Families North Yorkshire Magazine Mar/Apr 2022 Print

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Easter FREE family fun days out Education Travel Issue 105 March/April 2022

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CONTENTS

Welcome

Contact us Laura Macaulay, editor

E: editor@familiesnorthyorkshire.co.uk T: 07794 909820 @FamiliesNYMag

@FamiliesNYMag

@familiesnorthyorkshiremagazine

In this issue 2.

Parenting

8.

Education

11.

Early Years

Are you nervously waiting to find out the results of your school application?

We have suggestions on what to do if you don’t get your first choice. Also, find out more how tidying their room can help your child at school and how important is spelling anyway?

Our handy guide to the top apps for parents will help you to make family life just that little bit easier. Find out about local clubs and classes as well as holiday camps.

Finally, we have lots of Doodlejamz to give away! Apply for this squishy, squashy, sensory – but mess-free - drawing toy for your child. And, if you haven’t signed up to receive our digital magazine and enjoy additional, interactive content, you can do this at familiesmag.co.uk/go to receive every issue free to your inbox.

Happy springtime days!

Laura x November/December competition winners

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/compwinnersND

12. Travel 15. Work 16. Holiday camps 17.

Woohoo! It’s time to start thinking about getting out and about with the family again and, in this issue, we’ve got our usual What’s on pages as well as a whole list of places to visit in the region for FREE.

Free family fun

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

18. What’s on

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PARENTING

Top apps every parent needs

By Ari Last It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of apps available in the App Store and give up before you’ve even started looking for something.

When it comes to parenting though, getting good apps on speed dial can really save time if you’re looking to keep the children entertained, connect with other like-minded parents, research childcare options or seek guidance on how to make family life just that little bit easier.

Here are some recommendations:

Family Locator https://family-locator.com When older children or teenagers are out and about, keep track of their location with this app which keeps your family secure and connected, for extra peace of mind.

CBeebies www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies This staple app on any parent’s phone or tablet offers both educational games as well as classic cartoons for when you just need a break!

Mush www.letsmush.com The number one social app for mums to find friends who live nearby with kids the same age, arrange to meet up and get advice from parenting experts and peers.

The Wonder Weeks www.bit.ly/WonderWeeksApp A week-by-week guide to your baby’s development right through from pregnancy to after birth, showing how you can support and stimulate your little one.

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner https://dish.allrecipes.com/ mobile-apps A handy bank of recipes and cooking inspiration which keeps solving the ‘what can I make for dinner?’ question and keeps little bellies satisfied every evening.

Sound Sleeper www.soundsleeperapp.com Help your baby get off to sleep with this app’s collection of calming sounds.

Kidday www.kidday.com The easiest way to store your child’s photographs in one place, as well as share albums with friends and family.

Bubble www.joinbubble.com The UK’s biggest ondemand childcare platform, with over 100,000 users and 5-star Trustpilot rating.

Find, book and pay local sitters or nannies who come recommended from their friends and other parents in their area.

OLIO www.olioex.com Here you can give away unwanted kids’ items to those in the local area, allowing you to help out a neighbour and reduce waste. You can also use the app to look for anything you might happen to need and save some pennies.

Ari Last is a parenting guru and founder of childcare app Bubble. For more information, visit www.joinbubble.com

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PARENTING

Tackling childhood fears

By Tanith Carey

During the pandemic, levels of anxiety among adults have risen sharply and some of this worry has been contagious for kids. So how do we help children manage their own feelings when the world feels uncertain for grown-ups too?

Firstly, remember that children take their cues from you. This means noticing when you feel overwhelmed.

Visualise a sliding scale in your mind with notches from one to ten. When the scale starts to move towards seven or eight, take deliberate steps to process your own worries, maybe talking them through with another adult, so you can stay calm and rational around your child.

You may be concerned that this is hiding your worries from your child. Don’t be. It’s putting on your own oxygen mask so you can reassure them they are safe within the world of their home. If your child seems worried by something about Covid they have heard outside the home, ask what they’ve heard.

From around age 4 or 5, young children engage in ‘magical thinking’ in which they believe they are the centre of the world.

In order to try and make sense of how the world works, they also tend to link events that aren’t linked, meaning that they often leap to the wrong conclusions. If a grandparent gets Covid, they may for example, assume it’s down to them not washing their hands when they come home from school.

Asking your children about their fears allows you to tackle their concerns directly. You can help them feel more in control by telling them they are part of a big team winning the war on the virus and helping by wearing masks and washing their hands. Explain: ‘Lots of people have caught this germ, but for most, it’s been like a really bad cold.’

Talk too about how clever scientists have come up with vaccines and millions of grown-ups, from health care staff to teachers, are still working hard to look after them. Help them get the virus in perspective too. Explain that there are good germs in our bodies as well as bad ones, how their immune system works and how to look after it.

you don’t expect it to happen for a long time and by then they will be grown-up.

Facing and talking about their fears doesn’t mean they will become persistent. In fact, they are more likely to keep coming back when children feel alone with them, not heard or unable to express them.

If you do lose a loved one, give clear, open honest answers because younger children don’t understand death is final. Avoid phrases such as ‘gone to sleep’ or ‘we’ve lost them.’ Explain simply the reason that their loved one is no longer here is that their body stopped working.

Sometimes kids can find it easier to process the death of a loved one through tangible ways of mourning. Going through family photos, making a keepsake box, releasing a balloon with the person’s name on or planting a tree can all be helpful.

Tanith Carey is author of What’s My Child Thinking: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents with clinical child psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin, published by DK books.

Fears and anxieties are some of the one hundred scenarios faced with children aged 2 to 7 that are tackled in this book.

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While young children tend not to worry about death as something that happens to them, they may worry about who will look after them if you or your co-parent dies. If this is a concern that surfaces, tell your child that everyone dies eventually but

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Fear of the dark at bedtime affects about half of children up to the age of 5. When a room goes black, children can feel ‘trapped’ by the darkness around them.

By helping kids name their worries, they will feel more in charge.

Summarise and talk about what they are saying, so they know you have heard and understood.

To make lights-out seem less scary, offer your child a nightlight which will cast a warm glow around them without interrupting their sleep.

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FAMILY FUN

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ENVIRONMENT

Involving children in saving power

By Angela Terry The climate crisis is hot news, energy prices are soaring and families are feeling the pain. With nearly a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions created by our homes, there’s no better time to instil good energy-saving habits in our children, help the environment and reduce energy bills. Luckily, there are many creative ways of doing this so you don’t need to resort to nagging. Here are some suggestions: Measure your household carbon footprint To put energy saving into context, find a free online calculator and measure your household carbon footprint. Start a family art project, drawing a big foot and recording the date and the number of tonnes of emissions generated by your household. As you work together to reduce your footprint, you can update your achievements periodically, getting your children to draw smaller and smaller feet. Display your feet in a row along a wall to chart your progress.

Get children to write the rules Go through each room in your house with the kids and ask them to pinpoint all the potential sources of wasted energy. Draw up a list together and agree a set of family rules that you’re all going to stick to, like switching off appliances that aren’t in use and keeping all curtains closed at night. Ownership of the rules should help motivate kids to follow them.

Rewards To help younger children stick to your rules, try a reward chart with stickers. If they stick to them for a week, you can then give them a special eco treat, like a bee hotel for the garden or a packet of sunflower seeds to plant together. Older children and teens are more likely to be motivated by money, so agree a small weekly financial reward. Given how much energy prices are increasing, this will still save you money overall.

Appoint monitors Allocate specific roles to each child. One could be the curtain monitor, ensuring all curtains are pulled shut at dusk, stopping extra energy seeping out of windows as the temperature drops.

Likewise, another child could be the thermostat monitor and check it isn’t set above nineteen degrees Celsius. Children can

also check that bedrooms and little-used rooms are not being heated unnecessarily by turning down their radiator valves.

Finally, a socket monitor could make sure all appliances not in use are switched off at the wall.

Time showers Make a game of it when it comes to cutting hot water usage by timing each other in the shower to see who can be the quickest – whilst still actually getting clean, of course!

Screen time Screen time limits can be one of the greatest sources of tension between parents and children. Building in an energy saving component can help. Explain to your children that the carbon footprint of our gadgets, the internet and the systems supporting them is nearly four percent of global emissions - greater than those from aviation. If they stick to agreed limits, offer to reward them with an outing to the park or a hot chocolate in a cafe.

Set an example One of the best things you can do, is role model ultra-efficient energy usage. Children are like sponges and imitate those they’re closest to. Make sure you do everything you’re asking them to do and ask them to remind you if you forget. They’ll love the sense of responsibility (and telling you what to do!).

Angela Terry is an environmental scientist and founder of One Home (www.onehome.org.uk), the UK’s first consumer climate action hub.

Draught hunting...

Smarten up your saving

Of course, you want to save energy but simultaneously make your home as insulated and cosy as possible. Encourage your children to come on a draught hunt with you, searching for any leaks around windows or doors. When you find some, enlist their help in a bit of easy DIY, sealing them with inexpensive rubber trim, available from most DIY shops. If cold air is seeping under the front door, do some ‘draught craft’ and make a snake draught excluder together. YouTube has lots of helpful tutorials.

A smart meter is a great visual tool. Once you’ve had one installed, use it to show your children when you’re using the most energy and how much it’s costing. Set targets to reduce your monthly usage and bills. Explain that just by turning down your thermostat by one degree saves an average of £80 per year. The ideal temperature is nineteen degrees Celsius.

Set targets and treat yourselves to a family games night or outing whenever you hit them.

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Families North Yorkshire 7

EDUCATION

Help, we didn’t get our first choice school!

By Emma Lewry School allocation day is almost upon us. In England, secondary school places are announced on 1 March. Then, during April, those who have applied for a primary school place will find out their designated school. Thankfully, almost ninety two percent of families are given their first-choice primary school and ninety eight percent get one of their listed preferences. In secondary, ninety six percent of students get one of their listed schools. But what about those who do not get their first choice or even any preferences? How can you deal with the fallout from not getting a choice you planned for? Here are three suggestions: Give the allocated option a chance If you do not know much about the school, get nosey on their website and give them a call see if you can visit. In many cases, second or third choice allocations turn out to be brilliant and families are really pleased with the decision. Give the school a chance, it might work for you!

Manage disappointment Sometimes the biggest issue is managing the disappointment you and your child might feel. Look after yourself and take some time to be sad, angry and frustrated; these are important and valid feelings. Communicating positively with your child is important if you can, so they don’t feel nervous about their new school.

Get on the waiting lists Plenty changes between the spring and September and there is still a good chance you can get a space at your first choice school or another you feel happier about. Depending on your local authority procedures, you may automatically go on a waiting list or you may need to request this with your local authority or directly with the school.

If you are still feeling unsure about the school options, there is time to look at other schools and request a change. Both starting school and moving to secondary are big events and you need to feel as happy about them as you can. There are also options to appeal; although this can be challenging, it may be worth a shot.

Again, your local authority website should explain the appeals process.

Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, former Headteacher and mum to two little girls. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk/links) which supports families to prepare for starting school through groups, courses and a school starters planner available from Amazon.

Telling your child

Appealing a decision

Where possible, after taking a little time to process your own feelings, tell your child with a positive spin. Explain to them that there is a different school that wants them to join.

Each local authority has an appeals procedure to follow and this can be found on their website.

Find some specific things about the school they will love and show younger children pictures of happy children and fun activities on the school website. For older children, visit the website together to look at what is on offer.

Give them some examples of times when a change or difference in a plan has been good, for example ‘it was raining on our walk but we found some great puddles.’ Children of all ages are really receptive to these examples of bigger life lessons and it gives an opportunity to talk about how they feel.

Stories are a great way to explore feelings and talk about sadness and disappointment. Top recommendations for little ones are: The Colour Monster by Anna Lennas and for older children No Worries, an activity book by Dr Sharie Combes or You are Awesome by Matthew Syed.

8 Families North Yorkshire

It will explain how to appeal and what reasons you can use for appeal. It is quite difficult to be successful with an appeal and in most cases, this only happens where children have additional needs which cannot be supported in any other setting. In a nutshell, if you appeal a decision, you are effectively asking a school which is full to remove a child from that allocation and move them to a different school. As you can imagine, that is an unlikely scenario.

It can be worth going through the process though, as there are situations in which schools may take on more children if they are able to and by appealing, you are showing you are serious about wanting a place at that school.

Once you appeal, the case will be heard by a panel, you may be invited to the hearing and you will be given a decision with reasons.

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EDUCATION

How important is spelling?

By Jemma Zoe Smith At a time when autocorrect is everywhere and very few situations call for handwriting, the question being debated is: does spelling matter?

As a dyslexic tutor, my answer does not fit squarely on one side of the fence. Spelling is a recognised core skill which helps with reading, processing and pronunciation. That said, should anyone be penalised for having important and novel ideas, simply because they struggle to write them down?

In UK primary schools, children are given regular spelling tests and spelling is tested at each stage of pupils’ lives. 11+ exams, SATs, GCSEs and even some job interviews require a writing task without spellcheck. So yes, spelling must matter because it is tested at so many points in the UK (although not so much in the USA). Fail to master spelling and it is harder to make it to top universities or careers.

Indeed, poor spelling skills can also impede you in love! In 2016, a survey of over five thousand people on online dating site Match.com found that over a third judged whether a potential date was suitable by their grasp of grammar.

Poor spelling can also impact business ratings, with a BBC article in 2011 stating that ‘a single spelling mistake can cut online sales in half.’

While spell checking tools can be used, they raise a new issue.

When spell check corrects a word, it can also change the word to one different than intended, creating hundreds of ‘funniest autocorrect’ articles online but also leaving governments red

faced as ‘peace’ turns to ‘peach’ in press releases.

But let’s not come down too hard on spelling lest it discourage children from writing. I have seen students go from enthusiastic to disengaged learners after seeing their work returned with red rings around the misspelled words. For many, their ideas for stories, articles and debates stay locked in their heads, never written down for fear of over-zealous correction. We might be missing out on some amazing works - after all, Jane Austen is known for spelling scissors as ‘scissars’ and sofa as ‘sopha’. And her novels are considered literary classics!

So does spelling matter? Sort of. But it shouldn’t get in the way of encouraging children to write. My solution? Spend longer on proof-reading, a skill that can help beyond the classroom. And, on that note, I’m off to proof-read this article.

Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate An Excellent rated (ISI) school welcoming children aged 3 months to 19 years.

Find out how we can help support your child to achieve their aspirations in our unique prep, middle and senior four-school model.

Call to arrange a private tour or join us on our next Open Day on 14 May 2022. admissions@qe.org 01423 333330 | York YO26 9SS www.qe.org Familiesonline.co.uk

Families North Yorkshire 9

EDUCATION

Tidy bedrooms and school performance

By Usha Patel The instruction ‘Tidy your room!’ is the bane of most children’s lives. But there’s so much more to keeping bedrooms tidy than maintaining a positive environment. In fact, the very act of regular tidying can actually help children in other areas of their life too, including at school. It’s all part of building certain processes and routines that are important to their overall development.

Nurturing a sense of tidiness By the age of four, children can usually hold just one notion in their active memory, for instance, immediate instructions such as picking up certain toys or doing one tidying job. Young children often struggle with being given too much to do all at once simply because their active memory is quickly drained. However, by the time they are sixteen, they can hold six or even seven notions in their active memory at a time.

If you want your child to more easily absorb a sequence of instructions, you can try habit stacking, with tidying their bedroom a perfect example of how to nurture it. Habit stacking is achieved by linking an existing habit with a new one you want to create.

How a tidy bedroom can help with working memory How easily can your child find something in their bedroom? To recall where a particular item is, children first need to retrieve the information from their long-term memory storage and bring it forward to their active thinking. The more items they have to put away, the more working memory is used to remember where each one is located.

Working memory is a critical cognitive function for everyday activities from learning to reading, remembering spellings, maths and mathematical tasks. By encouraging your child to start small and create the tidying habit and then retrieve the items, you are exercising that same part of the brain.

It’s impossible to overstate just how important working memory is in every aspect of your child’s life. In fact, Dr Tracy Packiam Alloway, award-winning psychologist who has conducted extensive research on memory and the brain, states it is a more significant indicator of academic success than IQ. So, there’s no need to feel like you are being a nag when you ask your child to tidy their room; it really is good for them. There’s a direct line from toybox to brainbox - just don’t expect them to thank you for it yet!

Usha Patel (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk) is a neurocognitive therapist and an expert in special educational needs.

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Play for nurturing emotional intelligence

EARLY YEARS

By Dr Anne Lane When my daughter was in her first year at nursery her favourite game was pretending to say goodbye to me. ‘Bye Mama, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.’ ‘Oh no! You’re not going...’ I’d say after her, ‘I don’t want you to go!’ The more I sighed ‘Don’t go,’ the more she’d giggle and run off. Thus reassured, we were ready for our day.

Little moments of play like this helped my daughter process her separation from me at nursery from a space of safety and connection.

For a child, life can be full of emotional demands; from the strains of separation from you, to new friendships, periods of uncertainty and family changes.

As a parent and psychologist, one of the most effective and fun ways I have found to help children navigate experiences and the difficult emotions that come with these is through this process of play. Simple, giggly, repetitive play helps children develop a resilience and familiarity with situations which can dispel tension and anxiety.

So how does play work?

Play is serious work for your child. The process of role-playing real scenarios allows them to reflect on their reactions and beliefs about a situation. They can steady their emotions and become more nuanced and agile in their reactions.

in the world of play, they get to switch things around and feel empowered. They can explore and try different things. The play scenario can be ridiculous, funny, amusing - tense and tight emotions soften and ease.

Against this background of safety and security, your child can become more comfortable making suggestions and changing things, allowing their understanding of situations to develop.

They’re the boss, they call the shots and decide how a situation goes. From this place of safety, they revisit difficult experiences without feeling vulnerable or uncertain.

In role playing and playing out different scenarios with them, your child comes to know you as someone who can understand and relate to their experience. They feel steady and secure.

Dr Anne Lane is a clinical psychologist and author. Her new book Nurture Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence: 5 Steps to Help Your Child Cope with Big Emotions and Build Resilience is out now.

The most important aspect of play is that it feels safe. In the real world, things are unpredictable. People can be abrupt and cross and make your child feel vulnerable and uncertain. But

New nursery in Harrogate A brand-new Children’s Corner Day Nursery is set to open on 4th April, providing top quality childcare to families across Harrogate and beyond. The trusted childcare provider has six exceptional settings across Leeds and this is the family’s first in Harrogate, welcoming children aged six weeks to five years from 7.30am to 6pm all year round.

Set in a fantastic location opposite Harlow Carr, the bright spacious Nursery and Pre-school is perfectly situated for parents commuting to and from Harrogate or living in Beckwithshaw, Pannal and the surrounding areas.

The first of its kind locally and completely refurbished with eco-friendly equipment, the modern open-plan space will allow plenty of opportunities for children to explore.

Children will follow the EYFS curriculum through a range of stimulating activities and in the moment play. The Nursery also benefits from a wonderful outdoor play space with sustainable equipment suitable for all ages and abilities.

Mealtimes are an important social occasion and in-house cooks will prepare a nutritionally balanced menu of seasonal dishes and healthy snacks.

www.childrenscornerchildcare.co.uk and the Children’s Corner team will get back to you to book your slot. As well as the opportunity to meet the staff and ask any questions, if you enrol during your visit you will save 50% off your first month’s fees. You must sign up on the day you visit and your child must start by September 2022.

Contact details: harrogate@childrenscornerchildcare.co.uk 0113 2575625 Facebook and Instagram: You can enjoy a personalised tour of the setting at two Open @childrenscornerchildcareleeds Days on Saturday 12th and 19th March between 10am and 2pm. Complete your details on the website

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Families North Yorkshire 11

TRAVEL

Unique UK animal encounters From the truly wild to the more domestic, there are so many animal experiences to be enjoyed here in the UK. Whether you dream of taking you and your family strolling with alpacas or heading out into the deep blue sea, these animal encounters will create lasting memories.

Spot badgers in Dorset

Walk alpacas in East Sussex

Herd sheep in the Lake District

Watch beavers in Cornwall

Possibly one of the most elusive of all British wildlife, wild badgers are often difficult to find despite their size. For an opportunity to glimpse one of these creatures, head to Dorset’s Old Henley Farm where guests can sit and view in two spacious hides. Visit www.badgerwatchdorset. co.uk

A stroll through the British countryside with an alpaca friend in tow is certain to put a smile on your face! Alpaca walking at Spring Farm Alpacas in East Sussex will take you through beautiful countryside, where you can spot a wide range of wildlife the farm has encouraged. Visit www.springfarmalpacas. co.uk

If you’re keen to get stuck into life on the farm, look no further than the truly unique Lake District Sheepdog Experience. Designed for absolute beginners, just one session will see you guiding your flock around a small course all with assistance of your trusty sheepdog. Visit www.bit.ly/lakesheepdog

After four hundred years of extinction in the UK, beavers are making a comeback thanks to the Cornwall Beaver Project. These chubbycheeked rodents in Cornwall have been reintroduced into a secure area of woodland and can be viewed on weekly beaver walks. Visit www. cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk

Stay: Shepherd’s Hut, Blandford Forum

Stay: Gun Hill Cottage, Heathfield

Stay: Winster Fields, Windermere

Stay: 2 Pencoose Barns, Truro

Go whale watching in Scotland

Kayak with seals in Pembrokeshire

Spy red squirrels in the Yorkshire Dales

See wild boars in the Forest of Dean

Whale watching may be on your bucket list for an exotic country but it is achievable here in the UK. Off the mainland of Scotland, near the islands of Tiree, Coll and Mull, you can see Minke whale along with dolphins and porpoises.

The Pembrokeshire coast is home to one of the largest breeding Atlantic seal colonies in the world. Glimpse these inquisitive creatures and their pups up close. Mayberry Kayaking are so confident you will see them that they even offer a ‘seal guarantee’ during certain months. Visit www.bit.ly/mayberryseals

The endangered red squirrel is a rare find but can be easily found in Yorkshire’s Widdale Squirrel Reserve, one of the last strongholds. With a special viewing area for the public, you will be sure to get the perfect vantage point to spot these bushy tailed beauties. Visit www.bit.ly/yorkshiresquirrels

Wild boars had largely disappeared from the UK until an unsanctioned release from a farm in the Ross-on-Wye area. Many now roam the Wye Valley. If you are lucky enough to spot one on your visit, stay still and keep your distance they are not as friendly as their domesticated counterparts.

Stay: Tirlaggan Studio, Oban

Stay: Maerdy Lodge, Haverfordwest

Stay: Mary’s Cottage, Hawes

Stay: Danby Lodge, Coleford

Gun Hill Cottage, Heathfield

12 Families North Yorkshire

Tirlaggan Studio, Oban

Compiled by Yonder (www.yonder.com), a new travel brand that offers responsible and nature rich stays and experiences. All properties referred to in the article can be found on their website.

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TRAVEL

Summer fun in Morzine with Chilly Powder adventure and outdoor fun. But it’s also the perfect holiday if you prefer a more easy going and relaxed break. The options for things to fill your days are pretty endless. From swimming in the stunningly clear alpine lakes to hiking the luciously green mountains, there’s something for everyone. Having our hire car meant that we could really explore outside of the region and a day trip to Lake Annecy, the incredibly pretty medieval town in the Haute-Savoie region of France, was a real highlight of our holiday.

Having experienced the delights of Chilly Powder, Morzine in the French Alps during the winter months, it seemed only right that we returned in the summer months to compare! As we expected, we were certainly not disappointed and if you were to ask us which holiday we preferred, winter skiing, or summer in the Alps, I don’t think we could pick one over the other.

Honestly.

We are not a family who like to return to the same holiday destination year after year. We love exploring new places, seeking out adventure and enjoying being immersed in new cultures, but for Chilly Powder, I think that we can make an exception. We opted to fly to Geneva from Manchester and hire a car so that we could drive ourselves from the airport to the chalet. The drive isn’t long and the views are simply stunning.

After only two stays, Chilly Powder is quickly becoming our home away from home especially as the staff go above and beyond to make your stay with them extra special. Everyone, from the manager Nick to the chefs and owners Paul and Francesca, is full of local knowledge and recommendations for places to visit, activities to book and the best places to stop for a bite to eat. They’ll even book it all for you.

We opted to stay within the main catered chalet Au Coin du Feu as we had done in winter. The facilities include an on-site creche and kids’ club, outdoor hot tub, on-site games and movie room and a sauna in amongst 17 luxurius bedrooms, including 11 specially designed family rooms. By far the main reason for us opting for this accommodation once again is the delicious cuisine available. When setting up Chilly Powder in 1996, British owners Francesca and Paul wanted to ensure the very best food was served to guests and so local chefs are brought in to work alongside resident chefs to ensure the menu is not only varied, but of the finest quality.

Everything about Chilly Powder is designed to make a family holiday the best one yet. Staff keep the kids entertained and happy and if you are looking for some time to enjoy the region alone, the creche and kids’ club is a fantastic facility. Meals for children are served earlier than the adults, which means that they can be tucked up in bed, (or at least ready for bed!) when you head down for pre-dinner drinks and aperitifs. You receive a delicious 4-course meal with canapes, great wine and coffee.

Morzine itself offers a host of options for keeping the kids entertained. The tourist board is a great place to find out what’s going on and during the summer months, there are daily activities for the family, many of which are free to take part. Morzine boasts a brilliant swimming complex with both indoor and outdoor pools, slides and loungers. The nearby Treetop Adventure Park, horse riding stables and skate park also offer plenty of options.

Of course, a trip to the French Alps in the summer months wouldn’t be complete without some cycling! My husband and my oldest son hired bikes to climb nearby col de Joux Verte. In fact, the slopes and chair lifts exchange snow and skiiers for grass and rocky terrain and mountain bikers in the summer. I am told that a return to Chilly Powder is a necessity so that we can all try out the slopes on mountain bikes next time!

There are many nearby villages and towns to explore, made easier with a car and one of our favourites is Les Linderets, known as the goat village. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat with some local shops offering the chance to buy goat food. Not that the goats need any encouragement! They are very used to the tourists, that’s for sure!

A day at Lac Montriond is an absolute must. With stunning views and backdrops, options to hire paddle boards, kayaks and much more, it’s the perfect family day out. Just don’t forget to pack the picnic and a towel.

Don’t just take our word for it though, read the many reviews on Trip Advisor and take a look at what’s on offer to find out more. www.chilypowder.com Get in touch: enquiries@chillypowder.com

Summer activity holidays in the Alps are just perfect for our family, with two boys aged 7 and 10, I would agree that it’s one of the best kept secrets in travel. Morzine, Avoriaz and the Portes du Soleil region are well matched to those seeking Familiesonline.co.uk

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WORK

Successful networking

By Marina Gask and Cheryl Laidlaw Ever wondered how (and how NOT) to get the best out of networking?

Be interested Small talk can be pretty cringey, especially if you’ve just met someone. Start by asking why the person is there and what they do as this will quickly give you a sense of whether they are interesting for you. Don’t rule them out straightaway. Chat a bit more and explore common ground. Talk about your own area of expertise and what you love about it, so you get them interested.

You don’t know who they know and their contacts book could be full of useful people. Smile. Be nice!

The greeting An appropriate greeting for a total stranger you have just met is a handshake or nod of the head or fist bump in these sociallydistanced Covid times. If you are up for the handshake, make it brief and firm. Or avoid the scenario altogether by having a drink in one hand and canapé in the other so you can just smile winningly as you say your name and ask for theirs.

Enjoying a drink Networking can be a nerve-wracking thing, especially if you are not used to it. But announcing ‘I don’t get out much’ and tucking into a tipple with gusto is very ill-advised indeed. Maybe you do need to get out more with your actual friends. But when networking you are there to make a good impression among strangers and hopefully meet new contacts, so locate your offswitch before you risk breathing winey fumes at all and sundry.

Narcissism It is not all about you. Obviously, you want to tell someone what you do and give them a positive reason to remember you but if you just go on about yourself, they may think you are an idiot. So be a good listener as well as a talker and think about how you might be able to help them. Remember someone you meet today could do you a massive service in the future. So be memorable and generous.

Words: Marina Gask and Cheryl Laidlaw, co-founders of Website in a Day (www.website-in-a-day.co.uk).

Abridged article from www.audreyonline.co.uk by Marina Gask and Cheryl Laidlaw.

Looking for expert advice? The Audrey Members’ Club offers all the help you need to kickstart your future - support, coaching and expertise for women on self-employment, changing careers, running a business or launching one.

The scattergun approach If you have ever had someone shove their business card in your face without bothering to even ask your name, you will know how annoying this approach is. You will not get work by handing out cards like sweets. Only give your card to someone if you have had a good chat and really connected with them.

Interrupting Nerves or enthusiasm might find you jumping in to speak up while someone else is talking. Or you may have something relevant or funny to say. But this is not a great way to connect with people, better to wait. Equally, if you have spotted an interesting group, do not just barge in. Stand just off to the side, make eye contact, smile and wait for them to invite you into the group. If they do not, they are not worth bothering with.

Being woolly What do you say when people ask what you do? This is a tricky one. Some people will talk for ten minutes and you still walk away none the wiser as to how they earn a living. Do not overcomplicate it and avoid being woolly. You may have heard of The Elevator Pitch, a short, specific summary of your amazingness that you somehow must cram into the time an elevator takes to go up a few floors. Practise saying specifically what you do and get it down to a fine art.

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Oversharing Making real and lasting connections with like-minded people is a wonderful thing. But however warm and friendly your new contact may seem, you do not actually know them yet and they are unlikely to want to know about your painful divorce or medical issues. A meaningful chat can soon turn awkward if you overshare. Save it for friends.

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HOLIDAY CAMPS

Camp QE returns for 2022 The ultimate holiday adventure camp Camp QE is back with a bang for 2022 with ten exciting weeks of themed, multi-activity day camps across the school holiday calendar.

Based at Thorpe Underwood Estate near York, home of leading independent school Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, Camp QE offers the complete package for parents looking at childcare over the school holiday periods.

Total Sports are now in our 15th

year of running holiday clubs and our permanent staff team teach in over 40 schools throughout the region. Our name certainly suggests we are based around sports, however, we are so much more than this. Our Holiday Club standard programme is called Total Energy, and the name undoubtedly fits the bill. Programmes are carefully designed to ensure the children are kept active and engaged in innovative activities all day long. Sessions are a real mixture of arts, crafts, games, sports & some extra special days using our WOW equipment. Parachute games, face paints, Capture the Flag, dodgeball, water pistols, inflatable assault courses, party games, archery, team challenges, junk modelling… you name it, we’ve got it! Days include at least 5 different high energy activities, that are age specific and based on years of experience. Our camps are nearly always full, which is testament to the programme and knowing full time staff are at the core of everything Total Sports do.

Camps run from 8-5:30 each day across a growing number of venues throughout Yorkshire. Places are limited, so we recommend booking your place as early as possible. Childcare vouchers are accepted and we have flexible booking options, from a single day to full weeks. Head across to www. totalsportslimited.co.uk to check out all of our latest news on venues and programmes, and to book your place now. Alternatively, please call our friendly team on 03444 14 14 13 who will be happy to answer all of your questions.

We look forward to welcoming you into our Total Sports family.

The Camp QE 2022 dates: Easter Camp QE 11 – 15 April QE-Onopoly 19 – 22 April At the Movies 30 May – 1 June Jurassic Week 25 – 29 July Commonwealth Games 1 – 5 August Blast from the Past 8 – 12 August Big Cities 15 – 19 August Halloween 24 – 28 October Christmas 19 – 21 December The camps are for ages 5 – 13 yrs and the price for a full week is £250 per child or £55 per day, with sibling discount available. A four day week is £200 per child. The camp runs from 9:00 to 16:00 and free wraparound care is available, from 8:00 – 17:30. Included in the price as well is hot lunch and snacks. Every day at Camp QE is different and combines a great selection of outdoor sports, outdoor games, indoor sports, indoor activities and arts and crafts. Outdoor activities range from football, rugby and tennis through to rock climbing, scavenger hunts and skating, whilst our indoor activities include basketball, dodgeball, table tennis, baking, tie-dying t-shirts, and more.

Visit qe.org or email campqe@qe.org to book your place.

Look to the Little Gym for your child’s next holiday camp During the school holidays, rain or shine, The Little Gym Harrogate, Leeds & York camps combine fun, sport, creative activities and learning to keep your kids active, entertained and laughing. All while carefully developing their minds, bodies and self-confidence. Suitable for children aged 3 to 12.

All camps are themed and can be attended as both half and full days, (full days are for ages 5 and up). With an optional breakfast club for an earlier start, we can offer flexible drop off times! Camps are open to both members and non-members. Themed sessions that change every day stimulate physical and motor-skill development with games and gymnastics, all in the care of our qualified and dedicated team of instructors.

“Skill-Thrill” camps & gymnastic workshops for 5-12 year olds provide focus on particular gymnastics skills, all whilst having fun, making friends and building confidence in new skills!

“Super-Quest” camps for 3-8 year olds provide exciting theme based challenges and adventures to let children’s imaginations run wild whilst having serious fun!

Want to learn more? Call us today: 01423 701560 - Harrogate 01904 307404 - Leeds 0113 3359915 - York

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FAMILY FUN

Get out and about for #FREEfamilyfun in North Yorkshire *Parking fees apply Battle at Peasholm Park, Scarborough Voted #6 Best UK Park! The Park has been designed with an oriental theme and there is much evidence of this as you wander through its pathways. Open all year round with boat hire available in the summer months on the lake. Bandstand, 2 cafes & picnic areas. War breaks out on the lake in the middle of the park during the ‘Battle of Peasholme’ Naval Battle. It lasts 30 mins & is produced 3 times a week, starting late June into July & August.

Call in to Ripon Cathedral This magnificent church has been a place of wonder, peace and inspiration since 672. You will find unusual treasures of art and design at every turn, some of which inspired the writing of Alice in Wonderland.

Climb at Brimham Rocks* This is the perfect family day out full of exploration and investigation. With its variety of rocks, moorland and woodland, Brimham is known as nature’s natural playground.

Cycle the Solar System in York This scale model of the Solar System is spread out along the old East Coast main-line railway. Along the way, you will find scale models of all the planets in our solar system. It’s perfect for family bike rides, even with little legs as it’s a flat and often wide path. The route goes via Brunswick Organic Nursery & various pubs for refreshments if needed. One of the best places to park is Askham Bar Park & Ride; the car park is only 500m from the Sun and hence, the start of the route.

Delve into the delights of the Museum Gardens, York A beautiful spot for a picnic or just a run around. You can spot wildlife and nature galore, see the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey and find plenty of nooks and crannies for a good old-fashioned game of hide and seek!

Enjoy Harrogate Museums & Gallery The Family Explorer pass gets you FREE entry to both the Royal Pump Room Museum and Knaresborough Castle Museum for just £30 a year. The Mercer Art Gallery is FREE. Always something fun for families to do and enjoy – dressing up, trails, activities, games etc.

Explore Valley Gardens, Harrogate Harrogate’s most popular park. The kids can enjoy time on the huge play area, suitable for all ages. In the summer, the paddling pool is filled and always proves a firm favourite for splashing around. There is a kiosk for drinks and snacks, but also picnic benches and plenty of space for a sit-down picnic on the grass.

The skate park is great for bikes, scooters and skateboards, but can get busy.

special talks and activities. There are trains galore to explore in the Great Hall, Station Hall and workshop. A miniature railway runs for an extra charge. Café, toilets and play areas are all available.

Head back to nature in Hackfall Woods, Grewelthorpe Follow trails through Hackfall to discover its rich past. There is no wheelchair access to Hackfall because of the terrain and there are steep paths. There are 4 entrances, the 2 most popular ones are at the top of the site accessed from the Grewelthorpe to Masham road.

Marvel at Nidd Falls and Scar House Resevoir Nidd Falls is a delightful waterfall on the River Nidd just upstream from Lofthouse. Further up, the stunning reservoir, built in 1930 is a popular spot for walkers, cyclists and sightseers, so the perfect spot for all of the family.

Navigate your way through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park For lots of chance to enjoy the great outdoors with your family (including four legged friends!) look at the NYM National Park website: www.northyorkmoors.org.uk Enjoy many family-friendly cycling routes at Sutton Bank as well as the adventure play area. Why not take a trip to one of the NYM towns: Helmsley, Goathland, Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes (set for CBeebies Old Jack’s Boat!) or Whitby to name a few.

Relax in Ripon Spa Gardens Enjoy a perfect family day out listening to local brass bands, explore the park using the family tree trail and green man trail, try a game of crazy golf, 18-hole putting green and have fun in the play area. It is a Green Flag award winning park.

Try the York Art Gallery Entry is free, but some exhibitions have a charge. Check opening times and book in advance in you can. It’s a great family-friendly venue with colouring and fact sheets. The fountains outside are a great welcoming feature!

Seek adventure at Dalby Forest* A great day out for outdoor family fun. Walking trails, cycling trails, running trails, play areas, café, BBQ/ picnic sites, Superworm trail, Staindale Lake, Adderstone Field play area – Gruffalo trail, enchanted wood, play area, green cycle route and walking trails.

Visit York Minster York residents get free admission if a valid form of ID is shown with proof of address. We often visit when we are in York, lighting a candle for lost loved ones and the boys enjoy the quiet, reflective time.

With a gift shop, toilets, and a discovery trail, it’s a good family option for a trip out.

Go train spotting at the National Railway Museum, York This is a fantastic full day out. Collect an information leaflet at the welcome desk to discover what’s on that day and timings for Familiesonline.co.uk

Walk York’s City Walls You can walk all the walls or just a section and it’s a great option to see the wonderful sights of York. You can access the walls at Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Micklegate Bar or Walmgate Bar. At certain points, there are information boards offering historical background, great for those learning about the Romans or Vikings in school!

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WHAT’S ON If you’re looking for places to visit and things to keep the kids entertained as spring emerges, then our What’s On guide is packed full of ideas for places to take the kids, whatever the weather, local festivals, events and shows.

9 & 10 Mar Grand Opera House, York Peppa Pig’s Best Ever Day Get ready for a road-trip full of fun adventures. From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice-creams to muddy puddles – there is something for all of the family and their friends to enjoy, including Miss Rabbit, Mr Bull, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe and more! Packed full of songs, games and laughter.

Theatre

31 Mar – 2 Apr - Harrogate Theatre The Addams Family Musical The Addams kids are growing up and Gomez faces every father’s nightmare.

His daughter, Wednesday, has fallen in love with Lucas, a sweet, smart young man from a respectable, conventional family. One fateful, hilarious night, Gomez and Morticia host a dinner party for Wednesday’s boyfriend and his parents.

Joined by son, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandma and Lurch they play ‘The Game’ when secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, hidden feelings are unleashed, and the Addams family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change. Suitable for all the family, normal or strange.

4 & 5 Apr – York Theatre Royal Oi Frog & Friends Expect songs, puppets, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at.

FROG is looking for a place to sit, but CAT has other ideas and DOG is doing as he’s told. Little do any of them know that chaos is coming.

12 Apr - Harrogate Theatre Pinocchio Northern Ballet In a faraway land, a hard-working and lonely carpenter wishes for their puppet Pinocchio to come to life. By the magic of a wishing well their dream comes true!

Join Pinocchio on his adventure as he discovers that where there is love and honesty, there is always magic. An original retelling of the classic children’s story, Pinocchio is the perfect opportunity for little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre. Northern Ballet’s productions for children are not to be missed. This child friendly show lasts approx 40 minutes.

21 Apr - York Theatre Royal Justin Live – the BIG Tour CBeebies superstar comes to York! Come and see children’s favourite Justin Fletcher live on stage in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. A fabulous show for all the family packed full of well-known songs, lots of dancing, hilarious comedy, and plenty of slapstick fun!

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Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon & Thirsk 12 Mar – Aldborough Battle of Boroughbridge, 1322 700 years later a full day of events commemorating the event including living history display, battle exhibition, swords battle and weapon demo and battlefield guided walks.

27 Mar – Goldsborough Hall Mother’s Day Take Mum out for a special afternoon treat this Mother’s Day with Lunch or Royal Afternoon Tea at Goldsborough Hall. Our chefs have put together a menu that is sure to delight the taste buds with each mouth-watering dish with a handmade gift for Mum to take home.

2 – 24 Apr – Mother Shipton’s Cave Easter Hop along to Mother Shipton’s during the Easter Holidays for an EGG-CEPTIONAL time! Follow the Bunny Door Trail and look out for giant eggs, CRACKING photo opportunities and fascinating Easter scenes throughout the beautiful woodland. The Park will be transformed, creating an engaging Easter event suitable for all the family. There are plenty of picnic benches and scenic views.

Dogs on a lead are welcome everywhere except the adventure playground for a picturesque mile-long walk along the River Nidd. Booking essential.

2 Apr -Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate Springtime Live 2019 A fabulous fun day out for families, especially those with young children. All activities are FREE, you just need to buy a ticket to get in. Shaun the Sheep and Peppa Pig are the special guests and will be making appearances throughout the day. Activities are all based around Spring, new life, food, and farming. Arena displays, indoor and outdoor activities.

Tickets not available to purchase on day.

9 Apr – Ripon Cathedral Spring food, home & garden show Join us for another fantastic annual springtime day out for all the family at the Spring Food, Home & Garden Show on 4th April with over 60 traders from across Yorkshire selling delicious food and treats, seasonal homewares and gifts.

The Cathedral cafe will be open all day and the Cathedral Plant Stall will be selling a selection of plants at affordable prices, plus activities running throughout the day. Pay a visit to the adorable springtime animals from a mobile petting

farm from Brimham Rocks Adventure Farm.

9 - 26 Apr – Beningborough Hall & Gardens Easter egg hunt This spring, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at Beningborough on the Easter adventures in nature trail.

14 Apr – Ripon Races Easter family day Our annual children’s day is a fantastic way to introduce your children to the exciting world of horse racing at its best.

Not only do we have thrilling racing, we have lots of FREE activities to make the children’s experience of Ripon even more enjoyable.

16 & 17 Apr – Goldsborough Hall Easter Trail Enjoy a stroll in the fabulous spring gardens and woodland. A fun familyfriendly treasure hunt is hidden within the grounds. Can you solve each clue from the painted eggs that are hidden around the garden to complete this year’s anagram? Prizes for the winners. £5 per child.

Away Resorts is a collection of naturally beautiful holiday parks, each in outstanding locations, with their own style and personality. Whether you desire coastal or country locations, full-on fun or a relaxing time with loved ones, each resort is alive with character and atmosphere, and specially crafted to suit your needs. So, are you ready to fall in love with a new type of holiday? A holiday that puts you first, where your accommodation is off-the-scale amazing and where new experiences await at every turn.

A holiday to create “remember when we did that?” moments that will last a lifetime. www.awayresorts.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON York & surrounds 5 & 6 Mar York city centre York Ice Trail, FREE It’s the UK’s biggest outdoor Ice Trail with over 40 magnificent ice sculptures transforming York’s city centre! A familyfavourite event, the theme of York Ice Trail this year is go travelling ‘Around the World’. The sculpture from the main sponsor of the event – First York’s Park & Ride – can be seen at Parliament Street.

This year’s sculptures aim to transport visitors into fantastic locations ‘Around the World’ and beyond. You can ‘go down the rabbit hole’ at Middletons Hotel or see The Betty’s Express Train in Davygate.

York BID has seven ice sculptures for you to discover – one for each continent in the world, inspired by seven Disney characters. Plus, don’t miss ‘The York Skyline’ from the City of York Council in Exhibition Square. There is also live ice carving in St Sampson’s Square with Ice Box who create all the ice sculptures. In Parliament Street, there is a graffiti wall where you can have a go at ice carving.

7-13 Mar York Restaurant Week Enjoy amazing savings on dining out with York Restaurant Week - with offers priced at either £5, £10, £15 or £20. Diners can choose from options ranging from afternoon tea to a full three course dinner.

It’s a great opportunity to try different places at lunchtime, or an affordable way for families and friends to dine out together. To take advantage of the offers, simply visit www.yorkrestaurantweek. co.uk and download a voucher.

18 - 27 Mar Various locations York Literature Festival A range of events including creative writing and poetry workshops for children. Find out more at: www. yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk 26 & 27 Mar – Scampston Hall Mother’s Day Join us at Scampston this weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day where all mums can come in for FREE! 26 & 27 Mar, 2 & 3 Apr – Sledmere House Lambing Time Come join us for a special opportunity to meet our new-born lambs, help out at feeding time and give them cuddles in the lambing tent. Watch lambing live streamed straight from our lambing sheds and ask our team any questions about our farming enterprise.

9 - 24 Apr – York’s Chocolate Story A Chocolate covered Easter Head along to York’s Chocolate Story this Easter for some fantastic chocolatey Easter family fun! Book for the choctastic tour or why not opt for the Easter Familiesonline.co.uk

masterclasses where you and the family can craft stunning Easter products while sampling the finest chocolates with our chocolatier? Included: egg decorating, 6 chocolates to decorate and take home, signature hot chocolate and chocolate piping activities. Recommended for ages 6 and over.

Wizard Walk of York

14 – 18 Apr York city centre Chocolate Festival Come and enjoy 5 days of sweet treats in Parliament Street. From chocolate to cakes, ice cream, waffles, honey, cider and more. York has a proud chocolate heritage that continues to this day with high quality chocolate still being produced within the city walls by York Cocoa Works and many other shops and attractions featuring chocolate. FREE. 18 Apr – Scampston Hall Easter storytelling, crafts & games Join us this Easter Bank Holiday for some egg decorating, captivating stories in the walled garden, fun games and egg rolling down the mount!

The coast & East Yorks 27 Mar - Carlton Towers, Goole Mother’s Day Lunch Do something extra special for Mother’s Day this year and book to eat lunch at Carlton Towers.

Until 31 Mar – The Deep, Hull Tranquil Tuesday Join us every Tuesday (term time only) from 3pm until closing the lights will be brighter and the audio turned down, creating a tranquil environment for visitors. Everyone welcome. Normal admission rates apply. Pre booking is essential.

9 – 24 Apr – Burton Agnes Hall Easter Egg Trail Children are invited to take part in our Easter egg hunt with a difference. With 25 oversized hand carved and painted wooden eggs hidden in woodland the task is to find them all. An Easter trail will take you around the magnificent grounds of the Hall, solving clues whilst exploring the extensive gardens. Once the conundrum has been solved, every child receives an Easter treat. The woodland adventure playground provides a fun way to let off steam.

The Magic Hatter is bringing his award-winning entertainment to the streets, with his NEW Wizard Walk of York “Magic, mystery, comedy and excitement plus a dash of York’s history…the ingredients for a truly unforgettable experience for all the family!”

Public tours are running on selected evenings, starting from the bottom of The Shambles opposite The Golden Fleece. Pre-booking required.

Private tours are available for birthdays, school groups, brownies, cubs and more. A wonderfully whimsical tour that wizard fans will go Potty for!

Wizard Wand Kits are also available, subject to availability. A handcrafted wand and instructions for seven tricks that young witches and wizards can learn at home. Plus a FREE printable certificate!

To check days, times and book online visit the wizarding website at www. wizardwalkofyork.com You can also follow at www.facebook.com/ wizardwalkofyork and www. instagram.com/wizardwalkofyork for all the latest magical news, updates and special offers!

18 Apr – Burnby Hall Gardens & Museum Magical Springtime Join an exciting adventure in the gardens as we celebrate this most magical time of the year! Find out how all the garden creatures are preparing for spring and help weave some seasonal magic of your own. Outdoor performance walk hosted by larger-than-life creatures! Lasts 45 mins approx.

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