Solentwestmarch

Issue 39 I March/ April 2014

Free

Cover image Š M&Co

SOLENT WEST

Open 7 days a week for adventure soft-play and a number of fun-filled birthday party packages suitable for 1 - 12 years Located within the Swan leisure shopping centre in Eastleigh For all information on the centre and birthday parties visit www.gambado.com/eastleigh Unit L10, Swan Leisure Centre, Eastleigh, SO50 5SF – 02380 018336

Southampton New Forest Winchester Eastleigh Hedge End Botley Warsash Park Gate Chandlers Ford Romsey Totton March/ April 2014 Families Solent West Magazine The really useful magazine for parents with children 0 - 12 years

From the team behind STICK MAN and TIDDLER & OTHER TERRIFIC TALES Scamp Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre present

Late night Friday Activities - 21st February Easter Holiday

HANDS-ON FUN 100 hands-on exhibits & the UK’s largest digital planetarium

6- 7 APRIL

Box Office 01962 840 440 www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

OFFICIAL PARTNER

Tel 01962 863 791 - Winchester SO21 1HZ Open 7 days a week www.winchestersciencecentre.org

In partnership with

Home of Thomas & FriendsTM toys

®

Solent West Magazine

Your LOCAL guide for information and events for parents with children 0 - 12 years in Hampshire

Join Thomas & FriendsTM at a heritage Railway near you.

Experience a ride on a real steam engine and take part in Thomas-themed activities.

MID HANTS RAILWAY ‘WATERCRESS LINE’ Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG

Features for our May 2014 Issue Parties I Pre-schools I Family breaks Father's day I what's on and much more

www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk

02380 403247 I editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk

12TH - 21ST 2014

Day Out With ThomasTM Thomas the Tank EngineTM. Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry. © 2014 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. © 2014 HIT Entertainment Limited.

2

March/ April 2014

Let our 40,000 + readers know about your business or service. Why not advertise with us in 2014, prices start from as little as £78

www.familiessolentwest.co.uk

Families Solent West Magazine

4

6

SOLENT WEST MAGAZINE

12

Families Solent West Magazine Editor: Rebecca Carr 023 8040 3247 editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk Next issue: May/ June 2014 Booking deadline: 1 April 2014 Copy deadline: 4 April 2014

10

To book an advert call: 02380 403247 email: editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk 40,000 readers per issue Printed by Bishops www.familiessolentwest.co.uk Copyright: Families Solent West 2014

Data Protection: if you send us your name and address in order to win a prize in a competition, we may supply your details to the company offering the prize. If you would prefer us not to do this please state this on your entry.

Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at the owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither Families Solent West not its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for consequence.

Families Solent West is part of a group established in 1990 headed by Families South West London. All magazines are independently owned and operated under licence.

Call us on 02380 403 247 to include your business in our May/ June issue.

The booking deadline is 1 April.

18,000 copies delivered to parents & carers every two months. Covering Southampton, Winchester, New Forest and all the areas in between.

In this issue....

4

Local and current news

6

Choosing your childcare

8

What is autism?

9

The science of play

10

Competitions

11

What's on during March & April

12

Easter Activities and events

Fareham Swim School Specially designed Baby & toddler classes After school & weekend lessons available

• • • • • • •

Swimming lessons with a difference!

Beautiful warm, private pools Small class sizes. MAX 4:1 ratio Baby & preschool lessons available Confidence booster sessions Evening adult classes & 1:1s Whatever your age or ability we will help you swim.

For more info please see our website

www.farehamswimschool.com or call

March/ April 2014

01329 802 208 Families Solent West Magazine

3

News & Views

Round up all local 4 - 8 year old Cowgirls and Cowboys. We’re having a Hoedown!

Fareham Swim School is now opening a new private pool in the Fareham area.

Throughout March and April, Perform children will not just be having fun acting, singing and dancing each week, they’ll be braving The Wild West. The Wild West guarantees a world of fun and adventure, with many interesting characters along the way. Don’t miss your chance to join the fun as our children learn about the excitements of the Gold Rushes, experience the perils of a runaway mine train, decipher smoke signals and discover the ancient beauty and wisdom inherent in Native American customs and traditions. Perform’s Principal Lucy Quick says “The Wild West is our most exuberant theme yet. It is extremely physical and high energy, and the children get to go on a hugely exciting adventure to rescue The Horse with the Golden Mane, whilst developing those all important social skills along the way”. As well as promising ‘the best fun of the week’, Perform specializes in helping children develop the 4 C’s.

Confidence, Communication, Co-ordination and Concentration and according to parents and teachers all over London and the South East and as parents and teachers always say ‘you can always tell a Perform child’.

We provide swimming lessons with a difference for all ages and abilities including: parents and babies, specially designed pre-schooler classes, confidence booster sessions, after school club and adult lessons. We believe a small class size is the way forward, our teachers are always in the water, our pools are clean and warmed to an average of 32’ & all our office staff are qualified teachers, so when you call us, you can talk to somebody who knows their stuff! Prices start at £9 per lesson.

To book a trial lesson or have a chat, please visit our website www.farehamswim school.com or call us on 01329 802 208.

Do you know about the Eling Experience, home of the historic Eling Tide Mill?

The Eling Experience continues to be a popular choice for visitors to the area. However, our research shows us that many local residents although well aware of the Eling Mill have never visited. The Eling Tide Mill is a working piece of history and we are extremely lucky to have this treasure on our doorstep. It is one of only a handful of Tide Mills that survives and mills flour the traditional way on a regular basis. Plan your trip to coincide with one of the regular milling sessions and you will witness the flour-making process in action, with the restored waterwheels powering away, much the same today as it has been since it was first mentioned in the Domesday Book. Alongside the mill and it’s wonderful history and flour, there are other aspects to the Eling Experience including the Heritage Centre which depicts the local history of Totton & Eling, the Eling Creek Tea Rooms and wonderful Riverside Walks. A great outing for all the family, so why not visit this Easter?

The Eling Experience, Eling Lane, Totton. Telephone 023 80 869575. Open 10am – 4pm Wednesday to Sunday (term time) School Holidays Open 7 Days a Week 10am – 4pm. www.elingexperience.co.uk

Classes available in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Winchester. Any interested 4-8 year old can try out the classes by attending a free trial session. For more information please contact Sarah Lakin at Perform on 020 7255 9134. www.perform.org.uk

World Book Day This year’s World Book Day hits the shelves on 6 March, and they need your help! Which books have changed your life? Which books thrill you, scare you, make you laugh?

Which books do your children devour again and again? World Book Day is the biggest celebration of books anywhere, with millions and millions of book tokens given out, great free books for kids plus events taking place in schools, libraries and bookshops. Don’t miss out – register online to keep up to date with the exciting Big Booky Events and to get your free books. Nominate your favourites now at www.worldbookday.com.

Labels4Kids has expanded the range on their new website with the introduction of another multi pack of labels.

Want snap on tags and vinyl labels as well? Then why not combine them with the new snappy school pack? This gives you the advantage of vinyl waterproof labels for all your non-clothing items, two bag tags as well as re-applying snap on snappy tags etched with a name (and also a phone number if you wish). Other new lines include TSA luggage straps personalised with name, or cut and bagged sew-on labels which have the edges pre-sealed to stop fraying - no need to fold over the edges before sewing! Remember to sign up an account and for newsletters for the latest updates and offers. They also run competitions regularly on the Labels4Kids facebook page. www.labels4kids.com 4

March/ April 2014

Rugbytots Rugbytots is a play programme which uses the multi-skills of rugby such as passing, kicking and running with the ball (we use soft foam balls for the younger children) to develop social and physical skills. Throwing and catching a bright and colourful ball is great for enhancing handeye coordination. The high tempo classes are also fantastic for a child’s general health and children who are physically fit are less stressed, happier and also sleep better. Rugbytots is lots of fun and something great to do with friends.

Sessions run for three ages: 2-3.5 years, 3.5-5 years and 5-7 years and we also do parties so come and give us a try! Call Hogie on 0845 313 3244. www.rugbytots.co.uk Families Solent West Magazine

News & views

Major new research into early detection of autism and ADHD is seeking babies The world-leading ‘Babylab’ at Birkbeck, University of London, is launching a new Europe-wide study of the early emergence of autism and ADHD. With over £2.5 million in funding, Professor Mark Johnson and his team are now embarking upon the Studying Autism and ADHD Risk in Siblings (STAARS) project, which will map brain development from birth in order to identify the earliest signs of these lifelong social communication and attention disorders. The research will focus on infants who have older siblings with autism or ADHD as these infants are at particularly high risk for these disorders.

Although parents may notice symptoms of these conditions from infancy, children are often not diagnosed until they are in nursery or school. Earlier diagnosis of these children would help make it possible to design earlier and more effective interventions that may prevent symptoms from developing, and improve the quality of life for individuals with autism/ADHD. Can you and your baby help? Expenses will be paid. To read more about the STAARS project and to take part go to www.staars.org

More family fun promised at Exbury as new childrens play area set to open Exbury has always been a firm favourite with families visiting the New Forest, but this year there is even more reason to discover the award-winning woodland gardens.

Alongside the exclusive spring season ‘Gilbury Lane’ garden, will be a new Childrens Play Area which will include an Explorer Tower, Sky Walk Trail, Bird’s Nest Swing, Play Hut and ‘Pick-Up Sticks’ all perfect for children aged 5-11 years. Younger children are not forgotten either with a Horse Sit-In Springer.

Exbury Operations Manager Sally Needham can’t wait for the new season to start on 15 March: “We’re really looking forward to opening. The Play Area is sure to go down well with our audience, and complements the other activities families enjoy at Exbury, including the train rides and Family Trail. It is located close to the visitor entrance and our main facilities, including Mr Eddy’s Tea Rooms, and is readily accessible – perfect to spend some time in either at the start or end of a visit.”

The Gardens, a charitable trust, also stage a number of family friendly events during the open season, including an Easter Tree Trail and much more. Entrance to the Childrens Play Area and new ‘Gilbury Lane’ garden is included with admission to the Gardens.

A Gift Aid Gardens family ticket, for two adults and three children is £24.75. Exbury Gardens re-opens on Saturday15 March when the childrens play area will open for the first time. Open daily from 10am – 5pm. www.exbury.co.uk

SWING ALONG WITH MONKEY MUSIC! Monkey Music, the award winning preschool music group for children aged 3 months – 4 years is now running classes in Winchester & Botley.

Monkey Music provides entertaining and educational classes that nurture a lifetime of music. Imaginatively taught by teachers who gently encourage social and musical skills in a fun, stimulating environment.

Small classes are tailor-made, and teachers captivate children using a winning combination of catchy music, percussion instruments, props and boundless energy. Over 300 songs, musical games and exciting movement ideas are used, with the children grouped in classes according to their age. To find out more visit www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Award winning music classes for babies & young children WINCHESTER, ROMSEY, CHANDLER’S FORD, HEDGE-END E: winchester@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 02380 900178 The Church Rooms, London Road, Kings Worthy SO23 7JL The Botley Centre, High Street, Botley, SO30 2ES Shawford Parish Hall, Pearson Lane, Winchester, SO21 2AA Teachers required. Full training provided. Call for details.

March/ April 2014

Families Solent West Magazine

5

Childcare & Education

Choosing your childcare Childcare costs are increasing – but it’s quality that matters the most for any parent. Joanna Moorhead looks at what option might suit you best, plus what’s new in 2014 According to a recent survey from findababysitter.com, childcare costs are soaring – up by 19% over the last year. Every parent knows that what matters most about any sort of childcare is its quality – it’s vital that your child is safe, happy and in a stimulating environment while you’re at work – but the money matters too.

So what are the factors you need to take into account when you’re choosing childcare in readiness for returning to work? will be less flexible about time

A nanny might suit you if...

•

•

6

You’re a reasonably high earner – nannies can be expensive, though they’re a lot more affordable if you share them with another family. As well as basic pay, there are a lot of extras to be aware of when you employ a nanny – particularly her tax, which you are required to pay, but also car insurance if she’s driving your car, and the costs of all the outings and visits your child is taken on.

•

You have two or more children, or have one baby and hope to have another very soon, because you’ll pay your nanny for her time, not for the number of children she’s looking after.

•

You have quite rigorous ideas about, for example, the food you want your child to eat, and the schedule you want for his or her day. You can be a lot more prescriptive as a parent with a nanny than you can with a nursery or childminder, where your child will have to fit into a pre-existing schedule established by the institution or minder.

You work irregular hours. That’s because you can pay a nanny to work the hours you work, whereas a nursery or childminder

March/ April 2014

A nursery might suit you if...

•

You have an only child or this is your youngest child and you are unlikely to have more in the near future – because a nursery will give him or her plenty of opportunities to play with other children.

•

Your child is not a small baby, and so many benefit particularly from the organised activities a nursery can offer.

•

You like the idea of a setting where events are regulated in a way that involves a lot of carers, rather than just one

A childminder might suit you if...

What’s happening in 2014?

•

You work part-time or are not a high earner (childminders are usually the cheapest or, as many would prefer to put it, the bestvalue option).

•

You have two or more children and would like them to see a lot of each other through the day.

Childcare is always a political hot potato – and with a General Election looming in just over a year’s time, politicians are saying more and doing more about it. Here’s what’s new on the childcare horizon:

•

You like the idea of another mother caring for your child – most childminders are mothers themselves

•

From September this year, more two-year-olds will be offered 15 hours of free childcare each week, because the eligibility criteria are being expanded. See your local authority website for more information – they’ll be Families Solent West Magazine

•

•

•

publishing full details of who’s eligible and how to find a place Free universal childcare for all pre-school children is being promised by Labour in their election manifesto. If they’re elected to power next time round, the Labour leadership is likely to make a dramatic announcement about the way childcare will be organised in Britain in the coming years The new tax-free childcare scheme comes into effect from 2015. Under that, parents will be able to claim 20% of the cost of registered childcare up to £1,200 per child per year. Both parents must be working to qualify, or a single parent must be in employment.

Last year’s report from the Department of Education that proposed making changes to the child to staff ratios in nurseries and for childminders was shelved after the Liberal Democrats objected, but the

government has consulted on relaxing ratios and quality criteria for out-of-school childcare with the aim of making it easier for schools to offer provision. At the moment the issue is with the Department for Education, and an announcement is expected soon.

•

Under the Children and Families Bill, currently going through Parliament, Ofsted will be made ‘the sole arbiter of quality’. This means that local authorities will not be able to impose their own quality conditions on providers who offer childcare under the existing scheme offering free places for three and four year olds (provided these providers are not rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted). Some parents will see this as a good thing, as it could lead to a wider choice of providers; or they might see it as a bad thing, as local authorities will be able to do less to force childcarers to improve their services.

Organisations offering advice and information on childcare include: Childcare.co.uk is an online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors. www.childcare.co.uk The Family and ChildcareTrust is a campaigning organisation with a helpful bank of information for parent. www.familyandchildcaretrust.org The Pre-school Learning Alliance is England's largest early years membership organisation. www.pre-school.org.uk Working Families aims to help parents and carers achieve a work-life balance. www.workingfamilies.org.uk To advertise your nursery with us please call us on 023 8040 3247 or email us: editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk

1922 - 2012

A great education

is more affordable than you think... www.stmaryscollege.co.uk t: 023 8067 1267 57 Midanbury Lane, Bitterne Park, Southampton SO18 4DJ

Call now to find out how Hampshire Foster Care can support you to foster

ffce for a tion O Pro istra visit www.s sp n i tmar r m ec o d ysc tu rA u o o lle s t c ge a t n o C .co k .u

Ever considered fostering… but thought you wouldn’t qualify?

A Places vailable

Charlton House

Nursery

St. Mary’s College

Charlton House

St. Mary’s College Preparatory Dept

Educating Girls & Boys age 3 - 16 in a caring Christian environment

March/ April 2014

Families Solent West Magazine

7

What is autism?

Dr Lucy Russell takes a looks at how autism can affect children and what a diagnosis will entail.

Autism is a developmental disability that affects children and how they communicate and relate to others around them. Autism (also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can’t be cured, but there is lots of support that can help children learn to cope with their difficulties.

The spectrum part of ASD means that, while all people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in different ways.

Why are there rules about who you can play with in the playground and who you can’t? Why do I have to wait my turn?

3. Obsessions and rituals:Because they often find the world unpredictable and scary, and are good at focusing on fine detail, people with ASD often develop intense and specialist interests.

These interests may become obsessions.

Common ones are trains/ Thomas the Tank Engine, and science fiction, but they can be almost anything. An obsession can be positive as it gives a child a ‘specialist subject’ which they can be expert on. They can help build a child’s self-esteem as well as being enjoyable. If an obsession begins to take over a child’s life in a negative way, however, and other things get pushed out, it’s important to seek help.

Asperger’s syndrome

Autism brings strengths

If your child has autism, it’s important to remember that it also brings strengths.

Many people with autism like to focus in on very small details of things in great depth.

Channelled in the right way this could make them brilliant artists, mathematicians or computer programmers.

Autism brings difficulties

There are difficulties with autism, generally they are in three main areas.

1. Communication:Development of language is often delayed in children with an ASD. Both verbal and non-verbal (ie, gestures) communication can appear unusual. Children may make fewer gestures than ‘normal’ children, such as pointing. They often struggle to make eye contact with others. Conversation with a child on the autistic spectrum may feel disjointed and not synchronised with the person they are talking to or with. Such children may struggle with the ‘to and fro’ nature of a two-way conversation, and may dominate or avoid conversations.

People on the autistic spectrum tend to be ‘black and white thinkers’, and struggle to understand phrases that are not concrete, or where the meaning is not obvious.

2. Social interaction:Every environment has social rules, such as turn-taking and good manners. People with ASD can struggle to see others’ perspectives, so rules like turn-taking are often difficult to grasp. Some rules may seem illogical and confusing to a child with ASD. Why would you use different words when you’re talking to a child as opposed to an adult?

8

March/ April 2014

One autism spectrum disorder is Asperger’s syndrome. Children with this syndrome can have significant difficulties in social interaction, and sometimes repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests. Children with Asperger’s can have highly functioning speech and ability.

Physical clumsiness and peculiar use of language are also frequently seen.

Are there any quick tests?

Unfortunately not. Every child with autism is different and so diagnosing takes input from different professionals and different assessments. There are a couple of useful tools which you may wish to try. The national autistic society website (www.autism.org.uk/) provides information on The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) and The Australian Scale for Asperger’s Syndrome (Garnett and Attwood 1998). By no means should these tools ever be considered as a diagnosis.

Will a diagnosis help my child?

This is understandably a big step for parents. On one hand, having a formal diagnosis can enable the family to move forward and plan how best to support the child’s strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, parents are often worried that having a ‘label’ will be a negative thing for their child. There is no easy answer to this dilemma. However, a diagnosis is often a positive thing for the family.

How is a diagnosis made?

Assessments are conducted with input from a multi-disciplinary team. There are usually multiple parts to the assessment including a structured parent interview with a psychologist, a cognitive assessment, occupational therapist assessment and school/nursery observation. The range

of assessments is designed to ensure accuracy of diagnosis.

Can healthcare professionals help after diagnosis? Absolutely. There are

lots of things that can be done to help your child with their difficulties. For instance an occupational therapist can support your child with any sensory issues (such as dislike of noisy or bright places). A clinical psychologist can support the child therapeutically in areas such as social skills, anxiety or obsessions. The aim of therapy will be to reduce the impact of your child’s difficulties. With help your child should be able to learn how to cope and adapt to minimise the difficulties. This can have a very positive knock-on effect on how they build friendships and their general happiness.

Dr Lucy Russell is a Clinical Psychologist Call 01494 521332/ www.everlief.co.uk email contactus@everlief.co.uk

What a diagnosis can mean ‘A few months ago our daughter was assessed and diagnosed with mild Asperger’s. Having the assessments conducted privately meant the process took about a month. It was, however, a difficult time, worrying if we had done the right thing and what would a diagnosis mean. How would being labelled affect the way she was treated? I realise now that she would have been labelled anyway as being different.

‘Now we know and understand more about the condition life is easier, so many battles have just disappeared. The fact she will eat cheese and bread but not a cheese sandwich is no longer an issue. We have found a social skills programme to follow, and are able to explain to friends that she is not being rude when she makes factual, honest comments. We have been able to find great resources that will help her learn the rules that she cannot pick up naturally.

School reinforces these rules and teachers can now make allowances for the long detailed explanations she likes to give.

‘We have been able to see some of the positive aspects of her condition and build on these and access systems to help manage the negatives. We feel that the more she is understood by those around her, the more able she will be to cope with the demands of growing up.’

Families Solent West Magazine

The Science of Play

By Dr David Whitebread, Cambridge University

As the Easter break comes upon us, many parents will be thinking about how to entertain their children. Dr David Whitebread at Cambridge University shares his views on what constitutes effective play and tackles some of the myths and misconceptions around the types of play children engage in today.

Dr Whitebread is supporting National Science and Engineering Week, which aims to raise awareness of the important role science has in many aspects of our lives. A whole host of scientific topics will be explored during the Week, which takes place from 14 to 23 March. Adults and children alike can attend free events across the UK in a range of fun environments.

To find out about these events and how you can take part, visit www. britishscienceassociation.org/ NSEWevents

Different types of play Physical play Most parents would recognise that physical play, such as running, climbing and gymnastics helps a child to develop their whole body and handeye co-ordination and is important in building strength and endurance. But it also provides a crucial means for children to develop their emotional intelligence.

Encouraging children to get physical isn’t just about letting them loose outside, it’s also about creating opportunities at home. So encouraging play through things like craft activities helps children with their fine motor skills, essential when it comes to learning to write and even playing musical instruments. Due to their absorbing nature, it has even been shown to help children develop their concentration and perseverance skills.

Create an obstacle course in the garden.

Create time targets and challenges (ie do the course on just one leg!). Give craft activities a purpose, for example, create posters for an Easter egg hunt or party.

March/ April 2014

Play with objects Touching, sorting, building and making objects encourages children to organise their thinking and helps them learn how to solve problems.

Children have to pick the right strategy to complete the task and then stay on track to complete it. Creativity comes in here, as does the use of language, as children often talk to themselves when they broach these tasks as a way of organising their thoughts.

Get your children to build their own skyscraper. Arm them with different materials to build at home or in the garden.

Symbolic play Artistic activities such as drawing, dance, and even developing silly rhymes, gives children the opportunity to develop their language and interpretation skills as they start to decode what is going on around them.

It can even make them nicer! A study in 2010 of almost 100 four year-olds found that children who take part in music making were more likely to show cooperative and helpful behaviour.

Get your children to create their own music compilation for their best friend or family member. Encourage them to add their own tracks for that special touch.

Pretend play Pretend play can have a serious side too. Dressing up, playing with dolls and miniature figures gives children the chance to rehearse some of the scenarios they already see or might face in their future life, whether it’s expressing how to care for someone (such as their favourite doll) or tackling aggressive situations.

Make a challenge to act like a member of their family, or their favourite TV character for a day. It might be their mum, Homer Simpson, or Daddy Pig! Playing with rules We live by rules and playing by the rules in sports, board games, card games and computer games helps children adjust to the reality that they cannot always do, say, or act how they wish to.

The use of electronic and computer games by today’s children is another particular area of anxiety for parents and teachers. Too much screen time obviously prevents your child from doing the range of other activities that is beneficial to them, so keep these tech tools in your armoury, but keep time restricted on use. There is some evidence that well-designed videogames can enrich play resources for children and their families.

Many parents are concerned about video game overuse but the key is to make it interactive. So get involved!

Challenge them to their favourite game in return for them participating in an activity of your choice.

Families Solent West Magazine

9

Competitions

Win family tickets to some of Hampshire's top attractions Easter holidays are a great time to visit Marwell Zoo, near Winchester not only for spectacular bird of prey shows (5,6,12 and 13 April), but also for their Dinosaur Egg Hunt running from 18-21 April. PLUS from 23 May – 2 September, life-size animatronic dinosaurs will inhabit this quiet, leafy corner of Colden Common as part of Rise of the Dinosaurs – a world class event transforming the zoo into a Jurassic jungle. Adventurers will be enthralled by awesome prehistoric creatures as they come to life, roaring or even spitting at anyone who dares to get near them. Intrepid visitors may even meet a living Velociraptor in our daily dinosaur show!

The Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium has lots of activities to entertain the whole family this Easter as well as the 100 hands-on exhibits and planetarium shows.

There will be presenter-led planetarium shows and the science shows are fun and lively with audience participation. Held several times throughout the day, these shows are free after admission.

The Science Centre is one huge activity area with the sport zone particularly popular. Try wheelchair basketball, rowing race simulators, or test your concentration on Mindball where you move a ball by your brainwaves alone!

Elsewhere there are a variety of hands-on science themed exhibits. See your body’s hot spots with the thermal camera, compose electronic music or create a vortex of water two metres high.

New for Easter 2014 at Paultons Park is the enchanting double-decker Victorian Carousel. Children and adults of all ages will love riding on the traditional galloping horses or in one of the ornate carriages. This magical, hand-crafted Carousel will transport guests back in time to enjoy the most iconic fairground ride of all, set in a beautiful periodthemed garden.

Easter 2014 will also see the opening of Paultons new 30,000 square foot welcome building which will be home to the delightful new forest-themed ‘Wildwoods Restaurant’ and a huge new themed toy shop.

To be in with a chance of winning family tickets to either Marwell zoo, Winchester Discovery Centre or Paultons Park go to www.familiessolentwest.co.uk/competitions to enter.

Entries must be received by Wednesday 30 April and tickets will be available for you to enjoy these great attractions over the summer.

Only one entry per household. Tickets will be for a family (2 adults and 2 children). No cash alternative. For full terms and conditions please visit our website: www.familiessolentwest.co.uk/competitions.

10

March/ April 2014

Families Solent West Magazine

SeaCity Museum is open 7 days a week, 10 - 5pm including bank holidays.

Check the website for all our family events.

Knot just a Garden Tudor House & Garden open 7 days a week, 10 - 5pm

www.seacitymuseum.co.uk

Visit the website for details of family events.

www.tudorhouseandgarden.com

March/ April 2014

Families Solent West Magazine

11

What's on during March & April

Out & About Please always check with the venue before attending any events listed in case details have changed since we went to press.

Special Educational Needs Night at Gambado 5 March Gambado Eastleigh £4 per child, £3 for siblings and adults/careers go free. Contact the Centre prior to attending to confirm the date

Little Foresters

(Outdoor Parent & Toddler Session) 11 March, 10am - 11.30am Itchen Valley Country Park Booking is essential, call: 023 8047 5080, £3.50 per child (& accompanying parent). www.eastleigh.gov.uk/forestschool An outdoor session for pre-school children age 2+ and an adult woodland crafts, games, stories, dens and campfires.

Gambado Eastleigh hosts a SEN night once a month for children with additional needs so they can enjoy the freedom of play and imagination in a safe environment when it is less busy with their siblings and parents/careers. These are private events and on these evenings the doors will be closed to the general public.

Spring Steam Gala

7 - 9 March The Watercress Line Fares: Adult £25, Child (2-16 yrs) £13, Child under 2 Free, Family (2 Adult & 2 Children) £63 Advance tickets include all booking fees and tickets cost the same on the day.

It’s a steam extravaganza with special guest locomotives from other railways joining the already impressive home fleet. An intensive service timetable will be in operation, so if you love steam or simply have a passing appreciation, this is an excellent event for the family to enjoy.

Lachenalia (Leopard Lily) Exhibition 15 March – Sun 6 April Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway Adult: £11 Child: £2.75* Under 3’s free Exbury has a fine Lachenalia collection, which grows alongside the famous collection of Nerine sarniensis. In 2014 the collection will be on show in the Gardens Five Arrows Gallery , alongside a wider collection of South African bulbs. Don't miss this spectacle which draws together a collection not seen anywhere previously in the world! Included in admission price.

ENJOY A FAMILY OUTING FOR Come and visit one of the only Tide Mills in the world, still working JUST £9 and regularly producing wholemeal flour.

Situated on the edge of Southampton Water, beside the renowned New Forest, there has been a mill on site for more than 900 years, it is now both a working mill and a museum. Come and see the mill harnessing the power of the tide to grind wheat into flour, which you can buy in the gift shop.

Whilst visiting the mill why not take a look at the history that Totton and Eling has to offer in the Heritage Centre.

Enjoy the scenery by taking a stroll around the riverside walks and picnic next to the Pirate Play Ship overlooking the water or just sit, relax and enjoy some refreshments in the Eling Creek Tea rooms.

The Eling Experience

Home of the Historic Eling Tide Mill

OPEN Wed – Sun 10am – 4pm and Bank Holidays.

Some peak and off peak opening times may apply – check website or phone for details.

We are at Eling Lane, Totton, SO40 9HF. Tel: 023 80 869575 | elingexperience.co.uk for milling times.

12 March/ April 2014

The Exbury 10K Run

16 March Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway Adult Admission into Gardens £10 or £22.50 for family (2 adults + 3 children). Race entries www.hardleyrunners.co.uk The Exbury 10k starts and finishes in Exbury Gardens,. The race commences at 9.30am, and no race entries on the day are accepted.

Spectators are welcome, and Mr Eddy's Tea Rooms will be open for pre-race refreshments. Usual admission prices apply to the Gardens for spectators, although the race entry fee includes free admission to the Gardens for all runners for the remainder of the race day.

Mother's Day

30 March Watercress Line Take Mum on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a traditional afternoon cream tea on board a steam train! Tickets for these trains must be booked in advance, Adults £20 and Children over 5 yrs £15. Regular steam services will also be running and tickets for these can be purchased on the day from the station Ticket Offices. For more information, visit www.watercressline.co.uk

Special Educational Needs Night at Gambado

25 March, 10am to 11.30am Itchen Valley Country Park £3.50 per child (& accompanying parent). Booking is essential, call: 023 8047 5080 www.eastleigh.gov.uk/forestschool An outdoor session for pre-school children age 2+ and an adult - woodland crafts, games, stories, dens and campfires.

2 April Gambado Eastleigh £4 per child, £3 for siblings and adults/ careers go free ContactGambado to confirm dates Gambado Eastleigh hosts a SEN night once a month for children with additional needs so they can enjoy the freedom of play and imagination in a safe environment when it is less busy with their siblings and parents/careers. These are private events and on these evenings the doors will be closed to the general public.

Woodland Craft Weekend

Pond dipping for adults, plus lunch in the café

Little Foresters (Outdoor Parent & Toddler Session)

29 & 30 March, 11am – 3pm Manor Farm and Country Park Normal farm admission price with small charge for some activities To book call 01489 787055, email: mfcp.enquiries@hants.gov.uk See woodland craftsmen in action including hurdle making, wood turning and rake making.

Activities for children and adults.

3 April, 10am – 12 noon Lepe Country Park Free but pre-booked lunch is £6.95 No need to book, meet outside the park office just before 10am.

A rare chance for the ‘grown– ups’ to have a go with the nets and see what can be found in the Lepe Point pond. Rangers and members of the Friends of Lepe will be on hand to help you identify the creatures you find and tell you about how the pond was constructed.

Families Solent West Magazine

What's on during March & April

Easter Holiday Activities Easter 2014

Easter Egg-stravaganza

5 – 21 April Beaulieu www.beaulieushop.co.uk During the Easter holidays, young visitors to Beaulieu can follow an egg-citing Trail around the attraction and collect a sweet treat at the end. At Palace House, youngsters can have an Easterthemed face painting, and all the family can play with fun Victorian toys and games. If you visit over the Easter weekend, you may even get to meet the Easter Bunny! All these activities can be enjoyed as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which includes the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House.

Easter Holiday Fun

5 - 21 April, 10am – 5pm Manor Farm and Country Park Normal farm admission price No need to book.

We are celebrating Spring on the farm with lots of newborn lambs and chicks. Will you be the first to meet and name one of our new lambs? Come and explore - try our Easter trail or help with the milking.

Easter Egg Hunt in the Country Park

5 - 21 April, 12pm - 4pm Manor Farm and Country Park Price: £1.50 per person. No need to book.

New Double-Decker Victorian Carousel and Welcome Building Opening.

Paultons Park visit paultonspark.co.uk New for Easter 2014 is the enchanting double-decker Victorian Carousel. Children and adults of all ages will love riding on the traditional galloping horses or in one of the ornate carriages. Easter 2014 will also see the opening of Paultons new 30,000 square foot welcome building which will be home to the delightful new forest-themed ‘Wildwoods Restaurant’ and a huge new themed toy shop.

Easter Activities

Submarine Museum 5 – 21 April Ready for patrol, be among the first to go onboard the newly restored HMS Alliance this Easter.

For extra free family fun on your radar, join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Easter at Marwell

Crafts in the Park

6 April, 11am - 4pm Queen Elizabeth Country Park Our pop-up craft market returns this year with a wonderful mix of beautiful arts, crafts and home produce all made within the local area. Come and browse the stalls and meet the artists, crafters and producers.

Easter Trail

5 - 21 April Queen Elizabeth Country Park £2 per child including a small chocolate prize. No booking required. See Visitor Centre for the trail.

Enjoy a walk in the park while the children hunt out the clues to our Easter trail puzzle.

Birds of prey shows

5 - 6 April Marwell Zoo Thompsons Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH Normal admission price applies Enjoy our spectacular bird of prey shows as the birds duck, dive and swoop over your heads.

Pirate Gran by Scamp Theatre

6 - 7 April, 11am & 3pm Theatre Royal Winchester 01962 840440 Showing on Sunday 6 April is available at 3pm only.

Presented by the team behind Tiddler and Stick Man.

Natty Knots

8 April, 11am -3pm Submarine Museum Come along and see if you could help to weave a knotty nautical pattern to take home. Free with a valid museum ticket.

5 - 21 April Marwell Zoo Thompsons Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH Normal admission price applies Get creative with our free fun Easter crafts.

Larry Lamb’s Easter Trail

5 - 21 April, 10am – 4pm Royal Victoria Country Park Price: £1.50. No need to book.

Larry Lamb is having an Easter party. Follow this self-guided trail to find the different types of baby animals that are around in Spring.

How many are coming to Larry’s Party? If you get the right answer you’ll win a prize. Available from the shop.

Easter Egg Hunt

5 - 21 April, 10.30am – 4pm Itchen Valley Country Park £1.75 per trail pack. www.eastleigh.gov.uk/activities Follow the clues, find the answers and win a chocolate treat!.

To include your events please call us on 023 8040 3247 or email us: editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk

March/ April 2014

Families Solent West Magazine

13

What's on during March & April Four Seasons Art Exhibition

Woodland Activity Day

8 April, 9.30am - 4pm Itchen Valley Country Park £20.00 per child age 6 – 11 years Booking is essential, call: 023 8047 5080 or visit the website: www.eastleigh.gov.uk/activities A chance to make dens, cook over campfires, play outdoor games and make woodland crafts

Egg Decorating

9 April, 10.30am - 12.30pm Itchen Valley Country Park £1.75 per egg www.eastleigh.gov.uk/activities A chance to be creative and decorate an egg. Arrival can be anytime between 10.30am and 12.30pm

Woodland Activity Day

9 April, 9.30am to 4.00pm Itchen Valley Country Park £20.00 per child age 6 – 11 years Booking is essential, call: 023 8047 5080 www.eastleigh.gov.uk/activities A chance to make dens, cook over campfires, play outdoor games and make woodland crafts

Evening Walk in the Park

9 April 7.30pm - 9pm Lepe Country Park Adults £5, children under 16 £4 To book call 023 8089 9108 or email lepe.enquiries@hants.gov.uk Join the rangers for an evening walk around the park learning all about owlsand follow with a session in the classroom dissecting owl pellets to find out what the owls like to eat. Suitable for adults and children over 5 years old.

Booking is essential.

14 March/ April 2014

Sunflower Painting and Planting

10 April, 10.30am - 12.30pm Itchen Valley Country Park £3.00 per sunflower pot. www.eastleigh.gov.uk/activities Come along and paint a pot then plant a sunflower seed to take home and nurture.

12 April – 8 June, 10am - 5pm Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway Admission Adult: £11* Child: £2.75* Under 3’s Free, *Voluntary Gift Aid Price Distinguished artists concerned with all aspects of the natural world are mounting a major show at Exbury Gardens. The Four Seasons Art group, headed by painter and writer Marianna Kneller, Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists, will show paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints and etchings in Exbury’s Five Arrows Gallery.

Day out with Thomas

12 - 21 April Watercress Line Adult £18, Child (aged 2-16 yrs) £12, Child under 2 Free Family £54. Advanced rates.

HMS Alliance Party Cakes 10 April, 11am – 3pm Submarine Museum We are all in party mood…Help us to celebrate the re opening of the fully restored HMS Alliance, Britain’s only remaining WW2 era ocean going submarine, by decorating a special cake.

Easter Crafts

10 April & 17 April, 10am – 12pm or 2pm – 4pm Royal Victoria Country Park Individual prices for each craft between 50p and £2.50 No need to book.

Come and make a special Easter present for someone you love. All children must be accompanied by an adult. In the Empire Room.

Little Foresters’ Woodland Stories 11 April, 10.30am to 12.00noon Itchen Valley Country Park £3.50 per child and parent. An outdoor session for 2 – 5 year olds plus grown-up. Based on a story book and including a campfire. .

Birds of prey shows

12 - 13 April Marwell Zoo Thompsons Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH Normal admission price applies Enjoy our spectacular bird of prey shows as the birds duck, dive and swoop over your heads.

Shelter Building Challenge

15 April, 10am – 12.30pm Lepe Country Park £9 per child Must pre-book. 023 8089 9108 A morning of outdoor activity, ideal for 8-14 year olds. Have fun building a shelter from natural materials and having a go at fire lighting. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Chocolate egg subs

17 April 11am – 3pm Submarine Museum Yummy! Make your own chocolate egg submarine to share or eat all on your own.

Little Foresters’ Woodland Stories

17 April, 10.30am to 12 noon Itchen Valley Country Park £3.50 per child and parent. www.eastleigh.gov.uk/activities An outdoor session for 2 – 5 year olds plus grown-up based on a story book and including a campfire.

Wild Egg Hunt

Thomas and Friends return to the Watercress Line for more family fun! Shake hands with the Fat Controller, meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, take part in Thomas themed activities and ride the big steam trains all day!

Free Thomas sticker and certificate for every child! Free activities, bouncy slide, children’s entertainer and face painting! Free rides with Thomas, Toad and Diesel!

A Dog’s Day Out

13 April, 11am – 4pm Royal Victoria Country Park Small charges for individual games/activities - all for Medical Detection Dogs Charity, www.hamblehounds.com Calling all dogs; it’s a fun event for you! Exciting dog games and challenges, meet TV’s Sarah Fisher, and help support the clever Medical Detection Dogs in our annual fun dog event.

Alliance rust busters and mini monsters

15 April, 11am – 3pm Submarine Museum Make your own shiny model of the restored WW2 era submarine HMS Alliance and take part in games and trails to discover some of the critters who threatened the submarine.

18 - 21 April Marwell Zoo Thompsons Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH Embark on our popular Easter egg trail over the Easter weekend and collect your very own chocolate egg. Don’t forget to meet the Easter Bunny too.

Busy Boats Submarine Egg Hunt 18 - 21 April, 10am – 3pm Submarine Museum Follow our busy boats around the Museum to find the chocolate egg.

Then let off steam in our indoor play area Busy Boats Bay.

Easter at Exbury

18 – 21 April 2014 Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway Admission Adult: £11, Child: £2.75 Under 3’s Free. Train ride £4.00 per person Easter is a wonderful time at Exbury. There are surprises in store on the Railway – who will spot the Easter Bunnies hiding in the woods? There is a fun Trail for children looking at trees in the Garden, colouring, and the Five Arrows Gallery will be open with a wonderful exhibition of original paintings by the Four Seasons Artists. An Easter treat and fun for all the family!

Families Solent West Magazine

DISCOVER CREW WANTED READY FOR PATROL...

350 YEARS WE’RE ARE YOU? OF HISTORY

Manor Farm CountryCome Park onboard HMS Alliance, fully restored and ready.

Visit the Museum to celebrate 350 years of the Royal Marines. With over 25 special events, including holiday activities for kids, family fun days, concerts galore and a special lecture series, make this unique year the time to join in the excitement!

TO GAINE

Visit royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk or call 023 9281 9385

L A WHOFREE Manor FarmYEARR’S Y, GIFT

ENT Country OUR ParkAID Y ISSION ADM E! FE

Eastney Esplande | Southsea | Hampshire | PO4 9PX

Manor Farm

www.nmrn.org.uk

• Submarine guided tours of HMS Alliance

• Holland 1, first RN submarine • X24, WW2 midget submarine • Indoor play area & interactive galleries

AN AMAZING FAMILY EXPERIENCE ON YOUR RADAR

Manor

Farm Visit submarine-museum.co.uk Country or call 023 9251 0354 Park Haslar Jetty Road | Gosport, Hampshire | PO12 2AS

Manor Farm Country Park

Manor Farm Country Park

Families Solent West 1/2 Page 180x130mm FINAL.indd 1

06/02/2014 09:37

Manor Farm

Manor Farm

A new discovery every day

Easter Trail for Families

Easter Holiday Fun

Sat 5 to Mon 21 April 10am – 3pm Pick up a trail card from the office. Have an ‘eggciting’ time following the trail round the park and return with the correct answers to claim your prize. No need to book.

Price: £2 per child

Sat 5 to Mon 21 April Manor Farm 10am – 5pm Celebrate Spring on the farm with lots of newborn lambs and chicks. Will you be the first to meet our new lambs?

Owl Evening

Sun 27 April, 5am Greet the day at Manor Farm for a guided walk in the Country Park to hear the dawn chorus over the River Hamble. Followed by an egg and bacon bap breakfast in the Victorian farmhouse (vegetarian option available, please request when booking). Booking essential.

Wed 9 April, 7.30pm – 9pm An evening at the park learning all about owls, followed with a session in the classroom dissecting owl pellets to find out what they like to eat.

Booking essential.

Price: Adults £5, children (under 16) £4

www.hants.gov.uk/lepe

Dawn Chorus & Farmhouse Breakfast

www.hants.gov.uk/manorfarm

Larry Lamb’s Easter Trail

Country Park

Sat 5 to Mon 21 April 10am – 4pm Larry Lamb is having an Easter party. Follow this self-guided trail to find the different types of baby animals that are around in Spring. How many are coming to Larry’s Party? If you get the right answer you’ll win a prize. Available from the shop.

Easter Crafts Thurs 10 & Thurs 17 April 10am – 12pm or 2pm – 4pm Come and make a special Easter present for someone you love. All children must be accompanied by an adult. In the Empire Room.

No need to book.

www.hants.gov.uk/rvcp www.hants.gov.uk

March/ April 2014

Families Solent West Magazine

15

March/ April 2014

Families Solent West Magazine