulled wine, mince pies, stalls and meet amazing animals.

Twickenham TW1 4ST carol singers/school choirs, storytelling.

0871 663 4477 www.chessington.com For Ages: 3+ Time: 1pm Cost: £9 Father Christmas Grotto – pre-book Using traditional marbling techniques, tickets.

EVERY SAT AND SUN FROM 6 TO 21 DEC design Christmas wrapping paper and 020 8232 5050 VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT LONDON tags for that extra special gift. Booking www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park MUSEUM OF STEAM AND WATER Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, required.

29 NOV TO 4 JAN TW8 0EN 020 8744 1241 CIRQUE NORMANDIE AT Maternity, Baby & Kids 0-6 Time: 11am-4pm Cost: FREE with Normal www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk CHESSINGTON GARDEN CENTRE admission Leatherhead Road, Chessington STORY CAFE AT RIVERHOUSE BARN Surbiton Celebrate a traditional Victorian KT9 2NG ARTS CENTRE Saturday Christmas. Carol singers, special Manor Road, Walton KT12 2NZ Cost: Child £10, Adult £12, Family £40, 15 November seasonal activities for families, mulled Time: 3pm Cost: £4 (£2 under 2s) Babies FREE 6 December wine, and rides on Thomas Wicksteed, Join author/illustrator Steve Antony Chessington Garden Centre welcomes 2.00 -4.00 the Waterworks steam locomotive. for a fun interactive storytelling and back Tolly and his company of aerialists, St Mark’s 020 8568 4757 drawing event. acrobats and jugglers! Packed with Church Hall www.waterandsteam.org.uk 01932 254198 family fun and entertainment, this 60 www.riverhousebarn.co.uk minute show takes place in a heated SUN 7 DEC KT6 4LS Big Top and has been designed for CORO CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT 16, 17, 21, 22 AND 23 DEC Teddington children and families.

STRAWBERRY HILL HOUSE COURTYARD CAROL SINGING AT HAMPTON Saturday 268 Waldegrave Road, Twickenham 01372 725638 COURT PALACE 29 November TW1 4ST East Molesey KT8 9AU www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk 10.30-12.30 Time: 7pm Cost: £16 0844 482 7777 SAT 29 NOV Teddington Christmas concert from local Chamber Time: 6pm and 8pm Cost: Adults £7.50 FAMILY CINEMA AT WATERMANS For sale Choir Coro (includes refreshments).

Child £3.75 Baptist Church 40 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DS information 020 8744 1241 Sing carols through some of the Hampton Time: 11am Cost: £7.50 (Adult FREE) Church Rd and stall www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk Court Palace courtyards accompanied by TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES bookings visit TW11 8PF the Epsom and Ewell Silver Band.

(12A) DUSTY DOES XMAS DISCO IN www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 0844 482 7799 www.hrp.org.uk 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk TWICKENHAM

RTISEMENT PROOF

Thames Valley East

Buy and Sell

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www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

November-December 2014

what’s on SAT 20 DEC TO SUN 4 JAN (EX 25/31 DEC) ENCHANTED STORY TRAIL AT RHS GARDEN WISLEY The beautiful gardens of RHS Wisley are transformed into an enchanting story trail on the theme of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/WisleyGarden SAT 20 DEC AND 3 JAN FAMILY GHOST TOURS AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE East Molesey KT8 9AU 0844 482 7777 For Ages: 8-14 Time: 7-8.30pm Cost: Adults £14 Child (8-14) £7 Join the State Apartment Warders

for an early evening walking tour to hear stories of ghostly apparitions and paranormal activity at the Palace.

0844 482 7799 www.hrp.org.uk MON 29 DEC CHRISTMAS MANIA ARTS AND CRAFTS IN ESHER King George’s Hall, High Street KT10 9RA For Ages: 5-7yrs Time: 9am-4pm Cost: £21.60 Design your own Christmas creations.

Make marshmallow snowman and festively decorate biscuits to take home.

01372 474634 www.elmbridge.gov.uk MON 29 DEC TO FRI 2 JAN CHRISTMAS AT THE LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

FIREWORKS ASHFORD - SPELTHORNE SCHOOL FAMILY FIREWORKS FRI 7 NOV Feltham Hill Rd, Ashford Common TW15 1LP BATTERSEA PARK FIREWORKS DISPLAY SAT 8 NOV Albert Bridge Rd SW11 4NJ COBHAM AVORIANS CC FIREWORK NIGHT SAT 8 NOV Convent Lane KT11 1HB EALING CINEMA CENTURY FIREWORKS DISPLAY SAT 8 NOV Ealing Cricket Club, Corfton Rd W5 2HS EAST MOLESEY - IMBER COURT FAMILY FIREWORKS DISPLAY WED 5 NOV Ember Lane KT8 0BT HAMPTON - CARLISLE SCHOOL FIREWORKS DISPLAY SAT 8 NOV Broad Lane, Hampton TW12 3AJ HERSHAM - BURHILL SCHOOL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL FRI 7 NOV New Berry Lance Entrance, Hersham KT12 4HR KEMPTON SAT 8 NOV Kempton Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury TW16 5AQ

KINGSTON FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR FRI 7 NOV Kingsmeadow Stadium KT13PB NEW MALDEN PUBLIC FIREWORK DISPLAY SAT 8 NOV The Scout Centre, Arthur Rd, Motspur Park KT3 6LX SHEPPERTON FAMILY FUN & FIREWORKS NIGHT FRI 7 NOV Saxon Primary School, Briar Rd TW17 0JB TEDDINGTON - COLLIS SCHOOL SAT 8 NOV Collis Primary School, Fairfax Rd TW11 9BS TWICKENHAM - ORLEANS PARK SCHOOL FIREWORKS SUN 9 NOV Orleans Park School, Richmond Rd TW1 3BB TWICKENHAM - ST JAMES SCHOOL FIREWORKS FRI 7 NOV St James School, Wellesley Rd TW2 5NP FOR FULL DETAILS ON TICKETING AND TIMES, PLEASE GO TO WHAT’S ON SECTION OF WWW.FAMILIESUPONTHAMES.CO.UK

39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden WC2E 7BB Open Mon-Thu, Sat and Sun Time: 10am-6pm, Fri 11am-6pm Cost: Adult £15 (tickets valid for 1 year), Under 16 FREE Children can explore the vehicles of London, past and present, at this historical and interactive museum. They can take the wheel, try their hand as a tube conductor or bump around with the other passengers in the back.

Dashing Though the Snow 29 Dec–2 Jan For Ages: 3-7 and 4-12 Time: 11am and 2pm Join in parachute games and follow a snowflake on its journey from the sky to the streets of London. Older children will enjoy junk modelling to create a mini snow mobile to take home.

Goodbye Piccadilly - until 8 Mar Discover the untold story of London’s Home Front during the First World War; how drivers took their buses to the Front to support the war effort, how

NEARLY NEW SALES MUM2MUM

women advanced into the transport workforce for the first time and how Londoners came under deadly attack from the air as total war came to the Capital.

020 7379 6433 www.ltmuseum.co.uk TUE 30 DEC CHRISTMAS MOVIE MAGIC IN ESHER King George’s Hall, High Street KT10 9RA For Ages: 5-13yrs Time: 9am-4pm Cost: £27.60 Visit the Odeon Cinema Esher and see the latest children’s hit movie followed by an afternoon of art and craft.

01372 474634 www.elmbridge.gov.uk WED 31 DEC SHOUT! NEW YEAR PARTY IN WALTON Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Hurst Grove, KT12 1AT For Ages: 5-13y Time: 10am-2pm Cost: £19.20 Disco, games, art and craft.

Party food and drinks.

01372 474634 www.elmbridge.gov.uk

www.mum2mummarket.co.uk SURBITON SAT 15 NOV 2-4PM St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton KT6 4LS TEDDINGTON SAT 29 NOV 10.30AM-12.30PM Teddington Baptist Church, Church Rd, TW11 8PF SURBITON SAT 6 DEC 2-4PM St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton KT6 4LS

TWICKENHAM SAT 22 NOV 10-11AM All Hallows Church, Erncroft Way, TW1 1EW BYFLEET SAT 29 NOV 2.30-4PM Byfleet Village Hall, 54 High Rd, KT14 7QL CLAYGATE SUN 30 NOV 12-2PM Claygate Day Centre, Elm Road, KT10 0EH

NCT

WALTON TWINS CLUB www.waltontwinsclub.org SAT 22 NOV 10-11.30AM St Johns Church, The Furrows, KT12 3JQ

www.nct.org.uk WALTON SAT 8 NOV 10.30AM-12.30PM Ashley CE School, Ashley Rd, KT12 1HX

OTHER

November-December 2014

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

23

Garden Centre

Santa’s Grotto

The Circus is Back in Town!

15th November - 24th December

Santa Arrives Sat, 15th November at 11:00am

29th November uary 2015 4th Jan W All NE !

Show

.. ring. atu Fe

The Circus is back in Town!

Supporting

Book on-line: www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk

Book on-line: www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk Book on-line: www.chessingtongardencentre.co.uk

42

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Big confidence starts small Mid October-November 2014 Its amazing how much the little ones can do! At The Little Gym®, we take a non-competitive, progressive approach to early learning and motor skill development through gymnastic movements.

Children aged as little as 4 months right up to 12 years, learn at an age appropriate pace, building upon past achievements as they advance week to week and semester to semester. Take the first step, and enroll your child today. And see how their confidence grows step by baby step.

Book your Introductory Visit NOW! Call us on 020 8977 0099

The Little Gym Hampton & Teddington • 94 - 102 High Street Hampton Hill TW12 1NY • 020 8977 0099 hampton_teddington@thelittlegym.eu • www.thelittlegym.co.uk/hamptonteddington

Parent/Child Classes

Preschool/Kindergarten Gymnastics

Primary School Gymnastics

Holiday Camps

Birthday Parties

Families upon Thames is designed by Sarah Harmer and printed by Warners, in Lincolnshire. Copyright, Families upon Thames magazine 2014. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liabilty for loss or damage. Families upon Thames is part of the Families Group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under liscense. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.