BECOME A SCHOOL GOVERNOR AND HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD FUNDING THEIR FUTURE STARTS HERE

We know how important it is to give your children a head start in life: opening a savings account can help to do just that. If you have older children keen on managing their hard-earned pocket money, an easy-access account can be perfect for building a lifelong savings habit. Whatever the goal, and whether it’s long or short-term, Newbury Building Society’s junior savings accounts can help your children to look after their pennies. For information about their savings accounts for young people, pop into your local branch, or book an appointment with one of their savings advisers. Appointments are available in person, online, or over the phone. T: 01635 555700 W: www.newbury.co.uk

West Berkshire Council needs you! Could you be a school governor? School governors are members of the local community who care about schools and young people. Being a school governor can be a very positive experience. Share your skills and passion for the success of local schools and become a governor. You can learn more about school governance, what governors do and how to get involved by visiting www.westberks.gov.uk/article/40470/ School-Governors-and-Clerks or alternatively email governors@westberks.gov.uk for a no obligation discussion.

If you’ve got lots of days to fill during this long school holiday, we’re here to help! Read on to find out what to do and where to do it! From adventure playgrounds to animal antics, we’re sure you’ll find enough local entertainment to cater for a variety of budgets, interests and British weather conditions… all summer long!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road With The Lexicon This Summer

If your family is a fan of Frank L Baum’s timeless book, The Wizard of Oz, then you will love what is happening at The Lexicon this summer. Star of the show is a theatrical experience produced by South Hill Park to celebrate the Arts Centre’s 50th anniversary. Help Dorothy as she is swept into the Land of Oz, through the Wizard’s chamber and onto the Emerald City, to defeat the Wicked Witch! There’s a yellow brick road trail to follow to find your favourite characters like Dorothy, the Scarecrow and Tin Man, with fabulous prizes to win, make and take-home craft workshops for younger family members and a beautiful Emerald City flower rainbow, perfect for summer selfies. Don’t miss out on all the fun. W: www.thelexiconbracknell.com

SUMMER OUT OF THIS WORLD! NEWBURY ’S FESTIVAL OF THE MOON

This year experience Summer out of this world! Visit Newbury are excited to announce that the beautiful market town will play host to over 40 moon themed events that you can be a part of! Between August 15 and September 3 events and activities, including Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon, will launch Newbury into space! There is something for all the family, from yoga and meditation to stargazing, wildlife walks and music to name a few – join us in making lots of moon memories this Summer!

To view the full festival line up, including links to book your FREE tickets to Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon visit W: www.visitnewbury.org.uk/festival-of-the-moon

KEEP YOUR FAMILY ON THE GO WITH BETTER LEISURE CENTRE READING!

This summer, there is something for all ages at your Better Leisure Centre in Reading. With fun-filled and energetic racquet sports, soft play, junior gym and much more. Keep the kids happily active throughout the whole summer holidays, so there’s never a dull moment! Visit them online to find out what’s available at your nearest Better Leisure Centre. W: www.better.org.uk/reading

SUMMER CRAFT & FOOD MARKET COMES TO SOUTH HILL PARK

New for 2023, the Summer Craft and Food Market at South Hill Park is a free-to-attend, two-day event taking place from Sunday 27th-Monday 28th August. Enjoy some of the UK’s best food produce, alongside some handmade arts and crafts. This is an indoor market, throughout the South Hill Park mansion, where you can buy directly from the stallholders exhibiting with them. Around thirty artists join them from all over the country to show their fine foods and designs. W: www.southhillpark.org.uk

Activities For All Ages And Abilities At The Ranger Station

Make a trip to the Ranger Station at Prospect Park, Reading for some summer fun! Challenge your family and friends on the accessible 9-hole mini golf course, which has wheelchair access, and specialist accessible putting equipment if needed. You can also book a session on their outdoor climbing wall called ‘The Coconut Tree’ or on the archery range. For younger children, build up their confidence and coordination skills and let them enjoy a session on the ‘Sky Tykes’ low ropes course, designed for children aged 2-7, and under 122cm in height. For more details, please visit their website. E: Ranger.Station@reading.gov.uk W: www.reading.gov.uk

ROARSOME, FREE FUN COMES TO TOWN THIS SUMMER!

This summer, visitors to Reading will have the chance to get face-to-face with dinosaur models built from hundreds of thousands of toy bricks! The Reading Dino Trail will take place across the town centre with 15 impressive dinosaurs on display between 5th-20th August. Brought to you by Reading BID (Reading’s Business Improvement District) and BRICKLIVE, the trail promises to be a fun and free day out for all the family! The brick dinosaurs will be located inside participating shops, stores and Broad Street Mall and the Oracle Shopping Centre. Get ready to be wowed by a nearly three metrelong Tethyshadros made of 89,000 bricks; Velociraptors; a Pteranodon with a wing span of almost three metres; as well as a Diplocaulus, Archaeoceratops and a Megalosaur head for selfies!

www.visit-reading.com

FUN TIMES AHEAD AT ASCOT ’S SUMMER MILE FAMILY RACEDAY

Get hands-on as Ascot Racecourse transforms into the ‘Land of Discovery’ at this year’s Summer Mile Family Raceday on Saturday 15th July. With the racecourse in full bloom, embark on an adventure-filled day with your loved ones. Unleash your inner archaeologist at the Dino Dig, the Dinosaur Egg Hatching and Mobile Cave, where you’ll be up close to the dinosaur discoveries! The adventurous types can try the mini-golf course, or glide around the racecourse lawns on a Segway. Little ones can enjoy delightful pony rides, while the rest can take part in gravity boot workshops and bring out their creative side at the arts and crafts area. Ascot’s favourite family entertainers will be on hand too, including balloon modellers, jugglers and face painters, alongside the popular fairground rides. The action is just as thrilling on the track, with the feature Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes having seen some memorable contests in recent years. Tickets from £30pp, under 18s GO FREE. Discover Ascot Racedays online. W: www.ascot.com

FREE SPECTATOR TICKETS FOR THE WWA WAKE PARK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – A THRILLING DAY OUT FOR ALL AGES!

Liquid Leisure Windsor is hosting the exciting Nautique WWA Wake Park World Championships this July, with over 200 international competitors battling to be crowned world champions. It will be a thrilling display of skills, flips and tricks that are sure to wow the crowds! There are currently three world champions from Great Britain in different categories and local Liquid Leisure Team Rider, Liam Peacock, will be defending his Double Pro Men World Champion status! With help from other amazing British athletes, Great Britain won the overall championships last year, beating Team USA and 25 other nations. Liquid Leisure Windsor was crowned Number 1 Wake Park in the World and the team are ready to defend their title from 13th to 16th July. You can register for FREE tickets online! W: https://windsor.liquidleisure.com

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY SESSIONS NOW AT CORAL REEF WATERWORLD!

One of the most popular leisure destinations in the region, Coral Reef Waterworld is guaranteed fun for shipmates of all ages during the long summer holidays! Jump in and whizz down the five amazing waterslides with pirate ship, erupting volcano, rapids, bubble pool and new splash pad! Summer holiday sessions are now bookable online too, and accessible sessions, groups and quieter holiday parent and toddler sessions are also available. Coral Reef is open rain or shine with a restaurant, party booking options, parking and gift shop for all your poolside needs! Book your Coral Reef Tickets online now. W: www.everyoneactive.com/centre/coral-reef-waterworld

Activities vary daily but often include the following:

Summer Sorted With The National Trust In Berkshire

There’s a cosy, family-festival feel at National Trust places around Berkshire this summer. Meadows and lawns are chockfull of outdoor games and have-a-go experiences. Summer is the time for making memories. You only have to go to your phone’s photo feed to see the proportion of smiling faces with a blue sky and green background. Head to National Trust destinations for the best green backdrop to your summer of fun.

Basildon Park is the place to go if you’re looking for happy-tired kids this summer. The obstacle course with balance beams and hurdles will run off some energy, or there’s badminton for competitive spirits. There’s a mini-stage with props and costumes to inspire imaginations, along with garden games and activities. For outdoor enthusiasts there are bookable denbuilding sessions with the ranger. Greys Court, Nuffield Place and The Vyne are going all out on traditional games on the lawns with all the classics from sack races to pin the tail on the donkey. W: nationaltrust.org.uk/ox-bucks-berks

MUSEUMS, MY WAY

Developed with Autism Berkshire, ‘Museums, My Way’ sessions at Reading Museum and The Museum of English Rural Life allow neurodivergent visitors of all ages to explore both museums in a safe environment. They offer different types of sessions, so that you can choose to enjoy the museums your way. At Reading Museum, you can drop into a break-out room any time during your visit on a Saturday, and at The MERL you can attend a bookable session with themed activities at a time when the museum would otherwise be closed. Find out more on the museum websites:

W: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/museums-my-way

W: https://merl.reading.ac.uk/museums-my-way

FARM ANIMALS, FREE TRAIL, OR A FILM?

MERL HAS SO MUCH ON OFFER THIS SUMMER!

There’s so much to do at The MERL this summer! Whenever you visit, pick up a Family Activity Pack, follow free trails in the garden or galleries, enjoy games in the garden or say hello to the chickens! There are also special events including a Family Picnic with Miller’s Ark farm animals and Zoolab workshops to meet amazing animals and learn about protecting them and their habitats. They’re also excited to be bringing your favourite family films to a screen in the garden with their MERLvellous Movies series in August! Find out more online or give them a call. T: 0118 378 8661 W: https://merl.reading.ac.uk/summer-holidays

Walk Amongst The Exotic At The Living Rainforest

The Living Rainforest is a great little find, designed to be just like a real rainforest, it’s warm & humid but by no means uncomfortable. There are great plants with spectacular leaves and animals like tortoises, turtle, massive fish, fish that live out of the water, Goeldi monkeys and even a sloth. Even better, their birds, lizards and sloth free range across the largest rainforest area. Over the school holidays there is something for everyone including free guided talks, crafts, quizzes and very knowledgeable guest speakers. The Living Rainforest is an allweather attraction open all year long from 10am-5pm. With free parking and a great value annual ticket, it’s a fantastic day out for families. W: www.livingrainforest.org

Keep Young Minds Active With Fun Family Times At Reading Museum

There are some great family activities at Reading Museum this summer! Don’t miss the Activity Cart and Bertie’s Tree Trail and Craft Pack which will be available throughout the holidays. They will be starting the summer with the ever-popular Teddy Bears Picnic out in Forbury Gardens. There will be more outdoor fun with Bug Club sessions for all those budding nature explorers in your family. They also have a Victorian Fossil Hunter activity and Victorian Schoolroom experience in the Gateway. Finally, don’t miss the Arty Party bag and Sludge River activity - inspired by Our Green Stories campaign with Museums Partnership Reading. W: www.readingmuseum.org.uk

ENJOY A VERY VINTAGE SUMMER AT PARKWAY!

Visit Parkway Shopping Centre in Newbury this summer for a Very Vintage Summer. Don’t miss out on a FREE retro themed activity each Wednesday from 26th July to 16th August. 10am-4pm. From live music to retro arcade games and crafts workshops to walkabout characters they really do have a summer of fun planned for all to enjoy. Visit their website for more information. W: www.shopatparkway.com

FILL THE SKY WITH FLUTTERING COLOUR AT THE FREE COMMUNITY KITE FESTIVAL!

The annual Kite Festival is at Maidenhead’s Boyn Grove Park (Punt Hill) on Sunday 3rd September. This free event is open from 12noon to 4pm and is a celebration of families and community spirit. In the lead up to the festival, families can create their own kites in a series of workshops held at Norden Farm. On the day, there will be local street food stalls, a beer tent, live music and entertainment. Festival goers can buy kits to make on the day or bring kites they’ve made already and fill the sky with brightly coloured dancing kites. Entrance to the festival is free – see website for details. W: www.nordenfarm.org