Families Upon Avon Sept-Oct 2012

Issue 28 September/October 2012 www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

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upon Avon What's On Things to do for all the family

Local News The latest from your region

Clubs & Classes Feature

• Sales Ledger • Purchase Ledger • Nominal Ledger • Cashbooks • Credit Control • Bank Reconciliation

• Payroll • VAT Returns • Trial Balance • Profit and Loss Accounts • Balance Sheets

Let us look after your books while you look after your business!

Email: hamiltonsbookkeeping@live.com Telephone: 07722 886216 www.hamiltonsbookkeeping.co.uk

The FREE Magazine for families in Bath & North East Somerset, North & West Wiltshire

What’s Inside?

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Local News and Information

6

The do’s and don’ts of school gate parenting

8

Supporting your left-handed child

9

Clubs and classes

10

How much exercise do children under 5 need?

11

Should kids eat wheat?

12

How to encourage reading

12

Ed’s Reading Room

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What’s On

Editor’s letter...

Hello and welcome to the September/October issue.

Summer is over! Hopefully we can now put the umbrellas away and prepare for some sunny, fresh, crisp autumn days.

It’s back to school for the children and for some a new beginning as they start school for the first time – take plenty of tissues! Sarah Butters also has some useful tips for you on page 6 on the Do and Don’ts of School Parenting.

The What’s On section has plenty of indoor and outdoor events/activities on offer to keep the family entertained throughout September, October and the half-term holiday. Don’t forget Heritage Week starting 27th October, for further information and even more events/activities please visit our website www.familiesuponavon.co.uk which is regularly updated.

We also have two great competitions in this issue courtesy of Attach-a-Tag and Easy2name labels. No more wading through the lost property bins!

If you would like to advertise in the November/December ‘Christmas issue’ then please do get in touch. The booking deadline is Friday 12th October.

Have a colourful Autumn!

Next Issue: November/December 2012 – Issue 29.

Copy Deadline: 17th October 2012.

Distribution: 1st Week of November 2012

Sharon Hamilton, Editor

13,500 copies of Families upon Avon are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Bath and North East Somerset, North Wiltshire and Bradford on Avon. If you would like some free copies for your organisation please let us know.

@Familiesuponavo

www.facebook.com/FamiliesuponAvon

email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk Designed and Printed by: Ridgeway Press Ltd. 01256 300420. © Families upon Avon September 2012.

Disclaimer: Any original materials submitted for publication are sent at the owner’s own risk; whilst every care is taken neither Families upon Avon nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Families Group: Families upon Avon is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West (London). All magazines in the Group are independently owned and operated under licence..

upon Avon

FOR SALE If you are a bright sociable Mum interested in owning your own business and want the flexibility to work part-time hours that fit around your family then this could be your perfect opportunity!

As the next editor/owner of Families upon Avon you will join a friendly group of fellow mums from around the UK running your own franchise of Families Magazine Limited.

The Families group of magazines has been expanding since the very first issue in South West London in 1990.

Everyone is friendly, helpful and tips and advice are always available.

No particular qualifications are needed but it does help if you are confident, express yourself well, know your way around a computer, can drive and live in or nearby the area of your franchise.

If you would like to discuss this unique opportunity please email me at editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk or telephone 0117 3309640.

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Give your child a head start at school with online teaching resources With the recent reports in the media about the level of literacy in the UK you may have been left asking questions about whether what our children are learning in school is enough. Searching for additional resources that can be used at home to support their school learning can be a daunting task as there are so many questions to cover: What teaching system should I be using? How much should I pay for resources? How long should we be spending working at home? How much support and guidance should I be giving my child? Etc. etc.

One of the resources currently available in the market place is Reading Eggs from educational publisher Blake Publishing. The Reading Eggs program is all online and can be used on a computer, laptop and most tablets making it instantly attractive to children.

The program has been designed for 3-7 year olds but is also suitable for older children who are struggling with reading. There are currently 120 reading lessons which take children who have little or no reading experience right the way through to them reading books confidently. In addition to the reading lessons there are also a series of spelling lessons, an introduction to comprehension and grammar, a story factory where children can put together their own books, plus additional educational games and activities to keep children motivated. It uses a teaching system of phonics supporting what children are learning at school.

For older children who can already read there is the next level of the program, Reading Eggspress, which has been designed for 7-13 year olds. This program focuses on comprehension and grammar, writing and reading fluency and uses a highly engaging spinning island to draw and keep attention.

Both programs support school learning and are also suitable for home educators. It is a paid for resource and offers an obligation free trial for all new registrations so you can ensure the product is suitable for you and your children before you commit to purchasing. There are 2 terms of subscriptions, 6 months at £29.95 and 12 months at £39.95 and if you have more than one child you can take advantage of the 50% family discount for any additional children.

To trial the program for 5 weeks free simply visit www.readingeggs.co.uk, click the ‘Parents click here’ button and follow the set up instructions. Once your account has been activated and you have added a child enter code UKB24UAV.

Visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk for lots more news, features and local info.

News and Info See Bath As You’ve Never Seen It Before Homeless charity Julian House is inviting you to join the Circuit of Bath Walk on Sunday 23 September. The circular route takes in some Bath’s most beautiful countryside around the edge of the city. A unique shuttle bus service operates between check points throughout the day which means that participants can choose to walk from 2 to 20 miles.

The event is open to people of all ages as one section of the route is particularly accessible to all abilities. The buggy friendly canal path between Bathampton and the Canal Visitors Centre at Limpley Stoke will make an enjoyable walk for young families.

Not only is this a great day out but participants will also be giving a welcome boost to the charity’s work.

Participants can start at any of the five check points, where detailed route instructions are supplied as are water & treats for dogs.

Further information visit www.julianhouse.org.uk or call Cathy Adcock on 01225 354656, email cathya@julianhouse.org.uk

Curtain Up Prologue Opens September 2012!

Curtain up are very excited to announce that the long awaited group for children aged 4 to 6 years old will open in September 2012.

The group will be named Curtain Up Prologue and will be held at St Gregory's Catholic College from 9am to 10.30am on Saturday mornings.

As with all existing Curtain Up students the children will receive superb tuition in the performing arts and all members of staff will hold CRB checks.

To reserve a place or for a chat about your starlet, please give us a ring!

01761 239185 / 0797 401 4490, email admin@curtainup.org.uk , facebook www.facebook.com/ CurtainUpTheatreSchool or twitter @curtainup200

MUSIC BUGS North and West Wiltshire Business Opportunity

Ted’s Big Day Out! Friday 19th October Every year thousands of people all across the Royal United Hospital catchment area have great fun whilst taking their teddy bears out for the day!

This year everyone is also encouraged to take on the fluorescent fancy dress theme.

On Ted’s Big Day Out wherever you are in the catchment area of the Royal United Hospital, (and much further afield) you will be surrounded by fundraisers! From businesses to schools, friends and family to community groups, there are ways for absolutely everyone to take part.

Your support enables The Forever Friends Appeal to provide state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities for key departments across the hospital, allowing us to help the 500,000 people who rely on the RUH for acute care. In 2012, every penny raised will go towards the building of a pioneering new Cancer Centre for the RUH. For further information visit www.tedsbigdayout.co.uk

Music Bugs North and West Wiltshire was launched 5 years ago by Jacqui Stammers who has established a successful music and singing preschool business in the local area. Due to Jacqui returning to teaching, she now needs to hand the reins over to somebody who is interested in running a flexible preschool music franchise for the under 5’s in Wiltshire.

Award winning classes are running at venues in Corsham, Calne, Westbury, Devizes, Chippenham and Bradford-onAvon, including private nursery sessions and birthday parties for children aged 0-5 years of age.

There is plenty of scope within the Wiltshire area in which to further develop the business including Melksham and Trowbridge and you will be joining an award winning business that deliver classes across the UK. Props, equipment and instruments are included in the sale price as well as session plans, marketing materials, an exclusive territory with full demographic breakdown and full training including CRB checks and ongoing support from Head Office. No previous experience is necessary as full training and support will be given.

For further details and an informal chat, please contact Jacqui Stammers on 0844578-1014 or email jacqui@musicbugs.co.uk

Dreading those chilly winter months ahead?

Fear not. Our dressing gowns are dazzling stars for kids.

Snuggle up in one of these wonderfully warm fleece wonders in a selection of distinctive patterns. Check out our website for the whole range and sign up to our newsletter for special offers. Size range: 12/18mths to 10 years. Generously cut. Made in the UK and built to last!

Please visit www.giggle-giggle.co.uk or phone 01761 418194 for more info

Win an Easy2Name Off to School set We have 5 Easy2Name Off to School sets to give away, each set is worth £18.90 and contains 30 waterproof stickers, 30 iron on name tapes, 1 set of shoe covers, 1 bag tag and 1 shoe bag.

The full Easy2Name range can be seen at www.easy2name.com Please state clearly the name of your child and whether you require the shoe bag and labels in red, pink or blue.

To enter visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk/competitions Closing Date 31st October 2012 Want to reach over 30,000 readers an issue? Advertise in

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News and Info THE KIDS LITFEST IS COMING TO THE PARAGON The Paragon School is pleased to reveal that it is to host The Telegraph Bath Festival of Children’s Literature this autumn. We are proud to announce that The Paragon is a major sponsor of the event.

The 2012 festival is going to be bigger than ever and as a result requires an additional venue. As part of the partnership between Bath Festivals and The Prior Foundation and a real first for the Kids LitFest, we are delighted to be hosting public events on both weekends of the festival. In addition, throughout the week, there will be a series of author events for schools held at The Paragon.

Just under a mile from the centre of Bath, the school is based in a beautiful Georgian house and eight acres of gardens and woodland. Belinda Kidd, Chief Executive of Bath Festivals enthuses about the new venue; “When we saw the fantastic facilities the school has to offer, we knew we had found somewhere very special for the festival – and so close to town! It’s a warm and welcoming environment with excellent amenities including an amazing outdoor classroom in the woods, which is just perfect for some of our more adventurous events.”

Lindsay Bloom, Head of Literacy at The Paragon, is thrilled that the Kids LitFest is coming to The Paragon; “One of our principle tasks as a primary school is to teach children to read, but here at The Paragon we aim higher. We want to instil a deep love of stories and a passion for reading. As Dr Seuss would say “Be awesome. Be a book nut‟.

Business networking!

Networking Mummies Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire are both part of Networking Mummies UK Ltd ,which was founded in Dorset two years ago.

This business community was created to help support and encourage entrepreneurs and self-employed people who often face the challenge of trying to juggle family life with starting or building a new business.

Networking Mummies offers opportunities

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THE TELEGRAPH BATH FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IN ITS 6TH SPECTACULAR YEAR The UK’s largest dedicated children’s book festival, is taking place in Bath from 28 September to 7 October.

Best-selling authors and inspiring illustrators including Horrible Histories Martin Brown will once again make their way to this historic city for ten late summer days of top class events, interactive talks and creative workshops for children of all ages and their families.

The festival opens on Friday 28 September with a free, city wide parade to celebrate an amazing 25 years of Where’s Wally anyone can join in, the only requirements are red and white stripes, glasses and bobble hats. The parade is followed by a special opening night gala in Bath’s central venue The Guild hall with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The best selling picture book duo will talk about their much loved characters, including their new hero Superworm.

With over 100 events programmed, the festival will also make use of some exciting new venues, including the Paragon School’s yurt.

As part of Bath Festivals’ commitment to year round learning and participation, there is an extensive schools programme involving visiting authors, reaching out to and engaging children of all ages, from a wide area around the city, The full programme is available to view at www.bathkidslitfest.org.uk Booking line: 01225 463362 for mums, dads and families who work for themselves to share skills, ideas and receive support from other members.

Networking Mummies also have regular coffee mornings, workshops and events where you come along and meet other members.

For further information visit http://www.networkingmummies.com/ or Facebook - Networking Mummies Bath and North East Somerset or Networking Mummies Wiltshire

IS YOUR CHILD AN ARTIST AND ENTREPRENEUR OR A PHILANTHROPIST? With Artbeez, she can be ALL THREE. Artbeez is a fabulous, new networking site which is the complete antidote to most online gaming sites. Artbeez enables kids to showcase their drawings, sketches, paintings and photography online, share and talk about it with other like-minded kids and, yes, even sell it! If you are looking to harness your child’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit, then Artbeez is the place. Not only that, but Artbeez has a strongly philanthropic bent. It is a force for good.

Artbeez was created by passionate art enthusiast, architect and MBA Graduate, Monica Martini, after her daughter displayed a number of pieces of her artwork in the porch of their home, one of which was spotted and bought by a passing delivery man! Seeing how delighted and motivated her daughter became after this event, Monica started to imagine an online utopia where children could share and sell their art, make money and, also, importantly, donate a portion of that money to charity. And so Artbeez was born.

Currently in pre-launch mode with its official launch planned for October 2012, Artbeez is totally free to join and once your child has registered, he or she can immediately upload artwork and put it “on the market.” 100% of any money your child makes from any sale is donated either to a charity supported by Artbeez – or to the PTA of her school. If your child wishes to earn money from the sale of his or her artwork, a membership is required.

Membership is ABSOLUTELY FREE until 1st October 2012 and will entitle your child to retain up to 80% of the sale proceeds, with the remaining 20% going to charity or to the school PTA. So it’s definitely worthwhile encouraging your child to sign up now. After 1st October, there will be a modest membership fee in place. Membership also entitles your child to generate RSVP party invites and collaborate with others to create cards, tshirts and posters, as well as providing unlimited storage for their artwork.

Children can sign up under an online pseudonym or sign their artwork with their own name. Whichever option they choose, parents can have complete piece of mind about the online safety of their children.

For further details www.artbeez.com

Advertising deadline for the September/October issue, 10 August

News and Info School’s best ever AS results, with 53% of entries securing a notional A grade and 73% either an A or a B.

Help your child get off to a flying start in the new term!

Research has found that at least two thirds of children fall behind in their studies over the summer holidays. This large gap in studying can leave a child feeling insecure in their ability, which in turn can lead to a lack of confidence during September.

The beginning of a new academic year is an ideal time to seek extra support. Explore Learning is a network of maths and English tuition centres for children aged 5 to 14, designed to improve knowledge, confidence and enjoyment of learning. With 63 centres located nationwide, they are the perfect way to help your child get off to a flying start in the new term.

King Edward’s pupils celebrate A Level success Pupils from King Edward’s School have today been celebrating outstanding A Level results, with a 100% pass rate and over 85% of grades at A* - B. Most importantly, the vast majority of pupils have been successful in securing a place at their first choice university on a whole range of challenging and exciting courses.

Following hot on their elders’ heels, Year 12 pupils have also been celebrating the

Headmaster, Martin Boden, commented: “It was a pleasure to witness the truly joyous scenes this morning. For so many of those KES pupils moving on to the next stage in their lives, this has been a fitting end to their journey, and their success, built on talent, hard work and determination, is richly deserved. I congratulate them all and look forward to hearing news of further success in the years to come. All of my colleagues also deserve great credit for the wonderful teaching and support that they have provided to these young men and women over the last few years; it really has been a great team effort.

This is the 8th year running that over 80% of entries at A Level have been at B grade or better, a fitting testimony to the consistently excellent standards achieved at King Edward’s School.

Nursery Rhymes, Movement and School Results

St Margaret’s Preparatory School

Research has begun to test whether moving to nursery rhymes can improve children’s school results. The Primary Movement project is working with 40 schools in North East England to assess the impact that movement can have on children’s development.

The physical sequences have been based on reflex movements that babies make in the womb or first few months of life and will be accompanied by nursery rhymes and songs.

From September 2012 the nine year olds taking part in the research project will do a carefully designed set of movements every day for 10 minutes over 2 years. Researchers will then examine the impact on reading and numeracy levels among the children.

Helen Harrington, founder of the music and dance organisation, MAD Academy, welcomes the research. “Movement in the early years is so important for children’s development. It will be really interesting to see the impact on children’s academic achievements.”

St Margaret’s is an independent day preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3 to 11 years, sharing a site with St Mary’s School, Calne. The children benefit from the excellent facilities including sports pitches, gymnasium, 25m indoor swimming pool, purpose built theatre, Chapel and dining hall.

Children generally start life in the Kindergarten which offers a safe and stimulating nursery environment for 3 and 4 year old children. The focus is on nurturing and building the children’s confidence to make the move to the Reception classes the following year far less daunting. The purpose built accommodation is bright and airy and is situated in the ‘Early Years’ area of the school.

St Margaret’s aim be as flexible as possible to fit in with family and work demands and can offer full or part day sessions in the Kindergarten as well as an after-school club until 6.00pm for all children in the school. Holiday clubs are also offered to provide additional support to parents.

St Margaret's prides itself on its high standard of pastoral care. Every effort is made to ensure that the children never feel lost or bewildered, and that they quickly find their feet and are given a sense of belonging.

If you would like to visit St Margaret’s, the school is holding an Open Morning at 9.30am on Thursday 11th October 2012 – please call 01249 857379 to register. To find out more, request a prospectus or view Inspection Reports, please visit the website at www.stmargaretsprep.org.uk

Get ready with the new school year with Attach-a-Tag Take the pain out of labelling clothes with Attach-a-Tag, a simple tool that uses a “dolphin” tool to label with one quick twist.

No sewing, no ironing, no markers!

We have one starter set (worth £18.50 plus VAT) to give away To enter, just answer this question: Which marine mamal is the Attach-a-Tag tool named after?

Enter online at www.familiesuponavon.co.uk/competitions

To advertise, call 0117 3309640 or email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk

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School Matters Starting school is difficult, not just for your child, but also for you. During this term, your child will spend more time there than they will at home. That’s why a good relationship with your child’s teacher is vital. Start the academic year as you mean to go on with Sarah’s guide to being top of the class.

Do introduce yourself Make sure the first contact you have with your child’s teacher is positive. Don’t wait for the first problem before saying hello.

We’re not talking about pinning the poor soul up against the classroom display to tell them how wonderful young Oliver is. This is about a brief and to the point introduction so the teacher can put a face to a name and you can highlight any beginning of term concerns. Don’t hijack them at the start of the day – it’s a busy time for teachers.

Do turn up when invited Be it a parents’ evening or a school assembly, show an interest in the place your child is spending their days. It can be inconvenient for working parents to take time out, but every visit to school is a step to building a better relationship with them.

“Parents should remember that children need their support,” says teacher John Tranmer. “A recording of your child singing in the Nativity play can never be a substitute for being part of such a unique and special moment.”

Do be punctual You wouldn’t turn up late for a doctor’s appointment, so don’t turn up late for school. By pitching up after the bell has gone, you’re showing your child you don’t respect the rules of the school, and you disrupt the start of the day in their class.

And don’t forget the end of the day.

Punctuality is also important to children at pick up time. Little ones get anxious if their parent doesn't appear when others do.

Don’t take holidays during term time It’s tempting to beat the rush and the sky high prices of the school holidays.

However, taking your child out of school before the end of term means they will miss out. Events like sports days and school plays may feel less important than

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The do’s and don’ts of school gate parenting

By Sarah Butters

academic tests, but they are just as important to your child’s social development. And like turning up late for school, it shows you don’t respect the rules you expect your child to respect day in, day out.

Do find a way to communicate with your teacher Unless it’s urgent, speaking to your child’s teacher at the beginning or end of the day is rarely a good idea. They are either busy preparing, or reeling from more than 6 hours holding the attention of 30 children.

Begin the year understanding how to best get hold of your teacher. Don’t be afraid to ask how to best communicate minor issues that need acknowledgement, but don’t need a formal appointment. Maybe it’s a change of circumstances at home, or a particular subject they’re struggling with.

Some schools give parents their class teacher’s email address and other schools have a homework book which has a space for communications between parents and teachers. If you begin the school year with a line of communication open, problems are more likely to be solved quickly.

Don’t hold grudges Teachers are human and sometimes they get it wrong. Like you and I they have bad days and can make bad decisions. When that happens, don’t be afraid to speak up, but do be prepared to move on. Make an appointment and make arrangements to visit without your child. Then you can have a frank discussion. The vast majority of teachers want the best for the children in their care. If you keep that thought in the forefront of your mind you’ll do a better job of putting disagreements to the back of your mind. You and your teacher should be working as a team to bring out the best in your child.

Do be professional You have every right to expect teachers to act professionally. However, teachers have the right to expect a level of professional parenting from you. That means discussing disputes in school with those who can make a difference, and not gossiping with other parents at the school gates.

Being professional is also about showing respect for your child’s teacher when you have conversations at home. If you show you don’t respect the teacher, chances are your child will show a lack of respect in the classroom.

Do help out when you can Offering to help out is not the same as going into school to spy on your child!

Schools welcome parents who are willing to give up their time to come in and listen to reading, or give a talk about their job or help supervise a school trip. It’s another way to help build up a relationship and show the school you are interested.

It’s hard for working parents to take time out. However, you may be able to combine your work with a visit to school.

My children recently welcomed a dentist, a banker and a geologist into their classrooms. All are parents wanting to pass on their passion to the children.

Don’t believe everything your children tell you At the end of every school day, you can hear parents asking their children what they’ve done today. For most, the last 6 hours have been a haze and to please you, they may decide to throw in a tall tale to get you off their case. Maybe it’s the tale of the PE teacher who made them run the cross country course SIX times, or the classroom assistant who let them have FOUR doughnuts for lunch. Just be careful before you storm into school to air your grievances. “Some of it is for your attention,” says one headteacher who adds: “We had one child claim that she didn’t have any lunch because a teacher had eaten the last 6 fish fingers!”

Don’t attempt bribery Pandora bracelets and UGG boots are NOT appropriate gifts for teachers whatever the occasion. They will not buy better grades for your child and sometimes less is more.

“I have a lovely decoration given to me by a former pupil that has hung in my office for many years and it bears the inscription ‘Teachers inspire the future’,” notes one proud Head Teacher.

The best gift you can give your teacher is a child who turns up on time with a positive attitude to school.

Advertising deadline for the September/October issue, 10 August

To advertise, call 0117 3309640 or email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk

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School Matters Supporting Your Left Handed Child 1 in 10 children are left handed, but many fail to get the support they need in the early years of their education. Experts say teachers aren’t given the proper training and schools don’t have the right resources. Sarah Butters is mum to a left handed daughter. She takes a look at some of the most common problems faced by left handers and some tips for helping them out.

MESSY HANDWRITING chance. However, if your child isn’t completing If you have a child who is left handed, chances white board work quickly or neatly enough, it are they haven’t been taught to write. Most are may not be their fault. simply allowed to use their left hand. As the MIRROR WRITING right handed parent of a left handed child I I remember being hugely concerned when I admit to having that same attitude. I now know discovered that my daughter had completed a that I was completely wrong.

Reception assignment using mirror writing. She Left handers push the pen across the page, had begun her words on the right hand side of whereas their right handed friends will pull. This the page and written from right to left. It’s can lead to smudging and untidy work which in common in left handed children and when you YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE turn leads to anxiety on the part of the child. At think about it, it makes sense. If they are sat Keith Milsom campaigns for better support of an early stage a left handed child should be next to a right hander, they are simply mirroring left handed children in our schools and offers encouraged to master the correct handwriting their work. Encourage them to start on the left some advice about what to expect from your position and paper placement to avoid hand side of the page by placing a coloured star child’s school. problems as the writing assignments increase. in the margin as a reminder.

Despite decades of campaigning and a string The paper should be rotated to 45 degrees COMPUTERS of promises from government ministers and with the hand and wrist below the writing. Any Most ICT rooms are set up with the computer teacher training authorities, there is still pen needs to be held in a strong 3 point grip. In mice on the right hand side of the keyboard. virtually no guidance provided to teachers on Early Years this can be supported with a This gives left handed children an automatic helping left-handed children and no process triangular bodied pencil or a moulded grip disadvantage because they either need to move around a regular pencil. If your child can get into for identifying left-handers in schools. the mouse or attempt or use their right hand. good habits from the start of their school life, Make sure you talk to your child's teacher Don’t presume the teacher knows your child is they will avoid problems when they graduate to left handed. Be sure to let all staff involved with to make sure they know that he/she is lefta fountain pen and longer writing assignments. your child know they are a left handed and will handed and may need assistance and advice.

HOOK GRIP need a different workstation set up.

Ask your child’s teacher to talk YOU through Some left handers use a hooked grip to avoid THE ‘RIGHT’ EQUIPMENT the support they’re going to give it so you can the problem of smudging, and angle the pen in Many left handed children learn the basics with be sure they really understand. If you’re the same way a right hander would. This causes the wrong equipment. Give a left handed child concerned, refer them to the teacher more problems than it solves. The hook grip some right handed scissors and they’ll find the guidance sheets available from becomes more uncomfortable the more you blade is upside down and so they can’t see the www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk. The school write. It leads to an overtight grip and aching line they are cutting. It means the child has less should have left-handed scissors available and hands which in turn lead to messy handwriting. control and think if themselves as messy. This pens that will help left-handers write in the The wrist should always be below the writing can be a real problem in the Early Years. Check correct style. line. If your child is developing a hook grip, your school has left handed scissors to offer If children are left to their own devices it is consider introducing a sloped surface to resolve your child. Ambidextrous scissors don’t exist – very unlikely they will find writing and cutting the problem. trust me! out easy.

Apart from the practical difficulties ELBOW COLLISION As the progress to writing, shiny barreled this can mean they are working more slowly At some point your child will have to share a pens are to be avoided. Make sure whatever than the rest of the class and lose some of desk and if they’re left handed this can be a pen you choose has a good grip so it’s easy to confidence - especially if the teacher tells them problem. hold even when hands get hot and tired. Left off for "not doing it right". Lefthanders can end “I always end up banging elbows” explains handed fountain pens are available from up underperforming at school and having my 9 year old daughter. “That makes my writing www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk. They’re worth difficulty with written exams as a result of a messy.” the investment for older children as they have lack of informed guidance at an early stage. It is You child should always be placed at the left an angled nib. hand side of a shared desk or next to another important parents keep the pressure on LACK OF UNDERSTANDING left hander. This gives them plenty of space to schools to support their left handed children.”

As a right hander, I never appreciated the get their paper positioned correctly and avoid challenges faced by my daughter. Until she knocking elbows with a right handed neighbour. mastered left handed writing, she was labeled USEFUL RESOURCES WHITE BOARDS untidy in her written work and lost enthusiasm www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk has some great They’re a teacher’s best friend but a left for putting pen to paper. It wasn’t until I began left handed guidance sheets for parents and handers worst nightmare. White boards and researching this piece that I realise how much of teachers. It’s also a super source of left chalk boards are a great learning tool in the her attitude is linked to the hand she writes handed equipment. modern classroom - pupils can get rid of with. The bad news is she has had a more www.lefthandedchildren.org another great mistakes easily without using endless pieces of challenging time than her right handed pals. The website with some top tips for parents paper. However, if you’re left handed you can good news is she’s in good company. Barack looking to support their left handed child. end up erasing as you write. Good grip and Obama, Leonardo Da Vinci and Bill Gates are placement of the board gives left handers half a all lefties. Now that’s not a bad club to be in!

• • Advertising deadline for the September/October issue, 10 August • • •

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Choosing after-school activities

By Elisabeth Dolton As the new school year starts, so does the time to choose after-school activities, but take a quick look and you will find a whole range of classes available, from Scouts to Ballet, from French to Karate. How can we know which ones are the best for our child, offer value for money, and critically, which ones they will enjoy!

After-school activities definitely offer value to your children. Reports indicate those who participate in afterschool programs have better school attendance, higher grades and loftier aspirations. They’re less likely to get into trouble are at lower risk of obesity. It is also a great opportunity for children to develop social and leadership skills. The benefits are there, but under which classes?

Talk to your child and find out how they feel about the activity, and let them choose at least one club or activity themselves. Help them choose activities that reflect who they are and what they want to learn, don’t impose your preferences. Explain that it’s important and fun to try new things, and remember switching activities is normal amongst children.

Always check out the quality of an activity. Discipline-based activities that create a quality product over a period of time are great, e.g. putting on a play. Don’t think that high cost equal high quality, some activities are cheaper to run like football. Staff members should be professionals with skills and experience.

Consider the mix of activities. The benefits of exercise are huge, so including a sport would be a good Experienced Mobile Tutor start. Extracurricular activities are • All ages and abilities welcome • CRB checked ideal for children to explore and • Reasonable rates practice what it means to be a group Mr Petros Margaris leader, e.g. Brownies. If you are Tel: 01225 819740 stuck between two similar activities, Mob: 07504382715 consider the usefulness, e.g. drum

Guitar Lessons

Clubs & Classes lessons might be cool, but the guitar might have wider applicability.

Finally, remember logistics. The afterschool programme affects you too. Avoid signing on to too many activities that leave you scrambling from one to the next. No one will have fun doing anything if it means arriving late, leaving early, and going without dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Look hard for places you can walk to, it reduces your carbon footprint while keeping you fit for free! Finally do build in some downtime.

Children need to have independent play as well as the structured activities, so ensure time is built in for dinner, watching T.V. and relaxing.

Leave some activities perhaps for the summer, when different interests can be tried, without the pressure of school demands.

After-school activities can provide enrichment, adventure and variety. They can enhance knowledge and build character. Spend a bit more time choosing the right activity programme for your child and you will reap the benefits.

Consideration for special needs children • Consider your child’s interests, rather than their needs.

Many regular activities can use technology or planning to help their participation, e.g. drama, athletics, cooking, academic • Evaluate your child's stamina. Check they have the energy for an extracurricular activity?

• Talk with the activity leaders about your child's unique medical and communication needs. Provide them with emergency contact information.

• Make sure family downtime is a regular part of the schedule. Sometimes your family needs to have nothing to do — as a group.

Remember the inclusion of children with special needs is beneficial to all.

Special needs children achieve more, improve behaviour, and enhance motivation. Children without special needs learn from working cooperatively and grow in confidence through helping others.

ONLINE Are you looking for a Club or Class for your child?

Then visit the Families Upon Avon LOCAL DIRECTORY Activities, Clubs and Classes - www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

your local club

✂

city of bath Rhythmic club www.bathrhythmic.com

LOCAL SESSIONS Location

Day

Time

University of Bath

Thursday

5.30pm - 6.25pm

Culverhay School

Wednesday

5.00pm - 5.55pm

Culverhay School

Saturday

12.00pm - 12.55pm 1.00pm - 1.55pm

Voucher

. Please bring your voucher for a free session . To book your free session please call 07722886216

To advertise, call 0117 3309640 or email editor@familiesuponavon.co.uk

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Under 5’s How Much Exercise Do Children Under 5 Need?

By Lora Dawson

Exercise is good for us all we know that, but how does physical activity really help the development of under 5s? s a mum to a bouncy energetic 3 year old called Zach I have spent the last few years looking for fun innovative ways to entertain him from baby through to toddler, but until I started up my own baby swimming company I was not aware of the vast amount of research out there that confirms what as a mother I instinctively already knew, exercise is good for babies and toddlers.

The benefits for baby and toddler exercising are wide and varied: • Develops motor skills • Improves cognitive development • Contributes to a healthy weight • Enhances bone and muscular development • Supports learning of social skills According to Government physical activity guidelines for Early Years under 5’s launched last year physical activity should be encouraged from birth.

For pre-walkers this can be achieved through floor-based play and water-based activities in safe environments. All under 5’s should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (being restrained or sitting) for extended periods (except time spent sleeping).

Children of pre-school age who are capable of walking unaided should be physically active daily for at least 180 minutes (3 hours), spread throughout the day. Most UK pre-school children currently spend 120–150 minutes a day in physical activity, so achieving this guideline would mean adding another 30–60 minutes per day.

But what counts for activity? And how as a mum do I achieve it? Before your little one begins to crawl, use their toys to encourage them to reach and grasp, stimulate their senses and encourage head and body movement by getting them to follow gentle noises of bells or rattles. All of which us mums can do during our day to day stuff, when sorting out washing you can be very creative with a sock puppet or during specific supervised floor play, lay them on their back to encourage kicking or on their front for tummy time.

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Once babies can move around, encourage them to be as active as possible in a safe, supervised and nurturing play environment, you can play hide and seek with your little ones favorite toys, dance with them in the living room to their favorite music, shouting freeze, stopping in silly poses and have fun as you both fall over together.

Another way to get your little one exercising is through Active Play. This can be playing games such as hide and seek or stick in the mud, or a trip to the park with a ball to kick or throw around, or a fun game of tag. If like me you were also looking for a more structured class in which to get your little one active there are a number of clubs out there that develop children’s physical ability, balance and co-ordination. I chose to do Tumble tots with Zach and took him along to his first Gymbabes class at 6 months.

Tumble Tots helps to develop those vital physical skills and confidence needed for life. It has been designed to develop children's motor skills of agility, balance, climbing and coordination during their formative years.

At the same time, through the programme children develop their self-confidence, independence, self-discipline, self-worth and sense of security and identity. This is done through the use of brightly coloured equipment such as bars, trestles, balance boards, ladders, balls, hoops etc.

For further information on your local Tumble Tots centre call Debbie Bensley on 01225 811579 or look on line at www.tumbletots.com/bath Other activities such as swimming can provide babies the complete freedom to move. Babies have a real affinity with water, having just spent 9 months in the womb.

Babies can be taken into the water from birth, very young babies love the freedom, massage and gentle exercise that the water offers. There are lots of benefits to both parent and baby of swimming together including, bonding, relaxation as well as being fun and social There are further benefits for your baby too, especially if you join a dedicated baby swimming class: • It is the only time your baby can be completely independent (when experiencing gentle submersions) • Only in the water, can a baby move freely and develop actions they wouldn’t otherwise be able to in their first year of life. This gives “swimming babies” the opportunity to develop crucial higher brain functions, core muscle development and co-ordination far earlier than they would otherwise be able to • Even though gentle, baby swimming classes provide a complete physical work-out: strengthening your baby’s heart, lungs and respiratory system, which again aids development of the brain • Learning to respond to key words (within a few months) can make your baby sharper mentally, increasing levels of awareness and understanding But most importantly of all, swimming as a baby should help your little one develop a love of water for the rest of their life.

Specialist baby swimming classes such as Aquababies http://www.puddleducksswimming.co.uk/ follow a clear and progressive structure. Each class is carefully designed with simple activities and techniques, gentle submersions to build confidence for both you and your little one. Once your little one becomes a toddler they love being in the water which makes teaching them the beginnings of swimming so much fun they don’t even realize they are exercising.

For more information about baby swimming contact me (Lora) at Aquababies West 01249 661 561 or info@aquababieswest.co.uk.

With pools all over the West there is bound to be a course near you.

Sources: under 5s fitness http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physicalactivity-guidelines-for-children.aspx#light#light,

Don't forget to visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk for more info on activities in the area.

Health Should our kids eat less wheat?

By Elisabeth Dolton

For centuries wheat has been at the centre of our diets. Over the last 10,000 years, the earth's population has doubled ten times, and wheat is one food source that has helped enable this.

Wheat feeds more people in the world today than any other food. Yet nutritional therapists are starting to advise reducing our consumption of wheat, in some cases even eliminating it from our diets totally. Why? Wheat is a common part of our and our children’s diets. It is in almost every meal we have - cereal, bread, crackers, biscuits, cakes, pastry, and pasta. It is also recommended by many world governments as an essential part of our daily intake. However, wheat grown today looks very different from how it used to look. Chemicals are used to grow wheat today, as well as preservatives, and the most notable difference is how it’s processed. Today most wheat-based foods are highly processed, removing most of the nutrients.

Perhaps therein lays the reason, as wheat is increasingly being linked to common allergy, sensitivity, ADD and hyperactivity in kids, celiac disease, fatigue, weight gain and more. Wheat contains fibre and other nutrients that are beneficial for health and wellness. However, sensitivity to wheat and gluten (a large protein found in wheat) is increasing. Some people have a severe allergic reaction to gluten, known as coeliac disease, which affects as many as one in 300 in the UK. But wheat intolerance is also more prevalent. Symptoms occur after the body reacts to wheat and interferes with its normal processes, causing everything from irritable bowel syndrome to thyroid disorders, arthritis, diabetes, asthma and eczema. Indeed, many nutritional therapists believe too much wheat causes headaches, a feeling of ill health, bloating, tiredness and even depression. There's little mainstream scientific evidence to support this, but that hasn't stopped nutritionists advising their patients to cut down on wheat intake or use alternatives to wheat such as spelt, rye, barley, rice and soy.

It is very easy to overdose on wheat and end up eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner – toast, sandwiches, a pizza. Try cutting wheat down to one meal a day for the family, and eat the most natural and unrefined wheat such as wholemeal or wholegrain bread and whole-wheat pasta. While it may not necessary for most of us to cut out wheat completely from our diets, it’s worth the effort to reduce excessive wheat intake.

Wheat free lunch boxes Good quality proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats are the key to a super wheat-free lunch box.

• Quality proteins - Deli meats, cheese and cheese spreads, salads (chicken, turkey, tuna), soup, yogurt, protein bars, hardboiled eggs, falafel • Complex carbohydrates - Vegetables and fruits (celery, carrot sticks, sugar snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower), rice, whole grain gluten free bread and crackers, hummus, gluten free pasta with pesto and pinenuts, rice cakes with fun toppings (nut butters, jam, cheese) • Healthy Fats - Olive oil, raw nuts/seeds, dried fruit, avocados, olives

Would you like copies of Families upon Avon to give to parents? Call 01494 673427

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Reading and Book Review How to encourage reading

By Elisabeth Dolton Many of us know the value and enjoyment of reading.

Good readers become better writers, better learners and well rounded individuals. Taking an active part in helping your children become interested in reading is vital.

Despite busy days, tired kids, limited time and many distractions, we outline five simple steps that can help.

Step one - Set up reading time every day • Decide when and where a reading session will take place, which fits into your household schedule, and keep it. 10 minutes is fine.

• Encourage your child to read aloud. They don’t have to get every word right, and praise them often. If they are discouraged by their own reading, you read aloud. The pleasure of listening to you read can restore their enthusiasm. Offer to read every other sentence, page, chapter, and have conversations and discussions about the content.

• Make it fun. Children love sound effects, different voices, pulling faces.

Step two – During reading time • Introduce the bookmark. Stop after a few pages and pick up where you left off at another time • Provide an accessible, special place for children to keep their own books • Use special incentives, e.g. an extra 5 minutes to finish a chapter, a promise to take them to see the film of the book, sticker charts and certificates • Notice what attracts your children's attention, even if it’s only pictures, and build on that interest. Gather more information on the same subject.

• Listen to audio books (in the car too). These help develop visualisation, a critical pre-reading skill.

• Let them choose their own books. Don’t worry if the books are too young or too easy, early reading success

can came from several "non-traditional" sources such as comics.

• Buy a special notebook and record all the books they have read, add their thoughts and a star rating.

Step three - See the teacher and judge where they are • Find out what reading program the school follows, get to know the levels, and aim to supplement the program at home.

• Prepare a timetable. Know what level your child is at and the next, with some idea of when it can be achieved.

There is no race to be the first to read, it just puts things into context.

Step four - Plan specific reading linked activities • Extend your child's positive reading experiences, e.g. If they enjoyed reading about dinosaurs, visit the natural history museum.

• Encourage activities that require reading, e.g. read a recipe, instructions, and directions, play games that require reading, use a reference book to look up something you have seen.

• Visit the library and give your child their own library card. They can choose their own library book or listen in on story-time.

Step five – Be a role model • Let your children see you reading for pleasure. Read aloud everyday items - menus, road signs, food labels.

• Give books as gifts.

• Leave books, magazines, and colourful catalogues around your home.

• Write short notes for your child to read.

• Reading opens up new worlds to your children and gives them a chance to use their imaginations. There are many ways to encourage your child to read, and the best ways always include participation on your part.

Helping reading for children with learning difficulties Books and Audio Follow a book as the audio book plays. Listen to a chapter, and then read it together Turn on the TV subtitles Sub-titles on your TV or DVD help increase sight word vocabulary, whilst developing a sense of flow of written and spoken language Make your child the star of their own audio book Your child can read into a recorder, then follow the book together during playback Everyone joins in Reserve thirty minutes each evening for family reading time. Each family member reads different material and then shares information about it, or take turns reading aloud from the same book.

Support their learning Help ensure your child doesn’t get behind in reading material necessary for school subjects, ask for help with obtaining textbooks on CD ROM. Together identify unfamiliar words you come across and show your child how to look up the meanings of words. Children with specific learning difficulties and dyslexia could benefit from the PQ4R strategy (http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/instructionalmater ials/a/pq4rstrategy.htm)

Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools.

Each month, recently published books are selected as Ed’s Books of the Month for Owlets (age 5-7) and Owls (over 7s). On the website, there are fun literacy activities to accompany each book, including wordsearches, quizzes, poetry and reviews, and there are new original stories in Edtime Stories.

You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at mgh@edontheweb.com about the website or about Ed on the Web Spelling Bees in schools.

For Ages 5 to 7 years Medal Mayhem by Tamsyn Murray (Simon and Schuster £4.99) ED SAYS: ‘Harriet Houdini, star of the television programme Superpets, is picked to take part in the London Animalympics. She begins training for the triple jump with the world famous athlete Calvin Cross. With such a fantastic personal trainer and with Harriet’s enthusiasm she should be well on her way to success but all does not run smoothly when the bunny-napping Maldini appears on the scene. Will Harriet be able to hop, skip and jump to the gold medal?

‘This wacky character is great fun. Medal Mayhem is a laugh out loud story with fantastic illustrations throughout. It will entertain children reading on their own or reading together.’

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For Ages 7 years plus Super Soccer Boy and the Raging Robots by Judy Brown (Piccadilly Press £4.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Harry and his friends are excited to be going to a tournament at Wembley with lots of top players taking part.

Harry can’t believe it when his favourite player is sent off the field and later other players also start to behave in very unusual ways. Harry notices strange things happen when the owner of one of the teams, Anton Antovich, is around. Could Antovich be responsible? Harry has to use all his Super Soccer Boy powers to reveal Antovich’s plan.

‘This is a humorous and gripping story. It is very well written and brilliantly illustrated by the author. If you enjoy it as much as I did, look out for the other books in the series.’

The Poisoned Honey Cake

by Caroline Lawrence (Orion £4.99) ED SAYS: ‘Threptus is the apprentice of the soothsayer Floridius. He is trying to find information to help his master who fears he is losing his power of seeing into the future.

Threptus angers the gods when he eats a honey cake that has been left as an offering to them.

And he is poisoned – as well as already being nearly starved. Will he be able to survive this latest disaster?

‘This is a brilliantly written story that is action-packed and very funny – as well as being historically accurate. It is exciting and entertaining and will appeal to boys and girls alike.’

www.familiesuponavon.co.uk for lots more competitions

The Abduction by John Grisham (Hodder £6.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Theo Boone is the son of two lawyers and at the age of 13 he has already acquired an amazing knowledge of the law. However the issue here is personal to Theo as his best friend April has disappeared from her home in the middle of the night and this time even Theo doesn’t have any answers. Will his powers of investigation be enough to discover what exactly has happened to April?

‘This adventure in the fantastic Theodore Boone series is fastmoving and full of suspense. It may well have you on the edge of your seat.’

Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since our press deadline.

We regularly update the What's On section of our website. For further or more detailed information on the below please check our website www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS AMERICAN MUSEUM IN BRITAIN Claverton Manor, Bath. BA2 7BD Tel: 01225 460503 www.americanmuseum.org All events included with museum admission (unless otherwise noted).

American Civil War Weekend Sat 13 & Sun 14 October, skirmish 3.30pm We welcome back the Southern Skirmish Association with their annual display.

Kids Stuff – Halloween Sun 28 October, 12noon-5pm Come and join us for the final day of our season when we celebrate Halloween with storytelling, spooky crafts, and owl handling. Costumes encouraged.

Museum Closed Mon 29 October – Thurs 22 November See you for Christmas at Claverton!

www.forestry.gov.uk/discoveryday. Activities will be free after admission.

Guided tour: Autumn fruits and berries Sat 6 October 11am - 1pm Free after admission. Book via 01666 880220.

Autumn craft fair Sat 20 - Sun 21 October 10am - 4pm Great Oak Hall. Free after admission. Further details from maureen.gobbett@btinternet.com, 0117 956 4769 or visit www.fowa.org.uk/news_and_events.

Family event: Autumnal highlights Mon 29 October - Fri 2 November 10:30am - 4pm Free after admission. Activities take place in the education centre.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM

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@BRISTOL Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol. BS1 5DB 0117 909 2000 www.at-bristol.org.uk Little stars planetarium show Weekends 2pm, plus daily shows during school holidays (please check the website for times) Come and get star struck with At-Bristol’s speciallydesigned Planetarium show for the under fives. All tiny explorers are welcome to join us on a colourful, musical journey to the stars, making plenty of new friends along the way!

Storytelling 11.30am weekends and holidays, 2.30pm Mondays during term time. Get swept up in a lively story as the Live Science team take you on a variety of imaginative adventures with Ursa and Leo. Full of sounds, actions and plenty of interactive experiments, it’s perfect for engaging little ears!

Going for Gold 1 September – 7 October, daily during weekends and holidays (times vary) Come and get your pulse racing at our brand new family show exploring how amazing the human body is. Join us as we learn all about hearts, lungs, limbs and all manner of sporty things!

Try-Athlon Until 7 September Drop in to At-Bristol’s Live Lab and try your hand at our sporty activities, ranging from easy-peasy to downright impossible! Are you up for the challenge?!

Plus, discover how your muscles work and why making a simple movement might not be quite so straightforward after all…

Bristol Open Doors day 8 September Get taken on a special behind the scenes sustainability tour as At-Bristol opens its doors.

Explore our world in the Live Lab From 8 September – 12 October Get hands-on and explore the wonders of the world around us with our Live Lab activities.

Last Night of the Proms on the BBC Big Screen 8 September, 7pm Bring a picnic, a blanket and some friends to Millennium Square and enjoy coverage of the Last Night of the Proms, broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall. It’s a first for Bristol and a wonderful way to spend a late summer evening!

Photo: Rob Cousins

What’s On

Team GB Victory Parade on the BBC Big Screen 10 September, 2pm Round off the BBC’s coverage of London 2012 in style by catching up with Team GB’s stars and reliving the triumphs of the Games, live on Millennium Square’s Big Screen.

Summer night sky planetarium show Until 17 September, regular daily shows Autumn night sky planetarium show From 18 September, regular daily shows Discover the changing constellations of the new season with the Autumn night sky – they’re out of this world! Learn about the awe-inspiring moons of Jupiter, the affects of gravity on the Milky Way and all about how the hero Perseus rescued Andromeda!

Toddler Takeover: Splish, splash, splosh!

28 September Bring your littlest ones for a fun-filled day specially designed for the under fives! With a whole host of hands-on activities and interactive stories based around the theme of water and bubbles, plus reduced entry and family-friendly facilities.

Gore Blimey! Dissection Lab from 13 October

Celebrate National Biology Week (13 - 19 October) and Halloween by taking part in our gruesomely good dissection lab! You can really get under the skin of what makes our bodies tick by using bodypaints to visualise your own veins, muscles and bones. Plus, discover more about the heart and lungs in our animal organ dissection, and make your own fake blood specimen to take home!

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HORSEWORLD Staunton Manor Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0QL 01275 893024 www.horseworld.org.uk Pony Experience Day 22nd September A special day for children (aged 7-12 years) to experience the joy of caring for a pony, with hands-on activities including mucking out, feeding, grooming, a tractor tour of our Welfare Department and more.

Booking is essential as places are limited Cost £25 Halloween Fun 27th October – 4th November A week of Hallowe'en-themed fun at HorseWorld.

Including - Hallowe'en Hunt, Scariest Costume Competition, Beastie Barrel - Bull Ride, Freaky Face Painting, Creepy Creative Workshop,Plus Touch & Groom, Presentations, Playbarn, and much, much more!

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WESTONBIRT, THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM Tetbury, GL8 8QS 01666 880220 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt Guided tour with the Cotswold Fungus Group: The fungi at Westonbirt and their trees Sat 29 September and 27th October 10.30am - 12.30pm and 2 - 4pm Book on 01666 880220. An additional cost of £5 per adult and £2 per child is charged.

Forest Discovery Day Sun 30 September 10am - 4pm

Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB 01225 588588 holburne@bath.ac.uk www.holburne.org The Big Draw – The Empire Strikes Bath Sunday 14 October 12noon – 4pm Free Family Event. The Roman and British Empires all form part of the Holburne’s history. Draw a timeline around the Museum and who knows which futuristic empires you will encounter? Suitable for all ages (and jedi knights).

Heritage Open Week 29 October – 2 November 10.30am-12noon Free drop-in. Make a very special box to hide your secret treasures in.

HOLBURNE EARLY YEARS WORKSHOPS Our expert-led weekly workshops, held in the Gardener’s Lodge, help parents and pre-school children to play and learn together through songs, stories, and creative activities inspired by the Museum’s collection, exhibitions and location. To book or for further information: Tel: 01225 388568 or email holburneeducation@bath.ac.uk Brilliant Babes – 0 to 9 months Tuesdays 2, 9, 16 October 1-3pm in the Gardener’s Lodge, £25 block of 3 sessions.

Make a sensory bag for your baby while they explore a safe and colourful environment. Meet other adults for a chat, coffee and to share new creative experiences.

Yearlings – 9 to 24 months Mondays and Tuesdays, 3 Sep - 23 October 10.30am-12 noon in the Gardener’s Lodge, £7.50 Have fun with sensory and creative activities, meet other children and their adults and learn new favourite songs and stories.

Toddlealongs – 2 to 5 years Fridays, 7 September - 26 October 10.30am-12 noon and 1-2.30pm in the Gardener’s Lodge, £7.50 Sing songs, watch stories come to life and get arty with a new museum-related theme every week.

HOLBURNE CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS Saturday Art Club for 5-7 year olds and 8-13 year olds 10.30am-12.30pm in the Clore Learning Space, £8. To book or for further information: Tel: 01225 388568 or email holburne-education@bath.ac.uk A monthly workshop for aspiring young artists with the option to work towards the nationally recognised Arts Award ‘Discover’ and ‘Explore’ Awards.

Expand your skills and discover new techniques, exploring the Museum’s permanent collection or

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temporary exhibitions with our experienced team of artists, creating something special to take home or add to your portfolio.

8 September Frieze a la De Vries mini installations 6 October Self-Portraits in Paint

Enjoy a gigantic day out at Lacock Abbey in October half-term. Meet giants Bellever and Albion. Listen to a tall tale told by the strangest story teller you’ve ever seen and make humongous creative things with Wiltshire.

ROMAN BATHS

PRIOR PARK LANDSCAPE GARDEN

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Abbey Church Yard, Bath. BA1 1LZ http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/ HERITAGE WEEK 27th October-2nd November Magnifica Minerva 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm. Explore the story behind the goddess Sulis Minerva. Make a Minerva mask. Ages 5-11 years 30th October Tuesday Treasure Hunters 6pm – 9pm (last entry 8pm). The gilt bronze statue head of Sulis Minerva is definitely a treasure. Hunt for other Sulis Minerva treasures and discover more about the statue with some expert investigators. Bring along your finds for identification too!

31st October What is Treasure?

10am – 12noon and 2 – 4pm. Explore what different people identify as treasure with our museum curators.

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VICTORIA ART GALLERY Bridge Street, Bath. BA2 4AT Tel. 01225 477232 www.victoriagal.org.uk Heritage Open Week The Big Draw – Taking the Line for a Walk Saturday 27 October 11.00-4.00 Free workshop, Taking a line for a walk. For all ages, family event.

Free workshops for Open Week, just turn up.

Fancy frames - create your own frame to display your masterpieces Tuesday 30 October 10.30-12.00 Scrapbook treasures - create a gallery scrapbook Wednesday 31 October 10.30-12.00 Mighty masks - make gallery masks Thursday 1November 10.30-12.00 Fancy frames - create your own frame to display your masterpieces Friday 2 November 10.30-12.00

NATIONAL TRUST LACOCK ABBEY

Photo: Mark Bolton

Near Chippenham, SN15 2LG 01249 730459 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock Normal admission fees apply, NT members and under fives FREE.

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Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH 01225 833422 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priorpark Heritage Open Day 8 Sep, 10am – 5.30pm

The garden is open for free on this day in association with Heritage Open Days. Join one of our guided tours throughout the day.

50 things launch day in Bath Sat 15 Sept, 10am – 4pm Join us at Bathwick Hill in Bath for a free fun-filled day of activities for all the family. Based on the National Trusts ‘50 things to do before you are 11¾’, staff and volunteers from various properties will be helping children to tick off a number of activities from the list including snail races, rolling down a hill and flying kites. Properties getting involved on the day in Bath include Bath Skyline, DyrhamPark, NewarkPark and PriorPark.

Community orchard day 14 Oct, 10am – 3pm Discover your orchard in the heart of Bath, pick your own and enjoy fun activities. Richens Orchard, Bath.

Halloween and beyond…

27 Oct – 4 Nov, 10am – 5.30pm Come and take part in our spooky Halloween and Bonfire night trail around the garden. Who knows what you’ll find… £1 per trail.

Widcombe and PriorPark Walk 28 Oct, 10am – 1pm As part of the National Trusts walking festival week, enjoy a free walk led by our head gardener, through Widcombe to PriorParkLandscapeGarden.

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DYRHAM PARK Dyrham, nr.Bath. SN14 8ER 0117 9372501 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park

Medieval Merrymaking 1- 30 September Find medieval nuns, shepherds, blacksmiths and more in this self-led family trail inspired by the pageant of 1932 organised by Matilda Talbot.

Apple Day Sunday 21 October 10.30 – 3pm Celebrate the changing of the season and the falling of leaves and fruit at our 'apeeling' event for all ages.

Enjoy music, dancing, refreshments, hog roast, craft activities, apple tastings, orchard tours and more at our ever popular annual event.

Giants Day Tuesday 30 October 11am to 3pm

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Tuesday Toddler trails 4, 11, 18, 25 September 10.45-11.30am. For some fresh air and family fun, join one of our garden trails designed for toddlers; learn about shape, colour and numbers while exploring

nature. Meet outside the Orangery down by the house at 10.45am. You will need to arrive in the car park by 10.30 in order to catch the first shuttle bus down to the house. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Trails lasts approx. 30-45mins. Trails may be cancelled in adverse weather. Normal admission applies Heritage Open Day Sat 8 Sept 10am-5pm. Discover local heritage free of charge for the day Love Food Festival Sun 30 Sept 10.30am-4pm The Love Food Festival returns to Dyrham with plenty of mouth-watering local produce to try and buy. Learn how to grow and cook your own food using various methods, and have a go at activities including hands-on experience, tasting, art, movement and storytelling.

Free entry to festival based in car park.

Tuesday Toddler trails 2, 9, 16, 23 October 10.45-11.30am For some fresh air and family fun, join one of our garden trails designed for toddlers; learn about shape, colour and numbers while exploring nature. Meet outside the Orangery down by the house at 10.45am.

Shuttle to house at 10.30 am. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Trails lasts approx. 3045mins. Trails may be cancelled in adverse weather.

Normal admission applies Halloween rat raid!

Fri 19 – Sun 28 October (except Weds & Thurs) 11am – 5pm Come and take part in our trail and find all the naughty rats that have invaded the house at DyrhamPark this Halloween.

Family Park Discovery Tours Tues 30 October 11am-12pm and 2-3pm. Explore the park through exciting activities on one of our popular guided discovery trails. From bark-rubbing or bug-hunting to spotting the deer, head outdoors and discover the wild side of the parkland! Normal admission applies

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STOURHEAD Stourton, Warminster, BA12 6QD www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead The Food Tour Fri 14 & 21 September, 11am Meet at visitor reception Join a member of our team on a guided tour around the tastiest bits of the estate. Discover the walled garden, where we grow fruit and vegetables, meet the team at the farm shop and learn all about our tenant farmers, and finish at our award-winning restaurant.

Adult £10, Child £5. Book with our box office on 0844 249 1895 Fungi foray Sat 6 October, 10am-1pm adults, 2-5pm children.

Discovery centre and estate Join expert Michael Jordan foraging for fungi.

Adults £20, children £10, including refreshments Book with our box office on 0844 249 1895 On your bike Sun 14 October 10.30am-12.30pm Meet in the main car park. Join us and enjoy a stunning off-road cycle into the autumnal estate. Your bike will need to be in good working order, have plenty of gears and you must be prepared to get muddy if it is wet! Please bring your own preferred safety gear. This ride is open to all ages and we will cycle between 7-10 miles. Adult £10, Child £5. Book with our box office on 0844 249 1895 Tall trees and terrific stories Wed 17 October 2-4pm Meet at visitor reception. Join Alan for a tour of the magnificent tree collection as autumn colour arrives.

Adult £10, Child £5. Book with our box office on 0844 249 1895 Whispering Woodfolk in the Trees ‘Hunter’s Moon’ Sat 20 October performances at 6pm and 8pm Stourhead garden Be intoxicated by a magical blend of aerial artistry,

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storytelling, music and atmospheric illumination in these thrilling performances.

Adult £12, child £6, family £30 (under 5s free) To reserve your tickets, email nbambrey@gmail.com or visit www.whispering-wood-folk.co.uk Autumn Colour Walk Sun 28 October 10.30am Meet at visitor reception. Experience Stourhead in all it’s golden glory on a walk through the woodlands with our Estate Ranger.

Adult £10 Child £5. Book with our box office on 0844 249 1895 Behind the Scenes: Attics and Cellars Tue 30 October 11am-4pm Stourhead House. This is a very special chance to go behind the scenes and find out how we use the basement rooms today and then climb right to the top of the house to see the empty attic rooms where the Hoare family’s servants once slept!

Normal admission plus £3 adults, children free

THEATRE THE EGG, THEATRE ROYAL BATH Sawclose, Bath B&NES BA1 1ET Tel 01225 448 844 or 01225 823409 www.theatreroyal.org.uk Tickets: Ticket cost £7.50/ £6.50 (children & students) unless stated otherwise.

The Puppetellers presents LITTLE RED HEN Sat 22 September 11.30am & 3pm The Little Red Hen is an intimate interactive storytelling piece suitable for 2-5 year olds involving puppetry, storytelling, song and lots and lots of joining in! 2 - 5 years Commotion Dance presents READY OR NOT Sat 29 September 11.30am & 3pm An imaginative and fun performance for ages 3 – 7 years and their grown-ups. Using movement, music and a host of imaginative props, the dancers create a lively playground on stage. 3 years and over Noel Gay and Toby Jones Productions presents LITTLE HOWARD’S BIG SHOW Sat 6 October 11.30am & 3pm The nations’ favourite human-cartoon double act returns to the egg theatre with this brand new comedy spectacular. 3 years and over All tickets £10 Travelling Light presents THE MYSTERIOUS VANISHMENT OF POBBY AND DINGAN

By Finegan Kruckemeyer Fri 12 October & Sat 13 October Friday at 1pm & 7pm, Saturday at 11.30am & 3pm Based on Ben Rice’s acclaimed debut novel about how Ashmol’s mission to save his family unites an outback opal-mining community, this is a funny and heartbreaking story about love, loyalty and the enduring power of the imagination 9 years and over Myrtle Theatre presents UP DOWN BOY By Sue Shields Fri 19 October 1.30pm for 9 years and over, 7pm for 12 years and over. Matty is off to college in an hour – and he’s left it to Mum to pack his suitcase. She won't miss the slamming doors, the queue for the bathroom and the phone bills. But Matty is no ordinary teenager. Will his Mum cope without him?

Compagnie Animotion presents PORTMANTEAU Sat 20 October 11.30am & 3pm A non-verbal show which celebrates classic cinematic traditions and mixes original film with the unique experience of live theatre. 5 years and over Cahoots NI presents EGG Thurs 25 October to Sun 28 October Thurs & Fri at 10.30am & 1pm, Sat at 11.30am & 3pm, Sun at 11.30am and 2pm. Egg is all about magic and music and… an egg. The delightful story unfolds on a tiny, rustic set, exquisitely constructed out of twigs, feathers and shell. 3 years and over

Dumbshow presents CLOCKHEART BOY Mon 29 October & Tues 30 October

MARKETS & FAIRS LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS

11.30am and 3pm. When a boy with no heart is washed ashore, the Professor and his creations vow to bring him back to life. With wide-eyed wonder Clockheart Boy learns the joys of stargazing, dancing, romance and friendship. 6 years and over Gomito and Greenwich Theatre present WOODLAND Tues 30 October to Sat 3 November 10am, 12pm & 3pm daily. Woodland is an interactive world for children and families to explore. Audiences will be invited to play in the installation after the performance. 3 - 5 years All Tickets £6.50

ZOO & WILDLIFE PARKS BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA 0117 9747 309 www.bristolzoo.org.uk

www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk Tel. 07856832095 Come and grab some bargains - good quality pre-loved children’s clothes & equipment. From maternity clothes to toys, books to pushchairs, furniture to children's clothes 0-8 years and so much more.

ENTRY £1 per adult, children FREE Pre-loved tables £10 Business tables £15 LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, MELKSHAM Saturday 8th September, 10am-11.30am Spencer's Sports and Social Club, Melksham For more information or to book a space please email jackie@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, BRADFORD ON AVON Saturday 22nd September, 10am-11.30am St Margaret's Hall, Bradford on Avon For more information or to book a space please email jackie@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, TROWBRIDGE Saturday 29th September, 10am-11.30am North Bradley Peace Memorial Hall Southwick Road, North Bradley, Trowbridge.

BA14 0SH. For more information or to book a space please email jackie@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, CALNE Saturday 28TH October, 2-3.30pm Beversbrook Sports Facility.

For more information or to book a space please email lisa@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk LITTLE PICKLES MARKETS, KEYNSHAM Saturday 15th September, 10am-12pm The Fear Hall, 30 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DQ For more information or to book space please email jacqueline@littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk

DinoZoo at Bristol Zoo Gardens extended until Sunday 4th November!

Free with Zoo entry. Dinosaurs have settled at Bristol Zoo Gardens and are staying for an extra nine weeks!

12 incredibly life-like dinosaurs are on display all around the Zoo in an amazing animatronic exhibition, all of which have been brought to life using state-ofthe-art technology.

Entry free with normal Zoo admission Bristol Zoo’s Animal Amble Fundraising Walk - The Downs, Clifton Sunday 9th September Arrive at 10.30 Bristol Zoo invites you to walk 3km(1.8 miles) for wildlife in animal fancy dress to raise money for Bristol Zoo’s conservation projects.

Registration costs £10 for adults and £6 for children and each walker is asked to raise a minimum of £20 for the Zoo’s conservation work.

For more information visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk or phone 0117 974 7329.

Registered Charity No: 1104986.

Family Garden Show at Bristol Zoo Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th September Bristol Zoo Gardens is hosting a weekend of family fun! Plant potting, drop in arts , crafts sessions and face painting. Enjoy talks from the green-fingered experts and browse the stalls for some fantastic goodies – all within the picturesque Zoo gardens.

For information visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk or phone 0117 974 7300.

For lots more What's on events visit www.familiesuponavon.co.uk

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• Educational and traditional toys that build on children’s imagination, knowledge and creativity • Wooden hand-crafted and painted furniture for the playroom or bedroom • Lambs and Ivy nursery products and furniture

www.worldofimagination.co.uk 16

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