Spring '14 issuu

THE

S C A LL Y A G M

®

Walsden, Cornholme, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Luddendenfoot & Surrounding Areas

DAILY DIARIES For Pre-school and Out-of-School Activities

OUT & ABOUT Malhamdale Top Trumps Birdwatching

Spring ‘14

Family matters Eye Tests

news

Yorkshire Festival, Baby Lounge PeekMe Events and More

Issue 44

For Local Parents, Carers & Kids

Regular features

Health Questions Literacy News Bloke in the Kitchen Competitions

AND MUCH much more!

e s ea e l p ak t ne o

competition

Alison Grant architect

Making buildings individual, accessible and sustainable

Need more room?

Don’t want to move?

I can help you create the space you need.

extensions loft conversions alterations energy solutions restorations

Contact Alison for creative, practical and affordable advice

5 Northfield, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7NW

Tel 01422 847 927

Web www.alisongrantarchitect.co.uk

page welcome header contact us

contents Diary Pages Playgroups, Out of school clubs, Swimming,

Libraries & Soft Play Pre-School Diary Out-Of-School Diary Competitions Design our next front cover Out & About Malhamdale Bird Watching Top Trumps News Yorkshire Festival, New party venue, Holiday

Activities and more Focus On: Get your child’s eyes tested Family Health Your health Q&A Literacy The latest news from The Book Case Bloke in a Kitchen Italian Easter Cake Family Matters How to deal with bullying

Page 11 Page 12 Page 14 Page 2 Page 9 Page 19

Page 4 Page 10 Page 23 Page 20 Page 21 Page 17

For competition entries, to discuss and book advertising space, ideas for future articles or just to let us know what you think of the magazine, please get in touch by any of the following means:

0 Bankside House, Haugh Road, Todmorden, OL14 6BU 8 hazel@thescallymag.co.uk  07816 321439 R www.thescallymag.co.uk The Scallymag (Todmorden & Hebden Bridge) @ScallymagTod

Editor: Hazel Bregazzi Lay-out & Design: Hazel Bregazzi Publishing: Bankside House Publishing, Todmorden Distribution: Many thanks to all schools, groups and other businesses which help with the distribution of The Scallymag® Special Thanks: To all advertisers whose contribution ensures the magazine can be distributed Free of Charge Editorial & Advertising: Hazel Bregazzi, Bankside House, OL14 6BU info@thescallymag.co.uk Disclaimer: Whilst every care is taken to ensure that information contained in this magazine is true, accurate and fair, the publisher cannot take any responsibility for events arising from the use of this information. Any statements or opinions given in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. © The Scallymag® 2013 Nothing may be reproduced without permission

Congratulations To: Lucy Bauer

aged 9, of Littleborough, who drew our wonderful front cover picture

“A Horse Called Chestnut” She gets a £25 voucher to spend at Silly Billy’s Toy Shop in Hebden Bridge.

Many thanks to Nuno from Silly Billy’s for judging the competition.

news Photos: Handmade Parade’s Giant Snail at the Manchester Day Parade, 2013 by Craig Shaw

I

yorkshire festival 2014

f you live in the area it can’t have escaped your attention that the reputed world’s greatest cycle race, the Tour de France, will begin in the world’s greatest county - Yorkshire!

Stage 1, on Saturday 5th July, will take place north of here, leaving Leeds and travelling around North Yorkshire to end in Harrogate. However Stage 2 - on Sunday 6th July, will go past our doorstep when the cyclists, starting in York, head west then south through Harrogate, Keighley, over the tops to Hebden Bridge, along the valley road to Mytholmroyd before turning south through Cragg Vale to Ripponden.

In the 100 days leading up to the Grand Départ itself, the Yorkshire Festival 2014, the first ever cultural

The Tour de Cinema, working with National Trust, Cine Yorkshire and many other partners, will unveil thirty super-high-definition screens in unusual locations across Yorkshire for an unrivalled programme of fiction and non-fiction films about cycling. One will be erected in Hardcastle Craggs, at Gibson Mill for a screening on 3rd May. The programme includes a brand new commission teaming up awardwinning director Daisy Asquith with composer Bill Nelson and drawing on rare BFI film and music archives to chart the journey of the bicycle from new technology to familiar household transport.

It also highlights forgotten treasures like Alan Bennett’s rarely seen BBC film from the 1970s - A Day Out, about a Halifax cycling club, and is a chance to see The Big Melt, paying homage to a century of steel-making with a blazing soundtrack compiled by Sheffield’s Jarvis Cocker.

Alongside these gems, The Yorkshire Film Archive introduces a newly compiled film drawn from cine club and home movie collections to show cycling in all its forms, from childhood to adulthood.

festival to be held in the run up to the Tour de France’s Grand Départ, will show the world what Yorkshire has to offer.

Councillor Tim Swift, leader of Calderdale Council, which has coordinated local authority support for the festival, said: “Yorkshire Festival 2014 will be a spectacular experience with a packed programme celebrating the strength of the arts across the region. On behalf of all the supporting local authorities we are proud to have been involved in its organisation and look forward to its success.”

Keep a look out for more details about the Fantastical Cycle Parade.

Run by the brilliant Handmade Parade people, the parade around Todmorden will take place on 26th April.

The parade will be a glorious ride through the streets of Tod with bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, scooters, prams and wheelchairs transformed into all manner of strange and wonderful mechanical creatures and pedal-powered contraptions.

As ever, there will be workshops before the event but this time with your bikes, scooters, prams etc, to be transformed into fantastical creatures to take part in the parade.

Stay around after the parade for bands, streets acts and some surprising contraptions popping up throughout Tod town centre.

The parade is funded by Yorkshire Festival and Todmorden Town Council and commissioned the Tour de Tod steering group.

Workshops start on 12th April. Times and venues will be announced shortly.

Parade and street festival will be 26th April, 1-4pm.

Fields of Vision is one of almost 50 projects to be chosen as part of Yorkshire Festival 2014. This bold and imaginative project builds on an idea from the Worth Valley Young Farmers Club. It will be delivered by a bespoke partnership co-ordinated by Pennine Prospects and comprising local artistic producers, the arts festivals of Haworth, Hebden Bridge and Holmfirth, the Sports Turf Research Institute, Ilkley Cycling Club, local authorities throughout the county and many more.

Visible from the sky and at ground level Fields of Vision is a series of huge land art installations forming a trail through the stunning South Pennines landscape. Commissioned artists will interpret the landscape and work with local communities to show the influence of water on life and land. Together they will create bold interpretations of these distinct uplands in large, living and vibrant art-forms.

Artist Impression of artwork at Stanbury Reservoir Local groups, schools and the wider community will be involved in sowing, cutting and literally wearing designs into a series of fields in the South Pennines during the spring. Installations include a specially commissioned poem, reproduced at landscape scale, to introduce the trail, a vast planted grass mosaic and a continuous line drawing brought to life by local cyclists. The artwork will be visible to the television viewer, local communities and to people exploring the Tour de France route.

Pam Warhurst, chair of Pennine Prospects, said: “This huge land-art project brings together artists, young farmers, cyclists and the community to sew and weave original designs into the stunning South Pennines landscape.

The installations will grow and flourish during the festival to really put the South Pennines on the map during the Tour de France 2014.”

news relax with your baby and baby lounge

B

aby Lounge is a new venture recently set up in our area by Debbie Wilkinson who, after becoming a mum herself, wanted to offer a nurturing, relaxing, supportive service for all parents and babies.

Debbie’s previous career has involved Children’s Centre Management but, with her many qualifications, she is now offering courses and advice in Baby Massage, BabyCalm™ and Babywearing.

Debbie says, “I hope to be able to cater for all of you and your baby’s needs throughout your journey together, with the workshops and classes we deliver.”

Debbie tells us, “Baby massage is a long standing parenting tradition in many cultures, with numerous benefits for both baby and parent. The comprehensive IAIM baby massage curriculum we offer covers touch, movement, relaxation, interaction and communication.”

Classes are available in both a group environment and one to one basis. They are taught over five weeks, usually for one hour a week, in order to give both the parent and baby time to learn and become accustomed to the massage.

The classes also include time for parent relaxation and informal discussion on the joys and challenges of parenting.

Classes are suitable for all parents and all baby’s up to one year old.

Private classes can be arranged in your own home, especially designed for massage relief of colic/gas.

Baby Lounge also offer BabyCalm™ classes which helps new parents to enjoy their baby by providing support from pregnancy through to the end of their baby’s first year.

“Everything is covered from antenatal preparation for the arrival of a new baby through to coping with colic and crying, weaning information and help with baby’s sleeping,” says Debbie, “and all using gentle methods.”

“Based on the work of founder, popular parenting expert, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, antenatal classes and postnatal baby classes turn crying babies and stressed parents into calmer babies and happier parents without a copy of Gina Ford or ‘Controlled Crying’ in sight!”

Debbie is also hoping to launch “Sling Lounge” meets very soon.

“We will be able to offer the opportunity to get advice and support about choosing the right baby carrier for you and your child, plus you can borrow carriers from our sling library.” For dates and prices and more information please see website.

Most group classes run locally in the Todmorden and Hebden Bridge area. Debbie ensures venues offer a comfortable, relaxing environment for

parents and babies.

You can also have private consultations, one to one courses or host courses, workshops at your own home, which includes a free place for the host.

Debbie Wilkinson is an OCN level 3 qualified babywearing consultant (School of Babywearing), IAIM Approved Infant Massage Instructor and Babycalm teacher.

For more information on any of Baby Lounges services and classes please visit our website www.baby-lounge.co.uk Email: info@baby-lounge.co.uk Phone: Debbie 07899077704

news

A

Celebrating Art and Story

local mum has become an ambassador for beautiful books, promoting Barefoot children’s books in Todmorden and throughout Calderdale.

Barefoot Books have been publishing children’s book for 20 years and have built up a reputation for combining storytelling with captivating artwork, encouraging exploration and creativity and celebrating global diversity. When her job in museum education came to an end, Gisela Cook decided to go into the book trade instead. “Although Barefoot books are available through book shops, the company has a grassroots approach and has a network of independent ambassadors promoting the books in the community,” Gisela says. “I have always loved children’s books and when I discovered Barefoot Books, I knew they were special. Being a Barefoot Books Ambassador gives me the freedom to fit work around spending time with my pre-school aged daughter.”

Barefoot books are engaging for

S

share Barefoot Books with your friends and earn yourself free books along the way, you can host a book party at your house (much the same as a Tupperware or Avon party) and Gisela will come to you. She also takes her book stall out to local markets and fairs or works with schools, nurseries, playgroups and charities to support fundraising events.

“A book sale at Crossley Mill Nursery’s parent evening recently earned the nursery £60 worth of free books and the children at Centre Vale Playgroup all received a Barefoot book from Santa last Christmas! If you are an organisation that wants to team up with me, the possibilities of what we can do are endless,” Gisela tells us. “Storytelling, craft activities or a straightforward sales event, just get in touch to discuss your ideas.”

Email: GiselaCooksBarefootBooks@ yahoo.co.uk :GiselaCooksBarefootBooks To browse the full Barefoot catalogue go to http://Gisela-Cook.barefootbooks.com

still talking first

usan Broxton has been delivering TalkFirst Baby Signing classes in the area since 2006 and still loves it as much as she ever did.

She holds a hold Level 2 in British Sign Language and the CACDP (Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People) Level 1 Certificate in British Sign Language and, like all TalkFirst Tutors, is fully CRB checked.

“My interest in baby signing began with my own children. I’ve found it brilliant and I love it.” she tells us. “The feedback from parents and the changes I see in babies makes the whole thing worthwhile.”

Baby Signing is about improving communication between you and your baby. It can begin from birth, “It’s never

all ages. They are carefully crafted to nurture creativity, help children develop literacy and broaden their horizons about the world we live in. Many younger children will be familiar with the fun sing-along books, like Animal Boogie, that are popular at nurseries and playgroups, or the beautifully illustrated picture books by textile artist Clare Beaton. For older children there is a wealth of stories, including traditional tales, classic anthologies and a series of illustrated chapter books for independent readers. Gisela recommends the Barefoot Books World Atlas. “It is a thing of beauty and packed with information.

There is even an app to go with it for more interactive exploration.”

Alongside the books, Barefoot also stocks puppets, games, puzzles and activities so kids can go straight from storytime to playtime.

As an ambassador, Gisela has several ways to bring the books to the people.

You can contact her to help you find just the right books for you and your family and order books through her or directly from her website. If you would like to

too early to start,” says Susan, “but it is at about six months old, when baby is old enough to control their movements sufficiently, that it becomes really effective. At this age children have many thoughts of their own but have the frustration of not being able to tell you what they are. Signing bridges the ‘I know what I want but can’t say it yet’ gap.”

“Each class is different.” Susan says.

“Each week we cover a new theme - meal-time, bath-time, the weather, etc, and introduce up to 8 new signs. The signs are introduced using a mixture of songs, rhymes, props and our lovely star signing character, Dexter.”

Susan doesn’t only offer her regular

classes for parents and babies, in both Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, she also does training sessions for Early Years staff so they can learn to incorporate signing as part of daily communication within nurseries and other settings and can do one-off or irregular taster session. Please contact her directly for more information.

Phone: 01706 878781 Email: susanb@talkfirst.net www.talkfirst.net

news peekme party time

F

un, quirky, exciting and new. These are the ingredients that have been put together to launch Beth Stamp’s new party events business.

Beth has been interested in events since the age of eleven when she saw a Jamie Oliver advert being filmed in Hebden Bridge. Beth says “I just found this fascinating and really wanted to find out more about how the event had been put together”.

Seven years on, she has taken the opportunity to launch her very own party business, PeekMe Events.

Beth’s GCSE qualifications include catering and she is now in her final year at sixth form studying A Levels in English, IT and BTEC hospitality. This has given her the opportunity to organise many events including the launch party for her brother’s photography studio, PeekMe Studios. She has also just been offered a place at Sheffield Hallam University to study Events Management (BSc) later this year.

PeekMe Events is located in the hills of Cragg Vale in a newly refurbished farm building.

Beth says “It is important to have a large space where young

people can get together to enjoy their party in a fun and safe environment; the venue we have is perfect. I feel there is a gap in the market for a party business like this, particularly for teenagers”.

She has designed the party packages around set themes and guests can choose from added extras to make every party unique.

“No one is too old for games; we have replaced ‘pass the parcel’ with an Xbox Kinect and a huge video gaming wall.”

They also encourage guests to use mobile phones and cameras in the studio. Beth says “We want our party guests to be able to share their pictures on Facebook and Instagram during the party and we provide access to free Wi-Fi to make this hassle free”.

However, for more professional photographic results, there is a self-service photo booth included in all party packages. All images are available for download on the PeekMe Studio’s web site and all guests go home with their choice of prints from the photo booth.

Feedback from guests so far has been very positive and Beth hopes to continue to refine party packages to keep the service both competitive and unique.

holiday activities As part of the Pirate Extravaganza exhibition at Bankfield Museum, there are lots of fun, pirate themed activities taking place in the museum over half term and the Easter holidays. These include learn to speak like a pirate on 25th February, learn to sword fight like a pirate on 28th February, Captain No-Beard recounting exciting stories of famous pirates across the ages on Saturday 1st March and search for Bankfield Booty over Easter.

Tickets must be pre-booked, through TicketSource or by ringing 01422 352334. For more information visit www.calderdale.gov.uk

Every day between February 15th and March 2nd, Gordon Rigg Garden Centres in Walsden will be hosting special half term activities. The activities take place between 2.00 and 3.00 daily with no need to pre-book.

Activities include a giant sunflower competition, decorate your own nest box, make a fat snax bird feeder and a bird watch treasure hunt. Some activities have a small price to cover material cost.

Call in to the centre for more details.

For more information about Council run sports and fitness schemes, such as bikeability or soccer schools please visit www.calderdale.gov.uk and search for the ‘Do Something’ link

news

T

he Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has recently upheld complaints brought by Baby Milk Action against a Danone television advertisement for Cow & Gate baby milks having found it misled parents.

Danone subsidiary, Nutricia, has been warned not to repeat the advertisement in the current form.

The following information comes from Baby Milk Action, the body working on behalf of IBFAN (the International Baby Food Action Network) to monitor these marketing campaign and bring this action again the companies who don’t follow the ASA guidelines.

Parents “ripped off”

as Danone promotes an unnecessary product with misleading claims The ASA found the Danone “Feed their personalities” beach babies television advertisement for Cow & Gate follow-on formula was misleading when it claimed: “Cow & Gate follow-on milk provides Calcium for strong bones” and “Cow & Gate follow-on milk provides … iron for brain development”.

Companies may only make claims as provided for in legislation. The ASA found that Danone had changed the authorised wording and pointed out that “Consumers would not understand the adapted wording used in the ad to have the same meaning as the authorised wording.”

Mike Brady, Campaigns and Networking Coordinator at Baby Milk Action, said: “Advertisements such as Danone’s suggest that follow-on milks provide health benefits. However it has been shown that they are unnecessary products and Danone is simply ripping parents off, using false claims to make

them think they need these milks. Yes, calcium is needed for normal growth and bone development in children, and iron contributes to normal cognitive development, but these are provided by a normal diet. Danone’s products offer nothing special other than a way for the company to fill its pockets.”

Follow-on milks are marketed for use from 6 months of age but were described as “unnecessary” products by the World Health Assembly when they were introduced in the 1980s.

Their introduction was nothing more than a way to try to bypass restrictions on the advertising of infant formula (for use from birth). The branding is now being stretched further into so-called “growing-up milks”.

NHS guidance states: Infant formula can be used for the first year if babies are not breastfed. Follow-on milks are available for babies over six months but there is no need to change over to these.

Cows’ milk can be mixed with food from

six months and whole cows’ milk can be given as a drink from one year.

Furthermore, First Steps Nutrition Trust has published a report on fortified milks that states: “Fortified milks are frequently high in sugar and are likely to contribute to higher energy intakes, which may contribute to chronic disease. The voluntary fortification of foods and drinks needs to be questioned as there is increasing evidence that giving additional nutrients to those who do not need them may have adverse consequences.”

Mike Brady ends by saying: “The cost of these multi-million pound advertising campaigns goes onto the price of the milks making them even more expensive. This is not just about protecting breastfeeding; parents who use infant formula also have a right to protection from companies that make untrue claims to persuade them to buy unnecessary and expensive follow-on milks and growing-up milks.”

page out &header about

M

alham is one of the better known towns in the Yorkshire Dales and, being on the southern side of the National Park, is only about an hour’s picturesque drive from us.

Malhamdale

Yorkshire Dales National Park, BD23 www.malhamdale.com

By Hazel Bregazzi The villages of Malham and Kirkby Malham are not big and, unless you’re seeking tea and cake, these will not be the focus of a day out in the Malhamdale region. The area is better known for the scenery and spectacular walks.

We visited on a beautiful spring day and headed for Malham village itself.

There is adequate parking in the village; at busy times they open a flat field just across the road from the main tourist car park. There is a visitor centre here too, with displays of local natural history and selling all the usual things you might expect. They also have leaflets with selected walks of various lengths and difficulty clearly shown (this leaflet can also be downloaded from the website before you set off).

We set off on the “Malham Landscape Spectacular” walk of 4.5 miles. We took our time, stopping for a picnic lunch, flying a kite for a while then stopping again for a drink and ice-cream at a roadside café. The whole thing took about four hours. Most of the paths were well made and easy going, but none of it would be suitable for buggies or prams of any kind.

From Malham to Malham Cove was the busiest part of the walk. Malham Cove is a huge, now dry, waterfall and the most popular attraction of the area. It is about a mile from the village on a well made path that toddlers could manage easily,

and well worth the effort. The scale of the cove itself is impressive once you are right up to it but the surrounding area is very pretty too and, if you are there at the right time of year, there is a co-ordinated area set up to view the Peregrine Falcons and other birds nesting on the cliff face.

The next part of the walk, however, is the climb to the top of the cove. This is up some well made steps but, with around 400 of them, climbing about 80 metres (260 feet) no-one would find it ‘easy’.

At the top is the “Limestone Pavement”, a fascinating geological feature worth the climb if you can, but not suitable for toddlers. The pavement is smooth and slippery with deep crevasses you could easily wedge a small foot into. Also there is no barrier at the edge of the cove face.

The views are spectacular though.

From here the walk took us gently downhill, through fields, towards Gordale Scar and then followed the river past Janet’s Foss (a beautiful and secluded fairy kingdom waterfall) along a level path back to the village. Tea and cake in the village finished the day off well.

Longer walks could take in other local villages and Malham Tarn, a glacial lake and the highest in England. Please also note, the local scenery is all made of Limestone which can lead to difficult walking conditions, especially when wet.

Therefore it is always advised that suitable footwear be worn.

focus on:

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TEST may give every child the ability to see clearly, learn effectively and fulfil their

CAREER ASPIRATIONS Find out more: aop.org.uk/childrenseyehealth

10

Sight now for success later

W

e would like to remind all parents that it is never too early to have your child’s eyesight checked. It

should be the responsibility of parents to ensure all children are checked by an Optometrist or Optician at least once before they start school.

Poor eyesight can have a significant effect on children’s ability to learn, and on their behaviour, yet problems often go unrecognized by teachers, parents and by the children themselves. The sooner that vision problems are detected the better the outcome. Many childhood eye conditions, such as lazy eye and squint, can be treated if they are picked up early enough. The eye and visual system are actively developing during the early school years so, if vision problems are identified and

treated early enough, it can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

The provision of screening in school is patchy; many areas do not provide it at all.

Even where vision screening is provided in school they are designed to pick up amblyopia but not necessarily other conditions which may cause significant problems to a child and their ability to learn.

Sight Tests are free for all children under the age of 16, so why not get one done.

Help towards the cost of glasses is also available on the NHS for all children and lots of stylish glasses are completely free. Young children do not need to be able to read to take an eye examination; it can be carried out using pictures.

Current research suggests that around 20% of school aged children have an undiagnosed vision problem.

That is one in five, and that is too high.

diary pages

9:15 - 11:45 12:45 - 3:15* ages 2½ to 5

9:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 4:00*

9:15 - 11:45 1.00 - 3.30* ages 2 - 5

9:20 - 3:30* ages 2½ to 4

9:15 - 11:45 12:45 - 3:15* ages 2½ to 5

9:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 4:00*

9:15 - 11:45 1.00 - 3.30* ages 2 - 5

9:20 - 3:30* ages 2½ to 4

9:15 - 11:45 12:45 - 3:15* ages 2½ to 5

9:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 4:00*

9:15 - 11:45 1.00 - 3.30* ages 2 - 5

9:20 - 3:30* ages 2½ to 4

9:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 4:00*

9:15 - 11:45 1.00 - 3.30* ages 2 - 5

9:20 - 3:30* ages 2½ to 4

7:30 - 9:00 2:30 - 6:00

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 4 to 11

7:30 - 9:00 3:30 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

9:15 - 3:15 ages 2½ to 6

7:00 - 6:30 ages 4 to 14

7:30 - 9:00 2:30 - 6:00

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 4 to 11

7:30 - 9:00 3:30 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

9:45 - 1:45 ages 3 to 6

9:15 - 3:15 ages 2½ to 6

7:00 - 6:30 ages 4 to 14

7:30 - 9:00 2:30 - 6:00

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 4 to 11

7:30 - 9:00 3:30 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

9:15 - 11:45 12:45 - 3:15* ages 2½ to 5

9:45 - 1:45 ages 3 to 6

9:15 - 3:15 ages 2½ to 6

7:00 - 6:30 ages 4 to 14

7:30 - 9:00 2:30 - 6:00

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 4 to 11

7:30 - 9:00 3:30 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

9:15 - 11:45 12:45 - 3:15* ages 2½ to 5

9:45 - 1:45 ages 3 to 6

9:15 - 3:15 ages 2½ to 6

7:00 - 6:30 ages 4 to 14

7:30 - 9:00 2:30 - 6:00

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 4 to 11

3:30 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

7:45 - 9:00 3:00 - 6:00 ages 3 to 11

Steiner Kindergarten Steiner Kindergarten St. John’s Centre Cragg Vale Marilyn - 01422 885249

7:00 - 6:30 ages 4 to 14

Todmorden Playgroup Todmorden C of E School Playground, Burnley Rd, Todmorden 01706 812019

Before & After School Luddenden Dene J,I & N CE School, Dene View, Luddenden Foot Andrea - 07812 905251

9:20 - 3:30* ages 2½ to 4

The Glen House Montessori Pre- School Glen House, Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge 01422 884682

9:15 - 11:45 1.00 - 3.30* ages 2 - 5

Space at The Ark The Ark Nursery, Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd 01422 882010

Friday

Colden Preschool Colden School Playground, Smithy Lane, Colden, Hebden Bridge 01422 846734

Thursday

Mytholmroyd Playgroup The Community Centre, Caldene Avenue, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge 01422 882226

Wednesday

The Ark Pre-School Dean Hey Farm, Cragg Road, Mytholmroyd 01422 882010

Tuesday

9:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 4:00*

The Fun Track Out of School Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Caldene Ave. Mytholmroyd 01422 882226

Out of School clubs

pre-schools & playgroups

Monday

any donations gratefully received. Please phone ahead before setting out as details can change at any time.

The second spread shows the many different activities available for school age children, from Chess to Dancing, Karate to Brass bands! Again, please use the contact details provided to check details before setting out.

If you have any new or up-dated information that should be included here, please let us know – contact details are on page 3.

Heptonstall Out of School Club Heptonstall J, I & N School, Smithwell Lane, Heptonstall 01422 843619

On this first page we have the Pre-school and Playgroups that run in our area. These usually offer free sessions for children aged 3 and over for 15 hours per week during term time. Contact them directly for more information.

The Out of School Clubs listings are for older children who require care outside normal school hours or during holidays. Those listed

take all children, not just those who attend any associated school.

The bottom section shows opening times for places you might like to visit regularly with your child.

The centre spread is the Pre-school Diary.

White background is for drop-in sessions, shaded background is for bookable activities. All sessions will require an adult to remain with the child at all times. Most activities charge a small fee; all Children’s Centre services are free, with

Hebden Royd Out-Of-Schools Club Upper Rooms, St James’ Church, Hebden Royd 01422 842821

T

he heart of The Scallymag are the following indispensible diary pages.

9:45 - 1:45 ages 3 to 6 9:45 - 1:45 ages 3 to 6

* Lunchtime supervision is also provided for children staying all day, for a small extra charge.

Mytholmroyd Library Cragg Road, Mytholmroyd 01422 883933

Walsden Library Inchfield Road, Walsden 01706 815602

Maxwell’s Fun House Hollins Mill, Rochdale Road, Walsden Todmorden 01706 813166

My Play Cafe 7 Central Street, Hebden Bridge 07517 539 821

Upsy Daisy’s Playcentre Moderna Business Park, Burnley Road, Mytholmroyd 01422 881717

Jitterbugs Play Centre Riverside Works, Todmorden Road, Littleborough 01706 378123

soft play areas

Todmorden Library Strand, Rochdale Road Todmorden 01706 815600

Library times

Hebden Bridge Library Cheetham Street Hebden Bridge 01422 842151

* See Diary Listing for Fun Swim times

Swim for all Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Swim

10:00 - 6:30

10:00 - 6:30

2:00 - 4:30

2:00 - 6:00

10:00 - 3:00

9:00 - 4:00

9:00 - 6:00

9:30 - 6:00

Monday

9:00 - 12:00 1:30 - 7:00

Tuesday

9:00 - 12:00 1:30 - 4:00 7:15 - 9:00

Wednesday

9:00 - 12:00 1:30 - 7:00 8:00 - 9:00

10:00 - 5:00

Thursday

9:00 - 12:00 1:30 - 4:00 7:00 - 8:15

10:00 - 6:30

Friday

9:00 - 12:00 1:30 - 7:00

10:00 - 5:00

10:00 - 6:30

1:30 - 6:30

Saturday

9:00 - 1:30 2:45 - 6:30

10:00 - 4:00

10:00 - 4:00

10:00 - 12:00

sunday

9:00 - 5:00

10:00 - 5:00

10:00 - 5:00

10:00 - 3:00

9:00 - 4:00

9:00 - 6:00

9:30 - 6:00

9:00 - 4:00

9:00 - 6:00

9:30 - 6:00

10:00 - 6:00

9:00 - 4:00

9:00 - 6:00

9:30 - 6:00

10:00 - 3:00

9:00 - 4:00

9:00 - 6:00

9:30 - 6:00

10:00 - 5:00

9:00 - 4:00

9:00 - 6:00

9:30 - 6:00

10:00 - 4:00

Parties Only

10:00 - 4:00

9:30 - 6:00

2:00 - 4:30

1:00 - 5:00

11

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

MONDAY

Pre-school diary

12

Caterpillar Club 9:00 - 11:30 (term time only) Scout Road Academy, Scout Road, Mytholmroyd 01422 883327

Bongo Bongos 9:00 - 10:00 (term time only) Cornholme J&I School, Cornholme 01706 548140 - FREE

Parent & Toddlers 9:15 - 12:15 The Old Library, 1 Parkside Road, Cornholme Oxana - 01706 813222

Walsden Community Playgroup @ St Peter’s 9:15 - 11:00 St Peter’s Church, Walsden Sheila 01706 812782

Midgley Under 5’s 9:45 - 11:15 Midgley School, Midgley Jo - 01422 881984

Hept Todd 10:00 Hept Club Hann 0752

Steiner Parent & Child 10.00 - 12.00 St John’s Centre, Cragg Vale Sally - 07904 052816

TalkFirst Baby & Toddler Signing 10:00 - 11:00 Fielden Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden Susan - 01706 878781

Caterpillar Music 10:00 - 10:45 (0 - 36 mths) 10:50 - 11:35 (18 mths - 4 yrs) Hebden Bridge Methodist Church, Market St/Hebble End, Hebden Bridge Angela - 01422 844551

Baby Massage 10:30 - 11:30 Todmorden or Hebden Bridge.

Please call for details Debbie - 07899 077704

Parent & Toddler Swimming 12:30 - 1:30 Shade Junior & Infant School, Shade, Todmorden 01706 812913

Talk 12:45 Todm Todm Colle Todm 0170

Central Street Parents & Toddler Group 9:00 - 11:00 Central Street Infants School, Hebden Bridge.

Pauline - 01422 842784

Mytholm Parent & Toddlers 9:00 - 11:00 Hebden Royd School, Church Lane, Hebden Bridge 01422 842821

Mytholmroyd Mini Movers 9:00 - 11:00 Mytholmroyd Methodist Church, Scout Road, Mytholmroyd Janet - 07515 356539

Luddendenfoot 0 to 5’s 9:15 - 11:15 Luddenden Foot Civic Centre, Station Road, Luddenden Foot Sophie

Lumbutts Baby & Toddlers 9:30 - 11:30 Lumbutts Methodist Church Lumbutts Debbie - 07899 077704

Mytholmroyd Toddlers 9:30 - 11:30 Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Elphaborough, Mytholmroyd 01422 882226

Cent 9:30 The Vale Todm Plea

Parent & Toddler Swimming 9:00 - 10:00 Shade Junior & Infant School, Shade, Todmorden 01706 812913

Steiner Parent & Child 10.00 - 12.00 Steiner Centre, Macpelah, Hebden Bridge Sally - 07904 052816

Yoga (with Creche) (by referral) 1:15 - 2:30 Todmorden Children’s Centre Todmorden Community College, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

Parent & Toddler Swimming 1:30 - 2:30 Shade Junior & Infant School, Shade, Todmorden 01706 812913

Baby/postnatal Yoga 2:00 Blessingway, Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge Elaine - 07967 974 376

First Ballet & Tip Tap Toe 4:00 - 5:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113 Age 4 - 5 yrs

Duck vario 4:00 Todm Ewoo 0170

St. Josephs Toddlers 9:15 - 11:15 St Joseph’s School, Wellington Road, Todmorden 01706 812948

The Methodist Church Toddler Group 9:30 - 11:30 Scout Road, Mytholmroyd Joyce Greenwood 01422 883792

Family Stay and Play 9:30 - 10:30 & 11:00 - 12:00 Hebden Vale Children’s Centre, Hebden Bridge 01422 264688 - FREE

Mum Zone 10:00 - 1:00 Queen Hotel, Rise Lane, Todmorden 01706 819917

Weaning Group 11:00 - 12;00 (By Invitation) Todmorden Children’s Centre Todmorden Community College, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

Todmorden Family Support 12:30 - 2:00 alternate weeks Todmorden Fire Station Community Room, Stansfield Road, Todmorden Jenni - 01706 839787

Ludd 1:15 Ludd Stati Soph

Blackshaw Head Parents & Toddler Group 9:30 - 11:30 Blackshaw Head Chapel, Hebden Bridge Ann - 01706 810596

Art Stars 10:00 - 10:45 & 1:30 - 2:15 The Star Tree Studio, 42 Victoria Street, Littleborough Neela - 07778 543233

Steiner Parent & Child 10.00 - 12.00 Steiner Centre, Macpelah, Hebden Bridge Sally - 07904 052816

Thula Mama (Mums and Babies

TalkFirst 10:30 - 11:15 Jitterbugs Play Area, Todmorden Road, Littleborough Sharon - 01706 378123

Little Bear Feet 11:30 - 12:15 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113 Age 1½ - 3 yrs

Pare 11:45 Shad Shad 0170

Parent & Toddlers 9:00 - 11:30 Gordon Riggs, Bottom’s Mill Bistro, Walsden

Luddendenfoot 0 to 5’s 9:15 - 11:15 Luddenden Foot Civic Centre, Station Road, Luddenden Foot Sophie

Centre Vale Toddlers 9:30 - 11:30 The Bowling Pavillion, Centre Vale Park, Burnley Road, Todmorden Please call in for details

St Michael’s Angels 9:30 - 11:00 St Michael’s Church Hall Mytholmroyd Catherine - 01422 883130

Family Activities 9:30 - 10:30 (Term Time Only) Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

Dodnaze Parent & Toddlers 9.45 - 11.15 Dodnaze Community Centre, 54 Hirst Grove, Hebden Bridge

Blac Grou 9:45 Black Hebd Lorr

Jo Jingles 9:30 - 10:15 (under 2s), 10:30 - 11:15, 11:30 - 12:15 (over 2s), 12:30 - 1:15 (over 3s), 1:30 - 2:00 (3 - 9 months) Todmorden Sports Centre, Jo Corbett - 01706 212889

TalkFirst 9:30 - 10:15 Hebden Vale Children’s Centre, Hebden Bridge 01422 264688 - FREE

Art Stars 10:00 - 10:45 & 11:15 - 12:00 Upsy Daisy’s Play Gym Mytholmroyd Neela - 07778 543233

Pregnancy Yoga 10:00 Blessingway, Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge Elaine - 07967 974 376

Post Natal Mum & Baby Yoga 11:00 - 12:30 Calderale Yoga Centre, 38 Hangingroyd Lane, Hebden Bridge Donna 07985 274181

Parent & Toddler Swimming 12:15 - 1:15 Shade Junior & Infant School, Shade, Todmorden 01706 812913

Baby 1:00 Bless Cent Elain

Stubbings Toddler Group 9:00 - 11:00 Stubbings Infant School, School Street, Hebden Bridge, 01422 842728

Old Town Playgroup 9:00 - 11:00 Old Town Primary School, Billy Lane, Old Town 01422 842859

Luddendenfoot 0 to 5’s 9:15 - 11:15 Luddenden Foot Civic Centre, Station Road, Luddenden Foot Sophie

Baby Stay and Play 9:30 - 11:30 Todmorden Health Centre, 01706 548140 - FREE

Bongo Bongos 10:00 - 11:00 (term time only) Ferney Lee School, Ferney Lee Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

The Woods (Forest School

Rhym 10.30 Hebd Cent 0142

Ante-Natal Clinic 9:00 - 2:00 Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden By appointment only via your midwife

Steiner Parent & Child 10.00 - 12.00 St John’s Centre, Cragg Vale Sally - 07904 052816

Dramasaurus 2:30 - 3:15 (age 2/3) 3:40 - 4:25 (age 4/5) Heptonstall Social & Bowling Club, Acre Lane, Heptonstall Mel - 07554 368232

Ducklings Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Campaigners - Eagles

Todmorden Swimming Club

5:45 - 7:15 Lumbutts Church, Lumbutts, Todmorden Les or Pat 01706 814754

7:00 - 8:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden Deborah - 07551 266862

Parent & Toddlers 9:00 - 10:30 Scout Road Primary School, Scout Road, Mytholmroyd 01422 883327

PEEP Group (For families and children with additional needs)

9:45 - 10:45 Hebden Vale Children’s Centre, Hebden Bridge Amanda - 01422 264688 FREE

Fun Swim 1:30 - 2:45 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Ducklings Swimming various levels 9:00 - 1:30; 3:15 - 6:30 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Dads & Male Carers Event 10:00 - 12:00 (1st Sat. of month Todmorden College Hall, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

UNEARTH – Self Discovery Through Play 11:00 – 1:00 (3rd Saturday Only) Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge Julie - 07850 4290566

Little Bear Feet 9:00 - 9:45 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113 Age 1½ - 3 yrs

Melody Movements 9:00 - 9:45 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113 Age 3 - 4 yrs

only)

Harmony Singing)

10.00 - 11.30 Central Hebden Bridge Liz Powers 01422 847702

Mini Movers Disco/Cheer 9:00 - 10:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113

(ages 4-6 yrs)

Pre-School Ballet & Tap 9:15 - 10:15 Sarah Hitchon School of Dance, The Conservative Club, Rochdale Road, Todmorden Sarah - 07929 576785

& Outdoor Play all year round - please dress accordingly)

10:00 - 12:00 Eastwood, Todmorden Emily

- Widths

First Ballet & Tip Tap Toe 10:00 - 11:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113

tonstall Parents & dler Group 0 - 11:45 tonstall Social & Bowling b, Acre Lane, Heptonstall nah-Louise 28 626 000

Under 5’s Fun Swim 10:00 - 11:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Parent Support Drop-In 10:00 - 12:00 Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

Baby Stay and Play 1:30 - 3:00 Hebden Vale Children’s Centre, Hebden Bridge 01422 264688 - FREE

Crafty Creatures Story Time St Mary’s Family Service 3:30 - 4:15 (term time only All Children Welcome - PLEASE CALL FOR DATES) 4:05 onwards Cornholme J&I School, St Mary’s Church, Todmorden Cornholme 01706 819300 01706 548140 - FREE

First (baby signing) 5 - 1:30 morden Children’s Centre morden Community ege, Burnley Road, morden 06 548140 - FREE

Ladies Fitness 1:45 - 2:45 (term time only) Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE Limited crèche

Crafty Creatures Storytime 3:30 - 4:15 (please call for dates) Cornholme Primary School, Greenfield Terrace, Cornholme 01706 548140 - FREE

Tatty Bumpkins 4:00 - 5:00 Zion Housing Co-op Studio, Hebden Bridge Clare - 07790 761702

Ducklings Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

tre Vale Toddlers - 11:30 Bowling Pavillion, Centre Park, Burnley Road, morden ase call in for details

Stay & Play 10:00 - 11:30 Todmorden Children’s Centre Todmorden Community College, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

klings Swimming ous levels - 7:00 morden Sports Centre, od Lane, Todmorden 06 839090

Pregnancy Yoga 5:00 Blessingway, Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge Elaine - 07967 974 376

dendenfoot 0 to 5’s - 3:15 denden Foot Civic Centre, ion Road, Luddenden Foot hie

Baby Stay & Play with Baby Clinic 1:30 - 3:30 Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

ent & Toddler Swimming 5 - 12:45 de Junior & Infant School, de, Todmorden 06 812913

ckshawhead Arty Toddler up - 12:00 kshawhead Chapel, den Bridge raine - 01422 844971

Bumps & Babes

Toddler Tuesday

Icky Sticky Kids 10.00-11.30 Open 10:00 - 5:00 Holme Street Arts Centre, Flying Saucers, Butlers Wharf, Hebden Bridge Hebden Bridge Nichola - 07973 234928 01422 846666

Yoga for Pregnancy 7:00 - 8:30 Todmorden Donna 07985 274181

Roomfield Playgroup 1:00 - 3:00 Roomfield Baptist Church, Halifax Road, Todmorden Rebecca - 07780 386874

10% off Pottery Painting plus a free coffee (excludes holidays)

Tiny Tots 4:00 - 5:00 Hebden Dance Place, Hope Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge Miss Julie - 07581 165057

Ducklings Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Todmorden Swimming Club

Little Angels 10:00 - 11:30 St. Michaels Church, Cornholme, Todmorden Irene - 01706 817296

Lesbian Parents Group Stay and Play 10:00 - 12:00 (3rd Thu only) Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 07704 568237 FREE

Under 25s Group 1.30 - 3:00 Hebden Vale Children’s Centre, Hebden Bridge 01422 264688 - FREE

Mid-Week Movers 3:00 - 5:00 (Term Time Only) Todmorden Community College Hall, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

singway, Birchcliffe tre, Hebden Bridge ne - 07967 974 376

Buggy 4 Fitness 1:30 - 2:30 Calder Holmes Park, Hebden Bridge Sharon - 07825 706983

Dramasaurus 2:30 - 3:15 (age 2/3) 4:00 - 4:45 (age 4/5) Roomfield Church, halifax Road, Todmorden Mel - 07554 368232

Dainty Dolls 4:00 - 5:00 Hebden Dance Place, Hope Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge Miss Julie - 07581 165057

Melody Bear 4:00 - 4:45 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113 Age 3 - 4 yrs

Ducklings Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

me, Rattle and Roll 0 - 11.15 (please call for dates) den Vale Children’s tre, Hebden Bridge 22 264688 - FREE

Aquatots 11.00 - 11.45 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Twins and Multiple Births Group 1:00 - 2:30 (1st Friday Only) Hebden Vale Children’s Centre, Hebden Bridge 01422 264688 - FREE

Twins and Multiple Births Group 1:00 - 2:30 (3rd Friday only) Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

Young Parents’ Group 1.30 - 3.00 (2nd & last Fri Only) Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

Mature Parent’s Group 1:30 - 3:00 (1st Fri. of month only) Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548140 - FREE

y/postnatal Yoga

SUNDAY

support group for multiple births

10:00 - 11:30 The Methodist Church, New Road, Hebden Bridge Nicola - 01422 843129

Live @ 9:15 interactive, informal worship 9:15 - 10:00 (1st & 3rd Sun only) Central Methodist Church, Todmorden 01706 839032

- Widths

7:00 - 8:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden Deborah - 07551 266862

Lesbian Parents Group Sunday Socials 2:00 - 4:00 (last Sun only) Various Locations - call for more info.

07704 568237

Pregnancy Yoga 7:30 Blessingway, Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge Elaine - 07967 974 376

Family Fun Swim 10:00 - 12:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

NB: Shaded background indicated these events are bookable. You must call beforehand.

White background shows drop-in events open to all.

13

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

MONDAY

out of school diary

14

Boyz Break Dance 4:00 - 5:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

Modern Jazz Dancing 4:00 - 7:15 Sarah Hitchon School of Dance, The Conservative Club, Rochdale Road, Todmorden Sarah - 07929 576785 3 + yrs

After School Swimming 4:30 - 6:15 Shade Junior & Infant School, Shade, Todmorden 01706 812913 4+ yrs

Mini Movers Street Crew 5:00 - 5:30 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113 Age 4 - 6 yrs

Hebden Bridge Chess Club 6:00 - 7:15 Trades Club, Holme Street, Hebden Bridge John Kerrane 01422 842426

Judo Excellence 6:00 - 7:00 Above Purdy Pine, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge Tony - 07932 081793 5 - 7 yrs

Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs

Move & Groove Disco/Cheer 4:00 - 5:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn - 01706 839113 Age 4 - 6 yrs

Football Coaching 5:00 - 6:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 8+ yrs

Woodcraft Folk (Elfin) 5:15 - 6:30 The Fielden Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden Pete 01706 818346 6+ yrs

Monday Club 6:00 - 7:30 Mount Zion Baptist Chapel, Meet at Colden School 5 to 11yrs, Elva Hulme 01422 842726

Kidz Latino & Salsa 6:00 - 6:45 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

After School Swimming 3:30 - 6:30 Shade Junior & Infant School, Shade, Todmorden 01706 812913 4+ yrs

Ballet & Tap 4:00 - 6:30 (various classes) DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113 5+ yrs

Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs

Boyz Tap 4:30 - 5:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

Junior Ballroom & Latin 5:30 - 6:30 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

Todmorden Community Brass - 5-Note Beginners Band 6:00 - 6:45 The Bandroom, Wellington Road, Todmorden David White 01706 815820

Creative Dance 4:00 - 6:00 Dance 4 All, Castle Hill School, Halifax Road, Todmorden Penny Alexander 01422 884634 5+ yrs

Climbing Fun 4:00 - 5:30 Climbing’ Skool, Vale Street, off Stansfield Road, Todmorden Georgina 01706 819100

Tod Harriers Junior Training 5:00 - 6:30 Todmorden High School, Ewood Land, Todmorden Ben Crowther 07817 108921

Calder Valley Fell Runners - Junior 5:45 - 6:45 Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Mytholmroyd Alastair 07812 593660 8+ yrs

1st Old Town Brownies 6:15 - 7:15 Hope Baptist Church, New Road, Hebden Bridge Dinah Newsome 01422 843202 7 - 10 yrs

Gymnastics Club 4:00 - 5:15 Calder High School, Brier Hey Lane, Mytholmroyd Tracey 07970 730224 Beginners

Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs

Climbing’ Skool Academy 5:00 - 6:30 Climbing’ Skool, Vale Street, off Stansfield Road, Todmorden Georgina 01706 819100

Beginner Ballet & Tap 5:00 - 6:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113 Age 7 - 11 yrs

6th Todmorden Rainbows 5:00 - 6:00 St Josephs School, Wellington Road, Todmorden Tammy - 01706 813731 5 - 7 yrs

2nd Luddenden Rainbows 5.45 - 7.00 every fortnight Kershaw Youth Centre Kershaw Drive, Luddendenfoot Kay - 07814 745340 5 - 7 yrs

Dancing - Various classes 4:00 - 8:45 Fielden House, Fielden Square, Todmorden Sarah Hitchon 07929 576785 10 + yrs

Move & Groove 4:30 - 5:30 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113 Age 4 - 7 yrs

7th Todmorden Rainbows 5:00 - 6:00 Roomfield Baptist Church, Todmorden Katie - 07769 151276 5 - 7 yrs

Disco Team Class 5:00 - 5:30 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

Pro Games 5:30 - 7:00 (By Referral.

Alternate weeks only) Todmorden Children’s Centre, Burnley Road, Todmorden 01706 548187 - FREE

7th Todmorden Brownies 6:00 - 7:15 Roomfield Baptist Church, Todmorden Jennifer Jackson 01706 815342 7 - 10 yrs

After School Swimming 3:30 - 4:30 Shade Junior & Infant School, Shade, Todmorden 01706 812913 4+ yrs

Dancing - Various classes 4:00 - 8:00 Fielden House, Fielden Square, Todmorden Sarah Hitchon 07929 576785 10 + yrs

Climbing Fun 4:30 - 6:00 Climbing’ Skool, Vale Street, off Stansfield Road, Todmorden Georgina 01706 819100

Dramasaurus 4:50 - 5:35 (age 6/7/8) 5:40 - 6:25 (age 9/10/11) 6:30 - 7:15 (age 12/13) Roomfield Church, Halifax Road, Todmorden Mel - 07554 368232

Football Training 5:00 - 6:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 8+ yrs

8th/26th Calder Valley Cubs 6:00 - 7:17 Central Methodist Church, off Bramsche Square, Todmorden Dave Payne 01706 816568 8 - 10 yrs

Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs

Football Training 4:00 - 5:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5 - 8 yrs

Junior Street, Disco & Cheer 4.30 - 6.00 (various classes) DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

Hebden Dance Place 5:00 - 6:00 Hope Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge Miss Julie - 07581165057 6 - 8 yrs

1st Mytholmroyd Rainbows 5:30 - 6:30 St Michaels Church Hall, Mytholmroyd Lisa Thwaite 01422 886274 5 - 7 yrs

Ballet & Tap 6:00 - 7:30 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

Helen O'Grady Drama Academy 4:00 - 7:00 Holme Street Arts Centre, Hebden Bridge Wendy 01706 810164 5 to 11 yrs

Swimming various levels 4:00 - 7:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs

Climbing’ Skool Academy 4:30 - 6:00 Climbing’ Skool, Vale Street, off Stansfield Road, Todmorden Georgina 01706 819100

8th/26th Calder Valley Beavers 5:30 - 6:45 Central Methodist Church, off Bramsche Square, Todmorden Dave Payne 01706 816568 6 - 8 yrs

Calder Valley Karate 6:00 - 7:30 The Girl’s Gym, Calder High School, Mytholmroyd Andrew Nightingale 01422 847877 8+ yrs

Todmorden Swimming Club - Widths 7:00 - 8:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden Deborah - 07551 266862

Dancing - Various classes 4:00 - 7:30 Fielden House, Fielden Square, Todmorden Sarah Hitchon 07929 576785 10 + yrs

Dramasaurus 4:30 - 5:15 (age 6/7/8) 5:20 - 6:05 (age 9/10/11) Heptonstall Social & Bowling Club, Acre Lane, Heptonstall Mel - 07554 368232

Baby Ballroom 5:00 - 5:30 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113 Age 4 - 7 yrs

Campaigners - Kids Zone 5:45 - 7:15 Lumbutts Church, Lumbutts, Todmorden Les or Pat 01706 814754 6 - 10 yrs

Todmorden Community Brass Training Band 6:30 - 7:30 The Bandroom, Wellington Road, Todmorden Maurice 01706 816588

Football Training 8:30 - 12:30 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs

Ballet & Tap 9:00 onwards Sarah Hitchon School of Dance, The Conservative Club, Rochdale Road, Todmorden Sarah - 07929 576785 3 + yrs

Gymnastics Club 9:30 - 12:30 Burnley Road School, Mytholmroyd Tim Wild 01422 372321/07931 337487 5+ yrs

1st Colden Rainbows 10:00 - 12:00 Alternate Saturdays Colden School Portacabin, Colden, Hebden Bridge Sandra McNeill 01706 812291 5 - 7 yrs

Border Gymnastics 9:00 onwards Ferney Lee School, Ferney Lee Road, Todmorden Paul 01706 816755 5+ yrs

Swimming various levels 9:00 - 1:30 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs

Junior Badminton 9:30 - 10:30 Calder High School, Brier Hey Lane, Mytholmroyd Mary Smith 07970 734639 6 - 11 yrs

Judo Excellence 10:00 - 11:00 Above Purdy Pine, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge Tony - 07932 081793 5 - 7 yrs

Hebden Bridge Saints Saturday Soccer Club 11:00 - 12:00 Luddenden Dene School, Dene View, Luddendenfoot.

Nick Farrar 01422 882378 5 - 8 yrs

UNEARTH – Self Discovery Through Play 11:00 – 1:00 (3rd Saturday Only) Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge Julie - 07850 4290566

20th Pennine Calder Beavers 9:00 - 12:00 (first Sat of Month) St Josephs School, Wellington Road, Todmorden Rowena Goldthorpe 01706 810821 6 - 8 yrs

Creative Dance 9:15 - 1:15 Dance 4 All, Riverside School, Hebden Bridge Penny Alexander 01422 884634 5+ yrs

Rugby League Training 9:45 - 11:15 Littleborough Community Campus School, Calderbrook Road Carol Locket 01706 378348 7 - 9 yrs

Todmorden Judo Club 10:00 - 12:30 4 Whiteplatts Street, off Stansfield Road, Todmorden Sean Nuttall 07812 187270 5+ yrs

Climbing Fun 11:00 - 12:30, 2:30 - 4:00, 5:30 - 7:00 Climbing’ Skool, Vale Street, off Stansfield Road, Todmorden Georgina 01706 819100

Fun Swim 1:30 - 2:45 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

Cornholme Recorder Choir 3:50 - 4:35 The Old Library, 1 Parkside Road, Cornholme

Junior Dance Classes (all types)

11:00 - 3:00 DC Dance, Victoria Road, Todmorden Dawn 01706 839113

Judo Excellence 11:00 - 12:00 Above Purdy Pine, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge Tony - 07932 081793 8+ yrs

Todmorden Tai Kwon Do 6:30 - 7:30 Ferney Lee School, Todmorden Keith Raistrick 07789 074198 6+ yrs

Todmorden Swimming Club - Lengths 7:00 - 8:00, 8:00 - 9:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden Deborah - 07551 266862 For strong swimmers

Luddendenfoot Boys Brigade Anchors & Juniors 6:45 - 8:00 Luddendenfoot Civic Institute, Station Road Heather - 01422 885542 5 - 11 yrs

Judo Excellence 7:00 - 8:00 Above Purdy Pine, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge Tony - 07932 081793 8+ yrs

Hippodrome Youth Theatre 7:30 - 9:30 Hippodrome Theatre, Halifax Road, Todmorden Helen 01706 839424 10+ yrs Entry by Audition ONLY

20th Pennine Calder Cubs 6:30 - 8:00 Ferney Lee School, Ferney Lee Road, Todmorden Anya 01706 839871 8 to 10½ yrs Todmorden Judo Club 7:30 - 9:00 Todmorden Cricket Club, Burnley Road, Todmorden Sean Nuttall 07812 187270 5+ yrs 1st Walsden Brownies 6:00 - 7:15 Walsden Junior School, Walsden Donna Scholfield 01706 839042 7 - 10 yrs

18th Hebden Bridge Beavers 6:15 - 7:15 Top Floor, Salem Mill, Hebden Bridge 6 - 8 yrs

18th Hebden Bridge Cubs 6:15 - 7:45 Top Floor, Salem Mill, Hebden Bridge Jan Bottomley 01422 846379 8 - 10½ yrs

2nd Mytholmroyd Brownies 6:30 - 8:00 Mytholmroyd Methodist Church, Scout Road, Mytholmroyd Angela Trowell 01422 885378 7 - 10 yrs

Tai Kwon Do 6:00 - 7:00 Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Mytholmroyd Helen 07901833249 6 - 14 yrs

2nd Todmorden Brownies 6:15 - 7:30 St Joseph's School, Wellington Road, Todmorden Fiona Monaghan 01706 819703 7 - 10 yrs

Todmorden Tai Kwon Do 6:30 - 7:30 Ferney Lee School, Todmorden Keith Raistrick 07789 074198 6+ yrs

Todmorden Swimming Club - Widths 7:00 - 8:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden Deborah - 07551 266862

2nd Hebden Bridge Brownies 6:00 - 7:15 Hope Baptist Church Hall, Cheetham St. Entrance, Hebden Bridge Christine 01422 843725 7 - 10 yrs

Woodcraft Folk (Elfin & Pioneers) 6:30 - 7:45 Salem Mill (Top Floor) Salem Street, Hebden Bridge Julie 01422 846214 6+ yrs

6th Todmorden Brownies 6:15 - 7:30 Ferney Lee School, Ferney Lee Road, Todmorden Rowena Goldthorpe 01706 810821 7 - 10 yrs

1st Heptonstall Brownies 6:30 - 7:30 Heptonstall Junior School, Heptonstall Sandra McNeill 01706 812291 7 - 10 yrs

Hebden Bridge Saints Team Trials Please phone for times and venue details Graeme 01422 884527

SUNDAY

Swimming various levels 3:15 - 6:30 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090 5+ yrs Junior Hippodrome Youth Theatre Alternate Sundays 10:00 - 12:00 Hippodrome Theatre, Halifax Road, Todmorden Emma 01706 817518 8 -10 yrs Entry by Audition

Mini Rugby 10:30 - 12:00 Littleborough RUFC Rakewood, Hollingworth Lake Harry Hanson 0161 624 7880 6+ yrs

Family Fun Swim 10:00 - 12:00 Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden 01706 839090

UNEARTH – Self Discovery Through Play Women Only 11:00 – 1:00 (3rd Sunday Only) Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge Julie - 07850 4290566

Climbing Fun 12:30 - 2:00 Climbing’ Skool, Vale Street, off Stansfield Road, Todmorden Georgina 01706 819100

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Viol in & Viol a TuiTion Beginner to Diploma Standard

ROBIN PENNIE Tr i n i T y C ol l e ge l on d on - l .T.C.l .

Professional teacher and performer Twenty-five years experience

t: 01706 559971 e: sandrpennie@gmail.com

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family matters So you think your child is being bullied

B

ullying can not only be difficult for children to talk about, but also difficult for parents to handle. If your child tells you that they are being bullied, your immediate reaction might be to get angry. But flying off the handle won’t help - for some children bullying brings on feelings of helplessness, guilt and shame, so adding your own anger to the mix could just make things worse. Here is our guide to help you cope.

Signs of Bullying

Young children won’t know the right words or may not realise what is happening, older children may not want to tell you about it for fear of making it worse, so look out for the following signs if you suspect something is wrong.

• Changes in their mood, becoming withdrawn and feeling anxious.

• Coming home with cuts and bruises or losing belongings • Reluctant to go to school, or wanting to change their journey or time of their journey to school.

• Doing less well at their school work.

• Changes in their behaviour, for example wetting the bed or maybe difficulties sleeping.

How to talk to your child if they feel they are being bullied.

1. Be open

Bullying is a difficult subject to broach with your children, but being open, honest and approachable will make it easier for them to discuss their feelings. Tell them that you are worried about them and why you are worried, that you want to help them and that helping them to be safe and happy is the most important thing for you.

2. Praise them for opening up

It’s not easy for children to admit out loud that they are being bullied, so praise them for taking that important step. Now they have spoken to you, you can support them in getting the help they need.

3. Reassure them

Despite so many children going through it, there is still a huge stigma associated with bullying, and sometimes youngsters feel as though it’s their own fault. Reassure your child that they are not alone and it’s not their fault.

4. Work together

If can be tempting, but if you take matters into your own hands and go off and deal with the bullying by yourself,

you will make your child look and feel more helpless by taking away their power to make any decisions. Talking to the bully or their parents may lead people to accuse you of threatening behaviour and give the people doing the bullying more to humiliate your child with. Instead, let your child know that you will not go behind their back or do anything to get help without talking to them about it and having their agreement. It is important that you make this commitment and honour it.

5. Get help from the school

Encourage your child to report the problem to the most appropriate teacher at their school. All schools are legally obliged to have an anti-bullying policy and will work with you to find a solution to the problem. Teachers are usually the last to know there is a problem so when you make an appointment to see staff, gather as many facts as you can beforehand.

What exactly happened and when?

Who was involved? Were there witnesses? Was it a one-off incident or is it an ongoing problem? It’s worth asking about any school schemes to tackle bullying, such as peer mentoring, where

certain children are trained to listen and help with problems.

Don’t be impatient. Keep in touch with the school but allow them time to deal with the situation.

6. Get help from other organisations

There are numerous organisations set up to provide information and support for parents and children alike, if they are being bullied.

Family Lives is a charity that runs a free and confidential 24-hour helpline for parents. Call 0808 800 2222 or visit www.familylives.org.uk Kidscape is an anti-bullying charity that runs a telephone advice line for parents and carers (08451 205 204) or visit kidscape.org.uk Childnet is a charity promoting safe use of the internet by children. Visit www.childnet.com.

Most importantly, let your child know that if they are being bullied they have a right to get help to stop it, and that you will help them yourself and support them in getting that help.

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Upper Valley Family Services Est. 2002

Todmorden Children’s Centre Nursery

MAGICAL CHILDREN’S NURSERY set in 4-acre countryside site o Dedicated Baby Area - 1:2 staff to child ratio o Forest School – Mondays and Fridays o Healthy meals cooked in 5* kitchen o Free 3 - 4 year funded places available

The Ark, Dean Hey Farm, Mytholmroyd, HX7 5RU www.thearkexperience.co.uk T 01422 882010 Open 51 weeks, 7am-6.30pm

Ofsted says “We are outstanding in all areas” Are you looking for a nursery place where; “Children are very happy and confident in the nursery” “The nursery provides outstanding outdoor play experiences, such as Woodlanders”

Ofsted Report, August 2013

If so, Todmorden Children’s Centre Nursery is the place for you!

Free places available for eligible children aged 2, 3 and 4.

For more information or to book a nursery place, email: feaz.akhtar@calderdale.gov.uk or call 01706 548140/1 Todmorden Children’s Centre, Todmorden Community College, Burnley Road, Todmorden, OL14 7BX

xperience.co.uk experience.co.uk

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page out &header about

Play Area

Top Trumps

Martin Mere L40 0TA

By Eugenie Karen

Part 7 - Twitching To Escape

I

’m watching two robins having a fight. Our resident red breast is defending his patch.

It’s all go in bird-world at the moment, the build up of excitement and action that assures us Spring is on its way.

It’s easy to see birds but sometimes you need some ‘added value’ to persuade the whole family to make the effort. If this means (as with mine) a place to get a huge hot chocolate with squirty cream and marshmallows, then Martin Mere and Old Moor are ideal. The former is run by the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust and the latter by the RSPB. Both are family friendly, have big adventure playgrounds and have so many tempting cuddlies on sale in the shop that a blindfold is recommended. For a more pared down experience, Healey Dell offers tranquil winding paths, rushing streams and a cracking viaduct.

Old Moor

Access

6

Equipment

9

Peace of Mind

8

Appeal to all ages

10

Underfoot

10

Comfort and Joy

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Buy a couple of bags of seed and get popular with waddling hordes. There are ducks, geese, swans and even flamingos.

Time your visit to ensure you get to the otter enclosure at feeding times and I defy you not to get smitten. There’s a nocturnal beaver family best spotted on the beaver-cam.

Take a cruise through the reeds on a boat, there’s a playground next to it & it’s a good picnic spot. There are also hides overlooking the meres for watching the really wild birds.

Healey Dell

S73 0YF

OL12 6BG

Access

8

Access

7

Equipment

9

Equipment

2

Peace of Mind

9

Peace of Mind

4

Appeal to all ages

10

Appeal to all ages

6

Underfoot

9

Underfoot

5

Comfort and Joy

10

Comfort and Joy

4

You’ll be in rubbing shoulders with serious monocular-wielding birders but there’s room for all levels of interest here. We took the kid’s bikes so we could scoot from hide to hide. You can hire a themed backpack (weasel or highland cow), equipped with things to aid exploration. The stethoscope for listening to trees went down especially well. There’s a big playground, picnic areas & loads of nature to watch.

Rochdale may not be famed for its nature, but tucked away on the outskirts is this magical little reserve. The main path follows a disused railway and tracks spider away from this, down and around the viaduct & the rushing River Spodden.

There’s plenty of industrial archaeology and the promise of Nuthatch sightings. We failed to see any but two Bullfinches more than made up for this. Info on the Internet mentions a tea room but I found no sign of it so come prepared.

19

page header literacy

spotlight

Information kindly provided by;

The Book Case 29 Market Street, Hebden Bridge 01422 845353 Liz Flanagan

Peter Wilkin

Tom Palmer

and Cara Starlight Grey rd and the Wiza

the Crystal d n a a c n n ia r B Dragons

& Football The Foul Play ies Academy ser

author of

Liz Flanagan grew up in .

Hebden Bridge Till recently she ran The Ted Hughes in Arvon Centre hen Heptonstall. W ar and C a Starlight Grey g in rit w as w she reading she practised d, ar iz W e th and s – who r own daughter he to s ie or st the ck! She honest feedba ry ve ve ga s ay alw s. teenage reader also writes for the d an a and Car Starlight Grey Books t oo ef ed the Bar ch un la d ar iz W newly series, aimed at s ie or St ic ag M aditional ers. They are tr ad re t en id nf co ound the lktales from ar fo of s ng lli te re , short ple vocabulary m si ith w , ld or w for the exciting plots d an s ce en nt se ul colour d with beautif an er ad re rly ea every page. illustrations on

Best Sellers Asterix is conquering our best-sellers list this month and it’s not surprising, as he is just as popular with the parents as with children! Local author Liz

1

20

On Local Children’s Authors

2

author of

author of

a Peter Wilkin Tom Palmer is s n’ is a retired prolific childre t in is d ap se er ba th ho or psyc auth t se living in deepes Yorkshire, who . ll West Yorkshire exciting footba He has had a series’ have s any em po of r be encouraged m num s published in gage with book ant boys to en s ed ct hi lv lu is vo re ca in nn ily ria av B ies, but is also he e og H ol g. th in an ad us re s rie to vario and hools and libra ok. sc bo s ith w n’ re ng ild ki ch or a d in w first come u do if you foun g people to be un yo e ag ur le What would yo co en a who and writing. bedroom? Or ged in reading ga e dragon in your en rd ta us m demy books ar guzzling e Football Aca Th ve ’s el bunch of them ol w ho r-t sc de ur un udly in yo r League lo ie ng em hi Pr lc a t be t ou d e an ab wha s like to play th pboard? That’s - about what it’ s de ok an si kitchen store cu bo e, in ay rd Pl ha ul riannca C p. The Fo B to to e th ed at en e pp m ga ha y ed by en-year-old bo olgirl who, guid about a fourte e ordinary scho ar op to sh ts an ric w nt and ecce Harte who called Danny the mysterious series, unbelievable e th on s imes. His latest ke cr ta ll y, ba ub ot R fo r ed e ne ck lv so ow e-lo ational scuing seven tim mbines intern re co of d, e ua ng Sq le e al ch Th e spies! ves. ball and teenag their crystal ca ot fo om e, fr s ag on on pi ag es dr

Flanagan did a lovely reading for us at the shop, and also entertained a class from Central Street School who came to visit. All our young visitors loved her stories, so it’s no wonder she is on our best-seller list for this month. Moomin

3

4

and the Winter Snow and The Tiger That Came To Tea are both delightful picture books and, with the Demon Dentist and the latest Wimpy Kid, both from big name authors, we have a real mix of books in our list this month.

5

6

Asterix and the Picts

Cara and the Wizard

Moomin and the Winter Snow

Wimpy Kid, Hard Luck

Demon Dentist

Tiger That Came To Tea

Jean Ferri

Liz Flanagan

Tove Jansson

Jeff Kinney

David Walliams

Judith Kerr

£10.99

£5.99

£6.99

£12.99

£12.99

£6.99

bloke page in a kitchen header Italian Easter Cake

By Richard Dalby

T

raditionally enjoyed at Easter in Italy, the flavours and heavenly aroma of this cake are very much like Panettone. The recipe involves some simple bread-making principles, including allowing the dough to rise for a few hours, so it’s a nice comforting cake to make at a leisurely pace!

Ingredients Method 1.

Blend the yeast with the warm milk then leave for 15 minutes until frothy.

2. Stir in 100g of the flour, cover and leave for 30 minutes.

The mixture will ferment and rise.

3. Gently melt the butter and leave to cool.

4. Whisk together the eggs, egg yolk and caster sugar then whisk in the melted butter.

5. Stir in the salt, vanilla extract, orange and lemon zest.

Add the remaining 300g of flour and mix together well.

6. Stir in the yeast mixture until smooth. Mix in the raisins and candied peel.

7.

Place the dough in a large bowl, cover with a clean tea-towel and leave for 2 hours until risen and doubled in size.

8. The dough will be very, very sticky! Place onto a large baking sheet covered with non-stick parchment paper (or divide the dough into 2, and place onto 2 baking sheets/parchment paper).

9. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise again at room temperature for about an hour until double in size.

10. Decorate the dough with the almonds.

11. Bake in a pre-heated oven, 190ºC, 375ºF, Gas Mark 5, for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch. Allow to cool and dust with icing sugar before serving.

All photos: Richard Dalby

20g fresh yeast, or 2 teaspoons dried yeast 175ml warm / hand-hot milk 400g plain white flour 100g unsalted butter 3 large free range eggs, plus 1 egg yolk 120g caster sugar ½ teaspoon of salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Grated zest of 1 lemon Grated zest of 1 orange 70g raisins 70g chopped candied peel Icing sugar, for dusting 100g whole blanched almonds, for decorating

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Open for play Monday to Saturday.

Private parties on Sunday only.

Visit us at Central Street, Hebden Bridge Tel: 07517 539 821 www.myplaycafe.co.uk

60mm x 60mm

22

family page header health Physio & Therapies in Todmorden offers treatments for a wide range of family health issues. If you have any questions, queries or concerns you would like to ask an expert about please get in touch by any of the methods shown on page 3.

About a year ago I had my first child and I’ve noticed that I am suffering much more with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) than before my pregnancy – every month for the week or two before my period I experience violent mood swings, get agitated and have no tolerance. Is there anything I can do naturally to help myself?

PMS is a common female disorder related to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (the 14 days before menstruation) and it is estimated that around 75% of women suffer from some disruption to emotional and physical wellbeing each month. So you are not alone! This, however, does not mean that you have to suffer.

For many women there are simple changes to diet and lifestyle that have been shown to alleviate symptoms. It is unclear what causes all these symptoms – it is possible for some people there could be more than one cause and in others several different causes of symptoms.

It can therefore at times be complex to get to the root of the problem.

The following conditions may be related to PMS symptoms either as a contributing factor or as the result of, premenstrual and hormonal problems; low blood sugar, candidiasis, thyroid dysfunction, food and/or environmental allergies, stress and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. For women with significant symptoms or not responding well to treatment it is important to evaluate for these conditions.

The main cause of PMS is a hormonal imbalance; typically

this is as either a relative or absolute increase in oestrogen and decrease in progesterone.

Tidying up your diet can help reduce circulating oestrogen and lessen symptoms.

• Eat plenty of plant foods - fresh fruit and vegetables, beans, pulses, nuts, seeds and whole-grains specially those high in phytooestrogens • If you eat meat stick to chicken, turkey and oily fish • Consume only small amounts of dairy • Remove refined flour (anything white), sugar, and processed foods from your diet • Eat regularly and don’t skip meals - ensure you have protein at every meal and have high protein snacks • Eliminate caffeine – including chocolate • Reduce salt intake as this will exacerbate fluid retention • Stop drinking alcohol, especially the week before you expect your symptoms • Where possible eat organic, especially animal products pesticides and herbicides are environmental oestrogens Many nutrients required for the smooth functioning of the menstrual cycle are consumed as part of a healthy diet;

They have a wide range of specialists including Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Nutritionist, Counsellor, Hypnotherapist, Clinical Psychologist, Homeopath and other Therapists to answer your questions.

however, supplementation of the nutrients below has been shown in studies to alleviate PMS symptoms.

Vitamin B6 is beneficial to most PMS patients, especially those suffering from depression.

B6 works in tandem with Magnesium in many of the enzyme systems in the body and it is thought that B6 may relieve PMS symptoms by assisting Magnesium to get inside our cells. Magnesium plays a vital role in normal cell function allowing the body to respond to hormonal signals.

Zinc is required for the maintenance of ideal hormone levels in the body and it has been found that women with PMS are often lower in this mineral. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce breast tenderness and other PMS symptoms.

Stress plays a significant role in PMS. It affects adrenal function through an increased demand for cortisol. Cortisol competes for the same receptors as progesterone resulting in impaired progesterone activity and oestrogen dominance.

Effective treatment of PMS therefore needs to include stress management techniques and learning to calm the mind is extremely important. Spend 5-10 minutes each day doing something like meditation, diaphragmatic

breathing or progressive relaxation (techniques which trigger the relaxation response). You may also find stress relieving treatments such as Access Bars®, Reiki or massage beneficial.

Studies have found incorporating movement into your daily life will help improve PMS symptoms, reduce stress, increase endorphins and increase oxygen levels in the blood, helping nutrient absorption and elimination of toxins from the body. Look for something you enjoy, something you’ll be happy to do frequently.

So there are lots of diet and lifestyle changes you can make to help address your PMS symptoms. If all of this seems a little daunting do please get in touch – I am here to help you.

For further information about PMS, Nutritional Therapy or to establish how I can support you in achieving optimum health, please contact me at Physio and Therapies for a complementary 15 minute chat.

Elsbeth Hanson Nutritional Therapist Access Bars® Facilitator

Common Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome: abdominal bloating skin eruptions anxiety backache breast swelling and tenderness cramps depression fainting spells fatigue food cravings headaches

insomnia joint pain nervousness irritability water retention personality changes mood swings outbursts of anger violence diarrhoea and/or constipation

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For a full range of Classes call:

Exhibition of original drawings from Pirates ‘n’ Pistols, the award winning children’s book

by Chris Mould. Book signing Saturday 25 January at 2pm

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Admission Free

www.calderdale.gov.uk 7HO %RRWKWRZQ 5RDG +DOLID[ :HVW <RUNVKLUH +; +* FDOGHUGDOH PXVHXPV VXSSRUWHUV #FDOGHUGDOHP

Hodder Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Books