County Child Summer 2022

COUNTRY CHILD Summer 2022

Essential For Rural Families

Issue: 47

SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING

Get more out of your kids clothes

POSITIVE MINDSET How to mentor a lion

FAMILY CLUBS

A mecca for working parents

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD A sensational Jubilee recipe from Raymond Blanc

THE NATION'S FAMILY ALBUM Millie Pilkington's national family photo competition

NEW PARENT STAYCATION GUIDE Top holiday tips for new parents

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Welcome to Summer

W

ell wasn't it worth waiting for. Yes the summer of 2022 is here. And I for one am so excited at what this season brings.

A new hope of positivity, not looking back only forward. Our focus for parents is to nuture them to be great individuals in whatever they choose to achieve. To help get you nudge them onto the right path, take a look at pages 8 and 9 with Terry Blackburn's advice on how to mentor your own kids to become brave lions.

Speaking of being brave, there is nothing more brave than stepping into the new world of becoming a parent. Only then to tackle the challenge of going on holiday with a little one. With demand at such a high, its easy to make mistakes, so on pages 12 and 13 we asked one holiday company to offer their tips to a successful staycation with small children.

As parents, we want the best for our children but with the cost of living on the rise how can we look at balancing that expenditure better? Turn to pages 14 and 15 for some precision planning on how to get the best out of your children's clothes. The advice given is second to none.

Another way to look at budgets in the home is the thought of returning to work or possibly working from home. But what to do with the cost of childcare and having time to take care of yourself too. Behold the rise of the Family Club! Check out these new

destinations for the working family balance - all under one roof on pages 30 and 31.

Time off this season is high on the agenda for families and do we have a jam packed events section for you. Finally shows, events and festivals are all in full swing, with little or no restrictions. More details on our favourites are on pages 20 and 21.

The biggest of all events this year, kicks of summer in a big way. Yes it's the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022. I can remember the previous street party's that came before and they are what family memories are made of. So in order to prepare and decorate for the festivities, flick to page 27 for some real royal gems that include, banners, bunting and bubbles!

Someone who knows HRH well is our inhouse photographer; none other than the mighty Millie Pilkington! This year she launches a national competition for you to submit your family photos to be judged and possibly hang next to her own images of royalty at the National Portrait Gallery. All the information on how to enter is on page 19 where partners, the National Portrait Gallery and Ancestry. co.uk urge you to submit your portraits into the archives.

This time of year is after all the best time to get those pics in, but be quick, the deadline is at the end of June. Happy snapping and see you after all the summer fun!

Meet the team...

Follow us

@countrychildmag @countrychildmagazine @countrychildmag

Neither Country Child Limited (trading as Country Child Magazine) nor any of its predecessors, affiliated companies, directors or employees, shall be liable for the accuracy or reliability of any of the content (including advertisements) published in Country Child Magazine or other information accessed directly or indirectly from Country Child Magazine, nor shall they be liable for the quality of any products, information or other materials displayed, purchased or obtained by any consumer, as a result of an advertisement or any other information or offer in connection with the service or products.

Country Child Limited shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions contained within any content (including advertisement) published in Country Child Magazine.

PUBLISHER

Jo Leigh jo@countrychild.co.uk

Media Sales Matthew Cull

matthewcullmedia @gmail.com

Cover Photography by

Millie Pilkington

CONTRIBUTORS:

Terry Blackburn, Hanne B, Rebecca Jackson, British Apples and Pears (BAPL), NPG and Ancestry.co.uk,The Greenhouse People and Little Houses Group

CREATIVE ARTWORK:

jovincentart.co.uk and all-free-downloads.co.uk 3

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Contents

Summer 2022

19

The Nation's Family Album Millie's Competition

27

Interior Ideas Jubilee Day Preparation

11

What's in Store For our Daddies

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Food Glorious Food Jubilee Recipe from Raymond Blanc

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Positive Mind How to be a lion

Family Ramblings Holiday Havoc

7 Family Ramblings - Hanna B recalls holiday havoc.

8 & 9 Positive Mindset for Kids - Five ways to help our children be more positive.

11 What's in Store - For our Father's this Daddies Day. 12 & 13 New Parent Staycation Guide - Perfect Stays Holiday Company share their top tips 14 & 15 Food Glorious Food - Royal Jubilee Apple Celebration Cake - our biggest recipe yet.

14 & 15 Sustainable Clothing- Get more from your kid's clothes.

19 The Nation's Family Album - Millie's, national competition - get your entries in!

20 & 21 What's On - All the events for a fun and jam packed summer.

23 The Great Outdoors - Get your kids into gardening.

25 Window Shopping - Country Child swoon over million pound mansions.

27 Interior Ideas - All the fun for the Jubilee Celebrations.

29 Open For Business - News from the parental industries, near and far.

30 & 31 The Rise of Family Clubs - A mecca for working parents.

32 Top Marks - News from the local schools.

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SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Great stories begin here...

Y OU A R E INVITE D TO JOIN US FOR OUR FOR THCOMING OPE N MOR NINGS - BO O K YOUR SC H OOL VISIT TODAY #Grea t St o r i e s B e g i n H e re

Nursery & Prep School | Outstanding Extra-Curricular Activities | Extensive School Bus Routes 01963 442 606 | www.hazlegrove.co.uk | admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk | Sparkford, Somerset, BA22 7JA

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Family Ramblings...

Written by Hanne B

I

would say that my husband and I generally agree on the bigger things in life. Where to live, what schools to send the kids to, how to keep said kids alive, which Nordic Noir series to watch next on Walter Presents, etc... But when it comes to family holidays, I am definitely the tent and a toothbrush type, whilst he, most certainly, is the warmth and wifi type.

A few years ago it was his turn to decide how to spend those precious two weeks in August.

We drove to his chosen luxury spa hotel in the South of Germany. The reason for driving was born from the romantic idea of having the flexibility to stop off at historical castles and natural beauty spots along the way. But with this idea of ours we had somehow not accounted for the time spent actually in the car.

After 13 hours or so, we had listened to the soundtrack from Moana on repeat and had now decided it was easier to say the radio needed charging. We’d had to stop the car each time my daughter lost Bunny and convinced herself that he had somehow escaped through the window that she had repeatedly opened, despite being firmly told not to. And each time we’d stopped, we’d taken the opportunity to add further support to the luggage wall

we had built between the kids to stop them from strangling each other whenever one spotted the blue car first or the other ate the last egg in the Haribo packet.

‘Hey kids!’ My husband spoke in that tone all parents know. The one when you’ve somehow managed, with all your might, to turn rage in to excitement with which to distract them - the one that makes you think you are winning at parenting.

‘Think of that pool from the brochure, kids! We’ll be there in less than an hour and you two can jump straight in!

Mummy and I will unpack. All you have to do is put on your swimsuit and your swim shorts and go! But only if you be quiet and let Daddy concentrate for the rest of the journey. OK?’ The silence was absolute bliss!

We arrive. The hotel is stunning, the fountain in the lobby is absolutely beautiful and the views from the restaurant are second to none. I am momentarily distracted by the cocktail list, whilst my husband checks us in at reception.

‘You OK, mum?’ My son gives me a gentle squeeze and I know we are going to have a fabulous time. ‘Sure’ I say. ‘Where’s your sister?’

‘In the pool.’

‘In the pool?’ I ask, a little puzzled. I look towards my husband as he receives the key cards from the receptionist. ‘But we’ve only just checked in?’

‘She went in that one.’ My son turns and points to the fountain. I see the images before me in slow motion as my gut fills with panic.

My 4 year old has opened her Gruffalo suitcase, dug out her Peppa Pig swim suit, placed her Winnie The Pooh skirt and t-shirt on a bench next to an older and slightly perplexed hotel guest and jumped straight in the fountain. I am mortified yet also impressed by how well she has folded her clothes on the bench.

‘I love this hotel Mummy!’ She squeals.

‘We need to come back here every year!’

From the look on the receptionist’s face, I don’t think he agrees. My husband looks at me with some degree of disappointment as he spots the cocktail menu, which had caused my distraction to begin with, still in my hand.

Sometimes you win at parenting.

Sometimes you don’t Hanne Bonczoszek is a local author and in Salisbury with her husband, her two children and a Cockapoo named Enzo.

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Positive Mindset for Kids Positive mindset expert and author Terry Blackburn offers five ways to help our children develop a positive and unstoppable mindset.

M

y kids are eight and four right now. Parenting is a funny balance, because with children you want to be their friend. But I believe the most important part of being a parent is to make your kids into good adults, and that’s very different than being their friend.

Here are my five key ways to parent your kids into a positive and unstoppable mindset:

Promote kindness

One of the most important things you can teach your children is to be kind to others. Children will be friends with anybody at school – but if their parents are racist or discriminatory in any way, the kids pick it up. If their parents are rude to waiters in restaurants, they’ll absorb it. They model themselves subconsciously on their parents.

It’s not necessarily just what you say to them, it’s how you act and what you do.

Avoid spoiling them

If you’re spoiling your kids and trying to please them all the time without giving them any discipline, that won’t be good. Many parents are like that because they want the best for their kids and want to give them all the nice things in life. But is that really making them into good adults? Spoiling them can end up having a really negative impact on the way they are as adults, because then they might end up expecting everything to land in their laps and lacking a work ethic. So, it’s essential to teach them values.

Teach them about money

I think that teaching children about money is a must. I don’t mean teaching them to become a millionaire or business owner or property investor as that might not be what they want to do. But a really important lesson is the concept of earned income versus passive income. This is never taught in schools and probably never will be – a lot of adults don’t even understand the concept. So, you need to teach your children the difference and help them understand how things work in the adult world.

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Article by Terry Blackburn author of Be A Lion out now, priced £14.99 available on Amazon

Teach them how to sell

Another thing with children which most people won’t think of is teaching them how to sell. Teach them how to sell Mix-Ups and chocolate bars at school. Teach them how to sell their old toys at car boot sales. Teach them how to speak to people and interact with them, because this is a far more important skill than how to use a Bunsen burner. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never used a Bunsen burner since studying science; I’ve definitely never re-read Of Mice and Men either.

It’s far more valuable to teach kids skills such as how to sell and earn money.

Get them into exercise

Getting your children into exercise is important too because obesity in children is a growing problem. You don’t want them to be that overweight child at school who unfortunately in this day and age gets picked on. It’s best to teach them good habits with their eating and exercise at an early age to create a healthy pattern for when they are adults.

So, your aim is to give them good habits, good behaviours and good discipline, which set them up for life.

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New Parent Staycation Guide

By Rebecca Jackson, Marketing Manager of Perfect Stays Holiday Company

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s the weather begins to get warmer, you may be dreaming of a staycation in one of the UK’s many picturesque towns.

Since December, there has been a 100% increase in Google searches for staycations with a baby, and while it can be daunting travelling as a new parent, a little bit of planning can go a long way.

Here are some of our tips for a wonderful first family holiday with your little one…

Plan ahead You may be wondering how such a little person needs so much equipment, so checking which items your accommodation has onsite can save you a lot of space and hassle. While all properties at Perfect Stays come with a travel cot and highchair as standard, this isn’t always the case.

Most travel cots only come with a thin base, so it’s worth asking your holiday company for the dimensions so you can bring your own mattress or alternatively, you could hire one in advance. And don’t forget the bedding, as it’s not always provided due to allergies and sensitive skin.

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If you have a long trip ahead of you, arrange for a supermarket delivery the night you arrive – order nappies, wipes and baby snacks ahead of time so you don’t have to remember everything in the chaos of packing.

Decide how to get around There’s been a 132% increase in searches on Google for ‘travelling with a baby’ since December. While a remote town may sound like your ideal spot for a getaway with your family or friends, you’ll want to make sure you’re able to get around easily with a baby or small child.

Of course, this all depends on how mobile your child is. Long walks can be a dreamy way to wind down, but you’ll want to make sure they’re accessible with a pram. Alternatively, look for areas where young children can ride bicycles and scooters, or pop them into a bike trailer for lengthier trips.

If you’re not keen on lugging lots of equipment with you, check with your holiday company’s concierge service to see if it’s possible to hire items like prams, bikes and trailers.

Focus on the amenities Every outing with children requires lots of planning to make sure you’ve got everything you need. If you’re looking to minimise this stress, opt for a self-catering holiday and focus on the amenities available at your accommodation.

Whilst eating out is a treat, we know it’s not always the most relaxing experience with little ones in tow. It’s much more flexible and laid back if you can have some meals in the comfort of your holiday home. Good kitchen facilities mean you can sterilise equipment, prep food and feed your baby or toddler in a stress-free environment.

By opting for a self-catering property, you can spend quality time with family or friends, and create so many special first memories. And it’s the perfect setting for creating some child-free time too, as there’ll be plenty of people willing to help. When night falls, put the children to bed, set up your video monitors and enjoy an evening meal just downstairs.

If there are multiple babies or toddlers in the group, you can come up with a childcare rota so each couple can have an evening out on their own.

the floorplans and find out if the outside spaces are safe for young children, particularly in rural or coastal locations.

It’s also worth taking a few small childproofing items with you from home, like safety plugs and a non-slip bath mat too.

Child-friendly experiences When deciding on a destination, look for an area that has plenty of child-friendly activities and places to visit. In busy peak periods like Easter and the summer holidays, it’s always worth booking your experiences and restaurants ahead of time so you don’t miss out. If that’s not possible, make sure you have some back-up options to hand.

If you’d like a bit of inspiration, ask perfectstays.co.uk for some local recommendations.

They’ll be able to provide insider tips on everything from rainy day activities for families to the best babyfriendly cafés in the area.

Safety is essential Nothing is more precious than your child, so while you’re enjoying some downtime, you’ll want to feel sure you’ve got everything you need to keep your little one safe. Many have been thinking the same thing as there has been a 67% increase in searches for travel safety tips since February.

Talk to your holiday company and get insider tips on their best holiday homes for babies and toddlers.

If the property has stairs, check if stair gates are provided or could be hired. Don’t forget to look at

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Food

Royal Jubilee Apple Celebration Cake

GLORIO

This very special cake is the ultimate in celebration.

Created in partnerhsip with British Apples and Pears and renowned chef, Raymond Blanc, it not only celebrates our monarch’s great accomplishment, but is also a tribute to the British apple.

Pain d’épices The pain d’épices (spiced bread) is commonly known as gingerbread. As a beautiful base it adds spice and texture to this cake and will freeze well. Makes two cakes using two tins, each 16cm diameter x 4.5cm deep (8 slices per cake).

Equipment: Pan, Bowl, Baking paper, 8-inch square tin and Piping bag Ingredients: ½ tsp Five spice powder X2 Large eggs ½ tsp Vanilla puree 35g Caster sugar 2g Orange zest, finely grated 100g Rye flour 160g Clear honey 60g Plain flour 80ml Whole milk ½ tbsp Baking powder

Method Preheat the oven to 170ºC. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper, and place the cake tins on the tray. In a small saucepan over a low heat, warm the spice, vanilla, orange zest, honey and milk to about 50ºC. Do not boil. (This is the right temperature to activate the baking powder and start the infusion.) In a large bowl, lightly beat together the eggs and sugar. Add the warm spiced milk and whisk well. In a separate bowl mix the baking powder and flour and, using a whisk, fold them into the egg-milk mixture. When the mixture is smooth, divide it equally between the two rings. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven, and leave to cool on the tray. Release from the ring, sliding a knife blade around the edge. Trim the pain d’épices to make them level and about 1½ cm thick. Clean the rings and replace them around the pain d’épices.

Slide a thin cake board under each pain d’épices and lift onto the work surface.

Reserve.

For the caramel crémeux Ingredients: 75g Caster sugar 25gCaster sugar 25ml Hot water 20g Cornflour 235ml Whole milk, brought to a simmer 75g Butter 4 x Egg yolks

Method In a small saucepan on a high heat, cook the 75g sugar to a smoking point. You will now have a dark caramel. Remove the

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pan from the heat and carefully add the hot water followed by the hot milk (to prevent the milk from curdling), then stir to ensure it is fully dissolved. In a medium bowl, mix the yolks with the remaining sugar and cornflour. Whisk in the milk caramel and return to a clean saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly with a spatula. Remove from the heat, pour into a small jug and leave to cool to 45-50ºC. Using a hand blender, blend in the butter until completely smooth.

Place two 13cm rings on a tray lined with greaseproof paper or a silicone baking mat. Pour the crémeux 1cm deep into 2 x 13cm rings. Freeze for 2-3 hours to set. Once frozen, remove the crémeux from the rings and return to the freezer until required.

IOUSFood For the caramelised apple slices and glaze Ingredients: 5 x (800g) Royal Gala apples 250g Caster sugar 60g Butter, cold diced 2tbs Calvados

Method Peel, core and slice the apples into ½ cm slices.

In a large saucepan on a medium heat, bring the sugar to a golden caramel and add the cold butter.

Carefully pour in the Calvados. Add the apple slices, cover with a lid, and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the apples are soft.

Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool.

Divide the apples and caramel into two bowls.

In a jug blender, blend the first half to a smooth purée and reserve for the glaze. Keep the remainder of the apples and cooking liquid to build the cake.

For the poached apple slices Ingredients: 1 Lilibet apple 100ml Water 30g Caster sugar 1 pinch Vitamin C powder*

For the Mousse

Build the Cake

Ingredients: 300g Bramley apples ½ tsp Vitamin C powder (or lemon juice) 20g Caster Sugar 1 Lemon, juiced 100mlWhipping cream 190g Caster sugar 80g Water 4 x Egg whites 5 x Gelatine leaves

Drain off the poached apple semicircle slices and place against the insides of each ring, with the cut ends resting on the pain d’épices. Arrange the caramelised apples with their caramel across each pain d’épices, leaving a 1½cm gap around the outside. Half fill the cake rings with the apple mousse; then place the caramel crémeux discs in the middle of each cake.

Add the remainder of the apple mousse.

Using a palette knife, smooth the tops to within 2mm of the top of the rings.

Freeze for a minimum of 3-4 hours so the mousse can set before the glaze is added.

Method Start by peeling, coring and cutting the apples into 1cm chunks. Place the gelatine leaves in a bowl of cold water and leave them to soften. In a medium saucepan on a medium heat, cook the diced apple with the vitamin C, 20g sugar and lemon juice for 10 minutes until the apples are completely soft. In a jug blender, purée the apple until smooth. Cool the purée in a bowl sitting on iced water for 8-10 minutes. In a medium bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks and fold in the cold apple purée. In a medium saucepan, bring the remaining sugar and water to the boil and cook to 120ºC (thermometer). Using an electric whisk, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. Reduce the speed and add the syrup, pouring it between the side of the bowl and the whisk. Whisk for 1 minute at full speed. Squeeze the water from the gelatine leaves and add them.

Continue to whisk on a medium speed until cool, then fold the meringue into the apple purée and cream mixture.

For the glaze Ingredients: 2 x Gelatine leaves 250ml Caramelised apple puree reserved

Soak the gelatine in a bowl of cold water for at least 5 minutes, until the leaves have softened. In a small saucepan on a medium heat, warm the apple purée, but do not boil. Add the softened gelatine and stir for 1-2 minutes. Pour the glaze over the cakes and level with a palette knife, using the edges of the rings as a guide. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set. When ready to serve, warm the rings using a blowtorch and lift them off the cakes.I promise you will be the envy of all your guests when you present this cake to them!

Method Cut the apple from top to bottom 1cm either side of the core. This should leave you with two perfect semi-circles of apple, free from any core. In a small, covered saucepan on a medium heat, bring the water, sugar and vitamin C powder to a boil. Turn off the heat, add the freshly sliced apple, cover and leave to cool for 15 minutes. The apple slices must be barely cooked. Drain and reserve.

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Sustainable Clothing The Secret to Getting the Most Out of Your Kid’s Clothes

R

aising a family is incredibly rewarding, watching every day as our little ones grow into people that we can be proud of. In a flash, they shoot up in height, meaning that we’re constantly ordering new clothes to keep up with them as they grow. It’s hard to accommodate for their bigger feet, longer arms, and taller legs.

And while picking out outfits and developing their sense of style is enjoyable, the cost of raising a child is astounding when looking at the bigger picture. The basic cost of raising a child from birth to 18 years old is £71,611 for a coupled family and £97,862 for a lone-parent family.

Meanwhile, forecasts suggest that in 2021 we spent 23.9 per cent more on children’s apparel and footwear than we did in 2011, demonstrating the rising costs associated with raising a child.

Cutting back on our clothing consumption has obvious benefits for both our finances and the environment.

Longevity is the key to getting the most out of your kid’s clothes. But there’s more to sustainable clothing than simply handing down old clothes to younger family and friends.

The secret to getting the most out of your kid’s clothes rests in quality and style.

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A kid's capsule wardrobe It may feel like kids can grow out of their clothes faster than you can buy them, but simply handing down outgrown clothing to younger family members may be a futile task. Young fashion moves in much the same way as adult fashion, trends change, and new clothes are bought. In fact, you may find yourself buying for yourself as frequently as your young ones. By the time clothes are ready to be worn by someone younger or smaller, you may find that they’re unsuitable for style or season.

However, Capsule wardrobes, the latest adult clothing trend, may be the solution to making kids’ clothes and hand-me-downs last even longer. Capsule wardrobes, which are designed to stay in style, favour highquality and timeless apparel that can be worn throughout the seasons, year after year.

The popularity of capsule wardrobes has been proven by TikTok, where views in September for #CapsuleWardrobe totalled 50.5 million views. Four months on, and views now surpass 106.4 million — an increase of more than 110 per cent.

In 2022, we’re expected to shop more timeless pastel and beige products in materials such as cotton and wool to achieve a timeless aesthetic.

But can this trend be translated into a boys or girls’ top and other apparel for children? Simply put: yes.

While a single child may not possess the capsule wardrobe for long as they grow, timeless choices mean that more children can enjoy classic stylings as they’re handed down.

Quality is key

Anticipating growth

Quality is essential for getting the most out of your kids’ clothes. Grazed knees and muddy elbows are important parts of being a kid; stronger clothes will not only help protect children but also ensure that the clothes are still wearable after a good wash.

Organic cotton is a great choice for children’s clothing. This is because organic cotton has longer fibres, creating a stronger connection to each other.

For this reason, organic cotton is generally more durable and has more chance of surviving a tumble in the park. Longer fibres also mean that the material feels softer and is less abrasive on the skin – an additional benefit for children with sensitive skin.

Plus, organic cotton is also hypoallergenic. This means it can cause fewer allergic reactions and is more suitable to wear for those with skin problems, irritations, and even asthma. It’s also softer than regular fibres, so your children will feel more comfortable and healthier in their clothes.

Parents can also find high-quality clothing that is designed with children in mind. Trousers with reinforced knees help to prolong the garment’s life and may help protect any little scrapes.

If it hasn’t already been mentioned, kids grow up quick. And the simple way to get the most use out of your kids' clothes is by anticipating their growth and buying clothes they can grow into.

Of course, we don’t want them swimming in oversized jumpers, nor should we buy something which clearly won’t fit by next month. But there are clothes that can be bought in advance from which you can get continued use.

For girls, t-shirt dresses can transition into tunics, getting two items out of one over time. Boys’ jeans can easily be rolled up and held with a belt when first bought, and there’s no harm in modifying them into shorts when they eventually rise too far above the ankle.

Other clothing items that should be considered for that all-important longevity are adjustable styles.

Trousers and shorts with elastic or adjustable waists improve comfort and can be used for longer —both as your children grow and as quality hand-me-downs.

Communication with other parents that have children at similar ages means that you can easily trade clothes, meaning kids can enjoy both new and hand-me-down clothes that still feel as good as the day they were bought. Donating your clothes can also extend their life and use for other families.

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10 July to 6 August 2022

Discover over 500 courses for all ages.

Fully catered accommodation and entertainment also available.

Request a brochure today for a summer to remember.

01672 892388 | summerschool.co.uk

The Nation's Family Album Here is your chance to submit into ‘The Nation’s Family Album’. A nationwide search for undiscovered portraits of everyday British families, in partnership with National Portrait Gallery. Plus our Millie Pilkington will be your judge!

A

ncestry®, the global leader in family history, reveals that less than a quarter (23%) of Brits display family photos in their homes. The findings* come as Ancestry calls upon the nation to submit their family images to The Nation’s Family Album – a search for undiscovered portraits of everyday British people, in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery.

With the family portrait once holding prime position in the home, only 13% of Brits currently hang their family photos on their walls and one in ten (10%) display them elsewhere, such as on shelves or mantle pieces. Others store their family images digitally, either on their smartphone (15%) or their computer (13%).

The research also found that photos of children (35%) are the most likely to be on show, followed by grandchildren (14%) and parents (14%) with people also putting up ‘pawtraits’ of their pets (7%). Despite one in 10 (11%) admitting to not having any photos of their family on

show, more than a third (34%) say they want more family photos, rising to 45% amongst those aged 18 to 34.

Over 1,000 family photos have been submitted to The Nation’s Family Album so far, with entrants in with the chance of having their family images and stories included in a digital exhibition, as well as being displayed at the iconic National Portrait Gallery in London once it reopens in 2023.

Two esteemed judges will be joining the panel of experts shortlisting the portraits that best encapsulate the project’s themes of Belonging, Legacy, Connection & Identity: Country Child, Royal and family portrait photographer, Millie Pilkington and baritone Peter Brathwaite - renowned for his series of photographs, Rediscovering Black Portraiture.

National Portrait Gallery’s Chief Curator, Dr Alison Smith, and family history expert Simon Pearce from Ancestry will make up the rest of the judging panel.

Millie Pilkington says, “It is an honour to be working alongside Ancestry and the National Portrait

Gallery on this inspiring initiative for the nation. Every photograph has a story to tell, but what I look for in particular are images that capture the spirit of the sitter, or the moment, and that provide some kind of ‘biographical’ insight to their personality and background. And the icing on the cake is when these are achieved with nice light in an interesting composition. I’m genuinely excited to discover the multitude of unique and fascinating family history stories within the entries!”

Everyone in the UK is invited to upload their favourite family images to The Nation’s Family Album by Thursday 30 June 2022. For more information about how to submit your family photographs, and entry terms & conditions, visit ancestry.co.uk/ FamilyAlbum.

Additionally, a collection of 125,000 digitised portraits from the National Portrait Gallery is now available for Ancestry users to access for free. Printed copies of the portraits can be bought from the National Portrait Gallery shop: npg.org.uk/shop/npgprints.

Get Set GO!

What's On Summer Entertainment

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njoy a thrilling event where all the family can get close to the fastest motor racing in the UK at Thruxton Race Circuit, Hampshire.The BTCC one of the UK's most illustrious championship followed all over the world due to its fast, close racing.

Guests can expect to see the stars of the BTCC race wheel-towheel and there's an opportunity to stay the whole weekend and camp or stay nearby. More details for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) on 27 and 28 August can be found thruxtonracing.co.uk

Fab Fete

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right old Dorset ‘mampus’ is happening to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee at Motcombe village fete since 2019. There will be stalls and games, snail racing and hawk flying, a BBQ and a bar and special cocktails for kids. There’s music all day and into the evening. A real Motcombe welcome awaits you! 4 June motcombe.fete.co.uk

Hat's Off !

Bowled Over

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fter packing out stadiums across England and Wales last year, The Hundred is back this summer, bigger and better than ever. Taking place during the summer holidays new competition, The Hundred, fuses blockbuster entertainment with world-class cricket.

It’s simple: 100 balls per team, most runs wins, so every ball counts. It’s heartbeat raising, edge-of-your seat entertainment. Get ready for fast-paced on-field action, with women’s and men’s cricket performing on the same stage, accompanied by DJs, live music artists and family-friendly activities – The Hundred is firmly on the map as the must-attend event of the summer. 3 August to 3 September. Tickets are now on sale at thehundred.com

Great Britain

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inchester’s annual outdoor Hat festival, which celebrates local, national and international outdoor performance, returns to the city. This year, you will see outdoor theatre, dance, comedy, music and, of course, specially invited, world class ‘hatters’ (street performers) perform in a range of locations across the historic city centre. The Sunday programme will feature exclusive brand new shows, outdoor immersive game adventures and explosive gig theatre – that aren’t featured elsewhere during the festival. 1 to 3 July. Details can be found: hatfair.co.uk

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illingham & Shaftesbury Show is an annual Dorset must do of the event season!

The Show celebrates everything great about the Great British Countryside!

17 August For more details visit gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk

Good Times

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ood Festival (formerly The Hampshire Country Festival) is returning to its incredible location in the beautiful gardens of Bere Mill in Whitchurch, Hampshire this summer. Last year, the festival event attracted a 3,000 strong crowd of all ages from across Hampshire and Berkshire. With delicious food, exciting attractions, stalls, displays, live music and a delightful dog show, it's an action packed day with something for all ages.

This year, adds the exciting musical band, Tuba Libres and a Good Living tent that will complement the emphasis on celebrating the great outdoors, with the opportunity to try yoga, gong baths and aerial silks, to name a few.

The children's activities planned this year are by childrens' entertainer 'Sharky and George', Bubble Football and much more. 25 and 26 June goodfestival.co.uk

Under the Stars

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allet Under the Stars returns this July over three nights, 22nd, 23rd and 24th, with an international group of world renowned dancers, from Ukraine, Russia, Japan and Brazil amongst others, including Principals with The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin and the National Ballet of Ukraine. It’s held in the beautiful and romantic 17th Century walled Dutch garden of privately owned Hatch House in the heart of Wiltshire. Every summer the walled garden is transformed by the Covent Garden Dance Company into a stunning 440 seat covered dinner theatre, where guests enjoy breath taking ballet and dance in one of the UK’s most intimate theatrical settings. Tickets from £165 for an all-inclusive dinner ticket. coventgardendance.com

Terrific Tractors Doggie Delights

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he Dorchester Agricultural Society has announced the return of the Dorset Tractor Run for 2022. This year’s tractor run will start and finish at “Daggers Gate Grain Store” in West Lulworth. Spectators are welcome to join at the meeting point at 10am to watch the expected 100+ tractors begin their journey along the Jurassic Coast. Refreshments will be available for spectators to enjoy and a location for lunch will be advised on the day. 19 June. Tickets available at: dorsetcountyshow. co.uk/dorset+tractor+run

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his year’s Dogstival - a party fit for canine kings and queens, is taking place on the Platinum Jubilee Weekend on 4th and 5th June at the stunning new location of Broadlands Park in Romsey, Hampshire.

As ever, you can expect the ultimate doggy weekend brimming with quirky, cool and hilarious canine-approved entertainment. And as the nation’s only dog festival celebrating HRH, we will also have lashings of regal features to get in the lovely-jubbly Jubilee spirit! dogstival.co.uk

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The Great Outdoors Child's Play: How to get your kids into gardening

By The Greenhouse People!

Nature's playground

According to research, only 1 in 5 children have a “connection” with ith summer halfnature. So, it’s never been more term just around important to start early and ignite the corner, and a love of the great outdoors. the weather set To get them inspired, why not for a glorious heatwave, gardening plan a trip to one of the UK’s could be the perfect activity to many beautiful gardens one keep your kids occupied without weekend or during the school having to spend much money, holidays? by introducing all members of From taking a leisurely stroll the family to this physically and through the gardens which mentally stimulating hobby. inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of But getting kids interested in evolution at Down House in Kent, gardening is often easier said than exploring the exotic greenhouses done. The Greenhouse People give of Kew Gardens or Edinburgh’s the lowdown on how you can plant Royal Botanic Garden, to enjoying the seed and share your love of a natural play trail at Cliveden gardening with your children… in Buckinghamshire, getting Think big - Start small youngsters out and about is one of the best ways to introduce them to If you’re trying to get your child nature’s delights. or children into gardening, it’s important to start small to make Don't be afraid to make sure their first experience is a a mess positive one.

There’s no getting around it, Don’t overwhelm them with children are messy. Gardening can anything that takes a great deal of be a great way to channel their care or a lot of time to grow. Easy flowers which they can grow from messy instincts in a constructive seed include sunflowers, marigolds way, from pulling up weeds to digging holes, it allows them to get or dandelions. their hands dirty…and it doesn’t Naturally, make sure you keep matter! an eye on them to avoid any Buying kids a set of childdisasters, but letting children friendly mini gardening tools can take ownership of looking after make them feel like a bona fide their plant is a great way to teach gardener, while also helping to personal responsibility and boost develop their fi ne motor skills in their confidence. the process.

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Edible delights

As we all know, what we eat can have a major impact on our wellbeing, both for better and for worse.

With research finding that 90 percent of UK teenagers don’t eat enough vegetables, it’s important to establish good habits early Introducing your little one to gardening could help them to understand where their food comes from. Start with fruits and vegetables that are relatively easy to care for and require minimum upkeep like peas, radishes, carrots, lettuces and strawberries.

If you lack square meters, don’t fret. Try growing plants in containers if you have a small patio or balcony, or even window boxes failing that.

Keep things interesting

Children’s minds tend to wander, especially if they don’t find an activity interesting or stimulating, which could definitely be tricky to manage during lockdown.

So, make sure to offer positive reinforcements when they’re doing a good job in the garden.

You can even make up games and reward them for completing little tasks, like watering the plants, picking fruit and tidying up after themselves.

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WINDOW SHOPPING Country Child are virtual shopping for a life changing Euro-MIllionaire estate!

Hook, Hampshire

£10,000,000

Bramshill Magnificent Grade I listed Jacobean mansion, set within Grade I listed parkland, woodland and lake. One of England's great stately homes with potential for a number of alternative uses. With planning application for conversion to a single residential home of 42,410 sqft (GIA) Stable conversion to provide 5,307 sqft (GIA) Nuffield Hall conversion to provide 9,257 sqft (GIA)Formal Gardens • Walled Kitchen Garden • Deer Park.

Maidenhead, Berkshire

struttandparker.com

Bruton, Somerset

£6,500,000

Described in Country Life as “A West Country ziggurat”, The Pavilion is a spectacular transformation of a contemporary modern house, to create a striking home built in classical architectural style. The owners, along with renowned architect William Bertram (best known for his work for The Prince of Wales) have designed a country house of great elegance, using the finest of materials throughout.

savills.com

£10,000,000

A beautiful timber-framed 15th century manor house in the Royal County of Berkshire and is an early example of a manor built without fortifications, which Sir Nikolaus Pevsner described as "the most refined and the most sophisticated timber framed mansion in England".

The Manor house is laid out principally over two floors and with the exception of a small cellar all above ground level. The house is faithful to it's period and boasts spectacular panelling, stained glass windows and herringbone pattern brickwork.

knightfrank.co.uk

Chippenham, Wiltshire

£6,000,000

Beautiful Grade II* Listed 11th Century dwelling house with original Tudor features and 16th Century remodeling, integral secondary accommodation, five further dwellings, farm buildings, nestled within a ring fence of permanent pasture and woodland with River Avon frontage in Luckington village.

woolleyandwallis.co.uk

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Interior

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£14 home-landing. co.uk  The Platinum Jubilee tea cosy is £60 now available as a make-yourown project from £12. poppytreffry.co.uk  Jan Constantine Platinum Jubilee Bunting £110 janconstantine.com  Union Jack Luxury Merino Jubilee Throw £149.95 annabeljames.co.uk

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OPEN for Business

NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

The RO is pleased to announce that it has successfully pre-let two food retail units on its development at Solstice Park in Amesbury,Wiltshire. Tenants include leading food retailer Greggs, the well loved British bakery chain, which specialises in savoury products and sweet items. A second unit is being developed for Taco Bell, the American fast-food restaurant chain.

'Tree'mendous News

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edars Day Nursery and Pre-School has opened its doors to children in Aldermaston and the surrounding areas.

The building was formerly an independent school which sadly had to close last year due to the pandemic, but now the nursery team are on a mission to make it the perfect place for children to learn and play in their pre-school years.

The historic building had been a school since it was built in the 1700’s so the new owners, Berkshire based nursery group Complete Childcare, are very keen to maintain its traditional feel and solid family values. The site has also become the head office for Complete Childcare, who have made it into the flagship site for its nursery group, with Alec telling us, “We know we can do something special with this nursery; its

size gives it a personal feel for both children and parents, with a sense of community that made us fall in love with it immediately. We’ve retained the historic look of the building and invested in the best resources for the children. We’re very encouraged already that families have begun registering their children at this great little nursery – it is an amazing place to spend their early years.” completechildcare.co.uk/cedarsdaynursery

Paultons Pride

Sustainable Success

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he Holcombe, a recently upgraded 17th century grade II listed restaurant with 11 bedrooms in Holcombe Somerset, has launched an initiative focused on making its operations as sustainable as possible.

Sustainability has been key to owner-operators Alan Lucas and Caroline Gardiner, who relaunched The Holcombe last year following an extensive renovation, and while their focus to date has been on sustainable food and interior offerings, they have now taken a deep dive into their operation ensuring The Holcombe is as sustainable as it can be.

After 30 years spent running successful London based catering & event companies, Alan and Caroline decided to “escape to the country” and bought The Holcombe Inn in November 2019. COVID-19 restrictions forced their closure just a few months later and whilst closed, they took the opportunity to renovate and rebrand as The Holcombe.

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aultons Park, one of the world’s top 10 theme parks, in the heart of Europe’s number one National Park*, has achieved a New Forest Green Leaf Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award.

The Green Leaf Scheme has been created by Go New Forest to encourage its member businesses to take steps towards delivering a responsible net zero business operation. Paultons Park has been recognised by the organisation for providing a credible net zero strategy which aims to help the New Forest become the UK’s greenest destination.

The family attraction was commended for its efforts to encourage responsible travel including minimising the use of single-use plastic by providing water bottle refill stations across the park and operating a food and beverage system that uses no plastic cutlery or straws.

In addition, the park was recognised for its efforts to use energy efficiently and for maximising the green energy sourced from solar panels fitted on all suitable roofs across site. With its extensive gardens and planting across the attraction, Paultons Park also scored highly in its use of land and nature conservation. paultonspark.co.uk.

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The Rise of Family Clubs Little Houses Group is opening its first family club venue, Jaego’s House. A new kind of family club in the heart of Kensal Rise, later this year.

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he Little Houses Group is delighted to announce the opening of its first venue, Jaego’s House, a new kind of family club that will open in the heart of Kensal Rise in Summer 2022.

Jaego’s House was created by Charlie Gardiner, founder of Incipio Group, who put together a team of six trusted colleagues, all parents with children under the age of eight, to help create an innovative family club and nursery.

Charlie's main goal is for Jaego’s House to be where family life is made easier and more fun.

Furthermore, it will always be somewhere where kids are allowed to be kids. They can express themselves, make a mess and have the odd tantrum without any judgement, eye rolling or requests to be quiet. This is a place where children should be seen and heard.

“The dream for most parents is to find somewhere that they love visiting just as much as their kids do,” says Charlie. “And that is exactly how we want our guests to feel about Jaego’s House, a place that you can all enjoy and have a good time. I lived in Kensal Rise for six years and walked past this building daily, thinking that it could be transformed into an amazing space. My son, Jaego, was born just 500 metres away and so it felt like the perfect fit. After 18 months of research and being lucky enough to get the building, it feels like now is the right time to launch this concept."

Featuring a jungle gym and soft play, a crèche, kids club and a kids’ cinema, it will be a place where children can let off steam, make friends and have fun.

And while the kids are being looked after, parents will be able to enjoy precious time to themselves in an adults-only co-working office, gym, treatment room and library. There is also a restaurant and waterside café, and a fitness studio, hosting regular classes and child-friendly sessions.

Kensal House Nursery will be a major part of this new venture. Located in a beautiful Grade II listed building adjoining Jaego’s House, it will be a dynamic and diverse place for young children to learn, play and develop. The nursery will offer a bespoke curriculum that draws on the best of a number of established early years education approaches and following advice from leading childcare experts and parents. It will be led by a nursery manager with more than 30 years’ experience and will benefit from exclusive access to Jaego’s House facilities, including the Jungle Gym and Soft Play.

Spanning more than 20,000 sq ft, Jaego’s House and Kensal House Nursery will be a community hub and truly accessible to all. Memberships will be available and there will also be an affordable ‘pay and play’ option for families to enjoy Jaego’s House without making a long-term commitment.

The waterside Café will offer an all-day menu seating 125 people, with both inside and al fresco dining. The Kensal House Nursery will offer a nursery menu using only the highest quality ingredients and each meal will be freshly cooked on site.

For further information and to register interest please go to jaegoshouse.co.uk

TWENTY WAYS TO USE JAEGO’S HOUSE 1. On arrival, park up in a child friendly space and wait for a member of our staff to help you with your buggy and bags 2. Quick bite or leisurely lunch? Our Waterside Café & Restaurant, overlooking a quiet stretch of the Grand Union Canal, offers the right setting for both.

3.Head over to the Chef’s Table in the Restaurant, where children can create their very own culinary masterpieces, and you don’t even need to clean up the mess.

4. Breastfeeding? Pick a meal from our ‘onehanded’ menu, packed with delicious, easy-to-eat options.

5. Check your little one in for a luxurious nap time at the Baby Hotel.

6. Race your kids down the slides and into the ball pits in the Jungle Gym, or cheer them on from the side-lines with a glass of wine!

7. Cosy up with the entire family in the Kids’ Cinema (open all day) to watch the latest Disney movie (again!)

8. Drop your older children off at the Kids’ Club to play dodgeball, then take your smallest for a sing-song at Monkey Music…you get two free every month with your membership 9. Make the most of our Treatment Rooms & Studio Classes ; book massages, acupuncture, beauty treatment, yoga, Pilates… and more.

10. Just had a baby? Join a rejuvenating post-natal

workout and wellness class in the Fitness Studio…you get four free hours every month with membership 11. Attend a breastfeeding workshop that will guide new mums with sensitive support and practical help.

12. Spinning classes are FREE for the first six months of your membership. Easy, rider!

13.Visit the Milk Bar, where we’ll serve, store and warm up whatever milk your child needs to keep them going.

14. Hit the Gym for a workout while we take care of your child in the Crèche & Kids’ Club 15. Make the most of some quiet time by getting some work or life admin done in the CoWorking Space…

16. Grab a cocktail and kick back with a book in the adults-only Living Room.

17. Use your guest passes to bring your kids’ friends along for a Saturday morning session in the Jungle Gym followed by a treat-filled lunch.

18. When the summer heat is on, there’s a suntrap pizza terrace and a chilled bottle of rosé with your name on it 19. The Snug is the place to fall into a squishy sofa while the kids watch an episode of Bluey (or two). We’ll supply the coffee!

20. Enter the school holidays with diary full of plans by booking your kids into our fantastic holiday camps and activities.

TOP

Marks

Village, primary, pre prep, private or state we want to know your school news, email: info@countrychild.co.uk

A Sport of Kings

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he Ageas Bowl is pleased to announce a renewal of its partnership with King Edward VI School, Southampton and it’s preparatory school, Stroud School, Romsey, as Official School Partners of Hampshire Cricket and Official Supporter of The Ageas Bowl. The partnership has been extended for a further two years.

King Edward VI School has been part of the educational fabric of Hampshire having been established in Southampton since 1553. During the partnership in recent years, Hampshire Cricket Pathway participants have both trained and played fixtures at the school’s Wellington Sports Grounds. The Hampshire Cricket Pathway comprises of approximately 800 children across four regions within Hampshire – North, West, Central, and South East, with each region consisting of seven youth squads from Under 7s to Under 15s.

King Edward’s support of cricket goes further as a host venue for cricketing charitable provision provided through the MCC foundation, the Lord’s Taverner’s ‘Wicketz’ programme and most recently the newly formed City Scorchers, all providing opportunities for talented young cricketers from all backgrounds in the City of Southampton.

Heady Heights

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he Governors of Bryanston have confirmed the appointment of Richard Jones as the new Head of the School following a rigorous selection process and with immediate effect. He becomes the ninth Head of the Dorset school which is renowned for its success in creative thinking and providing an inspirational environment for developing the confidence, strength and purpose of pupils.

Richard joined Bryanston as Second Master in 2020 and was given interim responsibilities as Acting Head at the end of last year. With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, he has a wealth of experience as a housemaster and in front-line teaching and, before joining Bryanston, was previously at Canford School and St John’s School, Leatherhead.

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Valiant Visit

alisbury Cathedral School welcomed Kate French MBE, Olympic Gold Medallist in modern pentathlon, for an afternoon with the pupils. Kate arrived in Great Britain kit and brought her Tokyo Olympic gold medal for the children to see and be photographed with.

After a Q&A with younger pupils - which revealed how Kate is superstitious and jumps and down on new riding kit before using it - Kate moved on to host practical laser shooting sessions with the older children. Her inspirational presentation covered mental preparation for sporting success as well as practical tips for modern pentathlon.

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Making the right decisions can be stressful at the best of times, but we are here to help.

Whatever’s on your mind, just ask.

PETER HARDING WEALTH MANAGEMENT Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

30 Haven Road, Canford Cliffs, Dorset BH13 7LP Tel: 01202 830730 40 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8JG Tel: 01747 855554 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PU Tel: 01935 315315

Email: peterhardingwm@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.peterhardingwm.co.uk

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The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

Peter Harding Wealth Management is a trading name of Peter Harding Practice Ltd.