Families West Kent Jan/Feb 2019 by Families Magazine

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West Kent

IN THIS ISSUE

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ons & Days Out Guide to play centres Beat the January Blues

Issue 3 January/February 2019

email: editor@familieswestkent.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Sutton Valence Preparatory School svs.org.uk

NEW 50-week Nursery From January 2019, Sutton Valence Prep School will be offering high-quality nursery provision for 50 weeks a year.

Please contact Abigail Betts for further information:

T: 01622 842117 advert | E: bettsa@svs.org.uk Ismini Phillips - Familys Magazine 3mm bleed DEC 2018_REPRO.pdf

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04/12/2018 11:38

Professional tuition by fully qualified teachers Tailored work plans to address your child’s needs: • English • Maths • 11+ • SATs • GCSEs • CE •

We can help your child: • Build confidence • Move up a set

• Improve exam results • Develop and reach goals

Call 01732 453657 to book your FREE Assessment. For more information visit: sevenoaks-tutoring.co.uk

CMY

FREE Assessm ent & Taste r Lesson

Sevenoaks Tutoring, 69c London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AX. Email: teaching@sevenoaks-tutoring.co.uk

2 Families West Kent January/February 2019

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West Kent

Contents Page 4 Bumps and Babies Useful guide to play cafes and play centres for Tinies

Editor’s Welcome

Welcome to the January/February 2019 issue of Families West Kent Magazine. It’s easy to feel a bit deflated after Christmas as January and February can be long, cold months. But we have plenty of features to help perk you up with a focus on health and wellbeing, ideas and activities to Beat the January Blues and, as always, our handy What’s On guide to get you out and about. For parents of tinies we have compiled our guide to local play cafes and centres to help you, since getting out of the house with a toddler or baby can seem like Mission Impossible at the best of times! With school news, clubs and classes information and the chance to turn your family into Eco-Warriors, there is something for all members of the family. Have a great start to 2019!

Page 5 Early Years Language therapy classes for tots and nursery news Pages 6 & 7 Education News including Independent School Open Days and STEM sessions for the bridge builders of the future Page 8 Health and Wellbeing Keep well in the winter months PLUS new Pilates centre opening its doors

Helen Editor: Helen Cook Advertising: Amanda Biggs and Helen Cook What’s Ons compiled by Kate Craggs Writers: Helen Cook & Claire Winter (unless otherwise stated) Designer: Sarah Harmer

Page 9 Beat the January Blues whether it’s Walking a Llama or going Glamping, we’ve got unusual ideas to jolly up your Jan!

NEXT ISSUE MARCH/APRIL 2019. Booking deadline Feb 1, artwork deadline Feb 5. For advertising, editorial and What’s Ons contact editor@familieswestkent.co.uk 07980118626 Our magazine is published every two months and 18,000 are distributed through schools, nurseries, leisure centres, family friendly venues and play centres throughout Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook, Sevenoaks, Westerham, Tonbridge, Maidstone, Malling and Rochester. Never miss an issue! You can download our magazine and our back catalogue at issuu www.issuu.com

Pages 10 Environment Turn your family into Eco-Warriors in 2019 Pages 11 Clubs & Classes Find inspiration for new classes here Page 12 Out and About Including our guide to free or low cost days out at museums Page 13 - 15 What’s Ons Ideas for family trips and visits, theatre and Half Term activities

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We are not only a magazine! Our busy Facebook page is regularly updated with lively stories, competitions, recipes and ideas for activities and weekend events in the area. Find us at @FamiliesWestKentMag And follow us on Twitter @FamWestKentMag for regular updates and information for families.

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BUMPS AND BABIES

Playgroup sows the seeds of kindness

A much-loved grandfather was the inspiration for an intergenerational playgroup which is based in two nursing homes. Alfie’s Acorns is named after founder Laura Clout’s late grandfather Alfred Davis. Laura explained:“He spent his last months at Rockdale Nursing Home in Sevenoaks and I watched the way the residents lit up when my youngest two boys would visit him every week, and was inspired to look for a venue for an intergenerational playgroup.” She set up the group two years ago and it ran in Borough Green until earlier this year, when it moved to Lavender Fields in Seal near Sevenoaks, every Monday from 10-12noon. Laura’s sister Gemma co-runs

the group there and they bring their two youngest children along. Danielle Gostling runs another branch of the group from 10-12noon every Tuesday at Gloucester House Care Home in central Sevenoaks. At both groups, which are free, parents or carers bring their children for singing and crafts. The residents can come and go as they please, often joining in with the activities alongside the kids. She adds: “At Lavender Fields I also bring along some Year 3 pupils from St Lawrence School in Stone Street every other week to play board games with the residents. This fosters a different sort of interaction to that between the residents and toddlers, and all parties really enjoy it.” Alfie’s Acorns meets at Lavender Fields Care Home, High Street Seal, Sevenoaks, TN15 0AE on Mondays 10 -12noon and Gloucester House, Lansdowne Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3XU on Tuesdays 10-12noon. Any age children are welcome. The groups normally meet in school holidays unless otherwise stated on the Facebook page Alfie’s Acorns (Intergenerational Playgroup) so please check the page before setting out.

You can also contact Laura on lauraclout@yahoo.co.uk

Parents’ guide to play cafes and play centres for Tinies

Getting out and about with babies and toddlers can be very difficult but worth the effort for mum and child. Here are a selection of simple, lower cost venues to suit all budgets. Please do check details on websites ahead of setting out to avoid disappointment.

Cafes with play areas

The Coffee Beam cafe at Pegasus Gymnastics Maidstone www.facebook.com/The Coffee Beam 01622 688719 The Little Play Café, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells (extra activities at different times, some paid, see website) www.thelittleplaycafe.co.uk Alice’s Tea Shop, Sevenoaks (toys and books area) www.alicessevenoaks.co.uk Café at Sencio Leisure Centre, Sevenoaks (small playframe and ballpool) www.sencio.org.uk NEW Babycino café Tunbridge Wells (play area) www.babycinocafe.co.uk Café at Hope Church, Sevenoaks. For preschool parents, every Tuesday 9.30-12noon plus Kent Baby Matters breastfeeding support session and meet up (Kent Sling Library) on Friday mornings 9.30-11.30am. www.hopechurch7oaks.org Baby Cafe, Tunbridge Wells (NCT) term times only Mondays 10am to 12noon at Manna Cafe, Christ Church www.thebabycafe.org

Play centres

Hartfield Early Education Sevenoaks (entry fee, booking may be required) www.hartfield.org.uk Soft Play Café at Sevenoaks Rugby Club (small entry fee) www.thesoftplaycafe.co.uk The Little Play Café, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells (see above) Pre School Bounce soft play at Angel Centre, Tonbridge (entry fee) http://www.tmactive.co.uk/ juniors/soft-play Larkabout Soft Play at Larkfield Leisure Centre, Aylesford (entry fee) www.tmactive.co.uk/juniors/ soft-play Soft Play centre at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre (entry fee) www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/ tunbridge-wells-sports-centre Polar Adventure Play Centre at Maidstone Leisure Centre with 4 Families West Kent January/February 2019

Under 5s area (entry fee) www.maidstoneleisure.com Soft play/inflatables sessions for toddlers at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre (paid sessions) www.sencio.org.uk Free soft play on Fridays at Tunbridge Wells Library (term-time only) 11am -12noon. Visit Facebook page Tunbridge Wells Libraries

Library fun:

Free activities in local libraries can get you through a rainy morning with a baby or pre-schooler! Check out the Facebook pages for the posts about regular sessions such as Bounce and Rhyme sessions and special events.

Meet Up Groups

Mummy Meet up Kent A mummy and child meet up group that offers a weekly schedule of meet ups at different venues across west Kent. www.mummymeetupkent.co.uk Email mummymeetupkent@ outlook.com NCT groups for your area Find on Facebook or look up on the NCT website, for coffee mornings, events, lunches, walks, sales and social events. www.nct.org.uk

Self care

Nourished Mums This Facebook community was created to encourage mums to remember to care for themselves. It’s a free-to-join group full of tools and tips for realistic self-care, a resilient mindset and effective stress reduction, as well as the support of hundreds of other mums. Search “Nourished Mums” on Facebook to join. Set up by Silke Thistlewood of The Massage Practice in Tonbridge. www.familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

A Helping Hand with Talking yoohoo is a West Kent based speech and language therapy practice, passionate about helping families support their children. Their mission is to ensure that every child can enjoy the gift of speech and have the freedom to express themselves confidently and creatively with language. Their service is divided into two areas: yoohoo speech and language therapy including new Chatty Magpie classes for preschool children, and yoohoo resources. yoohoo speech and language therapy provides assessments, direct therapy and training to families, schools and nurseries to enhance speech, language and communication development in children. Speech and language therapist Suzanne Bachelor and colleague Lucy Bailey blend a down-to-earth approach with a combined 36 years’ clinical experience and are known for their tailor-made presentation styles that engage children, parents, teachers and assistants alike. yoohoo resources offer a range of uniquely designed speech and language therapy products. Devised by speech and language therapist Suzanne and graphic designer Jo

Chatty Magpie box. This can be used at home to consolidate the skills learned within each class. These help to develop essential skills for preschool children: ✱ Shared focus – vital for learning ✱ Taking turns – critical for playing and interacting ✱ Memory skills – crucial for retaining facts and literacy ✱ Vocabulary – imperative for communication Parents and therapists can also read useful blogs on the yoohoo website about children’s speech and language development, discover yoohoo’s top tips, learn about glue ear and have therapy tools explained.

Smith, these are for everyone from therapists to teachers and parents. Jo teamed up with Suzanne after they met when Suzanne was helping Jo’s daughter. Through the use of fun, creative and personalised therapy games Jo’s daughter flourished, gaining more and more confidence as her speech sound skills developed. A partnership was born. Now yoohoo has launched Chatty Magpie Classes –

engaging 45-minute classes which run every week within school hours during term-time. Based in Hildenborough, the classes use yoohoo’s Chatty Magpie mighty box of fun. Designed by Suzanne and run by Early Years Practitioner Beth, the class will engage parent and child in exciting activities that are individualised for each child’s needs. As part of the class cost each child will be given their own

Please visit yoohoo’s website www.yoohoo.org.uk for information on the classes and the yoohoo resources.

Sutton Valence Prep School – 50-week Nursery Sutton Valence Preparatory School is delighted to announce the launch of a new 50-week Nursery from January 2019. The School has a history of providing outstanding education and exceptional nursery care in stunning surroundings. The safe and nurturing environment enables children to play, learn and develop their skills with growing confidence. Our partnership with parents facilitates a smooth transition from home to Nursery and the 7.30am – 6pm wrap-around care supports working families during the first important

Bishops Down Preschool and Nursery Bishops Down Nursery, Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SU

We’ve Got you Covered Nursery Sessions: 8.45am to 3.30pm Breakfast Club from 7.30am After School Club until 6.00pm Holiday Play Schemes during all school holidays

● ● ● ●

From Age 3 30 hours Funding Available Cooked School Dinners Beautiful Outdoor Space

● Qualiﬁed Teacher led ● Forest School ● Extra Buy In

Sessions available

steps into education. There will be a morning bus service from Headcorn station (subject to demand) and government-funded free entitlement sessions will be available (15-hour and a limited number of 30-hour arrangements). Children may start in the term that they turn three. To learn more, please contact Abigail Betts, email bettsa@svs.org.uk, 01622 842117, or come to our next Open Morning on Friday March 15. www.svs.org.uk

Support your child with

essential skills for learning yoohoo, speech and language therapy practice, are running Chatty Magpie Classes within the Tonbridge area to support families with children 3 years and up. Classes are led by an experienced early years practitioner and use enjoyable, engaging activities from yoohoo’s Chatty Magpie. To find out more please visit the classes page on our website www.yoohoo.org.uk

BISHOPS DOWN NURSERY SCHOOL

Call Jo Sheldon on 01892 520114 Open Sessions thoughout the year or private tours available. ofﬁce@bishops-down.kent.sch.uk www.bishopsdownprimary.org www.familiesonline.co.uk

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EDUCATION

Report shows how parents contribute to their child’s school Tonbridge-based charity Parentkind, which champions parental involvement in schools, has published a report which shows how parents in the UK contribute to their children’s schools both financially and through their involvement in the PTA. The Impact Survey was conducted with over 1,500 parents who have a child currently attending a state school across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The report found that parents are concerned about the cost of sending their kids to school: 78% believe the cost of sending their child to school is increasing, 55% agree this is a concern, while 40% think the cost of sending kids to school is acceptable. The costs are parents most concerned about: 50% cite the cost of school trips, 48% the cost of uniforms, rising to 60% in lower earners, and 23% the cost of school meals.

More parents have been asked to donate to the school fund this year – on average, £8.90 per month is donated by all parents. Over a third of parents said they didn’t want to donate to the school fund. Londoners reported donating more than any other region (£12.90 per month) while parents in Northern Ireland are most likely to be asked to donate (75%). The report also found that 82% of parents support their child’s school and 48% want to get more involved (through a PTA, parent council or other volunteering) while only 25% feel listened to by government on their child’s education. The survey showed that a large majority of parents would like schools and policy-makers to be more accountable to them: 84% of parents want to be consulted regularly by their child’s school, 63% says schools should be more accountable to parents and 51% said that schools are taking action

based on their feedback. Children from a disadvantaged background in the UK are on average out-performed academically by their better-off peers, leading to narrower career pathways and employment options. Parents were asked about their awareness of social mobility initiatives in schools and their expectations for their children’s future: In the survey, 52% believed

their child’s career prospects are better than their own, 47% think schools are doing enough to help disadvantaged pupils and 36% are concerned their child’s school is not preparing them for today’s job market. Parentkind (formerly PTA UK) is the largest membership body for Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and other parent groups in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

More information visit www.parentkind.org.uk

Tutoring tailor-made Hidden condition with care for your child affects maths learning

Centre owner Zoe Trodd writes: “If you suspect that your child might need additional tuition in maths or English, Sevenoaks Tutoring’s fully qualified teachers can offer you all the advice you need.” Offering expert tuition to both primary and secondary school aged students, the centre can help ensure your child’s academic success. The bespoke tuition programmes are devised using multi-sensory resources specifically designed to target areas of

need identified in the original assessment. The Tutoring Centre and education programmes are designed to enable your child to make progress fast, utilising a positive, warm and friendly learning environment to ensure previously unrealised success. Zoe, like all her staff, is a qualified and experienced teacher. She is also a trainee L5 Dyslexia specialist teacher and is a Youth Mental Health First Aider. At Sevenoaks Tutoring Centre, caring and supporting the whole child is part of the ethos. The Centre offers tailor-made individual tuition programmes for 6-16 year olds in maths, English, reading, writing, spelling and comprehension. Exam preparation for 11+ and GCSEs is also offered. At Sevenoaks Tutoring we: ✱ believe that all children can succeed, if given the right support ✱ help your children in a way that builds confidence and self-esteem. ✱ pave the way to exam passes and success

Phone 01732 453657 to arrange your free assessment/taster lesson or visit the website for more details: www.sevenoaks-tutoring.co.uk 6 Families West Kent January/February 2019

Many children are suffering from an undiagnosed developmental condition which affects their ability to learn maths, according to a study from Queen’s University in Belfast A team of experts carried out research on the prevalence of Specific Learning Disorder in mathematics (SLDM), which is also known as dyscalculia and affects up to 6% of people. A child with dyscalculia can have normal intelligence in every other way but struggle to do

well in maths due a specific impairment in the brain. The researchers studied the mathematics performance of 2,421 primary school children over a number of school years. The study showed that, in almost all cases, children who appeared to have dyscalculia are not being diagnosed, meaning that, in the view of the researchers, children with persistent, serious difficulties with mathematics, unlike children with dyslexia, do not receive specialist support.

More info at www.nuffieldfoundation.org/news www.familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION Schools that Ban Mobile Phones Improve Results

Independent School Open Days January and February 2019

Should children be allowed to take mobile phones to school? Opinion is divided. Some advocate a complete ban because of the potential for distraction, while others promote the use of phones as a teaching tool in the classroom. Schools in England and Scotland have complete autonomy regarding their mobile phone policy, which has resulted in large differences in the timing of the introduction of bans. Schools that ban pupils from carrying mobile phones show a sustained improvement in exam results, with the biggest advances coming from struggling

Bethany School, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 1LB (Co-ed senior school) Open Morning Saturday 2 February 10am www.bethanyschool.org.uk 01580 211273 Kent College, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4AX Open days all start at 9.15am Wednesday 16 January, Wednesday 30 January, Wednesday 13 February, Wednesday 27 February www.kent-college.co.uk 01892 820218 Sackville School, Tonbridge TN11 9HN (Co-ed Senior School) Saturday 9 February 10am-12noon www.sackvilleschool.co.uk 01732 838888 Sevenoaks School, Sevenoaks TN13 1HU (Co-ed day and boarding senior school) Group visits (must be booked) Saturday 19 January, Saturday 2 February, Saturday 9 February www.sevenoaksschool.org 01732 455133

Please check with school before setting out and you are advised to check ahead if you need to register for a place.

students, according to research published by the London School of Economics. The large-scale study found schools in Birmingham, London, Leicester and Manchester that banned mobiles enjoyed a boost in the proportion of pupils getting five good passes at GCSE, compared with schools that allowed pupils to keep their phones, even if switched off.

More info at www.Ise.ac.uk

Bridge trust offers sessions to inspire young engineers

School groups are being invited to take part in free, hosted activities to inspire their interest in local history and engineering. The Rochester Bridge Trust is giving schools the opportunity to take part in a tour of the Bridge Works exhibition at Medway Archives Centre, followed by a

hands-on bridge building activity. There are three dates available on 16 and 23 January, and 6 February for Key Stage 2. Caroline Chisholm, Education Officer at the Trust, explained: “We are keen to inspire as many young people as possible to take an interest in civil engineering, and the best way to do so is to catch their attention at an early age – before stereotyping sets in. “These free tours and workshops show children – and their teachers – the civil engineering on their doorstep, introducing the fascinating 2,000year story of Rochester’s bridges and helping the youngsters to understand how bridges are created.”

Benenden School, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AA (Girls senior school) Prospective Parents’ Mornings (all start at 9.45am unless noted) Thursday 17 January (11+ candidates) Thursday 7 February www.benenden.kent.sch.uk 01580 240592

Improve your child’s study skills

To register your interest and find out more email education@rbt.org.uk www.rochesterbridgetrust.org.uk

Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to build your child’s confidence and inspire a passion for learning.

Spin a Tale during National Storytelling Week

The first week of February marks National Storytelling Week, a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world. We are all immersed in stories — from conversations during which we re-tell events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows. Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs firstly to be a

To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment. good speaker and listener. National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes.

To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive, visit www.sfs.org.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

Sevenoaks Study Centre Mandy Yarnold 01342 851 221

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

email: editor@familieswestkent.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Six Ways to Stay Healthy during the Winter Months It’s tough getting you and your family through a long British winter without succumbing to illness somewhere along the way. Here are our top tips for making it through to spring without getting out the tissues! By Claire Winter

Eat for Immunity Eat food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods high in zinc, like lean meats, poultry, and baked beans can help balance your immune response. Green leafy vegetables like kale and Brussels sprouts are high in Vitamin C, which will also keep you healthier. Family lunches or dinners which include warm winter soups packed full of vegetables or fruit smoothies for breakfast (with some vegetables sneaked in if your kids will let you) are an excellent way to ensure you are all having more than your 5 a day. Supplement The NHS recommends that all children from the age of 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements with A, C and D in them every day. Please note if your baby/child is having 500ml of formula or more, do not give them vitamin D, as formula milk is fortified with it. You may also be able to get vitamin drops for your baby if you qualify for Healthy Start. (Check eligibility at https:// www.healthystart.nhs.uk). If you give your children a chewable supplement, make sure it is after they eat because some vitamins cannot be absorbed without food. It’s also a good idea for adults and children over 5 years to

supplement with Vitamin D during the winter. It’s vital to keep our muscles and bones healthy and is primarily made by our skin’s reaction to the sun. During the winter months in the UK, the sun doesn’t contain enough UVB radiation to create it so we must rely on food and supplements. If you are not sure whether to give your child vitamin supplements always take advice from a medical professional or nutritional expert. Get Outdoors Make sure you and the family get outside. It’s thought that at least 2 million people in the UK suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is caused by lack of sunlight and it’s recommended that you should try getting out for at least an hour a day in natural daylight. Midday on a sunny day is a good time to go out as that is when the sun is at its strongest. Using a light box, exercising and talking therapy can help people afflicted with SAD and if you think you or one of your family is affected, then talk to your GP.

Sleep Well Make sure adults in your family are getting 8 hours of sleep every night. If you are run down through lack of sleep, you are more susceptible to illness. Getting enough sleep will boost your immune system and help you fend off any nasty colds and illnesses. Sleep also supports healthy brain function and maintenance of your physical health. Toddlers should be getting 11 to 14 hours sleep a day, while pre-schoolers need 10-13 hours. School age children need 9 to 11 hours and teenagers 8 to 10 hours. Make sure your offspring have time away from electronic devices before bed. De-Stress Being stressed can make you more likely to catch a cold or illness because it reduces the body’s ability to fight off infection. Regular exercise helps you de-stress and get fitter, whilst meditation can also help you

Launch of new Pilates studio

How to care for yourself in 2019 Exercise can make you feel better, more positive and energetic at all stages of life – whether during or after pregnancy, or when coping with a busy life with children. Personal Trainer Fiona Sullivan is qualified in ante and post natal pregnancy exercise as well as

general fitness. She offers a variety of classes as well as trail running sessions on the North Downs. As a personal trainer in the Sevenoaks area she creates a personalised 6-week programme for each client which includes nutrition advice and supports them on a journey to better health and fitness.

Visit www.personaltrainersevenoaks.co.uk or email fionasullivanpt@outlook.com Sometimes parents have to make time for their own health and self care. Why not make a New Year’s resolution to look after yourself a bit more? Yoga offers great benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. Lucy Holland runs a variety of friendly classes for all abilities in Shoreham village and the Sevenoaks area which encourage flexibility and strength combined

with mindfulness and a focus on the breath which is very calming. Private tuition one-to-one or in a small group is also available - if you are new to yoga Lucy offers lots of support and you could either try out a class or get a small group of friends together to have a group introduction.

Find out more at www.yogabylucy.co.uk or email: info@yogabylucy.co.uk 8 Families West Kent January/February 2019

unwind. There are some excellent meditation and relaxation apps available. Headspace for kids focuses on calm, kindness and bedtime (www.headspace.com/ kids). Calm (www.calm.com) also provides mindfulness and sleep stories for children of varying ages, whilst www.dreamykid.com has lots of great meditations and visualisations just for children and teens. Wash your Hands Emphasise to all your family members the importance of washing hands regularly. Around 80% of infectious diseases are spread by touch. Make sure you explain the need to use hot water, anti-bacterial soap and wash hands for 45 seconds or longer. Try Something New Don’t stay cooped up indoors, try something new as a family. See our Beat the January Blues feature for ideas of some fun and unusual activities to try!

Ismini Phillips Studios is proud to announce the arrival of Pilates, bootybarre and other classes to Tonbridge at a new centre opening in January. The centre at The Pavilion will be fully DDA compliant and include two large studios, an equipment studio, treatment room, changing rooms and small café. Ismini Phillips is known for her unique and organic way of teaching and has a team of teachers with the same ethos, with classes tailored to the needs of the client. All are welcome including those requiring rehabilitation from conditions such as breast cancer, neurological conditions e.g. MS, Parkinson’s, and musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain, knee pain etc. Please contact Ismini at ismini@isminiphillips.com or call her on 07711 906750 for more information. Ismini Phillips Studio Tonbridge, Unit 10a, The Pavilion, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1TE. www.familiesonline.co.uk

BEAT THE BLUES

Beat the January Blues -

An action plan for the whole family Christmas is over. New Year is done and dusted. Bleak January and frosty February lie ahead. But don’t despair, life is still good. The spring will come again but until it does, we’ve got your back! Check out Families West Kent Magazine’s Top Five Tips to Beat the Blues…

1Book a holiday abroad

The ultimate feelgood activity. If skies are grey plan a trip to somewhere sunny and warm for the February or May half terms, or book up for further ahead. Who knows, it could be a real holiday to remember. Why not have your own personal travel agent? Julie Kenyon, The Personal Travel Agent, will find the perfect holiday with no extra charge for the one-to-one attention including home visits or meet ups if wished. Julie, based in Tunbridge Wells, has over 25 years’ experience in arranging all types of family holidays and understands what works for children of all ages. Specialising in family and villa resorts, like Club Med, Mark Warner, Sani Hotels, La Manga Golf resort and others, Julie can also give expert help in arranging once in a lifetime holidays to Disney World Florida, Disneyland Paris and Lapland destinations. She even worked in Lapland for a while (brrr!). All holidays are protected with full ABTA and ATOL. Contact Julie on 01892 516929/07791943102 or email julie.kenyon@thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk or visit www.thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk/julie-kenyon and www.laplandexperiences.co.uk

2 Get tickets for a festival

Line up an exciting date for the summer diary – then you can survive the chilly winter knowing a sunny experience of music, tipis, street food, long sunsets, adventure and fun awaits the whole family. Plus, early bird tickets are cheaper! New family festival on the block, Black Deer, had its barnstorming first event in June 2018 and has already garnered awards. The Festival of Americana and Country Music at Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells, boasts six stages, camping or glamping, children’s zone and a diverse programme of music, food, community and storytelling, smokey whiskies and classic American BBQ. Black Deer’s dedicated children’s area includes a cinema, its own music stage, and all kinds of outdoor fun from tree climbing, zip wire, den building and adventure play, to art and craft, guitar lesson workshops and more.You can get your Early Bird tickets for 21/22/23 June 2019 at www.blackdeerfestival.com

up a new 3Take hobby or class

Keep stimulated with hobbies, clubs and classes for the whole family. Fancy getting Arty Farty? The new Arty Farty Retreat opened its doors in Tunbridge Wells in December with classes and activities for adults and children, including the Kids Create after school club, The Little Artist’s Club for preschoolders, and workshops in learning to draw and paint for adults. Info at www.artyfartyretreat.co.uk Need music in your soul? Discover how to tinkle the ivories Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes in Sevenoaks run fun sessions for pre-schoolers, older children and grown-ups too www.funkymonkey.info Finally, for parents – the Wild Card. Join a Samba band! The Bloco Fogo Samba Band is running a course for beginners starting on Weds 6 Feb. There will be four FREE trial sessions in Paddock Wood to learn the basics of samba from scratch. You will then be invited to join the band. Info at www.blocofogo.com www.familiesonline.co.uk

4Walk with a Llama

Get some animal magic by taking a trek with a llama or alpaca. Kids will love the experience of meeting the animal and leading them along, and it’s all good exercise with a dose of Vitamin D from the daylight and a break from all those screens! Llamas are bred for trekking and will happily walk beside you. Try out the family walks at The Llama Park in Ashdown Forest www. llamapark.co.uk or pal up with an alpaca at The Alpaca Experience at the Kenward Trust in Yalding near Maidstone. Meet their alpacas Pepe, Louigi, Romeo and Maximilian with the chance to feed, walk and learn more about these unique animals. www.kenwardtrust.org.uk

5 Get set to go Glamping!

If you feel like sleeping in the great outdoors (only with plumbing, heating and home comforts) book up to go glamping. From February onwards, snuggle up in a cosy wooden pod on a Kentish farm with an orchard view. Each pod nestles within the rows of cherry trees, and has its own private fire pit, outdoor seating and covered porch looking towards the sunset and views of the South Downs. www.orchardpods.co.uk Later in the year you can go Knights Glamping at Leeds Castle, roughing it a four poster bed in a striped knightly tent such as knights pitched for the crusades or jousts, with free entry to castle and grounds. Info at www.leeds-castle.com Or enjoy a glamping safari at Port Lympne, in luxury tents with a view of giraffes, zebras and wildebeests at the waterhole (just like being in the wild only safer!) and fall asleep to the sound of roars and jungle noises. www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne

If you don’t have the budget for these then don’t despair. We live in the Garden of England so get those wellies on, jackets at the ready and get out and about. If it snows, go tobogganing in your local country park. If the weather is kind, head off for a family bike ride or a country walk. For ideas of where to go and what to do, check out our packed What’s On guide on pages 13-15 plus for free or low cost indoor activities see our Museums guide on page 12. Have a wonderful January and February.

Find your perfect family holiday Julie Kenyon is a Personal Travel Consultant with over 25 years’ experience, specialising in family and villa resorts, such as: Club Med, Mark Warner, Sani Hotels, La Manga Golf resort, Disney World Florida, Disneyland Paris and Lapland Personal one-to-one service at no extra charge ABTA and ATOL protected T 01892 516929/07791943102 E julie.kenyon@thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk www.thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk/julie-kenyon www.laplandexperiences.co.uk

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ENVIRONMENT Saving the planet is easier than you think. And the whole family can get involved! produced every year gets thrown away. The waste happens in many different places – on farms, where crops that don’t look perfect are left to rot; in supermarkets, where ‘ugly’ fruit and veg aren’t put out on display or are left on the shelves by shoppers; and in our homes, where food is forgotten at the back of the fridge until it’s too mouldy and disgusting to eat. Play this game in the supermarket – who can track down (and take home) the strangest looking fruit and veg? No item is too blemished, big, small or gnarly – if they’re on the shelf, they’re safe to eat. Give them a home, so they don’t get thrown away – they’ll still taste delicious!

Top tips to turn your family into Eco-Warriors

By Isabel Thomas

Go Herbivore for a Day

When it comes to gobbling up resources, meaty meals are the planet’s number one enemy. Each year, 7.6 billion humans chomp their way through meat from an amazing 65 billion animals. Raising these animals – and getting them from farm to fork – puts enormous pressure on the planet’s resources and is a big source of greenhouse gases. Avoid meat (and cheese) for just one day a week, and you could make a bigger impact than taking your family car off the road for 5 WEEKS.

Do Less Washing Up

You hate it, and the planet hates it too! Happily, putting less effort into doing the dishes is a win-win situation. An average family washing up by hand uses around three sinks full of water per day - 10 % of all their daily water. It’s possible to use much less if you avoid wasteful habits, like running the hot tap to rinse dishes. If your family uses a dishwasher, you’ll be

VERY pleased to hear they can be kinder to the planet – as long as you don’t rinse the dishes first.

Ban Baths

One of the top ways to cut the volume of greenhouse gases our houses belch is to reduce the amount of water we heat up at home. Skipping even 1 bath a week can make a BIG difference. If you already prefer showers, don’t be too smug. Fast-flowing and rainfall shower heads use up to 17 litres of water per minute, meaning that an average 8 minute shower can use almost double the energy and water of a bath! To make showers ecofriendly, get out after 5 minutes.

Lose your Bottle

In the minute it took you to read this far, one MILLION plastic bottles have been bought, beginning a journey that alltoo-often ends in the stomachs of zooplankton, fish, albatross chicks, whales and seals. So, what can your family do? Invest

in bottles that are easy to clean and reuse. Fill up before you go out for the day, and while you’re on the move – look out for water fountains or ask at a café or restaurant. If you find yourself filling up your water bottle in a coffee shop while the adults around you clutch disposable coffee cups with disposable plastic lids, be sure to bring out your best hard stares.

Party for the Planet

Birthdays only come once a year, so most party goods are disposable. Wrapping paper, cards, decorations, paper plates and napkins, plastic cups and cutlery are all designed to be used for a few hours and thrown away. It doesn’t have to be this way. Send invitations and thank you notes by email, make your own decorations, and ban napkins – provide a bowl of soapy water and a towel instead.

Eat Ugly Food

Shockingly, a THIRD of the food

Plan a Rubbish Day Out

Imagine if your family stopped putting the bins out and stored all your rubbish at home instead. After a year, you’d be wading through more than a TONNE of packaging and food waste – the average for households in the UK. We’re lucky that our waste gets taken away every week or every fortnight – but it means we never get to see how much we really produce. So find out where your garbage goes once you’ve waved goodbye to the bin lorry. Many landfill and recycling sites offer free tours for individuals or groups. Once your family has seen the scale of a stinking landfill site, they’ll be inspired to reduce, reuse and recycle like never before. Plus your house will look REALLY tidy in comparison!

Don’t Rush to Flush!

Around a third of the water we use at home goes straight down the toilet! Research has shown that flushing less often could reduce our water usage and bills much more quickly than turning off the tap while brushing our teeth, or even taking shorter showers. ‘If it’s yellow, let it mellow’ is backed by science! Even easier is encouraging your family to take their first wee of the day in the shower – the focus of recent campaigns in Brazil and the UK. Doing just one daily wee in the shower could save 2,500 litres of water in a year – enough to fill a hot tub! (Though we definitely don’t recommend that – hot tubs are another ecobaddie!)

Isabel Thomas is the author of This Book is Not Rubbish: 50 Ways to Ditch Plastic, Reduce Rubbish and Save the World, out now in paperback from Wren & Rook, price £6.99. 10 Families West Kent January/February 2019

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CLUBS & CLASSES

The MultiSports Group Proudly Celebrates 18 Years of Fabulous Weekend Sport! At MultiSports we believe participation is key. We are not pretending to develop your youngster into a world-beater, it’s not all about winning, and it’s not selective. In every class, there is underlying emphasis on developing team work, sportsmanship and respect; it’s at the very heart of what we do! MultiSports introduces your children to a wide range of sportorientated activities, harvesting potential and developing life skills such as confidence and teamwork. With 18 different sports to try throughout the year (main school), your child is sure to find a sport that they can enjoy and experience success in. Main School (for ages 6-16) Saturdays (term time) 9.30am-12.30pm The main school is a threehour session, with students split into age related squads. They rotate through three activities each week; two sports and a team building challenge, with all equipment provided. Little Sporties (for ages 4-6) Saturdays (term time) 9am-10.30am Little Sporties is a shorter session, during which students

are introduced to a wide variety of basic sporting skills and related activities. The aim of the class is to develop fundamental sporting skills including agility, balance, co-ordination and speed. All coaches are fully qualified teachers, working in local schools. We are Ofsted registered and able to accept childcare vouchers. Classes take place at Weald of Kent Grammar School Sevenoaks Annexe. Contact us now to book a 2-week trial. Deposit will be deducted from fees should you join for the term.

01293 774 051 www.multisportsweald.co.uk

Raising Confident Children with Perform Sara has two children, Honor (8) and James (6) who have both been attending Perform classes since they were four years old. “I’ve always wanted my children to feel confident speaking in public and chatting to all sorts of people. I think these are essential life skills these days” says Sara. Sara was drawn to Perform because of its focus on developing confidence and selfesteem in a fun way. “It’s not a pushy stage school” she explains. “Each week, the classes focus on a topic like manners, making eye contact or introducing themselves, but this is wrapped up in a highly engaging way in the context of drama and songs.” “Since my children started attending Perform, other parents frequently remark on their confidence and how well they speak in school assemblies. I’m really impressed with how they chat to adults in places like shops

Join Funky Monkey in 2019 - it’s as easy as ABC!

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes are making it as easy as ABC to join our classes for January 2019. Follow these three simple steps and grab yourselves a bargain to beat the January blues! Attend a free trial class Book a term of classes Claim a second free class! Our group-based electronic keyboard lessons for 4-8 year olds are the perfect introduction to reading, writing, playing and loving music right up to First Grade. Our term classes (and holiday courses!) are

educational, inventive, creative and imaginative, and present music-making in such a way that children just keep coming back for more! To claim your ABC discount, book any time from now until the 31 January 2019. There is absolutely no obligation or commitment. Current openings: Pre-School 4 yrs: Thursdays 9.30-10.15am, 5-8 yrs Wednesdays 4.30-5.15pm, Adult beginners Mondays 11-12 noon. All at The Drive Methodist Church, Sevenoaks TN13 3AB, week commencing 14 January.

Visit www.funkymonkey.info for full details and to watch our online film. Email Ali at mail@funkymonkey.info or call 01732 457 100 to book and we look forward to seeing you at our classes very soon.

and restaurants.” Classes at Perform are small, with two teachers per class. “The teachers are professional actors with amazing energy and enthusiasm. They go out of their way to understand and engage every child” reports Sara. Perform offers a FREE no-obligation dance or drama class in Bidborough, Hempstead, Kings Hill, Langton Green, Maidstone, Riverhead, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book www.familiesonline.co.uk

email: editor@familieswestkent.co.uk

OUT AND ABOUT

Living with Nature at Hever Castle

The Big Garden Birdwatch

Discover more about conservation and local wildlife as part of Hever Castle’s February half-term event, Living with Nature, from 16 - 24 February. Families and individuals are invited to visit the historic castle in Kent between 16 – 24

February to enjoy ‘Living with Nature’ aimed at school aged children. Follow the ‘Wildlife Detective’ walk led by the gardening team to investigate animal footprints and tracks, take part in a wildlife workshop or a follow the fun facts in a trail around the Castle.

For further information please visit the website: www.hevercastle.co.uk or call Hever Castle on 01732 865224

Museums can be a lower cost or even free option Museums are no longer dreary places of glass cabinets and stern museum attendants. There are so many activities for children and often entrance is free. Please check opening times and charges before setting out. 10am-5pm Tues-Sat Maidstone Museum Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s St, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. Open year-round, learn more about the Maidstone Museum dinosaurs, examine the collection of oil paintings in the Bentlif Art Gallery, or learn about the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent. Extra craft and children’s workshops often running for small cost. Free admission. Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk 10am-4pm Lullingstone Roman Villa Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, DA4 0JA. Among the most outstanding Roman villa survivals in Britain, Lullingstone provides a unique all-weather family day out. A specially commissioned light show brings the villa to life, and galleries display Lullingstone’s collection of Roman artefacts. Kids can try on the Roman costumes and play traditional board games from the period. Admission fee applies. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk Open year-round Weds-Sun, opening times vary Eden Valley Museum Church House, 72 High Street, Edenbridge, TN8 5AR. Permanent exhibits are enhanced by topical temporary exhibitions along with constantly 12 Families West Kent January/February 2019

changing smaller displays, children’s activities, free guided walks and special events. Free admission. Info at www.evmt.org.uk Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG. Displays take the visitor through the 19th century, the Boer War (when the Sharpshooters were formed), the two World Wars, and modern times. Interactive touch screens bring to life the stories of people who served in the regiment. There is a cartoon guide for younger visitors. Access to the museum is included in the standard ticket price for visiting the grounds of Hever Castle. Info at www.ksymuseum.org.uk/KSYM 10am-5pm, Tues-Sun and bank holidays Royal Engineers Museum Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham, ME7 1UR. Discover the story of the Royal Engineers and how they have helped the British Army live, move and fight for over 300 years. Kent’s largest military museum. Admission fee applies. Info at www.re-museum.co.uk Open from 8am until 7pm daily, tunnel tour 11am only, in winter Fort Amherst Khartoum Road, Chatham, ME4 4UB. Over 300 years of military history, 20 acres of

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 26 to 28 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world. The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children. To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden. To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

More info at www.rspb.org.uk

parkland, daily tours of the incredible network of underground tunnels, light refreshments in the Fort Amherst Café. Take a stroll to the highest point of the Fort to enjoy commanding views. Free admission to grounds, view and cafe. Tunnel tour fee applies. Info at www.fortamherst.com 10am-4pm Rochester Castle Castle Hill, Rochester, ME1 1SW. Guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding. Today it stands as a proud reminder of the history of Rochester along with the cathedral and cobbled streets. Family trails and craft activities throughout half term. Admission fee applies. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk 9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 10:30am-4:30pm Sun & bank holidays Tonbridge Castle Castle St, Tonbridge TN9 1BG. See and hear what it would have been like to be a Lord or Lady 700 years ago. The castle tour is a recreation of medieval life; it is dark in places, has life-like models and involves climbing many steep steps, therefore it may be unsuitable for very young children. Admission fee applies. Info at www.tonbridgecastle.org 10am-4pm Mon-Sat, 12-4pm Sun Crossing the River Medway – A story of the Rochester Bridge Trust The Crypt, Rochester Cathedral, ME1 1SX. Find out more about 2,000 years of bridges and the modern day role of an ancient charity at this free exhibition featuring historic artefacts, interactive displays and Langdon’s den, the dedicated children’s area. Free admission. Info at www.rbt.org.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON JANUARY FEBRUARY

We aim for accuracy but do check with the venue before setting out in case details have changed after print... And don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families West Kent.

January

JAN & FEB 2019 WEEKENDS & HALF TERM 2pm Falconry Display Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL. Free flying demonstrations take place in the Falconry Arena in front of the Maze. The demonstration lasts about 30 to 40 minutes and features a range of birds including hawks, vulture, falcon and owls. (In adverse weather conditions the display may be shorter or cancelled.) Included with the price of admission. Info at www.leeds-castle.com 1 JAN ONWARDS Alpaca Experience Kenward Trust, Kenward Road, Yalding, ME18 6AH. The Trust is open year round for visits to the alpacas, goats and chickens, a play area, woodland walk, cafe and shop. The ‘Alpaca Experience’ offers a chance to feed, walk and learn more about these unique animals, a walk around the beautiful grounds, and a visit to the Sage & Time Cafe for a drink and a cake. £15 per person or 2 for £25 and includes all of the above. Info at www.kenwardtrust.org.uk 1 JAN ONWARDS Ightham Mote (pictured below) Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT. Waymarked estate walks, a seasonal activity pack and ‘50 things’ challenges. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

1 JAN ONWARDS Big Garden Bird Watch Haysden Country Park and Leybourne Lakes Country Park Join in with the RSPB’s national birdwatch during your walk in the park. Bird identification leaflets will be available from the park entrance; walk round on your own ticking off the birds you see. Submit your results to the RSPB. www.RSPB.org.uk/BGBW Free event. Info at www.tmbc.gov.uk EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT 6pm – family session; 8pm – open session (ages 8+ only) Roller Disco Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1LW. The Roller Disco takes place at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre every Saturday night in association with Atlantis Entertainment (Kent Roller Disco). Customers are allowed to bring their own skates however no inline skates are allowed. Paid event. Info at www.sencio.org.uk 9 JAN 10:30-11:30 Stories & Rhymes Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s St, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. A new session for under 5s on the first Wednesday of the month. Listen to a story, join in with the actions, rhymes and songs, and make a themed paper craft to take home. Refreshments included. Paid event. Info at www.museum. maidstone.gov.uk/ whats-on 19 JAN 10am-2pm Soap Making Workshop Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Learn how to make natural soap

using the traditional cold process method and have your soap ready to use in your own home or give out as gifts, handmade by you. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk 19 JAN 10am-3pm Family Arts Award Day – Faces & Emotions Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s St, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. Offering children aged 5+ the opportunity to gain a ‘Discover’ Arts Award. Discover lots of different faces and emotions around the museum. Explore the museum for ideas and make your own clay face and a mask to show two different emotions. Booking essential. Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/whats-on 26 JAN 10:30am-12pm or 1pm-2:30pm Recycled Art Workshop Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill in a fun and creative way. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

February JAN & FEB 2019 WEEKENDS & HALF TERM 2pm Falconry Display Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL. Free flying demonstrations take place in the Falconry Arena in front of the Maze. The demonstration lasts about 30 to 40 minutes and features a range of birds including hawks, vulture, falcon and owls. (In adverse weather conditions the display may be shorter or cancelled.) Included with the price of admission. Info at www.leeds-castle.com 8 FEB Dark Skies Month: Stargazing Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, BR6 7JT. In this ‘introduction to astronomy’ hear

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FEBRUARY WHAT’S ON JANUARY& FROM 9 FEB Snowdrop Walk Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG. A carpet of snowdrops will provide a magical trail for visitors to follow at Hever Castle & Gardens from 9 February. Admission charge. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

expert talks and top tips, before looking through telescopes to explore the night sky and gaze among the stars. Please note there is no disabled access down to the meadow where the stargazing event will be held. Paid event. Refreshments available for sale. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

9 FEB 11am, 12noon, 1pm & 2pm Darwin Day - Charles’ Creepy Critters Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, BR6 7JT. Get hands-on, close-up with some of the exotic animals that Darwin himself might have met on his travels and studied at Down House. Meet snakes, lizards, tarantulas and tortoises and learn about their fascinating abilities that shaped Darwin’s Theories of Evolution and Natural Selection. Paid event. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

27 FEB 6pm-8pm Indigenous Owl Evening Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Meet real life indigenous owls and birds of prey, from the Kent Owl Academy, in the reserve’s natural history museum. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

Feel the heat at fiery event

See charity fundraisers walk barefoot on hot coals at the Charity Firewalk at the Vine Gardens in Sevenoaks on Saturday February 2. This unusual event has been organised by the town council and participants will be raising money for two charities. The event opens at 3.30pm with stalls from 4pm and the firewalk starts at 5.10pm when those taking part will have had full training from Firewalk UK which will organise the event. The minimum age is 12. See how the event will work at www.ukfirewalk.com To register to take part email osl@sevenoakstown.gov.uk or call 01732 359953. Vine Gardens, Dartford Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3UH

WHAT’S ON THEATRE 13 JAN 3pm Drake and the Royal Maid The Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ. Follow the journey of two youngsters as one goes in search of a future, while the other can’t leave the past alone. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk 25 JAN 10:30am & 1pm Little Star Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP. A starlit show for babies. Little Star features the popular song ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’, taking you on a journey with the star herself. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre 27 JAN 11am & 2pm Hoot Owl – Master of Disguise Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP. Based on the popular Book Awardnominated picture title, Hoot Owl Master of Disguise tells the ‘tongue-in-beak’ story of Hoot Owl, who plans to use his cunning

EVENTS

disguises to gobble up the tiny animals of the night. Trouble is, they keep escaping! Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre 31 JAN – 3 FEB The Legend of King Arthur Pantomime Benenden Village Hall, Benenden, TN17 4DE. Witches and goblins, goodies and baddies, corny jokes, songs, special effects and lots of audience participation in store. Info at www.benendenplayers.co.uk 2 & 3 FEB 10am, 1pm & 4pm Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED. From the makers of Peppa Pig comes this BAFTA award-winning television animation live on stage. Info at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk 3 FEB 11:30am & 2pm Out of the Hat! EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, TN9 1JP. Children’s company Long Nose Puppets return with their delightful show about friendship

and magic. Age 2-8. Info at www.emftheatre.com 27 FEB – 3 MARCH 10:30am, 2:30pm & 4pm Worst Witch The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED. Featuring all of Jill Murphy’s beloved characters, this new stage adaptation features original songs, music, magic and a dose of Mildred’s unique brand of utter pandemonium. Info at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

FAIRS SMARKETS H O W S WORKSHOPS T H E AT R E WALKS FEST I V A LCAROLS S ACTIVITIES

14 Families West Kent January/February 2019

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WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY HALF TERM 10am-4pm Rochester Castle Castle Hill, Rochester, ME1 1SW. Family trails and craft activities throughout half term. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk 10am-4pm Emmetts Garden Ide Hill, Sevenoaks (National Trust), TN14 6BA. Interesting hillside garden with year-round features. www.nationaltrust.org 16-23 FEB Spike’s Dino Trail Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s St, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. Complete the Dinosaur-themed trail around the museum and claim your Spike Dino badge. Tickets cost £1. Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/whats-on 16-24 FEB Living with Nature Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG. Discover more about conservation and local wildlife as part of Hever Castle’s February half-term event, Living with Nature. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk 16-24 FEB Mythical Beasts Chatham Historic Dockyard Main Gate Road, Chatham, ME4 4UY. There’ll be plenty of activities to enjoy from crafts, storytelling and much more. Info soon at www.thedockyard.co.uk

17 FEB 11am-3pm Bird Box Building Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Visit the wildlife reserve in national nest box week to make your own bird box, make your own bird feeder and go on a bird walk to discover the local birds that may use your creations. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust. org.uk/events 18 FEB 10am-1pm Fairtrade Chocolate Baking Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Nr Edenbridge, TN8 7AR. Children will make Fairtrade chocolate and banana muffins and Fairtrade chocolate cow cookies before going out to meet the real herd of dairy cows and learn about Bore Place’s organic system. This activity is best suited to children aged 7-12 years; all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Paid event. Info at www.boreplace.org 18-22 FEB 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm & 2:30pm Discover with Darwin Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, BR6 7JT. Join the man himself – Charles Darwin – and explore evolution at its birthplace as you delve into the mysteries of science. Each workshop is approx. 40 minutes and will involve storytelling and hands-on activities of a Darwinian theme. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

18-22 FEB 10am-3pm Secrets & Spies Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover, CT16 1HU. Sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in disguise, code cracking and clues. Paid event. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk 19 FEB 10am-12:30pm Kids Bread making Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Nr Edenbridge, TN8 7AR. Children will learn where flour comes from and how it’s turned into delicious bread. They will grind their own flour and make hen-shaped bread, before going out to meet the herd of dairy cows on the farm. This activity is best suited to children aged 3-6 years; all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Paid event. Info at www.boreplace.org

20 FEB 10:30am-12pm or 1pm-2:30pm Explore Pond Dipping Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Visit the Sevenoaks Nature Reserve to discover what lives in the ponds there! Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events 21 FEB 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm Wiggly Wild Show Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Get close to some amazing creepy crawlies with an experienced bug wrangler at Sevenoaks Nature Reserve. Paid event Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events 22 FEB 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm Wiggly Wild Show Tyland Barn Visitor Centre Maidstone, Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD. Get close to some amazing creepy crawlies with an experienced bug wrangler. Paid event Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events 23 FEB 10:30am-12pm or 1pm-2:30pm Explore Pond Dipping Tyland Barn Visitor Centre Maidstone, Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD. Visit the nature reserve to discover what lives in the ponds there! Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

For advertising, editorial and What’s Ons in our March/April issue contact editor@familieswestkent.co.uk 07980118626. Booking deadline Feb 1, artwork deadline Feb 5. www.familiesonline.co.uk

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Families West Kent Jan/Feb 2019

Articles inside

Under 5s activity guide

What's Ons Jan/Feb