Families TVE 93 Nov/Dec 2017

H ME KE TA

EE FR E OM

Thames Valley East

IN THIS ISSUE

Christmas Special Including

Where to meet Father Christmas Festive Days Out Gift Guides

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Issue 93 November/December 2017

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2 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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In this issue...

...endless ideas for families of young children in Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

3-5 News & Information 6 Clubs & Classes News

........From the Editors........

EDUCATION 8 Helping your child with spelling: A Parent’s Guide 9 What should you do if you suspect your child is being bullied or bullying?

10 Education News 11 The Secret Lives of 4 & 5 Year Olds at School

CHRISTMAS

12 13 14-15 16-17 18 19 20 21

Keeping calm at Christmas Christmas all wrapped up Festive days out Where to find Father Christmas Christmas Shows Christmas Traditions Christmas Gift Guide Children’s books to look out for this Christmas

22-25 WHAT’S ON 26 HEALTH Encouraging healthy

eating 27 COMPETITIONS 28 COOKING WITH KIDS 29-31 SHE MEANS BUSINESS

www.familiesonline.co.uk E: Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk editors: Anna Collins and Rachel Bailey circulation: 19,500 next issue: Jan/Feb 2018 due out: Jan 4, featuring: Health & Children’s Parties!

With Christmas just around the corner, we’re finding it hard to believe that we’ve now completed our very first year with Families magazine! If, like us, you’re wondering where this year has gone and Christmas is creeping up on you, we hope this festive issue will give you some help with the planning. Take a look at our suggestions for where to find Father Christmas, festive days out, shows and gift ideas for adults and children alike. There are even some tips on how to keep the festive season stress free!

Hope you have a very happy Christmas and New Year

Marlow family all set to repeat impressive Christmas light display for charity The family have supported a variety of charities including Brains Trust, the hospice and Lullaby Trust. This year's chosen charity will be announced on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/shepherdfamilychristmaslights

Once again the Shepherd family will showcase a fantastic Christmas light display in Hill Farm Road, Marlow Bottom. Visiting the lights has now become a tradition for many families.

Each year the Shepherd family raise money for charity through visitors enjoying their lights.

Last year donations raised a fantastic £9,330 for Mummy’s Star via Just Giving and donations posted through the letter box.

It takes 12 days to erect 35,000 lights choreographed to music to provide a dazzling display. Last year there were 12 different songs, each taking over 20 hours to programme!

The lights will run from 1st December until 5th January and will be on from 4pm to 11pm daily, with the music and dancing lights from 5pm to 9 pm. Everyone is welcome to visit the lights but the family ask that visitors are responsible for the safety of their children, park sensibly and are courteous to the neighbours.

T: 01628 788058

Little Muddy Boots

To Advertise in copy/advertising deadline: December 1 Cover image: www.bigstockphoto.com

Little Muddy Boots provides 2-6 yr olds with regular outdoor play sessions.

A unique combination of gardening, nature exploration and forest school activities.

call: 01628 788058

Come find us; facebook.com/littlemuddybootsgroup/

twitter.com/familiestve • facebook.com/FamiliesTVE

Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year olds, where students learn to embrace life with creativity and courage

BE GOOD AT BEING YOURSELF

ASCOT 01344 206466 stagecoach.co.uk/ascot

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Creative Courage For Life

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BRACKNELL 01344 568658 stagecoach.co.uk/bracknell

MAIDENHEAD HENLEY AND MARLOW 01628 281128 01494 533203 stagecoach.co.uk/henleyandmarlow stagecoach.co.uk/maidenhead

BRACKNELL NORTH (Warfield) 0808 208 5134 stagecoach.co.uk/bracknellnorth

HIGH WYCOMBE 01494 533203 stagecoach.co.uk/highwycombe

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

WINDSOR 0845 293 7207 stagecoach.co.uk/windsor

Families Thames Valley East • 3

Charity Christmas Cards

News & Info Paultons Park announces big peppa pig world expansion The world’s first Peppa Pig theme park attraction, Peppa Pig World, is getting bigger and better as Paultons Park announces plans for a significant extension with fun new rides and facilities.

Fans of the Entertainment One’s (eOne) hit TV series will be snorting with delight when the two new rides, The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, are unveiled to the public on Wednesday May 16, 2018.

The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride will take families on a tour around the newly extended part of Peppa Pig World in individual coaches on a monorail that starts from the top of the Queen’s castle, a signature point of the attraction. Children and parents will also be able to hop aboard boats at Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club where they can cruise along the new water route around Peppa Pig World and discover Pirate Island.

As well as the new rides, Paultons Park has also created an additional dedicated baby care centre and a new catering outlet called The Queen’s Kitchen, in Peppa Pig World.

For further information about Paultons Park including opening times and to book tickets online in advance, visit: www.paultonspark.co.uk

New leisure centre planned for Ascot An agreement has been signed with Charters School for a brand new council leisure centre to be built in Charters Road, Sunningdale, which will be open for the whole community to access, including during school hours.

The proposed facility will include a sixlane 25m swimming pool, sports hall, health suite, 50 station gym and a dance studio, as well as dry and wet changing facilities.

Cllr Samantha Rayner, cabinet member for culture and communities, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to provide the whole community with a centre they can enjoy, right in the heart of their community.”

Pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research has taken an innovative approach to their range of Christmas cards this year, signing up supporter and artist, Caroline Copland, to design a new card for 2017.

Caroline, who sadly lost her mother Janet to a brain tumour three years ago, was inspired by the Christmas Hope Trees which decorate the charity’s Research Centres of Excellence across the UK each year.

The Hope Tree cards will join other festive favourites in the charity’s range. All cards are priced at £4 per pack of ten, with at least 60% of the proceeds going towards supporting vital brain tumour research. Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK focused on funding sustainable research to find a cure for brain tumours, which kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Order via: www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/christ mas-cards

The proposal includes increased parking on site and extended parking opposite the school in Charters Road. It will also be accompanied by a full traffic plan including work to ease congestion at peak times and ensure that residents, leisure centre visitors, students and school staff can access the area as easily and safely as possible.

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ADULT MUSICAL THEATRE Adult Musical Theatre and Tap Classes commence September 2017 and run on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Christmas One Day Experience - Friday 22nd December The Snowy Woods of Narnia and other Christmas Magic Join us through the wardrobe door for a magical Christmas journey with Christmas Crafts, Musical Theatre, Dress Up and Imaginative Adventure leaving parents to finish their Christmas Shopping in peace!

10am-3pm at Redroofs, 26 Bath Road, SL6 4JT for children ages 5-11 years. www.redroofs.co.uk/coursesandworkshops

FEBRUARY 2018 For entry into Years 5-10 and 6th Form

www.redroofs.co.uk/ scholarshipsandbursaries For Taster Days, Open Mornings and Auditions, please email

emayling@redroofs-school.co.uk

Start your child'S redroofS Performing artS adventure | www.redroofs.co.uk 26 Bath road, maidenhead, Sl6 4Jt and littlewick green, maidenhead Sl6 3Qy | tel: 01628 674092 | email: emayling@redroofs-school.co.uk

4 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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Music therapy, family support and new aromatherapy massage programme at the heart of Rosie's Rainbow Fund

Rosie’s Rainbow Fund supports sick children through music therapy. The charity also provides support for very stressed parents of children in hospital long term and bereavement support.

Rosie herself had a passion for music and performing arts so it is no surprise that this lovely charity offers music therapy sessions for children in local hospitals such as The Royal Berks, The John Radcliffe Children’s hospital and Stoke Mandeville and in the community.

This year they have also launched a therapeutic paediatric aromatherapy massage programme for parents/carers and children at The John Radcliffe.

Bereavement support for families after the

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loss of a child is also at the heart of the charity. The trustees of Rosie’s Rainbow Fund have personal experiences of the stress families undergo when a child is seriously ill and in hospital for months on end, and have personally experienced the loss of a child. The charity emerged from Rosie Mayling's wish to help other children in hospital. When Rosie tragically died her family identified a need to support families in distressing circumstances and to try to alleviate some of the strain.

‘Jake woke up feeling grumpy this morning and when Andy arrived with the musical instruments, his face lit up. I joined in with the music, it was lots of fun – it really joined the ward together!’ Sinead, Mother of Jake, Stoke Mandeville Hospital ‘The music is a lovely idea. The kids really enjoyed it and it took the pain away from Lauren’s leg’. Mother of Lauren, Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

News & Info Big Brown Dog Canine Massage celebrates their first birthday!

Big Brown Dog therapy specialise in reducing discomfort and improve mobility in older dogs, or dogs suffering with limited muscular issues, through massage. This month they are excited to celebrate their first birthday and as a thank you to all of their customers they are pleased to announce two great offers! The first is an additional £5 OFF their “Introduction to Canine Massage therapy" workshop on Saturday 11 Nov, prices from £35 per person, and all attendees can also receive £5 OFF their first groom with Maidenhead based “Totally Mutts”. To find out more or to book visit: www.bigbrowndogtherapy.co.uk

Please visit www.rosiesrainbowfund.co.uk for more details and to see how you can offer support.

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 5

Clubs and Classes News Mellor Performing Arts School introduces new classes for 3 1⁄2 – 5 year olds Mellor Performing Arts School based in Burnham is excited to announce their new dance and musical theatre introduction classes for little stars.

Their two new classes for children aged between 3 1⁄2 - 5yrs are held at Burnham football club at the active4lessgym. Currently there is also a special discounted gym membership offer to parents of enrolled mini students.

Mini Musicals is on Saturdays 11.45am 12.30pm and Mini Movers is on Saturdays 12.35pm - 1.15pm.

Sign up for a FREE no obligation taster at www.mpaschool.co.uk or enquire about these or any of their many other dance and exercise classes today at admin@mpaschool.co.uk

Blossom Ballet

Welcome to Teddies Online!

Claire and Zita have been running the hugely popular live music group Teddies Music Club since 1993, entertaining and educating thousands of children with wonderful, funny action songs, rhymes and stories with their talented team of singers and musicians. Now, after years of collecting, writing and singing the best songs and rhymes in the world they are capturing this magic in monthly music videos.

“At last, you can carry on the fun at home.

We are so excited that these music sessions can reach out to many more children.” Claire says.

“Our mission is to get everyone singing and having fun!” Zita adds.

Already, Teddies Music Club’s material is used in nurseries and libraries across the country and now parents, grandparents, child minders and nannies can build their own video library of Teddies sessions for their children to enjoy again and again.

“This is better than most of the stuff you see on CBeebies!” says Simon Smith, Head of Reading Libraries.

So whether you come to Teddies live sessions or not, you can join the fun with their monthly sessions or even just create your own playlist from their catalogue.

Just go to www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk and hit “Videos and Songtracks”

To Advertise in For a FREE taster class or for further information please contact Lucy:

07813084283 lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

Blossom Ballet

is about having lots of fun and making new friends.

call: 01628 788058

Classes throughout the week, including weekends, in Windsor, Bray and Maidenhead.

Jdfd dance & fitneSS venues in marlow & maidenhead

Develop your child's creativity and confidence with a range of dance and fitness classes from ages 21⁄2 to 19 years. Visit the website for details www.janedouglass.co.uk • info@janedouglass.co.uk

6 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 7

Education

Helping Your Child with Spelling: A Parent’s Guide

By Andrew Campbell The new school year is here, and pretty soon your child may start bringing home weekly spelling lists to study. As a parent, you may be wondering, how can I help my child become a better speller?

Firstly, it is useful to understand the different ways in which children remember spellings.

learns to be aware of relationships between words or parts of words based on meanings, syntax, derivations etc.

Next, it is helpful to appreciate that all children have a preferred learning style and by offering your child activities which suit their style, you will help them learn more quickly and effectively.

Visual ‘Does it look right?’ The child responds to the shapes of words and patterns of the letter-strings within them.

Auditory ‘Sound it out!’ The child recognises the relationship between sounds and letters or groups of letters and analyses words in these terms.

Visual Learners learn by looking at the letter/word as it is said or written. A visual link is created to the manual, oral and auditory channels of their brain.

Kinaesthetic ‘Let the spelling come out of the end of your pencil!’ The child becomes accustomed tot making specific hand-movements to produce particular words or letter strings.

Oral Kinaesthetic Learners learn by saying the letter/word as it is viewed or written. An oral link is created to the manual, visual and auditory channels of the brain.

Manual Kinaesthetic Learners learn by writing/creating/modeling/tracing the letter/word as it is viewed or

Linguistic ‘Why is it spelt like that?’ The child

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8 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

spoken. A manual link is created to the oral, visual and auditory channels of the brain.

Here are some activities you can try at home with your child to help them with their spelling skills.

• Show your child how words can be broken down into syllables e.g. together = to-geth-er, discovery = dis-cov-er-y.

• Ask your child to draw pictures for each of the spelling words. Get them to write the word below the picture. Take all the pictures and create a spelling reference book.

• Create a word search with your child’s spelling words. You can do this by making a grid of 10 squares by 10 squares, writing the spelling words in the grid, then filling up the other squares with random letters.

Keep a list of your child’s spelling words nearby for them to refer to.

• Together, think of ways to remember the words. For example, You HEAR with your EAR; He will be a FRIEND until the END; Big Elephants Can Always Upset Small Elephants. These types of memorisation tricks are called mnemonics.

• Encourage your child to write a story using as many of their spelling words as possible and also include illustrations.

• Trace, copy and replicate. Write the word out on a sheet of paper ensuring that it is spelt correctly and is large enough to trace over.

Trace over the word and say it at the same time. Then, move to the word you have just written and write it out as you say it. Turn the page over and write the word as you say it, and then check that it is spelt correctly.

• Rainbow writing. Using coloured pencils in different ways can help to make parts of words more memorable. Highlight the tricky part of a word or write the tricky part in a different colour.

• Rearrange letters from your child’s name or other known words to make new words.

• Enjoy playing word games with your child eg. Scrabble, Boggle, Hangman and Word lotto.

• Play the ‘plasticine writing challenge’. Flatten a piece of plasticine and use a pencil to ‘write’ a spelling word in it. Now look at the word together. After a while, smooth over the plasticine and challenge your child to write the word from memory.

When studying spelling, encourage your child to use the ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check” method.

Look: first look at the whole word carefully and if there is one part of the word that is difficult, look at that part in more detail.

Say: say the word as you look at it, using different ways of pronouncing it if that will make it more memorable.

Cover: cover the word.

Write: write the word from memory, saying the word as you do so.

Check: Have you got it right? If yes, try writing it again and again. If not start again –look, say cover, write, check. Repeat the process and keep practising until the word has been spelt correctly three times.

Above all, ensure that your child feels confident that they always have your interest, admiration and support.

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Education

What Should You Do if You Suspect your Child is Being Bullied or Bullying? By Jane Rogers When you send your child off to school you do so in the hope that they will be safe from harm. Sadly, for some children this is not the case and bullying is still an issue in many schools today.

So what are the signs to look out for?

There may be some obvious signs: If your child has been physically hurt or had their possessions stolen or broken, this should ring an alarm bell.

Your child may tell you they are being bullied: Children who are being bullied can be divided roughly into two categories: those who tell an adult about it and those who don’t. If your child tells you that another child has been unkind to them, it’s important to make the time to listen.

A change in behaviour: Children who are being bullied may become withdrawn and anxious, or they may display angry and aggressive behaviour. Any unusual or worrying behaviour needs to be investigated.

Sleep disturbance: If your child begins to have trouble sleeping, ask yourself if there could be something bothering them.

Anxiety about going to school: Again, if this is a change in behaviour, it’s time to explore what the reasons might be.

How to help your child.

Listen to your child and stay calm However upset or angry you may feel, try to put those feelings to one side while your child is talking to you about what is happening to them. This is an opportunity for you to begin to teach your child how to approach and hopefully solve difficult problems. Staying calm and rational is a very useful skill; role model it for your child at this difficult time. familiesonline.co.uk

Encourage your child to learn how to shrug off teasing A bully will always home in on someone who seems weaker, and who gives them the reaction they want. Verbal bullying can be very hurtful to your child, but it’s useful to explain to them that a bully will bully all the more if they see a reaction. Although your child may be hurting inside, encourage them not to show it.

Give them a chance to role play some scenarios at home, so that they can practice ways to react in a safe environment.

Ask your child what they want you to do When my son was bullied at primary school, he wanted me to go to the school and sort it out. I remember him saying “I don’t think the adults know how bad it is.” He had tried to sort it out himself, but it hadn’t worked, so now he was taking a different approach. Encourage your child to try to tackle their own problems, but always be there for them when they get to the point of asking for your help.

Build self-esteem Prevention is always better than cure. Children who are confident and have good self-esteem are less likely to be bullied. That’s not to say it won’t happen, but people with resilience will always fare better in the face of adversity and will be less likely to be bullied.

What if my child is the bully?

If this is the case then spend some time trying to work out why this could be happening.

People become bullies for a number of reasons: Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

• Low self-esteem Those who don’t think much of themselves on the inside may feel the need to make themselves look ‘big’ on the outside.

• Following the crowd Bullies can sometimes appear to be very popular and being part of the ‘in’ crowd can be very important to children and young people.

• For safety If the jungle that is the school playground feels unsafe, then it may make sense to your child to align themselves to the person who looks the strongest.

• Learned behaviour Children who witness bullying behaviour around them may copy that behaviour and turn into a bully themselves.

And finally: If you have real concerns always talk to your child’s school about it. All schools should have a bullying policy which you can ask to see, and, of course, a duty of care to each and every child.

Jane Rogers is a parenting expert and founder of The Cambridge Parent Coach.

Her two parent workbooks: ‘How to encourage good behaviour so you can enjoy your children’ and ‘How to use positive discipline to improve your child’s behaviour,’ are available on Amazon. You can follow ‘The Cambridge Parent Coach’ on Facebook.

To help stamp out bullying in our schools talk to your school about getting involved in AntiBullying Week running from 13 to 17 November 2017. Run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the week aims to support schools with a range of free activities to help them take action to prevent bullying and create a safe environment for pupils. For more information visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Families Thames Valley East • 9

Herries prep school welcomes new Headmistress

Education News

Starting school with Claire and Bear If you are starting to look for schools and reception class places for your child next September then why not visit Claires Court. The school have just launched a great little book helping parents prepare their child for starting school. It may seem a long way off but it’s never too early to start building children’s confidence and independence skills.

Following the adventures of Claire and Bear as they prepare for school, parents and children are taken on an engaging and exciting interactive journey. The book aims to help relieve the worry and concerns parents may have about their child being school ready

ensuring the transition is a happy and enjoyable experience for all.

The fun-loving bears encourage children and parents to join in activities that cover skills such as: practising lining up (ready for arriving at school), using a knife and fork and getting changed.

One parent, Mrs McArdle said, ‘It’s a really lovely idea, it answers all the worrying questions you have about your child starting school and covers many things you wouldn’t even think about.’

The school has Open Days coming up on Tuesday 7 November and Tuesday 5 December, visit www.clairescourt.com for more information.

Herries Preparatory in Cookham Dean has welcomed new headmistress Fiona Long and her philosophy is simple, ‘Happy children achieve’.

Previously Deputy Head Academic at Sherborne Preparatory, she said, “I have enjoyed a hearty Herries welcome.

It is a lovely place to be – an extremely welcoming community. I genuinely believe in holistic education where, as well as the cognitive, spiritual, moral, social, physical and creative aspects of development are nurtured.”

Speaking about attainment she added, “At Herries, children are nestled in a uniquely caring environment which does not preclude high academic

achievement, evidenced by the fact that children do very well indeed at their grammar, independent and state schools.”

Herries offers a thriving Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School for boys and girls from 2 to 11 years. With high academic standards, experienced staff and excellent pastoral care, Herries also offers a rich extended day programme with activities that include horse-riding, fencing, archery, judo, cookery and dance. As a LAMDA centre, the children are encouraged to find their voice. From the Nursery to Year 6, pupils take part in weekly swimming lessons. Years 3 and 4 learn to strum a ukulele during lessons and over one third take up an instrument. www.herries.org.uk

Explore Learning help you to make the most of your recent school parent’s meetings So you’ve been to a meeting with your child’s teacher and you’ve got an overview of how your child is progressing. But what do you do next to help?

D

iscuss with your child the feedback from their teacher, they may already be aware of what they need to work on but if they don’t, talk about it. Set a goal together of something they would like to achieve based on their feedback and aim to complete this by the end of next term. Make a plan together about how they are going to get there.

For example: You’re told they give up every time they have to learn something new, especially times tables. The goal you come up with together is to have a can-do attitude.

Steps to getting there could be taking a new set of tables and learning them in small batches. Praise them for the ones they have

got right and highlight when they are being positive towards their learning so they know what kind of attitude is expected.

If you’ve set any goals with the teacher, then plan a time to review these. Depending on how the teacher likes to work this could be an email, call or face to face catch up 6-8 weeks after the initial meeting. Review how things are going and make changes if needed.

You may come away from a meeting and realise you’ve forgotten something or you don’t understand how the school is reporting on progress. Contact the school if you still have questions, or look on their website as you should find a wealth of information on there.

10 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

Ask others for help, don’t worry if you don’t understand something or want to know what others are doing. Lots of people will be in the same position so talk to fellow parents for advice. Alternatively, there are some great advice websites like www.theschoolrun.co.uk and www.oxfordowl.co.uk or if you have a tutor, talk to them. At Explore Learning tutors always help parents when they need advice and will take into account your child’s recent reports and feedback when tailoring their learning. Never be afraid to ask, there is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your child’s learning! www.explorelearning.co.uk

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The Secret Lives of 4 & 5 Year Olds at School Most parents and carers wish they could be a fly-on-the-wall when their child starts school. Well, Channel 4’s Secret Lives of 4 & 5 year Olds which returns this November, allows them to do just that. Filmed in a specially rigged Essex school, the new series aims to give viewers a child’s perspective of their transition to a school setting.

Claire Winter talks to Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, a psychologist from the show, about what she learnt whilst filming the series.

Can you tell us more about the series?

“It offers this wonderful window, through which we can watch the children playing and interacting with each other. We give them lots of things to do, to see how they manage and play. It’s an amazing way of showing viewers what their children are actually doing at school.”

How did the children cope with the transition to school?

“Parents main worry is generally ‘will my child be alright?’ and some children are very anxious. A great example is that wonderful picture of Prince George looking a bit worried on his first day of school.

What I can now confidently tell parents and carers is that their children are absolutely fine, once they are gone. They are doing lots of interesting things and coping brilliantly.”

Not all children cope with the transition so well, what advice would you give to them?

“Take a calm, pragmatic approach.

Essentially children tend to be worried about what they think might happen. In reality, they are going to be fine, but they just don’t know that yet. Be confident and reassure your child that everything will be okay. Children are inherently social beings. They are curious and want to interact with people so even timid children will find something that sparks their imagination. Remember, the school setting is designed to

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engage them. It’s getting them to go in which is the tough bit. Once they are there they’ll be fine.”

What advice can you give parents whose children haven’t started school yet?

“Children need to develop communications skills, get used to talking and relating to others and playing cooperatively. All of these social abilities will be vital later in life. Encourage lots of play with other children and get them to question how things work because natural curiosity is the main driver for learning.”

How can kids deal with friendship issues, if they have fallen out with someone?

“It’s very tempting as a parent to want to fix this problem, but children fall in and out of friendships hundreds of times a day and can usually sort issues out themselves.

If the problem is more complicated and you think there is unkind behaviour or bullying, then an adult might need to step in. But on the whole, conflict, when you are learning to be social is perfectly normal. Ask your child, “Is there any thing you can do to sort the situation out?” Try and help them understand the other child’s perspective. As parents, we often overcomplicate issues. We can learn a lot from children, particularly the way they are so open and forgiving.”

How can we deal with the issue of gender with young children?

I feel that gender isn’t particularly a driving force for children this age.

They do make assumptions about children but they are happy for

them to be corrected and they play on a much more straightforward basis. Gender becomes a much bigger issue for children towards the end of primary school. It’s important to encourage them to keep an open mind and understand that children of all ages and genders need the same opportunities because that is what is important for their development.

Brains are not gendered, brains allow our children to learn.

What can you do if a child is exhibiting OCD type behaviour?

“Anxiety needs a non-emotional response and a calm authority can be incredibly helpful. It’s tempting to offer support to someone who is suffering by saying, “isn’t this terrible,” but this reinforces the idea that there is something to be scared of. Parents shouldn’t try to

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neutralise the anxiety or reinforce it; it is best to carry on, with a business as usual approach.

“If you are concerned or the behaviour is continuing over a long period of time and in more than one setting, get some advice from your school, GP or Health Visitor.”

What was the most interesting insight you gained from watching the children?

“I learnt that children of this age are hilarious and multi-layered. They are not that different from adults.

They have amazingly rich social lives. They test hypotheses, ask questions, fail and then carry on.

They are resilient and incredibly complicated, just like we are.”

‘The Secret Lives of 4 and 5 Year Olds’ will be aired on Channel 4 in November.

Families Thames Valley East • 11

Christmas

Keeping calm at Christmas

by Anna Collins

W

hen I was in my twenties I remember Christmas as a fairly simple affair.

Sometimes I literally arrived back at my parents’ house on Christmas eve and popped to their local shops to pick up some extra gifts and then back to their house for a sherry and last-minute wrapping! How things have changed! (hmm maybe apart from last minute wrapping!). I am lucky that my family has grown, but of course with that it has become a little more complex. Here are a few things to think about to help you get the most out of Christmas and stay calm!

What does your Christmas look like?

Think about what Christmas means to you and your immediate family and note down 6 or so things that are important to you all. It may be a trip to see Father Christmas, getting as many family members together as possible, getting to Church on Christmas day, a Christmas panto or it might be making a Christmas pudding!

Make sure there is something in there for all of you. This should help keep you focussed and ensure everyone is doing something they enjoy at some stage in the proceedings! Some of my fondest child-hood memories are about making the house all Christmassy before my grandparents arrived on Christmas eve, rather than presents I received.

Gift buying for kids Having children makes the whole business of buying presents just a little bit more complex.

These days children are bombarded with Christmas toy adverts from October and are actively encouraged to write lists and contact Father Christmas. This is all lovely, but can lead to the ‘I wants’. Maybe think outside the box and encourage children to go for some

experiences like a trip to London or swimming lessons or vouchers towards a hobby they’re truly into, for example Lego.

Put some buffer space in your diary While Christmas day is only one day, the festive period is much longer! Everyone aims to complete everything before the year is out and see old friends. Plan your diary carefully and make sure you’ve got enough buffer space between engagements or children’s outings.

Dealing with the social life of 3, 4 or 5 human beings needs planning and rest in between!

Break it down Christmas starts earlier and earlier. I remember one early November going shopping with my 3 month-old and hearing festive music in one particular shop. As I hadn’t really stopped to think about Christmas yet, it came as a bit of a shock! I still think early November is too early, but maybe think about doing a few easy things to put you in control. For example, buying a few stocking fillers or cooking and freezing some red cabbage or stuffing. Then for December you will feel empowered because the job has been started!

Hosting Christmas It goes without saying if you are hosting Christmas don’t be afraid to delegate tasks. Just don’t delegate as guests walk in through your door, delegate well in advance! This can help with the finances too if needed. You could put Aunty Pam in charge of buying and decorating the Christmas cake for example. Also think about asking people to bring their own bed linen too – it really saves time washing and making up beds. People usually like to be given a role and don’t forget that children can and should help too!

Have a break / do some exercise Build in fresh air and family walks. Not only does this help after over indulgence, but I find it encourages family and friends to talk to one another instead of flaking out in front of the TV. This one’s not just for Christmas day either, try and see it as a regular goal over the festive period. Exercise shouldn’t stop because it’s Christmas! Keep it going and everyone will feel a lot calmer.

Here’s to a lovely Christmas – may it be a calm, enjoyable one for you and your family!

12 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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Christmas

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP The Christmas countdown has begun to make sure you stay on your kids ‘good’ list here is our 2017 Christmas gift guide.

photo: amazon.co.uk

photo: amazon.co.uk

Little Tikes Princess Horse & Carriage, £99.99, Amazon Age: 18 months+

Vtech Kidizoom Flix Playset, £59.99, Amazon Age: 4+ Meet Flix! An alien VTech Kidizoom camera. It can detect faces and will sound out funny alien responses

Hatchimals Colleggtibles, £10, Argos Age:5+ Hatchimals look set to be another must-have toy this year with their colleggtible range. Hold the egg in your hands, rub the heart and when it changes from purple to pink, it's ready to hatch. There are over 70 to collect. You have been warned!

Anki Cozmo, £199.99, Amazon Age: 7+ Another tech toy with a hefty price tag but this is an amazing gift.

Cozmo is a real-life robot that is truly interactive. He’ll nudge you to play with him and his personality evolves the more time you spend with him.

01628 821145

Lego Boost, £149.99, Amazon Age: 7-12 A must for any LEGO fan and listed in the Amazon top ten of Christmas toys is this amazing LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox.

You can build and code interactive motorised robots, models and creations with distance, colour and tilt sensor technologies, which you can also access by a dedicated app. How cool is that?

photo: amazon.co.uk

Talking Peter Rabbit, £15.99, www.what2buy4kids.co.uk Age: Suitable from birth Whether they are fans of the original Beatrix Potter books or the hit TV Show on CBeebies, your child will be hopping with delight when they receive this lovely talking Peter Rabbit.

Fisher Price ‘Teach n Tag Movi’, £54.99, Argos Age: 3+ Tech inspired toys will always grab children’s attention and this cool little robot will get kids moving and learning along with him. With 360 degrees of mobility it encourages pre-schoolers to get their minds and bodies moving while teaching them to follow directions and think critically about the world around them.

photo: amazon.co.uk

Rosa & Bo Nesting Babies, £20, www.rosaandbo.com Age: 3months – 3years How cute is this stylish, Russian doll inspired sensory toy? You can find Bo the Bunny inside and as an added bonus he chimes too.

when you speak to him. You can customise his look by using his camera, you can change the colour of his eyes and background.

Available in blue and pink, it also has a ‘guard mode’ where it takes secret photos or videos.

photo: amazon.co.uk

For the little princess in your life.

This amazing toddler ride-on comes complete with clip-clop sounds and a horse that moves side to side.

By Claire Winter

The Very Merry Christmas Game, £19.99, Amazon Age:8 + Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a family board game. Why not get this festive themed one?

You move around the board collecting presents to put in your stocking. You can also land on a singing space, where you will have to belt a verse from a Christmas carol or song and watch out for the dreaded Sprouts card!

07721 422554

Bringing all the fun of the farm to your school, Home, Private Party, Family Funday or Fete, also providing beneficial therapeutic/sensory sessions for visits to Nursing Homes or Special Needs Activities.

Call Pete to discuss your requirements, and obtain prices e: farm@basilandcrew.co.uk • www.basilandcrew.co.uk

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Families Thames Valley East • 13

Christmas

Festive Days Out Want to get out and about this Christmas? Here’s our pick of the best festive events happening in the local area Maidenhead’s Community Lantern Parade is BACK!

This year’s Carnival of the Animals Lantern Parade is on Saturday 9 December featuring live music and entertainment from 4x4 Bhangra – The Kings of Bhangra!

Organised by Norden Farm, you can get involved at one of their Lantern Making workshops, running throughout November and December.

Create an animal inspired lantern by weaving and decorating willow. Their expert lantern makers will guide you through the process and you will have a lantern ready to illuminate at the parade.

The public Lantern workshops are being held at Norden Farm and in Maidenhead Town Centre in the run up to the event. Workshops will take place every Saturday in Maidenhead Town Centre, from Saturday 18 November and will run from 10am to 4pm. The Norden Farm workshops will run every Sunday from Sunday 19 November and will take place between 11am and 1pm and also 2pm to 4pm.

Suitable for all the family. Workshops are £4 per person.

To book, call the Box Office on 01628 788997 www.nordenfarm.org

14 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

Little ones can gain their angel wings at Cliveden Be enchanted by the National Trust’s Cliveden this Christmas. Whether you’d like to relive some old traditions or create new ones, Cliveden is the place for you to enjoy this season of festive celebration. This year Cliveden offers the opportunity to recruit angels to join their Angel Academy. Bring your little ones and they’ll be taught to ‘fly’, perfect their magic and complete other tasks to graduate and be presented with their angel wings. Trails cost £5 per child and are free for accompanying adults (usual admission to the estate applies). The Christmas trails run weekends in December and from Wednesday 20 December to Saturday 23 December. For further details about events, opening times and admission prices, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden call 01628 605069 or email cliveden@nationaltrust.org.uk Busy Buttons Christmas market Busy Buttons Design Centre CIC has bags full of creativity happening in Windsor this Christmas. On Sunday 10 Dec from 10am to 5pm, they are hosting an ethical Christmas market to help you create and revive the wonderful feeling of Christmas with workshops, demonstrations, displays and more.

Followed by a free Living Advent Calendar event at 6:15pm.

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Christmas to deliver all the magic of previous shows and much more.

Or, why not visit their Crafty Christmas Camp running from Monday 18 December to Friday 22. The camp will have your children partaking in the festive cheer enjoying designing, baking, learning and most of all getting creative!

Don’t forget their ethical gift shop, 'make your own gift' sessions and the 'Drop and Shop' service with DBS cleared staff to help you get through both your gift list and your busy schedule this Christmas!

For more information visit www.busybuttons.org Busy Buttons Design Centre CIC, 8-9 Windsor Yards, Windsor SL4 1TF 07952418212 Festive Kew Gardens to be illuminated with over 1 million twinkling lights Now in it’s fifth year, The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is once again teaming up with entertainment promoter, Raymond Gubbay Ltd

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There will be a brand new trail that is bigger and brighter than ever before with a performance by Santa and his elves along the way. Highlights include an ethereal spectacle of light and sound at Kew’s glistening lake, a mesmerising fire corridor, and a showstopping Palm House finale. Kew lights up from Wednesday 22 November 2017 to Monday 1 January 2018. For tickets visit www.kew.org Christmas at Hughenden Step into an Alice inspired adventure in the house and grounds at Hughenden. Follow a family trail through the gardens and discover themed decorations inside the Manor. Event is free but usual admission charges apply. Daily from Monday 13 November to Wednesday 20 December 10am to 3pm. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden Windsor’s Reindeer Parade The Reindeer parade in Windsor is perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit. Live reindeer will pull Father Christmas on a sleigh parading through the town centre with a marching band and costumed characters. Jingle all the way from the castle at 2pm through St Albans Street,

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then into Park Street, High Street, Peascod Street and finally into Windsor Yards. The parade will end near the toy department steps of Daniel department store where you can have your photo taken with Father Christmas on his sleigh.

Sat 2 December (TBC). www.rbwm.gov.uk/events Celebrate a traditional Christmas at The Savill Garden There will be another exciting festive family trail in the Garden from Friday 1 December 2017 to Monday 1 January 2018. £3.50 per trail although entry into The Savill Garden will be free throughout December. The Savill Garden Gift Shop will be open from 1 November and the Edwardian carousel will be back at selected dates during the Christmas holidays. Christmas Trees will also be available from the woodland depot at Forest Gate on A332 from Saturday 25 November to 23 December. www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/en/experiences/ the-savill-garden Christmas Tree Festival Visit St Luke’s church in Maidenhead from Friday 8 December to Sunday 10 and vote for your favourite decorated Christmas tree. All funds raised from the votes go to charity. For more information visit www.stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk For Information on where to find Father Christmas go to pages 16 and 17 and for Christmas shows go to page 18. Plus don’t forget our What’s On guide on pages 22 - 25.

Families Thames Valley East • 15

Where to find Father Christmas

Whilst some children will have started their Christmas lists months ago, now is the time to start searching out the man himself. Families shares our guide on where to visit him this year Eat with Father Christmas at Wyevale Garden Centre, Binfield, or Wyevale in Dedworth Road, Windsor. Call 0844 288 5063 Bring your Little Diggers along and enjoy a delicious, breakfast or tea!

The whole family meets Santa, children decorate a festive biscuit and then choose their very own present to take home. Dates vary depending on centre. November 18

until Christmas Eve www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk/ cms/events Pay a visit to Lapland UK Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Rd, Winkfield Row, Ascot SL5 8BD Personal invitations, a visit to the secret Elf Toy Factory, wander through a snowy woodland, ice skate around a giant Christmas tree, meet real reindeer and

huskies and Father Christmas himself. Premium tickets from £65.

Booking essential. November 18 to Sunday December 24. www.laplanduk.co.uk Enjoy the Christmas Festival at Odds Farm Park Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Common HP10 0LX 01628 520188.

Festive entertainment, Christmasthemed arts and crafts in the Cuddly Creative Christmas Corner and train to become an elf at the Elf Academy. There are plenty of Christmas lambs to meet and also Father Christmas in his grotto.

November 25 to December 24 www.oddsfarm.co.uk

sing-along and a story with the man himself and receive a small gift. Tickets from £12. Selected dates from November 29 to December 23. Look out for the Christmas Glow illuminations which return to Wisley from December 1 to January 3. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

Upcoming Events Christmas Lunch or Dinner - We will be serving roast turkey, Christmas pudding and plenty of good cheer 1-24 Dec or welcome in the New Year with us and our à la carte menu!

We are cooking a delicious Burns Supper and welcoming Jim Motherwell BEM, formerly the Queen’s Piper! 24 Jan 2018

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Waltham Road, White Waltham, Berks, SL6 3SH e reservations@thebeehivewhitewaltham.com

T: 01628 822877 @thebeehivetweet

TheBeehive, White Waltham

16 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

Enjoy the magic of Christmas stories and songs with Santa at RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB Huddle round for a classic Christmas tale, have a

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Christmas Visit Santa’s Grotto at Black Park Country park, Black Park Road, Wexham, SL3 6DR, 0845 370 8090. Visit Santa in his magical grotto at Black Park and tell him your Christmas wishes, will Santa have a gift for you?...only if you've been good! Book in advance. Santa has a gift for each child booked in, these are age relevant for babies, toddlers (1 to 4 year olds) and 5 to 8 year olds £5 per child, pay & display charges apply. December 2 and 3 www.buckscc.gov.uk/events Enjoy a Traditional Chilterns Christmas at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorlands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB See the decorated historic buildings, festive crafts, folk singers, storytelling & costumed re-enactments. Plus find Father Christmas in his grotto, 11am to 4pm. December 2 and 3 www.coam.org Visit the Christmas Bricktacular and Grotto at Legoland, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY, 0871 2222 001 Wonder at the twinkling lights, snow dusted pine trees, exciting seasonal festivities, elves workshop and more. Discover a Christmas land with 20 rides and attractions...

Father Christmas will be in his magical grotto.

December 2-3, 9-10 and 16-24. www.legoland.co.uk Enjoy a Santa family lunch at the Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor Road, Windsor, 01753 609988 A truly festive day with a delicious buffet, crackers and table novelties. A balloon artist will entertain every child and they can pay Santa a special visit to receive a gift. Threecourse buffet, crackers, table novelties, professional balloon artist, visit Santa’s grotto. £44.95 (half price for under 10s). Booking essential. Sunday December 17. www.oakleycourt.co.uk Join in the fun at the Ascot racecourse Christmas family day on Saturday December

23. Get into the festive spirit with mulled wine, mince pies and carol singing in the Grandstand after racing, led by Father Christmas. Arrive early to catch Father Christmas arrive in his sleigh. Plenty of entertainment for children with craft areas, story telling with Mrs Christmas, fairground rides and much more.

Under 18s are free www.ascot.co.uk/horseraces-and-events/christmas-racingweekend/saturday

As Families went to press, some locations had not confirmed dates for visits from Santa. Stubbings Nursery in Maidenhead usually has Santa visit by helicopter at the beginning of December and they often do breakfasts with him too.

See www.stubbingsnursery.co.uk for updates

THE LITTLE CHARM SHOP ...beautiful keepsakes for every occasion

PARTY BAGS * GIFTS * CHRISTMAS EXTRAS Each gift bag contains a beautiful Tibetan silver charm plus a selection of the following:

Tibetan silver necklace Colourful wrist/hairband Stretch soft festival band Adjustable gorgeous ring And more…

We have an extensive range of charms to suit all ages and personalities

*Prices start at just £2.50 per bag for 3 items*

Call or text Claire: 07711 182858

Email: thelittlecharmshop@hotmail.com

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Families Thames Valley East • 17

Christmas Shows Christmas is the perfect time to spend quality time with your family. Families has put together a roundup of shows in the local area, perfect for a family outing this festive season Tuesday November 21 to Saturday December 30 MIKI Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 2PF 01628 788997 Norden Farm’s Christmas show this year is the return of its hit 2011 show, Miki, based on the book by Stephen Mackey and created by Slot Machine. Miki, Polar Bear and Penguin live in a faraway place. One midwinter eve, they make a wish and embark on a magical adventure in search of a star…

Featuring amazing underwater creatures, enchanting music and extraordinary puppetry.

3+ years, tickets from £11.50. Pre Show Touch Tours for children with SEND and sensory impairments. www.norden.farm Wednesday November 29 2017 to Sunday January 7 2018 SLEEPING BEAUTY Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS 01753 853 888 Everyone’s foxy favourite, Basil Brush is back by popular demand in Sleeping Beauty - a traditional family favourite. Windsor’s winning duo, Kevin Cruise and Steven Blakely, will also be back this Christmas performing alongside the iconic DJ, Mike Read. Tickets from £17 www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

Wednesday December 6 to Saturday 9 DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

Magna Carta Arts Centre, Staines TW18 HJ. Concorde Productions are continuing their 70 year long history this Christmas with the panto Dick Whittington and his Cat by Peter Denyer at their new venue. Follow Dick's journey through London & beyond to seek his fortune.

To entertain the whole family there are jokes aplenty, singing, dancing & slapstick, larger than life characters, action and adventure, audience participation and of course booing the villain King Rat. 7.30pm with sat matinee 2.30pm. Tickets from £7 child £13 Adult www.concordeproductions.co.uk Saturday December 9 to Sunday 31 ALADDIN The Pearce Suite Theatre, Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead, SL6 8AW. Q Productions

18 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

is bringing its first fully-produced professional pantomime to Maidenhead. Side-splitting comedy, stunning special effects and lavish costumes. Tickets: £10.50 – £16.50 www.themaidenheadpanto.com Saturday December 9 to Sunday 31 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Wycombe Swan, St Mary St, High Wycombe HP11 2XE www.wycombeswan.co.uk Wednesday December 13 to Saturday 23 ALADDIN The Curve, William Street, Slough, SL1 1XY. Book through www.sloughpanto.co.uk Wednesday December 13 to Sunday 17 CINDERELLA Desborough Theatre, Park Street, Maidenhead.

Tickets: £9 Child £11 Adult (Family of 4 £40) www.desboroughtheatre.co.uk/cinderella Wednesday December 27 to Saturday 30 & 26 Jan 2018 JACK AND JILL’S MAGICAL BEANSTALK The Novello Theatre, 2 High Street, Sunningdale, Ascot, SL5 9NE 01344 620888 Especially written for under 8s (no scary bits).

You’ll laugh, sing along and join in as Jack and Jill go in search of Teddy! Remember to take your favourite Teddy along! Performances are 1 hour including interval. 11am Tickets: £8.50. www.ticketsource.co.uk/meandmyteddychristmas Sunday January 7 Chamberhouse Winds present THE SNOWMAN Norden Farm Centre for the Arts.

An enchanting family friendly concert adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved story The Snowman. 3+ yrs. Tickets £10 (£8 conc), Family & Friends (4 people) £32 www.norden.farm

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Christmas

Christmas Traditions...

Whilst most of us wake early on Christmas morning hoping to have had a visit from Father Christmas, every family does Christmas a little differently. Whether you hang stockings over the fireplace or leave a pillow case at the bottom of your bed, it’s often the most popular tradition associated with the festive season. Families takes a look at some of the other Christmas rituals you might want to try this year Putting up the tree In our house the countdown to Christmas begins with a trip to a Christmas tree farm to choose the tree and usually involves my husband having to lop the top off to fit it in the lounge! Wherever you pick yours up from, why not make it a family event. Put on some Christmas tunes and decorate it together. We try to add a new decoration each year, often bought from somewhere new we’ve been and it’s always fun to reminisce about the memories associated with them.

Reading Advent Calendar A different take on the advent calendar. Wrap up 24 picture books – a mixture of Christmas and other stories, but make sure to include

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the Nativity, and have the kids choose a different one to open each day before bedtime, so you can cosy up together with a different story each night. You don’t have to go out and get a whole new set of books, wrap up a selection of existing ones the kids haven’t read for a while and watch their delight as they rediscover old favourites!

Elf on a shelf Based on the children’s book, the premise is Santa knows who is naughty or nice thanks to the elves he sends into children’s homes.

Families can adopt their own elf known to get up to all sorts of mischief himself once the kids are in bed. Great fun for younger children as they find him hiding in a

new place each morning!

Christmas Carols Nothing makes us feel more Christmassy in our house, than going to a Christmas service together. A chance to sing some traditional carols (often by candlelight) and time to consider the true meaning of Christmas.

Often followed up with a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine! Most local churches will hold family friendly carol or Christingle services in the lead up to Christmas.

Christmas Lights The festivities wouldn’t be complete in our house without a tour of our local neighbourhood, looking for the best decorated house (we are regular visitors to the Shepherd house in Marlow p.3).

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I know one family who, anticipating sleep is hard to come by on Christmas Eve, always bundle the kids into the car and drive up to London to see the lights.

Cosy Christmas Eve We always have new pyjamas on Christmas Eve. Kids have an early bath and then we all settle down to watch The Snowman. There are plenty of festive favourites to enjoy if you wanted to make Christmas Eve a movie night and you can even buy boxes filled with everything you might need for a relaxing family evening – why not make your own!

Schedule an alternative family date We nearly always find that our Christmases are taken up ferrying everyone back and forth between various family members, which we love, but leaves little time for us to enjoy being together the five of us.

We put aside time on twelfth night to spend just us and exchange a small gift bought in the sales. It’s always fun to see who gets the best bargain and a lovely way to say goodbye to the festive season.

By Rachel Bailey

Families Thames Valley East • 19

Christmas Gift Guide We’ve put together our favourite suggestions for the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone

...a centrepiece for a party or stocking fillers? Sweet Things & Cookies by Sara is a locally run business that specialises in freshly Baked Cookies, Homemade Fudges

& Marshmallows, bespoke confectionery design & more. The range is packed with festive favourites that are sure to satisfy all.

For that extra magical Christmas touch, you can add your own message to be printed on the products, perfect for showing someone how much you care. www.facebook.com/sweetthingsby sara or call 07782 325245 The book to make you laugh out loud

seated in the designated directors area in the new stand.

Visit https://maidenheadunitedfc.ktckts. com Christmas Gift Voucher priced at £20* The Alan Devonshire suite is also available for private hire – please call 01628 400600 for details *does not include entry fee to the match

Beautiful upcycled bags Our Cornish creative duo, Rocke & Nutter are back with more beautiful handmade Christmas gift ideas.

Choose from oversized ecofriendly bags or smaller totes made of up-cycled sails with handles made of horse reins. They have also added stylish wine bags to this collection, so you can really dress up that champagne or wine - a great way to make sure you have that perfect gift sorted for all those friends and family out there.

Contact 07814 255232 or visit www.rockeandnutter.com

photo: amazon.co.uk

Make your tree sparkle with a personalised tree decoration.

The Dinky Fingerprint Company can create beautiful, stainless steel Christmas decorations, engraved with special messages, names and dates.

They can also be personalised with hands, feet, paws or fingerprints and you can even engrave a favourite drawing. They have a mirror shine finish, which will add an extra twinkle to the tree and they are a great Christmas gift.

They also sell a wide range of personalised jewellery, including necklaces, keyrings and cufflinks.

To create a personalised gift that is unique as you are, go to www.dinkyfingerprintjewellery.co.uk or call 01628 623386.

The perfect sweet gift for Christmas…

how to avoid sharing and how a late power nap can keep you going for hours! A perfect and very funny read for anyone (all mums!) with experience of a non compliant toddler.

Upgrade your beauty routine Why not pamper a special someone with a personalised beauty treats subscription from Birchbox. Five beauty treats are delivered monthly and you can choose from a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription. Once the first box has been sent out, completing an online beauty profile allows boxes to be tailored to suit each individual. Boxes are a mix of make-up, skincare, body and haircare. From £30 for a 3 month subscription. www.birchbox.co.uk Maidenhead United Football Club lunch Is your loved one a Maidenhead United football fan or just mad on football?

Then why not treat them this Christmas and buy a “Hospitality voucher” for them to have an extra special match day experience at York Road. This fantastic Christmas offer includes a hot lunch in the new Alan Devonshire Suite with a complimentary drink on arrival.

They can then enjoy the match

If you’re a mum with young children, chances are you’ve come across Katie Kirby’s Hurrah for Gin, her honest and humorous take on parenting to which all parents can relate. The Daily struggles of Archie Adams aged 2 1/4 is her newest offering. Written as a toddler’s account of family life, Archie himself dishes out advice on how to keep parents on their toes, covering topics such as the importance of having tantrums,

20 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

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Children’s books to look out for this Christmas When thinking about Christmas presents for children, don’t discount books.

As a child, I used to love snuggling up with a good book and I still do if I get a spare moment! With the colder weather upon us, winter is the perfect time to cosy up with a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy a read. It’s never too early to start nurturing a love of books and sharing a story with your child can create some precious memories. One of my favourite things to do is to

Book Club

have a browse in a bookshop (something that happens all too rarely these days) and my husband will testify to the fact that I could spend hours in one! However, if you don’t have the time and have no idea where to start looking online, we’ve put together a few suggestions to look out for.

By Rachel Bailey

3-5 Years

9-12 Years

The Grotlyn by Benji Davies - £12.99 What is the mysterious Grotlyn? What sort of creature could it be, scuttling across the town, frightening everyone in its path? And why has it stolen PC Vickers’ knickers?!

A beautifully illustrated rhyming tale about things that go bump in the night from picture book superstar, Benji Davies.

Toto by Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark - £14.99 The former children’s laureate brings a fresh new voice to the family classic, The Wizard of Oz. Told through the eyes of Toto, Dorothy’s trusted canine companion, Morpurgo renders a highly original and charming retelling, perfectly complemented by over 200 full colour illustrations by Emma Chichester Clark.

Father Christmas Heard a Parp by Olaf Falafel - £6.99 “Father Christmas heard a parp … E-I-E-I-O!” Father Christmas is getting ready to deliver the presents – but he keeps getting distracted by some VERY rude noises! Who keeps PARPING?!

Could such a big noise actually be coming from someone rather small…? Festive follow-up to Olaf’s Old MacDonald Heard a Parp.

Katinka’s Tail by Judith Kerr - £12.99 This magical new book from the one and only Judith Kerr (author of Mog the Forgetful Cat and The Tiger who came to Tea), is brimming with her trademark warm humour and exquisitely imaginative artwork. Come on a wondrous journey with Katinka, a perfectly ordinary pussycat, with a notquite-so-ordinary tail…

Winnie-the-Pooh: The Christopher Robin Collection, Tales of a Boy and his Bear A. A Milne - £12.99 With Goodbye Christopher Robin recently in the cinemas, this beautiful gift edition highlighting the most exciting encounters and treasured moments between Christopher Robin and his loveable bear, is a perfect gift for fans of all ages. Parents and Grandparents alike will love enjoying this with their children. A delightfully nostalgic read.

Birthday Boy by David Baddiel - £12.99 Sam Green, really, really, really loves birthdays. He is so excited about his 11th birthday, in fact, that he wishes it was his birthday every day. So, at first, it’s quite exciting when his birthday happens again the next morning. And again. And again. And again…

But it’s not long before things start to go wrong. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for…

To Advertise here

call: 01628 788058 6-8 Years

My Golden Ticket – A Journey into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory in collaboration with Roald Dahl - From £19.99 The latest release from Wonderbly, personalised stories designed to make every child feel special. This book gives each child a unique adventure in Willy Wonka’s factory where they’ll explore wondrous new rooms and uncover their own delicious secrets. Just visit www.Wonderbly.com and enter a child’s name to begin creating their very own story. You can even choose the format and write a dedication.

Minecraft Survival Sticker Book - £7.99 The official sticker book created in collaboration with Mojang the Swedish video game developer that introduced the world to Minecraft. Take your first steps into the Overworld, and learn all about the perils that await with this activity book, filled with survival tips, secret tricks and hundreds of stickers.

Discover which hostile mobs are best avoided, learn how to build an epic base, and find out where to locate the best blocks and items by completing the exciting activities inside. A great way to reach more reluctant readers, offering them an alternative to screen time whilst embracing their hobbies.

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g in 3 in r j o ea w s- Y to 1 no ar le 1 s Ye a b g e oy ly e l a *B E a r i l l b n t i u in w ay st

Barry Loser’s Christmas Joke Book by Jim Smith - £5.99 Let’s face it, Christmas is the perfect time for telling silly jokes and with its festive feast of puns, one-liners, cartoons and funny tales, this book will make a great stocking filler. Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans will love sharing these early on Christmas morning. Parents you’ve been warned!

IAPS Preparatory Day School for Boys and girls 3-11

How hig h ca n y ou r chil d f ly?

35 Eton Road Datchet Berkshire SL3 9AX 01753 541075 • admin@etonend.org

www.etonend.org

Families Thames Valley East • 21

What’s On Compiled by Siobhan Newman

The Nutcracker is at the Theatre Royal Windsor from November 6 to 12

NOVEMBER

Until Thursday November 30 STATUE TRAIL Cliveden National Trust, Taplow, Buckinghamshire, SL6 0JA 01628 605069 A self-led walk to discover the secret history of how these statues came to Cliveden. 10am to 5pm. Free, with normal admission. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Until January 7, weekends and school holidays FIRE AND LIGHTS SHOW The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7QW, 01344 354400 A candle, fireflies and a lightbulb - a show full of fantastic demonstrations to fire your imagination.

Can we create light? Watch out for the tornado of fire! 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.15pm. Shows cost £1.95 per person, on top of your entry fee Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during term-time TODDLER TIME at Odds Farm Park Wooburn Common Road, HP10 0LX, 01628 520 188 Messy play, arts, crafts, music and singing and more.

Sessions at 10.15-11am and 11.15am-noon in term time. Book in advance. Small extra charge per child applies. www.oddsfarm.co.uk Friday November 3 DCC FIREWORK EXTRAVAGANZA Datchet Cricket Club, London Road, Datchet, SL3 9JS, 01753 544352. Mulled wine, burgers, hotdogs, chestnuts. Fully licensed bar in the pavilion. Light-up toys, raffle, huge bonfire and great fireworks. Open from 6pm with fireworks between 7.30pm and 8pm. The entry fee will be £5 per adult and free for children under the age of 12. Come along and bring the family for what promises to be another spectacular night! www.datchetcc.com Saturday November 4 THE LINK FOUNDATION FIREWORKS 2017 Maidenhead United FC ground, York Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1SF, 07863 183872 Fantastic fireworks night for a great cause.

Fairground attractions and food. In support of the charity which helps local families. Bouncy castle, glow sticks, tombola, tea, cake and mulled wine and the famous fireworks. Tickets to be bought on the night. www.linkfoundation.co.uk/linkfoundation-events Saturday November 4 BONFIRE & FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR Upton Court Park, Slough, SL3 7LU With more than 20 minutes of fireworks, a 60-foot real bonfire, food from around the world and a massive fun fair, Slough’s bonfire night is the best for miles around. Free parking for

Windsor Contemporary Arts Fair is on November 11 and 12

all. Gates open at 5.30pm, food and funfair from 5.30pm, fireworks 7.45pm and bonfire burning from 8.15pm . Advanced tickets cost: £15 family, £6 for adults and £4 for a child or senior citizen. Under fours free. www.slough.gov.uk Saturday November 4 CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY-THEMED FIREWORKS Royal Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, SL4 5EZ 01753 498400 Explore a world of pure imagination at a Wonka-filled Wonderland. Witness the Oompa Loompas at work with treats and surprises throughout the evening! Plus Golden Ticket prize draw to win a year’s supply of chocolate. Advance ticket: adult £12, child £6, under fives free. www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk Saturdays in November WINDSOR'S RISE FROM THE ASHES Windsor Castle Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1NJ Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Windsor Castle after the fire by taking part in our special art and craft activities. Free with standard entry ticket 11am to 3pm. www.royalcollection.org.uk Monday November 6 to Saturday 12 THE NUTCRACKER Theatre Royal Windsor Thames Street Windsor 01753 853888 Set to Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara and her enchanted nutcracker doll. Their adventures see them combat the Mouse King and journey through the glistening Land of Snow to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Kingdom of Sweets. 7.30pm. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Saturday November 11 and Sunday 12 WINDSOR CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, SL4 5JJ, 01753 498400 Major exhibition and sale with artist-led workshops. Kids can learn drawing and printmaking techniques or join the Jelly artists making the Winter Secret Garden. Under 6s must be accompanied by an adult. www.windsorcontemporaryartfair.co.uk Saturday November 11 and Sunday 12 PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE Wycombe Swan St Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE 01494 512000 Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on an exciting camping trip to the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. Tickets £20, £18, under 16s £2 off. www.wycombeswan.co.uk Sunday November 12 THE NUTCRACKER South Hill Park Wilde Theatre South Hill Park, Ringmead, RG12 7PA 01344 484 123 One of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions, The Nutcracker, will be brought to life by Ballet Theatre UK. Performed in a unique setting with 24 international dancers, from companies

22 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

Skate at Windsor On Ice, from November 18 to January 14

around the world. 3pm to 5pm. £20, £13 children, family ticket, £58. www.southhillpark.org.uk Sunday November 12 BIG DOG LITTLE DOG: PARENT AND CHILD YOGA Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF 01628 788997 A yoga-based workshop for parents / carers and their children. Connect and bond through movement, breath and elements of acroyoga. Suitable for ages 4 to 7 years, must be accompanied by an adult. 10am – 11am. £15 per pair (1 adult and 1 child). www.norden.farm Monday November 13 to Thursday 30 CHRISTMAS IN THE STABLEYARD Hughenden National Trust High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755573 Get ready for Adventure in Wonderland. Enjoy festive decorations, pick up a Christmas gift in the shop or a warming treat in the café. Usual admission applies. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden Tuesday November 14 and Wednesday 15 DINOSAUR-THEMED TODDLER DAYS The Look Out Discovery Centre Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7QW 01344 354400 Fun crafts, storytelling sessions and face painting from 10am-4pm. £7 per adult with a child up to 5 years old. £1.60 per additional pre-school child. Please check event is running as works are taking place.

Thursday November 16 ETON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Eton town centre Community Carol service at Eton College Chapel (6pm), followed by a parade through Eton High Street to the Jubilee Square where the lights for Eton will be switched on (7pm).There will be community stalls, live music, Santa's Grotto and live reindeer. www.rbwm.gov.uk/events Saturday November 18 to January 14 WINDSOR ON ICE Alexandra Gardens, Barry Avenue, SL4 3HY Go skating in style near the river in the covered main rink with an extra smaller open air ice rink. Ice Bar and Grill available plus a viewing area, cafe, dodgems and Father Christmas. www.windsoronice.com Tuesday November 21 to Saturday December 30 MIKI Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF 01628 788997 One midwinter eve, Miki and her friends Polar Bear and Penguin embark on a magical adventure, with twinkle machines and narwhals.

Beautiful dance scenes and extraordinary puppetry. Tickets are £13.50 (£11.50 under 16s), Family & Friends (4 people) £46.

Suitable for ages 3+ years. www.norden.farm

Sunday November 12 INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING IN THE DEN Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, as above. Listen to a captivating tale in the magical story den, followed by a yummy Sunday lunch. Join in or unwind in the cafe/ bar with the Sunday papers, while your little ones get involved in telling stories from all over the world. Lunch menu from £5. www.norden.farm Saturday November 18 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Windsor Royal Shopping, Goswell Hill, SL4 1RH, 01753 797070 Watch a children’s procession with handmade lanterns, carol singing, entertainment and the switching on of the Christmas lights. From 3.30pm. Date to be confirmed.

Saturday November 18 ARTISAN FAIR Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF 01628 788997 Browse the diverse stalls and enjoy the atmosphere of the 18th century Long Barn Plus mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas-flavoured coffee. 11am-4pm. www.norden.farm Sunday November 19 'CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS' LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOPS Organised by Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, address as above.

Weave willow and create lanterns inspired by the animal world at family workshops then join the parade in Maidenhead town centre on Sunday December 9 (see separate entry for parade details).

A space must be booked for every person attending, including adults. £3 per person.

Workshops are at Norden Farm on Sundays November 19, 26 and December 3, Maidenhead town centre on Saturdays November 18, 25 and December 2. Last chance workshop at Maidenhead Library on Saturday December 9 11am – 2pm (drop in). www.norden.farm Thursday November 23 SWITCH ON AND SHOP 2017 Marlow Town Centre The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6.30pm by this year’s celebrity, plus stalls, carols, mulled wine and more. Search nearer the time for further details. www.marlow-tc.gov.uk Thursday November 23 WESSEX CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT Wessex Primary School, St Adrian’s Close, Maidenhead SL6 3AT 7-9pm Plenty of stalls to browse to get the Christmas shopping done Friday November 24 THE LITTLE MIX EXPERIENCE Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS 01753 853 888 If you're a fan of one of X Factor's finest exports you're sure to love The Little Mix Experience! Four hugely talented girls pay tribute to one of the UK's finest girlbands. With breathtaking dance moves, replica costumes and great vocals, this is a

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What’s On

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

Miki returns to Norden Farm, November 21 to December 30 high-energy show from beginning to end, packed with all of Little Mix's greatest hits and suitable for all ages. Featuring songs such as DNA, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Love Me Like You, Secret Love Song and many more. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Saturday November 25 NCT MEGA NEARLY NEW SALE Windsor Leisure Centre, Stovell Road, Windsor, SL45JB Entry £1 Doors open 11.30am (11.15am for NCT members with a valid membership card). Sale ends at 1pm. High quality clothes, toys, equipment, maternity wear and more at fraction of their high street price. www.nct.org.uk/events/nct-nearlynew-sales Saturday November 25 MAIDENHEAD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON 2017 High Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1LB, The High Street, Queen Street and St Ives Road will be turned into a Christmas fun fair and market with stalls and children's rides before the switch-on. www.enjoymaidenhead.com Saturday November 25 MARIST SCHOOL CHARITY CHRISTMAS FAYRE Kings Rd, Sunninghill, Ascot SL5 7PS Fabulous gift stalls, refreshments, raffle, carols and Santa’s grotto 11-3pm.

Saturday November 25 CHESS AND CRAFT CLUBS Burnham Library - Chess Club 2pm to 4pm, Kids Craft Club 2pm to 3.30pm. www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries Saturday November 25 BIG FISH LITTLE FISH Old Town Hall, Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe HP11 2XE 01494 512000 Award winning, bonkers family fun, circusthemed party! Genre-hopping DJs are on the decks playing classic club tracks with bubbles, glowsticks, glitter, crafts, play, club visuals, giant balloons, legendary parachute dance, licensed bar. Fancy dress encouraged. 2-4pm. www.wycombeswan.co.uk Sunday November 26 ADS' SANTA FUN RUN Eton College Rowing Lake, off Court Lane, Eton, Windsor, SL4 6QP Fun run to support people with Alzheimer’s. Children welcome, registration required, from 1pm. www.eventbrite.co.uk Sunday November 26 MINDFULNESS FOR FAMILIES Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997 Take time to be with yourself and your family. Learn to be in the moment, quieten the mind, settle the body and become aware of all your senses. Suitable for ages four and above.

11am to 12pm, family and friends (up to 4 people) £15. www.norden.farm Tuesday November 28 to Friday December 1 A TASTE OF CHRISTMAS Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham,

familiesonline.co.uk

Explore Painshill by night, November 28 to December 1

Santa’s Fun Run in Higginson Park, Marlow, December 3

Usual admission applies. 10am to 3pm.

Surrey, KT11 1JE, 01932 584284 Enjoy a www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden magical moonlit walk and immerse yourself in a winter wonderland. Enjoy the Friday December 1 to Saturday 2 OLIVER! delights of some of the beautiful follies at Desborough Theatre, Maidenhead Town night, delicious festive treats, mulled wine, Hall, Park Street, Maidenhead SL6 1RF box Christmas shopping and festive music. office 07900 863699 Holyport College Adults £12, children £8. students present the hit musical by Lionel www.painshill.co.uk Bart. 7.30pm and Saturday matinee Wednesday November 29 at 2.30pm.

GREAT FOSTERS CHRISTMAS www.desboroughtheatre.co.uk FAYRE Stroude Road, Saturday December 2 to Egham, TW20 9UR Fabulous Sunday 10 SANTA'S GROTTO gift stalls and raffles all Black Park Country Park, profits to charity 9.30amBlack Park Road, Wexham, familiesonline.co.uk 4pm SL3 6DR, 0845 370 8090 Thursday November 30 Visit Santa in his magical grotto at BURNHAM SWITCH ON AND Black Park and tell him your Christmas CHRISTMAS FAIR Burnham High Street, wishes 10am to 4pm SL1 7HR 01628 550380 Burnham Lions Saturday December 2 REINDEER PARADE organise the parade, the switch on of the Windsor Royal Shopping, Goswell Hill, festive lights followed by a Christmas Fair Windsor, SL4 1RH, 01753 797070 Live from 5pm. Date to be confirmed. reindeer pull Father Christmas on a sleigh www.burnhamlions.org.uk parading through the town centre with a Thursday November 30 to Wednesday marching band and costumed characters.

January 3 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Wilde Jingle all the way from the castle at 2pm Theatre South Hill Park, Ringmead, RG12 through St Albans Street, then into Park 7PA 01344 484 123 With a bright and Street, High Street, into Peascod Street beautiful Belle and a brilliant beast, book then into Windsor Yards. The parade ends now for South Hill Park’s marvellous near the toy department steps of Daniel panto. Various times and ticket prices. department store where you can have www.southhillpark.org.uk your photo taken with Father Christmas Thursday November 30 to Saturday on his sleigh. Date to be confirmed.

December 2 GERONIMO! Stoke Poges www.rbwm.gov.uk/events Village Centre, Rogers Lane, SL2 4LP, 0845 Saturday December 2 WESSEX 686 0016 Head west pard’ners and join CHRISTMAS FAYRE Wessex Primary the townsfolk of Moose Creek for this tale of the good, the bad and the just plain School, St Adrian’s Close, Maidenhead SL6 silly! A hilarious wild west pantomime set in the 1870s American mid-west. www.stokepogesplayers.org

3AT 11am-2pm Santa’s grotto, tombolas, face painting, games and cakes Saturday December 2 CHRISTMAS FUN IN DATCHET 2017 St Mary’s Church, The Green, Datchet SL3 9JW 01753 580467 The Christmassy feeling begins with St Nicholas Fayre at St Mary's Church 12.30pm to 3pm followed by tea with Father Christmas 3-4pm, family Advent carol service with Marlow Town Band from 4-5pm followed by a candlelit procession to The Green. Christmas on The Green festivities and music run from 5pm to 7.30pm. www.rbwm.gov.uk/events Saturday December 2 to Saturday 23 CHRISTMAS TRAIL Cliveden National Trust, Taplow, Buckinghamshire, SL6 0JA 01628 605069 "Every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings."... but getting your wings is no easy task. You're invited to Angel Academy, the place where angels train. Learn how to fly, perfect your magic and complete tasks in order to graduate. A fun festive Christmas trail for families. £5 a child. 10.30am to 2.30pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Saturday December 2 to Tuesday January 2 WOODLAND WONDERS FESTIVE TRAIL Burnham Beeches, Lord Mayor's Drive , Burnham Beeches Road, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE, 01753 647358 A trail for kids up to 12. Pick up a leaflet from the Info Point and guide yourself along the route. Bring a pencil. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnhambeeches

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DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE RIDES IN WINDSOR GREAT PARK Savill Garden, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, Surrey TW20 0UJ 10.30am to 3 pm (weather permitting) The horse and carriage are beautifully decorated with twinkling gold & white berries for the festive season and carriageriders will be pulled by a magnificent partshire horse (who will of course be wearing antlers!). There are Christmas toys on board for the little ones, and you may even hear some festive music! A 30 minute ride costs £50 per carriage. www.ascotcarriages.co.uk Entry will be free for Savill Garden in December, January and February.

Friday December 1 to Wednesday 20 AN ADVENTURE IN WONDERLAND Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755573 Follow a family trail through the gardens and discover Alice -inspired themed decorations inside the Manor.

to am 11 pm 3

San t Grot a’s to

Raffle, refreshments and fabulous stalls for the adults and the kids!

All Enquires: sunitashroff@mac.com

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 23

What’s On Compiled by Siobhan Newman

The Nutcracker is screened live at Norden Farm on December 5 Sunday December 3 SANTA’S FUN RUN Higginson Park, Marlow, SL7 2AE 01494 421 821. Marlow's 11th Santa Fun Run. Join more than 2,000 red runners. Adult entrants get a Santa suit. Children from aged five and over can join in too and will get a T-shirt plus there’s a young people’s category. From 9.30am (warm up with Olympian Naomi Riches from 8.50am).

Entry costs £15 (adults) £10 (young people) and £7 (children). Cash raised goes to Rotary charities. www.santasfunrun.org Sunday December 3 SHABBYTIQUE MEETS EAT ON THE STREET High Street, Maidenhead, SL6 1LB, Vintage and quirky stalls, street food, live entertainment and a great atmosphere. 11am-4pm. www.shabbytique.com Tuesday December 5 ROH LIVE: THE NUTCRACKER Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

Make lanterns and take part in Maidenhead’s parade on December 9

01628 788997 Live screening from the Royal Opera House. With its festive period setting, dancing snowflakes and enchanting stage magic, The Nutcracker is the perfect Christmas entertainment.

7.15pm. Another live screening takes place on Thursday January 4 at 2pm. £15. www.norden.farm Wednesday December 6 CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Theatre Royal Windsor Thames Street Windsor 01753 853888 The Locrian Ensemble has a host of television and film credits and recently topped the classical charts playing for Debbie Wiseman’s BBCTV score of “Wolf Hall”. In full period costume. 7.30pm. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Thursday December 7 LATE NIGHT SHOPPING Marlow town centre.

Christmas celebrations and late opening shops

The Look Out Discovery Centre

• Science and Discovery Fun • Over 90 hands-on activities

A great family day out whatever the weather!

OPEN

10am - 5pm every day

A Christmas Carol is at Windsor Castle, 16 to 30 December

Thursday December 7 and Friday 8 WINTER WONDERLAND-THEMED TODDLER DAYS The Look Out Discovery Centre Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7QW 01344 354400 Crafts, storytelling, face painting and more from 10am-4pm. £7 per adult with a child up to 5 years old. £1.60 per additional preschool child. Please check event is running as works are taking place at the centre Thursday December 7 and Monday 11 FESTIVO IN ST GEORGE'S CHAPEL Windsor Castle, Windsor, SL4 1NJ Tickets from the Royal Windsor Information Centre box office 01753 743597 The Choir of St George’s Chapel will be joined by musicians from The Band of the Household Cavalry in a concert of sacred and secular seasonal music. Early booking advised. 7.30pm.

Saturday December 9 to Saturday 30 SLEEPING BEAUTY Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS 01753 853 888 Everyone’s foxy favourite, Basil Brush, is back by popular demand.

Windsor’s winning duo, Kevin Cruise and Steven Blakeley, will also return this Christmas performing alongside the iconic DJ Mike Read for fantastic pantomime fun! More star casting to be announced. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Saturday December 9 to 31 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Wycombe Swan Theatre St Marys Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, 01494514444. Starring Blue star Simon Webbe, Britain’s Got Talent winner Ashleigh Butler, much loved CBeebies star Chris Jarvis and fabulous panto dame extraordinaire Nigel Ellacott. Follow Jack, his hapless brother, his mother Dame Trot and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular family pantomime www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Saturday December 9 THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS - MAIDENHEAD'S COMMUNITY LANTERN PARADE Maidenhead Town Centre Phone Norden Farm Centre of the Arts box office on 01628 788997 for details of lanternmaking workshops before the parade. The event begins with live music at 4.30pm from 4x4 Bhangra - the Kings of Bhangra outside Maidenhead Town Hall. The parade is free to attend and suitable for all ages. Departs from Maidenhead Town Hall and is led through the streets of the town before more live music and entertainment from 6pm. www.norden.farm Saturday December 9 to Thursday 28 KING JOHN’S TRAIL Runnymede National Trust, North Lodge, Windsor Road, Old Windsor SL4 2JL Follow Runnymede's festive trail around the riverside meadows and get a small prize when you've finished.

10.30am to 3.30pm. 50p per trail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede Sunday December 10 FAMILY CHOCOLATE MAKING WORKSHOP Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF 01628 788997 Create your very own chocolate bar and lollipop with only the best Belgian chocolate! Learn how to mould the chocolate and then decorate your creations. 2pm to 3pm and 3.30pm to 4.30pm, £20 per person. www.norden.farm Wednesday December 13 to Sunday 17 CINDERELLA Desborough Theatre, Maidenhead Town Hall, Park Street, Maidenhead SL6 1RF box office 07900 863699. Maidenhead Drama Guild have more than 40 years experience of producing exciting pantomimes.

Wednesday to Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday at noon and at 4pm. Tickets:

Valid until 31/12/17 *Terms and conditions apply.

Families TVE

Bring this advert to get one free child with one full paying adult*.

Be Amazed...

Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7QW

Tel: 01344 354400 www.facebook.com/thelookoutdiscovery

24 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s On

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

Runnymede in the snow, track King John December 9 to 28 £11 adults, £9, children, family of four for just £40. Group discounts available. www.desboroughtheatre.co.uk Friday December 15 CAROLS ON THE HILL Windsor, SL4 1RH, 01753 797070 An evening of carols in front of Windsor Castle (near the Queen Victoria Statue).

Featuring the Band of the Household Cavalry. 6-7pm. This annual event will be lead by Churches Together in Windsor with proceeds going to DASH and Family Friends. Date to be confirmed. www.rbwm.gov.uk/events Saturday December 9 to Sunday 31 ALADDIN Magnet Leisure Centre Holmanleaze Maidenhead SL6 8AW 01494 917519 Gogglebox favourite Sandra Martin is the Spirit of the Ring and CBeebies presenter Nisha Anil is Princess Jasmine in Maidenhead's spectacular pantomime extravaganza Aladdin, at the newly relaunched Pearce Suite Theatre. With a supporting cast of West End performers,

familiesonline.co.uk

Aladdin whooshes into the Magnet, Maidenhead, December 9 to Sunday 31

dancers and talented young performers from the area. www.themaidenheadpanto.com Saturday December 16 to Saturday 30 A CHRISTMAS CAROL Windsor Castle’s Waterloo Chamber and St George's Hall.

Be transported with Ebenezer Scrooge from the Castle gates to the Waterloo Chamber, where Jacob Marley awaits to conjure his haunting dreams of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. With live music and immersive elements. Adult £30, 7pm show (allow time to enter the State Apartments). www.royalcollection.org.uk Sunday December 17 CAROLS AT THE CAFE Burnham Beeches, Lord Mayor’s Drive, Burnham Beeches Road, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE, 01753 647358 Carols plus craft activities for the kids. 12.30pm to 3pm, carols at 1pm and 2pm. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnhambeeches

Basil Brush is back at the Theatre Royal Windsor’s Sleeping Beauty, Dec 9 to Jan 7

Monday December 18 to Tuesday January 2 REINDEER TRAIL Black Park Road, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, SL3 6DR, 0845 370 8090 Santa's reindeer have escaped..! Just for fun, no need to pick up a trail guide...enjoy this free event and see how many reindeer can you find around Black Park Lake! 9am/10am to 4pm Saturday December 23 CHRISTMAS RACING AT ASCOT Ascot Racecourse, High Street, SL5 7JX 0870 727 1234 Join in some festive fun by taking a ride at the fairground, experience Christmas tales live from the cosy confines of the bandstand and even meet Santa’s reindeer. Father Christmas will be in the Winter Wonderland waiting to give a gift to every child (subject to availability and good behaviour). The day ends with a Christmas carol concert. www.ascot.co.uk/horseraces-and-events

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

JANUARY

Tuesday January 2 NEW YEAR WHEELBARROW RACE Sunninghill village centre, High Street, SL5 7AA, Fancy dress wheelbarrow race in Upper Village Road raising money for the Ascot Day Centre www.ascotmatters.co.uk Sunday January 7 THE SNOWMAN Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PF, 01628 788997 Howard Blake's well-loved musical version of Raymond Briggs' Classic children's story. Performed by Chamberhouse Winds, with narration by Jonathan Butcher. The ensemble will also play a selection of other short fun pieces to introduce the instruments before the story begins. Stay on afterwards for the chance to try the instruments courtesy of Dawkes Music. 11.30am. Tickets £8 to £10.

3+ www.norden.farm

Families Thames Valley East • 25

Health

Encouraging healthy eating Helen Burgess, co-founder of Little Cooks Co, the UK's first healthy cooking kit for children, shares her tips on how to get kids eating healthily.

H

aving personally experienced the health benefits of a good diet, when my son was born in 2013, I started to research the best food for him. Conflicting and sometimes contradictory advice, led me to the College of Naturopathic Medicine, and I enrolled on their three year nutrition course.

I learned, among many other things, the importance of child nutrition. During this time of phenomenal growth and development a child needs the best building blocks for a good start - as an example, 90% of our brain capacity develops before the age of 5 years so ensuring a diet rich in choline (found in eggs) and essential fatty acids (found in oily fish) is crucial.

There are so many things in life that make it difficult for kids to eat well - intense junk food marketing, "kids' menus" (why should the best food be reserved for adults), confusing marketing of so-called 'healthy' food, fussy eating, money, time . . . . the list goes on. However the worrying and rapid rise in childhood obesity and diabetes shows that we are facing some very serious problems.

My mission is to help encourage healthy eating habits from an early age. To incorporate as much natural food as possible and as little processed, refined food whilst still keeping food prep quick and manageable for busy parents. I apply the 80/20 principle. Life is about balance. We blame ourselves enough as parents without punishing ourselves every time our kids enjoy some cake or sweets!

Here are a few of my top tips: n Incorporate smoothies into your week - a cup of strawberries, a chunk of cucumber (skin removed if preferred), half a banana, and a sprig of mint whizzed up in a blender with a cup of milk tastes like strawberry milk shake. n Replace breakfast cereals with porridge and mashed banana, cinnamon and honey if your kids like a sweeter taste. This stabilizes blood sugar and provides slow release energy. n Gradually ease away from fizzy drinks and sweetened juices and replace with water or diluted juice.

Some fruit teas (sweetened with a touch of honey if preferred) can be drunk warm or cold and appeal to some kids.

Exceptional care for your child

Local Private Paediatrician

n Slowly move away from refined grains replacing them with whole grain bread, pasta, brown rice etc. n Eat a rainbow. Let the kids decide how to create this tomatoes, orange pepper, sweet corn, cucumber, beetroot followed by grapes. Actually there are hardly any blue foods but plants absorb the blue rays of the spectrum so you could say blue is hidden in green! n Cook with your kids - this not only teaches them a life skill that will sustain them for the rest of their lives, it helps overcome fussy eating. n Swap spreads and margarines for grass-fed butter. Good fats are essential for a healthy brain and nervous system, and to absorb fat soluble vitamins. Serving veggies with melted butter transforms even the humble cabbage! n Eat organic and seasonal where possible. This is especially true of animal products where there is a higher exposure to hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals which find their way into the food.

For guidance google ‘the dirty dozen and the clean fifteen’. n Finally, sleep! While we sleep our stress and cortisol levels drop; our immune systems get stronger; our brains process complex information, consolidate memories

and clear out toxins; and we release important hormones such as growth hormones - essential for kids!

Helen starts practicing in a clinic in Marlow from January 2018 and is offering anyone who books in before the end of February, 50% off their initial consultation. Contact Marlow Homeopathy on 01628 476200 marlowhomeopathy@btconnect.com

Clinics conveniently located in Chertsey Dr Sonali D’Cruz

APRONS ON, SPOONS OUT, LET’S GET KIDS COOKING!

MBBS FRCPCH BMI The Runnymede Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0RQ PA: Cathy Lewis 07729 677935 E: info@wellkids.co.uk www.wellkids.co.uk

The UK's first monthly cooking kit for kids!

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Getting kids to love cooking and eating healthy food.

Register now at:

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£7.99 a month (including P&P) first box £5.99 with code BOX1

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26 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

familiesonline.co.uk

Competitions and Offers with WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO SEE

WIN A SESSION AT JUNGLE

MIKI AT NORDEN FARM THIS CHRISTMAS!

MANIA FOR YOU AND A FRIEND!

Running from Tuesday 21 November to Saturday 30 December, Norden Farm’s Christmas show this year is the return of its hit 2011 show, Miki, based on the book by Stephen Mackey and created by Slot Machine. Suitable for 3+ years, tickets are priced from £11.50.

Miki, Polar Bear and Penguin live in a faraway place. One midwinter eve, they make a wish and embark on a magical adventure in search of a star…

Featuring amazing underwater creatures, enchanting music and extraordinary puppetry. Miki is ‘fun, fresh and emphasises the importance of friendship’ The Stage Visit www.nordenfarm.org for details.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to competitions@familiestveast.co.uk

Jungle Mania is open 7 days a week, with free after school meals on a Monday – Friday if you enter between 3 and 5pm, as well as party rooms for hire.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to competitions@familiestveast.co.uk

Which Jungle Mania has recently reopened?

A C

Who wrote Miki?

A B C

With play centres in 4 locations across the South East, Jungle Mania is the place for safe, stimulating indoor fun and soft play for kids of all ages. Jungle Mania Bourne End reopened at the end of October after a full refurbishment and Families has 4 sets of free entry tickets to giveaway (each set admits two adults/2 children)* so you can experience their brand new play centre!

Stephen Mackey Simon Mackey Stuart Mackey

B Hemel Hempstead D Swindon

Woodley Bourne End

Closing date for competition entries is Dec 11 * Maximum of 2 adult/2 children per set of tickets, tickets are for entry only so do not include any food/drink and can be used at any Jungle Mania. ** Further T&Cs apply

Closing date for competition entries is Nov 17

*T&Cs apply

*Competition Terms and Conditions: 1. Only one entrant from same e-mail address or household will be accepted 2. Under 16s must obtain parental consent before entering 3. Entries must be received by the closing date and proof of sending cannot be taken as proof of receipt 4. All decisions of Families magazine are final and no correspondence will be entered into 5. No prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize 6. Only the winners’ details will be supplied to the Promoter of the competition 7. Families Magazine is not liable for any delay or failure by the Promoter to deliver any prize or for the quality of the prize or for any loss or damage arising in connection with the competition 8. By entering the competition, entrants will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to these terms and conditions 9. Winning entries will be randomly drawn from all correct entries and contacted via the email address provided by the entrant. If the Promoter does not obtain a response from the winner within 21 days, we reserve the right to select another winner at random 10. Automated/bulk entries and entries from third parties will be disqualified 11. This competition is restricted to UK residents only.

#JustKeepSwimming

Operated by Places for People Leisure Ltd in partnership with Wycombe District Council

“Feeling Great.” ______

Join our Swim Only Membership for just £20!

www.placesforpeopleleisure.org

Court Garden Leisure Complex 01628 405200 Contact one of our Membership Team today!

Whatever place you’re into

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Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 27

Cooking with Kids

©Beverley Glock 2009

©Beverley Glock Cookery School Ltd 2012

Ginger Chocolate Truffles

Mini Christmas Puddings

Ingredients: for 10-12 truffles 100g dark chocolate • 25g butter, chopped into pieces • 1 x ginger cake, crumbled up • 25g icing sugar • 3 pieces of stem ginger, chopped (optional) • 2-3 tablespoons chocolate sugar strands • Edible glitter • Mini edible gold stars

Ingredients: for 36 puddings 200g plain sweet biscuits (eg Digestives, Malted Milk) • 50g currants • 2 tbsp golden syrup • 100g dark chocolate • 100g butter • White sugarpaste icing • Foodsafe white glitter • Red and green sugarpaste

You will need....... Weighing Scales, Medium Mixing bowl, Small Heatproof Bowl, Medium Pan, Small Plate, Wooden Spoon, Tablespoon 12, Mini Cake Cases, Spatula and an adult.

How to make Ginger Chocolate Truffles... WASH YOUR HANDS 1. Place the chocolate chips and butter in a small heatproof bowl 2. Put around 3cm water into the bottom of a small saucepan pan and ask an adult to heat this on the stove top until it is bubbling rapidly and remove from heat. Ask an adult to put the small heatproof bowl in the pan so it sits just over the hot water.

Using oven gloves, hold the bowl and very carefully stir until the chocolate and butter has melted.

3. Crumble the ginger cake into crumbs, add the icing sugar along with the chopped stem ginger, if using. Stir to mix.

4. Ask an adult to remove the chocolate and butter mixture from the pan and pour over the cake crumbs. Mix the ingredients together, leave for 20 mins to cool, as the mixture will be very sticky.

5. Pour the chocolate sugar strands, and edible glitter onto a plate. Roll walnutsized pieces of mixture into a ball then roll into the sugar strands and glitter to coat. Press a few gold stars into the top of the truffle. Pop it into a mini cake case and continue until the mixture is used up. Put into the fridge overnight to set.

You will need....... Weighing scales, Saucepan, Wooden spoon, Mixing bowl, Rolling pin, Clear plastic food bag, Petit four cases, Teaspoon, Tablespoon, Round bladed knife and an adult.

How to make Mini Christmas Puddings... WASH YOUR HANDS 1. Place the margarine and chocolate into a saucepan and add the golden syrup.

2. Ask an adult to place the saucepan on a very low heat to melt, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Do not let it boil.

3. Place half the biscuits into a small plastic bag. Secure the top with a tie or tag or tie a knot in the top.

4. Bash up the biscuits with the rolling pin until they are in little bits. Pour the bits into the mixing bowl. Repeat with the other half.

5. Add the currants to the biscuit bits and stir to mix.

6. Ask an adult to remove the saucepan from the heat when the mixture has melted and pour over the biscuit crumbs. Mix well and allow to cool for 10-15 mins.

7. Once the mixture has cooled a little squeeze the mixture into little balls, about the size of a small golf ball, place into a petit four case. Chill in the fridge.

8. Roll out the white sugarpaste icing until it is approximately 4mm thick, cut rough wobbly circles out, big enough to flop over the top of the puddings to look like icing dripping down. Paint the tops of the sugarpaste with a little water and sprinkle with foodsafe glitter. Remove the puddings from the fridge and lay over the white icing, pressing down gently to stick.

9. Roll the red sugarpaste into small balls to look like berries and the green sugarpaste into balls, then flatten them pinching each end to look like holly leaves, stick two leaves and two berries onto the top of each pudding with a little water. Chill. www.beverleyglock.com Tel: 01844 275692

BEVERLEY GLOCK COOKERY SCHOOL Cooking Classes Workshops Parties

To Advertise here

call: 01628 788058

For children Real Cooking Classes for adults

01844 275692 www.beverleyglock.com

28 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

familiesonline.co.uk

...She Means Business

Flexible Working

Heather Black, MD of Economic Change & Founder of the Salesforce Supermums Programme talks about flexible working, and how it enables her to continue developing her career, and have a family too.

For me, flexibility means working outside of the usual 9-5 hours, and not needing to be sat at an office desk all day. It seems like I’m not alone in wanting to continue my career and create that work-life balance. According to the ONS, (reported on Families Online www.familiesonline.co.uk/life/new s/huge-rise-in-the-number-ofworking-mothers) the number of mums at work in England has increased from 1.2 million in 1996 to 4.9 million last year. That’s an employment rate of 74% amongst this group.

Fortunately, many employers are now beginning to recognise that flexible working is a viable alternative, and this is something that I’m really passionate about – my team at EC is largely made up of working mums, who work hours around their families’ needs. I gain from their expertise, and they are

able to stay relevant in their skillsets whilst fitting around their family commitments. It’s a win for everyone.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for all working women. The Working Mums Annual Survey of over 2,300 mums, showed a clear negative impact of having a family on the respondents’ careers: • 47% of those surveyed think flexible working has affected their career progression • 52% of part-timers say they have missed out on career progression opportunities or training • 41% feel their flexible working is not viewed positively by their colleagues • 29% feel discriminated against because of working flexibly www.workingmums.co.uk/47working-mums-say-flexibleworking-affected-career-progressi on There is a wave of forwardthinking people championing change for working mums, and Economic Change is proud to be a part of this movement, with our Salesforce Supermums Programme working shoulder-to-shoulder with others like Digital Mums, Mums in Tech and the rise of many mum bloggers like Mother Pukka, and Selfish Mother to raise awareness of flexible working practices, and provide real opportunities for flexible working. We know there’s still a way to go, but we’re seeing that flexible working is firmly on the agenda and it’s here to stay.

Case Study: Gillian, our Supermum from SW London “Retraining with Salesforce gave me a flexible career, and much-needed work-life balance to fit around my young family.”

Gillian came to the Supermums Programme with a background in digital marketing and web from IBM where she’d previously used an in-house CRM to log customer-facing interactions. With over 10 years’ experience in a variety of IT roles, Gillian has been able to apply her technical, digital and business development skills as an excellent foundation for a career as a Salesforce Administrator.

Via the Salesforce Supermums Programme, she’s now found flexible work at Payonomy, where she joined the team as Technical Lead with the remit to assist both existing and new clients with their recurring revenue and Salesforce projects.

You can find out more about the Salesforce Supermums Programme by visiting www.economicchange.co.uk or following us at @salesforcesupermums on Facebook or @SFSupermums on Twitter.

familiesonline.co.uk

Email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk • Tel: 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East • 29

She Means Business...

A desire to find work around familylife and the fact that her own daughter suffered a nasty burn, led local mum Chloe to start running Mini First Aid classes..

1. Who you are and where do you live?

Hello. I’m Chloe and I live in Marlow with my husband Al and 3 daughters. We moved to this amazing town 7 years ago from Wandsworth.

2. Tell us a bit about the business?

Mini First Aid is a wonderful family run business that offers a range of first aid classes to parents, grandparents, carers and children.

Babies are welcome too! Our classes are delivered in a relaxed and comfortable style and cover the basics of life saving first aid, giving you confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency. Run by fully qualified Paediatric First Aid instructors, our award winning 2-hour baby & toddler first aid classes cover CPR, choking, burns, bumps, bleeds, shock, breaks, febrile seizures and Meningitis awareness. Costing just £25 per person, you can learn and practice CPR skills and how to deal with choking on babies and children.

3. What did you use to do? Did you change career to do this?

I had a very different career before being a mum and starting Mini First Aid Thames Valley.

I used to work in advertising agencies across

London in client services. I loved it, the challenges, the brands, the inspiring people I worked with, but once I had children I found it became very difficult to manage.

4. What inspired you to set up the business?

It was following a nasty burn to my 3rd daughter’s leg that I realised I had no idea what to do. I was on holiday in a restaurant and the local people around us although really kind and trying to be helpful, were convinced that putting honey on the burn was the best thing to do. Luckily there was an ex nurse who saw what was happening and told us to get the burn under cold water. I then felt terribly guilty that I hadn’t been on a first aid course and signed up to one immediately when I got home. I did wonder though why and how I had slipped through the net in attending one and realised that there weren’t many that were convenient or affordable. That’s when I heard about Mini First Aid and wanted to make it available in the Thames Valley. It was also at a time that I was ready to get back to work. Like many other mums, my brain needs stimulation; I needed to be ‘in business’. So cue Mini First Aid: my business, my hours. It seemed to tick

For Little Kickers classes in Maidenhead, Bourne End, Henley & Marlow. Call 01628 526 584 or email bevans@littlekickers.co.uk.

For Little Kickers classes at Slough, Langley, Windsor and Stoke Poges call 07412 166 686 or email sleslie@littlekickers.co.uk

Approved football training for kids aged 18 months to 7 years. Local classes at a venue near you. Safe, friendly and fun!

Call for Birthday Party entertainment information

www.littlekickers.co.uk

30 • Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham

all the boxes, aswell as feeling it’s a worthwhile and rewarding business to be in. I feel passionately that first aid is something that anyone in charge of children should know how to do and I do wonder why hospitals/maternity wards don’t make it a mandatory requirement when you take your precious new bundle home!

5. What are your plans for the future?

Mini First Aid also runs Early Years Classes and Kids Classes and these are next on my enormously long ‘to do list’ to get up and running. The 30-minute First Aid class for preschoolers has already proved to be a great success in other regions so I want to bring these classes to Mini First Aid Thames Valley.

We practice calling for help, putting on plasters and more. We also run 1 hour classes for older children, designed to encourage them to think about the actions they would take in an emergency situation if no adults were present.

In small groups, children learn lifesaving techniques and the basics of emergency first aid through interactive and fun sessions. I want to bring these to pre-schools and schools across the region.

6. What would your advice be to other business women?

I think managing expectations has got to be key! Working before children was definitely easier to focus on and now it’s a case of grabbing time when I can – and switching from Mum mode to business mode. I still find it hard, but having lots of small goals definitely works better for me rather than trying to achieve too much too quickly and putting too much pressure on myself. 3 small children and a household still demand a lot of time and energy. ‘Little by little’ and ‘just do it’ are constant mantras for me!

Find out more at: www.thamesvalley.minifirstaid.co.uk or contact chloe@minifirstaid.co.uk 07802663514

familiesonline.co.uk

...She Means Business Karyn talks about ‘Infinite Pilates’. In private training sessions, she asks her clients key health questions so she can develop exactly the right programme for them. She recommends that business women should keep learning and personal development at the top of their ‘To Do’ list. Karyn herself is keen to do a full body dissection as one of her future projects to further her knowledge of the human body!

1. Who you are and where do you live?

My name is Karyn and I run Infinite Pilates, which is based in Marlow. I have two children who are 16 and 9.

INFINITE PILATES

2. Tell us a bit about the business?

Infinite Pilates offers clients private training sessions using pilates equipment (sometimes referred to as Reformer Pilates) as well as group mat classes. My learning has been in Contemporary Pilates, Traditional Pilates (Romana Pilates) and Spacial Medicine/Fascial Movement. I am lucky to have been trained in different countries by some amazing people and now have a very broad awareness and knowledge of pilates and body movement.

• Contemporary & Classic • 1-2-1 or Group

My private sessions are tailored to each client. The questions I address are: Do you have aches in your body that limit your movement?

Do you want to feel better and enjoy your every-day life more?

Do you want to get more out of the sports you already do?

Are you passionate about exercise, but feel that you can't do certain things well?

07555 726288 • www.infinite-pilates.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

I look at where there are limits and how they can be overcome.

It’s important that each client learns something new about their body in each session.

3. What did you use to do? Did you change career to do this?

I have a background in sports massage and after years of doing this my own body requested a change....and pilates walked into my life.

4. What inspired you to set up the business?

I was extremely fortunate to train with Cynthia Lochard (recognised as one of the world’s leading instructors). Cynthia encouraged me to invest in equipment and get out there and teach this amazing work.

5. What are your plans for the future?

To keep developing my knowledge and stay up to date with the understanding of the body....I hand pick my own teachers who are leaders in their field to keep me at the top of my game. I would also love to go and do a dissection (yes, of a real body...!)

6. What would your advice be to other business women?

Keep motivated by learning....find great people to help develop and grow from. Take opportunity when it comes. Have a day off from your work each week and truly let go.

To find out more visit www.infinitepilates.co.uk or Facebook Infinite Pilates

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Families Thames Valley East • 31

Families Thames Valley East is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Thames Valley East are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Thames Valley East. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.