CORKBOARD

Dean’s a scream for all seasons

Half term at the Dean Heritage Centre means spooktacular family fun. Enjoy scary trails, creepy craft and pumpkin carving, explore the ghoulish cottage where witches may invite you in for a cup of their brew or search the woodland for monsters. The centre’s team of artists and facilitators help you have a mons-terrific time!

Then add some forest magic to your Christmas celebrations by joining the centre to enjoy festive activities in this beautiful setting. Father Christmas spends time in the homely kitchen of the cosy Forester’s Cottage, handing gifts to all the children who visit him. It’s an ideal opportunity to make sure all letters and present requests are given to the great man himself.

Ffi: Dean Heritage Centre

W: www.deanheritagecentre.com

Enjoy a Slimbridge autumn!

Highlights at Stevens World Wildlife & Wetlands Trust this autumn include the Hawaiian landscape of Mission Possible (and meet the world’s rarest goose, the nene, pictured); the Living Wetland Theatre and Waterscapes Aviary; and birds like Sprout, the friendly pelican, Nzuri, the crowned crane, or the magpie geese.

Become a Wetland Hero with Slimbridge’s own app created by Oscar-winning animators Aardman and unlock the secrets of Slimbridge.

Wonder at the amphibians in Toad Hall, or the mammals in Back from the Brink and spot all six species of flamingo!

During October Half Term try a Wetlands Interactive Sandbox and see what landscapes you can create or book a family-friendly photography workshop.

Ffi WWT Slimbridge

W: wwt.org/slimbridge

Spooky spiders and autumn colours

Nestling in a hidden valley, Painswick’s Rococo Garden is a fantastic place for families to explore. Children (and grown-ups!) are encouraged to let their imaginations and feet run wild. Whether navigating the maze, playing hide and seek, or simply enjoying the woodland play area, there’s plenty for all.

In autumn the garden colours transform to rich reds and oranges. This year, children can take part in the Spooky Spider Trail created by local author/illustrator Hannah Shaw. There are fun spider characters to spot and eight-legged facts aplenty!

With free parking, cakes and freshly-ground coffee, a visit to the garden is stress-free and fun.

Ffi: Painswick Rococo Garden

W: www.rococogarden.org.uk

Camping at Christmas

Cheltenham’s family-run Camp 4-2-11 follows its October half term outing to St Edward’s Senior School (Mon 25-Fri 29 Oct) with two threeday camps at Balcarras School - one for children aged 3-6 and one for ages 7-14 (Mon 20-Wed 22 Dec). As always there’s a huge variety of activities on offer, from clay modelling and baking to theatre, magic and science workshops.

With Christmas on its way there’s a festive flavour to the camp with seasonal arts and crafts, elf hunts, sports, a ‘Camp’s Got Talent’ show and, of course a Christmas party with a visit from Santa himself on the final day. A standard day runs from 9am-4pm, but you can also book extended days (8.30am-5pm). Places are limited, so book early.

Ffi: www.camp4211.co.uk

REVIEW: Thriller on the roof

Gloucestershire author J.M.Forster follows her debut ‘Shadow Jumper’ (now over 90,000 copies sold) with ‘Twilight Robbery’, the adventures of Jack, who has an allergy to sunlight and explores the rooftops at night. But when he finds a package among the chimneys, he becomes the prime suspect for theft. Things go from bad to worse when friend Fabien falls from the roof. Was it an accident? Or something more sinister? Fans of ‘Shadow Jumper’ can expect another exciting mystery adventure with twists, turns and red herrings to keep reluctant readers engaged. Suitable for 9+ (Ellen White)

Twilight Robbery J.M.Forster, £6.99, Scribblepad Press, www.jm-forster.com

Scarily creative!

Whether it’s being amazed at the magic show or painting your own scary pumpkin design, Taurus Crafts is the place to head to this October school holiday. Based in the Forest of Dean, the charity-run visitor centre is putting on a full programme of creative activities throughout the October holiday. So why not pop in, get creative and choose from a great selection of spooky workshops where you can make broomsticks, trick or treat bags, witches’ hats, monster head pots, spooky slime and more?

Ffi. Taurus Crafts

W: www.tauruscrafts.co.uk

The Spy Experience!

Are you looking for a different kind of holiday activity? Does your child love solving puzzles and logic problems? The new three-day Spy Experience is an exciting new event held during the May Half Term and summer holidays. It is a multimedia experience using video, audio and physical puzzles to solve an engaging secret agent scenario.

The event is led by two highly experienced educators helping children develop a range of skills in a fun and exciting environment. Suitable for Year 5 and 6 students, it is an excellent way to support 11+ and national curriculum skills in preparation for secondary school.

Ffi: Cotswold Education T: 07976 218062 W: www.cotswoldeducationacademy E: cotswoldeducationuk@gmail.com

Arthur’s a legend!

This year’s traditional family panto from The Roses, ‘King Arthur: The Panto!’, is set to be something truly special, written for the Tewkesbury theatre by Maurice Gran (the BAFTA-winning writer of ‘Birds of a Feather’ and hit musical ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’). Set in medieval Tewkesbury, ‘King Arthur’ tells the story of a baker boy destined for far greater things than his humble upbringing suggests. Of course, before he can fulfil his destiny, Arthur must overcome the evil Morgana Le Fey and a host of other unexpected foes. Expect scones, stones, swords, laughter, princesses, heroes, villains, dragons, wizards, magic, music, knights, foolish jesters and lots of fun in Tewkesbury this Christmas!

Ffi: The Roses Theatre W: www.rosestheatre.org

Family Fun Day at Cheltenham Racecourse -FREE entry and entertainment for under 18s!

The popular November Meeting Sunday returns to Cheltenham Racecourse this year on 14 November and, as the course’s only Sunday fixture of the season, it’s famed for its world-class free family fun and entertainment.

The meeting hosts children’s TV Character Bing (pictured) who makes personal appearances throughout the day, as well as offering the chance to enjoy a whole range of free kids’ activities including inflatable fun, face painting and meeting the animals.

All family fun activities at Cheltenham Racecourse are free and accessible to all those with a Club/Tatts ticket on the day.

And, of course, there’s plenty to enjoy out on the track too, with six thrilling races, including the feature race of the day, the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. Racehorse The Shunter, ridden by Robbie Power and trained by Emmet Mullins, won the trophy in 2020 before going on to glory at Cheltenham Racecourse’s world-famous event, The Festival, in March this year. Take your family to Cheltenham this November and you could see the racehorse and rider who might be following in his hoofprints. Club/ Tatts tickets from £22 and, don’t forget, kids go free!

Cheltenham Racecourse

W: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/ cheltenham

Stroud reads out loud

Stroud Book Festival has launched a fun line-up for families and children, running at venues in the town from Wednesday 3-Sunday 7 November.

Headlining is much-loved author and former Children’s Laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo, with a celebration of the 25th anniversary edition of his children’s classic, ‘The Butterfly Lion’, winner of the Smarties Prize and the Writer’s Guild Award (ages 7+).

Author and illustrator extraordinaire Lydia Monks joins for a sparkling adventure with the crime busting ladybird and dastardly villains Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len from ‘What The Ladybird Heard’ (ages 3-6).

Sean Taylor takes younger audiences on a lively journey featuring riddles, rhymes, silly songs, and a reading of his brand-new book ‘How To Be Cooler Than Cool’ (ages 3-7).

For the very youngest festival-goers, author Jane Newberry and ‘The Big Green Crocodile’offer an exciting, interactive storytelling session (ages 2-5).

Festival favourite Andy Seed makes a welcome return with his latest fun and fact-filled book ‘Interview With A Shark’ (ages 6-9), while budding cooks, comic makers and creatives will enjoy workshops ‘Green Kids Cook’ (ages 8-14), ‘Make Awesome Comics’ (ages 8-14) and ‘The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself’ (ages 6+).

Word wizards Sara-Jane Arbury and Katie Balson take a light-hearted look at one classic kids’ author’s redunculous imagery with a celebration of ‘Roald Dahl’s Rotsome & Repulsant Words’ (ages 6+).

Finally, teachers and pupils throughout the district are anticipating Stroud Book Festival’s annual Schools’ Day, specially programmed for local primary school children in Gloucestershire, on Thursday 4 November.

Stroud Book Festival

W: www.stroudbookfestival.org.uk

Farm’s seasons to be cheerful

OCTOBER

Wrap up warm and head over to the fields at Cotswold Farm Park to explore the Pumpkin Patch trail. Choose a spooky face paint design and grab yourself a plump pumpkin to take home. Entry to the field (and a free pumpkin token) is included in your Farm Park admission, or Pumpkin Field Only tickets are also available. The Pumpkin Patch runs on October weekends and throughout the half term holiday, Friday 22 October to Sunday 31 October. Book online in advance.

CHRISTMAS

As the temperatures start to drop and winter swings in to greet us again, the cooler air can bring with it a hint of magic, don’t you think?

The team at Cotswold Farm Park is giving Mother Nature a helping hand again this winter, adding sparkle to the festive season with the return of their Enchanted Light Trail. This is the perfect family-friendly event, with early-evening arrival times, a dazzling display of illuminations and a rare chance to see some of your favourite Farm Park animals after dark.

The Enchanted Light Trail runs from Friday 26 November to Saturday 1 January. Book online in advance.