Primary Times Gloucester Autumn 2016

in Gloucestershire Issue 146

Also Anti-bullying Seasonal thinking

21 Oct-15 Dec 2016

Here comes

Jack!

Tweedy plans some serious laughs at the Everyman Theatre, with Jack and the Beanstalk and much, much more.

Page 4.

Theatre • Arty Barty • Roundabout • Save money!

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PRIMARY TIMES

30/09/2016 14:47:57

We’re all feeling the nip in the air as autumn approaches. In spite of the darkening evenings, it can be a joyful time, with Halloween, Bonfire Night and, of course, Christmas on the horizon. Our features this half term look at preparations for our great winter celebrations (Halloween, P17 and Christmas P18).

On a more sombre note, bullying is a perennial issue for some school children and anti-bullying week this November looks at measures parents and schools can take to prevent this behaviour (P6). It’s a painful experience to live through but there are effective ways to tackle bullying and, as our feature demonstrates, there can be a happy ending. the editor

146 rshire Issue2016 Dec in Glouceste 15 D Oct-1 Octt 15 21 Oct 21

Also Anti-bullying ing Seasonal think

es Here com

THE POWER FOR GOOD P6 One mother describes how her child beat the bullies as anti-bullying week approaches.

AWESOME AUTUMN P17 Fun things to do and make at Halloween.

FESTIVE THINKING P18 Helping parents plan Christmas.

Jack!

Tweedy e plans somhs serious laug yman at the Ever with Theatre, the Jack and and stalk Bean h much, muc . more Page 4.

Theatre • Arty

HAL THEATRE P8 & BON LOWEEN FIRES ROUNDABOUT P11 P16 PINBOARD P19 ADVERTISING FEATURES P20 PUPILS’ PAGE P22 CLASSIFIEDS P23

PRIMARY TIMES IS NOW AVAILABLE AS A FREE APP https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/primary-times/id674066003?mt=8

money! dabout • Save Barty • Roun

Primary Times in Gloucestershire Bristol News and Media, Temple Way, Bristol BS2 OBY. More information at www.primarytimes.net

Editor

Commercial director

Advertising

Distribution

Design Production Proof reader

Mike Gartside mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk Tracie Simms tracie.simms@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3165 Caroline Stretton caroline.stretton@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3737 Karen Giarratana Karen.giarratana@localworld.co.uk 01179 343 429 Juliet Hobbs juliet.hobbs@localworld.co.uk 01242 278053 Cath Evans, Mike Gartside Emma Gorton, Ruth Wood Ellen White

Main office

0117 934 3000

Primary Times is independently published and distributed free in Primary, Junior, Infant and Middle Schools throughout the former Avon area, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. It is also available by subscription at £10 per year.

Its aims are to inform families and children of current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses and attractions, and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or joining in the competitions which we run. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically biased material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children.

While we make every effort to ensure information published is accurate, readers are encouraged to check details of all events in advance and neither Trinity Mirror Ltd nor its contributors are liable for the consequences of any errors. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in the county for their assistance in distributing the magazine and their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please support their endeavours when and where you can. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Trinity Mirror Ltd. Primary Times currently publishes more than two million copies per issue under franchise.

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Glos contents Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 3

Find these amazing offers this issue!

Kumon – Free trial Rendcomb College – Free forest school Bristol Aquarium – Kids go free Cotswold Farm Park – One child free Taurus Crafts – 10% off Samurai Martial Arts – Free trial class Magicland – 10% off Taurus Crafts

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Box Offi ce 012 42 572 573 or ww w.e very man the atre .org .uk The Eve rym an Stu dio Che mat Box Offic e 0124 2 5725 inee ( Thu rs & Sat ) 2pmlten ham Dec 7th – 23r d 7.45 pm , 73 or www.ever yma nthe atre. org.u k Brit ish Sch ool The Ever yma n Stud io Hal l Stro ud Dec 24t h Chel tenh am Dec 1st 1.30 pm Glo11.3 –21s t 10.0 0am and uce0am relax ed perf orma nce ster Gui ldh all Dec 20th 11.3 0am mat inee ( Thu rs & Sat (01 452 503 050 ) Jan 17t h - 21s t 7.45 pm Briti sh Scho ol Hall Stro ), sign ed per form anc , ud Dec 22nd – 23rd 2.00 pm and 3.30 pm e Sat urd ay 2pm Glou ceste r Guild hall (01452

Jack!

503050) Jan 17th – 21st sign ed perf orma nce 10.0 0am Jan 21st 10.0 0am

Here comes

There are lots of exciting shows at the Everyman Theatre in the coming months and plenty of opportunities to get involved, too.

G

et ready for Jack and The Beanstalk, a giant of a panto starring Tweedy The Clown and William Elliott as Dame Trott.

Don’t miss Jack’s adventures in Cloud Cuckoo Land, packed with slapstick, laughs, a giant and even a comedy cow. As usual the Everyman is offering panto workshops to primary schools and there will be an audio described performance and touch tour for the performance on Wed 4 Jan, 2pm; a relaxed performance on Thu 5 Jan, 10am and a sign language interpreted performance on Sat 7 Jan, 2pm. Jack and The Beanstalk opens on Fri 25 Nov and runs until Sun 8 Jan. Over in the Everyman’s Studio Theatre, little ones can enjoy Red Dog Theatre Company’s staging of The Great Bear of the North.

When Freya stumbles upon a lost bear cub in the snow she finds a new friend - but Loki soon grows too big to live in Freya’s little cottage. The pair set off on an adventure, taking them to the far north in search of Loki’s true home. But Christmas is coming, the nights are cold and dark and there are greedy trolls bent on mischief . . .

Find out what happens to Freya and Loki on their surprising and magical journey. This wonderful introduction to live theatre for 3 to 4

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7 year olds is perfect Christmas entertainment. It runs in the Studio Theatre from Thu 1 to Wed 21 Dec and then transfers to the Gloucester Guildhall from Tue 17 to Sat 21 Jan. Another Red Dog show is A Christmas Carol (suitable for ages 8+) in the Studio Theatre from Wed 7 to Fri 23 Dec and then at Gloucester Guildhall from Tue 17 to Sat 21 Jan. Ebenezer Scrooge has no time for his fellow creatures - no time for anything except making a profit. Most of all he has no time for Christmas.

Alone, bitter and hard as flint, he

goes home to his chilly rooms while the world celebrates the season of goodwill. That night, Scrooge is taken on a ghostly journey that will turn his life upside down and change him forever. But has redemption come too late?

What better way to celebrate the festive season than with Red Dog’s sparkling retelling of Dickens’ heart-warming tale. “May it haunt your houses pleasantly!”

If your child is more interested in the performance side, the Everyman Theatre runs a choir for teenagers and a choir for younger children from ages 4 to 11 years, which operates during term-time and provides participants with an opportunity to sing at the theatre and other local venues.

For more

information and to join call the Box Office on the phone number below. If drama is more your child’s bag, the theatre’s EveryKid sessions provide the perfect introduction to theatre for ages 4 to 7 years while, for older children, The Gloucestershire Youth Theatre (GYTC) and the Everyman Theatre run groups for ages 7 upwards and are currently recruiting new members. If you are interested in joining, email GYTC (see below).

The Everyman also participates in the national Arts Award Scheme and is Gloucestershire’s central hub for Arts Award programmes, a framework for learning new skills based around any arts or media activity and which provides opportunities to gain a recognised qualification in the arts. For more information please contact Louise Partridge (below).

Everyman Theatre Box Office T: 01242 572573 W: www.everymantheatre.org.uk Louise Partridge Head of Education at the Everyman Theatre E: louise.partridge@ everymantheatre.org.uk Gloucestershire Youth Theatre E: gytc-youththeatre @hotmail.com

PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 10:49:45

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Picture posed by model

This year’s AntiBullying Week is a chance for children and schools to focus on an issue which affects many young people both onand offline, says Eric Blair

Harnessing the power for his paintings Nicholas Nikiforou with

W

hether name-calling or ostracisation, fighting or ganging up, bullying can have a devastating impact on a child’s wellbeing. The story of one West Country primary school pupil, Nicholas Nikiforou, typifies the experience of many. Born with a pre-cancerous birthmark on his face, Nicholas underwent eight operations in his early years, both to remove the mark and to reduce the impact of scarring.

Sadly, some of his fellow pupils took a less than healthy interest in his appearance. Initial playground curiosity turned to mockery and physical abuse as he was regularly wrestled to floor in headlocks.

“He was so distressed he couldn’t eat and I had to take him home at lunchtime,” says his mother Melanie Nikiforou. She says the first school he attended denied there was a problem. “I thought I was going to have to school him at home,” she adds.

Sadly, Nicholas’s experience is far from unusual. Research conducted for Ofsted shows that 46% of all children and young people in the UK say they have experienced bullying at school.

Increasing use of the internet also means that bullies now have many more ways to target and harass their victims beyond the playground. According to the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), bullying is “the repetitive intentional hurting of one person or group by another, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power”.

National Anti-Bullying Week – which runs from the 14 to 18 November as part of a broader Anti-Bullying Month (from 30 6

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good

October) – aims to help children, parents and teachers tackle it effectively. The theme this year is ‘Power for Good’, with the key messages of helping children and young people to take individual and collective action to stop bullying. It encourages parents, carers, teachers, school support staff and youth workers to help children create safe environments where they can thrive.

Schools can get involved in Anti-Bullying Week by joining the free ABA school/college network, by sharing ideas and plans for activities and events online, by downloading or ordering resources including lesson plans, posters and stickers and by holding fundraising events – such as a dress-as-your-hero day – to support the campaign. Pupils can also nominate a teacher or other member of school staff for a Power for Good award while parents can buy a Power for Good superhero calendar produced by comic book website AP2HYC. Throughout Anti-Bullying Month, schools can also host a 60-minute anti-bullying roadshow by Weston-super-Marebased Actionwork, an educational theatre and film company. The roadshow incorporates films and interactive workshops, showcasing strategies for dealing with bullying while demonstrating ways children can empower themselves.

“There is no one best way to deal with bullying, there are lots of ways,” says Actionwork’s director Andy Hickson. “Drama, performance, creative workshops and social theatre portray a multitude of strategies, ideas and solutions. It also, without preach-

ing, highlights the pitfalls, the bad choices and the lack of awareness around bullying and cyber-bullying, of rights and responsibilities.

Children’s posters from Students previous anti-bullying show great campaigns strength and the West Country. creativity “Before Nicholas joined, in the workLocking showed its pupils shops; they learn without thinka video about a child having ing they’re learning.” treatment for a birthmark at Cyber-bullying can take many Great Ormond Street Hospital,” different forms, ranging from says Melanie. “Class teachers explained that all people are difthreatening or intimidating comferent and we should not call each ments and messages to identity other nasty names. It made all theft, account hacking and online the difference. He is doing very impersonation. According to well and, now aged 9, has become YouGov as many as one in five an ambassador for The Diana 13- to 18-year-olds have expeAward anti-bullying initiative.” rienced some form of it, while Indeed, Nicholas, who regularly 90% of children aged under 10 contributes to Primary Times’s use the internet and 86% of Arty Barty page, had one of his them communicate with other paintings accepted by chocolate people online. Nearly a third of manufacturer Kinder, as part of 7- to 11-year-olds (31%) also say its competition “Make Your Little that comments from others have Ones Art Famous” and had his stopped them enjoying the time picture featured on a chocolate they spend online. Anti-Bullying wrapper.

Week’s Internet Matters web“Nicholas and other inspirasite includes advice for parents tional individuals are proof that who want to help their children you have to embrace who you are stay safe online by, for example, and show people you are a special agreeing boundaries and explorperson,” Melanie says. ing the virtual world together.

Meanwhile, Nicholas has Internet Matters shown how to escape bullying W: www.internetmatters.org and take steps to prevent it. His Anti-Bullying Alliance W: mother withdrew him from his www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk first school and discussed his Actionwork T: 01934 621890 situation with a new establishW: www.actionwork.com ment, Locking Primary School in PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 10:50:40

PRIMARY TIMES

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FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SHOWS ★ GLOUCESTER, CHELTENHAM, STROUD & BEYOND Dec, 1pm, 2pm & 7pm, £15-£60 • Director Sally Cookson promises a wondrously inventive version of JM Barrie’s much loved tale.

The Snow Queen Fri 2 Dec-Sun 15 Jan, 2pm, 4pm & 7pm, £9.50-£34 • Hans Christian Andersen’s tale sees Kai stolen away by the Snow Queen, while Gerda sets off on a dangerous journey to save her best friend. On her way, mysterious characters including a magpie help her discover her strength.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BACON THEATRE Dean Close School, Shelbourne Rd, Cheltenham GL51 6HE. 01242 258002, www.bacontheatre.co.uk Once Upon A Time Fri 28-Sat 29 Oct, 2pm & 6pm, £9 (adult)/£7 (child) • Girlguiding Gloucestershire presents a journey through pantomime with a talent show twist as they search for a competition winner with help from Bob the Cow. Performed by members of Brownies, Rainbows, Guides, Seniors and group leaders.

Fiddler on the Roof Thu 8-Sat 10 Dec, 7.15pm/7.30pm (Sat), free but ticket required • Dean Close School presents the tale of Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters growing up in Czarist Russia.

Lily and the Little Snow Bear Wed 14 Dec, 10.30am, £10 (adult)/£8 (child) • Blunderbus Theatre presents this tale of friendship as Lily finds a lost little bear just two days before Christmas. A modern-day fairytale featuring puppets and a magical snowy setting.

EVERYMAN THEATRE Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573, www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Nutcracker Sat 29 Oct, 2pm & 7.45pm, £30-£38 • The Russian State Ballet presents the classic fairytale of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Mouse-Prince, all set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.

Jack and the Beanstalk Fri 25 Nov-Sun 8 Jan, see website for times, £5-£29 • Tweedy the Clown and William Elliott as Dame Trott return and promise the Everyman’s most gigantic pantomime yet. Follow Jack’s adventures in Cloud Cuckoo Land complete with plenty of slapstick, laughs and a comedy cow.

The Great Bear of the North Thu 1-Wed 21 Dec, see website for times, all tickets £8.50 • Freya and bear Loki go on an adventure which takes them to the far north in search of Loki’s true home. But Christmas is coming, the nights are cold and dark and there are greedy trolls bent on mischief.

A Christmas Carol Wed 7-Fri 23 Dec, 2pm & 7.45pm, £11.50 (adult)/£10 (child) • Red Dog Theatre Company presents Dickens’ classic Christmas tale of miser Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future.

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Fiddler on the Roof, Bacon Theatre, Thu 8-Sat 10 Dec

GLOUCESTER GUIDHALL 23 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1NS. 01452 503050, www. strikealightfestival.org.uk Super Mega Rockin’ Rock Show Sat 15 Oct, 11.30am & 1.30pm, £5.50 • Kid Carpet’s rock show for children and their not-sogrown-ups. Learn how to rock out at a rock concert, fly like a golden eagle, win a penguin race and do a little poo in the forest.

The Little Bookshop Boy Tue 18 Oct, 5pm, £5 • Charming show from Raised Eyebrows for anyone who’s ever worried about fitting in. Featuring puppetry, music and storytelling.

THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE 47-53 Bath Rd, Cheltenham GL53 7HG. 01242 522852, www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk Pippin Wed 30 Nov-Sat 3 Dec, 7.45pm plus 2.30pm Sat, £11/£13 • The carnival rolls into town with Pippin, eldest son of Charles the Great. Watch him face war, death, a ruthless tyrant, a scheming stepmother, girls, power, fame, more girls, a bawdy grannie, actual hard work and a sick duck. Jacob’s Well re-create the hilarious musical extravaganza from the composer of ‘Wicked’.

The Snow Queen Fri 16-Sat 24 Dec, 2.30pm & 7pm, £9-£15 • Enchanting new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale from the Rolling Stock Theatre Company which features new songs, a sprinkling of magic and a humorous retelling with a whole host of fairytale characters.

ROSES THEATRE The Roses, Sun St, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5NX. 01684 295074, www.rosestheatre.org The Teddy Bear’s Picnic Sat 22 Oct, 1.30pm & 3.30pm, £10-£12 • Bring your favourite teddy to help solve the mystery of the missing invitation as Freddy Teddy embarks on a musical journey

through Teddy Bear Wood and encounters all kinds of creatures who all seem to be wondering the same thing – why isn’t he at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic? The theatre will be hosting their own picnic between shows.

Shakespeare Schools Festival Mon 7-Tue 8 Nov, 7pm, £7.50-£10 • A series of unique performances from young people from all over Gloucestershire. Celebrate Shakespeare with performances including ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Romeo and Juilet’.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood Sat 3 Dec-Sat 7 Jan, see website for times, £13-£25 • This year’s pantomime is the tale of a gallant hero, a feisty damsel and a villainous baddie to boo off stage.

Expect plenty of comedy slapstick, dazzling costumes and fairytale sets.

FURTHER AFIELD BRISTOL HIPPODROME St. Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012, www.atgtickets.com/Bristol Billy Elliot Tue 25 Oct-Sat 26 Nov, see website for times, £25-£72 • The inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle to make his dream come true tours the UK. Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class.

Cinderella Sat 10 Dec-Sun 8 Jan, see website for times, £12-£42 • Torvill and Dean are fairy godparents in a family extravaganza with glittering sets, big song and dance numbers and jaw-dropping skating sequences.

THE BRISTOL OLD VIC King St, Bristol BS1 4ED. 0117 987 7877, www.bristololdvic.org.uk Peter Pan Wed 16 Nov–Mon 29

THE EGG Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET. 01225 448844, www. theatreroyal.org.uk Dans L’Atelier Sat 29-Sun 30 Oct, 2pm & 3pm, all tickets £6/£8.50 with workshop • The mishaps of a puppet under construction who decides to make a stab at finishing the job itself. It struggles with the elements, with the material, the objects and uses every opportunity to tyrannize its manipulators.

Jack and the Beanstalk Thu 3 Nov, 10am & 11.15am, all tickets £3 • Jackie and Pooja from Dinkies Storytime bring the tale of Jack, the giant and the magic beans to life in a storytelling session for ages 18 months to 4 years.

Robin Hood Thu 8 Dec-Sun 15 Jan, see website for times, £18 (adult)/£7.50 (child) • Expect fiendish escapes, spectacular swashbuckling and sword fights galore.

THEATRE ROYAL Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET. 01225 448844, www.theatreroyal.org.uk Aladdin Thu 8 Dec-Sun 8 Jan, see website for times, £9-£32 (family tickets available) • Panto starring CBBC’s Mark Rhodes as Aladdin and soap star Bill Ward as the evil Abanazar. Expect comedy, slapstick, singing,and great costumes.

Shakespeare Schools Festival, Roses Theatre, Mon 7-Tue 8 Nov PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 11:16:08

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Family Entertainment In Tewkesbury Visit rosestheatre.org to see full listings Or call Box Office on 01684 295074 The Roses, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX

Half Term Happenings...

Saturday 3 December - Saturday 7 January

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic Live Sat 22 Oct 1.30pm & 3.30pm

Zombie Rabbits Are Coming! Workshop Mon 24 Oct 10am

Hallowe’en Extravaganza Workshop Mon 24 - Fri 28 Oct 10am - 3pm Pete’s Dragon (PG) Film

Written and directed by Ben Crocker

Tewkesbury’s traditional pantomime - it’s guaranteed to hit the mark!

Mon 24 Oct 2pm (Relaxed screening) Wed 26 Oct 4pm (3D screening)

Swallows And Amazons (PG) Film

Wed 26 Oct 2pm (Relaxed) Wed 26 Oct 7.30pm Sun 30 Oct 5pm

PRIMARY TIMES

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30/09/2016 14:59:04

COME AND HAVE A ® GO AT LEGO BRICK MODEL MAKING Sat 17 September - Sun 6 November

Enjoy the fright this Hallowe'en at Newark Park Book now for our Lego brick workshops

Children's Halloween Evening, Saturday 29 October, 6.30pm-8.30pm A haunted house filled with creepy games and scary stories - enjoy a spooky evening full of Hallowe'en fun in Newark House.

Tickets: children £6.00. Booking advised.

Call 01453 842644 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/newarkpark #nationaltrust

Slimbridge Wetland Centre

When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your support helps us to look after special places such as Newark Park for ever, for everyone.

wwt.org.uk/slimbridge/lego

WWT reg. charity in England & Wales, no. 1030884 and Scotland, no. SC039410

© National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust Images\National Trust.

Dick Whittington Park

© National Trust Images/Sigute Barniskyte-Kidd. Registered Charity Number 205846.

HALLOWEEN HALF-TERM FUN!

MASSIVE PLAY BARN Half-term fun at Chedworth Roman Villa

Little London, Longhope, Glos. GL17 0PH

Daily 10am - 5pm Special holiday events including pony grooming, pony rides, face painting and lots more!

being spooked

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Valid until 31st December 2016 not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

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Members and under 5s go free.

01242 890256 nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth

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Sat 22 – Sun 30 October A new trail reveals the spookier side of the Roman Villa. You can have a go at seasonal craft activities and see the Roman doctor on some days.

PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 11:58:27

ROUNDABOUT Your ultimate family diary of what’s on, where & when

Deadlines: List your school’s events in Primary Times for free. We work a half-term in advance so we’re now collecting information for late December, January and February: deadline Monday 7 November.

If your event is to raise funds for a school, a charity or your community, and is open to the public, we are keen to list it here. Please send all your events information and news/feature ideas to the editor at: mike.gartside@ localworld.co.uk PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL While we make every effort to ensure these listings are accurate and up to date, event information can sometimes change after we’ve gone to press. Please check with the venue or organiser before you set off to an event to make sure it’s going ahead as planned . . . and tell them you saw it in Primary Times!

FOR BONFIRES & HALLOWEEN EVENTS, SEE PAGE 16.

OCTOBER UNTIL FRI 28 OCT (FRI ONLY) AWESOME AUTUMN Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QS. 01666 880220, www.forestry. gov.uk/westonbirt, 11am, included in standard admission prices • Weekly walks with volunteer guides discussing special aspects of autumn, from the landscape’s fruit and berries to the arboretum’s hidden historical gems.

UNTIL SUN 6 NOV GIANT LEGO BRICK ANIMALS Slimbridge Wetland Centre,

Gloucester switches on its city lights with a giant lantern parade, Sun 20 Nov

PRIMARY TIMES

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Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge, 9.30am-5.30pm, standard admission prices apply • Eleven Lego animals are hiding in Slimbridge, from a giant otter to a 12-times life-size dragonfly: the challenge is to spot them all.

UNTIL SUN 13 NOV WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Nature in Art Museum, Wallsworth Hall, Gloucester GL2 9PA. 01452 731422, www.natureinart.org.uk, 10am-5pm, included in standard admission prices • The worldrenowned wildlife photography competition from the Natural History Museum returns, with 100 stunning images of everything from urban wildlife to fantastical landscapes.

UNTIL WED 30 NOV AUTUMN FAMILY TRAIL Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QS. 01666 880220, www.forestry.gov. uk/westonbirt, 9am-5pm, included in standard admission prices • Discover the science behind autumn’s fantastic colours. Follow the trail around Silk Wood (dogfriendly) or the Old Arboretum (dog-free).

Giant Lego animals on display at Slimbridge until Sun 6 Nov.

THU 20-THU 27 OCT HALF-TERM ACTIVITY DAYS Nature in Art Museum, Wallsworth Hall, Gloucester GL2 9PA. 01452 731422, www.natureinart.org.uk, 10.30am-12noon (ages 3 to 7),12.30pm (ages 3 to 18), 3-4.30pm (ages 8-18), £6 per session per child • Different daily creative workshops using a range of techniques and materials, including pompom pumpkins, firework paintings and sewing cushions.

See website for which activities fall on which day.

crush apples, taste local cider and have a go at crushing some apples yourself.

THU 20-SUN 30 OCT HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, Camp Hill, Cirencester GL14 2UB. 01594 822170, deanheritagecentre.com, 10am-5pm • Craft and living heritage activities for all ages, including a chance to find out about Saxon life 950 years after the battle of Hastings in 1066. On Sat 22 and Sun 23 Oct, there’ll also be a chance to meet the charcoal burners who oversaw the burning of the iconic Forest of Dean sculpture ‘Place’ in 2015.

SAT 22 OCT OWL PROWL Dyrham Park, Dyrham SN14 8ER. 0117 937 2501, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park, 7-9pm, £5 • Guided walk around the park to listen out for tawny owls and hopefully some barn owls too. Then meet a real-life barn owl and discover some more facts about the night-time birds.

SAT 22 OCT APPLE DAY Gloucester Life Museum, 99-103 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 396868, www.citymuseums.co.uk, 11am-4pm, free • The traditional cider mill makes its annual appearance: see the horse

SAT 22 OCT DISCOVERING BATS DAY Old Baptist Chapel Court, Tewkesbury GL20. 01684 297174, www.johnmooremuseum.org, 10.30am-3.45pm, £4 (adult)/£2 (child) • Bat expert David Endacott will be on hand with a selection of live, rescued British bats to explain all about these nocturnal creatures.

SAT 22-SUN 23 OCT COTSWOLD FOOD & DRINK FAYRE Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Toddington Railway Station, Toddington, GL54 5DT, 01242 621495, www.gwsr.com, from 10am, free • Celebration of local autumn produce with celebrity chef demonstrations, sample tastings and stalls.

SAT 22-SUN 30 OCT MYTHS & LEGENDS WEEK Birdland, Rissington Rd, Bourtonon-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BN. 01451 820480, www.birdland.co.uk, 10am-6pm, standard admission prices apply • Discover why owls are considered to be so wise, where the legend of the phoenix came from and which bird’s call the Roman’s believed meant imminent death in a series of talks. Also quiz trail, close encounters, feeding displays and new Jurassic Journey trail.

SAT 22-SUN 30 OCT HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES Chedworth Roman Villa, nr Cheltenham, Yanworth GL54 3LJ. 01242 890256, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-romanvilla, 10.30am-4.30pm, included in standard admission prices • Children’s trail plus daily seasonal craft activities focusing on the natural world and autumn colours.

Small charge for some craft activities.

SUN 23 OCT AUTUMN FAMILY NATURE DAY Dyrham Park, Dyrham SN14 8ER. 0117 937 2501, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/dyrham-park, 11am-3pm, included in standard admission prices • With the help of Bath History Society, celebrate autumn wildlife with bird spotting, AUTUMN HALF TERM 2016

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Halloween Fun at Primrose Vale Halloween farm trail 20th - 31st October 9-4 daily £5 per participant. Small prize for everyone.

Hundreds of pumpkins to choose from: All shapes and sizes. Shop open until 5pm Primrose Vale Farm Shop, Shurdington Rd, Bentham, Cheltenham GL51 4UA Tel: 01452 863359 Open 7 days a week, year round! www.primrosevale.com facebook.com/primrosevalefarmshop

FREE EVENT!

©LW

Bring a Grown-up to Forest School!

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10% off Taurus Cafe & Gift Shop,with this advert (Sorry not on commission sales. Valid until 31/10/16 P.T.)

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AUTUMN HALF TERM 2016

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Cafe, Deli, Gift Shop, Arts, Crafts Events, Free Parking, Exhibitions

TRIAL 1 OCTOBER – 20 NOVEMBER Terms and conditions apply. Fees vary. Participating study centres only. Please refer to your local study centre. Subject to availability.

PRIMARY TIMES

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ROUNDABOUT

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! »

discover moss, fungi and fossils under the microscope and take part in fungi identification walks.

Discovering Bats Day, Old Baptist Chapel Court, Tewkesbury, Sat 22 Oct.

MON 24 OCT FOREST SCHOOL Dyrham Park, Dyrham SN14 8ER. 0117 937 2501, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/dyrham-park, 10.30am12.30pm & 2.30-4.30pm, £10 per child • Learn some bushcraft, identify plants, build dens, cook over an open fire and create some crafty art work outdoors in woodlands not usually open to the public.

MON 24-FRI 28 OCT INSPIRED BY COLOUR Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QS. 01666 880220, www.forestry. gov.uk/westonbirt, 11am-4pm, included in standard admission prices • Experiment with the science behind autumn colours and try some colourful crafts including leaf crowns, natural tie dye and leaf hammering.

MON 24 OCT- SUN 13 NOV DAY OF THE DEAD EXHIBITION Roses Theatre, Sun St, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX. 01684 295074, www.rosestheatre.org, from 9.30am, free • Collaborative exhibition from artist Imogen Harvey Lewis and singer-songwriter Alun Hughes exploring themes of life and death.

TUE 25 OCT RANGER WORKSHOP: WILD ART Chedworth Roman Villa, nr Cheltenham, Yanworth GL54 3LJ. 01242 890256, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-romanvilla, 10.30am-11.30am, included in standard admission prices • Join James the ranger and search for natural materials to make your own clay bog-art in time for Halloween.

NOVEMBER

ing to be bigger and better than ever with around 130 stalls selling unique products, craft demonstrations, exhibitions, tombola, raffle, plus the gardens and grounds to explore.

TUE 25 & THU 27 OCT FAMILY TRAILS Dyrham Park, Dyrham SN14 8ER. 0117 937 2501, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/dyrham-park, 11am-12noon, included in standard admission prices • Explore the park on a guided trail, spot some resident deer or cross some activities off your ’50 Things’ list.

TUE 25-FRI 28 OCT AUTUMN CRAFT DAYS New Brewery Arts, Brewery St, Cirencester GL7 1JL. 01285 657181, www.newbreweryarts. org.uk, 10am-3pm, £35 per child per day • Hannah Ellis leads a series of art and craft days for the autumn half term.

WED 26 OCT CLAY GROTESQUES Yate Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 10.30am12noon & 1.30-3pm, free • Make your own gargoyle-style clay faces in a fun workshop.

TUE 25 OCT BRONZE AGE BURIALS Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 10-11am, £2 per child • Learn about the Beaker people and the decorated pots and other objects they were buried with, then make your own Beaker burial to take home.

WED 26 OCT AWESOME AUTUMN Somerford Keynes, Cirencester GL7 6DX. 01793 752413, www. waterpark.org, 10am-1pm, £2 per child • Autumn-themed crafts, trails, quizzes, face painting and more.

TUE 25 OCT MUSEUM TOTS Gloucester City Museum, 103 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 503050, www. gloucestermuseums.co.uk, 10.30am-12.30pm, standard admission prices apply • Browse the galleries and take part in special tot-friendly activities. Stick, create, try out new toys and listen to stories.

WED 26 OCT DIWALHI BANDHANWAR Prema Arts Centre, South St, Uley, nr Dursley GL11 5SS. 01453 860703, www.prema.org.uk, 10am-4pm, £24 per child • Celebrate the Hindu festival of light by creating a traditional door hanging inspired by the vibrant textures, patterns and colours of India. Join artist Jessica Taylor and use an abundance of

TUE 25-WED 26 OCT WESTONBIRT FAIR Westonbirt School, Tetbury GL8 8QG. 01453 832265, www.westonbirt.org, 10am-7pm/5pm (Wed), all tickets £8 • Charity fair promis-

FOR BONFIRES & HALLOWEEN EVENTS, SEE PAGE 16.

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16 Glos Roundabout Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 15

731422, www.natureinart.org.uk, 10am-5pm, £2 (adult)/child free • Local craftspeople selling everything from jewellery and ceramics to stained glass, metalwork and children’s gifts, plus demonstrations of how the goods are made.

opulent wools and fabrics with lots of decorative embellishments.

Suitable for ages 7 to 11.

THU 27 OCT WEAVING Yate Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 10.30am12noon & 1.30-3pm, free • Learn how to weave your own piece of clothing in a fun workshop.

THU 27 OCT CHILDREN’S MOSAIC WORKSHOP Chedworth Roman Villa, nr Cheltenham, Yanworth GL54 3LJ. 01242 890256, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa, 10.30am-12.30pm, £15 per child • Create a mosaic to take home inspired by the villa’s surroundings.

All materials and a snack provided.

THU 27 OCT ROMAN DRAW Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 11am-1pm, £7.50 per child • Create a mini exhibition of drawings of real artefacts from the museum store. James Harris will be on hand to offer advice on drawing techniques.

FRI 28 OCT FAMILY FILM FRIDAY Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 11am, £5.20 (adult)/£2.50 (child) • Film screenings specifically aimed at families. Contact the museum for a list of films showing.

MON 7 NOV STEVE BACKSHALL: WILD WORLD Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Sq, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. 0844 576 2210, www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk, 7pm, £19.50 • Wildlife TV Presenter, adventurer, naturalist and children’s author Steve Backshall talks through the reallife expeditions that have inspired his books ‘The Falcon Chronicles’.

Suitable for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages from eight to eighty.

TUE 8 NOV MUSEUM TOTS Gloucester City Museum, 103 Westgate, St. Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 503050, www. gloucestermuseums.co.uk, 10.30am-12.30pm, standard admission prices apply • Browse the galleries and take part in special tot-friendly activities. Stick, create, try out new toys and listen to stories.

FRI 11-SUN 20 NOV STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL Various venues in Stroud, 01453 758215, www.stroudartsfestival. org, various prices & times, see website • Stroud’s first ever book festival, with literary names including Ian McEwan and children’s authors Tom Percival and Hannah Shaw. Talks on themes from romantic fiction to crime and memoir, plus children’s workshops, poetry, music and more.

TUE 15 NOV-SAT 10 DEC ST NICHOLAS WISHING TREE Gloucester Life Museum, 99-103 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 396868, www.citymuseums.co.uk, 10am-5pm, standard admission prices apply plus £2 for handwritten reply • Leave your

»

A visit to meet Santa is a highlight of Clearwell Caves’ Christmas Fantasy, ‘Evie’s Airplane’, Sat 26 Nov-Tue 3 Jan

SAT 29 OCT THE WITCH FINDER The Old Baptist Chapel, Old Baptist Chapel Court, Church St, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ. 01684 297174, www.johnmooremuseum. org, £3.50 (adult)/£1.50 (child) • Hear tales of Gloucestershire witches and how they were tried and punished in an illustrated and entertaining investigation of the history of witchcraft and witches

by John Putley.

SAT 29-SUN 30 OCT CRAFT FAIR Nature in Art Museum, Wallsworth Hall, Gloucester GL2 9PA. 01452 AUTUMN HALF TERM 2016

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Christmas wish on the magical tree and return to collect a handwritten reply from St Nick himself.

Reply letters can also be posted for an additional 50p.

THU 17-SUN 20 NOV VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way, Gloucester GL1 5SF. 01452 338933, www.gloucesterquays.co.uk, 10am7pm/5pm (Sun), free • Soak up the festive atmosphere with more than 250 stalls and producers selling jewellery, gifts, local food and drink and lots more. Plus brass bands, choirs, buskers, an old-time barrel organ, traditional carousel, children’s art and craft activities, Victorian games, real ale tavern, microbrewery and Dickensian characters.

FRI 18 NOV CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENING Newlands Park Sports & Social Club, Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PE. www.pitchero.com/ clubs/cheltenhampowerchairfootball, 6-9.30pm, free • Plenty of craft and food stalls selling treats, with all proceeds going to the Cheltenham Powerchair Football Club.

SAT 19-SUN 20 NOV REALLY WILD WEEKEND Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/slimbridge, 9.30am5.30pm, standard admission prices apply • The Exotic Zoo provides a chance to get up close with animals including meerkats, crocodiles, snakes and mini beasts.

SUN 20 NOV CHRISTMAS CRAFT & FOOD FAYRE Best Western The Gables Hotel, Bristol Rd, Falfield GL12 8DL. 01454 260502, www.bestwestern.co.uk, 10am-4pm, free/small charge to visit Father Christmas • More than 30 stalls selling unique gifts, the chance to meet Father Christmas, mulled wine and mince pies.

SUN 20 NOV TEWKESBURY FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS High St, Tewkesbury GL20. 01684 855040, lights turned on at 5pm, St Nicholas Wishing Tree, Gloucester Life Museum, Tue 15 Nov-Sat 10 Dec

free • Father Christmas will be on hand to switch on the lights, plus farmers’ market, fairground and Christmas stalls.

SUN 20 NOV SWITCH ON CITY LIGHTS Gloucester Cathedral, 12 College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX. 01452 528095, www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk, from 5pm, free • Kick off the festive season with giant lanterns, town crier, samba bands and the illumination of the city’s lights.

TUE 22 NOV MUSEUM TOTS Gloucester City Museum, 103 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 503050, www. gloucestermuseums.co.uk, 10.30am-12.30pm, standard admission prices apply • Browse the galleries and take part in special tot-friendly activities. Stick, create, try out new toys and listen to stories.

FRI 25-SAT 26 NOV CANDLELIT MUSEUM TOURS Gloucester Life Museum, 99-103 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 396868, www. citymuseums.co.uk, 6pm & 7pm, £8 (adult)/£5 (conc) • See the museum come to life under the flicker of candlelight on a historical tour of the Tudor building led by museum curator Sarah Orton.

SAT 26 NOV BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Gloucester Life Museum, 99-103 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 396868, www.citymuseums.co.uk, 3pm, £8 (adult)/£5 (conc) • A one-off chance to explore areas not usually open to the public including three basements and the costume store, as well as the chance to see a dragon beam first hand.

SAT 26-SUN 27 NOV WINTER WONDERLAND Prinknash Bird & Deer Park, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX. 01452 812727, www.thebirdpark. com, 2.30-6pm, £12.50 (child)/£11 (adult) • Meet the park’s resident reindeer, look out over the valley lit with Christmas lights and meet Santa in his grotto, plus Nativity scene, Christmas fairy, face painting and children’s crafts. Tickets must be bought in advance.

SAT 26 NOV-TUE 3 JAN CHRISTMAS FANTASY: EVIE’S AIRPLANE Clearwell Caves, The Rocks, Coleford GL16 8JR. 01594 832535, www.clearwellcaves. com, 10am-5pm, £10/under-2s free • Follow the magical tale of Evie’s airplane as the story unfolds throughout the caves.

Receive a special present from Santa and browse for Christmas gifts in the underground cave shop.

SUN 27 NOV CHRISTMAS SHOPPING The Kings Head, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham GL52 8LU. www.

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PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! pitchero.com/clubs/cheltenhampowerchairfootball, 11am-3.30pm, free • Plenty of craft and food stalls selling treats, with all proceeds going to the Cheltenham Powerchair Football Club.

Tewkesbury Festival of Christmas Lights, Sun 20 Nov.

DECEMBER FRI 2 DEC BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER CHRISTMAS EVENING Bourton-on-the-Water town centre, GL54. www.bourtoninfo.com, from 6pm, free • The village will be ablaze with fairy lights as the unique Christmas tree illuminations are switched on.

SAT 3 DEC GINGERBREAD HOUSE Prema Arts Centre, South St, Uley, nr Dursley GL11 5SS. 01453 860703, www.prema.org.uk, 2-4pm, £38 (family of four) • Rachel Opher leads a gingerbread masterclass to get you feeling festive. All biscuit components provided plus decorating tips and heaps of icing and sweets.

SAT 3 DEC CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Dr Jenner’s House, Church Lane, Berkeley GL13 9BN. 01453 810631, www.jennermuseum.com, 11am-4pm, free • A range of local artisans sell festive gifts, plus the chance to see the house decorated for Christmas.

SAT 3-SUN 4 DEC GWR SANTA SPECIALS Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Toddington Railway Station, Toddington GL54 5DT. 01242 621495, www.gwsr. com, see website for times, £16 (from Cheltenham)/£14 (from Toddington) • Santa will be in residence in his Christmas grotto to hand out presents, plus there’ll be mince pies and hot drinks for parents.

SAT 3-SUN 4 & SAT 10-SUN 11 DEC WINTER WONDERLAND Prinknash Bird & Deer Park, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX. 01452 812727, www.thebirdpark. com, 2.30-6pm, £12.50 (child)/£11 (adult) • Meet the park’s resident reindeer, look out over the valley lit with Christmas lights and meet Santa in his grotto, plus Nativity scene, Christmas fairy, face painting and children’s crafts. Tickets must be bought in advance.

SAT 3-FRI 23 DEC CHRISTMAS AT DYRHAM Dyrham Park, Dyrham SN14 8ER. 0117 937 2501, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/dyrham-park, 10am-4pm, standard admission prices apply • Explore what Christmas was like in the 17th century, plus outdoor deer trail and other family activities.

TUE 6 DEC CLEEVE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial

Sq, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. 0844 5762210, www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk, 7pm, tickets available from Cleeve School • A variety of ensembles including the folk group, string groups, samba, orchestras, choirs and jazz band play some festive favourites.

THU 8 DEC MIRACLE ON 34th STREET Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 7pm, £6 (adult)/£5 (conc) • Screening of the original 1947 version of this Christmas classic. Young Susan Walker meets a man who just might be the real Santa Claus at her mother’s department store.

FRI 9 DEC CHRISTMAS DISCO The Kings Head, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham GL52 8LU. www. pitchero.com/clubs/cheltenhampowerchairfootball, 7pm-midnight, all tickets £3 • Festive drinks and dancing: all proceeds go to the Cheltenham Powerchair Football Club and St Mark’s Hospital Foundation.

TUE 13 DEC SLIMBRIDGE CYGNETS Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge, 10.30am for 11am start, £1.50 per child • Make some Christmas crafts to decorate your tree in a special activity session for toddlers.

ROUNDABOUT AND THEATRE LISTINGS BY ELLEN WHITE PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 11:06:41

SA

BO 10 VE OK % ON LIN E

Discover

an amazing world of birds & their Jurassic ancestors.

Penguin Feeds 11am & 2.30pm Replicated vouchers will not be accepted.

1 voucher per adult. May only be used once, must be presented on admission.

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Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos. GL54 2BN

T: 01451 820480 E: info@birdland.co.uk

NOW OPEN DAILY!

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Search Stagecoach Bus ŠLW

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PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES!

broomsticks and Bonfires YOUR HALLOWEEN AND GUY FAWKES NIGHT INFORMATION, ALL IN ONE PLACE THU 20-SUN 30 OCT HALF-TERM HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Cattle Country, Berkeley Heath Farm, Berkeley Heath, Berkeley GL13 9E. 01453 810510, www. cattlecountry.co.uk, 10am-5pm, standard admission prices apply • Take a tractor and trailer ride through the woods and meet the witch handing out treats in the Candy Cottage, plus scarecrow trail, pumpkin carving, marshmallow toasting and loads more Halloween fun.

THU 20-MON 31 OCT HALLOWEEN AT PRIMROSE VALE Primrose Vale Farm, Shurdington Rd, Bentham, Cheltenham GL51 4UA. 01452 863359, www.primrosevale. com, from 10am, £4.50 per trail • Annual Halloween celebrations including spooky trail and tons of pumpkins for sale.

SAT 22-SUN 30 OCT HALLOWEEN WITCH HUNT Puzzlewood, Perrygrove Rd, Coleford GL16 8QB. 01594 833187, www.puzzlewood.net, 10am-3.30pm, normal admission prices apply plus £1.50 per trail • Follow a set of clues, explore the maze of winding pathways and discover the forest whilst hunting for some mischievous and colourful witches.

SAT 22-SUN 30 OCT HALLOWEEN HARVEST Wild Place Project, Wild Place, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP. 0117 980 7175, www.wildplace. org.uk, 10am-5pm, children £5 with any full paying adult • Enjoy pumpkin carving, fancy dress competition, story trail, face painting, encounters with creepy crawlies and much more.

MON 24 OCT FIVE VALLEYS FIREWORKS DISPLAY Marling School, Caincross Rd, Stroud GL5 4HE. www.fivevalleysfireworks.org.uk, gates open 6pm/display from 8pm, £8 (adult)/£4 (child) • Family activities including fun fair, refreshments and arts activities, plus fireworks of course. All proceeds go to local charities.

MON 24-FRI 28 OCT HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA Tewkesbury School, Ashchurch Rd, Tewkesbury GL20 8DF. 01684 295074, www.rosestheatre.org, 10am-3pm, £60 per course • Week-long fright fest of spooky activities in collaboration with the Roses Theatre.

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Create creatures using face paint and costumes, as well as enjoying drama and thriller dance moves.

MON 24-SAT 29 HALLOWEEN WEEK Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe GL54 5JD. 01242 602308, www. sudeleycastle.co.uk, 10am-5pm, included in standard admission prices • Ghost tours through the (supposedly haunted) castle, spooky trail, storytelling from the Wise Woman of the Woods and magic shows from the Cabinet of the Curious and Strange.

MON 24-SUN 30 OCT HALLOWEEN TEA PARTY Cotswold Farm Park, Bemborough Farm, Kineton, Guiting Power GL54 5UG. 01451 850307, www.cotswoldfarmpark. co.uk, 11am-3pm, standard admission prices apply • Dig out your scariest costumes – every child in fancy dress receives a go in the lucky dip or treat basket. Face painting will be available for any finishing touches. You can also meet ghoulish reptiles, arachnids and insects with the Eco Animal Encounters team and play party games inside the giant witch.

Gloucester Zombie Walk, Sat 29 Oct

gwsr.com, from 10am, standard admission prices apply • Don frightening fancy dress and join the Spooky Special train from either Cheltenham Racecourse or Toddington station for a ride through the haunted tunnel.

Plus Halloween quiz, ghost hunt, themed activities and the chance to meet the Wicked Witch of Winchcombe.

SAT 29 OCT GLOUCESTER ZOMBIE WALK Walk leave Café Rene, 31 Southgate St, Gloucester GL1 1TP. 01452 309340, www.caferene. co.uk, meet from 1pm, free • Join the hordes of undead in your best fancy dress on a spooky stroll through the city centre.

WED 26 OCT STRETCHY WITCHES Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 10am-11am, £2 per child • Join the museum team and make a stretchy witch to take home this Halloween.

SAT 29 OCT SPOOKY WILD WOODCHESTER DAY Woodchester Mansion & Park, Nympsfield, Stonehouse GL10 3TS. 01452 814213, www.woodchestermansion.org.uk, 11am2pm, £5 (child)/accompanying adults free • Den building, wild art, bug hunting and more – all with a suitably spooky theme.

WED 26 OCT HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES Old Baptist Chapel Court, Tewkesbury GL20. 01684 297174, www.johnmooremuseum.org, drop in 10am-1pm, £3 (child)/ accompanying adults free • Halloween-themed art and craft activities for children.

FRI 4 NOV BATHURST PARK FIREWORKS Bathurst Park, Whitecross Rd, Lydney GL15 5DQ. 01594 842234, gates open 6pm, £3 (adult)/£2 (child)/free (under-5s) • Expect spectacular firework in aid of Bathurst Park and Recreation Trust.

FRI 28-SUN 30 OCT SLIMBRIDGE SPOOKTACULAR Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge, 9.30am-5.30pm, standard admission prices apply • Halloweenthemed activities and events all weekend, with fun, frolics and perhaps the odd shriek.

SAT 5 NOV CIRENCESTER FIREWORKS Victoria Rd Field, Cirencester. www. cirencesterroundtable. org.uk, gates open 5pm, £8 (adult)/£4 (child) • Cirencester Round Table host the annual display, plus family activities.

SAT 29 OCT STEAM & SCREAM Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Toddington Railway Station, Toddington GL54 5DT. 01242 621495, www.

sidebrewey.com, from 5pm, free/£5 parking • Locally sourced food, real ales, bonfire and fireworks on the farm.

SAT 5 NOV FERN FIREWORKS The Speech House Hotel, Speech House Rd, Coleford GL16 7EL. 01594 822607, www. thespeechhouse.co.uk, gates open 5pm/fireworks from 7.30pm, tickets £6/free for primary school age children • Annual FERN bonfire and fireworks display, plus funfair and refreshments.

SAT 5 NOV BISLEY BONFIRE NIGHT Bisley Recreation Grounds, Vanderbreen St, Bisley, Stroud GL6 7BN. 01452 770251, gates open 5.30pm, call for ticket prices • Bisley Blue Coat School PTA hosts the annual bonfire and fireworks display, plus hot food, mulled wine and glow-in-the-dark toys for little ones.

SAT 5 NOV WOTTON FIREWORKS WCSF Sports Field, New Rd, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 8JW. www.wotton-firework-display. co.uk, gates open 6.30pm, prices TBA • Organised by the Wotton Round Table, with a quieter display for children early on followed by the lighting of the bonfire and main fireworks.

Fern Fireworks, Coleford, Sat 5 Nov

SAT 5 NOV FIREWORKS AT HILLSIDE BREWERY Hillside Brewery, Hollybush Farm, Ross Rd, Longhope GL17 0NG. 01452 830222, www.hill-

» PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 11:07:16

Ellen White has some quick and easy ideas for decorating your home and cooking up tasty treats for Halloween and Bonfire Night

Awesome

“S

eason of mists and mellow fruitfulness,” wrote the Romantic poet Keats in his ‘Ode to Autumn’, and with Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching, there’s plenty of fruitful – though not necessarily mellow – fun to be had during the misty season. From pumpkin carving and seasonal recipes to spooky crafts and colourful firework art, we’ve come up with some ideas to get you in the mood as the nights draw in. And, if you don’t have time to organise anything at home, see our pick of Halloween and bonfire events in your area (Page 15).

There’s a whole host of inexpensive and easy ways to decorate your home for Halloween: homemade cobwebs can be made by pulling apart cotton wool balls and using hairspray to keep them in place or try simple paper chains in black and orange. Drape them over pictures frames, doorways and tables and add a few plastic spiders for effect.

Food can be used to make a fun Halloween guessing game. Put things in a box with a hole cut out

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16 Glos Features Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 7

autumn

so children can reach in and guess what ghastly items are inside.

Spaghetti makes great “worms”, jelly can be slime, peeled grapes can be used as eyeballs and so on.

If you fancy something less gruesome, apple bobbing is great fun for all ages at Halloween or on Bonfire Night and all you need for that are some apples and a large bowl filled with water.

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a Jack-O-Lantern grinning in the window. Pick a pumpkin with a reasonably flat base to ensure it will stay upright and scoop out as much of the flesh as you can; the thinner the walls of the pumpkin the easier it will be to carve a design. It can be messy, but it’s usually the bit children really get stuck in to.

It’s worth saving all the delicious insides too as there are plenty of options for recipes from risotto to soup to pumpkin pie. If you’re worried about children using sharp knives or have particularly little ones, then painting a design onto a pumpkin can be just as effective.

On the other hand, if you don’t fancy clearing up the mess at home, Tyntesfield is holding pumpkin-carving workshops on the 22, 24, 26 and 28 October, while Farrington’s Farm in Farrington Gurney is hosting its Spookley Pumpkin Festival from 21-31 October. You’ll also be able to practise your Halloween craft skills during half term at the Wild Place Project, the ss Great Britain, Bristol Zoo, the American Museum in Britain and Noah’s Ark. Bonfire Night can be a great source of inspiration, too, and fireworks make for a bright and colourful subject for paintings and collages to put up around

the house before the big day.

One particularly effective technique is to scribble all over a sheet of paper or card with lots of differently coloured crayons and then cover the whole lot with black crayon before using a lolly stick or similar to scrape away the top layer to create swirly firework shapes and reveal

scary Orange and black are

the colours beneath. You can get inventive in the kitchen, too, by making a bonfire cake using chocolate fingers for logs and lots of red and orange icing, while edible sparklers can be made very easily by dipping choccy fingers in hot water then dipping them in hundreds and thousands and leaving them to set.

cakes colours to decorate cup

Ghostly grub T

ried and tested cupcake recipes can be given a spooky Halloween twist using simple food colouring. Try adding green to the sponge and orange or black to the icing – or piping spider web or skull designs on top. Frozen banana ‘ghosts’ are very easy to make as well. Cut the bananas in half and

push a lolly stick into the bottom of each one, melt some white chocolate over a bowl of hot water then roll the bananas in the melted chocolate before sprinkling them with desiccated coconut. Once set, add chocolate drops to make faces and pop in the freezer on a baking tray for at least four hours.

AUTUMN HALF TERM 2016

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04/10/2016 10:52:23

3

1

2

4

Christmas is coming!

With the festive season fast approaching, Primary Times gives you the low down on Santa’s whereabouts, magical Christmas events and the best gifts for children this year.

W

hat with all the shopping to be done, the presents to buy and wrap and the decorations to put up, Christmas is busy for everyone. There’s one person, though, who’s especially busy this year and that, of course, is Santa Claus himself. The cheery chap with the red suit and white beard is certainly getting around in the run-up to the big day itself and there are lots of opportunities for children to pay him a visit and make sure he knows exactly what they want for Christmas this year.

As always, of course, he’ll be setting up his grotto in big local shopping centres but you can also track him down elsewhere.

On the first weekend in December, for example, Santa will start taking regular rides on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. Their Santa Specials begin on Sat 3 Dec and run at various times on selected dates up until Christmas Eve. Santa will also be taking up residence in the Winter Wonderland at Prinknash Bird

6

and Deer Park – and he’ll have his sleigh and some real-life reindeer with him too (Sat 26-Sun 27 Nov, Sat 3-Sun 4 Dec & Sat 10-Sun 11 Dec). The park will be lit up for the occasion, with the lights leading you all the way to Santa himself.

You can have your face painted and your photograph taken with the big guy and nip into the craft tent to make your very own Christmas cards.

Santa’s also finding time to visit the spectacular Clearwell Caves from Sat 26 Nov onwards where he’ll be handing out presents alongside a special Christmas event, ‘Evie’s Airplane’, a magical tale for both children and adults which unfolds as you walk through the caves. At Slimbridge, meanwhile, you’ll find him in the wetland centre’s new Kingfisher Kitchen so you can even join him for breakfast or take part in marshmallow toasting and elf den building (Sat 17-Fri 23 Dec).

It’s not all about Santa, of course, and Cheltenham Everyman has some tempting theatrical treats lined up for Christmas. As well as the knockabout panto, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ (Fri 25 Nov-Sun 8 Jan), there’s an adventurous tale of ‘The Great Bear of the North’ (Thu 1- Wed21 Dec) and Dickens’ firm favourite ‘A Christmas Carol’ (Wed 7-Fri 23 Dec). And if, after all that, you fancy a walk, Westonbirt Arboretum’s ever-popular Enchanted Christmas is back with its spectacular displays of illuminated trees from Fri 25 Nov until Sun 18 Dec. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway: W: www.gwsr.com

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16 Glos Features Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 8

Prinknash W: www.thebirdpark.com Clearwell Caves W: www.clearwellcaves.com Slimbridge W: www.wwt.org/ wetland-centres/slimbridge Westonbirt Arboretum W: www. forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt Everyman Theatre W: www.everymantheatre.org.uk

5

It’s a

gift!

If you’re stuck when it comes to buying presents for your little ’uns, here are some ideas which are bound to go down well on Christmas Day …

1. Selfie Mic Kids can bring out their inner pop star by creating their own music videos using this combined microphone and selfie stick with their mobile phone. £34.99, www.selfiemic.co.uk 2. Turbospoke You can make your push-bike look and sound like an actual motorbike with this bicycle exhaust system which fits all kinds of bike and doesn’t need

batteries. £14.99, www.smythstoys.com 3. TellTails From a fantastic fox to a dancing dino, a leaping leopard to a wicked wolf, you can transform yourself into your favourite animal with one of these handmade animal tails. £15-£20, www.telltails.co.uk 4. Adopt an Animal For something more unusual, why not adopt an animal on behalf of your child? Through WWT Slimbridge, you can adopt an otter, a duck or even a flamingo. From £5 per month. www.adoption.wwt.org.uk 5. WowWeeCHiP Robot Dog If the price doesn’t put you off, this could be the ‘must-have’ techie toy this Christmas: how you interact with it determines how your robot dog behaves. £199.00, www.wowwee.com/chip 6. Gromit Unleashed Bristol Monopoly Bristol version of the famous board game themed around the Gromit Unleashed trail around the city. And you’ll be supporting the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal when you buy it too. £19.95 www.wallaceandgromitcharity shop.org.uk 7. Christmas Steps sketchbook This is one of the most popular gifts from Made in Bristol, which promotes the work of Bristol artists and artisans (see lots more of their handmade gifts at their fairs in the Colston Hall on Sat 26 Nov, Sat 3, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Dec). £10, www. madeinbristol shop.co.uk

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PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 10:54:49

ADVERTISING FEATURE

d r a o b n Pi Bonjour, mes amis Research has highlighted the benefits of learning a foreign language at an early age. It helps with development, literacy skills and, of course, the ability to converse abroad!

Boasting more than 10 years of teaching experience, Bonjour les Bilingues are native French teachers passionate about the French language, education and children. They devise fun and stimulating classes for children between 4 and 16 years of age using the French and English national curriculum. Classes are aimed at all children, whether French or English, from beginners upwards.

Bonjour les Bilingues also welcome French-speaking children living in the UK on a temporary basis so they can continue their education in specially tailored sessions.

The programme is built to develop your child’s knowledge and confidence with the French language and encourage their love of learning.

Ffi: Bonjour les Bilingues T: 0753 551 8539 E: info@bonjourlesbilingues. co.uk W: Bonjourlesbilingues.co.uk

Building excitement The onehour Lego workshops at Slimbridge are perfect for fans of the famous building bricks. Participants are divided into two teams and then race to complete three tasks before relaxing a little and building a model frog with the help of a teacher which you can then take home. The workshop ends with a “great animal escape”, in which you build a Lego brick car to transport your animals and test it on a ramp.

Each class is for 20 people only so there’s lots of one-to-one support from the course leader, who’s been trained

by Lego design company Bright Bricks.

Sessions cost £8.95 and run three times a day at 11am, 1pm and 2.20pm on Saturdays and Sundays during term time (to Sun 6 Nov) and daily during half term (20-28 Oct). “Brilliant! We had a good time and really enjoyed ourselves,” said one participant. “Fab! Would love more like this.”

Ffi: Lego brick workshops, Slimbridge W: www.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Glos Pinboard Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 23

Parents’ & teachers’

news, education & contacts

Don’t myth it!

Visitors to Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-onthe-Water will be able to let their imagination fly away with them during the October half-term holidays (2230 October) with a special Halloweenthemed Myths and Legends Week.

Discover why owls are considered to be so wise, where the legend of the phoenix came from and find out which bird’s call the Romans believed meant imminent death in a series of fun talks at the renowned Bourton-on-the-Water attraction.

There will be quiz trails to follow, close encounter sessions and feeding displays throughout the holidays.

Watch keepers feed the king penguins and Humboldts twice daily as well as the pelicans and flamingos.

Journey back even further in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Cotswolds more than 65 million years ago and embark on a fascinating expedition discovering life-size dinosaurs too.

Ffi: Birdland Park and Gardens W: www.birdland.co.uk

Wild things This October half term (22-30 October), Wild Place Project is hosting a Halloween Harvest. With child entry at only £5 with a paying adult and lots of onsite activities, it’s the perfect way to keep the kids entertained this half term. Snap a #ScarecrowSelfie with the scarecrows around the site and take part in the fancy dress and carved pumpkin competitions to win some amazing prizes. You can also follow the story trail to discover a different side to the classic ‘Three Little Pigs’ tale and explore the woodland with the Webb’s Brake trail.

You can of course also visit the animal residents, including cheetahs, wolves, lemurs and the new gelada baboons. With talks and feeds happening throughout the day, you can learn all about the incredible creatures that can be found at Wild Place Project.

Wild Place is just off junction 17 of the M5. Visit the website for more information and tickets.

Ffi: Wild Place Project W: www.wildplace.org.uk

Witches and wizards wanted This Halloween half term Bristol Zoo Gardens hosts tricks and treats for your little ones. From Sat 22 to Sun 30 Oct, enjoy a special price of £5 child entry with every paying adult and see witches, wizards and black cats galore.

Bristol Zoo Gardens does the Halloween Festival in style. The beautiful coloured trees and plants provide a wonderful autumnal experience, with witches and wizards taking centre stage. There are crafty things to get up to in the activity centre, while the black cat trail gets you discovering things around the zoo, with a little treat and no tricks at the end!

For budding conservation enthusiasts, Bristol Zoo Gardens holds its conservation academy for children on Tue 25 and Wed 26 Oct. The fun-packed academy teaches children how to design an enclosure, what it takes to be an animal keeper and how they can help endangered species. Tickets from Bristol Zoo’s website.

Ffi: Bristol Zoo Gardens W: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Park and ride!

The Dick Whittington Park at Longhope in west Gloucestershire has undergone major changes over the summer. The massive indoor heated play barn is still very much the centrepiece of the attraction, but the farm animals, birds and reptiles have all been replaced with a new equestrian centre. There are now lots of ponies and horses to say hello to and children can enjoy a first experience on horseback for as little as £2 a go.

A range of activities are planned for the October Halloween half term.

Rain or shine, there will be lots to do. In addition to the play barn and go-kart course, there is the indoor climbing wall while face painting and glitter tattooing will take place daily along with pony rides. There will also be Halloween hunts, both indoors and outdoors.

Ffi: Dick Whittington Park, Longhope T: 01452 831000 W: www.dickwhittington.org

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04/10/2016 11:13:28

Adver tising Feature

It’s spooktacular!

• This October Cattle Country Adventure Park near Berkeley in Gloucestershire is promising to deliver its scariest Halloween half term yet. Perfect for children and adults, there’s something on offer for all ages. You can join a scary tractor and trailer ride to the fairy-tale wood to meet the friendly witch with her bag of treats or follow the Scarecrow Trail around the park and find all the hidden scarecrows to win a prize. And after all that you can then relax by the fire and toast marshmallows before carving your own pumpkin.

Whatever the weather, the park will be open for some Halloween fun every day from Thursday 20th October until Sunday 30th October from 10am until 4pm.

You can also enjoy all the usual park activities including the outdoor play areas, indoor play barns and the animal experience centre, as well as the brand new tower, bridge and slide on the Berkeley play castle. The café will be open during half term serving hot and cold food, drinks and snacks.

You can book online to get a 10% discount on admission prices.

You’ll find the park just off the M5 between J13 and J14.

Ffi: Cattle Country Adventure Park W: www.cattlecountry.co.uk

Adver tising Feature

All lit up

22nd October 30th October £5 child entry with a full paying

Fancy Dress welcome!

Black C

at Trail

Witching Crafts

rd Wiza sting Ca Spell

www.bristolzoo.org.uk

adult

*

• Winter Wonderland at Prinknash Bird and Deer Park will be as lovely as ever. The beautiful illuminations, which can be seen from afar, lead all the way to Santa. The trail is full of little surprises too. As the birds prepare for bedtime, hooting and quacking, and the reindeer get ready for their late feed, everyone is expectant that “tonight will be the night”.

The Christmas Fairy prepares herself for meeting children and the professional face painters put on those final touches so that, when Santa is found in his ash sleigh, the scene is set. The professional photographer will capture that special moment when your child receives their gift in person. The craft tent will be laden with interesting things to make cards with. It’s also where hot food and beverages will be found and where you sit and enjoy the illuminations peacefully.

“As the birds prepare for bedtime, hooting and quacking, and the reindeer get ready for their late feed, everyone is expectant”

Ffi: Prinknash Bird and Deer Park W: www.thebirdpark.com

* Terms and conditions apply. See website for details

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16 Glos advertising features Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 26

PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 11:14:22

Adver tising Feature

Pride of ‘Place’ • Visit the Dean Heritage Centre this October half term and enjoy craft and living heritage activities for all ages.

Situated in a picturesque heritage mill building in the Forest of Dean, the centre has five galleries, a reconstructed Victorian cottage, a charcoal burner’s camp, a woodland playground and the Gruffalo trail to explore and enjoy.

From Thursday 20 October to Sunday 30 October you can join the commemoration of the 950th anniversary of the battle of Hastings in 1066 and celebrate ‘Place’, an iconic Forest of Dean sculpture, more commonly referred to as the giant’s chair, which was decommissioned in October 2015.

Travel back nearly one millennia to experience what life would have been like for our Anglo-Saxon ancestors: How did they dress?

What did they eat? Where did food come from? But beware! A Norman invasion is imminent. Make your own shield, prepare for battle and learn how to protect our Fair Isle from the invading Normans.

‘Place’ featured in the hearts, minds and photographs of locals and visitors for 30 years. The Dean Heritage Centre is inviting people to enter photographs of it for a community exhibition. On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October you can meet the locally based charcoal burners who oversaw the charcoal burn of ‘Place’, learn what is special about the traditional charcoal burning process and how it can be utilised in forest landscapes for fuel and income.

Using charcoal produced from ‘Place’, local artists will lead workshops in charcoal sketching.

Ffi: Dean Heritage Centre W: www.deanheritagecentre.com

Adver tising Feature

Coming up at The Roses • The half-term highlight at The Roses this October has to be London Contemporary Theatre’s (LCT) family-friendly production ‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ on Saturday 22 October at 1.30pm & 3.30pm. LCT have sold out The Roses on their previous two visits and there’s a good reason why: they deliver quality family entertainment with the highest production values – adults and children love them, and with the invitation extended to include teddy bears, everyone can join in the fun! Don’t miss this fun-filled musical journey to solve a puzzling mystery with Freddy Teddy.

There’s also plenty of films to choose from during half term, including ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (Mon 24 & Wed 26 Oct), ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children’ (Tue 25 & Thu 27 Oct) and Arthur Ransome’s classic ‘Swallows & Amazons’ (from Wed 26 Oct).

For those who enjoy taking part and getting involved in workshops and activities, there are two options this half term. Choose from a toy making workshop (Mon 24 Oct) or a week-long inclusive drama course, Hallowe’en Extravaganza (from Mon 24 Oct).

Both are led by professional practitioners and full information is available online.

Finally, don’t forget to book early for this year’s traditional family pantomime, ‘Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood’ (pictured). It’s a pantomime that’s brand new to The Roses, but you can expect all of the slapstick, songs, dancing and laughter that make the theatre’s pantomime one of the most popular in the area. Robin Hood opens on Saturday 3 December and runs until Saturday 7 January.

Ffi: The Roses Theatre T: 01684 295074 W: www.rosestheatre.org

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Glos advertising features Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 27

Fun filled activities

for children

t offers various An indoor soft play centre tha for children activities and unique parties

Little Monkeys Workshop Tues 10am-12pm Activity Jungle Tues 4pm-6pm Children’s Fitness Classes Mon, Wed & Thurs 4pm-4.45pm Eco Animal Encounters 1st Tues of the month

For more information call

01453 769 120 or visit www.gobananas.org.uk

Go Bananas Leisure Ltd. Ebley Wharf Mill, Ebley, Stroud, Glos GL5 4SR

AUTUMN HALF TERM 2016 21

04/10/2016 11:15:08

Hello Kids!

Cattle Country Adventure Park has very kindly donated the prizes to my next art competion. Children who send me pictures on the subject My Favourite Thing at Cattle Country could win one of three family tickets to the Gloucestershire attraction. If you haven’t been there, have a look at the park’s website to see its range of exciting activities.

So get your crayons out and send me your pictures to: Arty Barty, Primary Times, 1 Temple Way, Bristol, BS2 0BY, or email high resolution jpegs to my editor at: mike.gartside@localworld. co.uk

Arty Barty The theme of animals and people obviously struck a chord with budding artists out there. Well done to the three winners who each receive a family ticket to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm.

Don’t forget to give me your name, age, full home postal address and the name of your school. Deadline: Monday 7 November.

Have fun!

Arty NB. Please see T&Cs at primarytimes.net/ avon/home-intro/tcs

Isaac Littlejohn, 5, Westbury on Trym CoE Academy, Bristol Isaac’s drawn himself bravely feeding a very fearsome lookingw crocodile. I love ho k sharp the teeth loo against the bold green.

Ruby Nunes, 9, Hillcrest Primary School, Bristol A fantastic Japanese ‘anime-style’ picture of a girl and her bigeyed husky. The bright blue of his eyes really stands out and I like the cold setting, complete with igloo.

Sophie Haycock, 5, Ellacombe Rd School, Longwell Green Sophie’s drawn a wonderfully vibrant ark. I love the huge waves towering on either side and the sun and rainbow in the corners.

WINNER!

WINNER! WINNER!

Nicholas Nikiforou, 9, Locking Primary School, Weston-super-Mare Nicholas has drawn a fantastically detailed Victorian horse and carriage. He’s thought of everything from the wheel spokes to the driver’s top hat.

Simply Marvel!

Mike Gartside reviews the new releases.

The eyes have it Political cartoonist Chris Riddell, now also a celebrated children’s author and laureate, no less, brings us the latest in his Ottoline series, in which our heroine encounters a purple canine in the streets of Big City. As you’d expect, the story is enchantingly illustrated, complete with luxurious green and purple cover. Riddell maintains his keen observer’s eye creating a world where animals, humans and mythical creatures rub along happily, sorting through the quirky clutter that ends up in Ottoline’s flat.

Children will be enchanted by the eccentricity of Ottoline’s life, although adults may tire of the rather slight tale - in places simple lists of oddball occurrences and objects.

But Riddell’s visual instincts remain impeccable and his status as children’s fiction man-of-the-moment is largely well deserved. Hopefully this is a blip and his future offerings will beef up the story-telling quotient.

Ottoline and the Purple Fox Chris Riddell, £10.99, MacMillan Children’s Books, www.panmacmillan.com

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16 Glos Books & Arty Barty Autumn Half Term 2016.indd 34

Emblazoned with the grimacing visage of The Hulk, presumably as he prepares to do battle with one of his many nemeses, this compendium of superheroes traces the myriad stories and characters developed by the US publisher, Marvel.

Originally a publisher of escapist, good vs evil tales for children, printed in inky comics, Marvel has become a global brand, celebrated in television, film and, indeed, luxury hardback encylopedias like this. The fact that educational imprint Dorling Kindersley is behind this edition demonstrates how profoundly Marvel has shaped our culture.

Ideal for nerds and would-be nerds, ‘Absolutely Everything . . .’ catalogues the storylines and vital statistics of the full stable of Marvel characters from Spiderman and The Hulk to less well-known players like Cyborg Rebecca Ryker or the Sinister Six. It’s a universe which mixes modern human imagination, personified by Captain America, with ancient legend, as Thor and Hercules are recruited to the superheroes’ pantheon. Of course, the illustration is as dynamic, colourful and impelling as you’d expect from Marvel, while its stories spell out ever more outlandish sci-fi scenarios. It’s pricey, at £17.99 but could encourage telly-addicts into the world of books, while acting as a useful reference for parents as they attempt to understand the Marvel world.

Marvel: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know Adam Bray, Lorraine Cink, John Sazaklis, Sven Wilson, £17.99, Dorling Kindersley, www.dk.com

PRIMARY TIMES

04/10/2016 11:18:59

Classifieds Arts & Crafts Paint -aPot

Swimming

• Paint your own ceramics • • Keep Sakes • Gifts • • Decopatch • Partyroom •

5 Cossack Square Nailsworth Stroud GL6 0DB

Tel 01453 835043 For all your dancewear needs • Ballet • Tap • Modern • www.paint-a-pot.co.uk • Jazz • Drama • ©LW www.colourdancewear.co.uk

QUALITY SWIMMING LESSONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. SMALL CLASSES & STROKE TECHNIQUE A PRIORITY AT ST. MARY REDCLIFFE SCHOOL

EVERY WEEK DAY 4-6PM & SATURDAY 9AM ONWARDS CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL SUNDAY 9-11AM

Fancy Dress

22 October 2016 – 23 April 2017

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OR CONTACT JENNY 07749908599 JACKIE 07749908599 | CAROLINE 01275 865185

Tickets available at bristolmuseums.org.uk In collaboration with

Making swimming lessons fun for all ages & abilites

Clifton: &

Westbury-On-Trym: Junior Lifeguard Academy

Under 16s go free

Ages 8 upwards - Sat 1.45pm and Tuesday 7.15pm Must be able to swim 50m + wearing clothes

New Advanced Lane classes opening in September on Sunday and Tuesday

Crime scene investigation parties and workshops for children age 7+ tel 0117 244 0053 web www.thedetectiveproject.co.uk

Unforgettable parties for ages 5+ at your local venue

nerf gun parties 07412 797900 www.boystoysparties.co.uk

Baby, preschool, individual & pairs lessons available in a private pool near Thornbury Register online: www.splash-Happy.co.uk E-mail: hazel@splash-happy.co.uk Tel: 01454 228817 ©LW

Tuition Longlevens Tuition Helping Primary Children with Maths & English Skills Tuition for 11 Plus 2017 Help with dyslexia Mrs Manley, NNEB, BSc (Hons) PGCE

Gloucester (01452) 387228

Book now for FREE bouncy castle hire Limited period only

Mini Golf

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A dazzling collection of gold and silver encrusted with garnets that reveals the secrets of Anglo-Saxon warriors and their swords.

Party Ideas

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FULL DETAILS SEE WEB:

www.wavesswimschool.co.uk

BONJOUR LES BILINGUES French classes for kids and teens!

Fun educational program

• Classes françaises • After-school sessions • Classes for teens

FREE TRIAL

07535 518 539 / bonjourlesbilingues@gmail.com

www.bonjourlesbilingues.co.uk

Piano, Sax, Guitar, Drums, Cello

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individual lessons and group workshops for children from 3 to adults Studios in central and north Bristol BRISTOL MUSIC SCHOOL www.bristolmusicschool.com

emed H 15 ThOpen every dayoles during half term.

Call 01594 840 082 for more information! Or visit www.krazygolflydney.co.uk Day pass applies to all visitors.

• Tuition on Acoustic and Electric Guitar • Beginners to advanced (any age welcome!)

• Enhanced CRB/DBS clearance • Available to teach in school holidays • Discounts available for teaching small groups • Able to travel city wide

JIM JOHNSTON

Tel: 0787 0887242 E-mail: jim@jimjohnstonmusic.com www.guitarlessonsbristol.com

PRIMARY TIMES

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30/09/2016 16:24:29

Thursday 10 November at 6pm at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON AND CHARITY CONCERT And opening of the Winter Wonderland with

FREE

CHARITY CONCERT In aid of BBC Children in Need

Suggested voluntary donation £2 per ticket Ticket only event: details of how to get your FREE ticket at mallcribbs.com © 2007. Registered charity England and Wales no. 802052 and Scotland no. SC039557.

The Joy of Christmas Shopping 12

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AUTUMN HALF TERM 2016

PRIMARY TIMES

30/09/2016 15:03:48