Warrington Kids direct Summer 13 by Kids Direct

F R E E !

ALL THE LOCAL INFORMATION PARENTS REALLY NEED !

elcome to the Summer 2013 edition of Kids Direct! With the long summer holidays looming, it helps to be well equipped and organised with an abundant supply of ideas on what to do and where to go, so as to avoid those “Mum, I’m bored!” moments. This issue will ensure you never run out of things to do, so make sure you keep your copy close by! For the very busy working mums and dads, you will be pleased to know there are a wide variety of summer school camps to choose from, which will keep your child(ren) well entertained. But remember to book your place soon to avoid disappointment. And as always, there are many fabulous competitions to enter and money saving vouchers to use! Wishing you all a super (and hopefully sunny) summer! Kidsdirectwarrington

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Kids Direct Warrington is owned, operated and published under licence by Michele Quaresma. Printing: Delmar Press Kids Direct is owned by Megan Kneale, Registered Trademark no 1468409 We believe all information to be correct but do not endorse any products or services. The views expressed in Kids Direct are not necessarily those of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright arising from artwork supplied by its contributors and clients. Reproduction, in whole or in part, of any of the text, illustrations or photography without the express permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. Terms of all competitions in this magazine: Prize winners will be drawn at random. No cash alternative to prizes will be offered. Any personal data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. It will only be used for the purpose of notifying outcomes of the prize draw(s). Your personal information will not be shared with organisations external to Kids Direct unless a third party is issuing the prize.

Next issue due out: November 2013

!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!! 2 Adults and 2 Concessions tickets to the Wolves Super League fixture versus Wakefield Wildcats on Sunday 11th August 2013, kick-off 3.00pm. All you need to do is answer how many of these balls can you find in this magazine? A) 7 B) 9 C) 10 Email your answer to: kidsdirect@hotmail.co.uk Closing Date: 31 July 2013 Tickets will be allocated to the West Stand, which is the standing area of the Stadium.

Congratulations to our Spring issue competition winners: Waterworld tickets: Paul Lewis L.A. Bowl free family hour bowling: Simone Fisher Forget-me-Not Toy and Book Store book prize: Sarah Green Pyramid Competition: Claire Hennessey

Spring and summer are fantastic times to visit the centre as new life develops allowing you to see the cute sights of ducklings, goslings, cygnets and flamingo chicks spring up around the reserve and gardens. Seasonal attractions include the award winning duckling nursery open from late May to end of July, take to the water and get a close encounter with nature on our award winning canoe safari and boat tour experience, get creative and have a go at den building, delve in and see what creatures you can find on bug hunts and pond dipping sessions every weekend and each day of the summer holidays. Every day you can also see the cute sight of our family of otters as Thai (mum) and Ned (dad) play with their three young cubs, Belle, Flick and Penny. You can watch their feed everyday at 11.30am and 2.30pm and hear all about Asian Short-clawed otters and why they have their home at Martin Mere. For young adventurers, a new imaginative play area was opened in June 2012 were you can swing, climb, balance, slide and clamber as well as joining in the water play to have fun. But there is plenty to see and do at Martin Mere all year round, with more than 100 types of rare and endangered water-birds to hand feed, a family of beavers in residence, an inspirational eco-garden and a rolling programme of events, walks and talks including Toddler Thursday, every Thursday during term time.

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BOREDOM BUSTERS! Keeping the kids entertained over the summer holidays can often be costly and time consuming. Where to go? What to do? How can I find out what's on? How much will it cost? What if it is raining? All these questions can be answered by contacting the Families Information Service (FIS) on 01925 443322 (option 6). Or you can look online on: www.warringtonchildren.org for a range of holiday activities for children and young people in Warrington; just type 'summer' in the keyword box for the answer to all your questions. Keep them active with the various sports sessions available at the leisure centres with LiveWire and Little Superstars; be creative making flags of the world and flower garlands with Warrington museum, enjoy the fun of the stage with Showtime Summer School at Glazebury and lots, lots more. Some activities require advance booking and costs can vary. Contact the Families Information Service by phone 01925 443322, email on fis@warrington.gov.uk or complete an online enquiry form and the FIS will send you out the information.

Southport Pleasureland is extending a big warm welcome to the new season after a winter of heavy investment in rides, landscaping and infrastructure to create a fresher and even more exciting family visitor attraction. As ever the park is free entry and rides are from just £1 which makes it the perfect choice for groups of friends or families looking for affordable fun right next to the coast. There are lots of rides and diversions for everyone from teens to toddlers with plenty to keep the adults amused. The park is just along the coast from Crosby’s famous Anthony Gormley ‘Another Place’ sculptures and almost next door to Formby’s famous red squirrel reserve. Set in England’s Classic Resort of Southport, visitors have plenty more to see and do along the promenade and down the town’s main shopping street, home to fine eateries and quaint and contemporary coffee shops. Inside Pleasureland there are all of the great amusement park favourites if you fancy a snack, from pizza slices or a pot of pasta to a good old seaside winner – a portion of fresh fish and chips. Or, if you want to bring your own picnic and save the budget to spend instead on rides, there are plenty of picnic nooks to sit and eat treats from home alfresco. We’re so family friendly, even the dog’s welcome! Jostling amidst the candyfloss, Hook a Duck and other stalls and rides from big thrill experiences to something gentler for the littlest visitors and, if you are brave enough to get up high on one of the rides, there are breathtaking views – if you can open your eyes! The park is celebrating another great season this year. So if you’re looking for traditional diversions and up to the minute rides that the whole family will love, there’s nowhere better. This year the park will open its new open air arena, a great location for festivals and shows. To find out more: www.southportpleasureland.com or follow us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/SNPleasureland?ref=hl

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See Vouchers On Pg 37

To advertise, call 01925 714 244 or email kidsdirect@hotmail.co.uk

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To advertise, call 01925 714 244 or email kidsdirect@hotmail.co.uk

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details may change. It is advisable to phone the venue concerned to check dates, times and prices before setting out.

July Sat 6th Croft Carnival, Croft Warrington Sat 13th Callands Summer Fair, Callands Rd, Warrington Time: 12 pm - 4 pm. Fundraising for Callands Nursing Home, Warrington. Tel: 01925 244 233. Sat 13th Penketh Carnival, Greystone Recreational Ground, Warrington Great fun for all the family, including a fun fair, car boot sale, dog show, stalls and loads more. Raising money for local charities and community groups. Tel: Linda 01925 725584. Sat 20th Winwick Carnival, Warrington Lots to see and do, including a fun fair, morris dancing, stunt display by M.A.D - The World’s first professional mountain bike stunt/trials display team, live entertainment, magician, dog show, Punch and Judy show and loads more. For more info, see. www.winwickcarnival.co.uk.

Sat 20th Stretton Walking Day, Stretton Warrington It starts with a Church service at St Matthew’s at 11am, where the Rose Queen & her attendants are formally appointed. At 12.00 the ‘Walk of Witness’ takes place (approx. 1 hour) led by a Brass band and the Vicar of St Matthews. Local roads are closed & the walk takes approx. 45-60 minutes, returning to the Church / School grounds. At 1pm the school fair officially opens with plenty of exciting stalls, fairground rides, local dance display and fun family activities, including a BBQ, licensed bar, face painting, grand raffle draw & DJ. Tea, coffee, juice and cake refreshments will be available in the Church Hall. For the first time this year, there will also be some outside craft stallholders (approx. 10) as well. See www.strettonwalkingday.co.uk for further details. Sat 27th - Sun 28th July & 28 th - 29th Sept Kenyon Hall Farm Fayres, Warrington In addition to all the fruit and vegetables which all children will enjoy buying, picking and eating, there are many other activities to keep them entertained: Laser Tag, children’s play area, Maize Maze, Bouncy Castle, Vintage and craft stalls, donkey rides and much more! See www.kenyonhall.co.uk for more details.

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The newly formed Warrington Sports Academy are offering children within the area the chance to take part in organised, fun & friendly half-term activities this Summer. Boys and girls aged 4-12 years are welcome to attend the sports camps to enjoy hours of action packed fun and games under the watchful eye of fully qualified, CRB cleared and first aid trained coaches. The camps run from 9:30am to 3:30pm and are a fantastic way for children to enjoy time off school by keeping fit and active while meeting new friends and learning a host of new skills in a safe and secure environment. WSA will offer a free day service which will see Monday sessions free with prices thereafter being set at just ÂŁ10 per child, per day. Where the Monday is a Bank Holiday, Tuesday will be become the designated free day. Children who represent a local sports team are encouraged to wear their club colours, to receive a discount of ÂŁ2 on top of the already great price. th ,30th,31st,1st

& 2nd @ Broomfields Leisure Centre & @ Broomfields Leisure Centre th,13th,14th,15th & 16th @ Broomfields Leisure Centre & Callands Community Primary th,20th,21st,22nd & 23rd @ Callands Community Primary th,28th,29th & 30th @ Broomfields Leisure Centre th,6th,7th,8th

9th

To book or for more information, please email info@warringtonsportsacademy.co.uk

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Kool Kids Rooms loves bright & colourful kool stuff. So if you are looking for children’s bedding and curtains then you should come & take a look at what they have. They also have accessories to help you complete your children’s rooms with rugs, cushions, throws, mirrors, clocks & wall stickers. Alongside they have a range of children’s gifts such as "Just-add-a-kid" T-shirts, "Everearth" wooden toys & "TOP Model" books as well as a range of colour-in table cloths, postcards & party bags. Pop over to their brand new shop in Warrington.

Unit 1, Clarendon Court, Winwick Quay, Warrington, WA2 8QP

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Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details may change. It is advisable to phone the venue concerned to check dates, times and prices before setting out.

July Sat 6th Pick your own for Peter, Tatton Park Join our guide in the gardens for storytelling and pick your own fruit, vegetables and salad to create dishes inspired by Beatrix Potter’s tales to take home. Then cook your harvest in the Victorian Mansion. Maximum age 12 years. www.tattonpark.co.uk.

Sat 13th & 3rd Aug Kiddy Cook at Tatton Park Aspiring young chefs pick seasonal fruit and vegetables in Tatton’s Walled Garden with a servant from the past and then cook in the Victorian Mansion to create a culinary delight to take home. Book via Nikki Geddes on 07976 619648 or Hale@kiddycook.co.uk

Sun 14th Disability Awareness Day, Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington Disability Awareness Day (DAD), is the world's largest 'not for profit' voluntary-led disability exhibition, and is held annually in a huge tented village within the grounds of Walton Hall Gardens. Visitors to the show will find over 250 exhibitors, equipment suppliers, transport, holidays, leisure, employment, support groups and services. PLUS a Sports Zone including Scuba diving, an Arts Marqee and family entertainment. The show opens at 10am and finishes at 5pm, and entry is FREE.

Sat 13th - Sun 14th Cheshire Steam Fair, Daresbury, Warrington Established for over 30 years the Cheshire Steam Fair has moved to a spectacular new venue. The event is not just for the Steam enthusiast but it is also a great family day out with hundreds of exhibits on display. Anticipated attractions include: 30 x Steam Engines, 200 x Classic Cars, 150 x Vintage Commercials, 40 x Land Rovers, 150 x Classic Motorcycles, 80 x Tractors, Stationary Engines, Miniature Steam Engines, Military Section, Model Boat Display with Pool, Birds of Prey, Miniature Railway, Trade Stands, Craft & Fine Food Marquee, Autojumble Stands, Fairground, Public Camping, Licensed Bar & Catering Outlets. Tel: 01751 200839.

Sun 14th Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”, Tatton Park Illyria Outdoor Theatre 'As You Like It' is Shakespeare's ultimate romantic comedy. Four people each find their perfect soulmates in the

Forest of Arden. One pair leap straight into bed, another are instantly struck by each other's beauty, the third tease each other endlessly - while the fourth enjoy a courtship that is so witty and playful that Love itself is stretched to the limit. But pitted against political intrigue, multiple disguises and overwhelming cynicism, there can only be one possible outcome: Love, of course, wins. With its many pearls of wisdom, easy-to-follow plot and gloriously happy ending this is not only one of Shakespeare's most crowd-pulling plays but also the perfect comedy for a summer's evening. Time: 6.30pm. Tel: 01625 374400.

Wed 17th Treasure Island, Norton Priory, Runcorn Swashbuckling family fun on the high seas with Cambridge Touring Theatre’s outdoor performance of Treasure Island. Bring picnics and blankets or low seating for some family entertainment. See website for prices. www.nortonpriory.org. Time: 6pm.

Sun 21st Victorian Fun Day, Norton Priory Traditional games, stalls and summer fun. £2 entry. Time: 11am - 4pm. www.nortonpriory.org

Thurs 25th - Sun 28th RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park www.rhs.org.uk/tatton

Tues 30th July & Tues 28th Aug Keeper for the Day, Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington Join the Rangers to experience what working in the children’s zoo is all about. You’ll be mucking in to muck out, so old clothes are essential. Parental supervision is required and booking is essential. Tel: 01925 601617 (option 2).

Tues 30th July - 23rd Aug Beatrix Potter Summer Farm Activities, Tatton Park Milking demonstrations, meet our newly born ducklings and Sally Henny Penny's chicks! Learn more about all our new arrivals at the daily farm fact talks. Mr. McGregor is searching for Peter Rabbit and his friends in the maize, can you find them before him? Try our Beatrix Potter quiz and listen in to Beatrix Potter story telling sessions, (Sundays) Closed Mons except Bank Holiday. Activities vary daily. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Wed 31st Viking Morning, Tatton Park Beware all who enter the Old Hall, for who will you discover at the Viking settlement? A fun-filled morning exploring the life of a typical Viking settlement, including outdoor cooking, storytelling, shelter building and animal tracking. Suitable for 8 -12 years. Places must be booked in advance. Time: 10.30 - 12.30. Cost: £9. Tel: 01625 374428.

Wed 31st Dip the Dam, Lymm Dam Can you find a water scorpion or a whirligig beetle? Come along and investigate the creatures of the deep living in Lymm Dam. Wellies and old clothes are advisable. Booking essential. Time: 1.30pm - 3.00pm. Tel: 01925 758195.

Wed 31st Alice - An Extraordinary Adventure, Walton Hall & Gardens, Warrington You are invited to take part in a very special tea party. Join Alice on an enchanted journey that leads her to a chaotic underground world. This is an open air theatre production, please bring your own seating and picnic. Tickets are available from the Pyramid on 01925 442345 or Walton Gardens Ranger’s Office: 01925 601 617. Time: 7pm - 9.30pm.

Tues 6th Summer Treasure Trail, Culcheth Linear Park, Warrington Don’t get lazy during the holidays. Come and join in this summer treasure trail. Pick up a map from the ranger and follow the clues around the park. Solve the puzzle and win yourself a prize. Time: 1.30pm - 3.30pm. Tel: 01925 824 239.

6th, 13th, 20th & 27th Aug VPX funday at Victoria Park, Warrington Free event with over 20 free activities every Tuesday in August. Time: 11am - 4pm. See their FB page : VPX-Warrington for more details.

Wed 7th/28th Children’s Cycling, Tatton Park Fundamentals of off-road skills, including a bikesafety check. Explore farmland trails and woodland single-tracks. Bring a packed lunch. Minimum age 7 years. Places must be booked in advance. Time: 10am - 1.30pm. Tel: 01625 37 44 28.

Thurs 8th Under the Sea, Family Fun and Race Day, Haydock Park

Aug Thurs 1st Survival Skills, Tatton Park Ever thought you could survive in the wilderness? Build a shelter in the woodland, track wild animals, play games of stealth and find out where wild foods can be found. Minimum age 8 years. Places must be booked in advance. Cost: £9. Time: 10.30 - 12.30. Tel: 01625 374428.

Fri 2nd Party in the Park, Phoenix Park, Runcorn This popular event, now in its 7th year, is back and it’s bigger and better than ever. We have added to all the popular favourites for what promises to be a fantastic day for the whole family. Tel: 0151 511 8915.

Tues, 6th Myth and Magic Morning, Tatton Park Travel back to the Dark Ages, a time of legend and magic. Hear fantastic tales, explore the amazing power of plants and try your hand at making a scented bag to take away. Make a willow wand to take home and practice your spells. Places must be booked in advance. Time: 10.30 - 12.30. Tel : 01625 374428. £12.

Join us for an action-packed family day out not just with fantastic racing, but with FREE children's activities ranging from face-painting to bouncy castles, craft workshops to funfair rides ... but best of all it's FREE for children 17 and under, accompanied by a paying adult. www.haydock-park.co.uk.

Thurs 8th Minibeasting, Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, Warrington A chance to explore the secret world of minibeasts which are found in the meadows, woods and mosses. Places are limited, so book in advance. Tel: 01925 824 339. Time: 2pm - 3.30pm.

Thurs 8th Junior Longbow, Tatton Park Young people from Medieval times would practise the art of longbow. Join us at the atmospheric Old

Hall, try longbow, put on armour and live the life of an archer. Suitable for 8-17 years. Places must be booked in advance. Cost: £16. Time: 10.30 - 12.00. Tel: 01625 374428.

Mon 19th - Tues 20th Ahoy There Matey! Norton Priory, Runcorn

Sun 11th Damsels and Dragons, Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, Warrington

Thurs 22nd Bats for Beginners, Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington

Look for some of the 17 species of dragonflies and damselflies recorded at Risley Moss. Booking essential. Tel: 01925 824 339. Time: 2pm- 3.30pm.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Feel free to bring a torch. Booking essential: Tel: 01925 601617.

Sun 11th Fun Dog Show, Tatton Park

Thurs 22nd Clueless, Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, Warrington

10 novelty classes including Saddest Eyes,Waggiest Tail and Scruffiest Dog plus a fun agility course (try it if you’re fit enough). ‘Show Champion’ trophy to be won and rosettes to 6th place. £2 entry per class. Time: 12pm. Tel: 01625 374400.

Sun 11th Viking Sunday at the Old Hall, Tatton Park Renowned for their authenticity and humour as well as television and film work, the Vikings of Middle England invade Tatton's Old Hall once again. Experience skirmish and domestic life. Have a go at archery (small charge). Try on armour. Falconry demonstrations and peformance of Nasty Norman Justice .Storytrations. Story Telling. Time: 12pm - 5pm. www.tattonpark.org.uk.

Wed 14th Boredom Busters Nature Day, Tatton Park Join the Rangers to hunt for mini-beasts in the park’s ponds and woodlands and take a trailer ride to get a close look at Tatton’s deer. www.tattonpark.org.uk.

Sun 18th Babe the Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith at Tatton Park (adapted by David Wood) - Outdoor Theatre at the Old Hall. Farmer Hoggett wins a piglet at the fair and everyone knows what fate awaits piglets raised on a farm. Adopted by Fly the sheepdog, Babe develops his own methods of herding sheep using politeness instead of barking orders, and even saves the flock from being stolen by sheep rustlers. But Farmer Hoggett is a hard man to please - so when Babe is entered for the county sheep dog trials he is going to need Fly's help, all his wits, and as much politeness as he can muster if he is going to get the sheep to co-operate, win the trials, and save his life. Call 01625 374400 for tickets. Time: 3pm.

Make a miniature raft to race along the water. Time: 11am - 4pm. www.nortonpriory.org.

Give the old grey matter a workout on this summer sizzler of a treasure hunt. Prizes for the winners! Time: 2pm - 3.30pm.

Mon 26th - Tues 27th The Big Treasure Hunt, Norton Priory Pirates have landed at Norton Priory. Enjoy family activities and join the big treasure hunt! www.nortonpriory.org.

Sept Wed 11th Beginners Guide to the Night Sky, Walton Hall & Gardens, Warrington A chance to enjoy looking at the wonders of the night sky with local astronomer, Michael Jones. A hot meal will be served at interval before venturing outside to gaze at the night sky, weather permitting of course. Booking essential. Tel: Michael Jones 07818 264 311.

Thurs 12th Bat Bonanza, Tatton Park Come for an atmospheric night walk around Tatton Park with a Ranger to see and hear the furry fliers as they hunt for their evening meal. Not suitable for children under 8 years. Places must be booked in advance. Time: 6.45pm - 8.45pm. Tel: 01625 37 4428.

Sat 28th - Sun 29th North West Vintage Rally, Victoria Park, Widnes The major free vintage event in the North of England. See over 50 fairground organs and 200 vintage attractions including classic cars, motorbike and traction engines. A great free family day out. www.northwestvintagerally.co.uk.

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Easy2name will solve all your labelling problems. With waterproof stickers for labelling shoes, lunchboxes and equipment and a choice of clothing labels, including Stick-Easy clothing labels - the no sew, no iron option, lost property will be a thing of the past. Their "Off to school" set is great value as it includes stickers, iron on labels, a shoe bag and bag tag and you can choose from red, blue or lilac sets. Their innovative range of labels can be used on every single item of children's belongings from socks and shoes to stationary, sports kit and mobile phones. Easy2name give 10% discount to Kids Direct Readers - simply enter the code KD2013 at the checkout and you will then automatically get the 10% off.

For a chance to win an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Off to School setâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; please tell us what colours they come in? Email us your answers along with your name, address and age to: kidsdirect@hotmail.co.uk Competition closes: 2 August 2013

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Matt Fiddes Martial Arts in Cheshire has a youth policy which works hard on the training and development of young instructors and coaches. Steve James’ team all started at a young age and are now accomplished Black Belt Instructors: Steve James – Chief Instructor Steve started Martial Arts in 1982 under his father, Karate Legend Doug James. He worked hard towards his goals and in 2004 opened up Matt Fiddes Cheshire. Since then the schools have become one of the most successful in the North West. Steve’s motto is Dream, Believe and Achieve. “My goal is to help as many children as possible become more confident, mentally strong and successful. By joining Matt Fiddes Martial Arts children get to learn Martial Arts and essential Life Skills that will help them on their journey to being the best they can be”. Jamie McAdam – Lead Instructor (Runcorn, Sankey & St Helens) Jamie started teaching full time at the age of 16 and very quickly became Steve’s no 2. Jamie’s passion is teaching children and that comes across in every class he teaches. Jamie is currently training for his 3rd Dan and has just started teaching the new Hollywood self defence programme: Defence Lab. Jamie was a student of Steve’s for a couple of years before he took the plunge and started being a Martial Arts Instructor!! Mike Southern – Lead Instructor (Widnes, Wigan & Woolston) Mike is Steve’s first ever student and has not missed a training session or class ever since he joined in September 2004. Mike has grown up to be an amazing role model to so many children and adults. Mike is currently training for his 4th Dan. He teaches Martial Arts Xtreme in Widnes and is a former British Champion.

Sam Plaskett – Lead Instructor (Sankey & Widnes) Sam started in January 2005 as a shy 9 year old and has developed into an amazing student and instructor. Sam is now working hard to go to University where she will be studying Forensic Science. Sam is now a 3rd Dan Black Belt and is a well respected member of the team. She is also a former British Champion. Please visit the meet the team page on their website www.mattfiddescheshire.co.uk to see the youth development for all our schools.

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Kinder Swim is an exciting new swim school operating in the Cheshire and Newcastle-Under-Lyme areas for babies, pre-school and after-school children. They have recently secured use of a new pool at Delamere Forest. Kinder Swim was set up by Kath and Sharon after they had been teaching babies and children to swim for the last 5 years but felt they wanted to offer a more personal service within their own swim school. ‘We are passionate about teaching children of all ages and abilities to become water confident and take those first steps towards independent swimming. Our lessons are fun and stimulating and incorporate vital survival skills whilst still focusing on fun and enjoyment.’ Kath and Sharon also encourage parents, many of whom are non-swimmers, to take the plunge and have fun in the water with their children. ‘Swimming is a great way to keep fit as well as have fun with your little ones.’

27 October (Samoa v New Zealand - ko 6pm) 17 November (quarter final - ko 3pm) The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington. Warrington Borough Council, together with their partners, are proud to be hosting the Samoan team, and two games at The Halliwell Jones Stadium – including a quarter final match! They are set to be great family events. #Bethere. To celebrate the amazing RLWC 2013 tournament coming to Warrington, WBC are working with lots of partners to hold lots of FREE rugby themed activities and events including arts, dance, sport, learning and volunteering opportunities over the summer. Visit their website to find out more about the partners involved, what’s on, and how to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity. www.warrington.gov.uk/rlwc2013 Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Wolves RLFC, Warrington Wolves Foundation, University of Chester, Marketing Cheshire, Virgin Trains, Park Royal Hotel, Village Hotel, Culture Warrington, LiveWire and many other businesses and supporters are behind making the games a success!

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Rugbytots® is the first of its kind, a specifically designed play programme, using the multiple skills of rugby, to create a fun and enjoyable environment. Classes help develop a child’s physical, psychological and social attributes, as well as gently encouraging specific rugby skills, such as running with the ball, finding space, kicking, catching, scoring a try and more. Classes are split into two age groups,:2 to 3 ½ years Encourages children to use core skills ie balance, agility and co-ordination, as well as sharing, taking turns and working together. The 30 minute session includes catching, passing, scoring tries and kicking. 3 ½ to 5 years The 45 minute class builds upon basic skills learned, and looks at more specific skills used in Rugby ie finding space, passing the ball backwards, scoring a well worked try and more. For more details, please call 0845 3133255, email Michele@rugbytots.co.uk, website: www.rugbytots.co.uk. Puddle Ducks’ wonderful swimming programme delivers nurturing, fun classes to babies, toddlers and preschool and children across the regions and UK every week. Babies and children can join our swimming classes at any age from birth, developing into confident swimmers without even realising they’re learning to swim. By engaging each child’s abilities and natural affinity with water, Puddle Ducks offer simple steps to a lifetime love of swimming. We recognise that every child is different: our fantastic teachers adapt each activity to suit each child, nurturing water confidence so that your child will become a happy little swimmer before they start school. Classes run in Leigh Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Parr on Saturdays and St Helens on Tuesdays and Wednesday. For more information, call 01606 892 868 or email: southlancs@puddleducks.com.

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Gabby goo parties was set up by a mum for mums. Having been to fancy parties and play centres they felt the purpose of a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s party was being lost. They believe a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s party should be magical and personal to each child. Therefore, Gabby goo parties specialise in listening to what families want and tailoring each party to suit their child. They do themed parties such as princesses and pirates, first birthday parties with Igglepiggle, princess pamper parties and superhero crazy parties to name but a few. They can provide extras such as face painters, special guests like Snow White and Spiderman as well as providing food, party bags and actually, if they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t got it they will endeavour to get it to ensure your child's birthday party is special. Contact them on 07584 416840.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153; Learning a musical instrument can boost a child's confidence.â&#x20AC;? renowned for rapidly developing musicians of all ages and abilities using our powerful, proven techniques. So if you'd like to try lessons with one of our friendly teachers on Piano, Electric or Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Keyboard or Singing then give us a call on 01925 577715. Get started right now by registering for your FREE Trial Music Lesson at our professional music schools in Warrington town centre or Sandymoor.

It has been proven around the world, time and time again that learning a musical instrument can boost a child's confidence. We see it within our schools on a daily basis, with parents often commenting on how much their child is growing in self-belief through their new found musical skills. We have felt this experience too of course. Each of our experienced teachers will tell you how their own musical ability has helped them in ways that stretch far beyond the music studio. The confidence that a music student gains through quality lessons has a wide reach. We want to be able to share these abilities with as many people as possible, so we have a new offer for all complete beginner students... We have added some new shorter session slots to our timetable enabling complete beginner students to try their hands and voices at our renowned music lessons. As these classes are shorter at 30 minutes per week, they cost just ÂŁ45 per month.

We are not just well-known for our regular instrumental lessons... Take a short course with us and let us show you how simple it is to start your own band and even perform live on stage at great venues. Write and record your own songs Boost your music composition skills with GCSE assistance too Become a Technical Wizard on your instrument Learn solos which will have your friends amazed Boost your theory skills to really lock in all of the fantastic practical musical knowledge you will learn Our focus is to provide you with the tools you need to progress and drive your musical ability to the next level. So give us a call on 01925 577715 and we will look forward to welcoming you. Come and join us, get ready to be inspired...

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whole world suddenly changed and finally they realised the way they had been struggling or perceiving the world wasn’t normal. They stopped beating themselves up about their difficulties. Clients fitted with spectral filters have seen improvements in auditory perception, ability to think in concepts, ability to grasp the meaning of behaviour, take less energy to listen and they no longer need to Following on from Barbara McCoy’s article in the use stored phrases when talking. previous issue, where she gave us an insightful etiology Here, one of my students I have taught for nearly 4 of Irlen’s® Syndrome, this article describes how she has years explains how the glasses have changed his helped her students with Irlen’s® and the impact it has outlook at school: had on them. “Before having my coloured glasses, I was constantly “It has been a very interesting journey, and very being told that I was terrible at Literacy and spelling. I rewarding helping these children. Whilst testing my ten was called lazy and told I wasn’t concentrating hard ‘guinea pigs’, it was amazing to find out the symptoms enough. I was working my hardest, yet I hadn’t reported including: glare, dizziness, anxiety, handwriting progressed or improved with my Literacy difficulties and reading difficulties, under performing in sport, since the end of Year 2. eye-tracking problems, behavioural problems and poor I hated homework and I struggled to motivate myself to academic performance. write half an A4 length. I didn’t like Literacy and would For these children, simple modifications were put into avoid it wherever possible as it annoyed and frustrated place such as: the lighting was changed; they wore me. I just knew I would get annoyed, feel anxious and brimmed caps or visors; given a book stand; the print get a terrible mark. I simply didn’t want the size was altered; they were given magnifying bars; embarrassment. I lacked confidence and Babs made pastel paper; A4 filters and if necessary, an me realise that the anxiety and low self-esteem were appointment to get spectral filters fitted with the sometimes caused by dyslexia or Irlen® Syndrome. diagnostician. Finally, early in Year 5 and after lots of research by my Before being fitted with the coloured lenses, some mum, I was pulled out of school and taken to see a children explained they couldn’t see the leaves on the dyslexia specialist. I remember this day well because trees or they saw colours around the trunk. They could prior to this, I felt my life wasn’t worth living anymore only feel the water and bath-tub and hear the bubbles. and I felt depressed and angry with myself. The However, after having filters fitted they could see the specialist diagnosed me with both dyslexia and water and bubbles as well as the white enamel bath tub dysgraphia. and plug. I was referred for a vision training course. There, the Others reported a huge black blob over the middle of the man said I had Scotopic Sensitivity and I needed text and without the glasses noises could not be coloured overlays. He handed me a yellow one and distinguished and got mixed up. Astonishingly, one child almost instantly my grades went higher and I was back was amazed to find out their arm was actually attached on track for the first time in years. After 4 - 6 sessions to their body and another had not realised the colour of he suggested I should have coloured glasses. I have a his bike or realised it had spokes and finer details. Their green pair and they have increased my confidence and I love writing stories now. Try stopping me! I have a lot more success with visual spelling techniques and working memory interventions. I was asked to do a level 6 maths test in Year 6 Sats and I received a 5 c in my mock tests recently.” Adam aged 10. Cheshire.

A year 6 pupil from Warrington,

Please contact Babs if you feel your child has any of these conditions. The test is non invasive and may ease the symptoms of dyslexia too, so not making a dyslexia diagnostic test vital. Some children’s reading age has gone up by 6 months instantly, so please ring for a chat. Barbara McCoy face2facetuition@hotmail.co.uk 0781 4044390

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Kids Direct meets author and illustrator

Curtis Jobling Curtis Jobling was born in Blackpool and now lives with his family in Warrington, Cheshire and is the designer of the worldwide hit and BAFTA winning BBC show, Bob the Builder. His early work in animation included model and puppet painting in Aardman’s Animation’s Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave and Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks. His latest pre-school animation show Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, has now “eclipsed Bob the Builder in terms of popularity and presence with younger children,” Curtis proudly states. He is also a published author and illustrator of many children’s books including Frankenstein’s Cat which is now an animated series in its own right and sold to broadcasters worldwide. This show won the Pulcinella Award for Best Children’s Show at the Cartoon on the Bay International Animation Festival. When Kids Direct asked Curtis what he thought was the key to his extremely successful career, Curtis had this to say: “Versatility, I suppose, and perseverance. Perseverance in so much as I have always pushed myself to not rest on my laurels, I’ve always been striving to better myself with what I’m doing. I started off with work experience in film and TV and then I got paid work and later I was designing somebody else’s show in the case of Bob the Builder. Then it was a case of creating my own show such as Raa Raa the Noisy Lion and Frankenstein’s Cat. I was never satisfied with just designing somebody else’s show, I wanted to be telling my own stories. That kind of perseverance and sticking at it has really helped me. The versatility in the fact that I can write and also illustrate, means I can bring two different things to the party, certainly for the TV stuff. In the case of Raa Raa, I was not just the creator but I was the designer and I also wrote a couple of the episodes as well.”

It is Curtis’s love of writing that has really taken centre stage now. “For the last couple of years I have hardly picked up a crayon, which I loved because, as much fun as making the TV shows is, writing for yourself is the most fun in the world. I thought I had the best job in the world, I was wrong. I have that now. I love it! It is so much more enjoyable. I am quite happy to just play with words and not pictures at the moment.” His first novels, “Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf” and “Rage of Lions” were published by Puffin in 2011. He has since written and published a further three, with the sixth and final novel in the series to be published some time between August and October this year. “Wereworld is directly inspired by my love of fantasy and horror. They are the things that I really did grow up on and although the pre-school stuff is what I am known for, anybody who listens to my talks or hears me do a reading or reads one of the Wereworlds books, will see very quickly that although it is fantasy horror, fantasy with a big ‘F’ and horror with a small ‘h’, the horror is a key component to it. The horror stakes gets ramped up considerably along the way.” “A huge part of what I do now is going into schools across the country, primary and secondary, and even universities and enthuse about creative industries, writing, illustrations and animations. It’s also a thrill for me because if I had had an author visit me when I was in school, it would have had a profound effect on me.” Curtis feels very passionate about this part of his work because even though he loved to doodle a lot from a very early age, he was told by his teachers and career advisors that there was no such thing as a ‘creative

industry’. He hopes to inspire a new generation of writers and artists and proving those nay-sayers wrong.

‘Keep your hobbies, they feed the soul!’ In addition to his work at schools, he is a patron of the Warrington Children’s University, working in partnership with The Warrington Wolves Foundation, which is also a patron. The Children’s University encourages young people to get involved with extra curriculum activities, delivered by validated organisations and groups across the town. “The desire is to get the schools or the borough to provide children with extra curricula lessons, things that they are not going to get to do in a normal school day. I am involved in creative writing, character design and animation work.” Young people who join Children’s University will receive a passport which is stamped upon completion of each registered learning opportunity. These stamps will then count towards a cap and gown Graduation Ceremony at the end of the school year! Kids Direct editor, Michele Quaresma, was fortunate enough to be present at one of the Children’s University workshops held at the Warrington Museum and attended by several children from across Warrington. At this very interactive workshop, Curtis spoke about his career in animation and also included an introduction to animation itself. To the delight of the children, he then did a few illustration examples of various characters from Bob the Builder on a flipchart as well as a spell bounding reading from one of his Wereworld novels. From this fun and informative workshop, the one clear and lasting message that Curtis was hoping to etch on all the children’s minds was this: “Keep your hobbies, they feed the soul, who knows where they may take you. My love of writing is born directly out of my love of reading and playing role play games when I was a kid; Dungeons and Dragons and things like that. Those hobbies that I did, words and pictures, I am very fortunate that

those hobbies have now become my career! So my advice to all the children is if you have a talent in something, that’s creative, that’s considered extra or co-curricular, keep at it. Because at the least, they could have a worthwhile hobby for the rest of their lives, but for the most they might be able to make a living out of doing that thing that they love, which is what I have been fortunate enough to do.” The workshop ended with a Q & A on all aspects of his career. Here are some of the questions asked by two twin brothers, Alfie and Jayden Fellows (aged 5) of St Margarets C of E School:

Alfie and Jayden Fellows (Age 5)

Alfie asked: “What is your favourite book?” A: “I would probably say the Lord of the Rings or The Hobit because it had such a profound effect on me, that’s what got me really excited about reading.” Jayden’s questions: “Does your handwriting have to be really neat?” A: “No, because I have something called a computer. My handwriting is awful, my computer does it all for me. It does help to have fancy handwriting as well though.” Q: “How old were you when you started writing?” “I started writing these (Wereworld) probably about 5 or 6 years ago when I was still living in North Yorkshire before I came back to Warrington. I used to write in my spare time, late at night when my kids were in bed. The first time you write a book, a novel certainly, it’s a labour of love. It’s a vanity project. You just don’t know if it’s going to get picked up.” To find out more about Curtis Jobling, or for further details on his school workshops, visit www.curtisjobling.com. For more information on how to get involved with Children’s University, email community@wolvesfoundation.com or call 01925 244894.

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FACE2FACE TUITION

SUMMER PARTIES VOUCHER Buy one ticket for the summer party and get the other half price. Offer valid until 12th July 2013. One voucher per transaction. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Original voucher must be used.

£10 Off any intervention or assessment. Valid until 31 October 2013. 0781 4044390

01925 232 600 www.giddykidz.co.uk

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Valid Mondays - Fridays, 3 - 5pm (term time only). Play & Eat on Mondays is £5, Tues - Fri is £6. Offer valid until 19 th July 2013. One voucher per transaction. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Original voucher must be used.

Bring 2 children and only pay entry for 1. Offer valid until 30 October 2013. One voucher per transaction. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Original voucher must be used.

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Bring 2 children and only pay entry for 1. Valid until 31 September 13. One voucher per transaction. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Original voucher must be used.

0151 424 5866 www.widnes-superbowl.co.uk

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Full Name: ……….…………………………… Postcode: …………………………………….. Email: ………………………….……………… Valid until 31 September 13. One voucher per transaction. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Original voucher must be used.

2-4-1 Pay for the first child, second goes FREE! One voucher per transaction. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid until 3 September 13.

ONE FREE GAME OF BOWLING One free game for one person. Valid until 31 September 2013. One voucher per lane. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer subject to management discretion. Original voucher must be used.

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Celebrating Summer Everyone loves summer holidays and that is certainly true for our best loved children’s characters. Check out - Spot Goes on Holiday by Eric Hill, Maisy Goes on Holiday by Lucy Cousins and Topsy and Tim go on an Aeroplane by Jean Adamson. For this age group there are also some great activity books to keep pre-schoolers entertained during long journeys. Try: Peppa Pigs Happy Holiday, the perfect sticker book for little Peppa Pig fans and also My Holiday Sticker Book from Charlie and Lola who have some fantastic ideas for their best holiday destinations. Harry and the Dinosaurs go on Holiday by Ian Whybrow takes us all the way to Australia where Harry is feeling a little homesick, then a strange gift makes all the strange and different things Harry sees not so scary after all.

The ever popular Sticker Dolly Dressing Series now has two titles great for taking away on trips. Travel and Holiday will keep fans happy right through the summer holidays. For more confident readers why not try My Funny Family on Holiday by Chris Higgins which finds the Butterfield family off on holiday to Cornwall and of course Mattie is worrying about everything that may go wrong, part two in a delightful new series of books about the extended Butterfield clan. Horrid Henry’s Holiday by Francesca Simon As always Henry is up to his usual tricks and high jinks on the family holiday, how will the chaos end? Plus don’t forget the wonderful range of I Spy books from Michelin. With new titles being published regularly there is something for all ages and interests to choose from, these little books are great for travel at home or abroad.

01925 765 187 www.toysandbooks.co.uk The Summer Reading Challenge is run each summer across the UK public library network by The Reading Agency, the national charity running creative programmes which help people feel inspired and confident about reading. The Challenge is supported by children’s book publishers and is open to all children, who can sign up for free at their local public library. It is designed for all reading abilities: schools work with local libraries and give out information to encourage children to take part. Children's reading can 'dip' during the long summer holidays. The annual Summer Reading Challenge helps gets three quarters of a million children into libraries to keep up their reading skills and confidence, encouraging children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday. There is a different theme each year. Children can read whatever they like - fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books - just as long as they are borrowed from the library. Every time a child finishes a book they get stickers and rewards and there's a certificate for everyone that finishes.

The theme for the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge is Creepy House, illustrated by award winning Chris Riddell. There's a spine-tingling adventure waiting for children when they take part in the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge. They can join our adventurers as they explore the Creepy House, simply by reading six books from the library. They can discover the secrets of Creepy House and meet some of the hair-raising residents! Are the UK's children brave enough to explore The Awful Upstairs, The Frightful First Floor and The Sinister Cellar? The Creepy House theme for 2013 ties into publishing trends for books that thrill children without being too scary. It is also a theme which will appeal to a wide age range and to both genders.

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