MADE (Mums & Dads Edinburgh) - March/April 2016

made mums and dads edinburgh

What does a mum look like?

MR. BLOOM talks about his nursery KIDS & CONTACT LENSES

plus

Science, sterotypes and a spotlight on Stockbridge

MARCH/APRIL 2016 FREE

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made

welcome

Contributors

We asked our columnists which celebrity would play them in a movie of their life, and why…

Andrea Zanin If science could do a mashup of Melissa McCarthy and Helena Bonham Carter; that’s the actress I’d choose to play me in a film about my life – a crazy assimilation of comedy and corsets.

Dawn Geddes I’d love Julie Delpy to play me because as well as being an amazing actress, she’s also a writer like me! I’ve also always really, really fancied being French so it would be fun to rewrite history a bit.

Cate Nelson-Shaw Someone like Kristin Scott Thomas or Archie Panjabi, mainly because I admire their portrayal of strong, intelligent, resourceful characters who have that humorous edge.

Although, secretly I just want to be Alicia Florrick.

contact facebook.com/MADEmag

I love random acts of kindness; people buying groceries for the person behind them in the queue, or customers paying for a ‘suspended’ coffee meant for someone who can’t afford one. It’s heartwarming. Just recently a mum returned to her car at Edinburgh Sick Kids hospital to find parking tickets on the windscreen. She also found a note from a stranger and money to pay for the tickets. She has no idea who was responsible and such a kind gesture has overwhelmed her.

On 28 April, the UK celebrates Pay it Forward Day, when people are invited to perform random acts of kindness. Wouldn’t it be something if everybody got involved and the news channels were filled with stories of kindness and generosity. I’d love to run a feature in here about local acts of kindness, so if Pay it Forward Day involves you, send me your stories and we’ll entitle it ‘MADE my day’.

Louise x

Editor & Publisher Sales Executive Online Events Writers Columnists

Agony Aunt Designer Cover Printer

Louise Wilson Caroline McClean Emily Watson Andrea Zanin, Dawn Geddes, Cate Nelson-Shaw Kirsty Nicholls, EFUF Graeme Easton, Woosh!

Entertainments Jojo Sutherland MAMi Designs Osterhase - Fotolia.com Stephens & George

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

twitter.com/MADE_magazine 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 MARCH / APRIL 2016

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Contents © COLIN HATTERSLEY

march / april

38

27

62

23 6 News 15 Competitions

Your chance to win

17

What does a mum look like?

By Andrea Zanin

23

Bee Inspired

There’s a buzz about these gifts

25

Mum’s New World

Doing the right thing.

27 Interview:

With Ben Faulks

33

Trust Jojo

If you need advice…

34 Diaries

42

STEM Sells

By Cate Nelson-Shaw

49

Leave it to Dad

By Graeme Easton

51

Spotlight on…

Stockbridge

56

Health

Kids & contact lenses

58

Food & Drink

Secrets from a herb garden

60

Shopping

Mother’s Day

62

Hobbies

Chicken fun

64

What to do March & April

38

Easter

Out & About 66 Tried & Tested

Fun for all

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

Monkey Music on trial…

5

news Gardening

Don’t miss

Imaginate Edinburgh’s International Children’s Festival (28 May - 5 June 2016) showcases the world’s best theatre and dance for children right here in Edinburgh. Choose from 14 shows from 9 different countries, with an exciting programme for ages 0-12.

Free Family Fringe opening weekend is at the National Museum of Scotland with performances and activities including live music, storytelling, craft and lots more. Family tickets are £8 per person. If you’ve never been to the festival the Family Fringe is the perfect way to give it a try. www.imaginate.org.uk

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Fun

Gardens have always been a place for children to play and explore the world of nature, and at Gardening Scotland they get the chance to do both. The Big Back Garden area is dedicated to children featuring play equipment, bouncy castles, outdoor games, a creativity tent and lots of other hands-on activities. Gardening Scotland caters for parents too. - with Champagne and Pimms bars, exciting floral exhibits, herbs, local produce, healthy eating and so much more, there really is something for everyone. Bring your family along from 3rd – 5th June and enjoy a superb day out. Book tickets at www.gardeningscotland.com, children under 16 go free!

Learn to Lather Squid Soap, the innovative, gentle children’s soap teaches tots to wash their hands properly in a fun and interactive way, it even comes with a colourful squid toy. By pushing down on the dispenser, a washable stamp is stamped on their hand, which children can wash off with the gentle, creamy lather, to clean their hands thoroughly. £1.99 from Tesco, Superdrug and others.

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news Bunny Hop

into spring

Party Offers for MADE Award-winning tots-to-teens urban dance school, Step It Up Dance, has just turned 4! To celebrate their birthday they are offering MADE readers an exclusive Big Birthday Bonanza Party Offer!!

Simply book and pay for a party before the 30th April to receive 15% OFF your party package - and your party can be booked for any available date in 2016!

Birthday Bonanza Prices include: • FAMILY HIP HOP PARTY for ages 2-4 years with adult participation (1 hour) for a maximum of 20 kids (Normally £125.00, Bonanza Price £106.25) • HIP HOP JUNIORS PARTY for ages 3-4 years (includes option of a party theme, 1.5 hours) for a maximum of 30 kids (Normally £165.00, Bonanza Price £140.25) • URBAN DANCE PARTY for ages 5-12 years, choose from Hip Hop, Breakdance or cheerleading (1.5 hours) for a maximum of 30 kids (Normally £165.00, Bonanza Price £140.25) To book or to enquire email: hello@stepitupdance.co.uk Don’t delay ... this offer expires at the end of April ! made MARCH / APRIL 2016

Online kids’ clothes shop, Bunny Hop, has stocked its virtual shelves to bursting with exciting new season stylish items, which are sure to inspire your little one’s Spring/ Summer wardrobe.

The company, founded by Julia Murray (Edinburgh mum of one cool little girl) is passionate about sourcing clothes that are responsibly made from the highest quality - and where possible, organic materials. These staple pieces look fantastic wash after wash, and will take your little person through more than just one playdate.

Bunny Hop is keen to step away from gender stereotyping and encourage gender neutral themes and designs in their products.

Check out what’s new at www.bunny-hop.com

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ay

Ha

news

Juno Perinatal Mental Health Support, founded in Feb 2015 by a group of Edinburgh mums who all have personal experience of post natal depression and other perinatal mental health difficulties, supports mums through weekly peer support groups offering advice and information as well as subsidised counselling service.

To celebrate their first birthday and raise funds to continue supporting mums, they are hosting a pamper event on Sunday March 13th, 1pm-5pm at the Corn Exchange. Tickets (£15) include a glass of fizz, canapés and a beauty treatment. For more info and tickets visit www.juno.uk.com

New Moon Walk

for ages 10+

Breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is encouraging children (and their parents!) to take part in The MoonWalk Scotland on Saturday 11th June. Starting at Holyrood Park, this iconic event raises money and awareness for breast cancer and has four walking challenges, including the 6.55 miles New Moon, which has a minimum age of ten. There are also 13, 26 and 52 mile challenges for older walkers, who wear the charity’s trademark decorated bras. New Moon registration for 10 and 11 year olds, who receive a special t-shirt, is just £15! Sign up now at www.walkthewalk.org

Stamp Out From April 2016, anybody buying a second (or third…) property will pay an additional 3% of the entire property purchase price in addition to the existing rate of LBTT (previously known as Stamp Duty). Worth remembering if you are considering purchasing property for your family as an investment.

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Saturday night 11 June Holyrood Park Edinburgh

Every step you take together makes a difference... Sign up now!

JOIN THE MOONWALK SCOTLAND...

GET FIT AND RAISE MONEY FOR BREAST CANCER!

why not try the new moon 6.55 MILES? for me, for you, for sign up now! everyone!

Don’t forget... You can also MoonWalk in London, Iceland and New York!

Official Media Partner of Walk the Walk

Official newspaper of The MoonWalk Scotland

Patron HRH The Prince of Wales

Charity No SC029572

walkthewalk.org

news

pop up

From Me to You Market On Saturday 23 April, Pop Up Parents’ Events proudly presents a nearly-new sale with a difference! Come along and find bargain toys, baby and toddler equipment and kids’ clothing, but also experience free children’s taster sessions from Step it Up Dance, face-painting and a community café. Sellers keep 100% of their profits and all money raised from the entrance fee will go towards the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. The event will be held at Currie Community Centre from 10.30am 12.30pm and promises the perfect opportunity to shop, sell and save! For more information and to book a table email popupparentsevents @gmail.com

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Scotland’s Big Nature Festival

Join RSPB Scotland for a fun day out with the whole family at Scotland’s Big Nature Festival this spring! The wildlife event is returning to Levenhall Links in Musselburgh on 21 and 22 May. Visitors can enjoy a packed programme of hands-on workshops, guided walks and bird-ringing demonstrations, as well as exciting activities like ponddipping and bug-hunting for the kids. With tantalising local food and drink, live music and seabird cruises on offer, Scotland’s Big Nature Festival is not to be missed! The event is easily accessed by bus, rail and car. Be quick to catch the early bird offer with tickets available at half price: www.bignaturefestival.org.uk

Spring is in the bag for mums with the Brug New Edinburgh-based startup, Wunderlife, has launched an innovative bag with a dual purpose designed to meet the demands of busy parents. It starts life as a bag and transforms into a large water-resistant, machine washable rug. The Brug is a convenient, practical and light - weight storage and travel solution that comes in a stylish unisex orange and blue design.

It’s a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or Easter if you are looking to kick off the outdoor season in your family.

The Brug makes life a little bit easier for all of us. Priced at £63.00 and available from www.wearewunderlife.com

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MADE Recommends…

Have a

night off

Having a Night Off is a new luxury gift bag company based in the centre of Edinburgh, offering three exciting and colourful gift bag collections.

The Berries and Vanilla BATHE, the Orange and Mint CLEANSE and the Mango and Honey MOISTURISE collections all focus on allowing your bathing/relaxation experience to be that little bit different. All products have been carefully selected to be handmade, organic, Paraben-free, SLSfree and not tested on animals – with some products being made right here in Edinburgh!

Having a Night Off offers the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. www.havinganightoff.com

Free Author Webcasts Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy will be beamed live into classrooms on 17 March as part of Scottish Book Trust’s and BBC Scotland Learning’s Authors Live programme.

He will take to the stage with bestselling author, Joanna Nadin, to introduce their new series of children’s books, The Flying Fergus, aimed at children aged 5-8, which follows the adventures of an eight-year-old boy and his magical bike. made MARCH / APRIL 2016

I’d heard whispers that Urban Massage had finally arrived in Edinburgh, and I’d even gone as far as downloading the app (because it was free!). But it wasn’t until my husband announced at dinner he was going out that night, that I found myself at a loose end, and finally got around to opening the app to see what was available. And wow - what a choice!

Urban Massage employ dozens of qualified therapists, so you just pick who you want and when you want them. It’s the easiest process.

And there are time slots as little as one hour away! So with the children in bed and towels at the ready, my therapist turns up at 7.30pm armed with a bed and oils; and there, in the comfort of my own candlelit living room, I was allowed to fully relax for one hour. The massage was fantastic, and was made better knowing my kids were just upstairs and I didn’t have to arrange or pay for a babysitter - or have to drive anywhere afterwards! The Urban Massage app is now a permanent fixture on my devices, and my husband is being encouraged to go out more often!

Thanks to Urban Massage we have a FREE SESSION (worth £45) to give away to a lucky MADE reader. Just email us at mademag@live.co.uk before 22 April and tell us why you would like a free massage.

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news Sports Relief Swimathon at Edinburgh Leisure pools

Great Outdoors Tops Tots Poll Scotland’s little ones love getting out in the great outdoors more than anything else, according to a new poll from across the country.

Carried out as part of the Scottish Government’s PlayTalkRead campaign, the poll asked parents and carers of Scotland’s 0-3 year olds to vote for their favourite activity and exploring Scotland’s great outdoors topped the poll overall, closely followed by visiting their local libraries.

Check the full list at www.playtalkread.scot/ 30-things-results

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The Sports Relief Swimathon will see thousands of swimmers challenge themselves while raising funds for Sport Relief. From 18-20 March, Edinburgh Leisure will have six of their pools taking part: Glenogle Swim Centre, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, Dalry Swim Centre, Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, Gracemount Leisure Centre and Drumbrae Leisure Centre. To take part in Swimathon 2016 sign up on www.sportsrelief.com

Playing Out Playing Out was born in Bristol and has been a huge success.

It’s when residents organise temporary road closures so children can play safely in their street.

An Edinburgh group is trying to make this a reality here too, to coordinate a Playing Out weekend over the 9th and10th April.

For more information please email edinburghplayingout@gmail.com and ‘like’ the Edinburgh Playing Out Facebook page.

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news Join the club

New Buyer for Tumble Tots?

Boardwalk Beach Club is an exciting new beachfront cafe and coffee house opening in March at Cramond Foreshore beachfront promenade; a perfect hub for families exploring Edinburgh’s beautiful coastline.

The Boardwalk Beach Club is child friendly with highchairs and a small selection of toys to keep the kids entertained.

Sit back, relax and enjoy delicious freshly roasted gourmet Charlie Mills coffee, a large selection of artisan loose leaf tea and gorgeous hot chocolate. The scrumptious locally sourced food includes freshly baked cakes and scones, fresh soups served with artisan breads, hot toasted paninis and S.Luca ice cream. All available to eat in or take away.

Keep up-to-date via www.facebook.com/BoardwalkBeachClub

Tumble Tots Edinburgh East is currently looking for someone new to take over the reins. This is an excellent opportunity for the right person to purchase an established and respected Tumble Tots business, which has successful centres in Marchmont, Fairmilehead, Haddington, Joppa and Morningside. The business provides a great worklife balance, as well as plenty of scope for expansion and growth. For further information call Jo on 07747 776088 and visit www.tumbletots.com/ Edinburgh

A new kind of natural Yeo Beautifully Mild is a new kind of natural yogurt without the tartness. A creamy organic yogurt, made with milder cultures, it’s a taste that works for the whole family - including little taste buds. If you are trying to cut down your families’ sugar intake, but they don’t like natural yogurt – this could be the one for you. Available in Waitrose from March.

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news Talking Tots

& BabyTalk

The story that never grows old Get ready for the family adventure of a lifetime, as an exciting and modern interpretation of one of the bestloved children’s novels of all time, Peter Pan, flies on to shelves this Easter. Peter and Wendy releases on DVD and Download on 21st March from Universal Pictures.

Zoë Hayes is delighted to have taken over Talking Tots Edinburgh, and to also be launching new baby classes!

BabyTalk is a six week course where you and your baby will learn about early communication together.

Suitable from 4 months, each class focuses on a key topic such as eye contact or copying.

Informative and fun, BabyTalk is also a great way to meet other mums!

Talking Tots’ interactive classes (12 months to 5 years) encourage confident communication, listening and turn-taking, through a variety of group activities, games, songs and stories. www.talkingtots. info/EdinburghTalking Tots

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Birth & Baby If you’re pregnant or recently had a baby, check out Edinburgh Birth and Baby. This collective of local professionals provide comprehensive support for parents to be well informed and to enjoy parenthood as much as possible. As well as their individual services, they run regular information events where you can come along for free advice. For more info go to www.edinburghbirthandbaby.com

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•

a

To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket (for 4) to see Go Get ‘em Kid just tell us: What date is Go Get ‘em Kid showing?

For more information go to www.imaginate.org.uk

competition

Imaginate is Edinburgh’s international children’s festival, showcasing some of the best theatre and dance from around the world. All shows have been specifically created for children to give the perfect mix of excitement, innovation and fun – it’s an amazing opportunity to give your children an experience they will not forget. Go Get ‘em Kid is a fabulous and humorous dance piece on the theme of sharing and friendship, with an eclectic soundtrack that’s a joy from beginning to end, perfect for 6 -12 year olds, showing on Saturday 4 June at North Edinburgh Art at either 11.30am or 3.30pm.

competition

WIN

To win, simply email your name, address, phone number and answer to competitions@mademagazine.co.uk or enter via www.mademagazine.co.uk before April 22nd. Please mark your entry Competition A , B or C as the subject.

•

b

c

To be in in with a chance of winning a family ticket to see James and the Giant Peach at the King’s Theatre on Tuesday 24th May at 7pm, just tell us: Who wrote James and the Giant Peach?

The shows runs 24-27 May, for more info go to www.edtheatres.com

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competition

Roald Dahl’s classic tale, James and the Giant Peach, follows the adventurous, young James and his friends – Miss Spider, Old-Green-Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybird and Earthworm. Beginning at the end of the story, like all great tales do, James and his friends are living in the giant peach stone in Central Park, New York, but the real story lies in how they got there, all the way from the White Cliffs of Dover. Join James and his new found insect friends on their extraordinary journey fraught with enemies, dangers and excitement.

competition •

To be in with a chance of winning tickets, tea and scones for a family of four on board Britannia just tell us: In which historic port is Britannia berthed?

For more information go to www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

competition •

If you are looking for a fun day out for all the family, bring them to Scotland’s best visitor attraction (VisitScotland), The Royal Yacht Britannia. Explore five decks with a fascinating audio tour - there’s even one especially for children! Find out what life was like on board Britannia for the Royal Family and the 220 crew. During your tour you can experience stunning harbour views from the Royal Deck Tea Room, while you relax and enjoy homemade soup and sandwiches or delicious cakes and scones, all made on board.

TS TO N S R E FO TE TO

Activity Classes for Children and their families

Secret Garden

lay Soft eP play & Frerea A

Children’ Themed s Parties

Event Hire

unity Comm b Hu

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Award winning music classes for babies & young children Balerno, Colinton, Fairmilehead, Marchmont, Morningside & Newington T: 0131 441 4581 E: morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk

Group discounts for NCT members when 3+ people join together at the same time.

WHAT DOES A

M U M LOOK

LIKE?

‘Glittery, with bones, bandages and sometimes skirts’ – Andrea Zanin conducts a social experiment to find out what children really think.

© SCOTT GRIESSEL - FOTOLIA

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NOT SO MUMSY

I

I’ve realised that the thing I grappled with in my condescending, pre-baby state was an acute fear of losing my identity; how I was going to assimilate ‘mum’ with ‘me.’ I’ve somehow done it; emerging with bluer hair and more tattoos – an embellished, messier version of my pre-mum self. No powder, no pastel; I haven’t avoided the bulging baby bag but it’s from Shakespeare’s Globe and says “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

– Lady Macbeth reminding me of who I am, wherever I go; a good compromise.

Not that the way I look isn’t tantamount to some sort of stereotype (one can’t exist as a member of society without succumbing to the imposition of labels – it’s how human beings understand the world); mine is just not the one yelling ‘mum.’

In fact, many of the children in my daughter Amelia’s year 1 class have spent a good amount of time assuming that I am a nanny rather than a mummy. I’d like to think that it’s because I look super-young and suave but it’s not quite that, that garners the curious glances that swing my way every morning on the school playground. In Camden Town, I’d be wallpaper but in the context of suburbia, I don’t look like a ‘normal’ mum. One day, a brave little girl decided to give a voice to the ‘secret’ looks that pervade my path every morning on the school playground...and it went like this:

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spent 8.2 months of my first pregnancy not pondering epidurals and planning how I was going to get through birth and then raise a child into a decent, productive, caring human being... important stuff like that. No. But I did spend a significant amount of time wondering how to escape the looming influence of all things ‘mumsy.’ You see, I had a very clear idea about what a mum looked like: short hair (mousy brown or dirty blonde), emanating a miasma of baby powder, draped in pastels and never without a giant nappy bag (also pastel); bulging with the excruciating weight of infinite, disgusting babyrelated paraphernalia – like mushy food, wipes and nappies. I imagined being sucked into an alien abyss where all manner of social interaction was invoked by the commonality of poo, pottytraining and play-dates. It didn’t appeal.

And then I had my daughter plus two more crazy-beautiful versions of her and I’ve learned that I am still me – a wiser, more compassionate version of myself...but me nonetheless. Not just in spirit and character but in appearance, which does matter to me – not because I need to look pimped and perfect (trust me; that’s the last thing on my mind as I haul my rabble to and from school three times a day) but it’s a vital part of expressing who I am. In the more enlightened state of ‘me-ness’ that motherhood has brought,

NOT SO MUMSY

“

Georgina, a favourite gal-pal of my daughter’s, sauntered over with purpose. I noticed her mum (who I am friendly with) smirking in the background and I smelt ‘lesson’ in the air. I waited for the question...and it came; “Are you Amelia’s mum?”asked Georgina – intent on proving, once and for all, that I have no claim to my daughter (and the small sister and brother who tag along with me on the school run every morning). I went with a simple “yes,” and waited. I could see the cogs turning, the steam spewing – some serious brain work was goin’ down at the minute. Georgina was coming to terms with the fact that even a lady such as myself – with piercings, Dr Martens and a band-tee – could, in fact, be a mum too. ‘Weird’ doesn’t stop people from having children, right?

This little playground tête-à-tête inspired me to conduct a sort of social experiment – to find out what children really think mums look like.

I had a brilliant time interviewing a total of 50 children across the ages of 3 to 6 – who said the most fabulous, hilarious, cringe-worthy things!

The good news is that the majority of mums

are girls and have bones, clothes, hair, eyelashes and eyebrows; some of us even have lipstick and, on the occasion, earrings. A minority of ‘mummies’ wear bandages (the Americans were on to something when they coined ‘mommy’ from ‘mummy’ – clearing up the potential for ‘rotting corpse’ confusion) and there were also a number of budding philosophers in the mix, who pondered the appearance of mothers as “a hug,” “a booby trap,” “nice and glittery” and, my personal favourite; “Is it not illegal to ask what children think because they are not artists?” Plato has nothing on these littl’uns.

And oh! – The gender stereotype! Hold on to your hats all ye feminists! Buying food for lunch boxes, cooking, cleaning, tidying, washing, hanging clothes to dry, ironing, changing babies’ bottoms, looking after children, decorating Christmas trees and making gingerbread are just some of the things mums are typically good for. One 5-year-old answered “[Mums] wear long- sleeved shirts and carry a pole around to help the father” and another said that mums are

A lady such as myself – with piercings, Dr Martens and a band-tee – could, in fact, be a mum too

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

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FELIX MIZIOZNIKOV - FOTOLIA

NOT SO MUMSY

“ A mummy

“sometimes vain because they look in the mirror a lot.” But there is light at the end of the one-dimensional tunnel; many of us are, in fact, brilliant multi-taskers: we wear skirts, help people with whatever they need, work, exercise and love our children (this is just one mum btw). Another child said, “Mums sometimes like boy’s toys, like swords and Lego. They have a face and wear T-shirts and look after babies,” and my own daughter Layla quipped “[Mums] are like you. With black hair and red hair and different colours. And they work. And they change little babies’ bums. Saying hello to someone on the phone. Cuddling babies. Family.” Amelia, entirely suspicious of my question, refused to answer; not even when I bribed her with marshmallows.

What I love about many of the children’s answers is that what a mum ‘looks like’ sort of morphs into the less-tangible characteristics that define motherhood, and womanhood in general.

Children notice what we look like (they are literal

by nature) but they also notice that ‘mum’ is more; it’s as dynamic as we allow it to be. Children’s perceptions of motherhood are moulded by what they know. One 4-yearold summed it up perfectly: “A mummy looks like you, mummy.” We dictate our children’s perceptions by merely being. It’s intimidating, and a real challenge for all mums, myself included, who wish to offer their children a broad perspective of the world as multi-faceted and also, surprising and charismatic. Feeling the pressure? I know I am.

Luckily, it’s not all on us – on me. Our children have a context; a social context that will teach them what, sometimes, we cannot. I expect that one of these days my daughter Amelia will saunter over to the lady in heels and red lipstick, oozing fashionable femininity, and ask if she is a mummy or a nanny – expecting the latter. Weird is relative, and that’s what makes life with kids unpredictable, formidable, educational and just so darn beautiful. n

looks like you mummy

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Give your loved one a night off this Mother’s Day Choose from…

Berries and Vanilla BATHE collection Mint and Orange CLEANSE collection or Mango and Honey MOISTURISE collection

Having a Night Off is a luxury Edinburgh company, created to help you relax.

www.havinganightoff.com

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07973 779 223 www.rachelhein.com

Unitarians support the pursuit of individual spirituality within a community of diverse beliefs.

Greenhill Montessori Nursery Let your child’s adventure begin!

Family Friendly Spiritual Community St Mark’s Unitarian Church We offer a programme of spiritual and ethical education for children age 3 through teens, and for younger children accompanied by parents.

Our Children’s Programme focuses on: • Personal spiritual growth • Exploring world religions and other sources of wisdom • Ethical development

Importance of community

Our services take place at 11am every Sunday morning with children attending the first 15 minutes and then withdrawing for their own programme.

Families of all faiths and none are very welcome to come and explore our community.

Contact: Ida Silkenat (Children’s Programme Co-ordinator) stmarkschildrensprogramme@gmail.com

www.edinburgh-unitarians.org.uk

Unitarians in Edinburgh, St Mark’s, 7 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2DP SCIO 014167

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.

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

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EDITOR’S FAVOURITE! BEE PENDANT & EARRINGS (STERLING SILVER WITH GOLD PLATED ACCENTS) £28.95 & £24.95, Pippin, Haymarket. 1. TILIA BEESWAX OINTMENT, £13.50, www.wood-knit-bee.com.

2. BEE GONE - TABLE LAMP, £160, Sala Verde, www.salaverde.com.au. 3. DOBBIES BEE CUSHION, £14.99, Tesco Direct. 4. THOUGHTFUL GARDENER BEE HOUSE, £17.50, www.berryred.co.uk.

5. BEES MUG, £16, Amara. 6. BEE HAPPY! BLACK & WHITE GRAPHIC BUMBLE BEE ART PRINT, £14, www.giftwrappedandgorgeous.co.uk 7. SOPHIE ALLPORT BUSY BEE WHITE MEDIUM JUG, £8, www.sophieallport.com. 8. HONEY BEES GOLD VOLUME 2 BY BARNEBY GATES, £78, Wallpaper Direct.

9. BUSY BEE SCARF, £22.50, White Stuff. 10. BEE SHOPPER, £7.99, www.oakroomshop.co.uk made MARCH / APRIL 2016

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It’s a bag... and a rug!

A stylish bag that transforms into a large water resistant rug.

It is a convenient, machine washable storage and travel solution, ideal for kicking off the outdoor season in your family!

Buy direct now from our website wearewunderlife.com wearewunderlife.com wunderlife @wearewunderlife hello@wearewunderlife.com

Y SER NUR CES PLA ABLE IL AVA OW N

Turnhouse 40 Turnhouse Road Edinburgh EH12 8LX 0131 339 5557 turnhouse@ jigsaw-childcare.com

Jigsaw Childcare is devoted to providing excellent quality care, ensuring a safe, caring and stimulating environment for all; a home-from-home experience, a safe and secure place where children can have fun and grow.

Queen St 29 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2 1JX 0131 225 1555 queenstreet@ jigsaw-childcare.com

Open 07.30 - 18.00. For children 3 mths+

www.jigsaw-childcare.com

Mum’s New World DOING THE RIGHT THING

WRITTEN BY Kirsty

Nicholls

EDITOR OF EDINBURGH FOR UNDER FIVES

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lways doing the “right thing” while having an under 5 can be tricky. It’s like trying to put those dastardly blue plastic shoes on at the Commonwealth Pool while carrying a wriggling one year old; you know it’s ethical to do so, but it’s nigh on impossible to achieve.

One “right thing” that I have been trying to do, is to get more exercise. So, I know that we should walk to the supermarket rather than drive.

The fresh air always does Jack and I the world of good. It never quite blows away enough cobwebs though, for me to remember that - however great my grit and determination - I won’t fit eight full carrier bags into the bottom of a buggy.

I’m ashamed to say that My New Year’s resolution our food recycling efforts was to drink more water; eight went out the window (very I marched into the glasses a day to be precise. nearly literally) when I was kitchen full of Happily, this coincided with pregnant. It was of course purpose, and the January start of Jack’s the “right thing” to try to do, little classes.

Bambino but I struggled not to be sick promptly threw my Beats feels rather long with every time I walked past that full mug of freshly a bladder unaccustomed to brown tub of remnants. My such hydration, and “Shake husband is a real stickler for made tea into the bin My Sillies Out”, just a little bit recycling though, and I can risky. really see how important A daily “right thing” to do in is is. Our empty food our household, is to clear up from dinner as soon packaging still goes into our big recycling box. as Jack has gone to bed. After the kitchen has After a recent breakfast, I did the “right thing” by been decorated with fish, vegetables, banana putting a cereal packet amongst other bits into it. and yoghurt, the bathroom with bubbles and To say it was overflowing is an understatement. water, “Huggle Buggle Bear” has been read, a In fear of losing the cat, I decided to take the cup of warm milk has been snoozily supped, whole box straight to the recycling bin outside. and a little boy snuggled up in his cot, the great “Tidy house, tidy mind” and all that. With a spring tidying task must begin. I always know it’s the in my step, I came back inside feeling that I had “right thing” to do it straight away, that I’ll feel done the “right thing”. Off we went to mother and better knowing it’s not sat there waiting for me. baby group. Only two hours later, did I find that I But what I’ve lovingly coined the “zombie haze” had been carrying a used Petits Filous pot in the swiftly sets in. This evening I marched into the oversized cowl neck of my jumper all morning. kitchen full of purpose, and promptly threw my A very clever man once said, “You never fail full mug of freshly made tea into the bin. until you stop trying.” Thank goodness for that. n

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© MUSEYUSHAYA - FOTOLIA.COM

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big nature festival Levenhall Links, Musselburgh

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21–22 May 2016 Tickets £12, children £2 (under 5s free).

Members discount.

Half price early bird offer (T’s & C’s apply)

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bignaturefestival.org.uk The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.

Images: children by Helen Patience. 770-1844-15-16

La Bigorre

N w Locateio

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Holiday Cottages

Family friendly holidays in west France.

10% off

parent & child classroom

May, June & September bookings for MADE readers

Calm orderly and beautiful space to start your day in

“Fantastic place to relax and so well set up for children”

Help your child build independence, concentration and social skills by coming regularly and often

“La Bigorre has set the bar incredibly high for future family holidays” “It’s easy to see why people return year after year” www.labigorre.com

Rich, evolving classroom with engaging activities for babies to 5-yr-olds

All sessions run by Montessori-trained, professional guides Mondays & Thursdays 9:30-11:15am Bruntsfield Evangelical Church

Montessori Mornings Edinburgh

montessorimornings.com

EVERYTHING’S BLOOMING FOR

WRITTEN BY

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

Dawn Geddes

© ILLUSTRATIONS BY FREEPIK.COM

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www.mademagazine.co.uk

BEN FAULKS

Sitting across from kids TV’s most recognisable gardener feels more than a little surreal. Famed for his trilby hat and his belting “Ellos”, CBeebies’ green-fingered Mr Bloom, played by Benjamin Faulks, is the life and soul of any garden. But as soon as he removes his hat and starts to talk in his own much quieter Cornish accent, it’s clear that Ben is quite different from the Mancurian gardener he portrays on screen.

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ursting to life on our screens in 2011, with his lovable veggies in tow, Bloom has been a huge hit with kids (and mummies) everywhere and his popularity shows no sign of waning. When I catch up with Ben after a busy Mr Bloom meet and greet, it’s clear he enjoys the opportunity to see his audience face-toface. He explains, “When I was growing up there were so many programmes that meant a lot to me but I’d never got the chance to meet any of the characters.

I know what an impression they made on me and my imagination. It’s really lovely to get the chance to meet the audience and to really engage with them – it’s such a privilege.”

“When you make TV it takes a long time to come out and for you to get feedback. Having done a lot of stage work in the past, I’m used to doing a show and knowing right away what worked and what didn’t work. So getting feedback from viewers is great for me!”

Ben came up with the idea for Mr Bloom when he moved to Manchester after leaving drama college.

“I moved to Manchester to work as an actor and starting writing for theatre and I came up with this show about a gardener and his baby vegetables. It wasn’t until I had kids of my own and started watching CBeebies that I realised that there was nothing else like it on screen and starting thinking about how it would work as a TV show. I pitched the idea to the BBC in 2009 and by 2011 it was on TV!”

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Unlike his on screen persona, Ben is not an experienced gardener but he loves how his character encourages children to be part of the big outdoors. “I love Mr Bloom and I love the outdoors, but I prefer mountain biking and running to gardening myself! Having said that I have learnt a lot from the gardening consultant we use on the show, and I believe that gardening is a brilliant way to get kids excited about the outside world.”

“It’s really important to get them out with their wellies on and their sleeves rolled up, ready to find out what’s in the garden. I know that with my own kids that’s the first thing that they did when we moved to our new house. They want to scan the garden, mark their territory and find out what there is to do out there. It’s a sensory thing, they want to explore and experiment, so it’s important that we let them do it. Get them outside learning about nature or building dens – they’ll love it.”

As a dad, Ben believes that getting kids involved in gardening and cooking is also key to getting them to eating healthier food. “They are much more likely to eat the stuff that they’ve either cooked or grown themselves because they know where it comes from rather than just turning up from a packet. Gardening also teaches children about nurturing. Bringing something from seed to fruition teaches loads about patience.”

Despite Mr Bloom’s popularity on screen, when it comes to Ben’s own three children, they’d much rather be watching something else! “For my kids

I believe that gardening is a brilliant way to get kids excited about the outside world

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

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BEN FAULKS

“

Writing children’s books is something completely new for me and I’m really enjoying the variety

”

it’s all about Octonauts or The Dumping Ground!

But it’s nice really, because they’ve grown up with me acting and they know that’s just what I do. They like to know what I’m up to but it’s just a job to them, just like everyone else’s.”

Although Mr Bloom continues to be a TV staple, Ben has recently taken a leap into new roles including a spell on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks as Mark Brown. He’s also starring in CBeebies brand new show Spotbots, a project that he is really excited about. “Spotbots is like a living puzzle book. It contains lots of different characters and children have to watch the show to try to solve the puzzle. It’s lots of fun and I’m sure it’s going to be a big hit. It’s a great blend of education and entertainment. It’s totally different from Bloom, but it’s great to try out some different roles.”

As well as new TV roles, Ben has also just finished a stint at New Victoria Theatre, Woking where he played Prince Charming in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty, alongside Katie Price. It was during this time that Ben started a brand new online project, Speedy Read after being fed up of missing story time at home.

Speedy Read, sees Ben filming himself reading bedtime stories from his dressing room and then

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posting them online.

Literature is something Ben is particularly passionate about. As well as Speedy Read he’s also writing his own children’s books for the publisher Bloomsbury. “Writing children’s books is something completely new for me and I’m really enjoying the variety. I can’t give too much away about them just yet, but they are picture books for ages five and under. It’s a fantastic challenge for me and it’s been great working with an illustrator. Now all I have to do is knuckle down and keep writing!”

But despite all of these exciting new projects, we’ve still not seen the last of our favourite gardener. With a new CBeebies ballet starring Bloom planned for later this year and Mr Bloom’s Nursery Tour Live scheduled for 2017, there’s plenty for our little “tiddlers” to look forward to! n

Find out more…

You can find out more about Ben and his Speedy Read project on his website www.benfaulks.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

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Frock Swap A fun friendly evening of fashion swaps

Saturday 5th March

7.00pm for 7.30pm start Dreghorn Loan Hall, Colinton Raffle prizes, silent auction and more swaps available on the night.

Please donate your good quality clothes, shoes and accessories prior to the event.

Contact:

church.office@colinton-parish.com for tickets and more information.

ALL ladies welcome!

Tickets: ÂŁ10 (this includes one swap, tea/ coffee and cake) BYOB

In aid of Marie Curie Hospice (SC038731) and Colinton Parish Church (SC010313)

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

Hooray, I can feel winter finally leaving and spring in the air, so I am very pleased with myself that I’ve finally got around to a good old clear-out; bedrooms gutted, wardrobes emptied and sent to the charity shop and cupboards given a thorough reshuffle. I did that thing that I do every year though, and found presents for the kids I’d stashed away for Christmas hidden under a pile of rubbish. So annoying that I’d forgotten about them because the kids would have loved a puppy!

As always, most of my new year resolutions have been blown out of the water. I’m no slimmer, that wine still forces itself to be drunk and my vow to stop smoking has resulted in me not buying them anymore but just smoking other people’s.

But hey, at least my house is tidy!

I also treated myself to a little rummage in the shops and bought myself a pretty summer dress ever the optimist that we will even get a summer.

So delighted with my purchase, I gave the kids a little fashion show, only for it to be pointed out that I had a dress just like that in my wardrobe.

Yes, you’ve guessed it, I had gone and purchased the very dress that I had weeks earlier donated to Deaf Action. I think we can all agree I am an idiot.

Albeit an idiot with a very pretty dress.

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

Dear Jojo My 7 yr old child has come home with things that don’t belong to him in his schoolbag, should I say something to his teachers?

Emily – Canonmills Dear Emily Call the police and have him arrested, put up a notice in the Post Office and stick a sign on his head saying “Beware - thief!”

OR, ask him where he got them from. It could be that he has done a swap with his friends and that it’s completely innocent; but if not, then a gentle reminder that he can’t just help himself to other people’s things should suffice. Unless of course he is coming home with the contents of the school safe, then, I’m afraid, you’re on your own.

Jojo x

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Dates for your diary Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

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11.30 - 11.55am Babies First @ National Museum of Scotland. A Magic Carpet session exclusively for first-time parents and carers and their little one (up to 18 months).

FREE. Book online.

10am & 11.30am (40mins).

Tiny Tales: Teddy Bears’ Picnic @ Storytelling Centre.

Join Lorna Shields from It’s in the bag. Bring your favourite teddy and journey into the woods. £5 per child, 1-3yrs.

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10:00am-16:30pm Play and Display @ National Museum of Scotland. Play and create your own LEGO® brick masterpiece to display for a day in our mini maker station. FREE, drop-in.

Until 24 March.

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28 29 30 31 10.30am (45mins) Step into Spring: An Easter Adventure @ Storytelling Centre. An active and creative workshop from Step It Up Dance. For ages 18mths 6years. £6 per child

10am (3-7 yrs) & 2pm (8-12 yrs), 1 hr 15. Jack and the Lost Harps: Storywalk and Come & Try Harp Sessions @ Storytelling Centre.

On 30 Mar too. £9

2pm (60mins) Puppetcraft: Monkey! @ Brunton Theatre. Inspired by the ancient Chinese folk story. £7.50 (£28 Family of 4).

For ages 4+.

10am - 2pm FREE Messy Munchkins Messy Play @ Gyle Shopping Centre.

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

www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

March 2016 Friday Saturday Sunday Dunbar SciFest Night Light Installation & Projection at Torness nuclear power station.

Fri 4th - Sun 6th March.

7pm for 7.30pm, Colinton Frock Swap @ Dreghorn Loan Hall, Colinton.

A fantastic ladies’ event promising a fun night of fashion swaps! Tickets (£10) includes one nibbles. BYOB

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10am - 5pm.

Dunbar SciFest Family Weekend - a packed programme of stage shows, drop in sessions, workshops, storytelling sessions and the SCI-FUN interactive exhibition.

On Sat 5th & Sun 6th.

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5pm-6.45pm Family Dining @ The Pantry, Stockbridge. Relax with fantastic food from their new evening menu while wee ones play in between mouthfuls! Every Friday.

1pm - 5pm Juno’s first birthday fund-raising event @ Edinburgh Corn Exchange. Tickets (£15) include a glass of fizz, canapés and a beauty treatment www.juno.uk.com

1.30pm-4pm Big Fish Little Fish @ La Belle Angele.

This award-winning family rave launches in Edinburgh with a ‘We Could Be Heroes’ (optional, but encouraged) dress theme.

www.bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk

18 19 11am (1hr 15) | The Story Kist: Inclusive Storytelling @ The Storytelling Centre. Enjoy a gentle multi-sensory adventure.

Particularly suitable for children with additional needs. £5 per child, for all ages.

25 26 Easter Eggcitement @ Almond Valley.

Events daily from Fri 25th March - Sun 17th April.

Extra special attraction over Easter too.

20 12pm-3pm Epic Chalk Day @ Inverleith Park. This fun art event offers street chalking, painting, live music, art workshop and lots more. All art materials will be provided, bring chalk if you can though. FREE

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Edinburgh International Science Festival begins with Dino Day @ Summerhall! Play with robotic dinosaurs, discover dino fossils, meet Velma the Velociraptor and dig up the newest species of dinosaur yourself.

Edinburgh International Science Festival

www.sciencefestival. co.uk 26 March – 10 April 2016 Building Better Worlds: how science, technology, engineering and design have the potential to improve the world we live in and the way we live within it.

Venues include:

Summerhall City Art Centre National Museum of Scotland Dynamic Earth Edinburgh Zoo Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh The 2016 Festival will offer adults, children and families the opportunity to engage with science through fun events and workshops and will give everyone the chance to join the global debate of how we can build better worlds for now and the future, with 272 events in total.

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

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Spotlight on...

Dates for your diary Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

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10am - 2pm FREE Messy Munchkins Messy Play @ Gyle Shopping Centre.

Lost at Sea @ Summerhall.

A playful story of 28,800 bath toys that accidentally helped scientists map the currents of the sea. For ages 8-12. Part of Edinburgh Science Festival.

From 5-7 April.

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School Starts Back

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11.30 - 11.55am Babies First @ National Museum of Scotland. A Magic Carpet session exclusively for first-time parents, grandparents and carers and their little one (up to 18 months). FREE. Book online.

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Take kids to new Boardwalk Beach Club at Cramond’.

Spring Holiday 25

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Book and pay for a Step it Up Dance party by the end of April for any available date in 2016, and quote ‘MADE’ to SAVE 15%.

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

www.mademagazine.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

April 2016 Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2

2.30pm (45mins) Mousetales: Oscar and the Quest for the Underground Princess @ John Gray Centre, Haddington. Join Old Mother Hubbard and her dancing dog, Oscar.

Ages 3 +.

Space Day @ Summerhall.

Blast-off into outer space with intergalactic activities for the whole family. There’ll be out-ofthis-world demonstrations, facepainting, space suit dressing-up and a planetarium. Part of Edinburgh Science Festival.

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8 9 10 1.30pm & 4.30pm Bear Behaving Badly @ King’s Theatre. The hilarious CBBC show takes to the stage in its first ever nationwide live tour! For ages 4+. On 8 & 9 April.

Edinburgh Playing Out. Some residential roads will be temporarily closed on (9 & 10 April) so children can play safely in the street.

The Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire @ Summerhall. Back for the fourth year you can expect more gadgets, hardware, software, knitwear and food than ever before!

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MADE Competition Deadline

10.30am-12.30pm Nearly New Sale @ Currie Community Centre, run by Pop Up Parents’ Events. Entrance free going to Edinburgh Sick Kids. Plus free taster sessions from Step it Up Dance.

24 Family Day @ Musselburgh Racecourse.

Children under 17 are admitted free and can also enjoy FREE entertainment.

29 30 5pm-6.45pm Family Dining @ The Pantry, Stockbridge. Relax with fantastic food while your wee ones play in between mouthfuls! Every Friday.

Spotlight on... pop up

From Me to You Market Saturday 23 April, 10.30am - 12.30pm Currie Community Centre Find some brilliant bargains on toys, baby and toddler equipment and good quality kids’ clothing. Children can also enjoy face-painting and free taster sessions from Step it Up Dance, and mum and dad can enjoy a cuppa at the café. Sellers keep 100% of their profits and all money raised from the entrance fee will go towards the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. For more information and to book a table email popupparentsevents @gmail.com

F RO M M E TO YO U www.mademagazine.co.uk/whats-on.html

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

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Fun Fabergé Family Fun

Captain Flap Flies Forth Scottish Seabird Centre

25 March - 10 April (Fri - Sun) 2pm Captain Flap has crash landed his plane, Puffin One! He needs to learn the principles of flight so that he can repair his plane and re-programme his computer. Why did the plane crash? Does he need to redesign the wing or consider using a different type of fuel? During this interactive science show by the North Berwick seaside, Captain Flap will explore what can be learned from how birds fly so that he can finally make it home.

Palace of Holyroodhouse Saturday 26 March 2016 9.30am - 6pm

Visit on the Easter weekend and take part in an Egg Hunt, inspired by the beautiful Fabergé eggs collected by royalty. Visit the Throne Room and find out how these amazing eggs were made as you get hands on with some replica Fabergé.

Have your face painted in the style of a Fabergé egg before making one of your own!

Mad Hatters Tea Party Wishing Tree Play Café, Musselburgh Friday 25 March (2pm – 4pm) Saturday 26 March (11am – 1pm)

Decorate your very own mad hat, go on an egg hunt, munch loads of yummy snacks and bounce around in the soft play. All children will get a small chocolate egg from the Easter Bunny. £7.50 per child (age 1 – 7) Under 1s go free!

Book in advance www.wishingtreeplaycafe.com.

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© COLIN HATTERSLEY

Step It Up Dance: Fun and Funky Easter Camp Wishing Tree Play Café, Musselburgh Monday 4 April - Friday 8 April 10am - 12 noon

This camp will be jam-packed with dance and other unique activities guaranteed to keep your kids happy and active during the holidays! £40 for the week (ages 3-7). Grown ups will get a hot drink and delicious cake for just £3. Book online at www.stepitupdance.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Watersports Port Edgar Watersports

28 March – 1 April, 4-8 April Watersports are a good way to improve fitness, strength and coordination; they also offer a sporting alternative to children who are not keen on ball games or competitive sports. Port Edgar Watersports has a wide variety of courses available for ages 8 upwards - powerboating, dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, canoeing, kayaking and lots more. They also have fun days out and family paddling for the whole family (including under 8s). See more information at www.portedgarwatersports.com and to book email bookings@portedgarwatersports.com

Dance : Circus : Animation

‘I love you to the moon and back’ Easter Sessions A Wonderful World of Parties, Causewayside 25 - 28 March, 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Little Nut Brown Hare is the inspiration for these special Easter sessions from A Wonderful World of Parties. Every child will be given an Easter Bag, which by the end of the session will be jam-packed full of crafty creations, sweet treats and prizes. Each session is for no more than 8 children so book early! www.wonderworldparties.co.uk

Deep Sea World

Edinburgh International Science Festival City Arts Centre

26 March – 10 April Visit a spectacular science playground at City Art Centre over the Easter holidays and don’t miss the chance to mix up Pongy Potions and discover the Secret Life of Coral; enter the brainboggling Carnival of the Mind and try your hand at fixing an engine in Mini Mechanics.

Including:

Easter Eggcitement

SIEMENS GADGET FACTOR Investigate and explore how everyday gadgets work and build your own in our mini Siemens Gadget Factory. Learned the secrets of soldering, grasp the basics of creating an electrical circuit, pick your kit and use your skills to assemble your very own working electronic gadget.

SPLAT-TASTIC This interactive workshop invites you to get creative with chemistry and design your very own slime. Test its thickness and stickiness under the extreme conditions of our ‘Splat-o-Meter’ and perform high-impact investigations into how the appearance and properties of materials can change when a chemical reaction takes place JUNGLE SAFARI Put on your safari gear and embark on an incredible and memorable journey through the deepest, darkest regions of the jungle. The team will help you discover the fascinating world of animal communication and learn more about the amazing range of sounds the creatures of the jungle make.

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

© DESIGNED BY FREEPIK.COM

ER Emergency, emergency, there’s been an accident! This is your chance to scrub up and save lives. Meet your ‘patient’, identify what’s wrong and let a ‘surgeon’ help you operate using endoscopes supplied by Karl Storz. Learn the medical names for parts of the body and discover the tools a surgeon needs to do their job.

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Easter at the Palace of Holyroodhouse Saturday 26 March – Sunday 10 April 9.30am - 6pm Solve riddles and complete puzzles to help you spot brightly coloured and sparkly eggs dotted around the Palace and learn about the history of the Palace with our family audio tour. During your visit drop in to the family room play games, get crafty and dress up. You can also pick up a family activity trail as you explore the Abbey and Palace gardens.

Dance : Circus : Animation

Easter Eggcitement Almond Valley Heritage Centre Friday 25 March - Sunday 17 April

The farm is alive with the cheeps and bleats of baby animals, who will be introduced at handling and encounter sessions. Grab your clue sheet, sharpen your pencil, and tear around the farm collecting clues on the springtime trail. Keep a look out for hidden eggs that might win you a prize. In the craft area you can make bonnets, masks and other springtime decorations. There will be further special attractions over the four days of Easter (25th - 28th March), including the famous plastic duck race along the mill lade.

Excel Sports & Activities Camp 4 - 8 April, 9am - 5pm (Open 8am - 6pm) Let your children excel this Easter with an action-packed week of fun, sporting activities, tournaments, skills development and friends.

Parents are invited to attend the end of week show on Friday at 4.30pm in the theatre to watch the highlights of the week, film making on the big screen and the prize giving.

Excel will also be offering life-saving skills, including the recovery position and CPR on dummies all within the normal week price.

Deep Sea World Easter Bunny Bash

Babies and Bumps Café, Morningside 20 March, 1pm - 3pm

An extra special Easter treat for babies and their carers. Visit the Babies and Bumps café for a beautiful Easter Bunny Bash just perfect for your baby. Booking essential.

Easter Eggcitement

Easter Dance School Dance Base, Grassmarket 4 - 8 April, 10am - 5pm

Bring the noise for fun filled sessions of dance, percussion and animation! Young dancers will shake, rattle and roll while making friends and learning new skills, before sharing their work in front of family and friends at the end of the week.

There are two age groups for 7-9 and 10-12. £125 (£100 for additional children from the same family)

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ComputerXplorers ComputerXplorers ComputerXplorers Easter Holiday Camp Easter Holiday Camp Easter Holiday Camp ComputerXplorers TuesComputerXplorers 29 Mar - Clay Animation Tues 29 Mar Easter - Clay Animation Holiday Camp Easter Holiday Camp ComputerXplorers Tues 29 Mar - Clay Animation

Stop-motion animation is one of the simplest & most fun Stop-motion animation is one of the simplest & most fun animation techniques. all the skills to create animationLearn techniques.

Learn all necessary the skills necessary to create your own animation to watch at to home. your own animation watch at home.

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Easter29Holiday Tues Mar - Camp Wed 30 Mar Clay Animation Mobile App Design animation techniques. Learn all the skills necessary to create

Wed 30 Mar - Mobile App yourDesign own animation at home.

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Wed 30 Mar - Mobile App Design Thurs 31 Mar - Crazy Faces Animation Create and use your very own smartphone app!

WhetherWould it’s foryou a phone or tablet learn of designing and like to create your verythe ownessentials facial animation?

Wed 30 Mar - app.

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Tues 31 Mar -Faces available to download on any smartphone or tablet Friare brought 1 Apr Thurs 31andobject!)

Mar - turned Crazy Animation are into smartphone the most lifelike animation.

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Crazy Faces and Animation Video Game Design Whether it’s for a phone or tablet learn the essentials of designing Flight fans, don’t miss programming a mobile app. At the end of the course your app will be to tell their story in this fun animation? filled workshop!

Would you like tolifecreate yourown very own facial Whether it’s for a phone or tablet learn the essentials of designing and Faces of your favourite character, pet even your inanimate programming a mobile app. Atcelebrity, the end of the(or course app will be object!)available are turned into the most lifelike animation.

They are brought to to download on any smartphone or tablet Would you tablet life to tell their own story in this fun filled workshop!

Thurs 31 Mar - Crazy Faces Animation available to download on any smartphone or Captain Flap Flies Forth Fri 1 Apr - Video Game Design

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like you to like create Would to create your very own facial animation? games? your very Faces of your favourite character, celebrity, pet (or evenLearn inanimate how

own31 facial Easter fun at the Scottish Seabird Thurs Mar animation?

Fri 1 Apr - Video Game Design Centre, North Berwick.

Love video games? Learn how to build them.

This course willthe most lifelike animation. They are brought to object!) are turned into provide you with the tools and skillslife to create your own to tell their own video story in this fun filled workshop! games to play at home.

to build - Crazy Faces Animation

Would you like to create your very own facial animation? them.

Faces of your favourite character, celebrity, pet (or even inanimate object!) arewill turned into the most lifelike animation. They are brought to Love video games? Learn how to build them. This course life to tell their own story in this fun filled workshop!

Thurs 31 Mar - Crazy Faces Animation

Essential Information Ages: 7-13 years Cost: £30/day or £110 for the 4 days Fri 1 Apr - animation?

Video Game Design Would you like to to create your very own facial games play at home.

Check out www.seabird.org Times: 9-5pm (10 - 4pm activities) provide you with the tools and skills to create your own video Ages: 7—13 years

Cost: £30/day or £110 for the 4 days

Love video games?

Learn how to build them. This course will Times: 9—5pm (10 - 4pm activities) Faces of your favourite character, celebrity, even inanimate provide you with thepet tools(or and skills to create your own video Venue: St Georges School for Girls, Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh Georges School for Girls, Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh Venue: games toSt play at home. object!) are turned into the most animation.

They are brought to Booking: lifelike Register and pay online at www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk Fri 1 Apr Video Game Design Contact: Lynne at lynnek@computerxplorers.co.uk or call 0131and Booking: Register life to tell their own story in this fun filled workshop!

Essential Information 6530580pay online at

Scottish Charity no SC025837

Ages: 7—13 years

Love games?

Typical Day:video See website forLearn detailshow

to build them. This course will provide with the tools and skills4 to create your own video Cost:you £30/day or £110 for the days

www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk

Essential Information Contact: Lynne at lynnek@computerxplorers.co.uk or call 0131 653 0580 Typical Day: See website for details

to play at home.

Times: 9—5pm (10 - 4pmgames activities)

DISCOVERY CENTRE · BOAT TRIPS · CAFÉ · GIFT SHOP

Ages: 7—13 years Terrace, Cost: £30/day or £110 for the 4 days Venue: St Georges School for Girls, Garscube Edinburgh

Times:at9—5pm (10 - 4pm activities) Booking: Register and pay online www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk

Venue: St Georges School for Girls, Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh Contact: Lynne at lynnek@computerxplorers.co.uk or call 0131 6530580

Fri 1 Apr - Video Game Design

Essential Information

Booking: Register and pay online at www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk Contact: or call 0131 6530580 Ages: 7—13Lynne yearsat lynnek@computerxplorers.co.uk Cost: £30/day or £110 for the 4 days Typical Day: See for details Times: 9—5pm (10 -website 4pm activities)

Typical Day: See website for details

Venue: St Georges School for Girls, Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh Love video games? Learn how to build them. This course will provide you with the tools and skills to create your ownBooking: videoRegister and pay online at www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk Contact: Lynne at lynnek@computerxplorers.co.uk or call 0131 6530580 games to play at home.

Typical Day: See website for details

Essential Information Ages: 7—13 years

Cost: £30/day or £110 for the 4 days

Times: 9—5pm (10 - 4pm activities) Venue: St Georges School for Girls, Garscube Terrace, Edinburgh

Camp dates for 2016

Booking: Register and pay online at www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk Contact: Lynne at lynnek@computerxplorers.co.uk or call 0131 6530580 Typical Day: See website for details

Easter: April 4th-8th Summer: July 4th-Aug 12th October: October 17th-21st

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STEM SELLS

s l l e S

Cate Nelson-Shaw investigates the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths for Scotland’s new Generation Y

F

irstly an admission: I have an MA in English Literature and English Language and in our household we own over 1,100 books, mainly novels (I just counted, it was very satisfying); and I work in marketing, one of the Creative industries.

That said, as I engage with my children’s primary education and through my involvement with University of Edinburgh STEM spin-outs I have become increasingly aware of the importance of STEM for our young people, whatever their age, stage or career ambitions. So, how can we ensure today’s young people acquire these crucial knowledge and skills to enable them to become STEM informed citizens?

Young people today are growing up surrounded by technological innovation. In its 2012 report Supporting Scotland’s STEM education and culture the Scottish Government’s Science and Engineering Education Advisory Group commented that young people’s lives are “increasingly influenced and enriched by science and engineering in ways that they take for granted and of which they are perhaps largely unaware...

They need to be persuaded of the capacity of science, engineering and technology…and they need to be equipped above all with increasingly complex and sophisticated technical and

42

cognitive skills in order to take advantage of the challenges and opportunities that will confront them throughout their working lives”. It might sound a bit Brave New World but unlike Huxley’s 2540AD world, we are living it now.

Improving STEM education has become a key priority for the Scottish Government and it is focusing on addressing issues such as increasing the skills and confidence with the teacher workforce, particularly with primary teachers who are often non-specialists but who are teaching and influencing our children at a crucial stage in their education; as Aristotle said, “Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man”.

Other issues include ensuring pupils continue to have the opportunity to study a range of STEM subjects in a practical and interdisciplinary way, coordinating the formal and informal science learning initiatives offered by STEM companies and organisations and engaging with industry to raise awareness of STEM related careers.

In theory, this seems just the ticket, but in practice what’s happening? It appears it might vary. One anonymous Edinburgh parent says, “My daughter is very able and is particularly keen to pursue all three sciences. However her secondary school is advising against this, afraid

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STEM SELLS it might have a negative impact on its position in the league tables”. Whilst in one of Edinburgh’s primary schools the Head Teacher is positively proactive: “I have just sent two of my teachers on a course to bring back a project for STEM” says Carol Kyle, Head at Bruntsfield Primary, “to dovetail into the activities we already undertake as a school such as our infant stage Germs and Diseases, Forces and Genetics projects and our junior stage Floating and Sinking, Electric Circuits and Earth Structure projects”.

There does seem to be lots of support out there for schools to teach and explore STEM, albeit taking into account the competing priorities of teachers’ workloads these days. The National STEM Centre is the UK’s largest collection of STEM teaching and learning resources working with business, industry, charitable organisations, professional bodies and others with an interest in STEM education to facilitate closer collaboration and more effective support for schools and colleges, and promotion of STEM careers awareness. And here in Scotland, the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre offers open access teaching resources covering biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and technology for primary and secondary stages, as well as CPD for teaching staff. And importantly it focusses on interdisciplinary learning too, so that pupils can understand concepts and skills from different perspectives.

An approach with which Edinburgh based Dr Helen Wright, agrees. As a nationally and internationally respected educational leader and opinion former and a passionate advocate for the education and development of young people, Helen is very keen for schools to create space for children to make connections between different areas of learning, and says “We really need to be encouraging our children to broaden their learning and to ask and explore the ‘What if…?’ and the ‘If we did this, what might happen…?’ questions”.

But STEM is not just in the classroom, it’s all around us – from rockpooling, recycling and understanding climate change to cooking, being vaccinated and smart phone technology.

Encouraging an interest outwith school is both also important and inspiring. Here in Edinburgh there is a terrific example of STEM unfolding right now – the building of the Queensferry Crossing across the Firth of Forth. made MARCH / APRIL 2016

43

You don’t have to be a Civil Engineer to appreciate the magnificence of the innovative design and technology that has resulted in the building of the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. And week by week you can watch as the structure takes shape, as the towers go up and the platform grows longer. It’s a living example of the wonder and of the achievements of STEM. Examples abound, not just in our built environment but within each of our homes too – the humble colouring book with its pages of intricately drawn geometric designs. Such images capture the aesthetic beauty of maths and can be very meditative mediums: look at Ammann-Beenker tiling or nested fish, both very contemplative for children (and perhaps the odd adult) to colour in and then to enjoy afterwards. And of course the sturdy plastic blocks that are Lego, with which the possibilities are amazing and endless. For younger children, for example basic maths sequencing and symmetry can be fun; and for older ones, 2D/3D, fractions, basic structural and mechanical engineering, and self-design and build can all spark their curiosity. Oh, and along similar lines to Lego, the innovative Danish Plus Plus, little flat H-shaped plastic pieces that can be used to design and built in either 2D or 3D – whether you are 5, 15 or 55, they are completely engrossing.

Bringing STEM to life through inspiring narratives is also key to fuelling the imaginations of our Generation Y. For younger readers Geoff Waring’s Oscar the Cat science series explains, amongst other topics, how different types of plants and animals grow and the difference between various types of light and dark. And to ensure that STEM isn’t just all about the boys, check out Andrea Beaty’s bestselling Rosie Revere Engineer, the story of a girl who overcomes her shyness, learns from her inspirational grandma that her “brilliant first flop was a raging success!” (which in itself is both a great insight and a great motivator) and begins to understand how to achieve her dream of becoming a great engineer. Older readers might like National Geographic Kids magazine or Rachel Swaby’s Headstrong: 52 Women who Changed Science – and the World which spans centuries of courageous thinkers and illustrates how each one’s ideas developed, from their first moment of scientific engagement through the research and

44

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STEM SELLS

STEM SELLS

“

STEM is not just in the classroom, it’s all around us – from rockpooling, recycling and understanding climate change to cooking, being vaccinated and smart phone technology

discovery for which they’re best known.

And beyond the school gates, what happens then? Well, we have some of the finest universities right here in our city. The University of Edinburgh, for example, has fairly impressive STEM credentials: their scientists created Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be genetically cloned from an adult cell; Peter Higgs developed his theory of the Higgs Boson here; they developed the first genetically engineered hepatitis B vaccine, pioneered the first automated industrial assembly robot and devised technology used

made MARCH / APRIL 2016

”

in today’s smartphones. Careers abound too.

In Edinburgh we have Codebase, the largest technology incubator in the UK and one of the fastest growing in Europe. Not only does it provide office and co-working space Codebase provides mentorship through business led peer support network as well as acting as a focal point for investors.

The STEM revolution really is underway here in Edinburgh, in Scotland, across the UK and internationally and being lead by some remarkable entrepreneurs, many of whom

45

STEM SELLS PUPILS AT STOCKBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARN HOW TO PROGRAMME LEGO ROBOTS TO HIP-HOP DANCE ON GENERATION SCIENCE’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR.

“

Ensuring pupils continue to have the opportunity to study a range of STEM subjects in a practical and interdisciplinary way

are right here in our city. I don’t know about you, but I feel extremely proud of this and want to participate and, importantly want all of our children to participate too and to become STEM informed citizens - there is a future and huge potential for our children in STEM institutions and industries.

As Ross Martin, himself a physics graduate and former teacher and now the CEO of SCDI says, “As the economic and climatic challenges become ever more unpredictable and complex, the need for STEM talent grows ever greater.

As we seek to meet these challenges through a programme of low carbonisation and the use of smart technology, STEM talent will increasingly be required, which is why SCDI’s Young Engineers & Science Clubs are proving so popular and effective in enthusing Scotland’s school pupils to spend time, both in and out of school, becoming more STEM aware”.

But really the last words should come from the

46

children themselves. So, when I asked children of all ages about their attitude towards STEM subjects, here are just two of the responses: Katie (S2) said, “Some people enjoy maths and science, I do! I don’t see why this is a big deal” and Lula (P3) said, “I love maths because there is always a right answer…and it’s fun when you can find it!”. Now there’s a challenge… n

”

For more science related fun...

Dunbar SciFest (Family weekend 5 & 6 March) dunbarscifest.org.uk Generation Science [www.generationscience.co.uk] generationscience.co.uk Edinburgh International Science Festival (26 March - 10 April) sciencefestival.co.uk

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made FOR 2016

Babies and Bumps Café Clambers Softplay Cloudberry Gifts Cramond Kirk Halls Doodles Dynam-nic Dance Gambado Gullivers Gymboree

Jabberwocky Jenn’s Den Maddie and Marks Monkey Music Potter Around Scottish Seabird Centre Leaf & Bean Cafe The Wishing Tree Play Café

And HUNDREDS of other venues…

If your shop / café / nursery would like to become a stockist for MADE let Louise know at mademag@live.co.uk or call 07738 068022

TO SUBSCRIBE

email mademag@live.co.uk (quoting SUB16) and you’ll be added to our priority mailing list.

T&C: This offer is available for UK subscriptions only. Subscription starts on receipt of full £15 payment via cheque or BACS transfer. Details will be provided via email.

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Leave it to Dad

WRITTEN BY Graeme

Easton

W

hether you are reading this in March or April, I would like to wish you a very Happy Easter, Happy Mother’s Day and, if you are a dad then it’s celebration time, because Mr Internet is telling me this is the Year of the Dad in Scotland. This is an organisation set up

by Fathers Network Scotland, and is supported by the Scottish Government to run throughout 2016. Its purpose is to champion the role of the dad. Sky Sports plus beer on tap is not part of their agenda. However, I do like their tagline, “Here’s to the giants among men”. At 6ft 4” that’s something I can relate to.

Something else I have been trying to relate to (well, actually not get annoyed by) is the plethora of ‘national day of…’ dotted throughout the year.

There are some notable exceptions of course, such as Mother’s and Father’s Day, Burn’s Day and St Andrew’s Day. However one that got me going was National Croissant Day on Friday 25 January. I mean, really? It’s quite amazing how many ‘national day of…’ there are. And many of them are 100% genuine.

Now, I, like many dads, like a list. So, it’s only right and proper to create a list here. And given that elsewhere in this fine publication there are pages dedicated to bees and science matters, I would like to list these two days for your consideration: • 20 August: National Bee Honey Day • 10 November: World Science Day I am sure you will be rushing to the family calendar to note these down.

However, feast your eyes on this next list and enter them into the bulging family calendar too: • 16 April: National Record Store Day (I’ve still got some Howard Jones 12” singles somewhere…).

• 17 April: National Blah, Blah, Blah Day (a day to get things done and not procrastinate).

• 21 April: National High Five Day (a round of applause to whom suggested this).

• 8 May: National No Sock Day (it will be some feat (!) if this gets much coverage). made MARCH / APRIL 2016

ILLUSTRATION: SAM MILLER www.sammiller.co.uk

• 18 May: National No Dirty Dishes Day (dads, get the dishwasher filled, then emptied, then filled…)

• 28 May: National Hamburger Day (a sensational idea, I might get involved in this one.)

• 11 June: National Gin Day (just the tonic!).

What ‘National Day of …’ would you put up for nomination?

I’d put a strong case forward for “National Porridge Day”. It’s the breakfast of champions.

I’d also nominate “National Banner Waving Epic Day”. A day that you choose an epic and anthemic song. One that has lyrical and musical hooks you could hang your coat on – and simply play it a high volume!

The list goes on…… n

Find out more...

Graeme Easton is dad to three children, girl and boy twins aged 10 and a girl aged 6. He is director of Woosh! Entertainments and can be heard at the likes of BT Murrayfield and Hampden Park as he is the venue announcer.

Follow Graeme at @graemeeaston

49

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STOCKBRIDGE

EDINBURGH SPOTLIGHT on

Stockbridge

WRITTEN BY Laura

Carroll, MOV8 Real Estate

If you have ever wandered through Stockbridge thinking wistfully, ‘It would be nice to live here’, then never fear, you can still enjoy all that Stockbridge has to offer as a visitor to this popular area of Edinburgh.

S

tockbridge feels like a small town within the city. Superbly located in the heart of the New Town, it’s a 15 minute walk to Princes Street. On the way you’ll take in some of the most beautiful Georgian architecture Edinburgh has to offer. Wandering past the townhouses on Royal Crescent it’s easy to see why Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The high concentration of child-friendly bistros, cafés and restaurants means you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to grabbing a bite or quenching a thirst. There’s also the Farmer’s Market every Sunday where you can enjoy a wander, pick up some fresh meat and veg for dinner and feast on street food. If you’d rather sit in, try Skylark Café. Serving freshly made soup, paninis and cakes; they have a tasty children’s menu too! There’s grown-up seating at the front and a playroom towards the rear of the café.

Skylark’s owner, Gill Bowman is a folk singersongwriter and runs a song circle for kids as she plays on her charming little yellow ukulele.

Many of the independent cafés and restaurants made MARCH / APRIL 2016

welcome families, and if you’ve walked past The Pantry lately you might have noticed they’ve had a refurb. In addition to a lick of paint, new furniture and a shiny new coffee machine, the play area has had a revamp with a fab new play kitchen and wooden toys, as well as a buggy park for extra convenience.

This popular daytime eatery is now open three nights a week, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, offering hearty, seasonal dishes using the highest quality ingredients, creating a delicious menu.

However, the really exciting news for the foodloving mums and dads of Edinburgh, is that the eatery now has dedicated family-friendly dining from 5pm-6.45pm on Fridays. The new evening menu is available for grown-ups while the wee ones play in between mouthfuls of food from the dedicated kids menu, created by The Pantry’s two junior foodies!

If you want to leave the kids at home for an extra special date night try The Scran and Scallie, Michelin starred chef Tom Kitchin’s latest

51

STOCKBRIDGE

venture, Hamiltons or Hectors, or head to The Stockbridge Restaurant for a romantic candlelit dinner a deux.

To keep the kids busy, creative and out of mischief, Stockbridge Library plays host to the ever popular Rhyme Time sessions and craft afternoons; as well having a great selection of children’s books. Or for something more permanent check out Golden Hare books, ‘Edinburgh’s finest purveyors of extraordinary books for adults and children’.

Temporarily based at Oxford Terrace, The Burrow Family Club has had an overwhelming response to their launch in February, with French song & play and cooking classes for children aged 0 to 5. The Burrow team is keen to offer activities that are different and unique, and have a selection of classes for parents as well as children. They provide a relaxed environment where the whole family can enjoy learning together. Look out for their Pop-up Family Club too coming to different areas around Edinburgh!

There are almost 100 parent & toddler groups

52

in Edinburgh, but at St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church you’ll find Wooden Toys Playgroup a unique group with a toy box full of wooden and natural playthings; hand-chosen, tenderly maintained and age-stimulating quality toys.

Their collection of natural material playthings is sustainable, and can’t be found on most toy shop shelves - for babies and toddlers this is a tactile heaven.

For mums during or after pregnancy, Yogabellies offer a range of wonderfully inclusive classes to nurture and empower women at every stage of their life. With classes at Balanced Edinburgh on St Bernard’s Row and Stockbridge Parish Church, Rosy is a warm, caring and highly-trained teacher, who receives incredible feedback from all the mums in her classes.

Her sessions are fun, relaxing but tough! The postures are practised in the same order in each class, allowing the focus to be on practice on strengthening the BAP’s (back, abs and pelvic floor) over time. Rosy pairs inspirational yoga sequences with incredible music and bespoke

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STOCKBRIDGE

THE PANTRY, NORTH WEST CIRCUS PLACE

aromatherapy to indulge of all of your senses. It’s no wonder her classes are so popular!

For something a little bit different head to Hamilton Place and into Alpha Art Gallery. The owners’ passion for the arts, carefully chosen artists and friendly advice on choosing the correct piece means there is something for everyone, whether you are a first time buyer or a serious collector. With art ranging from £80 to £30,000, and regular exhibitions, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. This friendly team will even deliver within Edinburgh free of charge - it’s well worth a look.

Also in Hamilton Place, Treehouse Childrenswear is the stuff of urban legend, managing to effortlessly combine the two things children seem to hate the most - haircuts and shoe shopping. Many a relieved parent has emerged from Treehouse with a delighted child in tow, resplendent in new shoes and fresh mop chop. They stock brands like Mayoral, Little Joules and Start-rite providing the best quality school shoes and the on-trend kids’ clothes your children will love; as well as an exciting range of clothes, toys, gifts and books!

And even though design-led children’s boutique, Bon Tot on St Stephen Street, originally came to Stockbridge as a pop-up shop, due to over-whelming popularity they have extended their lease to stick around for longer!

Their curated collection of clothing and toys is minimal and ethical, and carefully sourced from made MARCH / APRIL 2016

small brands.

Also on St Stephen’s Street is Relove & Buggy Repair Centre; a life-saver of a shop who will expertly service, repair and valet your pram or buggy. They specialise in Bugaboo repairs, but I would be surprised if there is any sort of repair Graeme couldn’t sort out!

For gifts and cards, head to Bliss in Raeburn Place. This popular gift shop is well known for brands such as Jellycat, Blade & Rose and Powell Craft. Along with their dedicated wall of greetings cards they have everything you need for birthdays and special occasions. And just recently, this little haven has started selling women’s clothing too! Funky yet affordable, their range includes unique dresses, tops, handbags and accessories.

53

STOCKBRIDGE

Find out more...

If you’re all shopped out, head along to Edinburgh’s very own oasis of calm, the Royal Botanic Gardens, a short walk along the Water of Leith. The Botanics has a busy programme for children throughout the year, teaching them about plants, flowers and creepy crawlies and giving them the opportunity to get down and dirty planting seeds or make nesting boxes for birds. Your little ones will also love searching for the recently installed fairy doors in the trunks of the trees! Opposite the Botanics is one Edinburgh’s most beautiful and popular council run parks, Inverleith Park. The park offers a play park, tennis court and duck pond, plus is also a venue for some of the great events our city hosts, such as Foodies Festival and a vantage point for the end of Festival fireworks.

On March 20th it will play host to Epic Chalk Day, offering street chalking, live music and

54

art workshops.

If all of this is whetting your appetite for a more permanent move to Stockbridge you’ll find some great family homes on offer. Stockbridge has some adorable little streets and imposing crescents so it’s well worth an explore.

Georgian townhouses and Victorian colonies offer great family accommodation and period features although expect it to come at a price.

You’ll find more affordable options in the tenements flats in nearby Comely Bank. Many of these have been converted by previous owners to form spacious three bedrooms properties and would suit young families. Craigleith Hill and Orchard Brae areas are populated with families residing in 1930s and 1970s built semi and detached bungalows.

Most of these properties have good sized gardens, perfect for kicking a football around! n

MOV8 Real Estate is marketing a three bedroom detached bungalow on Craigleith Crescent for Offers Over £345,000 and a three bedroom flat on Sanders Street is on the market at Offers Over £240,000. For more information call 0131 202 5444.

For more information on MADE’s favourite Stockbridge delights, visit: Alpha Art Gallery alpha-art.co.uk Bliss Gifts facebook.com/ BlissBoutiqueStockbridge Bon Tot bon-tot.com Relove & Buggy Repair Centre buggyrepaircentre.co.uk The Pantry thepantryedinburgh.co.uk Treehouse Childrenswear treehousechildrenswear. co.uk Yoga bellies yogabellies.co.uk

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Spring has arrived CLOTHING - SHOES - HAIRDRESSING - BOOKS - TOYS

Now open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm Special weekly family-friendly dining Fridays 5pm-6.45pm New hearty, seasonal menus Dedicated children’s menu, developed for kids, by kids

Professional Shoe Fitting Treehouse Childrenswear in the heart of Stockbridge 10-12 Hamilton Place, EH3 5AU • 0131 2251242

www.treehousechildrenswear.co.uk

YogaBelles CorePlay Yoga: where Yoga meets Spa Starting in March in Stockbridge & Colinton Every posture has been chosen to consistently strengthen your back, abs and pelvic floor. Maintaining the health of these key areas is essential to a woman’s health and wellbeing throughout life.

Also running in Stockbridge, Colinton & Penicuik • YogaBellies Yoga For Pregnancy (from 6 weeks pregnancy) • YogaBellies Mummy and Baby Yoga classes (for mummies from 6 weeks post-birth)

For times and locations email rosy@yogabellies.co.uk

www.yogabellies.co.uk

Check out www.thepantryedinburgh.co.uk for menus Booking recommended

0131 629 0206 hello@thepantryedinburgh.co.uk Facebook/thepantryedin

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health EYE DIDN’T KNOW T H A T

We encourage our children to be healthy and active and partake in sports and games. But for kids who wear prescription glasses it’s not always that easy due to possible injury, breakages and confidence issues.

M Louise Wilson speaks with Ian Cameron, Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year 2015 and Managing Director of Cameron Optometry Ltd in Edinburgh to find out more about eye health and children.

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y friend’s daughter, Emily (8) has been wearing glasses for about a year, but has to take them off for swimming and gymnastics.

‘Emily either forgets to put them back on, or forgets them altogether! I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to send her back into the class to find them,’ her mum complains.

Emily is short-sighted - or myopic, to use the correct term. This means her eyeball is too long or too powerful and makes distant objects blurry. And sadly, if a child is myopic they are at risk of their myopia increasing quickly through their teenage years. Not only does this mean reliance on strong glasses, but higher levels of myopia are also linked to an increased risk of developing eye diseases

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such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular degeneration and cataract in later life.

Ian Cameron from Cameron Optometry tells me about special Myopia Management control contact lenses, which are designed to correct your vision in the centre to ensure you are seeing well for distance vision but using clever optics they also correct the vision peripherally which is where the stimulus to become myopic comes from. They won’t reduce your prescription below where it is currently, but they will slow the rate of decline.

What I was surprised to learn was that children can wear these contact lenses too. Ian Cameron has fitted many early primary school age children with contact lenses and explains the benefits for children are huge. One of the obvious reasons is boosting self-confidence, especially in a school environment, where many children struggle with their esteem and their work becomes affected.

‘Emily had a really hard time at school when she started wearing glasses’, my friend agrees. ‘A couple of kids kept telling her she looked silly, and she was in tears every morning not wanting to go to school. I wish I’d known that contact lenses were an option!’.

Myopia Management cannot completely halt the progression, however the aim is that by the time your child reaches adulthood their prescription will be significantly less (as much as 50% less) than it would have been if their myopia was left unmanaged, reducing their risk of serious eye disease in later life.

For children who do sport then lenses are such a practical option. It means they don’t have to worry about glasses being broken, and because lenses can help with their peripheral vision it makes the transition more beneficial. Ian finds that children really respond well with being given the responsibility of contact lenses and taking ownership of looking after them. ‘They really step up to the mark’, Ian tells me, ‘and understand the importance of handling, cleaning and wearing the lenses. There is no reason why children can’t experience the benefits of using lenses to complement their lifestyle’. n

Find out more…

For more information visit www.cameronoptom.com/myopia or call 0131 225 2235 to speak to an optometrist.

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Are you short-sighted?

What does that mean for your child?

If you are short-sighted (myopic) the chance of your child becoming short-sighted significantly increases.

We can now slow the progression of short-sightedness by up to 50% using specialised contact lenses in children as young as six.

When your child reaches adulthood, Myopia Management could be the difference between severe shortsightedness, which can lead to several serious eye conditions, and low to medium levels, which can be easily managed with contact lenses or glasses.

Please get in touch to arrange an assessment for your child. cameronoptom.com/myopia

Cameron Optometry 5 St Vincent Street, Edinburgh 0131 225 2235

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food & drink SECRETS FROM A

Herb Garden

T

ucked away down a little country lane on the outskirts of Edinburgh lies The Secret Herb Garden, a magical place where children can run free and parents can enjoy a moment with a cup of coffee and cake.

Hamish and Liberty Martin first dreamt of the secret herb garden on their first date - dogwalking. They wished to create something truly special from their love of herbs, good food and all things vintage, so on the 1st May 2014 the Secret Herb Garden opened its doors.

Nearly two years on, the couple’s wish is for everyone of every age to get involved and learn how herbs and nature have an important place in our daily lives. Here are three of Hamish and Liberty’s favourite spring herbs:

Cleavers:

Cleavers are vigorously growing plants and one of the first things to start growing in the spring.

They are best used fresh, and young tips are great in salads. Or grab a bunch, rinse and pop into a jug of iced water, stir and serve for a

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fabulous, refreshing and cleansing, spring tonic iced tea, which is said to remove toxins from the body.

Dandelions:

It’s the flower that captures the universe, and one of Hamish and Liberty’s favourites. The leaves

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

and root of the dandelion plant contain impressive levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B as well as many important minerals too, especially calcium. This little gem’s young leaves are fabulous used fresh in salads; or in recipes as a substitution for greens like kale. The petals are edible too, or can be used to make a fantastic tea - and even some types of wine. Dandelions also have a long history of use for supporting the body’s natural process of detoxification and health promoting properties.

Nettles:

Nettles can be a pain (literally) but their uses more than make up for that. Using young nettles is best so don’t harvest after the summer Equinox. A couple of leaves make a marvellous tea, which is said to help with eczema, asthma, hay fever. A hearty nettle soup is also a must at this time of year - it’s rich in goodness and utterly delicious. Or use nettles in recipes as you would with spinach.

Try this at home:

Steam nettles for about five minutes, top with a poached egg and freshly ground black pepper. Delicious! n

Find out more…

For information and advice on the whole A-Z of herbs, pop in to visit Hamish and Liberty at The Secret Herb Garden, Old Pentland Road or go to www.secretherbgarden.co.uk

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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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LOVE BIRDS BISCUIT TIN £43.50 Biscuiteers Baking www.biscuiteers.com

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Original gifts

CUTICLE BUTTER £4.95 SWALLOW HOOP PENDANT & EARRINGS £29.95 & £24.95 BIRD STUDS WITH HEART WINGS £14.95

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LITTLE LUXURIES GIFT SET £15.95 PLANT POT £19.95 GIN COASTERS & TEATOWEL £3.50 (each) & £8.95 All from Pippin, Haymarket www.pippingifts.com

9. CERAMIC BIRD

£4 (or a pair for £7) LB With Love www.lbwithlove.com

Cards, jewellery, home accessories, toys, babywear and much more!

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10. HAVING A NIGHT OFF

GIFT BAG COLLECTION Prices from £12 www.havinganightoff.com

11. TOM DIXON ‘LONDON’ SCENTED CANDLE £55, Harvey Nichols, Multrees Walk

12. DIAMOND ESSENTIAL

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HEART BRACELET £150 Links of London, Multrees Walk

30 Haymarket Terrace www.pippingifts.com

13. BOUTIQUEÉBOO

0131 347 8657

CANDLES Prices from £7.50 Bouitqueéboo at Leaf & Bean Café, Morningside www.boutiqueeboo.co.uk

14. NESPRESSO INISSIA COFFEE MACHINE & NESPRESSO AEROCCINO MILK FROTHER £139, Nespresso Boutique, Multrees Walk

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By Lorna Shields

FUN

W

hen asked how many pets I have, the answer of, ‘around fifty thousand and five’ is a rather odd one. Five is a definite - that’s the number of chickens we have.

Fifty thousand is definitely a guess, but that is the average number of bees in a full, busy hive.

This is our pseudo farm - our chickens and bees. My husband did want a cow, and I wanted goats, but after much deliberation about moving out of Edinburgh to get more land to fulfil these dreams, we decided that actually we loved where we were. So between the honey and the eggs and the produce of the allotment, we do ok!

We’ve been keeping chickens for over five years and started the journey on a chicken keeping course, which was run at Gorgie Farm by a family that keep and breed chickens just outside Edinburgh.

We started off with 6 girls. My husband (who is actually quite handy, although I would never tell him that) constructed a run which we could move

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around the garden. This means that different patches of grass can get aerated and fertilised.

Well managed chickens can actually be good for your lawn, and no bit of the garden gets ruined by the chickens being in one place for too long. We put a hen house inside the run with an automatic door opener. This is quite an expensive little contraption - but it saves you fighting about whose job it is to let the ladies out in the morning, or shut them away at night before Mr Fox comes.

The start-up costs, including the course, are probably about £300 - £500 depending on what house you go for and how much you can do yourself in terms of construction. Buying a second-hand henhouse can dramatically reduce the start-up costs. Like everything, keeping chickens has its mix of ups and downs: The ups: l Undoubtedly the finest organic eggs you’ll ever taste and definitely the freshest! I’ve

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cracked a fair few that have still been warm! l Having pets that feed the family is a delight. l The children have learnt so much from having chickens and watching how relaxed and comfortable they are handling them is great. l Pancakes, pasta, omelettes, muffins, eggs benedict, boiled eggs with asparagus soldiers, scrambled eggs on toast, chocolate cake...the list goes on! l Keen gardeners will benefit from free fertiliser.

The downs: l The responsibility that you are in charge of the welfare of this animal and the decisions you have to make when they are ill or injured (don’t ask me about the night my husband was away, a chicken got attacked by a dog, and a difficult decision had to be made…) l Chicken poo is a definite negative; if your chickens are free range then their favourite spot is likely to be at your back door.

The solution would be to keep them enclosed, but the sight of the ladies wandering around freely is one I love. l If you are precious about your garden then they are probably not for you, unless you can create a nice big area for them to live in that keeps them away from your pretty flowers.

Seedlings have no chance - the girls will think they’re a treat for them and will scrape them out and or eat them!

For anyone considering chickens, my advice would be don’t overthink it, just get on and do it. It’s very much one of those things that you learn as you go. Good luck and enjoy the experience, and those delicious eggs! n

About the author...

Lorna Shields is a mother of 4 and nana of 1 and a professional storyteller with award winning ‘It’s in the bag’!

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CHICKENS FOR SALE SUPPLIES

At Edinburgh Chickens you can choose from different varieties of hen.

Although they are assorted colours and have their own characteristics, they all share an easy-going nature and have great egg laying potential. All are suitable to keep in a garden and for novice keepers.

Broachrigg, Rosewell Midlothian EH24 9DZ

07968 030 674 info@edinburgh chickens.com

Check out our girls at

www.edinburghchickens.com

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out & about

Photocall

out & about

Above: Deep Sea World’s Katie MacFarlane with television presenter Jenny Reoch in the underwater tunnel.

Below: Henry Hussain (8) enjoys the giant LEGO replica of The Queen’s former floating palace; now a permanent display at Britannia’s Visitor Centre.

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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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• out & about •

Above: Restaurateur, Victor Contini, trekked the Arctic Circle to raise money for Edinburgh-based cancer charity, It’s Good 2 Give and meets young patient, Kira Noble, who benefitted from his efforts.

Also photographed is Chris Tiso who donated his equipment and offered pre-expedition training advice.

Below: Some of the happy faces from the Kids go Wild event at Edinburgh Zoo, run by Pop Up Parents’ Events. Photos by Beautiful Bairns.

Read more about Pop Up Parents’ events on pages 10 and 48.

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TRIED

and

Tested

ON TRIAL... Monkey Music Busy parents and babies don’t have the time to research and try all the available classes available in Edinburgh, so let MADE do it for you!

In this edition we spoke with (pregnant) mum of 3, Joanna, about her experience with baby and toddler music experts, Monkey Music.

Monkey Music claims: From the stimulating musical sensory experience of our baby classes, to the high energy singing, dancing and instrument playing of our toddler and preschool classes, Monkey Music has the perfect music group for every child.

Joanna said: My daughter Ani started with Monkey Music in Edinburgh South when she was just a few months old. I had seen adverts for different classes for baby to preschool and Monkey Music really appealed to me with its high energy classes, which follow the national curriculum, filled with music, singing and dancing. I contacted Lisa Fleming and arranged a complimentary class to see what we thought - Monkey Music surpassed our expectations. The class was relaxed and friendly and Ani and I have both been hooked ever since!

Monkey Music is a huge sensory experience where Monkey is, of course, the highlight, but the many other varied props engage the children too. No two classes are the same and each week expect to enjoy a themed class with both familiar and new songs, new props and interactive classes. The children have the opportunity to play with their own set of instruments each week, another highlight, contributing to songs with drumbeats, shakers and rattles sounds. The class is topped off with lots of bubbles and music which the children absolutely love!

The verdict: I would definitely recommend Monkey Music South to all new mums, just try a class like we did! I am due another baby in March and will definitely be signing him/her up with Monkey Music South.

For more information and to arrange your complimentary class, please contact Lisa Fleming on 0131 441 4581 or email morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk

If you are a business owner and would like MADE to test your service/product get in touch at mademag@live.co.uk 66

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HAVE A SENSATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ADVENTURE THIS EASTER! Visit Edinburgh International Science Festival’s spectacular science playground at City Art Centre for the chance to mix up some Splat-Tastic slime, journey through the jungle or take a closer look at what makes an engine tick.

With six floors jam packed full of engaging hands-on workshops and exciting interactive events suitable for ages 3–12, it’s a fantastic day out for all the family.

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