FREE
The Parents’ Companion
Issue 1 Summer 2014
Welcome As a full time mum of three, I have spent many hours pondering over what I could do as a career from home that meant I could still dedicate as much of my time as possible to my children. I have tried my hand at several business ideas, but never followed through with any of them. And I am sure that many of you mums or dads out there have done the same! So, I have decided to provide a service to you. As a community of parents and carers, I declare that we support each other, not only in out family life, but in our businesses and careers too. So, with the support of my husband, inspiration from my kids, guiding hands of wonderful friends, we have ‘Go Barefoot’. We would like you to get involved, by either submitting recipes to go in the next issue, or writing in a letter or a section from your blog. Whether it’s to share stories as a parent or plan your family time. Maybe you would you like to see your children on the front cover or see your best friend’s business successfully taking off? Then this book is for you.
Julie
2
Editors Note Why ‘Go Barefoot’? Because I mean it literally! Go outside with the kids and feel the grass between your toes. Stand in a muddy puddle, roll up your jeans and jump on the trampoline. Go down the slide! So what if your butt gets stuck half way down, the kids will push you the rest of the way. Summer is here! Who cares if you stand in dog poop along the way. The sun is shining - Go Barefoot!
Julie
Contents Upcoming Events
Pg 5
Car Boot Sales
Pg 4
Fun for Free & Toddler Groups
Pg 6 & 7
Early Education Funding
Pg 8
Ripon Walled Garden
Pg 9
Recipes
Pg 10
Cooling Ice Sensory Play
Pg 12 & 13
Kids Art Competition
Pg 15
Summer Saving Tips
Pg 16 & 17
Calendar - To use as your own diary
Pg 20, 21 & 22
Useful Numbers
Pg 23 3
Car Boot Sales Thirsk Racecourse - Sundays Station Road, YO7 1QL Sellers –8am, Public 9am Cars £10 Vans from £12 Trailers from £3 Public Admission 80p
North Stainley - Every Bank Holiday Monday Sellers and buyers from 7am £8 per pitch Free entry for buyers, with donations on the gate for North Stainley School & Church. Tea, coffee, hot sandwiches and cakes served in Village Hall. September 7th September 21st
Ripon Racecourse - Sundays 2 miles from Ripon centre on B6265 HG4 1UG Sellers –12pm, public - 1pm Cars £10 Vans from £12 Trailers from £3 Public Admission 80p
Minskip Boot Sale - Sundays From May to October Sellers -12noon, Buyers - 1pm Call J. Wilcock on 07845 505277 to check dates.
Ripley Car Boot - Sundays August 17th August 24th September 7th September 21st Sellers 7.30am, Buyers 8.30am www.ripley-cc.co.uk
Bedale - Saturdays Sales start at 6.30am, till 2pm Cars £8 Vans, car & trailer etc. £12 Contact John Ferguson on 07516 926568 with enquiries.
4
Upcoming Events Advertise your event here for just £4.
Wath Street Fair Saturday 12th July, 1pm Dog Show & Pet’s Corner Stalls & Food Ice cream, bouncy castle, appearance by Noddy, vintage Tractor Parade Finish off with hog roast at The George at Wath pub.
Thirsk Small Business Community Family Fun & Shopping Day Thirsk Town Hall, YO7 1QR Monday 25th August 10am -3pm Children’s entertainment, face paints, model balloons & Rythmtime demos. Stalls to include Usborne Books, Yorkshire Rose Candles, James Wesley Photographs, plus lots more.
Ripley Agricultural Show Sunday, 10th August
If you would like to advertise your event here contact us on 07806600720 or email gobarefoot@outlook.com
5
Free family days out in Yorkshire. Jervaulx Abbey Location: between Masham and East Witton just past Brymor Ice cream. Good for: Picnics, walks, history. Park in the tea room car park, cross the road with care and enter the Jervaulx parkland. From here you can visit the abbey where you can picnic and play or why not follow the footpaths past the abbey and enjoy a walk through the parkland where sheep graze. En route you will see the old monastic fish ponds. Facilities: Car Park and toilets available at the tea rooms Eat and drink: take a picnic or visit the Jervaulx tea rooms, dog and child friendly Coverbridge Inn or Brymor Ice cream nearby.
Hackfall Woods Location: The Masham side of Grewelthorpe Good for: Walks in beautiful woodland, exploring follies and waterfalls, wildlife. Families can enjoy exploring this grade 1 listed garden which is under the care of the Woodland Trust and The Hackfall Trust. Full of streams, woodland, hidden follies, waterfalls and a magnificent fountain, the woodland is teaming with wildlife and in Spring you’ll see the woodland awash with bluebells. The winding paths lead you on various trails through the woodland with some parts giving amazing views of the region. The trails can become quite muddy so wellies are a must and some routes can get fairly steep for little legs. Great fun for children who love the outdoors. Facilities: Car park available. Toilets available in Masham Eat and drink: Take a picnic or food available in Masham Town
Museum Gardens, York Location: Central York between the Railway Station and York Minster Good for: picnics, ice cream, letting off steam in the city, squirrel searching. This lovely park in the centre of York offers space for children to play and explore. Paths weave throughout the park through shady trees with views of the river. For history enthusiasts you can visit the remains of St Mary’s Abbey, St Leonard’s Medieval Hospital and a Roman tower all free of charge within the park. The resident squirrels and are always a hit too. The Yorkshire Museum stands in the centre (fee payable) which houses artefacts from across the region in addition to dinosaur fossils Roman and Medieval exhibitions. The park is easily accessible from the Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride if you alight at Museum Gardens, is within walking distance of the Railway Station and Railway Museum and also only a few hundred metres from the town centre. Facilities: Public Toilets available Eat and drink: Perfect for picnics or cafes available in the city centre. Ice cream van usually available in the gardens.
Image copyright York Museums Trust
Contact us if you would like an attraction to be mentioned in our Fun for Free page.
6
Toddler Groups Advertise your Toddler Group with us for just £5 for the year.
Mondays
Tuesdays
Nicky’s Pre School Stay & Play Sessions West Tanfield 1.30pm –3pm Donations –children get healthy snack & drink Call Jennie: 01677 470123 Email: nickyspreschool@yahoo.co.uk Term time only.
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group Village Hall 10am –11.30am £2 per child, £1 thereafter Call Emma: 07811 312251 Email: emmainghana@hotmail.com All year
Ripon Community Toy Library Community House, Allhallowgate 10am - noon £1 donation per session All year.
Melmerby Toddler Group Melmerby Village Hall 10am –11.30am £1.50 per family Call Tracey: 07762 253236 Running on alternate weeks during term time only. Next sessions on 4th & 18th July. Term time only.
Would you like us to list your Toddler Group here? Contact us on 01675 641895 or email gobarefoot@outlook.com
7
Early Education Funding What is it, and who is it for? All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early years education a week. Starting from the beginning of the term following their 3rd birthday.
These places are offered to families on low incomes who are in receipt of at least one of the following:
Income Support
Lists of registered providers can be found at Family Information Services. They include child minders, pre-school playgroups, private day nurseries, council-run nursery schools and classes, reception classes in infant and primary schools(4 year old places only) and independent schools.
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit with income of less than £16, 190 and not receiving Working Tax Credit
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum act 1999
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
The hours offered to the child are agreed by the parent and provider. They can be split between morning and afternoon sessions over a number of days. Or, a child in full time care would simply have their 15 hours of free entitlement credited as part of their overall package.
Children who are or have been in local authority are also eligible. Children with high need special education needs and disabilities can be referred by specialist service working with them.
Funding for 2 Year Olds Some less advantaged children are entitled to a place a year earlier.
For more information contact Families Information Service helpline on 0845 6011 630, email FIS.information@northyorks.gov.uk or text “info” to 07624 802425. Information extracted from website - www.northyorks.gov.uk
Ripon Community Toy Library Community House, Allhallowgate, Ripon Toys for babies and children up to 8 years old
Stay & Play sessions every Thursday 10am - 12noon Borrow 10 toys for a party for £5
Outdoor Play
Run by friendly volunteers
Become a member for £5 for the year and borrow 2 toys for 2 weeks for 50p. 8
Ripon Walled Garden Situated on the road from Ripon to North Stainley , Ripon Walled Garden, previously part of the Bishop’s Palace Garden, is a unique and charming place. The project enables adults with learning disabilities to pursue interests in horticulture, to learn and to make a positive contribution in a real working environment. The project also benefits from work done by offenders on the Community Payback scheme , who provide hundreds of hours per year of useful labour, while also learning skills which may lead to new vocational options. Café - Opening this Summer! Café Coordinator, Jill Flatt has a wonderful vision of a family friendly café in the tranquil surroundings of the Walled Garden, offering refreshments using ingredients grown and freshly picked within the grounds of Ripon Walled Garden. The menu will also use locally sourced ingredients such as Wensleydale cheese, cheese from the Shepherds Purse dairy and Brymore ice-cream.
The Café in progress. Easily accessible by wheelchair/pushchair.
Families or groups may come and enjoy drinks and cakes, inside or out on the deck, followed by a walk around the orchard and Woodland which offers nature at it’s best, where children may explore the apple trees and search for animals in the woods. And you couldn’t possibly leave without purchasing a bottle of apple juice, locally made from the garden’s own apples or filling your basket with produce from the shop and nursery, whether it be plants, fruit , vegetables or seasonal gifts.
Wildlife Viewing Station
Volunteers
Ripon Walled Garden welcomes volunteers to assist by supporting the members in their work in the garden, or the café. Also welcome are volunteers with skills in administration or marketing, in fact any skills are greatly welcomed!
To find out more about the Café opening dates, or any other information, contact Ripon Walled Garden on 01765 609229, or view the website www.riponwalledgarden.org.uk 9
Summer Recipes Macaroni Salad - Sent in by Amanda Dorrill Ingredients green pepper( optional)
5 boiled eggs
1/2 cucumber
4 cups pasta
1 medium onion
3 tbsp. mayonnaise
2 sticks celery
1/2 tsp mustard
Directions
5 radishes
Toadstool Salad Ingredients
1.
Chop pepper, cucumber, onion, celery and radishes to desired pieces
2.
Mix the chopped vegetables with the mayonnaise and mustard
3.
Cook the pasta, then drain and cool
4.
Add the pasta to the vegetable mixture
5.
Slice the boiled eggs and layer them on top
Directions
Total Time - 15 mins
Prep Time –10 mins 4 eggs Cook Time - 5 mins 2 large tomatoes Lettuce leaf Cucumber 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1.
Boil eggs until hard
2.
Place eggs in cold water then shell
3.
Slice top and bottom off eggs so that they can stand up
4.
Shred lettuce leaf and put on plate
5.
Peel cucumber, slice finely and place on top of lettuce
6.
Stand eggs on bed of lettuce and cucumber
7.
Place half a tomato on top of each egg
8.
Dot mayonnaise on tomato halves to look like toadstools
9.
Optional –use toothpicks to hold eggs and tomatoes together
Submit your recipe at gobarefoot@outlook.com for our Autumn issue. Facebook.com/gobarefootnorthyorks
10
Please mention ‘Go Barefoot’ when contacting advertisers. 11
12
13
Truly Madly Playtime Samantha Joyce (Rep of Truly Madly Baby) Quality gifts and everyday essentials for mums to be up to 11 year olds. Available for events, fundraisers, baby showers and home parties. Facebook: Truly Madly Playtime samantha.clegg@talk21.com
Bluebell Book Corner Independent Usborne Representative
Available for events, fundraisers, party and wedding packs and home parties Facebook: Bluebell Book Corner samanthajoyceusborne@gmail.com
Please mention ‘Go Barefoot’ when contacting advertisers 14
Kid’s Art Competition Theme:
Natural Summer
Let’s get the kids creating this summer with a little outdoor, arty fun! Be as creative and crafty as you like with nature and create a picture to enter into our Summer competition. Submissions will be split into 3 age categories. Prizes Age 0-2 Personalised plaque from Mortique’s Boutique
Age 3-5 £10 gift voucher for Truly Madly Playtime
Age 6-12 £10 gift voucher for Usbourne Books
Send your pictures to -
Go Barefoot 1 Howgrave Grange Cottage Sutton Howgrave Bedale
Entrants must please put their name, address and telephone number on the back of their art. Deadline - 8th September Winners will be chosen on the 10th September, to be announced in the Autumn issue.
Contact - T: 01765 641895 E: gobarefoot@outlook.com 15
Summer Saving Tips I’m sure we all find it difficult to save over the Summer with the kids tagging along on shopping trips, family days out and about and of course the endless nagging for ice-cream and various other treats that are abundant during the Summer season. Holidays are booked, barbeques are whipped out of the garden shed and before you know it you have spent more money on crisps and ice-cream than you ever planned– and like me, have ended up eating half of the junk yourself! 1.
4.
Plan in advance
Planning your Summer Holidays in advance could save you vast amounts of cash. Get your calendar and plan your family days out, and fun for the home too. Having a plan saves on unexpected spending and makes it easier to say ‘no’ to unplanned activities. Although this may sound too strict and organised for some, it could be fun for the kids if you plan their time off school together. Kids have fantastic ideas, and may come up with some simple but exciting things to do at home as well. 2.
Kids Love picnics!
Whether you’re having a family day out or in the comfort of your own garden. Kids love the idea of a picnic. Something so simple, and costs a lot less than a meal out. Why not incorporate it into a fun day outdoors with Building Blocks and Acorns ‘Cooling Ice Sensory Play’ on page 12. 5.
have a clear out
Set aside a day during the school holidays for the kids to have a thorough clear out of their bedrooms and random ‘bits and bobs’ that have accumulated in the garage over time. Get the unwanted things on a sell site or get to your local car boot sale. The kids will be happy with the money they have earned and you will be happy with tidier bedrooms.
Budget right
Setting a weekly or daily budget sounds easy, but can be very difficult to stick to, especially with the kids off school. But you will pat yourself on the back once you see how rewarding it can be. If you are travelling set daily amounts of pocket money for each family member - yes, even for the adults! The last thing you want is to come home feeling refreshed from a fantastic holiday, to the gloom and doom of financial crisis for the rest of the kids school break.
6.
Teach cash skills
Now is an ideal time to start teaching your kids cash skills. If you are worried about spending this summer then start them on a weekly allowance. When they go to the shop with you explain to them that if they want something that is not on the grocery list then it will be purchased out of their personal allowance. Remind them of the allowance when they ask for things , and show them how much is left at the end of the week , which if there is any, should encourage them to want to save even more the following week.
3. Shop with Caution
We all know what it can be like when the kids are home and need to tag along for the weekly grocery shop. My advice is, if you can’t leave them with your other half or family then organise a rota system with a friend who also has kids. Drop the kids round for a playdate while you go off to do the shopping, and take it in turns. Thus, saving you on many random items that sneak their way through the till, or giving in to the endless begging for the Peppa Pig magazine they don’t really need!
7. Find fun for free
Paying entrance fees can sometimes be a bit disheartening when you know that come lunch time everyone will be starving, and it’s inevitable that you will be expected to dip into your wallet for a meal at the café or nearest restaurant.
16
Find your nearest places that are free, most of them outdoors for the kids to explore. 8.
Health Visitor
Bulk Buy
Chat with your Health Visitor about your baby’s progress, and have your baby weighed.
Stocking up before the summer holidays can be a cash saver, and a stress saver! Fill the freezer and pantry cupboards with all the necessities you know you will be constantly needing to stock up on while the kids are home. There is absolutely nothing wrong with frozen vegetables! They save you a fortune and last longer than fresh. This will limit the time needed to shop with the kids in tow.
Bedale Children’s Centre Drop in 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month. 10 - 11.30 am To book one year checks and antenatal appointment call 01609 535060.
9. Switch off the television
So many of us are in the habit of having the television on from dawn till dusk, whether it’s to keep kids entertained or be updated on the news and weather. Majority of us probably don’t realise that even though it has been left on all day, we have only really watched it at brief intervals while folding laundry or feeding the baby. Turn it off and pick up a novel instead. If the kids are with you get the puzzles and games out, or simply lounge outside if the whether is decent.
Community House, Allhallowgate, Ripon
Drop in Every Thursday 1.30 - 3 pm Call Ripon Children’s Centre on 01609 532608
10. Grow your own
Plan a summer project with the kids and grow your own vegetables. Kids love being outdoors and learning about where their food comes from. The looks on their faces when they pull the first carrot or potato make it worth the effort. Keeping an eye out for people with excess left over from their gardens can be a steel , saving you from spending at your local garden centre or nursery.
Greystone School Bungalow, Ripon Drop in Every Tuesday 9.30 - 11.30 am Call Ripon Children’s Centre on 01609 532608
Midwife Drop In Ripon Antenatal Unit Every Friday 9.30 - 10.30 am 17
Health & Beauty
Please mention ‘Go Barefoot’ when contacting advertisers. 18
Would you like to advertise in this space? With prices starting from just ÂŁ16, we are here to support families, local businesses and charities. Next Issue The next issue will cover Halloween, Guy Fawkes and Christmas Block bookings A years advertisement booking of 4 issues may be secured with 10% discounted off over all cost. This includes space for an article in one issue.
Autumn edition deadline is 10th September for distribution from 1st October. Contact Julie on 07806600720 or 01765 641895 Email: gobarefoot@outlook.com
Find us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/gobarefootnorthyorks 19
20
22
29
28
Nicky’s Preschool stay & Play
15
Nicky’s Preschool stay & Play
30
23
16
9
2
1
8
Wed
Tue
21
14
7
Mon
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
31
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
25
Melmerby Toddler Group
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
24
18
27
Masham Steam Engine Fair
Masham Steam Engine Fair
26
20
13
6
Sun
19
Wath Street Fair
12
5
4
11
Sat
Fri
17
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
10
3
Thu
July 2014
21
19
26
18
25
Thirsk Small Business Shopping Day
12
5
4
11
Tue
Mon
27
20
13
6
Wed
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
28
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
21
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
14
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
7
Thu
29
22
15
30
23
16
9
2
1
8
Sat
Fri
24
17
Ripley Agricultural Show
10
3
Sun
August 2014
22
29
22
15
8
2
1
Nicky’s Preschool stay & Play
30
Nicky’s Preschool stay & Play
23
Nicky’s Preschool stay & Play
16
Nicky’s Preschool Stay & Play
9
Nicky’s Preschool Stay & Play
Tue
Mon
24
17
10
3
Wed
26 Melmerby Toddler Group
25 North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
19
Melmerby Toddler Group
North Stainley Baby & Toddler Group
18
12
5
Fri
11
4
Thu
27
20
13
6
Sat
28
21
14
7
Sun
September 2014
Useful Numbers North Yorkshire Family Information Services
0845 6011630
Bedale Children’s Centre
01609 535060
Ripon Children’s Centre
01609 532608
Northallerton Hospital
01609 779911
Ripon Community Hospital
01765 602546 closes 9pm
Harrogate Hospital
01423 885959
Childline
0800 1111
Bedale Town Council
01677 427949
Ripon City Council
01765604097
RSPCA
0300 1234999 23
24