MADE (Mums and Dads Edinburgh) Magazine

made mums and dads edinburgh EASTER HOLIDAY FUN

WIN

Clearing out the cobwebs

WOMEN IN POLITICS

MAR/APR 2019 Make 10 delicious meals in 1 HOUR

2 nights in a family chalet

AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL - SEE PAGE 11

FREE

WELCOME Contributors We asked our contributors about Marie Kondo and her KonMari method - is it for them?

Pinky It’s a yes for some areas of my house, like the study, but not the books - I can’t get rid of books.

Marie Well since she has such a great name I gave it a go and now all the drawers and wardrobes in my home look like they’ve gone to military school.

Suzanne I’m all over Marie Kondo and her method, it’s right up my street.

Organisation and clear head space.

Love it.

Hello and welcome to the March/April edition.

Louise asked me to say a few words as we head into a new season, which for many of us can be a wonderful boost as we see signs of spring and lighter days. This month we celebrate Mother’s Day, which is a great opportunity to practise a little bit of self-care.

I have already got my spa day booked. I need to practise what I preach, don’t I? MADE is sponsor at Bonnie Bairn’s Pregnancy & Family Fair at the Corn Exchange on 10 March and I am looking forward to speaking at this event and hopefully meeting lots of you. Keeping our mojo in parenthood is something I feel passionately about, and I’ll be talking about this and other themes I explore in my book, Mummy Jojo Uncut. Sometimes parenting can feel like a walk in the park and it’s magic. Other times it feels like Jurassic Park.

Knowing that this is completely normal and that we are not meant to be perfect sure helps me as I muddle through life. You are all doing a wonderful job.

Mummy Jojo x Jojo - blogger and author, Louise - Editor of MADE Magazine

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

Editor & Publisher Louise Wilson Designer

MAMi Designs

Sales Executive

Caroline McClean

Feature Writers Pinky, Suzanne Mulholland, Emma Walker Columnists

Claire Daly

facebook.com/MADEmag 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.

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NEWS NEW POOLS FOR TURTLE TOTS Turtle Tots is back to East Lothian with their new pool in Prestonpans. The classes are very small, taking place on Saturday mornings, so ideal for babies starting their swimming journey. Turtle Tums has also made it to north Edinburgh, with evening classes now taking place at Oaklands on Ferry Road on a Tuesday night. Truly the most beneficial and relaxing exercise for your growing bump. Absolute bliss for 45 minutes each week! Contact Karina on 07964 840049 or visit turtletots.com/edinburghandeastlothian

PLAYROOM

Playroom, the newest family friendly café hotspot in Edinburgh West, has opened for little ones aged 0-6years. They will love exploring the newly created play area, while you enjoy one of the best coffees in town and some delicious baked goods. If it’s homemade soup, a yummy sandwich or toastie that you are after, they do that too! Their children’s food menu features favourites from their ‘Little Lunches’ nursery meals menu where early years nutrition and food engagement is their passion. Playroom is open Saturdays and Sundays just now, but the team are cooking up a plan for midweek opening! www.little-lunches.co.uk/playroom made MAR / APR 2019

BE HAPPY EVERYDAY Emma O’Connor, author of Everyday Happy, is currently raising funds towards the opening of the Happiness Now Community Hub, a centre for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This social venture will be a space for young people to feel at home, connect, create, learn, have fun, and envision a positive life for themselves.

It will be open for drop-ins, hosting workshops and classes, and provide a signposting service to help families find the best path for their child. Contact Emma at @HappinessNowltd and donate via www.gofundme.com

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NEWS NEW DANCE CLASS FOR BABIES DN Dance Babies is a brand new activity for babies, toddlers and their adults in Edinburgh. As a new offering from the city’s well-known DN Dance school, you can expect DN Dance Babies classes to be professional, safe and specificallydesigned for little ones aged from 6 months to 3 years.

Even if your baby hasn’t yet taken their first step, it’s never too early to discover the joy of dance. DN Dance Babies classes use a combination of music and imagination to take little ones on a magical adventure where movement to music forms the foundations of dance technique.

The team has planned class content and length to be the perfect fit for babies and toddlers at each stage.

Classes launch in three locations from March, with bookings open now for Corstorphine, Davidson’s Mains and Ferry Road venues. www.dndancebabies.co.uk

PAPA DON’T PREACH

HISTORIC DAYS AWAIT The 1st of April is the date when all Historic Scotland sites re-open and boredom is banished. It’s the best time to become a member and explore over 70 sites across Scotland and not to forget enjoying over 400 day time events. No April Fools here! historicenvironment.scot/member

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New research reveals dads are more likely to try to influence their child’s taste in music. However, mums are more likely to be successful, with 38% reporting their child loved the music they shared compared with 30% of dads.

In what may be music to parents’ ears, new academic research has revealed that it is possible to influence a child’s taste in music, according to a new study by global music streaming service, Deezer, which discovered that there is a ‘critical period’ before the age of ten for shaping a child’s taste in music.

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The newest family-friendly hotspot in Edinburgh West!

B E A U T I F U L N AT U R A L I M A G E S taken in your own home or on location NEWBORN · BABY · CHILDREN F A M I LY · M A T E R N I T Y

17F/4 South Gyle Crescent Edinburgh EH12 9EB www.little-lunches.co.uk/playroom

If you dream of a career which fits around your family, then Monkey Music could be the answer.

Our proven franchise business model has been established across the UK for over 20 years. It is for highly motivated, creative and business-minded people who share a passion for music and the value of an early music education.

07973 779 223 www.rachelhein.com

To find out more about the business opportunity for sale in North Edinburgh - Comely Bank, Stockbridge, Corstorphine, Cramond visit www.monkeymusic.co.uk email comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk or call 0131 556 3070

NEWS

MATCHSTICK MONKEY IS WAITING TO HELP YOUR BABY THIS MOTHER’S DAY DSLR CAMERA GATHERING DUST IN THE BACK OF A CUPBOARD? Would you love to learn to use it properly to take brilliant photos of your family?

Spend the day with leading family photographers Rachel Hein and Anna Moffat and learn to do just that. Rachel and Anna will demystify those camera settings and teach you everything you need to know to get off that auto setting and start using your camera to its full potential. The course is fun and relaxed, with just the right balance between theory and practise, and a delicious lunch to boot!

The next courses will take place on 30 March and 22 June 2019. Early bird tickets available. For more info contact rachel@rachelhein.com or anna@annamoffat.com

In bright, bold colours that little people will adore, Matchstick Monkey, the award-winning teething toy and teething gel applicator, is crafted from soft, non-toxic silicone. Fun and functional, Matchstick Monkey aids pain relief by getting teething gels or granules right to the source of the pain. Easy to grasp arms, with bumps that will gently massage baby’s gums, each teething toy is dishwasher and fridge safe.

Its bendy, curly tail works as a hook for buggies and car seats too. www.matchstickmonkey.com

NEW WHOLESOME SNACK Snack lovers who crave a crispy treat without the guilt can now ‘veg out and dig in’ to an exciting new range of air-popped whole vegetable chips created by a family of Perthshire farmers.

The new Wholesums range, has been developed by the Taylor family who are behind Mackie’s at Taypack. Wholesums’ point of difference from other popped snacks is that they are made with 45% of whole fresh carrots, peas and potatoes, which are gently baked – not fried - and ‘popped’ to ensure their natural flavours and farm goodness are locked in. www.wholesums.co.uk

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NEWS PERFECTLY FITTING INTO PEEBLES Retail entrepreneur and mum of a little girl, Kerrie Guiney saw a gap in the market for a children’s shop in Peebles and has successfully fitted right in.

Kerrie’s choice of organic and affordable childrenswear, shoes and toys have been extremely well received by locals parents, but The Perfect Fit has also become a destination shop for discerning Edinburgh parents who are looking for quality but affordable kids’ products.

Opened in May 2018, Kerrie knew exactly what she wanted from the shop from the beginning - a friendly space, age-appropriate colourful clothes, value for money and funky pocket money toys for kids to browse.

As customers flock to The Perfect Fit time and time again, it shows Kerrie has got the mix just right. One mum tells us, ‘We love this shop, it’s not your average kids’ clothing shop. It has a sparkle of magic that keeps you coming back. Kerrie is always so friendly which makes the shop more inviting’.

Kerrie has been blown away from her warm welcome into Peebles and her customers’ reactions to everything she has to offer.

She was delighted when the hugely popular organic kids’ brand, Frugi, named The Perfect Fit their Frugi Shop of the Season; and then she also won Best New Business in the Scottish Borders!

Kerrie is looking forward to seeing what else 2019 brings for The Perfect Fit in Peebles. www.facebook.com/The-Perfect-Fit

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TEAPOT £115, Amara

CUSHION £45, River Island

LIVING CORAL the colour of 2019

SCARF £8, JD Williams

BIRDS SCARF £9.99, TK Maxx

PLATE £15

by Uma P Gokhale on Art Wow EARRINGS £8, Laura Ashley

NAIL POLISH Poundland

TASSEL BASKET £29, www.bobbyrabbit.co.uk

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WIN 2 nights in a family chalet The Four Seasons Hotel is situated in a picturesque setting on the banks of Loch Earn, in Trossachs National Park. Their family woodland chalets come equipped with TV, radio, telephone, hairdryer, tea & coffee making facilities and en-suite bath/shower rooms, but they do not have internet access, so say bye-bye to computer games and say hello to getting back in touch with nature, whilst nestled in your own slice of the forest.

Over-looking the Loch, it is easy to take advantage of the many water sports on offer including, paddle boarding, kayaking, water-skiing or just enjoying the thrills and spills of the banana boat. All can be found a short stroll away at The Loch Earn Water Sports Centre. Or, keeping dry, one can head to Auchingarroch Wildlife Park just a short drive away, or Comrie Croft Mountain Bike Centre – a true challenge for those budding Olympic athletes.

Geocaching, walking, hill climbing and cycling are also popular in the area; with the wilderness of The Trossachs on your doorstep, the woodland chalets are perfect for families to explore the Highlands and embrace a true Scottish adventure on a Corbett, a Munro or a Ben.

Alternatively enjoy good old family banter whilst playing board games in the cosy chalet.

With the hotel on your doorstep you can take advantage of the 2* Rosette Meall Reamhar restaurant, or the kids may prefer burgers in The Tarken where there is a children’s menu available. If you have brought the family’s faithful hound too, he or she is very welcome here.

The views from the hotel are everchanging throughout the seasons, fresh new colours of spring, long, light summer evenings, spectacular sunsets to the west, morning mists shrouding the loch and the snow-covered Bens.

We’re delighted to have a two-night stay in a family chalet up for grabs for one lucky MADE reader! Prize includes dinner, bed & breakfast on night one, and bed & breakfast on night two. One double bedroom and a bunk-bed room for children.

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this question…

In which National Park is The Four Seasons hotel situated?

To enter, just go to www.mademagazine.co.uk and answer the question before 19 April

MADE SPECIAL OFFER!

Book your stay before Easter and receive 4 nights for the price of 3! T&Cs apply.

Go to www.thefourseasonshotel.co.uk to find out more T&Cs. Winner will be picked at random by MADE magazine on 19 April. Competition entries are restricted to Edinburgh, Lothians and surrounding areas only. Editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative is available and prizes are non-transferrable.

Prize is subject to availability. Must be redeemed within one year of winning. Excludes any Scottish Bank Holidays.

Needs to be booked directly with hotel owner – Susan Stuart info@thefourseasonshotel.co.uk. Drinks excluded from meals.

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By Pinky

hen you hear the word ‘cobweb’ I bet you think of old houses, dusty light fittings and out-of-reach spiders in the corners of your room. Luckily, I am talking about the cobwebs in your mind not in your house.

Springtime is a great time of year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to think about decluttering your house, but also your mind.

Some corners of our mind can be like the room in your house or flat that you have been meaning to clear out for months or sometimes years.

Our to-do list can become littered with uncompleted projects due to the cobwebs hanging off them. You might be confused or unclear about what to do next because the project isn’t clearly defined in your mind. Our minds are like a muscle; the things we learn, like a new language, fade over time unless we continue to practice them regularly.

When these skills begin to fade it becomes harder to find the right words in the corners of your mind; and if you’re like me it’s typically when you need them the most. I studied

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French at school and I worked in France for an entire summer break, but the last time I was in France on holiday, I could barely remember how to say ‘Hello!’ – I mean Bonjour…

With that in mind, here are four tips to help you keep those pesky cobwebs away, to refocus, reorganise and exercise your mind.

1. STAY ACTIVE

This might sound obvious for some, but for others it may be a new concept. All you have to do is breathe, go for a walk, go for a jog or even a bike ride. Your gran was right, you do need the fresh air to blow those cobwebs away. It makes you feel alert and ready for new challenges.

Exercise releases the ‘happy hormone’ that makes you feel good and reduces stress, all these effects help your brain to operate closer to its full potential.

2. LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY

I love learning, whether reading or listening to a podcast, it’s a constant daily practice for

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learing out the cobwebs

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YOU MIGHT BE CONFUSED OR UNCLEAR ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT BECAUSE THE PROJECT ISN’T CLEARLY DEFINED IN YOUR MIND

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I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TAKING A BREAK FROM SOCIAL MEDIA TO RESET YOUR MIND

me. When we learn something new it forces our brains to recall past knowledge and skills, it requires us to make new connections that will be used to recall information in different ways. New skills build on old skills and we store information by referencing that which we already know.

However, it’s also a form of decluttering because we ‘spring clean’, sharpen our processes and this allows us to make space in our brain for even more new skills.

3. TAKE A BREAK AND RESET

When I took five days detox from social media, I felt so relaxed and a lot less stressed. On the first day I felt like I had to check my phone constantly, I was tempted to randomly scroll down my Facebook feed for hours and check for messages. Thankfully, after the first day the urge dissipated, and the detox began. Now I use my phone only when I need it and I reward myself by spending 10 minutes on social media after I complete an important task on my to-do list.

I highly recommend taking a break from social media to reset your mind. It feels great!

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4. JOURNALING

Learning to write my thoughts and feelings down has been life-changing for me. Whenever you feel like things are getting out of control, when you are spinning lots of plates, when you are caught in the trap of ‘busyness’ but accomplishing nothing; think about writing down your thoughts.

Doing so can ease stress, it can help us process difficult emotions and ultimately it allows us to grow. Forget the laptop or iPad, all you need is a notebook and a pen. Most importantly, it’s your journal, keep it private and trust that only you will read it – by doing this you won’t be tempted to self-censor, it will be your truth. n

FIND OUT MORE Go to www.bypinky.com or email hello@bypinky.com

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WILLOW BOUTIQUE The place for beautiful new baby gifts, pocket money toys and treats for mums

5 Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, EH4 1HU 0131 478 0470 • hellowillowboutique@gmail.com

Step this way - a fun new activity for babies and toddlers!

Discover the joy of dance from age 6 months - 3 years

Launches across Edinburgh this March: Ferry Road | Davidson's Mains | Corstorphine

NEW from DN Dance School

Booking now open at: dndancebabies.co.uk

Tidying Up Written by Claire Daly

I

have just put up a sign in my house which reads, ‘“People truly engaged in life have messy houses,” Ottessa Moshfegh’.

It is there to comfort me in the bleak midwinter and the whole year round. People with tidy houses and young children are either total losers or completely insane.

I get it, I get it, minimalism is all the rage these days, let’s do away with all our belongings and live life calmly through a microchip in our ear beaming in all the necessary distractions. But really, tidying up every day after your whirlwind of a toddler has tipped every box of toys onto the floor is not cool or relaxing. It is a waste of vital energy resource for overstretched parents when you could be having ‘me’ time or putting your energy into positive projects, be it making the sandwiches or painting.

The people who invented hoovers that go around vacuuming for you have done a stellar job. The next step is for one of them to have arms and the knowledge of where to put things preprogrammed into their puny brains.

I have taken small steps to move the mess westwards, out of the living room. I have closed the floodgates on the living room by removing all the toys from this one room, but the toys still creep in. The dining room is swathed in lego.

The mess has crept up the stairs, it marauds the floors of both bedrooms with a force that will not be defeated, and in the hall is a fire hazard otherwise known as an art installation, with the biggest of the toys strung together with ribbon, creating a trip-wire between the kitchen and dining room, the likes of which any three-year-old would be proud of. I am secretly proud too. She will be an installation artist. Or the future Prime Minister. Those are the current predictions.

There are occasional precious times when the house is almost entirely tidy. Inevitably guests will be arriving. As soon as they do though, the façade of tidiness crumbles. There was another

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precious stage when Rose enjoyed tidying up. I did my best to encourage her.

I really did. Now, sadly, she sees it for the chore that it is, so she copies me… she forgets about it and moves on to the next room.

What we really are facing here is a family system built on messiness.

Daddy grew up with a very messy mother and they had a housekeeper. If only!

The other problem is that the house is crammed to the gunnels with books. Daddy is an academic and I work in publishing. We are both fans of books. There are bookshelves in almost every room of the house, OK, every room of the house apart from the kitchen and the bathroom.

The threat it is that there are hundreds more books due to arrive in a container from Oregon.

More book shelves will have to be put up.

I blame Daddy for the capitalist stance towards book-buying. He himself presumes he is a Marxist eco-warrior but underneath the surface is a true Californian who loves nothing more than to buy more books, no matter how many there are in the house already. Following in her father’s footsteps, Rose loves to take books out of the library but hates to have to take them back.

If you have only one hour of child-free time per day, would you spend 45 minutes of it tidying up? No you would not. So you see it is not me being lazy, I am simply agreeing with the family stance. I’m going with the flow, even if the flow is of stuffed penguins migrating northwards, into my bedroom.

Take a stand. Don’t bother tidying up. n

Claire Daly is a freelance journalist and an agent for the TCT Literary Agency. @DalyReads

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Make 10 delicious meals

IN 1 HOUR!

with The Batch Lady

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www.mademagazine.co.uk

Do you want to save time, money and hassle when it comes to cooking?

Do you prefer to feed everyone in the family the same meal?

Combat fussy eaters? Get lots of hidden veg into your children?

If you have replied ‘yes’ to any of these statements, then you need to get to know The Batch Lady.

T

he Batch Lady method will inspire you to make fast, simple and portion-controlled meals in under ten minutes. By spending a couple of hours, one day per week, cooking meals that have the same basic ingredients, you can prepare a host of varied, healthy and delicious dishes, which you can pop into the freezer until you need them.

Suzanne Mulholland, aka, The Batch Lady, began batching when her children were toddlers and her parentsin-law had become reliant on her for extra care. She quickly found herself cooking for a large crowd every day, trying to please everyone and satisfy various dietary requirements and tastes.

Over time, she found that cooking once a week with a view to freezing meals was made MAR / APR 2019

the best way to save time, money and her peace of mind.

This way, she could add salt or spice to some portions before serving, thus keeping everyone happy and healthy.

Now she’s sharing what she has learned, to help others learn to love batching. She has hundreds of videos, recipes and how-to guides online; with her most popular video being how to make 10 meals in one hour.

Here are some top tips for preparing fast and simple recipes the whole family will enjoy:

THIS METHOD HELPS YOU BECOME MORE ORGANISED AND LESS STRESSED

MAKE MEALS THAT USE THE SAME FOUR BASIC INGREDIENTS AT ONCE:

If you are making spaghetti bolognese, you will need chopped onions, mince and

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ADAPT:

grated carrots. You also need those ingredients to make, burgers, meatballs, chilli, fajitas and lasagne: one large pot of veg and mince will serve as a base for six different dishes.

ALWAYS MAKE TWO:

If you’re going to make one meal, simply double the ingredients to make another. It will only take about three extra minutes!

USE YOUR FREEZER:

Freeze all your meals in labelled, sealable freezer bags. Freeze the bags flat, to maximise space. The portions will also freeze and defrost much more quickly.

USE FROZEN VEGETABLES:

Using frozen vegetables is not only infinitely cheaper, they were picked during peak season, so they are full of nutrients, unlike those left to ripen in a warehouse. And someone has already done the chopping for you - such a time-saver!

DITCH THE SCALES:

Use measuring cups instead of weighing ingredients: simply scoop portions quickly and with no mess. (recipes on www.thebatchlady.com)

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Serve your children curries, chilli and fajitas, but adapt them to their palates by adding crème fraîche to their portions prior to serving, so they get a milder version of your meal.

Always make a basic recipe, that way it’s easy to add spices and salt to taste after you have portioned out the kids’ meals.

On The Batch Lady channel, Suzanne has a series of videos, dedicated to showing parents how you can make the same one pot meal, for babies, toddlers, children and adults, by following a simple method of how and when you add in each ingredient, you can feed everyone in the family the same meal. For example a simple curry can become baby smooth mild curry, toddler friendly creamy curry, then a spicy delight for adults. Saving time, money and teaching your kids to eat what you eat so in years to come you all eat the same meal.

Imagine starting your week with all your homecooked meals prepared and ready to serve, with a great variety from fish, chicken, vegetarian and lots more. This method helps you become more organised and less stressed when it comes to feeding a family, and it’s all free. n

FIND OUT MORE For all Batch Lady’s top tips, recipes and videos follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and at www.thebatchlady.com

www.mademagazine.co.uk

St. Fillan’s Playgroup

Weekly Local Classes

8 Buckstone Drive, Edinburgh EH10 6PD Tel: 07790067927 Email: st.fillansplaygroup@hotmail.com www.stfillansplaygroup.org.uk

A watery world of confidence, skill and fun!

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

classes held...

• Playgroup for children aged 2-5 • Dedicated team of staff • Leave your child in safe hands!

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

You can trust us to take the very best care of you and your little one.

Our world-class teachers could have trained as private pilots – five times over – in the time it takes to fully qualify with us. We won’t entrust your child (or our reputation) to anyone less than the best!

• Relaxed & happy environment • Focus on free play & social interaction • Follow Pre-Birth to Three curriculum • Please call or email to find out more • Find us on Facebook • Registered charity SC014841

To give your baby a splashing start call

0131 554 6682

Let’s teach your baby to swim!

• Monday to Thursday (term time) • 9.15 – 11.45am • £12 per session (incl. healthy snack)

www.waterbabies.co.uk

BRITANNIA

EE FR O EIR Y! G S TH TO ID TH LY * K WI DD U C

THE ROYAL YACHT

Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction ( VisitScotland)

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk * Up to two children go free when they both bring along their favourite cuddly toy and are accompanied by a full-paying adult or senior citizen at Britannia’s Visitor Reception on the 2nd floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre. Children aged 5-17. Must quote reference 1388. Not valid with any other offer or for advance tickets. No cash alternative.Valid 1-30 April 2019.

Registered charity: SC028070

Dates for your diary Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Robots @ National Museum of Scotland.

Your chance to see the most significant collection of humanoid robots ever assembled.

Runs until 5 May

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e Pancakay Tuesd

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SPRING BABIES @ STORYTELLING CENTRE 12 MARCH

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12 10am (40mins) Tiny Tales: Spring Babies @ Storytelling Centre.

A gentle introduction to stories for ages 1-3 years to celebrate spring. £5 per child.

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7 World Book Day

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ROBERTS @ NAT MUSEUM OF SCOT UNTIL 5 MAY

13 10.30am Pips & Panda meet the Toothfairy @ Purves Puppets, Biggar.

Exciting glow-in-the-dark performance for little ones under 7.

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PIPS & PANDA MEET THE TOOTHFAIRY 13 MARCH

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Dads - remember to visit Pippin, Haymarket for stylish Mother’s Day gifts and cards for March 31st.

MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS PIPPIN, HAYMARKET FOR 31 MARCH

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Use the Dribble app when you’re out and about for easy info on child-friendly venues nearby

Have you planned the Easter holiday?

Have a look at pages 26 - 33 for some ideas…

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN ON PAGES 26 - 33

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march 2019 Spotlight on...

Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2

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10.30am & 11.30am Magic Carpet @ National Museum of Scotland. Explore museum themes through songs, stories, rhymes and play.

For ages 2-4.

Free, pre-booking required.

2pm - 5pm Colinton Market @ Dreghorn Loan Hall.

A wonderful collection of small businesses and makers, street food and drink. @ DREGHORN LOAN HALL 3 MARCH

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SUPERHEROES DAY @ CONIFOX 9 MARCH

10.30 - 3.30pm Superheroes Day @ Conifox. See six skilled Superheroes perform their dance moves, and marvellous martial arts in the Conifox marquee.

15 16 3pm Children’s Concert @ St. Brides Community Centre. Join Edinburgh Concert Band and their upbeat music for the whole family featuring The Jungle Book, The Greatest Showman, Chicken Run and many more.

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10 Bonnie Bairn’s Pregnancy & Family Fair @ Corn Exchange.

See Spotlight for more info…

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k's c i r t a P t S Day 24

Scotland Tractor World & Classic Commercial Show @ Royal Highland Centre. An interactive weekend of all things tractor. On 24 March too. www.tractorworldshows.co.uk 29 30

MOTHER’S DAY APRON MAKING @ RED THREAD STUDIOS 30 MARCH

10am - 1pm Mother’s Day Apron Making @ Red Thread Studios. Bring your mum for tea, cake, fun and creativity making vintage style aprons. Suitable for beginners - intermediate. Includes flowers & chocs for mum.

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SCOTLAND TRACTOR WORLD @ ROYAL HIGHLAND CTR 23 & 24 MARCH

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Mother’s Day Mums go free at Conifox and receive fizz and chocs at Doodles (booking essential)

Pregnancy & Family Fair bonnie-bairn.co.uk 10 March Edinburgh Corn Exchange This family fair brings together the best local experts, service providers and independent retailers who can support you from pregnancy, to birth and parenthood; ensuring you and your baby get off to the best possible start.

Their Fair will be a day packed with informative talks and workshops for grown-ups, as well as taster sessions and entertainment for babies and young children, plus premium goody bags for the first 25 families, a free prize draw and exclusive promotions and offers.

Use code MADE for 35% discount

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Monday

Tuesday

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2

April y Fools Da 8

Easter Holidays Start!

Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia 1 - 30 April and children who bring their favourite cuddly toy receive free admission!

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See pages 26 - 33 for details of children’s camps and activities.

10.30am - 12.30pm Children’s Easter Clay Workshops @ Doodles, Marchmont. £20 per session and booking essential 0131 229 1399.

Runs 9, 10, 11 April.

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Easter Egg Hunt and Crafts @ Conifox from 15 - 21 April.

Wednesday Thursday 3

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Dates for your diary

Puppet Animation Festival runs 30 Mar - 20 Apr. For all events and locations go to puppetanimationfestival.org ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA 1-30 APRIL

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CHILDREN’S EASTER CLAY WORKSHOPS @ DOODLES 9-11 APRIL

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ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS @ KINGS THEATRE 12 APRIL

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2.30pm & 7.30pm Sing-a-long The Greatest Showman @ Festival Theatre.

EASTER EGG HUNT & CRAFTS @ CONIFOX 15-21 APRIL

Robots @ National Museum of Scotland. Your chance to see the most significant collection of humanoid robots ever assembled.

Runs until 5 May.

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SING-A-LONG THE GREATEST SHOWMAN @ FESTIVAL THEATRE 17 APRIL

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ROBOTS @ NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND UNTIL 5 MAY

29 30 Use the Dribble app when you’re out and about for easy info on child-friendly venues nearby

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april 2019 Spotlight on...

SCI EN C E EDINBURGH

FESTIVAL Easter school holidays

6–21 April 2019 WORKSHOPS

AC T I V I T I E S

S H OWS ...

Friday Saturday Sunday

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and more for scientists of all ages

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Edinburgh Science Festival starts today! Experience, enjoy and explore - there’s science for all ages. Runs 6 - 21 April.

BOOK ONLINE: sciencefestival.co.uk

12 13 9.30 am – 12 noon Greenbank Scout Group Annual Jumble Sale @ Greenbank Church. Quality items, bric-abrac and small furniture. £2 for adults, under 16s free

Easter Saturday Raceday @ Musselburgh Racecourse.

Enjoy a FREE dedicated kids’ zone, with the Easter Bunny, game stalls, fairground rides and face painting. Under 17s go free when accompanied by an adult.

26 27 In the Night Garden Live @ Kings Theatre.

Experience the UK’s favourite family show with all the enchanting characters brought to life on stage.

Runs 26 - 28 April.

10.30am - 1pm Jack & Jill Market @ 350 West Granton Rd. Find everything for 0–9 yr olds under one roof - buggies, bikes, car-seats, cots, clothes, toys and much more!

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE @ KINGS THEATRE 26-28 APRIL

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#EdSciFest

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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh www.rbge.org.uk Saturday 6 – 22 April 10am – 6pm daily Suitable for ages 3+

SATURDAY 13th APRIL 2019 : 9.30am – 12 noon

4th Braid Scout Group is registered as a Charity number SC015021

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EASTER SATURDAY RACEDAY @ MUSSELBURGH RACECOURSE 20 APRIL

BOOKING HOTLINE: 0131 226 0005

EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL 6-21 APRIL

Join the Botanics Bunny on a quest to explore new frontiers in the family Easter Trail. Complete the trail and receive your yummy Easter treat.

Supported by Mackies of Scotland.

Adults £2 (children free)

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Easter Sunday

Make and decorate your own Easter bonnet at The Palace of Holyroodhouse and join their Easter parade.

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© FREEPIK

PUPPET ANIMATION FESTIVAL 30 MARCH - 20 APRIL

Aliens love Underpants @ Kings Theatre.

This zany and hilarious tale based on the best-selling children’s book is delightfully brought to life on stage for the very first time.

The Botanics Bunny Easter Trail

Pick up a trail booklet from the John Hope Gateway reception, £2 per trail map.

Entrances on Inverleith Row and Arboretum Place

EASTER BONNETS @ THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE 21 APRIL

JACK & JILL MARKET @ 350 WEST GRANTON RD 27 APRIL

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Holiday

m Boredo ’t just isn n o an opti

Egg-stravaganza GAMES AT THE GATE www.gamesatthegate.weebly.com GATE 55, 55 SIGHTHILL ROAD Monday 8 - Thursday 18 April (not Fri, Sat, Sun) 8.30am - 5.30pm (early drop-off/late pick-up available)

www.rbge.org.uk ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH 6 – 22 April, 10am – 6pm

Join the Botanics Bunny on a quest to explore new frontiers in this family Easter Trail. Complete the trail and receive your yummy Easter treat.

Supported by Mackies of Scotland. Suitable for ages 3+ To book: pick up a trail booklet (£2) from the John Hope Gateway reception.

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To book: gamesatthegate@hotmail.com or call 07515 633 386

Games at the Gate discount code: MADE10 for 10% off overall booking this Easter * cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount

www.mademagazine.co.uk

IMAGES © FREEPIK

THE BOTANICS BUNNY EASTER TRAIL

Camps combine lots of different sports and activities, with a fun-filled blend of dance, drama, arts & crafts and games - all inspired by the kids who attend each day. The unique programmes have been specifically designed to activate your body, inspire your mind, whilst having lots of fun and making new friends along the way. Everything from exploring the great outdoors and sports, right through to hair braiding, face-painting, foam dart tag, treasure hunts, go-karting, crazy Olympics, parachute games, kite flying, construction and much, much more.

STEP ON BOARD THE ROYAL YAC HT BRITANNIA

Scotland’s Best Attraction (VisitScotland) is a great family day out. Now berthed in Edinburgh, tour Her Majesty The Queen’s former Royal Yacht and this Easter holidays, children get free admission when they bring their favourite cuddly toy to Britannia! (Quote 1388)* Try on a Captain’s hat, look out for the 11 foot LEGO replica of Britannia and spot the cuddly corgis hiding around the Royal Yacht. Explore the five decks with a fascinating audio tour, included in the admission price. Children can listen to their own version of the audio tour, ideal for the under 10s. Remember to visit the Royal Deck Tea Room for great sea views, refreshing

© RUTH ARMSTRONG

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk OCEAN DRIVE, LEITH Monday 1 April - Tuesday 30 April

milkshakes and a delicious scone or slice of freshly baked cake!

*T&Cs: Up to two children (aged 5-17) go free when they each bring along their favourite cuddly toy and are accompanied by a full-paying adult or senior citizen at Britannia’s Visitor Reception on the 2nd floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre.

Must quote reference 1388. Not valid with any other offer or for advance tickets. No cash alternative. Valid 1- 30 April 2019.

Easter Trail Sat 6 to Mon 22 April

10am to 4.30pm daily | age 3+ | Pick up a trail booklet from John Hope Gateway, Arboretum Place | £2 Join the Botanics Bunny on our family Easter Trail and receive a yummy treat from Mackie’s.

For more info visit rbge.org.uk

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Any super-eager dancers aged 8+ can choose the Dance Intensive option - swapping some of the singing and acting sessions for further dance training, to develop advanced skills in acro, jazz and ballet.

To book: email nicky@dndance.co.uk

MUSSELBURGH RACES Find Easter Saturday Royal thrills at Musselburgh Racecourse as the raceday is back for a third year running. Racing enthusiasts and those in search of a great day out will enjoy an Easter spectacular of first-class racing. Proving an ideal destination for couples, friends and groups looking for a get-together with a difference, there will be live music, an array of exciting street food, and drinks destinations including the Edinburgh Gin Tipple Trailer. Snap up one of the exclusive Yurts for a real VIP experience.

Families are looked after too with a dedicated kids zone featuring the return of the hugely popular Easter Bunny, game stalls, fairground rides for all ages and face painting. The best bit is kids under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult.

THE GREATEST EASTER www.dndance.co.uk DN STUDIOS, CHESSER Monday 8 - Friday 12 April 9.30am - 4pm (doors open 8:30-5:00) It’s time to ‘Come Alive’ with a fun, energetic Greatest Showman-themed camp from DN Dance.

Each day kids (aged 5-16) will look at everything needed to put on a show, from singing, acting and dance, through to props and set-making and building up to a stunning end of week presentation.

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FORT DOUGL AS EASTER ACTIVITIES www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK Saturday 6 April - Monday 22 April, 11am to 3pm You’ll find lots of extra activities in the magical adventure Fort Douglas playpark, included in your entry fee. Sessions will differ every day with something for all ages. Activities include balloon twisting, spaghetti architecture, Easter forest faces, clay creatures, paper boats, pebble painting, mini bug hotels To book: Simply turn up on the day to see what’s on and get your activity wristband. Max of 15 children for each activity.

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DOODLES CL AY WORKSHOPS www.doodlesscotland.co.uk DOODLES, MARCHMONT 9 - 11 April, 10.30am - 12.30pm

STEP IT UP DANCE C AMP Do you need to know they will be happy and safe so that you can get on with what you need to do, whether that be work or perhaps a little me-time?

(It’s allowed!)

This Easter earn some major (chocolate) brownie points by booking your kids into a Step It Up Dance holiday camp. Whether you choose shorter days for the littlest ones to full weeks for your primary-age kids we guarantee tons of fun, games, dancing, egg hunts, confidenceboosting performances, all under the watchful care of our nurturing, energetic team. Check out the testimonials and fine out more at www.stepitupdance.co.uk

Have loads of fun playing with clay and being creative. £20 per session.

To book: call 0131 229 1399

EASTER CAMP

GET ACTIVE

THIS EASTER!

AGE 3-11 GAMES URBAN DANCE CREATIVE FUN FACE PAINTING FRIENDSHIP stepitupdance.co.uk /StepItUpDance

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MadeEasterCampFeb2019.indd 1

07428 110 135

 @stepitupdanceuk

04/02/2019 11:23

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© SEAN BELL (TONY MARSH)

EASTER AT THE PAL ACE www.rct.uk PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE Monday 8 – Sunday 21 April Try the new Easter trail and search the Palace to spot the weird and wonderful hats, wigs and crowns worn throughout the ages. Visit the Family Room to enter a competition to design an Easter bonnet for The Queen and win an Easter Hamper.

This event is free with a Palace ticket or a One Year Pass.

EASTER BONNET PARADE www.rct.uk PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE Sunday 21 April, 1pm - 4pm Celebrate Easter at the Palace of Holyroodhouse by making and decorating your very own Easter Bonnet. Then wear your bonnet to explore the Palace using the new Easter trail, and join in a fabulous Easter Bonnet Parade at 3.30pm.

EASTER FUN AT THE SC OTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE

kids aged 2+. Older kids (6+) can join Professor Egghead to find out how robots can help clean the oceans, in the fantastic science show, Ro-bish Removals.

RED THREAD EASTER SEWIN G C OURSE www.redthreadstudio.co.uk RED THREAD STUDIO, NEWINGTON 8 - 11 April, 10am-12 noon Red Thread is hosting a fantastic kids’ sewing course packed full of fun and crafts. Suitable for children aged 8-12yrs, and perfect for complete beginners or those who have already done some sewing before, you will learn basic sewing techniques and make a fun, creative Easter apron.

Classes are small to enable each child to have plenty of assistance, and the studio is well equipped with sewing machines, cutting tables and snack area. The course will be led by Rachel Treloar, who has full PVG disclosure and is highly experienced at working with children.

www.seabird.org SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE, NORTH BERWICK Holiday Club: 8 - 12 April Shows start from Friday 12 April Join the fun at the newly refurbished Centre with lots to keep little ones entertained, with daily science shows, 3D films, boat trips and the everpopular Seabird Holiday Club.

Escape! is the new puffin puppet show, for

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Control the cameras and zoom in on amazing wildlife!

Scottish Seabird Centre re-opens April 2019 www.seabird.org 01620 890202 Images © Laurie Campbell / Scottish Charity number: SC025837 DISCOVERY CENTRE · BOAT TRIPS CAFÉ · GIFT SHOP

MR S Seabird MADE Familes ad re-size 11.2.2019 v2.indd 1

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Easter Camp 2019

April 8th - 12th Also available ART and Computing

Drop off from 8am.

Collection up until 6pm.

ALL SPORTS CAMP

£195

W: www.excel-sports.co.uk E: fun@excel-sports.co.uk T: 07970 514 514

EDINBURGH

sCI EN CE FESTIVAL 6–21 April 2019 Join us at the Frontier this Easter holidays with the Edinburgh Science Festival!

For two weeks Edinburgh comes alive with workshops, performances and adventures galore for scientists of all ages

EXPERIENCE Get busy with free hands-on fun in the Grand Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland with interactive exhibit Build and Break.

Whether you create your own Imagation Playground with giant blocks, or dismantle and explore the intricacies of all kinds of electronics on our tinker bench, Build and Break will delight and educate budding scientists, engineers and more.

ENJOY Be amazed by incredible theatre performances that bring science to life.

Break a world record with us in Melody and Sam: Record Breakers, be captivated by hilarious tales of electricity with Dr Megaphone Goes Zap! and inspire young minds with StrongWomen Science.

EXPLORE Our five-floor science playground at City Art Centre is jam-packed with hands-on activities for everyone.

Create your own slime and test its gooiness in Splat-Tastic, scrub-up and save lives in ER Surgery, and discover the science behind colour, animal conservation and more in six brand new workshops! All workshops included in the price of a day pass.

BOOK ONLINE: sciencefestival.co.uk

BOOKING HOTLINE: 0131 226 0005

#EdSciFest

Doodles Advert:Layout 1

11/3/08

22:05

Page 1

creative fun at doodles!

Handmade Frames & Gifts

parties for all ages • gifts for all occasions • baby hand and footprints • clay imprints • commissioned artwork • 100's of colours and pottery items to choose from

what will you paint?!

29 Marchmont Cres EH9 0131 229 1399 www.doodlesscotland.co.uk

Mother’s Day First Day of School Weddings New Babies Children’s Bedrooms E

kraftykatscotland@gmail.com www.facebook.com/pg/ Kraftykatmadeinscotland

Edinburgh North E: comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0131 260 9667

Edinburgh South E: morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0131 229 4480

30th March & 27th April 10.30am - 1pm Edinburgh College Granton 350 West Granton Road Edinburgh, EH5 1QE

STAYING ACTIVE in PREGNANCY

Turtle Tums

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here is a serious temptation to spend every spare minute of your pregnancy relaxing on the sofa observing your growing bump. And you definitely should take time to switch off and enjoy your incredible work growing a tiny human, but you might experience one or more of these issues, and gentle exercise could be the answer…

SLEEP: Your growing bump may quickly become

your every own sleep-thief. Aches, pains, restless legs and a busy mind keeping you from getting those vital zzz’s.

MOOD: Pregnancy is hard work, both physically

and emotionally. Those wonderful endorphins produced during exercise will give you a much needed natural high.

MUSCLE TONE: Easily lost during those long 40

weeks but more essential than ever to get you over your final baby-producing hurdle and fit and strong for when baby arrives.

SELF-IMAGE: Some feel really yucky in

pregnancy, and keeping fit can really help with

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how you feel about yourself, while you embrace your changing shape.

ACHES AND PAINS: Naturally your body will grumble when it has to carry around additional weight. Gentle exercise can play a vital role in easing those aching muscles.

KEEPING BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHECK:

Inactive pregnant women are at higher risk of hypertension. The NHS recommends taking part in some gentle exercise everyday to keep your blood pressure where it belongs.

If you are able, then staying active during pregnancy has huge benefits for you and your bump. Here, three of Edinburgh’s pre-natal exercise experts share why exercise is more important than ever to keep you and baby healthy…

Karina from Turtle Tums shares some benefits of aquanatal yoga: “Any type of yoga is fabulous in pregnancy but some people can find it difficult to reach yoga poses on land. This is where the warm water

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Zoey Waterston personal trainer

comes in - your aching joints are supported and the feeling of weightlessness is a wonderful relief. There is no uncomfortable readjusting as you move from one pose to another, and you will find you have a much greater range of movement in the water. The water is your friend, there to take the strain, and allow you to strengthen and stretch your core, pelvis and pelvic floor. The class is designed to help you to maintain tone and flexibility, to strengthen the muscles and keeps the spine straight and supple. The deep breathing promotes relaxation and we often hear our ladies sleep much better after class and that things like Symphysis pubis dysfunction are more manageable after exercise in water.”

Zoey Waterston, pre and post-natal personal trainer adds; “The benefits of working with a personal trainer in pregnancy is that exercises can be modified to suit the stage of pregnancy, as well as taking into account any specific issues you might experience. I often focus on weight bearing exercises for improved muscle strength with particular focus on core work which targets abdominals and back. Doing these will lessen the chance of abdominal splits (diastatic recti) and lower back. Focusing on pelvic floor exercises can improve the elasticity of the muscles which prevent tearing during labour and further complications post pregnancy.”

Sabrina Severo from True Pilates, adds: “Pilates effectively corrects the pregnant body’s

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alignment, avoiding risks of back pain during the last trimester. It can also focus on building strength to naturally correct pelvis misalignment.

This is so common in pregnancy as women naturally tilt their bodies forwards, causing weak pelvic floor muscles, low back pain and bad posture. The action of scooping the lower abdominals in and lifting them upwards through the spine, immediately lengthens the spine, engaging the core muscles and, most importantly, builds strength, to correct the whole body’s alignment.’’

Reap the benefits from incorporating just a little gentle exercise into your week, and when you get home, pat yourself on the back and flop on the sofa. **Be sure to seek medical advice before starting any new exercise in pregnancy**

True Pilates

FIND OUT MORE Turtle Tums turtletots.com/edinburghandeastlothian Zoey Waterston facebook.com/ZW-Personal-Training True Pilates Edinburgh facebook.com/TruePilatesEdinburgh

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Bring on

the smiles

Swim with the most highly qualified, enthusiastic and passionate teachers. Our progressive and baby-led programme, will give your little one the best start to their swimming journey. contact 07964 840 049

edinburgh@turtletots.com

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EVENTS & OFFER

ADVENTURE PARK

Sat 9th March Superheroes Day Sun 31st March Mothers Day (Mums go Free) 15th – 21st April Easter Egg Hunt and Crafts Sun 16th June Fathers Day (Dads go Free) Sun 30th June American Independence Day Car Show and BBQ STABLES BISTRO Scotland 6 Nations Games & Burgers BBQʝs Every Weekend (weather dependent) Serving fresh food - Breakfast and Lunch

For latest updates visit @conifoxadventurepark @conifoxadvpark

Bistro Restaurant | BBQ and Outdoor Bar | Garden Centre Crazy Foot Golf | Pedal Go Karts | Off Road Pedal Go Karts Pedal Tractor Farm | Giant Jump Pillow | Trampolines Swings | Balance Beams | Rope Bridge

Adventure Park 07968 746355 adventurepark @conifox.co.uk

Stables Bistro 0131 333 1444 restaurant@ conifox.co.uk

Foxhall, Kirkliston, Edinburgh EH29 9ER

www.conifox.co.uk

k s A Her

By Emma Walker

In November, I spent the day in Westminster as the Edinburgh West delegate for #AskHerToStand. The initiative, led by 50:50 Parliament, aimed to encourage women to run for parliament and to chip away at the barriers that prevent women from running. I now extend this ask to the readers of MADE.

L

brilliant example of this is the decision made in January to trial proxy voting in Westminster for MPs on parental leave.

However there are many reasons why women don’t make the step towards a political role.

Since 2014, I have volunteered with 50:50 Parliament in the hope of breaking down some of those barriers. Confidence is a big one for many women. It’s well documented that men are more likely to apply for a job that they don’t yet have the experience for, while women tend to wait until they tick every box on the job description.

When men are asked to stand in an election they normally run for office immediately; when women are asked they normally run a mile.

Women have greater care responsibilities, are more likely to be poor, have fewer professional networks. Local government is often perceived

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www.mademagazine.co.uk

ater this year, it will be 100 years since the first woman took her seat in the House of Commons. As the first female MP, Nancy Astor played a significant role in the representation of women within our democracy. We have come a long way since 1919, but we still have far to travel.

The snap general election in June 2017 returned a record high of 208 female MPs to Westminster (out of a possible 650 seats). There are 46 female MSPs in Holyrood (129 total seats).

It’s not a coincidence that issues such as the tax on sanitary products, domestic violence, upskirting and shared parental leave were driven to the top of the political agenda by female parliamentarians. Representation creates policy and what’s more it drives structural change. A

PLEASE LOOK TO THOSE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE WHO YOU THINK COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND ASK THEM TO STAND

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to be an easier option, but only 29% of Scottish councillors are women. There is still clearly a long way to go before we achieve gender parity.

Young women are often put off by others. I was twelve when I told my careers advisor that I wanted to be a politician.

It was 1992, I was beginning to work out that all people do not have the same opportunities as their neighbour and I had a sense that I could help to address some of the issues in my own small but steadily increasing world.

The feeling of embarrassment when she told me that politics wasn’t for girls like me is something that I remember and occasionally still fight with -

almost thirty years on. According to the print out, my skillset was pointing me towards a career in refuse collection. I’ve made it my life’s work to avoid emptying any bin.

Despite shelving my political ambitions before I’d reached my teens, I never completely shrugged off the idea that I could be a politician. Every time I find myself in a tough situation, a big part of my healing process has been to consider how I would fix it so that those coming up behind me don’t have a similar ordeal.

And yet, I never acted upon it because I didn’t really know how.

So how did I get to be standing in the House of Commons on Ask Her To Stand day? In 2016, my MSP knocked on my door during a canvassing session. I told him about Mother’s Work, (my campaign against maternity discrimination which I wrote about for MADE last year), and he asked me if I’d like to visit his office. I did, and at the end of that chat he asked me to stand.

At the time I was up to my eyes and out of my depth with care responsibilities, and I was juggling this with my freelance career. It wasn’t the right time for me. Yet I couldn’t get the question out of my head. A year later, I attended a workshop led by The Parliament Project and joined my party that night.

The commitment to them, myself and that list of things I’d like to fix was made.

A year on, I am now a prospective council candidate and an approved parliamentary

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candidate. I presented a motion in Investing in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis at autumn conference which led to my party being the first in the world to have a policy on M.E. I canvass doors each week and speak to people of all backgrounds about politics. I was recently invited to be my party’s Mental Health spokesperson. I pinch myself every day.

It’s not always easy. I still run my own business, I have a five year old, my father is sick.

Until a person is elected, all of the graft is done on a voluntary basis. The struggle and juggle is a challenge that I don’t think most men entering politics have to deal with. Yet somehow - as with so many other things in life when you love what you do - it just works. And I want other women to see that it can work, too.

As Christine Jardine MP’s delegate for #AskHerToStandDay I was able to meet women from all backgrounds who have decided to make a run for office. There’s a real network of women from across the political spectrum coming together, and being in Westminster with so many of them was incredibly powerful.

To the women who have read this and wish that they could get involved - whether it’s joining a party, canvassing, running for council or standing for parliament (and there are a myriad of other roles too) - I ask you to stand.

To everyone else - please look to those women in your life who you think could make a difference and ask them to stand. Tell them why you think they’d be perfect. If we want a new generation of politics we, the voting public, have a bigger say in it than we give ourselves credit for. Reach out and ask her to stand. n

NEXT STEPS If you’re keen to find out more but don’t know where to start, your local party office should point you in the right direction.

Some people find it difficult to decide which party to join, particularly if they have voted for a variety of parties at election time. Others decide to run as an independent. The Parliament Project can help with this.

FIND OUT MORE

WHERE NEXT?

Emma Walker is Prospective Council Candidate for Drum Brae Gyle (Lib Dem) and Spokesperson for Mental Health for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. emmawalker. libdem@gmail.com

The Parliament Project: www.parliamentproject.co.uk

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Women 50:50: www.women5050.org 50:50 Parliament: 5050parliament.co.uk

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Activity Classes for Children and their families

Secret Garden

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For more info or to book a party please contact Bev Anderson www.wishingtreeplaycafe.com or email us info@wishingtreeplaycafe.com 85 High Street, Musselburgh, EH21 7DA. T: 0131 665 1588

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Family holidays THAT TICK ALL THE RIGHT BOXES

W

hat do you look for when choosing your family holiday? A beach on your doorstep? The flexibility of self-catering accommodation with the convenience of family friendly bars and eateries nearby? How about a safe environment for the kids to explore (just like the old days) - oh, and reasonable prices too?

Definitely! Throw in beautiful scenery, a dollop of culture, a mix of activities and this is starting to sound like the type of quality down time many families crave.

The good news is that you don’t have to travel far to enjoy all of this and more. Say goodbye to the stress of the airport, bid farewell to delays and car hire queues. It’s au revoir to unpredictable exchange rates and a big hello to family holidays and great days out closer to home.

Abbeyford Leisure’s award-winning holiday parks tick all the right boxes for families.

Peppered along the East Neuk of Fife their parks can be reached within just an hour and a half’s drive of Edinburgh. Family friendly Elie Holiday Park, for example, is a real hidden gem and offers a fine selection of holiday home accommodation nestled either behind the beach, or close to forest walks with spectacular meadow views (look out for deer and inquisitive red squirrels).

It’s also home to the impressive (free) Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park, the superb Kincraig View Restaurant and popular Mirador Café, which serves some of the best barista coffee in the Kingdom. Come for the day and you’ll want to stay longer.

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✔ The best beaches

✔ Great play park

✔ Bar, restaurant & café www.mademagazine.co.uk

✔ Close to all the best golf courses

✔ Award-winning holiday parks Located close to the pretty fishing villages of Elie, Pittenweem and Anstruther, Elie Holiday Park is set on the beautiful Fife Coastal Path at Shell Bay and its southwest facing outlook affords spectacular sunsets. It really is the perfect setting to forget the demands of everyday life and provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy family together time building sandcastles, relaxing on the beach and whiling away the hours rock pooling at low tide.

During the school summer holidays there’s complimentary evening entertainment and free football coaching sessions with AM Soccer Club, plus the Smugglers’ Cove Games Room is open all season. With all this on your doorstep, it’s no surprise that Elie Holiday Park has been voted the Best Visitor Attraction in Fife and awarded Scotland’s Best Family Holiday Park runner up.

Further along the coast, St Andrews Holiday Park offers unrivalled sea views across azure waters towards St Andrews and beyond, and is enviably located within easy reach of magnificent sandy beaches and all the best golf courses.

There’s an impressive bar and restaurant with a laid back vibe, and an expansive sun terrace to soak up those sea views. And as Fife is one of the sunniest regions in Scotland, with an average of 1,500 hours of sunshine per year, both parks benefit from some of the best weather in Scotland with seldom a midge to be seen! n

FIND OUT MORE

Castaway (beach or forest) holiday homes at Elie Holiday Park. 4 nights from £256 per family at Easter.

Book online at abbeyford.com

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R

evolutionising the everyday shop, The Refillery is one of Scotland’s first dedicated plastic-free grocery stores, having removed all disposable packaging from the household goods they offer.

Witnessing the problem of plastic and spurred on by the slow pace of change from UK retailers, founder Kelly Wright made a huge leap from her successful career in the food industry to launch the new business single-handedly.

Bringing their own tubs or containers, people can fill them up, pay by weight, and head home happy in the knowledge that they are part of a solution to the global waste issue.

Selling everyday staples such as pasta, rice as well as carefully sourced seasonal organic fresh produce (farm-fresh eggs, fruits, vegetables and fresh bread), The Refillery works with suppliers who share its eco-friendly ethos.

Stocking ethical detergents, beeswax wraps, cruelty-free shampoos and even toothpaste in a jar, the store thinks beyond food packaging and is passionate about reducing plastic across the board.

About the store’s opening, Kelly said: “UK retailers generate around 800,000 tonnes of packaging waste per year and it’s believed

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that only a third actually gets recycled – that’s enormous!

Our relationship with single-use plastic simply must change.

One of the biggest factors behind the current plastic problem is our over- consumption. Since the 1980s, convenience has been king – and plastic has become integral to that convenience.

Plastic is not the only issue, however, when it comes to household waste.

The UK throws away 1/5th of all food bought for consumption, and manufacturing and retail parts of the supply chain also contribute enormously to food waste.

Typically building in a 5% waste margin into production, food manufacturers will waste £2 million worth of food every year.

It was this endemic wastefulness that spurred Kelly on to found The Refillery.

By giving consumers a choice to buy groceries that aren’t shrouded in plastic, The Refillery offers people the opportunity to reconnect with food in a way that encourages them to buy only what they will use.

Refilling, rather than disposing, is an excellent way to reuse existing packaging and repurpose jars and containers. n

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Available from The Refillery…

WHOLEFOODS: nuts, grains, rice, pasta, beans and legumes, flours, dried fruit BEVERAGES: Eteaket tea, Unorthodox roasted coffee beans, hot chocolate

THE PLASTIC-FREE WAY TO SHOP

STEP 1 - WEIGH YOUR CONTAINER

OILS & VINEGARS: East Lothian rapeseed oil, infused olive oils, balsamic vinegars, coconut oil, sesame oil and tamari

Wholefoods

General Groceries

HERBS & SPICES: 60 different herbs and spices GENERAL GROCERIES: organic baked beans, organic tinned tomatoes, organic tomato sauce, organic pasta sauce (all in glass or BPA free tins) nut butters, local honey, local preserves and pickles HOUSEHOLD CLEANING: detergents from companies ‘Fill’ and ‘Bio D’, and a range of natural cleaning utensils

STEP 2 - FILL YOUR CONTAINER

Household Cleaning Personal Care

Daily Fresh Produce Accessories

Sweets & Treats

Chilled Food & Drink STEP 3 - REWEIGH YOUR CONTAINER

PERSONAL CARE: handmade soaps and shampoo bars, loose bath salts, toothpaste, toothbrushes, a range of ‘Faith in Nature’ refillable shampoos, conditioners, ethical toilet rolls

STEP 4 - PAY AT THE TILL

DAILY FRESH PRODUCE: fresh, organic, seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh eggs, fresh bread and tray bakes ACCESSORIES: reusable coffee cups, cloth bags, jars, tea pots, bamboo sporks, candles, lunch packs, beeswax wraps, vegan wax wraps SWEETS & TREATS: seeds & beans chocolate, chocolate covered nuts, yoghurt covered nuts, chocolate buttons

The Refillery 39 Newington Rd EH9 1QW Tues-Sat, 10am - 7pm Sun 11am - 4pm also selling online at www.therefillery.co.uk

CHILLED FOOD & DRINK coming soon made MAR / APR 2019

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SCARF, £14.95 Pippin, Haymarket, pippingifts.com

MOTHER’S

M A R C H 3 1 st

HEART PENDANT £195.00, Links of London

DAY RHUBARB AND PLUM CANDLE, £14.95 Pippin, Haymarket, pippingifts.com

CERAMIC EARRINGS £14.95, Pippin, Haymarket, pippingifts.com

EDITOR’S CHOICE JOURNAL £14.99, Pippin, Haymarket pippingifts.com A gorgeous book, you just jot down a line each day - for busy mums who want to remember the little things, and the big things, in years to come.

BESPOKE HANDMADE MUM FRAME £20 (plus P&P if required) Krafty Kat www.kraftykatscotland.etsy.com facebook.com/Kraftykatmadeinscotland/

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APOTHECARY ROSE £39.95 theoldcuriosity.co.uk

GIN

Cards and gifts for Mother’s Day ENAMEL PIN, £7.95 Pippin, Haymarket pippingifts.com

30 Haymarket Terrace www.pippingifts.com

0131 347 8657

RAINBOW SWEATSHIRTS Adult’s £49, Kid’s £26 Willow Boutique, Stockbridge

made MAR / APR 2019

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How baby swimming HELPED MY PND and transformed how swimming is taught Merbabies Swim School has enjoyed huge success in Edinburgh since being established in 2017 by local mum, Anna Payne. We caught up with Anna to find out more…

I

’ve always loved swimming and when my second child was born, I took him swimming from four weeks old and was amazed at how much we both got from these sessions. He was so happy in the pool, and in terms of his water confidence and his physical ability, he would make tangible progress each week. I fell in love with him, and with baby swimming, more each week.

He was my second child, and after a blissful maternity leave with my eldest, I was completely blindsided when I suffered with severe Post Natal Depression after his birth. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and things got pretty dark very quickly.

We’d moved out of Edinburgh and I didn’t have a local support network. Attending meetups and baby classes with a two year old in tow was hard, but once a week we went swimming while my toddler was in nursery. We both loved it. There was something about the pool, the water, and the hugs and laughs with my baby, I found it to be a really happy place.

Weeks passed and with medical help and the support of my family I felt better, however I had

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a growing dread about returning to my corporate job after maternity leave. I knew I had to make a change, for my own health and happiness, and to be around more for my children. I was thinking about this when my eyes fell on the underwater photo we’d recently had taken when something clicked…

I did some research and found that swimming is the activity new parents most want to do with their babies. But still a third of children leave primary school unable to swim. I was also horrified to read that drowning is the third highest cause of child deaths in the UK, behind only childhood illness and road traffic accidents.

In the area we lived, the leisure pools said the wait-list for baby swim classes was at least two years!

Why the mismatch in aspiration and achievement? I found that many baby swim lessons were not aligned to how babies learn (through play) or how most parents parent (gently, with love). I also knew first hand the very real mental health benefits of being in the water and having that time with your child. A spark was lit. So, filled with enthusiasm, passion

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and a desire to make this happen, I started Merbabies when Lewis was eight months old.

The Merbabies ethos is simple; Teach with love, Learn through play. We teach in a style aligned with early years development and happy children, using imaginative play, themed lessons, toys and props, songs and rhymes. We follow a gentle, child-led approach, allowing babies to try things at their own pace. For younger babies that means parents and teachers modelling and letting little ones copy.

For older swimmers it’s engaging their imaginations and working with their natural curiosity to encourage them to progress. Making classes fun results in happy children, with great water confidence and the solid foundations for early swimming.

The approach works. We now teach over 500 children a week, from ten locations across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. We are accredited as an STA Swim Star Swim School, the majority of our swimmers come to us through word of mouth, and we consistently receive 5* reviews. But more than that, the happy smiling faces of our children in the pool each week are the best feedback there is. Some of our first swimmers who joined as newborns are now confident two year olds, starting to paddle short distances, without a floatation device. It is just incredible, and honestly makes this one of the most rewarding jobs you can imagine’. n

FIND OUT MORE Spring term starts on 11 March with new classes and venues across Edinburgh, Lothians and Fife, and more Birthlight Aqua-Natal Yoga pregnancy classes coming too. www.merbabies.online

made MAR / APR 2019

TEACH WITH LOVE, LEARN THROUGH P L AY EDINBURGH, LOTHIANS & FIFE

BOOK NOW

G FOR SPRIN G IN T R TERM STA H C R A M

Gentle, child led swim classes for children from birth to age 4 Also offering underwater photography and Birthlight Aquanatal Yoga sessions anna@merbabies.online www.merbabies.online 49

Happy Birthday

to you

If your little one will be celebrating their birthday in May or June, and they would like to see themselves on these pages then please email louisewilson@live.com with a clear photo, their name, age, DOB and address.

ANSHIKA age 1 on 16 April

ERICA age 4 on 6 April

AVERY age 6 on 2 March Felicity age 2 on 3 April

Š IMAGES BY FREEPIK.COM

COLBY age 8 on 20 March

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ANDREW age 1 on 2 April

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JILL age 2 on 21 March

ALEXANDER age 6 on 6 April

ROSE age 2 on 12 March

LUCAS age 5 on 2 April LOIS age 4 on 6 March

DEMI age 3 on 26 March

made MAR / APR 2019

LEWIS age 5 on 4 March

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EDINBURGH

SCI EN C E FESTIVAL Easter school holidays

6–21 April 2019 WORKSHOPS

AC T I V I T I E S

S H OWS ... and more for scientists of all ages

BOOK ONLINE: sciencefestival.co.uk

BOOKING HOTLINE: 0131 226 0005

#EdSciFest