EDITOR: Lesley Chambers 07863 790592
editor@familiestvw.co.uk
SALES SUPPORT: Natasha Gudgeon 07767 893807
Natasha.gudgeon@familiespublishing.co.uk
DESIGN: Rebecca Carr rebecca@familiesmagazine.co.uk
NEXT ISSUE: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024
Booking deadline: 31 July Features: Education and Spotlight on Henley
This product is made of material from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources.
Welcome to our summer 2024 issue!
Creating the July/August issue is always fun, because there is so much promise in the months ahead, and I hope you feel the sunshine and adventure in these pages too!
We are excited to be able to include a family law article in this issue as part of a new Ask the Expert feature. There is also a piece about my personal focus on mental wellbeing over the last few months.
On a lighter note, you will find lots of summer ideas to keep the family busy over the holidays and beyond, with a spotlight on outdoor Reading, a boat hire directory and a local riverside walk – plus loads of local events in our What’s On guide.
Have a happy summer!
We distribute 20,000 copies every issue!
Congratulations to Lucy Honeyman, who won Odds Farm tickets, and to Stuart Tuckwell, who won two children’s mental health books, in our May/June 2024 giveaways.
Monday 29 July to Friday 23 August
Activities for children 4-12 years (Ofsted registered)
£22.50 per day - 8.30am to 5.30pm
(Discount for second & subsequent children from same family).
Full fees must be paid at time of booking.
For more information email: apolloyouthclub@gmail.com
Apollo reserve the right
cancel or change dates if
and advance notice will be given.
Tessa Venuti Sanderson is a local mum, author and menstrual health educator. She recently celebrated the launch of her newest book in the Ruby Luna series for 11–15-year-olds: Ruby Luna’s Odyssey. It is a gentle book about big, emotionally charged topics like pleasure, consent and porn.
For our readership, she is giving away three copies of the Ruby Luna’s Moontime book, which is suitable for 8–12-yearolds. Ruby Luna gets her period and finds out what works for her. It’s full of facts told in an entertaining way. One reader said, “In our house we have a saying now: ‘What would Ruby Luna do?’”
Tessa’s books can be found on Amazon and at www.tessavenutisanderson.co.uk/about/books. You can follow her on Instagram @tessa.venuti.sanderson or Facebook @tessavenutisanderson.
To enter you must be resident in the Thames Valley West region. Email hello@tessayoga.co.uk with your full postal address by 31st July. Winners will be chosen at random after this date.
Good luck!
The SuperQuesters, Lilicorn, Bea Bumble and Leo Zoom have been solving quests in SuperQuesters: The Case of the Great Energy Robbery, learning about renewable energy and in SuperQuesters: The Case of the Angry Sea, finding ways to remove rubbish from our rivers. They have a 5-day challenge to help you get engaged with recycling and sustainability. R you Ready?
Monday: Re-Use What do you have in the house that you can re-use from the weekend? Have you ever thought about painting plastic bottles to use as flowerpots?
Tuesday: Re-Purpose If you have any old clothes you don’t mind cutting up, cut them into thin strips and make into friendship bracelets.
Wednesday: Re-Fill Look around your home or school and see what you can refill, for example a plastic bottle cut open across the base for your pencils or a cardboard box for crayons.
Thursday: Re-Duce Have a think about what you don’t need to buy again. Have you ever considered making your own yogurt and reusing the pots?
Friday: Re-Cycle At the end of week, look at the waste and decide what you can recycle and what you can upcycle for the next week.
www.questfriendz.com
GIVEAWAY: We have one set of 4 SuperQuesters books to give away with posters and bookmarks. To enter, please e-mail editor@familiestvw.co.uk by 31st July, marking your e-mail ‘SuperQuesters’, and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted after this date.
Have you seen the fantastic local walk on page 14? It’s a great reason to get out and explore with the family on a route that has already been tried and tested.
Better than that, you could buy the whole book!
…Even better: you could win the whole book!
We are excited to have one spare copy available for a reader. If you would like to be entered into the draw to win it, please e-mail your name and address, marking the e-mail ‘Weekend Walks’ to editor@familiestvw.co.uk by 31st July 2024. A winner will be chosen at random after this date.
15A Hawthorne Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 6LY
My name is Grace and I want to write about my experience of having my ears pierced by Perry at Perry’s Beauty.
I had wanted my ears pierced for a very long time but was worried it would hurt a lot. Finally, last Christmas my Big sister said she was going to take me to have them done. I was excited but worried at the same time.
A few weeks later I went to Perry’s, I felt nervous but immediately she made me much less nervous by explaining everything very carefully and asking if I understood or had any questions. She told me what it would probably feel like and that she would talk about what she was doing and would start only when I was ready.
When I said I was ready, Perry pierced the first ear, it only felt like a little sting, she checked with me if I was ok to have the next one done before doing it. This one also was just a little sting. Perry gave me the solution that she had told me how to use. I followed her instructions everyday and my ears healed perfectly.
I am now loving my pierced ears and can change my earrings anytime I want without any problems.
Find out more at www.perrysbeauty.com
The Alps may be an obvious destination for the ski season, but how about a summer visit? Summer offers enough green (the mountains) and blue (the sky) to set you up for the whole year - and plenty of fresh air to fill your family’s lungs.
With reasonably priced flights from London airports to Geneva then a short drive to Morzine, there is a warm welcome waiting from Paul and Francesca Eyre at Chilly Powder. With the main chalet - Au Coin du Feu - plus two chalets next door, you can organise your own meals, or join the party at ‘Au Coin du Feu’ for dinners that you usually only dream of.
Family-friendly early evening meals for the children and a daytime crèche for little ones not quite as active as you, with drinks in the bar for the grown ups – or in the jacuzzi on the terrace – Paul and Francesca will make you wish that this was home!
For more about Chilly Powder chalets for summer and winter, visit www.chillypowder.com and more about summer in Morzine, visit www.morzine-avoriaz.com/activites-de-pleinair-ete.html
The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey which helps to assess the health of our environment by counting the amount and type of butterflies we see. This year, the world’s biggest survey of butterflies will take place from Friday, 12 July until Sunday, 4 August.
The annual citizen science programme attracts tens of thousands of people out into their gardens, local green space or the countryside to spend fifteen minutes counting butterflies and helping to inform conservation action.
Butterflies are indicators of a healthy natural environment, and with half of Britain’s butterfly species already threatened or near threatened with extinction, it’s never been more important to understand how our insects are responding to the changing climate and to take action to protect them.
Visit www.bigbutterflycount.org or download the FREE Big Butterfly Count app.
The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children ages 4 to 11 to read six library books during the long summer holiday and collect rewards, such as stickers, on their way to receiving their challenge certificate and medal. Children can read any books they like on the Summer Reading Challenge: stories, fact books, poetry, jokes, graphic novels. This year’s theme is Marvellous Makers and the organiser’s aim is to tap into children’s imaginations, telling amazing stories and coming up with fun new creations, to celebrate the creative arts.
It’s all FREE, fun and a great way to keep children reading over the summer holidays.
The Challenge will launch in libraries on 6 July and continue until 1 September.
More info at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
Queen Anne’s School proudly celebrates its students’ remarkable achievement as a group of students and alumnae attended the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Ceremony at Buckingham Palace. This prestigious honour reflects the students’ dedication, compassion and perseverance, demonstrating their ability to balance academic responsibilities with the programme’s requirements outside of the classroom.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award at Queen Anne’s is a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering well-rounded and determined girls. Participants excel in helping the community, enhancing their fitness, developing new skills, planning and completing an expedition, and collaborating on a residential activity. The school extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated teachers who have guided and supported the students throughout their journey.
Discover the path to empowered confidence in girls’ education at Queen Anne’s School at their next Open Morning on Saturday 21 September – visit www.qas.org.uk
It’s been a busy term at St Joseph’s College. Students have made unforgettable memories on a residential at Youlbury, explored masterpieces at the National Gallery and been enchanted by The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
They also embarked on a Geography trip to Boscombe, Hurst Castle, and the iconic Durdle Door.
Meanwhile, Year 7 and Year 8 boys had a fantastic football tour to the Netherlands at May half term. In addition, there has been a wealth of summer sporting fixtures across athletics, cricket, tennis, swimming, and football, and 63 co-curricular activities have been on offer at lunch time and after school.
With the incredible facilities of Reading University at their disposal, St Joseph’s College students are thriving and certainly making the most of every opportunity.
www.sjcr.org.uk
In August 2024, PYT will be opening up its ‘A Play In A Week’ workshops to two age ranges. Across the week students will learn a play to perform for friends and family.
There is a discount for existing PYT members and for anyone who signs up for the PYT autumn term before 30 September (discount will be applied to the fees in the autumn term).
5-9 August: Theatre makers from school years 3-8 (approx 7-13 years old) will focus on creating a devised performance from scratch. This will include character development, improvisation skills, rehearsal techniques and how to construct the final piece. It will give each child the chance to have a voice and build confidence as well as developing performance skills. Progress Youth Theatre actively encourages creative ambition and nurtures a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of their practice. Family and friends will be invited to attend the final performance on the Friday evening.
There is also a course from 12-16 August for 13-18-yearolds – see https://progresstheatre.co.uk/youth-theatre for information.
Crosfields School has enjoyed a glowing report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in its latest inspection and is delighted to share the highlights.
The Department for Education directs ISI to conduct routine inspections of schools typically every three years. A new framework was introduced in September 2024, which judges schools as meeting or not meeting set criteria with schools no longer graded as ‘excellent’, ‘good’ and so on.
The Reading independent school was most recently inspected by the ISI in March 2024 and was judged as meeting all statutory Independent School Standards in each of the five sections.
The report praised the ‘whole-school approach to all aspects of school life’, which builds ‘a sense of community with shared understanding and respect between pupils of different ages.’
With regard to leadership, management and governance, ISI commended the promotion of wellbeing, including a full-time mental health practitioner and the use of Forest School to bring the benefits of outdoor lessons to staff and pupils. It states: “Leaders have fostered an inclusive educational environment where pupil welfare is paramount. Pupils respond positively to this provision and appear happy and confident.”
The report also praised the effective links between Early Years, Juniors and Seniors in terms of the quality of education, training and recreation: “Teachers and support staff meet regularly to discuss individual pupils and the progress of cohorts to ensure that progress between transition stages is smooth,” the report states, as well as commending the ‘wide range activities for pupils to pursue during leisure time’.
In terms of pupils’ contribution to society, the report praises the school’s aim of providing ‘an atmosphere in which respect for other people and the world is cultivated’, with teachers ‘skillfully managing pupil discussions around tolerance, immigration and political propaganda.’
“Whole school debates on topical issues ensure that pupils learn to listen carefully and respectfully to viewpoints which may differ from their own,” it says. “These democratic systems provide fundamental British values and encourage mutual respect by allowing pupils to propose and defend their ideas, whilst remaining open to the counterarguments of others.”
The report also praised the safeguarding measures put in place: “Pupils know how to stay safe online… When online concerns are raised, pupils have a clear understanding of who they can talk to,” it says. “The school is thorough and precautionary in sharing information with the local authority… Leaders are reflective and clear on areas for development and are proactive in ensuring the wellbeing of pupils.”
The full report can be found at www.crosfields.com/explore/ inspection-reports
Peek behind the curtain into the world of Crosfields School, a our pupils' intellectual curiosity, support their personal growth, and build meaningful
By Erin Miller
The term ‘cultural capital’ entered the social consciousness in 1979, when Pierre Bourdieu introduced the concept in his book Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Broadly speaking, it refers to the knowledge, skills and experiences that are valued by a society.
It is thought that those who gain and harness this type of knowledge are more likely to have a social advantage. Take a child who is regularly taken to libraries, museums and sports games, with further cross-cultural experiences through travel. It completely follows that this child is likely to excel further in their education and enjoy more social mobility than a child who is not offered these experiences.
Cultural capital is sometimes thought of as the background knowledge to understanding a culture. For example, a passage in your child’s English test might mention that food has been ‘sautéed.’ A child who has had the benefit of eating in restaurants using this descriptor may well understand the term, whereas another child who has not had these experiences will not. This gives the first child a reading advantage.
Latin words are another obvious example. A child who has had some training in Latin might come to automatically understand Latin phrases in our everyday lives eg the Invictus Games or phrases such as ‘quid pro quo.’
Now don’t worry, I’m really not about to suggest that you start taking your child to Michelin starred restaurants and enrol them in an immersive Latin course this summer! However, it is valuable to think about how you can equip your child with the type of knowledge, skills and experiences that can help them both in school (reading especially) and in their life beyond. In fact, research has proven that background knowledge compensates for a weaker reading ability, so any opportunities to bolster your child’s background knowledge are beneficial.
Some people are concerned that attempts to teach cultural capitalism might lead to expressions of cultural elitism and it is certainly a reasonable concern. However, providing broad based knowledge and experiences are not exclusive to a single culture and your child should certainly not be getting the impression that one culture is superior to another.
In conclusion, it is definitely worth considering how to support your child’s background knowledge, in the form of cultural capital.
Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.
Step inside the wonderful monochrome world of OTTOPIA at The Base from Tue 6 to Thu 29 Aug – a family-friendly immersive experience that will enchant visitors of all ages and inspire curious minds.
The Base’s Gallery space will be transformed; wander through OTTOPIA’s incredible garden, plush with giant black and white flowers, trees, mushrooms and cacti. Packed with black and white stripes, side-quests and interactive games, all curated to ensure an unforgettable experience for families and visitors of all ages.
Throughout your time in OTTOPIA you’ll learn interesting, fun facts about otters and other British wildlife and you can even complete the ‘Champion spOTTER Quest’ which will take you on a tour of The Base, hunting down black and white striped wildlife who have escaped OTTOPIA!
Once you enter, what you do next in this bizarre world is up to you...
www.thebasegreenham.co.uk
By Carrie Crown
The breakdown of a relationship is an anxious and uncertain time. This is particularly the case when deciding upon what the arrangements should be for the care of any children of the family. Reaching an agreement as to what the arrangements should be can be a very difficult process, particularly when emotions are still raw.
If no agreement can be reached, it might appear that the logical next step is to ask the court to decide what the arrangements should be. In April, however, new rules came into effect requiring separated parents to try harder to resolve disputes about the arrangements for children without going to court (there are exemptions to this requirement for those who have been subjected to domestic abuse or in the event that there is a risk of significant harm to a child).
The primary reason for this change is to reduce pressures upon the court. In 2023, the family court dealt with 50,798 private children disputes alone (data.justice.gov.uk/courts/familycourts) and court users are experiencing longer delays than ever before.
That said, in my experience, parents who can reach an agreement on their own terms are happier than those who have an order imposed upon them by the court. Furthermore, the financial, emotional and time costs involved are likely to be significantly lower for parents who have reached agreement via non-court dispute resolution (NCDR).
All of this will, of course, ultimately benefit the children of the family, who will be able to see their parents working together in their best interests and, with litigation lasting up to 2-3 years, the delay caused can result in relationships between them and one or both parents being irreparably damaged.
The requirement for parties to engage in NCDR prior to going to Court is nothing new. The court has, however, widened the definition of NCDR, which now includes mediation, arbitration, evaluation by a neutral third party and collaborative law.
The new rules bolster the court’s ability to encourage NCDR in family proceedings, including imposing a duty upon a mediator undertaking an intake assessment to advise the parents as to what is the best form of NCDR for them and why. They will also be required to inform those parents how to access those forms of NCDR.
If the matter does proceed to court, the rules also require parties to actively review whether mediation is appropriate and the court can impose a requirement to attend NCDR even whilst court proceedings are taking place.
Perhaps most notably, the new rules about NCDR provide that, if the court believes that a party has unreasonably refused to engage in NCDR, they can make an order for that party to pay some or all of the other party’s costs. This is a significant change to the previous assumption that parties should pay their own costs. This is extremely important to bear in mind when considering going to court.
There will be times where litigation is unavoidable and you need to ask the court to decide such matters as where your children should live, how much time children should spend with their other parent, whether either party should be allowed to do certain things with the children or prevented from doing certain things with them. In such cases, the court will generally seek to balance the wishes of both parties with the needs of the children.
What a court cannot do, is stipulate terms as to what parents should do with the children during their time with them. NCDR allows you to reach agreement on your own terms. This can
include stipulations around bedtime and/or use of social media, for example, which parents might take very different views on.
For assistance to help co-parent through separation, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) provide a resource that allows parents to make a ‘parenting plan’ (www.planningtogether.cafcass.gov.uk/plan). Whilst a parenting plan is not a legally binding document, it is a handy way of ensuring that both parties can express what is important to them and bring their ideas together in a constructive way.
If communication remains tricky, there are a number of parenting apps available with functions that assist with respectful communication, including moderation of language in messages and preventing them being deleted. Information regarding parenting apps and their specific functions can be found at https://resolution.org.uk/the-review/archive/the-review-206/ innovative-solutions-to-family-issues-co-parenting-tools
If agreement cannot be reached by way of informal discussion/ negotiation, methods of NCDR include the following:
Mediation – an independent mediator can be instructed on behalf of both parties to negotiate a resolution. The mediator will be legally qualified. See www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk Mediation can include the children of the family. A mediator can offer advice as to the suitability of mediation for a child.
The collaborative process – both parties instruct the same collaborative lawyer to enter into discussions.
Round table meetings – Each party instructs a separate solicitor to engage in negotiations.
Arbitration – A jointly appointed arbitrator considers the situation and makes a decision. That decision is then binding on the parties and embodied in a court order.
Private dispute resolution hearing/early neutral evaluation –the assistance of a specially trained person acting as a judge identifies and seeks to resolve the issues in the case.
Further information on NCDR can be found at www.familycourtinfo.org.uk/i-need/what-alternatives-are-thereto-court
Carrie Crown is a local solicitor who specialises in family law with Foster Harrington, a firm that has branches in Bracknell and Camberley. Visit their website at https://fosterharrington. co.uk for more information.
Please get in touch if you would like to be included in our directory: editor@familiestvw.co.uk
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.
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, Charvil, Woodley and other Berkshire locations Monday-Friday. Contact Cari Weston at cari@bilinguasing. com or call 07729261018 for more information.
Bronze Award Swim England Swim School of the Year 2023! 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. NEW 121s available. Contact jo@swimlessons.co.uk or visit swimlessons.co.uk
St Joseph’s Swim School
www.masterbuildersclub.co.uk
Fun and engaging swimming lessons, small class sizes in private learning pool following Swim England programme for 4+. FREE onsite parking. Register your interest now! For more information, email swimschool@sjcr.org.uk, or visit www.sjcr.org.uk/swimschool
Perform weekly classes for 4-7s and 7-12s use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out a child’s natural ability. Run by professional actors, these classes focus on developing confidence, communication, co-ordination and concentration. Perform put child development at the heart of their classes which means they don’t worry about whether children get their lines or moves exactly right. All abilities are welcome!
The curriculum is packed with fun, using a mix of drama games, catchy songs and funky dances. From September, children aged 4-7 will be joining an adventure to Outer Space while 7–12-year-olds will take part in an Ancient Greek dance extravaganza, The Hercules Beat!
Every child is welcome to try a no-obligation FREE class, visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book.
Local Perform venues are in Crowthorne, Goring, Henley, Newbury, Reading, Twyford and Wokingham.
Confidence-building weekly drama, dance and singing 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
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
S – SIGNS, hidden or otherwise. A sign that says ‘deep water’ or ‘no swimming’ means just that.
A – ALWAYS go with adults/friends if you plan to be near the water. Stay together.
F – FLOAT on your back so you can breathe and call for help. If you see someone in trouble in the water – throw them something that floats, but don’t go in the water.
E – Know who to contact in an EMERGENCY: 999 or 112, and always tell someone where you are going. Make sure your mobile phones have plenty of charge and you know where you are. Think of a landmark nearby to guide help towards you.
Remember – just because you can swim, it doesn’t mean you can’t drown. Water should be treated with respect, as there is the potential for things to go very wrong very quickly.
For lessons from 3 years upwards, email jo@swimlessons.co.uk
Summer holidays are packed full of fun and adventures at The Beehive Summer Holiday Clubs at Crown Wood and Nine Mile Ride Primary Schools from 24 July to 23 August 2024. Exciting activities, include:
Hawaiian Party*
Bubble Show & Workshop
Street Dance Class
Birds of Prey Reptiles
Petting Farm*
Soft Play Bus Science Show*
Judo
Circus Workshop
Football & Dodgeball
Ariel Party
Face Painting
Ice Cream Van
i Rock Workshop*
Pirate Party… AND MORE!
Daily activities include arts & crafts, toys, games, sports, baking and lots of playtime!
Days are 8am-6pm for £40 (*additional £5), with morning sessions from 8am-1pm for £23. The Beehive Holiday Clubs are open to all children aged between 3-11 years. There is easy online registration and booking, payment with childcare vouchers is accepted and there is a 10% sibling discount applied to full-day sessions.
www.beehiveclub.co.uk
www.facebook.com/thebeehivekidsclub
Hawaiian Party* Hawaiian Party* Bubble Show Bubble Show
Dance Class Street Dance Class Birds of Prey Birds of Prey Reptiles Reptiles
Petting Farm* Petting Farm* Science Show* Science Show* Judo Judo Circus Workshop* Circus Workshop*
At Ultimate Activity Camps, children aged 4 to 14 are welcome to camps Monday-Friday from 8am to 6pm, which provide a full day of thrilling adventures (costs apply).
These Ofsted-regulated camps guarantee parents peace of mind, knowing their children will have a fantastic and wellcared-for experience.
From sports and survival camps to art and tech adventures, there’s something for every imagination. Picture scoring the winning goal, creating art masterpieces, or coding your own game—endless possibilities await!
Dedicated staff prioritise safety, creating a supportive environment where kids grow, learn and form lifelong bonds. Adventures, challenges, and memories abound, all with rigorous safety protocols in place. Ultimate Activity Camps go beyond fun; they inspire personal growth through teamwork, problemsolving, and leadership. Your child will boost confidence, resilience, and self-esteem while having the time of their life. Dive into a world of non-stop excitement, laughter, and personal development at Ultimate Activity Camps—the ultimate holiday camp for adventure and friendship!
Visit www.ultimateactivity.co.uk
Over the last nine months I have been making an effort to focus on mental health and small, everyday interventions that can easily be done to improve mental wellbeing. I thought I would share my experiences; perhaps you would like to share yours too!
Gardening: I have never been a keen gardener, maintaining rather than proactively planning my garden. This year I am trying to do a bit more, taking it a bit at a time. Being outside is revitalising, and enjoying the fruits of my labour is satisfying. Also, my daughter has provided her own perspective on the natural world while I’m pulling up weeds: she is fascinated by the small creatures that live in gardens!
Giving up selected activities: I like to be involved in things, but sometimes there is just too much going on. Taking a step back and choosing a few non-essential activities to drop every once in a while can really help lower stress levels. I have chosen to stop some voluntary work that I’ve been doing for the time being, and I am looking forward to a little more time and headspace as a result.
Meditation: Using a mindfulness app on my phone which has short programmes of about ten minutes each, I have so far managed to stick to doing this on a daily basis, and it has been really pleasant to focus on being calm in the present moment. Staying focused and keeping thoughts of the past and the future out is and possibly always will be unattainable for me, but meditation is also about being kind to yourself and realising that despite interfering thoughts you can always come back to the ‘homebase’ (in my case, focusing on breathing).
Mental health journal: At the end of each day I wrote down positive and negative issues that were at the forefront of my mind. This was a quick, useful way to organise thoughts. Over time the entries became less frequent and eventually stopped. I had never intended to do this long term but found it a helpful exercise. I have also used a gratitude journal in the past – each day you write down three things in life for which you are grateful
– for a few months and found it an excellent grounding tool.
Monthly suggestions from others: I asked friends and family to each write a wellbeing suggestion on a piece of paper. Then they put them into numbered drawers (in an old advent calendar), and since January I have been taking the slips of paper out of their numbered drawers, one each month. The surprise factor is a lot of fun, and the suggestions have made me smile, ranging from being treated to a cinema trip with a friend to making time for an outdoor swim.
Pampering: I’m not someone that is interested in spending a lot of time on cosmetics and using pampering products, but I have been focusing on this as a way of treating myself – scented baths, face creams and a hair ‘masque’. It has actually been quite nice and I look forward to the lavender-scented baths now!
Postcard to ‘future me’: I did this with a group of friends; we wrote ourselves postcards to be sent six months later. It was a nice little boost to receive some motivational words from someone that knows me well: past me!
Reducing time on my phone: It’s hard not to be addicted to our phones, and I certainly use mine as a time-filler as well as for essential tasks. I banned myself from social media for four days and then limited it to certain times of day and set boundaries around when I look at my phone. As a magazine editor I am convinced of the mental health benefits of print media versus digital media and I always feel a sense of peace when sitting comfortably with a book or magazine that is never fully present when scrolling through articles on my phone. Setting these boundaries was a great exercise but, in truth, hard to maintain!
Running: I have tried to become a jogger on many occasions and never really enjoyed it, despite there being so many reasons for it being a great activity. However, I like a specific challenge and decided to do my second ever ‘Couch to 5K’. I have now completed the challenge and ended it with a Parkrun. I can’t say that I love jogging, although there are some moments when the sense of freedom comes through, but I always feel good when I finish a session: healthy and proud to have achieved a little more than last time.
...That’s it! There is nothing unusual here, but looking after yourself a bit more has got to be positive – try it!
Sessions taught by our friendly
We are lucky to have the River Thames, the Kennet and Avon Canal and several lakes on our doorstep, all of which provide great opportunities for boating. The venues below all provide boat trips or boat hire for non-members that are suitable for family groups.
Aldermaston Wharf, aldermastonwharf.com
Boating holidays and day trips along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Caversham Boat Services, cavershamboatservices.co.uk
Holiday hire cruisers, motor boats and rowing boats for hourly hire from Caversham. Dinton Activity Centre, wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/boat-hire
Pedalos, canoes and kayaks for hire on Dinton Pastures Country Park lake in Hurst. Henley Boating Company, henleyboating.co.uk
Self-drive or skippered boat hire in Henley. Henley Canoe Hire, henleycanoehire.com
Canoe and kayak hire from Mill Meadows, Henley. Henley Boat Hire & Charter SRB Moorings, srb-moorings.co.uk
Self-drive picnic boats for hire in Henley. Henley River Boats, henleyriverboats.com
Self-drive or skippered boat hire in Henley. Hi5 Watersports Reading, hi5ski.co.uk
Banana and sofa rides at Reading Lake near Green Park. Hobbs of Henley, hobbsofhenley.com
Self-drive or skippered boat hire, river cruises or rowing boat hire in Henley. Jubilee, katrust.org.uk/our-boats/jubilee/ Canal boat cruises from the centre of Newbury. Kennet Horse Boat Company, kennet-horse-boat.co.uk
Horse-drawn boat trips and self-drive day hire from Kintbury. Lagoona Park, lagoonapark.com
Pedalos and kids’ paddle boats for hire near M4 junction 11. Matilda Too, katrust.org.uk/our-boats/matilda-too/ Canal boat cruises which depart from Star Lane Wharf in Reading. Sonning Boats & Launches, sonningboats.com
Private cruises or self-drive boat hire from Sonning. Thames Canoe Hire, thamescanoehire.com
Canoe and kayak hire from their base in Tilehurst. Thames Rivercruise, thamesrivercruise.co.uk
Cruises from Caversham, Shiplake, Goring and Pangbourne plus private charters.
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Watch boats pass through a lock in a scenic setting and stroll along the Thames with views of historic Mapledurham.
THE ROUTE: From Purley Village, with fields on your left, turn left into Mapledurham Drive (single track road). There are open views ahead to the Chilterns. After passing through a gate, another on the left leads to Bucknell’s Meadow, which has a wellequipped children’s playground and an ‘outdoor gym’. There are seats and plenty of space for picnics. Continue along the road then bear slightly right
through a gate into the river meadow. Go straight ahead across the field, towards a weir on the Thames. A gate on the left leads to Mapledurham Lock , in a beautiful setting with the rolling Chilterns countryside as a backdrop. Plenty of seats to admire the views and watch any boats passing through the lock.
Retrace your steps through the gate downstream of the lock and, after admiring the white water roaring over the weir, follow the riverside path through the broad river meadow. Soon, there are glimpses through the trees of the small village of Mapledurham on the opposite bank with its watermill, church and manor house.
Follow the riverside path as far as a gate to an unmade road (River Gardens) beyond. From here, either retrace your steps along the riverbank to return to Mapledurham Drive, or from River Gardens take the first turning on the right.
This walk was taken from Weekend Walks West of Reading by local author John Prior. John and his wife Anne have lived in West Berkshire for over 40 years. Keen walkers, they realised that any walk with their children and, more recently, grandchildren had to be child-friendly – not too long and preferably including a playground and an ice cream!
Weekend Walks West of Reading is a collection of 12 circular, scenic walks within the triangle Reading-Newbury-Didcot. Each route is no more than 2 miles long and intended to suit families with children. First published 10 years ago, this colourful paperback has been updated and re-printed recently.
Priced at £5.95, Weekend Walks West of Reading is available from Waterstones in Reading and Newbury, WH Smiths in Reading, Bell Bookshop in Henley, Fourbears Books in Caversham, Garlands in Pangbourne, Inspiration in Goring, Wallingford Bookshop and the Nature Discovery Centre at Thatcham. Also available from Amazon. Purley-on-Thames
START/PARKING: Roadside in Purley Village, reached from A329 Reading to Pangbourne road via either New Hill or Purley Lane (Nat Grid Ref 41/664762, Postcode RG8 8AX)
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Reading Buses route 16 from Reading daily and Thames Travel buses along Reading Road, Mon-Sat
DISTANCE: 1½ miles (2½ km)
REFRESHMENTS: Mad Duck Café, at the river end of Wintringham Way (see www.themadduckcafe.co.uk)
PUBLIC TOILETS: At Mapledurham Lock and at Mad Duck Café for customers
PATHS: Level footpaths, roads and pavements. Suitable for pushchairs, but riverside path liable to be muddy after wet weather (and prone to being flooded when the Thames is high)
The family-friendly Mad Duck Café is on the right, next to Purley Park Social Club, at the beginning of Wintringham Way. Go straight ahead along this residential road to a gate that leads into Mapledurham Drive, then turn left and return to the start at Purley Village.
Heading upstream
WIN a copy of Weekend Walks West of Reading!
See page 4 for details on how you can win a copy.
Reading is the largest town in the Thames Valley West area, and it has got lots going for it! Everyone has heard of Reading Festival, but there are also loads of other familyfriendly festivals and outdoor events going on in Reading this summer – come and join in!
Caversham Court Gardens
RG4 7AD
Peter Pan, 4 August
Dorset-based SISATA will transport you to Neverland like you have never seen it before in this open-air theatre.
Christchurch Meadows
Caversham, RG4 8BY Readipop Festival, 12–14 July
Readipop’s family area will be open on the afternoons of Sat and Sun featuring craft, music and dance workshops, storytelling, immersive performances and other fun activities featuring local arts and music organisations.
Dinton Pastures Country Park Hurst, RG10 0TH Marvellous Festival 2024, 20 & 21 July
Kids of all ages will find plenty to do with fabulous fairground rides, plus loads of free activities in the Big Kids’ Village, while the grownups can dance their feet off in the sunshine!
Englefield Estate,Theale, RG7 5EN
Flackstock ‘24, 22 July
Organised in memory of Caroline Flack, this is one of the UK’s biggest and most accessible festivals promoting mental health awareness.
Forbury Gardens, RG1 3BB Bastille Day Festival, 13 & 14 July
This festival is here to entertain you and your family while bringing people
of all cultural backgrounds together around a Frenchthemed festival.
Kings Meadow, RG1 8BN Love Unites 2024, 31 August
The festival kicks off when the Parade arrives at 12pm with a full line-up of entertainment across three stages along with a funfair, family area, a wide range of food, drink and market stalls.
Museum of English Rural Life RG1 5EX
Friday Fledglings
Weekly outdoor learning sessions for pre-schoolers in the fantastic urban garden at The MERL. 10–11:30am Term-time.
Palmer Park, RG6 1LF
Kidical Mass Bike Ride, 7 July
Enjoy a safe, family-friendly, joyful ride.
Reading Mela 2024, 3 & 4 August
A complete family fun day filled with multiple attractions with breathtaking performances ranging from international and local singing talents, Bollywood and street dance, multiple shows for kids, world food, festive shopping, fun fair rides and much more.
Prospect Park Railway, RG30 2BE
Public Running Days, 7 July and 4 August
Train rides for all the family on this miniature railway.
If you’d like to enjoy the open air without attending an organised activity, there is plenty of choice in Reading. Why not explore a place you have never been to before?! Here is a checklist to keep you going for quite a while*…
Albert Road Recreation Ground, Caversham, RG4 7PR: Children’s play area and tennis courts.
Arthur Newbery Park, Tilehurst, RG31 6JP: Children’s play area, open areas and woodland.
Ashenbury Park, Woodley, RG5: Reviewed in our last issue, there is a children’s play area, woodland and a lake.
Balmore Park, Caversham, RG4 7SS: Green space and woodland with a great view.
Cintra Park, RG2 7AU: Includes a children’s play area and outdoor gym equipment.
Clayfield Copse, Caversham, RG4 6AA: Woodland, open space and a skate park.
Fobney Island Nature Reserve, RG2 0RP: Canalside trail.
Hills Meadow, Caversham, RG4 8DH: Green space near the River Thames with a skateboarding and BMX track.
Laurel Park Recreation Ground, RG6 3DX: Green space bordering Maiden Erlegh Nature Reserve.
Mapledurham Playing Fields, Caversham, RG4 7EZ: Children’s play area, open space and tennis courts.
McIlroy Park, Tilehurst, RG30 6BA: Walking paths and stunning views across the Thames Valley.
Sol Joel Park, Earley, RG6 7DE: Includes a children’s play area and skateboard track.
South Reading Leisure Centre and playground, RG2 8DF: Reviewed in our March/April 2023 issue, my children and I call this “the dragon playground”.
Southcote Linear Park, RG30: Children’s play area and peaceful woodland.
Thames Side Promenade, RG1 8EQ: Children’s play area at Rivermead Leisure Centre and lots of river wildlife.
Vauxhall Park, Woodley, RG5 4DU: Children’s play area and bike path.
Waterloo Meadows, RG2 0BN: Children’s play area and green space by the River Kennet.
Whiteknights Park, accessible via University of Reading Campus, RG6: Lakeside trails and the picturesque Harris Gardens.
Whitley Wood Recreation Ground, RG2 8UQ: Lots of green space.
Woodford Park, Woodley, RG5 4LY: Children’s play area, paddling pool and lake.
*For an even more comprehensive list, go to reading.gov.uk/leisure/ outdoors/parks-outdoor-facilitiesopen-spaces
There are lots of activities that are going on locally throughout the summer, and we have found a great selection for you!
Arts Award Explore at West Berkshire Museum
As an explorer, your child will take part in arts and crafts and find out more about West Berkshire Museum and the Ancient Egyptians as they complete their Arts Award Explore. This programme is aimed at 7-12 years and is a combination of led workshops and a self-led project. For more information e-mail the Learning and Participation Officer at clare.bromley@westberks.gov.uk or download the pdf: www.westberkshireheritage.org/life-long-learning
Barnum at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury: 2 Jul-8 Sep Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. watermill.org.uk
Climate Change Artwork Display at the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading: Until 1 Sep
In this display, explore the UN’s Sustainable Goals through the artwork from the Ladybird Books Ltd publication ‘Climate Change’ written by King Charles, Tony Juniper and Emily Shuckburgh and published in 2017. merl.reading.ac.uk
D-Day Anniversary Display at Basildon Park: Until 31 Aug On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a display in the house at Basildon Park explores the significant connection between the estate and the Second World War. 11am-4pm nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshireberkshire/basildon-park
Open Air Sculpture Exhibition at Shaw House: 3 Aug–29 Sep The Orangery Lawn at Shaw House will be transformed into an open-air sculpture exhibition where you can discover artworks by acclaimed sculptors in the grounds of this lovely historic setting. 11am-4pm. alteredstatessculptures.co.uk
Summer Holidays at the MERL: 25 Jul-3 Sep
Enjoy trails, activities, crafts at The Museum of English Rural Life! merl.reading.ac.uk
Odds Farm Park, near Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, is celebrating a sizzling summer of fun from 24 July –3 September.
The 35-acre farm park is hosting its Summer Sizzler, a six week-long celebration of summer, with acres of farmyard fun including rare breed farm animals, water play park and tractor rides every day of the school summer holidays.
Visitors will also be able to take advantage of the Summer Sizzler Pass, which gives guests unlimited access to the farm park every single day of the summer celebration for just £34.95.
Louise Winslow, assistant general manager at Odds Farm Park, explains: “Our Summer Sizzler Pass was an enormous success last year and due to popular demand, we’re bringing this epic offer back for another summer. The ticket pays for itself in less than two visits, so we know it will make a big difference to families looking to keep the kids entertained this summer, without breaking the bank.”
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.
Sailing Weeks Holiday Clubs at Dinton Activity Centre: 9:30am-4:30pm during school holidays
Full RYA Junior Sailing Program from Stages 1 to 4 including advanced modules. wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/welcome-dinton-activity-centre/ sailing-weeks-holiday-clubs
Summer Blast at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park: 24 Jul-1 Sep
Foam parties at the beach all throughout summer, massive donut water slide and other water activities like pedalos and the paddling pool. 4-kingdoms.co.uk
Summer of Play at Basildon Park: 24 Jul–3 Sep
Discover a summer jam-packed with fun. 10am-5pm nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park
Summer of Play at Greys Court: 25 Jul–3 Sep
Discover a summer jam-packed with fun. 10am-5pm nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court
Summer Sizzler at Odds Farm Park: 24 Jul–3 Sep
Outdoor adventures, rare breeds, waterplay area, farmer-led activities and more! oddsfarm.co.uk
Wild Days Adventures at Dinton Activity Centre: every morning and afternoon, Monday-Friday during school holidays
Activities include water sports, such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking or giant SUPs on the beautiful Black Swan Lake. These will be running alongside land activities. wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/welcome-dinton-activity-centre/ wild-days-holiday-club
Have you ever climbed on a quad bike or made a brass rubbing? You can do this and more at The Museum of English Rural Life. There’s always lots to do in the galleries and garden, including FREE trails and craft activities, dressing up, garden games and more.
You can pick up a Summer Family Activity Pack or follow their free Garden Wildlifs trail and on 23rd August, there’s a chance to meet real-life farm animals from Miller’s Ark and enjoy a range of hands-on activities. The first part of this event will have a relaxed session geared towards neurodivergent visitors and their families (£2pp and booking required).
Please check opening times - closed on Mondays.
Find out more and plan a visit online at merl.reading.ac.uk/summer-holidays-at-the-merl
My children and I decided that we wanted to find a local swimming pool with a slide and a children’s area but without the fanfare of a place dedicated to thrills and spills.
We recently visited the pool at Kennet Leisure Centre during one of their family sessions, and it fit the bill perfectly!
There is one slide that was exciting enough for an elevenyear-old but tame enough for a six-year-old, and there’s also a shallow area for young children to splash in. This is cleverly around the corner but connected to the main pool. There is also a jacuzzi (without super-hot water), which was fun and there were plenty of noodles lying around (plus visitors can bring their own pool toys to these sessions) to play with. The session was an hour long, and all three of us enjoyed it!
Stoney Lane, Thatcham, RG19 4LJ everyoneactive.com/centre/kennet-leisure-centre
All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.
4 Jul
Great Expectations at South Hill Park
Join Pip’s a journey through adversity to discover the true nature of his ‘Great Expectations’ in an exciting new production of this much-loved family classic. 6pm southhillpark.org.uk
6 Jul
Crowthorne Carnival
A parade with a float procession leaves Wellington College at 12pm and heads to the Morgan Recreation ground. Full programme of activities and shows takesplace. Until 5pm. crowthornecarnival.org
6-14 Jul
Into the Spotlight! at Arlington Arts Centre
Join the Razz students on a journey through the worlds of commercial pop and music theatre. 1pm/7pm arlington-arts.com
7 Jul
Berkshire Motor Show at Prospect Park
Beautiful cars, a fun fair, hovercrafts and more. 10:30am-5pm berkshiremotorshow.co.uk
7 Jul Kidical Mass Bike Ride from Palmer Park Summer ride. 2pm kidicalmassreading.co.uk
7 Jul
Reading Children’s Book Group at Fourbears Books
This month the group is looking at London and other cities and towns with stories and non-fiction about life in urban settings. Suitable for ages 5-8. 10am-11am fourbearsbooks.co.uk
11-13 Jul
Les Misérables School Edition at Kenton Theatre
RARE Productions presents Les Misérables (Schools Edition) featuring many local children. thekenton.org.uk
11-22 Jul
Giffords Circus 2024 – Avalon at Stonor Park
As determined as ever to delight, Giffords Circus will weave together a cast of acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns from all over the world in a show that will combine poetry, music and performing arts all set on the mythical island of AVALON. stonor.com
13 and 14 Jul
Royal British Legion at 4 Kingdoms Costume characters from the Star Wars franchise and reenactments. 4-kingdoms.co.uk
13 and 14 Jul
Steppin Into Oz at South Hill Park Dorothy and her friends will guide you along a spectacular journey of all things green, sparkly and Ozian. southhillpark.org.uk
14 Jul
Playdate at Henley Festival
As well as amazing entertainers, there will be roving artists roaming around the site. 10am-1:30pm henley-festival.co.uk
14 Jul
Dance in Motion at Kenton Theatre
A fun family dance show by local dancers from age 2 to 18 years. 2pm thekenton.org.uk
14 Jul
PACT Family Concert with Wantage Band at Reading Minster
Whether you are already a lover of silver band music or it’s your family’s first concert there will be something for everyone to enjoy. 3:30pm whatsonreading.com
17-27 Jul
The Importance of Being Ernest in the Abbey Ruins, Reading See this timeless classic in the shadow of Reading Gaol, where Oscar Wilde was himself imprisoned. progresstheatre.co.uk
19 Jul
Cillian O’Connor: My World of Magic at Arlington Arts Centre Cillian O’Connor is bringing his first
Celebrate the 76th Birthday of the NHS by hosting an NHS big tea with your family and friends throughout June, July and August at work, at home or in the community.
On Sunday 29th September take part in our annual Walk for Wards event and complete a 5, 10 or 15km walk in the beautiful British countryside at Mapledurham Estate. This year, we are excited to announce the launch of our children’s scavenger hunt - perfect for little legs and families!
ever live stage show on tour to the UK. 7:30pm arlington-arts.com
20 Jul
Kung Fu Panda at Regal Picturehouse, Henley
Comedy icon Jack Black returns to his role as Po, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master, with a hilarious, butt-kicking new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s beloved action-comedy franchise. 11am picturehouses.com
20 Jul
Newbury Summerfest at Newbury Showground
The festival will host multiple zones of attractions and offers families an array of activities to enjoy throughout the afternoon and into the evening. newburyshowground.co.uk
21 Jul
Summer Fair at Shaw House
For younger visitors there will be creative crafts, a magic show from Mr Muddle, meet and greet the Shetland ponies and a bouncy castle. 11am-4pm westberkshireheritage.org/whatson
21 Jul
Reading Children’s Book Group at Fourbears Books
Come and meet author David Barker, who will be talking about his new book Pax and the Missing Head, the first of a new series set in a dystopian London. Suitable for ages 9-11. 10am-11am fourbearsbooks.co.uk
24 Jul
Family Fun Day at Basingstoke Aquadrome Family fun swim. 10am-4pm basingstokeleisure.com
24 and 25 Jul
Rapid Reptiles and Awesome Amphibians at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham Stretch your legs while learning about these fascinating coldblooded creatures. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
25 Jul-1 Aug
Summer Art Club 2024 at The Base, Greenham
Exploring different themes and art techniques, children will enjoy learning new skills while having fun. 10am-1pm cornexchangenew.com
26 Jul
Victorian Schoolroom Experience at the Abbey Gateway, Reading A 45-minute experience for adults and children over 5 in a unique Victorian classroom, in the historic Abbey Gateway. 11am/2pm readingmuseum.org.uk
26 Jul
The Gondoliers at South Hill Park Set in picturesque Venice, this light-hearted operetta will whisk you away to a world of blissful romance, barbed satire and comedic chaos. 7pm southhillpark.org.uk
26 Jul
Cillian O’Connor: My World of Magic at Kenton Theatre Cillian promises to enchant and amaze audiences with a show for the entire family. 7:30pm thekenton.org.uk
26 Jul
Bats at the Museum at West Berkshire Museum Bat expert, James Shipman, explains where bats live, how they fly in the dark and why they are so important and protected by law. 9:30-10:15pm westberkshireheritage.org
26-28 Jul
Vanlife and Overlander Celebration at Newbury Showground
A fun-filled family event celebrating
vanlife with live music, great food and stalls, entertainment and lots of things for children to do. newburyshowground.co.uk
27 Jul
Piratemania 16 Dinton Pastures –Eight Bells Nigh!
A fun-filled weekend of camping and Geocaching. 10am-8pm wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/ events
29 Jul
Desbrickable Me at Sonning Common Village Hall
Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 9:30am-11:30am masterbuildersclub.co.uk
29 Jul
Desbrickable Me at Cholsey Pavillion
Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 2pm-4pm masterbuildersclub.co.uk
29 Jul-2 Aug
Reading Rep’s West End Experience at Reading Rep Theatre
The West End hits Reading in a one-week Musical Theatre Summer Camp! For ages 9-16. 10am-4pm readingrep.com
29 Jul-2 Aug
Summer on Stage at Reading Rep Theatre
Young budding performers will embark on a fun-filled week of acting, singing and dancing! 10am4pm. Ages 5–8. readingrep.com
30 Jul
Olympbricks 2024 at Reading Town Hall
Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 9:30am-11:30am masterbuildersclub.co.uk
30 Jul The Incredible World of Invertebrates Day Camp at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Suitable for ages 8–12. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
31 Jul
Nature rocks! at Shaw House With paint pens, decorate a painting
There are rhymetime sessions throughout the week in Reading. This is a lovely way to enjoy music with young children; sessions are FREE and sociable.
Battle Library: Every Friday 10-10.30am and 11-11.30am
Caversham Library: Every Tuesday 10.15-10.45am and 11.15-11.45am
Palmer Park Library: Every Tuesday and Thursday 10.30-11am
Reading Central Library: Every Tuesday 10.30-11am and Thursday 10.15-10.45am and 11.15-11.45am
Reading Museum: Wednesdays, 10:30-11am
Southcote Library: Every Thursday 9.45-10.15am
Tilehurst Library: Every Monday 9.45-10.15am and 10.45-11.15am.
Every Thursday 2.15-2.45pm
Whitley Library: Every Thursday 11-11.30am
Woodley Library: Every Wednesday 10–10.30am
stone with your favourite animal, minibeast, bird or plant. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org/whatson
31 Jul
Crawling butterflies to Brilliant Butterflies at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Bring your pre-schooler along for this nature-inspired play and craft session. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
31 Jul
The Fantastical World of My Uncle Arly at Arlington Arts Centre
Abandon all common sense and come on a voyage through the absurd world of Edward Lear. 7pm arlington-arts.com
1 Aug
Nature’s Treasures at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham Pick up a bucket or box when you arrive and go on a treasure hunt around the reserve before heading back to the centre to get crafty. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
2 Aug
Captivating Cartouches at West Berkshire Museum
Cartouches showed the name in hieroglyphics of an important person or God and were thought to protect against evil spirits in this life and the afterlife. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org/whatson
2 Aug
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck at South Hill Park
Join Jemima on her feather-ruffling adventures in this delightful new adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s family favourite. 2:30pm southhillpark.org.uk
2 Aug Bach to Baby Family Concert at Reading Minster
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. 11am whatsonreading.com
3 Aug A Dragon’s Tale at The Story Museum, Oxford Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 11am-1pm / 2:30pm-4:30pm masterbuildersclub.co.uk
3 Aug Battle Proms - Picnic Concert at Highclere Castle
A summer spectacular with live music, Spitfire display, mounted cavalry, The Red Devils Army Parachute Team, 200 live cannons and breath-taking fireworks! battleproms.com
3 Aug
Outdoor cinema: The Greatest Showman sing-a-long (PG) at The Vyne
Get ready for some pure entertainment as you watch and singalong with The Greatest Showman on a huge open-air screen. 9:15pm adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/ the-vyne
3 and 4 Aug
Summer School ’24: Les Misérables at South Hill Park
The breathtaking musical revolves around the relentless pursuit of ex-convict Jean Valjean by the unwavering Inspector Javert, a chase unfolds against a backdrop of revolution, sacrifice, and redemption. 1pm/7pm Southhillpark.org.uk
4 Aug Sandhurst Brasshoppers at Wellington Country Park
The Sandhurt Brasshoppers will be back at the Park with performances through the day on the Main Green. 9:30am-4:30pm wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
4 Aug
Outdoor Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shaw House
This hilarious adaptation sees Shakespeare’s fantastical characters brought vividly to life as audiences are transported to an enchanting world bursting with magic, romance, and of course, heaps of laugh-outloud comedy! Ages 8+. 5pm westberkshireheritage.org
This July and August, join Perform and zoom off with the Superheroes for an action-packed drama, dance and singing adventure.
With singing, dancing, twirling and swooping, your child will discover and hone their own special powers of confidence, coordination, communication and concentration as they swoop towards a supercharged show for family and friends.
Your local Perform summer venue is at St Andrews Hall, Caversham, RG4 7AW.
Visit www.perform.org.uk/superheroes for more info and to book.
4 Aug
Reading Children’s Book Group at Caversham Court Gardens
Poems in the park - come for some summertime fun! If it’s wet, the event will take place at Fourbears Books. Suitable for ages 5-11. 10am-11am fourbearsbooks.co.uk
5 Aug
Chalkfest 2024 at Newbury Market Place
On the square you will be allocated an area per household to create roughly a 1 metre square picture. cityartsnewbury.org
5 Aug
Olympbricks 2024 at Dorchesteron-Thames Village Hall Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 9:30am-11:30am masterbuildersclub.co.uk
5 Aug
Olympbricks 2024 at The Heights Primary School, Caversham Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 2:30pm-4:30pm masterbuildersclub.co.uk
5-9 Aug
Animal Farm Week at Wellington Country Park
Head on down to the Animal Farm to celebrate the park’s farmyard friends. 9:30am-4:30pm wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
5-9 Aug
Reading Rep’s West End Experience with Make/Sense Theatre at Reading Rep Theatre
The West End hits Reading in a one-week Musical Theatre Summer Camp designed specifically for neurodivergent young people and young adults aged 11+. 10am-4pm readingrep.com
6, 8 and 20 Aug
Animal Olympics at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Learn all about our fast and high jumping animal Olympians and finish off with making an animal Olympics inspired trophy or medal. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
6-29 Aug
Ottopia at The Base, Greenham
A family-friendly immersive experience that will enchant visitors of all ages and inspire curious minds. thebasegreenham.co.uk
7 Aug Tracks, Trains and Transport at Sonning Common Village Hall
Have fun at a pop up play room with 1000’s of DUPLO Bricks: all the fun of Master Builders Club but for smaller builders. For ages 2+. 10am-11:15am masterbuildersclub.co.uk
7 Aug
Fans of nature at Shaw House
Use felt tip pens to decorate a paper and wooden fan with your favourite animals and plants. Be inspired by the flora and fauna you can find in the garden. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org
9 Aug
Magnificent mummies at West Berkshire Museum
Make a person from a wooden dolly peg and modelling dough. Then fully or partially wrap up the person like an Ancient Egyptian mummy using small strips of Mod Roc as bandages. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org
9-11 Aug
Retro Festival at Newbury Showground
There’s family fun for everyone at this epic retro weekender. newburyshowground.co.uk
10 Aug
Carnival of the World in Broad Street, Reading Annual showcase celebrating diversity with a live music stage and Broad Street Parade of carnival costumes. 12pm-5pm culturemixarts.co.uk
10 Aug
Kidical Mass Bike Ride from Elms Field Playground, Wokingham Circular ride. 2pm kidicalmassreading.co.uk
10 and 11 Aug
Riseley Tennis Club at Wellington Country Park
Join Riseley Tennis Club on the Main Green for a host of tennis skills. 9:30am-4:30pm wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
12 Aug
Outdoor Theatre: Peter Pan at Shaw House
Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing the Darling children to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook! 5pm westberkshireheritage.org
12-16 Aug
Tic Tac Skate School at Wellington Country Park
Tic Tac Skate School is back at the Park teaching you how to master the skateboard! 9:30am-4:30pm wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
13 Aug
Our Green Planet at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham Suitable for ages 8-12. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
13 Aug
Desbrickable Me at Woodcote Village Hall
Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 9:30am-11:30am masterbuildersclub.co.uk
13 Aug
Desbrickable Me at The Heights Primary School, Caversham Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 2:30pm-4:30pm masterbuildersclub.co.uk
13-16 Aug
Fred in the Shed’s Summer Reading Challenge at Reading Libraries
As part of the Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge, why not come along and see Fred in the Shed’s magic show? whatsonreading.com
14 Aug
Teddy Bears Picnic at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Have your pre-schooler bring their teddy and join in some naturethemed activities and exploration. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
14 Aug
Floral fun at Shaw House
Inspired by the flowers in bloom in the garden at Shaw House, make a
fridge or magnetic board holder in the shape of a flower. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org
16 Aug
Curious Canopics at West Berkshire Museum
The Ancient Egyptians used four canopic jars in the mummification process, one for each organ of the body. Make your own mini version of one of these jars from air-drying clay. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org/whats-
16 Aug
The Railway Children at South Hill Park
Bring your friends and family together, on a journey that celebrates the timeless power of love, community, and the unbreakable bonds of family. 4:30pm southhillpark.org.uk
17 Aug
Happy Holidays at The Story Museum, Oxford Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 11am-1pm/2:30pm-4:30pm masterbuildersclub.co.uk
17 and 18 Aug
Reading FC Community Trust at Wellington Country Park Come and test your football skills and meet the Reading FC Community Trust coaches! 9:30am-4:30pm wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
19 Aug
The Great Outdoors at Sonning Common Village Hall Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 9:30am-11:30am masterbuildersclub.co.uk
19 and 21 Aug
Rapid Reptiles and Awesome Amphibians at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham Stretch your legs while learning about these fascinating coldblooded creatures. bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
19-23 Aug
Craft Week at Wellington Country Park
Come and get crafty, with make and take crafts in the Adventure Room from 10:30am–4pm. wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
21 Aug
Thames Valley Police at Wellington Country Park 9:30am-4:30pm wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
21 Aug
Minibeast mansions at Shaw House
Decorate a minibeast mansion with paint pens and then take home to hang in the garden ready for minibeasts to visit. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org
21 Aug
The Great Outdoors at Reading Town Hall
Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 11:30am-1:30pm masterbuildersclub.co.uk
23 Aug
Great Gods! at West Berkshire Museum
Make a real or imaginary Ancient Egyptian animal or bird headed God using air-drying clay and wooden modelling tools. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org/whatson
23 Aug
Miller’s Ark at the MERL Bring your own picnic and blanket and join staff in the museum garden to enjoy a range of hand-on activities and visit real farm animals from Miller’s Ark. 10-11:30am – relaxed session 12:30pm-4pm other visitors. merl.reading.ac.uk
24 Aug
Henley Summerfest at Henley Showground
Multiple zones and arenas offer families an array of activities to enjoy throughout the day and into the evening! henleysummerfest.co.uk
24-26 Aug
Inflatables Weekend at Wellington Country Park
Bounce your way into the bank holiday weekend with inflatables in the Park from 10am–4pm on the Main Green. wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
26 Aug
Bluey at 4 Kingdoms
Come and see Bluey and Bingo at intervals throughout the day. 4-kingdoms.co.uk
27 and 28 Aug
Introduction to Bushcraft for children at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham Half-day event.
bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
28 Aug
Desbrickable Me at Badgemore Primary School, Henley Brick-building workshop for LEGO fans. 9:30am-11:30am masterbuildersclub.co.uk
28 Aug
South Central Ambulance Team at Wellington Country Park 9:30am-4:30pm wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
28 Aug
Wildlife Unmasked! at Shaw House Design and decorate a flocked mask as your favourite animal, bird or minibeast using pens and other craft materials. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org/whatson
29 Aug
Crawling butterflies to Brilliant Butterflies at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Bring your pre-schooler along for this nature-inspired play and craft session.
bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre
30 Aug
Super shabtis at West Berkshire Museum
Make a shabti from air-drying clay and paint. Shabtis were put in an Ancient Egyptian tomb and acted as the servant for the dead person in the afterlife. 10am-3pm westberkshireheritage.org
Don’t forget to say you saw these events listed in Families Thames Valley West Magazine!
