Families Thames Valley West September/October 2023 PRINT

Editor’s Welcome

The Team:

EDITOR: Lesley Chambers 07863 790592 editor@familiestvw.co.uk

SALES SUPPORT: Claire Clarricoates 07812 218331 claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk

DESIGN: Rebecca Carr rebecca@familiesmagazine.co.uk

NEXT ISSUE: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Booking deadline: 29 September

IN THIS ISSUE:

4-5: News

6-8: Education

9: Early years

10-11: Parenting

12: Get outdoors!

13: Children’s reviews

14: Health

15: Halloween

16: Work

17: Escape rooms

18-19: Clubs and classes

20-23: What’s on

Where is Families Thames Valley West?

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

Happy New School Year! I hope you had a great summer and are looking forward to the new academic year. It’s an exciting but emotional time of year: Good luck to all those families starting something new! I will have both of my children at the same school for the second year running, which is a nice feeling.

There is inevitably an autumnal feel to this issue, with the wonderful pumpkin festival image on our front cover setting the tone; find out more about this festival in our News section on pages 4-5.

Our parenting articles this issue discuss whether it is OK to give parenting advice to another parent – definitely a fine line – and how to split the parenting workload with other carers to get the best for everyone.

For leisure activities, head to our mazes directory on page 12 or see what local children have recommended on page 13 – or perhaps you would like to be in with the chance of free tickets to a local escape room (page 17).

Enjoy these colourful months!

Winners

Congratulations to Grace Cowley, who won a set of Mind Mappers books, and to Iva Butler, who won a Quoridor Mini game from our July/August 2023 issue!

This

product is made of material from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources.

Why not consider becoming a part-time cycle instructor?

Most primary school children get the chance to take a two-day Bikeability course which gives them the skills and confidence to ride on roads.

This government-sponsored training is carried out by instructors who are keen to share their love of riding and who work part-time. Instructors come from a variety of backgrounds and careers. Some are at retirement age, while others like to complement existing parttime jobs with outdoor work.

There are now opportunities to train as an instructor during five-day courses to be held in Reading and Oxford.

If you are keen on promoting cycling and work well with children then this could be something for you. This would suit anyone looking for paid, part-time work during term time.

The instructor training courses cover both the theoretical as well as practical aspects of Bikeability, and once you’ve passed the course you’ll get a national qualification, which will qualify you to teach anywhere in the country.

The instructor courses are run by Avanti Cycling, which trains children in Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell as well as Oxford and South Oxfordshire.

To find out more please email Greg Woodford, the director of Avanti Cycling, at greg@avanticycling.co.uk. To find out more about Bikeability go to avanticycling.co.uk

Visit the pumpkin patch at Wasing Estate this half term

At the heart of the stunning Wasing Estate near Aldermaston lies a very special pumpkin patch. Visitors are invited to follow the enchanting trail through Wasing’s stunning autumnal woodland and along the way, encounter some creatures inspired by those living on the Estate.

Collect a wheelbarrow and head for the pumpkin patch to choose your perfect pumpkin to take home and carve. There’s plenty of entertainment for children along the way, including a magical fairytale pumpkin carriage.

Serving tasty seasonal snacks and hot & cold drinks under a beautiful stretch tent with stunning Estate views, it is the ideal place to spend a morning or afternoon with the family, enjoying all that nature has to offer.

Get tickets at www.wasing.co.uk/pumpkins

Giveaway: Factology series books!

The Factology series is a brand-new series of fact-packed information books. Each volume provides a fast-pasted and fun introduction to its subject, explaining key concepts and highlighting significant events in a manner that is clear, accessible and entertaining. The series includes maps, timelines, stunning statistics and over 500 illustrations.

A set of Factology books comprises Factology: Ancient Egypt, Factology: Bugs, Factology: The Human Body and Factology: Space.

We are thrilled to have three sets of these exciting books to give away to Families readers.

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning a set, please e-mail editor@familiestvw.co.uk with ‘Factology giveaway’ as the title. The closing date is 30 September 2023 and winners will be notified within the following week.

Help your local food banks

The charity BanktheFood has launched a free app to help people connect with their local community and donate highpriority goods to food banks.

With food prices skyrocketing and food banks struggling to meet growing demand, an app is now available that could make a difference.

BanktheFood connects you with your local food bank. Whenever the food bank runs low on essentials, the app sends you a list of their most needed items. But that’s not all - the app also sends you an urgent list of needed items when you arrive at the local supermarket, so you can easily pick up a few extra items to donate before you even reach the checkout. Over thirty-four thousand people are already using BanktheFood, helping three hundred and fifty food banks in communities across the UK.

For an easy way to make a difference, consider giving BanktheFood a try. Find out more at www.bankthefood.org

If your school or familyfriendly venue would like to receive copies of Families Thames Valley West magazine free of charge, please contact us at editor@familiestvw.co.uk

Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow Theatre School

Steppin Out Stars continues to be one of Berkshire’s leading theatre schools for children for ages 3½ to 17 years, the principal and her team have a string of west end credits to their name, and the staff are all DBS, first aid and chaperone trained.

Whether it is to improve your child’s confidence or to perform at huge events such as Disneyland, Formula 1 and The 02, then look no further!

Weekly classes are taught in drama, dance and singing in Woodley and Wokingham.

Call shelley on: 07970 034488 quoting ‘families’ to book your free taster session, visit www.steppinoutstars.co.uk, or e-mail: shelley@steppinoutstars.co.uk

Pick up a pumpkin at Odds Farm Park this October

Odds Farm Park, near Beaconsfield, is giving children the opportunity to get involved with harvesting thousands of pumpkins during its annual Pumpkin Festival between 21–29 October.

Over 7,000 pumpkin seeds were planted by farm workers in the spring ready for harvesting late autumn. Little ones can choose their own mini wheelbarrow before exploring the Oddlotment Pumpkin Patch to carefully select their own pumpkin to take home.

The Carving Corner will be open for families keen to pimp up their pumpkin without having to take the mess home. There will also be a tealight available for every pumpkin. And crafty visitors can get stuck in at the autumn-themed arts and crafts area where there is plenty for younger guests to get creative with.

For more information, call 01628 520188, visit www.oddsfarm. co.uk, or like and follow @OddsFarmPark on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest news and updates.

Heritage Open Days celebrate creativity

Heritage Open Days (HODs) return from 8 to 17 September with thousands of free events and experiences.

From historic houses to factories, museums to music halls, formal gardens to graveyards, places, spaces and communities across the country will again host hundreds of free events this autumn.

There will be plenty of free interactive activities for children including dressing up, craft, woodland walks and railway rides, all based around this year’s theme, Creativity Unwrapped, sharing England’s colourful history of creativity. The festival will celebrate the experts and enthusiastic amateurs whose passions and skills add something special to our daily lives.

Brought to you by the National Trust, supported by People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, HODs brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history.

New events will be added to the festival directory every day. Find out more at www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Home from Home with Chilly Powder

Do you prefer winter or summer in the Alps… or both? Francesca, Paul and their three children live in Morzine in France all year round and have a good knowledge of Alpine traditions and the Morzine people.

Having adapted their chalet holiday style over the years to suit the tastes of their regular guests, they offer the perfect ski and summer holidays for either families, couples or mixed groups in relaxing luxury, with fantastic food and outstanding facilities, with unrivalled in-house childcare facilities.

For many returning guests Chilly Powder is considered a real home from home.

For more about Chilly Powder chalets for summer and winter visit www.chillypowder.com

Extra land for Luckley House School

Luckley House School is delighted to announce that through the generosity of our benefactors we have secured an additional five acres of land, expanding Luckley by one third.

This is an exciting time for Luckley House School and we are looking forward to launching a new ten year development plan that will not only allow us to expand our sports facilities with this new and phenomenal acquisition but also to develop the wider site, enhancing our existing provision. Subject to planning permission and design work we hope to use this new land to create our own cricket oval and pavilion, athletics track and rugby pitch.

www.luckleyhouseschool.org

Open Days: September & October

Open days may need pre-booking. Please check before visiting.

Crosfields School, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG2 9BL 0118 987 1810

crosfields.com

Saturday 30 September

9:30am: Whole school event

Friday 6 October, 9:30am: Reception taster session

Thursday 12 October, 9:15am: Senior school open morning

Wednesday 18 October, 9:30am: Nursery stay and play

Kidmore End Primary School, Chalkhouse Green Road, Reading, RG4 9AU 0118 357 3149

kidmore-end.co.uk

Thursday 21 September, 9:30am: Open morning

Tuesday 17 September, 9:30am: Open morning

Leighton Park School, Reading, RG2 7ED 0118 987 9609

leightonpark.com

Saturday 23 September, 9am:

Open morning

Tuesday 10 October, 6:30pm:

Sixth form open evening

Friday 13 October, 9am: Open morning

Inquiring Minds

Leighton Park’s Fryer Project Qualification (FPQ) Expo 2023, the culmination of the two-year ‘Approaches to Learning’ programme, showcases the school’s commitment to fostering a spirit of inquiry. The experience develops critical thinking and cultivates practical skills, essential for lifelong learning. This year, the qualification engaged all Year 8 students.

The uniqueness of the FPQ lies in its student-driven nature. Participants were encouraged to choose their own research titles and questions, enabling them to delve into areas of personal interest and passion.

The chosen titles exhibited a wide range of interests, including thought-provoking inquiries such as ‘Will nuclear fusion ever be commercially available?’, ‘How does media manipulation work?’, ‘Picky eaters: nature or nurture?’, ‘Why do humans love cats so much?’, and ‘Should we have a global currency?’.

Find out more about Leighton Park School and our unique approach at the next open morning, book now at www. leightonpark.com/imagine-better

Luckley House School, Wokingham, RG40 3EU 0118 978 4175 luckleyhouseschool.org

Thursday 28 September: Sixth form open evening

Friday 29 September: Sixth form taster day

Saturday 14 October: Open morning

Reading Blue Coat School, Holme Park, Sonning-onThames, RG4 6SU 0118 230 5073 rbcs.org.uk

Various dates from 14 September to 5 October: School tours

Saturday 7 October: open morning

St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5JT 0118 966 1000 sjcr.org.uk

Wednesday 20 September, 9:30am: Senior open morning

Thursday 5 October, 6pm: Open evening

Thursday 17 October, 6:30pm: Sixth form open evening

The Acorn Centre

The Acorn Centre, for children in their Pre-Reception year, provides a nurturing environment where they can be happy, independent, creative and confident. We offer flexible, year-round care from £60.10 per day from 7.45am-6pm.

The day is structured around the way young children learn best, which includes uninterrupted time to direct their own play and make friends. We recognise that children also need times when adults plan and guide their activities with a clear focus, for example, on learning to count. Our children also engage in sessions when adults work directly with groups to teach them new things.

The Acorn Centre stimulates children’s natural curiosity at a time when their world is expanding through new experiences, and they become more independent. As children grow and flourish in the centre, we know they are laying firm foundations for a seamless transition into their Reception class.

For further information: www.sjcr.org.uk/the-acorn-centre

Don’t forget to say you saw these in Families Thames Valley West magazine!

Celebrating different learning styles

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble

Just as none of us look the same, everyone is born with tendencies towards certain learning styles when developing literacy, language and motor skills. Recognising your child’s learning style is important in understanding how they access their learning, particularly if they appear to be struggling in certain areas.

Visual learners rely on what they see. Encourage them to use visual aids, sit at the front of the class and write down or draw information.

Kinesthetic learners learn best through doing and moving. They benefit from using tools, acting out or role-playing new information and having freedom of movement.

Auditory learners learn best through hearing and listening. Engage in discussions about what they are learning, read stories out loud and repeat information.

Solitary learners absorb information independently of other people. Let them make notes and recite back, provide quiet learning spaces and give opportunities for sharing their learning. Verbal learners respond well to written or spoken words. Play word games, use rhymes, acronyms and mnemonics, read their writing aloud, encourage discussion and debate.

Logical learners use logic and structures in order to learn effectively. Provide problem-solving tasks, challenge them to work things out for themselves and have them verbalise ideas and answers.

Identifying your child’s learning style

Observe how your child naturally interacts with the world around them and also note weaknesses: what types of tasks do they find challenging?

Watch how your child expresses themselves. Children will be more expressive through their natural learning style. Auditory learners express themselves best through words whilst visual learners are more apt to reveal their emotions through facial expressions. Kinesthetic learners use more body language and may seem unable to stop themselves fidgeting.

Consider your child’s interests. These will likely reflect their learning styles. Auditory learners usually show an interest in music and sounds. Visual learners often have interests both in reading, watching TV and looking at interesting objects. With kinesthetic learners, look for an interest in physical activities.

See how your child solves problems. Children lean into their learning styles. Auditory learners tend to talk through and discuss possible solutions whilst visual learners use their eyes to solve problems. Kinesthetic learners will usually try to solve problems with their hands.

Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with the insights, skills and tools needed to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.

Being flexible around learning styles

As important as it is to understand and support your child with simple strategies to help them learn in the way that suits them best, it’s also helpful to encourage and embrace new ideas and a more flexible approach to their learning. Recent research has concluded that teaching children to use one specific learning style over others may not be entirely beneficial within the classroom setting. Sticking to what you perceive as your preferred learning style can create limitations, giving a false belief that learning can only be managed in one particular way. The most important thing is for a child to have the time to self-reflect on how they learn best and to be encouraged to experiment with tackling problems from a variety of angles.

It is also important to note that over time a child’s learning styles can change as they develop and progress through their own personal growth and their educational journey. Every child is unique and learning style is just one part of the greater way that your child learns.

How can AI support dyslexia?

By Usha Patel

Recently, the parent of a dyslexic student expressed their concern to me about their son’s preference for writing essays longhand instead of using speech-to-text software. Despite being offered assistive technology, he found that writing and rewriting by hand helped organise his jumbled thoughts and process ideas effectively.

Assistive technology plays a significant role in education, supporting students in all kinds of ways. Spelling and grammar software, for example, is widely used and not just by individuals with dyslexia. It helps improve spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. These tools enhance the ideas generated by individuals and guide them to ensure accuracy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) takes assistive technology a step further. When asked a question, Natural language processing tool ChatGPT can provide multiple options and ideas, serving as a valuable starting point. However, some individuals with dyslexia, particularly those who struggle with reading, may find it challenging to sift through the responses. So, what can be done to maximise its usefulness?

Education specific AI tools

AI technology can help bring some order to students’ ideas and form them into coherent arguments. This is something that assistive technology cannot do alone. For example, if the student who prefers writing longhand had access to AI technology that could assist him both in writing up his thoughts and managing paragraphs into a logical order, it would greatly benefit him.

With repeated use, the student could acquire the necessary techniques himself and learn the organisation process independently.

Natural language processing tools like ChatGPT can suggest improvements, correct factual errors and enhance the readability of content. This can be especially valuable for dyslexic individuals who struggle with remembering and recalling details, such as in a history project where dates and facts must be accurate.

Overall, AI technology can be a powerful ally in education, assisting students with dyslexia in organising their thoughts and enhancing their overall learning experience.

On the other hand, an over-reliance on AI could inhibit a child’s ability to think creatively for themselves. Take our use of mobile phones for example. We no longer have to remember frequently dialed numbers until we lose our phones. How many numbers from your phone can you remember yourself? AI should therefore be used in moderation.

Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist at Raviv Practice London. If you are interested in learning more about what therapies and methods could be combined with AI to help a dyslexic child achieve their potential, visit www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk

Using AI effectively with dyslexic children

While AI can be a valuable tool, there are a few considerations to keep in mind for students with dyslexia:

Personalised learning needs: Every student with dyslexia has their own unique learning needs and preferences. While AI can offer personalised recommendations and suggestions, it may not always cater to the specific learning styles, paces or individual needs of students with dyslexia.

Lack of contextual understanding: AI systems operate through algorithms and patterns derived from vast amounts of data. While they can provide information and generate responses, they may lack contextual understanding and nuanced interpretation. Emotional and social aspects: Learning involves not only acquiring knowledge but also emotional and social engagement. Although beneficial in certain aspects, AI cannot fully replace the emotional connection and support provided by human interaction.

Students with dyslexia have unique learning needs that require a personalised approach. Combining the benefits of AI tools with human support can create a more effective and well-rounded learning experience.

The skills of a good dyslexia teacher

A good dyslexia teacher possesses several qualities that enable them to effectively support and empower students with dyslexia. Here are some of them:

Knowledge and expertise: They are knowledgeable about evidence-based interventions, instructional techniques and accommodations that can support students with dyslexia. Patience and empathy: They demonstrate patience, understanding and empathy towards the struggles and challenges of their students.

Differentiated instruction: They employ a variety of teaching strategies to match and support their students’ diverse learning styles and strengths.

Structured and multisensory approach: They use techniques that engage multiple senses eg visual, auditory and kinesthetic, which can enhance learning and memory retention.

With these qualities, an experienced dyslexia teacher can make a significant positive impact on the academic and personal development of dyslexic students, giving them self-confidence and helping them thrive and reach their full potential.

Self-settling without the tears

By Stephanie Modell

The term ‘sleep training’ can have negative connotations but is often misunderstood. Foetuses sleep in utero with no learning involved. However, falling asleep in response to external cues, rather than internal biological cues, is a learned behaviour which you can influence.

Babies learn by association. If, within the first six months of life they have always been fed or rocked to sleep, this is what they will associate with going to sleep. When they wake during their many sleep cycles at night they may need this association to get them back to sleep.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeding or rocking to sleep if it’s working for you but if your baby is over six months old and you are struggling to sustain this throughout the night, you may wish to encourage some sleep independence.

Gradual retreat

Gradual retreat is my favoured method of helping a baby fall asleep. It’s a kind and responsive technique that doesn’t involve leaving your baby to cry. Before you begin, ensure your baby has an age-appropriate nap routine. There’s a fine line between a baby being over-tired or under-tired and both will make going to sleep challenging.

Establish a gentle wind down bedtime routine which will ideally include a bath. If you give the majority of the last feed of the day before the bath with just a top up after, you can break the association between feeding and sleeping.

Once your baby is ready for bed, do whatever you’d normally do to get them to sleep, which may be feeding, rocking or patting until they are sleepy but not fully asleep.

Settle them into their cot and keep a reassuring hand on them for a short time. Stand back and see what happens. Sometimes they’ll surprise you and fall asleep!

If they start to get upset, shush, pat, sing or whatever helps to calm them. If nothing works, pick them up, soothe until calm and then resettle them into their cot. Repeat as many times as necessary.

The goal is for them to achieve the last stage of falling to sleep on their own. By being consistent and doing the same thing at every sleep, your baby starts to learn that the cot is a safe place to be and trusts that you will respond to them.

Once you have made some progress and your baby is starting to associate their cot with sleep, you can start to gradually put them down when they are less and less drowsy.

The next step is to gradually cut down the interventions. If you’ve been shushing and patting, reduce it to just one or the other. Your goal is to be able to put your baby down awake, say ‘night night’ and leave them to happily fall asleep.

All babies are different; some will progress more quickly than others but, as this method does not involve leaving your baby to cry, you can use it at any age as you will always be responding to their needs.

Once your baby is self-settling at the start of the night they are less likely to wake during the night unless they are genuinely hungry.

The key points to remember are time, repetition and consistency. Happy sleeping!

Stephanie Modell is a sleep consultant, maternity nurse, mum to 25-year-old triplets and author of The Baby Sleep Guide (Summersdale). The new revised edition is available at www.bookshop.org

NHS 111 to offer paediatric advice

Before you begin

Is your baby in good health?

Do they have a daytime nap?

Have they had enough to eat and drink?

Do they have a regular, predictable bedtime routine?

Is their room dark? This is essential for the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

White noise: if you live in a noisy location or have a busy household, it can be a helpful soundscape for peaceful sleep.

Is your baby too hot or too cold during the night? Both may cause night waking.

Parents and carers using NHS 111 online or by phone are to receive increased access to specialist paediatric advice for their children.

This will include support from an increased number of paediatric clinicians working in NHS 111 to help parents and carers manage their child’s illness at home or decide the best route for their care.

Some children will be referred directly to a same-day appointment with a specialist rather than attending A&E, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.

More info: www.england.nhs.uk/news

Is it ever okay to… give parenting advice to another parent?

By Ellie Malt

Where do you stand on giving parenting advice to another parent? Should you try to help or steer clear altogether and give them the space to find their own solutions? If you are minded to have your say, we’ve got some suggestions to reduce the risk of sounding like a know-it-all. Two mums give their, ahem… advice!

We all know at least one baby who slept easily and fed beautifully from week one. If you are lucky in that respect, it is particularly tempting to offer advice but please don’t think you’ve discovered some amazing secret for solving all the problems of another parent.

Jumping in with advice can be the opposite of helpful; it may sound like you think you know the situation better than the parents. In reality, you can’t know all the factors at play.

It’s easy to blame ‘parenting’ when often there are biological issues that lie behind struggles with feeding, sleeping and meltdowns, many of which may not emerge for years. For example, developmental delays, sensory issues, hearing loss, ADHD, autism, eczema, reflux and allergies are just a few of the many (and sometimes invisible) possibilities. And it can take years for parents to figure out causes or find solutions. During that time, it’s typical for parents to feel judged, so while offering advice to an already sleep-deprived parent might make you feel better, it’s more likely to make them feel worse.

Advice, particularly when it hasn’t been asked for, can often land when energy levels are already low, putting the onus on the parent to have to justify why what has worked for you just doesn’t work for their child.

Anna, mum of two boys, from Devon

How to pick the right moment?

Timing is key: no matter how good the advice, it’s a bad idea to suggest anything after a particularly difficult night or right in the middle of any meltdown.

It’s important to see how the advice is being received, so avoid sending an email/ text/WhatsApp or posting on social.

If in doubt, hold back. If someone shares a problem, chances are a non-judgmental listening ear and sympathy are actually more helpful than advice, however well-meant.

Getting advice at the right time and from the right people can be helpful. For example, when meeting up with other new mums to feed your baby and enjoy a coffee together, it seems natural to talk about what you’re going through and to compare experiences.

When you are all just figuring it out together, it feels less judgemental; more of a safe space in which to swap stories about small wins and epic fails. Just occasionally a golden nugget of advice will drop into your lap.

On the flipside, lots of parenting advice either won’t work for your particular situation or your child or it may be out of date. Granted, it can be irritating when advice is worded as if it’s a universal law applicable to everyone, therefore implying you are a ‘bad parent’ for not doing whatever it is. That said, it would be a shame to miss out on something useful just because of another person’s misplaced sense of conviction or poor timing.

I try to see advice as a potential tool rather than a rule and remind myself it’s in my power to be curious, to test and then reject or accept it. Even when the advice doesn’t work, ruling it out is one step closer to success. In this way I can see parenting as a process of constant refinements rather than a reflection on some kind of innate ability.

Sarah, mum of three, from Oxfordshire

What to share instead of advice?

Your own problems: in moderation. This helps the other parent feel less alone.

Things you are considering trying yourself but haven’t yet! So there’s no suggestion that you have the absolute answer. Useful gadgets/objects: keeps the focus on physical solutions rather than criticising actions.

Share your sources: mentioning helpful podcasts, books etc instead of offering specific advice (but only send a link if the person asks you to).

‘Jumping in with advice can be the opposite of helpful.’

‘Just occasionally a golden nugget will drop into your lap.’

Splitting the parenting workload

By Tanith Carey

The number of women in work has hit a record high at more than seventy five per cent in the UK. It’s great that we are gaining more equality in the workplace – except for one factor: women are still doing the lion’s share of the housework and organisation around kids, as well as the emotional heavy lifting.

Research from Stanford University has found that women still tend to take on a much greater proportion of childcare and household management in heterosexual relationships because they don’t feel entitled to put their own needs and time first.

The impact this overload can have is burn-out, numbness, emotional flatlining and even a dial down of their capacity to enjoy time with their kids. Women speak of feeling so overloaded that they want to quietly disappear in a puff of smoke.

One Mumsnet thread called: ‘Am I unreasonable to just pack my bags, disappear and leave everyone to it?’ crystallises the feelings of many women who feel too overwhelmed to enjoy their lives and who fantasise about being free of demands. A flurry of replies like: ‘If you let me tag along, I’ll bring cake’ and ‘I might do the same’ showed how much it touched a nerve.

With more paternity leave, dads working from home and outdated gender roles breaking down, we are moving in the right direction. But if you’re not there yet, what’s the best way to share the load more evenly?

Have

a re-balancing conversation

In an amicable, constructive way, draw up a list together of everything you and your partner both do to keep your home

going. This may include micro-tasks, like being the one who always applies sunscreen to the kids, who arranges birthday parties and organises childcare.

Compare lists and consider ways to share the jobs more evenly. Point out that having to remind your partner to do tasks puts more pressure on you and that if they take responsibility for something, like the laundry, they should see it all the way through from start to finish. Remember too that partners are not mind-readers.

Your partner may not have noticed the toll that the build-up of unequal balance is taking on you. Co-parents may also lack confidence or think they won’t do some tasks as well as you. Be prepared to offer non-critical training! Remember that not all tasks need to be done exactly the same way.

Tanith Carey is the author of Feeling Blah? Why Anhedonia has left you joyless and how to recapture life’s highs (Welbeck £16.99) available from www.bookshop.org

Write a ‘no-do’ list

Your brain has finite resources. It can’t multi-task. It can only rapidly switch attention, which is exhausting. When it feels like you have too many tabs open, your cortisol level can stay permanently raised, interrupting the workings of your reward system.

We are all familiar with the concept of to-do lists. But sometimes we need to write a ‘no-do’ list to intentionally reduce our mental load and free up more time for joy. The number of chores on your list may have built up because it feels easier to do them yourself and you haven’t had the time to train the people around you to share them.

When drawing up a no-do list, write a list of the things you do each week. With each, ask yourself: Do I actually want this or is it just expected of me?

Then decide which ones you can cross off and which ones you can delegate. Before dropping tasks, check first that there won’t be any negative consequences for you or anyone around you, as a result.

For ages 9 to 16 (and their parents/carers).

Amazing Mazes!

Outdoor mazes are a lot of fun, and you can feel a quiet sense of achievement when you get to the centre or the end, whatever your age! It’s fun to compare different styles of mazes, and so we have put together a list of local places that have outdoor mazes. They can be combined with another nearby activity, such as a walk or a picnic.

Blenheim Palace

Woodstock, OX20 1PP

The maze is two miles in length and made up of hundreds of yew trees in a design inspired by the history of Blenheim Palace.

Brick in Grass Maze

Higginson Park, Marlow, SL7 2AE

Created by Adrian Fisher to mark the millennium.

Saxon Maze

The Herb Farm, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9NJ

The Herb Farm is a beautiful garden centre with a shop and cosy café – great for the grown-ups! – but the highlight for children is its maze!

This is a Saxon maze between beech hedges, and it takes you around a dizzying number of twists and turns before the clearing in the middle suddenly emerges. Its design is based on a Saxon sea creature, with winding paths imitating writhing tentacles.

When I last visited, the maze was very peaceful, and it is easy enough that children don’t become frustrated but also designed so that you cover a lot of its area on the way to the middle – a fun activity for all ages!

Brick Maze

Goswells Park, Windsor, SL4 1AN

The centre of the maze is a mosaic which represents the Round Tower of Windsor Castle.

Cliveden (National Trust)

Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire, SL1 8NS

Cliveden’s maze is made from more than 1,000 two-metre-high yew trees, creating 500m of winding paths.

Hampton Court Palace Maze

East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU

The Hampton Court Maze is still baffling visitors after 300 years.

Thyme Maze

Off path at the Hardwick Road entrance to the village, Whitchurch-on-Thames, Reading, RG8

The maze, which measures 21.3 metres in diameter, was designed to blend in and enhance the lovely open meadow site.

PICTURE CROSSWORD

Saxon Maze

Children’s reviews

If your child would like to write a review of 100-200 words of a great local place, please e-mail it to editor@familiestvw.co.uk

River and Rowing Museum

Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire, RG9 1BF, rrm.co.uk

By Andrea

Clip ‘n Climb Reading

We went to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley. First we went in the Wind in the Willows experience. It is a pathway where statues tell the story. The music brings the story to life. In one part it is spooky and dark and the other is light and bright. In the light bit it has a caravan with teacups you can play with. Then we went to the play room and it is quite entertaining for little kids and you can also meet Mr Toad!

There are also some boats to see in the museum but we only saw a few.

After the museum we walked along the river to the playground and got an ice cream! My favourite part was the Wind in the Willows experience and I had a lovely day.

Reading Museum

By Marianne, Age 8

Town Hall, Reading, RG1 1QH, readingmuseum.org.uk

I went to the Reading Museum with my parents and my little brother. It has lots of interesting things to look at and also many activities.

We first looked around downstairs where you can see what Reading was like long time ago. We heard music that is hundreds of years old and you can also smell what Reading used to smell like! We then went upstairs and saw lots of stuffed animals. My favourite was the huge deer stag! My brother really liked the bugs. We also looked at old biscuit tins and found out why Reading was called Biscuit Town. I wish they were still making biscuits here. Then we did some colouring at the art spot. There is a room where you can learn about the Romans and even dress up like one! We liked the model of the Roman town and guessing the spices they used. I also did the space hunt which is like a treasure hunt and I loved it. You had to guess the word at the end and you can get a prize.

By AgeZara,12

The Grain Store, Reading, RG2 9HT, reading.clipnclimb.co.uk

At first, I felt overwhelmed by how many climbing walls there were. There really is something for everyone, whether you prefer a challenge, a timed wall, or to stick with fun and unique walls. It’s easy to learn how to clip on and off. The first wall I climbed on, I felt unsteady but as you go along you get more comfortable and start to push yourself more.

My favourite climbing area was the ‘staircase to heaven’ which is green pillars of different heights going round in a circle. I like this one because I was scared at first but then I got to the top and felt very accomplished.

I’m definitely coming again with my friends. I am going to try the vertical drop slide, which is a slide/ ramp where you try to hold onto the bar that slowly goes up, and then when you can’t hold on any longer you let go and slide down.

Handling headlice

By Andrew Campbell

Headlice are a common problem faced by many parents, so here is what to do when there’s a classroom outbreak.

It helps to first understand the facts:

• Headlice are 2.5mm to 3mm long at adult stage.

• Their eggs are small, white and stick to the head, taking seven to ten days to hatch and then seven to ten days to mature into adults.

• Head lice only survive two to three days away from a human head.

• Contrary to myth, headlice don’t jump or fly, they don’t have a preference for either clean or dirty hair and they spread only from head to head contact, not from pillows or hairbrushes.

Symptoms

These can include itching, small itchy rash-like pink bumps around the edge of the scalp and the feeling of something crawling in the hair. Or there may be no symptoms and you might only find lice by systematically parting and combing the hair with a fine-toothed nit comb from the root of the hair to the tip. You will be able to see any lice, eggs or nits if you wipe the comb on a tissue between strokes. If you find any, it’s advisable to check the whole family’s hair.

Getting rid of head lice

Your local chemist will stock insecticide and non-insecticide treatment shampoos. Check your chosen product is suitable

for the age of your child and note that some treatments are not suitable for pregnant women. There is no medical evidence of the effectiveness of Tea Tree Oil.

An alternative to treatment shampoos is wet combing with conditioner in the first instance or using this alongside the treatment shampoo. This can be helpful as some head lice are resistant to insecticides. If the treatment product requires you to treat the hair more than once, wet comb in between treatments to remove any eggs that may have hatched.

Wet combing

To wet comb, wet the hair, apply conditioner and thoroughly comb through all of the hair, in sections. Wash off the conditioner and repeat. In between each stroke, you need to wipe the comb on a tissue to check for lice. Repeat wet combing every two or three days until no lice have been seen for ten days. The aim is to remove all the lice as they hatch before they have the chance to mature, produce new eggs and reinfest your child.

Common questions

Do I need to keep my child at home? No - as long as you are actively treating the lice. Naturally you should inform your child’s school so they can let other parents know. It’s advisable to keep long hair tied back and warn anyone your child mixes with of the situation.

If your child is old enough, you can explain to them that it’s a good idea not to get their head too close to that of other people. Do I need to wash all bedding? You don’t need to worry about other family members or friends being infected from things your child’s head has touched like pillows, duvets, cushions or soft toys.

What about pets? Headlice don’t feed on animal blood so this is nothing to be concerned about.

Where can I read more? The Little Book of Nits, by Richard Jones and Justine Crow is both a fact-packed manual and entertaining read. Signed copies are £7.99 from www.booksellercrow.co.uk

Repeated checking

Whichever method you choose to treat your child, you should keep checking their hair regularly after the last of the lice have disappeared. This is because headlice lay a new batch of eggs daily. They take seven to ten days to hatch, so even if you’ve got rid of the live lice, there may be more waiting to hatch.

Check for headlice every time you wash your child’s hair, as it’s easier to spot lice on wet hair. Double check places like the nape of the neck and behind the ears where headlice sometimes lurk.

Head lice can be hard to shift. Their life-cycle, small size and the problem of treatment resistance all conspire to make this tricky. It’s not uncommon for family members to re-infest each other as headlice move from one head to another, plus of course, unless your child’s school friends have also been treated, headlice infestations can just continue to circulate in their class. If you’re finding headlice stubbornly hanging on, speak to your chemist for advice.

Make a haunted house for Halloween!

We asked our friends at Art-K Art School (www.art-k.co.uk) for a wonderfully spooky creative project for the kids to make for Halloween and they have come up with this very scary, haunted house.

You will need:

ü Water colour paints, ü A4 and A5 pieces of card

Instructions:

ü Scissors

ü Black sharpie

ü Glue

Step 1: Draw the haunted house on card and use a black sharpie to outline it. Simplify it if your child is very young. Now paint in the outline.

Step 2: Fold an A4 piece of card in half horizontally. Create two flaps by cutting a three-sided panel either side of the fold. Bend the two flaps inwards.

Step 3: Copy and draw two pumpkins onto separate A5 pieces of card.

Step 5: Glue the painted pumpkins onto A5 pieces of card as shown.

Step 6: Draw and outline ghosts and tombstones on to the A4 piece of cards. Find some ghosts on the internet to inspire your child. Then paint.

Step 7: Open up the A4 piece of card to see the step in the middle that bending the flaps inwards has created.

You now have your haunted house with pumpkins and ghosts!

andCutout keep

Step 4: Outline and paint the pumpkins



Step 8: Glue the house onto this step and stick the card with the pumpkins in front of the house.

Spotlight on Master Builders Club

Local entrepreneurs are inspiring! Kate Winter had an idea and the drive to create a business around it. This issue she tells us about her business, Master Builders Club, and the challenges of parenting alongside running a business.

What does your business do, and when did it start?

Master Builders Club provides immersive and engaging events for LEGO and DUPLO fans. The business was launched in 2016 when I was 8 months pregnant with my third son. I looked for a ’LEGO Club’ for my other sons (4 and 6 at the time) to attend where they could build, try new ideas and meet like-minded ‘Brickies’ but I couldn’t find one. Master Builders Club was created to fill a gap in the children’s activity market, and my small business start-up has grown to be a full-time job and extremely rewarding venture.

What did you do before running your current business?

I was an Events Manager for the Luxury Hotel Group and was based at Pennyhill Park in Surrey. My role was to plan and support events for leading corporate industries.

What do you like most about your work?

Watching children bringing an idea to life, growing in confidence and ultimately feeling proud of themselves brings a huge sense

of job satisfaction. And it’s not just children who need to play. Our Professional Play Workshops for the Workspace provide a creative and collaborative buzz to corporate events.

Directing a business means that no two days are the same, and I enjoy putting my mind and energy to different areas of the role. I love creating content for editorials, designing and implementing marketing campaigns, engaging with our customers through social media, responding to enquiries, meeting clients and facilitating

events. This job ticks all the boxes for me!

Do you have any tips for how to effectively juggle running a business and family life? Family life is very busy with three boys who have different interests and commitments and a husband who works overseas! My workload varies from week to week, and I rely on my childcare providers being very flexible and very available! I use a brilliant digital planner called PocketLife, although my memory retention is significantly higher when I write by hand, and so I still love a paper diary and a big notepad for day-today ‘to do lists’.

I block out important dates in the business diary, such as sports day or birthdays, and I always endeavour to be present for these special occasions. I also make time for exercise daily, as I reap the benefit of a run by the river, walk with a friend or open water swim. Just 30 minutes a day allows me to make lists in my head, prioritise and plan for the day ahead.

Do you have any plans for exciting changes over the coming months?

Demand for specialist-led after school clubs and holiday club provision is on the increase, and so we will be looking to expand the team in the coming months to bring brick building play to more children (and adults too!)

www.masterbuildersclub.co.uk

Escape Rooms

Over the last decade or so escape rooms have been springing up everywhere, and there are lots locally that offer experiences suitable for families with children aged around 8 and above.

We spoke to 10-year-old Jake, who told us about an escape room that he did with his parents.

What was the theme of the escape room that you did?

It was a pirate escape room. We had to try to find the treasure, but it had multiple rooms.

Did you get out in time?

Yes.

How long did you have?

I think it was an hour.

Who do you think would enjoy an escape room?

People who like solving puzzles and like problem solving. It could be any age, like 5 and over. It depends on the difficulty.

Do you have any recommendations for people that are trying an escape room for the first time?

You should try to prioritise and think outside of the box, splitting up and trying to solve different things.

Giveaway: Puzzalogical game!

Bracknell Town Centre’s premier escape room destination, Puzzalogical 5*, has announced an exciting development: the addition of a fourth room! This room promises to propel participants into the stars with its innovative space-themed concept.

Located in Easthampstead House, a stone’s throw from Fenwick’s, Puzzalogical has already captivated many with its diverse escape rooms—Secret of the Vault, Prison Break, and Pharaoh’s Mystery. With the new cosmic addition, the company reasserts its commitment to creating diverse, engaging experiences… Get ready to embark on an interstellar journey right from the heart of Bracknell Town Centre!

To celebrate Puzzalogical’s new room opening, we are offering a chance to win a free game for up to six people. To enter, e-mail editor@familiestwv.co.uk by 30 September.

Get autumn-term ready with a free Perform class

Perform classes use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s potential. Run by experienced actor-teachers, the classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: confidence, communication, coordination and concentration.

From September, Perform 4-7 year olds will take to the skies with Phileas Fogg as they go on an amazing adventure Around the World. Whether walking like a wallaby in the outback or revealing the legends of the Egyptian pyramids, the new term will be filled with globetrotting fun!

Meanwhile, 7-12 year olds are going to the ball in a rags-to-riches rock show, Cinderella Rocks. This hilarious version of Cinderella features struggling band, The Ugglies, in their quest to top the charts with charming music mogul, Simon Prince.

With all abilities welcome, the children will work towards an end-of-term performance for family and friends. The only requirement is to get ready to have the best fun of the week!

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to find your nearest venue and to book a free class. Venues: Crowthorne, Goring, Henley, Newbury, Reading, Twyford, Wokingham.

Girlguiding and Scouts today Building resilience, confidence and wellbeing

By Tara Pahari

Girlguiding has been a part of millions of girls’ lives for one hundred and thirteen years and counting. Set up because girls wanted an equal world with the same opportunities as boys, impressive progress has been made since it began. But things can still be tough for girls. With many facing high expectations and anxieties in every area of their lives, they can be limited by gender stereotypes and face barriers to accessing the things they need to feel happy.

In Girlguiding’s annual Girls’ Attitudes Survey, two in three girls and young women ages 11 to 21 said that being part of a youth organisation makes them feel accepted and more connected to others. Girls in Girlguiding are more confident than their peers, with nearly nine in ten saying they like being the way they are, compared with just six in ten who have never been in Girlguiding.

Youth groups such as Girlguiding and Scouts are equipping young people with transferable life skills such as leadership, money management and teamwork. A recent report from Demos has demonstrated how skills learnt from Scouting can make a significant difference to employability.

Guides today can still earn badges, in an updated programme which includes mindfulness, self-care and media criticism. Girls are also supported to develop emotionally, mentally and physically so they can make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world.

Empowering girls for more than a hundred years, Girlguiding is committed to doing the same today, with a keen focus on what drives, challenges and excites girls. Whether that’s the thrill of trying a new activity, singing around a campfire, enjoying the

89th Reading Scout Group

With an international Membership of approximately 25 million, well over half a million in the UK alone, the Scout Movement is the world’s largest voluntary organisation for boys and girls. Impressive figures - particularly when you consider that Scouting began with 20 boys and an experimental camp held during the first nine days of August 1907, at Brownsea Island, Dorset.

Robin Kent, Group Scout Leader (GSL) of The 89th Reading (Milestone Wood) Scout Group, says “I started to volunteer with Scouts about 15 years ago when my children were members. Scouting is about meeting new friends, sharing adventures and making the most of life’s opportunities. This is true for both the young people and the adult volunteers, and that is what I love about Scouting. As GSL my role is to manage the volunteer team to deliver a great Scouting experience so that we make it as easy and safe as possible for our 180+ young people to push the boundaries of their experience and enjoy challenging adventures.”

To find out more visit www.89th.org.uk. To join in the fun and find out about our new flexible, teams-based approach to volunteering, e-mail Robin: gsl@89th.org.uk

buzz of earning a new badge or emailing her MP about the issues she cares about; it’s a space where she can be herself, get creative, explore and most of all, have fun.

Meanwhile, Scouting embraces an inclusive Skills for Life strategy that encompasses teamwork, leadership and resilience and this has not gone unnoticed in the world of employment. The report highlighted that over half of Scouts felt ready for the world of work compared to a third of those who did not participate in any extra-curricular activities. With many employers struggling to hire people with teamwork skills or emotional resilience, these transferable skills are currently in huge demand.

For more information about joining Girlguiding visit www.girlguiding.org.uk and Scouts www.scouts.org.uk

52nd Reading Explorer Scouts visit Denmark

This year, Explorer Scouts from 52nd Reading Scout Group based in South Reading, drove to Denmark for their summer camp!

As a youth-shaped organisation, the decision of where to hold each summer camp and what sort of activities to take part in rests with the Explorer Scouts themselves.

The Explorers set up camp at Houens Odde Scout Centre, near Kolding, where they took part in blacksmithing and spoon carving workshops, crabbing and a fascinating raft tour of the Lillebaelt strait. They even had time for a day trip to Legoland before moving to Copenhagen!

In Copenhagen, the Explorers were able to explore the charm of the city by taking a boat trip through the picturesque waterways, climbing the iconic Rundetaarn and sharing the beautiful botanical gardens.

Not far from the city, they climbed a forest tower that rises far above the canopy to provide stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

If you are interested in volunteering with 52nd Reading Scouts, contact GSL@52ndreadingscoutgroup.org.uk

Clubs and classes directory

Please get in touch if you would like to be included in our directory: editor@familiestvw.co.uk

DEVELOPMENTAL CLASSES

BilinguaSing

French, Spanish and Italian classes from age 0-11. Fun sensory music classes with the added bonus of a second language! Trial slots available, as well as sibling discounts. Classes in Wokingham, Bracknell, Theale, Caversham and other Berkshire locations Monday-Friday. Contact Cari Weston at cari@bilinguasing. com or call 07729261018 for more information.

Master Builders Club Brick Building Workshops for Children

Master Builders Club is a LEGO® & DUPLO® lovers paradise! Our weekend and holiday workshops, after school clubs, birthday parties and nursery/primary school events are designed to provide children with an exciting and captivating experience.

We provide 1000’s of LEGO® or DUPLO® bricks in a calm and supportive environment along with the imaginative stimulus to transform a room into a world of creativity.

If you are passionate about providing engaging and stimulating play opportunities that nurture your child’s mind, then Master Builders Club is for you! To book your brick building fan a place or to find out more about our events, visit the webite.

www.masterbuildersclub.co.uk

GYMNASTICS, SPORT AND SWIMMING

Bulmershe Gymnastics Club

Based at a purpose-built gym in Woodley. Gymnastics classes for all ages including Leap Frogs for walkers to five years lead by qualified coaches.

www.bulmershegymnastics.co.uk

Esprit Kids Gymnastics

Based in Winnersh, classes are designed to be small, so our trained instructors can help your child on a more individual level. A fun, exciting way to teach children, keep them fit, improve their self-esteem and develop skills that will last a lifetime.

www.esprit-kids.co.uk

GR Swimming Schools

Swim England Swim School of the Year 2022! Uniquely structured, safe, FUN, children’s swimming lessons from 3 years old. Lessons include continual assessment and lane progression. Maximum of 6 children per class. Aquaphobia lessons, Adults Beginners, Improvers and Advanced. Shy, nervous and anxious children welcome. Call 07853194327 jo@swimlessons.co.uk, swimlessons.co.uk

Artemis Studios

Bracknell-based children’s performing arts and education charity. We run outstanding term-time and holiday classes in musical theatre, cheerleading with gymnastics and hip hop. We offer a two-week free tryout for all term time classes all year around - you can book online and start next week!

www.artemis-studios.co.uk

Perform drama, dance and singing classes

Confidence-building drama classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. A unique mix of fun drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination.To book a FREE class visit www.perform.org.uk/try

Alison-Jayne School of Dance

The Alison-Jayne School of Dance is a small dance school offering ISTD Ballet, Tap and Modern lessons from age 3 to 18 years at the Christ Church Centre, Henley, and Sonning Common School. For further information/free Introductory lesson, please call 0118 979 0683 / 07968 592812 or e-mail ajdance.uk@gmail. com, www.alison-jaynedance

Progress Youth Theatre

Workshops for ages 7-18 involving theatre games, improvisation and skills development, leading to a stage production every year. We are an Arts Award Supporter and also offer LAMDA courses. Classes held at Progress Theatre, Reading.

Email us to book a FREE taster session.

youthgroup@progresstheatre.co.uk progresstheatre.co.uk/youth-theatre

Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow

COVID secure, fun, energetic theatre classes for 3½ to 18yrs. Dance, drama, singing, tap, street dance, pop styles and musical theatre. Regular award-winning classes in Wokingham and Woodley, plus summer schools. Call Shelley on 07970 034 488, or email shelley@ steppinoutstars.co.uk

www.steppinoutstars.co.uk

GR SWIMMING SCHOOLS

CHILDREN FROM 3 YEARS (TEACHERS IN THE WATER)

MAXIMUM 6 CHILDREN PER CLASS

FUN! UNIQUELY STRUCTURED LESSONS!

CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT & LANE PROGRESSION

SHY, NERVOUS & ANXIOUS CHILDREN WELCOME

AQUAPHOBIA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

ROOKIE LIFEGUARD PROGRAMME

(SUPPORTS DOFE)

ADULTS: BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED

LEVELS

STROKE TECHNIQUE

GO WITH THE FLOW FOR A WATER BIRTH

After school, evening and weekend classes...

Brockhurst School, RG18 9UL St Andrews School, RG8 8QA The Downs School, RG20 6AD

Contact us: 07853 194327

Jo@swimlessons.co.uk

DANCE & DRAMA

What’s on

September & October 2023

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

SEPTEMBER

1 Sep

Messy Museum Day: Marvellous masks West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Decorate a face mask with paint pens and a variety of other craft materials. £2.50 per child. 10am–3pm

1 Sep

Dog Show

Signature Care Home, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6LB, signaturecare-homes.co.uk/communities/ signature-at-caversham Free entry.

1 Sep–15 Oct

The Lord of the Rings

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE, watermill. org.uk

Venture into the otherworldly depths of Middle-earth with a brand-new intimate production based on the classic trilogy The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. From £25

2 Sep

Thames Valley Police Open Day Sulhamstead, near Reading, RG7 4DX, thamesvalleypolice.co.uk

We aim to promote a greater understanding of the many departments and specialist teams within the force. Free entry. 10am–4pm

2 Sep

Love Unites 2023

Kings Meadow, Reading, RG1 8BN, readingpride.co.uk

The Love Unites 2023 Parade brings the spirit of Pride to the centre of Reading and is followed by a familyfriendly festival. Free entry. 12-7pm

2 Sep

Super Crawly Hero

Nature Discovery Centre, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt. org.uk/explore/visitor-centres/ nature-discovery-centre

Get ready to take a closer look at super-crawly heroes – insects and decide what powers you would like to create a design of you as a supercrawly hero! 1:30–3:30pm

2 Sep

Wi-Fi Wars

South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU, wifiwars.co.uk

Wi-Fi Wars is a live comedy game show where you play along! 3pm

3 Sep

Reading Children’s Book Group at Fourbears Books

Fourbears Books, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG, fourbearsbooks.co.uk/event-details

Join us for some pirate-themed stories and activities. Pirate costumes optional. Ages 5-8. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but booking essential by 4pm on Sat 2 Sep. 10am-11am

3 Sep Rotherfield Greys Fete Greys Court, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 4PG, nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshireberkshire/greys-court

Enjoy an afternoon of community with stalls from local groups and lawn games. 12–4pm

3 Sep

Rotary Duck Race

The Rowbarge, Station Road, Woolhampton, RG7 5SH, rowbargewoolhampton.co.uk

Also known as The Great Thatcham Duck Race, toy ducks are raced along the canal. 10:30am

4 Sep Museums, My Way Museum of English Rural Life, University Of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5EX, merl. reading.ac.uk/event

Developed with Autism Berkshire, ‘Museums, My Way’ sessions allow neurodivergent visitors of all ages to explore both museums in a safe environment. Free entry. 10am– 2pm

5 Sep

Story Adventure in the Gardens

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE, watermill. org.uk

Enjoy The Watermill’s beautiful gardens and learn through storybased sensory outdoor play. Perfect for under 5s. 11am– 11:45am

7 Sep

Meet the Rugby Stars

The Retreat at Elcot Park, Newbury, RG20 8NJ, retreatelcotpark.com

A real treat for younger rugby fans – bring the kids for a delicious pizza, and they will get to meet and chat with former England player Andy Gomarsall and former New Zealand player Andrew Merhtens – an unforgettable opportunity for autographs and selfies with two legends of international rugby. 4:30–6:30pm

8 Sep Outdoor Cinema: Matilda the Musical

The Swan, High Street, Streatleyon-Thames, RG8 9HR, coppaclub. co.uk/theswanatstreatley

Roald Dahl’s much loved book Matilda, tells the story of an extraordinary girl with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination who takes a daring stand to change her story — with miraculous results.

6:30–9:30pm

8 Sep

Bats at the Museum

West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

A walk by local bat expert James Shipman about the life of these amazing creatures. £5, 8–8:45pm

9 Sep

Charity Emergency Services Day

Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen, Bath Road, Hungerford, RG17 0SP,

cobbsfarmshops.co.uk/cobbshungerford

This is a free event for customers to enjoy, but we are hoping to raise some money for our local emergency services. 10am–4pm

9 Sep

The Lord of the Rings Puppetry

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE, watermill. org.uk

Work with the puppetry team working on The Lord of the Rings to learn the craft of puppetry. 9am–12pm

9 Sep

Animal Camouflage

Nature Discovery Centre, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt. org.uk/explore/visitor-centres/ nature-discovery-centre

Get ready to be tricked and deceived, look closely at the details; is that it there? 1–3:30pm

9 and 10 Sep

Heritage Open Days

Shaw House, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

Join us in the Great Hall for introductory talks about the history of the House and then explore the House, exhibition rooms and our historic costume exhibition ‘Dressed for Shaw’ and the English Civil War arms and armoury exhibition ‘Dressed for Battle’. Free entry. 11:30am/12:30pm/1:30pm/2:30pm

9 and 10 Sep

Heritage Open Days

West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

Meet members from the Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers who will show you some of the traditional skills associated with the original purpose of the seventeenth century Cloth Hall. Free entry. 10:30am–3pm

10 Sep

Reading Cycle Festival

Christchurch Meadows, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8BY, readingcyclefestival.co.uk

Come along to explore new ways of cycling, find out how to look after your bike, and meet local groups offering advice, maps and guided cycling activities. 11am–4pm

10 Sep

Kidical Mass Bike Ride

Christchurch Meadows, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8BY, kidicalmassreading.co.uk

Ride to the Reading Cycle Festival. 12pm

15 and 16 Sep

Twelfth Night (not quite)

Arlington Arts Centre, Snelsmore, RG14 3BQ, Arlington-arts.com

The play incorporates the fundamental story of Twelfth Night with a difference, as ReaKt explore the sensory realm of visual enjoyment, wonderful songs and physical movement. 7pm

15 Sep–19 Nov

20 Historical Women Who Changed the World

The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

This bold, colourful and historically inspired exhibition features the works of Nigerian-born artist, Chinwe Russell featuring women from around the world, whose achievements in different sectors, have had a massive impact on the contemporary world and continue to do so. Tickets from £5.75, under-18s free. Wed–Sun, 10am–5pm.

16 Sep

World Craft Inspired Portraits

The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

Create a portrait of someone who inspires you using a variety of mixed media and world craft influences. £15 per child. 10am–12pm

16 Sep

Paper Sculpture and Mark Making Workshop

Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street, Reading, RG1 4RJ, whatsonreading.com

Your creativity will be unwrapped as you are gently guided by Jelly artists to create drawings, marks and patterns inspired by items from the Mills Archive Trust collection. Your drawings will then be turned into a wind paper sculpture. Free entry. 10am–1pm

16 and 17 Sep

Newbury Show

The Newbury Showground, Priors Court, Hermitage, RG18 9QZ, newburyshowground.co.uk/ newbury-show-2023

With hours of entertainment for both young and old alike, Newbury Show is a great day out combining main ring displays, excellent shopping, a unsurpassed food hall experience, craft marquee, rural crafts, have-ago activities plus all the traditions of a county show including agricultural machinery, vintage displays and the hugely popular ‘Grand Parade of Livestock’. 9am–5pm

17 Sep

Reading Children’s Book Group at Fourbears Books

Fourbears Books, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG, fourbearsbooks.co.uk/eventdetails

Pirate fun with local author Iszi Lawrence. Pirate costumes optional. The first 20 children to book will receive a free copy of Iszi’s book Blackbeard’s Treasure. Suitable for ages 9-11. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-booking essential by 4pm on Saturday 16th Sep. 10am-11am

17 Sep

One Community Cricket and Family Fun Day

Falkland Cricket Club, Enborne Street, Newbury, RG14 6TW, communityunited.uk

Twice as big as last year, there are twelve teams playing in the cricket competition on the day. 10am–2pm

17 Sep

Around the Cemetery in 80

Minutes: An interactive Victorian family adventure Reading Old Cemetery, 259 London Road, Reading, RG1 3NY, whatsonreading.com

History walk. 1:30–4pm

17 Sep

Explore Newbury: The First Battle of Newbury Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

The tour is suitable for all ages and will give a fascinating insight into the long and eventful history of Newbury and is suitable for town inhabitants and visitors. 10:30am

23 Sep

Nature Discovery Centre Book Day

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre

A day of nature-based book talks for people of all ages! Children’s talks at 10-11am (Anita Loughrey) and 1:302:30pm (Lizzie Pepper). Adults: £7, children: £4.

23 Sep - 1 Oct

Giant Apple Art Greys Court, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 4PG, nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshireberkshire/greys-court

For harvest this year, help to create a giant apple on our lawn out of apples harvested from the kitchen gardens. 10am–5pm

24 Sep

Ministry of Science

The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com Now, the UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever! 1pm

25 Sep

One Enchanted Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on

This will be a night brimming with Rodgers & Hammerstein favourites from The Sound of Music and King & I, to South Pacific, Carousel and of course Oklahoma as well as songs from their shows before the pair united.

1 Oct

OCTOBER

Reading Children’s Book Group at Fourbears Books

Fourbears Books, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG, fourbearsbooks. co.uk/event-details

Join us for some poems, stories and information books about trees, woods and forests. Suitable for ages 5-8. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-booking essential by 4pm on 30 Sep. 10am-11am

3 Oct

Story Adventure in the Gardens

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE, watermill. org.uk

Enjoy The Watermill’s beautiful gardens and learn through storybased sensory outdoor play. Perfect for under 5s. 11–11:45am

6-7 and 12-14 Oct

Betty Blue Eyes

Whitley Wood Lane, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9DF, shinfieldplayers. org.uk

Musical entertainment for the whole family. 7:45pm

6-13 Oct

Thatcham Festival

Various venues, thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk/ events/a-festival

The annual Thatcham Festival takes place in October and offers the opportunity for people to get creative in a workshop, learn something new at a talk, explore our local area on a walk and enjoy a range of performances including music, drama and dance.

7 Oct Kidical Mass Bike Ride

Elms Field Playground, 5 Elms Field, Wokingham, RG40 2AA, kidicalmsssreading.co.uk Circular ride. 2pm

14 Oct

Roman Family Fun Day

West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

Drop-in and meet the historical re-enactors from Butser IX Legion in period costume who will tell you about life in Roman Britain, as well as demonstrate skills that you can have a go at. Free entry. 10am–3pm

14–29 Oct

Scurrying Squirrels Trail

Greys Court, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 4PG, nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshireberkshire/greys-court

Pick up your trail sheet from visitor reception to help you find squirrel themed facts, games and activities. 10am–5pm

14–31 Oct

Fantastic Funghi Trail

Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, RG8 9NR, nationaltrust. org.uk/basildon-park/events

Celebrate ‘Fantastic Fungi’ with an outdoor trail, perfect for adventurers of all ages. 10am–5pm

14–31 Oct

Half Term Festival of Light and Colour

Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, RG8 9NR, nationaltrust. org.uk/basildon-park/events

Children can create their very own vibrant rangoli bookmark and can

take part in a house trail which explores the traditions of celebrating light amidst darkness. 10am–5pm

15 Oct

Apple Day

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre

Stalls and activities include a live apple-pressing service with My Apple Juice (bring your own apples!), Really Rural Productions storytelling sessions, Kennet Morris Dancers, Boogiemites Nature Music, applethemed children’s activities and lots more! Free entry. 11am–3pm

18–29 Oct

The Moon Witch’s Halloween

Adventure at Tumblestone Hollow Stonor Park, B480, Henley-onThames, RG9 6HF, stonor.com/ events

Follow the clues around the mysterious world of Tumblestone Hollow and the Gardens at Stonor to win a special chocolate prize (or an alternative treat). 9:30am–5pm

21 Oct

World Craft Inspired Portraits

The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

Create a portrait of someone who inspires you using a variety of mixed media and world craft influences. £15 per child. 10am – 12pm

21–29 Oct

HalloWellyWeen

Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road, Riseley, RG7 1SP, wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

Join us this October half term for our

biggest and friendliest spooktacular family fun Halloween week! 9:30am –4:30pm

21–29 Oct

Pumpkin Festival

Odds Farm, Wooburn Green, HP10 0LX, oddsfarm.co.uk/pumpkinfestival

Head to the Pumpkin Patch to pick your own pumpkin ready to carve over at Carving Corner. Halloweenthemed Arts & Crafts and many more spooky surprises.

22 Oct

The Magic of Science

Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk

This is your opportunity to surround yourself with the mystery of magic, cleverly fused with wondrous and miraculous feats of science. Adults: £14, children: £12. 2:30pm

22 Oct

Pop Princesses

Corn Exchange, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

This is the children’s pop concert with a big difference - it is a musical spectacular starring four fabulous fairy tale Princesses who just love to sing! 1pm/6pm

23 Oct

Brick or Treat Master Builders Club Workshop for LEGO Fans

Badgemore Primary School, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2HL, masterbuildersclub.co.uk

Join Master Builders Club for a brick building adventure with 1000’s of LEGO bricks. 9:30am–11:30am

The Look Out Discovery Centre

23 Oct

Jack and the Beans Talk Shaw House, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Jack and the Beans Talk is a cautionary tale from Garlic Theatre about what might happen if you throw things out of the window!

Suitable for 3-7 year olds. Adults: £10, children: £7. 11am/1pm

23 Oct

Spontaneous Potter Kidz Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

The smash hit Spontaneous Potter is an entirely improvised Harry Potter comedy play, based on suggestions from our young witches, wizards and their families. 2:30pm

23 Oct

Brick or Treat Master Builders Club

Workshop for LEGO Fans

The Heights Primary School, 129 Upper Woodcote Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7LB, masterbuildersclub.co.uk

Join Master Builders Club for a brick building adventure with 1000’s of LEGO bricks. 2:30–4:30pm

23–26 Oct

Half Term Art Club

The Base, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

Join our popular art club this half term to experiment with different art techniques and creative projects! Suitable to ages 6–11, £10 per child, per session.

24 Oct

Movie in the Hall: Coco

Shaw House, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

The story of aspiring musician Miguel, who, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. Adults: £5, children: £3. 10am

24 Oct

Arts Award in a Morning West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

Achieve your Arts Award Discover in a morning, in three fun-filled sessions at central Newbury venues! £5. 10am–12:30pm

24 Oct I Believe in Unicorns

South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on

This intimate show is set in a library full of books that hold more than stories within their pages. It is a tale of the power of books, and the bravery of a young boy called Tomas. £16. 2pm/4:30pm

24 Oct

Brick or Treat Master Builders Club Workshop for LEGO Fans

Sonning Common Village Hall, RG4 9SL, masterbuildersclub.co.uk

Join Master Builders Club for a brick building adventure with 1000’s of LEGO bricks. 9:30–11:30am

25 Oct

Family Activity Day

Shaw House, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

Make a Day of the Dead inspired rock skull from a painting stone. £2.50. 10am–3pm

25 Oct

The Gingerbread Man & A Pot Full of Magic South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU, whatsonreading.com

Perfect fare for fussy foodies and discerning diners. £9.50

26 Oct

Kids Learn to Screenprint

The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

This fun, introduction to silkscreen printing on paper, sees Berkshire Printmakers take young people aged 6–15 through step by step to make their own original artwork. £37 per child. 2–4pm

26 Oct

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk

Drawing on the wealth of peculiar episodes from both Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Box Tale Soup invite you down the rabbit hole into a timeless world of wondrous fantasy. Adults: £14.50, children: £12. 2pm

26 Oct

Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding

Hood & The Three Little Pigs

Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

Featuring glorious costumes, amazing dancing, and stunning video projections, this laugh out loud production was a huge hit for Ballet Cymru in 2016 and is an exquisite classical ballet for adults and kids alike. £16.25 6:30pm

27 Oct

Messy Museum Morning West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

Decorate a ceramic pumpkin with paint pens and then take home to display for Halloween. There will also be a free pumpkin trail! £2.50 10am–1pm

27 Oct

Bach to Baby Family Concert Reading Minster, Chain Street, Reading , RG1 2HX, whatsonreading.com

Tots dance, roam about and revel in the wonder of live music, while you take a moment out of your busy day to hear top notch performances by outstanding musicians, with your young babes in tow. Adults: £15, up to two children free. 11–11:45am

27 Oct

There’s a Monster in Your Show South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on

Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a brandnew musical show. £16.50. 1:30pm/ 4:30pm

27 Oct

Dragon Hunt!

West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Family-friendly event involving a FREE dragon hunt through a dark or dimly lit museum – please bring a torch. Free entry. 5–7pm

27 Oct

Dracula – The Panto Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk

This is a hilarious spoof of the Dracula story done in glorious Panto style… 7pm

28 Oct

Children’s Halloween Printmaking

The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk Children ages 7–12 can create Halloween inspired prints to take home. £15 per child. 10am–12pm

29 Oct

Children’s Screen Print a Halloween T-shirt

The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

Get ready for trick or treating and design and print your own unique Halloween t-shirt. Ages 6–15. £40

per child (includes organic cotton T-short) 10am–12pm

29 Oct

The Gingerbread Man & A Pot Full of Magic Arlington Arts Centre, Snelsmore, RG14 3BQ, Arlington-arts.com

These two tasty tales which you know so well are served with unexpected spices and quirky flavours, along with Widdershins’ trademark ingredients of puppets, pop-up sets and original music. 2pm

31 Oct

Halloween Party Night

Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson

Join us for a night of spooky fun! With Halloween trails, apple bobbing and snapping in the grounds. £6 6:20–8:30pm

31 Oct–4 Nov

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on Chitty’s eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, and his children, Jeremy and Jemima, join confectionery heiress Truly Scrumptious and batty Grandpa Potts to outwit the evil Baron and Baroness Bomburst along with the Child Catcher in this non-stop adventure for all ages. From £19.50

Don’t forget to say you saw these events listed in Families Thames Valley West Magazine!

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