Country Child Winter 2018

COUNTRY CHILD Dorset/Somerset

Your Local Free Family Magazine

Winter 18-Issue: 34

THE PTA PLEA

What good shall we do today?

DO YOUR BEST

We look at the history of Scouting and Guiding

WARDROBE HEROES

Stay comfortable and look stylish this winter

WEANING WORRIES The woes of weaning…and feeding fun!

THE GIFT OF KINDNESS Giving a little back during the festive season

ORAL HEALTH FOR CHILDREN Pearlie whites all round!

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WHAT’S ON ■ SHOPPING ■ HOME ■ SCHOOLS ■ FOOD ■ GARDEN ■ COMPETITIONS ■ HEALTH

Give your child the best possible start

Nursery

ting p e Acc2 year m fro ber s d l o tem Sep2018

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Weekly sessions of Forest School set in our nearby beech wood.

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Delicious hot and healthy lunches to help energise growing bodies and minds.

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01747 813155 • www.clayesmore.com

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Welcome to Winter

eason’s Greetings from us all here at Country Child HQ. To kick off the festivities, we’ve compiled a magazine jam-packed with events, Christmas gift ideas and so much more. So, why not put your feet up (mulled wine and mince pies an obligatory accompaniment!) and have a look to see what’s inside this winter’s edition of Country Child.

Hanne B is back and she’s written her letter to Santa…but is the Man in Red going to be able to meet her requests this year??

Have an entertaining read on page 7 and decide for yourselves!

For those of you with children at primary school, the Parent Teacher Association is something you’ll more than likely be familiar with. If you’re on-the-fence as to whether the PTA is something that you want to get involved in, then turn to page 37 and see if ex-PTA chair, Anna Hoyle, can entice you to sign on the dotted line.

With the global drive to reduce plastic consumption, our What’s In Store on page 9 looks at a wonderful mix of eco and

ethical family gift ideas; maybe we can save you some time hunting for the perfect gift for a loved one.

Hannah Woolven takes a look at Scouting and Guiding on page 12 and 13. As the wife of a Beaver Scout Leader, she is certainly well placed to bring us up to date with this highly regarded pastime. If Scouting/Guiding is a hobby that you’re keen to know more about, then you’ll be sure to find some great information in Hannah’s article.

If you’re a parent to a young baby then Aimee Strongman’s article on weaning on page 16 and 17 is a really helpful read.

Aimee shares some of her tried and tested tips on how to get through this rather messy stage of child rearing (I remember it only too well!) as well as some winning flavour combos! Good Luck!

Christmas time invariably means our children will be on the receiving end of lots of sweet treats – amazing news, as far as the kids are concerned, but not so great when it comes to the health of their precious teeth. Dentist, Georgina Gwynne is on hand with some brilliant advice to help keep our children’s Pearlie Whites…all-white!

At this time of year, our Events Calendar on page 20 and 21 goes into overdrive! There is so much going on across the counties. From pantomimes and carol singing, to ice skating and Christmas markets, we’re absolutely certain there’s something for everyone.

For those looking to revamp their wardrobes, local stylists Laura Turner and Harriet Cleverly have shared some of their best tips and tricks to looking and feeling great in the new year. Head to page 28 and 29 with your credit card at the ready…

Wishing all of our Country Child readers a Very Happy Christmas and a Wonderful 2019!

Meet the team...

PUBLISHER

Jo Leigh jo@countrychild.co.uk

EDITOR

Miranda Avis miranda@countrychild.co.uk 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.

Media Sales

Matthew Cull matthewcullmedia@gmail.com

Writer

Hannah Woolven

Writer

Hanne Bonczoszek

Cover and Feature Photography by

Millie Pilkington

CONTRIBUTORS: Mike Dilger, Lee Keeling, Laura Turner, Harriet Cleverly, Aimee Strongman, Wizz Appleton, Jungle Cat Solutions, Madeleine Cardozo, Rebecca Melhuish, Anna Hoyle and Georgina Gynne.

ARTWORK: Jo Vincent Art. DISTRIBUTION: Katherine Shean, Jessica Rowland, Jennifer Oakes, Geoff Humphries, Rick and Micky Poyser.

Sunflower can help!

It’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle socially, behaviourally, academically or even on the sports field. Our health and wellbeing programme is like having a complete body MOT for your child which helps them learn better, perform well and emotionally cope with life.

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Yes I can!

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Contents

Winter 2018

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38

What's in Store Eco and Ethical Family Gift Ideas for Christmas

Oral Health Pearlie whites all round!

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Wardrobe Heroes Staple fashion items for mum this winter

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15

Weaning Worries?

Weaning Woes and Feeding Fun

Country Child Loves Fab Findings for the Festive Season...

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Food Glorious Food The Daily Dose and Prizes to be WON!

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Interior Ideas Calling all Caped Crusaders

7 Family Frolics & Fiascos - Find our what Hanne B wants for Christmas.

10 & 11 Food Glorious Food - WIN a Cook Book for Teenagers and a Pudding.

12 & 13 Do Your Best, Do Our Best - We take a look at the history of Scouting and Guiding.

15 Country Child Loves - Fab Findings for the Festive season...

16 & 17 Weaning Worries - All the fun of feeding for the first time.

19 Inside Out - Places To Go and Things To Do. 20 & 21 Calendar Pull-Out - What’s on this wintery festive season.

22 Toddler Timetable - Your local library times and activities.

23 Show and Tell - Live entertainment and pantos for the family in your area.

24 Bookworms - Book reviews from children at a local school.

25 Top Marks - All the news and views from the schools, plus Meet the Head interview.

26 Open for Business - News and advice from the business community.

28 & 29 Wardrobe Heroes - Staple fashion items for mum this winter.

31 Window Shopping - Our pick of super modern homes, fresh from the building plot.

33 Interior Ideas - Calling all Caped Crusaders.

35 Great Outdoors - Mike Dilger takes us through the hibernation of some of nature's inhabitants.

37 The P.T.A Plea - What good shall we do today?

38 & 39 Oral Health for Children - Pearlie whites all round! Georgina Gynne takes us through it.

41 The Gift of Kindness - Giving a little back during the festive season.

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Inside Out Places To Go and Things To Do.

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Your link to art and culture

Interior Design

Learn styling basics on this new 6 week course in Sherborne Take a peak at ArtsLink:

We inspire, educate and support

• Art education programmes • Targeted wellbeing sessions • Films shown monthly • Talks & Lectures • Family events

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Sherborne ArtsLink Ltd. Company no. 2471382. Registered charity no. 1007680 The Manor House, Newland, Sherborne, DT9 3JG

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DORCHESTER

in store | online | mobile

Family Frolics & Fiascos

By Hanne B

W

hen I was a child, Father Christmas was a kind and uncomplicated soul. I think during my entire childhood, I met him two or three times as he stopped over in the local department store and my mum would whisper to me; “Go on, but be good now and don’t be greedy. He has lots of kids to buy for so ask for something small.”

So I’d humbly ask for a Cheekaboo or an Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle and – bless his thermal socks – Father Christmas would always oblige. On Christmas Eve, I’d place milk and a cinnamon biscuit, along with a carrot for Rudolph, on the coffee table with the brown and orange tiles next to the wicker chair in the conservatory. On those years, when my maternal granddad was visiting, he’d insist that I replace the milk with a generous glass of my dad’s finest scotch. ‘It’ll keep his toes warm’ he’d say.

Over dinner this evening the kids inform me that, in fact, I have been wrong all these years. According to their dad, who is currently away on business, Father Christmas prefers beer and pizza. And also, apparently, according to their friend Oliver, if you write to Father Christmas these days, you receive a video call straight from his secret lair in the North pole, in which he tells you whether you’ve been good or bad.

You can receive that call from September onwards. This means that if you get the thumbs up from him in September, there is no point, whatsoever, in me using Father Christmas threats to curb bad behaviour as they already have his word.

In Oliver’s house, Father Christmas leaves a terrible mess. There are footprints of snow all the way from the Christmas tree through to the living room, dining room and into the kitchen. The prints continue out into the garden where there are large imprints from the magical sleigh. Prints that happen to match Oliver’s dad’s skies to a T. I try to argue that, as Oliver got an Xbox and an Iphone last year, perhaps his parents made some sort of deal that Father Christmas wouldn’t have to tidy up after himself. My daughter, whose room looks like a scientist has been practising splitting

TLW DANCE Shaftesbury Academy www.tlwdance.co.uk

BALLET the atom in there, offers to tidy up after Father Christmas if, in turn, she gets to ask for a GoPro. I explain, rather convincingly I think, that a GoPro is a little out of Father Christmas’ budget, even if she does pick up the cleaning bill. My daughter suggests that Father Christmas and I go Dutch. My in-laws, who are visiting while my husband is away, and who have been silently watching me squirm my way through this conversation, decide to pipe up.

“What a great idea! I am sure he’d be up for that!” My mother-in-law exclaims and winks at my father-in-law. He turns his face away from us and I watch as his shoulders shake with internal laughter.

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Dear Father Christmas, Please forgive me for writing this letter in crayon. My pens disappear the minute I purchase them, never to be seen again unless I find them used as a stirrer for glitter water or propping up a makeshift tent for a fairy.

I have never asked for much. I played with my Evel Knievel bike well in to the 80’s so I argue that, with me, you get your money’s worth.

This year I would like: 1. Tea that stays hot, long enough for me to drink it.

2. A car stereo that refuses to play the soundtrack from the Greatest Showman 3. Fingerprint resistant windows 4. My waist back.

STREET Jazz Age 6years +

I have to go now, as my son needs his crayon for a slime-related experiment.

I wish you and Mrs Christmas the very best of Yuletides.

H

anne Bonczoszek is a local author whose first Children’s book ‘Esther’s Invisible Grandma’ is available via facebook. com/invisiblegrandma. Hanne lives in Salisbury with her husband, her two children and a Cockapoo named Enzo.

www.tlwdance.co.uk

07584340897 TLWdance@googlemail.com 7

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What´s in Store Eco and Ethical Family Gift Ideas

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PLASTIC FREE ZONE

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 1. Ferm LIVING Miniature Funkis House. Let's play house and let your kids imagination run wild with this gorgeous reinterpretation of a classic Funkis House £165 cloudberryliving.co.uk  2. Practise ABCs with these beautifully made Word Cubes made by Maison Deux from FSC-certified oak. £48 bobbyrabbit.co.uk  3. Spiced Orange large scented candle. Made with pure essential oils and100% natural plant wax with cotton wick. £17.95 annabeljames.co.uk  4. This stylishly understated pen case is made from 100% recycled paper £5 whiteblackgrey.co.uk  5.

Personalised doormat made with recycled car tyre backing and a resilient UV stable surface. £26.99. gettingpersonal.co.uk  6. Stylish 5 piece set, made by Bobo&Boo, comes in a choice of 6 colours, each eco-friendly piece is made primarily from bamboo and all items are FDA & LFGB food safe approved. £19.95 eatwell-uk.co.uk  7. This Natural Wood Reindeer Advent Calendar makes a great addition to Christmas and is fun for children and adults alike! £30 tch.net  8. Handmade wooden baby toy blocks. £39.52 etsy.com  9. Eco-friendly cork yoga mat which provides an effective non-slip and natural surface to practice yoga £65 wearthlondon.com  9. This Fair Trade textured penguin necklace is handmade from brass with a hammered finish by the Flowering Desert Project in Tamil Nadu, South India. £24 postcardshome.co.uk

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Food

GLORIOUS

Fire in the Kitchen

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ould you relish a night off from cooking for the family? Or even to encourage your children to step away from the digital devices?

Then this is the cook book for you.

Fire in the Kitchen is written by local chef and author Madeleine Cardozo who trained as a chef and worked on London film sets cooking for the stars, and has since moved on to provide meals for her husband and six children. She decided to write this third cook book aimed at teaching teenagers to cook some simple but hearty meals after being inspired by her father who used to organise evenings off for her mother by giving the siblings £5 to buy, make supper and do the washing up. Madeleine says "I just think cooking is part of our everyday life and teenagers can do it, but sometime it's the parents who have it so under control that the children aren’t given the opportunity. It is also a wonderful feeling of achievement for them to produce a cake or something delicious for all the family to eat."

With approximately 40 mouth-watering recipes, ranging from family favourites such as honeycombe ice cream to something more helpful like chilli con carne, this book has evolved from Madeleine's first empty recipe book that she was given at the age of 18.

Each recipe has an ideal end result image, taken by Madeleine herself and also includes a snippet for each meal such as an interesting fact or related joke. This would make an easy and unique gift option for Christmas, what can possibly go wrong? £14.99. Available from amazon.co.uk

Food

WIN Would you like to WIN this cook book for Teenagers?

Simply email the answer to the question below:

How old was Madeleine when she received her first cookbook?

Email: info@countrychild.co.uk with your name and full address details by the 24th December. Winner will be drawn at random. Editor's decision is final.

A Daily Dose

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atest research from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) – the mainstay guide providing insights into what foods and drinks our children are consuming and what nutrients they are getting, paints a grim picture.

Daily free sugar intakes (monosaccharides and disaccharides sugars – simple sugars) are around 2-3 times higher than dietary guidelines of no more than 5% of total dietary energy. Alongside this, fruit and vegetable intakes remain consistently low. Children aged 11 to 18 years are barely eating half of the recommended 5-a-day benchmark of fruit and vegetables.

It is apparant that a healthy diet should be adhered to but given, however, that food cannot always provide nutrients in the doses needed for children’s health and wellbeing in vitamin D, minerals and omegas, it makes complete sense as parents and carers that we should try to bridge dietary gaps with specially formulated multinutrient and omega supplements. Here is a pick of products in various forms available from independant health stores and pharmacies.

Vitamins, Mineral and Omega 3 benefits:  DHA (Omega-3) contributes to normal brain function  Vitamin A supports normal vision and iron metabolism  Vitamin B5 contributes to normal mental performance  Vitamin C supports the immune system  Vitamin D essential for normal growth and development of bones  Vitamin E protects cells from oxidative stress (an antioxidant)  Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones  Iron contributes to normal cognitive development  Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function and protein synthesis

WIN

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Sambucol® Kids Formulation of Black Elderberries and Vitamin C. Suitable from 1+ £8.99. Also available in chewable teddies for 4-12 years. sambucol.co.uk

DLuxInfant Vitamin D Oral Spray £5.95 betteryou. com

NEW Equazen+ Tropical Chews includes the same Equazen omega-3 and omega-6 blend as well as Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, Iron and Zinc. £13.99 for 60 chewy burst capsules.

equazen.co.uk

Festive Find

e had the pleasure of meeting Wizz Appleton at a recent festive fair where we sampled her amazing award-winning Luxury Handmade Christmas Puddings. Wizz's local Somerset company Plum Duff & Stuff mainly make homemade Christmas puddings which are based on an English nineteenth century family recipe.

The plum duff puddings are lovingly handmade, steamed for eight hours in ceramic bowls and then wrapped in calico ready for warming up and serving.

They are also dairy free, suitable for vegetarians and Wiz has recently introduced a Vegan (wheat) and Vegan (gluten free) Christmas pudding too!

Wizz's talents do not stop here,

she has also created award-winning marmalade and fruit chesses, so why not check her out at the Bath Christmas Market until the 9th Dec. plumduffandstuff.co.uk

How to WIN an Award Winning Luxury Handmade Christmas Pudding!

Simply email the answer to the question below:

From which century does this pudding originate?

Email: info@countrychild.co.uk with your name and full address details by the 18th December. Winner will be drawn at random. Editor's decision is final.

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Do Your Best, Do Our Best Photography: Millie Pilkington

Have you ever wondered how the scouting movement came to fruition? Hannah Woolven just so happens to be the wife of a Beaver Scout Leader and one-time Scout Leader herself. She takes a look at the history of Scouting and Guiding. Why did the Baden-Powells see a need for this movement all those years ago, and is it still relevant today?

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he chances are, you have come across Scouting and Girlguiding, either yourself as a child, or as a parent discussing after school clubs in the playground. Or maybe you have a child who is a Rainbow, Brownie or Guide, or a Beaver, Cub or Scout. If you do, then you'll no doubt have heard of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, the founders of Scouting and Girlguiding back in the early 1900s.

It all began when Lord Baden Powell (who was a national hero thanks to his 217-day defence of Mafeking in the South African War in 1900), caught wind that a military field manual that he had written, which was originally intended for soldiers

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to survive in the wild, had become popular amongst young civilians. Children apparently loved the lessons on tracking and observation, and used the book to organise elaborate games.

Baden-Powell, in discussion with King George VI, decided to write a new manual specifically for this new audience: “Scouting For Boys”. Despite the dodgy name, it was a rip-roaring success.

He also organised a camp at Brownsea Island in Dorset for 21 diverse adolescents, who would spend the fortnight learning about camping, observation, deduction, woodcraft, boating, lifesaving, patriotism, and chivalry. Before long 60,000 boys were calling themselves Boy Scouts and spreading “good deeds” throughout

“ We prepare young people with skills for life” boldly states the Scouting website.

“We encourage young people to do more, learn more and be more.

“

the country. In fact, the story goes that Scouts began in the USA after an American man travelling in London was helped by a Boy Scout who refused payment for “doing a good deed as a Boy Scout”. The man was so impressed that he took the idea of Scouting back to his home country.

By 1910, a Girl Guide Movement had been established, when a group of self-proclaimed (and frankly awesome-sounding) “Girl Scouts” turned up at a scouting rally. The girls formed the Girl Guides, later championed by Lady Baden-Powell.

In 1920, at the first international Boy Scout Jamboree, Lord Baden-Powell was proclaimed Chief Scout of the World – his ideas had become so popular that they had spread across the Commonwealth. Fittingly, his doctrine had always been “life without adventure would be deadly dull.”

Flashing forward 100 years or so, the current Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, is carrying on this legacy of inspiring adventure in young people today. “The Scouting Movement is a massive force for good, touching many, many young lives,” says Grylls. “Above all, it gives millions of kids the chance to live and learn about the wild and to experience real adventure.”

Each week in the UK alone, nearly a million young people aged 6-25 enjoy fun and adventure through Scouting and Guiding, while developing key life skills. The movements aim to develop character skills like resilience, initiative and tenacity; employability skills such as leadership, teamwork and problem solving; and practical skills like cooking and first aid. In sessions that last between one and two hours a week, the leaders (who are all volunteers) come up with inventive ways to challenge, entertain and develop our young people. One week they might be using rubbish to create a 3D model whilst learning about global issues such as waste reduction; the next they might be

outward bound, building and cooking on a fire with the wood they've foraged in the forest; and the week after that they might be learning how to rock climb or kayak at one of the specialist Scouting and Guiding centres throughout the country. And, of course, every year there will be a camp to look forward to.

And research proves it really works. A 2018 report says Scouts are 17% more likely to show leadership skills and work well in teams. They are a third more likely to support their communities too. But perhaps most important of all is the cultural ideal of simply “bringing people together”. Scouting celebrates diversity and stands against intolerance. “We’re part of a worldwide movement, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures”, says the Scouting website.

Volunteer today at scouts.org.uk or girlguiding.org. uk. Naturally, as volunteer-run organisations, these movements always need more helpers. Whether you can spare an hour a month or a day a year, there are hundreds of opportunities both behind the scenes and directly supporting young people. With full support and award winning training, you can volunteer on a flexible basis. Not only is it incredibly rewarding and great fun, you’ll learn some brilliant skills transferable to the workplace too. Volunteers from every community and background are welcomed.

“You don’t need to have been a Scout”, proclaims the Scouting website. “You just need to believe in a more positive future and the difference we can make together.”

Oh, and in case you're wondering what all that “DYB DYB DYB” business is about, it comes from the Cub Scouts. The promise that all Cub Scouts make is to “do my best” and so the classic chant “DYB” stands for “Do Your Best” and the reply, “DOB” confirms we will “Do Our Best”!

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Afternoon and Evening Tours are available subject to a minimum of 10 guests. Please call or email to book your tour: E: tours.brewery@hall-woodhouse.co.uk T: 01258 486004

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LITTLE ROCKERZ

he 2018 range of Little Rockerz volume-limiting costume headphones are now available just in time for Christmas! The decibel-limited headwear are a fun way to keep kids' entertained on long journeys over the festive time and come in five fab flavours: Bear, Bunny, Dragon, Princess and Unicorn £14.99 amazon.co.uk

BABY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS

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he Little Art Collection founded by Pippa Dziubinski, was created to offer a truly unique collection of practical and luxurious baby essentials featuring original art works by aspiring British-based artists. Their new stunning ‘Baby’s First Christmas’ collection by artist Lucy Gander features a luxuriously soft bamboo muslin swaddle blanket, muslin, dribble bib and natural wooden teether. There is also a selection of gorgeous gift sets all beautifully presented in a gift box. Everything in the Christmas collection is made in Britain from 100% bamboo which has in-built temperature regulating qualities making it the perfect choice for new babies’ delicate skin. £33.47 thelittleartcollection.co.uk

PHONIC FUN

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WONDER WELLIES

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ntroducing a new learning platform to the educational market... ozandfox.co.uk is an online reading tool made to help both parents and teachers educate children in their early years to learn to read using phonics technique.

Check it out!

one-stop online shop for country and equestrian supplies.

These Harry Hall Hale Girls’ Pink unicorn wellies are hard wearing rubber boots with neoprene lining and a ridged rubber sole for all that a British winter can throw at you. Plus unicorns. You can’t go wrong! £15.40 harryhall.com

LOVELY LEATHERS

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hese gorgeous soft leather bags, wallets and accessories made by NV London Calcutta are for all the family and are now offered in an array of beautiful colours. Established in 2009 and based in Wiltshire, NV’s products are handcrafted in India, winning awards for their ethical and fair trade credentials. Plus their fabulous personalisation service allows you to engrave almost anything, from simple names to children’s drawings, messages and handprints on to their wallets, purses and photo frames. A one stop shop for thoughtful gifts for loved ones this festive time. nvlondoncalcutta.com

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Weaning Worries?

Photography: Millie Pilkington

Aimee Strongman, founder of One Mama’s Kingdom talks us through the the woes of weaning but also the fun of feeding our babies.

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t should be fun, exciting and a chance for your little one to experiment and experience colour, tastes, textures and smells, but if you have never done it before, what on earth are you supposed to do?!

When weaning begins, the focus is more about your baby’s experience; encouraging them to try flavours and textures, so don’t worry if more ends up on the floor and on you! Patience is key. As a new mum you just want to know your baby is getting what they need so don’t make it a battle; that’s not good for you or them. By keeping feeding times fun, it will hopefully teach our little ones to have a love of food and know the enjoyment of sharing mealtimes together.

Everyone’s weaning journey is very different but here are some things that I learnt along the way, which I hope gives you confidence during the milk to mush stages and beyond.

Try to think like them - Remember, your little ones have had milk for the first 6 months of their lives, so anything they put into their mouths will seem a little strange, including a plastic spoon!

Give yourself time – there is no way you can rush this process so make sure you accept that there is no quick and easy route. Perseverance and patience are key. When introducing a new flavour remember to keep trying that flavour and don’t let little one’s face put you off!

Be Prepared – make sure you have all you need e.g. spoons, Tupperware, bowls and beakers. An easy to clean highchair is also essential. A blender will save you time as it means you can make batches of food, pop them in the freezer and then just put them in your bag when you are on the go.

Make it fun– there will be days when it is a breeze and other days when you have to keep it together but remember your little one is learning, and everything is new to them so keep calm and breathe! Remember to eat with them too as they learn best from watching you.

Have a distraction – one day they are scoffing through everything when suddenly it is a battle to even just get them to open their mouths. It’s worth trying to hold their attention with something else. Finger foods are great. Occasionally a washable toy or book works for us. It just gives you a chance to spoon in a stealthy mouthful.

Have a plan – As a teacher I like a plan. I found a great app by Ella’s kitchen with facts and recipes. They also sent me a weaning wall chart and we still have it proudly up on display. Cow and Gate also offer a great recipe book with all the information to ensure your little one is getting all the nutrients from all the food groups they need. Bright colours are key! I also found it helps to stick to mealtimes - establishing routine not only helps baby but it also helps structure your day and keeps you on track so you know when little one should be eating.

Winning Food Combos

Sprinkle of goodness: I like to add spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to porridge. The more flavours they experience in the first 12 months the better and porridge is great way to set little ones up for the day, especially in these colder months Sweet Sweet Mash: Sweet potatoes mashed together with some milk and a splodge of butter was a winning dish in our household.

Cream cheese sandwich circles: Cut out shapes using cookie cutters to make sandwiches more exciting. Flowers, trees and plain old circles do the trick! Plus, you can experiment with fillings!

Fantastic finger food: Green beans - Broccoli - Animal pasta shapes Sweetcorn - Toast soldiers with dippy egg.

Fab Feeding Finds (pictured opposite)  First Foods Book £12.99 ellaskitchen.co.uk  NutriBullet Baby Food Processor £79.95 johnlewis.com  Annabel Karmel’s New complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner £10.36 annabelkarmel.com  Stokke Tripp Trapp® High Chair £174 stokke.com  Ezpz Plate £24.95 babylurve.co.uk  Emma Bridgewater Melamine Set £23.99 emmabridgewater.co.uk  NEW The Doidy Bowl and Cup Set £12.50 only from January 2019 at jojomamanbebe.co.uk/

SLANTED lip encourages food scooping & motor skills development Super suction base helps prevent messy spills For traditional & baby led weaning

www.doidy.co.uk

at Christmas

Friday 30th November & Saturday 1st December The Larmer Tree Gardens Tollard Royal, nr Salisbury SP5 5PY 10.00am - 4.00pm Entry ÂŁ5 | Children free | Sorry no dogs (except guide dogs) Decorative Brocante | Vintage Textiles | Artisan Gifts Food | Furniture | Seasonal Workshops

www.vintagebrocante.co.uk | @thedorsetbrocante

Unlock your child’s potential

with our expertly led singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 -18 year olds.

Find out more today: stagecoach.co.uk/shaftesbury shaftesbury@stagecoach.co.uk 01305 777308

Creative Courage For Life Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

18

Inside Out Places To Go Things To Do

I ❤ Christmas!

W

hat's not to love about Christmas?

Presents under the tree, the twinkly lights and the sound of choral song mixed with a hint of cinnamon and brandy. Add in a visit from Father Christmas and you've got yourself the ingredients for a great festive holiday.

Here's our pick of the best displays, meets with Santa and gift and craft fairs over the counties.

The Christmas Tree Wonderland in Bournemouth is now live and ready to impress. In its first showing, the free festival trail will start with an illuminated big wheel, before weaving through the historic Lower Gardens and features iconic themed trees from cities around the world including Moscow, St Petersburg, Bethlehem, Seattle and Warsaw, as well as a Tree of Light and canopy of cascading lights over Pine Tree Walk.

The centrepiece of the attraction will be the Bournemouth Wonderland Tree. At the same height as the Angel of the North, this 60ft LED spectacle comprises 30,000 individual lights programmed for regular sound and light shows. There will be more for families to enjoy so catch it right up until 2nd January 2019.

Pop to the basement of Stourhead House and you'll find a present-laden Father Christmas in his stunningly decorated grotto full of festive cheer and stories. Its a really great day and visit for all the family to enjoy, so don’t miss out and book your space early!

1-2, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 December.

The return of the Christmas Craft Fair brings along a Food and Drink Fair to the Ferne Animal Sanctuary this year and Santa will be there too! The one stop festive event that's got you covered for Christmas. Craft Fair with Santa is held on 1, 2, 8 and 9 December. The Food and Drink Fair will be there on the 8 and 9 December only. Santa is £5 per child, with entry to the Sanctuary just £2 per person on these selected dates.

Spaced Out

L

earn more about the origin and evolution of our Solar System and the Universe with Professor Brian Cox Live 2019 Whether an avid science reader or a total novice, Professor Cox makes challenging ideas accessible to all, exploring the vast, possibly infinite universe and our place within it from earth to the edges of the cosmos. Joined once again by co-host of The Infinite Monkey Cage and award-winning comedian Robin Ince to oversee an audience Q&A, giving fans the chance to ask any questions they have and making every show unique. A fantastic show well worth it! 27 February. bic.co.uk

Floral Festival

A

rtsLink Sherborne is running a new course in Interior Design and Decoration from January, with Dena Corry a highly qualified and experienced interior designer and teacher.

Students will learn how to make working drawings, floor plans, elevations and create a ‘mood board’. For full details, please contact the office: 01935 815899 or email info@ sherborneartslink.org.uk

F

ebruary in Shaftesbury is all about The Snowdrop Festival and the Snowdrop Exhibition.

The exhibition that celebrates the most wintery of flowers is on display at the arts centre with works by 8 - 80 year olds and is seen each year by more than 400 visitors to The Gallery.

To get involved and enter your work or be a part of the festival that is held on the 8 to 17 Feb 2019 contant gallery@ shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

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JANUARY

DECEMBER

WHAT'S ON EVENT GUIDE MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY

Abbot

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SATURDAY

SUNDAY

1 Christmas in Corfe Castle Meet Santa Swanage Railway Swanage Christmas Lights Illumination The Dorset Brocante, Larmer Tree Etsy Made Local - Wells

2 The Great Motcombe Santa Run Vintage Christmas, Tank Musuem Giant Christmas Craft Fair Weymouth

3 Christmas in Corfe Castle Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

4 Sherborne Christmas Tree Festival Wildlife Wander, Dorchester

5 Bridport Christmas Cheer Family Film Club: Arthur Christmas, Shire Hall, Dorchester Frome Roller Disco

6 Sherborne Christmas Tree Festival London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland until 6th Jan

7 Bell Street Christmas Special, Rutter Room, Shaftesbury Dick Whittington with Chris Jarvis, Lighthouse Poole

8 Visit Judge Santa, Shire Hall, Dorchester Sail with Santa in Poole Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth Swanage Christmas Market Bath Festive Family Artisan Market Craft, Food and Drink Fair Ferne Animal Sanctuary

9 Meet Santa Swanage Railway Warminster Military Wive Choir in concert, Mere Christmas Fair, Riversmeet Leisure Centre Lyme Bay Chorale Christmas Concert RNLI Christmas Market, Poole

10 Meet Father Christmas at Farmer Palmer's Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth

11 Christmas in Corfe Castle Dick Whittington with Chris Jarvis, Lighthouse Poole Festival of Light at Longleat

12 Christmas at Haynes Visit Judge Santa, Shire Hall, Dorchester Family Film Club: Polar Express Shire Hall, Dorchester Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

13 Stargazing Cranborne Chase Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth Christmas Wreath Making Leweston School

14 Christmas at Haynes Dick Whittington with Chris Jarvis, Lighthouse Poole Forde Abbey's Christmas Illuminated Trail Durlston Country Park: Stargazing

15 Sherborne Handmade Art & Craft Fair Sail with Santa in Poole Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth Forde Abbey's Christmas Illuminated Trail Bridport Vegan Market Bugs and Buds, Knoll Gardens Carols & Capers, Maddy Prior and Carnival Band Tivoli Theatre

16 Pony Club Triathlon, St Marys School Shaftesbury Visit Judge Santa, Shire Hall, Dorchester Sail with Santa in Poole Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth Forde Abbey's Christmas Illuminated Trail Best Ever Christmas Show, Wimborne

17 Christmas at Haynes Visit Judge Santa, Shire Hall, Dorchester

18 Christmas in Corfe Castle Sail with Santa in Poole

19 Christmas at Haynes Christmas at Haynes Forde Abbey's Christmas Illuminated Trail

20 Christmas Spectacular, Regent Centre, Christchurch

21 Meet Father Christmas at Farmer Palmer's Best Ever Christmas Show, Wimborne

22 Meet Santa Swanage Railway Sail with Santa in Poole Best Ever Christmas Show, Wimborne Cinderella, Tivoli Theatre Salisbury Nutcracker Trail

23 Meet Santa Swanage Railway Christmas at Haynes Best Ever Christmas Show, Wimborne Salisbury Nutcracker Trail

24 Gillinghams Christmas Elf Trail 2018 Festival of Light at Longleat

25 Annual Swim at Charmouth & Weymouth Beach

26 Dick Whittington with Chris Jarvis, Lighthouse Poole Salisbury Nutcracker Trail

27 Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth Salisbury Nutcracker Trail

28 Dick Whittington with Chris Jarvis, Lighthouse Poole Gillingham Country Market

29 Cinderella, Tivoli Theatre Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland Festival of Light at Longleat Salisbury Nutcracker Trail

30 Christmas in Corfe Castle Cinderella, Tivoli Theatre Festival of Light at Longleat

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

31 Dick Whittington with Chris Jarvis, Lighthouse Poole

1 Lyme Lunge 2019 The Wurzels New Years Do, Evershot

2 Cinderella, Tivoli Theatre Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

3 Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth Festive Family Trail at Hestercombe

4 Cinderella, Tivoli Theatre Festival of Light at Longleat Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC

5 Cinderella, Tivoli Theatre Festival of Light at Longleat Festive Family Trail at Hestercombe

6 Sleeping Beauty, Pavillion Bournemouth Festive Family Trail at Hestercombe Bridport Food Market

7

8 Cool Coast Ice Rink Winter 2018 BIC Salisbury Nutcracker Trail

9 Frome Roller Disco Salisbury Nutcracker Trail From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral

10 Cool Coast Ice Rink Winter 2018 BIC Salisbury Nutcracker Trail

11 Salisbury Nutcracker Trail From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral Gillingham Country Market

12 Salisbury Nutcracker Trail From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC

13 Salisbury Nutcracker Trail From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral Bridport Food Market

14 Cool Coast Ice Rink Winter 2018 BIC

15 UK Dance Championships 2019 BIC

16 Frome Roller Disco UK Dance Championships 2019 BIC

17 UK Dance Championships 2019 BIC

18 Somerton Vintage Market Gillingham Country Market

19 All Star Superslam Wrestling, City Hall Salisbury

20 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral

21 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral

22 Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC YAPS: Jack and the Beanstalk, Octagon, Yeovil

23 Frome Roller Disco YAPS: Jack and the Beanstalk, Octagon, Yeovil

24 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral

25 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral Gillingham Country Market

26 Cool Coast Ice Rink Winter 2018 BIC YAPS: Jack and the Beanstalk, Octagon, Yeovil

27 Snow Patrol BIC Circus Of Horrors: Psycho Asylum, Octagon Yeovil Bridport Food Market

28 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral

29 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral

30 Frome Roller Disco Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC

31 Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC Frome Country Market

Abbot

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Slater Estate Agents

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CALENDAR WINTER 2018/2019 TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

1 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral

2 Hazlegrove Prep School Open Morning Cool Coast Ice Rink Winter 2018 BIC

3 From Darkness to Light Illuminations, Salisbury Cathedral Bridport Food Market Brownsea Bird Boats

4 Cool Coast Ice Rink Winter 2018 BIC Kingston Lacy, Snowdrop Walk

5 Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC Kingston Lacy, Snowdrop Walk

6 Frome Roller Disco Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC Kingston Lacy, Snowdrop Walk

7 Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC Frome Country Market

8 Hazlegrove Prep School Open Morning Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury

9 Durlston Country Park: Stargazing Boyzone BIC Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury Durlston Country Park: Stargazing

10 Bridport Literary Festival 2018 Boyzone BIC Bridport Food Market Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury

11 Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury

12 Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury

13 Frome Roller Disco Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC

14 Frome Country Market Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury

15 Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury Gillingham Country Market

16 Bugfest,Yeovil Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury FEST WEST 2019

17 Bridport Food Market Snowdrop Festival and Exhibition, Shaftesbury FEST WEST 2019

18

19 Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC Clay Days at Pottery Parlour Chinese New Year Extravaganza, Octagon, Yeovil

20 Frome Roller Disco Kingston Lacy, Snowdrop Walk Spring Ranger Day, Brownsea Island Shrek The Musical BIC

21 Children's Bushcraft Taster, Salisbury Pipes and Ladders!, Salisbury Cathedral

22 Shrek The Musical BIC

23 Shrek The Musical BIC Cool Coast Ice Rink - Winter 2018 BIC Kingston Lacy, Snowdrop Walk FEST WEST 2019

24Winter Bird Fair, Langford Lakes, Salisbury Bridport Food Market FEST WEST 2019

26 Kingston Lacy, Snowdrop Walk FEST WEST 2019

27 Frome Roller Disco Kingston Lacy, Snowdrop Walk FEST WEST 2019 Professor Brian Cox Live! BIC

28 Frome Country Market Swanage Blues Festival

Abbot

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Slater Estate Agents

25 FEST WEST 2019

FEBRUARY

MONDAY

21

Toddler Timetable Monday

Tuesday

9.30-11.30 Toddler Workshop, Shaftesbury Arts Centre toddlerworkshop.co.uk

9-10.30 Scarecrows Pre School 9-11.30 Messy Church Toddler Group, Toddler Group Cheselbourne Child Okeford Com Centre Vlillage school 9.30-11.30 Little Rascals Durweston 9.30-11 Tummies, Tiddlers and Village Hall Toddlers, St George’s Primary 9-11.30 Stower Vale Baby & Toddlers, School, Bourton Stower Provost School Hall 9.30-11 Sandroyd Pre Prep Parent and Toddler Group 9.30-11.30 Pimperne B&T Group, Village Hall 9.30-11.30 Jigsaw Toddler

Wednesday

l

9.30-11 Stay & Play, Tisbury Children’s Centre

A v i st

Fe

9.45-11.30 Tiddlers & Toddlers, Lecture Hall, Mere

Group, Sturminster Newton Methodist Church

9.30-11.30 Baby & 9.30 - 11 Mini Explorers, St Toddlers, Child Okeford Mary's Catholic Sch, Marnhull Community Centre 9.30-11.30 Piddle Valley Tiddlers, First School, TT

10-11 Toddler Gym, Motcombe Park Sport Centre

l a i c e p S

9.30-11.30 Play and Learn, Mere Children’s Centre 9.30-11.30 Little Cherubs Group, St Mary’s School Room, Gillingham 9.30-12 Bumps and Babes, Tisbury Children’s Centre

9.30-11.30 Toddler Workshop 10-11 Toddler Gym, Motcombe Park Shaftesbury Arts Centre Sport Centre toddlerworkshop.co.uk

10-11.30 Monkey Doodle, Wylye Village Hall, Wylye

9.45-10.30 Squirrels Sing & Dance, Hazlegrove Prep TT

10-11 Messy Play, Youth Centre, Sturminster Newton

10.15-10.45 Rhyme 10-11 Emma & The Magic Bag Times, Gillingham Library Music, Shaftesbury Arts Centre 10-11.30 Little Wrigglers Congregational Church Stalbridge 10-11.30 Toddler Time, 10-11 Music & Messy play Zeals 10-12 Evercreatures, Evercreech Climb Aboard, West Village Church Village Hall Stour 11.30-12.15 Pre-School Ballet, TLW Dance Shaftesbury 2-3.30 Stay n Play, Community Kids Pre School, Bruton 2.15-2.45 Rhyme Time, Warminster Library

10.30-11 Baby & Toddler Rhyme & Story Time, Wincanton Library 10.30-11 Library Gets Lively, Sherborne Library

Friday

9-11 Leweston Pre-Prep, Parent & Toddler Group and Toddler Tunes

9.15-11.15 Bumps, Babes & Bigs Parent & Toddler Group, Okeford Fitzpaine Sch Hall

9.30-11.30 Marnhull Baby 9.30-11 Sandroyd Pre Prep & Toddlers, Marnhull Village Swim & Play Baby, Toddler & Parent Session Hall 9.30-11 Bishops Caundle 9.30-11 Stay and Play at Toddler Group, All Saints Ludwell Primary School Primary School. TT 10-11 Time Together Castle 9.30-11.30 Jigsaw Toddler Cary Primary School Group, Sturminster Newton Methodist Church 10am Munchkins at 9.30 Pre School Music, Just Buckhorn Weston Village Dance, Wincanton.

Hall 10-12 Motcombe Toddlers, 9.30-10.30 Bushy Tails Playtime, Motcombe Memorial Hall Clayesmore School. Emma and 10.15-10.45 Library Gets Lively, Gillingham Library

her Magic Bag. TT

10-11.30am Bright Beginnings, Salisbury Cathedral School

2-2.45 Tiny Tots Gymnastics, 10-11.30 Friday Fun Cllub, Tisbury Leisure Centre Whitesheet Academy, Zeals 2.30-3 Rhyme-time, 10-11 Toddler Gym, Motcombe Shaftesbury Library Park Sport Centre 10-12 North Barrow P& T Grp, Village Hall

10-12 Caterpillars Parent & Toddler Group, Fovant Rainbow Centre

10-12 Toddler Stay and play, Shaftesbury Child Centre

10.30-12 Sunny Hill Prep Toddler Group, Bruton

10-11.15 Knighton House School, Baby & Toddler Group

2-3.30 Squirrels P&T Group Hazlegrove TT

2-3 Bumps and Babies Mere Children’s Centre

2-2.30 Rhyme Time, Blandford Library

2.30-3 Story & Rhyme Time at Milborne Port Library

Library

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Blandford Dorchester Gillingham

10am-6.30pm 10am-5.30pm 10am-1pm

9.30am-5pm 9.30am-7pm 9.30am-6.30pm

Closed 9.30am-1pm Closed

9.30am-6.30pm 9.30am-5.30pm 9.30am-5pm

9.30am-4pm 9am-4pm 9.30am-4pm

Mere Milborne Port

10am-7pm Closed

9.30am-1pm Closed

9.30am-5pm Closed

Shaftesbury

10am-5pm

9.30am-5pm 9.30am-1pm 2-5.30pm 9.30am-5pm

Closed

9.30am-6.30pm

Stalbridge

2-5pm

12am-12.30pm

3.30pm-6.30pm

Sherborne

10am-7pm

10am-12.30pm 2-5pm 9.30am-1.30pm

9.30am-1pm 9.30am-7pm 9.30am6.30pm 9.30am-5pm 9.30am-1pm 2-5.30pm 9.30am12.30pm 2-5pm

Closed

9.30am-7pm

Sturminster Newton Tisbury

9.30am-12.30pm

2-5pm

Closed

2-5pm 5.30-7.30pm 9.30-1.30pm 2.30-5pm

Closed

10am-1pm

9.30-1.30pm 2.30-5pm

9.30am-1.30pm 2.30-5pm

10am-6.30pm 10am-7pm

9.30am-1pm 9.30am-5pm

Closed 9am-12.30pm

Wincanton Wimborne Warminster

22

10-12 Toddler Group, Batcombe Jubilee Village Hall

Thursday

9.30am5.30pm 9.30am-12.30pm 2-5pm 2-6.30pm Closed 2-5pm 5.30-7.30pm Closed 9.30am 1.30pm 2.30-5pm 9.30am-6.30pm 9.30am-5pm 9.30am-7pm 9.30am-5pm

9.30am-1pm 9.30am12.30pm 9.30am-1pm 9.30am12.30pm 9.30am-4pm 9am-12.30pm Closed 9.30am-12pm 9.30am-4pm 9.30am-4pm

Show and Tell A guide to local live entertainment

SHOWDOWN

C

SF Showdown, present twelve top stars battling it out in five hard hitting, highflying pro bouts with multiple time World Tag Team Champions, The Nasty Boys - in action for one day only. Catch the show before it's gone. 3 February 2019. All ages. £12 (standard booking fees apply) cheeseandgrain.com

Poole’s Feelgood Family Pantomime

I'm Feeling Good Screen Time

P

opular children’s TV presenter Chris Jarvis will be the star of Dick Whittington at this year’s feel good family pantomime from the Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts.

Chris is no stranger to local audiences. In addition to playing the role of Dick Whittington he directs and co-writes the pantomime with actor Peter Duncan. This is the third year running that Duncan Reeves Productions has co-produced the Poole panto at the Lighthouse, following the success of their productions of Aladdin and Cinderella.

Since making his name presenting from the ‘Broom Cupboard’ in the early 90s on Children’s BBC, Chris Jarvis has written and presented many programmes for young people and was one of the original line-up of CBeebies presenters. He can currently be seen on CBeebies co-presenting Show Me Show with Pui Fan Lee and will no doubt be joining in with Blue Peter’s 60th celebrations this year along with Peter who was a presenter of the show in the 1980s.

“It’s a huge thrill to be back in Dorset for the pantomime at the wonderful Lighthouse and in such great company!” comments Chris. Peter adds “We are so happy Chris has come back to his roots and will be lighting up the Lighthouse stage with his talents as well as contributing with his great experience of the Pantomime genre.

In the Lighthouse’s 40th year this could be the greatest show on Earth! Well nearly!”

Visitors to the Lighthouse pantomime will be guaranteed plenty of laughs, sparkling new scenery, great contemporary music and audience mayhem as Dick, accompanied by his acrobatic cat sets sail on an adventure in search of fame and fortune. Will he return to become Lord Mayor of London? You’ll have to visit the Lighthouse to find out. 7 to 31 Dec. lighthousepoole.co.uk

T

he much-anticipated annual CBeebies Christmas Show is coming to the big screen for a family friendly Christmas cinema experience in 2018.

A unique adaptation of the original Hans Christian Andersen tale, Thumbelina, will be on screens from 15 December. Produced by award winning BBC Children’s In House Productions, the show is set to deliver a colourful spectacle of music, dance and action packed comedy with a generous smattering of goodies and baddies.

Born inside a flower, Thumbelina marvels at the world around her but quickly realises she doesn’t know what, where or who she is. She has no name and is lost and alone, with only a dream to fly like a butterfly. On her journey will she eventuallly discover the truth about who she really is? More information: cbeebieschristmas show.com

A

t Salisbury Arts Centre this Christmas audiences are invited to celebrate the festive season with some fantastic nights of entertainment – go with your partners, your friends, or take the whole family!

On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 December, the internationally renowned, vintage-inspired vocal harmony group The Spitfire Sisters will perform swing classics and Christmas favourites at the Arts Centre In the Main House of Salisbury Playhouse, this year’s spellbinding pantomime is Beauty and the Beast, with all the traditional elements of pantomime: comedy, song, dance, beautiful sets and costumes. Beauty and the Beast is written and directed by the duo behind last year’s awardwinning pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. To meet demand, Beauty and the Beast will run for an extra week until Sunday 13 January 2019.

For younger audiences and their families, the magical musical The Night Before Christmas is back by popular demand in The Salberg at Salisbury Playhouse. After a sell-out run in 2016, The Night Before Christmas will combine magic and music in an enchanting musical which is the perfect Christmas treat for the whole family. 10 to 30 Dec. Also in The Salberg, Olivier award-winner Guy Masterson returns with his sell-out adaptation of A Christmas Carol, recreating Scrooge, Marley, the Fezziwigs, Tiny Tim and more. 18 to 22 Dec. wiltshirecreative.co.uk.

23

BOOKWORMS

Leweston School, Sherborne, Dorset

recommend this book because it’s a dramatic and powerful read.

O

ur aim at Leweston Prep is to instil a lifelong love of reading in all our pupils. The ability to read is vital. It paves the way to success in school, which can build self-confidence and motivate children to set high expectations for life.

We promote reading for pleasure from Reception to Year 6. As a school, we are committed to developing a culture of reading which includes each class having dedicated class reading time. Each class also uses key books to link with their topics.

Meeting a good author makes a profound impression on a developing reader, which is why we enjoy inviting authors to talk about their work. In addition to these highly anticipated visits we regularly hold book fairs and participate enthusiastically in World Book Day. We hope you enjoy reading a sample of the book reviews created by our pupils. You will see that our Year 5 children were particularly inspired by their class read ‘The Butterfly Lion’.

Leweston Prep, co-educational day and boarding for children from 0 – 11. ead of Prep, Miss Alanda Phillips  01935 211015 admissions@leweston.dorset. sch.uk

H

The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo This story is great, thrilling, gripping and sensational. If you have a good imagination you would be inspired by this compelling book. It is all about a boy and an animal. What animal could it be? There is a boy in the story called Bertie, without him Michael Morpurgo wouldn’t have been able to write the plot as he is the main character. The book tells the story of Bertie’s life. I would

24

Thomas Sellars (Year 5) Ottolin at Sea by Chris Riddell The main character in this story is Ottoline and she is a kind, understanding and cool character. Her best friend ‘ Mr Monroe’ is adventurous, funny but also confusing.

In this story, Mr Monroe goes to Norway to find big foot and Ottoline goes on a mission to go and find out where he has gone. She meets lots of friends on the way. My favourite part of the story is when they all manage to find each other at the end. I really hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I did. I have given it a star rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Lola Stewart (Year 3) Wonder by R.J Palaacio The main character of this story is tenyear-old August who was born with some facial differences and is a lovely boy.

This story is set in America and August begins life being home schooled. When he then goes to school not everyone is nice to him but after a while of being there he gets some friends of his own.

My favourite part of the story was when Summer, a girl at school, came over to August when he was sitting alone at the lunch table and was really nice to him. I have given Wonder a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Robin Sellick (year 4) The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo The butterfly lion is a moving, sensational book. It starts off with a young boy who runs away from boarding school. The journey continues with another young boy from South Africa named Bertie who one day befriends a white lion cub.

Bertie is a warm heartfelt character who has a strong personality. His friend, the white lion,

is very inquisitive although he is a lot of mischief. The characters change throughout so you must read it to find out more.

I personally thought the book was breath-taking. I love the emotion throughout and how you don’t know what’s going to happen next.

I love that as time changes there is a change of setting. I have been inspired by this book to look after animals! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cliffhangers and suspense. It is an action packed extravaganza!

Elizabeth Salmon (Year 5) The Creakers by Tom Fletcher In this story the main character is Lucy who is eleven years old and is brave, kind and helpful. There is also a Creaker King and four helpers called Grunt, Guff, Scratch and Sniff and they like rubbish. Lucy lives in Whiffington Town and the Creakers live in a place called the Woleb. At the start of the story the adults disappeared and Lucy followed the Creakers to the Woleb to investigate.

Later Lucy catches some Creakers and they tell her where the adults are. Lucy manages to help the adults escape but finds out her dad is the King Creaker.

My favourite part was when Lucy found the adults in the Creaker town.

They were playing in the funfair and acting like children. Lucy went on TV and told them how to escape.

I have given this book a star rating of 4 ½ / 5 stars.

Abigail Whittle (Year 3) The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in World War One, animals and the circus.

I would also recommend this to anyone who likes surprises. I also think schools doing activities about the war would like this book as a class read. I think it is perfect for curious readers. I really enjoyed this book because we are studying World War One in topic and Michael Morpurgo in English lessons. This book is sad, happy and surprising. The main characters are called Bertie, Millie, The White Lion/Prince Monsieur, Merlot and

Bertie’s mum and dad. I really like Bertie because he goes on lots of adventures.

There are so many adventures in this book. It starts when Bertie brings a white lion cub into his house in South Africa and Bertie and his mum love the white lion. I would say this book is suitable for children 8 years and older.

Isabelle Whittle (Year 5) The worry website by Jacqueline Wilson This story is based on a worry website where all children can type in their worries.

Within the book there are seven stories each with a different worry. My favourite story was Samantha’s worry. Her worry was that her dad wouldn’t see her anymore beacause he went to live with a different family. It made Samantha very, very sad. At the end the school allowed to make a little garden in the playground so that she was happy.

I have given this story a star rating of 5 / 5 stars, so please read it!

Eleanor Bennett (Year 5) The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo The butterfly lion is a very exciting story.

It starts off with Michael Morpurgo running away from boarding school. In the middle it follows the story of Bertie and then returns to Michael Morpurgo. The plot is powerful. If you like adventure and animals then I would recommend this book.

Felix Brittain (Year 5)

Be A Bookworm This page provides an opportunity for local schools to promote themselves through their pupils' book reviews. If you would like us to feature your school, please email info@countrychild.co.uk for further details.

TOP Great Gift

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P

Marks

ort Regis recently presented a cheque for £20,718 to Margi Jervoise from Farms for City Children, the largest donation that the charity has received from any school.

Founded by the author Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare in 1976, the charity offers urban children from all over the country a unique opportunity to live and work together for a week on a real farm in the heart of the countryside. They now have three working farms, which welcome around 3,200 children and 400 teachers a year.

Make Your World Bigger

Clayesmore Prep pupil has been announced as a winner of Make Your World Bigger 2018, a video challenge designed to keep children learning during the summer holidays.

Organised by Discovery Education, the competition encourages pupils to join a 30-day film adventure, watching a daily discovery video clip to learn something new.

Nearly 8000 pupils took part in the 2018 challenge and Evie, in Year 5, was one of 10 national winners Evie said, “I learnt a lot of things that I didn’t even think existed!”

Sarah Hart, Clayesmore Prep’s More Able and Enrichment Co-ordinator said: “Those who took part in the ‘Make Your World Bigger’ competition thoroughly enjoyed it. The videos were engaging and the questions were challenging. We were all delighted to hear that Evie was a winner”

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

News In Brief

 Chafyn Grove open their new reception class facillity.  King Edward's School open new memorial garden  Walhampton School celebrate 70 years in education.  Actor Charlie Higson talks at Sexeys School Speech Day.  All Hallows celebrate 80th Anniversary this year.  St Mary’s Primary School in Marnhull win the Gillingham Family Tag Rugby Tournament. 

Heads Up

T

he Governors of Castle Court School, are delighted to announce the appointment of Luke Gollings as their new Head with effect from November 2018.

Mr Gollings is already known to many in the school community, firstly in his role as Deputy and more recently as Acting Head. The school governors are confident he will bring to the Headship an excellent range of qualities and skills ideally suited to lead the school in the years ahead, continuing to cherish all that is fundamental to Castle Court: a passion for excellence and a deep care for each individual pupil.

MEET THE HEAD Mrs Helen Cullen Sexey's School, Bruton, Somerset

H

ow long have you been at the school?

My family and I moved to Bruton at the end of August and I joined Sexey’s School on 1st September this year. hat is the ethos of your school? We are a Church of England, State Boarding School for 11-18 year olds and these three components of the school are extremely important to me and our community. Our values and ethos have the Christian faith at the heart of them and we have a determination to be exceptional in all that we do. We all believe in working together to care for, support and encourage each other. I am passionate about ensuring students leave their time at school with the skills, knowledge and confidence to be successful in life, and it is our responsibility as educators to both prepare them and inspire them for the next stage on their journey of lifelong learning. ow do you help ensure that every child meets their full potential?

As a small school, staff know their students well, they know their strengths and areas for development, and this knowledge forms the foundations upon which they plan and teach their lessons. We ensure that high quality teaching and learning has personalisation, differentiation and challenge at the heart of it. We pride ourselves on our excellent pastoral care so that all students are well cared for and supported.

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H

W

hat do you find most rewarding about teaching? Having wanted to be a teacher since I was seven years old and later a Headteacher I am inspired by the young people I meet on a daily basis and the wide range of skills and talents each of them have. I feel truly privileged to work with the young people that I do. So many elements of my job are rewarding but me for it has to be student success, it really is a great joy to see a student achieve success. Success at any level, because students will have got there through, grit, hard work, determination and the support and guidance of super teachers, coaches and parents. hat are your own hobbies and interests? I am a Mummy to Evie, who is three and many of my hobbies and interests now involve her, in particular we love swimming. In addition to that as a family we enjoy travelling and especially visiting Cornwall where my grandparents lived. Cornwall holds a very special place in my heart with so many happy memories from time spent there. I also enjoy reading and cooking. hat does the future hold for you and your school? The future for Sexey’s is very exciting. I have joined the school as it has gained an excellent set of both GCSE and A level results. For us as a community we will now be working hard to build on these and continue to ensure our students get the very best educational experience possible as we strive to be exceptional in all that we do. I am delighted to be leading this school and its caring, exceptional staff on the next stage of its journey.

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NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

OPEN for Business Budget 2018 – Changes to MONEY Capital GainsMATTERS Tax for Main Residences

I

n the recent Budget, the Chancellor announced two significant changes to main residence relief on properties which are not owner-occupied throughout the entire period of ownership. These changes will take effect from April 2020 to give individuals likely to be affected by the change an opportunity to sell the property under the existing rules.

Main residence relief applies to exempt an individual’s main residence from capital gains tax. Where a property has been an individual’s main residence for only part of their period of ownership, the main residence relief is time apportioned and so part of the capital gain upon sale may be subject to tax. Currently, individuals can also claim main residence relief for the last 18 months of ownership even if the property is not occupied in this period, but this final period of relief will be reduced to 9 months for sales after 5 April 2020 except where the individual is disabled or living in a care home, in which case the final period is currently 36 months which will not change.

Often an individual will move out of their main residence and rent it out rather than sell it immediately. Currently, there is a further lettings relief which is available to cover the capital gain in periods where the property is let, limited to the lower of the main residence relief available or £40,000 per owner. From April 2020, this relief is being completely withdrawn where the owner is not in joint occupation of the property; relief will still be available where an individual has a lodger staying in their own home.

Where a landlord or other individual not occupying a former home is considering selling the property in the near future, it may be advisable to accelerate the process to increase the chances of the property sale proceeding to exchange of contract before 5 April 2020.

This is only general advice and should not be relied upon; for specific advice tailored to your personal circumstances please contact: Lee Keeling at Andrews and Palmer, The Square, Gillingham, SP8 4AR Tel: 01747 823147 andpal.co.uk Lee@andpal.co.uk

C H A R T E R E D A C C O U N TA N T S

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Many congratulatuons to PuddleDucks Dorset who have turned 10 this year. NEW Turtle Tots swimming classes just started at Salisbury Hospital Hydro Pool, Salisbury Health and Fitness Club, Milton Abbey School in Blandford Forum and Sandy Balls Leisure Club, Fordingbridge. North Dorset supermarket Dike & Son has picked up two prestigious national awards at the 2018 Retail Industry Awards in London.The Mackrell Charity announced Robert Hughes, aged 17, has won the 2018 Dee Butterfield Scholarship for Young People, Kate Adie OBE DL kindly presented a cheque for £250 to Robert.

Early Years Activity

D

inky Active has been launched this year by Jon Rolnik of Game Set and Match Tennis Academy to provide preschools and early years settings throughout Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset with the introduction of key physical skills to preschoolers over a 2-3 year period. The programme aims to offer physical excellence in the early years, combining EYFS (early years foundation stage), the wonder of the world around them and sport based activities with a creative edge.

The programme started life as Tiny Tennis but it has changed dramatically over the last 4-5 years to Dinky Active where tennis features as a great foundation but it's not the only element.

Jon says "I believe what also inspires children of preschool age is additional creativity and this I believe comes from my previous career as a graphic designer. As Dinky Active is not sport specific it has the freedom to be creative and can engage with children on many different levels using literacy, numeracy, fine and gross motor skills and music, to help children with critical thinking, resilience, and working together utilising essential basic key skills like balance and stability, catching, throwing, rolling, bouncing, and many other ways to help encourage a child to get their bodies moving in a positive, fun way, but still allowing the child to develop at his or her own pace."

The main goal is to help influence and lead children to want more active lifestyles and the desire to be more involved with future sports at Primary school at KS1 and beyond. For the future Dinky Active will imminently be launching as an online platform to provide the programme to the whole of the UK and beyond with the many different ideas and services to help deliver a child’s 180 minutes per day of quality exercise. facebook.com/dinkyactive

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Orchard Adventures

recent new outdoor initiative from the team at Pythouse Kitchen Garden has launched this autumn. The new "Orchard Adventures" is all about the spirit of forest school ‘rain or shine’ learning.

When Sophie, Piers and their family relocated to Wiltshire from London five years ago, the plan was to set up a boutique campsite. Soon after the success of Elcombe Copse, in 2016 they bought and took over the wonderful 18th century walled garden with cafe in West Hatch, Tisbury - Pythouse Kitchen Garden.

As a working family and moving into a new area Sophia wanted to give other families the opportunity to integrate as living rurally can become solitary unless provided with places that allow people to connect with friends, unwind relax and feel supported - come wind, rain or shine. Orchard Adventures does just this. An outdoor world for all ages, with a sheltered cafe vibe, camping, self catering kitchen, a children's workshop space, three upcycled play areas to inspire lots of imaginative and active play, and a campfire as the heart to the orchard for story time and toasting marshmallows.

Orchard Adventure season runs for six months (October-March) in the outdoor environment of the orchard. The team are aiming to use the area for ongoing fun weekly pre school 'stay and play', weekend retreats for all and children's parties. They will also continue to have inspiring and fun workshops for children and their parents every weekend (facial yoga is a real hit) and a permanent Imaginarium Play Trail built by the amazing team at Evolve Imagination, selfcatering equipment, barbecue fire pit and space to run free. During the school holidays and weekends, they will also offer a full programme of events and supervised play time with fully accredited child minders. A fab new setting for families we must say! pythousekitchengarden.co.uk/orchard-adventures

F

From West to East

ollowing the successful launch of the Kimberly West Care Centre back in May 2017, Wessex Care are now due to open part 2 of the project, Kimberly East, on the same site providing another 27 beds for customers requiring intermediary rehabilitation care i.e. hospital avoidance / providing rehabilitation post hospital.

Wessex Care is a family run business that have 5 specialist Care Centres / Care Homes across the city. Directors Matthew and Pauline Airey have over 35 years experience each in the health and social care sector and last year said that the first part of the project, Kimberly West, had ‘… been the culmination of several years of planning and hard work and it’s very exciting to see our vision for the future of care provision come to fruition.’ On the imminent launch of the Kimberly East project, Matthew said: ‘This is the second development of our £14million redevelopment of all 5 Wessex Care residential and community services in our home town of Salisbury. These state of the art facilities supported by the NHS and Wiltshire Council are for adults and older people of our community in South Wiltshire.

These are not stand alone Nursing Homes but multi-disciplinary dedicated Care Centres focused at ensuring all customers & residents can receive highly professional specialist support, rehabilitation, training and care they need to live their life the way they want to.’

Wessex Care will continue to work closely with Wiltshire Council & Clinical Commissioning Group NHS funded intermediate and long term care provision for those in need. They will also have space for private residents who require rehabilitation or longer term nursing care to reside at Kimberly West & East Care Centres.

Leaping for Joy

L

eaping Frogs began as a tiny pre school in Mere, Wiltshire in 2002 and was founded by sisters Victoria Oram and Becky Davies and their mother Wendy Page.

All dedicated to providing a permanent pre school environment where they could offer the perfect mix of learning through play with structure.

Both Victoria’s daughters had been born profoundly deaf and it was difficult to find the right environment for them to flourish alongside their hearing peers.

Having to drive many miles twice a week to attend a pre school for deaf children and AVUK ( a charity based in Oxford who specialise in helping families support their deaf children to learn to listen using hearing technology and speak like their hearing peers), during this time, she learnt a lot about how to develop children’s speech, language and listening skills in a fun and playful way. This is when she noticed a gap in the market!

She decided to create an exciting pre school environment with good acoustics offering children fun learning through play with a strong emphasis on speech and language. With Wendy’s experience in running preschools, Becky’s creative arts background and Victoria’s knowledge gained from attending specialist nursery schools, speech therapy sessions in Oxford and her own families learning success, they pushed ahead to create their new school knowing that this new facility would benefit all children not just those with a hearing loss.

After two settings in Mere centre they saw an advertisement asking if anyone would be interested in using the old picnic site in Zeals for a community venture. Never being ones to shy away from a great opportunity and hard work, they built a nursery which reflected a rural environment, housing ponies, pigs, rabbits, sheep, chickens and ducks and created three free flow classrooms one for babies up to 2 years, one for 2 and 3 year olds and one for 3 and 4 year olds each opening up to reveal the outdoor adventure playground.

Their first OFSTED inspection as a full day setting took place in 2012 and received the very prestigious "Outstanding in all Areas" rating and five years on their latest inspector rated the nursery "Outstanding in all Areas" yet again!

Huge congratulations to where a settings “good life” approach to learning is proving to be very popular.

Where Girls Lead

• Excellent academics: scholarships to senior schools • • A confidence-building start to education for girls • • Beautiful rural campus in the heart of Dorset • • Full extra curricular programme • New rebased day fees to 2010 levels and fixed for two years. Making the best start more affordable.

Day, flexi and full boarding for girls aged 7-13 years.

Day for boys and girls aged 3-7 years Knighton House School, Durweston, Dorset DT11 0PY. Tel: 01258 452065 knightonhouse.co.uk

KHS A5 landscape advert_10.18_AW.indd 1

03/10/2018 11:20

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Wardrobe Heroes

As busy mums, we could all do with a little help to look and feel great. Country Child asked two local stylists, Laura Turner and Harriet Cleverly to show us what to invest in for a New You in the New Year...

L

aura has some simple tips and tricks to keep you sane and sassy as we enter into 2019. She explains; “Shopping is a tough gig. Especially with a baby or toddler in tow, who takes one look at those inviting rails and beautifully laid out table and sees ‘adventure playground!’

You will always look your best when you wear something that suits you.

Before you go shopping, give yourself a wardrobe consultation and ask yourself... what is that I like about the things in my wardrobe that make me feel great? The cut, the style, the texture, the colour?

What have I bought that I never wear?

What is it about it that makes me not want to wear it? It might be tricky but

really think about it, be brutal and pass them on!

Keep shopping to a minimum; buy less and invest in key pieces in your wardrobe that will work hard for you.

For example, cashmere that feels incredible and looks equally as amazing with your favourite jeans and trainers as it does with a velvet pleated skirt and heels, is where your investment will really pay off. You will reap the rewards, I promise.

It doesn't always have to mean big bucks either. It just means clever shopping and keeping an eye out for timeless classics that you can update and accessorise or move with you through the seasons.

If you have things in your wardrobe

that don't make you feel incredible, why are they there? Running around after little ones doesn't mean you don't have to look and feel really great. Some careful editing of your wardrobe, considered shopping and finding your style is so much easier.

Shopping confidently comes down to knowing your style, not being overwhelmed by what’s in the shops and being able to edit through the rails to find the things that are right for you. When you know what you like and how you want to look, this is so much easer. Start with you and your wardrobe."

The Jumper Hero

smart for the evening. And it’s cosy too and no faffing with buttons and zips. Just on and out the door!”

The Jeans Hero

Laura: “Cashmere - a staple piece for any wardrobe. J.Crew do a fantastic collection of simple, long sleeve, crew neck, cashmere jumpers in a rainbow of colours. They'll see you through all seasons and dress up as well as everyday."

The Trainer Hero

Laura: “Comfort, style and edge. Make an instant wardrobe update with a pair of statement trainers. Buy a style that will go with greys, blacks, denim and neutrals and you'll complete any outfit."

The Scarf Hero

Harriet: “A well chosen scarf is an easy way to update your entire wardrobe.

Make sure you choose a colour that compliments your complexion as the right colour near the face can lift your entire look."

The Coat Hero

Laura: “A wrap coat is easy to throw on with jeans and trainers and is also super

Have-a-Hero  Rizzo skin jeans (stonewash blue) by Ida, £165 herostockbridge.co.uk  Veja trainers, Lorna Ruby £105 lornaruby.com  Blush wool wrap coat £170 Lorna Ruby,

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The Bag Hero

Harriet: “Small and simple is the key to bags this season. A cross body bag works well with most outfits. Choose one where you can adjust the strap so it falls in the right place for your outfit and height..”

The Glove Hero

Harriet: “Fingerless gloves are perfect for busy lives as they enable you to answer your phone and find your car keys. Dont be afraid to add a splash of colour with your gloves as this can be a fun way to jazz up your look."

The Skirt Hero

Laura: “Wear during the day with with black tights and a classic chunky knit, t-shirt and oversized cardigan or throw on some boots, statement earrings and a clutch bag and you're ready for a night out."

 Edris, leopard trainers, £70 dunelondon.com  Edris, grey suede trainers, £60, Dune  Mum style Orson Slim leg jeans £42 topshop.com Animal print skirt, Topshop, £42

Here are a mix of Laura's and Harriet's top wardrobe heroes that you can buy now and love forever...

Laura: “If you live in jeans, then why not wear the best you can afford. They are worth every penny; quality, over quantity. The skinny will never go out of fashion and is super flattering for all body shapes. If you're conscious of your tummy, then go for a high waist style that creates a lovely silhouette and won't fall down when you're picking toys/food/children up from the floor! Say good-bye to baggy knees and go a size down. The fabric will relax and soften the more you wear them and get comfier wear after wear. So long as the waist band is comfortable, go as tight as you can.”

 Yellow, merino sweater, £79.50 jcrew.com  Reindeer wool/silk large square scarf. £99 cleverlywrapped.com  Tomato red pocketed cashmere jumper £143 from Cleverlywrapped.

 Chocolate suede cross body bag.£143 from Cleverlywrapped.  Cashmere lined orange leather gloves. £55. from Cleverlywrapped.

TOP TIP

Try not to wash your jeans too much and if you have to, always wash on a cool wash (maximum 30 degrees) and avoid heat to dry them. NEVER tumble dry or lay on a radiator. The heat will break the elastane in the fabric (like an elastic band) and cause crinkling.

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A new build property that cannot fail to impress with its high level of attention to detail and sleek finish this really is a superb modern family home. The traditional layout adds to the appeal with two beautiful reception rooms (study and sitting room) combined kitchen/dining/family room and four bedrooms.

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The Great Outdoors

W

hen you think about it, descending into a near-death state as autumn inexorably slides towards winter, only to then miraculously surface unscathed the following spring, is in my book a pretty neat trick!

For a whole raft of creatures, finding enough to eat in the depths of even a British winter is nigh on impossible, particularly if your favoured food supply consists of juicy invertebrates or fresh plant material. When this food shortage is combined with both a radical reduction in daylight hours and plunging temperatures, then it’s time to take action. Many fair-weather birds are able to duck the issue entirely by departing for sunnier climes in the autumn, and while hardy mammals like deer, foxes and our resident birds opt to tough out the worst of the weather, many others will choose hibernation as their survival strategy of choice.

Hibernation is effectively a very deep sleep, which enables the animals to effectively shut the body down to little more than tickover mode during this season of discontent. Prior to winter, each individual must eat as much as possible during the bountiful

Butterflies Hedgehog

Recently voted Britain’s favourite, our only prickly mammal is probably the first animal most would think of, if quizzed on hibernation. Needing to weigh at least 600g in order to survive the winter, Hedgehogs will firstly seek out a quiet spot at the base of hedges, amongst tree roots, inside compost heaps or underneath outbuildings and sheds. Creating a nest out of old leaves and dried grass, they will then drop their body temperature from about 35°C to 10°C, while their heart rate decreases from around 190 beats per minute to that of little more than 20. Most Hedgehogs will wake up if disturbed, or the weather turns unexpectedly warm, but will usually settle down again before finally emerging between mid March and early April. By then, they will be considerably lighter than when they bedded down the previous autumn.

Mike looks at some of nature’s niftiest of animals…the hibernators!! seasons of summer and autumn, which is then converted into fat, resulting in some cases to a doubling in weight. As the creature then enters hibernation, its body temperature drops, which accompanies a slowing down of both its breathing and heart rate as the body begins to conserve and ration its internal ‘fatty’ energy store.

Certainly, in the case of hibernating mammals, the allimportant fat is stored in two forms, with white adipose tissue primarily used for keeping the vital organs functioning, while the brown adipose tissue is appropriated for rapid heat generation upon wakening. While the places in which animals hide for the ‘big sleep’ can vary enormously, the locations do tend to have one thing in common - they are often tucked discreetly out of sight.

So, in honour of the ‘hibernation season’ here are a trio of sleepy animals you definitely won’t be seeing this winter!

Mike Dilger is a Naturalist, Writer and Presenter, perhaps best known as the Wild Man from The One Show. Despite having travelled the world, he is every bit as passionate about the wildlife on his doorstep in the Chew Valley.

Most British butterflies will spend the winter either as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalises, but a few hardy species like Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell will hunker down, opting instead to muscle their way through the winter as adults. Some butterflies will seek natural hollows in trees, caves or rock crevices while others might be tempted to hibernate alongside us humans in our sheds, outhouses and farm buildings. The best hibernacula should be both cold, dry and yet sheltered from the worst of the elements. In addition to hungry predators looking for an easy meal, early warm snaps can also be problematic, as waking up too early could mean the butterflies might not have enough left in the tank to see out the rest of the winter when the cold weather does return.

Common Frog

Emerging in February and March, the Common Frog’s annual mating game is a spawny spectacle witnessed in thousands of garden ponds along the length and breadth of the country. However, away from the breeding season, the movements of our best-known amphibian are still largely a mystery. Busily using wet summer nights to guzzle slugs, insects and worms in a fevered effort to gain weight, should mean by mid-October that most frogs are ready to hibernate. Locations in which to hunker down for the winter will include anywhere from burrows, to piles of rocks and even mud at the bottom of ponds. If the ‘aquatic option’ is selected, then the ability to survive comes down to their gas permeable skin, which allows the absorption of lifesustaining oxygen. This means even if the pond becomes iced over, then it should not unduly hinder their ability to quietly bide their time in the murk until the big thaw signals the arrival of spring.

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The P.T.A Plea The P.T.A – a Positive Team Approach or a Pulling Teeth Affair?

Anna Hoyle enlightens us all…

W

hen you hear the acronym ‘P.T.A.’ – do you bury your head in the sand? Or do you put your hand up?

Do you run for the hills? Or do you take one for the team?

Sometimes I think I was born with ‘mug’ written on my forehead – but I’ve always chosen to put my hand up and take one for the team when it comes to helping a worthy cause. And local primary schools in the UK are worthy causes indeed!

Just recently, our village primary school Head Teacher was lamenting that a child in Tower Hamlets receives twice as much school funding as a child in Hampshire. Just this year, our village primary school – rated Outstanding by OFSTED – was hit by a £15K cut in its state funding budget. It had already lost £15K in state funding the previous year. Which has left the school leadership team and board of governors frantically searching means and ways of plugging the deficit. How can they replace the broken timber trail in the school playground? How can they fund transport to the local swimming pool? How can they provide music lessons and instruments?

This is where the Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A) comes in…

Love them or hate them, P.T.A.s are crucial to plugging the growing financial gaps facing state schools across the country.

When we moved back to Blighty, after 10 years overseas and 3 children in tow, I threw myself into the local community, eager to make friends and build a support network. I immediately joined the PTA at my son’s new pre-school – and enthusiastically helped organise cake sales, coffee mornings and champagne tasting!

Most parents are very enthusiastic in supporting their child’s preschool. We’re all so grateful for any child care that we’ll bake endless cupcakes to raise money! The enthusiasm starts to wain at primary school stage, with most parents back in part- or full-time work. By secondary school, that enthusiasm falls off a cliff! Teenagers don’t want you involved in their school anyway!

I discovered this apathy when I turned up at my son’s Primary School PTA AGM. I was one of only two new parents who had turned up, along with the existing PTA members. The two of us newbies were lambs to the slaughter and were unwittingly enrolled into the PTA. And, thus began two years of rallying the troops and ‘pulling teeth’ to raise money for our beloved village primary school.

I won’t lie…these past two years on the PTA have been challenging, frustrating and sometimes soul-destroying. Like the time when I paraded around the school playground dressed as an elf (complete with rosy cheeks, nose and pointy ears), carrying a clipboard, begging parents to spare 30 minutes of their time to help out at our school Christmas Fair. Or the time when I missed my son winning the egg and spoon race at Sports Day as we’d run out of ice lollies for the pupils and I had to make an emergency trip to the supermarket. Or when our Christmas Fair Santa cancelled at the eleventh hour and I had to bribe 3 reluctant dads to take it in turns as Santa in the very hot and humid Grotto (I felt so sorry for Dad Santa No. 3 who inherited a very sweaty Santa suit!). Then there’s all the hours the PTA spend soliciting raffle prizes and donations from local businesses and contacts (personally, I no longer feel welcome going into certain shops on our local high street).

Was it all worth it? ABSOLUTELY!!!

Whilst the Christmas and Summer Fairs are very labour-intensive, costly, stressful and don’t make huge amounts of money, they do give the children so much joy! These events are the highlights of their school calendar. And they really bring the whole school community together. So, they are a PTA necessity! Although, finding people to help organise the fairs can be rather tricky…

But not every event is hard work. We introduced some low cost/ high yield fundraising events last year, which required minimal planning and set up costs, but made a decent amount of money. Like ‘Movie Matinees’ after school; parents get 2 hours extra childcare for £5 whilst their little ones watch ‘The Greatest Showman’ with their friends, whilst munching on popcorn (shown on the new state-ofthe-art large TV screen bought by the PTA). The ‘Break the Rules Day’ was a phenomenal success. A quick meeting with the Head, a couple of emails and a letter to the parents - and hey presto! children came to school with £5 each to break 5 rules at school that day (wearing temporary tattoos, different shoes, hair chalk, jewellery etc). It cost nothing to organise and run, but made £500!

Last year, our PTA raised a record-breaking amount for our school, which helped fund the new timber trail in the playground. Yes, it was all totally worth it!

If you’re new to the area, joining the PTA is a really good way to make new friends. Most of our committee meetings have been held at local pubs or people’s houses – so it’s been great on the social front!

Our PTA has definitely had a Positive Team Approach – helped by lots of beer and wine!

I feel really connected to my son’s school, the teaching staff, the parents and the wider local community.

And most importantly – my son has loved me being involved in his school! He’s still young enough that he doesn’t get embarrassed when mummy prances about in a Clown Outfit at the school Tombola. He’s even asked if he can be Santa’s Helper at this year’s Christmas Fair!

So, go on…get involved; start small, don’t be scared and have a laugh. May your PTA experience be more of a Positive Team Approach than a Pulling Teeth Affair!

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Oral Health For Children Are we getting it right? Georgina Gynne takes us through it.

Photography by Millie Pilkington for Westminster Abbey Choir School

K

eeping children’s teeth healthy is an extremely important part of our parenting role and can often be challenging to get right.

There are 3 basic principles to bare in mind when thinking about protecting teeth: P laque is a build-up of bacteria on teeth that produce acid and causes tooth decay.  Sugar ‘feeds’ the bacteria causing them to produce more acid. F luoride in toothpaste changes the structure of enamel to make it stronger.

Top tips for preventing tooth decay: Diet ▶ Every time you eat or drink anything sugary, your teeth are under acid attack for up to one hour. ▶ The best time to eat sugary foods is mealtimes; rest teeth between to let them heal. ▶ Saturday sweets is a great way to limit sweet intake. ▶ Sugary foods are best eaten all at once and not saved through the day; the quantity of sugar is not as important as the time it is in the mouth for. ▶ Acidic foods and drinks can be just as harmful. The acid ‘erodes' or dissolves the enamel, exposing the dentine underneath. This can make teeth sensitive and unsightly.

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So, no plaque = no tooth decay and no sugar = no tooth decay. It’s obviously impossible to cut out all sugar in the diet or eliminate all plaque but keeping sugar consumption low and plaque levels down by using a fluoride toothpaste with a good tooth brushing technique should eliminate any tooth decay. The main cause of toothache in children is tooth decay and can be very upsetting for both children and parents.

▶ Snacks are always a difficult one: try to stick to cheese, vegetables and fruit although try to limit how much dried fruit you give as it is high in sugar. Cheese on crackers, carrot batons, breadsticks, cucumber sticks, marmite sandwiches are all good examples that aren’t high in sugar. ▶ Try and avoid drinks containing sugars, including fruit juices, between meals. Give children water or milk instead. For babies, don't add sugar to their drinks, or to foods when you introduce them to solids. ▶ It is also worth remembering that some processed baby foods contain quite a lot of sugar. Try checking the list of ingredients: the higher up the list sugar is, the more there is in the product. ▶ Generally anything ending in ‘ose' is a sugar, for example: fructose, glucose, lactose or sucrose. ▶ Check that all medicines are sugar free.

Toothbrushing ▶ Cleaning your child's teeth should be part of their daily hygiene routine. You may find it easier to stand or sit behind your child, cradling their chin in your hand so you can reach their top and bottom teeth more easily. ▶ When the first teeth start to appear, try using a toothbrush designed for children, with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste. ▶ It is important to supervise your child's brushing until they are at least seven. ▶ Once all the teeth have appeared, use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles in small, circular movements and try to concentrate on one section at a time. ▶ Don't forget to brush gently behind the teeth and onto the gums. ▶ Spit out after brushing and do not rinse, so that the fluoride stays on their teeth longer. ▶ It is especially important to brush before bed. This is because the flow of saliva, which is the mouth's own cleaning system, slows down during the night and this leaves the mouth more at risk from decay ▶ Electric toothbrushes are an important subject. All advice you receive from your dentist should be evidence based. A very large and powerful study was done on electric vs manual toothbrushes and the outcome was electric toothbrushes were more effective at reducing plaque. They are suitable from aged 3 upwards.

▶ What toothbrush: based on the evidence which was done on rotary toothbrushes Oral B Braun are a very good brand of widely available rotary electric toothbrush. Their ‘stages’ range is for ages 3-5 and junior brushes from 6-12. From age 12 an adult rechargeable brush can be used. The heads are specifically designed for children and it is important their dentist shows them how to use them correctly at a check-up appointment. ▶ YouTube has some great clips if you type in toothbrushing techniques for children to help get children motivated!

Fluoride ▶ Your teeth can get fluoride in a number of different ways, including from toothpaste, specific fluoride applications and perhaps the drinking water in your area. These can all help to prevent tooth decay. ▶ If you are unsure about how much fluoride you need in your toothpaste, ask your dental team. ▶ All children up to three years old should use a smear of toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1000ppm (parts per million). After three years old, they should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that contains 1350ppm to 1500ppm.

Thumbsucking and Dental Trauma

Parent questions answered:

We are often asked if thumb sucking is really that bad. The answer is it depends on how much and how vigorously the child sucks their thumb or finger. This can be assessed at a dental check up. The effect is to push forwards the top teeth and make the arch of the palate deeper. With the top front teeth ‘sticking out’ they are more likely to get hit and damaged. Mouthguards are key in preventing trauma in children sports such as hockey, rugby and karate.

The good news is if trauma occurs your dentist will often be able to fix it very successfully. Some key points should a child’s tooth be broken or knocked out.  If the tooth is knocked out and is a permanent tooth, try and find the tooth, hold it by the top ’crown’ part and place it in saline or milk. If this is not available place it in the mouth between the cheek and gums. Phone your dentist immediately.  Milk teeth are not re-implanted so keep them safe for the tooth fairy!  If the tooth is broken try and find the broken piece and ring your dentist immediately, it may be able to be glued back on.

When should I take my child to the dentist? It is recommended that children should go to the dentist with their parents as soon as possible, just for the visit even if their teeth aren’t looked at. This will let them get used to the noises, smells and surroundings and hopefully a sticker! The earlier these visits start, the more relaxed the children will be. Intervals between check ups will be made according to risk factors contributing to the chances of decay; your child’s oral hygiene and diet and whether they are getting new decay at each visit.

When will my child's teeth appear? First (or 'baby' or ‘milk') teeth usually start to appear when your child is around 6 months old.

All 20 baby teeth should appear by the age of 30 months.

The first permanent 'adult' molars (back teeth) will appear at about 6 years, before the first baby teeth start to fall out at about 6 to 7. The permanent 'adult' teeth will then replace the 'baby' teeth. It is usually the lower front teeth that are lost first, followed by the upper front teeth shortly after. All permanent teeth should be in place by the age of 14, except the ‘wisdom' teeth. These may appear any time between 18 and 25 years of age.

Don't Decay!

PlayBrush Smart, manual toothbrush attachment which connects to a number of games via the PlayBrush tablet/ smartphone app. £19.99 playbrush. com  Bickiepegs Finger Toothbrush and Gum Massager is designed to gently clean a baby’s first teeth and massage their gums. £4.49 bickiepegs.com  Brush-Baby Chewable Toothbrush is an award winning silicone brush which does not splay. £4.99 brushbaby.co.uk

G

wynne Dental provides quality Private Dentistry and is a family run, independent surgery with a small team of experienced, gentle dentists. Cosmetic dentistry, Children’s Dentistry, Implant Placement and all aspects of dental care are carried out. Georgina Gynne is the Principal Dentist and qualified in 2003 from Bristol University. gwynnedental.co.uk

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The Gift of Kindness

Miranda will be steering her family to give a little back this festive time. Will you join in, too?

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Photography: Millie Pilkington

’m writing this at the end of September so, as far as I’m concerned, Christmas 2018 is still light years away – there are full calendar months between now and the festive season and Christmas Day itself is no less than 90 days away. But, my kids have a very different opinion, I wonder if it’s the same in your household? You see, as far as my offspring are concerned, Christmas is “sooo sooo soon, Mummy” and as a result needs discussing every.single.day (did you just hear my hand slap my forehead?). Christmas-Chat will crop up on the drive to and from school, and without doubt it’ll be discussed during breakfast, bath time and of course when I’m trying to get them to go to sleep, “Just one more question, Mummy…” Furthermore, I know that as soon as the glitzy, saccharine TV adverts start to hypnotise and lure my little ones in with their catchy jingles and promises of exotic, enticing toys, it’ll be game over until the Big Guy in Red has shot back up our chimney.

But, as you may have already guessed, Christmas-Chat isn’t my kids discussing the birth of Jesus and talk of the Three Wise Men. It’s not discussing the carols they’d like to sing on the village walkabout, nor is it how other cultures and nationalities around the world celebrate this special time of year. Christmas-Chat is much more basic, much more materialistic let’s say. And, please don’t get me wrong, I get it. I remember writing my wish list out in autumn, too and avidly watching Saturday morning TV with my sister, notepad in hand, making long lists of all the toys we couldn’t possibly live without. Of course, Christmas is exciting when you’re a little person, but now as an adult, I appreciate there’s so much more to get excited about than just ripping wrapping paper off the latest ‘must have’ toy.

So, I’ve been thinking. Like all of us, I’d like my children to grow up to be kind, respectful, and generous. I’d like them to think of others before themselves and value the small things in life. But, how do I do this? I’d like to think I lead by example but I’m not kidding anyone, I drop the ball as much as the next person. And then, last week I had a bit of a light bulb moment!

As clichéd as it may sound, I have decided I’m going to use Christmas 2018 as a way to help my kids to realise that there’s so

much more to this festive time of year than simply wanting and receiving. To that end, I started some research to see what realistic and achievable activities we can do, as a family, to enter into the real spirit of Christmas and I’ve made a list of what I’ve come up with. They’re child-friendly, inexpensive and fun. ❤ Make biscuits for your local police/fire station ❤ Whilst in the supermarket, each child in the family can choose something from the weekly food shop to donate to the local food bank (most supermarkets have containers at the checkout) ❤ T ake a bunch of flowers to your local nursing home. The nurses will know who needs them the most. ❤ Drop off a toy to the local charity shop. ❤ Wrap up a pair of gloves and give to a homeless person this winter. ❤ Donate colouring books and pencils to the paediatric wing of your local hospital/GP surgery. ❤ Buy a hot drink for someone who is collecting for charity. ❤ Hold the door open for someone. ❤ Draw a picture for someone; your local dentist, GP, vet... ❤ Give a compliment. ❤ Do a good deed for your neighbour. ❤ Put others first. ❤ Leave a favourite book on a park bench with a friendly note. ❤ Smile. ❤ Write a letter to your teacher. ❤ Help at the local soup kitchen (for older children) ❤ Litter pick on the beach or in your local park. ❤ Make a bird feeder. ❤ Partake in a 5K run/walk for a good cause. ❤ Say ‘Thank You’ So the plan is for us to tick off as many of these as we can in the advent period leading up to Christmas Day – some will be easy, some will require a little more thought. Maybe you’ll feel like trying it too…

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