Families Thames Valley East May-June 2012

Thames Valley East May/June 2012 - Issue 60

Tel: 01628 828258 Email: montessorischool@aol.com School Lane, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3QY We are a very well-established Montessori Nursery set in a once Victorian primary school at the heart of the picturesque village of Littlewick Green.

YES, YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL! Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career.

Ages 12 months - 5 years After School & Holiday Club for children 1 to 8 years.

Operating a 43 and 48 week year Open 8am-6pm Full days or morning and afternoon sessions Covering the EYFS & Montessori curriculum Quality day care in a warm and friendly environment Football & Multi Sport coaching available for ages 3-5 Mouse Wizards (I.C.T.) for the 3-5 year olds Drama, Music & Movement Classes Free funded sessions for 3-5 year olds

EATON TUTORS

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle,

"an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest" ~ Benjamin Franklin Services include: 11+ Preparation, 1 to 1 Tutoring, KS1,KS2 and KS3, checking homework, beginners Arabic, learning English as a foreign language, common entrance exams, verbal/non-verbal reasoning practice and IELTS. Work with children with learning difficulties Ages 5-14

please call Diana Page 01235 533 362

Tel: 07535522755 Web: www.etontutors.com Email: info@etontutors.com

The really useful magazine for parents of children between 0 and 12 Packed with information and fun things to do with the family in Maidenhead - Windsor - Marlow - Ascot - Slough - Egham

Stagecoach Maidenhead is now taking bookings for its Summer Workshop at Altwood School, Maidenhead. August 6-10

Call: Sarah on 0118 9500999 email: maidenhead@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/maidenhead

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MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

in this

Cover Photography by: www.lindascannell.com

issue 3 6 7 10 12 13 17 18 19 20 22 23 27 28 29 30 31

News & Info Clubs & Classes News Education News Jubilee Jaunts Water Fun Summer Holiday Activities Olympics: The Torch Relay Health: 'Medi' 'Pedi' Health: Mesotherapy Days Out: What's New Competitions Time Out Spa Review Eds Reading Room Bumps & Babes: Doulas Mums Who Mean Business Classifieds

PO Box 3902, Maidenhead, SL60 1AD web: FamiliesTVEast.co.uk tel: 01628 627586 fax: 08717 146 305 (calls cost 10p/min) e-mail: Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk editor: Claire Winter circulation: 19,000 next issue: July/August 2012 - due out: July 1 featuring: Summer Holiday Activities copy/advertising deadline: June 1

BEST FOOT FORWARD Is your family up for the great British Walking Challenge? The national charity Living Streets is urging all of us to walk as much as possible in May. According to recent research, only one in ten commuters walks to work, and a quarter of us admit we rarely walk for as much as 20 minutes at a time.

The charity says the secret to being successful is to make walking part of your ordinary life - so choose a journey you'd be making anyway, and work out how you can walk all or some of it. www.living streets.org.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

News & Info The Diamond Jubilee is nearly here! If you haven’t decided what to do yet, then look no further, we have a great run down of national and local events on pages 10 to 11. We also have details of the Olympic torch route on page 17. Our summer Holiday Activities guide is on pages 12-16, so you can get organised for the summer. Plus we have four great competitions on page 22, which include the chance to win a stay at Featherdown Farm.

Don’t miss our tenth anniversary edition, which is out at the beginning of July!

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A £100 OF TOYS! Here at Families magazine we’d like to know what you think of us! So just answer some easy questions about our magazine and you will get automatically entered in to a prize draw to win £100 of Mattel toys. We get lots of feedback about how useful our magazine and website are, but we’d like to know a bit more. So if you can spare two minutes (it really only takes that long!) please

go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/7JSTGQB or scan the QR code - and if you enter your email address at the end you will be entered into a prize draw to win one of 5 family games bundles from Mattel worth over £100! Please remember to put that you read the Thames Valley East edition of Families - there are Families magazines all over the country and this survey is for all of them!

STRUGGLING TO COPE WITH FAMILY LIFE? Family Friends offers free and confidential support services to families living in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, with children aged 0-13 years. It is an independent charity, established in 1995. Its aim is to provide short-term help to either parents or children facing a challenging time, enabling them to get back on their feet.

Whether it’s stress, loneliness, family issues or practical help that is needed, Family Friends could potentially help. To find out more about our services, please visit: www.familyfriends.org.uk or call 0300 800 1005 during office hours.

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News & Info FAMOUS TV DUO SWAP THE JUNGLE FOR THE TRACK Ant and Dec, two of the biggest names in TV, have become the first patrons of the Colts & Fillies Club at Ascot Racecourse.

The club, which has over 14,000 members, aims to bring horseracing to the next generation by making the sport more accessible, educational and fun. It’s free for children to join and member’s activities include organised stable trips, competitions and lots of raceday fun. Five dedicated family days are held at Ascot each year.

Ant and Dec are keen race-goers and saw their own horse, Primaeval, run three times at Ascot last year. “We had a lot of fun with horseracing last year, it’s a great sport and a day at the races is really exciting. We’re thrilled to be involved in the Colts & Fillies Club as it offers children the opportunity to learn all about horses and racing whilst at the same time having a great deal of fun!”, said Dec.

For more information about the Colts & Fillies club visit the Colts and Fillies section at: www.ascot.co.uk, call 0870 727 1234 or email coltsandfillies@ascot.co.uk

ABINGDON'S FAIR IN THE AIR

LOCAL THEATRE GROUP PERFORM DAHL CLASSIC

Specialist Baby & Toddler Swimming Classes Aqua-Natal Yoga Classes For more information call Jodi on: 07823 885328 / 01628 785236 or email: Jodi.oconnor@turtletots.com www.turtletots.com Come out of your shell and learn to swim the Turtle Tots Way!

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The Windsor Theatre Guild are performing Roald Dahl's story "George's Marvelous Medicine" in the open air at 2pm and 4pm on Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2012 at New Lodge, Drift Road, Windsor. Tickets are £6, or £5 each for 4 or more people. The booking office telephone number is 0845 034 3340 (24 hour service). The show takes place in the magnificent private grounds of New Lodge and has tiered allocated seats. Parking is free and tickets can be purchased on the door, although it is best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

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Please fasten your seatbelt… This year’s Abingdon Air & Country Show (www.abingdonfayre.com) will be taking to the skies on Sunday 6th May at Abingdon Airfield (Dalton Barracks), Oxfordshire. Flying displays will feature vintage aircraft including a 1930’s Miles Whitney and a World War II Spitfire, Hurricane and Mustang, along with modern aircraft such as the RAF Hawk fast-jet trainer, while the daring wing-walking ladies of the Breitling Team and the Pitts Special ‘Trig’ Team will provide daredevil midair aerobatics.

On the ground, performers will include rock guitarist Rick Chase, the Abbey Brass Band and the Oxford Harmony a cappella group alongside a falconry display, a demonstration by the Oxfordshire Fire Service and a range of military and civilian vintage vehicles. Other family-friendly attractions include a World War II encampment, craft stalls, a Punch & Judy show and other children’s amusements – including the ever-popular tank rides. Bring a picnic or enjoy the on-site food and drink outlets. Advance tickets at reduced prices can be bought at selected local tourist information centres and Newbury Building Society Branches or online from www.abingdonfayre.com

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

News & Info

PENN FESTIVAL RETURNS The picturesque village of Penn Street will once again be home to a two day familyfriendly music festival with camping on July 7 and 8 with some of the biggest acts of the ’80s and ’90s taking the stage, including Altered Images, Snap!, The Beat and Soul II Soul. And that’s not all – there’ll be live

bands, street theatre and plenty to keep the kids entertained, including arts and crafts workshops, street entertainers and a free kid zone area in a circus tent with circus skills workshops, crazy bikes, inflatables, trapeze workshops, family circus shows, big balloon disco and much more.

For tickets, visit www.pennfestival.com to find out more.

NUMBER FITNESS COMES TO MARLOW & MAIDENHEAD High Wycombe. For further info, take a look online (www.numberfit.com) at a demonstration video and get in touch for class times by emailing enquiries@numberfit.com or call 020 8123 3 996.

A fantas c and FUN way to encourage children to get ac ve and play tennis • Combines music, tennis and pictures into an interac ve learning ac vity • Weekly 50 minutes session available in various venues. Sign up for a single lesson or a course • Encourages co-ordina on, confidence and sportsmanship, while ge ng kids ac ve • Led by a LTA registered coach • Holiday camps available

21⁄2 – 6 year olds

For further informa on or to book a session call 0845 643 1173 or email: doug@teddytennis.com

www.teddytennis.com

NEW FOOTIE PITCH FOR COX GREEN Due to popular demand, Numberfit are launching classes in Marlow and Maidenhead for children aged to 2½ to 11.

This unique approach to learning maths combines fitness, number crunching and problem solving to make the classes memorable and fun.

All children begin as kinesthetic learners and Numberfit uses creative teaching methods to cater forthem, as well as for visual and auditory learners, so covering the whole learning spectrum. And by making the classes good fun, the kids love them too. Numberfit are starting extra classes (for children aged 2 ½ to 11), both during the week and on weekends in Beaconsfield, Marlow, Maidenhead and

Work has begun on the new all-weather football pitch at Cox Green Leisure Centre in Maidenhead.The brand new full-size allweather pitch will be specifically for football at the leisure centre in Highfield Lane.

A similar 3G football pitch available for public and school use was installed at Charters School in Ascot.

Work on the new pitch, which is made of long artificial turf with a rubber base, allowing for studs on players' boots to be used, will be completed by the autumn, just in time for the new football season.

To book the new pitch, contact Chris Kilminster at Cox Green Leisure Centre on 01628 796881.

Be prepared for an emergency

Don’t wait for one to happen Join the growing number of parents, carers, grandparents, babysitters & families learning life-saving skills. Learn with your friends ‘At Home’, in the workplace or a public venue. In just a 2–3 hour session we provide all the skills for:Basic Life Support • Family First Aid • Anaphylaxis Awareness We also offer 6 hour and 12 hour Ofsted & EYFS approved Paediatric First Aid course for Nannies, Au Pairs & Childminders

T: 07788720612 E: contact@childmatters.info www.child-matters.co.uk

“Act Decisively & Knowledgeably to Save a Child’s Life & Respond In An Emergency”

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Clubs & Classes News GO ON A PIRATE ADVENTURE

Shiver me timbers! Perform drama, dance and singing workshops new theme for next term is Mermaids and Pirates.

Perform is inviting all local 4-8 year olds to set sail on the good ship Jammy Dodger to discover faraway lands in our Mermaids and Pirates adventure. They'll discover a world of swashbuckling sea adventures, tropical delights and buried treasure, meet the Seasick Pirate, dance the Coconut Calypso, have a Pineapple Party and discover that X Marks The Spot!

Classes Run on Tuesdays in Windsor, Wednesdays in Warfield, Thursdays in Marlow, Fridays in Camberley, Saturdays in Maidenhead, Eton and Virgina Water For a free trial session call 0845 400 1282; www.perform.org.uk

NEW TURTLE TOTS CLASSES FOR BUMPS AND BABIES Mums-to-be and new mums and babies will soon be able to sign up to Turtle Tots classes at locations throughout East Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Local swimming teacher and mum-of-two Jodi O’Connor has taught swimming to babies throughout the region for several years, but has recently set up her own Turtle Tots business.

Turtle Tots is a new and unique swimming programme. It begins with Turtle Tums - an aqua-natal yoga classes for pregnant mums, and continues with Turtle Tots specialist baby and swimming classes.

For more information call Jodi on 01628 785 236 or 07823 885328, email her at jodi.oconnor@turtletots.com or visit www.turtletots.com

MAD’S ON THE MOVE IN MAIDENHEAD All MAD classes will now be held at Boyne Hill Cricket Club on Thursdays and Fridays. Full range of classes for babies from 10 weeks to toddler up to five years old. Please call Emma 0118 979 2695 for more information. www.madacademy.com

LEARN TO SWIM THE NATURAL WAY Swimming Nature the specialist swimming school in London and Edinburgh is now opening in the Home Counties with two new schools opening in Datchet, near Windsor and Chertsey.

Swimming Nature provides swimming lessons for babies, children and adults in exclusive pools, private health clubs, schools, homes and gyms in London, Edinburgh and is now coming to your area. The Swimming Nature method is unique and combines teaching swimming in a natural and graceful way; ensuring students always perform strokes correctly. There are seven water animal levels on the programme. Badges, awards and medals all form part of making learning to swim rewarding, fun and exciting!

Children’s lessons are provided on a private or semi-private basis with teachers working in the water allowing them to offer personalised tuition and rapid results.

For further information on the Swimming Nature methodology and experience or for details of a class near you go to: www.swimmingnature.com or call 08445 040506

ORCHARD Academy of Dance & Theatre Arts Est. 1981 – Principal: Jean Orchard L.I.S.T.D.

L RO EN W! NO

2 NEW CLASSES for BOYS & GIRLS

Street Dance & Musical Theatre Ballet ~ Tap ~ Modern Theatre Dance ~ Adult Tap Classes Outstanding Exam Results and Spectacular Shows

01753 663484 6

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Education News Schools’ Noticeboard At Herries, ...... every child is an individual and every child is known and loved.

Come and visit the school at one of our monthly Open Mornings or arrange an individual appointment.

See our website for full details:

www.herries.org.uk Herries Preparatory School, Dean Lane, Cookham Dean, Berkshire SL6 9BD Tel: 01628 483350 Email: office@herries.org.uk

IAPS PREPARATORY DAY SCHOOL BOYS 3 – 7 Girls 3 – 11

Eton End

One Childhood, One Education

Early Years OPEN MORNING Saturday 19th May 2012 10.00am – 12noon

Independent School Open Days Eton Road, Datchet.

ORY DAY SCHOOL, 35 ETON END PREPARAT d 3-11 years. OPEN age s girl and boys aged 3-7years for ool sch day nt nde epe Ind . 01753 541075; May, 10.00am to 12noon MORNING Saturday 19 www.etonend.org. ubbery Road, High ATORY SCHOOL, Shr GODSTOWE PREPAR s aged 3-7 years and boy for ool and boarding sch Wycombe. Independent day 10.00am to 1.00pm.

DAY Saturday 19 May, girls aged 3-13 years. OPEN e.org 01494 529273; www.godstow preparatory school Lane, Cookham Dean. Co-ed an De , HERRIES SCHOOL esday 30 May and EN MORNING Wedn and nursery, 3-11 years. OP sions for under-4s to 11.00am. Stay & Play ses 0am 9.3 e, Jun 27 ay Wednesd from 23 April to 9 an adult), Every Monday by ied pan om acc be st (mu org.uk.

01628 483350; www.herries.

July, 9.30am to 11.00am. ependent preparatory Ind ad. nhe ide Ma d, , West Roa HIGHFIELD SCHOOL ay 16 May, 9.30am esd . OPEN DAY Wedn ars 1ye 3-1 d age s, girl for school 28 624918; e, 9.30am to 11.30am. 016 to 11.30am. Friday 22 Jun www.highfieldprep.org Day & Boarding School d, Ascot. A Co-educational LVS ASCOT, London Roa 9.45am with talks by Head turday Tour, 19 May, for 4 to 18 year olds. Sa the Registrar to reserve a ne pho required, please tele Teachers at 10am, booking to 12 noon. No booking esday June 21, 9.30am place. OPEN DAY Wedn w.lvs.ascot.sch.uk required 01344 882770; ww Ascot. A Catholic Day S, Kings Road, Sunninghill, OL HO SC T RIS MA E TH for Prep School, 18 year olds. OPEN DAY School for girls aged 2 ½ to Y for Senior School, 00am to 4.00pm. OPEN DA Saturday 16 June, 10.

137 (Prep) or 01344 626 44 30am to 12noon. 013 10. e, Jun 27 ay esd dn We aristschools.com.

624291 (Senior); www.them , Woking. Independent, NDS, Valley End, Chobham COWORTH FLEXLA boys ages 3 to 7 dler Group and Nursery for Tod lark Sky , ool Sch ry ato Prepar esday 30 May from years. OPEN DAY Wedn years and girls aged 3 to 11 ds.co.uk 855707; www.coworthflexlan 9.30am to 11.00am. 01276 g is still going ahead. ck the Open Day or Evenin Please ring the school to che

35 ETON ROAD, DATCHET, BERKSHIRE SL3 9AX 01753 541075 admin@etonend.org www.etonend.org

PHONICS TEST FOR YEAR 1 PUPILS Following on from a pilot scheme last year, new phonics tests are to be introduced to all Year 1 pupils this summer. The phonics screening check is a short assessment to confirm whether children have learnt phonic decoding to an appropriate standard, and will apply to all Year 1 pupils in maintained schools, academies and Free Schools.

The test will take place between 18 and 22 June 2012, with the aim of identifying children who need extra help and who can then be given support by their school to improve their reading skills.

According to the Department of Education, the check will comprise of a list of 40 words and non-words or nonsense words, which a child will read one-to-one with a teacher. Half of the words cover phonics skills that tend to be learnt in Reception, while the other half are based on Year 1 phonics skills.

Word from the DfE is that the tests will not be daunting, but are merely there to check that children have the foundations they need to learn to read, such as skills for blending sounds into words and the ability to recognize the sounds for basic letters and letter combinations. Find out more at http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/pedagogy/phonics

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Education

Why children should learn a foreign language By Nadia Montuori-Boyes

Are we putting our children at a disadvantage by not encouraging their natural linguistic abilities?

House of Lords committee has recently published a report recommending that all children should learn a foreign language in primary and secondary school and also suggests that the UK’s attitude to learning languages is preventing students from experiencing educational opportunities overseas.

Even though English is the world's primary language, we cannot afford to isolate ourselves by relying on this alone.

The world is getting smaller because of our ability to connect more easily. However, the recession and the increasing unemployment rate will make life quite difficult for our children when entering the world of work, where a second language becomes an increasingly valuable asset.

At the moment, languages are not compulsory in English and Welsh secondary schools after the age of 14, although a review of the curriculum is under way in England. Many educationalists believe that making a foreign language compulsory at GCSE level would be a step in the right direction.

We would certainly be giving our children a better chance to succeed if they could learn, at least one other language, whilst they are young.

But when is the best time to start learning a language? And what are the difficulties our children may face and what can we do, as parents, to support the learning process?

Madame Hala Alani is a local La Jolie Ronde teacher, a leading provider of French and Spanish learning for children across the country.

She believes that children should start learning a foreign language as soon as possible.

"The earlier, the better. Two-years-old is a good age to start, because the child is impregnated with the sounds of the language they learn. They will be able to speak with no accent later. I strongly support the idea of learning languages at a very early age.”

For some parents, the thought of taking their toddler to a French class could be pretty daunting. But, Madame Alani says the main aim of

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the classes is to have fun.

"When I teach, I use visual and oral techniques. The lessons are mostly game-based as I think that children should enjoy their learning.”

According to Noam Chomsky, the ‘father of modern linguistics’, it appears that young children have much richer capacity to develop and to acquire many languages simultaneously, than adults have.

According to some of his studies, there seems to be a critical period for language acquisition, roughly from birth to around puberty. If you do not learn a language at that time, you will never learn it. But if you have learned a language by that time, you will be able to learn more languages later, but probably in a different way, maybe by connecting them to the languages that you already know.

It has been proven that some of the benefits of early language learning are: advanced reading skills; greater confidence; improved brain function; greater opportunities for going to college and your career; a more liberal world view; and the ability to build and keep cultural connections.

According to Madame Alani, who is French, being a native teacher really benefits the pupils.

"It is very important to be a native teacher not only to provide the right accent and the right way of saying things, but also to teach the children about the French way of life. Learning a language is not only learning the idiom, but also about the country, its traditions and its people."

As a mother of a seven year-old bi-lingual boy, who has also been learning French for the last two years, I am very aware that parents have to play a big part in the learning process. To help and support our child, we bought DVDs in French, CDs of French music and, last November, we took a trip to Paris where we all practiced the language and mixed with the locals.

Over the years, many parents have changed their perception of language clubs: "The attitude of parents towards the French Club has changed since I first started teaching, four years ago. At first, it used to be a posh place to send your children to, but now parents have started thinking about their children's future, and have realised that, in order to find a good job, they will need to know at least two languages."

Et alors... Allons-y, les enfants! On va apprendre le Français!

For more information about courses at La Jolie Ronde classes in High Wycombe and Henley, please contact Madame Hala Alani on 07934413515 or by email: halaalani@live.co.uk

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Jubilee Jaunts Robling Photography www.roblingphotography.com

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012

By Joanna Parry and Trynke Casale

Get ready for the celebrations across the UK this summer!

2012 not only marks the Queen’s 60th year as Monarch, but she is also the first to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee since Queen Victoria in 1897. So dig out your flags and get celebrating. here will be lots of large-scale, London-based events, like the Diamond Jubilee Festival in Battersea Park on Sunday June 3rd, from which you can have a good look at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, a flotilla of about 1000 boats led by the Queen – the largest fleet of ships to assemble on the Thames in 350 years – also on Sunday June 3rd. Hyde Park plays host to a Jubilee Family Festival on Saturday June 2nd and Sunday June 3rd, with stage events, equestrian shows, motorbike stunt shows and kid’s television characters, as well as giant screens covering the Thames Pageant on Sunday.

Find out more at www.royal.gov.uk, www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee and www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org.

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Many special exhibitions will be celebrating the Queen’s 60 years on the throne in London museums, such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Maritime Museum at Greenwich, the London Museum, and also the galleries at Buckingham Palace.Visit www.royalcollection.org.uk for more details.

A special exhibition at Windsor Castle will be on till October 28th – The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years in The Drawings Gallery at Windsor Castle. Display of sixty photographs of The Queen, including the work of leading press photographers of the past six decades.

Monday 4th June - BBC Concert at the Palace, Buckingham Palace With artists including Elton John, Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Annie Lennox. Don’t worry if you didn’t get a ticket – there’s room for 500,000 people in St James's Park, Green Park and the Mall to watch on giant screens. www.bbc.co.uk/diamondjubilee

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The Official Central Weekend 2nd-5th June Sunday 3rd June - Big Jubilee Lunch Building on the popular Big Lunch initiative, enjoy lunch with neighbours and friends.

Organise your own street party or share a picnic - it's all about the community coming together for food, music and good oldfashioned fun. There will be lots of local events, some of which are listed below, but keep an eye on the local press to find out what else will be happening in your neck of the wood! www.thebiglunch.com

The main events held in Windsor in May – before the official June weekend 10th May to 13th May – Diamond Jubilee Pageant,Windsor Castle, 8.30pm In the evenings, during the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and in the presence of Her Majesty. “Around the World in 60 Years and 90 minutes” will feature dancers, musicians and equestrian performers from the Americas, Australasia, Asia, The Middle East, Africa, Europe and Great Britain. Tickets: £30-£100 per person, from Windsor Information Centre (01753 743900); 0844 581 4970; www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com 9th May – Armed Forces Parade and Muster Windsor Castle and Town Nearly 2,500 troops from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force will parade through Windsor Castle and town before The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh and an audience of more than 3,000 Armed Forces personnel, their families, and veterans. Includes a tri-Service flypast of current and historic aircraft. This is the first time all three Services have visited The Queen, and will be broadcast

by BBC Television.

Free Screenings of the Concert locally: In the Long Barn at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead.

Time to be confirmed. 01628 788997; www.nordenfarm.org.

In the High Street, Cookham Village, during their Jubilee Street Party

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Local Lunches and Picnics: Sunday June 3rd - In and around Windsor The Big Picnic in Alexandra Gardens, Windsor. Eton Street Party in Eton High Street. Hog Roast in Windsor Royal Shopping, Ox Roast in Bachelor’s Acre.

All with a 1950s theme.

Sunday June 3rd – The Cheapside Diamond Jubilee BBQ,Village Hall, Cheapside, Ascot 1-4.30pm. Free food and fun, Cheapside’s Got Talent, Tug o’ War, Barrel Race and lots more. 07969 768440.

Sunday June 3rd – Big Jubilee Celebration,Wooburn Green All welcome. No entrance fee.

Refreshments on sale. Morris Dancing, races, children's crown competition, stalls, culminating in a good old style sing-along of traditional English songs.

Sunday June 3rd – Sapper’s Field Diamond Jubilee Party, Sapper’s Field, Harvest Hill, Bourne End 12.30–5.30pm. Picnic for all local residents with live music and community participation. Teas, coffee and cakes (included), beer tent, tug of war and much much more. £5 for adults, children under-13s free.

Monday June 4th – Jubilee Picnics Cliveden,Taplow - 11am-3pm. Bring friends and family and enjoy relaxing in the Water Garden.

Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe - 11am5pm. Jubilee Tea Party, bring your own picnic.

Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, near Henley - 11am-5pm. Giant picnic along the oval lawn and decorate your own diamond jubilee crown.

More information on www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Monday June 4th – Diamond Jubilee Music Festival and Picnic in the Park Broomhall Recreation Ground, Sunningdale 2-8pm. Live music and musical theatre, full entertainment programme and a grand finale. Bring your own picnic and chairs. Tickets: £10, children £5. 01344 874268; www.sunningdale-pc.org.uk.

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Some LOCAL Thames Valley East EVENTS: Sunday May 20th – Crown and Tiara Jubilee Walk and Picnic. Starting from Trevelyan School,Windsor For walkers of all ages. Choose between a 7 or 13 mile walk through Windsor and the Crown Estate. Organised by Sebastian’s Action Trust. Special Jubilee picnic at the finish in celebration of the special royal anniversary. Entry: £15 for adults and £10 for children. www.sebastiansactiontrust.org.

Saturday June 2nd – Jubilee Hi Jinks In the Gardens of Castle Hill House,Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe 12noon-5pm. Wycombe Museum celebrations with food stalls, music, children’s activities and outdoor games, competitions and student demonstrations.

Free. Call 01494 421895 for more information or visit www.wycombe.gov.uk/museum Saturday June 2nd to Tuesday June 5th – Prince and Princesses Trail Cliveden,Taplow, Maidenhead 11am-3pm. Come dressed as a Prince or Princess. Special children’s trail, games and activities. Find out about all the Prince and Princesses who came and lived at Cliveden.

01628 605 069; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Saturday June 2nd to Monday June 4th – Jubilee activities Windsor Museum, Guildhall, High Street,Windsor Saturday: Remarkable Regalia. Make your own orb and sceptre. Sunday and Monday: Coronation Celebration activities. Coinciding with the jubilee events in Windsor town centre – with a 1950s theme. Drop-in activities between 12-1.30pm and 2-3.30pm.

Cost: £2.50 per child. Saturday June 9th – Treasure hunt around Windsor to learn about the town and collect things to make a collage with. 01628 685686; www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/museum.

Saturday June 2nd to Monday June 4th – Canalside Jubilee Frimley Lodge Park, Sturt Road, Frimley Green 12-5pm. Three-day event to celebrate the royal re-opening of the canal and Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. Live entertainment in main arena, fun fair, children’s fancy dress competition, boat trips, beer tent, miniature railway, craft marquee and lots of stalls. 01252 517622; events@basingstoke-canal.org.uk.

Saturday June 2nd to Tuesday June 5th – Victorian Diamond Jubilee Fete Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles Family jubilee fayre celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Queen Victoria will visit,Victorian games,Victorian Explorers (Sunday to Tuesday Only) and a visit from the Light Cavalry from the Honorable Artillery Company (Sunday to Tuesday Only).

01494 871117; www.coam.org.uk.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Jubilee Jaunts

Sunday June 3rd – Summer Market and Craft Fayre Charters School and Leisure Centre, Sunningdale 11am-5pm. Feast of sport, celebrity, food, craft , information and entertainment, involving the whole community of Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale. Craft Fayre at Charters School.

Monday June 4th – Craft Coop Summer Garden Party Pop-Up Shop Waterstones, Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead 10am-4pm. "Craft & cake" pop-up shop.

With Happy Cakes serving cakes and tea and coffee in vintage china cups, joined by local crafts people with gifts to buy or make. www.craftcoop.co.uk Monday June 4th – Cookham Village Jubilee Street Party High Street, Cookham 2-4pm. Fancy dress parade from The Moor at 12pm, face painting, competitions, food and children’s activities, live music, live screening of London celebrations. Bring your own picnic or enjoy food plates from the restaurants. Seating and tables provided.

Monday June 4th – Iver Jubilee Celebrations Iver Recreation Ground, Iver Will include a laser beacon.Visit www.iverparishcouncil.gov.uk for full details.

Tuesday June 5th – Jubilee Celebrations Burnham Beeches Treasure hunt around the Beeches. Full details, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnhambeeches.

Tuesday June 5th – Diamond Jubilee Horse Show and Family Fun Day Snowball Farm, Dorney Wood Road, Burnham Showing classes, show jumping, gymkhana games, dog show and lots more. For full details, visit www.snowballfarm.co.uk or ring 01628 666222.

Wednesday June 6th to Sunday June 10th – Celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Windsor Castle Drop-in family activities for ages 5-11.Visit: www.royalcollection.org.uk/learning.

Thursday June 7th - Royalty & the River, River and Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley 10.30am-4pm. With children’s activities such as making a royal barge for your favourite doll or teddy.

Royal fancy dress optional - prizes for the best dressed princes and princesses. 01491 415600; www.rrm.co.uk For more information on London events go to www.familiesonline.co.uk/jubilee

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Monday 4th June - Diamond Jubilee Beacons More than 2,000 beacons will be lit throughout the UK and Commonwealth, between 10 and 10.30pm.Visit www.diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk for a full list of beacons from May.

Local Jubilee Beacons: Sunninghill Beacon In Victory Field, site of the Coronation Fete in 1952. Entertainments, displays and celebrations from 7.30pm. 01344 630141.

Windsor Beacon Snow Hill, Windsor Great Park. For more info, visit www.windsor.gov.uk.

Bourne End Beacon Sapper’s Field, Harvest Hill, Bourne End – 9.30-10.30pm. Cresset can be seen from Handy Cross, High Wycombe. Free entry.

Flackwell Heath Beacon Carrington School Field, Flackwell Heath – with events from 4.30–8pm. Music, talent shows, children's fairground, food and bar on the Carrington School Field. Tickets: www.flackwellheath.net.

High Wycombe Beacon At Wycombe Sports Centre, Marlow Hill, High Wycombe. Family fun day from 7.309.30pm with lots of entertainment and activities before the lighting of the beacon at 10pm.

All about fun!

The ultimate experience in children’s entertainment for 2-13 years Interactive party games Hi-energy action rhymes Multi-coloured parachute Assault course Mini indoor football Limbo dancing Fairies and pirates dressing-up adventure Sweets, stickers and prizes galore!

Disco parties Going Home Presents

For further information contact Maxine Tel: 020 8573 6288 Mob: 07814 605175 www.chuckleparties.co.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Water Fun

Why Watersports are good for you

Getting youngsters away from the lure of the games console and into doing something active can be a bit of a challenge. But if your son or daughter enjoys something different, why not consider a watersport, like sailing, windsurfing or canoeing? Children who start pursuing a sporting activity from a young age increase their chances of carrying it on into adulthood. Bray Lake Watersports shares with Families the benefits of getting on the water.

FITNESS -You don’t need to be especially fit, agile or strong in order to get into watersports, but once you’re hooked you’ll notice that you have become fitter, stronger and more confident. Windsurfing offers a great all over body workout, paddlesports develop upper body fitness and sailing requires all round flexibility and agility.

SOCIAL INTERACTION - Water sports benefit individuals both mentally and socially, as well as keeping you fit. Sailing involves teamwork and other sports on the water are very sociable too. Plus, unlike many other sports, adults and young people can share the experience easily.

EXPERIENCE – Make sure you get the best possible experience especially when starting out. It is important to find a centre that has the necessary accreditation and affiliation. In particular find a centre that has accreditation with the Adventure Activities Licencing Authority (AALA).The governing body behind sailing and windsurfing is the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and for kayaking and canoeing it is the British Canoe Union (BCU).These bodies are responsible for ensuring that the relevant youth schemes delivered to youngster are safe, fun and technically correct.

By going to such centres you can be confident that your child will have a safe and enjoyable experience.

ACHIEVE - The BCU and the RYA offer youth schemes which allow youngsters to progress through from complete beginner right up to race level! Log books and certificates help to keep track of progress and achievements.

WHEN CAN YOU START? – Most centres accept youngsters from around eight years and upwards. As with all water sports, much will depend on your child's confidence in the water as to when to start, the younger the better.

Not all centres offer the same range of courses, so it is important to check with your local centre to find out what they run.The vast majority of courses for youngsters are run during the school holidays at Easter, summer and half-terms. Some centres will offer after school clubs to encourage youngsters to develop their water sport further and even go on to compete at regional and national level.

To find your local water sports centre you can go to rya.org.uk for windsurfing or sailing, whilst the bcu.org.uk will list paddlesports centres. If you are lucky enough to live in the Berkshire area you have one of the leading water sports centres on your door step.You can discover the excitement of water sports at Bray Lake Watersports in Maidenhead Tel: 01628 638860 or visit www.braylake.com. Longridge is an outdoor activity centre based in Marlow that also offers a great variety of water sports. For more details go to www.longridge.org.uk.

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Fun

Summer Holiday Activities

all Summer long…

The summer holidays will be here before you know it. We have an amazing variety of activities to try whether your child is a sports enthusiast, artist or dancer, there really is something to suit all tastes.

Why don’t you get organised and book activities for the kids now, to ensure they get a place… * MAIDENHEAD and district * Boville Wright Art Shop Maidenhead is bursting with creativity this summer! The shop is holding Little Pickles (www.littlepicklesart.weebly.com) ART CLASSES for 3-6 year olds, Junior Art Classes for 8-12 year olds and FASHION DESIGN WORKSHOPS(www.fashiondesignworkshops.co.uk) for 11-16 year olds. For the latest class dates, times or prices, please visit the websites above or contact Bovilles on 01628 674656. Alternatively, pop in-store (Mon-Sat 9:30am to 5pm, Sun 11am to 4pm) or email maidenhead@bovilles.co.uk.

Bray Lake Watersports will be running COURSES at their centre in Monkey Island Lane, Windsor Road, Maidenhead, from July 11 – September 2. Beginner, improver and advanced (coaching) courses – windsurfing, sailing or kayaking. Times: 9.30-12.30 (beginner) or 1.30 – 4.30 (improver). Age: 8-15yrs. Cost; £149.

Watersports Weeks – beginner, improver and advanced. Times: 9.30-5pm. Ages: 10-15yrs.

Cost: £235 per child.

Multi-Activity week - Spend five days learning a new activity each day; windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. Times: 9.30am-4.30pm. Ages:8-12 yrs, cost: £220 for five days. Early booking advisable. Sibling and group discounts available. 01628 638860. www.braylake.com Claires Court Schools are running a SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB from Monday July 16 to Friday August 31 at Claires Court School venues in Maidenhead. Quality care with lots of fun activities is offered to Minikidz (ages 3-4), Mid Kidz (5-6) and Kool kidz (ages 7-12) with a friendly welcome guaranteed. Activities include challenge games, super science club, fun fair visit, water fun, circus skills, lots of sporting games and challenges, swimming, arts and crafts projects and so much more…..

The ‘Community Activities’ programme for ages 9 and over that are ready for a more focused challenge will provide professional instructors and a programme of specialist activities offering opportunities to discover, create and inspire. Look at our programme on the website for full details. Times: 9am-4.30pm, extended hours 8am-6pm. Cost: £160 per week, £40 per day (discount available for early booking). 01628 687440; www.clairescourt.com or email holidayclub@clairescourt.com Delgado SUMMER TENNIS CAMPS will be running MINICAMPS for children aged 4-6 and JUNIOR CAMPS for ages 7-16 at St Piran’s School, Gringer Hill, from Monday July 23 to thursday September 6. Whether you are an absolute beginner or budding superstar, the camps will give you the opportunity to improve your tennis whilst having loads of fun. All players are given the opportunity throughout the camp to play different sports such as football, Swedish handball and rounders. All abilities welcome. Early booking and group discounts. 07818 052206; www.delgadotennis.co.uk SUMMER FUN IN THE SUN The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenheads Get Active Rangers will be running a five week programme of activities, in borough youth centres for young people aged 8 – 13 during the summer holidays. Activities include: Zumba classes, canoeing, sailing, woodland skills and more. For more information on give us a call on 01628 796744 or visit www.wamster.org.uk Go Wild Adventures will be holding EVENTS and WORKSHOPS at Braywick Nature Centre, Hibbert Road, during July and August. Booking required: 01628 777440. www.rbwm.gov.uk Hartbeeps will be holding CLASSES at 4 Marlow Road, Maidenhead during August.

Sessions on Wednesday August 1, 8, 15 and 22. Babybells from birth to sitting at 10am, and Babybeeps from sitting to walking at 11:15am. Classes are also being held on Friday August 3, 10, 17 and 24. Happy House from walking to four at 9:45am and Babybeeps from sitting to walking at 11am. £22 for a course of four weeks. Discounts for three week bookings and siblings. Classes will also be running in Bracknell and Windsor too. For more information or to book, call Liz on 01628 639727 or email liz@hartbeeps.com. www.hartbeeps.com Jo Jingles SUMMER WORKSHOPS will be running during August, for children aged between 3mths - 6 years. Call Andreas on 07590 434016 or email jojingleswam@btinternet.com to register your interest. www.jojingles.com/windsor Learn to Touch Type in a Week. One hour daily. MULTI-SENSORY READING/SPELLING PROGRAMME.Yvonne is a qualified teacher specialising in different learning styles including dyslexia and dyspraxia. Call Yvonne Thomas on 01628 622816 or 07929528642 or email Yvonne_Thomas123@btinternet.com for dates. www.dttts.co.uk Little Kickers SUMMER COURSE will be running at St Pirans in Maidenhead from 30 July to 3 August from 9.30am to 1.30pm, for children aged between 3-7. A fun introduction to football. Call 01628 526584 to book. www.littlekickers.co.uk MAD Academy is running its ever popular SUMMER PROGRAMME of classes during August. Check the website for the latest information, www.madacademy.com.

In Charvil classes will run on Friday mornings on 3, 10, 17, & 24 August at a cost of £22.50.

With a variety of fun themes to stimulate and delight your children in the MAD upbeat and active way. Further classes in the Maidenhead area are being arranged. Please call Emma 0118 979 2695 for more information.

Magnet Leisure Centre and Cox Green Leisure Centre will be running a wide selection of ACTIVITIES during July and August. Please see www.rbwm.gov.uk for full information on times, prices and booking.

SUMMER ACTIVITY WEEKS at Norden Farm, Altwood Road include: Summer Circus Week, led by Albert and Friends; Mon 23 – Fri 27 Jul, 10am – 4pm; £115 (£110 Advantage Card holders) - A week of fantastic circus skills, spectacular puppet making and amazing performing. Suitable for ages 7 – 13 years. Street Dance Camp with Amy Opalko. Mon 30 Jul – Fri 3 Aug, 10am – 4pm; £105 (£98 Advantage Card holders). Learn the fundamental techniques of street dance to give you confidence on the dance floor! Suitable for ages 9 -

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Before School, After School & Holiday clubs

Holiday, Breakfast & After School clubs Holiday clubs > Highfield School, Maidenhead 3-14 yrs After school club > Courthouse School 3-11yrs Oldfield School, Bray 3-11 yrs Breakfast club > Pinkneys Green Community Centre, Maidenhead 3 - 11 yrs Summer club dates 16th July – 31st August 2012

Funky Youth Art and Craft Activities Ages 9-18 years - Explore creativity, try something new and make friends along the way...

A friendly and inviting space for teenagers in which to explore creativity, experiment with a variety of artistic materials to develop art portfolio/sketch books, design and make funky possessions, or work towards the nationally recognised Arts Award.

A truly unique experience with a wealth of new and inspiring ideas.

Workshops•Demonstrations•Master Classes•Quality Materials•Professional Artists•Courses•Projects•Art Award and... FUN!

MAY/JUNE 2012

For detail of current workshops and masterclass sessions

phone 01628 687440 email: holidayclub@clairescourt.com or visit: www.clairescourt.com

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Summer Holiday Activities 15 years. Summer Theatre Week, led by Troublemaker Theatre Company; Mon 6 – Fri 10 Aug, 10am – 4pm; £110 (£105 Advantage Card holders). Make a play in a week and experience all aspects of stage production, from lighting to stage blocking to acting. Suitable for ages 10 – 18 years.

For information and other courses go to www.nordenfarm.org; 01628 788997.

MOVIE MARTIAL ARTS SUMMER CAMP with the Samurai Fitness Group at Holy Trinity School in Cookham. An exciting summer camp teaching Kickboxing and Kung Fu techniques from the movies! Safe, CRB checked, expert instructors. From 9am to 3pm, 20th 24th August 2012. For ages 4 to 6 and 7 to 12. £25 for 1 day, £110 for the week. For beginners or children with martial art experience. Tel: 07828 534817; www. TheSamuraiFitnessGroup.com Seriously FUN Swimming Schools will run INTENSIVE SWIMMING COURSES for Beginners to Stroke Improvers at St Piran’s School, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead from Monday July 25 to Friday July 29 and Monday August 1 to Friday August 5 for ages 3-12. 30-minute lessons between 9.30am and 12pm. ONLY £40 for five day course! Book Online at www.seriouslyfun.com or call 0844 35 11 461.

Sima’s Action Kids will be running fun, structured ACTIVE SESSIONS for kids at the Magnet on Tuesdays 31st July, 7th 14th August Times: from 11.15am-noon.

Cost of £4.50 for 1 child and £6.70 for 2 children. Booking is essential: 01628 685333 (Magnet); information contact Sima: 07956 993 439; www.simasactionkids.com Stagecoach Maidenhead is running a one-week THEATRE HOLIDAY WORKSHOP from Monday August 6 to Friday August 10 at Altwood School. Early Stages, ages 4-6: 9.30am-12.30pm. Final Show at 12.30pm. £75 per child and £35 for siblings. Main School: Ages 6-16, full days from 10am-4pm. Final Show at 4pm. Cost: £125 and £75 for siblings. 0118 950 0999; maidenhead@stagecoach.co.uk

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

WISE OWLS CLUB will be running at Highfield School, West Road, Maidenhead, from Monday July 16 to Friday August 31. Junior club for ages 3-8 (sports, play and craft activities with outings to places of fun or interest such as Odds Farm, Madhouse, Beale Park and the cinema) A healthy lunch and tea provided and Discovery Club for ages 7-13 (football, dancing, yoga, judo, horseriding and tennis with outings to places such as Thorpe Park, Laser Quest, Coral Reef, fruit picking and the cinema) A healthy lunch and tea provided. Times: 9am-5pm, extended day 8am-6pm. 08445611606;www.wiseowlsclub.co.uk * SLOUGH * Burnham Lighthouse will be running their CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY CLUB at Burnham Grammar School, Hogfair Lane, from Monday July 23 to Friday July 27. Lighthouse is run by volunteers from local churches and community for ages 4-11 Pre-registration is essential via the website.

Ages 12+ (or year 7) with no upper age limit can volunteer to help – see the website to register and for details of compulsory training. Children enjoy morning and afternoon ‘Main Stage’ with an introduction to the bible theme for the day, singing, dancing sketches & games and other group activities to include crafts, sports and games. Times: 10am-3.30pm; and 10am-12.30pm for 4 year olds. Although there is not a set charge for Lighthouse we welcome donations. For more information visit the website www.lighthouseburnham.org.uk Iver Environment Centre, Slough Road, Iver Heath, will be running SUMMER ACTIVITIES for ages 5-9 run during July and August. Call Debs on 01895 270730 or visit ivernature.co.uk Little Kickers will be running HOLIDAY CLASSES during August at Langley Grammar School, for ages 3 - 7th birthday. Fun introduction to football. 45-minute sessions over five consecutive days. Email sleslie@litttlekickers.co.uk for details; 07412 166 686; www.littlekickers.co.uk Slough Gymnastics Club will be running SUMMER WORKSHOPS. Call 01753 532 176 or 0788 44 77 013 or go the website www.sloughgymnastics.co.uk for more details.

Swimming Nature will be running FAST TRACK courses during the summer at the Mariott Heathrow/Windsor in Langley. For more information go to www.swimmingnature.com or call 08445 040506. * WINDSOR * Blossom Ballet Summer School with workshops by the English National Ballet. At the Windsor Arts and Culture Centre, St Leonards Road, Windsor.

Magical Summer classes for 18 months-6 years are on Tuesday 14th - Thursday 16th August. Workshops by the English National Ballet for 4-6 years are on Friday 17th August.

For further information or to reserve a place please email Miss Lucy at lucy@blossomballet.com; www.blossomballet.com CHILDREN’S KAYAKING COURSES are running at Eton college pool for children aged 8 and over, throughout the school holidays. For further information on dates, times and prices, please contact Alan on 01753 868005 or email a.price@etoncollege.org.uk.

SUMMER FUN IN THE SUN. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenheads Get Active Rangers will be running a five week programme of activities, in borough youth centres for young people aged 8 – 13 during the summer holidays. Activities include: Zumba classes, canoeing, sailing, woodland skills and more. For more information call 01628 796744 or visit www.wamster.org.uk SUMMER HOLIDAY KIDS CLUBS at the Hands-on Art Studio: art & craft workshops, pottery camps, potter's wheel events (booking essential). Age range 4-12 years; Mon-Fri 10-11:30am; cost £12 per session (£5 discount if

5sessions booked in advance). See website for specific weekly programme: www.hands-onartadventures.co.uk; tel: 01753 206265; email: office@hands-onart.co.uk Jo Jingles SUMMER WORKSHOPS will be running during August, for children aged between 3mths - 6 years. Call Andreas on 07590 434016 or email jojingleswam@btinternet.com to register your interest. www.jojingles.com/windsor Little Kickers will be running special HOLIDAY CLASSES during August at Windsor Boys School, Windsor, for ages 3 - 7th birthday. Fun introduction to football. 45minute sessions over five consecutive days. Email sleslie@littlekickers.co.uk for details; 07412 166 686; www.littlekickers.co.uk Perform HOLIDAY DRAMA WORKSHOPS include a five day all singing, dancing and drama course for 4- 8 year olds based on the Wizard of Oz; at Clewer Youth and Community Centre, Windsor. Join Dorothy and friends on an exciting adventure. Their fun-packed sessions will develop the children's creativity, confidence and communication skills. With original songs and live music, your child will enjoy a fun-packed week ending with a lively performance and colourful costumes and props that will delight family and friends. 0845 400 1282; www.perform.org.uk Phoenix Gymnastics Club will be holding SUMMER SCHOOLS for over-5’s during the summer go to www.phoenixgym.co.uk for information and booking.

01628 778 881 Scrumys will be running SUMMER RUGBY CAMPS for 5 to 13 year olds in to two different locations. Go to www.scrumys.co.uk for more information. 01753 248 548; 07917 357 102.

Swimming Nature will be running FAST TRACK courses during the summer at the Mariott Heathrow/Windsor in Langley. For more information go to www.swimmingnature.com or call 08445 040506 Teddy Tennis is a fantastic, FUN way to encourage children aged 2.5 to 6 years to get active and learn to pay tennis. It works by combining activities, music, pictures and 'teddy bear' stories into a totally interactive sporting adventure. HOLIDAY COURSES available in various venues throughout the summer holidays. Email Head Ted at doug@teddytennis.com or call their hotline on 0845 643 1173; www.teddytennis.com The Gap Club will be running it's SUMMER CAMP at St Johns Beaumont, Priest Hill, Old Windsor from July 23rdAugust 24th. 23rd-27th July – LET'S CELEBRATE. 30th July-3rd August – THE OLYMPICS; 6th-10th August- BACK TO THE FUTURE; 13th-17th August – SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND; 20th-24th August - THE SPIRIT OF PLAY. Times: 8.30-4.30pm or 6.30pm. From 3 years upwards, book weeks or individual days. Please call 07854 078 728; www.thegapclub.com; hc_thegapclub@yahoo.co.uk Windsor Leisure Centre will be running its HOLIDAY PROGRAMME for children, Times vary, but full days are 9am-3.30pm; extended days 8.30am-5.30pm. Also, HOLIDAY SWIMMING CRASH COURSES over five days, 30-minutes a day, from 9-11am for children from 5 months onwards. Contact the centre on 01753 778577 for details. * MARLOW & M40 CORRIDOR * Court Garden Leisure Complex will be running SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES. For Details go to www.leisurecentre.com for details; 01628 405200.

Delgado SUMMER TENNIS CAMPS will be running MINICAMPS for children aged 4-6 and JUNIOR CAMPS for ages 7-16 at St Piran’s School, Gringer Hill, from Monday July 23 to thursday September 6. Whether you are an absolute beginner or budding superstar, the camps will give you the opportunity to improve your tennis whilst having loads of fun. All players are given the opportunity throughout the camp to play different sports such as football, Swedish handball and rounders. All abilities welcome. Early booking and group discounts.

07818 052206; www.delgadotennis.co.uk Longridge, in Quarry Wood Road, Marlow, is running HOLIDAY ACTIVITY DAYS for ages 8-14 through the

MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Summer Holiday Activities Play sessions for under-5s at the Phoenix Gymnastics Club Have fun in this fully equipped gym with your kids.

Sessions Monday: 10.30-11.30 Tuesday to Friday: 9.30 -10.30 & 11.00–12.00 Tuesday & Thursday: 1.00-2.00pm Cost just £3.50 per child (must be accompanied by adult)

Refreshments available Phoenix Gymnastics Club Unit 1, Water Oakley Farm, Maidenhead Road, Windsor Tel:01628 778881 www.phoenixgym.co.uk

June Holiday Club 4th - 11th June (excluding Bank Holidays) Kings Court First School, Old Windsor

Summer Camp 2012 23rd July - 24th August St John's Beaumont, Old Windsor

THIS NEW R! YEA

om for Youth ro ting new s, exci 10+ year es & FUN iti activ Fridays.

Tel: 07854 078 728

email: hc_thegapclub@yahoo.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Summer Holiday Activities summer from 8.45am-5.30pm. Mainly water-based activities such as sailing, kayaking, rafting and bell boating.

01628 483252; www,longridge.org.uk Perform HOLIDAY DRAMA WORKSHOPS include a five day all singing, dancing and drama course for 4- 8 year olds based on the Wizard of Oz in Marlow. Join Dorothy and friends on an exciting adventure. Their fun-packed sessions will develop the children's creativity, confidence and communication skills. With original songs and live music, your child will enjoy a fun-packed week ending with a lively performance and colourful costumes and props that will delight family and friends. 0845 400 1282; www.perform.org.uk Stagecoach High Wycombe and Marlow will be at Wycombe High School, Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, from 23-29 July.

EARLY TOES ACTIVITY WEEK (4-6yrs), £50 deposit, £95, sibling £75. This Summer little performers can come along and learn to sing, dance and act in our professionally led classes. This will be a fun packed five days and an excellent taster of our Early Stages sessions.

LEARN A MUSICAL IN A WEEK (6-16yrs), £50 deposit, £150, sibling £110. Students will study singing, dancing and drama with specialist teachers. Come along and make new friends, learn new skills and improve techniques.

Call 01494 533203 or email highwycombe@stagecoach.co.uk; www.stagecoach.co.uk/highwycombeandmarlow NEW for 2012. Super Camps is running MULTIACTIVITY DAY CAMPS (for kids age 4-14) and A PASSION FOR...HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS (for kids aged 6-16) at Sir William Borlase's School in Marlow. Facilities in the school include excellent Design and Technology facilities including new Food Technology area. You can book individual days or full weeks and they offer free extended hours: 8am - 6pm (core hours: 9.20am 4.30pm). Tel: 01235 83222; www.supercamps.co.uk Wycombe Sports Centre, Marlow Hill, will be running SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES, call 01494 688100 for details. * ASCOT and BRACKNELL district * Amanda’s art Classes for small groups aged 6-12 will be running in North Ascot during July and August. Times: 10-11.50am. Cost: £16. 01344 885086/0796 882 4560 for further details. www.amandasart.co.uk SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES will be held at Charters Leisure Centre, Charters Road, Sunningdale. 01344 628686; rbwm.gov.uk Jema Swim School Summer Crash course Parent/Toddler/Baby & 3+ lessons at Christchurch Sch, Virginia Water & Dukes Covert, Bagshot. 30 min lessons each day w/c 23rd & 30th July, w/c 20th & 27th Aug. Contact Chris 07702 412090 or email cshep66@hotmail.co.uk MAD Academy is running its ever popular SUMMER PROGRAMME of classes during August. Sessions will run in Ascot on the 2nd,9th and 16th of August for £16.50.

Please call Kate on 01753 830162 or check the website for the latest information, www.madacademy.com.

A PASSION FOR…DANCE- Super Camps have teamed up with Popstars Academy for the third year to bring a week-long dance workshops for ages 6-10 concluding with an informal Friday Afternoon Performance! The Popstars Academy Instructors are all qualified dance teachers who are committed to excellence & ensure that each student can meet their true potential whilst building confidence and enjoying themselves. Popstars Academy teach Street, Modern & Freestyle Dance to current chart music with an array of Dance Props, taking pride in being up-to-date with the latest chart tracks & new trends. To book your

child’s place visit www.PopstarsAcademy.com and click on the Passion For.... logo.

Super Camps are running MULTI-ACTIVITY DAY CAMPS (for kids age 4-14) and A PASSION FOR...HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS (for kids aged 6-16) at LVS in Ascot. The school’s facilities include extensive playing fields, tennis courts, a large sports hall, indoor swimming pool, theatre and well-equipped activity rooms.

You can book individual days or full weeks and they offer free extended hours: 8am - 6pm (core hours: 9.20am 4.30pm). Tel: 01235 83222; www.supercamps.co.uk Twinkle Tots Summer Ballet School 2012 presents ‘PIRATES AND MERMAIDS’. Monday 13th – Friday 17th August. Children help create their own show; where Pirates become stranded on Mermaid Island. Performance at the end of the week for friends and family. Sunningdale Village Hall. Twinkle Tots (ages 2-4), 1-2pm. £8 per day/£35 per week. Budding ballerinas (ages 4-5), 2-4pm, £14/£65 per week. RAD Ballet (ages 6+), 2 – 4 pm, £14/£65. Call 07828 857061; summerschool@twinkletotsdance.com; www.twinkletotsdance.com * EGHAM & BERKS-SURREY BORDERS * Genevieve The Gallery will be OPEN EVERY DAY during the holidays at 13 Victoria St., Englefield Green.

Select from a wide range of mugs, vases, bowls and egg cups etc. and add your own design in our workshop. Call: 01784 430516; www.genevievethegallery.co.uk Hope and Gloria will be running WORKSHOPS for children aged 7 to 12 to develop their sewing skills at their lovely new venue: The Village Centre,Victoria Street, Englefield Green. During each two hour workshop children will be working on one specific project to complete and take home at the end of their morning. A great way to spend a creative couple of hours during the school holidays. For more details call 0845 474 1015; www.hopeandgloria.com Lightwater Leisure Centre will be running a variety of ACTIVITIES. Pre-Booking essential. 01276 707543; www.surreyheath.gov.uk Runnymede Borough Council will be running a variety of ACTIVITIES for 5 to 15 year olds during the school holidays this summer at various locations in Runnymede.

Activities include playschemes, sports courses, workshops and more. Details are available from our website www.rbcyouth.co.uk or by calling 01932 425688.

R.O.A.R (Runnymede Open Access Recreation) will be also be running 2 hour sessions for £2 in parks, open spaces and community venues across the Borough during the summer holidays for children aged 5 to 11. Full information including dates and times will be published on www.rbcyouth.co.uk or by calling 01932 425677.

Stagecoach Staines is running LITTLE SUMMER FUN WORKSHOP for 4-7 year olds (West End Gala including numbers from Shrek, Matilda, Finding Nemo and many more) and SUMMER FUN WORKSHOP for 7-18 years olds (Excerpts from Legally Blond). 23rd-27th of July 2012 at Thomas Knyvett College, Stanwell Rd, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 3DU. A week of singing, dancing and drama culminating in a show for friends and family on the last day. This exciting workshop is a week of fun fun fun!

No Stagecoach experience necessary. 7 -18 yr old: 10am4pm, Mon - Friday; 4-7 year olds: 9.45am-12.45pm. Please call 0845-0556356 or email staines@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/staines for details or to register.

Teddy Tennis is a fantastic, FUN way to encourage children aged 2.5 to 6 years to get active and learn to pay tennis. It works by combining activities, music, pictures and 'teddy bear' stories into a totally interactive sporting adventure. HOLIDAY COURSES available in various venues throughout the summer holidays. Email Head Ted at doug@teddytennis.com or call our hotline on 0845 643 1173;www.teddytennis.com Details correct at time of going to press (April 2012) but may be subject to change.

Blossom Ballet

For a FREE taster class or for further information please contact Lucy: 07813084283 lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

Blossom Ballet Enrolling now for the Summer Term and Summer School.

Ascot, Langley, Windsor & Eton 07412 166 686

Magical Summer classes for 18 months - 6 years are Tuesday 14th - Thursday 16th August.

Workshops by the English National Ballet for 4-6 years are on Friday 17th August.

Blossom Ballet is about having lots of fun and making new friends.

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

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MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Lighting the way to London 2012

By Rebecca Carr

On 18 May 2012, the Olympic Torch Relay will start with a 70day celebration that will travel thousands of miles to bring the London 2012 Games to hundreds of communities across the UK. he Olympic Flame will be lit on 10 May in Olympia, Greece and will embark on a eight day relay around Greece before arriving at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens for the official Olympic Flame handover ceremony. Lighting the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium signifies the beginning of the games and the flame will stay lit until the closing ceremony on 12 August.

The Olympic Flame is one of the most recognized symbols of any Olympic Games.

A ritual for the lighting of the Flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the Ancient Games. The flame is then handed over to the new host city and the Flame is then transferred from one torchbearer to another, spreading the message of peace, unity and friendship.

It’s not just sporting superstars who’ll carry the Olympic Flame this summer. People from all walks of life and from every part of the UK will take part. In all, 8,000 torchbearers will get the chance of a lifetime to carry the flame and over half of the torchbearers will be young people aged 12 - 25.

When will the torch come through the Thames Valley?

For the first time in Olympic history, Britain will be the first country to hold a torch relay completely within the UK. The Olympic Torch Relay will be a fantastic spectacular, a chance to celebrate your community and showcase it to the world –

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so don’t miss out! The Torch will be traveling through the Royal Borough on day 53 of its 63-day journey as it travels from Oxford to Reading. It makes its first Torchbearer appearance at Bisham just after 10am as it enters Bisham Abbey National Sports centre.

It will next appear at Furze Platt Road in Maidenhead just before 11am, then into the town centre – including High Street – reaching Maidenhead Bridge by 11.13am.

After a stop at Eton Dorney and then a visit to Slough at 12.33pm the torch will be carried along the Bath Road in Cippenham, past Slough Trading Estate and into Tuns Lane.

It will then be carried along Church Street in Chalvey and is due to arrive in Ragstone Road at 2.10pm. The Flame will reach Windsor’s Maidenhead Road around 2.30pm before passing through the town centre – including Peascod Street and reaching the A308 Albert Road around 3.20pm before going into Surrey.

Around 4.30pm the Flame will return to the Royal Borough at London Road, Ascot, and will then be carried along the High Street to the racecourse where it will be passed to a Torchbearer on horseback and ridden around the parade ring to give spectators a view to remember for a lifetime.

The Flame will head off towards Bracknell about 5.20pm and eventually reach Reading for its overnight stop. Full route details with a street level map can be found here. www.london2012.com/olympic-torchrelay-map

Olympics Festival 2012 Since 2008, the Cultural Olympiad has been inspiring the arts in a variety of events from local projects to large-scale performances across the whole of the UK. Festival 2012 will be the finale and the most exciting festival the UK has ever seen. Whether you like dancing, music, fashion or food, you’ll find something you can get involved in, with many free events suitable for the family to enjoy.

Festival 2012 opens on 21 June and will run to 9th September (the final day of the London 2012 Paralympic Games). Festival areas include; arts, carnivals, comedy, dance, film, music, food and much more.

Many events are free but tickets may be required so check the website for more details.

One of the highlights of Festival 2012 is The Big Dance Schools Pledge – the world’s largest and most influential dance initiative, which invites schools from around the UK and the world to join in a world record attempt for the largest simultaneous dance routine. The Schools Pledge is formed in two parts: Firstly, learn the choreography and take part in the world record attend for the largest dance routine on 18 May and secondly, do an additional 20 minutes of dance a day during Big Dance week from 7–15 July 2012.

On 18 May, schools around the world will go to their school halls, playgrounds, playing fields or to public spaces and perform a 5 minute choreography arranged by Wayne McGregor CBE, resident choreographer at the Royal Ballet. The current record is held by the Netherlands with 264,188 people and 1,472 locations.

The schools pledge is a fantastic and fun opportunity for young people of all ages to learn a new dance inspired by the Olympics and to perform it as part of a world record attempt and share a unique moment in time, dancing together and in unison with schools from other countries.

For more details and to register your school visit: www.bigdance2012.com or visit: http://festival.london2012.com

Slough Gymnastics Club l

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A British Gymnastics club providing: Opportunities to achieve in a happy, safe environment.

British Gymnastics badge scheme and development programs.

Classes for all ... ages 2-102!!

See our moves online and come and visit our dedicated facility ... email: info@sloughgymnastics.co.uk Tel 01753 532 176 Tel 0788 44 77 013

Telephone: 01628 627 586

MAY/JUNE 2012

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Health The latest trend for feet is the Medical Pedicure.

Warmer weather means you need to get your toes in tip top condition for gorgeous sandals, flip flops and Birkenstocks... Local Foot Health Practitioner Stephanie Francis gives Families the lowdown. medical foot pedicure is different to a salon pedicure because it is performed with sterilised instruments, by a qualified Foot Health Practitioner.You get the indulgence and luxury of a pedicure with the hygiene and safety of a health clinic.

The 60 minute treatment gives your feet a thorough overhaul and treats all aspects of foot health. This procedure is recommended for people with corns, calluses, cracked heels, thickened nails & other minor foot conditions that require a more intensive treatment, rather than the traditional beauty salon route.

This ‘Medi Pedi’ is one of the single most satisfying treatments to have because the results are immediately visible.

You can’t help but look down at your unassuming tootsies and think how fabulous they look.

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Useful websites:

Put some ‘Medi’ in your ‘Pedi’ It is the créme de la créme of pedicures especially when you’re about to reveal your feet for the warmer months. The session will also see off any underlying foot conditions and get your feet looking so fabulous you might not even want to wear any nail polish.

It is popular with both men and women because of its health benefits. Men have finally learnt to love their feet and enjoy the treatment as much as women. Often men are booked into the clinic by their partners or wives at first but they often book a follow up treatment themselves.

This is because the treatment is effective, safe and has the long lasting results required. It is also more socially acceptable, for men to look after their feet, especially once they discover that the end result looks and feels good.

In the UK, it is thought that 90% of us will suffer from a foot problem at some point in our lives and many put up with foot pain believing it to be normal. Painful feet are both uncomfortable and unnecessary.

Healthy feet mean pain free mobility.

The Marlow Foot clinic provides a relaxing atmosphere and stylish environment to have your foot health analysis and treatment.

For views on CFL bulbs, go to www.mastsanity.org & www.greenpeace.org.uk To find your nearest waste and recycling centre, go to www.recycle-more.co.uk For mercury safety advice, go to www.hpa.org.uk

A regular 8-12 weekly visit for a foot health treatment is the best way to ensure your feet stay in tip top condition. The Marlow Foot Clinic is run by Foot Health Practitioner and Reflexologist Stephanie Francis MAR SAC Dip RFHP. Her clinics are in Marlow and Henley. To book a treatment in Marlow call Sunrise on 01628 487 719 or in Henley call 07949 22 33 45. www.marlowfootclinic.co.uk

The Energy-saving light bulbs that come with a health warning!

Hard as it may be to believe but one of your most common household items could prove hazardous to your families health. As compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs have become popular, little is known about the fact that they contain small amounts of mercury, a toxic substance. Because of this, they could cause a problem if disposed of incorrectly or accidently broken in your home.

The amount of mercury found in a CFL bulb is extremely small - just 5milligrams (a thermometer contains 3 grams) which is needed to generate light efficiently. The mercury can’t escape from a light bulb when it is being used, but you shouldn't throw it into the normal rubbish as the mercury could escape if the bulb gets broken.

Instead, take it to your local waste and recycling centre.

Even if your bulb did break, the mercury it contains is unlikely to cause you any harm, however it is good practice to reduce your exposure to mercury and take precautions as advised by the Health Protection Agency (www.hpa.org.uk).

MARLOW FOOT CLINIC Qualified Foot Health Practitioner Stephanie Francis SAC DIP RFHP

MEDICAL PEDICURE The 60 minute treatment gives your feet a thorough overhaul to revive the feet!

This procedure is recommended for people with corns, calluses, cracked heels, thickened nails & other minor foot conditions that require a more intensive treatment, rather than the traditional beauty salon pedicure.

CLINIC APPOINTMENTS Sunrise Haringtons CLINIC MARLOW CLINIC HENLEY Call 01628 487719 Call 07949 22 33 45

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Health Getting my body back after pregnancy After having children reclaiming a bikini body or even a reasonable shape can be a tall order, Families went along to Marlow based My Beauty Doctor to investigate Mesotherapy, which claims to reduce unwanted fat in problem areas. esotherapy is a technique that involves injecting a series of microscopic quantities of natural extracts, vitamins, homeopathic agents, amino acids and pharmaceuticals into the middle layer of the skin, to deliver healing or corrective treatment.

In the past it has been used to treat medical conditions but because its effect is so powerful it is now used for the treatment of cosmetic problems such as cellulite, acne, stretch marks, scars, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Dr Susanna Hayter, who runs the clinic, says it also helps to reduce fat.

“It is highly effective at reducing and contouring fat and promoting weight loss as it was discovered that when small amounts of medications were injected into the mesoderm, blood flow would increase to the treated area, dissolving excess fat deposits, improving lymphatic drainage and removing hardened connective tissue. Areas commonly treated for fat reduction include love handles, double chins and anywhere displaying fat pockets.”

At my initial consultation, we decided to treat my stomach area as this had been through two pregnancies and really did need all the help it could get.

The treatment involves having lots of small injections in the problem area, they only feel like small pinpricks and you are also provided with numbing cream to lessen any discomfort you may feel. It is not, however, for someone with a needle phobia.

You may also get some mild soreness in the area in the area after treatment and it is recommended that you take arnica homeopathic tablets or use arnica cream afterwards.

Dr Hayter, who is a very knowledgeable, does the treatments, she is also a practising doctor and GP partner in Cookham, so you are in safe hands.

Mesotherapy can also be very successful as an anti-aging treatment. “Skin rejuvenation vitamins are injected in the subdermal layers of the skin. This rejuvenates the cells and leads to the stimulation of collagen and elastin production. These treatments can also be done to prevent wrinkle formation.You can begin these treatments in your mid twenties and may wish to continue with treatments several times a year to maintain the effects. The ideal areas for this type of treatment include face, neck and hands.” says Dr Hayter.

I started to see results halfway through the sessions and was surprised to learn after the full six treatments that I had lost just under four inches around my stomach, which is a great result.

Although I think I don’t feel like converting to a bikini – just yet!

As well as treating cosmetic conditions Dr Hayter successfully treats many clients with Acne and Rosacea, who have little success with treatments available on the NHS.

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Other treatments available at My Beauty Doctor include; • Anti-wrinkle treatments, Botox , Fillers and Chemical Peels • Treatment for facial thread veins and minor leg veins • Dermaroller, collagen induction therapy • Skin rejuvenation using pulsed light • Semi-permanent make-up • Colonic hydrotherapy and Chemical Peels.

For more information email: info@mybeauty or call 07917718986; www.mybeautydoctor.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

MAY/JUNE 2012

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Days Out

What’s new in 2012?

We take a look at the latest news and developments at some of our favourite parks and attractions.

Get closer to wildlife Enjoy a relaxing day out in the beautiful surroundings of the Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford in Oxfordshire.You’ll find over 260 animal species within the 160 acres of spacious parkland. Stroll along the Giraffe Walkway, a new feature for 2012, which allows visitors to get eye-to-eye with these amazing creatures. Picnic whilst watching rhinos and zebras grazing outside the Manor House. Leap about with lemurs in their walk-through enclosure. Ride on the railway around the park or climb into the tree house in the adventure playground. There’s something for the whole family and the park is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Open daily from 10am. Find out more at www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk or call 01993 823 006.

There’s no smoke without fire

BOOK NOW for advertising in our July/August issue - Due out July 1st email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAGMA, the hot new ride at Paulton’s Park, is definitely not for the faint-hearted.Visitors who enter this volcano-themed attraction will discover a pre-historic surprise. Then, using smoke, light and sound effects, MAGMA ‘erupts’ and riders are shot and spun 25 metres up into the air, only to face a stomach churning plunge back down into the mountain again.

Paulton’s Park, located on the edge of the New Forest, has rides and attractions for all ages from favourites such as the EDGE and the rollercoaster Cobra to the beautiful garden-themed Trekking Tractors and the Digger Ride.

Younger visitors should love Peppa Pig World, three acres dedicated to all things pink and porcine. With seven rides and a large indoor play area there is plenty to keep the little ones entertained. Peppa Pig World is also home to Daddy Pig's Big Tummy Café and Peppa's Toy Shop, the largest (and only) dedicated Peppa Pig shop in the world.You have been warned! www.peppapigworld.co.uk or www.paultonspark.co.uk

MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Please Credit: Animal Inside Out, the Natural History Museum, London, 6 April – 16 September 2012

Days Out

Beware the Witches of Warwick!

Warwick Castle has a spine-chilling new addition to its Castle Dungeon attraction, the Witches of Warwick.Visitors are given a journey through hag history, hearing horrid tales of black magic and the story of a witch from the castle’s past. Scary spells, witchcraft games and the presence of a vexed hag create an atmosphere so malevolent it’s deemed suitable for brave over-10s only.

If this all sounds far too scary there are plenty of other attractions at Warwick to please all ages. Fans of the BBC drama series will want to head straight for Merlin: The Dragon Tower to experience the magic of Camelot first hand. At the heart of the attraction is a magical mirror, which will allow visitors to interact with the Great Dragon.

Little princesses won’t want to miss the Princess Tower and mums will love the secrets and scandals of the Victorian House Party. One of the best features of Warwick Castle is the way it brings history to life. Live actor experiences take place every day and there are some spectacular events at various times throughout the year. Check the website for more details. www.warwickcastle.com

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Chessington World of Adventures... ...turns 25 this year and to celebrate they have a new stage party Madagascar Live! It features characters from the hit films, who will also be meeting children in the jungle surroundings of the new land, Africa.

And that’s not all, the attraction has applied for planning permission to create a new Safari Experience in 2013, where visitors ride in a safari trucks to explore a new reserve with flamingos, giraffes and rhinos. www.chessington.com

MAY/JUNE 2012

Learn about animals Inside and Out Animal Inside Out is a new blockbuster exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London that explores the intricate biology and physiology of some of the world’s most spectacular creatures.

The exhibition is the UK premiere from the team behind the famous BODY WORLDS shows and includes over 80 plastinate and blood vessel specimens, from a 3.2 tonne Asian Elephant to octopuses and ostriches. Museum entry is free but exhibition tickets cost £27 for a family. www.nhm.ac.uk

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Great Win a one day pass for a holiday club in Maidenhead This is your chance to win a day at a Claire’s Court Art and Craft Club during the summer holidays for any child, aged 10+.

The club offers a variety of day long workshops to develop artistic skills and techniques. Guest artists and professionals will come in to provide expert tuition and ensure your kids have a rewarding time. They also have an Artist in Residence, Frances Ackland Snow who will host many of the sessions. Activities are available for children in school year 5 and above.

We have five one day passes to Art and Craft club worth £30 to give away to readers in a prize draw.

Visit www.clairescourt.com for more information or call 01628 687440 To enter this competititon go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.

Closing Date June 10.

Competitions Win a family ticket to Drayton Manor Calling all Ben 10 fans, don’t miss the new live shows at Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire. New for this year, the live Ben 10 shows will be performed on the stage above the park’s Ben 10: Ultimate Mission roller coaster entrance and will entertain park guests as they approach the ride. Plus there’s lots more to do at the awardwinning theme park – it’s also home to Europe’s only Thomas Land™ and lots of thrill rides, including the adrenaline-inducing drop-tower, Apocalypse, stand-up coaster, Shockwave and the splash-tastic log flume, Stormforce 10. There’s also a fantastic 15-acre zoo, 4D cinema, restaurants, shops and cafes to enjoy.

For further information about Drayton Manor Theme Park or to prebook discounted entry tickets visit www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call 0844 472 1960.

To enter this competititon go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.

Closing Date June 10.

Win one of the bestloved family holidays in the land!

Your chance to win a place on a Basic Life Support/First Aid course Be prepared for an emergency. Don’t wait or one to happen.

Child Matters believes that everyone should be equipped with basic first aid skills and have the confidence to act in an emergency situation. We are giving you the chance to join the growing number of parents, carers, grandparents, babysitters and families that are learning life-saving skills on courses being held in Marlow, Burnham or Windsor.

Basic Life Support courses includes: learning ABC, Airway, Breathing, and Circulation; adult, baby and child resuscitation and dealing with choking and drowning.

Family First Aid includes coping with: burns, head injuries, bleeding, allergies, fractures, fits, childhood illnesses and lots more.

We have three places on a Child Matters course, worth £40 each to give away.

To read more on the skills and sessions Child Matters can offer, visit the website www.child-matters.co.uk To find out dates and venues of courses scheduled contact Claire on 07788 720 612 or email contact@childmatters.info or see courses listed in Time Out. To enter this competition go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.

Closing Date June 10.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2012

One lucky family can win a three night weekend stay with Feather Down Farm Days this September worth £500!

Farmers Robert and Jayne look forward to welcoming one lucky reader to Billingsmoor, their picture postcard organic farm in mid Devon. Their tranquil herd of Friesians, Kunekune pigs, sheep and chickens will soon lift the cares of daily life from your shoulders.

You'll enjoy spectacular views across rolling countryside whilst your children enjoy the sort of freedom you remember from your youth.

Go to www.featherdown.co.uk for more information To enter simply go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions.

Closing Date July 2nd.

Please quote this competition code: FDF2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Time Out

Compiled by Trynke Casale

Art On The Street, Maidenhead May12

Royal Windsor Horse Show 10-13 May

MAY Daily till September 30. GOING FOR GOLD EXHIBITION at the River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley. Celebrating 100 years of British rowing successes.

Find out what it takes to become a champion rower, and the gruelling training and strict nutrition regimes of Olympic athletes, now and in the past. Chance to see the trophies, medals and artefacts from the London Olympic games in 1908 and 1948. 01491 415600; rrm.co.uk.

FIRST AID COURSES in Marlow – with Child Matters in May: Thursday May 3.

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT The Marlow Club, Globe Park, Marlow. 09.30-11.30. Cost: £32 + creche facilities available. Saturday May 12. FAMILY FIRST AID DAY COURSE at the Sea cadets, Wethered Road, Marlow. 9.30am-4.30pm. Cost: £70 refreshments provided. Thursday May 17. LADIES NIGHT BASIC LIFE SUPPORT at Chocco Latte Cafe, Liston Court, Marlow. 7.30-10PM. LADIES NIGHT BASIC LIFE SUPPORT at Chocco Latte Cafe. Cost: £45; food, coffee and chocolate included. 10% discount when booking with a friend. Tuesday May 22. FIRST AID AND ILLNESS with bumps and babies at the Sea Cadets. 9.30am-12noon. Cost: £40, 10% discount when booking with a friend. Saturday May 26. BLENDED PAEDIATRIC 12-HR FIRST AID COURSE Day 1 at the Sea Cadets.

9.30am-4.30pm. Cost: £50. 07788720612; child-matters.co.uk.

Saturday May 5 to Monday May 7. MEET THE NORMANS at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. 10am-5pm. Living history camp in the Museum fields. Archery, armour and weapons demonstrations and the chance to see their medieval siege engine in action. Demonstrations from 11am to 3.30pm.

01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Sunday May 6. WINDSOR EMPORIUM at the Guildhall, 1st Floor, High Street, Windsor. 10am-4pm. Arts, Crafts & Antiques Fair - free admission. Fine local purveyors of art, quality hand made gifts and objects of the extraordinary! Also visit the Vintage Tea Room. All enquiries 07900 285919; www.windsoremporium.co.uk Sunday May 6 (also on Sunday May 20). LORD DESBOROUGH’S SPORTING LEGACY EXHIBITION AND OPEN DAY at Taplow Court, Berry Hill, Taplow. 2.30-5.30pm. New exhibition celebrating the owner of Taplow Court, ‘best all-round sportsman’ of his time and President of the 1908 Olympics. Hands-on activities, audio-visual displays, an outdoor trail and role-play sessions for all ages. 01628 773163; sgi-uk.org.

Sunday May 6 and Monday May 7. OPEN DAYS at Dorney Court, Court Lane, Dorney. 1.30am-4pm. Opening to the public on Mondays to Fridays in May and June, as well as Bank Holiday Sundays in May. 01628 604638; dorneycourt.co.uk.

Saturday May 7. FAMILY OPEN DAY at Longridge, Quarry Wood Road, Marlow.

Free admission. Try out activities (book in advance), music and stalls. Activities include: dragon boating, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, water orbs, rowing, leap of faith, water swing.

01628 483252; longridge-uk.org.uk.

Monday May 7. SUPER HERO FAMILY FUN DAY at Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor. With Ben 10's Humungousaur and Water Hazard, plus a special visit from Batman. Under 18s go free. 01753 498400; windsor-racecourse.co.uk.

Monday May 7. OPEN DAY at the Maidenhead Sailing Club, Lakeside, Summerleaze Road, Maidenhead. 11am-4pm. Entry, trial sail and parking are free, just pay for food and drink. Contact: www.maidenheadsc.org.uk.

Monday May 7. WINKFIELD MAY DAY FETE, at Carnation Hall, Chavey Down Road, Winkfield. 12noon-4pm. Jubilee-themed day for the community by the community.

01344 883528.

GYMTOTS! PRE-SCHOOL GYMNASTICS

FUN + SAFE + CHALLENGING Classes for Children walking to 3 years plus.

Enjoy participating with your child in our safe indoor environment with its exciting up-to-date play equpment, based within the Altwood School, Maidenhead. Every day at 10am from Wednesday to Saturday. Our programme has been developed through more than 28 years’ experience with young children and their parents. Gymtots will enable your child to gain confidence by expanding their physical ability, coordination and social skills, with your involvement and under the guidance of our experienced staff. Our advanced class for 3 to 4 years plus, without parent participation, on Wednesdays at 3pm, is more structured and builds upon the earlier classes.

Telephone

07 957 223 124 for details

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Duck Derby, Maidenhead May 20

Tuesday May 8 to Friday May 11. HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS AND VILE VICTORIANS at the Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. 10.30am, 1.30pm and 7pm. Actors and 3D special effects make history come alive again. Tickets: £13-£17. 01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

Wednesday May 9 to Sunday May 13. ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. 8am-6.30pm. Arena events, side shows, shopping stalls and fun fair rides. Tickets from £16 for adults (weekday) and £8 children (weekday).

Includes the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the evenings of Thursday May 10 to Sunday May 13 (see our Jubilee listings). 01753 860633; rwhs.co.uk.

Friday May 11. FAMILY LEARNING EVENT – NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, at the Eton College Natural History Museum, Windsor. Featuring a night-time safari. For times, visit etonnhm.com or call 01753 671288.

Saturday May 12. LET’S ROCK THE MOOR, Marsh Meadow, Cookham. Gates open at 11.30am, concert from 12noon-10pm. Boutique, family-friendly 80's Festival.

Crowd entertainers, Professor Panic’s Circus, fun fair rides, wacky stalls. Tickets: adults £24, children (3–12) £14, family (2 + 2) £64. Buy online on letsrockthemoor.com Saturday May 12. ART ON THE STREET, Maidenhead’s outdoor fine art market in the Town Centre, from 10am-5pm. Browse through the many stalls lining the High Street and Nicholson Centre. Live music. For more info, visit maidenheadartmarket.org.

Saturday May 12. MUSEUM SATURDAY CLUB at the Slough Museum, Slough Library, High Street, Slough. 12.15-1.45pm. All activities free and drop-in. Celebrate Slough’s Space links and create a 3D Space Rocket. 01753 526422; sloughmuseum.org.

Saturday May 12. BABY AND CHILDREN’S MARKET at the Montem Leisure Centre, Slough. 2.30-4.30pm. Quality nearly new and new baby and children’s items for sale. Entry: £1, kids free. 07862 214 908; babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk. Also in Bracknell Leisure Centre, on the same day. At Charters Leisure Centre on Saturday May 19. At Woodlands Park Village Centre, Manifold Way, Waltham Road, Maidenhead, on Saturday June 9.

Saturday May 12 and Sunday May 13. CARTERS’ STEAM FAIR on Pinkney’s Green, Maidenhead. Open from 12noon. Carterssteamfair.co.uk.

Saturday May 12 to Friday August 31. OLD THATCH GARDENS open again for the summer.Visit Enid Blyton’s house, Coldmoorholme Lane, Bourne End, open every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, 2-5.30pm. Closed Bank Holidays. Tickets: adults £4, children £1. 01628 527518; oldthatchgardens.co.uk.

Sunday May 13. PANN MILL OPEN DAY, The Rye, High Wycombe. See the mill working, buy some flour. Stalls and activities with the Wycombe Museum. 01494 421895; wycombe.gov.uk/museum.

Sunday May 13. MAMA FIFI NEARLY NEW SALE, Liston Hall, Chapel Street, Marlow. 10am-12.30pm. Babies and children’s second-hand clothes, toys, books, equipment, maternity clothes. Entry: £1 per adult, children free. 07921560356; mamafifisales@hotmail.co.uk.

Saturday May 19. WHITE WALTHAM MAY FAYRE, at White Waltham Primary School, Waltham Road, White Waltham. 12noon-3pm. Traditional school fayre.

01628 822533.

Saturday May 19. SPONSORED WALK starting from the Thames Valley Adventure Playground, Bath Road, Taplow. Start between 9am-12noon. Choice between 5 and 10 mile routes along the Thames and Jubilee Rivers. Tickets: £3.50 if pre-registered, £5 on the day. Register online on tvap.co.uk; 01628 628599.

Saturday May 19. CRAFT COOP POP UP SHOP at the South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell. 10am-5pm. Free entry. Showcasing crafts by local craftspeople. www.craftcoop.co.uk.

Saturday May 19. MARVELLOUS MILITARY, children’s activities at the Windsor Museum, Guildhall, High Street, Windsor. 10am-4pm. Coinciding with the Armed Forces Parade and Muster in the town centre and Castle today (see Jubilee listings). Learn about Windsor's military history. Make your own wooden toy soldier and Hurricane aeroplane.

01628 685686.

Saturday May 19. THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. 11.30am and 2pm. Madcap adventure with beautiful puppetry and original music. For ages 3+. Tickets: £8, family £29. 01628 788997; nordenfarm.org.

Saturday May 19. MEDIEVAL MAY FAYRE AND MAYOR’S WEIGH-IN at Frogmoor, High Wycombe. From 10.30am. Unique traditional town event with Morris dancers, musicians and jesters, Italian market, history tours. Cheer or boo as the Mayor and Charter Trustees are ‘weighed in’ and ‘weighed out’ of office this year.

Saturday May 19. STEVE COLE FUN SESSION at the St John’s Ambulance Centre, off London Road, High Wycombe. 2-33.30pm. Meet Steve Cole, author of Astrosaurs and Cows in Action, and find out “Everything you wanted to know about time-travelling cows, space-dinosaurs and Doctor Who but were afraid to ask”. Tickets: £4.50, available via 01494 440849; jespaft@hotmail.com.

Saturday May 19. RAILWAY OPEN DAY at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor. 10am-3pm. A look behind the scenes. Ever looked at a diesel engine compartment? See how the signals work, how the railway operates and lots more. 01844 353535; chinnorrailway.co.uk.

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23

Time Out

Meet Paddington Bear Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, June 3

My First Sleeping Beauty Ballet, Wycombe Swan, May 26 and 27

Marlow Dragon Boat Festival June 10

Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20. 1940S WEEKEND at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury.

10.30am-5.30pm. Tickets: adults £10, children £7, family £27. 01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org.

Sunday May 20. NANCY ASTOR DAY at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead. 10am-5pm. Celebrate the birthday of Nancy Astor. With live jazz music, vintage cars and activities in the Captain’s Field. For the children: Punch and Judy shows, face painters and a storybook-themed play area. 01628 605069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Sunday May 20. DUCK DERBY at Ray Mill Island, Boulters Lock, Maidenhead. 1-5pm. Annual event organised by the Lions Club of Maidenhead with free entertainment for the whole family. Ducks launched at about 4.30pm.

0845 833 5793; maidenheadlions.org.uk.

Sunday May 20. RETURN OF THE ROMANS at the Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe.

2-4.30pm. Free, drop-in activities celebrating the opening of the new Romans exhibition. New Roman Trail at the Museum: £1.25 per trail. 01494 421895; wycombe.gov.uk/museum.

Saturday May 20. BRACKNELL NCT NEARLY NEW SALE in The Hilton Hotel, Bagshot Road, Bracknell. 11.45am-1.15pm (11.30am for NCT members).

Entry £1. Baby and toddler goods, clothes, toys and maternity wear. 0844 243 6058 or bracknellnctnearlynewsale@hotmail.co.uk.

Wednesday May 23, Thursday May 24, Wednesday May 30 to Saturday June 2. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, open air theatre by Fourways at Wycombe High School, Marlow Road, High Wycombe. 7.30pm, Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets: adults £14, concessions £13, family £40, via the Tourist Information Centre on 01494 421892 or Fourways on 01494 522722.

Saturday May 26. PUMPKIN PARTY at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead. 11am-4pm. Plant a pumpkin seed, take it home and watch it grow. Will your pumpkin be the heaviest or the ugliest? Price: child £2 (plus normal admission charges). 01628 605069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Saturday May 26. MARLOW MAY FAYRE in Higginson Park, Pound Lane, Marlow. 10am-5pm. Free entry. Stalls, rides, games, events, performances, tea tent, BBQ, real ale tent and of course, annual ‘Duck Race’. Visit marlowroundtable.co.uk for further details.

Saturday May 26 and Sunday May 27. MY FIRST SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. 11am, 2pm. Also at 5pm on Saturday. Especially designed to introduce young children to ballet, performed by the English National Ballet. Dress up as a princess, evil fairy or whatever takes your fancy. Tickets: £10-£20. 01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

Sunday May 27. WYCOMBE SYNFONIA ORCHESTRA CHILDREN’S CONCERT at John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe. 3.30pm.

Book tickets in advance via 01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

JUBILEE HALF TERM HOLIDAYS For an exhaustive list of events during the half term holidays, visit www.familiesonline.co.uk/halftermTVE. Don’t forget to browse through our special Diamond Jubilee listings in this issue on pages 10-11.

Sundays June 3 and June 17 (also on Sunday July 1).

LORD DESBOROUGH’S SPORTING LEGACY EXHIBITION AND OPEN DAY at Taplow Court, Berry Hill, Taplow. 2.30-5.30pm. Free entry. 01628 773163; sgi-uk.org.

Monday June 4. PICNIC IN THE MEADOW (National Family Week) in Funges Meadow, High Wycombe. Take the family and enjoy activities organised by the Woodland Rangers. Pond dipping and bug hunting equipment available. Meet at 11am at the Funges Meadow Nature Reserve, end of Bowden Lane, High Wycom.

01494 421825; wycombe.gov.uk/woodlandservice.

Monday June 4 and Tuesday June 5. BUILD IT AND HUNT CHALLENGE at the REME Museum of Technology, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield Garrison, near Reading. 11am-3.30pm. Build a robot, tank or android; from recycled boxes and packaging. Take part in a Museum-wide hunt to find the missing object.

Wednesday June 6: MINI ASSAULT COURSE for ages 7-11. Survive Sir's Mini Assault Course and the Water Jump. A change of clothes might be needed. Entry: children £4, adults £5, family £15. 0118 9763375; rememuseum.org.uk.

Monday June 4 to Friday June 8. HALF TERM SHOWS at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. Monday and Tuesday: Hansel, Gretal and You... Who? 11.30am and 2pm. Follow Hansel and Gretal in their journey around the world. For ages 4+.

Wednesday: The Emperor and the Nightingale.

11.30am. Interactive storytelling opera for children. For ages 2+. Thursday: Forest of Fables, at 11.30am and 2pm. Retelling of Aesop’s fables, with mime, puppets, sound, dialogue and live music. For ages 4+. Friday: The Key in the Sea at 11.30am and 2pm. The story of Princess Brunhilde and Knut the fisherman told by puppets made of driftwood. Award-winning European children’s theatre show for ages 3+. Tickets: £8, family £29.

01628 788997; nordenfarm.org.

Tuesday June 5. TERRIFIC TUESDAYS at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Avenue, Chalfont St Giles. Special activities every Tuesday in Bucks school holidays. 01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Tuesday June 5 to Saturday June 9. ANNIE – THE MUSICAL at the Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor. 7.30pm, Wednesday to Saturday also at 2.30pm. By The Theatre Academy, the story of Annie, determined to find a new home. Tickets: £11-£33. 01753 853 888; theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk.

Tuesday June 5 to Sunday June 10. HALF TERM SHOWS at South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell. Tuesday: THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY in the Wilde Theatre at 2.30pm. For ages 4+. Tickets: adults £9.50, children £8.50, family £32. Wednesday: THE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER in the grounds of South Hill Park. 2.30pm. For ages 5-10. Tickets: adults £12, children £8, family £32.

Children's picnic boxes: £15. Sunday: THE VELVETEEN RABBIT in the Wilde Theatre. 2.30pm. Interactive theatre with puppetry for ages 4+. Tickets: adults £11, children £7.50. 01344 484123; southhillpark.org.

Wednesday June 6. WILD WEDNESDAY at Cliveden, Taplow. 11am-3pm. Outdoor adventures every Wednesday in local school holidays. Cost: £2 per child (plus normal admission charges). From June 1 to end of August: free, self-led family summer trails. 01628 605 069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Wednesday June 6 to Friday June 8. HALF TERM ACTIVITIES at the Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe. Wednesday and Thursday: MAKE IT IN CLAY ROMAN STYLE. Timed tickets on the day, sessions from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Create your own clay pot and make a game played by the Romans. Limited places. Friday June 8: NATURE DETECTIVES. 1-4pm. Free, drop-in activities with the Woodland Rangers in the Museum gardens. Make your own wildlife badge (50p). 01494 421895; wycombe.gov.uk/museum.

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT...

Saturday May 12. MUSEUMS AT NIGHT at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. 6.30-10pm. Rare opportunity to visit the museum’s historic buildings and Chilterns Landscape in the dark. Picnic on the village green in early evening, short Torch Light tours after dusk (for small additional charge). 01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Thursday May 17. ANIMAL MUMMIES AT THE MUSEUM, the Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring. 7-8pm. Unwrap the stories behind one of the museum’s little-known and rarely seen collections. Booking required. Tickets: £3.50. 020 7942 6163; nhm.ac.uk/tring.

Friday May 18. THE ASTRONOMICAL WORKSHOP at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. 7-11pm. What did astronomers use before telescopes? 16th-century printer,

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JUNE Saturday June 2. UNDISCOVERED BURNHAM BEECHES, morning walk through the Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common.

Follow a less travelled route through the wood. Booking required. 01753 647358; cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnham.

Saturday June 2. BURNHAM DONKEY DERBY in Burnham Park. Join in with the races, plus arena events, stalls and entertainment. From 1pm.

Saturday June 2 and Sunday June 3.

MAIDENHEAD CARNIVAL, Kidwells Park, Maidenhead. Saturday: stage events, fun and games in the park, with evening concert starting at 8.30pm, fireworks at 10.30pm. Sunday: Diamond Jubilee Carnival Parade, picnic in the park and the Link Foundation Relay Marathon, plus final afternoon concert 3-4pm. 01628 796128; enjoymaidenhead.com.

Saturday June 2 to Sunday June 10. HALF TERM WOODLAND WONDERS at the Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common. Ranger-led woodland activities for the whole family. Check website for more details from May. Booking required. 01753 647358; cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnham.

Saturday June 2 to Sunday June 10. DIG FOR VICTORY THIS HALF TERM at Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe. 11am-5pm, daily. In the walled garden.

Discover how to grow your own food and see what people ate during the war. Free with normal admission.

01494 755573; nationaltrust.org.uk.

Sunday June 3. COME MEET PADDINGTON BEAR at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury. 10.30am-5.30pm.

Shake Paddington’s paw and take a ride on the centre’s miniature train. No need to book. Tickets: adults £10, children £7, family £27. 01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org.

Sunday June 3. WINDSOR EMPORIUM at the Guildhall, 1st Floor, High Street, Windsor. 10am-4pm.

Arts, Crafts & Antiques Fair - free admission. Fine local purveyors of art, quality hand made gifts and objects of the extraordinary! Also visit the Vintage Tea Room. All enquiries 07900 285919; www.windsoremporium.co.uk windsoremporium.co.uk. instrument-maker and globe-maker will explain the processes of their crafts. Also tours of the exhibition 'The Renaissance in Astronomy' throughout the evening. Family-friendly ‘Museums at Night’ event. mhs.ox.ac.uk.

Saturday May 19. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM at the Reading Museum and Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading. Starting at 7pm. Stay overnight at the Museum. Includes craft workshops, after dark tours, spooky stories and mignight feast.

Breakfast included. Limited places available, for ages 7+. Cost: £20 per person (max 3 children per adult).

Booking essential. 0118 937 3400; readingmuseum.org.uk.

Friday May 18 and Saturday May 19.

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT. Many museums are organising late openings, workshops and activities during this weekend. Please visit www.culture24.org.uk for a full programme of events available.

MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Header

Time Out

The Tiger Who Came To Tea Hexagon Reading, June15 and 16

Hairy Maclary, Wycombe Swan June 8

Peppa Pig Weekend, Didcot Railway Centre 23 and 24 June.

Friday June 8. HAIRY MACLARY at the Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe. Based on the books by Lynley Dodds. Tickets: £11, family £42.

01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

Saturday June 9. HONEY HONEY, the world’s first ABBA concert for kids of all ages starring Benny Bear, at the Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe.

1.30pm and 5pm. Pop-concert, pantomime and cinema visit all in one. Tickets: adults £15, children £13, family £52.

01494 512000; wycombeswan.co.uk.

Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10.

DORNEY COURT KITCHEN GARDEN OPEN GARDEN FOR NGS. 9am-5pm. Special family-friendly open weekend. With children’s workshops, farm animals, live music and BBQ. Admission: adults £3, children free. dorneycourt.co.uk.

Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10.

MARLOW TOWN REGATTA AND FESTIVAL, in Higginson Park, Chapel Road, Marlow. Regatta day on Saturday, Dragon Boat Festival and family day on Sunday.

Traylens Fun Fair visiting too. 01628 481717; marlowtownregatta.org.

Sunday June 10. RUNNYMEDE THROUGH THE AGES AND THE MAGNA CARTA, at Runnymede Memorials Car Park, Old Windsor, next to the tea room. 11am-12.30pm. Guided walk led by a local historian. Booking essential, via 0844 2491895. Cost: adults £6, children £2. 01784 432891; nationaltrust.org.uk.

Friday June 15 and Saturday June 16. THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA at the Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading. 10.30am, Saturday also at 1.30pm.

For ages 3+. Tickets: £12, schools £8.50 plus 1 in 10 free.

0118 9606060; readingarts.com.

Saturday June 16. WINDLESHAM NCT NEARLY NEW SALE at St John the Baptist Church Hall, Church Road, Windlesham. Doors open at 10.30am (10.15am for NCT members) till 11.45am. Entry £1. Wide selection of clothes, toys and baby equipment. Contact: nearlynewsales@nctwlb.org.uk or visit nct.org.uk.

Saturday June 16. COOKHAM SCOUTS VILLAGE FAIR on Cookham Moor, Cookham.

11am-4pm. A fun family day out. Cookham.com.

Saturday June 16. ETON COLLEGE GARDENS OPEN. 2-5pm. Chance to visit a group of central college gardens, incl Luxmoore's garden on an island in the Thames. Also opportunity to explore the Eton College Natural History Museum. Admission: adults £4, children free. ngs.org.uk.

Saturday June 16. REME CORPS WEEKEND at the REME Museum of Technology, Arborfield Garrison, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield. Gates open at 11am.

Celebrating the Corps’ 70th Anniversary; arena events and the REME Parachute team ‘dropping’ in. Children’s activities, fairground, craft stalls and opportunity to talk to soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan. Musical finale at 5.30pm. 0118 9763375; rememuseum.org.uk.

Saturday June 16. WILDLIFE ON THE MOVE at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor. Trains at 10.30am, 12noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. Journey on the Icknield Line in our DMU and discover the local wildlife with commentary en route given by the Chiltern Consevation Board. 01844 353535; chinnorrailway.co.uk.

Saturday June 16 and Sunday June 17.

HI-TECH_WILD-TREK TRAILER comes to Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road, Riseley, Reading.

Get up close with creepy crawlies and study the bio diversity of our back garden! 01189 326 444; wellington-country-park.co.uk.

Saturday June 16 to Sunday June 24.

BURNHAM ECO WEEK. With an Eco Film Festival, talks and displays in and around the village. For more info nearer the time, contact 01628 661887 or visit thinkburnham.org.uk.

Sunday June 17. FATHER’S DAY DEN BUILDING at Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe.

11am-1pm. Bring dad along on this family session to get hands-on and learn how to make a shelter in the woods.

Booking essential. All tickets £5. 01494 755573; nationaltrust.org.uk.

Sunday June 17. MAKE DAD’S DAY at Cliveden, Taplow. 10am-3pm. Bring your Dad for free! Enjoy beer tasting from midday (while stocks last!).Free after normal admission charges. 01628 605 069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Sunday June 17. VINTAGE, VETERAN AND CLASSIC CAR EXHIBITION at West Wycombe Park, West Wycombe. 2-4pm. Family event for Fathers Day, with a wide selection of cars from all ages parked up along the Broadwalk. nationaltrust.org.uk.

Sunday June 17. FATHER’S DAY at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor.

Dads travel free when accompanied by a fare paying passenger. 01844 353535; chinnorrailway.co.uk.

Sunday June 17. WORKING HEAVY HORSE SHOW at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. Working horses from the Hertfordshire Heavy Horse Association visit the Museum, with demonstrations. Arena events at 12noon and 3pm. 01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Sunday June 17. JUBILEE FATHER’S DAY STEAM FAIR on Fawley Hill, Fawley, near Henley-on-Thames. 12noon-5pm.Village fete and steam fair with steam train, fairground rides, vintage vehicles, food, drink and entertainment. Tickets: £10 per car.

Sunday June 17. FATHER’S DAY at The Savill Garden, Wick Lane, Englefield Green. Free entry into The Savill Garden to all Dads on Father's Day. Carriage rides through The Royal Landscape from 11am-4pm. Cost: £45 per carriage or £7.50 per seat. Toddlers on laps free.

Booking required. Ascot Carriages: 07811 543 019. Savill Building: 1784 435 544; theroyallandscape.co.uk.

Sunday June 17. ROWLEY FARM OPEN DAY, Black Park Road, Wexham. 11am-5pm. Open Farm Sunday event with guided tours and tractor and trailer rides.

Parking in Black Park car park. Free. 01753 511060; buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks.

FIRST AID COURSES – with Child Matters in June: Monday June 18. BASIC LIFE SUPPORT at the Oasis Project, Wyndham Crescent, Burnham.

9.30-11.30am. With onsite child care. Cost: £30; refreshments included. Thursday June 21. BASIC LIFE SUPPORT at the Oasis Project, Wyndham Crescent, Burnham. 7.30-10pm. Cost: £30, refreshments included. Saturday June 23. ONE DAY FAMILY FIRST AID at the Sea Cadets, Wethered Road, Marlow.

9.30am-4.30pm. Cost: £70, refreshments provided.

Wednesday June 27. FIRST AID AND ILLNESS at Chocco Latte Cafe, Liston Court, Marlow. 7.30-10pm.

Cost: £45; food, coffee and chocolate included. 10% discount when booking with a friend. Thursday June 28. BLENDED PAEDIATRIC 12-HR FIRST AID COURSE Day 2 at the Sea Cadets, Marlow.

9.30am-4.30pm. Cost: £50. 07788720612; child-matters.co.uk.

Tuesday June 19 to Saturday June 23. ROYAL ASCOT at Ascot Racecourse. Her Majesty The Queen arrives in her landaus every day at 2pm. Traditional singing around the Bandstand in the Grandstand admission area at 6pm. Silver Ring customers can join in with the 1950s-style 'Street Party'. Tickets: Grandstand admission from £60, Silver Ring from £20. 0844 3463000; ascot.co.uk.

Exciting live music for babies and children!

Drop in anytime to our friendly singing sessions A singer and musician will lead the group in a lively session with fresh, new songs from all around the world, old favourites too!

Watch your children’s confidence and musicality grow as they join in with action songs, knee-bouncers, dances, instruments and performance songs.

Free refreshments and time to chat after each session.

Maidenhead, Marlow, Windsor Tel: 01628-671146 or 639878 Twyford Tel: 01628-825315 For further information visit www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

25

Time Out

Burnham Eco Week 18 to 26 June

Down The Rabbit Hole, Skewbald Theatre, Burnham Beeches June 23 and 24

Friday June 22. BATS AND BEASTS OF THE NIGHT at Spade Oak Nature Reserve, Little Marlow. Guided walk looking for signs of the nocturnal creatures that live around Little Marlow. Booking early recommended. Meet at 9pm in the car park, Coldmoorholme Lane, Bourne End. Tickets: adults £4, children £2, family £10. 01494 421825; wycombe.gov.uk/woodlandservice.

Saturday June 23. SPIRIT OF THE 60S at Cliveden, Taplow. 10am-5pm. Relive the sensational 60s with live music, classic cars and fun for all the family. Why not come dressed up in 60s fashion too? Free after normal admission charges. 01628 605 069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden.

Saturday June 23. THE UGLY DUCKLING at South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell. 2pm. From the creators of the Mole Who Knew it was None of His Business.

Music, storytelling and farmyard fun for ages 2+. Tickets: adults £10, children £8, family £28.

01344 484123; southhillpark.org.

Saturday June 23. OPEN DAY - BRAY PIT RESERVE AT ITS BEST, follow the signposts starting at junction A308 Windsor Road and Monkey Island Lane, Bray, Maidenhead. 11.30am-4.30pm. Guided walks approx. half a mile at a gentle pace. Quiz for children. Free event. 07799782691; bbowt.org.uk.

Saturday June 23. SUMMER T-SHIRT PAINTING at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. 10.30am-12.30pm. Workshop led by Julie Roberts.

For ages 5–8. Cost: £16. 01628 788997; nordenfarm.org.

Saturday June 23 to Sunday June 24. PEPPA PIG WEEKEND at Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot Parkway Station, Didcot. Steam train rides and a chance to meet Peppa Pig and George in the picnic area every hour between 11am and 3pm. Tickets: adults £10, children £8.50, family (2+2) £32. Book via didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk or phone 08444 771000.

Saturday June 23 and Sunday June 24. DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE – AN ADVENTURE IN WONDERLAND, outdoor theatrical adventure with Skewbald Theatre in the Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common. 3pm and 6pm.

Tickets: £8-£12, from the Dugdale Centre for the Arts. To book, call 020 88076680; dugdalecentre.co.uk. More info on skewbaldtheatre.com.

Sunday June 24. LEA BARN EQUESTRIAN SHOW, George Green, Slough.

10am-4pm. In George Green Field. Dressage and showjumping competitions. Parking in Langley Park car park, Billet Lane, Iver Heath. Free event. 01753 511060; buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks.

Sunday June 24. CLASSIC CAR AND BIKE SHOW at Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Road, Bourne End. 9am-6pm. British and American classic cars, pick-ups, hot rods, bikes and trikes on display. Live entertainment, stalls, food and drink. Entry: classic car free, £1 passengers; otherwise: adults £4, children free. 07721 842142; justdanze.co.uk.

Sunday June 24. NATURE DETECTIVES: WILDFLOWERS at Runnymede, Memorials Car Park, Old Windsor. 11am-1pm. Guided walk to one of the finest wildflower meadows in Surrey. Booking essential. Tickets: adults £5, children £2, via 0844 2491895.

01784 432891; nationaltrust.org.uk.

Sunday June24. THE BIG PICNIC in Lily Hill Park, Lily Hill Road, Bracknell. 1-3pm.

Celebrate National Civic Day around the longest picnic table in England carved from a single tree trunk. Free games, races, guided walks, storytelling and Morris Dancing. Bring your own food & seating. 01344 354441; bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

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George's Marvellous Medicine, Windsor Theatre Guild, New Lodge June 29 and 30

Sunday June 24. BISHAM OPEN GARDENS, near Marlow. 12.30-5.30pm. Nine gardens will be open, some only reachable by boat, plus the Historic riverside 12th Century, All Saints Church. Tickets available on the day.Visit ngs.org.uk for addresses. Cost to visit all gardens & church: £5 per adult, children free, boat trips a small donation.

Monday June 25 to Sunday July 1. CELEBRATION OF THE ROSE at the Savill Garden, Wick Lane, Englefield Green. Take a Diamond Jubilee Tea in a tea tent on The Lawns from 3.30pm. Rose-themed menu in the restaurant. Special rose shop on Saturday.

Tours of the Rose Garden. Live music on Saturday and Sunday. 01784 435 544; theroyallandscape.co.uk.

Monday June 25 to Sunday July 1. FAMILY LEARNING EVENT – NATIONAL INSECT WEEK at the Natural History Museum at Eton College, Windsor. Usually only open on Sunday afternoons 2.30-5pm term-time only. Free admission. 01753 671288; etonnhm.com.

Wednesday June 27 to Saturday June 30. ANNIE – THE MUSICAL in the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell. 7.30pm, Saturday also at 11am and 2.30pm. Lots of well-known songs, the adorable story brought by local company RBAPA. Tickets: adults £15, concessions £13. 01344 484123; southhillpark.org.

Wednesday June 27 to Sunday July 1. HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA in Henley-on-Thames. Races starting at 9am, last race 7.30pm. hrr.co.uk.

Saturday June 29 and Sunday June 30. GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE, Windsor Theatre Guild’s Summer Matinee Production at New Lodge, Drift Road, Winkfield, Windsor. 2pm and 4pm. Contact the committee@wtg.org.uk or 01753 860578; windsor-theatre-guild.org.uk.

Friday June 29 to Sunday July 1. DAYS OUT WITH THOMAS at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury.

10.30am-5.30pm. Tickets on the day: adults £15, children £11. 01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org.

Saturday June 30. FISHING FOR ALL in Black Park lake, Black Park Road, Wexham. 10am-3pm. All ages welcome. Free fishing coaching sessions (20 mins). All bait, tackle and licences provided. Register on the day at The Environment Agency gazebo.

01753 511060; buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks.

Saturday June 30. WINDSOR DUCK DERBY AND MID-SUMMER FAYRE in Alexandra Gardens, Windsor. 12noon-5pm. Children’s fun fair, morris dancing, charity and trade stalls, hot and cold food, bar, fun and games. Duck race at 4pm in Barry Avenue, opposite Alexandra Gardens. ‘Buy’ a duck for £2 or special ‘Jubilee Duck’ for £25. Great prizes to be won. www.windsorandetonrotary.org.uk.

Saturday June 30. NCT NEARLY NEW SALE at St Piran’s School, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead. 1.30-2.45pm (1.15pm for NCT members). Toys, children's books and dvds, baby and children's clothes, nursery equipment, maternity wear, parenting books and much more. Entry: £1. www.nct.org.uk.

Saturday June 30. CULTURAL OLYMPIAD - TREE OF LIGHT in Windsor Great Park. Over 300 performers participate in a large-scale theatrical performance staged around the central ‘Tree of Light’ – a monumental, sculptured work of art – featuring music, choreography and cutting edge digital arts and telling the story of a forest born, inhabited and invaded. Tickets: adults £10, under 16s free. For more info, visit treeoflight.org.

Saturday June 30. DONKEY DERBY at Wooburn Park, off Town Lane, Wooburn.

12noon-4pm. Donkey rides and racing, food, drink, children’s activities, vintage cars, country dancing and much more. Cost: £2 for a programme, includes family entry, car parking. 01628 850467.

Saturday June 30. BUTTERFLY WALK IN HOMEFIELD WOOD, north of Bockmer End, Marlow. 1-3pm. A walk led by Martin Robinson, a long-standing volunteer for Butterfly Conservation. Free. 01494 674306; bbowt.org.uk.

Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1. MEDIEVAL WEEKEND at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. Medieval camp with demonstrations: cooking, daily crafts and tasks. 01494 871117; coam.org.uk.

Sunday July 1. FAMILY FUN DAY at Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor. From noon. Afternoon racing, plus a visit from the Zingzillas and Jelly Kelly, lots of fun and games and free face painting. Under 18s free when accompanied by an adult. 01753 498400; windsor-racecourse.co.uk.

Sunday July 1. WINDSOR EMPORIUM at the Guildhall, 1st Floor, High Street, Windsor. 10am-4pm. Arts, Crafts & Antiques Fair - free admission. Fine local purveyors of art, quality hand made gifts and objects of the extraordinary! Also visit the Vintage Tea Room. All enquiries 07900 285919; www.windsoremporium.co.uk windsoremporium.co.uk.

Wednesday July 4 to Sunday July 8. THE HENLEY FESTIVAL in and around Henley. Concerts and street entertainment throughout the week. Free entry to the Feast visual arts gallery Down by the Riverside on Saturday July 7, from 11.30am-2pm, with the Family Concert from 1-2pm (not free, for tickets contact the boxoffice@henley-festival.co.uk or 01491 843404; adults £5, under 18s £3).

Sunday July 8. FLACKWELL HEATH CHERRY FAYRE at the Recreation Ground, Straight Bit, Flackwell Heath. 11.30am-5pm. With a Grand Parade through the village at 12noon, and arena events from 12.30pm. This year’s theme: The Greatest Show on Earth. 01628 523375; flackwellheath.net.

MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Spa Review

A relaxing break for two

Claire Winter went to The Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa in Ascot to try out their spa package. he beauty of having a short break near home is you don’t have to factor in a long journey. With the kids safely looked after by the grandparents, we checked in to the hotel for some much needed R & R. The Berystede in Ascot is one of 24 hotels that is part of the new Macdonald ‘Spa Collection’ and is set in rural countryside, near Sunninghill.

We were booked in to a lovely suite in one of the corners of the hotel and then made our way down to the hotel spa for our treatments. My husband had an hour-long massage whilst I was spoilt with a two-hour (yes two!) long Paradise Escape treatment.

The treatment involved a full body exfoliation, massage, facial and head massage. The time flew by and afterwards I felt fantastic and very pampered. My skin was smooth and my face felt rehydrated by the Decléor products the therapist used, which also smelt wonderful.

We then returned to the spa to try out the thermal suite, which is just for over-18s. This included a wide variety of sauna and steam rooms to suit most tastes. We used the indoor swimming pool (which was a little chilly) but soon warmed up in the amazing outdoor hydrotherapy pool. This was a highlight for me, as there is something special about being outside on a grey day whilst luxuriating in a hot, bubbling pool. They also have a well-equipped gym, two nail bars and six rooms for therapists.

The staff were really helpful and it was nice to see the way they interacted with families staying at the hotel. It was the tail-end of a

T

Telephone: 01628 627 586

busy Easter weekend but they were very helpful with special requests for breakfast and anything else they needed. The resourceful receptionist even called a local cab firm to get directions for somewhere she didn’t know, for one of the guests.

The hotel restaurant has a well deserved AA Rosette and we enjoyed a delicious meal in the evening, starting off with smoked salmon and having monkfish, lemon confit potato, langoustines, white pernod sauce and curly kale as our main. We opted to have the monkfish without pancetta but I am sure both options were delicious. This was my favourite dish of the evening.

For pudding my husband had a chocolate mousse and toffee ice cream, which of course I had to try too. I had a lovely raspberry crème brulee myself, although the custard could have been thicker.

The children’s options for dinner were healthy and included things like a boiled egg and soldiers and homemade soup of the day or melon for a starter. Although the mains were firm favourites, guaranteed to please the kids, they were made with good ingredients. The burger was homemade with fresh chips, the cod for the fish and chips was wild. They also had a roast dinner chicken option and pasta with a fresh tomato sauce.

Breakfast the next day was also good and had the normal continental options on offer, such as croissants, bread, fruit, cereal, etc. and then a variety of cooked breakfasts to choose from, including porridge.

The hotel also has its very own ghost. The current building was built on the site of a previous home of the Standish family that burnt down in 1886. The house maid Eliza Kleinninger was killed in the blaze whist trying to rescue her jewellery box. Her ghost is known as the ‘Lady in Blue’ and is supposed to still walk around the replacement building, particularly on the north side of the staircase, near where her body was originally found. There were no sightings of her on our visit though!

The hotel is of course near attractions such as Legoland and Thorpe Park, so it is a great option for families who want a base to visit the parks but also a way for Mum and Dad to get a break too.

The Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa are currently offering a family break from £235 for a family of four, which includes a day pass for Legoland (two adults and two children sharing a room and a full breakfast included). A weekend spa break, which includes dinner and one treatment starts at £155 per person. For more information, go to www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/ourhotels/macdonald-berystede-hotel-spa.

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Ed’s Reading Room Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere!

I’m Ed and here is my early Summer book selection for you to enjoy. The books are all available online from Ed’s Reading Room at www.edontheweb.com.

Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools. Each month, recently published books are selected as Ed’s Books of the Month for Owlets (age 5-7) and Owls (over 7s). On the website, there are fun literacy activities to accompany each book, including wordsearches, quizzes, poetry and reviews, and there are new original stories in Edtime Stories. There are also lots of other fun online activities, complementary to the curriculum. Check out Ed’s Archive for Ed’s Books of the Month from previous months.

For Ages 5 to 7 years Barney the Boat Dog: Fairground Surprise by Linda Newbery (Usborne Publishing £4.99) ED SAYS: ‘Barney loves living on Jim’s narrowboat and he particularly enjoys it when Jim’s young grandson is staying with them. Freddie is hoping to buy his grandfather a surprise birthday present but he is horrified when his piggy bank with all his savings falls into the canal. He tries to rescue it but things really start to go wrong and Barney realises it is time for him to try and sort things out.

‘This is a warm-hearted adventure in this lovely series. It is about fun, loyalty and friends and is ideal for newly-confident young readers.’

For Ages 7 years plus

My Uncle Foulpest: Dinosaur Disaster by Timothy Knapman (Simon and Schuster £4.99) ED SAYS: ‘Wally is a fairly regular young boy with a very unusual uncle. Uncle Foulpest’s name is rather odd but the really odd thing is that he is an ogre and that makes Wally’s life far from regular! Wally becomes ill but is desperate to go to Tommy’s party, so Foulpest comes up with a cure – but as usual things don’t go to plan. And when Wally’s class goes on an outing he hopes Foulpest isn’t going to be there. But…you’ve guessed it.

Foulpest is there in the middle of all the fun!

‘This is a hilarious book with fantastic illustrations. It has two laugh-out-loud stories about these wonderful characters and will be enjoyed by boys and girls alike.’

Boobela and Worm to the Rescue by Joe Friedman (Orion Children’s Books £7.99) ED SAYS: ‘Boobela is a young giant whose life changed when she met Worm.

Boobela has to rescue her parents who have been taken prisoner in the Dabushta Jungle.

She and Worm make the dangerous journey in a hot-air balloon, on a surfboard and a raft.

They come across wild jungle animals, make new friends and have many adventures on the way.

But can they deal with the dangerous Ralo? And will they be able to complete their quest?

‘This book is beautifully written and has amazing illustrations throughout. The unique characters and unusual storyline make for a truly memorable read.’

Titanic: Death on the Water

by Tom and Tony Bradman (A & C Black £5.99) ED SAYS: ‘Billy is working in the shipyard on the giant ship Titanic. It is a dangerous life but Billy manages to find work on this floating city rather than in the dockyard. However even when Titanic sets off on its maiden voyage it is not all plain sailing for Billy as he has to avoid the taunts and bullying of a mean young colleague. Of course things become really dangerous when they hit the famous iceberg and Billy has to discover just how brave he is.

‘The well-known story of the sinking of Titanic has been complemented here by the fictional creation of Billy. It is a brilliantly written book and is a real page-turner.’

Ed’s Reading Room is part of www.edontheweb.com, a DTI award-winning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating. You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at mgh@edontheweb.com about the website or about Ed on the Web Spelling Bees in schools.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Technology Bumps ‘n’ Babes versus natural childbirth: Where do you stand?

By Toni Harman cross the world there are two competing models of maternity care.

There are two sides to childbirth: On the one side, midwifery believes in the power of women's body and spirit to birth naturally. On the other side, the obstetric model believes that women need technology to give birth.

Right now the obstetric model is favoured. Consequently, birth has become highly technological and according to many of the world's leading experts, unnecessarily over-medicalised.

A

Could doulas, non-medical birth companions, be the answer?

Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford, the couple behind a new, independently made, sixty minute documentary certainly think so.

DOULA! tells the story of three doulasupported births and shows the practical and emotional support that doulas provide during pregnancy, birth and the first few weeks of parenthood.

Showing positive births in an intimate style, the film goes some way to prove the statistics that, if supported by a trained doula, mothers are half as likely to need a caesarean and their labours could be shortened by 25%.

Toni, the film's director: "Doulas have an important role to play in modern birth as their presence is resisting the global trend that is embracing medical intervention and caesareans. In some city hospitals in Brazil, c-section rates that have reached a staggering 93%. I even think doulas are quiet revolutionaries in questioning the dominant obstetric opinion that women can no longer give birth without medical assistance."

Host a screening The film's producer Alex Wakeford says "We're using techniques pioneered by indie filmmakers in the States, particularly political documentary makers, where we encourage people to host screenings in their local communities, often their in own homes or town halls. At the very least, we want our film to demonstrate that birth does not need to be managed and controlled by the medical machine."

The filmmakers' current project is the global documentary and video resource web site, OneWorldBirth.net. "We are travelling around the globe and to date

Telephone: 01628 627 586

have interviewed over one hundred of the world's leading birth experts and all of them are calling for a halt to the unnecessary over-medicalisation of birth today" says Harman. "We want our films to inform and motivate an army of global "birth warriors" to create the tipping point that will propel birth into the mainstream to deliver real change."

"Women", in the words of the legendary Social Anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger, "will take childbirth back".

To know more or to arrange a screening (free to the organiser) email info@altofilms.com. www.doulafilm.com; www.oneworldbirth.net.

Music with Mummy Themed, fun music classes for children aged up to 5 years in small groups Jolly Babies – specially designed for babies under one year Jackie @ Windsor: 01344 301954 Caroline @ Ascot: 01753 850772 Katie @ Maidenhead: 01628 667441 www.musicwithmummy.co.uk

MAY/JUNE 2012

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Mums Who Mean Business Volunteer your way back to work...

A mum’s path back to work can be fraught with self-doubt and anxiety.

However, at the Expert Volunteer Scheme, a path back to self-confidence and updating professional competence has been carefully mapped out. This makes it an ideal place to re-launch a career for people, and particularly mums, who’ve taken a longish break from the workplace.

Expert Volunteers provides a matchmaking service for people with specific

skills or knowledge and charities and notfor-profit organisations. There is a wide range of opportunities available via their website. The sort of skillsets requried are writing successful fund applications, building website and project management.

And qualified accountants and solicitors are sought after too.

Former finance project manager Alison Holloway, now Expert Volunteer Coordinator at Community Impact Bucks, told Families: “Volunteering helps build up the confidence of anyone thinking of going back to work. It gives people a chance to refresh their skills, and demonstrates to future employers that they have recent experience.

“There are lots of organisations looking for all sorts of skills but more and more they need help from people with business experience to help them move forward in the current climate when resources are scarce.

“What’s more, the satisfaction of giving back to your community may be a cliché but it is a very valid one.”

For more information about getting back to work with the Expert Volunteer Scheme and the hundreds of local opportunities, visit www.do-it.org.uk, call 0845 3890389 or email volunteering@communityimpactbucks.org.uk

Seriously FUN Founder nominated for award Congratulations to Janet Madden, founder of Seriously FUN Swimming Schools, who was nominated for an 2011 Business Award sponsored by MumsClub. anet started the family run swim school business back in 1990, which she now runs with her sons Jonathon and Philip.

J

“During the recession of 1990, I noticed a gap in the market for personal and professional swimming school for children.

We now offer franchises across the country and run a successful swimming school locally.”

The school is now expanding across the UK by offering others the chance to run their own Seriously FUN Swimming Schools franchise.

To find out more about local classes or franchise opportunities go to www.seriouslyfun.net.

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MAY/JUNE 2012

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Classifieds Multi-sensory Touch-Typing Using a structured reading and spelling programme. I’m a qualified teacher specialising in differing learning styles including dyslexia and dyspraxia Call: Yvonne Thomas

Cert.Ed. SpLd

01628 622816/Mobile: 07929 528642 Yvonne_thomas123@btinternet.com

SWIMMING LESSONS Freelance swim teacher

Marlow mum, Natalie Trice, 37, tells of her journey from full-on, full-time work to the world of freelance journalism.

1 to 1 Adult at a pool near you If you would like to learn to swim Or improve your stroke please call Or text Chris 07756119011.

Pool also available in Windsor area.

Also children's lessons available.

JEWELLERY BIRTHDAY PARTIES Kids just love it. Party bag with 3 plus pieces of jewellery in. 6yrs plus.....

Kim or Claire: 07887 848447 Ex TONI&GUY Stylist Home visits for busy mums Cut & Finish, Blowdry and Colour

Call Julie: 07809 636 659

Michelle Price beauty Hair by Andrew Professional and affordable treatments available, please visit www.michellepricebeauty.co.uk for prices or call 07596 830871 for any information.

10% OFF first beauty treatment

What inspired you to set up your business?

My inspiration to set up my blog and really start serious writing was a lovely weekend away with my husband. We were by the pool and I was reading, when it suddenly dawned on me: life is too short for stress and constant headaches and that I wanted to do something I really loved.

5 Eton Wick Road, Windsor, Berkshire, Sl46LT

Mary Poppins Entertainments NOW WITH AMAZING ANIMAL PUPPETS

As seen on Paul O‘Grady Show.

For ages 3-103

Candle-making parties for children and grown-ups! www.candlebynight.co.uk

This is a fusion of Latin American and modern music set to easy but high energy moves.

Contact Niki Kitt Fitness on 07775653051 or niki_kitt@yahoo.co.uk

What did you used to do?

I spent over 15 years working in PR with brands including Adobe, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery Channel, Earthwatch, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Sense and Turner Classic Movies.

With both in-house and agency experience on a local, regional, UK, EMEA and global level, working in the B2B, broadcast, charity, consumer and corporate sectors, I set up Tally PR several years ago.

I had some great clients, from start-ups to household names like Crowne Plaza Marlow and TM Lewin But with this came a lot of hours, increasing stress and less time with my boys - one of whom has hip dysplasia and is facing more surgery this year.

What are your plans for the future?

As well as doing lots of lovely things as a family, I have already been commissioned to write two magazine features, One day would love a column of my own, but for now I will follow my dream with my website…

Why not try Zumba Mix?

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY MORNINGS; TUESDAY & FRIDAY EVENINGS at the High Street Methodist Church in Maidenhead (opposite the White Horse Pub) £5 PER SESSION OR £25 FOR SIX

Who are you and where do you live?

My name is Natalie Trice, I am 37 and I live in Marlow with my two sons (Eddie, 4 and Lucas 2), husband, Oliver and our cat, Genie.

Why have you changed career?

I have recently decided to follow my dream of being a writer and have set up http://justbecauseilove.wordpress.com

Do you want to shape up for the summer but hate the Gym?

Tel: 01753 663374 or 0781 1084 325 www.jeanpurdy.co.uK

Tel: 07771 851435

Thames Valley East Advertise here for as little as £40 plus VAT. Call: 01628 627586 to book now

11+ TUITION (Female) Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths, English

JEWELLERY WORKSHOPS

1 to 1 Tuition

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CREATIVE, ADDICTIVE FUN

Free 30min Assessment Paper & Interactive Practice Enhanced CRB Checked Member of MENSA (High IQ Society) 10% Discount for 10+ Lessons Covering: South Bucks, East Berks

CLAIRE or KIM 07887 848447

Telephone: 01628 627 586

MAY/JUNE 2012

TEL: 01753 571225/07958 717582 elevenplus999@btinternet.com

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

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Where your little ones blossom into independent confident learners

• Poppies is owned by two qualified childcare practitioners with over 30 years’ experience.

• We carefully select our dedicated childcare team who provide an outstanding level of care to children aged birth to five years.

• Children are cared for in beautiful settings, a home away from home.

• Excellent Parent Carer Partnerships • Freshly cooked organic food.

• Large safe and secure nursery garden.

“I will always be most grateful for the most wonderful settings you have created and for meeting my childrenʼs appropriate needs. Thank you and well done.

Poppies will always hold a special place for me and as I watch my children progress I know where it all began.” K.H. (parent) Poppies Marlow Crown Road Marlow Bucks SL7 2QG Tel: 01628 487772

Poppies Beaconsfield Harrias Barn Hedgerley Lane Beaconsfield Bucks HP9 2SD Tel. 01494 677116

Poppies Bourne End Furlong Road Bourne End Bucks SL8 5AE Tel: 01628 521522

www.poppiesdaynursery.com