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Clubs & Classes Schools Events Reviews Essential reading for parents and grandparents in Somerset

March 2018 Volume 25 Issue 3

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World Horse Welfare

Glenda Spooner Farm

FREE ENTRY!

A free family fun day out to see the horses! Meet the Horses, Outdoor Trails, Fun Activities and much more! Bistro and Second Hand Tack Shop – 10am-4pm Farm walks and see the horses – 11am-4pm Open Wednesdays – Sundays Behind the scenes tours run most days, a small fee applies Fun packed activities throughout the Easter holidays Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with all the activities and events taking place at the Farm

World Horse Welfare Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre Brincil Hill, Kingsdon, TA11 7LA +44 (0) 1935 841442 www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Farm/Glenda-Spooner-Farm

Parent talk contents Family pages

p2-3

Out and About

p4-8

Book Bag News

p9-12

Out and About, Holiday Clubs

p13-15

Education, information

p16-17

Book Review

p18

Classified

p19

competition Dinosaur Dig Kit

p11

Dear Readers... Welcome back and I hope we’re all getting into gear after the recent visit of the Beast from the East. With schools closed last week and parents taking days off to stay at home with their children, I feel we’re owed a mini heatwave to make up for the official start of Spring being a total wipe (white!) out. This month, there’s plenty to look forward to with National Shakespeare Week, Science Week, Mother’s Day and of course Easter. Read on for Easter egg hunts taking place across the county. That bunny gets everywhere! With best wishes Tamsin

Don’t let rain stop play w w w. h i p p y c h i c k . c o m 0 1 2 7 8 4 3 4 4 4 0 20% off all waterproofs when you quote RAIN20 at checkout

FAMILYFAMILY PAGES

Perfect family holidays in glorious North Devon Overlooking the Torridge Valley and with an amazing panorama of fields, forests and farms, the cottages at Torridge House are brilliantly situated for easy access to a wide variety of activities: Sandy beaches, historic market towns, fishing villages, family attractions, cycling, walking, gardens, tea rooms, potteries, pubs, moors and much more. The whole area is not only beautiful but also extremely welcoming and friendly. You could stay for weeks and still find plenty to do. A great place, Torridge House Cottages have a vast experience of providing very good cottages in an environment ideally suited

to families of all ages. Lots of action and activities not just in the gardens and grounds of Torridge House but also in the village and further a field. The timeless, gentle and relaxed setting on the edge of a tiny Devon village is home to nine cottages and a magnificent collection of rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks and chickens, growing piglets and often kittens. It is very easy just to relax, soaking up the peace and fresh country air while the children play in the huge gardens. Enjoy time with them looking after the animals and cuddling the baby bunnies.

Win one of three waterproof all-in-ones from Hippychick!

To find out more about Torridge House Cottages and what else it offers, like the swimming pool - a treat in the summer months, see www.torridgehouse.co.uk or chat to the family on 01805 622542

Little Torrington, North Devon, EX38 8PS t: 01805 622542 www.torridgehouse.co.uk

Spring is just around the corner, and as the evenings draw out we bet your little ones are keener than ever to get outside in the fresh air! Well, what about the inevitable mid-afternoon rain shower? Don’t let the rain stop play with Hippychick’s allin-one waterproof suits – now available in sizes up to age 7! These waterproof children’s all-in-one suits have been designed to be completely windproof and breathable, ensuring complete comfort and protection for your child in all weathers. Made from the highest quality Peach Skin Polyester, there is a real attention to detail with Hippychick’s outdoor clothing range. These suits don’t just look good, they are also incredibly practical and can be wiped clean or machine washed. They are generously sized to ensure that they can fit over other thermal clothing so children can get out and about, whatever the weather! Available in Fiesta Red, Raspberry, Peacock Green and Midnight Blue. To celebrate the arrival of their larger size suits, Hippychick are giving Parent Talk readers the chance to win one of three suits! To enter, simply email enter@hippychick. com with the answer to the question below. Competition closes 31/03/2018; winner will be contacted by email. How many colours are Hippychick all-in-ones available in?

Parent Talk March 2018 3

OUT & ABOUT RUG RATZ CHILDREN’S PLAYCENTRE Abbey Trading Estate Stourton Way Yeovil BA21 3AR Tel 01935 476989

www.rug-ratz.co.uk

Easter fun at Puxton Park

In the garden with Willowbrook

Puxton Park has all sorts of fun activities going on during the Easter holidays. There will be discos, dairy shows, Easter egg hunts, magic shows and Nutty Noah, of course! On Saturday the 24th March, Puxton Park is opening their newest attraction, the Puxton High Ropes Course. This course will be one of the most exciting and challenging courses in the West of England! To unveil the new attraction, Puxton Park has invited the one and only, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards to take the first steps across this thrilling new addition to the park. This exciting new addition to the park will stand over 20 feet high and makes a great shared experience for the whole family to enjoy. Even better, this attraction is included in the admission price! In addition to the main High Ropes Course, there is a Ropes Course for little ones as well. The Sky Tykes course is designed specifically for children ranging in age from 2-7 years old. Just like the larger High Ropes course, harnessed participants will hook into the

Spring is just around the corner - so now is the time to get gardening! We still have lots of varieties of seed potatoes, onions and shallots and we have the Summer flowering bulbs now in. The range of bareroot hedging is an ideal way to create both a native or formal screen and now is the best time to plant – you can even make a green screen to hold the football back! The aquatic shop has lots of tropical fish and accessories along with treatments and food. We have lots of different size tanks from the starter range that looks like a shark to the New larger Biorb sleek designs. If you follow our Willowbrook Aquatics Facebook page it tells you all about the new products as they come in. Our new look pet shop stocks Natural Instinct frozen dog food

patented safety system and begin their adventure. This activity is perfect for children who would prefer to start their adventure with the comfort of their parents walking them through the course. This course is a perfect starting point for beginners or small children.

For more information, follow Puxton Park on Facebook or visit www.puxton.co.uk

Call Nathan on: 07703 719 402

www.gokartpartysw.co.uk nathan@go-kartparty.co.uk facebook.com/GoKartPartySW TA postcodes only

A Go-Kart Party– exciting and fun for all!

If you are looking for a party that is really different, exciting, great fun and hassle free then look no further than Go-Kart Party. Nathan and his team offer both boys and girls of 4 -10 years a unique opportunity to race battery powered go-karts around an inflatable mini Grand Prix circuit. The parties are fully hosted and structured and fun games such as cops and robbers, cone dodging, reversing and emergency stopping will give the children an experience they will never forget.

Kart speeds and games are tailored to the age and ability of the children so whether they are aged 4 or 10 the kids will have an amazing time and will feel a real sense of achievement when they pick up their certificate and possibly the Go-Kart Party Best Driver trophy at the end of the party! Available indoors in numerous leisure centres and sports halls across Somerset, or even outside at your home, Go-Kart Party is accessible all year round at a venue near you.

You can check out the fantastic feedback Nathan receives from parents on www.facebook.com/GoKartPartySW and for more information contact Nathan on 07703 719 402, nathan@go-kartparty.co.uk or visit www.gokartpartysw.co.uk 4 Parent Talk March 2018

along with all the bedding toys and treats for domestic pets whether large or small. We have a wide range of nest boxes which can be put in various parts of the garden at this time of year and not forgetting wild bird food for when it’s colder. Our special Mother’s Day menu can be viewed on the Willowbrook café Facebook page and it’s not too late to book a table in the café whether for a small or large group.

Find Willowbrook situated between Taunton and Wellington on the A38 or at www.willowbrooknurseryandgardencentre.co.uk

Easter at Rug Ratz

Rug Ratz is an established Children’s Play Centre situated in Yeovil. It provides a safe and clean environment for children to have fun on the soft play equipment with separate areas for babies, toddlers and older kids. The design of the equipment means that the children are visible the whole time and parents can go on as well. Rug Ratz is open from 9.00am (9.30 Sat & Sun) to 5.00pm every day of the Easter break except Easter Sunday. At just £4.90 per child (£3.90 for under 2’s and free for babies) it is great value but if you can get there before 10.15am on any weekday it is only £2.80 per child regardless of age. There is no charge for

adults and there is no time limit on your stay. The cafeteria provides hot and cold drinks, snacks and full meals so parents can relax over a cup of coffee while the children burn off their excess energy. Rug Ratz provides catered birthday parties for your children seven days a week with a choice of hot or cold menus. Parties take place during normal opening hours but for larger parties private sessions can be booked from 5.00pm. Everything is done for you – just bring the kids and a cake! Jacky and her staff look forward to seeing you.

OUT & ABOUT

Family day out this Easter World Horse Welfare has been helping the world’s most vulnerable horses for over 90 years. Their Somerset-based Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre is currently home to around 85 horses at various stages of rehabilitation and is one of four UK-based Centres run by the charity that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome vulnerable horses from all over the country. The Visitor Centre and farm is open from 11am4pm on Wednesday to Sunday all year round and the friendly team offers visitors a warm welcome. Catering for the whole family, including your canine friends, the farm is a wonderful day out for people of all ages, with idyllic walks around the farm with a lake and stunning views across the Somerset levels, as well as a children’s play paddock. The bistro is open from 10am Wednesday to Sunday with an outside dog friendly eating area, serving a varied selection of hot and cold food prepared using quality, local ingredients. Situated just off of the A303, Glenda Spooner Farm is also the perfect location for arena

Family trail at Hestercombe 24 March – 8 April Head to Hestercombe this Easter holidays and explore the colourful springtime gardens as you follow our Easter trail. Follow the clues and collect a chocolate treat at the end. See lots of bright yellow daffodils, pull your wellies on for a splash in the Great Cascade and run up to the golden Temple on the hill. On the Pear Pond, look out for baby ducklings learning how to swim.

hire, and function venue to hold celebrations, meetings in its purpose built conference facility, and corporate events.

Visit their website or Facebook page to be kept up to date with what’s on for you and your family.

For more information or to make a booking for an event call 01935 841442 World Horse Welfare Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Brincil Hill, Kingsdon, Somerton TA11 7LA www.worldhorsewelfare.org

On 27 March & 3 April, wander down to the Woodland Barn and take part in an Easter inspired craft workshop. On 27 March we’ll be making pop-up Easter cards and on 3 April you can make your own

Easter stamp and try printing with it. Join us in the Stables Café for a roast lunch on Easter Sunday and Monday - if the weather is sunny, enjoy your food outside in the Courtyard.

Hestercombe is open every day during the Easter holidays. For details about all our events, visit our website: www.hestercombe.com

Parent Talk March 2018 5

6 Parent Talk December 2012

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. M A R K E T S . T H E AT R E S . FA I R S . F E T E S . S H O W S . E X H I B I T I O N S . 8th March: Spring Forward. Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton, TA2 8PD. Take Art’s Spring Forward Showcase. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of styles and choreography including Jazz, Contemporary, Street Dance and Dance Theatre featuring the nationally acclaimed Somerset Youth Dance Company, along with fantastic, fun and feel good performances from local school groups, youth dance companies and Somerset dance schools. 7.30pm. 01823 414141 8th-12th March: The Borrowers. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. Arrietty is a House Borrower who has lived her life deep below the floorboards, dreaming of exciting adventures in the great outdoors. When her father, Pod, takes her upstairs to learn the tricks of borrowing, Arrietty discovers a new world and a new friend, a human boy. With the Borrowers’ secret world discovered by ‘human beans’ it’s time to make a great escape! Thurs, Fri & Mon 7pm. Sat - 10am, 2pm & 7pm, Sun - 2pm & 7pm. Age 5+. 01225 823409 9th March: Dance, Dance, Dance. The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, BA20 1UX. The Dance Factory, Yeovil will showcase their work in a performance of dance styles from ballet to high energy street dance. 7pm. 01935 422884 9th March: Hippychick Coffee Morning for Love Musgrove’s new MRI scanner campaign at Neroche Village Hall, Bickenhall, Taunton TA3 6TY. 10am – 12 noon. Lots of stalls with jewellery and skin care products etc, a raffle, and obviously lots of coffee and cake! 11th March: Red Riding Hood & The Wolf. Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton, TA2 8PD. Time for bed. Tuck yourself in. This is where Robyn’s story begins. How can they expect her to sleep at a time like this? She takes a book and starts to read but she can’t relate to Red Riding Hood, sugar and spice and all things nice. There are two side to every tale, and that is not how this one goes! What if the Big Bad Wolf wasn’t big or bad at all? What if

Craft Studio Holiday Clubs for 6+

they got it wrong? Robyn wants to tell you what really happened through a world of homemade make-believe. And here is where our story starts. A gentle wolf with a broken heart…2pm. 01823 414141 12th March: Paddington 2 – Regal Theatre, Minehead, TA24 5UQ. Hugh Grant stars in this family comedy sequel based on the popular children’s books, written by Michael Bond. 01643 706430 20th -24th March: Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. Bristol Hippodrome, BS1 4UZ. 7.30pm daily + 2.30pm matinée performance on Thurs and Sat. Matthew Bourne’s interpretation of the classic fairy tale has at its heart a true war-time romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz. 0844 871 7627 22nd-24th March: Swan Lake. The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, Taunton, TA1 1JL. One of the best known love stories, performed by the ever popular Vienna Festival Ballet. Lavish costumes, stunning scenery, international stars, and the glorious music from Tchaikovsky make this a night not to be missed. Swan Lake is the most popular ballet in the world. It’s the ballet that captures like no other the full range of human emotions – from hope to despair, from terror to tenderness, from melancholy to ecstasy. Thurs, Fri, Sun, 7.30pm. Sat 2.30pm. 01823 283244 24th March – 8th April: Easter Trail at Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, TA2 8LG. 01823 413923. See p5 for details. 24th March – 15th April: Cadbury Easter egg hunt at Dunster Castle, Dunster, TA24 6SL. Bunny's back and he's left some yummy chocolate for anyone who completes the egg hunt. 10am-4pm. 01643 821314. 24th March: Levels Best Craft and Farmers’ Market. Montacute House, TA15 6XP.

A fabulous craft studio, minutes from Wellington town with ample parking

Birthday Parties for any age Various Workshops throughout the year For more information and to book contact: sam@bodleycraft.co.uk or www.bodleycraft.co.uk 6 Parent Talk March 2018

All your local food and crafts at one quality market. 10am-2pm. 01935 823289 25th March: ABBA Mania. Bristol Hippodrome, BS1 4UZ. 7.30pm. It’s just over 40 years since ABBA won Eurovision and now it’s your chance to thank ABBA for the music! 0844 871 7627 25th-27th March: Ingo’s War. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. Ingo was a very nervous dog. He was always afraid of the dark, loud noises and did not like making new friends. Owned and cherished by a young girl living in the city of London, life for Ingo is as easy as pie. Yet as war looms once more and the Blitz becomes a very immediate danger, the girl and her dog are evacuated to the country and when Ingo is left on the train, he is suddenly plunged into an adventure which tips his steady world upside down. Storytelling, puppetry and movement with an original score from award-winning Ditto Theatre Company. 11.30am and 3pm. Age: 5+. 01225 823409 26th March: Easter Pantomime: Beauty and the Beast. The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, BA20 1UX. 2pm & 6pm. Enchanted Entertainment’s spellbinding pantomime tells the story of Beauty, who longs for romance and adventure, a bad-mannered Prince who is transformed into a Beast to teach him a lesson and a good Fairy who makes both their dreams come true. 01935 422884 26th March – 6th April: Outdoor activities with 1610 at Hestercombe Gardens, Taunton, TA2 8LG. Times vary. See p15 for details. 01823 219005 26th – 6th April. Easter escapades at Montacute House, TA15 6XP. Avoid the hustle and bustle of Easter trails and chocolate eggs for a day. Explore St Michael’s Hill, steeped in wildlife and history. 10am4pm. 01935 823289 26th March: Glorious Gardens. The Roman Baths, BA1 1LZ. Celebrate Spring by creating a mini Roman garden. 10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm. 01225 477785 27th March: 1980s Geometric. Fashion Museum, Bath, BA1 2QH. Admire the geometric designs used in the 1980s outfits and create your own using bright collage paper. 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm. 01225 477789 27th – 28th March: Wild Academy workshops, Secret World, East Huntspill, Highbridge, TA9 3PZ. Perfect for children to get outdoors and explore nature in a very interactive and hands-on way. Each 2-hour workshop will focus on wildlife,

the environment, nature and habitats, explored through games, crafts, experiments, stories and outdoor activities. Children will discover what they can do to protect our wildlife and the habitats they live in. Best suited for children aged 6-11; all children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit www.secretworld.org/learn/ wild-academy. 01278 783250 28th March: Easter Eggstravaganza. Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, BA2 4AT. Create eggy crafts and cards to take home. Ages 3 to 11. 10.30am12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm. 01225 477233 30th March – 2nd April: Cadbury Easter egg hunt at Barrington Court. Barrington Court, nr Ilminster TA19 0NQ. Follow the clues through the orchard and garden and find your prize! Come along and have some great outdoor fun. 11am-4pm. 01460 241938. 30th – 31st March: Easter Family Fun, Secret World, East Huntspill, Highbridge, TA9 3PZ. FREE ENTRY (donations welcome). Journey into a secret world this Easter with our 2 day event. 10am-4pm. Fun-packed days of family games and activities, including animal talks, music, market stalls, hot food and drinks and bird of prey encounters. Come and see our resident Foxes, Badgers and lifelong friends Polly the Red Deer and Emu. Take part in a woodland themed Easter egg hunt, paint your own pixie door and make a magic potion. For more information visit www.secretworld.org/ event/secret-world-easterevents/2018-03-30/. 01278 783250 4th April: Picture Me. Victoria Art Gallery. Use simple collage to create a historical portrait inspired by those in the Gallery. Ages 3 to 11. 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm. 01225 477233 4th – 5th April: Wild Academy workshops, Secret World, East Huntspill, Highbridge, TA9 3PZ. Perfect for children to get outdoors and explore nature in a very interactive and hands-on way. Each 2-hour workshop will focus on wildlife, the environment, nature and habitats, explored through games, crafts, experiments, stories and outdoor activities. Children will discover what they can do to protect our wildlife and the habitats they live in. Best suited for children aged 6-11; all children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit www. secretworld.org/learn/wildacademy. 01278 783250

Discover Bath by bicycle with newly launched Bath Bike Tours March 2018 will see the launch of Bath Bike Tours, the first of its kind to provide a programme of bicycle tours in the city and surrounding areas. With Summer nearly upon us, what better way to take in the fresh air, sup up the atmosphere and discover the hidden gems of one of the most beautiful of English Georgian cities. In contrast to the many walking tours available, Bath Bike Tours cover more of the river and canal offering tourists a unique outdoors experience. Bath is not a difficult city to cycle around (contrary to many) with miles of dedicated cycle paths and lanes to explore. It may therefore come as a surprise to learn that Bath Bike Tours is the first tour company to offer a programme dedicated purely to bicycle tours in the city. The company, which officially takes to the streets on 10th March has been set up by Anthony Dean, a long term cycling enthusiast having had a great deal of success setting up Cambridge Bike Tours back in 2010. Half of Anthony’s family come from Bath so it seemed like a natural progression to take his knowledge of the Bike Tours industry to another city that he loves. Anthony has teamed up with Becci Sutton a Bath local, semi competitive cyclist and terrific tour guide to make Bath Bike Tours a success. Becci, together with a group of other

Bath locals that share the love of cycling, passion for history and meeting people from all over the world, make up our guides whose knowledge is second to none. “The tours are all about having fun, discovering and enjoying this wonderful Georgian city,” Anthony says. He is also keen to point out that all tours are most definitely at a leisurely pace and to be enjoyed by people of all ages. Bath Bike Tours will run a programme of different tours operating every day of the week except Tuesdays. The morning City Tour covers the major sights of the city including the Royal Crescent, Botanic Gardens, Holburne Museum, Canal, Abbey and Roman Baths. Expected to be particularly popular is the company's afternoon Countryside Tour, ideal for those wishing to explore Bath's beautiful surrounding countryside and a fascinating railway museum. There's even time to enjoy a cream tea and a visit to a couple of the great British pubs on the river. To get the best of both worlds, Bath Bike Tours have included a 5 hour Full Day Tour which combines the City Tour and Countryside Tour in a gentle 10 mile ride. All tours cost £25 except the Full Day Tour at £40 and include bike hire along with helmets. Discounts are available for students, families and groups.

To find out more about Bath Bike Tours or to book a tour visit the company's website at www.bathbiketours.co.uk

Ditcheat School Eco-Fashion Show Ditcheat School organised a wonderful eco fashion show on Thursday 1st February. It was so nice to include children from other local schools who were able to join in the fun. Throughout the morning, the children made their costumes, prepared their speeches and practised walking up and down the cat walk. At 3 o'clock the children performed their fashion show to a packed hall of parents and children.

OUT & ABOUT

Easter treasure hunt Spring at National at Monkton Elm Trust Properties Parents looking for an activity for the children this Easter can hop along to Monkton Elm and take part in our popular Easter treasure hunt. Treasure has been hidden around the garden & pet centre and youngsters can solve the clues on the treasure trail to earn a prize from Monday 26th March until Friday 6th April (2018). Andrew Pitman, Store Manager of the award-winning, independent, family-run garden centre at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, said: “We are challenging children to find all the hidden treasure for the chance to win a prize. off at our Elm Tree Restaurant for families to spend some Treasure hunt forms will be for some tasty food. A children’s quality time together and we available from our reception menu is available as well.” hope everyone has a hopping desk and these include helpful The hunt will take place at good adventure taking part in instructions on how to take Monkton Elm Garden & Pet our treasure hunt. part. Completed forms can be Centre from Monday 26th March “Once the hunt has been returned to us and those with until Friday 6th April (2018). completed, families can stop correct entries will receive a chocolate bunny to take home For more information, please call the garden centre, which and enjoy.” is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between The Easter treasure hunt will Bridgwater and Taunton, on 01823 412381, cost £3.50 per child. visit www.monktonelm.com or follow them on Facebook South Somerset A5 Spring events.qxp_Layout 1 13/02/2018 15:29 Page 1 Andrew added: “The Easter at www.facebook.com/Monktonelm holidays are the perfect break

Don't we just love Spring with all of its vivid colours, sounds and smells, which make being outside a true joy – and where better to delight in the gifts of this special season than at your nearest National Trust property. There are four locally in South Somerset, all easily accessible from the A303: Barrington Court, Montacute House and Garden, Lytes Cary Manor and Tintinhull Garden. They all have their own characters, but the one thing that binds them together is that they all are beautiful places where children can run, play and even learn, whilst having loads of fun. There is plenty for all to enjoy. With fascinating old a great selection of delicious houses to marvel at, intriguing cream teas, cakes and other gardens to explore (great for delights. hide and seek) and acres of So head to a National Trust parkland, woods, hills and property if you are looking for streams, what’sA5stopping you activities and great days out, South Somerset Spring events.qxp_Layout 1 13/02/2018 15:29 Page 2 from making a day of it. Top including the ever popular everything off by indulging in Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at

Barrington Court and Lytes Cary. Or, you can avoid the hustle and bustle with Easter Escapades at Montacute House by taking the challenge of St Michael’s Hill. Visit National Trust websites for opening times and prices.

Montacute House Easter escapades 26 Mar – 6 Apr, 10am-4pm Take the challenge of St Michael’s hill by climbing to the top for one of the best views of Somerset. ‘Elizabeth of Bohemia: the Winter Queen’ Every day after 5 Mar, 11am-4.30pm This special display exploring Elizabeth’s life and portraits has been developed by the National Trust and the National Portrait Gallery, in partnership with the University of Bristol, as part of the National Trust’s year of events on ‘Women and Power’. Farmers’ Markets 24 Mar, 28 Apr, 19 May & 30 Jun, 10am-2pm Free entrance to market. (please enter at reception)

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts

nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house

Lytes Cary Manor

Barrington Court

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 30 Mar – 2 Apr, 11am-4pm Lots of outdoor fun, follow the clues to ﬁnd your chocolate prize. £2.50

Easter Holiday – family springtime trail 26 Mar – 6 Apr, 11am-4pm Take a stroll through the garden and grounds spotting the many sights and sounds of spring. Easter holiday den building 27 Mar & 5 Apr, 11am-3pm What shape will your den be? Will it be round and low to the ground or tall and pointing to the sky? See how inventive you can be with sticks, twigs and logs, in our woods. £2 nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court Normal admission applies unless otherwise stated.

nationaltrust.org.uk/lytes-cary-manor

Barrington Court Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 30 Mar – 2 Apr, 11am-4pm Lots of outdoor fun, follow the clues to ﬁnd your chocolate prize. £2 nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court Photography: ©National Trust Images/Chris Lacey, Oskar Proctor Design: timjulierdesign.co.uk Printed on 100% recycled paper Please recycle this leaflet after use ©National Trust 2018 National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846.

Parent Talk March 2018 7

OUT &Talk ABOUT 8 Parent December 2012

All weather attraction at Living Coasts Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium is an oasis in the middle of the town’s bustling waterfront area. Beneath the vast net canopy you can find penguins, fur seals, otters, puffins, wading birds and sea ducks. View them from both above and below the waterline. The extensive underground areas make Living Coasts a real all-weather attraction. Learn about life in the mangroves and discover all sorts of extraordinary species, from stingrays to foureyed fish. On top of that there are play areas, learning games, regular talks and animal feeds. The café has amazing views and the shop

sells a terrific range of gifts and toys. It’s easy to get around and the staff and volunteers are

Animals, adventure and great play at Court Farm Country Park!

always ready to help. Visit www.livingcoasts.org.uk for more information.

Wolvershill Road, Banwell, Weston-super-Mare

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www.paigntonzoo.org.uk 01803 697500 Registered Charity No. 300923

8 Parent Talk March 2018

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The Jurassic themed Maize Maze will give the whole family the chance to solve the puzzle. The maze is set in five acres and, at a height of eight feet, it comes complete with LOADS OF WAYS OF GETTING COMPLETELY LOST. For smaller children a simpler maze is planned, giving visitors of all ages a chance to enjoy the fun. Tractor rides, pony rides,

ferret shows, bottlefeeding – and the host of other things going on - will leave your children begging to come back time and time again. Court Farm Country Park is home to many friendly animals, which you can touch and hold. With lambs, piglets, goats, deer and horses, children can marvel at the antics of the baby animals.

For more details visit the farms website at www.courtfarmcountrypark.co.uk or call (01934) 822383. Court Farm Country Park is open all year round, seven days a week from 10am to 5.30pm.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

Paignton Zoo is one of the region’s biggest and bestknown attractions. There are around 2,500 animals of over 300 species, including some 400 mammals, 1,000 birds and 1100 lower vertebrates and invertebrates. Numerous species are on the IUCN Red List and many are in specialist breeding programmes. Money raised through entry fees is used to run the Zoo and to support conservation projects in the UK and overseas. The Zoo makes a great day out: there’s free parking, a central restaurant, takeaway kiosks around the grounds, indoor and outdoor play areas, undercover viewing, tropical houses and a terrific shop. All this sits in 80 acres (32 hectares) of wooded, landscaped and immersive gardens. Look out for old favourites like lions, tigers, rhinos, gorillas and giraffes. And prepare to be amazed by species you may never even have heard of, like red river hogs, macaques, southern screamers and Mishmi takin! And keep an eye open for some

Discover over 2,0 00 an

Celebrating 30 years in June of being open to the public, Court Farm Country Park in Banwell is looking forward to providing another fun-filled summer of entertainment for all the family. The centre has been voted a finalist in the Farm Attraction of the Year competition three times in recent years. Owner Peter Gwyn says the accolade is in recognition of the farm’s friendly atmosphere and excellent facilities. With over 25,000sq ft of undercover attractions and playgrounds, together with a brilliant outdoor adventure castle, everyone can enjoy a day in the countryside whatever the weather. Budding Farmers and adventurers will love the Safari Jeep Track, diggers and ride on tractors. There are two large indoor adventure playgrounds including sandpits and the farm’s own Cowboy fort, which suit children of all ages. All visitors can enjoy the free tractor rides around this real working farm. In July, a new attraction is due to open for the summer season.

remarkable plants, too. There’s a surprise around each corner. The theme for Paignton Zoo’s events calendar this year is native species. So, alongside all those amazing exotic animals, the Zoo will be helping guests to explore, discover and learn under the banner of Nearby Nature. Paignton Zoo is a great value day out, but there are ways to make it even better. You can purchase tickets online to help beat the queues – and think about buying a Zooper Ticket. It’s a joint ticket for Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts (Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium) and offers a discount of up to 25%. It means you can visit each attraction once (and it’s valid for 6 months).

Something else to help you make the most of your visit is the free Paignton Zoo app. It’s full of features to improve your visit, like an interactive map, an A to Z of animal facts, special offers and access to essential visitor information including opening times, talk times and Zoo updates. Visit https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/ for more information.

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Book Bag

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Method

12-18 MARCH 2018 See p17 for details

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Making a Shakespeare finger puppet Materials

✸ Thin pink card or thick craft paper ✸ Black felt or craft paper ✸ Scraps of brown, ginger, beige felt White felt ✸ Lace scraps

Method

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WEEK

For a full range of resources, visit shakespeareweek.org.uk

a bug hotel by building a nic e cosy environment that littl e critters will enjoy living in. The y can get creative by deco rating it too!

Book Bag NEWS

Kit list A plastic flower po t Stones Twigs Bark Dried leaves Waterproof marker Sugar cubes

9th-18th March 2018 British Science Week

Get creative and enter the British Science Association’s annual poster competition, on the theme of exploration and discovery. The five best posters from your school can be entered into a UK-wide competition with the chance to win an array of prizes. Closing date for 2018 entries: Friday 6th April 6pm. For further details, visit https://www. britishscienceweek.org/plan-youractivities/poster-competition/

British Science Week, run by the British Science Association, is a ten-day Key wo celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths, featuring entertaining rds Bugs, eat, garden, live , and engaging events and activities across the UK for people of all ages. environment

st: et m the pa workshe Poos fro cording on and re ti va a xc se Coprolite

r Excavato

an name(s)

Exploring the outdoors

Poo from the past

d date: Total Num

ber:

Finds:

About this activity

Possible

ur iod of yo date/per

poo:

orical pe Why not have a go at making some of the following that hist o is from po ur yo think poos from the past to practise your skills! you excavation for why

riod:

Evidence

Have a think about some of the following questions when you’re making and gy. rchaeolo excavating your poos: British A ncil for • • • •

Cou rt of the 17 c-uk.org lub is pa 904 6714 gists’ C yac@ya lo ~ Z ~ 01 eo g Could some of the things you have found been traded between countries ha or -uk. O30 7B in the ng Arc www.yac ootham, York Y The You B past? ouse, 66 Cardi H ice de Beatronly Do the things you have found grow in hot places?

Would the things you have found have been grown in the UK in the past? Do the things you have found look like things we might eat today? – How many do you have at home?

• • •

Bread made from wheat and beer made from barley were important elements of the Egyptian diet – the River Nile flood plains provided fertile farm land for crops. Herodotus (a Greek writer) wrote that workers often ate radishes and onions for their lunch! Labourers on the pyramids were paid their wages in food rations. Rich people did not eat fish too often (it was considered to be a poor person’s food), instead they ate meat. Cherries were also a luxury only eaten by the rich. When someone died and was mummified, food was placed in their tomb for their journey to the afterlife!

Evidence in the poo

Caraway seeds Bread grains Small stones – to show quernstone grinding of bread Date stones Melon (white seeds)/ Water Melon (black seeds) Lentils Cherry stones (cherries were only available as an import for the rich during the Roman period (30 BC – 395 AD)

2 3

Your challenge is to make your own Aztec poos and then challenge your friends to excavate them!

K] it list 2 cups of flour Tablespoon of vegeta ble oil (plus a bit extra for oiling the finished poos!)

Roughly how many Lots! Lots! About 10 1 Lots! Lots! 1 or 2

There are lots of factsheets and activity sheets for you to download. Visit www.britishscienceweek. org/plan-your-activities/ activity-packs/

Brown poster paint (optional)

Large mixing bowl Tablespoon Wooden lolly sticks or cocktail sticks

Mix, squish an d knead until you have a solid brown lump and then roll out sausage shap es for your poo!

1 cup of salt

Popping corn, pump kin seeds, tomato and pepper skin

Mix together the flour, salt and oil in a big bo wl Add warm w ater to the st ock cubes to mak e a thick gloo py dark brown paste

Add the gloo py paste into the floury mixture. Yo get your hand u’ll need to s in and squi sh it together! If the mixture is too dry, you can add more w ater, or you may wish to add some brown readymixed paint to make the m ixture browne r and stickier

Beef stock cubes Warm water

Egyptian (3,200 BC – 395 AD): What did they eat? •

For most people, the idea of finding old human p oo is disgusting; and the ide a of cutting it up and loo king at it through a microsco pe is even worse! But this is exactly what some archaeo logists do to help us understan d what people ate in the pa st, and how they prepared their food.

Poos from the Past: Information Sheet

Part one

It’s time to ad d the dietary evidence to your poo. Fo r an Aztec poo, ad d popping co or maize, pu rn mpkin seeds, and the skin and seeds from pl ants like tomatoe s, chillies and peppers – th ese are parts of the foods th at Aztec peop le ate, which m ight not have been fully di gested. Mak e sure you roll your poo evidence insid to hide the e it! Put a bit of oi l on your hand s and rub this onto your fin ished poos. This will make them look realistic and even yuckie r!

Paper plates Poo excavation she et (download here) ‘Poos from the past’ information sheet (see next steps section )

Pencil

WATCH OUT!

This is not edible (Yu

ck!)

For further details, visit www.britishscienceweek.org

Part two Congratulat ions! You’ve now made your fa ke coprolites (fo ssilised faeces ). Get your frien ds and family to excavate th em and colle ct the dietary evid ence. Use lo lly sticks or cocktail st icks to make sure you don’t miss an ything, as so me of the evidence is really smal l. Use the evid ence to wor k out: who ‘did the poo?’ Next steps

If you haven’ t had enough of poo, you co uld make po os from different perio ds of history. Use Young Archa eologists’ Clu b ‘Poos from the past ’ information sheet to find out w hat evidence might have been fo und in poos from Egyptian, Ro man, Viking and Tudor times. www.yac-uk. org/things-to -do Activity by th e Young Archaeologi sts’ Club whi ch is part of the C ouncil for Briti sh Archaeology .

Book Bag NEWS Mother's Day Sunday March 11th

WIN

What makes a good mum? We asked some children for their thoughts…. You need to be really kind and not too strict

You’re never too old to You need to give them fun things not just need your boring things that you think they would like. mum. You’ve got to care for your children so they don’t hate you. If they don’t have food and water, they might suffer.

You have to go to nativity plays because children feel sad and lonely if you don’t turn up. Mums always cheer you up when you feel sad and give you a kiss better. A good mother always defends her children like a lioness looks after her cubs. A good mum lets you have chocolate. A good mum lets you go on holiday.

A mum’s hug lasts long after she lets go.

A good mum takes you to the park. One that doesn’t fuss over you too much. One that doesn’t pinch your chocolate. One that makes you do your homework and then you can do whatever you like.

A good mum always has good snacks for after school. A good mum should always listen. A good mum makes you have a beautiful life. With thanks to Sophie, Jacob, George and Jasmine aged 6-9

Mothers are like buttons; they hold everything together.

A mother holds her children’s hands for a while, their hearts forever.

Enter our competition at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Win a Kit g i D r u a s o n i D Serious scientists will love the authentic appeal of The National Geographic range of experiment-based kits. Combining a trusted and well-known brand with fun and exciting experiments, expert learning guides and fascinating subjects, these kits are a hit for girls and boys alike! For example, The Crystal Growing Kits provide all you need to grow and inspect an amazing crystal at home, including a real Fluorite, Amethyst or Calcite crystal in each box to compare with the one you grow. Other exciting kits include Geodes, Build Your Own Volcano and Ultimate Play Sand. The Dig Kits are perfect for any fossil loving child as each kit takes a real look into artefacts of the past, with all of them complete with three genuine fossils! Available as Gemstone, Dino Fossil and Shark Tooth! Available in store from 16th April. Parent Talk have 10 Dinosaur Dig Kits to give away. For your chance to win, rearrange the words below and visit www.parenttalk.org.uk to enter by the closing date of 28 March 2018. ANYRTUASNSORU

EXR

Book Bag NEWS

12 Parent Talk December 2012

How does the Easter Bunny keep his hair neat? With a hare brush!

s e c n e r e f f i d 0 1 e h t t o Can you sp

What kind of books does the Easter Bunny like? One with hoppy endings! How can you tell where the Easter Bunny has been? Eggs marks the spot!

Find the three totally unique stamps

Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke? It might crack up!

Why don’t you see dinosaurs at Easter? Because they’re eggstinct!

Knock knock Who’s there? Easter Easter Who? Easter Bunny!

Knock knock Who’s there? Ana Ana who? Ana-ther Easter Bunny! How does the Easter Bunny travel? By Hare plane!

Knock knock Who’s there? Some bunny Some bunny who? Some bunny’s been eating my Easter eggs!

Find the answers at www.parenttalk.org.uk

OUT & ABOUT, HOLIDAY CLUBS

Michael Morpurgo: A Lifetime in Stories Open at The Museum of Somerset 17 March to 7 July

Life-size model of Joey, inscribed with handwritten extracts from the book

A new family exhibition Michael Morpurgo: A Lifetime in Stories will be open at the Museum of Somerset from 17 March to 7 July. Visitors can discover the life and works of one of Britain’s best-loved storytellers and the author of the inspirational hit of stage and screen War Horse. The exhibition comes to the museum from Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, which is custodian of the Michael Morpurgo archive. Michael is one of Britain’s greatest living authors for children. In the 2018 New Year Honours list he was awarded a knighthood for his services to literature and charity. His work spans 40 years and a career that has seen the publication of over 150 books for children, traversing wideranging topics that explore historical events, natural history and the environment, adventure and family life. Visitor Services Manager Susie Simmons said: “Michael’s writing touches the hearts and minds of readers young and older. This playful exhibition is perfect for families to explore together to discover more about one of the most influential storytellers of our time.” On display will be draft manuscripts, photographs, notebooks and correspondence that chronicle Michael’s creative process and writing career. Items include handwritten versions of War Horse showing how the story evolved from first draft to publication of the book, adaptation for the National Theatre and Steven Spielberg film script. Props from stage and film include a goose puppet, on loan from the National Theatre,

a maquette of the Joey puppet and a First World War painting by war artist F.W. Reed that inspired War Horse. A replica of Michael’s creative caravan will also be reconstructed so that visitors can imagine, daydream and write story ideas. The exhibition also includes an atmospheric soundscape to introduce the various themes in Michael’s storytelling – war, the countryside, farming and friendship. His writing style is inspired by real events: “Before you find a voice for a story, you have to find a voice as a writer. Before you find a voice as a writer there is something even more important – you have to find something to write about,” he said. “It’s no good trying to write about what you don’t care about. You only find out what you care about when you discover what really motivates you to write. The more time you spend in “dream time”, living in your head where the story is, imagining how the people involved would feel – then you can lose yourself utterly in the story. That’s what I try to do.” The exhibition is supported by Arts Council England, Newcastle Culture Fund, Harper Collins Children’s Books, Egmont publishing and Walker Books. The exhibition costs £2.50pp (age 8+). During May half-term (29, 30 and 31) there will be additional family fun activities taking place, inspired by Michael’s storytelling. The Museum of Somerset is part of The South West Heritage Trust, an independent charity that protects and celebrates Somerset and Devon’s rich heritage.

Easter with the West Somerset Railway Entertain the children this Easter with the West Somerset Railway. We will be having an Easter Egg Trail which can be carried out whilst travelling on our services. The West Somerset Railway is a heritage railway offering a fun day out for all the family. Nestled in the Somerset Countryside, 4 miles outside the county town of Taunton, our trains depart from Bishops Lydeard to the seaside town of Minehead. 9 idyllic stations are situated along the line, which include, the historic harbour town of Watchet with its harbour, small shops, cafes, pubs, museums and beaches to keep you busy. The medieval village of Dunster, is home to The National Trust’s Dunster Castle, also an old Yarn Market building which is flanked on either side by shops, tea rooms, Dunster Museum and doll Museum. On 31st March Peter Rabbit will be making appearances on Minehead station at intervals throughout the day. There will be lots of entertainment on the platform too including a Helter Skelter and bouncy castle,

Facepainting, an entertainer and crafts. We have further meet and greet days later on in the year, with visits from PAW

Patrol’s Skye and Rubble on 2nd June and The Gruffalo on 8th September. The characters

will be appearing on Minehead Platform at intervals on each date. For more information about the railway and what we have to offer please visit our website www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or contact us on 01643 704996

Lambing ay www.btc.ac.uk

Fun D

Rodway Farm, Cannington, TA5 2PJ

Sunday 18 March, 11am - 4pm

Tickets purchased on the day: Family: £15 (2 adults, 3 children), Adult: £5, Child: £3 Activities include: cuddle a lamb • ferret racing • sheep shearing milking & falconry displays • tractor & trailer rides • children’s activities • Sedgemoor Vintage Club Ltd and much more.

20%

d onliniscount e this or wit adve h rt

come and mEEt Peter Rabbit™ at the west somerset railway on saturday 31st mARch 2018 peter rabbit will be makINg aPPEarances at INtervals betwEEn 10am and 4pm at MINehEad station Entertainment at Minehead station and on the train will include:

17 March - 7 July

Discover the life and works of one of Britain’s best-loved story tellers, author of the inspirational hit of stage and screen, War Horse Cost £2.50 (age 8+) Open Tues - Sat 10 am - 5 pm Taunton Castle TA1 4AA museumofsomerset.org.uk A touring exhibition from

Supported by Arts Council England & Newcastle Culture Fund. Illustration by David Dean courtesy of V&A Museum of Childhood Charity No. 1158791

Andrews Leisure Bouncy Castle and Helter Skelter (weather dependent) separate charges apply. Children's entertainer. Free Facepainting and crafts. Easter Trail. Turntable Cafe. Buﬀer Stop Shop. Free entry to Minehead Station. Free Open Top Bus Book train tickets online at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or call 01643 704996 Peter Rabbit™ © Frederick Warne & Co. Limited and Silvergate PPL Limited, 2018 All rights reserved.

Parent Talk March 2018 13

OUT & ABOUT, HOLIDAY CLUBS

Summer holidays Lambing Fun Day are just around the corner

Summer Holidays should always be fun, maybe a bit crazy, a time to make new friends, discover more about yourself or others, achieve something different. For six weeks out of school, no rigid timetables, exams over and done with, a sense of freedom, independence, long days, laughter, exploration, hopefully a hot, sunny summer. But what will you do with this new found freedom? This is where Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre based in Bruton, Somerset fits the bill. There’s a beautiful river valley, fields, and woods to discover. Not only are there over forty exciting and challenging activities and tasks to try which include two huge zip wires which whizz across the river,

a daring high ropes complete with leap of faith, climbing tower and jump, canoeing down the River Brue, an expedition, raft building & racing, camping, fire lighting & cooking, feeding & petting animals, cooking pizzas & bread in a clay oven, archery, a giant water slide, a disco and concert, but friendships to make, the fun instructors who guide you, the delicious, home cooked and mostly organic meals - the whole programme breathtakingly brilliant. You can come for a day Mondays to Fridays 8.30am to 5.30pm in the summer holidays from 23rd July, and that scrumptious lunch is included, or a one or two week residential summer camp beginning on 8th July.

All details on www.millonthebrue.co.uk or ring 01749 812307, email info@millonthebrue.co.uk to learn more. You won’t regret it!

Summer camp

Day and resid

ential

www.millonthebr ue .co.uk

After the damp days and dark skies the winter months have brought with them, the lighter evenings, glimpse of a snowdrop or two, and newborn lambs jumping around the local fields, are the first signs of spring. At Bridgwater & Taunton College’s Cannington Campus lambing season is in full swing. If you haven’t been to the College’s Lambing Fun Day event before, then put the date in your diary for a real treat! As the name suggests, it really is a great day out for all the family, and takes place this year on Sunday 18March, 11am to 4pm at Rodway Farm in Cannington, TA5 2PJ. The event improves year on year, with more to see and do than ever before, a real favourite of the young and young at heart! Tickets can be bought on

the day, or visitors can receive a 20% discount if bought in advance online. Advance tickets can be bought through the College’s online store: www. btc.ac.uk. There are lots of activities lined up for the day, with sheep shearing, milking demonstrations, ferret racing, tractor trailer rides, Somerset Vintage Club Ltd’s machinery displays plus many more. There will also be marquees dedicated to food and drink and children’s activities, and of course a chance to see and hold the ever-so-cute newborn lambs. Jason Gunningham, Assistant Principal for Landbased Studies at the College says: “This event is always very popular and a great way for the community to see the College’s working farm in Cannington.

So many people put on their wellies and join us for the day, immersing themselves in all the activities and watching the demonstrations. “We’ve often had lambs born during the event day, and it is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to see the new-borns

and enjoy a cuddle with some of the more confident lambs. The feedback we receive from the public is always very positive, and we are looking forward to this year’s event and welcoming many new visitors to Rodway Farm.” For further details, visit www.btc.ac.uk.

Giant owl sculpture trail coming to Bath this summer Minerva’s Owls aims to build on huge success of Bath’s Pig and Lion Trails 100 individually decorated large and smaller owl sculptures are to land in and around the streets of Bath this summer for a colourful 3-month public art event to celebrate Bath’s Roman heritage and raise funds for local charities. Minerva’s Owls of Bath 2018 will be the latest public art sculpture trail from the team that brought the city the enormously popular Lions of Bath in 2010 and King Bladud’s Pigs in 2008 – one of the first major sculpture trails of its kind in the UK. The project takes its inspiration from the Roman Goddess Minerva, to whom the Roman Baths Temple was dedicated in the 1st century AD, and whose animal symbol was the owl of wisdom. The colourful public art sculpture trail will also mark the 10th anniversary of the Pigs. The large Owls, which are 1.1m tall and will perch on 40cm high plinths, will be sponsored by a wide range of businesses and organisations and transformed into unique

Minerva Owls of Bath Sculputre Trail – Janine Woodward-Grant, Bath Young Carers with Grace and Emma

after nearly three months of works of art by talented artists, designers and celebrities. public display, the Owls and Owlets will be gathered together Smaller 75cm ‘Owlets’ will also be in one giant flock, or ‘parliament’ available exclusively for schools, as a group of owls is known, community groups and charities for the ‘Hoot Farewell’ auction to sponsor and decorate and will preview weekend in early belong to them after the event. October. The Owls and Owlets will take All the large Owls will be up their perches across Bath and auctioned for charity in late the surrounding region from the October and the Owlets end of June 2018. In September, will fly back to the schools and community groups that decorated them as a lasting legacy of the event. 100% of the event profits will be donated to four local charities – 70% to the Royal United Hospital’s new Cancer Centre and 30% to Bath Young Carers, the Roman Baths Archway Project and the UK Little Owl Project, which is based in Bath. Minerva’s Owls event

organiser, Megan Witty, said: “People have been asking us for some time to organise another sculpture trail for the city along similar lines to the popular Pigs and Lions of Bath sculpture trails. Events like this are a fantastic way of shining a spotlight on our region’s creativity and heritage, increasing visitor numbers, bringing colour and fun activities to the streets of Bath, and raising much needed funds for local charities.” Minerva’s Owls of Bath will be a free and inclusive event, bringing colour and fun to the city from July to September 2018. Owl fans, families and budding explorers can get involved with the interactive mobile map. Should be a great hoot!

For more information, visit the Minerva’s Owls website at www.minervasowls.org or contact the Owl team at info@minervasowls.org or follow @OwlsofBath on Twitter

Bruton, Somerset BA10 0BA 01749 812 307 Jane Callan, Bath artist, painting Owl & Pussycat

14 Parent Talk March 2018

OUT & ABOUT, HOLIDAY CLUBS

Evolution Martial Arts Outdoor activities this Easter with children's classes 1610 at Hestercombe Gardens Taunton why should your Spending time in the great outdoors brings huge benefits to young people’s health, mind and body. Our Easter activity days are action packed and fun filled; we have a brilliant range of exciting activities to choose from. Our days are perfect for children aged 7 to 13 and run from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Monday 26th March Commando Day - £20 An action packed day at the Hestercombe Commando base camp! Learn to sneak up on the enemy using camouflage techniques, test your sniper skills on our shooting range, put your teamwork to the test on our new and improved assault course. Are you brave enough to take on the Commando Challenge? Tuesday 27th March Ambush Paintball - £25 An exhilarating day of frenetic paintball for boys and girls aged 11+; with scenarios including capture the flag, last

person standing and protect the bomb expert! All the latest gear provided plus 200 paintballs! (Extra paintballs can be purchased if required at £5 per 100) Wednesday 28th March Wild Woodland - £20 A fabulous fun day in the Woods of Hestercombe. Den building, fire lighting, target shooting, scavenger hunt and many more activities. You will be foraging for food to cook a camp fire lunch in our very own Come Dine with Me challenge. A great day that’s too good to miss. Wednesday 4th April Survival Day - £20 Stranded in the isolated woods of Hestercombe with no running water, no shelter and no way of calling for help. Follow the map, make your own waterproof shelter, light a fire, find and cook your own food and much more. Can you survive the day and navigate your way home?

children train with us?

Thursday 5th April Ambush Paintball - £25 Another exhilarating day of frenetic paintball. Friday 6th April Mission Impossible 7-12 yr olds - 9:30-3:30 - £20 Calling all agents! A rare diamond has been stolen from the Hestercombe Museum by a notorious criminal and we need your help! There are codes to

break, clues to follow, obstacles to scale, walls to climb and targets to shoot down. Could this be an impossible mission or have you got what it takes to retrieve All of the above include a fabulous woodland BBQ lunch. For more details or to make a booking please call 01823 219005 or at aburns@1610.org. uk / Jbowker2@1610.org.uk

Millfield Holiday Courses Making Holidays Fun!

We know it’s hard to keep the kids entertained in the school holidays, so why not take a load off of your mind by booking them onto the Millfield Holiday Courses?

With a variety of courses to choose from this Easter including Football, Cricket, MiniMultis and Multi-Activity, there really is something for everyone. It’s easy to book the courses

Easter Courses and Age Ranges: Cricket (7-14), Football (5-14), Mini-Multis (2-4), Multi-Activity (5-12)

online on our website. We offer a 10% discount for siblings or for any child who is booked onto two or more courses at the same time (discount does not apply to daily rates).

Summer Courses and Age Ranges: Athletics (7-16), Badminton (8-16), Cricket (714), Football (5-14), Golf (10-14), Hockey (5-16), Mini-Multis (2-4), Multi-Activity (5-12), Netball (7-16), Rugby (8-14), Squash (8-17), Tennis (6-14)

and singing, we can inspire children to take part in the Summer school even if they have never had any performing arts training before,” says Claire, Principal of Razzamataz Yeovil. During the week students will work on various songs, dances and drama pieces, together with prop making and set dressing. Being given the chance to perform is paramount to building a child’s confidence which is why on the last day, the children all get the opportunity to perform to friends and families. “We take a simple story framework on day one and build characters, dialogue and scenes throughout the week,” says Claire. “On the last day we create an original piece of theatre conjured up from the students’ and teachers’

is treated as an individual and never a number. Our children's classes are fun and engaging, the lessons are taught in a safe, positive and structured environment. Physically, students will build strength, develop co-ordination and gain flexibility. Parents will see psychological benefits such as improved concentration, self confidence and discipline. These important life skills transfer into the child's home and school life. Children positively benefit from training with Evolution Martial Arts - JOIN NOW! See back page for details.

MILLFIELD

HOLIDAY COURSES

Visit millfieldenterprises.com/ courses for more details and to book or call 01458 444 320 to request a brochure.

Summer of fun in Yeovil As the long summer holiday approaches, understandably parents are starting to think about how to keep their children entertained over the break. It’s really important to think about what you can do with them when forced indoors to avoid the dreaded words: “I’m bored!” Razzamataz Yeovil is offering children between the ages of 4-16 the opportunity to use their imaginations and learn in a safe, relaxed environment during their Summer school at Westfield Academy from 6th – 10th August. "The performing arts is a lovely way for children to improve their confidence, make new friends and have lots of fun and we hope that with our classes in dance, drama

Children have different levels of mental maturity and physical ability. Like the UK school’s National Curriculum, at Evolution Martial Arts we divide our classes to specifically teach and challenge our students. Our classes are split by age and grade; dividing the classes based on these factors gives our students exactly what they need. This makes training more fun and easy to understand. To further improve the quality of our lessons, each class is limited by size to give our students the best instructor to student ratio. Each student

EASTER 2018 Cricket, Football, Mini-Multis, Multi-Activity BOOK ONLINE NOW millfieldenterprises.com

imaginations. Audiences and performers will remember this experience long after the summer has faded.” For more information, or

to secure your child’s place contact Claire on 01935 411128 or 07856 273166. Alternatively email yeovil@razzamataz.co.uk for a booking form.

Follow us at facebook.com/razzyeovil to keep up-to-date with our latest news, or see our schools pages at yeovil.razzamataz.co.uk for more information.

Monday 6th to Friday 10th August 2018 at Westfield Academy, Yeovil Ages 4-7: 10am - 1pm, just £60 for the week Ages 8-16: 10am-4pm, just £100 for the week 10% off if you book before the 31st May 9am drop off available on request Call Claire on 01935 411128 / 07856 273166 or email yeovil@razzamataz.co.uk to book a place

You do not need to be a Razzamataz student to attend

Parent Talk March 2018 15

16 Parent Talk December 2012

NURSERYdirectory All Hallows Preparatory School Nursery Class Give your 3 year old the best possible start within the environs of this renowned Prep School. Fantastic facilities and activities including Forest School, LTA Tennis Academy and Swimming Pool and access to specialist teaching staff for languages, Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Sport set this facility apart from other nurseries. Visit at any time: 01749 881600 admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk Bridgwater & Taunton College Childcare Centre is Ofsted rated Outstanding and open to the general public and children of students, from four months to five years of age. There is also a Holiday Play Scheme for children up to eight years old. It has a secure outdoor area boasting an inspirational garden, where children are encouraged to explore both indoor and outdoor learning. T: 01278 441270 E: childcare@bridgwater.ac.uk www.bridgwaterchildcare.co.uk First Steps Day Nursery School (all year from 8am-6pm). For children from 3 months to 5 years. Offering a caring, educational and safe environment for your child. All fully qualified staff. T: Elaine Garland 01749 346733 E: fsdaynursery@btconnect.com Hazlegrove Nursery and Pre-Prep, Sparkford. Family, friendship and festivals are at the heart of this coeducational boarding and day school which delights in children being children. The winning combination of experienced, committed staff and small class sizes,

creates a friendly, stimulating and secure environment in which pupils lay down firm foundations in all areas of the curriculum, on which they can build in future years. The nursery provides a vibrant and engaging environment for pre-school children and is the ideal start to their school life. For more information and to arrange a visit, please contact Sarah-Jane on 01963 442606 admissions@ hazlegrove.co.uk King’s Hall Nursery King’s Hall is a wonderfully traditional yet progressive school set in the rolling Somerset countryside just outside Taunton. Although the Nursery shares the Preparatory school’s superb facilities, it is self contained and operates in a secure and peaceful environment. Log cabin classrooms, vast on-site Forest School and highly experienced, dedicated staff make King’s Hall Nursery the natural choice for children 2 to 5 years. 01823 285921 www.kingshalltaunton.co.uk Millfield Pre-Prep School (Ages 2-7), situated in the beautiful Prep campus in Glastonbury. Our aim is to encourage a love of learning through a combination of classroom and outdoor activities, using a child-led curriculum, small class sizes and excellent facilities, including our on-site Forest School and indoor swimming pool. Over 20 free after-school activities as well as an Early Birds and Late Club,

and a daily toddler group during term time for ages 1-2½. To arrange a visit please contact: Hannah Cox in Admissions on 01458 837524

8am-5.30pm Friday, for ages 8 months – 5 years. Two and Three year old funding accepted. www.rydaldaynursery.co.uk 01275 342352

Queen’s College Highgrove Nursery, Nursery School, Pre-Prep and Reception 0-5 years. Queen’s Pre Prep and Junior School is renowned for excellence in infant and junior education and care. The team at Queen’s Highgrove Nursery embrace such standards of education and development offering year round care 0-3 years. Queen’s Nursery School is situated in the Pre-Prep Department and it is here that the stepping stones to a formal education are laid. Highly qualified and experienced Nursery School staff work in close liaison with parents and the Highgrove Nursery team, ensuring a smooth and personalised transition. Queen’s Pre-Prep takes pride in providing a rich, stimulating and diverse education within a nurturing and caring environment. www.queenscollege.org.uk 01823 278928, junioradmissions@queenscollege. org.uk

Smartees Day Care Nursery Ltd offers professional and flexible childcare for working families, with 2 conveniently located nurseries close to Yeovil town centre. Smartees Preston Road opening hours 7am-6pm 01935 411144 Smartees Beer Street opening hours 8am-6pm 01935 411777

Rydal Day Nursery, Clevedon, is bright, fun and full of learning opportunities and happy children. Run by a fully qualified dynamic team, in a Makaton friendly setting and "I Can accredited". Outstanding Ofsed July 2015. Open all year 8-6pm Monday-Thursday,

Sunny Hill Pre-School and Pre-Prep (Ages 3 - 7) Sunny Hill welcomes pre-school and primary school-aged children, taking girls from 3-11 years old and boys aged 3-7. Situated in the beautiful market town of Bruton on the 40 acre campus of 'big sister' school, Bruton School for Girls. Small classes mean that every child receives high quality individual attention; your child will not get ‘lost in the crowd’ at Sunny Hill. They will be treasured; we are interested in the individual child, they have our time and our attention. Wrap around care available. To arrange a visit or taster session please contact Mrs Carrie Crook in Admissions on 01749 824400 or email admissions@brutonschool.co.uk Taunton Nursery School for children from 0 years. Flexible Nursery Education, 7.30am- 5.45pm.

Highly qualified teachers. Spectacular grounds and facilities used by all. Children can attend a combination of morning, afternoon and late club sessions. 01823 703300 www.tauntonschool.co.uk Wellington Prep School Nursery Attractive, well-designed buildings. Talented teachers. Cheerful children. Proud parents. All this can be yours at Wellington Prep School Nursery and Pre-Nursery. EYFS can be redeemed against our fees. We would love to have your children from 2 years upwards. Open 50 weeks per year. Please enjoy our website www.wellington-school.org.uk or call Rachel Debenham to arrange a visit. 01823 668700 Little Wellies Term time Toddler group. Open to all pre-school children every Thursday morning 9.15-11.15am, Wellington Prep School Hall. £3 per child and £1 per additional child weekly charge. Contact Marian Bassindale for more details 01823 668700 prep@wellington-school.org.uk Woodlands Pre-school Ruishton, Taunton Our purpose built setting, offers a wide range of learning opportunities for children aged 2 – 4yrs. In partnership with parents we nurture children, enabling them to explore and grow in confidence. We accept 2yr old funded children and the 30hrs entitlement. 01823 444302

To book our Nursery Directory, please call 01458 250461

Tops Day Nurseries stop milk bottle deliveries in plastic bottles, bring back the glass! After checking out the overflowing recycling bin at one of their nurseries Cheryl Hadland, Managing Director of Tops Day Nurseries couldn’t help but notice the very large pile of plastic milk bottles. It is clearly costing the nurseries a lot to have all those milk bottles disposed of every week. Cheryl calculated that the nurseries were getting through quarter of a million 2 litre plastic milk bottles every year - but not anymore! 16 Parent Talk March 2018

Tops Day Nurseries accommodates approximately 3000 children per day and around 250,000 2l bottles of milk per year, so one change in one group of nurseries can have an impact on plastic waste. Tops Day Nurseries has made the move from plastic bottles to glass bottles so that all the glass bottles can go back to the dairies to be cleaned and re-filled. Broken ones are also returned so they can be heated and re-made into more

glass bottles as glass is truly recyclable. Unlike plastic, which is currently only down-cycled, usually mixing it with virgin plastic to ever poorer quality plastic until it is only fit to burn for energy, with the ash having a potential use for road building. Milk bottles are generally made from HDPE plastic, and very little recycled HDPE plastic is included with new milk bottles because the recycled material currently has a green hue to it – which consumers don’t like. Along with the plastic are

the labels, adhesive used, ink, seals, closure liners, closures, barrier coatings and layers! Of course many milk bottles don’t get as far as the waste recycling – probably as few as 30%. Most go to general waste landfill and have even been exported abroad, or have been discarded by people ending up on roads, pavements and washing into rivers and the sea. Once in the water it is gradually battered into little bits where it can be eaten by and/or injure birds, fish and mammals

or ground small enough to become a microplastic and be eaten by plankton and plankton feeders until it works back up the food chain to apex feeders such as dolphins, whales and humans. The chemical additives in plastics are known to cause hormone/fertility problems in humans and some are even carcinogenic – so it’s not desirable to eat it. Many whales have beached themselves to die a painful death and are found to have a huge amount of plastic in their stomachs. The

plastic that is reclaimed and can’t be made into more milk bottles can be used to create children’s toys and flower pots and fencing, for example. By returning glass bottles we are reducing the amount of new bottles that need to be made, allowing them to be reused many times. Then once they are recycled they can be re-manufactured without any decrease in quality. For Tops, the evidence is clear: glass milk bottles are the best choice for the environment.

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Developing children's A brilliant foundation at confidence at Queen's Wells Cathedral School College Pre-prep At Queen’s College Pre-Prep, we ensure our pupils are confident, happy learners who enjoy taking part in both curricular and co-curricular activities and who are willing to challenge themselves in situations which may not be part of their normal comfort zone. Our recent whole-college dance show, ‘Belle’, featured pupils from Reception through to the Sixth Form and illustrated the confidence, joy and enthusiasm of our youngest children, who were completely relaxed when performing in front of audiences of more than 500 people. The focus, commitment and enjoyment of the children, who attend after-school sessions with our Performing Arts Academy, was a delight to see in the stunning dance spectacle. One Reception parent commented that she could not believe the developing confidence of her four-year-old son and the transformation in his character in just six months at school. Our focus throughout PrePrep is to ensure all children are nurtured and supported in all

Queen’s recent whole-college dance show, ‘Belle’, featured pupils from Reception through to the Sixth Form. areas, and taught in accordance with their learning styles, allowing them to progress securely through the Early Learning Goals and move into the Key Stage One curriculum. Our small class sizes and high staff ratios ensure each child is supported and encouraged in all aspects of their personal and academic development. Activities such as Forest School raise children’s self-esteem and confidence, while also encouraging independence. Forest School and off-site visits provide wonderful opportunities for active outdoor play and discovery where

communication, relationships and problem-solving skills are developed. We are very proud of the individualised education we provide and the strong foundation we build for future learning. If you are looking for engaging teaching, superb facilities, small classes and the very best start in Early Years education please book a personal tour of the PrePrep department with its Head, Miss Sam Horner. Contact us by emailing junioradmissions@ queenscollege.org.uk or call 01823 278928.

Young brains are incredible. They make countless neurological connections with each new experience. Unique to each individual, this developmental journey is nurtured through the environments our children are immersed in. Through embedding creativity, communication and imagination into daily experiences we can increase the quality and flexibility of the neural connections being made, having an instant impact on the development of that little brain, and therefore, the little person it belongs to! The key time to develop life knowledge and skills is in the early years of your child’s life… the foundations for life are crucial. By sparking creativity and imagination, we can increase opportunities for children to explore the links in the real world and think outside the box, facilitating the flourishing of new and existing synapses through increased musical, drama, movement, sculpture, role-play, social and cultural experiences which all in all, create a well-rounded, accomplished individual.

In a world that is ever changing, we want our children to grow into confident, motivated, enthusiastic and creative individuals, ready to take on the challenges that our world brings. At Wells, this dream is reflected in our ethos and our practice, through our topic-led creative curriculum. Children in the Foundation Stage will experience opportunities led by their interests and next steps, in and out of the classroom, receiving specialist provision in Music, Drama, Dance, Speech,

Shakespeare Week creative and critical thinking skills, greater confidence, and broadened horizons. Teachers benefit too: in 2017, when half the nation’s school participated, 37% of teachers hadn’t taught Shakespeare previously, and 57% had introduced new ways for pupils to explore creativity in the classroom. These results powerfully put paid to any notion that Shakespeare is boring and difficult, lacks relevance or is somehow ‘for others’.”

40% rise in teens managing their money online A campaign which aims to give parents the confidence to help their children manage their money online has revealed that online and mobile banking among Halifax customers aged 11 to 18 has increased by 40% in just two years. The joint initiative between not-for-profit organisation Internet Matters and Halifax has identified teenagers as now being far more likely to ask for a bank transfer from their parents for a trip to the cinema than asking for cash. Half of under 18s who use a Halifax current account are now doing so online. On average teenagers bank online 12 times per month with 90% of log-ons coming via mobile phone. Just 10% of logons are made via iPads, tablets or desktop. The insight comes as Internet Matters also reveal that more than two thirds of parents are concerned about their children facing fraudulent activity online. 62% of parents worry about

their children sharing personal information with a stranger, while nearly two-thirds said they were concerned about them having their identity stolen. Internet Matters and Halifax have produced a video aimed at parents to help give them the confidence to talk to their children about looking after their money and staying safe online. It highlights how parents can help protect their children from spam and fraud and avoid online scams that encourage children to share their bank details. The video can be viewed in Halifax branches when parents visit to open a children’s account, helping them to understand some of the dangers online and how to avoid them. CEO of Internet Matters Carolyn Bunting said: “Children are growing up in a digital age so it’s important that children and young adults know how to protect themselves when banking online.

“Our study shows parents have concerns that their children can be left vulnerable to fraud and contact from strangers so they need to be armed with the tools and advice to help protect their children online. “We hope that by joining forces with Halifax and offering parents some helpful safety tips for online banking - we can help give them peace of mind over their child using mobile devices to manage money.” Russell Galley, Managing Director of Halifax said: “Today’s children and teenagers have grown up with the convenience of the internet at their fingertips and so for many online banking is just part and parcel of how they expect to be able to manage their money. “By working with Internet Matters, we hope more parents will have the confidence to give children the skills and confidence they need to get the most out of being online.”

Forest School, Games and Swimming. Our small class sizes allow these experiences to be relevant and inspiring for each child. We aim to inspire young minds, fuel imagination and nurture individuality and ultimately provide a brilliant foundation for life. We are currently accepting places for our 2018 reception class, please contact our admissions team on 01749 834441 or at admissions@wells. cathedral.school to request a visit or tour.

This month more than two million primary school children across the UK will be celebrating Shakespeare’s timeless stories and poetry as part of Shakespeare Week. The free scheme for primary school children and their families is run by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the independent charity that promotes the enjoyment and understanding of Shakespeare’s works, life and times. Highlights of this year’s national celebration will include: ● A special poetry performance broadcast to over 12,000 schools ● The Big Shakespeare Wild Book hunt in 154 communities across the country ● Storytelling sessions in over 1000 libraries ● Mission Shakespeare online

interactive challenges to complete at home or in school ● A new Green Tree Schools Award Challenge for children to explore the story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the woods ● Over 150 free resources for teachers, home educators and families covering every curriculum subject in KS1 and KS2 Sally Gray, Shakespeare Week Education Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said, “Every child should have the chance to experience the best of our heritage and culture. Since we launched Shakespeare Week in 2014, five million children have been introduced to Shakespeare’s stories, characters and language. Teachers tells us that as well as having fun with Shakespeare, children also gain improved communication,

Free award-winning resources for schools and home educators Teachers will have access to over 150 free resources across every curriculum subject in KS1 and KS2, offering a fantastic suite of ideas and teaching aides to make Shakespeare fun for pupils. This year a new collection of creative poetry and storytelling resources are available to download, including short videos with storytelling tips from The Story Museum, drawing Shakespeare cartoons with children’s author and illustrator, Marcia Williams, and The Queen’s English – a hilarious sketch on Shakespearian pronunciation written by linguist Prof. David Crystal and performed by actors Will Sutton and Ben Crystal. Home educators and families can also access these resources and celebrate Shakespeare Week at home. Parent Talk March 2018 17

BOOK REVIEW

Editor’s choice Pop-up Shakespeare By Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company Illustrated by Jennie Maizels Published by Walker Books

From the world-renowned Reduced Shakespeare Company® and bestselling illustrator and designer Jennie Maizels comes a spectacular pop-up book featuring all thirty-nine of the Bard’s magnificent plays. Turn the pages and marvel at the dramatic pop-ups and lift-the-flaps that bring to life every one of the playwright’s Comedies, Histories, Romances and Tragedies, as well as his poems. Packed with hilarious jokes, side-splitting summaries and funny facts, this is the complete works of Shakespeare as they’ve never been seen before. Chineasy for Children By Shaolan with illustrations by Noma Bar Published by Thames Hudson The book opens with introductory spreads explaining how the Chinese language is made up of building blocks. Subsequent spreads feature lively scenes and illustrations that help children to recognize basic Chinese characters. The book is organized by themes, each of which covers key vocabulary such as numbers, family, animals and food. Stories about the development of characters and customs provide the perfect introduction to Chinese culture, while games and activities allow children to put into practice what they have learned. .

Riding Lessons By Jane Smiley Published by Scholastic In the Spring of fourth grade, Ellen’s life feels like a balancing act: she is only allowed to go to riding lessons when she behaves at school. But Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can’t resist taking advantage of her parents’ distraction. Then Ellen sees Ned for the first time: a beautiful colt who used to be a racehorse until he was injured. Ned and Ellen understand each other immediately, and all Ellen wants to do is spend more time with her new friend. But will she be able to keep up her good behaviour at school? And will her parents ever let her have a horse of her own?

Colourama – Pop up the Past Illustrated by John Paul de Quay Published by Buster Books Colour, pull out and fold the 15 dioramas to create a timeline of human history. From an ancient Egyptian tomb to a medieval joust, and an Apollo moon landing to a towering Aztec temple. Each page features die-cut detail and runs in chronological order, showcasing history’s most incredible civilisations, major events and epic moments. 18 Parent Talk March 2018

Brightstorm By Vashti Hardy Published by Scholastic When twins Arthur and Maudie receive word that their famous explorer father has died in a failed attempt to reach South Polaris, they can’t believe it! Not only that, but their father has been accused of trying to steal fuel from his competitors before he died… Arthur and Maudie have no choice but to answer an advertisement to crew a new exploration attempt, headed by the vivacious Captain Harriet Culpepper. As Captain Culpepper’s winged ship sets sail, the twins must keep their wits about them and prove themselves worthy of the rest of the crew. Will Arthur and Maudie find the evidence they need to prove their father's innocence? Will they be able to discover the truth and save their family's reputation?

Mother’s Day By Shirley Hughes Published by Walker Books In this stunning gift edition of a classic story by Kate Greenaway-winning author, Shirley Hughes, Katy and her little brother Olly tell us about their day with Mum. From the excitement of up waking Mum and Dad in the morning, getting the bus into town or even simple bedtime stories, this joyous tale gives readers a snapshot into a child's day and celebrates the special bond between a mother and child.

Outdoor Maker By Professor Robert Winston Published by DK

The Wren Hunt By Mary Watson Published by Bloomsbury Age 12+ Every year on St Stephen’s Day, Wren Silke is chased through the forest in a warped version of a childhood game. Her pursuers are judges – a group of powerful and frightening boys who know nothing of her true identity. If they knew she was an augur – their sworn enemy – the game would be up. This year, the tension between judges and augurs is at breaking point. Wren’s survival, and that of her family, depends on her becoming a spy in the midst of these boys she fears most and using her talent, her magic to steal from them the only thing that can restore her family’s former power for good.

James’s Giant Bug Book Published by Penguin Random House Time to join James, the Centipede, the Earthworm and the rest of the gang in this bug-packed journey into the world of insects. It’s packed with fascinating facts about creepy-crawlies, and fun activities to try at home, such as making an ant farm and building your very own bug hotel!

An exciting, new interactive science book packed with 25 outdoor experiments. Using simple, household materials, budding young scientists can gather what they need and then head outside to have a go at some of the amazing projects that will teach them all about the wider world and their surroundings. The book is divided into four chapters Nature Watch, World of Weather, Water Power and Earth and Sky. Each section looks at a different subject and includes a fun mix of craft and scientific activities to explain how different things work.

Birdy & Bou: The Floating Library By Mandy Stanley and David Bedford Published by Simon and Schuster Bou the red-eared panda wakes up one morning and hears the toot-toot of the floating library. He’s excited to go and borrow his favourite book and rushes to the library boat, only to find that his book has already been lent out. He sets off to find whoever has borrowed it so they can share – and in the process makes a fantastic new friend. Mr Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder By Alom Shaha Published by Scribe

James and the Giant Peach By Roald Dahl Published by Penguin Random House A new edition, complete with beautiful new cover artwork and fuzzy stickers.

Turn a rainy day at home or a walk in the park into a learning experience. All you need are a few simple items from your kitchen cupboards and the power of curiosity. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or trying an experiment at home for the very first time, let Mr Shaha guide you step-bystep through fun activities that will fulfil your child’s desire to understand how things work. This is not a book just for children, it’s a book for all grown-ups who want to enthuse and inspire young people. Every child and every parent can be a scientist with the help of ‘Mr Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder’.

CLASSIFIED

Vast majority of parents worried by Facebook’s new Messenger Kids app ahead of its UK launch, research by Barnardo’s finds Ninety per cent of parents online have concerns about their young children using Facebook’s new Messenger Kids service and more than half (51%) would not currently let their child use it, according to an online survey for Barnardo’s. The app, which is aimed at children under the age of 13, has been the subject of controversy in America where it is being trialled. Almost 100 US child health experts recently wrote to Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg to raise concerns about its potential risks to children and calling for its withdrawal. Ahead of its anticipated launch in the UK, an online survey of 1,000 parents by YouGov for the country’s largest children’s charity has revealed similar anxieties. More than half (52%) expressed concern that the app’s security features would not be strict enough to protect their children while they were online and 61% said they were worried that strangers could pose as their children’s friends. Over half (51%) said they were concerned that children could use it to share inappropriate or explicit images.

Barely one in 20 (6%) said they had no specific concerns about the app, which allows children as young as six to communicate via a tablet or smartphone either in groups or on one-to-one video calls and send text messages and pictures. The findings come as Barnardo’s launches an urgent appeal to help fund its services across the UK that support children and young people who have been sexually exploited. Those services reported a 38% rise in referrals last year and research by the charity shows many children who are groomed online are later sexually abused or exploited in the real world. Questioning the need for an app aimed at such young children and the safeguards put in place by Facebook to protect youngsters, Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “It is clear that parents have concerns about Facebook Messenger Kids. While the internet provides amazing opportunities, it can also be a place of danger and too many children are groomed and abused online. “Barnardo’s is not yet convinced by Facebook’s assertion that controls for the messaging app are stringent.

Not all parents will feel confident managing their children’s accounts and we understand how hard it can be to spot whether a profile is genuine or a potential danger. “We are particularly concerned that actively encouraging young children to form virtual friendships makes them more susceptible to grooming and exploitation. Our specialist services see first-hand the harm caused to children who have been groomed online and sexually abused. “As our survey shows, parents are unconvinced that there is a need for Messenger Kids, and we urge industry to listen to them.” The survey found that 21% of parents did not feel confident enough or have sufficient knowledge of the technology to keep their children safe when they are using the app. While 43% thought it better for their children to use apps like Messenger Kids rather than adult versions, more than half (57%) had concerns their children might be bullied while using Facebook Messenger

Kids, 56% were worried the app could be hacked and 44% were anxious about their children’s data being insecure. Barnardo’s appeal is seeking funds to provide practical help to girls and boys as young as 10 who are referred to the charity for support through its child sexual exploitation services. They include Maisie, a girl with learning difficulties who finds it hard to understand risk. She was chatting online with three men for around three months before she met her 32-year-old abuser in person and was raped. Explaining the effect of the grooming on the youngster, Maisie’s Barnardo’s support worker said: “She didn’t see it as rape, she saw it as consensual sex. She felt that she was in a relationship with him, she thought he loved and cared for her. “Through our work, she’s now able to see clearly that it wasn’t a positive relationship, it was an abusive one. She now has a good understanding of consent and is able to understand that it wasn’t consensual. She now realises she was raped.”

Visit www.barnardos.org.uk/cse to find out more about the appeal or make a donation

Community-based service to help all children with brain injury launched by The Children’s Trust A free to access UK-wide Brain Injury Community Service has launched to maximise children’s participation in everyday life following a brain injury. Delivered by The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury and neurodisability, the service offers children with an acquired brain injury assessment and clinical support after they have been discharged from hospital and at key stages of childhood. Even a minor head injury or brain-related illness, such as stroke or encephalitis, can impact brain function, resulting in problems with memory and thinking, headaches, fatigue and depression. Left unsupported, the difficulties children and young people with acquired brain injury face can have a long-term impact on their academic, social and personal development. The Children’s Trust Brain Injury

Community Service ensures the right support is provided at the right time. Funded by charity donations, clinical screening and advice is carried out by specialist clinicians who visit the child and family in their home and at school; and make referrals to local statutory services if required. Where local services are not available, the Brain Injury Community Service clinicians will offer community-based neurorehabilitation packages, working with the child in their own environment. These more specific packages will be funded by clinical commissioning groups, local authorities or by parents themselves. A longterm monitoring register will ensure contact is made at key stages of development to determine whether intervention is required later in the child’s life. Katy James, Head of The Children’s Trust Brain Injury

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The Brain Injury Community Service supports children and Young people like Liam

Community Service, said: “Things that come naturally to children as they get older such as getting organised for school, completing tasks or simply fitting in with peer groups, can present real challenges for a child or young person with acquired brain injury, and this can lead to isolation, low mood

and often depression. The Brain Injury Community Service will provide clinical support tailored to the child and family’s needs when they need it, to help children with acquired brain injury take as a full a part in their everyday life as possible.” For more information visit thechildrenstrust.org.uk/BICS

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