MADE (Mums & Dads Edinburgh) - July/August 2016 by MADE (Mums and Dads Edinburgh) magazine

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JULY/AUGUST 2016 FREE

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FAMILY FESTIVAL

Fringe STAY SUN AND SEA SAFE

Get back-toschool ready!

HOW TO HANDLE THE IN-LAWS

Excel Made front page ad Mar 16 174x30_Layout 1 21/03/2016 11:38 Page 1

CHILDCARE VOUCHERS ACCEPTED

BOOK ONLINE NOW!

WHERE CAN YOU TAKE THE FAMILY THIS SUMMER AND HAVE THEM ALL ROLLING AND JUMPING FOR JOY?

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welcome

Contributors

We asked some of the MADE team about the best things in life… By Willow Lockhart

Heidi Scrimgeour Other than my kids, I’d have to say beach walks, family holidays and spa days.

Cate Nelson-Shaw Skiing as a family, dancing, reading and eating.

Emily Watson Watching my girls learn something new, a morning’s first cup of coffee and reading awful romance novels.

Ozone Action Sports Centre is the perfect place for freestyle action-packed activities to be enjoyed by everyone. RYZE Edinburgh - “The Ultimate Trampoline Park” with an amazing 19,000ft2 of arena fitted with interconnecting trampolines, foam pits and equipment that gives everyone from two year olds to grandparents an amazing, adrenaline packed, enjoyable and exciting time not to mention it’s just great, good old-fashioned fun. Transgression Park is a world class indoor Skatepark for scooters, mountain bikes, BMX, skateboards and roller blades. Bring your own equipment or hire ours - TP is designed for everyone, from beginners to the truly experienced. Both parks offer child, mixed and family friendly sessions, lessons/classes for all ages, private hire and parties. For refuelling we have - Sky High Café on site for, meals, snacks, drinks, coffees and homemade cakes. OPENING HOURS : RYZE - 10am to 9pm, 7 days a week. TP - 12am-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 10am-8pm Sun. (School holidays: 10am-10pm Mon-Sat, 10-8pm Sun) Check out our websites for all details

www.ozoneactionsports.com

The MADE Mum

s: Gail, Louise, Abb

i & Rachel.

We would like to say an enormous heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has sponsored The MADE Mums for doing this year’s Moon Walk for breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk. We are happy to report we walked the 26.2 miles just last night! Our legs are still aching and our feet still burning, but nothing could wipe the smiles off our faces for managing to complete such a worthwhile challenge. If you would still like to sponsor us just go to www.walkthewalk.org and donate to ‘The MADE Mums’. Every penny is gratefully received and will do amazing work in finding a cure for cancer. In the meantime we are off to plan our next challenge…

Louise x

Editor & Publisher Louise Wilson

WEATHER PROOF FUN FOR EVERYONE

www.ryzeedinburgh.com

Designer

MAMi Designs

Sales Executive

Caroline McClean

Online Events

Emily Watson

contact facebook.com/MADEmag

Writers

Heidi Scrimgeour, Cate Nelson-Shaw

Columnists

Kirsty Nicholls, Edinburgh for Under Fives

Agony Aunt Jojo Sutherland Cover

Printer

Stephens & George

- Fotolia

MADE, PO BOX 28825, Edinburgh, EH14 9BA T: 07738 068022 • E: mademag@live.co.uk www.mademagazine.co.uk

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www.transgressionpark.com

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. While every care has been taken in compiling MADE magazine to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press. MADE (Mums And Dads Edinburgh) assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

made JULY / AUG 2016

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Contents july / august

BECOME A

SCHOOLEBRITY 42

UP TO 60% OFF YOUR FAVOURITE BACK TO SCHOOL BRANDS: CLARKS SOLE TRADER TRESPASS MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE NIKE FACTORY STORE ADIDAS Plus many more

6 News 15 Competitions

Your chance to win

How to handle in-laws

By Heidi Scrimgeour

Mum’s New World

Multi-tasking

Festival Fringe Fun

The best family shows

Trust Jojo

If you need advice…

34 Diaries

What to do July & August

38 Education

#loveitforless livingston-designer-outlet.co.uk

According to kids…

Growing Up

Local Focus

Gorgie City Farm

ABA

Effective help for kids with autism

Shopping for…

Back to School

Food & Drink

Vegan in Edinburgh

Lifestyle

Back to work

Hobbies

Beekeeping

A closer look at Montessori

Out & About

Summer Survival

Tried & Tested

A family guide

The Burrow Family Club on trial…

made JULY / AUG 2016

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news

Illuminations Breaks

Why do bees have sticky hair? Because they use honeycombs.

Self-Catering Family Holidays, near Blackpool

Excel Sports Summer

Camp selling out fast

FISHERMAN’S REACH AT RIBBY HALL VILLAGE

Autumn just wouldn’t be the same without booking a break at Ribby Hall Village and visiting Blackpool’s world-famous illuminations. After all, it is only 10 minutes drive away from this mustsee experience for all the family. After you’ve enjoyed the bright lights of Blackpool, you can snuggle up in your accommodation, and get involved in seasonal activities and entertainment

throughout your stay. There are plenty of choices available. Fancy a night off cooking? Try one of their award winning dining options, or for some real R&R, book a revitalising spa treatment. Whatever you choose, your next big adventure awaits at Ribby Hall Village. To book or request a brochure call 0800 107 0522 or visit www.ribbyhall.co.uk

You Teach Them ABC… They Teach Them

RUN DMC

The award-winning Step It Up Dance team are excited to announce their new Hip Hop Minis class. Specifically devised for 18mths – 3 years, this new class is an exciting addition to the hugely popular Hip Hop Juniors and Family Hip Hop Crew classes. Each weekly class will be jam-packed with energetic games and exercises specifically designed to introduce mini-movers to the world of urban dance, whilst having lots of fun at the same time. To celebrate these new classes, complimentary open days are being held at Eric Liddell Centre, Morningside (16 Aug) and Lifecare Centre, Stockbridge (19 Aug). For more info go to www.stepitupdance.co.uk

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Excel Sports Camps, at St Georges School in Murrayfield, are open to all children (5-15) from July 4th - August 12th. Children follow a structured timetable each day led by friendly, fully qualified staff and sports coaches. They ensure your children have fun and enjoy the Excel experience. 16 different Excel+ Camps options include canoeing, dance, athletics, tennis, football and basketball. On Friday at 4.30pm, parents can watch the highlights of the week with the film making shown on the big screen, prize-giving and the end of camp Excel BBQ. The camps are open 8am 6pm with a packed day of activities 9am-5pm. Go to www.excel-sports.co.uk to book your place and see what is available in October too.

Parents want their children to start the day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast and children want to kick their morning off with a bit of fun and a treat. Rude Health have combined the two - their first cereal is made using only two ingredients - Spelt and Honey. They taste like a treat but will keep parents happy as they only use wholegrains and the sugar content (from honey) is 11.9g per 100g. Available from Waitrose.

Summer at Gleneagles This summer, the team at Gleneagles will host a summer programme chock-full of fun activities for all ages from 25 June until 4 September 2016. Children can enjoy an alfresco teddy bear’s picnic, air-rifle shooting practice, kids Zumba, mini athletics, owna-pony afternoons with the hotel’s resident horses and lots more. With a supervised playroom filled with toys and games; a hangout spot for older kids and teens (The Zone); and The Club leisure facility with heated outdoor pool, they’ll be spoilt for choice. made JULY / AUG 2016

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news Border Berries

One

What are you doing this Sunday?

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KS IN E D R N T H RE O HO

Check out these fantastic ideas and let Lothian Buses help you get out and about. Best of all – they’re all free, so make the most of your free time! With the majority of buses running every 20 to 30 minutes or better on Sundays, there’s lots to see and do. Picnic on Portobello Beach (service 26 – every 10 minutes), a walk in Braidburn Valley Park (services 11 or 16 – both every 12 minutes) or discover Edinburgh’s wildlife at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre (service 34 – every 20 minutes). Rainy day? Head to some of the city’s brilliant free indoor venues, including the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street (various services, including the 37 every 20 minutes). Forget searching for a parking space - leave the car at home and make the most of your Sunday with hassle-free travel around the city. Purse-friendly fares and frequent buses mean going out on Sunday has never been easier. Make a day of it with DAYticket and enjoy unlimited travel on our day buses and Edinburgh Trams (City Fare zone only) for only £4 for Adults and £2 for Children. Families can enjoy fantastic value travel with the Family DAYticket for £8.50 (2 adults and up to 3 children). Visit Lothianbuses.com for more information and to plan your journey.

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G IN RK ED PA U I R N OR E Q

Take a spin to the Borders this summer for your fill of juicy berries. Border Berries make picking easy on their big, family-run PYO farm full of fresh, juicy Scottish strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, red and blackcurrants which are naturally ripened in the open air. Great for tasting right away, whisking home for baking, puddings or jam – berry picking is one of life’s simple pleasures for little foragers. A picnic area and café with delicious fruity baking, smoothies and homemade ice-cream serves hungry pickers. Open 4th July until mid-August. Plan your visit and check what’s ripe at www.borderberries.co.uk

F FF O P TO

Great value all day bus & tram travel*. Frequent services 7 days a week. Adult £4.00 Child £2.00 Family £8.50 Lothianbuses.com app from TfEapp.com - Your personal transport assistant for bus & tram.

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MADE Recommends…

news Stringbabies

launches with a new look

Imagine Better This summer the Edinburgh International Book Festival (13-29 August) is encouraging young people to Imagine Better. And there will be plenty on offer to get those brain cells stimulated… A leading showcase for children’s writers and illustrators, the Book Festival will once again create a magical, familyfriendly village of tents and walkways, theatres, cafés and bookshops in the heart of Edinburgh City Centre, where everyone from tiny tots to older teens can enjoy the wonderful Festival atmosphere with an ice cream or a slice of cake.

Arts activities

for ages 4 – 16

East Lothian Council’s Arts Service has programmed a fun packed summer of creative activities to fill the holidays, including multi-arts camps, musical theatre, clowning, circus skills, stagecraft, stage combat, computer animation, outdoor theatre and more. All summer arts activities can be booked at eastlothian.bookinglive. com/summer-activities and a pdf of the programme can be downloaded from www.thebrunton.co.uk

Picnic

Snack Attack New to the Hogbites pork snacks range are the Hogbites Mini Salami Sticks, a delicious soft and chewy treat for a packed lunch or to enjoy on the go. Low in fat, high in protein and full of flavour - this meaty snack is a picnic must-have. Hogbites Mini Salami Sticks are £0.99 for a four pack, available in Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Edinburgh for Under Fives is incredibly excited to announce the new edition of the book is now on sale. This popular guidebook has been produced bi-annually for nearly 30 years, and is the essential resource for parents and carers of young children living in and around Edinburgh. This time the book has a brand new look: it’s even more userfriendly, split into geographical areas of the city with useful maps and itineraries, all in full colour for the first time. Written and edited by parents and carers of under 5s, it contains 1000+ reviews of family-friendly places to go, places to eat, indoor and outdoor activities, pre-school groups, classes and events. With this edition you’ll also receive a year’s subscription to the regularly updated online version, which you can access with a tablet or smartphone when you’re out and about. Visit www.efuf.co.uk to find out more and to order your copy.

A new music class has reached Edinburgh which brings a gentle and fun approach to teaching children to play the violin. Sheena Ferguson, a violinist for over 30 years, is delighted to help kids aged 4-6 to play in a happy and relaxed atmosphere, whilst developing singing, rhythmic, composition and aural skills. For more information contact Sheena on 07722 831 224 or email sheena.m.ferguson@gmail.com

made JULY / AUG 2016

Scotland Stars F.C. © DESIGNED BY FREEPIK

New book

When my eldest son, Luke (now 6), first learned to read I wanted to strike a balance between encouraging him to read for pleasure, whilst not nagging him to do so. The key was to find books that he wanted to read and for this little football fan anything about ‘the beautiful game’ is met with interest, so we were keen to try the recently published series, Scotland Stars F.C. I must admit (not being a football fan myself) these are far removed from the Enid Blyton books I devoured as a child, but when we started reading Calum’s New Team, the first in the series, we were both hooked from the beginning! Author, Danny Scott, has kept the story predominantly football based (which Luke says is the best thing about the book) whilst also dealing with themes of confidence, friendships, starting a new school and bullying, in an easy, understandable and non-patronising way, with great illustrations throughout. And, of course, it’s set in Scotland so there’s lots for children to relate to. With three more titles in the series being published in August, we’re all looking forward to reading more about what Calum gets up to. Louise, MADE Editor

Brilliant back to school photoshoots by Blue Sky Photography

news Back to School!

Buy cheap, pay twice

Sessions available in August 2016 Book now 0131 447 1100 hello@blueskyphotography.co.uk blueskyphotography.co.uk

This summer, family-run photography studio, Blue Sky Photography are excited to be launching Back to School Shoots, perfect for kids embarking on their first day of school or beginning the new term. School photography needn’t be formulaic and production line - Blue Sky Photography put the kids at the heart and fun at the centre! To book your shoot at their Morningisde studio go to Facebook/BlueSkyPhoto, call the studio on 0131 447 1100 or email hello@ blueskyphotography.co.uk Feet have to last us a lifetime, that’s why it’s really worth investing in them from the start. An off the shelf kids shoe may look like a bargain, but more often than not they’re made from cheap materials, and very quickly, they will wear, lose support, and even smell. To guarantee a quality shoe, look out for the leather symbol to ensure you’re getting the real deal, and for long term healthy feet, ensure the shoes fit correctly. Maddie & Mark’s Shoes recommend a fitting every six weeks and they also have a great selection of reasonably priced leather school shoes from reliable brands such as Startrite. www.maddieandmarks.com

Red Thread Studio is a beautiful, fun, relaxed sewing studio based in Newington. Complete beginner classes in sewing and dressmaking for adults and children are some of the things they do best, and new faces are always welcome! There are also plenty of advanced courses for those who look to further their skills, and familiar faces frequent the studio on a regular basis. New to Red Thread are the Sewing Bee Holiday clubs for children, taking place 19-22 and 26-29 of July with more in August. One thing you can ask anyone who attends Red Thread - classes are never complete without tea, coffee, laughter & cake! Visit www.redthreadstudio.co.uk

Red Thread for everyone

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Why queue? Book an appointment and get 5% off school shoes Don’t waste time looking for school shoes anywhere else this summer, as we’ve got it covered. We have our largest choice of quality leather uppers ever, in styles to suit all shapes and sizes of feet (up to size 42 - UK 8), along with expertly trained staff to fit them. We’re also giving 5% discount on all school shoes bought through a fitting appointment. Maddie & Mark’s Shoes save precious time and money on shoes that are designed to last.

Book your school shoe appointment today Blackhall: 0131 315 3322 * Bruntsfield: 0131 447 9779 portobello: 0131 657 6333

www.maddieandmarks.com email: info@maddieandmarks.co.uk

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news Music Fun with Monkey

To be in with a chance of winning a neon Madsurf sweatshirt, just answer this question: Where in Scotland is Madsurf based? For more information go to www.madsurf.co.uk

Great Strides

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To be in with a chance of winning, © ZCOOL.COM.CN just answer this question: Where is Nicole’s Nails and Beauty studio? For more information go to www.facebook.com/nicolesnailsbeautyedinburgh/

Infinitely unique and ultra bespoke, This is Nessie has a huge range of personalised stationary prints and other goodies, guaranteed to put a smile on your face! From party invitations to correspondence cards, thank you notes, stickers and kids’ labels…. these are brilliant for presents, parties or just to treat yourself. We have two large This is Nessie personalised welly prints up for grabs for two lucky winners! To be in with a chance of winning, simply complete the following sentence: “Our favourite family activity is…………..” For more information go to thisisnessie.com and receive a 15% discount on your first order by using code TININDIGO15JR

T&Cs. The winners will be the first entries drawn at random on 19 August 2016. Competition entries are restricted to Edinburgh, Lothians and surrounding areas only. Editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative is available and prizes are non-transferrable. Please indicate on your entry if you would prefer not to receive information from MADE and any of its partners.

competition

Great Strides is a brand new seven-mile family walking event run by The Sick Kids Friends Foundation. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this dog friendly, family walk will take in iconic sights of Edinburgh from The Meadows, the home of Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children, along the Innocent Railway to Craigmillar Castle and back. Sign up today and take Great Strides on September 4th to help transform the experiences of children and young people in hospital. Visit their website at www.edinburghsickkids.org or call 0131 668 4949 for more information.

competition •

Now is the time to book a free trial class at Monkey Music with the autumn term starting on Monday 22nd August. Each of their classes is tailored to the children attending, so that everyone can get the maximum out of each 30 minute session. Each child is nurtured and encouraged to learn at their own pace in a safe, caring educational environment. The 4 stage progressive curricula challenges, encourages and allows creative flow as the children learn through live music, play, games, laughter, music and live singing. They work with over 15 different percussion instruments each term all age specific. To arrange to have a have a free trial class in Stockbridge, Cramond, Murrayfield or Comely Bank contact Rachel on comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk or check out the website www.monkeymusic.co.uk

competition •

Jenn’s DEN has teamed up with local mother Gilly Herbert and business sponsor MOV8 Real Estate to create and sell children’s water bottles to raise funds for The Sick Kids Friends Foundation. The water bottles were created by Gilly who has raised over £25,000 for the Foundation. MOV8 has kindly sponsored the production of the bottles to ensure that every penny goes to Sick Kids. The 330ml, BPA free, no leak bottles cost £2.50 each and are available to buy at Jenn’s DEN.

Nicole’s Nails and Beauty in Bruntsfield offers all types of manicures and pedicures - express, luxury, shellac, glitter, and gel nail extensions. Previous Scottish Nail Technician of the Year winner, Nicole also specialises in eye brow shaping, tints and lash tints, and promises absolute perfection whatever treatment you are having. We’re offering one lucky reader the chance to win their choice of a Shellac manicure or pedicure.

•

Get some bottle!

competition

•

Madsurf is a small East Lothian company who design casual wear that promotes an active family lifestyle in a fun, cool and colourful way. They have an awesome range of T-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts which all come with their very own healthy lifestyle “soundbite”. We’ve teamed up with Madsurf to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a fantastic new Limited Edition Adult neon LOVE 2 HAVE FUN sweatshirt.

competition

WIN

To win A, B or C simply email your name, contact details and answer to competitions@mademagazine.co.uk or enter via www.mademagazine.co.uk before August 19th. Please mark your entry Competition A , B or C as the subject.

How to handle the in-laws

WHEN YOU’RE A PARENT

WRITTEN BY

Heidi Scrimgeour

elations with your in-laws are never more important than when you become a parent. It’s no longer just about managing their expectations when it comes to your plans at Christmas, or trying your damnedest to persuade them that you are everything they ever dreamed their beloved offspring might find in a life-partner. No, once you have children, in-law relations become mission-critical; get it right, and at the very least you’ve got willing babysitters on tap for the next 18 years. Get it wrong, and you’ll be kicking yourself for pretty much that period of time. (And possibly them, too, if only in your mind.) To spare you that, we asked around for the best in-law survival tips and here’s what we we got…

Don’t take it personally

A friend of mine tells a toe-curling tale of the time her mother-in-law waxed lyrical about the unrivalled parenting skills of her hubby’s exgirlfriend. To listen to my friend’s MIL, you’d have sworn the ex was Mother Theresa herself which, as you can imagine, left my pal feeling a tad inadequate. It didn’t help that she was feeling less than accomplished in the parenting stakes at the time and suffering from the baby blues. But my friend’s attitude was brilliant; rather than assume her hubby’s mother was deliberately trying to belittle her, she gave her the benefit of the doubt and assumed she meant no harm. She could be wrong, of course, but that strikes me as a fail-safe way to tackle tricky in-law interactions. Rather than waste energy worrying about why they’ve got it in for you and what you’ve done to disappoint them so, try assuming that your in-laws mean well. Yes, that could mean letting issues slide that you’d really be wholly justified in tackling but if they really have it in for you, console

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yourself with the fact that not appearing to notice will likely wind them up more than tackling their actions head on ever could. You win. Laugh in the face of unkind words (or move far away…) My friend Leanne tells a sobering tale. “My mother-in-law bought me a bed jacket when I first got married,” she says. “When my husband looked at her quizzically she said: ‘Well, you always marry such cold girls.’” Oof. Leanne’s advice for surviving the in-laws? “Move as far away as you can and limit all contact.” Alternatively, try laughing in the face of lessthan-lovely comments from your in-laws. Easier said than done, sometimes, but experiences like Leanne’s can actually serve as fodder for a bank of secret in-law jokes between you and your other half, and there’s nothing like a private joke to unite you in the face of opposition.

Don’t forget you owe them

It’s easy for me to say this since I have certifiably the best imaginable in-laws in the world. (I really do, I’m not just saying that incase they read this.) But even if I didn’t, I like to think that I’d try to remind myself that overbearing in-laws are generally only so for one reason: because of how made JULY / AUG 2016

much they adore their offspring. Look, to put it frankly, you have your in-laws to thank for the wonderful being that you chose to shackle your life to until death does you part, after all. Would it kill you to let them bask in a little of that glory?

It ain’t about you

One friend still goes red in the face with anger when she recalls the time her mother in law came to visit and insisted on doing some washing to be helpful. “She washed my silk Agent Provocateur undies on a 60 degree wash and I still don’t think I’ve entirely forgiven her,” she says. “Actually, she’s my ex-mother-in-law now.” To those with truly overbearing in-laws, I offer this. If the barbs go beyond pointed to unashamedly hurtful and you’re sure you’re not being over-sensitive but are indeed a disappointment to your demanding in-laws, try to keep in mind that it’s not really about you. Those unkind sentiments are their issues, and chances are that not even Pollyanna herself could measure up to their standards. So quit trying - cut yourself some slack and instead of letting it get to you and mentally

THE IN-LAWS

“

Inviting comment from your in-laws can go a long way towards making them feel wanted and included in your lives

”

composing a million cutting replies to every insult or hurtful word, just be you without apology and trust that those hurtful words say more about the person uttering them than they do about you. Appreciate the good ones It’s only in writing this that I’ve realised quite how fortunate I am to have utterly perfect in-laws. If you’re in the same boat, be sure to tell them how much you appreciate them. Oh, but even that doesn’t stop us having a few awkward in-law anecdotes up our sleeves, as my friend Sally testifies. “I love my MIL - we’re going on holiday with her this summer because she’s that wonderful to be with - but I’ve still never told her about that time she reached for a piece of my delicious homemade shortbread and chose the one with no sugar on it; the very one I’d been saving for our three year old because I’d licked the sugar off it in the kitchen earlier.”

Diffuse unsolicited advice

Finding yourself on the receiving end of unsolicited advice from parents and in-laws is surely one of the toughest elements of in-law shenanigans. But instead of letting it rankle or trying to diffuse it by patiently explaining why health visitors no longer advocate a nip of brandy to help the baby sleep, try combatting it by asking your in-laws for advice. Heck, you don’t have to follow it but inviting

©FOTOWERK

comment from your in-laws can go a long way towards making them feel wanted and included in your lives, and it’s surprising how effective that can be in nipping unwanted advice in the bud. My friend Eleanor recommends this approach, and adds that letting unwanted advice trickle away like water off a duck’s back is a skill well worth learning in the interests of a happy family life. “I had my daughter by emergency c-section and my mother-in-law visited one day after I’d been up all night breastfeeding and was battling with the overwhelming emotions of my whole world having changed. While my husband was bathing our daughter she told me I was ‘lucky’ he would do things like that, as her husband never did. I had to just leave the room.” After all, you only have to pause to consider how much your baby means to you and just how very much you shudder at the thought of entrusting them into the hands or heart of someone you haven’t chosen or vetoed for yourself, to understand a little of what your inlaws might be going through. Which is where karma comes in, I do believe. Go easy on your in-laws and you have every right to expect that your offspring’s future partner might just do the same for you. n

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S Y A D I HOL O T E D MA R E B M E M E R

he rom t f y a w l! utes a Blackpoo n i m f 10 so t light h g i r b

ILLUMINATIONS BREAKS STARTING FROM

£399* FOR 4 NIGhTS!

At Ribby hall Village, we believe that luxury short breaks and holidays, can still be affordable! Join us at Lancashire’s only 5 star Holiday Village and enjoy fantastic self-catering accommodation with amazing facilities right on your doorstep.

h Extensive selection of restaurants, cafes and bars h Swimming pools, soft play areas – NEW Toddler area too! h Indoor and outdoor activities h Award winning Spa for adults only *Price based on 4 people sharing a 4 berth cottage between the 2nd September – 9th October 2016

To book or request a brochure call us on 0800 107 0522 or visit ribbyhall.co.uk Phone lines open 8am - 8pm

FInD uS On

Halloween Spooktacular Event You should be scared to miss it! Halloween Entertainment and family Trick or Treating! – with real zombies!

Mum’s New World WRITTEN BY Kirsty

Weekly Local Classes

Nicholls

EDITOR OF EDINBURGH FOR UNDER FIVES

omething really funny happened to me last week, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was. At the time I thought, “I must write about this in my column.” But it’s gone. Lost forever. Being a mum, you have to multitask all the time, but I’ve come to realise that I do a lot of it on autopilot. I definitely used to be able to focus intently on lots of different tasks and subjects simultaneously, but I’m convinced that my brain now only lets me actively ponder on one thing at a time. Trains of thought just chuff into the tunnel of obscurity, never to be recalled again. I was Skyping with friends last night, with one eye on the baby monitor. The bewilderment on their faces as one sentence after another petered out into nothing became almost unbearable. At one point they even thought their screen had frozen. I’m ludicrously excited that the new edition of Edinburgh for Under Fives is out and on sale. Having spent a year editing 448 pages full of deliciously insightful reviews and tips from parents about activities across the city, I had the whole book pretty much memorised. I met one-to-one with researchers, designers and printers and had solid, productive conversations. But ask me about the changing facilities at the Botanic Garden while I’m sat at the Swing Café chopping up Jack’s cheese toastie, and any hint of knowledge will instantly evaporate. I was at a yoga class recently, and our teacher announced that the week’s ice breaker was to be a game of “Two Truths and a Lie”. Alas, my head was still back at home in Jack’s bedtime story. My turn came around too quickly, my ears started ringing and my brain screeched into overdrive, desperately clawing for one believable lie I could tell to the group. Before I knew it, I had blurted

“

A watery world of confidence, skill and fun!

It’s safe to say you’ll burst with pride as you watch your baby journey from the early days of gentle floating, kicking and splashing to wriggling, giggling and jumping in!

Corstorphine, Newington, Oxgangs, Crewe Toll, Dalmahoy & Dalkeith.

You can trust us to take the very best care of you and your little one. Our world-class teachers could have trained as private pilots – five times over – in the time it takes to fully qualify with us. We won’t entrust your child (or our reputation) to anyone less than the best!

Flight fans, don’t miss

Captain Flap Flies Forth Summer fun at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick. Check out www.seabird.org

To give your baby a splashing start call

0131 554 6682

Let’s teach your baby to swim!

out three absolute fibs. None of them were true. So, Thursday evening yoga group, I have a confession (well, three). I wasn’t once a ballerina, I don’t have an ice cream allergy, and I’m not from Cornwall. Not only will my brain focus on one thing alone, but that single subject is often completely irrelevant and even in the realms of fantasy. My husband and I sat down this evening to engage in important conversation about logistics for next week. But instead, I quickly launched into a list of reasons why I would love to go to Pontypandy on holiday: The scenery is stunning, it’s usually sunny (unless the town needs saving from a forest fire) and the people are simply charming. My husband must be so used to my new level of brain function, because without hesitation he reasoned that Fireman Sam really isn’t “all that”. In fact, he’s a pompous, smug killjoy who’s often very patronising to his work colleague Elvis. I was a little bit disappointed, but I think I can win him around by the summer holidays. n

I wasn’t once a ballerina, I don’t have an ice cream allergy, and I’m not from Cornwall

classes held...

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”

Scottish Charity no SC025837

www.waterbabies.co.uk

DISCOVERY CENTRE · BOAT TRIPS · CAFÉ · GIFT SHOP

FAMILY FEST

Once Upon A... and Beyond! interactive, theatre www.facebook.com/PipeUpProductions/ Edinburgh Elim, Venue 132 6th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 13th August 10.45am (50mins) Best for ages 3-9 and accessible for those with disabilities Founded by 5 actors based locally in Edinburgh and Fife, Pipe Up Productions creates opportunities for children to experience theatre in an interactive way. They encourage audiences to Pipe Up and share their ideas which are then incorporated into the show. This August they return to the Edinburgh Fringe with the 4th instalment of “Once Upon A...”, a series of children’s theatre shows with a twist – the audience are just as much involved as the actors! This year they are heading to Outer Space to discover the answer to the question - what is on

THE F TO S E B

y l i m a F est F

the other side of the stars? Bravely go beyond your wildest imaginations and help our space heroes as we explore the wonderful world of the imagination. “One of the best examples of children’s interactive theatre I have ever seen.” (The Edinburgh Evening News)

family, theatre www.tallstories.org.uk Pleasance Courtyard, Venue 33 3rd – 21st August (not 6 or 19) 11.50am (55 minutes) Best for ages 4+ Following a world tour, ‘The Snail and the Whale’ returns to the Fringe, where it all began... Tall Stories’ hugely popular Julia Donaldson adaptation tell of a tiny snail who longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. Follow the snail’s amazing journey, as seen through the eyes of an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father. Storytelling, live music and lots of laughs, in a show for everyone aged four and up. ‘Expect to leave the theatre happy and smiling’ **** (Fest)

stage live on 4– + for ages

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Snails and whales and cats in hats - it’s another fine line-up for this year’s Fringe! Keep it local with Greyfriar’s Bobby and Braveheart, or visit a secret garden and Alice’s magical world for lots of adventures. As always, there’s something for everyone…including masses of bubbles and beards, beards, beards! Have a read of some of MADE’s favs and take your pick…

from the company that brought you ‘the gruffalo’

Based on the book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

The Snail and the Whale

11.50am 3–21 Aug (not 6, 17) 0131 556 6550 www.pleasance.co.uk www.tallstories.org.uk

‘Delightful, funny and imaginative’ INDEPENDENT

★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ THE LIST

made JULY / AUG 2016

WHATSONSTAGE

ARTS JOURNAL

ONLY 17 PERFORMANCES - BOOK NOW!

FAMILY FEST

adventure. But what will mum find when she gets home? Based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for children aged 3+. Expect towering hats, mischief and fun that is funny!

to the classic tale of bravery, love, friendship and family in a show for the whole family.

Red Riding Hood children’s, storytelling Pleasance Courtyard, Venue 33 3rd – 21st August, 11.10am (1 hour) Best for ages 4+ Little Red is clever, Little Red is bright, Little Red will find a way to beat you in a fight. Follow Red as she ventures through the woods on a quest to save her family bakery. But will she be distracted by the wolf in the magical forest, where nothing is as it seems? Filled with humour and packed with original music, Red Riding Hood brings a new twist

The Amazing Bubble Man

childen’s shows www.bubbleguy.com Udderbelly, Venue 300 4th -28th August (not 19) 11.30am (1 hour) Suitable for 0+ The Amazing Bubble Man returns to the Edinburgh Fringe for the tenth time with a brand new show. With a decade of sell out shows The Amazing Bubble Man is one of the most popular children’s shows in town. There will, of course, be bubbles galore in shapes and sizes that you will not have seen before, as well as live music from Jet Black Pearl.

take your kids’ ideas and transform them into marvellous, musical adventures, on the spot and direct from their imaginations. If your children could create their dream musical, where would they start? A dolls’ house? A magic castle? The spooky cupboard downstairs? Grown-ups please take note – youngsters call the shots in the story factory and suggestions are ONLY taken from kids!

children’s show

storytelling, improv www.theshowstoppers.org

Pleasance Courtyard, Venue 33 3rd – 21st August 13.10pm (40 mins) Best for ages 3+

Here in their very own story factory, Olivier Awardwinning West End improvisers, The Showstoppers,

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✀ 伀渀攀漀昀琀栀攀戀攀猀琀攀砀愀洀瀀氀攀猀漀昀挀栀椀氀搀爀攀渀 ✀ 猀椀渀琀攀爀愀挀琀椀瘀攀琀栀攀愀琀爀攀䤀栀愀瘀攀攀瘀攀爀猀攀攀渀 ✀

⨀⨀⨀⨀⨀

䔀搀椀渀戀甀爀最栀䔀瘀攀渀椀渀最一攀眀猀

Cat in the Hat

The Showstoppers’ Kids’ Show

Pleasance Courtyard, Venue 33 3rd – 21st August 11.40am (1 hour) Best for ages 5+

倀椀瀀攀唀瀀倀爀漀搀甀挀琀椀漀渀猀

From the moment his tall, red and white striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat is the funniest, most mischievous Cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing

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made JULY / AUG 2016

FAMILY FEST

The Secret Garden musical theatre, family www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

puppetry, family www.outstandingtickets.com

Gilded Balloon Teviot, Venue 14 6th - 19th August 12pm (1 hour) Best for ages 4+ “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden” After the death of her parents, Mary Lennox is sent to England to live in Misselthwaite Manor; her uncle’s great, lonely house on the moors. Everybody says she is the most disagreeablelooking child ever seen. It is true, too. Mary is pale, spoilt and quite contrary. But she is also horribly lonely. Then one day she hears about a garden in the grounds of the Manor that has been kept locked and hidden for years. And when a friendly robin helps Mary find the key, she discovers the most magical place anyone could imagine...

Stand In The Square, Venue 372 4th -14th August 12.20pm (1 hour) Best for ages 3-12, with an autism friendly performance on 8th and a BSL performance on 12th

Comedy Club 4 Kids

children’s shows, comedy comedyclub4kids.co.uk Assembly Roxy, Venue 139 5th - 28th August 5.35pm (1 hour) Best for ages 6+ A festival mainstay for 10 years now, the always worthwhile Comedy Club 4 Kids should be on the schedule of any self-respecting, chuckle-loving young Fringegoer. It does exactly what it says on the tin, giving pre-teens a chance to sample the raucous, taboo-challenging, free-wheeling atmosphere of a good comedy club without any (really) rude words… “Comedy Club 4 Kids is now a well-established, must-see item on most children’s Festival wishlist.” **** - Edinburgh Guide

does she know of the mystery waiting for her when she arrives, the very unique friends she will make and the very special, little dog who will take her on an adventure that she will never forget.

The Fantastical Return of Greyfriar’s Bobby

Wee Bobby is back! The Fantastical Return of Greyfriar’s Bobby fuses live performances and puppetry with magical animations and ﬁlmed footage of the sites and sounds of Edinburgh. All American tweenager Bex is obsessed with technology, her phone and it’s apps. Bex can’t think of anything worse than a trip to boring old Scotland to visit her Uncle McGonagle in Edinburgh. Little

physical theatre, storytelling www.ctheatre.com C venues, Venue 166 3rd August - 29th (not 15th) 14.30pm (45 mins) Best for ages 5+ Follow Alice on an adventure into the magical world beyond the mirror. Meet talking flowers, Kings, Queens, Humpty Dumpty, Tweedledum, Tweedledee and hear the story of the Jabberwock… Spellbinding theatre for all the family.

“A highlight for children at the fringe in recent years, giving them a taste of some of the biggest names in comedy ... with the fun, rowdy feel of a real comedy club” The Guardian

Beards! Beards! Beards!

AGES 6 +

theatre, comedy www.trickofthelight.co.nz Assembly Roxy, Venue 139 4th August - 28th (not 15th, 22nd) 16.15 (1 hour) Best for ages 8+

BroadwayBaby

Fest

ScotsGay

Three Weeks

Daily Telegraph

From award-winning New Zealand company Trick of the Light Theatre, this is a tale of one young girl’s increasingly inventive efforts to grow the world’s most magnificent beard. Armed with bubble bath and canned spaghetti, join a madcap and hilarious musical romp as our plucky young heroine shakes up social rules and attempts to answer the questions that have puzzled mankind since the dawn of the beard.

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Alice

£7.50-£10 | £30 for 4 comedyclub4kids.co.uk | @ComedyClub4Kids

made JULY / AUG 2016

FAMILY FEST

Magic Porridge Pot

Braveheart

interactive, theatre www.spotlites.co.uk

Spotlites, Venue 278 Aug 18-19, 22, 24, 26 10.45, 12.45, 14.45 (45 mins) Best for ages 2-6

Spotlites, Venue 278 2nd August - 28th (not 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25) 13.30, (1 hour 30 mins) Best for ages 5-12

Help Boy cook magic porridge! Splat porridge in a magic food fight! Jump in the huge sea of porridge! Professional interactive theatre for kids who don’t want to sit still and watch! Little ‘uns come on stage throughout! Join Boy as he ventures into the woods to find food for his sick dad. He meets an old woman who gives him a magic porridge pot and the secret words: ‘Cook, little pot, cook!’

Battle the English with real claymores! Pelt rocks at soldiers with Mirren! Fight for freedom with William Wallace! Professional interactive theatre for kids who don’t just want to sit still and watch! Unjustly imprisoned by the Sheriff who killed his father, Wallace escapes to the woods. His friends gather to begin a deadly guerrilla warfare against the tyrant knights and free Scotland! ‘Freeeeeedom!’

2009/10/11/12/13/14/15 edfringe sell-out!

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AGONY AUNT

Jojo! Trust

Got a child related problem and need some advice? Look no further! Comedian, JoJo Sutherland, is on hand to help. Send your problems to info@mademagazine.co.uk @jojosutherland www.jojosutherland.co.uk

I’ve had a milestone birthday since last we chatted, and what a lot of wonderful surprises were bestowed upon me over several days. Not least on my actual birthday, when I thought I’d been booked to do a gig, but all the time thinking it was a ploy and I was going to walk into a surprise party, only to find out that actually …..I had just been booked for a gig! There I was, over-dressed and ready to be ‘surprised’, and then was very surprised that I had to do some work. A surprise party really was sprung on me a few days later that reduced me to tears, and along with lovely lunches, spa days with daughters and dinner dates with old friends,

the whole birthday extravaganza came to a natural conclusion when I received a card through the post inviting me to have a bowel cancer screening test – happy birthday to me indeed! It’s all go despite the march of time and I’m busy rehearsing for a play for the Edinburgh fringe. I play a detective. Not much of a stretch if you’re a mother – I play a detective most days but at least I get paid for this. Come to The Stand, 5th – 28th August at 1.35pm and you can judge for yourself if I’m any good. The play is called F.R.A.N.C which stands for ‘fully reactive automated non-alcoholic comedian’. I know! Non-alcoholic comedian – ridiculous!

for pure brilliant fun!

Lots of juicy berries are hiding in our strawberry patch. Come & find them!

Balloon Modelling

Face g Paintin

Popcorn & Candy Floss

Cafe & Picnic area

Balloon Displays

Glitte Tatto r os Party Packages

Whether your event is large or small we aim to put the same amount of enthusiasm into every booking.

Open 7 days 10am-7pm 4 July-14 Aug St Boswells, Borders, TD5 8NP 01835 823763 www.borderberries.co.uk

07593 332 744 info@purebrilliantevents.co.uk

www.purebrilliantevents.co.uk

How do I stop my child from drawing on walls? Colin, Colinton Dear Colin Take away the pens? – I know it’s not that easy is it? They have a knack of finding pens, pencils, paint from anywhere, I fondly remember my son painting his sister with bright orange dulux matt paint, I still have no idea where he found it from. I’m afraid you’re just going to have to wait this one out or cover your walls with canvas and hope that he/she is the next Picasso and you can make a few bob in years to come.

Jojo x

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Favourite authors include:

Jacqueline Wilson • Andy Stanton Julia Donaldson • Chris Packham Malorie Blackman • Julian Clary Michael Morpurgo

Book and browse events: www.edbookfest.co.uk

Hundreds of events for children in a family-friendly garden with cafés, bookshops, bars and grassy areas to sit and soak up the atmosphere.

Activities include:

Comic workshops • Sing-alongs Willow-weaving Big draws • Storytelling…

RSPB

GET BACK TO NATURE WITH

RSPB SCOTLAND

6 5

Earn your

stripes

FAMILY RESERVE HIGHLIGHTS Loch Leven nature reserve RSPB Scotland Loch Leven offers a great day out for families, nature-lovers and wildlife-watchers alike. With wetlands, woodlands and Vane Hill to explore, the reserve offers spectacular views alongside family activities, a natural play area, gift ship and an award-winning cafe. Lochwinnoch nature reserve A short train ride from Glasgow, RSPB Scotland Lochwinnoch is a world apart. With accessible trails, visitor centre, natural play area, family activities as well as refreshments and a shop, Lochwinnoch is a great place to explore nature together with the family.

Loch Garten Osprey Centre Only a 15 minute drive from Aviemore, Loch Garten Osprey Centre offers the chance to get close to some of Scotland’s most amazing wildlife. Enjoy great views of the ospreys, catch a glimpse of the elusive red squirrels, visit a wood ant empire or see the woodland birds up close. With refreshments, a gift shop and children’s activities throughout the season.

1 3

Loch Lomond nature reserve Just open in 2016 the new visitor hub is now open from 10am - 3pm every weekend until October 2016. The hub offers wildlife information, family nature activities and somewhere to get a hot drink with a beautiful view.

The discovery zone is the ideal place for families to explore the smaller creatures found at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond. Peer into the Mini-beast Mansion, go hunting for butterflies and frogs or even build a den in the woods. n

Find out more…

For more information please visit: rspb.org.uk/Scotland

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SPB Scotland’s nature reserves are the perfect places to explore, discover and enjoy nature with all the family. Not only do you get the chance to get close to some amazing wildlife, you can also join in daily activities or special events throughout the year. Roll up your sleeves, and get stuck in to pond dipping, go on the hunt for elusive mini-beasts, build a den in the woods or let off steam at our natural play areas. With reserves and projects across the country there is always something near you to enjoy with the kids.

1. ZEBRA PRINT COWHIDE, £395, The French Bedroom Co, www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 2. WALL MOUNTED ZEBRA HEAD (other animals available), £69.95, Treehouse Childrenswear, Stockbridge, www.treehousechildrenswear.co.uk 3. ZEBRA PLACEMATS, Barnaby & Co., www.barnabyco.com 4. YELLOW ZEBRA POP CUSHION, £35, IN-SPACES, www.in-spaces.com 5. ZEBRA OVAL PLATE, £17, Amara 6. LUXURY WOOD SUNGLASSES (recycled wood), £35.25, DaWanda.com 7. BIBA ZEBRA POUCHETTE, £39, House of Fraser 8. ZEBRA CELEBRATION CARD, Sisters Guild, www.sistersguild.co.uk 9. CROSSOVER ESPADRILLE WEDGE, £25, BHS 10. ZEBRA STORAGE BOX, £29, www.takatomo.de 33

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Dates for your diary

July 2016 Spotlight on...

Excel Summer Camps begin! Book via Excel Made front page ad Mar 16 174x30_Layout 1 www.excel-sports.co.uk

2pm Seaside Science Flying Fun @ the Scottish Seabird Centre. 21/03/2016 11:38 Page 1 Experiments, fizzy bottle rockets plus creating kites and paper aeroplanes. Mon - Thurs, July 4th-August 12th... see website for full details: www.excel-sports.co.uk 4 July - 11 Aug. TENNIS | FOOTBALL | DANCE | ATHLETICS | COMPUTERXPLORERS | ART & MORE...

SUMMER CAMPS FOR 2016 CHILDCARE VOUCHERS ACCEPTED

BOOK ONLINE NOW!

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School Summer Club starts! Book their dance and nature club at www.emaschool.co.uk

11am & 3pm The Weird and the Wonderful @ Holyroodhouse. Find out about some of the stranger objects from the Royal Collection that decorate The Queen’s official homes. Every Tuesday throughout summer.

Stagecoach Summer Holiday Workshop starts. Book via www. stagecoach.co.uk/Edinburgh and Step It Up Dance Summer Camps starts! Book via www.stepitupdance.co.uk

10am - 12pm Step It Up Dance ‘Woodland Explorers’ Workshop @ Wishing Tree Café, Musselburgh. Book online at www.stepitupdance.co.uk

Family Day @ Musselburgh Racecourse. Doors open at 12pm. Children 17 and under go FREE.

26 Sewing Bee Holiday Club starts @ Red Thread Studio, Newington. Runs 19-22 and 26-29 July with more dates planned for August, go to www.redthreadstudio.co.uk for more info.

1 2

Edinburgh International Magic Festival @ Summerhall. Runs 1– 8 July. Go to www.magicfest.co.uk for full programme

12pm-4pm Sci-Art Summer @ National Museum of Scotland. Explore new Science & Technology and Art & Design galleries, with live demos. 8 July - 31 July. FREE (drop-in)

11am, 12pm & 2pm Family Garden Party Tours @ Holyroodhouse. Find out how the gardeners get ready, hunt for hidden corgis, dress up. Every Thursday throughout summer.

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It’s In The Bag @ The Scottish Storytelling Centre. Two sessions taking children’s imaginations on an adventure! For details about ‘In the Jungle’ (for ages 0-2) & ‘Princesses and Knights’ (ages 3-6) go to www.itsinthebagparties.co.uk

10am, 1pm & 4pm Peppa Pig’s Surprise @ The King’s Theatre. Peppa Pig, George and their friends are back in Edinburgh in a brand new live stage show. July 2nd & 3rd.

8 9

1.30pm (60mins) LazyTown Live on Stage @ Howden Park Centre. Enjoy a non-stop, highly interactive energetic treat, with singing, dancing & spectacular acrobatics.

10am - 4pm Wild Challenge @ RSPB Scotland Lochwinnoch. Price: £3 per child (RSPB members £1). rspb.org.uk/ lochwinnoch. Every day throughout summer.

15 16

6.30pm Danny Champion of the World @ Glamis Castle. Family fun for ages 5+. For tickets go to www. pdfproductions.co.uk

Keep up to date with all the latest events by logging onto 34

Friday Saturday Sunday

1.30pm - 2.30pm Nibblers & Dibblers @ Almond Valley. Informal drop-in workshops simple gardening tasks with food and farm-related crafts, trails and games. For children of all ages. On every day!

22 23 10am - 5pm Scotland’s National Airshow @ National Museum of Flight

29 30

12pm & 3pm FUNBOX: Pirate Party @ Brunton Theatre. Enjoy favourites like Over the Irish Sea and What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor? Come dressed as a pirate!

10am - 12pm Step It Up Dance ‘Circus Capers’ Workshop @ The Calton Centre, Leith. Book online at www.stepitup dance.co.uk

Wednesday Thursday

Monday Tuesday

The Scottish Seabird Centre Captain Flap has crash landed his plane, Puffin One! He needs to learn the principles of flight so that he can repair his plane. Will he make it home? Find out during this interactive science show by the North Berwick seaside.

1 July - 14 August, Fri - Sun, 2pm

Seaside Science Flying Fun

10.30am - 12.30 Seize a Senior @ Inverleith Park. Grand opening of outdoor fitness equipment for the mature mover. Kids…bring along a bus pass carrying adult and receive a FREE GIFT.

2.30pm-4.30pm Summer Ball Disco @ Howden Park Centre. Games and fun for all the family! Feel free to come along in your party outfit or make your own mask or headdress to wear to the ball.

Interactive activities, science experiments, fizzy bottle rockets plus the chance to create kites and paper aeroplanes.

4 July - 11 August, Mon - Thurs, 2pm Tickets are included with admission and will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis. Please request tickets on arrival at the Centre. www.seabird.org info@seabird.org 01620 890 202

www.mademagazine.co.uk/whats-on.html made JULY / AUG 2016

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Dates for your diary

August 2016

Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday Saturday Sunday

5 6

8 9

The Snail and the Whale runs at The Pleasance 3rd - 21st August. Read more in our festival guide, pages 22 - 29.

Fringe by the Sea @ North Berwick is on 8-14 August.

The Cat in the Hat runs at The Pleasance 3rd - 21st August. Read more in our festival guide, pages 22 - 29.

Once upon a… And Beyond! runs at Edinburgh Elim 6, 8, 11, 12 and 13 August. Read more in our festival guide, pages 22 - 29.

12 13

10.30am-11.30am Sing Song Breakfast @ Babies & Bumps Cafe, Morningside. Interactive storytelling for little ones while. £10 per adult - under 2s free. Also on Aug 14, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 28.

6.30pm Harriet’s Beverage: 42 runs at venue 236, Aug 15 - 27 (not 21) tackling parenting dilemmas, the meaning of life and obsessive dishwasher-stacking.

Step It Up Dance complimentary open day @ Eric Liddell Centre, Morningside. 9.30am Hip Hop Minis (18mths – 3yrs) and 10.10am Hip Hop Juniors (3-5 years)

Monkey Music new term starts! Contact Rachel at comelybank. corstorphine@monkeymusic. co.uk for more info.

3.15 - 4.15pm Knitted Adventures with Emily MacKenzie. Join bestselling author-illustrator to find out what happens when Stanley runs out of wool, then collage your own wacky woolly hot air balloon. Part of Edinburgh Book Festival.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival begins and runs until 29 August. See Spotlight for more info…

1pm & 3.30pm FUNBOX Superheroes! @ The Howden Park Centre. Crash! Bang! Kapow! It’s time to grab those capes and warm-up your super powers! On 6th too.

14 McEwans Party at the Palace! Two-day, family-friendly party in Linlithgow. On 13th too.

19 20

Step It Up Dance complimentary open day @ Lifecare Centre, Stockbridge. 10am Hip Hop Minis (18mths – 3yrs) and 10.40am Hip Hop Juniors (3-5 years)

2.30-4.30pm The Crocodiamond Big Draw with Debi Glori. Come and invent your own baddie with authorillustrator Debi Gliori. Free for all ages. Drop-in. Part of Edinburgh Book Festival.

26 27

3pm Once Upon A Time There Were Four Little Rabbits @ Inveresk Lodge Gardens. Book tickets from The Brunton box office on 0131 665 2240 or www.thebrunton.co.uk

29 30 31

9.30pm Virgin Money Fireworks Concert @ Princes St Gardens. Enjoy inspirational music and breathtaking fireworks to bring the 2016 Edinburgh International Festival to a resplendent conclusion.

Keep up to date with all the latest events by logging onto 36

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Spotlight on...

The Edinburgh International Book Festival

13th - 29th August

The Festival will play host to a huge array of fun and inventive activities, including workshops, storytelling, author events, book signings, and lively discussions bringing together top authors to chat about the topics that matter to young people. With over 200 events, there will be something to exercise every young person’s imagination – from picture books to performance, fantasy fiction to tales of finding yourself. Pick up a copy of the full programme and start searching for your must-see events now. Tickets are available from Tuesday 21 June you can book online at www.edbookfest.co.uk or by phone 0845 373 5888. Tickets are £5 for most children’s events, and there are a number of daily free events.

www.mademagazine.co.uk/whats-on.html made JULY MARCH / AUG / APRIL 2016 2016

EDUCATION

The Montessori Approach: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE RICH, POSH OR ITALIAN

As the scrabble of feet return to school corridors across Scotland in August, Cate Nelson-Shaw examines the Montessori approach as an alternative to Scotland’s mainstream teaching method

o, here’s a thing: I can walk into an empty room and picture how it could look with a certain interior design; my husband cannot, he’s just not that visual. However, he can learn a new skill by reading about it and then taking the plunge; whereas I don’t have that capacity, I have to be able to try it out for myself, learning the theory as I go along. And so with education: children are all different, each learning in ways that suit them best, their personalities, their likes and their strengths. I see it in my two – my 8 year old likes to read voraciously and immerse herself in facts and figures; and my 6 year old learns visually and by doing, rotating Lego in his hands to understand and finesse his creations.

So it follows that since the end of the 19th century, when compulsory education was introduced in Scotland and the UK, various educational teaching methods have evolved and developed, each with differing learning strategies. One in particular has had increased press coverage over the last year, since a certain heir to the throne was enrolled at this local Montessori nursery in Norfolk. But who was this mysterious Montessori and what does the Montessori approach to teaching mean in practice? As another famous Maria once sang, let’s start at the very beginning: Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870, becoming Italy’s first female doctor in 1896. She joined the Psychiatric Clinic

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and the University of Rome Medical School where she began working with children with additional support needs. Montessori observed that many of these children’s differences were not of a medical but of an educational nature; and so began evolving teaching methods to help these children reach their full potential. It soon became apparent the methods she was developing would benefit all children and so in 1907 the first Montessori school opened in San Lorenzo in Italy, spreading through Europe, the US and Asia as the 20th century progressed. Today there are around 700 Montessori schools and nurseries in the UK. Fundamentally, the Montessori approach is holistic aiming to develop the whole child by fostering both independence and a love for learning. It believes that a child’s early years from birth to six years old - are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn. And to learn by doing for themselves by actively, rather than passively, participating in their education; therefore encouraging children to become happy self-motivated learners forming positive images of themselves as confident, successful individuals. Sue Palmer, former President of Montessori AMI UK, one of the UK’s most well-established authorities on the teaching of literacy and now Chair of Upstart, has long been a huge admirer of Montessori’s methodology. “Maria Montessori is rightly remembered as one of the great pioneers of early years’ education” Sue says. “She believed that children under the age of seven need freedom to learn through play, including free access to the outdoors; and that their teachers’ job should be to create a vibrant learning environment, supporting each child appropriate to their own developmental level”. Rosita Foster, who runs the playgroup Montessori Mornings in Bruntsfield, agrees. “Montessori activities each have a purpose, based on real themes such as science, cultural knowledge, maths, refining the senses, practical and artistic skills, language and literacy. And because each uses tactile and natural materials, the multisensory aspect means that learning occurs naturally through play and repetition and is therefore effortless and untiring. Children made JULY / AUG 2016

develop a love and enthusiasm for learning and a bank of wonderful early experiences that they can draw and build upon when they go to school”. Caroline’s children have all been through Montessori nursery in Edinburgh. “The nursery staff act as guides, never interrupting a child’s work unless they are asked. Each child chooses their own activity and once completed puts it away. Everything is at the children’s height enabling them to be truly independent. So, when the children arrive at nursery they take off their own coats and shoes and hang them up themselves. They are not offered snacks as a group or at a set time, they choose individually when they want it, prepare it themselves and then wash up afterwards”. She goes on “What surprises a lot of people when they observe a Montessori setting is the quiet - the children are so busy concentrating that it’s a very calm and relaxed environment”. Two of Caroline’s children have since started in mainstream education and she feels their previous experience of a Montessori setting has benefitted them, both in making the transition and as learners. “My children were exploring cursive writing at nursery which is now the norm for P1 and so their handwriting has developed easily; and they are both 1-2 years ahead of their year group in maths. Emotionally too, both children are confident in caring for themselves and at working independently and have great concentration too”. There is only one Montessori Primary in Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Montessori Arts School in Liberton; and at the moment, no high school setting in the city. However, Irene Pollock, the school’s Manager and Academic Supervisor says there are ways in which parents can continue to foster the Montessori approach at home. “Parents can contribute to their children’s holistic development by involving their children in everyday life – cleaning the house, preparing meals, shopping, contributing to community events and pursuing interests such as sports or music. And we do not assign homework as we feel the children’s time at home should be spent with their family, exploring and learning together”. And what of Montessorians achievements in later life? “Many Montessori children have demonstrated how the approach leads to lifelong

EDUCATION

creativity” say Sue Palmer. And a roll call of famous Montessorians seems to confirm this: the singer Taylor Swift, the teenage diarist Anne Frank, Jeff Bezos the Founder and Chairman of amazon.com, the Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Julia Child the chef whose life was dramatised in the film Julie and Julia. But to return to our very beginning, children are all different; and indeed, different settings and learning styles will tend to resonate with individual parents and their offspring. The structure and familiarity of mainstream education will suit some learners, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, approaches like those of Steiner schools (favoured by parents such as the actor Tilda Swinton who co-founded Drumduan Upper School in Moray) will suit other learners and their families. And the Montessori approach isn’t without it’s criticisms, of course. Firstly, there is the perception it’s only for posh, rich or Italian folk, which isn’t true; but with only a handful of Montessori settings in the UK that are state funded the vast majority are fee paying, so parents do have to be able to afford the price tag. Research about the benefits of the method appears to be slim, although a US study by psychologist Dr Angeline Lilliard seems to suggest that across a range of abilities, children at Montessori schools out-perform those with a traditional education, particularly creatively, socially and behaviourally; although some readers of this study have suggested the sample size was too small. Some critics of the method also seem to think that teaching methods don’t always keep pace with the way society has changed and developed since Maria Montessori first developed her approach on at the beginning of the 20th century. However, on a personal note and as a parent of children in mainstream education, there are elements of the method that resonate with me and seem to have developed within my own parenting style: respecting children as individuals (as you would an adult, no?); allowing children to explore their own learning and supporting them in their individual journeys (passions for reading, swimming, art, story writing, skiing), kitchen crockery and utensils and arts and crafts materials all easily accessible at a child friendly

Greenhill Montessori Nursery Let your child’s adventure begin!

P Children from 18 months to Primary Age P Hours from 9.00 to 16.00 (Care 8.15 to 17.30) P Billingual, with Native speaking teachers in both English and Spanish P Online progress tracking system for each child P We accept Childcare Vouchers P In Partnership with Edinburgh Council P Follows the Curriculum for Excellence Our Values Here at Greenhill Montessori Nursery we are committed to providing a safe, loving and nurturing environment for each child who joins us. We engage your child socially, emotionally and educationally to ensure their success in the future. Their happiness, security and self confidence are our main goals. © MONTESSORI MORNINGS, BRUNTSFIELD EVANGELICAL CHURCH

height so they can quench their thirst, make a snack (or at weekends, their own breakfasts, bliss!) or create a work of art themselves; encouraging them to develop their own skills at conflict resolution - when they have fledged I won’t be in the next room to wade in and sort out altercations… I suppose what we want is for our children is to become “the best versions of themselves”, I certainly do. As I see it, being a child’s carer – be that parent or teacher - is a selfless act, a duty to encourage and nurture, to lead by example, to protect and to love. “All they want is your time and your self, Catherine” – wise words from my own mother. n

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3 Greenhill Park, Morningside, Edinburgh EH10 4DW Tel: 01316290787 info@greenhillmontessori.co.uk www.greenhillmontessori.co.uk

Imagine a nursery...

Where learning comes alive...

The gentle structure and positive guidance the teachers give my daughter allow her to learn and grow with such great independence. MATIAS MALMIVAARA

Find out more... For more information about Montessori in Edinburgh visit… • Edinburgh Montessori Arts School www.emaschool.co.uk • Montessori Mornings Edinburgh www.montessorimornings.com • Greenhill Montessori Nursery www.greenhillmontessori.co.uk

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Where the world is our classroom...

Our family has been made extremely welcome and our son is so happy at your school. LUCY ROBERTSON

What has remained with her is a great enthusiasm for learning; whatever catches her interest, she is able to explore it further and knows how to go about finding out more.

Where children become confident, capable, selfeducators...

LOUISE LEAMY

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STAY SUN & SEA SAFE

with the MADE summer survival guide

Summer holiday season is here and you want to enjoy every single minute. Choosing the right products to take away will ensure a more relaxing time from the get-go, so help your holiday go swimmingly with these top tips...

SUMMER SURVIVAL

eyes and continued exposure can lead to longterm damage. This damage can start from a very young age so make sure your children wear sunglasses, as well as hats to cover the face, should the sunglasses get tossed aside. We spoke with award-winning optometrist, Ian Cameron, from eye-care specialists Cameron Optometry who gave us the following advice FLAPJACK when choosing sunglasses: INTERCHANGEABLE HATS l

Make sure your glasses meet EU and British standards, blocking out 100% of UV light. Without this seal of approval, there is no eye health benefit to wearing sunglasses.

For the little ones, wraparound glasses like Baby Banz are especially good to ensure they remain on, as well as protecting against peripheral glare. Baby Banz are suitable for ages 0-2, and J Banz are available for ages 4-10. Their neoprene band makes sure they stay put!

It goes without saying high-factor suncream should be top of your packing list. If your children suffer from sensitive or eczema prone skin, Ladival kids range is free from perfume, colourants, preservatives and emulsifiers. It’s also scientifically proven to protect against the broadest spectrum of the sun’s rays, offering protection against four times more of the sun’s rays than standard UVA and UVB sunscreens. Make sure you take enough to last your whole holiday! For mums, we love the invisible sunscreen technology from Murad, which protects all skin tones and types. It also hydrates, smooths and blurs for a smooth soft-focus finish, which is perfect for holidays when you are dipping in and out of the pool. The best advice for babies is to try and keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible, to ensure they are protected from harmful rays. Sun tents are brilliant for the beach, and screens or parasols for buggies and pushchairs are ideal for when you are on the move. But remember that UV light doesn’t just harm the skin, its rays are also harmful to the

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UV rays also affect the delicate skin around the eye area. Jackie O had the right idea. Bigger is better when sunglasses are concerned as more of this delicate area is covered and therefore protected.

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When it comes to swimming aids, we talked to Karina Reinhardt, director of Turtle Tots Edinburgh for her advice. She told us that, ‘People are concerned that because we don’t use things like armbands in a swimming class that we somehow don’t ‘approve’. This is certainly not the case! As parents ourselves we understand that swimming aids have their place, especially on holiday. Obviously they should not be relied upon, and we always recommend practising lots of the skills we do in classes every time you’re in the pool, but when you’re on holiday and around swimming pools all the time, safety becomes ever more important’. Karina recommends the SwimFin for children over about two-and-a-half-years. The floatation made JULY / AUG 2016

SUMMER SURVIVAL

device complies with national safety standards and is a great option for toddlers. Strap the fin on and your child can wear it in or out of the pool. They will love how cool they look! The fin does need some getting used to, so it’s worth letting your little one practice to learn how to move and float in them, and of course you would never be too far away in the pool any time. Traditional arm bands or disks are a good space-saving option and are suitable for children over 18/24 months (depending on their weight and build). Just make sure they are tight enough so they don’t fall off. Swim vests are also a good option and again you can zip them in and leave them on while your child remains near water. Whilst these aids should not be relied upon, if a child did fall in a pool, it would give you a little

SALT-WATER SANDALS (VARIOUS COLOURS) £35.00, Treehouse Childrenswear

extra time to reach them. They also give them the freedom to splash around and have fun in the water. It goes without saying though that NO swim aid is ever 100% safe and the only way to ensure a child’s safety near water is to watch them and stay near them 100% of the time. Generally Turtle Tots wouldn’t recommend swimming aids for babies under 18-months. Swim seats leave babies with their upper bodies out of the water and can lead to them becoming sunburned or cold depending on the weather, and they can tip over easily so in my opinion are not the safest option. They also don’t really allow the child to ‘swim’ in the pool at all. Similarly rubber rings offer very little support in the water. If a child lifts their arms they will immediately slip through under the water. n

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Your child’s vision in the safest hands Every child should have their eyes examined every two years from the age of four and from any age if you are concerned about their vision, or if there is a family history of a squint or high glasses prescription. At our practice your child will benefit from unrivalled expertise, being cared for by multi award-winning optometrists, using the most advanced technology available worldwide. To book your child’s free eye examination call Cameron Optometry on 0131 225 2235. cameronoptom.com/children

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Topics coming up…. • How the world began • Love and Marriage • How babies are born • Mum and Dad • God • What happens when you die? • How to make the world a better place • Fairies, the Easter Bunny and Santa

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LOCAL FOCUS

made FOR 2016 “Let’s use the power of the crowd to keep this Edinburgh institution open.”

n 29 April Gorgie City Farm told the public they were in trouble, and the community responded with passion and pounds. Gorgie City Farm has been a slice of the country in the heart of the city for nearly forty years. The recent campaign has demonstrated the Farm is entwined in many families’ histories, generations who have all sat on the red tractor. Little legs find the 2.5 acre site the perfect place to get a first taste of how food is produced and what animals really look, sound and smell like. At weekends the party room is buzzing with birthday girls and boys reduces aggressive behaviour. celebrating farm style; cuddling The response to the campaign Guinea pigs and for the brave, I volunteered has been astounding and has a snake encounter. here and I will come from young and old alike. As kids grow, so does not be allowing The Farm staff have had pocket their engagement, with the money jars emptied onto their opportunity to get dirty at the this to happen desks, a dedicated five year old Farmer’s Helpers holiday #savegorgiefarm committed to a sponsored cycle, club. The positive outcomes an eight year old did a sponsored of youth volunteering are silence (genius parents!) and well established, yet there is bake sales galore have taken place. It looks minimal funding available to support this and a like Gorgie Farm Nerf battles are on the horizon notable shortage of opportunities for those under along with marathon running, wine tastings and 16. Volunteering proactively encourages positive bundles of cheques in the post. The staff and behaviours, effective communication with adults volunteers are so grateful for all the support of and peers and a sense of responsibility and the community. The Farm belongs to the whole community engagement. Research shows that city and is being saved by its people. Long may learning to care for a creature helps young it continue! n people to develop caring and empathy, and

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AUTISM & ABA

AUTISM & ABA WRITTEN BY

Gemma Gilmour

Autism in the UK

Autism. This word seems to be popping up everywhere these days as the numbers of children diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) continue to grow at an alarming rate. Today, there are around 1 in 100 children diagnosed with autism in the UK, around 100,000 in total. A new study led by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) estimated that Autism costs the UK Government more than £32 billion a year in treatment, lost earnings, care and support for children and adults with the condition. This cost is more than heart disease, cancer and stroke combined. We have an expensive epidemic on our hands.

The issue in Scotland

Whilst I believe there has been an increase in awareness about ASD there seems to be a lack of awareness of effective help for individuals with autism and their family. When I first meet with parents I hear the same old story time and time again. After their child receives a diagnosis (which often takes months) they are given a few leaflets, told to look up the National Autistic Society’s website, put on a waiting list to see a speech and language therapist and if they are lucky they might get to go on a Hanen ‘More than words’ course. Most local educational authorities in Scotland have some sort of autism support outreach team that may see a child irregularly. If the child is in school they may get a teachingassistant to work one-to-one with them. One of the biggest issues for school-aged children with ASD is that the school curriculum is based on

mainstream topics. Teachers are under pressure to teach targets which follow the mainstream subjects and many are not very relevant to the learning needs of children with ASD (especially those who are low functioning). Usually, when I meet new parents they are their wits end and are fed up waiting for help and/or fighting ‘the system’. They want to stop having to tread on egg shells in their own home for fear of triggering a melt down and instead feel empowered and equipped with the necessary skills to teach their child how to communicate, play and socialise. And guess what? It can be done! Children with autism can and do learn skills albeit, in a slightly different way than typically developing children do. Typically developing children learn from their natural environment with what seems like very little ‘teaching’. Conversely, children with autism usually require very structured teaching to learn specific skills and more importantly how to learn.

ABA

So, what is this magic therapy? Well, it’s certainly not new as applied behaviour analysis, or ABA, has been used to teach communication, play, social, academic, self-care, work and community living skills, and to reduce challenging behaviours in learners with autism since the early 1960’s. There are four decades of research backing ABA, with several robust meta-analyses and systematic reviews demonstrating the effectiveness of it for improving children’s outcomes, especially their cognitive and language abilities. Let me be clear, I’m not talking about a cure for autism, but ABA

used within a properly designed programme at an early age can transform the lives of children with autism and their families. So, what exactly is it? In a nutshell, it is the science of human behaviour and stems from basic learning theory. The principles of learning are universal and are applied systematically by behaviour analysts in many areas aside from just autism. However, in the context of autism, ABA will encourage a child to learn important behaviours (e.g. talking) and may discourage behaviours which the family and ABA team together decide are unhelpful or even harmful (e.g. aggression or self-harm). ABA is not a “one size fits all” approach, every aspect of intervention is tailored to each learner’s skills, needs, interests, preferences, and family situation. For these reasons, an ABA programme for one learner might look very different than a program for another learner. ABA programmes will also change as the needs and functioning of the learner change.

ABA in the UK

ABA is now becoming increasingly common in other parts of the UK as an intervention for autism. There are 7 full-time ABA schools serving just under 400 autistic children on a state-funded basis (ABAA4All estimates, 2016). Many other schools in England and Wales both mainstream and special - are employing ABA professionals alongside their teaching staff, Occupational therapists and Speech and language therapists. The Campaign ABA Access4All (www.facebook.com/abaaccess4all) estimates that more than 3000 autistic children

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made JULY / AUG 2016

AUTISM & ABA The new essential guide for Edinburgh’s parents and carers is

out now! Introducing the new-look 2016-18 edition of Edinburgh for Under Fives Contains 1000+ reviews and listings of family-friendly places to go, places to eat, indoor and outdoor activities, shopping highlights, pre-school groups, classes, festivals, events, useful maps and itineraries, covering Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and beyond. Includes a free year’s subscription to our online version featuring new and updated reviews and content - which you can access with a tablet or smartphone when you’re out and about.

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The National Childbirth Trust (known as NCT) is a registered charity in England and Wales (801395) and in Scotland (SC041592).

are now receiving some form of state-funded ABA in the UK - whether on a home program, in an ABA special school, in a special school which uses ABA alongside other disciplines, or with an ABA-trained shadow in mainstream. Several Local Authorities, including Shropshire, Halton, Leicestershire and Richmond-on-Thames are now employing ABA professionals to help autistic children and adults in schools and other provisions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also recommends that ABA professionals be consulted on challenging behaviour (NG11). Large charities such as Ambitious about Autism, Child Autism UK, PEAT and the National Autistic Society employ BCBAs (Board Certified Behaviour Analysts), and Child Autism UK has 160 programmes running at any one time, most of which take place in schools/ nurseries. This all sounds great right? However, none of this applies to Scotland - there are no ABA schools in Scotland and parents are forced to pay privately for independent behavior analysts to supervise home-based programmes for their child. One Scotland based ABA mum and teacher said, “As a teacher in special needs schools I am guilty of bowing under the same pressure, and at best, trying innovative ways to make our

square pegs fit neuro-typical round holes. Many teachers recognise and are frustrated by the present system but don’t have an alternative option and are largely ignorant of ABA. They often hear about it through the parents of pupils who are running home programmes. The most common question I get asked is - “OK so this ABA seems to be very popular with parents, so why doesn’t the Scottish Education authority use it if it is so good?” This a good question and I don’t understand why the Scottish Government seems to ignore the most scientifically proven effective approach to treating autism.

Conclusion

As an ABA professional based in Scotland this situation is beyond frustrating. It’s embarrassing that Scotland is so far behind the times. ABA has been recognised as a safe and effective treatment for autism in other parts of the world, having been endorsed by a number of state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the New York State Department of Health. ABA is covered by medical insurance in 43 out of 50 US states. What happened to our national tag line of ‘Getting it right for every child’…?? n

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PATENT SHOES £40.00

CHILDREN’S BENTO BOX £5.95, Dotcomgiftshop

TULIPOP BUBBLE NOTEBOOK £8.50. PENCILS £2.50 Lilla, Holy Corner, Edinburgh

WITH EVERY PURCHASE OF BACK TO SCHOOL SHOES

BOYS’ LEATHER SHOES £42.00

17. SOPHIE ALLPORT BALLS 4

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18. VINTAGE FOOTBALL

10-12 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AU

www.treehouse childrenswear.co.uk

DRAWING SET £9.95 Dotcomgiftshop

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VEG A

INBURGH D E N NI

ven E s t Trea Love d e s Ba rs Will t n a e Pl t-Eat a e M

egan eating is on the rise in Scotland, which is good news for Scots since vegans not only reduce cruelty to animals but also are less likely than meat-eaters to suffer from heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer and obesity. Edinburgh, named the UK’s Most Vegan-Friendly City 2015, is leading the way in plant-based eateries – and those who are vegan-curious are spoilt for choice! Here are a few of our favourites:

Kalpna: This South Indian vegetarian restaurant offers meat-free food with a healthy dollop of spice. Especially recommended are the vegan thali and the great value of the allyou-can-eat lunchtime buffet.

Hendersons: This family-friendly restaurant has been offering meat-free cuisine in Edinburgh since 1962. The vegan menu features a variety of dishes, from burgers to chickpea pancakes.

Bread Street Brasserie: This classy bistro, which features seasonal Scottish produce, offers clearly labelled vegan options on its menu and also holds a monthly vegan evening.

Forest Café: A community-owned vegetarian café, Forest is a stalwart of Edinburgh’s alternative scene and offers great staples, including decadent vegan cakes, at budget prices.

The Auld Hoose: This pub is legendary for its enormous vegan nachos and offers a hearty veggie haggis served with traditional neeps and tatties.

Juice Warrior: This newly opened raw café isn’t just all about the juice – it also offers vegan goodies such as avocado on toast, matcha cheesecake and almond butter cups.

If you happen to be in Edinburgh on the first Saturday of the month, Leith Market features a Vegan Quarter, where you can find vegan stalls offering all kinds of yummy food, including cupcakes and doner kebabs – plus, there’s even a vegan butcher.

Novapizza Vegetarian Kitchen: This familyrun 100 per cent vegetarian pizzeria in New Town doesn’t disappoint. The seven-page (!) vegan menu is jam-packed with Italian deliciousness.

Of course, there’s no need to seek out specialty restaurants – the high demand for vegan-friendly products means that high-street chains such as Pret a Manger, Zizzi and Wagamama are offering delicious new options for plant-based customers. n

David Bann: Just a stone’s throw from the Scottish Parliament Building, this gourmet vegetarian restaurant’s inventive globally inspired menu offers plenty for vegans to enjoy.

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Want to advertise your business to thousands of Edinburgh mums and dads?

This space is MADE for you!

For advice on rates and design email louisewilson @live.com

For more information on vegan eating and to order your free vegan starter kit, please visit PETA.org.uk

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Work

ids starting school or transitioning into their new year leaves many parents faced with the thought of returning to work. Whether it’s one year out of the workplace or quite a few, the journey back into the workplace is the same and can seem rather daunting. However, it doesn’t need to be. With the right planning and a positive mind, it can actually be an exciting new chapter for you and your family. I took an extended period of maternity leave and returned to work last year. As a mum of a 5 year old and 2 year old, my career felt like a lifetime ago. The thought of returning to work immediately put me into panic mode. Don’t get me wrong, I had mastered a number of skills during the last few years (simultaneously breastfeeding, playing I Spy and unloading the dishwasher, comes to mind) but I was pretty confident these weren’t the

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Written by Hazel Little, Career and Executive Coach @ Working Career

1. Having children can change you as a person and that’s ok! Take time to think about what motivates and interests you at work. If you are doing a job that you love, you perform better and feel happier at work. Let’s face it, we’re going to be working a lot longer in life and now is the perfect opportunity to make key decisions about your career.

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skills any future employer would have on their job specification. So, I sought out help from a career coach and once I worked out what I wanted to do and with the support and encouragement of my family to do it, not to mention the meticulous planning to get everyone out the door in the morning, I got there eventually. There have been bumps and scrapes along the way (my toddler flat out refusing to step foot in the nursery door or my 5 year old telling me he doesn’t feel special when I don’t pick up at the school gates) but it gets easier with every day that passes. Now I’m excited about being back at work, I’m doing a job that I love and it makes the time that I do have with the children even more special. If you are considering a return to work, here are a few practical tips to ensure your return to work is a positive one:

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Everyone has those feelings about being unsure about their capabilities and whether they’ll be able to do their job again, know that you’re not alone. Think about what is really going to help you feel more confident. Maybe using your KIT days prior to your return will start to get your mind back into work mode, treating yourself to some new work clothes to give you a boost or making sure you ask lots of questions on your return to ensure you have all the information you need. Take Having time to think about this as you children can approach your start date and act on it.

2. Give serious thought to your work schedule. Unfortunately, part time jobs are still quite limited. Do consider the range of flexible working available: change you as compressed hours, working a person and from home, flexitime. Be 5. Look after yourself. Being a upfront with any employer working parent can be tricky but that’s ok! as they will appreciate your it can also be very enjoyable honesty and they may be not to mention rewarding. able to be flexible to work Make sure to treat yourself to around you. Suggest a a well-earned latte, read a few phased return or midweek start date, this can pages of your book before bed or get out for help ease you and the family into the new a lunchtime walk/run and appreciate time to routine without feeling too overwhelmed. yourself. It won’t be long before someone will be demanding your attention. n 3. Planning is your best friend. Organise clothes and lunches/dinner the night before, give yourself plenty of time to get organised in the morning before the children wake up and try to take 5 minutes before walking in the door to work each day. Mindfulness can be very powerful when dashing around wearing many different hats in life. Switch on your work mind For more help in getting and take a deep breath.

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4. It can take only a few weeks away from work to lose your confidence in the workplace but (unfairly) it takes a little longer to get it back. made JULY / AUG 2016

back to work, contact Hazel at hazel@ workingcareer.co.uk

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hive as they are aware of their bigger role in the survival of the species. However, as soon as there is any shortage of food, and towards the end of the summer, the worker bees start to throw the drones out. Those drones are bigger than a worker, but they are no match for a determined colony and when the colony decides it’s time for the drones to go - that’s that. I have watched a drone desperately trying to get into the hive for food and warmth while the workers have stood guard and dragged him away. The colony knows there is no point keeping drones over the winter. They have enough mouths to feed and the most important job is keeping the queen alive, which is the job of the workers. “If the bee The queen can always lay more drones next year. disappears from Keeping bees has been an the surface of the absolutely fascinating, roller earth, man would coaster of a journey. That first taste of honey from my have no more than hive was something pretty four years to live?” special, thick and golden with a definite heather undertone; - Albert Einstein and I have noticed a reduction in my hayfever allergies since eating locally produced honey too. But bees do so much more than just making honey. Their job as pollinators in the food chain is so important that the National Audit Office estimated the value of the bees’ services to the UK economy at £200m a year. The retail value of what they pollinate was valued closer to £1bn. Honey bees are in decline, due to disease and other factors and this amazing little creature needs our help. If you are interested in keeping bees, the first thing to do would be to attend a beginners course - the perfect way to equip yourself with the knowledge to get started. And I would recommend you find an experienced bee keeper as a mentor. I have one, I call him the ‘bee angel’ as he has been so much support and help. Beware though, you could become obsessed... n

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‘The female of the species is more deadly that the male’ Talk to any man about what goes on in a beehive, and you will often see them bristle when they hear about the fate of their male counterparts in the bee world. The male bee (a drone) serves one role, only one, he has no other function - and that is to mate with a queen bee. As soon as he fulfils this role he dies. He literally explodes into the queen, ripping himself apart. Graphic, I know. f you are out walking and you hear a regular popping sound above you, you may just have found yourself in a drone congregation area (DCA), which is where the queen goes to mate with anything up to 30 drone bees. The queen then heads back to the hive where she will stay for the rest of her days (unless she swarms at some point ). This mating flight means she has enough spermatozoa to lay 1000, yes 1000,

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eggs a day for the rest of her life. And she can live up to 5 years! You are ok to annoy a drone because he can do very little harm as he doesn’t have a sting. But try not to upset a worker bee because if she stings she will die. The worker bees, of which there could be 50,000 in a hive, are all daughters of the queen - they tolerate the few hundred drones in the

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For more information and beginners courses go to: Edinburgh & Midlothian Beekeepers Association www.edinburghbeekeepers.org.uk

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‘Open the door to the magic of herbs’ Visit the Secret Herb Garden and enjoy the space, inside and out.

Herbs Fairy Walks Courses Café Vintage Shop Events Beekeeping Weddings Open everyday 10am-4pm Secret Herb Garden 32A Old Pentland Road Edinburgh, EH10 7EA 07525 069 773 or 07768 530 044 secretherbgarden.co.uk

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Have you got great photos from an event you’d like to share with MADE readers? If so, email them to us at info@mademagazine.co.uk

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5 5. Thousands of women and men wearing bras decorated with a “Swing your Tartan” theme power walked through the streets of Edinburgh at midnight on Saturday 11th June, raising money and awareness for breast cancer charity, Walk the Walk.

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2. Mini party-people released their inner glow at Kids Glow Wild from Pop Up Parents’ Events.

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1. Edinburgh Leisure staff raised over £2,000 at the inaugural ‘10x10 Swim Challenge’, helping provide pre-school swimming lessons to nursery pupils in deprived areas.

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6. Storyteller, Amanda Edmiston and children from Niddrie Mill Primary School took part in the National Literacy Trust’s Young Readers Programme.

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8. Laird and Radleigh Wharton from East Linton enjoyed the Scottish Seabird Centre’s Forth Ferry.

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7 Baby Sensory Edinburgh East were on a superhero mission for baby charity Tommy’s, taking part in a superhero ‘Sensathon’ at Inch Park Community Sports Club. Pictured are Helen Laidlaw, Class Leader, with Max, Megan and Annabel.

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4. Jo Jingles joined the Edinburgh for Under Fives 2016 launch at the Meadows Festival in June.

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3. Lots of fun for children and parents at Gardening Scotland this year.

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S HOLIDAYO MADE TER REMEMB

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ON TRIAL... The Burrow Family Club In this edition we spoke with mum of twins, Sophie, about her experience with children’s French and cookery class experts, The Burrow Family Club.

e om th l! way fr utes a f Blackpoo in m o 10 t lights brigh

ILLUMINATIONS BREAKS STARTING FROM £399* fOR 4 NIghTS! To book or request a brochure call us on 0800 107 0522 or visit ribbyhall.co.uk Phone lines open 8am - 8pm

The Burrow Family Club claims:

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*Price based on 4 people • sharing a 4 berth cottage between 2nd Sep - 9th Oct 2016

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They strive to offer educational and exciting activities for children and their parents in a beautiful environment; a home from home, where children can learn and play while parents can enjoy family quality time, socialise or simply relax.

Having recently moved to Edinburgh with 3 year old twins, I was on the hunt for a new type of class that would not just simply entertain the children, but also get them interacting and learning. I heard about The Burrow Family Club and was immediately drawn to it, as not only did it tick all the boxes but normally these types of classes are designed for older children. Why shouldn’t a 3 year old start cooking! Over the 5 week course there was a theme, which provided familiarity and opened up discussions of what they were going to cook each week. The fact the twins could learn to cook (and not in my kitchen!) with the professional and lovely Chef Lizzie, making it both educational and fun, is truly inspired. It also proved that cooking with children is not as daunting as I thought. The Burrow Family Club provide aprons, cooking utensils and ingredients, and at the end of each class the little chefs are sent home with what they’d cooked - much to their delight - along with a recipe book, goodie bag and their own wooden spoons, so it was easy to revisit what had been taught.

A gentle and fun approach to teaching young children to play the violin and general musicianship. Aimed at children aged 4-6. For more information contact Sheena Ferguson on 07722 831224 or sheena.m.ferguson@gmail.com

Pilates Classes

Block commencing 6th June 2016

Blue Sky Studio, 90 Morningside Road, EH10 4BY

For booking and prices, contact: hello@espacewellbeing.co.uk

Bliss

The course is very relaxed, warm and friendly, with time after cooking for the children to play whilst their grown-ups have tea and coffee. Christelle and Anne-France have created a new kind of group activity for children with a fresh approach which caters for everyone. For more information about The Burrow Family Club’s French and cooking classes go to www.theburrowfamilyclub.com

● Scottish Fine Soaps ● Ness ● Swarovski Crystal ● Jelly Cat Toys

If you are a business owner and would like MADE to test your service/product get in touch at mademag@live.co.uk

5 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH4 1HU • 0131 332 4605

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Have fun, be different, Children’s Party Bags wear Madsurf! also available.

Call: 07713 918799

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The verdict:

Casualwear that Beautiful baking mixes in promotes an active glass jars. Treat yourself or buy for lifestyle in the a perfect fun, gift. cool + personalisable way

a and Edinburgh Fitness Zumb

Sophie says:

Zumba with Nadia & Mark is no ordinary exercise class,

it’s a PARTY! Classes in Morningside, Greenbank and Craiglockhart

www.zumbaedinburgh.net nadiaalkoch@hotmail.com Facebook: Edinburgh Zumba

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Take time out and create